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Plex Media Server beta adds DLNA support, streams to PS3, Xbox 360, WP7 and more

Richard Lawler — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:59:00 EST

Using Plex as your media server software is great, with its ability to organize and transcode media for playback on a variety of devices, but what about platforms that still lack a compatible client? The freshest beta version of Plex Media Server fixes that by supporting DLNA, making it compatible right out of the box with many of the HDTVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles and other connected devices released recently. There are some limitations when it's being used this way in terms of metadata and subtitle support, but we're pretty sure being able to access Plex at all from devices like the PS3 (as shown above), Xbox 360 and WDTV Live (the profiles it's been tested with so far) is worth it. Also featured in the beta is support for Silverlight Smooth Streaming, which comes in handy for the new Windows Phone 7 client app (Update: If you're not seeing it yet don't worry you're not alone, it's been approved by Microsoft and should be live soon, check the forum thread and blog post linked below for more information). Check out the blog post for all the details or just head to the download page to try it out yourself if you're on a Windows PC or Mac -- Linux builds are still being tested.

Plex Media Server beta adds DLNA support, streams to PS3, Xbox 360, WP7 and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku players now have an official Plex channel with upgraded UI and new features

Richard Lawler — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:02:00 EST

If you're a fan of Plex's media server software and Roku's do-everything hockey puck media streamers then today is your lucky day, as bringing the two together is now easier than ever. While Plex has supported streaming to Roku devices through an unofficial channel since last year, today it announced it's officially available in the Channel Store. That's not the only thing that has changed either, since a blog post indicates the new official channel brings a new upgraded UI and features like myPlex support, audio and picture support, and Direct Play of video without transcoding on compatible videos. Hit the Plex blog for a few more screenshots and details, or just turn on your Roku and add the app directly. Also, if a Google TV device is your preferred Plex client, that app has also just been updated with a few new bugfixes.

Roku players now have an official Plex channel with upgraded UI and new features originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex Media Server upgraded, Google TV app gets a reboot

Mat Smith — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:09:00 EST

Real-time media streamer Plex has been refreshed on Google TV, following the smart TV's own recent firmware upgrade. The UI now looks easier to navigate with quicker access to recently added content. When it comes to the streaming media itself, you'll still need to have a Plex server setup on a separate PC or Mac but the app still supports your dedicated myPlex content and your friends' shared files. Plex's latest Media Server update also solves some iOS app problems alongside a handful of other stability and compatibility issues. The new Google TV version of the catch-all media platform isn't live just yet, but you can grab last month's version at the source and gird yourself for the incoming update.

Plex Media Server upgraded, Google TV app gets a reboot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tranquil PC ships MMC-12: a 1.5-inch thick, fanless HTPC

Darren Murph — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:33:00 EST

We haven't heard from Britain's own Tranquil PC in a hot minute, but the company's storming into the new year with a machine that's easy to overlook. In a good way. The MMC-12 Media Center measures just 1.5-inches thick, enabling it to be slid into (or under) just about any A/V rack. £649 (right around $1,000) nets you a Core i3 processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory (plus another open RAM slot), an admittedly paltry 80GB mSATA hard drive, CD / DVD burner, Windows 7 Home Premium and an HDMI port. You'll also get a pair of USB 3.0 ports, two underwhelming (and bound to be unloved) USB 2.0 sockets, a gigabit Ethernet jack, DVI socket and an aluminum enclosure. The company recommends that you connect a couple of your favorite USB TV tuners for maximum enjoyment, and in case you're wondering, Blu-ray drives and international shipping is available.

Tranquil PC ships MMC-12: a 1.5-inch thick, fanless HTPC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon FiOS TV's new media server scheduled for late 2012

Ben Drawbaugh — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:20:00 EST

The fine folks at Verizon's Innovation Labs in Waltham, Massachusetts have posted a couple of videos of their efforts that include their vision of how Verizon plans to deliver TV to all the devices in your home, over both wired and wireless networks in HD, served off of a centralized media server. In addition to tablets, game consoles and computers, the media server will also serve content to smaller, more energy efficient thin clients at the other HDTVs in your home. Besides the obvious benefits of more content in more places, a centralized approach like this also offers the promise of being more user friendly by making the experience consistent across every screen -- no more walking to another room to schedule recordings. We're told the media server is expected to roll out late next year, but sadly, FiOS TV isn't exactly known for delivering new technologies when promised.

