Archos, best known for its portable media players, is the latest company to enter the highly competitive and volatile consumer facing set-top box market. Offered in 80GB ($249) and 250GB ($349) versions, the Archos TV+ features TiVo-like DVR functionality, as well as WiFi and Ethernet connectivity to support access to the Internet for web browsing and downloading paid-for video content from CinemaNow. Additionally, the device can operate as a media extender of sorts, to stream content (movies, TV shows, photos and music) from a PC to the TV.

The holiday period saw UK Internet TV users being given more viewing options than ever before. Zattoo opened its Beta to the British public and the BBC with its controversial iPlayer – now updated to offer a Flash video-based Mac, Windows and Linux compatible streaming version – did the same.

We first reviewed Zattoo, a P2P-based desktop application that offers live streaming of existing ‘over-the-air’ and cable channels, back in July — noting that in comparison to the likes of Joost and Babelgum, both of which attempt to recreate the “lean back” experience of television, Zattoo is more at home being used “in a multi-tasking environment, where users watch television in one window on their computer, while accomplishing other tasks in another such as chatting to friends over IM, surfing the web or writing email”.

Then in closed Beta, the UK version of Zattoo had a channel lineup which notably included all of the BBC’s digital channels: BBC One, Two, Three, Four, along with BBC Parliament, News 24, and the BBC’s two children’s channels.

Not anymore.

News this week that less than twelve months into its existence, Wal-Mart’s video download store has closed (Reuters) comes as no surprise.

In a bid to get all of the major studios on board, while at the same time not compete negatively with Wal-Mart’s traditional DVD sales, the service was plagued by high pricing and a ridiculously large dose of DRM (one Windows-PC only). It was doomed from the start.

The folks over at Hulu have made 2500 invites available for the closed beta of the Hulu service for ReadWriteWeb blog network readers (that includes you!).

Hulu is a joint venture between News Corp. and NBC that offers streaming video of both companies’ television and film content along with offerings from other studios such as Sony Pictures Television and MGM. It’s ad supported (via pre and mid-roll ads) and shows include 24, The Simpsons, Family Guy, 30 Rock, The Office, House, and Psych.

Here at last100 we’ve written often about Hulu. Though pre-launch reports were skeptical, once the Beta was launched, early reviews for the service were generally positive.

On the other hand, Read/WriteWeb called Hulu “umpressive,” but now it’s your turn to decide for yourself.

Invites are on a first come basis and are available at this link.