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ZapMedia Finally Releases ZapStation
veader writes: "ZapMedia seems to have finally released the ZapStation. There is no press release yet but they are taking orders on their website.
It looks to offer much more functionality than the recently released HP de100c. CD, DVD, MP3, MPG, WMA, WMV, etc." I have a model for review coming my way so I'll give a detailed report when I have time to plug it in and give it a beating. Like the HP box, it is quite expensive, but it has many more features. The real question is, at the price point for these boxes, can they compete with X-Box or PS2+Hard Drive devices that will be hitting the market and doing many of the same things, but far less expensively?
So what am I getting for $1,500?
A closed-architecture 800mhz Celeron with 128mb of RAM, a 30gb hd, 10baseT, soundcard, video out, DVD and CDRW, wireless keyboard and remote, and some cruddy software that almost certainly pales in comparison to existing free software.
Sounds like about $500 in hardware so far.
You can't record TV shows with it. Can't upgrade to new codecs unless they release updates, so forget OGG. I doubt it supports DivX.
If they sell 10 I will be amazed.
-B
> easily build a box to do all this
/. :-) ),
/.ers like to post for "how to build the ultimate A/V box" and I see more questions than answers! There is always some critical component left out of any of these descriptions that makes the spec "an exercise left to the reader".
Ok, for those of us not as far down the path of enlightenment, how?
Specifically,
what stereo-component style silent-running case,
what OS (like I have to ask here on
what hardware for TV out, Audio out, Audio in, CDRW, infrared remote control,
what software to manage playlists on a LCD or on the TV,
what setup to play files on it's internal HD or across the LAN on your PC or SAN?
I'm sure I left out some critical details...
I've looked at all the links that
- For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat
[Please note, this is just an opinion piece. These really aren't translations.]
Q. Is a Service required to access all of the features of the ZapStation?
A. Currently no ZapMedia service or subscription is required to access all of the features of the ZapStation.
T. We will ream you for service charges once we run out of venture capital.
Q. Do I need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to use the ZapStation?
A. To experience all of the features of the ZapStation you will need to have an ISP. Broadband service is strongly encouraged. However, the ZapStation will work with a dial-up connection through a home network.
T. Our device is almost useless to many people in our target market
Q. Will my ZapStation be updated with new releases?
A. Yes, your ZapStation will receive software updates via the Internet.
T. We have designed our device to update itself with anti-consumer code whenever the RIAA/MPAA says "jump".
Q. Can I record my CDs and DVDs on the ZapStation?
A. You can record your CDs but not DVDs.
T. The MPAA already told us not to do this.
Q. What audio streaming formats will the ZapStation support?
A. The ZapStation currently supports MP3 and Windows Media formats.
T. Our product doesn't support the most popular streaming format, RealMedia, because, well... we don't know why. We suck.
Q. Can I transfer MP3s and WMA files from my PC to the ZapStation?
A. Yes, the ZapStation supports transferring MP3, WMA, WMV, and MPEG files.
T. We didn't want to mention if you can transfer them off the ZapStation(tm) because if someone does that the RIAA will be... angry.
Q. Can I create a "music jukebox" with the ZapStation?
A. Yes, you can build audio playlists comprised of songs you have recorded onto the ZapStation from CDs along with songs you have downloaded from the Internet or transferred from your PC to the ZapStation. You can also build video playlists with video files you have downloaded from the ZapMedia portal, the ZapZone, or from the Internet.
T. We want to portalize the internet because look at what it did for excite@home!
Q. How many songs can I record on the ZapStation?
A. Approximately 10,000 songs can be recorded on the ZapStation depending on the recording quality selected and the length of the songs.
T. Our margin wasn't high enough so we put in a tiny 30 Gb HDD and recorded everything at 128 kbps.
Q. Can I record TV programs onto the ZapStation?
A. Currently, the ZapStation does not support recording TV shows.
T. We'll do this when the MPAA says it will let us.
Q. Can I load applications on the ZapStation?
A. No, the ZapStation is a closed system.
T. The ZapStation is about as well supported as a Timex Sinclair is right now.
Advanced Networking -- Fast connection through DSL, Cable, or T1 access
T. We threw in an RTL8139 because it only cost $2. It's advanced because it was made this decade.
110V/220V Power Supply
T. We're one stupid company. We only sell to America, but think that home theater afficandos hook up their equipment to their Dryers.
Pardon me for being cynical, but at $1500 I can buy a laptop with the same features that doesn't come with RIAA/MPAA baggage.
If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC