Pioneer demos Entertainment Tap

Pioneer at the CEDIA expo today provided demonstrations of its first networked media hub. The concept device shown on the floor, so far known only as the Entertainment Tap, still has a Blu-ray player but is intended for online media playback first and foremost: it can recognize media from DLNA-ready devices over Ethernet or Wi-Fi and has access to Netflix movies, Picasa photos and YouTube videos. Mobile control is also a high priority as the Tap can not only stream its content to a handheld over the Internet but could use an iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control for all of its functions.

The set-top box would have relatively deep integration with Twitter and let users both update with whatever content the Tap is playing but let fellow owners or those outside the network buy content they don't already have.

Besides its online features, the project is a vehicle for Pioneer's home automation technology and would have both Control4 IQ to link to the home theater proper as well as a ZigBee-based wireless remote that would control both media and the home theater environment.

The firm does intend to base one or more finished projects on Entertainment Tap but hasn't yet determined when these would ship. [image via Gizmodo]

By Electronista Staff

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iPod, iPhone, gadgets, digital imaging, networking, Picasa, YouTube, Pioneer, Netflix, Twitter, Apple, ZigBee, Control4