Aston prepping Bee-Box WiFi media streamer

French electronics manufacturer Aston looks set to get in on the WiFi media streamer action, with details of its forthcoming Bee-Box unit now coming to light. While the field's getting increasingly crowded, the Bee-Box looks like it'll set itself apart in at least one respect, being based largely on the open-source VLC media playback software. That means that if VLC can play it (in other words, just about everything), you'll be able to stream it to up to four different TVs within range of your WiFi network (with a Bee-Box on each, naturally). If that's not enough, you'll also be able to put it to work streaming some IPTV, including France's Freebox TV service. Look for it to launch in Europe this March for an even 100 Euros ($130).

[Thanks, Fred]

[sartinsauce @ Jan 26th 2007 4:53PM]

This is the media streamer we've been waiting for.

Yippeee!

[substance12 @ Jan 26th 2007 6:10PM]

my eyes lit up once I read "VLC"

[Taz @ Jan 26th 2007 7:03PM]

I love the idea of a hardware based VLC solution... but how much grunt is this thing going to have? Will it be able to stream .ts files or x264 stuff? I'm not ready to retire my Xbox Media Center machine just yet :)

[kevin @ Jan 26th 2007 11:24PM]

YES!!! and DAMN!!! yes because it is what the hell apple TV should of been, not a freaking screen less iPod that only plays what you got in iTunes! and DAMN because its in Europe only...

at a nice 130 dollar price point... that is really nice... I would definitely get this if apple TV comes up short and really really officially doesn't support different file formats.

"just convert them to iTunes and stream it dumb-butt!"

But I do not wanna convert all my movies (that I legally obtained)!!! thats hours and hours!!! a nice VLC playing box is just sweet or at least something that I can transfer all my codecs from my quicktime folder and the box act as a quicktime set top box that acts like front row! should i patent that idea? NO, ill pay someone that will use it though! ok im done...

[Sam @ Jan 26th 2007 11:36PM]

VLC? Does this mean it will also work with the HDHomerun?

[Funkyberry @ Jan 27th 2007 3:44PM]

Oh dear..... I wonder if we'll get another iPhone vs. iPhone lawsuit over this: Bee Box vs Be Box

The UK's first ADSL 2+ provider Be has branded its ADSL 2+ modem the Be Box since they launched.... https://www.bethere.co.uk/dataSheet.do

[Gordy @ Jan 30th 2007 8:49AM]

You had me at 'VLC'.