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VidaBox brings HD DVD / Blu-ray storage and streaming to Media Servers
Although Toshiba itself has walked away from HD DVD, it seems that some companies are still giving users the option to never let go (and understandably so). VidaBox is one such outfit, which has just announced that it's bringing Blu-ray and HD DVD storage and streaming capabilities to its growing list of Media Servers. According to the firm, "unencrypted titles can be copied onto a VidaBox server, and then streamed to VidaBox extenders." Interestingly, that's about where the details end, but feel free to peep the full release in the read link below.
33 million US homes could stream HD media in 2012
Considering that NSR thinks that we'll have access to 900 HD channels via satellite by 2012, we're not exactly sure why we'll even need to download high-def media in four years. All jesting aside, a recent report put forth by Parks Associates suggests that around 33 million US households will have 10Mbps+ broadband by 2012, essentially enabling an equal amount of homes to easily stream high-definition video. At the end of 2007, just 5.7 million -- or nine-percent of broadband-enabled domiciles -- had such speeds. Granted, just because speeds creep up doesn't mean that consumers will soon be ditching their packaged media and resorting to streams, but with cable companies gearing up for DOCSIS 3.0 rollouts, we'd say these figures aren't too far fetched.[Via US News]
Mvix intros MX-780HD wireless HD media streamer
Maybe it's just us, but here recently it feels as if there's been quite the outpouring of HD media streamers. Next up is Mvix's MX-780HD, which doesn't innovate much in the design department, but does include space for your own HDD along with support for wired Ethernet or 802.11b/g/n WiFi. Best of all, you'll find 1080p output via HDMI, and there's file support for DivX, XviD, AVI, MPEG, WMV, ASF, AAC, OGG, AC3, MP3, WMA, JPEG and lots, lots more. There's also component outs and coaxial / optical audio ports, but we're still teetering on whether that cute LCD on the front makes this thing a bargain at $299.99. [Via Unplggd]
Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank gets reviewed
We'll be honest with you -- we haven't seen a dedicated media streamer get this much attention, well, ever. Nevertheless, Popcorn Hour's (apparently hard-to-get) Networked Media Tank / A-100 has been utilized for a month over at Networking Audio / Video's labs, and the take away is that it pretty much is just as impressive as expected. Aside from the lackluster interface and ho hum music playback, the unit appeared to perform admirably. BitTorrent integration was top shelf, video playback was impeccable and fetching content from nearly anywhere was a breeze. 'Course, we'd recommend poring over the review in its entirety before plunking down your $179, but things are certainly looking good from up top.
MediaGate announces MG-450HD entertainment server
When CES 2007 came around, a good portion of the US stopped and thanked their lucky stars as MediaGate's fairly well-spec'd lineup finally came stateside. Now, the same firm is introducing the MG-350HD's (pictured) successor, the MG-450HD. Said entertainment server enables owners to wirelessly stream HD video, music, and other media to an HDTV or stereo from their PC, and it also fetches content from networked hard drives and locally attached USB drives. Unfortunately, this one caps out at 802.11g, but it does include HDMI, optical / coaxial digital audio outs and Ethernet to boot. At $249, it's still a bit more expensive than Popcorn Hour's highly praised A-100, but loyalists probably won't mind.
Celrun TV does multimedia streaming right
We've seen how Celrun does PMPs, and we're equally impressed with how it has tackled media streaming. The Celrun TV (no kin to the Apple TV, we're told) checks in with a 320GB hard drive, Ethernet / WiFi, a couple of USB ports, an integrated digital TV tuner and a slew of ports including HDMI, component and optical audio. The fun continues with support for AVI, MPEG1/2/4, DivX, ASF, XviD, OFF, FLAC, WAV, H.264, WMV and lots, lots more. No word on a price or release date, but we've all ideas this HD streamer won't be straying too far from South Korea, regardless.
Simpel Session '08 streamed live in HD for first time
Unfortunately, the partners involved in streaming Europe's largest BMX and skateboarding event to 118,000 online onlookers in HD waited until after the event to brag about how well everything worked, but hey, at least we've got reason to believe that next year's shindig will be handled similarly. Reportedly, the three-day Simpel Session '08 was streamed live in high-definition over the web on Freecaster.tv for the "first time in the event's seven-year history." Also of note, it seems the team is now getting set to migrate all of its H.264 content to the new Flash 9 player, which should indeed allow it to "reach the widest possible audience with its state of the art action sports content." First we get the X-Games in HD, and now this -- life's pretty good for extreme sports fans, eh?
