D-Link's no stranger to HD streaming, and the outfit is proving that it's still got game by announcing the Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit. The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)-certified package consists of two DXN-220 adapters, each of which boast coaxial F-type connectors and an Ethernet port meant to give internet / network access to various rooms without worry over wireless connections flaking out on you. As you can tell, this one was designed to expand home networks without requiring any additional wiring (if you're pre-wired for cable, that is), and being that it operates in the 800MHz to 1,500MHz range, there won't be any interference with cable TV transmissions or the like. The DXN-221 kit -- which includes a pair of the aforementioned adapters -- will be available in Q3 for $199.99, while individual adapters can be purchased for $109.99 apiece.

Here's an interesting one. DirecTV, self-proclaimed satellite TV carrier, has up and joined the Multimedia over Coax Alliance. For those unfamiliar, MoCA is an "open, standard body promoting networking of multiple streams of high-definition video and entertainment using existing coaxial cable already in the home," otherwise seen as the de facto standard for home entertainment networks over coax. DirecTV has joined at the Contributor level, and managed to shake hands with Arris, Broadlight, Intel, ST, Time Warner Cable and Texas Instruments on the way in. According to MoCA president Charles Cerino, the organization is "looking forward to [DirecTV's] vital input in shaping the alliance." How funny -- so are we.

We got a chance to touch Motorola's sexy new 250GB DCX series MPEG-4 / Dolby Digital Plus / MoCa / OCAP cable STB tonight. You already know the important information so we'll get you to the in the wild pics without much ado other than a quick recap of what ports the promo unit was sporting on its "not available for photographs" backside: HDMI, USB, eSATA, component, digital audio out (S/PDIF and coax), 1394, ethernet, M-Card.

Moto's VP was just saying that MPEG4 would take over cable too, and so it begins with its first MPEG4 STB. This new lineup of cable set-top boxes will have all the bells and whistles including; MPEG2, MPEG4, OCAP, CableCARD, MoCA and most interestingly Dolby Digital Plus -- you know the new codec commonly used on HD DVDs. We can see where this is headed already, first we'll see these new boxes in the wild and before you know it new channels will require the latest hardware -- sound familiar? It should, it's how the satellite providers did it. In the long run this will help cable bring us more HD, but considering cable co's are footing the bill for all these boxes, we'd suspect the MPEG4 rollout will take much much longer than it did for either DirecTV or Dish.

[Via Mediaexperiences2go.com]