In an age where movie downloads are becoming the norm and with the advent of Movie downloads from the iTunes Store, getting movies (and other visuals) to you main TV screen is something that more and more users are looking to do. I have personally just installed a network hard drive in my set-up and streaming to my computer is not a problem, but to my main TV, now that is a different matter. Netgear's new 'Digital Entertainer EVA700 could be the answer to all my problems, read on for Netgear's press release about their new product.
NETGEAR Announces the Digital Entertainer, Featuring Seamless Media
Streaming to TVs and Home Entertainment Systems from Intel Viiv™
Technology-Based PCs, Storage Devices and the Internet
NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) First Digital Media Adapter Verified
to Work with Intel Viiv Technology; Two Popular Wireless Routers Also
Verified to Enable Access to Content and Services through Home Networks
Bracknell, UK — September 25, 2006 — NETGEAR, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a
worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking
products, today introduced the first Intel Viiv technology-verified digital
media adapter (DMA), the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700), bringing
home computers and home entertainment systems together. The sleek and
stylish Digital Entertainer enables consumers to stream digital media
content, applications and services from PCs, network storage devices, USB
devices, and the Internet via a home network to TVs and home entertainment
systems.
“Where people store their files and access the Internet shouldn’t limit
where, when or how they enjoy their digital entertainment,” said Vivek
Pathela, NETGEAR’s vice president of product marketing. “Previously you
used your PC, but now you can also enjoy the same videos, photos and music
on your TV, in the comfort of your family room. We’ve dedicated
considerable effort to ensure options for high-quality video streaming for
hours of uninterrupted video playback, so digital media and services can be
delivered from the PC to home theatres across multiple rooms. Like other
NETGEAR products, our Digital Entertainer and wireless routers verified to
work with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs are characterised by their
elegance, reliability and simplicity.”
The Digital Entertainer also supports services and applications through the
Intel Viiv Zone, which will provide over time a growing choice of
on-demand, Internet-delivered premium content including music and music
videos, information services, sports and TV shows, full-length movies, and
other entertainment. Other Intel Viiv technology features supported include
the ability to wake a sleeping PC from the Digital Entertainer, and
simplified device set-up via Intel Hub Connect Technology — which also
requires a verified router such as the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router
(WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614).
Consumers connect the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer to their existing home
networks through wired Ethernet for best results, or through an 802.11g
wireless standard-compliant router such as the Intel Viiv technology
verified NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless
Router (WGR614). For a proven wired Ethernet alternative, consumers can use
the NETGEAR 200 Mbps Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) (Geekanoids review here) to stream high quality video across multiple rooms in the house to ensure hours of
uninterrupted video playback.
User-friendliness is a hallmark of NETGEAR products. The NETGEAR Digital
Entertainer (EVA700) features an intuitive TV user interface that enables
families to browse their digital movie, video, music and photo files using
a single remote control. In addition to Intel Viiv technology based-PCs,
the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer supports access to content on standard
Windows XP PCs through Windows Media Connect as well as other Universal
Plug and Play (UPnP) media servers such as TwonkyMedia. The Digital
Entertainer can also stream content via the home network from the NETGEAR
Storage Central (SC101), associated with a PC, and many USB storage devices
such as flash drives, digital cameras and iPods. With its smooth burnished
platinum casing, similar in size to a standard DVD player, the Digital
Entertainer is a stylish addition to entertainment system cabinets.
The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) decodes many leading audio formats
(MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC), video formats (MPEG1/2/4, WMV, XviD) and image
formats (JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF). It integrates a 10/100Base-T Ethernet
controller, support for 802.11g wireless networking, and a USB 2.0 port for
additional connectivity with flash memory, digital cameras, iPod, or other
portable music and video players. The Digital Entertainer also includes RCA
connectors for composite and component video outputs with HD video support,
stereo RCA audio ports, an S-video port, and a SCART connector for regions
that require it. The Digital Entertainer complies with multiple
interoperability standards, including UPnP AV, Digital Living Network
Alliance (DLNA), and emerging digital rights management technologies such
as DTCP-IP and Microsoft® Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices. It
supports several security standards including WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK.
The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) is available now through select
retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. Backed by a one-year
warranty and 24/7 technical support, it has an MSRP of £200.
We hope to bring you a full review soon.