SOHO network vendors looking to take over the living room were not quiet at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The sweet spot continues to be networked media players that deliver multimedia content (music, photos and videos) from a PC over a wired or wireless network. Here's a quick peek at what we saw. Unless noted, pricing and availability were not announced.

Netgear has followed up last year's wireless digital music player (MP101) by adding video capabilities. The new MP115  lets you route video and music files (including Internet radio station streams) from a PC to a TV over an 802.11g or wired Ethernet network.

D-Link launched the MediaLounge Player, which supports Microsoft's Windows Connect Now, a protocol that aims to ease network installation and expansion. In addition to playing content from a PC, the DSM-320RD includes a DVD player and Flash card reader, which let you play movies or display images directly on the TV. Windows Connect Now uses a combination of hardware (USB connector) and software (the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP) to transfer secure wireless settings from the PC to other devices.

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

SOHO network vendors looking to take over the living room were not quiet at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The sweet spot continues to be networked media players that deliver multimedia content (music, photos and videos) from a PC over a wired or wireless network. Here's a quick peek at what we saw. Unless noted, pricing and availability were not announced.

Netgear has followed up last year's wireless digital music player (MP101) by adding video capabilities. The new MP115  lets you route video and music files (including Internet radio station streams) from a PC to a TV over an 802.11g or wired Ethernet network.

D-Link launched the MediaLounge Player, which supports Microsoft's Windows Connect Now, a protocol that aims to ease network installation and expansion. In addition to playing content from a PC, the DSM-320RD includes a DVD player and Flash card reader, which let you play movies or display images directly on the TV. Windows Connect Now uses a combination of hardware (USB connector) and software (the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP) to transfer secure wireless settings from the PC to other devices.

Linksys showed its Wireless-G Media Link device (WML54G), which provides video, music and photo transmission from a PC to a stereo, TV or entertainment center. The product, due out in the second quarter, includes digital rights management, namely the Digital Transmission Content Protection over IP (DTCP-IP) link protection technology, which makes Internet-based on-demand movies from companies such as Movielink and Starz! available with the added content protection providers want. The system will also be able to stream HD content, Linksys says.

Buffalo Technology showed off an HD media player, the LinkTheater system (PC-P3WG/DVD). The player includes a progressive-scan DVD player that lets users wirelessly (802.11g) access audio, video or digital photo file stored on a PC or storage device, and display it on a standard TV or HDTV system. The system supports Windows Media Video High Definition and also includes a Pcast module for playback of files stored on a network-attached storage box like the Buffalo LinkStation. A USB 2.0 port on the console lets users access files stored on a digital camera, flash drive, card reader or external hard drive. Available in February, the player will cost $349.

Read more about home networks in Network World's Home Networks section.