Verizon FiOS TV's new media server scheduled for late 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VidaBox Media Servers add metadata support for XBMC, Popcorn Hour and others

Richard Lawler — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:46:00 EST

We wouldn't expect for upper-crust aimed media server setups like the ones offered by VidaBox to play nicely with the common rabble, but apparently that's just what is going on. With the click of a check box, its "Drop-n-Rip" Blu-ray and DVD archiving now includes cover art and other metadata compatible with third party streamers including Popcorn Hour, HDI Dune, TViX, XBMC, Sage TV and others. This probably won't drop the cost of a custom installed setup by much, but if you have one and want to bring your own extender hardware (similar to its recent iPad support) into the mix, it should be a simple upgrade.

Continue reading VidaBox Media Servers add metadata support for XBMC, Popcorn Hour and others

VidaBox Media Servers add metadata support for XBMC, Popcorn Hour and others originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex app available on Kindle Fire, media servers and other clients get new updates too

Richard Lawler — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:30:00 EST

For a media software package to survive these days, it has to be able to run pretty much anywhere and just recently Plex added the Kindle Fire to its list of supported platforms, uploading its Android client onto Amazon's Appstore. The team hasn't stopped there either, delivering updates across a slew of products starting with its Media Server v0.9.5.2 which added autoupdate and start on login features, while the Media Center package has reached 9.5.2, with support for refresh rate switching as well as a number of other tweaks and fixes. The various clients haven't been forgotten either, with a brand new alpha available for Linux users, individual apps for Android and Google TV, and a new v2.1 for iOS that supports myPlex cloud streaming without the need for users to run the Plex server software locally. Hit the source links for changelogs and more details or just check an app store near you where updated software is no doubt residing for your picture, music, and video streaming pleasure.

Plex app available on Kindle Fire, media servers and other clients get new updates too originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex hops on the Google TV train, finds it has plenty of room to stretch its legs

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:43:00 EST

Well, the guys and gals over at Plex are on a roll right now. Less than a week ago they took the wraps off myPlex then, just a couple of days ago, new versions of the desktop and mobile clients hit the web alongside updated server software. Now the streaming media service is landing on the newly revamped Google TV. Even though this is the first release of the client for Mountain View's living room platform, all the most essential features are in place, including myPlex support and some keyboard-friendly UI tweaks. It seems like the only major limitation, and we're using that term loosely, is the limited support for HLS -- an essential ingredient in Plex's transcoding formula. Thankfully, bandwidth over your local network shouldn't be a major concern and Google TV has pretty robust codec support, so you might not even notice it's missing. You'll find a few more detail at the source and you can install the app right now from the market.

Plex hops on the Google TV train, finds it has plenty of room to stretch its legs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex releases new mobile and desktop clients, gets Flash and Silverlight support to go with a fancy new UI

Michael Gorman — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:31:00 EST

You have many choices for your media streaming needs, and Plex is doing its damnedest to get you onboard its bandwagon. Plex is well known for its multi-platform flexibility, and the arrival of the myPlex media server platform makes sharing your content across devices easier than ever. To go with that cloud capability, Plex has released a new version of its desktop and mobile clients as well. The updated code brings a slick new UI and myPlex support, plus Flash and Silverlight video capability to Plex Media Server along with official Windows support -- including integration with Windows Media Center -- and a laundry list of bug fixes and stability tweaks. A full rundown of all the new goodies plus plenty of screenshots of that revamped UI can be found at the source below.

Plex releases new mobile and desktop clients, gets Flash and Silverlight support to go with a fancy new UI originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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myPlex makes streaming your media simple, gives you one queue to rule them all

Terrence O'Brien — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:07:00 EST

Plex is one of the more popular solutions to the problem of how to get all that (legally downloaded, of course) media sitting on your home PC to your various devices for consumption. But, like many of its competitors, getting the whole shebang set up isn't always the easiest task. The company's new myPlex platform aims to solve this conundrum, and adds a few welcome features along the way. Now, setting up a server or a client is as simple as logging in to your Plex account -- no matter how many of either part of the media-streaming equation you may have. As an added bonus, your account is also now home to a queue that is shared across all devices. Stopped watching a movie half way through on your commute home? You can pick up right where you left off on your Roku. You can even add web clips from sources like YouTube to the list. Check out the source link for a few more details.

myPlex makes streaming your media simple, gives you one queue to rule them all originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skifta leaves beta, streams media to and from your Android device wherever you may be

