If you are looking for variety and the ability to watch what you want and when you want while giving your wallet a break, it may be worth your time to have a look at the new Boxee Box by D-Link.  Boxee Box advertises as TV on your own terms and allows you access to an endless supply of movies in high definition, interaction with your friends, and on-demand media in which you only pay for what you want to watch.  Here is the lowdown on Boxee Box so you can see for yourself what the unit has to offer.

Boxee Box Construction

Boxee Box has a cool looking futuristic look to its construction which is a cube shape with a portion sliced out across the bottom of the unit giving it a unique appearance.  The bottom of this asymmetrical unit contains bright green rubber with a bright green logo on the front which provides a sharp high tech appearance.

On the back of the Boxee Box is an HDMI port, Ethernet connectivity, dual USB ports, power port, and optical and composite audio ports.  The hardware and ports in the back of the unit are uniquely situated at an angle to accommodate the asymmetrical shape of the unit.  If you have room to spare on your AV center the Boxee Box will fit in nicely however you may find it a hindrance if you are tight on space.  Regardless, it is a well made and unique looking device that makes it stand out from Apple or Google TV devices.  The internal hardware in Boxee Box utilizes an Intel CE4110 chip and 1 gigabyte each of flash memory and Random Access Memory (RAM).

Boxee Box Remote

The Boxee Box remote is one of the most popular parts of the unit due to its innovative construction and flexibility.  The remote has function on both sides instead of one.  The front side of the remote holds the function buttons which include a 4-way pad with a menu button, play and pause buttons, and a button for making selections.  On the back of the remote is a nifty QWERTY keyboard for conducting searches and entering passwords.  One of the drawbacks of this feature is you have to be careful when you grab the remote since it is easy to accidentally touch the buttons.

If you are wondering how to control the mouse, the Boxee Box remote mouse is controlled through the D-pad on the front of the remote which allows you to move the mouse arrow around the screen.  There is no trackpad present on the remote and some Boxee Box users have opted to use the Boxee iPhone app to compensate for the absent trackpad.

Boxee Box Software

The interface on Boxee Box changed quite significantly from the beta version which was released one year ago.  For some reason, the current interface requires more clicks to get to where you are going with some of the filtering features absent in the new version.  Overall, the interface is fairly easy to use and is capable of delivering content from many Internet sources without being overwhelming.  On the bottom of the interface screen you will find access to a wide variety of apps and videos with the source list located at the top of the interface screen.

On the left hand side of the screen there is a Friends tab which is a cool feature that allows you to view a list of videos that your friends want to share with you from a variety of Internet services.  For example, if you have configured Boxee to Facebook or Twitter you can see all of the videos that your friends post under the Friends tab on the interface screen for Boxee.  This feed is updated each time you open the Friends tab.

Boxee Box provides you with a number of options for obtaining content on the Internet including media from its partnership with Vudu, Netflix, and Hulu Plus not to mention the entire Internet.  There are also a number of features on the Boxee interface that allow you to store movies, save shows to watch later, and for storing Internet TV shows.

The apps that are offered by Boxee are mostly to provide you with a custom interface for different websites as opposed to offering interactivity.  These are apps like Showtime Podcasts, Vevo, and Auto-Tune The News to name a few.  There are also hundreds of other apps that you can use to customize your viewing experience.

Local Media Playback

The local media playback is worth mentioning since it surpasses other devices on the market due to its ability to play back almost any file regardless if it is over an SMB network share or it is from an SD card.  The local media playback supports any file format with a 3-letter file extension and even files in an unknown format.  Additionally, there are impressive sorting options that allow you to access local files faster and easier.

Conclusion

Between the advanced streaming of content and the robust local playback capability the Boxee Box is worth taking the time to learn more about the other features it offers.  Additionally, there is a Webkit browser equipped with Flash that provides something to fall back on if you face any issues with PC to TV alignment.  Overall, for what you are getting the price is quite comparable to other units on the market with tons of free stuff that places the icing on the cake.  If anything it is worth learning more by clicking here to see if Boxee Box is a good fit for you.

The Archos 5 is a newly designed media player that fits in the palm of your hand.  This new Internet media tablet by Archos contains less bulk than the previous models however it has a hefty weight due to its ability to store more than 160 movies.

Archos 5 Design

While previous models of Archos media players never really demonstrated close attention to convenient design the Archos 5 is different. The sleek design is thinner measuring in at only 12.5mm and will easily fit into your pocket or purse. The Archos 5 is finished in a glossy design, smooth edges, and a sturdy rubber back for easy gripping.  The screen measures in at about 4.8 inches and has a high tech finish around the edges with a convenient kick stand in the back for easy viewing.  The overall design feels well made and feels sturdy in the palm of your hand.

Archos 5 Functionality

When you switch on the Archos 5 a crystal clear screen is displayed with a functional layout of features that is easy to follow and to use.  There are six categories on the screen which include Play, TV, Internet, Media, Tools, and Add-Ons, and a feature for telling the time, battery status, and adjusting the settings.

Viewing the screen is not bad considering it is 4.3 inches with the ability to start watching a movie by simply touching the thumbnail image of the movie you want to see.  Listening to music is just as easy by simply clicking the selection you want and touching the screen to begin playing the music.  Although there is only one speaker which can mean diminished sound quality you can always enhance the sound with a quality set of earphones.

The screen also contains an onscreen keyboard that is easy and convenient to use when you are browsing the Internet.  The Archos 5 uses an Opera browser and is equipped with a few TV stations for viewing Internet TV.  You can also record shows from your regular TV by using add-ons that you can purchase separately.

