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RipNAS Statement: world's first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device
We'll be perfectly honest with you -- the Atom-powered RipNAS definitely caught our interest when it launched with practically no major competitors back in February. Now, the RipNAS family has grown by two with the introduction of the Statement SSD and Statement HDD. We're told that the former is the world's first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device, and we've absolutely no reason to believe otherwise. The totally silent, all-silver box is based on the Windows Home Server OS and handles a cornucopia of tasks: CD ripping, media streaming and networked file storage. Internal specifications include a dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM and four USB 2.0 ports. The Statement SSD arrives in a 500GB configuration (2 x 250GB SSDs), while the Statement HDD holds 3TB by way of two 1.5TB drives; mum's the word on pricing, but don't bank on 'em being cheap.
ZeeVee ships the $2,500 ZvPro 250
It seems like ages ago that we first heard about ZeeVee's range-topping ZvPro streamer for sending HD content hither and yon on across existing coax lines at up to 1080i resolution, but really it's only been a few months. The linked press release puts a commercial signage angle on this rack-mountable box, but with the RS-232 control, Toslink input and assignable pairing of the audio and video inputs, we're thinking this would fit pretty nicely in the home, thank you very much. Unfortunately, the $2,500 price that's "disruptive" for the commercial market is just "discouraging" for home users. Trickle down can't come soon enough.
boxee reviewed: great application, more content needed
boxee has morphed from a no-name application into a highly desirable portal for discovering internet content, and while we just recently saw the Windows alpha previewed, the good folks at PSFK have assembled a picture-filled review of the alpha on Apple TV. They seemed to have no issue at all getting the program up and running on Cupertino's set-top-box, though they were a touch underwhelmed by the content. To be fair, however, boxee navigated through what was available with ease, and if access to more content does indeed become available in the future, it was stated that boxee was solid enough to convince legions of pay-TV users to ditch their cable and resort entirely to web TV. We're not exactly sure we're ready to believe all that given the amazing lack of high-def material available over the net, but we catch the drift. All in all, boxee was found to be a helpful addition for any media addict, and for the phenomenal price of $0.00, we really can't understand why you're not heading over for a download right now.
boxee alpha opens up on Mac, Ubuntu January 8; Windows invites to follow
Six months and 150,000 signups later, boxee is preparing to move from alpha to beta status, ready to drop any unsent invites on all interested parties by the 25th ahead of the open alpha period starting January 8, 2009. While OS X / Apple TV / Ubuntu have been the required attire so far, Windows users won't be out in the cold much longer, as CEO Avner Ronen revealed in comments on the boxee blog that the Windows alpha program will start "early 2009" with thousands of invites sent out every week. That enough to pique your interest in this media streaming set-top box software?[Via A VC]
boxee adds Netflix support, other tweaks in new alpha
The guys and gals at boxee have been relentlessly working to update the media management software, and just over a month after Hulu support was added, we're now thrilled to announce that Netflix support is joining in. Additionally, users will find custom interfaces for CNN, Hulu, Flickr, Picasa, and YouTube, not to mention portals for TheWB, MTVMusic and The Boston Globe's Big Picture blog. One important caveat is that Netflix isn't yet compatible on Apple TV, but the team is working hard to overcome the hardware limitations and make it happen as soon as possible. Peep the full release after the jump.%Gallery-38485%
SlingCatcher unboxing and hands-on
We knew the SlingCatcher was sneaking out into the wild, and hey -- we just snagged one at retail in Chicago. We're busy tearing into all the projector, Sling streaming, and media streaming features, but we figured we'd throw up the unboxing photos right away so you can get a feel for Sling's latest, long-awaited box.%Gallery-34821%
SlingCatcher now officially for sale
It's been over a year and half since Sling first announced the SlingCatcher, but the mythical streamer is finally, finally here -- it's now officially for sale on Sling's site and at other major retailers. You already know most of the details about the $299 box -- Slingbox playback, SlingProjector computer streaming, extensive codec support including XviD, eventual Sling.com content delivery -- so we'll just let you hit the order page, but rest assured we'll be tearing this thing apart when our test unit arrives.
