Netgear announces Centria router, NeoTV streaming players
updated 04:42 pm EDT, Thu September 20, 2012
Centria router serves as media server, router, NeoTV streams
Networking gear manufacturer Netgear announced two new products today, an all-in-one automatic backup/media server that also functions as a high-speed router and a range of next-generation streaming players. The Centria all-in-one automatically backs up data to PCs and Macs and includes Netgear ReadySHARE Vault for Windows PC backups. It supports Apple Time Machine for wireless backup as well as USB backup.
The Centria comes in two models, the WNDR4700 and the WNDR4720. The WNDR4700 allows users to insert their own hard drives into its internal storage bay, while the WNDR4720 comes with an internal 2TB hard drive. Both models sport two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports and an SD card reader.
The Centria models also serve as 900Mbps dual-band Wi-Fi routers supporting 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections.
The Centria WNDR4700 and WNDR4720 are available today from retailers and online at Netgear's site. The WNDR4700 is priced at $230, while the WNDR4720 is priced at $350.
The NeoTV streaming player family consists of three models: NeoTV, NeoTV Pro, and NeoTV Max. Each includes a remote control with one-touch Quick Start buttons that can be set to specific preferences such as Netflix, YouTube, and so forth. Customers also have the option of downloading a remote control app from Google's Play Store or Apple's App Store, turning a smartphone or tablet into a touchscreen remote control for a NeoTV player.
The NeoTV Pro has Intel's Wireless Display technology built in, allowing it to wirelessly display a laptop's screen on a television in 1080p and with 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, provided the user has an Intel WiDi laptop.
The NeoTV Max has all the features of the NeoTV and NeoTV Pro, but it also features a premium remote control with a built-in QWERTY keyboard. The NeoTV Max can also stream 3D movies from Vudu on a 3D-capable television.
Customers buying a NeoTV, NeoTV Pro, or NeoTV Max before December 31 will also get select content from Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph," set to debut in theaters on November 2. The NeoTV is priced at $50, the NeoTV Pro at $60, and the NeoTV Max at $70. All three models are available as of today in major retailers and at Netgear's site.