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:25:00 EST

When we first saw Skifta back in February, it was a pretty neat app for beaming media on your phone to other DLNA capable devices in your home. Well, now it's left beta and added a new trick to it repertoire -- stream media from your other gear to your Android device, over 3G. To celebrate Skifta hitting the magical 1.0 mark, Qualcomm Atheros also unveiled a new media server plug in for Linux, OS X and Windows that lets you pull music and movies from your home PC to your phone or tablet, even while you're out and about. Skifta (in addition to its terrible name) also sports a Channel Library which allows you quickly queue up content from Facebook, TED, ShoutCast, Revision3 and more. You'll find full PR after the break but, more importantly, the download links at the source.

Continue reading Skifta leaves beta, streams media to and from your Android device wherever you may be

Skifta leaves beta, streams media to and from your Android device wherever you may be originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:34:00 EST

There's no question that Japan gets all the cool gadgets -- many of which never make it stateside. Well, we have yet another tease for you, in the form of an eight-tuner Toshiba DVR with five terabytes of storage. The DBR-M190 reserves six of those tuners (and four TBs of storage) for its Time Shift recording, which as its name implies, transports you to an alternate dimension -- in realtime, mind you -- allowing you to watch past HD episodes of those favorite Japanese programs that you otherwise neglected to record. OK, fine, it can't actually shift physical time, but the home DVR does allow you to record 15 full days of HD content from six channels. Or 30 days from three channels, or 90 days from one -- you get the idea. It also offers 3D Blu-ray playback. Huzzah!

There's some pretty heavy compression in place in order to squeeze all that HD content with the allotted storage, but Toshiba reps insisted that the content looks acceptable. Clever as they are, reps also neglected to have that heavily compressed HD video available for demo at CEATEC, but were happy to let us peek at a show recorded using a much more liberal amount of compression, which nets you just one-fifth of the advertised amount (think three days, not 15). Still, three days of 24 hour content from six channels ain't too shabby, but that 200,000 yen price tag (about $2,600) is a bit of a deal breaker, no? As is the fact that you can't plug this puppy into cable networks overseas (Time Shift is only compatible with basic cable channels in Japan). Jump past the break to see it in action, and expect to see it hit Japanese shores sometime in mid-December.

Gallery: Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 hands-on

Continue reading Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video)

Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Only in Japan: Toshiba's Regza DBR-M190 serves 5TB of home media

Jesse Hicks — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:51:00 EST

Sometimes gigabytes aren't enough. You have to start talking terabytes. That's the case with Toshiba's new Regza Server, more numerically known as the DBR-M190. The just-announced home media server boasts 5TB of storage, enough for 15 days of MPEG4AVC-compressed digital TV -- from six different channels. Of course, that "server" in the name means you'll be able to stream captured content as well. The sad news? "You" means only Japanese consumers. But if you're one of the chosen many, this media-slinging behemoth will cost you 200,000 yen, or around $2,600.

Only in Japan: Toshiba's Regza DBR-M190 serves 5TB of home media originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DVBLogic's Boxee app brings live TV streaming to the Box

Richard Lawler — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:14:00 EST

If online video streams and locally stored media aren't providing enough functionality for your Boxee Box, now you can watch regular TV on it too. The Digital Lifestyle mentions DVBLogic has released a new version of its DVBLink client for the device that lets you browse the program guide and watch live TV, provided you also have a home server set up with its software and a tuner. If you're not familiar with the software, it lets you turn most any UPnP-compatible device into an extender capable of caching live streams, with clients available for iPad / iPhone already, plus Android and WP7 on the way. You'll need the latest release candidate version of DVBLink Connect! server software to make it all go, then point your Boxee Box browser to the company's repository to download the client software and let us know how it all works out.

DVBLogic's Boxee app brings live TV streaming to the Box originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaleidescape adds iPad control, ultrawidescreen support to its media servers

Richard Lawler — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:35:00 EST

Two years after launching its iPhone remote, Kaleidescape has brought a new iPad app to CEDIA 2011 that gives owners of its media servers full control of their media from anywhere in the house. Users can browse their collections based on various metadata, jump directly to favorite scenes of stored movies, or control displays and audio in other rooms of the house. Also new for 2011 is support for 2.35 widescreen viewing with its CinemaScape feature, a software upgrade that can automatically process the video internally and reformats the UI as well. Check after the break for a quick demo of the iPad app which will launch later this year as a free add-on -- assuming you can afford the hardware of course.

