The compact box can play full high-def (1920 x 1080) files in popular formats such as MP4, H.264, DivX HD, MOV, VC-1, FLV, VOB, WMV and AVI as well as less common formats like MKV, AVC-HD, RMVB and Minus VR. Of course, it can also play a variety of audio formats like AAC, WMA, OGG, MP3, and M4A with aplomb.There’s even support for subtitle formats including Advance Substation Alpha – which has the best file extension ever – .ASS . (There’s a full list of supported formats and codecs here).

In addition, the Ultio can connect to the Internet via a built-in Ethernet port or through a Wi-Fi network (if you plug in an optional USB networking dongle). Once connected, you can download media files using the system’s built-in BitTorrent client. Since it has an integrated Samba server and UPnP, you can use services like PlayOn or Tversity to stream video from Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and other web-based video services.

The Ultio has a nice array of video outputs, including HDMI 1.3, component video, optical audio, analog audio (yuck) and composite video (double yuck).

Keep in mind that the Ultio doesn’t come with any built-in storage. For best performance, you’ll need to drop in a 3.5-inch SATA hard drive (up to 1.5 TB). Otherwise, you can play files from a USB 2.0 hard drive or a flash drive. You can also stream media stored on your PC if you’d rather store files there. And the guys over at Mvix are even encouraging users to download all of the system’s open source and GPL sourcecode to see what else they can do with this little box.

You can find the Mvix Ultio over at ThinkGeek for just $169.99 (USD). The 802.11N Wi-fi dongle will set you back another $39.99. BYO hard drive.

By using a technique ZeeVee calls “localcasting”, the ZvBox uses your current in-house cable TV network to send the signal to all of your sets. Just plug the ZvBox in between your computer and any open wall jack on your cable line (or splice it into an existing cable), and the system detects an open channel to send content over. Your PC signal simply becomes a new channel on your TV. The box converts the VGA output of your PC into a digital HDTV channel (using real-time MPEG2 compression) and injects it into your cable signal. The signal can even include Dolby 5.1 digital surround sound if the original video supports that format. (I’m assuming that audio somehow flows through the ZvBox’s USB port.)

To connect to each TV, just place a coax splitter (included) between the wall jack and your cable box. One side of the split goes back into the cable box, and the other goes directly into your TV’s RF input. Flip to the proper input on your TV, and voila, high-def computer video on any set in the house with a digital (QAM) tuner. At this point, it looks like the signal will only work alongside cable television, as satellite signals interfere with the Zv localcast channel. Hopefully, they’ll find a solution for those of us with DirecTV or Dish at some point. I’m also a bit surprised that the PC video inputs on the box are VGA – not DVI – so your source signal won’t be digital.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Once connected, any video that’s available on your computer can be viewed on your TV, retaining the the high-def resolution of the original content. The system also ships with a special widescreen menu application called Zviewer, which provides big-screen optimized navigation of all your media.

Also included in the box is the ZvRemote, which lets you control your computer’s mouse and desktop interface from up to 150 feet away. As an added bonus, you can access any application on your PC from the convenience of your couch.

Of course, the real “secret sauce” here is that a single ZvBox can send its signal to all of your TVs, so you only need one for the whole house. Plus, you won’t need to do any new wiring, assuming you’re already set up for cable TV, and you’ve got a cable jack somewhere near your PC.

The ZvBox, including the ZvRemote and Zviewer application will retail for $499 when it ships this June. More product information will be available at www.zeevee.com.

The Linux-based MusicPal not only receives over 5,000 ‘net music streams, it can also stream MP3s directly from your networked PC or Mac. Since the MusicPal has built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, you won’t need to run any wires to it either (although there is an Ethernet port if you’re wired.)

For sound output, you can either use the small, built-in speaker, or you can hook it up to your stereo via RCA jacks. My favorite feature has to be the ability to subscribe to RSS feeds and view them on the display. Now that’s cool! It’s even got a built in alarm clock so it’s a perfect bedside companion.

The best part is that it’s very reasonably priced. The MusicPal is available for pre-order from Freecom’s US online store for just $139 USD. They’re expected to start shipping this August.

[via GearLive]

For starters, there’s the entry-level Archos 105, which offers a small 1.8-inch OLED display and 2GB of flash memory. While the screen is quite small, you can’t beat the price at just $90. Moving up the ladder, the Archos 405 ($170) adds a larger 3.5-inch LCD screen and and SD slot for adding memory.

But the real heavy-hitters come in the form of the Archos 605 and 705 models which offer wireless connectivity to your PC for streaming video, as well as online access to CinemaNow to download content directly to the players WITHOUT a PC. An optional upgrade ($30) will provide web surfing and Flash-based video playback using the Opera web browser.

The 605 Wi-Fi will come with a 4.3-inch screen with an ultra-sharp 800×480 resolution, while the 705 Wi-Fi will offer a huge 7-inch display (resolution unknown.) The 605 comes in 4GB flash ($230), 30GB hard disk ($300), and 160GB hard disk ($400) variants. The 705 will offer 80GB and 160GB hard drives (no prices announced yet.) These higher end models are even expected to support 720p high definition content (for an extra $20). For $100 more, you’ll be able to purchase a DVR dock which will allow you to record your favorite television programs directly to your Archos device. It seems to me like a lot of features will come a la carte, but once fully-loaded, these players will really pack a serious punch.

All four models are expected to hit stores this September.

[via Crave]

The server features HDMI output for pure digital quality, and streams content off of a high-speed SATA drive to ensure stutter-free media playback. For those of you without a digital video connection, it also offers component, S-video and composite outputs, and stand-alone digital and analog audio connections as well.

It can play video files in a ton of formats, including WMV, WMV HD, AVI, MPG, VOB, MP4 and ASF among others. It’s no slouch in the audio department either, with support from MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, OGG, PCM and M4A file formats too. The server can easily connect to your computer network making it easy to move content from your PC to the server’s internal hard drive.

The M-5100SH retails for a little more than $500 when configured with a 250GB SATA hard drive. TViX also offers options for a digital ATSC tuner with DVR capability, as well as wireless network connectivity.

The $199 device lets you wirelessly stream music (ATRAC, AAC and WMA formats) from your PC to your Bravia home entertainment system (assuming you have one of the models with Sony’s proprietary Digital Media Port.) While the tiny 3-inch black cube looks really cool, it does have one significant limitation – it can’t stream DRMed tracks from any place other than the Sony Connect store.

Surprisingly, it also doesn’t appear to stream the files in the ubiquitous MP3 format. This is a clear case where form and function didn’t go hand in hand. Too bad.

[via Le Journal du Geek via Gizmodo]

The VAIO WA Wireless Digital Music Streamer (VGF-WA1) is a complete bookshelf audio system, featuring built-in stereo amplification, speakers and streaming directly from your Wi-Fi connected PC. The