NetworkMediaPlayer
Latest
ViewSonic streams Netflix, other stuff with NexTV VMP75 networked media player
The world needs another network media player like it needs another eight billion barrels of oil floating around in the Gulf of Mexico, but if you're somehow still struggling to decide on one of the many, many options available to you, ViewSonic has an alternative up for consideration. The new NexTV VMP75 is a rather compact set-top box, donning a glossy black finish and proud support for streaming Netflix Watch Instantly content. You'll also get local and network playback of whatever content you've got laying around on your nearby hard drives, and around back, you'll find an Ethernet socket (WiFi is optional), eSATA / USB combo port, a dedicated USB socket (for connecting thumb drives and external HDDs), a S/PDIF audio port, HDMI output and an AV aux plug. ViewSonic claims that you can also stream content from YouTube, SHOUTcast, Flickr and Live365.com, and there's even an inbuilt web browser if you take pleasure in (presumably) torturous experiences. All you? If so, it's up for pre-order right now at Amazon and Newegg for $129.99.
Ziova's CS510 High Definition Network Media Player
Not content with simply changing its name, Ziova (formerly Zensonic) has also taken the occasion to hit us with a new wireless network media player sporting their fresh new moniker, the HDMI-equipped CS510. Unlike Ziova's also-recently-announced CS505, which includes a built-in DVD drive, the CS510 is basically just a shiny box that'll handle playback duties of media residing elsewhere -- either on your PC via a WiFi or Ethernet connection or on a USB hard drive or flash drive connected directly to the device. Video formats supported include Windows Media Video 9, XviD, Nero Digital Cinema Profiles, and MPEG-4, among others -- strangely absent, however, is any DivX love, which could just be an oversight given that Zensonic's earlier players boasted support for it. On the audio front, it'll handle FLAC, OGG, AAC, MP3, Windows Media Audio 9, and CD Audio, among others -- and, as you can see, it is also fully Rush-compliant. [Thanks, Lloyd L]
