NZXT Unveils DOKO PC Streaming Service

[btarunr]

DOKO is a PC streaming device that connects to your network and allows you to easily use your PC in the comfort of your living room. Run office software, stream limitless media content and play PC exclusive titles - do anything and everything your PC can do, anywhere in your home.

The current problem with modern PC streaming technologies and set-top boxes is that they all come with their own pre-defined limitations. TV boxes are restricted to their own set of media channels, file formats and limited applications. PC game streaming and screen mirroring devices are all restricted by their own platforms, proprietary technologies or latency issues.



Utilizing a gigabit connection to your network, DOKO offers low latency (50-80ms) high definition (1080p, 30fps) streaming with unparalleled compatibility. And unlike current streaming devices and set-top boxes, DOKO offers four USB ports with USBoverIP technology. With this technology, plugging a USB device into DOKO is just like plugging that USB device into the PC that is being streamed, no matter how far away. This gives you the freedom to use the input devices you already own and are used to.

Freeing you from the restrictions of current PC game streaming technologies, DOKO lets you play any game your PC can, all in the comfort of your living room. No proprietary software or hardware necessary. Whether you want to play a browser game, emulated ROM, Origin title, Steam title, Ubisoft title - the options are unrestricted. It's a great way to experience local multiplayer PC titles in the living room with your friends!

DOKO brings you the same exact browsing and desktop experience as your PC so you'll never have to deal with a lackluster internet browsing experience in the livingroom again. With DOKO, you can have the perfect multimedia experience with absolutely no need for another "HTPC" system or media device. View web-exclusive content, stream peer-to-peer files, view high definition media files and more without any channel, application or compatibility restrictions. If your PC can do it, so can DOKO.

DOKO is available now for just $99.99 at the NZXT Armory Store.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[MagnuTron]

So anyone know what this thing is? Need some specs up in dis biatch.

 

[RCoon]

So anyone know what this thing is? Need some specs up in dis biatch.

It's basically a multi-media KVM for your PC, only all inputs are streamed over a single network cable. That means you're pushing all your data (video, audio, input, as well as network data) all across a single ethernet cable, hence the absolute requirement for Gigabit connectivity. Obviously it all has to be untangled as useful data inside the box, so that processing time adds almost 100ms delay to what's actually happening on your computer.

The other issue is that your input from a keyboard or controller in your front room is being passed up through the network to your PC, processed, and then has to come back down that same line to the box, so you'd be getting a fair amount of input lag. The end result is all that is displayed out to the TV.

It's a cool idea, but you're limited to the availability of running a Cat5e or better cable the length of your house so your PC is connected to your router and to the TV NZXT box thing. Much better than the wireless game streaming idea, because Gigabit bandwidth is required, and has less latency than wireless.

TL;DR:
It squishes all the outputs (Audio and video) from your PC down an ethernet cable and into your TV. But only at 30FPS and with a butt-load of input lag.

 

[xkche]

Don't understand how it works

 

[Easy Rhino]

I honestly think for most people it would be less hassle to drill a few holes in your walls and run some conduit and wires from where your PC sits to your living room.

 

[jboydgolfer]

I got fed up with Amazon fire/Roku/Chromecast & whatever other BS streaming devices, and decided I'd just order a couple 60 foot HDMI cables, plug 'em into a 2 way switcher, and run one to My bedroom TV, and one to My Livingroom TV, by using the heating vents, and going through My basement to avoid any unsightly wires. Now I have smooth "streaming" to ALL of My Large-screen TV's with NO LAG...buffering...dealing with proprietary software/programs...or any other restrictions. I love it, I spent a week just looking for a damn device that would do what I wanted, NOT what the Companies who make these devices wanted.....Which was to mirror My PC screen, weather running VLC media player, or browsing the interwebz,,,or even browsing through My EXTENSIVE collection of Midget Horse porn .... but seriously, the frustration just made me say to Myself, "why dont i just run HDMI"? And since I can do it, without any messy wires laying around, or any difficulty , there simply was no better solution to My problem, not to mention NO device will match a basic Direct High Def Multimedia connection, So I saved $100, and bought a couple cheap $20 HDMI cables, and I haven't had any regrets yet.

I will admit that These companies are FINALLY getting that We dont want they're crappy laundry list of apps, and restrictive programs to be our only choices when it comes to PC streaming....I'm glad they are finally heading in the right direction.

 

[MagnuTron]

It's basically a multi-media KVM for your PC, only all inputs are streamed over a single network cable. That means you're pushing all your data (video, audio, input, as well as network data) all across a single ethernet cable, hence the absolute requirement for Gigabit connectivity. Obviously it all has to be untangled as useful data inside the box, so that processing time adds almost 100ms delay to what's actually happening on your computer.

The other issue is that your input from a keyboard or controller in your front room is being passed up through the network to your PC, processed, and then has to come back down that same line to the box, so you'd be getting a fair amount of input lag. The end result is all that is displayed out to the TV.

It's a cool idea, but you're limited to the availability of running a Cat5e or better cable the length of your house so your PC is connected to your router and to the TV NZXT box thing. Much better than the wireless game streaming idea, because Gigabit bandwidth is required, and has less latency than wireless.

TL;DR:
It squishes all the outputs (Audio and video) from your PC down an ethernet cable and into your TV. But only at 30FPS and with a butt-load of input lag.

Question: How does this machine differ from fx Steam In Home Stream?

 

[RCoon]

Question: How does this machine differ from fx Steam In Home Stream?

It doesn't.
All it does is replace the "client" you're streaming to. Steam In-Home Streaming requires 2 PC's, your main one, and one to stream to. The NZXT DOKO is just a cheap low power computer you're streaming to.

 

[ltguy005]

How many people (gamers) do they actually think have hardwired network cable from their gaming pc to their living room? And of the select few who have the luxury of having a house ran with network cables, how many of those people don't already have an elegant media center pc that can play games? A product for no one until you can game stream on wireless.

 

[J_E_F_F]

jboydgolfer, what do you use to control your remote PC from other rooms?

 

[Disparia]

There are other solutions that can do lower latency and higher framerate, but they're a good deal more expensive. So for the price it's good? Hard to say, first review I found said it was too choppy for video and most games, but they didn't mention much about their test environment. However, I'm not holding out a lot of hope that they tested on a congested network and performance is actually better.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/nzxt-doko-review

 

[stren]

There are other solutions that can do lower latency and higher framerate, but they're a good deal more expensive. So for the price it's good? Hard to say, first review I found said it was too choppy for video and most games, but they didn't mention much about their test environment. However, I'm not holding out a lot of hope that they tested on a congested network and performance is actually better.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/nzxt-doko-review

I've been trying one the past few days, the lag isn't as bad as people imagine it when they read the numbers. I didn't find it choppy at all on my "not-busy" home gigabit network. In fact I would say it was smooth and far more enjoyable than using a laptop plugged into my TV. USB is actually given priority and isn't compressed like the video is, so the control lag isn't noticable to me even though it should still appear as part of the display input lag. Yes I wouldn't play competitive FPS games on it, but for casual gaming or playing some 4 player indie game with friends, or streaming whatever I want it works very well.

Like others have said the downside is lack of wifi. I did setup a wireless bridge for it using an old b/g router and while it still worked the FPS was unacceptable (more like 4-10). NZXT said it worked well with a powerline adpater (presumably if you get a fast enough version). I imagine a 802.11.ac bridge would work fine though but if you don't have one already then it's going to increase costs significantly.