Netgear, EVA8000

Even the most hardened gadgeteer will be forgiven for sighing at the sight of another media streamer. But Netgear’s latest wireless box could prompt you suck the air back in astonishment when you find out its special talent – the ability to stream hi-def video with some aplomb.

Like the KiSS 1600 from rival Linksys, the EVA8000 benefits from the fact that Netgear knows its way around a computer.

Wireless wonder

For starters, it’s really easy to get going and once hooked up will locate suitable networks in mere moments.

And unlike some rival streamers, the EVA8000 loves streaming smooth, sharp HD video wirelessly. Our 720p test videos were colourful and detailed and there was no horrible stuttering to ruin the delivery.

In fact, Netgear’s slim, black streamer handled pretty much everything thrown at it without so much as breaking sweat. True, it can’t work wonders with a shoddy file but treat it to anything half decent and it’ll stroke your eyeballs with sharp, smooth, detailed pictures in return.

Musically gifted

The Netgear will be good to your ears too, supporting a nice range of formats, including protected music from iTunes. The only black mark against it in this regard is its aversion to Apple Lossless files – it threw a hissy fit and turned itself off when we tried, but Netgear has indicated that firmware upgrade could be on the cards.

And although the menus include useful photo thumbnails you could hardly describe them as a joy to use.

That said, it’s not enough of a problem to affect your enjoyment of the EVA8000, particularly when you consider the little extras Netgear has bestowed upon it like a generous godparent.

Most usefully, you can cruise for internet news, sports and radio while whichever file you happen to be watching continues to roll along in a window. There’s also support for YouTube streaming. Sure, it looks like vomit on the big screen at the moment but, hey, it’s a start.