Gallery: Kaleidescape iPad app, M700 media server

Continue reading Kaleidescape adds iPad control, ultrawidescreen support to its media servers

Kaleidescape adds iPad control, ultrawidescreen support to its media servers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AirStash wireless flash drive (and iOS app) review

Jacob Schulman — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:30:00 EST

We love ourselves extra storage as much as the next guy, and we also happen to hate cables as much the next guy, so whenever a device promises some extra wiggle room with no strings attached, we're all ears. The AirStash is a wireless flash drive that lets you expand the capacity of your mobile device up to 32GB at a time through swappable SD cards, freeing up local storage for apps and the like. We first got our paws on one back at CES, but now that it's a shipping product and has a finalized iOS app, we gave it a quick shakedown as promised to see whether this gadget is worth dipping into your personal stash for.

Gallery: AirStash Wireless Flash Drive

Continue reading AirStash wireless flash drive (and iOS app) review

AirStash wireless flash drive (and iOS app) review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seagate's GoFlex Satellite portable hard drive streams content over WiFi (review)

Darren Murph — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

Seagate just took the wraps off what's likely the niftiest portable HDD to cross our path in a long, long while. The GoFlex Satellite is part storage device, part wireless media streamer, and it manages to wear both hats with little compromise on either end. For all intents and purposes, this is a standard 500GB GoFlex HDD with a bit of extra girth, an AC input, an 802.11b/g/n WiFi module and a built-in web server. The reason for those extras? A simple depression of the on / off button starts the streamer up, and it's ready for a connection in around 30 to 40 seconds. Once fired up you can stream data to just about anything -- even iOS devices. That's an impressive feat, not quite a "first" moment as Seagate would like you to believe (we'll give that crown to AirStash), but still a rarity.

Our unit shipped with a GoFlex USB 3.0 adapter and a car charger, with the latter enabling users to entertain their children on long road trips -- a nice addition, we have to say. Installation is a cinch; just fire up a media sync application that resides on the drive (for OS X users, anyway), and you're ready to drag and drop files as if it's any 'ole HDD. No media management software or anything of the sort, thankfully. The purpose of having your media onboard is to stream videos, photos, documents and music to your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or any other tablet, phone or laptop with WiFi. You heard right -- while there's only a dedicated app for the iOS family, any WiFi-enabled device with a web browser can tap into this. Care to hear our take on this $200 do-it-all hard drive? Have a look at our review video just after the break.

Gallery: Seagate GoFlex Satellite streaming hard drive hands-on

Continue reading Seagate's GoFlex Satellite portable hard drive streams content over WiFi (review)

Seagate's GoFlex Satellite portable hard drive streams content over WiFi (review) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex Media Server launches client for Roku

Michael Gorman — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:01:00 EST

Plex has been serving up streaming video for more than a minute, bringing content to Macs, iDevices, and even jailbroken Apple TVs (not to mention apps for all sizes of Android). For those who are neither Apple aficionados nor dedicated 'droid users, the company has rolled out a client that runs on Rokus. It's currently in beta and only supports video, but Plex plans to provide picture and music management in the future. Plex's XBMC secret sauce paired with Roku's ample streaming content buffet? Sounds delicious.

[Thanks, James]

Plex Media Server launches client for Roku originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex plays nice with your Honeycomb slate after app update

Michael Gorman — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:04:00 EST

We've praised Plex in the past for delivering us box-free XBMC and for it's prodigious media streaming proficiency. Problem is, its app wasn't optimized for the Honeycomb OS and the upsized screen real estate of Android slates -- until now. With the updated code comes tablet-friendly layouts and fast-scrolling in all grid and list views so you can zip through your large local media library. It also includes direct play and internet streaming sans-transcoding (just like the recently revised iOS app) for sating those right now vid cravings. The improvements serve smaller Android devices as well, which makes the newly egalitarian app more enticing than ever before. Best of all, it's still only five bucks.

