Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ USB 2.0 / Ethernet HD Media Player Only STCEA201-RK

Pros: Really simple to setup and use. I don't use a drive in it, I use it to access my media server. You don't need to config it hardly at all if you don't mind browsing down 3 levels or so to your media server. U-Tube service is a nice feature. INEXPENSIVE for it's functionality.

Cons: Decoding AVI on the fly saves the media server the load, and allows streaming to multiple devices at same time, however, there is a quality hit. No biggie for me, if I want a quality video experience I go for the DVD, 99% of time, I just want instant access to media without fiddling with DVD's.

Pros: Plays nearly every file format I've tried. Streaming over the LAN works well.

Cons: While 720p/1080p video works, the clarity isn't nearly as good as alternative players, such as a laptop. High definition playback can be choppy or "blocky".

Other Thoughts: This is great for standard definition video and audio. For high-definition video, I would consider a higher end player.

Pros: Plays most everything I throw at it. There is a couple of codecs it lacks, but I have learned what they are, and do not download files with them. If I do, I just run them through Handbrake and all is good. I tried several others before buying this, and have tried a couple since, and none play as well and as reliable as this. Works great with a 2TB drive in a open dock, hooked via USB port.

Cons: Not flashy, and as allured to by many others, the remote stinks. However for me, I use a Harmony to turn all the devices on I need to use it, so no big deal there.

Other Thoughts: Only issue I have is when hooking it via HDMI. For whatever reason, the picture is fine, but it cuts off, meaning that it is shifter to the right. The video on the far right is actually run off the screen, and is displayed on the far left. I can't use HDMI, which I would prefer. I have tried HDMI 1.3, and 1.4 cables, several of each. Same result. Anyone have any idea what this would be caused from?

Pros: Plays all kinds of media. Has all kinds of outputs, so I can hook it up to an old system or a new system.

Cons: Requires a reboot on occasion to connect to the wireless network.

Pros: Plays almost everything, great picture quality and sound. Easy interface.

Cons: Very Slow response, software a little corky, will not play bluray format.

Other Thoughts: To play bluray movies have to first convert to other supported format such as MKV.

Pros: Plays just about every format. Compact so can sit right on my fireplace mantle. Can install Net Remote iPhone app to use as a remote (you'll want this if you have an iPhone for reasons noted in the Cons section). Netflix capability is nice but can't search.

Cons: Remote sucks as you need to stand within 10 ft and aim it directly to the unit. Would be nice to have basic buttons on the unit for those days when the remote is MIA. It occasionally reboots for no apparent reason. Very few USB network adapters work with this unit so do your research first.

Other Thoughts: Overall, worth the money.

Pros: Simple, small device. Plays all file formats that I have tried (MP4, VOB, ISO, AVI, MTS, and more). Updates to system software are automatic and straightforward.

Cons: User interface is not well refined. Simple, but clunky. Screen changes from interface point to I/F point is slow.

Other Thoughts: Love the player - bought a second one for main TV downstairs as well. Wish they (NewEgg) had them in stock. Found #2 at other online store that sells books - cost more - but wanted it. Highly recommended. Allows DVD backups (ISO) to play just like the DVD.

Pros: None

Cons: I regret my decision of purchasing this unit; it is not a plug and play unit when comes to connecting to my LAN network.
After all the tweaks to my PC (which was supposed to be working fine networking with other items in the house) to accommodate this unit, I'm still unable to access my files in the PC due to its request of the "Net user ID" and "Net password" which Seagate supports don't even know what the solution for this might be.
Their Tech. supports have very low knowledge of the system; I spoke to three different techs. at different times, one of them blame on my router subnet mask setting, another one suggest me to find another route by using the Media Server option (which is another monster of its own), and another one cut my phone line after heard the symptom of the error.

Other Thoughts: Stay away from this unit, it doesn't work as it promise on the description.
I give it a one egg rating by mistake because I don't think I could leave it blank

Pros: 1080p video. Looks really, really sharp with the right video files.

Can stream video over a network from Mac OS X or Windows when connected with an ethernet cable.

A decent selection of third party web services (radio, YouTube, NetFlix).

Cons: It's not as easy to configure as Apple TV.

No built-in wireless connectivity. Requires an adapter that'll turn wireless into ethernet if you want wireless connectivity (which I have which is why I got it).

Setting Windows up to stream video can be VERY frustrating.

I'm still not sure how I got it streaming in Windows 7. I logged in to the admin account (I don't work in an admin account) and shared the video folder I wanted to share using that. Sharing it from within the regular account but with admin authentication did not work. I had to be logged into the admin account.

Anyway, your mileage will vary. I still recommend it fairly strongly but it's not as much a slam dunk as say the Apple TV (though, the Apple TV has a different job in our house than the FreeAgent).

Other Thoughts: Haven't tried connecting a hard drive or a USB memory key to the device to play video. Am sure it'll work.

Pros: Plays everything i throw at it, cant find a single file that wont work.

Cons: Constantly in and out of stock, keep checking it'll come back in, hopefully.

Other Thoughts: A wireless dongle can be bought for around $10, check the sea gate forums for the off brand link, it allows me to stream nearly everything(not some 1080p as its requires to much bandwidth).