1. A network media appliance, comprising: (a) a packet data network interface configured for communicating data packets with a data network according to an Internet Protocol; (b) a media data interface; and (c) a processor having an associated memory for storing executable code, the code defining at least one process for execution by the processor, for implementation of at least: a remote virtual interface function in which interface elements defined by the processor are communicated by markup language remotely from the processor through the packet data network interface for presentation to the user, and a data transfer function for controlling transfer of data through the media data interface.