[Thanks, Andrew]

Plex plays nice with your Honeycomb slate after app update originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plex Media Center App comes to Android, Windows server available

Richard Lawler — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:59:00 EST

Everyone's other favorite spinoff from the XBMC family tree has some major news this week, as Plex has released a Media Center app for Android that mirrors most of the functions already available for iOS devices. Available now on the Android Market for $4.99, it brings local and streaming media to the phone over WiFi, or 3G from a Mac (and now, Windows PC) running the server software, but users will have to wait a few weeks for an upgrade adding remote functions (or use any of the 3rd party apps already on the Market.) With plugins for apps like Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer it's a formidable competitor in the media streamer market out of the gate; throw in support for PCs plus integration into LG's 2011 HDTVs and Blu-ray players and we're ready to pick Plex as the platform to keep an eye on this year. Check out the details in the press release after the break, we'll toss in a link to the Windows server once we find it / it's posted.

Update: The link is down there but it's still delivering a dmg instead of an exe, we've been told it should be up later this afternoon. Thanks, Chris!

Update 2: Looks like the Windows server is up now, you can grab an EXE at the link below. Thanks FreeSpeechFTW!

Gallery: Plex Media Center for Android

Continue reading Plex Media Center App comes to Android, Windows server available

Plex Media Center App comes to Android, Windows server available originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QNAP's new Turbo NAS line features iOS streaming via WiFi, 3G

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:51:00 EST

If you're really serious about flooding your home and / or workspace with your legally obtained digital movies and music -- and we mean, really serious -- QNAP's Turbo NAS is clearly worth a good look. The company's latest addition to the family (known as the TS-x12 line) sports a Marvell 1.2GHz CPU, 256MB of RAM, gigabit Ethernet ports, and the RAID and iSCSI support of its predecessors. Additionally, the TS-112 (single drive), TS-212 (dual drive) and TS-412 (you guessed it, four drives) include iOS WiFi and 3G streaming for your various Apple devices -- and it plays nicely with your PS3 and Xbox 360 via UPnP. Look for these bad boys this month, for a price to be announced. PR after the break.

Continue reading QNAP's new Turbo NAS line features iOS streaming via WiFi, 3G

QNAP's new Turbo NAS line features iOS streaming via WiFi, 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cisco unveils Linksys E4200 dual-band router capable of speeds up to 450Mbps

Michael Gorman — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:22:00 EST

Cisco has continued its push to make home entertainment wire-free with its latest E-Series wireless router, the Linksys E4200. Cisco's new dual-band 802.11n rig enters a high-end market segment currently occupied by the TRENDnet TEW-692GR. Both routers utilize a 3x3 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) configuration for a max throughput of 450Mbps on the 5GHz band, and while the E4200 only reaches speeds of 300Mbps at 2.4 GHz (as compared to the TEW-692GRs 450Mbps) it should still be quite the video streaming powerhouse. As we've seen in previous Cisco offerings, the company's latest has USB connectivity and UPnP media server capabilities to add network storage and share all of your movies and music. Additionally, the E4200 packs technology similar to that seen in other routers, which allows users to prioritize bandwidth for movies, voice, or music. To keep everyone connected, it has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, six antennas, and several internal and external signal amplifiers to provide coverage for even the most palatial of estates. For those itching to pair a performance router with their new internet capable TV, the E4200 is priced at $179.99 and is currently available at Best Buy.

Continue reading Cisco unveils Linksys E4200 dual-band router capable of speeds up to 450Mbps

Cisco unveils Linksys E4200 dual-band router capable of speeds up to 450Mbps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaleidescape releases Cinema One DVD movie server, appeals to the toddler film buff set

Ben Bowers — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:05:00 EST

Despite the legal hoopla related to its DVD ripping practices, Kaleidescape is still releasing high-end media servers designed to save the rich (and now their spawn) from the hassle of opening a movie box. The Cinema One is its latest and most affordable creation to date, but still costs a hefty $4,999. For the most part, the server is just a cheaper replacement to 2009's Mini System, that can store up to 225 DVDs or 2,500 CDs for instant access. It also sports the same hassle-free setup, but adds a new wrinkle in the form of kid-friendly features. Specifically, a junior remote is included in addition to the standard version, which triggers a simplified system UI anytime it's used. While we're all for toddlers being able to watch their favorite content too, at this price we'd have rather seen support for Blu-rays and dare we say Netflix streaming. Then again, we aren't in the best position to judge the value of a digital babysitter. For more shots of the kiddo UI and remote check out the gallery below, otherwise read the full PR after the break.

