Beyonwiz DP-S1 firmware update short on new features

By Adam Turner
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 19:31

Opinion and Analysis

Beyonwiz has released the first firmware update for its all-in-one DP-S1 Personal Video Recorder - adding the ability to copy recordings to USB devices, but disappointingly not yet to network devices.

The DP-S1 was launched in Australia in May with several key features incomplete or disabled. Firmware 01.03.077 adds the ability to expand the DP-S1's capacity using an external USB drive or memory stick. While users can not record television directly to USB devices, they can copy recordings to a USB device and then play back those recordings from the USB device.

The firmware update also adds OGG playback and the ability to upgrade to a 500GB hard drive (although this voids the warranty). The rest of the firmware update is dedicated to bug fixes, such as problems with subtitles and chasing playback. A full list of bug fixes can be found on the Beyonwiz website.

The ability to copy recordings from the DP-S1 to a USB device is important for archiving as the DP-S1 does not feature a DVD burner, just a DVD player. Whilst recordings can be transferred to a USB device and then a computer, Beyonwiz uses the .tvwiz format for which it does not offer playback software. The .tvwiz format is actually a folder containing 32MB data files. While Windows Media Player 10 says it does not recognise the files, it will play them. The files can also be opened and edited with software such as VideoReDo.

Disappointingly, the promise of copying to network devices is yet to be fulfilled. The firmware update also fails to address many of the player's other shortcomings. Whilst the quick release of the first firmware update is a sign that Beyonwiz does not intend to abandon DP-S1 owners, it's still a leap of faith to spend $AU1600 on a PVR yet to deliver on all of its promises.

According to Beyonwiz, the following features are still to come;

• Back-up contents in USB storage or memory cards to HDD
• Direct playback of contents in DP-S1 with PC
• Back-up contents in DP-S1 to PC
• Program and service information transfer through network
• Multilingual menu text supported
• Configuring DP-S1 with PC through home network
• Firmware update through Internet
• Useful internet service

While these features will be useful additions, Beyonwiz would do better to focus its efforts on fixing the following major problems with the DP-S1;

• Inability to simultaneously watch a DVD and record a television program
• Inability to pad recording times in case a program starts early or finishes late
• Inability to play AAC and ISO files as well as M3U and WPL playlists
• No Picture in Picture
• No warning against changing channels whilst timeshifting

The DP-S1 is already the most fully featured PVR on the Australia market, but it's also one of the most expensive. The inability to pad recording times also makes it practically useless in Australia since the networks deliberately don't start programs on time. For $AU1600 you can buy a mid-range media centre which can do far more than the DP-S1, and anyone technical enough to appreciate the DP-S1 would probably be open to owning a media centre instead. As such, Beyonwiz needs to accelerate its firmware program and/or drop its prices if it wants to earn a place in Australian lounge rooms.

UPDATE: Beyonwiz DP-S1 PVR finally comes of age, but TiVo looms large