Electronics & Gadgets

Best Network Media Players and Media Streamers

Great Products That Let You Stream or Download from the Internet to Your TV

By Robert Silva, About.com Guide

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As a result of increased convergence of the PC and Home Theater, a type of product has emerged, the Network Media Player, Media Extender, Media Streamer. These products allow access to PC media content or the streaming/downloading of audio, video, and still image content directly from the internet that can be played on your TV or home theater system. In addition to standalone devices, Media Player/Extender capability is also being built into other products, such as Blu-ray Disc players and even TVs. For a look at Media Player/Extender/Streamers that might work well with your home theater, check out my top picks.

NOTE: The product entries for Network Media Players and Media Streamers are updated on a continuous basis with new units and reviews to keep them current.

1. WD TV Live Hub by Western Digital

Photo (c) Barb Gonzalez - Licensed to About.com

It's about time that we have a network media player to rival the picture and sound quality of a Blu-ray Disc. The WD TV Live Hub is a stunning performer that comes close. The newest media player in Western Digital's WD TV Live line has been named the Live "Hub" because it is more than a network media player. It is also a media server with an internal 1TB hard drive. You can use the WD TV Live Hub as a dumping ground to store media, rather than using network attached storage (NAS) or an external hard drive for your network's central media library.
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2. Western Digital WD TV Live Streaming Media Player

WD TV Live Streaming Media Player - Photo of Front View with Included Accessories

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

The Western Digital WD TV Live is a network media player that provides a great way stream both online and network-based digital content to you TV and home theater system. The WD TV Live, via either wired or WiFi connection, provides convenient access to HuluPlus, Netflix, Spotify, Blockbuster On Demand, CinemaNow, and Pandora, as well as to digital media content stored on PCs and media servers. The WD TV Live also provides 1080p video output resolution via HDMI connection.
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3. CiragoTV Platinum CMC3000 Series Network HD Multimedia Center

CiragoTV Platinum CMC3000 Series Network HD Multimedia Center - with Included Accessories

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

The CiragoTV Platinum CMC3000 is a network media player with a built-in hard drive that also features DVR and NAS (Network Attached Storage Device) functions. The CMC3000 allows you to play back audio, video, and still image files stored on your home network or connected USB devices, as well as being able to watch, record, and play TV programs (external tuner required). You can also listen to Internet Radio, share media files via BitTorrent, and also access streaming services, such as Netflix, via the optional PlayOn service.
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4. Sony SMP-N200 Streaming Player

Building on its previous SMP-N100 media player platform (Read our review), Sony has introduced its second-generation network media player (which Sony refers to as a Streaming Player), the SMP-N200.

The SMP-N200 provides easy connection to a home network and the internet by either wired Ethernet or WiFi options. The SMP-N200 can access an abundance of internet-based audio and video content from the Sony Entertainment Network, which includes services, such as Netflix, Hulus Plus, Pandora, Crackle, and more, and delivers to your TV or home theater system. In addition, the SMP-N200 also has a USB port for accessing content stored on compatible devices, such as Flash Drives.

The SMP-N200 features 1080p and 3D video output capability via HDMI. However, for older TVs, the SMP-N200 also provides a set of standard Composite video and analog stereo audio outputs.

The SMP-N200 comes with a wireless remote, but can also be controlled by either an iOS or Android device. In addition, DLNA compatibility is provided which allows the SMP-N200 to access content from your PC or other compatible devices, as well as Sony's HomeShare system.
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5. AppleTV

The iPod may be the most successful portable entertainment device ever, including the creation of a whole industry just devoted to iPod accessories, but that isn't all that Steve Jobs has up his entertainment sleeve. AppleTV is definitely a serious contender world of network media players. This latest version of this little box is driven by an Intel processor and contains a 160BG hard drive. The AppleTV allows you either wired or wireless connection to your home network, access to iTunes music and both SD and HD video content directly from the internet. You can also store purchased content on the built-in hard drive. For all the details, check out the AppleTV Product and Specifications pages.
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6. WD TV Live Plus Network Media Player

Photo (c) Barb Gonzalez - Licensed to About.com

The WD TV Live Plus HD Media player by Western Digital is smaller than a paperback book. Still, it is powerful enough to find the media on your network and stream it to your TV in 1080p full high definition.The WD TV Live Plus HD also has a fast processor, and is compatible with just about any non-copy-protected photo, movie or music file format . The WD TV Live Plus also adds Netflix and Mediafly, and Hulu Plus.
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7. Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player

Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ with Included Accessories

Photos (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

Seagate is a familiar name in the PC world as makers of hard drives that are used in PCs, DVRs, and DVD Recorder/Hard Drive Combos. Previously, I reviewed the FreeAgent Theater hard-drive based media player. Now, Seagate offers an updated model, the FreeAgent Theater+, that not only allows you to play back audio, video, still image files stored on a portable hard drive, USB flash drives and many Digital Still cameras, but adds full HD 1080p output via HDMI, as well as home networking and internet access via ethernet.
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Also, check out a Follow-up Review from former About.com contributing writer, Barb Gonzalez, that includes perspective on updated features.

8. Roku Digital Video Player

Photo (c) Roku, Inc.

The Roku Digital Video Player is a compact unit that, when connected to the internet, allows streaming of movies and programs from Netflix, Amazon Video-on-Demand, MLB TV and more, for viewing on any TV with Composite, S-Video, Component, or HDMI inputs. However, the HD output resolution of the Roku box does not look that great, especially when compared to HDTV broadcasts, Blu-ray Discs, or even upscaled DVD. The Roku offers both wired and wireless internet connection options. However, although the Roku box connects to the internet via a home network, it does not access content stored on your PC or MAC, or portable USB devices. For more details on the features and operation of the Roku Player, check out the Official Roku Product Page.
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In addition, Compare Prices on a wider selection of Roku Boxes.

9. Sony NAS-SV20i Network Audio System/Server

Sony NAS-SV20i Network Audio System/Server - Photo of Front View with Included Accessories

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

The Sony NAS-SV20i is a very practical table-top music system that combines the functions of a digital media player, renderer, and server in one compact unit. The NAS-SV20i features an iPod docking station, internet radio tuner with access to music streaming from Qriocity, Slacker, vTuner. In addition, via wired or wireless network whole house music distribution is possible by utilizing Sony's HomeShare system.
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10. Sony SA-NS400 Network Speaker

Sony SA-NS400 Network Speaker - Photo of Front View with Included Accessories

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

The Sony SA-NS400 is wireless speaker that is a little different. Instead of receiving audio signals sent via a transmitter connected to a home theater receiver, it receives audio streamed from a compatible Sony HomeShare media players.

You can easily move the SA-NS400 from room to room, but you do need to plug it into an AC power outlet. Its unique design radiates sound in a 360 degree field, which provides a good listening experience even if you are moving around the room. In addition to its streaming capability, the SA-NS400 also provides an analog stereo input for connecting an additional audio device, such as a portable media player, CD player, or audio cassette deck.
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