There has been a lot of talk floating around about TiVo’s acquisition of Strangeberry, “a small Palo Alto based technology company specializing in using home network and broadband technologies to create new entertainment experiences on television. Strangeberry has created technology, based on industry standards and including a collection of protocols and tools, designed to enable the development of new broadband-based content delivery services.” People from Slashdot and PVRblog are getting overly excited about a picture that has been posted on frackers.com, which is nothing more than three popular Network Media Adapters (devices that hook into a home network and can stream digital media content from a PC to a TV and/or Stereo) that were supposedly purchased by Stangeberry developers. This picture has lead to Mike Haughey, of PVRblog, to speculate that TiVo will be “producing home broadband boxes that did everything from act as a firewall and wireless router, to home filesharing and IM, to callerID/tv/movie/weather updates on your TV, all in one simple box running a linux port. It would seem like a great move for TiVo to pick something up like that and bake it into their boxes, making TiVo customers less likely to jump ship for a free PVR from a cable company.” In my opinion, the idea is close, but can be expanded even further. MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Now here is a TRUE Digital Media Server. The FIA On3 Digital Media Player and Library unit is a hybrid 120GB Network Attached Storage (NAS) server, Media Manager, and A/V output device all rolled into one. What we really like about this concept is that it does not require a PC to operate and all the media management and viewing can be handled via the remote control and TV user-interface. Furthermore, the device is both Windows and MAC friendly, supports all the popular media file types, and can be connected wirelessly (802.11b/g) or by Ethernet. We give FIA an “A” for this convergent Digital Media Server concept. Hopefully, this is first of many in this new market segment. MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

ATI has just added some new members to their popular line of all-in-one video graphics card/TV tuner.

Excerpt from ATI’s press release:

The family of best-in-class multimedia video cards, featuring ALL-IN-WONDER® 9800 PRO, now includes several new additions. ALL-IN-WONDER 9600XT delivers more multimedia features for customers by offering the fastest RADEON™ 9600 series performance with a graphics engine clocked at 525 MHz and 128 MB of memory running at 650 MHz. At USD$299, this new multimedia solution includes FM-ON-DEMAND™ to receive and record favorite FM radio stations, dual VGA monitor support, the second generation and completely redesigned REMOTE WONDER™ II, integrated DVD authoring and burning, and MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 8.8. MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

With the great success of their Beyond TV software line (formerly know as Snapstream PVS), Snapstream will be adding a new, complimentary software product called Beyond Media that will allow users to manage digital media files (pre-recorded TV programs, home videos, photos, and music) on their PC and have them readily available for viewing on a PC or television using the soon-to-be released Firefly PC entertainment remote control. Most likely will be available by early Summer 2004.

Popularity: 2% [?]

SnapStream is getting set to launch a hi-powered, PC entertainment remote control dubbed the Firefly that will not only control their Beyond TV tivo-like software, but also their upcoming Beyond Media software and various other 3rd party media applications like Musicmatch and myHTPC. Moreover, the device feature 30-40ft range RF (radio frequency); however, it is unclear if IR will be combined to give users control over their TV and DVD players as well. Most likely available by Spring 2004.

Popularity: 2% [?]

D-Link has just launched the new D-Link DSM-320R Wireless Media Player w/ Flash Card Reader. The DSM-320R is a stand-alone unit with a 5-In-1 Flash Card Reader that resides within a home entertainment center and connects to the television and/or stereo using standard A/V or S-video cables. Using the included remote control and step-by-step TV interface, it is then easily connected to a home network via 802.11g wireless or Ethernet. The unit also comes bundled with D-Link Media Server Software for Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP which intuitively compiles digital content and organizing the data from the network PC library and AOL entertainment services into playlists by file type (audio/video/photo) and cataloguing the individual files by categories such as genre, artist and title for immediate access through the Media Player. MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Look out Gateway. D-Link has just launched the new D-Link DSM-320D Wireless Network Media Player w/ DVD Player. The DSM-320D is a networked DVD player that resides within a home entertainment center and connects to the television and/or stereo using standard A/V or S-video cables. Using the included remote control and step-by-step TV interface, it is then easily connected to a home network via 802.11g wireless or Ethernet. The unit also comes bundled with D-Link Media Server Software for Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP which intuitively compiles digital content and organizing the data from the network PC library and AOL entertainment services into playlists by file type (audio/video/photo) and cataloguing the individual files by categories such as genre, artist and title for immediate access through the Media Player. MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

NiveusMedia, the maker of the ONEbox Media Center, is getting set to launch a new, sexy A/V receiver sized, Windows XP Media Center 2004 PC dubbed the Niveus AVX Media Center PC. Besides the AMX’s amazing looks, the PC has no fans and runs virtually silent–we’re curious how it keeps its components cool too. Moreover, NiveusMedia went to great lengths to pack the tiny powerhouse with top of the line components and features. Pricing and availability have not yet been determined. MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

SMC Networks has just launched the EZ-Stream SMCWAA-B Wireless Audio Adapter. This 802.11b, UPnP compatible, network music adapter can stream a PC’s MP3, WMA music files and even Internet radio stations (Rhapsody, Shoutcast, PLS, and MP3 streams via the SMC media server software) to a connected stereo. SMC also offers free Internet firmware upgrades to give users added codecs and features. Furthermore, the SMCWAA-B features a large LCD screen for easy reading and track/playlist navigation–because no one likes trying to find their favorite music track with just a remote.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Gizmodo has got an excellent photo roundup of all the Portable Media Players (a.k.a Personal Video Players & Portable Media Centers) shown at CES 2004. Have a look! MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]