The Orb TV Streams Hulu and Netflix for $99

If you have been keeping an close eye on wireless music streaming solutions, then maybe the Orb got your attention a while back when it was first launched, and although this seemed like a great way of sharing your music throughout the house, there was something missing, so Orb Network went forward with their design and built the Orb TV.

Compared to their previous audio streaming solution this adds some video streaming capabilities to the device, Orb managing to bring forth Hulu as well as ESPN 3, Netflix, Comedy Central and other cable networks content to its users.

In order to do so, the company went with a different approach compared to its competitors, this small hockey puck like device streaming its content from a PC in your home and not directly from the Web.

Although this approach will allow you to stream a wide range of programming and files that are available on your PCs, this has one major downside since it requires you to keep the PC turned on for as long as you want to watch video content on your TV.

Furthermore, according to Orb Networking, its puny b/g/n WiFi integrated wireless can't deliver the bandwidth needed in order to stream HD video content, so the company decided to limit its solution to SD resolution video.

As a result, the Orb TV ships without a HDMI connection, composite out being all that you get alongside a stereo audio output.

Fortunately, Orb Networks says they will eventually release a HDMI version of the Orb TV at some point in the future, the company's CEO also stating they will deliver an API to add additional video sources to the device, a much welcomed news if you ask me.

Before finishing this, I should probably mention the $99 Orb TV media streamer comes without a remote, users having to download a iPhone or Android application to control the unit, so if you don't have a smartphone you're out of luck. (via gigaom)