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Ask Engadget: What's the optimal DVD archival solution?
This week's Ask Engadget question is a bit on the specific side, but it's one we've heard asked time and time again. Thus, we figured it was time to finally get it out in the open for you readers to debate."I have an extensive DVD library that I would like to archive on a network drive and be able to access via my PS3, menus and all. I am currently using TVersity to stream videos from my PC to the console. I've seen walk-throughs for archiving DVDs, but I haven't seen anything that will present these via a DLNA server (to my PS3) with their original menus intact so that you can access special features such as commentary tracks and featurettes. I am not even sure that it is possible to navigate the menus via the PS3 remote. Any recommended solutions out there?"Can't you just hear the hopelessness in poor Ron's voice? Throw the guy a bone, will ya? And while you're at it, throw our highly sophisticated email sorter a question of your own at ask at engadget dawt com.
Samsung's 46-inch LN46A750 Touch of Color LCD HDTV reviewed
Just a few months back, we had the fortune of reviewing one of Samsung's 650 Series Touch of Color LCDs ourselves, and now CNET has taken a look at the higher priced (and more decked out) 750 Series sibling. The 46-inch LN46A750 adds in a few swank extras including support for DLNA servers, network streaming and interactive news / stocks / weather feeds, but unfortunately, those novel extras come at a steep cost. In essence, reviewers were plenty contented with the picture quality (save for a few artifacts when dejudder modes were on), and the unique features were certainly swell for those who care, but critics couldn't wholeheartedly recommend paying the asking price for the small boost in features. Tap the read link to see if you agree.
Sony Ericsson's 8.1 megapixel C905 breaks free
No surprises here but at least Sony Ericsson's C905 Cyber-shot is now official. As a camera, we're talking Xenon flash, face detection, image stabilization and 8.1 megapixels crammed into a tiny sensor of unspecified make or dimensions. As a phone we're looking at quad-band GSM (9-hours talk / 380 hours standby) and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 on the C905a worldphone variant. It also comes packing an auto-rotating, 2.4-inch scratch-resistant QVGA display, aGPS with Google Maps, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, TV-out, 2GB of included Memory Stick Micro (M2), and WiFi with DLNA support when this slider is loosed upon the globe in Q4. Check the gallery here.
Cyberlink Live to add web access to any DLNA device
Have all manner of DLNA-enabled equipment laying around, but want an easier way to access it whether at home or on the road? Cyberlink Live's personal web service plans an upgrade that will combine its existing remote access to content stored on a PC, with direct media access to your entire home media network, from a TV, NAS, DVR or anything else via your web browser. Slingboxes, PS3's remote play and other systems have helped enable media access from the next room or the next state, but we'll keep an eye out to see if our disparate hardware will be flying one flag when direct media access becomes part of the package in Q4 of this year.
Chinese manufacturers show off DIVA connector, request only green M&Ms
Move over HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort, here comes DIVA (Digital Interface for Audio and Video). Cooked up by the above group of Chinese manufacturers, they say this standard can improve on HDMI by enabling bi-directional data connections above and beyond HDMI-CEC protocols, creating easy DLNA connections between devices with a single cable. Forward channel video speeds of 13.6 Gbps provide plenty of room for 1080p and higher resolutions with Deep Color, plus the two-way connection at up to 2.25Gbps that can simultaneously handle multichannel audio, control or other data. With a working demo shown over a single 8 wire CAT6 cable, it's got specs that interest us, and with a growing AV market in China maybe these companies have enough pull to get wider support. Still, until someone produces a platinum cable measuring 3-feet long that costs $200 we won't be sure of its success.
