Linksys debuts IPTV-friendly media receiver
Linksys WMLV54G Media Link
The product: As a division of industry stalwart Cisco, networking is old hat for Linksys. But rather than offer up yet another network media receiver, the company has teamed with Intel to add some serious gravitas to its new WMLV54G Wireless-G Media Link. In addition to handling all the usual stuff--streaming audio, video, and photos from a networked PC into your living room--the Media Link uses the new DTCP-IP standard (Digital Transmission Content Protection over IP) to stream high-quality video straight from the Net. That means you'll be able to get pay-per-view movies from Linksys's content partners--including Movielink and Starz--without having to deal with your cable or satellite provider. Other features include:

• Built-in 802.11g wireless
• 720p HDTV output

The price: Linksys hasn't announced a price, but the company is shooting for a March release.

The prospects: Akimbo already does premium video over broadband, and many are waiting with bated breath for the Netflix/TiVo partnership to come to fruition. On paper, Linksys's HD-capable box could offer a better picture, but high-def over IP will be a serious bandwidth hog in the short term. But in the end, content is king, and if Linksys can line up additional marquee-worthy partners--and offer some competitive pricing--there's no reason the WMLV54G can't help usher in a new era of on-demand Internet video.

By John P. Falcone, senior associate editor, CNET Reviews