Recent Comments:
Gefen's latest extender sends HDMI, RS-232 and IR over CAT5 {Engadget HD}
May 8th 2008 5:54PM I'm sure this is nice but it is a bit pricey.
I just ordered the $99 Apogee HDMI over Cat5 device, a well reviewed RF IR gadget that uses rechargeable a AA or AAA battery in your existing remote, and HDMI splitter all for about $140 total. If this gets me HDMI to my kitchen TV so I can watch HDTV from my FiosTV I'll be a happy camper.
This will replace an aging Sony DTV video distribution box that does the job but at decidedly low def.
Nero 8 update brings Blu-ray authoring, mini HD DVD support {Engadget HD}
Dec 20th 2007 12:37PM I think the mini HD-DVD may be limited to Mpeg2. I have just become aware of the new HD-DVD spec (approved in September 2007) called "HD Rec". This allows the writing of AVCHD (e.g. Mpeg4) to standard red laser DVD media and playing back on an HD-DVD player. Theoretically, this allows up to 2 hours of HiDef content on a standard 4.7gb DVD. It is unclear to me at this point if current Toshiba HD-DVD players with the latest firmware support this yet but it does hold hope for the future. I have emailed Nero support about this but I'm not sure I'll get a useful answer from them on this topic.
The Motley Fool on Tower Records bankruptcy {The Digital Music Weblog}
Aug 23rd 2006 7:31PM Tower's days are numbered. I am a heavy music buyer in fortyish age. I buy a couple hundered CDs a year. I used to go to Tower regularly now I go maybe every couple of months. I do go to Barnes and Nobles every week. I have a frequent buyer card which costs me $25 a year but I break even if I spend $250 (%10 discount on everything I buy) a year and I spend more like $2500 a year. I get coupons all the time from B&N. B&N keeps in touch with their best customers and offers compelling values. Tower could care less about me. Their employees are diffident and uninterested in the product they sell. The only common requirement for Tower employees is how much body piercing they have.
Tower and the Record Industry should be beating a path to the door of a customer like me. Instead they litigate against their customers and act like charging list price in a store like Tower in the age of Internet Froogle searches is perfectly normal. There is no reason why a CD should cost $19.00 but Tower regualarly charges that for new releases that I am interested in. I can find the same CD online for $12 to $14. That is is a ridiculous cost difference.
The Record Industry is F#$ked. The sooner they can recognize this and get on with the replacement will be none to soon for me.
HDTV Listings for August 12, 2006 {Engadget HD}
Aug 12th 2006 5:16PM I've been enjoying you HDTV listings for some time. I am curious, though, why you don't list PBS HDTV offerings. I've been seeing some wonderful HiDef shows that include concerts (Austin City Limits, Soundstage) and nature documentaries.
Please consider adding PBS HDTV listings to your list.
Thanks.
The Magritte laser-etched Apple {Engadget}
Jun 29th 2006 9:41AM This is actually very inspired. Margritte, if remember correctly had a day job in advertising. Somehow, I think he would approve.
Belkin's N1 pre-N WiFi line {Engadget}
May 1st 2006 11:12AM Any word on mini-pci cards for internal laptops? Seems to me the "N" thing won't really take off until you can just replace your existing "b/g" internal card in your exisiting laptop.
On a side note, I have been pretty surprised how upgradeable laptops have become. I just went through replacing my hardrive, upgrading my memory, and previously replace my "b" with a "g" mini pc card in my aging Dell 600m. I went with a 7200 rpm drive which made a huge difference. Doubling my memory from 750 mb to 1.5 gb was also a great speed boost. It's almost a new laptop!
Apple's Intel Mac minis: Core Duo at 1.67GHz, Core Solo at 1.5GHz {Engadget}
Feb 28th 2006 2:26PM J said: How the hell is that supposed to work?
I think you will see that there is a thing called an optical mini connector that happens to be the same size as a 3.5 mm standard analog mini connector. Thus the one size fits all.
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/lifestyle/2001/lMiniOpticalPlug.jpeg
Pump your car - and the volume - with Ovation iX Windows CE gas pump {Engadget}
Jan 7th 2006 1:38PM Actually, I can see promise in this idea. How about a little sip of free wi-fi with my fillup. While I fill my tank, it would be just enough time for me to download my email to my Palm Tx. This wouldn't waste anybody's time and would be a great incentive to keep visiting that staion.
Squeezebox v3 reviewed {Engadget}
Dec 30th 2005 11:23PM #8 - if roku is so superior why doesn't support WPA wireless security? The SB3 does. I don't want to downgrade my network just to run my music server. This was a deal breaker for me with the Roku. Plus, as I investigated more I discovered that Slim Devices were the real innovators.
For the naysayers, I think your really need to experience it first hand before you judge. You can download the free slimserver software that includes a java software version of the SB3 box interface and get a feel for how cool this thing is. I'm a longtime audiophile and I haven't been this excited about a product in a long time.
Squeezebox v3 reviewed {Engadget}
Dec 30th 2005 3:56PM Well I think the SB3 and slimserver software is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I bought one unit on a whim about a month ago and was so impressed that I just ordered two more to take advangtage of the $100 off Xmas offer.
I set up a dedicated linux shoebox appliance from parts I had around and ordered from Newegg for less than $300. I installed the free Clarkconnect home server and installed slimserver. The Clarkconnect Home linux server is great because it runs headless out of the box. So, once I had everything installed I just moved it to my utility room and turned it on. All admin is from Windows pc.
For someone with too many CDs and never enough time to figure what I want to play this is a godsend. I've got about 700 cds ripped so far and I still haven't made a dent. Putting this thing on random song mix is just heaven. The Podcast plugin is awesome. The internet radio is fantastic. This is way better than anything that Satellite radio has to offer.
-CB
