Cisco Launches Media Hub to Help Consumers Enjoy Multimedia Anytime, Anywhere

Linksys by Cisco Media Hub simplifies digital media access

Dubai, July 22, 2009 – Cisco today announced the availability of the Linksys by Cisco Media Hub (NMH300), which is designed to simplify access to and interaction with digital content. The Media Hub gathers, organizes, and presents all the digital video, photos and music that users have spread amongst various devices in the home.

With a Media Hub, consumers can enjoy all of their media through an easy to use interface that is not only accessible in the home, but throughout the world via a web browser. The Media Hub is the perfect solution for consumers with extensive digital media libraries who are looking to eliminate the complexity of managing their collections.

The product's sleek design makes it possible to place the Media Hub virtually anywhere in the home and with its near silent operation it will not disturb daily life. With two drive bays and external USB ports consumers can easily expand their Media Hub if and when their Digital Media storage needs grow.

NMH300 does not include pre-installed hard drives, giving consumers the flexibility to choose the drive type and size that best fits their individual needs and allowing VARs to build custom solutions for their customers. Additionally, Media Hub products now include an installation disc that can be used on either PCs or Macs.

Mohammad Hoda, Director of Emerging Markets at the Cisco Consumer Business Group believes the new product can eliminate the complexity of managing digital media collections with multiple computers and devices in the home with its new features. “We have built the Media Hub to be simple to setup and use for consumers, but is also powerful in functionality and capabilities for the more tech-savvy users. It is the central location you go to for access to your media without concern for where it is stored.”

Sharing media on multiple devices within the home is easy with the Media Hub’s media and iTunes server capabilities. The Media Hub automatically searches the network for other media devices to present all available digital media to the user in a single location.

Content accessible to the Media Hub is presented in a browser-based, simple to navigate user interface. Music albums are consolidated and presented together with the appropriate Album Art, regardless of where the tracks reside within the network, eliminating the need to know which device music is stored on. Photos and videos are presented using thumbnail images that are easily organized by date or name. All available media, regardless of type, can be located by using the available search function.

Remote Access , which allows access to your files anytime from anywhere, can be enabled on the Media Hub with just a few clicks of a button. Users are not required to install any special software or change their network configuration. The Media Hub takes care of everything with the exception of choosing its Remote Access name. Whether accessing the Media Hub on a PC at home, or through a web browser anywhere in the world via http://www.ciscomediahub.com, consumers are presented with the same easy to navigate user interface that enables them to access their digital media and upload or download files from a remote location.

Automated backup software is included with the Media Hub to help ensure that even the most treasured memories and digital libraries are protected. Folders on a computer within the network that contain digital media can be set to automatically copy any new files to the Media Hub for added piece of mind.

Pricing and availability

The Media Hub (NMH300) is available in the UAE market from authorized Linksys by Cisco retailers, resellers, and VAR partners. The MSRP for the product is set to US$245 or AED899.
Note: NMH300 ships without Hard Drive. However, some retailers offer it as a package with Hard Drive at a special price.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco’s vision for the consumer is to enable people to live a connected life that is more personal, more social, and more visual. More information about Cisco and its line of consumer products can be found at www.linksysbycisco.com and www.cisco.com/consumer.