|
|
Netgear
EVA9150...
wireless home entertainment integration at your finger-tips
The
Netgear EAV9150 wireless digital
media player is a follow-up to the popular
NETGEAR EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD
wireless digital media player released in 2007.
At the time,
the EVA8000 proved to be the wireless digital media player of choice for
those who did not like the Apple TV players but still wanted to play iTunes
purchased content. The EVA8000 was one of the few non-Apple media players that
could play protected iTunes songs besides streaming online content like YouTube, BitTorrent videos, and
Flickr photos as well.
But the
success of the EVA8000 digital media player was not just because it could
play iTunes songs. It also supported an extensive range of file formats -
including high-definition media up to 1080p as well as Windows Media DRM
(WMDRM10) protected downloaded content purchased from major online services
through the use of Windows Media Connect (WMC) server software. All this
was complemented by a functional and intuitive on-screen interface. Its only
real drawback was that it was hampered by an 802.11g wireless connection
which made playback of HD content often choppy in a typically congested
wireless environment.
The new Netgear digital media player, termed ‘Netgear Digital
Entertainer Elite EVA9150’, continues to build where the EVA8000 has
left; it offers a few significant improvements over its extremely popular and
equally functional predecessor.
Top in the list is a 500GB replaceable internal hard drive for
storage of extra local content. This makes the new Netgear wireless digital
media player one of the most powerful home jukeboxes presently available on the
market, one that can serve not only to stream digital media content from a PC or
the internet, but also as a store content on its own and. This internal hard
disk is easily replace by the user with a larger capacity 3.5” SATA drive should
the need arise – it is like replacing your PC hard disk. This contrasts heavily
with the AppleTV and Xbox 360 which either cannot be upgraded or use a
proprietary ‘expensive’ drive’.
The EVA9150
Netgear Digital Entertainer Elite also sports Draft N wireless connectivity
(as opposed 802.11g interface in the EVA8000), which is more appropriate for
streaming of HD content, thus making the EVA9150 more of a true wireless HD
media streamer. Wired Ethernet however still remains at 100Mbps. An
interesting feature associated with the Netgear wireless connectivity is its
simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5.8GHz) 802.11n support with speeds of up to
300Mbps.
Dual-band operation makes it possible for the Netgear Digital
Entertainer Elite to achieve the best wireless performance by using up to 20 extra channels within the less crowded 5.8GHz band – assuming you have a dual-band
router in the house - while avoiding the crowded 2.4GHz environment by neighborhood
networks.
Additionally, wireless setup is as easy as the push
of a button through the Push ‘N’ Connect feature to seamlessly setup a secure
wireless connection based on Wi-Fi protected Set-up or WPS, thus eliminating the
need to remember or input password keys.
With the new
Netgear EVA9150, users can stream Blu-ray quality digital video up to 1080p on their
HDTVs, as well as recorded television shows and other digital media
content from their PCs or any other storage device present on their PCs. The
Netgear Digital Entertainer Elite automatically finds all shared digital
media files on the home network and organizes them into an easily accessible
library. This apart from streaming media directly from Internet sources like
YouTube, Internet radio, Flickr™, and other popular Internet media sites.
Media
content format support
on the Netgear EVA9150
is unmatched by any other wireless digital media player on the market. It
covers basically all form of digital media content you can think of, from
MP3, WMA8 and WMA9, WMV9 up to 1080p 40Mbps, MPEG1,2,4 SD and MPEG-2 HD,
AVI, DivX, ISO, IFO, MKV (with AC3 only), TS, M2TS, internet radio
streaming, AAC, FLAC, WMA-Pro, M4A, M4P, AC3, DTS Passthrough, PCM, LPCM,
AIFF, to JPEG BMP, PNG, and TIFF files, as well as playlist formats WPL,
ASX, WAX, WVX, PLS, M3U, RMP.

