digital media hub

A device that receives multimedia content streamed from a computer to a stereo or home theater system. Residing in the same cabinet as the A/V equipment, it plugs into the A/V inputs of the receiver and connects to the home network via wired or wireless Ethernet. Media hubs may be an optional component within the A/V receiver itself.

Digital media hubs are especially popular for music collections, allowing files in MP3, AAC and other formats to be organized on the computer using full-featured jukebox/player software such as iTunes and WinAmp. See digital media server.

Many Names
There are many digital media hubs on the market, known by many different names, including "digital media receiver," "wireless media player," "music hub," "media adapter," "music server," "music hub," "streaming media player," "entertainment gateway," "entertainment router," "network music player," "network media player," "media extender," "Media Center Extender" and "network audio receiver." Obviously, this product is evolving rapidly! See Media Center Extender, digital media server, digital jukebox and digital convergence.

Media Hub Connections

Media hubs connect to the network via wired Ethernet or wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi). The audio and video formats they support are determined by the codecs in the unit.

A Clever Media Hub

On top of this home theater rack is a SoundBridge "network music player" from Roku Labs (www.rokulabs.com). Operated by its remote, this well-designed unit streams songs over a wireless connection from a Windows PC some 40 feet away. It picks up playlists from iTunes and UPnP-based jukebox software and displays artist and title information. Supporting MP3, WMA, AIFF, WAV and unprotected AAC formats, it is also a self-contained Internet radio. See iTunes and UPnP.