For those of you who don't want another optical drive in your home theater setup, IO Data offers up a version of their popular "AVeL LinkPlayer" network media player without a DVD drive.

IO Data Device Corporation will release the "AVLP2/G" as a new model in their "AVeL LinkPlayer" network media player series, which removes the DVD player part, before the end of January. The price is 27,720 yen. Supported operating systems are Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, as well as Mac OS X 10.3. It includes a newly designed remote controller.

This is a model that removes the DVD player section from the "AVLP2/DVDG" (33,075 yen) AVeL LinkPlayer network DVD player. It uses Sigma Designs' "EM8620L" decoder chip. In addition to MPEG-1/2, DivX, and XviD, it also supports the playback of WMV9. Resolutions of up to 720p (D4) are supported under WMV9, and it has obtained DivX Networks Certification for DivX.

Audio file support includes WMA, MP3, AAC, AC3, PCM, and OggVorbis. It can also display JPEG, BMP, PNG, and GIF still images.

The included "AVeL Link Advanced Server" is installed o­n the PC, and by simply designating a media file directory, each directory within the folder can be accessed from the LinkPlayer, then output to the TV. All functions of the unit can be controlled with the included remote controller.

In addition to an Ethernet jack, it contains Wireless LAN functionality, and supports IEEE 802.11b/g. Also, rather than a PC, IO Data's "LANDISK" series of network-connected hard drives can act as a server. It furthermore contains a USB Host function, meaning it can playback media files stored o­n USB hard drives or USB memory devices when connected.

With the linkage of IO Data's "mAgicTV" capture software (bundled with IO Data's TV tuner cards), through a connection with the AVeL Link Advanced Server, recording can be automatically setup from the LinkPlayer using mAgicTV's EPG.

Video outputs include a DVI-I (no HDCP support) jack, D4 jack, S2 video, and Composite video jack. o­ne Optical Digital Audio, Coaxial Digital Audio, and Analog Audio jack are also furnished. The external dimensions are 33.5 x 160.3 x 203mm (W x D x H). It weighs about 472g.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20050112/iodata2.htm

Press Release:
http://www.iodata.jp/prod/multimedia/video/2005/avlp2g/index.htm