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ViewSonic's VMP70 media player does 1080p for less than a hundie

by Tim Stevens posted Nov 5th 2009 at 7:41AM

ViewSonic's VMP70 media player does 1080p for less than a hundie
The WD TV is still more or less the king of the tiny media player boxes, but now Viewsonic is getting into the game at a lower price point -- and minus the whole network compatibility bit. The VMP70 is a "direct connect" media device, so it will play content from your choice of USB-compatible storage, pumping it at up to 1080p to your display over HDMI or component cables, also sporting composite for lower-def fare. It packs an S/PDIF port to get clean audio, and supports a slew of formats including the usual suspects (DivX,Xvid,H.264) along with some slightly less usual ones (RM/RMVB, DTS, OGG). It's all available for an MSRP of $129.99, but order now and you'll get special holiday pricing of $98.99. Operators are standing by... somewhere... probably.

PSP to HDMI, all with one giant converter box

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 15th 2009 at 4:29PM

Props to Lenkeng for dressing up their otherwise anonymous VGA-to-HDMI converter box with a PSP-related angle -- the LKV8000 comes with the necessary cables to take your PSP-2000 or above's 480p video output and push out a 720p HDMI signal complete with stereo audio. Not a bad idea -- except that we can't think of an HDTV that lacks either component or VGA jacks and that doesn't have a built-in scaler to do the same job. Maybe you're just out of ports? In any event, this guy needs a Stateside distributor before we can tell you pricing or availability, so you're stuck swapping cables for a while, Sparky.

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

How to relocate a HD set-top-box and still have it work with an HDTV

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 4:45PM


We know how it goes, you pick up a nice big HDTV and a wall-mount only to get it all setup then realize you still need a place to put your HD set-top-box. Or maybe you have a nice piece of furniture nearby to hide the box in, but since it is out of sight you need to get the IR remote working. Or you could even be like us and refuse to have any equipment with a loud fan in your home theater -- yes we're talking about you Mr. Xbox 360. Luckily there is a workable solution and with a little money and some elbow grease, you can hide that box in a place that will be out of sight and out of mind.

Continue reading How to relocate a HD set-top-box and still have it work with an HDTV

Digital foundry's HDScope is the capture device for gamers who serve gamers videos about gaming

by Tim Stevens posted Mar 24th 2009 at 8:54AM

Digital foundry's HDScope is the capture device for gamers who serve gamers videos about gaming
If you wanted to launch a videogame site in the old days all you needed was high school grammar and a bunch of grainy, 300 x 200 screencaps of Mario 64. Today's readers are a more fickle bunch, wanting monitor-busting screenshots and CPU-taxing HD videos of the latest Xbox 360 and PS3 titles. To cater to the sites who will cater to those gamers, Digital Foundry is launching the HDScope, a pixel-crunching, semi-portable PC designed explicitly for recording content in 480i, 576i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i via component or HDMI inputs. It sports a 7-inch touchscreen, meaning you can just plug this into the wall and start gathering footage from that exclusive (and oddly dusty) beta copy of Duke Nukem: Forever you scored. No word on price or availability, but launch a site full of random videos captured on one of these and you'll surely be swimming in ad revenue -- and outrageous hosting fees.

[Thanks, Dirk]

Ask Engadget HD: Which cable / interconnect brand should I rely on?

by Darren Murph posted Sep 24th 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


We've heard this question so many times that we've taken for granted the answer, but given the recent increase in competition in the cable market, we figured we'd pass along Josiah's question on the matter:

"I'm not going to pay hundreds of dollars for those cables sold in Best Buy and Circuit City, but I want the best possible audio and video quality. I've got a pretty basic setup, and I just need a few HDMI cables, a set of component cables and a few optical audio cables. Where would I go to get the best for my money? Is there a particular brand I should look for? What has worked out for your readers?"

Unload your experiences with cables -- however expensive (or cheap) -- below, and be sure to elaborate on which brand / store / etc. you found to be the best for the price. Oh, and make no mention of Furutech, we're trying to keep the cost-per-cable under a grand.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Poll: Do you still use component?

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 19th 2008 at 3:29PM

Component Video CablesWe live in an ever changing world of electronics -- which is the way we like it -- but sometimes we try to hold on to the past. It's not that we don't like progress or change, but it's just that we feel that for us to throw out all of our old stuff and replace it with new stuff, that the new stuff had better be an improvement. Recently we started playing with Vudu again, and one thing we realized we missed in our review was the fact that HDMI is required for HD viewing. We find this new trend to kill component video a real drag, but wonder is it time to let go? We know that custom integrators don't like HDMI, but other than that, are we the only ones holding on to the ability to use existing custom cables that don't fall out on their own?

Do you still use component?

HDfury2 adapter kit tunnels HDCP-laden HDMI content via component / VGA

by Darren Murph posted Aug 18th 2008 at 1:51PM


Now here's an adapter we can all love: the HDfury2. Put simply, this kit enables owners of pre-2005 displays to enjoy 1080p content via HDMI. Those "older" sets and projectors lacked the ability to comprehend HDCP, and this minuscule device packs a built-in deciphering converter that pumps out Blu-ray content at beautiful 1080p over component / VGA. There's also an audio combo jack that channels analog and digital optical formats, and yes, it plays nice with both PAL and NTSC. Check the read link for all the fine print, and get ready to hand over $249 when it (hopefully) ships next month.

