HdMediaStreamer
Latest
Sony DMX-NV1 Bravia Internet Video Link review
It seems that within the past year or so every electronics company has tried mightily to connect us to internet content. But with all the options out there, it can be very difficult to figure out which is the best for you. So when the manufacturer of your TV makes a media streamer designed specifically for your set, you'd be crazy to not give it a look (at the very least). And with this in mind, we decided to spend some time with the Sony Bravia Link. It should go without saying that if you don't have a Sony HDTV, then you might as well read on to the next topic, but if you do, click through. %Gallery-35866%
Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player reviewed: pretty good, but has its quirks
Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player is an interesting contraption. Rather than being a self-sufficient media server, it simply acts as a bridge between your hard drive / USB key and your television. PopPhoto was able to corral a unit for review, and overall, they appreciated the media liaison's abilities. The actual connection was "pretty much plug 'n play," though the omission of an HDMI cable in the box was a bit of a bummer. The unit did a satisfactory job of parsing the information on the HDD and finding photos, songs and video clips, and the on-screen result was fantastic. Not everything was peachy, though -- for instance, large files introduced lag when rotating / changing, and DRM-laced material wouldn't play back at all. Furthermore, it chose to truncate iPod song names, which could obviously be annoying to some. All in all, the WD TV showed some promise but feel short in a few key areas, so you'd better give it some serious thought before plunking down $130.
Western Digital quietly intros WD TV HD Media Player
Well, what do we have here? With no fanfare whatsoever, Western Digital has apparently strayed from its platter-based roots and delved into the wide, murky world of HD media streaming. The WD TV HD Media Player purports to "turn your USB drive into an HD media player, allowing you to watch your favorite HD movies on your TV." For those still befuddled, look at it like this: it enables you to plug in your USB key or USB hard drive and play back multimedia clips up to 1080p on your HDTV via the HDMI / composite outputs. The 1.6- x 4.9- x 3.9-inch box ought not bog you down too much when looking to take it on a journey, and the $129.99 price tag isn't too painful either.[Thanks, Anonymous]
Blusens offers up Blu:Brain HD media server
Blusens hit the scene in a big way last October, but for whatever reason, we haven't heard from 'em since... until now, that is. The Blu:Brain Home Entertainment Device features a somewhat misleading name, as there's (regrettably) no built-in Blu-ray drive to speak of. What it does have, however, is a remarkably sexy shell, twin digital TV tuners (DVB-T), a removable internal hard drive, Ethernet / WiFi connectivity and a USB port. Essentially, this here box can serve up all sorts of multimedia (high-def content included) via HDMI, though word on the street says it won't even be available to order until 2009.[Via Gizmos]
PIE United cranks out HD-0310 1080p Digital Photo Viewer
If you don't have quite enough set-tops sitting underneath your HDTV, we've got one more to fill that tiny gap over there on the right. PIE United has introduced a rather quizzical device aimed at folks who love to show off photos of their journeys around the world on the big screen. The HD-0310 1080p Digital Photo Viewer connects up via HDMI and supports 12 types of flash cards along with USB drives; in addition to photos, it'll play back video clips and MP3 files. Oh, and just in case you're fresh out of HDMI ports, this thing packs a single input in order to connect another HDMI device and switch between the two. Not too sure how much this will run the layman, but outfits looking to buy in bulk should be able to land a killer deal.
VidaBox's RoomClientHD streams Blu-ray, other 1080p content to your HDTV
First things first: you'll supposedly need an actual VidaBox Media Server in order to work with the RoomClientHD. Granted, we imagine there are some workarounds out there, but we figured we go ahead and burst a few bubbles early before getting hopes up too high. That being said, the 2-inch tall RoomClientHD was designed to hide behind your HDTV and stream Blu-ray / 1080p multimedia from your server over CAT5e / CAT6 cabling. For those with VidaBox setups, you simply plug this thing in and mash go; everything is preconfigured for detection and streaming. You'll also be thrilled to know that DTS-HD / Dolby TrueHD audio support is there, and while pricing isn't available just yet, we do know you can pony up for an inbuilt BD drive if you prefer local playback.
