Ziova intros ClearStream CS615 HD media streamer

It's been a tick since Ziova cranked out a new media streamer, but its ClearStream CS615 looks pretty promising. Interestingly, this one doesn't feature any built-in wireless capabilities nor a DVD drive, but it seems as if the firm's CEO is aiming this unit at folks who didn't want to go cordless, anyway. You will, however, find USB 2.0 and 10 / 100 Ethernet ports along with a caddy for an internal 3.5-inch HDD, and the support for WAV, H.264, FLAC, OGG, LPCM, WMA, AAC, AC3, DTS, MPEG1/2/3/4, WMV9, QuickTime, JPG, BMP, GIF and PNG files (just to name a few) ain't too shabby, either. Furthermore, there's HDMI (HDCP-compliant), S-Video, composite and component video jacks, support for SMB / FTP and a front-mounted LCD to dish out ID3 tags and other pertinent information. The CS615 is slated to land stateside in March for $329, while Europeans and Aussies can expect it to head their way shortly thereafter.

[Phillip Black @ Dec 30th 2007 2:56AM]

Without Divx or Xvid I find it hard for me to take this thing seriously.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 30th 2007 3:37AM]

Their CS510 supports XviD, Nero Digital and ISO files among others, so I'm hoping this one does, too. Ziova's website doesn't have anything on this new product, yet.

[Ben @ Dec 30th 2007 4:10AM]

No way would they drop xvid/divx. ALL their old models support it, and it stretches credibility to imagine that this one wouldn't too.

[bryan @ Dec 30th 2007 8:42AM]

Divx/xvid are both MPEG4, which is supported.

[Salsa Shark @ Dec 30th 2007 7:34PM]

If you read the article, there is a PDF link along the right side that is a two-page overview of the device. Under the MPEG-4 support, they mention XviD and 3ivx support.

[Mike @ Dec 30th 2007 3:44AM]

If it plays the mkv container format I might just need to get one. I really want something that will play 720p or 1080 h.264 in mkv with ac3 or dts audio. Most HD releases are in that format now.

[NONE @ Dec 30th 2007 5:21AM]

I already own a similar device : http://www.popcornhour.com/

Why is this worth $150 more than the Popcorn Hour?

[TheCow5 @ Dec 30th 2007 11:29AM]

@NONE, does the popcorn hour plays .MKV files?
if it dows I may get one instead of having Vista MediaCenter.
well its missing Opticle audio out but I can live with that.

[NONE @ Dec 30th 2007 2:39PM]

Yes, it's played every 1080p and 720p MKV file I've thrown at it. The only files that haven't worked have been a MJPG codec from my canon camera, an XVID file that was encoded improperly (all other XVID files have worked) and a file that used OGG Vorbis for audio.

Check the Popcorn Hour NMT forums... there's tons of info there.

[TheCow5 @ Dec 30th 2007 10:11PM]

Thanks, I went to get one but everyone wants one and there is a line so I registered.
I did notice it dows have an opticle audio out so 6.1 audio to the receiver is a go.
Thanks again.

[Rk @ Dec 30th 2007 8:47AM]

I always see things like this and never know what the hell to think. Do I need something like this or is my Xbox 360 sufficient for my media streaming needs? (Minus the Quicktime etc)

[NovaLand @ Dec 30th 2007 8:50AM]

The mediabox is silent

[Rk @ Dec 30th 2007 8:51AM]

Touche!

[James @ Dec 30th 2007 10:00AM]

The problem with wireless is reliable bandwidth. I currently use two appleTVs and had to wire one, intermittent problems with the one upstairs (Where my laptops also have problems). I just can't get a reliable wireless network going even with repeaters and meses because of the proximity of so many other wireless devices in the same spectrum. I would go fully wired except for my laptops if I could.

[NONE @ Dec 30th 2007 10:31AM]

>> I would NEVER buy a device without it today, my home is fully wireless and I dont like cables

Even Wireless N has problems streaming High Definition MKV files. Most people who buy these things have a high definition display... and a wireless connection won't cut it.

[Rob @ Dec 30th 2007 1:45PM]

My house is fully wired, so I have no use for wireless. I realize I'm not the majority, but I and others like me do exist. Clearly, anyone with a fully wired house would like to utilize it's higher bandwidth and reliability.

[Zak @ Dec 31st 2007 1:23PM]

I should probably point out that if this had been an Apple product, there would have been 3 pages of comments screaming about how stupid Apple is for leaving wireless out. Glad to see people are being selectively objective. :)