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.
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, 7×100-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.
