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First Look: Neuros OSD Hackable Linux Video Recorder

Neuros updates their video recorder by leaps and bounds with the OSD. Like the last one, it records analog video sources to flash memory in formats easily read by PSPs and iPods. But this one has a USB port for drives, and ethernet port, so it can also store to network-attached storage. It catches video at 720x480 pixels, at 30 FPS through S-vid or composite inputs. And comes with a remote. But can be reprogrammed to act as a web server, playback youtube vids, or whatever else you can code into the C-based, open source OS. Neuros is even offering cash prizes for those who write certain functionality. Who are we kidding? You nerd-cakes'll do it for fun!

Jump to read about the cash awards.

YouTube or Google video Browser.
Bounty: $1000

Flickr Photo Browser.
Bounty: $600

Implement a wireless remote using a WiFi PDA (or PSP) as the remote.
Bounty: $500

TiVo style functionality for radio. Hook up the OSD to a FM/AM or Satellite receiver and do timed recordings or FF/RW and Pause Live Radio.
Bounty: $700

Voip on the OSD. Plug a USB phone into the OSD and make calls without touching any of your PCs.
Bounty: $500

It's a beta launch, so only 200 of the units are available from Think Geek. $160 after rebates.–Brian Lam

Neuros OSD Hackable Linux Video Recorder [Think Geek]

1:00 AM on Wed Sep 20 2006
By Brian Lam
2,818 views
8 comments

Comments

sam_i_am at 01:42 AM on 09/20/06
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Marketing genius. Bait the nerds that would have done it anyway with a few bucks, save tens of thousands by not hiring your own developers.

The benefits of leaving your hardware open, kids. Take note Sony.
Oktobr at 04:58 AM on 09/20/06
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I like this model of we-supply-the-hardware-you-supply-the-software. It means that as time goes on, the product becomes more functional. However, it sucks to be an early adopter here.
Fluidity at 05:55 AM on 09/20/06
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Sucks no be an early adopter unless you're a programmer who fancies a new challenge and can then get a nice device, write some software so your device works better and get some cash in the process to pay for the device and more.
aliask at 06:41 AM on 09/20/06
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I wouldn't say it's a bad thing to be an early adopter - the unit clearly already has some really good features, with some neat things still to be done (but it's not like any other harware out there can do these things anyway).

Plus, the early adopters would be able to update their firmware and take advantage of the new things as they came out. Sounds win-win to me.
bakaryuu at 08:21 AM on 09/20/06
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Ordered on this morning @ 1am when I got the email from thinkgeek.com!!!
Tony of TonyandJuan.com at 09:48 AM on 09/20/06
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This thing looks great, but $160 after rebates seems steep for something that advertises it's lack of functionality. Sounds like a cool product though.
king_of_fools at 12:28 PM on 09/20/06
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so gizmodo got the same email from the Think Geek Overlords that I did *tremors in geeky elation*
rimplestultskin at 07:13 PM on 11/27/06
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that remote is pimp-tastic.

but using a zune as a remote would be PMP-tastic (sorry for the lame pun.)

if they did one with a black casing, or clear casing and black PCB, i'd save up my pennies for one. especially since it's 100% h4xable and i'd love if someone can get firefox and gAIM running on it, and a wireless keyboard and mouse can go into the USB port. instant internet on my 63" rear projection, add functionality to make up for the standard def.