Smart Home Blog

Bang & Olufsen is will-known producer of hi-End A/V equipment such such as music systems, loudspeakers, televisions, home theater solutions and telephones. It seems that Danish company is going to provide complete home entertainment solutions with new and innovative features. To do that it has chosen Motama which offers a unique and powerful approach to digital media - Multimedia Middleware (NMM). So, let’s see what will be as result those symbiosis of stylish design and intelligent software.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

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Xperinet’s MIRV is an audio/video distribution system. It uses expandable client-server architecture and based on Linux (nice ti know that). The server can store up to 900 DVDs. You can upload DVD or CD directly to the server or use client’s DVD drive. Moreover, MIRV can stream up to 20 independent video threads at one time. Optionally, you may get NTSC video capture of VHS tapes to transfer all your favorite VHS movies to the your digital library.

Client allows to get video or audio content over your Ethernet network from the MIRV server and play it on TV in the any location of your house. It supports HD decoding capability up to 1080p. So, you’ll keep up to date.

User can control the MIRV via an On-Screen Display with included IR remote control or using control panel such as Crestron, AMX, Vantage, etc.

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The new Systemline S6 multi-room system is designed to distribute up to 6 audio/video sources to 8 independent zones. Each zone can be controlled via its own monochrome or color touchscreen keypad. The S6 features are:

• 6 audio sources distributed to up to 8 zones
• RS232 integration with DAB Tuners / Music Servers / Lighting controls and video distribution
• Flexible keypad options to suit individual room requirements
• Designed and supported by the market leading manufacturers
• ‘Party mode’ and ‘all off’ feature
• Discrete IR routing to allow multiple sources to be the same
• 2 additional IR emitter socket available for additional control options
• Allows on-site upgrades
• PC programming via USB cable into S6 front panel

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Here is a good example of modern Set-Top-Box (STB) which is usually used to bring IPTV to your home. Ordinary STB can just receive TV stream via LAN, decode it and display it on TV. The Tornado M10 Digital Media Center does the same but additionally it allows following:

• Digital music and Internet radio delivery
• VoIP SIP phone with peer auto discovery (devices on same LAN can talk directly without a gateway)
• MPEG4 video and MP3 audio compression
• Video conference H.263 support
• Media extension center functionality (access PC on TV screen, scan PCs for media files)
• Enhanced voicemail system with unified messaging (up to 80 messages can be retrieved via phone or web)
• Online chat and email clients (ICQ, AIM, MSN chat while watching TV)
• News and weather reports delivery

The M10 has a built-in mic and speakers, and can function as a speakerphone. With an SD memory card or optional hard disk connected to its USB port, it can record scheduled programs or pause live TV, according to the company. Additionally, the M10’s USB port supports X10 devices. So, you may control(?) your home X10-based appliance.
The Tornado M10 Digital Media Center is based on modern Linux kernel - 2.6.19. It support a range of voice and video decoders and/or codecs, including MPEG4/SP, MP3, G.711 (A-law and Mu-law), G.726 (16/24/32/40 kbps), and G.729. Supported data networking protocols include IPv4 (upgradeable to IPv6), ARP, DNS, DHCP, ICMP, TCP UDP, RTP, DiffServ, and SNTP.

Tornado M10 Digital Media Center is available immediately, with suggested retail pricing of $170, or $200 with WiFi. Probably, this STB may replace your PC

[via LinuxDevices]

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Recently JVC presented its Sophisti DD-3 - compact and stylish media system which allows to play computer-based music and video files to your audio/video devices. It includes a DVD player, an AM/FM tuner and inputs for connecting other components, subwoofer and three speakers. Also, Sophisti DD-3 features an Ethernet connection that hooks it up to a PC, letting you retrieve media content from your PC via LAN.
Moreover, the system contains USB Host allowing you to connect your digital devices to the system. This includes flash audio players, USB drives, digital cameras and card readers.
The Sophisti’s main unit houses a built-in decoding of Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II soundtracks. An HDMI interface ensures that crisp and clear pictures are seen on the TV. The system supports JPEG, MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM), AC3, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MS MP4 v3, DivX. The 220 watts system has the patented Direct Drive technology.
The system is available for $1000.

[source: Gizmodo]

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