Sharp unveils 22 thin, internet ready LCDs
Sharp's re-upped on the super-size rollouts, with 22 LCDs including every color and size variation, ready to hit shelves this summer ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Available in black or brown, the RX5 series (pictured) headlines the pack with 65-, 52- and 46-inch versions including 1080p resolution, 120Hz motion, a "living contrast" ratio of 1500:1 (dynamic ratio 20,000:1), 12bit image processing and internet access to a specially tuned Yahoo! Japan page all packed into a 5cm deep frame (42- and 52-inch, 6.6cm for 65-inch). The more mainstream GX5 line ranges from 52- to 32-inches complete with all the 1080p resolution, side mounted ARSS "Around Speaker System", DLNA access and internet hookups we know and love, plus 32- and 26-inch GH5 models that drop down to 720p, losing the around speakers, internet and 1080p res. The DS5 line is aimed at those who don't need internet access, but do need to choose between black, white and red LCDs. Check the chart on Sharp's page to compare with the "world's thinnest" X-series and see what HDTV corresponds with your social status when these drop in June. [Via AV Watch & Akihabara News]Read - Aquos 22 LCD models comparison Read - R series Read - G series Read - D series
Sony launches circular VGF-HS1 media server
Nothing like washing down an all new WiFi-enabled digiframe with an all new home media server, right? Apparently Sony is firmly in agreement, as it's also launching its latest multimedia server / NAS drives today in Japan. The 1TB VGF-HS1 / 1.5TB VGF-HS1S would stack nicely atop your VAIO HTPC, and aside from boasting gigabit Ethernet, DLNA compatibility, an integrated display, USB connectivity and a hidden multicard reader behind the front panel, this unit plays nice with AVCHD, MPEG2, HDV, JPEG, BMP, PNG, WAV, MP3, ATRAC (saywha?), AAC and WMA file formats. Word on the street has these shipping on May 17th for ¥60,000 ($570) / ¥80,000 ($760) depending on capacity, but only time will tell if Sony sees fit to send 'em Stateside.[Via Impress]
Planex DigiJuke NAS snags YouTube and BitTorrent video -- jams it down the Wii, Xbox 360, iPod... and throat of MPAA
Here it is copyright bandits, the single biggest reason (besides silicone) to make a Hollywood studio notice you: the MZK-NAS02SG1T network attached storage device from Planex. The main selling point behind the ¥54,799 (about $524) 1TB Gigabit Ethernet block is the claim to "universal access" for all your devices. That little trick comes courtesy of its DigiJuke browser for searching and tagging the BitTorrent and YouTube content you want downloaded in the appropriate PSP and iPod (MPEG-4), Wii (FLV), or TV (MPEG-2) format for in-home or on-the-go viewing. The NAS also streams audio and video to your iTunes laptops or desktops, DLNA TV, Xbox 360, or other compliant device in the home. A front-facing USB 2.0 jack offers one-touch dubbing of USB sticks while a second around back offers ready storage expansion. It ships with a pair of 3.5-inch 500GB drive which you can swap out for higher capacity spinners at a later date. That is if the studios don't shut you down first.[Via Impress]
Samsung 750-series Touch of Color LCDs due in May
Following up on the DAPs and BD-Live announcements, Samsung's seen fit to attach prices to its 750 series of LCD HDTVs and their "Touch of Color" frames. At the top end, the 750 ranges from 39.9- to 52-inch sizes, all with 1080p, 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, DLNA network access and 120Hz motion processing for $2,599 - $3,499 when they hit shelves in May. The 650s are already on shelves with 720p or 1080p variations from 19- 52-inch variations, sans-DLNA, but all models include Samsung's Infolink RSS service for news direct to your flat screen. Don't have Ethernet in your TV room? The Wireless LinkStick enables either series to pull down news without those pesky physical connections for $34.99. Probably not worth rioting over, but check the read link for complete specs and prices.
