Folks who are deep into Internet media often find they have little choice but to hook up a PC to their home audio or home theater rigs to get to the online streaming media they require—and, while all the technological pieces are readily available, media fans usually have to go throuhg seemingly endless contortions to get things working the way they want. Sherwood is looking to solve that with its new NetBoxx Internet A/V Receiver, which combines all the bells and whistles of a high-end A/V receiver—Dolby TruHD, Dolby DTS-HD, HDMI 1.3, 100 watts of 7.1 sound—with the capability to tap into Internet content from Cinemanow, Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix, Rhapsody, Shoutcast, Hulu and more.
“Use of physical media is declining and being replaced by content obtained through streaming or downloads,” said Sherwood senior VP of product development and marketing Jeffrey Hipps, in a statement. “This led to our taking a fresh look at what an audio-video receiver should be, from its function to its form factor. By combining an ability to access content in cyberspace with superb performance and sound quality reflecting Sherwood’s over-50-year standard of audio excellence, NetBoxx is an audio/video component that is truly 21st-century ready.”
The NetBoxx features three HDMI 1.3 inputs, one HDMI 1.3 output, two component video inputs, plus Toslink topical and digital coax audio inputs, as well as USB ports on both the front and rear panels for connecting additional storage or devices. As one might expect from an A/V receiver, the NetBoxx supports Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS 96/24, Neo 6 Cinema and Music, Dolby Digital, and Dolby ProLogic IIx—and that’s in addition to a broad selection of audio and video codecs used for online content. Using an existing home broadband connection, the NetBoxx can tap into online content from YouTube, Shoutcast radio, Cinemanow, and Web sites featuring streaming Internet view and broadcasts. The NetBoxx platform also supports Hulu, Netflix, CBS, CNN, ESPN, and Amazon Video On Demand via MediaMall technologies’ PlayOn media server—although that’s an additional 39.95 for a lifetime license. The NetBoxx also features high-end digital signal processors, seven 100 watt audio channels, and a simple automated setup regime to help users get the system installed and running to their satisfaction. Users can optically set up music playback in a separate room via two separate stereo audio feeds, and the unit sports an FM tuner with 30 channel presets.
The NetBoxx should be available this month for a suggested price of $649.95.
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