It might look like the unhappy franchise progeny of Star Wars’ Darth Vader and Star Trek’s Borg collective, but Sony’s new Digital Media Port Wi-Fi Client TDM-NC1 aims to bridge the gap between the music you’re pushing around on your in-home Wi-Fi network with Windows PCs and your Sony Bravia home theater system.
One black face of the cube-shaped TDM-NC1 sports a bright display which shows the current track playing, artist info, and track information, and which Sony claims can also be used to help search through songs. The device sports both Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet connections for hooking to existing in-home networks, and can stream music in AAC, WMA, and Sony’s ATRAC format (including DRM-protected ATRAC purchases from Sony Connect), but sadly does not support MP3 or protected audio from other services. However, the TMD-NC1 isn’t compatible with everything: it connects to audo systems using proprietary Sony’s Digital Media Port, which is currently only available on selected Bravia receivers and home theater systems. And if you stream music using a Mac or LInux, you’re out of luck: the TCM-NC1 is only compatible with Windows XP SP2 or newer. For Windows users already invested in Sony’s proprietary formats and interfaces, the unit might be an appealing way to further embrace all things Sony; folks looking for open standards support or who want a solution which works with non-Sony gear should turn elsewhere.
Sony is pricing the TCM-NC1 at $199, and is accepting pre-orders now; the units should be available in early June.