Say Hellui to NEC's Lui family of media streamers
See those people? As much as NEC would like to think so, that's not you. If it were you'd be ass-deep in nag about your inattentive dismissal of "quality time" while suffering dire warnings about barefoot-borne diseases. Or maybe that's just us. Regardless, NEC hopes that the launch of its 4-component Lui (Life with Ubiquitous Integration) system -- ¥379,890/$3,705 Blu-ray packing PC server (Lui SX), ¥89,880/$877 10.6-inch laptop (Lui RN), ¥49,980/$487 4.1-inch handheld (Lui RP), and ¥300,000/$2,926 Desktop (Valuestar R Lui) -- will somehow create harmony in your household. Besides the marketing hype, we're really just talking about Windows Home Premium SP1 here and a bunch of DTCP-IP DRM and DLNA compliant devices. In fact, the so called "laptop" and handheld units lack any traditional OS at all -- they can only be used to receive streaming content off your home server. Even then, some streaming is restricted inside and outside the home thanks to the DRM lockdown. Do we really need one or even two more devices in the home just for media? Update: Regardless of what you may have read elsewhere, there is no WiMAX here. That's not even a standard available in Japan.%Gallery-20581%[Via Impress]
IO Data unveils DiXiM HVL4-G2.0 NAS for Regza HDTVs
IO Data took the wraps off of a new HDD unit made specifically to attach to those new Regza ZH500s, the DiXim HVL4-G2.0 is compliant with the latest DLNA / DTCP-IP standards to easily record TV shows via the network. It's got space for four drives up to a maximum capacity of 2 TB in a RAID 5 array, limiting recording space to a max of 1.5 TB. Because of copy protection, it only records from Toshiba's TVs right now, and can be controlled completely via remote. Doubt we'll be seeing this here anytime soon, but it'll be on store shelves in Japan later this month for 111,615 ($1,090 US).[Via AV Watch]
Toshiba's 10 new REGZA LCDs: 3x Ethernet, built-in DVR, and much much more
In Japan, the hand can be used as a knife. You also can't swing a Yume Neko Smile cat without defacing a 1080p TV with built-in Ethernet and a hard disk drive recorder. Case in point, Toshiba's latest batch of REGZA LCDs, ten in all. The top of the line ZH500 series measures in at 52- (52ZH500) and 46-inches (46ZH500) with 120Hz VA panels, 4x HDMI (1080/60p, 24p) inputs, 3x Ethernet (with DLNA support), 2x USB, Bluetooth, Firewire, SD slot, and a DVR to record your shows to the built-in 300GB disk. These lack the eSATA jack found in the 42-, 37-, and 32-inch RH500 series, but you can add more disk over Ethernet via an I-O Data REGZA drive wrapped in DTCP-IP DRM to keep your HD recordings off the global torrents. Rounding things out are the 42- and 37-inch ZV500 series of 120HZ IPS panel LCDs and the relatively low-end, 42-, 37-, and 32-inch CV500 series of diskless TVs. Prices will range from ¥160,000 ($1,560) on up to about $5,850 when products start hitting shelves between April and June. Pics of the in/outs on the ZH500s after the break.Read - ZH500 and ZV500 series Read -- RH500 and CV500 series
Nokia N95 8GB becomes world's first DLNA certified phone
The Digital Living Network Alliance, long a territory of receivers, televisions, and other things that you don't put in your pocket, has taken the bold step of certifying Nokia's N95 8GB as a compliant Mobile Digital Media Server. What does that mean in practical terms? Well, Nokia clearly regards the N95 8GB as a multimedia powerhouse, and DLNA certification guarantees that the handset is going to be more than happy to serve up music, pics, and videos to other devices around the home. Nokia touts that it's an "active member" of the DLNA, so we'd be surprised if this was the last Nseries device to get blessed with the alliance's stamp of approval, too.
XstreamHD details continue to emerge
Just a few hours before our live coverage of the XStreamHD press event (11am PST) with Michael Douglas; many of the details have been released and we have to say this thing looks so incredible, we don't see how it can live up to the press release -- this is one of those times when we'd really love to be wrong. For starters, the service promises to deliver "the latest content from leading studios" in 1080p (MPEG-2 and x.264) with 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio (96kHz/24bits) to your home via satellite, and if it stopped there it would be impressive enough, but no. The content is stored on the internally in your "Virtual Personal Library" until you access it with up to four simultaneous DLNA devices on your gigabit Ethernet home network. If you run out of space, you can use the extra drive bays to expand up to 2TB of storage. And because there is so much great OTA HD content, it features three ATSC tuners which can be used with a "Network Video Recorder" -- not sure what that is, or if its extra. And interestingly even includes a PBX that allows free calling between XStreamHD customers. As if this wasn't unbelievable enough, it all starts at $399 and is expected to hit in the fourth quarter of '08.Full release after the jump.
