Verismo Networks' PoD web video-to-TV box grabs release date

Remember that totally forgettable PoD that popped up and vanished back in June? You know -- that minuscule box (around the size of two cigarette packs) that plays back practically anything (torrents, web videos, etc.) on your TV without a PC in between? Yeah, that very unit has finally secured a legitimate release date and price, and we can safely say that we're riveted. For those needing a refresher, the wired / wireless unit scans your local network and detects any type of multimedia stored anywhere; from there, it streams content directly to your TV without any fuss -- much like the Neuros-powered WhereverTV, but with far fewer limitations. If you're intrigued, get set to pony up $99 on December 15th to quell your curiosity.

[OCEAN 'CLAK' 20th @ Nov 15th 2008 11:46PM]

'i' dont like it

but 'i' like apple tv

steve said its the future

[Fusion Fuzo @ Nov 15th 2008 11:49PM]

FUGLY

As a Folly Qualified Proffessional Bushiness I.T. Technician i could never be seen with that fugly thing

[DWells55 @ Nov 16th 2008 12:58AM]

It would appear that the IT exam you took didn't have a spelling component.

[Valicore @ Nov 16th 2008 1:35AM]

Fusion Fuzo just thinks he's Engadget's Borat. At least be original if you're gonna be a tool.

[Dizzle @ Nov 16th 2008 6:49AM]

1.) How can I be come "Folly Qualified"? Do I just have to make stupid comments, putting foot in mouth often enough?

2.) Since when was an impeccable sense of style a job qualification for or even an expectation of an IT Technician? If this is new, I know a lot of people bound to be out of a job. No insult intended to those stylish IT professionals out there.

3.) It's not that ugly. I'm mean sure it's simple and it has the retro character of a radio shack satellite receiver from 1992. Sure they could swank it out and charge $200 for it ... but that'd suck.

4.) WTF are you intending on doing with this thing; wear it on a chain and use it to keep trying to pick up chicks? It's a little box, that you hide somewhere while it does its thing, and you watch it on a pretty screen.

5.) I've just wasted time that could be better used beating my head against a wall.

[Nick8708 @ Nov 16th 2008 12:02PM]

@Dizzle

Regarding the Radioshack comment, next time you're at one ask if you can see the $99 dish network box we have, I believe it's the 311. Can't say I've seen one from 1992, but I'll be damned if that thing looked much more modern.

[edward @ Nov 16th 2008 12:05AM]

Can I stream live video to it from my computer? Cause if I could use it to screen-cast then I am sold.

Wait I could probably use the Wii to do that.

[JMMGoalster @ Nov 16th 2008 12:09AM]

can we get an IP ban on him please??

[Valicore @ Nov 16th 2008 1:36AM]

No one can reply to him, so I'm guessing it's an internal Engadget person trying to get more page views or something.

[Nick8708 @ Nov 16th 2008 12:06PM]

Is there a way to ban MAC addresses? I'm not much of a network/hardware guy so I have no idea if that's possible, and I'm sure there'd be a way around that too, but any chance to remove idiocy from having public forum to flourish is worth a try.

[Jenny @ Nov 17th 2008 12:37AM]

Ignore him and he'll go away.

[TIMMAH! @ Nov 16th 2008 1:07AM]

So is this going to be a subscription model? What I don't quite get is why Xvid, H.264, and MPEG support is classified as a "Premium Media Format (Optional)." Doesn't "Optional" = $$$?

See at the bottom of this page:
http://www.verismonetworks.com/specifications

[Valicore @ Nov 16th 2008 1:38AM]

I think they'll end up selling the codecs. That's probably how they can offer it for so little. Too bad there is no Matroska support either (that I can see).

[Orangely @ Nov 16th 2008 3:09PM]

I sent them an email and they said the hd version with the premium codecs will be 150. It will also support sd mkv. I got a response in one hour on a sunday...I'm impressed

[jeicrash @ Nov 16th 2008 12:19PM]

I think this is a very decent device. I don't often care about how something looks because I can always change that myself. However I would rather add paths myself, I don't need something constantly scanning my network. However with all that said, Bottom line. I'd buy it.

Jei

[Major4Play @ Nov 16th 2008 2:45PM]

It plays back torrent files ? what do they sound like ?

[andres @ Nov 16th 2008 5:27PM]

like a horrible howling of wind and a pummeling shower of water

[cormac @ Nov 16th 2008 4:15PM]

meh, my ps3 can do the same thing...

[Richard Cunningham @ Nov 17th 2008 6:55AM]

This would be really useful if it supported the BBC's iPlayer too.

[Mike Grossman @ Nov 17th 2008 11:19AM]

I hope the add support for Hulu.com...

[Jesse @ Nov 17th 2008 1:29PM]

I fired off an email to Verismo this morning with a few tech Qs and just got this response:

1. The Engadget article said the player can scan an entire network for compatible media and play it back. Is this true?
=> Half truth. With a UPNP server yes.
2. Can you restrict access to a specific folder or network share? What network protocols does it support (Windows SMB/Apple AFS/Linux NFS)?
=> Currently none of this. We support playback from a USB disk. Except for high-tech guys this are difficult to set up for common people. We had it but had to disable it.
3. Does the player support network filesharing protocols like UPnP or DAAP (iTunes share)? For instance, can the VuNow connect to a UPnP server or an iTunes share?
=>UPNP for now
4. Is there a PC-client required to host media shares or does it just work over network by listing compatible filetypes? For instance, could I point the player to access a network share like a server or NAS device that containts movies and music, and get an index for playback?
=> From any UPNP server such as WMP.
5. Will the optional flash storage be used to record to (save web content) or just read from (host videos & music)?
=> Record is possible only for content provider who authorizes us. We can play back
6. Are there any more detailed walkthroughs of the media center interface? I've seen the video interview on YouTube that takes you through the web content areas of the player, just not the local media center functionality
=> Will post a video of interface
7. What differences are there between the standard and premium versions of the device? Is the hardware identical and the upgrade is simply done via firmware?
=> We have 2 hardware version SD/HD. Both of them have a basic/premium on this 2 HW versions.
8. Will customers purchase the unit directly from your website or via third-party retailers? Is there a final estimate for availability?
=> Both. Our website on 15th Dec – 3rd party depends on our partners.
9. Is the player upgradeable via online firmware downloads?
=>Yes
10. Will the player be able to playback iTunes or NetFlix movie rentals?
=> Not today. But will happen in next release
11. Will there be an open API for developing plugins? There could be a huge market for add-ons such as a Flickr photo interface, weather, RSS readers, etc...
=> Yes. Sometime mid next year.
12. Are there plans for regular software and feature updates to add functionality that is not included at this time?
=> Absolutely
13. Aside from the partnerships with YouTube, VTAP and BitTorrent, what online video content can users expect to find? Is there a published list of web content available? Will sites like Hulu.com (legal, official video service) be usable?
=> We will look into support from hulu. This seems to be hot now.
14. Is there a web browser, or plans to include one? This would make sense and would allow users to access media sites (Hulu, etc) that may not be in your channels list.
=> Yes

Hope this helps answer some common questions!