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No wired home would be complete without a kick-ass gaming system. Microsoft has officially introduced their next generation sytem dubbed the Xbox 360. CNNMoney has some more details and specs:
The 360 will pack a powerful technological punch, with an advanced IBM Power-PC processor and next generation ATI graphics chip. The machine will once again feature a hard drive for users to store saved games, music and more. This time, the drive will be 20GB (versus the current 8GB drive on the Xbox). It will also be detachable, allowing users to take their data to friends' houses, and upgradable.
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Logitech Precision Cordless Controller For Xbox (963334-0403)
Price: (New) $37.04 / (Used) $43.93 these rock!!!!! you cant expect more. these are sick. the conection is just awsome. if u used ... This Controller is awesome! Ignore all other bad reviews about this product and just buy it alr... This controller is an amazing third party controller. Usually I balk at buying third party con... |
Looking to build that killer home theater system? We've talked in the past about building a Windows Media Center system and even a Mac Mini home theater system. Now it's time to talk to you penguin addicts out there. ExtremeTech.com has a great tutorial on building a Linux home theater sytem. The tutorial starts by saying:
So, before you embark on trying to build a Linux-based Home Theater PC (HTPC), you have to ask yourself a question: "How much time do I have to dedicate to bringing up a Linux-based HTPC?" If the answer is "not much," then a Linux-based HTPC is probably not something you should build. Assembling the hardware is pretty easy, and the physical assembly process takes a half-hour to 45 minutes. Installing the OS can be a very straightforward affair as well. But installing extra drivers as well as installing and configuring a PVR media application (and its required packages) are not trivial tasks, and the road ahead is laced with hidden potholes.
To paraphrase one forum quote seen during the research phase of this piece: "Buy the beer first, this ain't gonna be easy." But there is some good news here too. Getting a Linux-based HTPC has probably never been easier, though that is admittedly damning with faint praise. So here then is the tale of our ongoing adventure toward building a Linux-based HTPC.
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Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger [DVD]
Price: (New) $129.99 Apple's long awaited new operating system brings more than 200 new features to Mac users. Techn Overall, I'm very pleased with OS X Tiger, it's much easier to use than Windows. I am a recent... OS X Tiger is a great upgrade that significantly increases speed and reliability. No more spinn... If you make a living with your Mac, then this upgrade is not necessary. Widgets and Spotlight o... |
The music download wars have really got interesting. It started with Napster To Go for $14.95 per month. Then there was Rhapsody To Go for $9.99 a month. Now there's YAHOO Unlimited. The kicker is the price YAHOO is charging according to the Press Release:
Santa Monica, CA -- May 10, 2005 -- Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - News), a leading global Internet company, today announced the beta availability of its new music subscription service, Yahoo!® Music Unlimited, providing music fans with unparalleled music listening and management functionality at incomparable value with an introductory price of just $4.99 per month for an annual subscription or $6.99 on a monthly basis. The service, available May 11, allows consumers to play tunes from a catalog of more than one million songs, transfer tracks to portable devices, as well as enjoy the unique ability to share and discover music with friends through Yahoo! Messenger.
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Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger [DVD]
Price: (New) $129.99 Apple's long awaited new operating system brings more than 200 new features to Mac users. Techn Overall, I'm very pleased with OS X Tiger, it's much easier to use than Windows. I am a recent... OS X Tiger is a great upgrade that significantly increases speed and reliability. No more spinn... If you make a living with your Mac, then this upgrade is not necessary. Widgets and Spotlight o... |
You know, I've really been happy with my Panasonic SA-HT390 but it's time to upgrade. The Home Theater Blog really caught my eye with the mention of the Panasonic SA-XR55K. What's nice about the SA-XR55K is that is comes in at under $250. Here's what the article says:
Alright what does this sub $250.00 surround receiver offer? For starters: 7.1 Channel Surround Sound (at 100 watts per channel) with Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES and Dolby Pro Logic II processing. One Coaxial and two Optical digital inputs, as well as two component video inputs, all housed in a cabinet less than 3" high.
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Panasonic KX-TG2730S 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering System
Price: (New) $69.99 / (Used) $47.95 So that you can have a phone in every room in the house, Panasonic's KX-TG2730 expands to offer I've had this phone system for 2 years (one main unit and 3 other stations). 2 very long and fr... all of the reviewers below have got to read the instructions regarding charging the battery a F... I am very happy with this Panasonic phone. We bought one for our kitchen and ended up ordering ... |
Since I'm a Mediacom customer, this Press Release really rocks:
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. --(Business Wire)-- May 5, 2005 -- Mediacom Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: MCCC) today announced it plans to increase the maximum download speed of its flagship residential Internet service from 3Mbps to 5Mbps, at no additional charge to customers. Mediacom plans to also introduce a premier Internet service with maximum speeds of 10 Mbps download and 1Mbps upload. Both Mediacom Online services will include a free package of PC security tools, and free access to premium content and other featured programming. Customers can expect to see these upgrades within the next 90 days.
