DailyTech - Netgear Announces Digital Entertainer EVA700

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Hardware Netgear Announces Digital Entertainer EVA700
Purav Sanghani - September 27, 2006 3:49 PM

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11 comment(s) - last by mindless1.. on Sep 28 at 3:25 PM

Stream media from Intel Viiv PCs

Netgear announced early this week its set top streaming media box, the Digital Entertainer EVA700. Netgear states the EVA700 is the first of its kinds to be compatible and verified for Intel Viiv technology. This helps ensure the device will communicate seamlessly with a number of Intel Viiv compatible PCs.

The EVA700 is able to connect to local networks through standard 10/100 Ethernet or through wireless connections that hold to the 802.11g standard at up to 54Mbps with its twin antennas. The wireless connection is also capable of adhering to WEP based encryption at 40/64-bit and 128-bit encryption strengths. WPA-PSK security is also an option with a firmware upgrade.

Outputs include RCA jacks for standard-definition video and RCA component outputs for high-definition video as well as an SCART connector for international use. Audio can be output using standard RCA stereo jacks or digital coaxial.

The EVA700 can play a variety of media formats listed below:

MP3s up to 320 Kbps or variable bit rate (VBR)
WMA8 and WMA9 files up to 192Kbps or variable bit rate(VBR)
WMV up to 1080p (down-converted)
Internet Radio (streaming MP3)
Video Formats: MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, AVI, WMV, Xvid
Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, M3U, PLS, ACC
Photo Formats: JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF
Playlist Formats: M3U, PLS

One detail that sticks out is the ability to play back Windows Media Video files at up to 1080p resolution, which is down-converted, but it’s a start. Pricing has been set at $269 for the retail package and is available through some retailers.

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Hm?

By gramboh on 9/27/2006 4:46:58 PM , Rating: 2

No DVI/HDMI or even VGA? Component is fine for those with older HDTV's (like my Panny from 2001) but who would buy this now?

RE: Hm?

By slashbinslashbash on 9/27/2006 7:06:50 PM , Rating: 2

Component is just as good as VGA. VGA has 15 pins, but only 3 of them (red, green, blue) are used for the actual video signal. The rest of them are sync, ground, and monitor ID pins. Of course digital DVI is preferable to component, but VGA is no improvement over component (except possibly in terms of form factor).

http://www.epanorama.net/documents/pc/vga_bd15.htm...

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RE: Hm?

By miahallen on 9/27/2006 7:42:05 PM , Rating: 2

VGA uses 5 pins, same as RGBHV: red, green, and blue, horizontal sync & vertical sync (the last two also pass information for the contast & B&W levels).

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Xbox360

By therealnickdanger on 9/27/2006 5:14:38 PM , Rating: 2

For almost the same price you can get an Xbox360 which will do all the same stuff... and you don't need Viiv, just MCE and some plugins.

RE: Xbox360

By arswihart on 9/27/2006 7:08:11 PM , Rating: 2

It will be interesting to see how the iTV thing turns out. Then again, all this stuff could be considered an elaborate, poorer quality version of what you get when you just install an HTPC.

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Legacy Ports...

By Dis Gruntled on 9/28/2006 7:13:56 AM , Rating: 2

Why only include 10/100 when GBE is becoming the standard. Also, wouldn't bandwidth limitations on 802.11b/g prevent true streaming of high-def content?

I'd hold off until faster connections make it a more reliable option.

RE: Legacy Ports...

By mindless1 on 9/28/2006 3:25:57 PM , Rating: 2

100Mb is enough for hi-def. It'd be nice if everything was GbE, but considering the initial pricing, they had to make some concessions to get there.

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no digital sound

By zam786 on 9/27/06, Rating: 0

RE: no digital sound

By testing333 on 9/27/2006 7:01:28 PM , Rating: 2

If you look at the image it has an S/PDIF out.

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So far behind, irrelevent

By ToeCutter on 9/28/2006 11:06:56 AM , Rating: 2

I have an IO Data Linkplayer2 that does all of this AND has a DVD drive and USB 2.0 port.

I purchased it 2 years ago for $249.

This isn't even news...

updated codecs?

By ChugokuOtaku on 9/28/2006 11:50:10 AM , Rating: 2

was hoping this might be able to do H.264

Zensonic Z500

By DIYGUY on 9/28/2006 2:18:05 PM , Rating: 2

With the exception that it's not a Viiv certified device the Zensonic Z500 I think is a better choice from network media player.

The Z500 goes for $399 at Media West Distribution but list for $333.
http://www.discount-electronic.com/shopping/shopex...