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Connected Home Streaming Media Devices, Digital Media Servers, HTPC and Media Center PC's , Software

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Old 10-06-2003, 09:41 PM
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List of Known Networked Media Devices

This forum is intended to help consumers find out about the "networked media devices" on the market and learn about their features.

A "networked media device" is a video and/or audio player that recieves it's content from a server running on a network. These devices can either hook up to your stereo, TV or both.

Please post in this thread if you are aware of other devices. Please start another thread if you wish to ask questions or comment on a device.

The List:

SliMP3 - www.slimdevices.com - the SliMP3 player is a networked device that hooks into your stereo. It features a 2x40 VFD and plays audio content streamed from a server. The server software is open source and runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, BSD and even Solaris. Currently selling at $239.

Prismiq - www.prismiq.com - The Prismiq media player interfaces with your stereo and TV and allows you to play digital audio and video files, view photos, stream Internet radio, chat with friends, and browse the Web. The media software runs on Windows. Currently selling at $249.95.

cd3o - www.cd3o.com - The cd3o Network Mp3 Player plays streamed mp3s through a wired or wireless connection to your stereo. The server software runs on Windows XP or 2000. Currently priced from $129 - $199.

hp digital media receiver - hp.com - The HP media recievers allow you to play digital music on your stereo and to view photos on your TV. Software runs on Windows XP, 2000 or Me. The device comes in a wired or wireless package and is priced from $129.99 to $199.99.

Turtle Beach Audiotron - www.turtlebeach.com - AudioTron uses your home network to play Internet radio from a networked Internet connection and digital music files from a PC’s hard drive. The software runs on Windows. Currently priced from $299.95 to $349.95.

Onkyo Nettune OnkyoUsa.com - Onkyo offers a whole line of networked audio recievers. Onkyo's "Net-Tune Central" software runs on Windows. Priced at $400 and up.

Linksys Wireless-b Media Adapter Linksys.com - Using a wireless connection, the Media Adapter displays your digital photographs on the TV and plays MP3s through your stereo. Software for Windows XP or 2000. Currently priced at $178.99.

JoyPort JoyFaktory.com - An audiophile media wireless device capable of streaming audio, and video content to home-theather and Hi-Fi audio systems. Server software runs on Windows, Linux and Mac. Prices start at $699.

Omnifi Omnifimedia.com - Digital media streamer for your home. Allows your PC to stream your favorite digital media content (MP3 & WMA) to your home stereo. Server software runs on Windows. Prices start at $299. (Note - they also have a companion module to go in your car)

Motorola Simplefi - Motorola.com - Wireless digital media streamer that hooks up to your stereo. Server software runs on Windows 98, Me or 2000. Currently priced at $299.

Creative Sound Blaster Wireless - Creative.com - Supports 802.11 b and g and features an RF remote that has a 132x64 pixel blue backlit LCD. Server software supports Windows 98 through XP. Currently priced at $249.99

HomePod by MacSense - Macsense.com - Features a 2.5" backlig LCD, built in stereo speakers, RCA outputs and optical outputs. It supports wired or 802.11b wireless networking. Supports Windows, Linux, Mac OS 9 and OSX, BSD and Solaris. Not on sale yet but will be at $249.

Last edited by jfila; 10-30-2003 at 08:43 AM..
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Old 10-06-2003, 09:53 PM
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Also:
Escient. Their digital media devices differ from the others because they are hard drive based - yet still can hook to a network.

ReQuest Multimedia Also hard drive based but some models are networked - including a "net sync" feature in which the device backs up everything it has locally to a network drive. Beautiful, but expensive.
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Old 10-06-2003, 11:34 PM
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Panasonic has cameras that hook directly to a server. Look in the sec section.
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Old 10-07-2003, 10:16 AM
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Thanks ECA but I'm trying to stick to devices that stream either music (MP3s etc) or video (AVI, DIVX, VOB etc).

Updated the list with a few more...
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Old 10-07-2003, 11:57 AM
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Rio Receiver ( http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/sup....asp?prodID=99 ) is a device that streams MP3 and WMA files from a server. Although discontinued, new and used Rio Receivers are readily available at many online stores and auction sites (I'd recommend eBay as a first stop) for well under $100 (in fact I've seen new ones go for closer to $50.) There are Dell and Gateway branded versions of the Rio Receiver as well.
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Old 10-09-2003, 03:06 PM
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You guys missed one that I'm involved with...

The HomePod (http://www.macsense.com/product/homepod/) is a wireless audio device that streams MP3, AAC, and WAV files around the home. Also has built in speakers so you can move it around the house as a free standing player. Server runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. Retails price $249. ( A developer version of the HomePod is available from GlooLabs - http://store.yahoo.com/gloolabs/homepod.html)
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Old 10-09-2003, 06:34 PM
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GlooLabs - That product does look quite intriguing. I assume that since your username is that of the company offering the developer version that you actually are using one of these devices. I'd appreciate if you'd start a separate thread (since this one is only for listing products only) and tell us a little more about the HomePod including it's strengths and weaknesses compared to some of the other popular digital audio receivers.

I'd also like to know a little about it's interface. There doesn't seem to be much information available about it on the website.

Also, the website mentions an expected ship date of October (this month). Are they behind this schedule?
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Old 10-09-2003, 07:32 PM
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Wow that HomePod looks pretty cool. I'll add it to the list

The site is kinda messed up for me though - anyone else? Some items are cut off and there is text in the background that shouldn't be.
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Old 10-09-2003, 08:55 PM
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So which of these puppies also do mpeg and avis? I have been spoiled by my QCast tuner software for the PS2. I can play mp3s, wma, avis, mpeg4, mpeg2, and display pictures to music. Only thing it lacks is a nice visualization suite for the music playing app.
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Old 10-09-2003, 11:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by neuroking
So which of these puppies also do mpeg and avis? I have been spoiled by my QCast tuner software for the PS2. I can play mp3s, wma, avis, mpeg4, mpeg2, and display pictures to music. Only thing it lacks is a nice visualization suite for the music playing app.
Man I want that new PSX they just announced. That would look tight in my home theater and i would love using it as a media player.
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