Gallery: Kaleidescape Cinema One

Continue reading Kaleidescape releases Cinema One DVD movie server, appeals to the toddler film buff set

Kaleidescape releases Cinema One DVD movie server, appeals to the toddler film buff set originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Orb MP-1 music player pulls Sonos-like tricks for way less than a Benjamin

Ben Bowers — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:11:00 EST

Streaming music from a computer to all manner of home audio devices is an area Sonos, Logitech, and Apple have been competing in for years. The recently-released MP-1 music player from Orb, though, is a surprise contender that can perform a host of streaming duties for less than $70. Like the competition, it works by connecting to a powered audio device via an in-line jack, and can play music stored locally, on a network, or from services like Pandora when streamed over 802.11b/g/n WiFi through its companion Orb Caster media server software. To sweeten the package, the company is also throwing in their Orb Controller app for iOS devices -- which normally costs $10 -- for a low price of free, and apparently has plans to release an Android version of the remote sometime in the near future. Sure, it's a little strange for us to see a company known for their free media streaming software jump in the hardware game so abruptly, but the MP-1's mixture of functionality for the price is a pretty enticing first step. Plus, if the move ignites a price war to the bottom with the aforementioned competition, who are we to complain?

[Thanks, Tom]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, Networking

Orb MP-1 music player pulls Sonos-like tricks for way less than a Benjamin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amex Digital claims 'world's smallest 1080p media player' with MP-501

Darren Murph — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:38:00 EST

It's hardly as small as Thomson's A1, but it just might be the most diminutive media player in existence to actually handle 1080p without breaking too serious a sweat. Measuring just 175- x 128- x 15mm and weighing 250 grams, this pocket sized player can accept a multitude of film formats from a connected USB storage device or an SD card; once the media's flowing, it can output content as high as 1080p over HDMI, and there's also a composite video / audio output and mini-USB port 'round back. The MP-501 is equipped with an ARM Cortex-A8 processor and the ability to play nice with nearly every file under the sun that's stripped of DRM, and best of all, it's purportedly priced at just $49. Did you just stumble upon your next laptop case compartment filler? Yes, yes you did.

Amex Digital claims 'world's smallest 1080p media player' with MP-501 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grace Digital's Tuner Wireless Radio & Media Player adds internet radio to existing stereos

Darren Murph — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:54:00 EST

So, we've two main issues here. One, who in their right mind would pay $219.99 for a device that still requires a dedicated stereo in order to play back the internet radio streams that Grace Digital's Tuner Wireless Radio & Media Player delivers? And secondly, who would want to put up with Grace Digital's thoroughly lackluster UI? If you can't grok the grumbling, the aforementioned company now has a slender new component it'd love to stick on your shelf, with the device shown above able to stream WiFi radio content from 30,000 stations, Pandora, iheartradio, Sirius, Live365, MP3tunes and a smattering of other sources. It can be wired up via Ethernet or used over 802.11g, with composite, Toslink and coaxial digital audio outputs around back. There's a 4-line backlit LCD for displaying not nearly enough metadata at once, and there's even a remote thrown in for those looking to build out their collection. It's available now if you're feeling the itch, though we'd suggest you get that checked out before blindly indulging.

Continue reading Grace Digital's Tuner Wireless Radio & Media Player adds internet radio to existing stereos

Grace Digital's Tuner Wireless Radio & Media Player adds internet radio to existing stereos originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ReQuest threatens to enable DVD piracy on its media streamers, announces one sans DVD

Sean Hollister — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:09:00 EST

Enjoy copying DVDs onto $5,000 boutique home servers? If you've got the dough, ReQuest has got you covered -- CEO Peter Cholnoky says that even if California courts make the practice illegal, his firm isn't afraid to push back. When CE Pro asked whether he was concerned about the fallout from the Kaleidescape lawsuit, he said, "Nope, should I be?" adding that ReQuest could convert existing equipment to use third-party DVD-copying software "in two seconds" should the courts try to shut him down. Given that the company's new $1,200 MediaPlayer (above) doesn't have the requisite DVD drive for ripping discs anyhow, that sounds an awful lot like braggadocio, but we have to say we love Peter's stick-it-to-the-man tone. Oh, and in case you're wondering, that MediaPlayer is slated to ship in June; you'll find a full spec sheet at our source link.

