Custom installers and everyday consumers don't always have the same requirements for A/V gear. As we've mentioned before, HDMI has had some problems, but it is taking off. Follow the "read" link to get CE Pro's suggestions on what HDMI can do to help win over installers; we've got a feeling the proposed changes would make Joe and Jane Six Packs alike happy, too. We'll start off with our biggest HDMI pet peeve -- captive/locking connectors! Simply put: HDMI needs 'em. Next up, the major teething problems associated with HDMI versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 seem to be behind us and 1.3 seems to be a stable spec; the task at hand is to spread this info among installers (especially ones who were bitten by earlier version problems). To CE Pro's list, we'd add that all the various flavors of HDMI-CEC need to be brought under control -- when units like the Onkyo TX-SA606X get singled out for interoperability, it means lots of consumers aren't enjoying any ease of use. What would you like to see in the HDMI spec?

FUZE Media Systems is back, this time shrinking its "whole-home" media PC system to a more "whole-apartment" media PC system. Dubbed the Mini Edition, its brings together the FuzeBox HTPC and is setup for two video and four audio zones, specifically configured for residences with 2-3 TVs. Upgradable to a full FUZE Media System, the server includes 4GB of memory, 750GB HDD storage and a 2.2GHz processor. Of course, like its big brother this is meant to be sold through a network of installers, but they'll be able to get a look at EHX starting tomorrow (hopefully this time at a system that's been turned on), with systems available some time in the second quarter.