Netgear returns with the Digital Entertainer Elite network media streamer taking an early peek from cover to go through its paces at the FCC test center. Two years after the EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD, the EVA9000 model adds support for a 3.5-inch SATA internal HDD, 802.11n and more to its predecessor's lengthy list of features. The leaked spec comparison after the break reveals AVI, XviD, DivX and h.264 decoding returning plus Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, MKV, TS, M2TS file support that should chew through any HD files you've got and then some. Why wait for an official announcement, shipping date or price? The FCC already had its fun, so check out the PDFs for a full manual plus pictures inside & out, then once this box hits the stage at CES just pretend like you never saw it with the cover off.

[Pictures via AVSForum]

It took 'em long enough, but Netgear has at long last decided to ship the two powerline adapters it announced way back at CES in January. The Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101; pictured above), which is based on the HomePlug AV standard, and the UPA-based HDXB111 Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (which is obviously capable of transmitting HD footage) can both be snapped up in time for the holidays. Each set is designed for plug 'n play action and for those who'd rather network their wares via installed cabling instead of running something new. Of course, performance is always the questionable aspect of these type devices, but those with faith (and a North American address) can finally lay down their $149.99 / $169.99 and get busy. The full release and a shot of the HDXB111 can be found after the break.

While HD media streamers are nothing new, the new NETGEAR EVA8000 has a feature set just about anyone can get excited about. While we wait to get our hands on one, this review will have to do. The biggest disappointment in the review is the lack of testing of HD video. The reviewer did mention that he expected his photos to look better in HD than they did, but this is hardly a conclusive result. The unit had no problems playing back everything he threw at it and was easy to connect to his rig, other than the odd HDMI issue he experienced. Some of the features require a PC like the Flickr and YouTube support, but most of the HD features work with any media on a network share. While this will be great for uber-geeks who understand such things, it doesn't appear as easy as simply clicking a check box in iTunes or installing Media Center Extender software for the Xbox360. The other features not reviewed were the follow me features which require multiple units to take advantage of. The reviewer overall liked the unit and was impressed by the snappy menus and easy setup.

Netgear threw down today with the Digital Entertainer HD EVA8000, a new digital media adapter specifically designed to stream HD content (not that it doesn't do lower res video as well as music and pictures) from multiple PCs across a home network and to your TV. This thing rocks the draft 802.11n WiFi, and has an HDMI port which outputs 1080p, composite and component video out, RCA, coaxial and optical digtal audio out, a USB port for streaming content off of an iPod or any USB mass storage drive, and support for playback of MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, M4A, AAC, AC3 audio files (including stuff purchased from the iTunes Music Store, but only if you're a Windows user) and MPEG1/2/4, WMV, XviD, H.264 video files. The Digital Entertainer HD will also stream internet radio, read RSS feeds, let you schedule programs to record and pause and rewind live TV if your PC has a TV tuner, and even has a "Follow Me" mode that allows you to pause content in one room and resume it in another (if you own more than one Digital Entertainer HD). Should be out in the first quarter of this year with a retail price of $349.

We weren't so impressed with Netgear's 85Mbps powerline solution (pictured), so we'll give them another shot with their 200Mbps attempt. Netgear nabbed DS2's chip for their up and coming 200Mbps Powerline HD solution. The theory is that any electrical outlet in your home can be used as a blazing fast Ethernet port with the equipment and 200Mbps is more than enough for multiple high-def streams. No product until the second quarter of 06, which is fine with us; we're still smarting over our failed attempts to stream HD, or SD for that matter, with the last product iteration. For now, we'll keep streaming our HD over 802.11a.