The Boxee Box from Fountain Valley’s D-Link Systems is getting a lot of attention at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show because it will make the free Web TV service available to more people everywhere who don’t want to hook up a PC to their TV or buy a game console.

The surprisingly small box  – less than 5-square inches — runs the exact software as regular Boxee. For those unfamiliar with the product, Boxee offers an online library of 200 applications. Many are video providers, which allow consumers to watch TV shows, movies and other video inexpensively from the Web.

The draw is likely the Boxee service itself. It’s clean, user friendly and thorough. The service also will scan computers and devices attached to the home’s network in search of photos, home or recorded movies and music files. Boxee offers a menu to easily access all that content. Some images of what the service looks like on a TV:

It’s definitely something worth looking into since the service is free. The D-Link box, however, is $200 and is expected to be available in the first half of 2010. Boxee, the service, also works with Apple, PC and Linux computers and is available as a free download at Boxee.tv.

But beyond the Boxee, D-Link had several other interesting items. With its roots in networking and routers, the company’s latest rendition of the Wi-Fi router comes with a 3-inch touchscreen. The purpose? To help configure the router and, for fun, view RSS feeds and family photos stored on the home network.  The “Touch” router is 802.11n. No price was available but the product should be out in the first half of 2010.

Some pics:

A second router, “The Rush,” (pictured on right)  is touted as the fastest one available. The dual-band, 4-antenna device can stream four HD video stream to different TVs or displays simultaneously. The 4×4 antenna, says the company, “helps boost the power of any existing 802.11 a, b, g or n router with up to 600Mbpsspeed and greater signal coverage.”

D-Link also is making a big push into the wireless 3G mobile market with several gadgets aimed at taking advantage of the cell phone technology. Most unique: The 3G doorbell. It’s part of a new home security system with a built-in fixed focus .1 megapixel camera to monitor the front door.

If someone rings the doorbell, the camera streams the video to the owner’s 3G cell phone. It’ll show him who’s at the door even if he’s hundreds of miles away.

D-Link is calling it a “Door phone.” It should be available in the second quarter this year for $199.99.

For more CES 2010 coverage, visit the Gadgetress CES page at gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/ces2010.
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