Recomendations for a wired media streaming device that outputs HD?

[Emanef]

I want to get a media streaming device that will play back video stored on my PC & NAS drive over ethernet (ethernet and HD Homeplug network). I've had a browse but am (suprisingly) struggling to find much info or discussion about these sort of devices.

My main criteria are:
- Streaming over ethernet (hard drive an option, preferably my own if that's the case though)
- Upscaling of non HD output
- Playback of divx & xvid, including the higher def ones that are all over t'internet (I download a lot of TV programs I can't get over in the UK/am too impatient to wait for!)
- a good, smooth user interface.

The two main ones that have caught my eye so are are:
Macpower D7 (this looks perfect to me, but I've not seen any reviews or buyer's recommendations anywhere)
Iamm NTD36HD HD player (also looks very good, though won't be silent as you have to drop in a hard drive).

I also like the look of the Mediaman HVX-3500, but that's not got LAN support.

What other HD media players should I be considering?

Thanks guys

This might meet your requirments... - http://neodigits.com/new/body/products/Xline/x5000.asp

[Emanef]

Very nice, but too expensive and far too big for me! That's nealy as big as my surround amp!

For the price... your getting alot. For the size... its not that big.

Edit:- This is considerably cheaper... http://neodigits.com/new/body/products/Xline/x3000.asp

[dan1979]

I have a snazio sz-1350, it's a bit glitchy but it does what I need it to, you can get a cheaper version without a dvd drive as well.

[Emanef]

I have to say..... what an awful name! Snazio!

[Azzin]

Snazio IMO.

Plays everything I throw at it, from HDDs on my PC or one of my NAS HDDs.

Also plays photos in a nice slideshow from the 'My Documents' folder on my PC (was handy with Honey moon photos!), as well as playing my music from my iTunes library on my PC.

All in nice 5.1 sound via my Denon amp too.

HTH.

[Edit] - http://www.snazzishop.co.uk/cartuk_netdvd.asp

[lazrhog]

Once you overcome the Snazio problems (it comes with an awful version of firmware). Then it is great. Mine plays all the TV shows you mention, and some the wife likes too :-)

[Emanef]

Does it play the hi res H264 xvid's? I emailed Macpower and the D7 doesn't apparently.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Emanef

Does it play the hi res H264 xvid's? I emailed Macpower and the D7 doesn't apparently.

No it doesn't.

[dan1979]

No stand-alone boxes play H.264 files unfortunately.

None on the immediate horizon either.

[Emanef]

Bugger! How come? I assumed it was just one of the newer video codecs that would be widely adopted.

[leef1234]

The only 2 options im aware of for H.264 are XBOX 360 using transcode (needs a decent media centre pc) or the Mac Mini.

[Oldalez]

This caught my eye http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3639

[pointyone]

bearing in mind that over the next 12 months these types of devices will all come with 1080p and h264 tech then i went fot a cheap option now with a view to upgrading later on

i got the show center 200 from dabs for £110 inc vat and it streams over my hard wire network a treat

i use the www.swisscenter.co.uk software which is a lot better than the showcemter UI and it being updated on a regular basis