Simply put Neuros OSD is a device which allows you to digitize and playback all your media - be they audio or video from a variety of sources such as VHS tapes, DVDs, home movies or TV shows. What is noteworthy about this product is that the full documentation of the hardware specifications for this product has been released by the company (Neuros Technology International) as open source. This opens up avenues for skilled users to customize the device and pass on the improvements to other users. What is more, OSD is powered using Linux.
The main functions of the Neuros OSD are as follows :
- Video Recorder - Record video in standard MPEG-4 formats from any device with standard (i.e. not High Definition) video outputs such as DVD players, Satellite receivers, Cable boxes,VCRs, DVRs, etc. to virtually any USB storage device (external hard drives, iPod™, PSP™, etc),any major memory card (SD, MMC, Memory Stick; Compact Flash, microdrive), or directly to your computer or network attached storage.
- Video Player - Play recorded, downloaded, and streamed video (including YouTube) on your TV from USB storage devices, memory cards, computer/home network, and the Internet.
- Music/Audio Player - Play music, podcasts, and other audio files directly on your stereo from your from memory cards, USB devices (MP3 players, external hard drives, etc), computer/home network, and the Internet.
- Photo/Image Viewer - View photos and other images on your TV from USB devices (external hard drives, digital cameras, etc), memory cards, computer/home network, and the Internet.
- Audio Recorder - Record audio in standard MP3 and AAC formats from any audio source to any major memory card (SD, MMC, Memory Stick; CF, microdrive), virtually any USB storage device (iPod™, external hard drives, PSP™, etc), or directly to your computer/home network.
- Charging/Docking Station - The OSD will charge most USB devices that are plugged into it, so you can use it as a docking station for your iPod™ and other portables even while recording to or playing back from them.
- Sharing - The OSD has features to make it easy for you to share non-copyrighted content from the comfort of your living room.
Fig: Neuros OSD side view
Fig: Another view of Neuros OSDNote: Internet photo viewing, Audio recording directly to your computer and sharing of content might require a firmware upgrade which is automated if the device is connected to the internet.
The Neuros OSD doesn't have any storage option so you will have to use compatible storage media such as SD cards, compact Flash drives, micro cards, external hard drives and the home network to store your recordings.
But on the plus side, Neuros OSD is portable, does not require a computer to play back the recorded media - just plug in the storage device and you are ready to go, and its functions can be extended by third parties as it is based on an open platform.
The New York Times has a nice writeup about this device which sells for sub $200.
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