Home Multi Media
Watching Movies at Home
Evolution
VCP/VCR
Laser Disk Player
VCD Player
DVD Player
HD-DVD (RIP!) Player
Blu-Ray Player
Physical Content Delivery
VHS Cassettes
Laser Disks
VCD
DVD
HD-DVD
Blu-Ray DVD
Networked Content Delivery
Online websites -- can only watch on a computer by default
Torrents - download movies and shows and then watch on a computer or a media center connected to TV
Netflix - can play on computers and Netflix ready devices such as Roku, Netflix ready Blu-Ray Players, etc
Comcast/AT&T - on demand -- can only use their set top box
HTPC
HTPC - Home Theater PC - is a computer which is connected to the TV. The default HTPC runs Windows MCE (Media Center Edition). There are several alternatives such as XBMC and Boxee on Windows, Mac and Linux. On Mac, the default is Front Row, but there is an XBMC equivalent called Plex. Any Core 2 Duo or better computer can run as a HTPC.
Networked Media Renderer
Popcorn Hour
What is Popcorn Hour?
The Popcorn Hour Networked Media Tank is opening up a new era in digital entertainment by breaking down the technological walls between TV and home theater systems on the one hand, and PCs and the Internet on the other. As DVD movies and Internet video have become increasingly popular, digital entertainment enthusiasts have searched for a way to make the rich media content stored on their PC hard drives and home networks available through their TV. Popcorn Hour is the answer.
The Hardware
Popcorn Hour is the world's most advanced Networked Media Tank. Also called a digital media player, Popcorn Hour is designed to support the fullest array of digital content standards and file formats. This means you can use your Popcorn Hour to play:
The latest high-def DVD and Blu-ray movies
Windows Media, Xvid, H.264 and QuickTime Internet videos
All kinds of digital photos
MP3 music files and stored CD music files.
Popcorn Hour also incorporates a media server application, so you can broadcast content over your local network or share it over the Internet.
The Content
The Popcorn Hour Networked Media Tank integrates with the Popcorn Hour Media Service Portal online to give you access to streaming video and audio from an enormous number of digital content providers.
Video from Blip.tv, podcasts and news from MediaFly, ABC, NBC and the BBC
Photos and images from Picasa, Flickr and Photobucket
Music from thousands of Internet radio stations and music stores
Popcorn Hour A-200
The Digital Streamer That Is More Advanced
With the Popcorn Hour you can stream or playback digital media content from a huge variety of sources such as your PC, network-attached storage, digital camera or USB storage (Flash drive, HDD, DVD drive). Popcorn Hour also makes it easy to download and stream content directly from popular Internet sites like Videocast, CNET TV, CBS/CNN channels and dozens of other online content sites*.
Expand Your Possibilities
Add an optional hard drive to the Popcorn Hour's standard expansion slot to open up a host of additional features and options:
Create a central library of all your movies and video files, ready to play on your TV at any time.
Easily share media with friends and family-with a hard drive the Popcorn Hour can act as a file server to share files over the local area network.
Digital Entertainment Your Way
Popcorn Hour's interface uses familiar HTML features and navigation prompts, so first-time users can quickly get up to speed on even the most advanced features. The standard remote control supports playback modes, such as play/pause and trickmodes, as well as simultaneous display of images and playback of audio tracks.
Features
Organize your media library with the myiHome Media Server streaming video utility.
Play the majority of digital media files on your TV. (Refer to the list of supported codecs below)
Supports the most advanced high-def video and audio standards, including MKV HD and Dolby
Newer and faster processor for increased performance in all areas
WD TV Live
WD TV Live
HD Media Player
Full-HD 1080p media player
Play a world of HD media on your TV
HD video, photos and music - they're on your computer, on your USB drives, on the Internet, but how do you enjoy them on your TV? Now it's easy! Play a whole world of Full-HD, 1080p media on your big screen TV with the WD TV Live network-ready HD media player.
ASUS O!Play Air
O!Play Air
Play, Unlimited!
- Full HD 1080p Enjoyment
- Multiple Format Support
- Easy Wireless File Sharing
- Complete Card Reader Support
- Rapid 6X data streaming with e-SATA