Smart Home Blog

Sony launched a next generation of its streaming players SMP-N200. It has sleek design and includes a full bunch of connectivity options – HDMI, composite, component as well as built-in WiFi adapter. Additionally to 1080p playback the player is ready for 3D content.

The Sony SMP-N200 is oriented for Sony Entertainment Network, where you may find live streaming TV shows, movies, music and photos. Even in 1080p and 3D! Also the box supports DLNA. So, you’ll able to push media from your NAS, network shares, smartphones or tablets to playback directly to the Sony SMP-N200. Additionally it can be controlled via iOS/Android devices using free app Sony Media Remote.

The Sony SMP-N200 will be available in October at $99.99.

Netgear launched its new NeoTV streaming player. It’s a compact and stylish set-top-box with built-in WiFi b/g/n and 1080p playback support. The NeoTV offers access to the many online media services such Netflix, Vudu HD, YouTube, Pandora and Vimeo, as well as social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Most of them are for US citizen only. But I hope it works with UPnP/DLNA as well which gives possibility to playback media content from NAS or home media server. For sure it has a “Fling” feature to instantly send videos from PC/Laptop/Tablet to the box.

To control NeoTV it can be used simple remote control or free application for iOS/Android devices. In the second case user will get a gesture control for channel navigation and an on-screen QWERTY keyboard for easier text entry and search.

The Netgear NeoTV will be available later this month at $79.99. Taking into account its price and features we may say the NeoTV beats Roku 2 XD, AppleTV and WD WDTV Live as a set-top-box for online services.

[via SlashGear]

Iomega launched two new HD media players in the ScreenPlay lineup – Iomega ScreenPlay DX HD Media Player and its lightweight model, Iomega ScreenPlay TV Link DX HD Media Player. Both of them offer access to services like Netflix and Pandora, are DLNA certified, support 1080p video playback with Dolby / DTS decoding. Players can be connected to LAN over WiFi using USB adapter. The wireless controller with QWERTY keyboard makes navigation in the media library or web pages easy and comfortable. So, the Iomega ScreenPlay players look nice. But I’d like to see the Iomega Boxee model more.

The prices of new Iomega players are reasonable. The ScreenPlay DX HD Media Player with internal 1TB HDD can be found in B&H at $199.95. 2TB model is priced at $299.99. The diskless ScreenPlay TV Link DX HD Media Player is $149.99.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

XBMC team gave us more information about porting its glorious software to the Sigma processors. The first proof-of-concept is based on SMP8670 and run XBMC. It was demonstrated at CES 2011. Sure it’s far from production – GUI is choppy and playback is still not working. But that fact didn’t prevent a significant amount of iinterest from CES attendees.

The Sigma Designs developers are going to work directly with XBMC developers. Also the company takes the GPL seriously. So, the partnerships between XBMC and Sigma Designs will bring not just XBMC to the Sigma-based media players. But also should improve XBMC itself a lot. However, a huge job should be done. That’s why we don’t expect to see a Sigma-based XBMC solution on shelves in the next few months. But when it’ll happen there will be two possibilities to run XBMC – as main user interface or as a application. A decision will be done by manufactures.

Iomega is going to release its new HD media player in the ScreenPlay multimedia drives line – ScreenPlay DX HD. The player looks similar to ASUS O!Play Air HDP-R3. But unlike it the ScreenPlay DX HD has internal hard drive with maximum capacity 2TB. The rest features are more or less the same as in many networked HD players on the market. Except special remote control with QWERTY keyboard and touchpad. It looks very impressive and will make navigation though online services easier and handier.

No any information about price and ability yet.