Multimedia streaming boxes...ready to be the new TV?

No doubt you've noticed a sea change of late when it comes to multimedia content delivery. Where once VCR's and TV Guides were your primary method of staying up-to-date with the continuing adventures of Luke and Laura, we now have TiVO, Hulu and iTunes to get our fix.

The advantage here is on demand content (or IPTV as its also known). No longer is the user bound by the scheduled nature of Television, one can stream a TV show from Hulu or (if they really wanted too) obtain it in a less-than-legal fashion from the internet.

The real nitpick, for most, is accessibility. Watching a television show on a computer screen is a less-than-ideal situation for some. In response a small (and slow) market began to develop for media boxes that take your digital video content and stream it to your television. Thankfully, what started as a cumbersome hobby is quickly turning into a very easy-to-use alternative to television.

So, who are the key players?

1. Apple TV

Originally released in 2007, the device was seen as more of an experiment for Apple. Powered by an Intel Pentium M processor and featuring anywhere from 40 to 160GB of storage space, users could sync their iTunes libraries to the device which would in turn display it on their television screen.

Suffice it to say, it was a moderate success.

So Apple took a stab at it again in 2010 with the Apple TV 2. Aggressively priced at only $99 (a far cry from the original $300 price tag) the new device was based on Apple A4 mobile processor which was also used in the original iPad and iPhone 4.

Local storage was also eliminated, moving the device towards cloud-based content. Specifically renting and streaming content from the iTunes store or approved content providers (such as Netflix, YouTube and Major League Baseball). Likewise, only one audio/video connection type was included - HDMI. Dropping the compontent and digital audio connections from the original box.

Apple realized that customers weren't concerned with streaming content from their computers, rather they just wanted the content immediately and from anywhere. The strategy paid off and the new Apple TV took off with the public.

Despite the new cloud strategy the Apple TV 2 still allows for streaming content from local computers. However, due to the Apple's notoriously closed nature, content must be encoded in approved formats (namely H.264 and MPEG-4 video) making the box less than ideal for those who have content in a variety of video formats.

2. Roku

Roku was founded in 2002 with the goal of helping consumers stream audio throughout their houses. Their first product was the Roku SoundBridge a device designed to stream Internet radio or digital audio across a user's home network. Latley, Roku has changed its tune (pardon the pun) and refocused their products towards streaming video and abandoning local network support altogether.

Enter the Roku Digital Video Player.

It comes in three flavors: Roku HD ($59.99), Roku XD ($79.99) and the Roku XDS ($99.99). Each is capable of streaming video content at 720p. The later two units offer 1080p as well. Where the Apple TV 2 only offers an HDMI port, Roku offers both HDMI and Composite ports. The XDS also features optical audio out.

As mentioned, Roku boxes don't offer network streaming. Meaning, you computer-stored content is rendered useless (well, almost, more on this later). Instead, the focus is on a channel-based interface offering content from approved partners. Channels can be added or removed from the Roku Channel Store, featured content includes Netflix, Hulu, Major League Baseball, Amazon Video and more. (Even Butterscotch has its own channel).

It's important to note that some of these channels are geolocked despite being offered to everyone. So if you're trying to access the Hulu channel outside of America, you'll be out of luck.

Roku has also made creating a channel fairly easy and open. Meaning there will be a wide selection of good (and probably less-than-good) content.

Finally, while Roku had shyed away from streaming local content, the Roku XDS does include a USB slot for media playback from portable storage devices.

3. Boxee Box

Boxee Box is simultaneously a new product and an old one. Boxee Software has been around for quite some time. It's what's called a "Home Theater PC" application. Essentially, it creates a simple-to-use multimedia interface which grants you access to your music, movies and other online content. It was always intended for your television, however, it was up to the consumer to find (read: build) hardware capable of interfacing with it.

If it sounds complicated – it was. So Boxee teamed up with D-Link to create Boxee Box. Like the Apple TV and Roku this oddly shaped device is created specifically to interface with the internet and local machines to play multimedia content.

As with the other devices, users can access channels created by partners (here they're called Apps). Boxee's selection process is a little more rigorous, meaning Apps need to conform to certain rules and specifications before being added to their marketplace. In addition to content from Netflix, Hulu and YouTube, you'll also find on-demand content from services like Vudu and broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, BBC, etc. Interestingly, Apps aren't restricted to only video and audio content. Quite a few games have been created as well.

There is also a strong social-media aspect to the platform. A user can import friends from Facebook, make new friends on the Boxee network, recommend programs to others, or bookmark media to view later.

Did we mention there is also a Butterscotch channel for Boxee?

Of the three, Boxee is the most expensive ($229) however makes up for this with a robust set of features. The controller comes with a mini keyboard on the back. However, more savvy users can connect their own mouse and keyboard to the device. Likewise, additional hard-drives can be connected for additional media storage.