VOX TV-R HDD Media Player / Recorder gets reviewed
Never heard of VOX (outside of the guitar amplification company)? Fret not, as the critics over at TechwareLabs are about to introduce you two in fine fashion. The TV-R HDD Media Player / Recorder was recently reviewed over at the site, and outside of having a full-fledged media PC handling your PVR duties, this one was seen as the next best thing. The unit can be grabbed for well under two bills with 120GB of storage built right in, and aside from being able to capture TV shows, it can also act as a local multimedia player for those who like to run things through their entertainment center. We would've loved to see an Ethernet port or WiFi module added in for good measure, but if you're down with keeping it local, this one doesn't seem like a half bad option for the coin. Tap the read link to decide for yourself.
Engadget HD reviews ZeeVee's ZvBox
If you've been looking for a way to stream any HD web content -- we do mean any: Hulu, mkv, Amazon -- to any HDTV in the house, without running any new wires, dealing with the woes of WiFi, or even needing yet another box hanging off your shiny new HDTV; you should head on over to Engadget HD and read all about ZeeVee's ZvBox. We take the $500 box and put it through the paces to see if broadcasting your own QAM HD channel is worth the price.
ZeeVee ZvBox review
There aren't many things we love more than when a new gadget comes along that is nothing like anything we've ever seen, so when we first heard about a box that streams HD around the house on the existing coax that is in just about every abode in America, we got pretty excited. Lucky for us, we were able to pull a ZeeVee ZvBox in for review, and after a few setbacks during setup, we were left playing with something pretty unique. The problem of course is that unique isn't really a compliment, but it can be if it just happens to be the solution you're looking for. So if you've been scouting a way to get web content on your HDTV without running any wires and without being forced to deal with a STB or the headaches that come with a wireless device, click on through to see what all the fuss is about. %Gallery-28977%
ReQuest intros media servin' Intelligent Media Client
We hate to burst your bubble, but the rather beautiful looking device you see above won't do you much good without one of ReQuest's pricey servers. Designed to interact within a ReQuest ecosystem, the Intelligent Media Client gives users the ability to stream stored media (pictures, videos, audio, archived DVDs, etc.) across their network and onto a primary HDTV. The unit provides upscaled 1080p content and can even rip / store DVDs locally for searching across the LAN. 'Course, you could probably get all of this functionality in October for much, much less than $2,495, but we suppose elegance has a premium, after all.
CMI's SYVIO-200 HD media streamer gets a hint (or three) from Popcorn Hour
Take this as a compliment, Popcorn Hour. Your product has gained so much recognition and acclaim that a Chinese outfit dubbed CMI has shamelessly knocked it off. To be fair, the design isn't exactly the same, but it's close enough for us to understand where the SYVIO-200 got its inspiration. The HD media streamer pretty much mimics the A-100 in every meaningful way, though it does include the very beneficial HDMI 1.3 specification. You'll find oodles of media streaming capabilities as well as NAS / BitTorrent support, though your guess is as good as ours as to whether it'll ever find a US distributor. For the record, we're guessing "no."[Via eHomeUpgrade]
Popcorn Hour's A-110 HD media streamer / B-110 motherboard reviewed
If you've been putting off that purchase of Popcorn Hour's evolutionary A-110 HD media streamer or all new B-110 motherboard, here's a decent compilation of facts and opinions to help you make up your mind once and for all. The cats over at DigitalReviews took the time to not only detail, test out and report back on the newest duo from the company, but it also revisited the original (and heralded) A-100 in order to give a better comparison. Overall, critics did tend to prefer the A-110 over its predecessor, but the minor list of changes made it a hard sell for folks teetering on upgrading. The B-110 was seen as an even tougher sell, with only the hardcore DIY crowd likely to even find it worth investigating. Nevertheless, we won't spoil the rest for you -- head on down to have a look for yourself.[Thanks, Anton]
Popcorn Hour's A-110 HD media streamers gets hands-on treatment
While we can only imagine that the lead time for one of Popcorn Hour's A-110 HD media streamers is at least a week or so judging by the demand of the predecessor, at least one of these things has managed to make its way out. CNET's UK branch was able to wrap their paws around the latest Networked Media Tank, and while they did note that the design was essentially the same, the changes that were made (HDMI 1.3a in particular) were "seriously worthwhile." For a brief preview and a few more shots, check out the read link below.[Thanks, John]
Engadget HD goes hands-on with ZeeVee's ZvBox
Well, would you look what just arrived at Engadget HD's headquarters? Yep, that's ZeeVee's localcasting ZvBox, and it has been carefully photographed as it danced right out of its packaging. Head on over to take a look at the gallery -- a full review will be following shortly.