SlingCatcher gets unboxed, our hearts beat ever faster
After seemingly endless delays, it looks like the SlingCatcher is finally making its way into the world, as evidenced by this grainy unboxing at the SlingCommunity forums. Sure, it looks exactly the same as the prepro boxes we've toyed with, but we won't lie -- we've been waiting for this box with breathless anticipation ever since it was announced at CES 2007, and combined with the recent launch of the Sling 2.0 software, the Slingbox PRO-HD, and the seemingly-imminent launch of the Sling.com video portal, Sling's ending the year strong. Click on for a few more pics, and don't worry -- we'll be blowing this thing out as soon as we get our hands on one.[Thanks, Christopher]
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.
D-Link DSM-330 media streamer gets Flash video support -- Hulu on your TV
D-Link's $230 DSM-330 media streamer has always been among the most flexible set-top boxes out there, and it's just gotten even better, with the latest DivX Connected server software bringing Flash video support to the device. It's not quite browse-and-play -- every site requires a specific plug-in -- but Hulu, College Humor, YouTube, ABC News, and Vimeo are already working, and there are more on the way. That's pretty tempting for two bills, but we'll stick to rocking PlayOn with our 360 and PS3. [Via eHomeUpgrade and Zatz Not Funny!]
D-Link DSM-330 DivX Connected media streamer now shipping in the U.S.
The D-Link MediaLounge DSM-330 is finally shipping to U.S. media streaming heads fiending for its 1080p upconverting, Divx/Xvid streaming abilities, although our excitement is dimmed a bit by all the competition that's popped up since we first laid eyes on the GejBox, and Stage6 falling by the wayside certainly doesn't help. That said, DivX has been on an upswing as of late, so the launch of its first Connected hardware couldn't come a moment to soon. Unfortunately MKV support isn't part of the package yet, but for $299 it does handle quite a few formats. Interested U.S. buyers should be able to find out if it matches up to Popcorn Hour's A-100 now, with Canadian distribution following shortly. Check after the break for the press release and the rest of the details.
Sony launches circular VGF-HS1 media server
Nothing like washing down an all new WiFi-enabled digiframe with an all new home media server, right? Apparently Sony is firmly in agreement, as it's also launching its latest multimedia server / NAS drives today in Japan. The 1TB VGF-HS1 / 1.5TB VGF-HS1S would stack nicely atop your VAIO HTPC, and aside from boasting gigabit Ethernet, DLNA compatibility, an integrated display, USB connectivity and a hidden multicard reader behind the front panel, this unit plays nice with AVCHD, MPEG2, HDV, JPEG, BMP, PNG, WAV, MP3, ATRAC (saywha?), AAC and WMA file formats. Word on the street has these shipping on May 17th for ¥60,000 ($570) / ¥80,000 ($760) depending on capacity, but only time will tell if Sony sees fit to send 'em Stateside.[Via Impress]
Popcorn Hour's A-100 HD media streamer publicly available for pre-order
What do you know? Yet another outlet for you to happily blow $179. As of today, Popcorn Hour's heralded A-100 HD media streamer is finally available for the public at large to pre-order. Previously, folks had to actually sign a list just to be blessed with the privilege of placing an order, but now it seems supply is at long last flowing in nicely. The company has even set up a forum to keep customers informed of order status, but we wouldn't dillydally around -- these are still being sold on a first come, first served basis.[Thanks, leland]
MediaGate's wireless HD MG-450HD media server now shipping
Apparently MediaGate heard the "What? No HD?" cries from you folks during yesterday's PC-on-TV DPG-1200 shipment announcement, as it has just opened up the flood gates and allowed its MG-450HD entertainment server to start filtering out to end users. If you'll recall, this wireless HD media streamer can also play on wired networks and with USB devices such as digicams and flash drives, and you'll also find HDMI, composite, S-Video and component video outputs to complement the stereo L / R, optical / coaxial digital and analog 5.1-channel audio ports. Of course, you'll be asked to provide your own internal hard drive, but considering that it managed to shed $20 from its initial price tag (down to $229 now), it's still squarely in bargain territory.[Via SlipperyBrick]