Connectivity
on the NETGEAR EVA9150 covers about everything – from HDMI and component
video for HDTV sets, to S-video and composite video for connection to
old standard definition TVs. For audio, you have a choice of both
optical and coaxial digital outputs, as well as standard analog stereo
RCA jacks.
To top up
the connectivity list, there is an Ethernet jack, two USB2.0 ports for iPod
and USB mass storage devices – including an external USB2.0 hard drive, and
a SCART.
The Netgear EVA9150
is unique in that it works simultaneously with multiple platforms – Windows,
Mac, and Linux computers as well as Networked Attached Storage (NAS)
devices.
Interesting
features in the home entertainment arena associated with the Netgear EVA9150
includes the ‘Follow Me’ through which it is possible to pause a
video in one room and resume it in another. Equally interesting is the ‘Party
Mode,’ which makes it possible to synchronize music playback for
whole-home listening.
And at a
time when being green is so important, the new Netgear wireless digital
media player includes environmentally friendly features such as
energy-efficient power supply and auto-sleep mode.
The
bottom line:
At close to $400, the Netgear EVA9150 Digital Entertainer Elite is not one
of the cheapest wireless digital media players, but it is surely one of the
most versatile and powerful media players using the latest video, audio, and
wireless technologies. It can play HD media content flawlessly thanks to its
unique 40Mbps data rate, and does support far broader range of media content
platforms than the less expensive Apple TV or the inexpensive Roku video
player.
And unlike
the Roku, the Netgear EVA9150 will also pull any imaginable digital content
from your PC or in that case, anything accessible through your network.
Unfortunately, at present the Netgear wireless digital media player falls
short of partnerships with major digital media content providers like
Netflix and Amazon Video-on-Demand – which means that users will have to
either provide their own content to stream, or surf to online portals like
Hulu and
TV.com; these
portals have aggregated some
of the most popular TV shows for on-demand viewing on the internet.
But this in
itself does not tarnish in any way the strength and versatility of the
Netgear EVA9150 media player – key features that give this new Netgear
wireless digital media player, the potential to make total home
entertainment integration a dream come true!
More information on
the Netgear EVA9150 wireless digital media player, including availability,
latest price offers and customer feedback, is available at the following
amazon product page:
NETGEAR EVA9150
Digital Entertainer Elite
Additional Related Articles
under the
Wireless Speakers Systems and
Wireless Home Entertainment Sections:
Wireless Home Theater Guides:
Basic Guide to Wireless Speaker Systems
Wireless Speakers Installation Tips
Guide to Wireless Home Theater
Systems
Introduction to Wireless Media Players
Wireless Security Basics in Home Entertainment
Product Reviews:
Rocketfish RF-WHTIB Wireless Rear speaker Kit
Add-on wireless speakers for Surround & Multiroom Audio
Wireless HTiB Reviews:
Sony
HDX576WF vs. Panasonic SC-PT960
More Wireless Digital Media Player
Reviews
Players covered include:
Apple TV
D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520
NETGEAR Digital
Entertainer HD EVA8000
Roku Wireless Digital Video Player
|
Related Technical Guides
Guide to Wireless Headphones and Dolby Headphone technology
Ever told to turn it down? Combine a set of wireless headphones and Dolby
Headphone technology for a great sound experience.
Surround Sound Formats
The never ending list of terms and brand names - Dolby, DTS, THX - associated
with surround systems is starting to get a bit too complicated...
Speaker Placement in Multi-channel
Audio
Correct home theater speaker placement plays a critical role towards achieving
that seamless ‘enveloping’ sound so important in the overall home theater
experience.
Set-up Discs and Video Calibration Solutions
Home theater setup DVDs and video calibration kits can help you squeeze a lot
more out of your system.
Equipment
Racks:
There is more to equipment racks than a storage space for your system
components. More in this informative home theater guide.
The HDMI Cable Guide
To many, HDMI is still an unfamiliar term. This easy-to follow home theater
guide explains all you need to know about HDMI.
|
Recommended
Guides to Home Networking
|
...and wireless AV
distribution in the home
Wi-Fi Home Networking
Coverings everything from terminology to
wireless security and required products. An extremely informative book that can
help you set up and run your own WiFi network.
Home Networking Demystified
A step-by-step guide to designing your
network, from component selection, wiring installation, Internet and PC network
connectivity, wireless security measures, to troubleshooting.
|
More Wireless
Home Entertainment Gear
|
Featured digital
media players, BD players & internet-enabled HDTVs

D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520
The DSM-520 is not among the latest wireless digital media player but it is
still a valid option at a cheaper price tag than the competition. It supports HD
up to 1080i, surround sound, and can stream DRM-protected WMA files, Rhapsody
media,
and internet radio.

LG BD 370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player
This new LG BD player comes at half the price of its previous model and
features enhanced online support to stream NetFlix videos, NetCast for
YouTube, and CinemaNow.

42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic most affordable 2009 THX-certified HDTV - featuring VieraCast internet
connectivity to browse online content like YouTube videos, Amazon video-on-demand, Picasa Web Albums, weather and stock information, etc, through a web
interface build direct into the TV. |