Sherwood NetBoxx Streams A/V From Internet, PC
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 9/9/2009
CEDIA Expo 2009 Atlanta - Sherwood's $649-suggested NetBoxx is a 7.1-channel A/V receiver (AVR) with the proportions of a slim-line Blu-ray player and the ability to play back physical as well as Internet- and PC-based media.
Sherwood's NetBoxx
NetBoxx will be the company's first networked AVR when it ships in October.
In acknowledging the shift away from physical media, the NetBoxx features UPnP and DLNA certification to simplify streaming of music, video and photos from a networked PC or network-attached storage (NAS) device via wired Ethernet or optional USB/Wi-Fi adapter. The device also reproduces media stored on a USB drive.
To stream audio and video directly from the Internet via a networked broadband modem, NetBoxx incorporates Verismo Networks's VuNow technology, which streams video up to 720p.
Accessible Internet-based content includes Internet radio stations via the ShoutCast Internet radio service; movies, TV programs and music videos from CinemaNow; NetFlix movies; Hulu videos, YouTube videos and flash-format videos from popular Web sites searched through a built-in search engine.
Content also includes live streamed TV channels from around the world and international news sites.
The device decodes "virtually all audio and video codecs," the company claimed.
In its small 2.5-inch by 17-inch by 10-inch chassis, the device packs an AM/FM tuner, decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Volume, 7x100-watt (into 6 ohms at 1kHz with 0.2 percent THD) Class D amplifier, three HDMI Deep Color inputs, second-zone audio, automatic speaker setup and room EQ via included microphone, front and rear USB ports, and 24-bit A/D converters.
"Consumers who add TV, speakers and broadband access can playback virtually all of the conventional and streaming media available," the company said.
Last November, CinemaNow was acquired by Sonic Solutions, which early this year announced an alliance with Blockbuster to deliver digital content under the Blockbuster brand.
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