DivX GejBox media streamer hardware revealed

Looks like we were right about DivX developing some hardware: say hi to the DivX GejBox (no, we're not spelling that GejBox;-), sorry guys). Basically this thing is a media streaming beta box to test out DivX's new connected hardware platform initiative, so it's safe to say that while a select few beta testers will get to play around with a GejBox, this device will most likely never make it to market -- at least not in its current form. (DivX is really trying to get harware-makers to pick up their platform, we don't think they want to be in the box business.) Still, it does have some interesting features, like S/PDIF, and HDMI, and because the platform is intended to be incredibly extensible, not only do you have the requisite home network video / picture / audio streaming, but it's also got support for live DivX Stage 6 high-def internet video streaming, and even a Google Video plugin not too different from the YouTube Apple TV plugin we saw debuted at D. Check out the pictures!

Gallery: DivX GejBox media streamer hardware revealed

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[Jason @ Jun 9th 2007 7:34PM]

I don't see component on there anywhere. And what is the point of composite anymore? Is this 1991? Get a new TV, people. And what advantage does this have over a Media Center PC?

[kvocal @ Jun 9th 2007 8:31PM]

Now let me think....

...where have i seen that User Interface before?


That's right...

http://www.apple.com/appletv/sync.html

[Ryan Block @ Jun 9th 2007 8:35PM]

The TV was taking composite input, but it may use a propritary output to composite -- that large black cable-connector. Either way, changed up the wording a bit.

[cole @ Jun 9th 2007 9:00PM]

whatever happened to the sling catcher? They announced it in Jan for a June release but then nobody ever talked about it again. Engadget should give us an update.

[Shaylon Clark @ Jun 9th 2007 9:19PM]

Advantage: It's cheaper.

[JJ @ Jun 9th 2007 10:18PM]

1.) Normal people, and those in the low middle-income class and lower cannot afford new T.V.s that support HDTV, component, and/or HDMI input. Not everyone is made of money.

2.) Yes, that interface definitely is a ripoff of Apple TV. The menu, instead, is on the left, not the right. The structure and style mimics it as well.

3.) This is a nice competitive alternative to Apple TV, however. It would be nice though if this an actual product ready for mass-market.

[LegendZ28 @ Jun 10th 2007 7:19PM]

@xkvocal

Stop being an ass. There are plenty of media center apps that have a similar menu system that were out way before Apple. Hell, I had been using distantDVD (http://distantdvd.com/screenshots.php) on my mac mini long before the AppleTV was even announced.

[Skyler @ Jul 24th 2007 5:40PM]

component is provided via the scart cable (the big black one) similar to this picture:

http://www.cinewave.com.au/CCM-SCART.jpg

[jplett @ Sep 18th 2007 7:41AM]

I'm with the folks who think Composite's handy. You have HDMI for your Plasma & composite for when you want to hook it up @ Grandma's. Everybody wins. It's the intermediate outputs like S-Video that I question the usefulness of. btw, is that a SCART cable?
As for the usefulness of the box, I for one would find it handier than burning DivX content to rewritable DVD or CD just to play on my set top box.

[Paul @ Jun 9th 2007 7:34PM]

i love how it has ;) in the name

[TJ @ Jun 9th 2007 7:40PM]

So how do you pronounce that?

[LegendZ28 @ Jun 10th 2007 7:20PM]

"Wink"?

[nano @ Jun 9th 2007 7:48PM]

GayBox

[kL @ Jun 9th 2007 8:07PM]

In Polish it actually does mean GayBox :)

[kL @ Jun 9th 2007 8:07PM]

In Polish it actually does mean GayBox :)

[Sanjin @ Jun 10th 2007 1:58AM]

In many languages this would be pronounced as GayBox, well, at least all Slavic, even Nordic that I know...

[Reginald @ Jun 9th 2007 7:53PM]

Ohhhh, I get it. Gej was the original haxor who developed the original DivX codec called DivX;-)

OMG, dats so l33t!

Anyway, stupid name but yes the Apple TV is a cool idea.

[RyanTV @ Jun 9th 2007 8:07PM]

this is hot... I'd buy 3 of these.