[Thanks, Daniel]

Extron's RGB-HDMI 300 converts component / RGBHV to HDMI

by Darren Murph posted Aug 5th 2008 at 7:19AM


What is this, the unofficial week for dishing out HDMI equipment? Shortly after seeing an HDMI repeater and distribution amplifier from two separate companies comes Extron Electronics to tempt your wallet once more. The RGB-HDMI 300 conveniently converts incoming analog component video and RGBHV signals to HDMI, and while it won't accept Discover, it will play nice with HDTV resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200. You can also select from a number of HDMI output rates including 1080p60, and the slim profile makes it easy to hide on the backside of a flat-panel. No mention of a price, but we're guessing it'll be somewhere between "costly" and "for real?".

TV One intros analog / digital video format converters

by Darren Murph posted Jul 10th 2008 at 6:26AM


We have all ideas that these converters from TV One will likely be used by professionals exclusively, but if you've found yourself in a pickle that requires a digital-to-analog (or vice-versa) converter, here's your solution. The 1T-FC-524 converts analog RGBHV or Component YPbPr inputs to DVI signals, while the 1T-FC-425 converts DVI to RGBHV or Component YPbPr. Additionally, the output resolution is the same as the input, and TV resolutions from 480i up to 1080p are supported (along with PC resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200). Both units are selling now for £119 ($235) apiece.

XCM offers up Mega-Cool component-to-VGA converter

by Darren Murph posted Jun 12th 2008 at 4:50AM


Not like Team Xtender hasn't been offering something similar to this for well over a year now, but hey, nothing wrong with a bit of delayed competition. XCM has just made clear that it will soon be selling the 1080p Mega-Cool VGA box, which takes any component input and shoots it back out via VGA. The box supports PC resolutions up to UXGA (1,600 x 1,200 at 75Hz) or HDTV (up to 1,920 x 1,080). Plug-and-play, NTSC / PAL support and USB power are all included -- you just provide the ins and outs. Mum's the current word on pricing / availability, but we're hearing that e-tailer Total Console will be offering it soon.

[Via IGN]

TVOne intros 1T-MX-3344 component Matrix Routing Switcher

by Darren Murph posted Mar 17th 2008 at 4:05AM


Hot on the heels of its 1T-DA-631 HDMI Extender comes the rack-mountable 1T-MX-3344 component Matrix Routing Switcher from TVOne. Granted, component uses are slowly fading, but for those still relying on the ole green / red / blue, this here device provides four inputs and four outputs with stereo audio jacks accompanying them all. As you'd expect, it enables any of the four inputs to be "routed to a single output, multiple outputs or all outputs," and resolutions from 480i to 1080p are supported. Users can control the action via the front panel buttons, an IR remote or the RS-232 interface, but it'll cost you a stiff $595 for the privilege.

Gefen unloads two new component video distribution amplifiers

by Darren Murph posted Feb 24th 2008 at 7:57AM


Shortly after dishing out a v1.3-compliant 1:10 HDMI distribution amplifier and 1:5 HDMI splitter, Gefen is hitting us up with two new signal pushers for the component lovers in the house. The 1:4 Component/Audio CAT-5 Distribution Amplifier and the 1:8 Component/Audio CAT-5 Distribution Amplifier each enable component video to be delivered to a multitude of displays (four for the first, eight for the second); additionally, each box is equipped with RCA, S/PDIF and Toslink optical audio jacks. The duo promises to carry both audio and 1080p video signals over CAT5 cables to displays some 1,000 feet away, and while they'll run you $799 and $1,499, respectively, receivers are sold separately at $200 a pop.

Hauppauge intros USB PVR with component input

by Steven Kim posted Jan 11th 2008 at 2:17PM

Hauppauge intros USB PVR with component inputHauppauge has pulled the wraps of their HD PVR, which can take a HD signal from its component inputs and transcode it to H.264 in real time for storage on your computer. If you don't believe that old-school analog component connections are any good, keep walking. True, there will be some degradation after the signal makes its digital-to-analog-to-digital journey, but we like the universal applicability of this device. Hauppauge is tossing a copy of its HD encoder software so you can then burn the recorded content to a DVD for use on the run. Available Q1 2008 for $249.

[Via TVSquad]

Sony unveils slew of high-end AV cables in Europe

by Darren Murph posted Nov 12th 2007 at 5:07PM


Those who just seem to sleep better knowing that every component of their (Sony) setup has the same brand name on it may take pleasure in the fact that the aforementioned company is doling out a smorgasbord of new AV cables across the pond. Apparently, the firm's high performance AV series will include HDMI, component, SCART, optical / coaxial digital audio and stereo audio flavors, and they will all be marketed as perfect complements to BRAVIA TVs, VAIO PCs, PS3s and Sony Blu-ray players. These cables are purportedly a notch above the midrange lineup introduced earlier this year, and they all boast 24k gold plated connectors and are manufactured from 99.996-percent oxygen free copper (OFC). No prices are mentioned, but you can supposedly find the whole lot now in one, three and five meter lengths over in Europe.

[Via Cybertheater]

HDMI vs. component

by Steven Kim posted Sep 13th 2007 at 4:56PM

HDMI vs component cableIn the mad rush for the latest and greatest, it's easy to categorize older technologies as inferior just because they're older. We've covered the topic of HDMI vs. component before, and there's definitely a lot of FUD behind the widespread belief that the newer HDMI standard is always "better." The bottom line is this, the gear on either side of the cable often has a far larger effect on final image quality than the cable itself. With well designed equipment, that old-school component connection may perform just as well as the HDMI one. Factor in HDMI's shorter reach, higher priced switching equipment, and mechanical stability issues, and you may end up with an inferior overall solution. Trust your own eyes and ears more than any marketing speak, as some of the push behind HDMI has nothing to do with image quality.




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