Japan's I-O Data today said that its new AveL LinkPlayer2 is now reaching US shores. While a DVD player at heart, the LinkPlayer2 is one of the few certified to work with Intel's Viiv media initiative and doubles as an extension of a Windows Media Center-based PC: high-definition 720p or 1080i videos in DivX, MPEG-2, or Windows Media formats can be played directly through the network, allowing the host computer to remain in the den while still sharing its content with the living room. Music and photos can also be streamed across the connection, and a front-mounted USB port similarly gives access to flash drives and other external storage. The new AveL LinkPlayer model is available today through PC Mall and many retail shops for $279.