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Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Price: (New) $54.99 / (Used) $55.00 Early Adopters Pick: January 2003. The first high-speed wireless networking router to us Yes,Its really good. But the CD that comes alongwith the Router is no good. I tried several tim... I got this inexpensive router to let me connect two desktops and a Thinkpad laptop to my NTL b... Ok First Thing i do is take it out of the box, so far so good ha, after a few miniutes with the... |
I guess I'm behind the times, but I doubt it I'll ever spend $799 on a remote. That's exactly the MSRP on the Sony RM-NX7000 Touch Screen Remote. CNET has a review that states:In many ways, the RM-NX7000 is Sony's answer to the more expensive Philips ProntoPro NG TSU7000 ($999), also known as the RU980 in Europe. But while Philips encourages the user to dive right in and customize the Pronto, the RM-NX7000 is designed to be programmed by a trained A/V installer. In other words, don't try this at home unless you have gobs of patience and some experience with complex remotes. And since the RM-NX7000 is a relatively new device, it lacks a user community supplying the homebrew graphics, custom keys, skins, and codes that are staples of the Pronto.If you're seriuos about your remotes and willing to spend a little cash, you may want to take a peek at the Sony RM-NX7000.
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Sony RM-NX7000 Integrated Remote Commander Universal Remote Control
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I found this really interesting. Martin over at Creative Weblogging's Digital TV has an article that mentions a product called Gotuit On Demand which he describes:
Gotuit Media Corp. has developed a product, called "Gotuit On Demand," that combines segment metadata with VOD content. This is a fancy way of saying that viewers can use their remote control to quickly access the specific parts of an on-demand show that interest them.
DigitalTV included this little news bit because it shows yet another aspect of video-on-demand (VOD). That is, the television program can be indexed and skipped through just like a DVD (provided Dan succeeds on his mission). Does this mean we might be skipping whole segments of the content as well as skipping the ads? Imaging having each segment on a news program indexed, we could probably get through the program in record time!
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Akimbo AP1200 Video on Demand Player
Price: (New) $229.99 The Akimbo AP1200 set-top box links your TV and broadband Internet connection, delivering the l The Akimbo media player allows you to watch on your TV content that you choose and download fro... O.K., I don't own an Akimbo...yet. I currently use Real Player to watch British TV on Demand (... When you buy an Akimbo you buy it because you are an early adopter. This company created a new ... |
Looking for a new DLP (Digital Light Processing) HDTV? The Home Theater Blog has a great reccomendation list starting with:
Samsung
Without a doubt Samsung has been a major player in the tabletop/micro-display market for the last few years. I have to admit, that until this years crop of Samsung DLP’s made their way onto the scene, I wouldn’t have called my self a Samsung fan. After seeing the HLP5663W however, and its insanely thin cabinet, I got what all the fuss was about. Models from the previous years had (in my opinion) a softish picture, and the cabinet was still too bulky for my tastes. All of this changed however with the introduction of the HL series in 2005.
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Samsung ML-1210D3 Toner/Drum for ML-1210 and ML-1250 Printers
Price: (New) $59.99 / (Used) $48.88 This replacement toner cartridge/drum is the ideal companion for your Samsung 1210 laser printe Buyer beware! This product (ML-1210D3) was shipped with an obviously used packaging -- with the... Although the specs don't show that this works with the Samsung ML-1430 printer it does. The ML-... I have had my ML-1210 printer for over a year now. I am an insurance appraiser/investigator and... |
There's been quite a few home entertainment systems introduced lately. One of the most promising looks to be the Outlaw Model 990 Amp which is previewed at DesignTechnica.com. The article states:
For audio processing, the Model 990 employs a 24-bit Cirrus Logic CS-49400 Crystal processor, and 192 kHz/24-bit Analog Devices digital-to-analog converters for each individual channel. The unit features decoding and processing of every major surround sound format in existence today, including Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS-96/24, DTS Neo:6, and even a fully adjustable version of Dolby ProLogic IIx processing. A pair of Analog Devices Asynchronous Sample Rate converters are used to remaster PCM sources to 192 kHz/24-bit audio for improved reproduction of CDs, particularly in the upper frequency range. There are both Pure Analog and Pure Digital modes to prevent deterioration of sound due to unwanted conversion between the analog and digital domains.
The Model 990 is designed to be both firmware and software upgradeable, allowing for inclusion of future surround processing schemes and additional features. There are both USB and RS-232 ports on the unit's rear panel, allowing for a convenient and simple means of connecting a personal computer for future upgrades. The USB port can also be used as an audio source connection, allowing the processor to play PCM audio files streamed from a computer.
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Delphi SA10001 XM SKYFi Boombox
Price: (New) $99.99 With the Delphi XM SKYFi Boombox (model SA10001), you can take the XM satellite radio network I recently picked up a boombox at Sprawlmart, plugged it in at work, and lo and behold, there i... I purchased this to use at the office. I am unable to get the receiver to work. Being at a so... The buzz, that is created by the speakers at low volume, is very noticeable. If the volume is ... |
I guess this is cool in kind of a weird way. On Mother's Day, patients who had a baby at the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, received a free TiVo. According to QuickDFW.com:
Women who give birth at Parkland Memorial Hospital over Mother's Day weekend will each get a free TiVo digital video recorder – even if they don't know what it is.
Company representatives were at the hospital Friday morning, chatting up new moms and handing out certificates for the recorders along with free lifetime TiVo service, a $498 value.
While the women seemed grateful and willingly posed with empty TiVo boxes stacked in their hospital rooms, several patients later admitted that they weren't sure at first what the devices were used for.
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TiVo TCD540040 Series2 40-Hour Digital Video Recorder
Price: (New) Too Low To Display TiVo's Series2 DVR delivers plenty of recording capacity in addition to offering entertainment I just purchased my first Tivo after a couple of years of "looking" because my brother said I j... Don't get scared when you look at the price of this product. It is $200 but it is well worth yo... While Tivo is a great idea, and I find it very nice to have my programs when I can see them, do... |
