Sherwood NetBoxx combines AV receiver with an Internet media streamer
(Credit:
Sherwood)
The Sherwood NetBoxx is an interesting hybrid product. It combines the accessibility of a midrange AV receiver with that of an Internet media streamer. So in addition to connecting various AV devices like Blu-ray players and game consoles, the NetBoxx can retrieve audio, photos, and video off the Internet and play them on your TV.
The NetBoxx can grab content from YouTube, Cinema Now, online TV channels, and Shoutcast. With the help of PlayOn, users can bring in additional media from Hulu, Netflix, CBS, CNN, ESPN, and Amazon Video On Demand. If you connect the receiver to your home network, you can share content locally from other computers or a NAS (network attached storage) device.
The NetBoxx itself is actually an impressive piece of hardware. The 7.1-channel receiver can take up to three HDMI 1.3 and two component video inputs with support up to 720p. On the audio side there is room for one optical and two coaxial digital audio inputs. Two USB ports (one on the front, one in back) also let you playback media off a portable hard drive.
While it may seem the NetBoxx is the ultimate all-in-one media center hub, it'll run you $650 when it goes on sale this month. Yamaha offers a similar product within the NeoHD series, the Yamaha YMC-700. It adds networking capabilities--though not as in-depth as the NetBoxx--for around $800.
Before covering games and gear for CNET Reviews, Jeff Bakalar dabbled in film and video production. An avid writer, reader, and gamer, Jeff is also an obsessive New Jersey Devils hockey fan. Catch him live every day as the co-host of CNET's infamous podcast, The 404. 
First, don't knock it until you try it.
Second, I SERIOUSLY doubt that you laptop has what will likely be an integrated UI and the multitude of inputs that this thing has. If I am wrong, then I stand corrected, but come on...
I bought PLayOn software to link my online resources to an xbox driving my best TV. This software simply SUCKS. It doesn't work, the authors KNOW it doesn't work. You can rewind a moving, pause it, or even start over again!
In fact, when you write to them, here is what they tell you to do AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK:
"When this happens, try going to your PC browser at www.netflix.com and resetting that particular video to the beginning. Then try again through PlayOn."
The fact is, Microsoft media Extensions werve you far better on XBox than Playon Software. This is a warning: do not buy PlayOn. It will never work right, IMO.
- by e-mancave November 6, 2009 5:53 AM PST
- It sounds like a great box unfortunately the price tag puts it a little out of my reach. I currently use PlayOn through my Nintendo Wii and like it quite a bit. I use it for Netflix Watch Instantly, Hulu, Youtube, CBS, etc and it is pretty good quality and set me back less than $40 since I had a Wii already. Sure the interface needs some work and its not HD quality but for not a lot of money I have access to10's of thousands from free movies and content that previously wasn't streaming to my TV. PlayOn has a free 14-day trial so nothing to lose by looking at it.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(5 Comments)www.e-mancave.com