VUDU beams out v1.2 update, enables HD streaming
Merely a day after the Apple TV (take 2) update was delayed, VUDU has apparently beamed out the v1.2 update for its self-titled set-top-box. According to users who have successfully downloaded it, the new build reportedly enables HD streaming and adds a new "Instant HD" speed setting along with a "Constant Audio" setting to "fix the popping issues" that some folks are experiencing. According to NA9D over at the VUDU user forums, the update has also made 64 (give or take a few) HD titles available for viewing (all are rental only at the moment, save for the third Bourne Identity), and while some of them are said to be new releases, some supposedly go back as far as 1972. For anyone with a VUDU STB in their abode, feel free to check things out and give us an idea of available titles in comments below.[Thanks, Brian S.]
Hands-on with Monsoon's new HD-capable HAVA streamer
Well, after both Samsung and Netgear demoed wireless HD streaming yesterday -- and Netgear actually got cheers for pulling out a RAID drive while doing it -- Monsoon's breathless press release for its HD-capable HAVA hardware streamer seems a little overenthusiastic, but it's their party, so we won't wreck it too much. The new box rocks 802.11n and allows users to multicast up to 1080i video to unlimited clients on their home network and one broadband-connected client over the net -- including WinMo phones -- and the PC client software features PVR features that'll allow you to pause and rewind the stream. Monsoon says the new HAVA gear will be available in spring through "select retailers," but pricing details are still a little up in the air. We actually caught some time with this thing yesterday in what looks to be the older-style casing, check it out in the gallery! %Gallery-12900%
Belkin's FlyWire Wireless HD solution ready for CES
As the war between wireless HD solutions heats up, AMIMON is looking to make a splash by partnering up with Belkin. Reportedly, the firm's Wireless High-definition Interface (WHDI) -- which was just recently HDCP certified -- will be the heart of the Belkin FlyWire aimed at streaming HD DVD / Blu-ray (among other uncompressed content) to television sets sans wires. Unfortunately, little more is known beyond that (aside from the price range, set at $499 to $599), but here's to hoping that we'll get a closer look in just a few days.
Fujitsu, Sigma Designs collaborate on Wireless HDAV
Yeah, we've certainly seen Sigma Designs pick up partners for WiMedia-based UWB HD streaming before, but this go 'round it's managed to solicit the help of Fujitsu. Apparently, the duo is planning to showcase its wireless HDAV technology at CES, which was designed to transport HD content over ultra-wideband and rely on Fujitsu's H.264-compliant codec. The setup can purportedly transmit signals at distances of up to ten meters, and will combine Fujitsu's MB86H51 codec with Sigma Designs' SMP8634 Secure Media Processor decoder and UWB Windeo chipset. Granted, we've witnessed similar songs / dances before, but here's to hoping one of these wireless concoctions actually takes off in 2008.
Teq AV/IT's WID110 makes any display wireless
Forget forking out for one of those proprietary wireless displays, as Teq AV/IT's WID110 enables any ole display or projector to receive video signals sans wires so long as it understands VGA. The wireless gateway / receiver "enables multiple computers to stream video to a screen without any cables," and allows presenters to carry around a few small pieces of hardware rather than a dedicated monitor. Notably, the unit plays nice with 802.11b/g, outputs at 1,280 x 768, supports Windows XP / Vista / CE and OS X, is password protected, and even handles video clips in MPEG formats. Reportedly, you can look forward to a 250-foot range outside and a 150-foot range whilst indoors, and while there's no pricetag readily available, we don't envision such a luxury coming without a noticeable premium.
Sony's ES receiver lineup handles multizone HD streaming, iPods
Those in the market for a receiver that can handle the latest and greatest ought to look Sony's way, as the firm's revamped ES lineup not only plays nice with your iPod, but it's the first from Sony that can distribute high definition content to a second room. The STR-DA5300ES, STR-DA4300ES, and STR-DA3300ES 7.1-channel devices all offer seamless (albeit optional) iPod integration, and the onboard Digital Media Port allows users to add other accessories such as a WiFi client for streaming digital music, a Bluetooth receiver, or a Network Walkman docking station. You'll also find 1080/60p and 24p support, 1080p upconverting, Sirius / XM compatibility, and a variety of internal amplifier ratings depending on model. All three of Sony's latest AV components will be available before October, and while the low(er)-end DA3300ES will check in at a cool grand, the DA4300ES will demand $1,300 while the DA5300ES runs $1,700.[Via Electronista]%Gallery-5193%
Hisense and Metalink ready to stream multiple HD feeds over 802.11n
For those of you yearning for a little more oomph in your wireless HD options, Hisense and Metalink have heard (and answered) the call. The two firms are collaborating to unveil solutions to HD streaming that "enable the wireless transmission of multiple HDTV streams from centrally-located DTVs, PVRs and STBs to any room in the house." Based around Metalink's WLANPlus chipset, devices sporting the newfangled technology will be capable of supporting up to 300Mbps transmission speeds using both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands; moreover, Metalink claims that this creation offers "more than twice the reach of competing 802.11n solutions" due to its implementation of a Maximum Likelihood (ML) decoder combined with advanced Forward Error Correction (FEC) scheme and the use of Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) technology. A lot of jargon, we know, but cramming chipsets that can handle a bevy of HD streams on a vanilla 802.11n network into gateways and access points makes perfect sense to us.
