SONICblue recently announced the Go-Video D2730, which it calls the "world's first networked DVD player." The D-2730 connects to a home network or computer and pulls photos, music and video clips and can play them on a television.
The D2730 has the capability to stream MPEG-2 video files over a wireless network, SONICblue says. The device connects to a PCMCIA Ethernet Adapter (PC Card) or an optional PCMCIA 802.11b wireless network card. The device can stream MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video files that are compressed up to 3M bit/sec., the company says. Audio files that can stream to the device include WMA and MP3 formats. JPEG image files can also be streamed to the device over the network.
The system works like this -- users load software onto the home computer, which then acts as a server. From the television, users can then search for the entertainment content on the computer's hard drive, and select audio and video files to stream to the DVD player. Traditional DVD features include progressive scan output, and a built-in Dolby Digital decoder. The D2730 can play DVDs, Video CDs, music CDs, HDCDs, Kodak Picture CDs and MP3 files on CD-R or CD-RW disks. The device also has composite, component and S-Video outputs, and coaxial and optical digital audio outputs. For more information, go to the SONICblue Web site. The device will cost $250 and will be available in North America in Q1 2003, the company says.
Click here for image of the D2730 (opens in new window).
Why only 3Mbit/sec? When I encode programs
using my ATI 8500 I use a min of 8Mbit for
good quality :/
Other than that, this sounds like a nice
product.
MPEG-2 still takes up a lot of space. I would like to see MPEG-4 support in addition.
Posted by: Scott Consolatti on January 13, 2003 08:19 PMThis is a great idea. I want one.
Also, I like the networked PVR concept - but without the Replay fee.
Posted by: J on January 15, 2003 04:47 PMI have become a Replay TV addict with several units in my home. I hope that they will make the D2730’s output available to the Replay units on my network!
Posted by: Wayne Palmiter on January 18, 2003 09:28 PMI bought the 2730. It works well but they missed one MAJOR feature - random play. It has NO ability to shuffle songs or a playlist of songs. Everything plays sequentially.
Posted by: Gary Quiring on November 8, 2003 06:33 PMPost a comment
