Wi-Fi and Networking Reviews
13,669 Reviews

Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD HD media-streaming device

£130 inc VAT

Manufacturer: Pinnacle

Our Rating: We rate this 3 out of 5

By | 04 January 08

Like all of Pinnacle's ShowCenter products, the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD enables rich multimedia content stored on your PC or network to be enjoyed on your living room TV without the need for messy wires, keyboards or mice.

Like all of Pinnacle's ShowCenter products, the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD enables rich multimedia content stored on your PC or network to be enjoyed on your living room TV without the need for messy wires, keyboards or mice.

Related Articles

The ShowCenter 250HD adds HD TV capabilities, allowing compatible content to be displayed on your HD TV set in resolutions of up to 1080i.

The Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD itself is blank save for a solitary power button – it's operated entirely from the supplied remote control. There's no internal storage space. Instead, content is streamed to the device over your home network either from a UPnP media server or from your PC.

Alternatively you can attach storage devices to the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD directly via the USB port.

If you're running Windows Vista or an up-to-date version of Windows Media Player, then there's no software to install on your PC as long as it is set up to share local media. The Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD will automatically detect your media library and allow you to browse through it.

SCART, composite and s-video ports allow standard definition equipment to be used, while high-definition content is delivered via analogue component video. Unfortunately, no HDMI connection is provided with the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD. Wired and wireless 802.11g network adaptors are built-in - a wired or HomePlug network connection is recommended for reliable HD streaming.

For all its attempts at simplicity, the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD isn't quite as easy to use as it could be. Products like this should 'just work' and too often, in the face of a problem, the ShowCenter just doesn't.

If the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD is configured for a video mode not supported on your TV, you won't be able to get a picture, regardless of how many times you cycle through the output options. Neither is it as easy as it should be to connect to a wireless network. With a device like the Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD, such procedures really should be as painless as possible.

NEXT PAGE: format support, playback quality and our expert verdict > >

Visit Digital World for the latest reviews and news on home-entertainment equipment.

Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD Expert Verdict »

1 next »

Post Review
Supported video formats: Windows Media 9, WMV-DRM, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVI, DivX, XviD
Supported HD video formats: MPEG 2 (720p and 1080i), MPEG 4 AVI (up to 720p) and WMV (720p and 1080i)
Supported music formats: mp3, WMA, WMA Pro, WMA lossless, WMA-DRM, PCM WAV
Supported image formats: JPEG, PNG: SCART, Composite video, S-video and Component video connections
built-in wireless 802.11g and wired 100Mbit Ethernet
infrared remote control
298x230x40mm
1.37kg
  • Build Quality: We give this item 8 of 10 for build quality
  • Features: We give this item 6 of 10 for features
  • Value for Money: We give this item 6 of 10 for value for money
  • Overall: We give this item 6 of 10 overall

The Pinnacle ShowCenter 250HD is simple yet functional and, once it's set up, relatively unobtrusive. But in this age we demand something slicker and more inviting from an entertainment device. A few simple tweaks could make a world of difference.

There are currently no price comparisons for this product.
  • Pinnacle PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick review

    Pinnacle PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick

    We tested Pinnacle's PCTV HD Pro Stick to see how well it converted a PC into a high-definition TV.

  • Avid Studio 1.1 review

    Avid Studio 1.1

    A minor update to Avid Studio 1.1 fixes a slew of bugs on this well-featured video editor for Windows.

  • Slingbox Solo media-streaming device

    Slingbox Solo media-streaming device

    The Slingbox Solo is a bold little media-streaming device: its trapezoid design is refreshingly distinctive.

  • LinkSYS Media Center Extender with DVD Player DMA2200

    LinkSYS Media Center Extender with DVD Player DMA2200

    Devices such as the LinkSYS Media Center Extender with DVD Player DMA2200 enable you to connect your television to your computer via a home network and control Media Center from the comfort of your couch.

  • Netgear EVA700

    Netgear EVA700

    Put briefly, the Netgear EVA700 acts as a link between your TV or hi-fi and the digital media stored on your PC.

Share this article



Comments

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.