ReQuest threatens to enable DVD piracy on its media streamers, announces one sans DVD originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaCie plays media server, NAS cards with Network Space MAX

Darren Murph — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:16:00 EST

No monkeys here, but LaCie's latest is still worth toying around with -- particularly if you've been yearning for a way to better serve media around your home and / or backup those all-important Match.com email confirmations. The Network Space MAX (which can also be used as a USB 2.0 drive when away from the CAT5) is predictably designed by Neil Poulton, and while it'll likely attract an unhealthy amount of dust and fingerprints, the internals are what really matters. LaCie's shipping these with at least 2TB of space, but with two 3.5-inch SATA HDD slots, you can easily go the 4TB route with a couple of these. RAID 1 and RAID 0 setups are supported, giving the whimsical among us a pair of opportunities to get our lives backed up in case of disaster. Oh, and there's also inbuilt UPnP / DLNA support, which makes it easy for your PS3, Xbox 360 or Popcorn Hour box to tap into whatever media collection you happen to store here. Check it sooner than you can whisk yourself around and belt out a Lady Gaga lyric for $279.99 and up.

Gallery: LaCie Network Space MAX

Continue reading LaCie plays media server, NAS cards with Network Space MAX

LaCie plays media server, NAS cards with Network Space MAX originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba aims for living room domination with StorE TV media set-top box

Darren Murph — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:14:00 EST

You know who has yet to produce their very own connected set-top box? Believe us, it's hard to formulate a correct answer here. Toshiba has somehow managed to stay far, far away from the STB bandwagon, but all that's fixing to change in the year 2010. Electric Pig was able to toy with a pre-production version of the StorE TV, which is Tosh's next-gen media center / streamer. It'll eventually ship in 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB flavors, with the whole lot playing back just about any type of local or networked media that you could think of. As predicted, 1080p playback is present, and it'll accept files from UPnP devices on the network, external sources connected to the USB socket and even an SD card. Further details (including a price) are expected later in the year, though we're told that it's on track for a Q3 release over in the UK.

Toshiba aims for living room domination with StorE TV media set-top box originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via debuts M'Serv 2100 server with 64-bit Nano CPU

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:22:00 EST

If you're a small business customer or very serious about your reality TV habit, you just might want to take a look at Via's newest. The M'Serv S2100 mini server is the first to rock Via's new 64-bit Nano CPU (in this case the 1.3+GHz at 1.6GHz) -- but that ain't all! The case measures only 10.2- by 4.7-inches but includes two 3.5-inch SATA II drive bays (for up to 4TB storage), an integrated and bootable CF card slot, two gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA output, and VT virtualization support for network video recording and virtual server applications. OS support includes Windows 7, XP, Vista, Server 2008 Foundation, and various Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu, SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 2, and FreeBSD). Sales are reserved for OEMs and sysadmins for the time being, but who knows? Maybe if you turn up the charm you can get in on the ground floor here. Hit the source link to get started.

Via debuts M'Serv 2100 server with 64-bit Nano CPU originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zii Labs and ARM team up for SiVO home media devices

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:44:00 EST

Remember CES last year, when Creative debuted the Zii and -- true to its marketing pitch -- everything you know changed? Looks like the company (in the form of its subsidiary, ZiiLabs) is teaming up with ARM this go 'round to further blow minds with its new SiVO Digital Home Platform. Harnessing the newly released Zii Labs ZMS-08 (not to mention ARM's 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor), the digital media hub boasts 1080p HDTV playback, 3D graphics, support for all your favorite media (including H.264, H.263, XVid and DivX, WMV9/VC1, MP3, WMA8 lossless, AAC-LC, and FLAC), web browser, Adobe Flash Player 10, and Adobe AIR. If you're an OEM, ODM, or just a huge fan of Stem Cell computing, you're in luck -- this bad boy is making its debut this week in LV. PR after the break.

Continue reading Zii Labs and ARM team up for SiVO home media devices

Zii Labs and ARM team up for SiVO home media devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget HD: Best HTPC to replace my NAS?

Richard Lawler — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST

Just a few weeks ago, we considered combo NAS / media streaming set-top boxes, but what about those like our friend Matthew, looking for a HTPC that can function by itself as a NAS server without the extra hardware cluttering one's entertainment space? It's all too easy to have a "too many boxes under the TV" problem, maybe you can help him solve this one:

"I'm looking for some advice on an HTPC setup for my home. Currently I have way too many boxes under my television and I'm trying to consolidate them to minimize clutter. One such box is my beloved FreeNAS server; it functions as NAS, a bit torrent client, and has time machine support for my laptop. Is there an HTPC available that might also function as a NAS server with all of the features I use on my FreeNAS server? I also have an Xbox 360 and have considered getting a Windows Home Media Server and using the Xbox as an extender to get the content on my television, but I like the idea of an HTPC with an internal Blu-Ray drive. Do you have any suggestions?"

