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QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player
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-74241%
Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on
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-72906%
QNAP intros NMP1000 network media player, we go hands-on
While swinging by QNAP's CeBIT booth to check out its array of recently launched NAS devices, we happened upon a demonstration that was showcasing a brand new device: the NMP1000. Short for Network Multimedia Player, this set-top-box is pretty much like every other HD media streamer already out there, as it connects to networked storage and pipes out audio and video content to one's TV via a customized user interface. What we saw looked pretty slick, even though it was inexplicably connected to the LG display via S-Video. As for specs, it's boasting a Sigma Designs SMP8635 processor, 256MB of DDR RAM, room for one 3.5-inch SATA drive, a single gigabit Ethernet jack, dual USB 2.0 sockets, one eSATA port, HDMI 1.3 / component / composite / S-Video outs and a bundled remote. It supports just about any format on the map, and the on-hand representative told us it should be out next month for "somewhere under $10,000." Have a look at some in-action shots below.%Gallery-46650%
Kodak's Theatre HD Player reviewed: not all smiles
It's mildly unfathomable that we're just now seeing a review on Kodak's July-announced Theatre HD Player, but maybe that's because most folks could smell the lameness from the press release. Nevertheless, one critic finally got up the courage to publish his feelings online, and while the unit did have its bright spots, not everything was fine and dandy. First and foremost, the $299 price point was deemed absurd given the omission of any built-in storage and the unit's inability to access HD movies / TV shows. That said, the user interface "shined in its simplicity and was a lot of fun to use," which inevitably left the reviewer simply wanting more. In other words, you're probably better off passing this one by until Kodak figures out a way to add in a bit more functionality, but feel free to give the read link a look if you're still in doubt.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HDD-equipped HD media server?
For some, HD media streamers are the answer. For others, a dedicated HTPC does the trick. For Nick, it's an HDD-based HD media server that he's after -- you know, those HDD enclosure-sized boxes that provide local multimedia for your HDTV to play back. "I'm in the market for a hard drive-based HD media server, as I'm not really interested in messing with a network in order to stream content from a PC to my TV. Local storage of my content is fine, so I'm looking for the box with the most user friendly interface and the widest format support. Any tips?" Surely someone out there has a bit of advice for ole Nick here. Don't let him down -- he's really putting himself out there.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
DViCO's TViX-HD 6500 eats Blu-ray rips for breakfast, spits 'em out via HDMI
Nearly two full years after DViCO introduced its TiVX 5010-P HDTV recorder, along comes a new duo in the line to finally up the ante. But it's not the infantile TViX R-2230 ($399; pictured) that we're really interested in -- though it can play back ripped VOB / ISO files. Rather, it's the $599 TViX-HD 6500, which also includes support for playing back Blu-ray backups via HDMI. We'll spare you the legal spill, but for those too frightened to potentially scratch their precious Blu-ray Discs, this looks to be the unit for you. So far as specs go, you'll find HDMI 1.3, component, S-Video and composite jacks, support for a smorgasbord of file formats, a USB port for loading up media from flash drives / external HDDs and an optional digital TV tuner to boot. Why do we get the feeling both of these things will be next to impossible to locate in the US?[Thanks, Geller]
Velocity Micro intros CineMagix FuzeBox Home Media Server
Remember that Velocity Micro FuzeBox that was talked about back in August? Say hello to that very box, which was properly introduced this week by the aforesaid firm. As the title implies, Velocity Micro paired with Fuze Media Systems in order to create this here HTPC, which features CableCARD support, multi-zone audio, optional Blu-ray burner, Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 750GB of storage space, multicard reader, gigabit Ethernet, a whole slew of ports and a FuzeBox MCE remote to boot. Best of all, the system gets going at just $1,995, though speccing it out will get that figure much higher in a hurry.
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]
Alienware Hangar18:HD Media Server unboxed
We've leered at Alienware's Hangar18:HD Media Server before, but with it finally available -- via custom installer channels only -- we can imagine it finding a place in our own media closet. Until thats the case, check out an unboxing of the unsurprisingly grey, sturdy beast, CableCard slots, hot swappable HDDs and Blu-ray drive splayed open for the world to see.
Alienware's Hangar18:HD media server now available
Alienware's Hangar 18:HD 1080p media server -- the rackmountable high end edition of the already impressive Hangar 18 -- has officially launched. The silver beast promises up to 4TB of hard drive space, Blu-ray read/write, 1080p output, CableCard support and Dolby Digital 7.1 sounds. We suggest you don't ask how much it costs, it just shows how woefully far we you are away from being able to afford it. Those ready to jump into the high priced media server market can contact their local authorized reseller and loose themselves of the Benjamins that can so uselessly clog ones bank account. Read - Homes Fall Under Control of New Alienware High Definition Media Server Read - Digital Home Channel Program Resellers
