Gizmodo: neuros

Neuros Releases the Link, an Open Source, Web-Savvy Set-Top Box

John Herrman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:07:22 EST

Neuros, who built their reputation with weird, chunky (but wonderful) modular MP3 players, has long since moved exclusively to the home entertainment field. Their latest attempt at eroding the Apple TV's market share is the Link, a set-top streaming box that will pull video from a wide range of online TV sources Hulu, NBC, ABC, etc. as well as stream local audio and video content from any USB hard drive. As is always the case with Neuros set-tops, the Link's software is open source and ready for modification. This time, mercifully, that might not be the box's biggest draw.

With the Neuros.TV interface, the Link does something simple but spectacular. Instead of pushing you through a clumsy series of web portals, it gives you a simple, unified interface for browsing online video content. With out-of-the-box support for nearly any video codec (courtesy of mPlayer and VLC, mainly), a solid interface and an included wireless keyboard/controller, it's a capable machine. At $299 (or $249 without the keyboard), it'll be tough to take on the $229 Apple TV, which in addition to having an included local hard drive and access to iTunes, supports most of Neuros.TV's features though Boxee. Spec sheet below. [Neuros via Zatz]

Technical specifications

* 1080p H.264 video playback
* HDMI (max resolution 1920x1200, 1080p) output
* High-definition 6-channel Audio output
* Optical S/PDIF audio output
* Gigabit Ethernet
* 802.11 g/b WiFi, up to 54Mbps
* Lots of USB 2.0 High-speed Ports (6 external ones today)
* Housing: 300mm x 90mm x 326mm (11.8" x 3.5" x 12.8")
* Noise: under 27dB
* Controller: 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard trackball controller
* Software:
o Seamless integration with Neuros.TV, a free service that lets you organize and watch Internet TV on your TV
o Neuros distribution of Ubuntu 8.10
o Open-source video players (MPlayer, VLC, Xine). A comprehensive list of formats, containers and media can be found on the above websites.

Neuros Hackable Open-Source Set-Top Box Updated: OSD2

Kit Eaton — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:15:00 EDT

Neuros has taken another stab at the open-source set-top box market, and created the "Open Source Device 2." The original OSD was aimed at developers, but ended up finding use as a DVR. The new OSD2 has a more conventional box, can encode video at 720p in MPEG-4 format, H.264 D1 resolution (that's DVD quallity) from an analog video source, upscale video to 1080i or transcode it for a PMP. It's got a serial port, IRBlaster port, connections for Wi-Fi antenna, USB, LAN, HDMI, composite video and stereo audio, and even packs an SD port. It's shipped with a Linux-based firmware stack, but is completely open to user OS hacking. Available now for $250. [Linuxdevices]

Unlocked Open Source Anti-DRM Logo

matt buchanan — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:05:56 EST

While we're not sure logos are the solutions to all the world's problems (you've seen that video of a Microsoft-designed iPod box), we kinda like the idea of an anti-DRM logo to make it easy for consumers to quickly pick up on content that'll give 'em more bang for their buck, since they're not restricted on where and how they can use it. It's even in real English for regular people! Not surprisingly, it was cooked up by Neuros, the guys behind the OSD hackable Linux video recorder. How would you make it better? [BB]

Hack a Neuros to Play Nice With TiVo: $3500 and Simultaneous Mobile Recording Will Be Your Reward

Sean Fallon — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:00:21 EST

This isn't the first time someone has offered a bounty to hack the Linux-based Neuros OSD, but if successful, this hack could have some very interesting implications. The goal is to get the Neuros to piggyback on the TiVo's recording schedule and make MPEG-4 recordings that can be simultaneously transferred onto a portable device like a laptop or an iPhone. There are two segments to the bounty, with a cash reward that totals $3500. It sounds pretty cool, but whether it can be done is up to you. [DVRupgrade]

First Look: Neuros OSD Hackable Linux Video Recorder

Brian Lam — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 01:00:31 EDT

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]

DIY Head Cam

johnb — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 09:16:54 EST

The folks at Rainy Day Magazine decided to turn a Neuros MPEG4 recorder into a sassy little head-mounted video camera. Called the AdventureCAM, they decided they needed something "to hike and shoot video footage at the same time," which is kind of granola for our taste, but whatevs.

Anyway, the solution is pretty ingenious. They use a discontinued pen camera attached to a Neuros MPEG4 recorder along with an IR remote and a battery pack. They stuffed the entire thing into an Apecase camera case and all was right with the world.

NeurosCAM [RainyDayMagazine]

Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2

tgrumet — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 16:12:22 EST

Here's the most recent version of Neuros' MPEG4 recorder called the Recorder 2, marketed mainly for its support of direct encoding on the Sony PSP. But of course, there's more to this product. It actually records from any video source directly onto a Memory Stick, which you can then play in any compatible PMP. It also supports time-controlled recording and has a 368x208 pixel resolution. Goes for about $150.

Neuros MP4 Recorder 2 for Sony PSP [i4u]