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Neuros Releases the Link, an Open Source, Web-Savvy Set-Top Box
Posted by John Herrman at 7:07 PM on November 20, 2008
Neuros, who built their reputation with weird, chunky (but wonderful) modular MP3 players, has long since moved exclusively to the home entertainment field. Their latest attempt at eroding the Apple TV's market share is the Link, a set-top streaming box that will pull video from a wide range of online TV sources — Hulu, NBC, ABC, etc. — as well as stream local audio and video content from any USB hard drive. As is always the case with Neuros set-tops, the Link's software is open source and ready for modification. This time, mercifully, that might not be the box's biggest draw.
With the Neuros.TV interface, the Link does something simple but spectacular. Instead of pushing you through a clumsy series of web portals, it gives you a simple, unified interface for browsing online video content. With out-of-the-box support for nearly any video codec (courtesy of mPlayer and VLC, mainly), a solid interface and an included wireless keyboard/controller, it's a capable machine. At $US299 (or $US249 without the keyboard), it'll be tough to take on the $US229 Apple TV, which in addition to having an included local hard drive and access to iTunes, supports most of Neuros.TV's features though Boxee. Spec sheet below. [Neuros via Zatz]
Technical specifications
* 1080p H.264 video playback
* HDMI (max resolution 1920x1200, 1080p) output
* High-definition 6-channel Audio output
* Optical S/PDIF audio output
* Gigabit Ethernet
* 802.11 g/b WiFi, up to 54Mbps
* Lots of USB 2.0 High-speed Ports (6 external ones today)
* Housing: 300mm x 90mm x 326mm (11.8" x 3.5" x 12.8")
* Noise: under 27dB
* Controller: 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard trackball controller
* Software:
o Seamless integration with Neuros.TV, a free service that lets you organize and watch Internet TV on your TV
o Neuros distribution of Ubuntu 8.10
o Open-source video players (MPlayer, VLC, Xine). A comprehensive list of formats, containers and media can be found on the above websites.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Lou_Rosenthal
Posted 10:28 PM 20/11/08
@Andyr2120: Zing!!!, but true.
Lou_Rosenthal
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 10:17 PM 20/11/08
I like the keyboard. I was in the market for a media PC keyboard until I started VNCing my MediaPC with my living room laptop.
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Andyr2120
Posted 10:06 PM 20/11/08
Any business plan that depends upon "eroding Apple TV's market share" is a failure. You can't divide by zero!
Andyr2120
I work as a meth lab technician
Posted 9:52 PM 20/11/08
But in the same time you just read the story, you can simply wire up your decently-fast WINDOWS/ MAC laptop/desktop PC and pipe it that way. Honestly, the things people create to make money these days...
I work as a meth lab technician
stryder100
Posted 12:19 AM 21/11/08
I want something like this but with an HD tuner and hard drive, in other words a DVR. Oh, yeah and a Blue-ray reader/burner. So, sorry, no.
stryder100
hexydes
Posted 2:20 AM 21/11/08
@stryder100: Blu-ray? Seriously? What's the point. It'll be gone in a year or two anyway. The future is streaming, and it will be here before Blu-ray ever catches on with the masses. This device is just one more example of that fact.
hexydes
hexydes
Posted 2:18 AM 21/11/08
@I work as a meth lab technician: Well, to some people I guess this is worth it. They might not be able to set up a system on their own, and don't want a sideways-turned Dell Inspiron sitting in their living room, so this is certainly an attractive option.
I'm with you though, in spirit. I've built two HTPCs, and they work fantastically.
hexydes
tarrantm
Posted 1:58 AM 21/11/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:
I got my HTPC a Logitech Mediaboard when they were going for 25 bucks each. Still working perfectly after a year of having dogs sit on it, dropped from the sofa and drinks spilled on it.
tarrantm
nomayo
Posted 1:45 AM 21/11/08
With XMBC on Linux, OSX and Windows now, they've got one hell of an uphill battle on their hands.
nomayo
Comrade GadgetPlay, Fellow Traveler
Posted 1:28 AM 21/11/08
I like the keyboard.
