Sony Introduces Network Media Player, Does Everything AppleTV Does and More

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 17, 2010 | 8 comments
Sohrab Osati

In a crazy turn of events, the recently announced and later to be released AppleTV is actually much like the current Sony Network Media Player (SMP-N100) that you can actually go out and buy right now. Priced at $129 and similarly sized, this streaming device is meant to hook up to your television or receive and stream content via the web or from your computer. Powered by services like Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora and Slackers, Sony has taken a more open approach than Apple by allowing multiple providers to offer you content. With the AppleTV, you are limited to iTunes and Netflix.

But Sony isn’t limiting you to just services; with its incorporated DLNA, you can also stream content from other DLNA devices as well. This includes video, photos and music. Furthermore, you can connect USB devices like your camera, MP3 player, or external hard drive with media and play the content off of them as well. All of this is in full 1080p while the AppleTV will limit you to 720p. For those who torrent, it also plays Divx and MKV files. Also, besides the in-the-box remote, you can also download an Android/iPhone app to control this device.

For those of you who are spec-hungry, hit the jump for a breakdown of specs, support formats list and a rear shot.

Specs:

  • Analog Audio 2ch Output(s) (L,R) : 1
  • Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) : 1
  • Composite Video Output(s) : 1
  • Ethernet Port(s) : 1
  • HDMI™ Output(s) : 1
  • Optical Audio Digital Output(s) : 1
  • USB Port(s) : 1- front
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • 802.11b/g/n
  • Full 1080p

Format Support

  • AAC : Yes (USB)- m4a
  • AVC-HD : Yes (USB)
  • DivX : Yes (USB )- jpg, jpeg
  • DivX HD : Yes (USB and DLNA)- XviD
  • JPEG : Yes (USB and DLNA)- jpg, jpeg
  • LPCM : Yes (USB and DLNA)- wav
  • MP3 : Yes (USB and DLNA)- mp3
  • MPEG-1 : Yes (USB)- vob, vro, mpg, mpeg, m2ts, mts
  • MPEG : Yes (USB and DLNA)- vob, vro, mpg, mpeg, m2ts, mts
  • Simple MPEG : Yes – MPEG 4 AVC (USB)- mkv, mp4, m4v, m2ts, mts
  • WMA : Yes (USB and DLNA)- wma (DLNA:Basic profile only no 32kpbs or lower)
  • WMV : Yes – WMV9 (USB)- wmv, asf