CUSTOM INSTALLATION HOW-TO

Logitech's Revue Google TV box is quickly approaching, but that hasn't stopped the recent influx of boxes designed to get the Internet (or at least parts of it) onto an HDTV. The latest effort from Western Digital sounds like an impressive one. Inside, WD has packed a full terabyte of storage, to which you can add media from networked PCs and Macs or via its pair of USB ports.

The other primary source of content is the web, which the Live Hub accesses via an ethernet jack. Sadly, WiFi capability will cost you extra in the form of an optional add-on. Once it gets to the web, though, it has access to a familiar collection of media services, like Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, YouTube, Flickr and MediaFly. Since it lacks a full-on browser like Google TV's Chrome, you'll be at the mercy of the apps when it comes to web content.

The player supports a standard array of video formats, including the increasingly crucial, .mkv. Because it's networked, you can stream content directly from a PC or Mac. But, because it supports DLNA/UPnP server devices, you can also stream content from its built-in drive to other boxes like networked Blu-ray players and game consoles.

The Live Hub is packaged with a programmable remote and allows you to customize the user-interface to match your media-consumption needs. It's also worth mentioning that the box itself is actually styled to look kind of like a standard piece of A/V gear, which is almost always a plus in our book.

It's available starting today at Best Buy or direct from WD for $199, which isn't exactly a steal, but will still save you $100 over the the Google TV box.