Cost | Specs | What to Enjoy | Features | Video | News & Updates | Sales Info | Press Releases | Buy | Editor’s Assessment
Specs:
Myka: Wi-Fi enabled (802.11/N); direct ethernet connector for direct connection; HDMI, Composite, and SPDIF ports; 250GB – 1TB internal hard drive; built-in BitTorrent peer-to-peer software; 3 USB ports. For complete audio/video specs and file extension support, visit their website.
Myka Ion: Myka ION is a state of the art media player, featuring the Intel Atom 330 dual core processor and the NVIDIA ION graphics processor.
What to enjoy:
Before we address Myka, let’s first get familiar with BitTorrent. You might know BitTorrent as being the latest way to get pirated content, whether video or music. Beyond that, BitTorrent also widely distributes commercial content legally. BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing protocol that functions as one of the most efficient means of downloading large files from the Internet. For more information on how BitTorrent works, this Wikipedia entry should help.
BitTorrent positions itself as a web-based distributor of movies, TV shows, music, and video games; and boasts partnerships with various studios and distribution companies including 20th Century Fox, Comedy Central, Lionsgate Films, MTV, Paramount, Spike TV, Warner Bros., Netgear, Buffalo Technology, D-Link, New Line Cinema, Manga Entertainment, and SEGA.
So, what is Myka? Simply put, Myka is a set-top box that uses BitTorrent’s protocol to give you access to practically all available content for viewing on your TV; much of which comes in HD (in some instances, you can even playback video that is better than Blu-ray quality). Myka has an Internet connection, two USB ports, and HD & SD connections to your TV (DVI and HDMI ports). Plus, with its built-in hard drive, Myka can store all your media content in one box; freeing up space on your computer.
Third-Party Features:
With it’s connection to BitTorrent, you can enjoy a vast majority of content from the above mentioned studios and distribution companies. You can also access videos from YouTube and Apple HD trailers. Plus, with the built-in hard drive and USB connections, you can move all your media files over to the box to enjoy on your TV.
Myka Ion: Myka Ion is capable of running full PC applications like Boxee and XBMC. It lets you browse to any Web site and play video content directly onto your TV — bypassing your PC entirely. No messing with conversion software, no tinkering with anything. Plug it in and it starts working right away.
Read more information on their website
News & Updates:
Betanews (06/30/2009): Myka’s Linux-based BitTorrent box great home theater PC for lazy people – “It could very well be Linux’s finest showing in the home media field to date, as Myka delivers an STB that ‘just works.’” {Read More}
Sales Info & Figures:
Coming soon…
Latest Press Releases:
None at this time, but you can read the company blog.
Buy:
Buy the myka 1tb Network Video Player from Amazon.com!
Editor’s Assessment: The Myka Ion uses a pretty intense Intel Atom Processor 330 to bring the HD content to your television. While the price tag is a little high, the options of including a Blu-Ray player is appealing and, if one wants to have a small box that accomplishes a wide variety of media needs, this might be a good pick.
