Sony Announces RoomLink Network Media Receiver
Reprinted from a Sony press release:
Sony’s RoomLink network media receiver PCNA-MR10 takes the storage, editing and networking strengths of the PC and delivers them to the heart of the home entertainment center.
Over a home network, users can enjoy photos, recorded or live TV streamed from their VAIO PCs to their TVs, or music streamed to their home audio systems. A small mirror-finished box about the size of a paperback book, the RoomLink receiver connects to a television or stereo system via standard audio and video cables. The RoomLink receiver is then connected to a VAIO PC equipped with VAIO Media software over an existing wired network. Using the RoomLink remote control, users will have instant access to their digital music collection, family photos or home video stored on their VAIO PC’s hard drive, all without leaving the couch.
“The value of home networking is being able to do something fun with it,” said Mark Hanson, vice president and general manager of VAIO PC marketing. “Now people can enjoy personal digital content from where they do their living, relaxing and entertaining, instead of from where they do their computing.”
The RoomLink receiver provides a simple graphic menu on the TV which guides users as they scroll through available content via the remote control. Music playback, slideshows and even television program recording can be initiated without ever touching the PC.
The RoomLink receiver conveys the power of the PC’s Giga Pocket personal video recorder’s functionality to the TV, allowing family members to record and play back their favorite television shows from a VAIO PC equipped with the GigaPocket. The RoomLink receiver’s onboard MPEG2 encoder supports high quality video reproduction while optical digital audio output enables high fidelity sound.
The RoomLink receiver can also work over a wireless home network using available networking hubs or the VAIO 802.11a Wireless LAN Ethernet Converter PCWA-DE50, available in March for about $200. The 802.11a Ethernet converter connects to an RJ-45 port on the receiver, providing wireless access to the device.
The RoomLink network media receiver will be available next month for about $200.