Planex MZ-04G router sports USB, BitTorrent compatibility

External P2P clients with a hint of NAS aren't unheard of, but it's still refreshing to see a new face joining the relatively small clan. Planex's MZ-04 takes a four-port gigabit Ethernet router, throws in wireless functionality, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and gives the BitTorrent savvy the ability to hook up an external HDD and keep those downloads / uploads rolling through the night even when the PC catches some shut eye. Additionally, the firm suggests that customers could take advantage of the iTunes server function to stream music via Ethernet / WiFi, and the obvious NAS characteristics and PlayStation 3-compatibility are nice touches as well. Unfortunately, we've no idea how soon (or not) this feature-packed router will hit store shelves, but here's to hoping it makes the journey to American soil.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

[psilo @ May 8th 2007 3:08PM]

Pardon my ignorance... couldn't the Apple Airport do all this? considering it has the ability to hook up any external usb hard drive? Wouldn't it provide the same functionality?

[nezromatron @ May 8th 2007 3:25PM]

no. the Airport doesn't have Gigabit ether.

[Paul @ May 8th 2007 3:33PM]

Not the mention bittorrent capability. If it has QOS or I can use 3rd party firmware on it, I'm sold!

[Andir3.0 @ May 8th 2007 4:05PM]

As a PS3 owner behind a Linksys WRT-54G using DD-WRT and working just fine, what makes a router "PS3 Compatible"? Is it the ability to route standard TCP traffic over the Internet?

[Michael Francis @ May 8th 2007 6:31PM]

If this has 802.11n I am friggin sold. Wel, then again,
I hope its fast and I would really like a ADSL2 modem built in like my current
router, well, I can dream can't I?

And finally,
IMPORT PLEASE!

[James Harris @ May 8th 2007 7:05PM]

Right! What makes this so PS3 compatible? Maybe they were thinking PSP, which allows RSS audio to be streamed or downloaded.

[desune @ May 8th 2007 8:02PM]

According to the Planex web site, it mentions nothing about any kind of wireless capability...nor does the AkihabaraNews site say anything about it. Either someone over at Engadget is dreaming or their translator is broken.

[KC @ May 8th 2007 9:07PM]

I would consider this if they took out the router and switch part, just offer the NAS + streaming + bittorrent, and I'm sold on it.

[Scasi @ Jul 5th 2007 5:25AM]

the PS3 compatible is the DLNA in the router that enable the PS3 to be able to view the movie, song, pic in the PS3 OS.

The PSP compatible list is becoz Planex is hosting the Xlink kai server for SEA region, PSP user can then log in to their server