Go To Latest Video ReviewsNetgear Digital Entertainer Elite Leaked
| Author | Hugo Jobling |
| Published | 2nd Dec 2008 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersNetgear clearly knows a good thing when it sees it, because the forthcoming and newly leaked Digital Entertainer Elite seems unerringly similar to the Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player but a bit wider and flatter. Inside, though, it's a pretty much indistinguishable all-singing, all-dancing, all-format playing media streamer. I see a showdown coming.
Actually, there are a few areas where the Digital Entertainer Elite wins over the WD. Foremost, the DEE is not only able to play near enough every format under the sun (which the WD TV HD also can) but is also able to stream said files over a network, either wired or wireless. By packing Draft-N wireless, Netgear reckons it can boast up to a 40mbps data rate - about what most Blu-ray discs use. Streaming from Windows and Linux PCs and Macs is supported as well as UPnP-enabled NAS devices.
Of course there are also USB ports on the device, allowing locally connected video and audio files to be played. Further still, the DEE has a built in drive bay so any amount of local storage (that can be bought in a single 3.5in drive) can be added to it. It would almost be easier to list what the thing can't do. Just check out the comparison table below.
Common consensus about the web seems to be that a CES launch is likely, and I agree. As discussed in our recent Media Machines the only alternative offering the same feature set is a media centre PC, so as long as the price is right I think I know what I'll be asking for when my birthday rolls around in February.
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Pics courtesy AVS Forum.
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Darfuria said on 2nd December 2008
HSC said on 2nd December 2008
been keeping my eye on this one since yesterday - certainly one to watch
only thing missing that I can see missing of significance is wma10pro audio - which may be an issue ... more
prag fest said on 2nd December 2008
If they get this right they could nail the market, the 'perfect' media streamer is yet to exist. However, after living with the complete dog that was the Eva8000 I dont h... more
Martin Andersen said on 3rd December 2008
I'm betatesting the software from the eva8000 and i'm not satisfied yet. I bought it as an alternative to a Media Center PC because it could record tv, but found out that... more
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Now that's what I'm talking about.
Let's hope the price isn't too overboard, as it surely has to compete with the WD HD device.