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Bokks Linux Based AV Component

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the new-kid-on-the-bloc dept.

Here is an article about a new linux based AV stereo componenent. This one is from Bokks and it has a lot going for it: Plays your MP3s, MPEGs, VOBs, and soon Divx. Has standard audio and video ports, a sleek form factor, and what looks to be a sexxy interface. Its ethernet interface can take input from NFS or Samba, or the net. The only downside I see is that it has no DVD drive for built in ripping, and it has only a 20G drive. But at $400, this is pushing the line of reasonable for this type of device. Should be available in Feb.

4 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Ogg? by ikeleib · · Score: 2, Informative
    Stop whining and write a fixed point CODEC!

    That is the single thing that keeps vorbis from being included in various appliance devices.

    Coders of the world: Write a CODEC that can decode on a 74Mhz ARM 720T using less than 30KB of data space.

  2. i built something similar recently... by kejadlen · · Score: 2, Informative

    there's a handy little mobo/case called the SV24, made by shuttle. it has:

    RCA/S-video out
    normal audio out
    ethernet
    4 usb ports
    2 firewire
    etc... (standard mobo parts, ps2 ports etc etc)

    put together a nice multimedia system for only $490 some, plus it's actually useable as a computer!

    i mean, that's a nifty box and all, but you can build a better one for not that much more. it does everything that the unit above does, and much more besides.

  3. Re:not reasonable by milkmandan9 · · Score: 4, Informative
    It's reasonable if you factor in:
    • The small VCResque formfactor
    • The fact that it's designed to work out-of-the-box right from the start--no incompatibilities or driver problems
    • The amount of time it would take you to set up all your hardware and software to get this thing running

    It is unreasonable if you're willing to spend the time to put something like this together--but that's how it goes for pretty much everything these days. If you do it yourself, then you're going to save cash.

    The point is that not everybody has the tools (remember, Joe Average is the target audience and he's not going to know how to assemble said box or even come close to getting all the required software running--even with Ye Olde Simple MS Product) nor the time (Joe Average again--even if he had the tools to get this job done, I'd sure he'd rather spend it at his kids' T-ball game) to assemble this thing.

    True--it doesn't make sense for your the "technical elite," but that's not who it's marketed to. This is a product just like a Dell computer or an internet appliance--it's got some cool technology bits but it's sold as a package so that Mr. and Mrs. Average don't have to get their hands dirty with the details. I'm sure there are a fair number of geeks that will be interested in this product based solely on its technical merits, but the intended audience is not someone who could do this on their own--that person has already done it, and for half the price.
  4. Video output not compatible for North America? by Jobe_br · · Score: 3, Informative

    Those who are electrical engineers correct me if I'm wrong, but this device appears to be centric to Europe in its video output. Its listed as having SCART, S-Video, and Composite (PAL) output. From what I know, the Composite signal isn't the only thing that is PAL/NTSC specific - S-Video is as well! If that is in fact the case, I don't believe any North American television will be of much use with this device. Too bad, in my opinion.