When it comes to viewing photos the viewing quality is quite sharp and you can easily manipulate the photos with a simple swipe of the screen although the swipe does not appear to be as smooth as the action on a touch phone or iPod touch.  You can also set up a slideshow of your photos to enjoy when you set up the Archos 5 on your coffee table or desktop.

Other Features

You can expect a battery life of about seven hours after one charging session and that includes viewing seven hours of videos.  The battery can be charged via a USB cable or through the optional docking stations that you can purchase separately.  The same docking station allows you to connect the device to your TV for surfing the Internet on your TV and for streaming media onto your television from your home network.

If you plan to use the Archos 5 for a lot of different media purposes then it may be worth your while to purchase the add-ons such as the docking station.  On the other hand, if you are going to use it for light viewing such as when you are traveling then you should be okay with just the device itself.

Another feature is access to the Archos’ Media Club where you can find a wide selection of multimedia to enjoy in addition to a host of games that you can access from the touchscreen. The Flash 9 video capability allows you to utilize flash applications such as videos online over a convenient built in WiFi connection.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a Media Internet device that offers more capabilities than simply listening to music or watching a movie then it is worth your time to take a closer look at the Archos 5 which has slightly more features than the iPod touch.  It is important to keep in mind that to experience the full features and capabilities of the Archos 5 it is necessary to purchase the separate docking station and add-ons to enjoy everything that the device has to offer.

In terms of value if you compare the Archos 5 to previous Archos models such as the 605, the Archos 5 is a considerably better value due to its improved design, larger screen, addition of a Web browser, and a tuned up interface.  If you are looking to carry all of your media in one place and would like a few more features than the iPod Touch take a look at the Archos 5.  I found a great deal on one here.

My car was in the shop recently and I asked a friend for a ride to go pick it up.  When he arrived to collect me I got in the car and was astounded by what I saw.  He had all of his multimedia plugged in separately with an iPod here and a DVD player there; some of the units were not connected, and so on.  I literally had to move everything so I had a place to sit.  My friend apologized for the confusion and said that this is the only way he can travel with all of his media.  I laughed at him and asked him if he knew if there was an easier way and he replied “no.”

He knows that I am a technology and electronics guru so I mentioned that I saw a unit on the market recently that does it all and will clear all of the clutter he had built up in his car.  He replied, “No way!” and I said, “Yes way!”  So I told him to follow me to the electronics store in the mall after I picked up my vehicle.

When we arrived at the electronics store I directed him to the area where the multimedia receivers for cars were located.  I knew Pioneer is a reputable brand so we headed over to one of their models.  I went through the unit to show my friend what it could do and he was amazed.  Here is a Pioneer AVH P4000DVD review of some of the things I pointed out to my friend:

Pioneer AVH P4000DVD DVD Receiver with USB Input

I showed my friend that he could turn his car into a mobile entertainment center minus the clutter by pointing out the in-dashDIN which is connector that conforms to many different standards for network equipment, a DVD Multimedia AV Receiver with an amazing 6.1 inch Pioneer AVH P4000DVD display with widescreen capability, and USB Input Direct Control which connects your USB music player directly to the CD tuner via an optional cable. The USB Direct Control allows you to have multiple devices connected at the same time to one unit which was perfect for solving my friend’s dilemma.  It is also designed for unlimited future expandability to connect other media players and USB devices.

There is also DivX support which allows you to view DVD movies with the same image quality only at 1/10 the size, a built-in amplifier, Pioneer AVH P4000DVD video capability with music and video playback, as well as a wide genre of options included for future expansion.  What’s more is you can navigate through all of your media and system settings through the convenient touchscreen with customization capability to put your favorite features at your fingertips.

Bluetooth Wireless Technology

The Pioneer AVH P4000DVD DVD receiver with USB input is equipped with a really nifty Bluetooth wireless adapter for use with Bluetooth cell phones so you can talk on the phone safely and hands-free.  You can operate your phone with the microphone for the head unit as well as through your car’s speaker system.  I was really impressed with the automatic mute on the system which will mute your entertainment system if you have an incoming call or you make an outgoing call.

Advanced Multimedia Functions

The DVD player in the Pioneer AVH P4000DVD DVD receiver with USB input is equipped with comprehensive features that allow you to view DVD movies if you have to sit in the car and wait. It is also possible to connect a DVD screen in the back seat for your passengers to watch while you are on the road.  The A/V input allows you to plug in video games and you can use the iPod Direct Control to operate your iPod menus and functions right from the touchscreen.

My friend thought the rear view camera was a really nifty feature which allows you to see where you are backing up with full screen capability.  This is a really convenient feature if you are trying to move around in really tight areas.

Pioneer AVH P4000DVD Bypass

Depending upon the type of car you have with some model cars the Pioneer AVH P4000DVD Receiver has difficulty with the DVD function when you install it.  In some cars the DVD fails to work if there is a really tight compartment in the dash.  You can easily get around the Pioneer AVH P4000DVD monitor problem by integrating a four dollar bypass switch which you can obtain from your local electronics store.

Pioneer AVH P4000DVD Manual

The Pioneer AVH P4000DVD Receiver comes with an easy to use manual included with purchase.  You can also download it in PDF format from the Pioneer website.  The manual goes into specific details which are backed by illustrations so every detail is clear and easy to follow.  The first page goes through how to connect the units as well as the parts that are supplied with a page the follows up with complete diagrams on how to install the unit and the wiring involved.

For everything you are getting for the price the Pioneer AVH P4000DVD Receiver is a great buy and when you add the optional equipment such as the iPod adapter and the Bluetooth adapter you have a high end entertainment system installed in your car minus a navigation system which seems to be the only thing missing here.  Although my friend was sold on it right away I decided to shop around to see if I could find the best price.  After doing some homework I found a great deal on it right here.