Japan-based Digital Cowboy today announced the Movie CowBoy DC-MC35ULI [JP], a device serving as an iPod dock and an HDD media player that’s compatible with 3.5-inch SATA HDDs (sold separately). Users wanting to watch movies from their hard disc can directly connect the box-like Movie CowBoy with their TV via HDMI.

The device neither supports the iPhone nor the iPod touch but any other iPod. It can play MPEG2 HD/DivX HD/XviD HD/MPEG-1/2/DivX/ and XviD video files. Videos can be watched in full HD (1080i). Audio formats supported include MP3/WMA/AAC/OGG/WAV/AC3, and DTS.

The device comes with a USB port and Ethernet so you can easily access YouTube, MS Live and Google’s picture service Picasa without switching on your PC. It’s sized at 225×59×200mm (weight: 850g).

As the Movie CowBoy is Japan-only, I suggest contacting the Japan Trend Shop, Gizmine, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya if you are interested in buying it. It costs $250 in Japan (on sale early May).