PRISMIQ announced the release of 802.11a/g Wi-Fi support for its Linux-based set-top “entertainment gateway”. According to PRISMIQ, the 54 Mbps bandwidth available with 802.11g allows users of its “MediaPlayer” to stream high quality video files from… the PC to the TV, and turns the MediaPlayer into “the first consumer set-top box to enable DVD-quality video over 802.11g wireless.”

PRISMIQ's MediaPlayer is a networked set-top entertainment gateway that connects via normal audio/video cables to the user's TV and stereo systems, and also communicates with the home network or PC via wired Ethernet or wireless 802.11x (Wi-Fi). It plays audio and video media files and provides TV-based web surfing, instant messaging, and more. The device contains an embedded computer based on an NEC “EMMA-2” (uPD61130) 32-bit MIPS microprocessor, running a customized version of Debian GNU/Linux. (Further technical details are in this device profile.)

The 802.11a/g Wi-Fi upgrade is accomplished by installing an appropriate wireless card in the PCMCIA/Cardbus card slot on the MediaPlayer's rear panel, plus a software upgrade, the company said.

The PCMCIA/Cardbus slot is on the left

PRISMIQ said it sells the MediaPlayer on its website and at Amazon.com for around $250. That price includes an IR remote control and “MediaManager” software, which is used to control the device and transfer media files from Windows-based PCs, the company said.

 
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