E-Gear 2008 Buying Guide Web Exclusive: Digital Media Bridges

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Having an impressive collection of music, videos and pictures on your PC can be fun, but try to use your laptop ton enterain a houseful of guests is a drag. Media bridges take that digital content and stream it from the computer to the rooms you actually live it. Hook one up to your home theater system or make it part of a whole-house audio system. Many of these products are expandable and customizable, and thankfully, they’ve gotten a lot easier to use.

Sonos ZonePlayer 120
$499
Listen to music just about anywhere throughout the home – thanks to each ZP 120 having its own amplifier for driving a pair of stereo speakers and being part of a wireless network. Music comes from a computer or internet radio stations (including Sirius and Pandora), or from music services such as Rhapsody and Napster. An optional wireless controller handles volume for each player, with the LCD screen showing details such as artist or album about the music being played.
www.sonos.com

Logitech Squeezebox Duet
$399
Stream music from your computer or select from online music, internet radio stations or subscription services like Pandora and Rhapsody. The Duet’s receiver connects to a stereo amplifier or pair of powered speakers, delivers CD-quality sound, and brings in the tunes either using a wired or high-speed wireless connection. The WiFi-enabled hand-held controller has a 2.4-inch color display and features scroll-wheel navigation for easy music selection. PC/Mac compatible.
www.logitech.com

Mvix MX-780HD
$349
This high-definition media player uses a wired or wireless “G” connection to stream video, audio and graphics from a PC. It can also hold an optional internal hard drive or connect to an external USB drive. Built-in decoding technology takes care of a wide variety of video and audio formats, with a digital audio output for surround sound and a HDMI output providing video up to 1080p resolution (composite, S-Video and Component outputs as well).
www.mvixusa.com

D-Link MediaLounger DSM-320RD Wireless Media Player with DVD and Card Reader
$259
Integrating with a wired or wireless “G” network, music, photos and videos can be streamed from a PC to a television and stereo system with DVD-quality video and surround sound audio. Internet radio and online music subscription services can also be accessed directly, and there is support for WIndows Media Connect. Besides accessing files directly from memory cards placed into the 5-in-1 card reader, the MediaLounger also has a DVD player built-in.
www.dlink.com

The Netflix Player by Roku
$99
Lack of internal storage doesn’t prevent this little box from streaming movies and TV episodes over the internet from Netflix in near-real time. Select to use wired or wireless “G” connectivity and then plug it into any standard or high-def TV to get close-to-DVD quality video and surround sound. Then watch as many films as you like when you like. A Netflix subscription is required, but there are no other fees attached to viewing. Includes remote.
www.roku.com

MediaGate MG-450HD
$229
The MG-450HD uses a wired or wireless “G” connection to stream music, photos and videos from a PC – in up to 1080p resolution through HDMI and with surround sound. An internal hard drive can be added, external USB drives can be used, and there’s also support for listening to internet radio stations. Additionally, files can be transferred remotely over the internet as well as FTP.
www.mediagateusa.com