I-O Data Device USA has announced plans to release their TLF-MAC/E software in late June for $39.95. The software will enable Macs to view television shows streamed using Sony’s LocationFree Base Station hardware.
LocationFree is a Sony-developed hardware and software system that streams a video signal from a base station to a hardware or software client connected over a network, even the Internet. With a LocationFree Base Station and a Mac equipped with the software, you can watch video streaming from your house to potentially anywhere on the Internet you might be connected using broadband. LocationFree Base Stations work with set-top TV tuners, DVD players and Digital Video Recorders (DVRs).
Sony provides LocationFree support for PCs and their PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld video game console, but Mac support is a relatively recent addition and something that’s being done through a third party. This release is the culmination of an effort first announced by Kaga Electronics in April. Kaga indicated that plans were under way to release a Mac-compatible LocationFree player; I-O Data Device USA is a co-venture of Kaga and I-O Data Device of Japan.
For users who already own a LocationFree Base Station, I-O Data Device USA is selling the software independently for $39.95, and plans to make it available online, through Apple Stores and other retailers. I-O Data Device USA indicated that they will also sell a “LocationFree Player Pak” which includes the software and a bundled Sony LF-PK1 Base Station, for $309.00. The LF-PK1 features Ethernet connectivity, a built-in NTSC tuner and two video inputs.
System requirements call for Mac OS X v10.2.8 and QuickTime 6.4 or later; G4/867MHz or later; 512MB RAM. The developer has confirmed that this software is a Universal Binary compatible with Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs.
I-O Data Device USA’s Web site had not been updated with information about the new software as Macworld posted this article.
Updated 4:37 PM June 7, 2006: Developer confirmed Universal Binary status.