Verismo is releasing a pair of set-top media streamers, the VuNow VN1000HD Hi-Def POD and VN100SD Std-Def POD. The POD can stream a wide range of audio and video formats over network shares or connect directly to USB drives. While the $150 Hi-Def POD supports all its codecs out-of-the-box, the $100 Std-Def POD only supports a select few by default. To add in some important ones like MPEG and XviD, you'll have to spring for a $30 "codec pack". With that added expense, it seems like Verismo is pushing hard to get you to buy the Hi-Def POD instead.

Besides local network content, the POD supports YouTube and will be adding CinemaNow shortly. There's a built-in BitTorrent client for acquiring more content, but without any internal storage, it's not clear how that system will work. Both devices support WiFi in addition to 100 Mb/s Ethernet, but you'll need to pick up an optional USB WiFi adapter. While the VN100SD has an S-video port in addition to composite outputs, the VN1000HD removes the S-video jack to make room for its HDMI connector. Unfortunately, there's no component video output, limiting its use to only newer HDTVs. Whether or not one of the PODs is right for you is a tough call — there are plenty of other streaming devices around this price point, and which to buy will depend on what services they can access. If Verismo supported Hulu and Netflix, it would be a slam-dunk.

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