[sclug] RUG 7 October 03 Practical Networking

[Mike Mallett]

Thanks for the feedback on multimedia networking.  Might be worthwhile for
the box below which is due soon for around ?99. It is Linux based but so far
it uses a Windows server

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Hauppauge's MediaMVP is a low cost thin-client device which bridges the home
PC with home TV and A/V equipment, via Ethernet networks. It takes high
quality digital audio (MP3 music), digital video (MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 videos),
digital pictures
(JPEG and GIF digital pictures) and other multimedia content in the form of
IP packet streams and renders the content ontovideo and audio equipment such
as TV sets, TV monitors or plasma monitors, and home theater A/V systems.

The MediaMVP connects to the home LAN via its built-in RJ-45
10/100Mbps Ethernet network interface.

When used in conjunction with a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR installed in a
PC, a complete home TV and digital media distribution system can be
made. Television is recorded on the home PC with the WinTV-PVR, and
then watched on a TV set through the MediaMVP via the home LAN.
The MediaMVP is located at the TV set, and decodes videos sent to
the MediaMVP over the home LAN for viewing on the TV set. It also
provides media decoding for MP3 music and JPEG/GIF digital pictures.
The MediaMVP displays on the TV screen lists of media which
can be played through the MediaMVP, plus menus for organizing the
lists and for playing play lists.

While playing music, the MediaMVP can also play a digital picture slide
show.

Driven by a powerful RISC CPU engine (>350 DMIPS) running the
Linux operating system, and with dedicated special purpose multimedia
hardware components, the MediaMVP is a full-blown network multimedia
decoder device with superior computing and digital audio and
video processing capacities.