MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box gets unboxed

The 2Wire-built MediaPoint box has a long ways to go before it's widely viewed as a formidable opponent to the Roku Netflix Player, Xbox 360 or the number of Netflix-enabled Blu-ray players. That said, we're always down for a fun unboxing, and this one's coming to us courtesy of Mr. Dave Zatz. Upon firing it up, he didn't have the greatest experience with Ethernet, but things seemed to get going with WiFi. Granted, he has yet to actually enjoy any material on this here movie STB, but that's likely because he was busy hosting up a litany of photographs for your enjoyment. Speaking of, the whole gallery awaits you in the read link.

[Fuzzy Kittens @ Dec 1st 2008 2:52PM]

hacked atv with divx torrents ftw!
or for the apple haters
360 for the win!
or for the micro$oft haters
Media Point Blockbuster!!
u can't hate apple and microsoft can you?

[StalematE @ Dec 1st 2008 2:57PM]

You can if you're a Linux fanboy.

[Patriks7 @ Dec 1st 2008 3:28PM]

I'm sorry, but Linux should be jealous!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-22EpQOm8c

----------
BTW, for those low ranking me, I'm not being serious..
I understand that each OS has it's own advantages and people prefer one over the other.

[tom @ Dec 1st 2008 2:56PM]

OK if i see it correctly thru the bag, it comes with red/yellow/white (maybe s-video) cables. That's not gonna give you HD out-of-the-box.

Cheap-a$$

[Big Wizz @ Dec 1st 2008 3:39PM]

Exactly, my thoughts as well.

Composite cables? Really?!? Why not just include a RF adapter and be done with it.

[Jeff M @ Dec 1st 2008 3:44PM]

Meh, my PS3 didnt come with HDMI, only composite! My first 360 only came with only component despite HDMI port. My second 360 came with HDMI. For $100, I expect nothing less of 2Wire but the expensive consoles sans included HD connects bother me. Walmart HDMI's are always cheap and instock FTW. Insert uneducated and hasty response to buying digital cables from Walmart here. ;)

[tom @ Dec 1st 2008 3:58PM]

Try monoprice.com, i bought all my HDMI cables there, it work flawlessly
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3992&seq=1&format=2

[sandmanfvrga @ Dec 1st 2008 3:11PM]

Looks ok, there is av, component and hdmi on it, but from the internal shot, no hard drive/solid state storage?

[blake @ Dec 1st 2008 3:19PM]

I know no hard drive. But it does have usb port..hopefully you can connect an external hard drive to but still.

AppleTV FTW!

[sandmanfvrga @ Dec 1st 2008 3:22PM]

Readig it again, there is solid state, not much. I think the 360 with netflix is still a good deal, even though I don't use it.

[jmayone @ Dec 1st 2008 3:43PM]

Looks like they are using an internal thumb drive for memory. This makes for easy built to order on their end and easy upgrades on ours :)

[Jon Doe. @ Dec 1st 2008 3:51PM]

There has to be some sort of storage on it. The disc says it doesn't stream the movie so no interruption. No stream means there has to be some form of storage on the thing.

[Welde @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:39AM]

This looks nothing like the Apple TV....

[HorridBuffalo @ Dec 1st 2008 3:38PM]

Looks like solid state storage uses a glued in USB memory stick. Someone care to pull it out and find out how many MB it is? Also, anyone trying to get custom kernel flashed/booted on unit?

[kurt.tappe @ Dec 1st 2008 4:59PM]

The article says it's 8Gb.

[zargon @ Dec 1st 2008 3:44PM]

I will stick to my Popcorn Hour A-110 and non native Netflix solution for it (heard they is a native client in the works) for more functionality.

[Jon Doe. @ Dec 1st 2008 3:48PM]

I would consider this if it could tie into my blockbuster online rentals...say 6 a month or so. As it stands...meh.

[Kassidy @ Dec 1st 2008 4:25PM]

Exactly. I don't understand why Blockbuster hasn't tied this to their Total Access membership. If they really want to compete with Netflix, that would be the way to go. As it stands now, I can't justify the purchase; especially for a service that I get unlimited of if I either mail in the movies or exchange them in store. Wake up Blockbuster. I am very close to switching to Netflix, purchasing a xbox 360, and streaming away...

[d889 @ Dec 1st 2008 4:00PM]

meh you can use composite cables for component and it will look fine.

[Kassidy @ Dec 1st 2008 4:26PM]

test

[sandmanfvrga @ Dec 1st 2008 4:35PM]

Oh, now I see that usb port on the mobo. I would suspect it would be near 4 gigs on there, unless there is mad compression.

[Richard @ Dec 1st 2008 5:03PM]

Engadget, you forgot to include the Fyre TV box in your comparison :)

By far the best STB ever made... ever.

[Daren @ Dec 1st 2008 5:12PM]

ill stick with Vudu

[Dalton @ Dec 1st 2008 6:56PM]

maybe a netflix killer?

http://twitter.com/hopeinquotes

[Rich @ Dec 1st 2008 7:00PM]

Does anyone else think this box resembles the Apple TV? It has almost exactly the same dimensions and backside!

[Jamus @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:04AM]

I am waiting till it gets gutted. I want to know what hardware is inside and how soon the XBMC/Boxee group can get their hands on it!

[Jen @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:37AM]

TigZoo.com has a 25ft s-video cable today for free! Tom said something about it might come with those. If you need something like that to help make this thing work, that's a good deal.