Binreader1.0 Beta 3

Binreader is a Usenet download manager that gives you the possibility to preview media files during downloads. It supports SSL encryption and IPv6, along with RAR and PAR2 files.

Configure Usenet server settings

At startup, you can configure server settings regarding the NNTP host, username and password, as well as the SSL encryption status (e.g. port 443 or 563). Additional options can be customized when it comes to the maximum number of connections to the server, buffer downloads in memory, and RAR handling mode (start extraction during downloads, extract after downloading and repairing).Furthermore, you can modify the default download folder and NZB monitoring directory, pick the preferred media player for previewing files and enter command-line parameters to extend its functionality, as well as specify the network timeout and retry time after waiting.

Plain and simple interface

The main application window has a minimalistic design and makes it easy to figure out its options. You can open a NZB file to add the downloading job to the task list, pause and resume the task, open a file with your default media player to preview contents, and visit a downloading folder's location on the disk without leaving the interface.Binreader enables you to change the UI language and skin, define the measurement unit for the downloading speed, exit or minimize the tool to the systray on close, as well as select a UPnP or DNLA TV device for live streaming.

Evaluation and conclusion

It comes loaded with the necessary and suffice options for downloading and previewing media files from Usenet servers, and processing RAR archives. Too bad that it hasn't been updated for a while. Plus, its interface needs a little more work in the graphical department. Otherwise, you can explore Binreader on your own, especially when taking into account that it's free.