2006 was the year that many DVD players shipped to the market with networking capabilities, mainly for use with online functions such as listening to on-line radio, update firmware, view pages, etc. Another important landmark was HDMI, and we saw the start of High Definition titles being sold on some markets.

NeoDigits in the first half of 2006 announced the release of their top line of networking DVD players, one of them being the X5000, with several impressive features which differentiates it from other manufacturers players. We examine what makes the X5000 so special and we put it through our usual array of video and audio format tests to find out what you can expect from this player.

- NeoDigits X5000

NeoDigits.com announced on May 22, 2006 the new HELIOS X-Line of HD Network Media Players

The HELIOS X-Line of HD Network Media Players changes the way you manage, access and enjoy all your multimedia, giving you total freedom to enjoy them in superior audio and high-definition video quality anywhere in (and beyond) your home.

Tim Beloney, Director of Sales for NeoDigits comments, "From digital cameras and camcorders to MP3 players, online content and downloaded movies, digital media is everywhere but rarely connected and easily accessible. The X-Line lets users easily bridge the digital gap from the PC to the living room, and even extend it to the basement or boardroom while maintaining our extreme flexibility and high resolution roots. NeoDigits also takes pride in listening to our customers and providing them with real world solutions they want. Beyond the incredible flexibility and functionality of the X-Line, the HELIOS X5000 is our flagship of quality, high performance, and style."

The HELIOS X-Line is available in two varieties, the X3000 and the X5000. While both players have the same features and functionality, the X5000 offers the absolute home theater and audio enthusiast first-class performance, design and build-quality. The X-Line's built-in LAN, WIFI and USB ports make it easy to connect and share digital audio, video and images. Using the X-Line, connect your television to any personal computer running the NeoLink server software (or other media server software), as well as your laptops, digital cameras, hard drives, projectors, MP3 players, MP4 players, and more.

Create your own home entertainment network between your bedroom, living room, office and den; and access movies, home videos, music, photos, online content and more in any digital storage device on the network and stream them directly to your television. With the NeoLink server software, you can easily manage and access the videos, music and photos in your personal computer and play them onto your television.

NeoLink is able to synchronize with Apple iTunes, Real Rhapsody and Napster, supports Windows Media/WinAMP playlists, and does real time transcoding for Real player (RMVB) and 3GPP formats. NeoLink also lets you use your player's intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) to directly access your RSS feeds and other favorite online media links from your web browser's bookmarks.

On top of that, the X-Line's GUI lets you access the HELIOS Media Portal allowing you to stream internet radio and television, along with broadcast internet news onto your television without having to use a computer. NeoDigits has included more than 50 pre-set links to popular online media sites, and will add to this list over time. With future firmware upgrades, you will be able to customize your own HELIOS Media Portal as well.