2011 Media Streamer Roundup : Netgear NTV550, A.C.Ryan PlayOn!HD2 and the Boxee Box
by Ganesh T S on November 20, 2011 10:32 AM EST- Posted in
- Home Theater
- Media Streamer
- NetGear
- Boxee Box
Over-the-top (OTT) media services are very popular in the US. Netflix's plans to expand to other countries is bound to result in demand for media streamers to support such streaming services. In addition to premium content, consumers also want to enjoy freely available media like YouTube videos and TuneIn radio stations. In this section, we will take a look at the variety of streaming services supported by the three media streamers.
| Streaming Services Compatibility Details | |
| A.C.Ryan PlayOn!HD2 | |
| Firmware Version v9.5.3.r5440 | |
| Service | Notes |
| Netflix | Not Supported |
| YouTube | YouTube / YouTube XL Twin Interfaces |
| 1080p Supported | |
| Miscellaneous Video / Podcast Services | Mediafly |
| Miscellaneous Apps | Twitter / Facebook / Flickr / Picasa / Shoutcast / Yahoo! Finance, News & Weather / Instant Messaging / Muzee Network TV & Music |
| Developer Support for Custom Channels | No |
| Streaming Services Compatibility Details | |
| Netgear NTV550 | |
| Firmware Version 3.2.16NA | |
| Service | Notes |
| Netflix | Not Supported |
| YouTube | Custom Interface |
| Max. Resolution of 360p Supported | |
| Miscellaneous Video / Podcast Services | Custom (NBC / CBS / ABC / CNN / PBS / BBC / Wired / Engadget / Gizmodo) |
| Miscellaneous Audio Services | RadioTime, TuneIn and ShoutCast Supported |
| Miscellaneous Apps | Flickr / Weather / ReadyNAS Photos |
| Developer Support for Custom Channels | No |
| Streaming Services Compatibility Details | |
| D-Link Boxee Box | |
| Firmware Version v1.2.2.20482 | |
| Service | Notes |
| Netflix | No Support for 1080p or DD+ |
| Adaptive Streaming Implemented | |
| YouTube | Leanback Interface |
| 1080p Supported | |
| Miscellaneous Video Services | Amazon VoD Not Supported |
| VUDU HDX Supported | |
| Crackle Supported | |
| Miscellaneous Audio Services | Pandora Supported |
| Spotify Supported | |
| Web Browser | Supported with Custom Adobe Flash Build / No Silverlight |
| Miscellaneous Apps | Revision3, MKB.TV, Justin.TV, CrunchyRoll etc. [ Apps List Video ] |
| Developer Support for Custom Channels | Exists [ Developer Page ] |
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NewCityVegas - Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - link
What interests me most right now are small boxes coming out of China that seem to combine a wifi media box with a TV tuner selling for about $120.I wish I could see a real review of one of these. Here's a promotion piece (called a review) from a vendor:
note: there seems to be auto spam filter that can't tell legitimate interest but here is the link in a clumsy format:
blog
wholesaleonepiece
kom /
google-android-tv-box-review
dbrons - Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - link
After trying one of the realtec players I bought a Dune Smart B1. It plays iso, folders, most everything. I suppose the Dune layers cost more but it would be interesting to see them compared.cjs150 - Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - link
Zotac Nano AD10VIA Artico 1150
Both out, similar price. Alledgedly can act as perfect HTPC especially if like me you have a NAS box to act as storage.
Stick an SSD in them and tell us what you think.
Are these a great addition to a real AV rack. Can they deal with Blu ray playback, light gaming (but on big screen) play virtually every type of media we can throw at them.
What is the noise and temperatures like - no use if sound like a jet taking off.
What are they like with Windows 7, XBMC or Linux in them. How easy is setting up a remote controller for them.
Xmas is coming I want toys!