The FireBall DVDM-100 isn’t a DVD player. It’s not an AM/FM receiver or a power amplifier. In fact, without supporting equipment and an Internet connection, it’s not good for much at all. But once it’s connected, you may never want to go back to non-FireBall playback again.

FAST FACTS DIMENSIONS 4 1/2 inches high, 17 3/8 inches wide, 11 7/8 inches deep PRICE $1,999 MANUFACTURER Escient, www.escient.com, 800-372-4368 KEY FEATURES • Navigates and controls megachanger content • Accesses Internet movie and music databases • Ethernet and dial-up networking • Accesses and plays Internet radio stations • 3 component-, 3 composite-, and 3 S-video inputs; 1 component-, 1 composite-, and 2 S-video outputs • 3 multichannel analog audio inputs; 3 coaxial and 3 optical digital audio inputs; 1 of each output • Infrared input; 4 outputs • 4 RS-232 ports; Ethernet port; RJ-11 phone jack

The DVDM-100 is a “content manager.” That’s right, it’s come to this. If you have a large enough disc collection, you’ve probably found that playing the different types of media has gotten so complicated that you need a manager to help you figure it out. How does it work? Connect up to three supported DVD megachangers to the FireBall, and it will automatically find and catalog all the discs and display disc information downloaded from the Internet in onscreen menus. You can press a Movie button on the remote and search your DVD collection by title, genre, and even cover art. You can do the same with your CDs by hitting the Music button. The Internet connection is the key here, adding some other perks as well, like Internet radio.

The DVDM-100’s sculpted front panel is simplicity itself, with just a power button and a sensor for the remote control. In contrast, the rear panel is a veritable jackfield, with not only A/V inputs and outputs but RS-232 and Sony S-Link ports as well as Ethernet and phone jacks. It’s not surprising that setting up the DVDM-100 was more complicated than jacking a DVD player into my system.

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