Best Media Streamers 2011
2011 is a year that marks the beginning of the change in how we consume media…movies, music, photos from hard copies onto streaming, streaming and more streaming. Whether we stream from Netflix or Pandora or from our own servers (where we ripped our own legally purchased movies), having everything at a touch of the button is more than simply convenience. As this site is dedicated to media streamers, we will compile a top 10 list containing the 10 best media streamers currently available on the market based on their advertised capabilities. Among the most important factors to be taken into account are DLNA support, internet clients, supported video formats and so on. We’ll try to list the best DLNA media player, best 1080p media player, best internet media streamer and the big prize will go to the best media streamer overall. I will also include a comparison table. Let the battle begin!
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Western Digital WD TV Live Network-ready HD Media Player
Product Features
- Play Full HD 1080p video, music and photos on your HD TV
- Supports widest variety of file formats and devices
- Network capable for easy access to the newest content from PCs, network drives, internet favorites
- Play network and internet content
- Compatibility; HDMI, Full HD (1080p), AAC, MP3, JPEG, USB 2.0, H.264, SimplayHD, Energy Star, Dolby Digital, DTS, DLNA, Bonjour, AVCHD, Windows Vista
Seagate FreeAgent Theater HD Media Player and FreeAgent Go 250 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST902503CEA1E1-RK
DEAL OF THE DAY – $60 – VIEWSONIC NEXTV VMP75 1080P NETWORK MEDIA PLAYER
This is the lowest price I found for this year – an excellent Netflix capable media streamer with 1080p, DLNA and network shares support for only $60 with no taxes and free shipping for most of the states. YouTube, ShoutCast Radio and Flickr support as well plus local files via network / USB playing MKV, h.264, DIVX, XVIX, etc. You can buy it from Amazon.
Technical Details
- Stream instantly unlimited movies & shows directly to your living room HDTV via Netflix video on demand service
- Listen to a variety of internet radio stations or access thousands of videos and photos with Live365.com, ShoutCast Radio, YouTube and Flickr
- Multiple connectivity options including Ethernet, HDMI, AV Composite, S/PDIF, USB, eSATA, and optional Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. Enjoy rich content with faster file transfer thru eSATA
- Web browser feature allows you to surf the internet (not compatible with rich flash content) and custom RSS feeds provide you with instant news
- Plays a full range of video and audio formats including MPEG1/2/4, H.264, DivX, DTS, MKV, AVI, MOV, RM/RMVB, MP3, OGG, WMA, and more
Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
High Definition 1080i Digital Multi-Media Player WITH Remote Control – Play Movies, Photo, Music, TV Scheduled Recording, uPnP, SDHC MS Card Reader, USB Host, And HDMI Support
Mediagate MG-700DVR HDMI w/ WD 1TB 1080 HDD HDMI Media Player Combo
DViCo TViX HD Network Media Player HDMI/SATA M-6500A
Netflix capable Viewsonic’s VMP75 1080p Network Media Player launched, available for pre-order
Adding to the ever increasing Netflix capable media streamers crowd, Viewsonic launches their latest media streamer, the VMP75 sporting Shoutcast radio, YouTube, Live 365.com, Flickr and of course Netflix. What sets this box apart from the other media streamers is the inclusion of a web browser, but no flash support. Available for pre-order at Amazon for $129.
Capabilities:
- Netflix client
- Internet Browser
- Live365.com, ShoutCast Radio, YouTube and Flickr
- MPEG1/2/4, H.264, DivX, DTS, MKV, AVI, MOV, RM/RMVB, MP3, OGG, WMA
- Ethernet, HDMI, AV Composite, S/PDIF, USB, eSATA, and optional Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
ASUS O!Play Air – Wireless N TV HD Media Player
HP DreamScreen 100 a connected screen with Pandora and Facebook
HP recently launched the 10.2″ diagonal 800×480 DreamScreen 100, part of the new category of Connected Screens that evolved from the good old photo frames. At a price of around $180, it is comparable with the price for the early generations of photo frames but capable of so much more. HP DreamScreen 100 is capable of streaming movies encoded with MPEG 1, 2, 4, H.264, pictures in JPEG, PNG, BMP formats and audio in MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV. It comes with a remote control, stand and you can also mount it to a wall.
Among the web clients supported are Facebook, Snapfish, HP Smart Radio, Pandora, etc. Also, a very important addition is the support for DLNA streaming that gives the DreamScreen 100 access to movies, pictures and music stored on your home network. Currently is on SALE at Amazon for $180 with free shipping and no taxes in most of the US. Hit after the break for picture gallery.
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