Media appliance and method for use of same
A media appliance and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a housing is adapted to be mounted within a wall. A panel forms a front portion of the housing and the panel includes vents and the panel may be mounted substantially flush with the wall. A media player, which includes a set-top box, is disposed within the housing. A pair of ports, disposed within openings defined by the housing, are configured to receive respective connectors. The pair of ports are coupled to the media player and one port is configured for providing a connection to a television and the other port is configured for providing a connection to an external source of signal for the television, as well as power for the media player.
1. A media appliance comprising:
a housing adapted to be mounted within a wall, the housing including a utility box being an in-wall portion and a panel configured to mount thereto, the utility box having a rear wall, the panel presenting a front portion of the housing;
the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panel configured to mount substantially flush with the wall;
a plurality of mounting holes located in the panel, the plurality of mounting holes configured to accept fasteners;
a media player disposed within the housing, the media player including a set-top box functionality, the set-top box functionality configured to process audio-visual signals from external audio-visual sources at a second port and the set-top box functionality to provide audio-visual signals to external audio-visual devices at first and third ports;
the first and third ports, disposed within the panel of the housing, configured to provide respective optio-electric connectors, each port including a plurality of optio-electrically conductive elements, the first and third ports being coupled to the media player;
the first and third ports configured to provide a connection to a television, the first and third ports being located in the panel;
the second port being coupled to the media player, the second port configured to provide a coax connection, the second port configured to provide a connection to an external source of signal for the television, the second port being located at the rear wall in the utility box; and
a fourth port being coupled to the media player, the fourth port configured to provide a power of ethernet connection, the fourth port configured to provide an ethernet interface, the fourth port configured to receive electrical power for the media player, the fourth port being located on the utility box.
2. The media appliance as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optio-electric connectors are selected from the group consisting of RJ45, serial, IR Input, service/control, USB, video, ethernet, L/R audio cable, digital audio optical, and coaxial cable.
3. The media appliance as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a power indicator mounted in the panel and located in communication with the media player.
4. A media appliance consisting of:
a housing adapted to be mounted within a wall, the housing including a utility box being an in-wall portion and a panel configured to mount thereto, the utility box having a rear wall, the panel presenting a front portion of the housing;
the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panel configured to mount substantially flush with the wall;
fastening means configured to secure the panel to the utility box;
mounting means for securing the utility box to the wall;
a circuit board secured within the housing, the circuit board including a processor and a memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to execute a set-top box functionality and cause the processor to execute media player functionality;
the first and third ports, disposed within the panel of the housing, configured to provide respective optio-electric connectors, each port including a plurality of optio-electrically conductive elements, the first and third ports being coupled to the circuit board;
the first and third ports configured to provide a connection to a television, the first and third ports being located in the panel;
the second port being coupled to the circuit board, the second port configured to provide a coax connection, the second port configured to provide a connection to an external source of signal for the television, the second port being located at the rear wall in the utility box; and
a fourth port being coupled to the media player, the fourth port configured to provide a power of ethernet connection, the fourth port configured to provide an ethernet interface, the fourth port configured to receive electrical power for the circuit board, the fourth port being located on the utility box.
5. The media appliance as recited in claim 4 , wherein the optio-electric connectors are selected from the group consisting of RJ45, serial, IR Input, service/control, USB, video, ethernet, L/R audio cable, digital audio optical, and coaxial cable.
6. A media appliance comprising:
a housing adapted to be mounted within a wall, the housing including a utility box being an in-wall portion and a panel configured to mount thereto, the utility box having five in-walls including four side walls and a rear wall, the panel presenting a front portion of the housing;
the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panel configured to mount substantially flush with the wall;
a plurality of mounting holes located in the panel, the plurality of mounting holes configured to accept fasteners;
a media player disposed within the housing, the media player including a set-top box functionality, the set-top box functionality configured to process audio-visual signals from external audio-visual sources at a second port and the set-top box functionality to provide audio-visual signals to external audio-visual devices at first and third ports;
the first and third ports, disposed within the panel of the housing, configured to provide respective optio-electric connectors, each port including a plurality of optio-electrically conductive elements, the first and third ports being coupled to the media player;
the first and third ports configured to provide a connection to a television, the first and third ports being located in the panel;
the second port being coupled to the media player, the second port configured to provide a coax connection, the second port configured to provide a connection to an external source of signal for the television, the second port being located at one of the in-walls in the utility box; and
a fourth port being coupled to the media player, the fourth port configured to provide a power of ethernet connection, the fourth port configured to provide an ethernet interface, the fourth port configured to receive electrical power for the media player, the fourth port being located on the utility box.
7. The media appliance as recited in claim 6 , wherein the optio-electric connectors are selected from the group consisting of RJ45, serial, IR Input, service/control, USB, video, ethernet, L/R audio cable, digital audio optical, and coaxial cable.
8. The media appliance as recited in claim 6 , further comprising a power indicator mounted in the panel and located in communication with the media player.