So what's the best setup to get all that functionality in a single box? Let us know if any of the HTPC builders out there have a solution that fits, or if a custom build (we have a few suggestions to get you started) is in order.

Ask Engadget HD: Best HTPC to replace my NAS? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player

Darren Murph — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:58:00 EST

It sure took 'em long enough, but QNAP has finally come around and delivered its NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player here in the States. If you'll recall, we actually toyed around with one way back at CeBIT, and while those camped out in Osaka have been enjoying the spoils for months now, the Yanks in attendance have been forced to wait. According to QNAP, the DLNA-compliant media streamer is now shipping in America, though a quick look around our favorite web stores has turned up nothing. We're sure that'll be remedied in short order, though.

[Via HotHardware]

Gallery: QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player

Darren Murph — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:58:00 EST

Gallery: QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player

Filed under: Home Entertainment

QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on

Darren Murph — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST

Remember when Seagate introduced its Betamax-esque FreeAgent Theater HD way back at CES this year? Of course not -- you were locked onto the Palm Pre keynote. At any rate, the next generation of that very device somehow made it through the product development stage and now sits in our very hands, and we have to say, it's no more modern in person than it is in press shots. Equipped with the usual assortment of ports (HDMI, component, composite, Toslink, Ethernet and two USB) ports, the FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player gets all of its content from a FreeAgent Go USB 2.0 hard drive (sold separately or in a bundle) or whatever you shove into those USB sockets. You can count on 1080p output and a pretty standard UI, and while it's wired-or-die right now, Seagate's hoping to pop out a USB WiFi adapter ($69.99) for it next month.

We've yet to really put this player through its paces, but we can say for sure that it's not made for abuse. The mostly-plastic box is staggeringly light, and one drop from atop your AV rack could lead to utter disaster. Furthermore, this is really only useful for those wound tightly around Seagate's finger; the bulk of its functionality relies on having a FreeAgent USB drive at your disposal, and if you've selected any other portable HDD, you'll have to deal with connecting it the old fashion way and ditching the "clean look." At $149.99 sans an HDD, it's one of the cheaper options on the market, but it still can't beat Popcorn Hour's heralded lineup when it comes to value and format support. Those looking for an all-in-one deal can opt for the $289.99 bundle, which throws in a 500GB FreeAgent Go drive. Have a look at retro exemplified in the gallery below.

Gallery: Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on

Filed under: Media streamers, Players, Others

Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on

Darren Murph — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST

Gallery: Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Storage, Networking

Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spark's egg-shaped VTube media player won't fit neatly in your AV rack

Darren Murph — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:16:00 EST

Much like Sony's PlayStation 3, Spark's VTube clearly wasn't designed to sit nicely in-between a 7.1-channel AV receiver and a cable set-top-box. Engineered in some backwoods lab about 30 kilometers south of Shenzhen, the so-called VTube looks to be a pretty standard media player outside of its unorthodox design. The unit packs HDMI / component / composite video outputs, an Ethernet jack and a Toslink optical audio output, and those who dig internal storage can slap a 2.5-inch HDD within to keep those old Office clips handy. Predictably, it also supports pretty much every file format known to man, and the built-in USB port ensures that you can add external storage if need be. It'll only run you around $130, but the chances of seeing this on US soil are slim.

[Via Cloned In China]

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

Spark's egg-shaped VTube media player won't fit neatly in your AV rack originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spark's egg-shaped VTube media player won't fit neatly in your AV rack

Darren Murph — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:16:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Spark's egg-shaped VTube media player won't fit neatly in your AV rack originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayOn for Wii beta to be announced tomorrow

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:46:00 EST

We know that some of you streaming media fanatics have been indulging in this one for the better part of a month already, but just in case: tomorrow the kids at MediaMall officially announce the beta release of PlayOn for Wii. The software license runs $39.99, but there is a 14-day free trial -- so you can see for yourself whether or not it makes sense to tie up your console with re-runs of CSI: Miami when you could be better off shakin' your groove thing to Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party. Hit the read link and decide for yourself.

[Via New York Times]

Filed under: Gaming

PlayOn for Wii beta to be announced tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayOn for Wii beta to be announced tomorrow

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:44:00 EST

Filed under: Others, Internet

PlayOn for Wii beta to be announced tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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