Hands-on and unboxing: ZeeVee's ZvBox
It has been a few months since a little Massachusetts-based startup caught our eyes with the ZvBox, and while ZeeVee's localcaster has been spotted a time or two in the run-up to its official release, we finally managed to secure a retail version of our own. We'll be testing this thing out here shortly, but we wanted to give you a closer look at what to expect should you decide to plunk down $499 for one of your own. We have to say, the packaging here is quite nice, and the box itself seems sexy enough considering how little you're likely to see it. Enough chatter, give the gallery below a look to see what we mean. %Gallery-28977%
Popcorn Hour puts A-110 HD media streamer, B-110 mobo up for pre-order
Who knows if Popcorn Hour really is still working on a couple more HD media streamers, but its latest one is definitely up for pre-order. First whispered about a few months back, the $215 A-110 is a revamped A-100 that adds 2.5- / 3.5-inch SATA HDD and USB Slave functionality, HDMI 1.3a support (for full HD audio pass-through) and an optical S/PDIF to replace the coaxial S/PDIF socket. For those of you looking for even more flexibility, you can take a look at the outfit's new B-110 Baseline. This "Home Theater Motherboard" arrives with the media enthusiast in mind, boasting support for HDMI 1.3a, optical / coaxial S/PDIF connectors, four USB 2.0 ports and a mini-ITX form factor. Both pieces should ship out within two to four weeks, but considering just how sticky things were when the A-100 launched, we'd tack on a few weeks to that estimation just in case.[Thanks, Stephen and Jeff]
Hantech Markus 800 HD Media Center gets reviewed
There are media servers, and then there is Hantech's Markus 800. Easily one of the most beastly and port-filled units we've seen, this high-end media center supports true 1080p output via HDMI and includes a pair of USB 2.0 ports to host lots of local storage. Recently, the unit was taken for two spins over at CD Freaks, and while each reviewer had their own way of saying it, the unit was deemed pretty solid overall. Design and 720p playback were both praised, while the remote was called a "rush job" and 1080p playback seemingly struggled. At €279 ($440), it's hard to recommend for Americans who can easily find similar alternatives for hundreds less, but those in Europe may want to take a closer look.
How could Popcorn Hour's A-100 be improved upon?
Popcorn Hour's A-100 just can't seem to stay out of the spotlight, but even with a product that's universally loved, there's always a few things it could be better at. Now that you've had a few months to toy around with this thing, what aspects would you like to see improved? Head on over to Engadget Classic to chime in.
How would you change Popcorn Hour's A-100 HD media streamer?
When Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank / A-100 went on sale earlier this year, we didn't really foresee it gaining so much fanfare. Even months after launch the unit still had a waiting list, and just recently has the commotion died down enough so that supply and demand could meet in beautiful harmony. In all honesty, we haven't heard many negative feelings towards this potent little media server, but as these things go, there's always room -- if but a crack -- for improvement. So, what features would you like to see on the A-100 that aren't there currently? Who knows, Popcorn Hour may grant your wishes in one of its potentially forthcoming successors.
Mvix's MX-780HD wireless HD media streamer gets reviewed
If you've been putting off that impending HD media streamer purchase, you may have waited just long enough to find the one you'll be picking up "next week." Mvix's MX-780HD wireless HD media streamer was recently reviewed over at TweakTown, and aside from a few minor gripes, critics were overwhelmingly pleased with its performance. So much, in fact, that they stated the unit could actually take the place of a dedicated HTPC. All in all, the only thing really holding this format-lovin', HDMI-packin' device from approaching media streaming stardom is the relatively lofty price tag ($320), but if that figure is well within your budget, it seems the MX-780HD is a pretty safe bet.