Tzero's WiMedia-based ZeroWire uses UWB for HD streaming
While Tzero has been at the forefront of ultra wideband technology for some time, the firm is upping the stakes even higher with its WiMedia-based TZC7200 ZeroWire chipset. The UWB semiconductor solution was designed to deliver "real-time high-definition video" either wirelessly or over cabling, and can even open new doors for "distributing entertainment content throughout the entire home using existing coax." Reportedly, this device can pipe multiple streams of HD video through your average cable network at the tune of 480Mbps, and it boasts application integration including IP, UDP, TCP/IP, multicast, and unicast. Notably, ZeroWire is "comprised of both a Radio Frequency IC (RFIC) as well as a baseband and media access control system-on-chip," and while the chipset is listed is being available immediately, you'll need to contact Tzero yourself to fetch the pricing details.
D-Link's Xtreme N Duo MediaBridge enables HD streaming
It's not too tough these days to find a router with HD streaming in its arsenal, but D-Link is aiming for a slightly different set with its dual-band Xtreme N Duo MediaBridge. Essentially, this liaison connects to your existing router in order to add 5GHz 802.11n abilities to your setup, which purportedly "helps avoid interference by allowing the user to use the 5GHz frequency band to provide a stable high-performance wireless link for streaming HD video." Clearly designed with the DIR-655 in mind, this device also allows up to five Ethernet-enabled media devices to become attached on a separate unit for even more high-definition WiFi streaming. Notably, the DAP-1555 itself doesn't seem to double as an Ethernet router, and unfortunately, you'll have to wait until the thing ships in Q3 to find out how much it'll dent your wallet.[Via SmallNetBuilder
D-Link's DSL-510 MediaLounge streams HD... over Ethernet (yawn)
D-Link just busted out another MediaLounge wireless media player: the DSM-510. This 1080i, HD streamer (over fixed 10/100 Ethernet, only) sports 802.11b/g WiFi for less demanding media (music, pictures, etc), and streams via Microsoft's Windows Media Connect or any UPnP media servers. The device supports a decent set of codecs: video support includes MPEG-1/2/4, WMV9, XVID with MP3 or PCM, AVI (MPEG-4 layer only) and DVR-MS; MP3, WAV Audio, WMA and AIFF (PCM only) and Ogg Vorbis audio; JPEG and JPEG2000, TIFF 9 (RGB only), non-compressed BMP, PNG and GIF images. Oh, and this model receives a Viiv certification as well. Like the DSM-520 we saw in March, the 510 features HDMI and composite outs as well as optical digital audio for 5.1-channel sound. Fine, we know D-Link is doing the best they can given the sorry state of high-speed, in-home, wireless (and wired) technologies. But damn, what everyone really wants is hi-def streaming gear based on ratified 802.11n, HD over UWB, or Wireless HDMI. Product, please? [Via AVING]
Mivx officially unveils MX-760HD HD WiFi media streamer
Mvix has certainly found its way to your living room before, and we've heard the rumblings of its latest HD streaming / storage device coming to fruition, but just before the holiday rush the firm is officially releasing the MX-760HD Wireless HD Media Center. This feature-laden box supports wireless media (HD thankfully included) streaming over 802.11g with full WEP support, and comes packed with an optional 200 to 750GB hard drive to store files remotely. Sporting a 7.4- x 7.6- x 2.3-inch enclosure, the Linux-based box plays nice with Windows systems and outputs in NTSC / PAL, and even includes an external LCD to give you quick updates on what's going where. Aside from WiFi, it also features Ethernet connectivity and USB ports, and Mvix even includes a remote to control the action from afar. On the rear, you'll find outputs for DVI, component, composite, stereo, and optical / coaxial digital audio to play back any of your DivX, MPEG 1/2/4, WMV, ASF, DAT, DVD, IFO, VOB, ISO, MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, PCM, AC3, DTS, BMP, JPEG, and PNG files -- and that's just the tip of the iceberg. So if you're scouting a svelte HD streamer with internal storage to boot, the MX-760HD can be pre-ordered now (sans an internal HDD) for $329.[Thanks, Chris and Rich]