Sony refreshes Bravia line with 17 new models, Digital Media Extender
Sony's CES event is just finished, but they can't wait to give details on all 17 of the new Bravia LCD models. Falling into six different model lines (three pictured here), Sony has sprinkled its Digital Media Extender tech liberally throughout the releases, future technology and Bravia Link is an option down the road for all. The top end models consist of the KDL-40Z4100 and KDL-46Z4100, with new Bravia Engine 2, 120Hz image processing, x.v. Color, WCG-CCFL and 10-bit panels. The Z-series also throws in USB ports, DLNA connectivity and Bravia Sync HDMI control. Sony's got more HDTVs and we've got more specs (no prices, sorry!) so check after the break.
I-O Data reveals array of HDL-GS NAS drives
I-O Data isn't just worried about the longevity of your pocketable storage -- oh no, it's quite concerned with availability of data in your domicile, too. In an effort to ensure that every computer on your network has fair and unbridled access to external storage, the firm has unveiled a line of HDL-GS NAS drives that include 250GB, 320GB, 500GB and 1TB editions. Each LANDISK drive plays nice with Windows and OS X-based systems, touts an integrated USB port and includes a gigabit Ethernet jack, too. Beyond that, this crew is pretty run-of-the-mill, but you can pick one up to suit your needs in mid-December for ¥24,360 ($221), ¥26,565 ($241), ¥31,080 ($282) or ¥74,655 ($676), respectively.
Sony launches four high-end Blu-ray recorders
It may be raining on AT&T's parade today but the sun is out and blasting Japan with plenty of Blu-ray. Four new Sony Bravia recorders in fact, capable of burning 50GB dual-layer, BD-R/RE discs with an additional disk packing between 250GB and 500GB of storage depending upon model selected. The ¥200,000 (about $1,755) top-end BDZ-X90 model brings 2x digital and 2x analog tuners, gold-plated HDMI 1080p capable of 60fps or 24fps output in DeepColor, and a DLNA-based "Sony Room Link" server function for streaming your media around the house. All use MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 encoding with support for lossless TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and hi-definition bitstream output. Hell, they even include support for attached AVCHD camcorders. Damn. On sale in Japan November 8th. [Via Impress]
Princeton intros 500GB iTunes/DLNA NAS
Princeton Technology seems to be intent on keeping all its NAS bases covered, with the company now introducing a 500GB unit to complement its bring-your-own-drive offerings. As with those others units, the company's new PEC-NAV500 NAS boasts iTunes server and DLNA capabilities, includes DigiOn's DiXiM media server client software, and packs a spare USB port to accommodate a printer or an extra drive. It also promises improved heat dissipation from its aluminum enclosure, and packs a fan just in case that's enough enough to keep things cool. Look for this one to hit Japan later this month for around ¥32,800, or roughly $276.[Via Impress]
QNAP's latest BitTorrent NAS: TS-109 Pro Turbo Station
BitTorrents best friend -- QNAP -- is back with a new series of all-in-one NAS servers. The TS-109 Pro Turbo Station is now Windows ADS and DDNS compliant and features a built-in Web server supporting PHP + MySQL. The box supports a single SATA disk up to 1TB in capacity which can be extended with USB 2.0 and eSATA jacks. The TS-109 also packs Q-RAID 1 for mirroring drives via USB or eSATA, remote network and 1-touch USB backup, iTunes sever, UPnP/DLNA support, and of course, their infamous BitTorrent client which doesn't require a PC. Its "no noise design" means you can keep those torrents chugging while you slumber in the glow of MPAA and RIAA scorn. Sorry, no prices or date for availability.
20 UPnP clients that may stream to your PlayStation 3
After spending entirely too much time trying to find a suitable solution to stream all of our bits and bytes into our newly upgraded PlayStation 3s, we finally came to a grim realization: there is no perfect solution. That doesn't mean there's a paucity of options, however. As it turns out, there's no shortage of UPnP clients that satisfy, in some capacity, the DLNA standard the PlayStation 3 requires.The following list, compiled in part by the PS3mods blog, is a rather extensive collection of software spanning multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. We added Elgato's EyeConnect software for Mac OS X which got us closer than anything else on that platform. On the Windows side, we continue to hear good things about Nero MediaHome. Any software missing? Any 'stiqers find that perfect solution?[Thanks, Eliot]
