Hauppauge Digital which claims to be a leading developer and manufacturer of digital video, TV and data broadcast receiver products for personal computers has announced its first in a line of network media receiver products. Network media decoders are designed to receive digital media from PCs via local area networks (LANS) and to decode and display the media onto TV sets.

The first model in this line, MediaMVP, is an Ethernet set-top decoder device. It will enable TV sets to access PC-based Music, Video and Pictures (MVP) through Ethernet home local area networks. An official release informs that it will provide PC users greater convenience and versatility with their audio/visual entertainment systems, by allowing them to view media stored on a PC at their TV set or through their home entertainment systems.

Hauppauge has stated that its MediaMVP will turn any TV set or home entertainment system into a media playback device via the home network. Now, from the comfort of the living room sofa, anyone can access and enjoy videos, MP3 music, family photos or other multimedia files on their TV set - without physically going to their PC. MediaMVP will also be great for setting up music and picture slideshows for parties the release adds.

For instance, using MediaMVP individuals can play a video on their bedroom TV that in reality is stored on a PC in the basement. Navigating multimedia files from the TV is easy using MediaMVP's remote control and TV on-screen menu. Music titles can be accessed individually for random or organised playback; specific songs can also be grouped into playlists by date, artist, or style.

Pictures can be selected using the thumbnails displayed in MediaMVP's photo directories. The user clicks on the Play or OK buttons on the remote control, and the selected photo will appear on the television screen. With MediaMVP's slideshow function one can view holiday digital pictures on a TV set while listening to digital music played from the PC through the television.