HAVA player hits Nokia's internet tablets
Monsoon's HAVA HD streamer doesn't get quite as much love as the various Slingboxes, but it's a fine piece of kit with features Sling doesn't have quite yet, like pause and rewind -- and now it's got one more supported client platform, as the company's using CTIA to roll out support for Nokia's Internet Tablet OS. That means the N800 and N810 can now get in on the action, and the quality looks pretty decent -- the crew over at Internet Tablet Talk got a chance to play with an early version, and they think it looks even better than the PC client. Hmm, looks like that WiMAX N810 could double as a fairly decent portable TV, eh? Video after the break.[Thanks, Joey]
D-Link DSM-750 wireless Media Center Extender finally shipping
We first saw D-Link's DSM-750 MediaLounge Wireless Media Player at CES way back in 2007, and the company "officially" launched the 802.11n unit in September of that year -- but the scheduled November 2007 retail date came and went, and the four of you queuing up to drop $349 on an unheralded Media Center extender were left to sadly contemplate the crushing banality of your existence. Well, buck up, boy-o, because it looks like D-Link's realized that it's actually supposed to sell the DSM-750, and it's also gone and dropped the price down a whole $20, to $329. Sure, you can operate the thing in either MCE or MediaLounge mode, but you're still limited to 1080i output (even over HDMI), and at that price, it's pretty hard to see why you wouldn't just nab an Xbox 360 Arcade to do the same thing -- you're getting far more functionality for the money, even if you have to spring for wireless and the remote. Still, we're glad this thing is finally here -- those four dudes were getting awfully weepy.[Via eHomeUpgrade]
AirLive AirMedia 3000 streamer does YouTube, too
We're not sure how the AirLive AirMedia 3000 "wireless multimedia server" accesses YouTube content without a browser -- unlike devices like the Apple TV and iPhone, it apparently plays the straight .flv files, which only show up on the website, we believe -- but if it does, chalk it up as one of the easier ways to watch dogs ride skateboards on your TV. Not much else in the way of details, but if this thing really is rocking Flash video support, we can see it carving out a solid little niche for itself.
Conceptronic unveils Grab 'n GO Full HD media player
Conceptronic already made a relatively big splash at CeBIT, but to be honest, we're equally intrigued by its new Grab 'n GO Full HD Media Player. Hailed as a "personal bridge to stream all digital files," the device includes a gigabit Ethernet jack and a USB port for connecting flash drives or external HDDs. As for the all important file support list, you'll find the ever-popular XviD along with MOV, WMV, H.264, MPEG1/2/4, JPEG, MP3, WMA, AVI and VOB (among others). 'Course, it also supports 1080p output via HDMI, and there's even a coaxial digital audio output for good measure. Regrettably, there's no word on a price or release date just yet.[Thanks, kjeld]
Conceptronic intros the Media Giant HD media server / DVR
There are a ton of DVRs with media server / streamer features out there, but the new Media Giant from Conceptronic manages to distinguish itself by being one of the more flexible units we've seen, at least on paper. The 1TB DVR features UPnP setup with DLNA support, a built-in analog tuner, a Twonky server, component, composite and firewire inputs, HDMI and component out, digital audio out, an optional PowerLine networking adapter, and a laundry list of supported codecs, including DivX, XviD, WMV9, SVCD and VOB. Not a bad little box -- but we won't know about pricing or availability until it gets officially official at CeBit next week.
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.
