Uebo Device Adds BitTorrent

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 11/8/2010

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – Set-top box and storage solutions developer UITStor, based here, recently began selling its Uebo set-top box designed to present a plethora of home and Internet-based digital media content directly on TV screens.

Going head-to-head with similar devices including the Western Digital Live, Live Plus and My Book Live boxes; the Boxee Box; Roku settops; and others, the white and black Uebo (pronounced You-Bo) M200 media player presents a user interface that’s easy to use and set up, and has the ability to access a host of online streaming services, as well to download and playback content from BitTorrent sites when an optional SATA hard drive is installed.

The M200 has a suggested retail starting at $129 and offers an interface that presents a host of entertainment options for the TV screen and connected home-theater systems.

The box connects to a TV via HDMI, component or composite-video cables, and to the in-home network via an Ethernet cable or an optional USB Wi-Fi adapter ($159 for a Wi-Fi bundle with HDMI cable).

It will allow streaming FullHD video content and accompanying HD audio, including Dolby Digital Plus and DTS 2.0/digital out. Once an optional internal SATA hard disc drive is installed, the Uebo turns into a network-attached storage system and will enable downloading, storing and playing back a vast array of digital video and music content from BitTorrent servers.

Out of the box, the M200 offers a handful of Internet service fare including news and weather, and direct access to YouTube video, Flickr images, Picasa and Shoutcast Internet radio stations. The device will also connect to networked PCs and similar devices in the house to share stored content on the living room TV set.

Additional subscription fees may apply for the various services.

UITstor said the device was designed to be upgraded and expanded with other content and services in the future.