[JohnTitor @ Jun 9th 2007 8:36PM]

anyone know a decently affordable alternative to the AppleTV since this isn't out yet?
I know an HTPC could do anything but I really just need the wireless streaming media from my desktop preferably in HD

[Charbax @ Jun 9th 2007 9:34PM]

The best (even much better) alternatives to Apple TV are: Kiss DP-1600, Dvico, Netgear and more.

Those have the advantage of playing back HD resolution Mpeg4, Mpeg2, H264, DivX, XviD and more. As well as full Upnp compatible for sharing files from NAS or your computer on your local network.

But none have great VOD support as far as I know, but this will come very soon from all those companies I am sure. One thing that is for sure is that Apple TV sucks compared to those existing solutions. KiSS DP-500 has been on the market for like more than 4 years and is in itself much better than the SD resolution Apple TV.

[kakapo @ Jun 9th 2007 8:44PM]

The BIg Black cable on the back is a SCART connector - we had them here in Australia prior to HDTV and Plasma and LCD television. It is a European standard. This looks like more than a mock-up. I would say someone (oh say, DivX) is looking to sell off a good, maybe even great, idea to a "box" manufacturer to compete with other streaming boxes out there. :)

[TeddyN @ Jun 9th 2007 8:57PM]

Dunno what that thing does, but it looks kind of cool.

[Arthur @ Jun 9th 2007 9:18PM]

Eh, Dvix is cool but I need support for Xvid, OGG, MKV, and subtitles. Can it do that? I'll probably stick with my XBMC.

[Tom @ Jun 10th 2007 6:43PM]

true say about XBMC, those folks really made fools out of microsoft sony and nintendo for not releasing software of equal quality.

[Skyler @ Jul 24th 2007 5:43PM]

xvid is supported. ogg should be here soon, and MKV is a container, so that's a little more complex, even if they want to support it.

[Low @ Jun 9th 2007 9:30PM]

I like it more than that Apple box.

[billy @ Jun 9th 2007 9:30PM]

http://www.macpower.com.tw/entertainment/

[Flying? @ Jun 9th 2007 9:39PM]

Stage6 support is a real asset : it works incredibly fine and fast for all kinds of video resolutions ...

[Skyler @ Jul 24th 2007 5:44PM]

stage 6 works great on this out of the box.

[David Clark @ Jun 11th 2007 8:17AM]

Finally!! Call it a ripoff, but considering this does Divx and Xvid straight out of the box, this is _much_ better than Apple TV. Seriously. $300 to watch iTunes content? w00t for Divx.

(And I'm assuming it does Xvid since all 3 of my Divx certified DVD players plays Xvid flawlessly.)

[elmeng @ Jun 10th 2007 10:38AM]

Gee, I remember asking Divx when Stage6 came out with it if they would consider using syabas to put it on a media service portal to stream content for networked devices such as the now defunked Avel Linkplayer, so I could watch it on my HDTV. Seems they took the idea and ran in a different direction.

LJ

PS Do I get credit for the idea?

[gfar @ Jun 10th 2007 11:57AM]

will my stock in divx finally bounce back now?
...probably not.

[mroach @ Jun 10th 2007 3:18PM]

Haha, yeah, "Gej" is pronounced "Gay" in the Nordic languages.

[uros @ Jun 10th 2007 3:36PM]

"this device will most likely never make it to market -- at least not in its current form"

Obviously. Any speaker of a language where J is pronounced like Y (there are many) will think this is a GayBox ;). I first thought this was a Keepin' It Real Fake, before seeing the title! And the ;-) doesn't make it seem any less funnier.

[Aaron @ Jun 10th 2007 5:25PM]

As others have pointed out, lots of languages pronounce J like Y... Not a problem if you're keeping it in the US, I guess, but... hmm...

[Ano Nym @ Jun 12th 2007 11:19PM]

This will be a great add on to my home theater, i'd buy 3 of these also, IF DivX actually does think about supporting additional formats, especially Matroska (.mkv) So, that seems to be the real showstopper here...

The French restaurant around the corner serves "crap" LOL, ROFL, LMAO .... (pause) NOT [funny]...
OK,OK I had to borrow that last part from Borat, and I better mention the reference so nobody gets carried way on that one. Research, learn, expand your brains, screw generality.

BTW, pretty lame statement about the "wink", I would have expected more from you "Ry ;-)". See, looks good, doesn't it?

[eflix @ Jul 5th 2007 3:08AM]

Does is work with mac?