Comrade GadgetPlay, Fellow Traveler
Comrade GadgetPlay, Fellow Traveler
Posted 1:27 AM 21/11/08
@Andyr2120: You mean divide zero, not divide by zero.
Comrade GadgetPlay, Fellow Traveler
nutbastard
Posted 2:49 AM 21/11/08
@nutbastard:
ok i have to retract that last part because i haven't had coffee yet, ugh i do realize that streaming doesn't present quite the issues that downloading does, but still requires unrealistic bandwidth if it's going to make BD obsolete enough to abandon this early.
*goes and gets coffee*
nutbastard
Sora57
Posted 2:49 AM 21/11/08
@hexydes: Blu ray may not catch on with the masses for a few years, but neither will streaming. Most people still don't have decent broadband and with the economy in the toilet, that will not be on their list right now. The future is streaming, but that future is still several years away.
Sora57
nutbastard
Posted 2:46 AM 21/11/08
@hexydes:
i think you are forgetting that:
the number of people who rent movies > the number of people who will have internet connections capable of downloading gigantic media files in a reasonable amount of time, in the near future.
As of a month ago, only 55% of those with internet access had broadband. And as we all know, it's not really all that broad.
There will be, for quite a while, a market for people who either can't or aren't willing to deal with intangible media. One BD is what, 30-40 gigs? (im not up on BD)
I dunno, call me when we have gig/sec speeds.
nutbastard
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 3:05 AM 21/11/08
@tarrantm: I got a cheap Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo just before I learned about Synergy or VNC. I still have the keyboard and mouse connected as it's easier to pause the movie by hitting the space bar as opposed to firing up VNC.
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Ubik2501
Posted 3:36 AM 21/11/08
@Comrade GadgetPlay, Fellow Traveler: It appears to be the same keyboard as this. I own a slightly older model and, while it's not the best keyboard in the universe, it's perfect for HTPC use. I love the trackball and "trigger" mouse button placed right beneath it, since it feels natural and works great. Well worth the price for how much use I've gotten out of it.
Ubik2501
Emre Aydinceren
Posted 3:22 AM 21/11/08
I wonder if they have Hulu's blessing. Because they may change their web site and break Neuros' software. You may end up with a useless box in your hands
Emre Aydinceren
misterwho
Posted 4:30 AM 21/11/08
@I work as a meth lab technician:
Oh yeah, I've done that, loads of fun. You know, disconnecting all the cables from my desktop, hauling it to the living room, connecting it to TV and audio receiver while my wife pesters me about how long it's taking. Then, when I'm done, having to break it down and hook it up again to the monitor, printer, ethernet, keyboard, mouse, misc usb attachments. Fun.
misterwho
HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak
Posted 4:07 AM 21/11/08
Open Source, huh?
Wonder if we'll see this integrated into Media Center, MythTV, and/or GBPVR plugins.
HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak
misterwho
Posted 4:33 AM 21/11/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:
I think it looks butt-ugly, but that's just one man's (correct) opinion.
misterwho
misterwho
Posted 4:31 AM 21/11/08
@Comrade GadgetPlay, Fellow Traveler:
Good catch, he almost got away with that.
misterwho
shawn_dude
Posted 5:14 AM 21/11/08
@I work as a meth lab technician:
Our old Mac Mini does a wonderful job. We do not have a "unified interface" for the various TV websites, but we can also use it as a DVR and anything else a Mac Mini can do.
shawn_dude
ryusen
Posted 8:00 AM 21/11/08
If this can do DLNA, then it's a winer. otherwise, no interest at all.
ryusen
Lupus_Yonderboy
Posted 8:33 AM 21/11/08
@Ubik2501: Just wrote almost the same thing above...
Adesso users UNITE! Form of integrated trackball! Shape of ergonomic design!
Lupus_Yonderboy
Lupus_Yonderboy
Posted 8:28 AM 21/11/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->: You could just order one. I've got it for my half-assed HTPC, love the feel & how it works, signal strength is good (about 15 feet away-supposed to work up to 60 or so) but I've had to re-set it a couple of times.
Lupus_Yonderboy