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RedEye gives you a universal iPhone remote for your home entertainment center
ThinkFlood has released RedEye, their universal remote add-on for iPhone and iPod touch. The RedEye remote is a combination of hardware and software that turns your iPhone into a truly universal remote control for IR-based devices. I received an advance unit to take for a spin, and tested it out with my (modest) home theater setup and an iPhone 3GS. The RedEye hardware is retailing at $188US. I mention this early because the price point affected my perception of the product quite a bit. From the packaging to the construction of the unit, it doesn't really feel like high-end hardware -- not the way my Harmony 1000 remote does. Granted, it's still almost half the cost of the Harmony 1000 and less than half of the 1100, but the lightweight, plastic unit just doesn't pull off the aesthetics or feel of a $200 piece of hardware. The hardware portion of the RedEye is an IR-blaster with a built-in charging dock for the iPhone/iPod touch. It creates a bridge between Wi-Fi (from the iPhone/iPod) and IR devices. The base unit has a fairly good IR range, but no built-in options for extending it. A repeater may be required in some circumstances, especially if your equipment is behind closed cabinet doors. The device has built-in Wi-Fi broadcast, and can connect to your iPhone/iPod right out of the box. You get better performance (and easier configuration), however, by modifying the setup to use an existing Wi-Fi signal in your home. Multiple units can be used to cover additional rooms and control them all from a single iPhone/iPod, and multiple iPhones/iPods can connect to a single RedEye unit. Configurations are stored in the unit itself, so software modifications made on one iPhone/iPod are available to any other iPhone/iPod. The RedEye software [iTunes link] is a free download on the App Store. It detects RedEye units on the current network, and allows you to add multiple rooms, IR devices, commands and activities. Devices are easy to add from an extensive list, and most devices have commands presets available. New commands can be learned at any time by capturing the control signal from an existing remote. Activities combine commands for multiple IR devices into a single control panel with assignable buttons. Activities also have optional startup and shutdown macros, so devices can be turned on or off, inputs can be set, volume controlled, etc. when starting or stopping an Activity. Control panels can be built by adding buttons, assigning commands and icons to them and dragging them around to create your own remote. Ready-to-go templates are included for many devices/activities. Ignoring my concerns about hardware quality for a bit, the functionality of the hardware/software combination is quite impressive. The premise is simple -- turn commands sent over Wi-Fi into infrared signals -- but the possibilities are endless. The large touch screen of the iPhone/iPod touch rivals that of the Harmony 1000/1100 or Pronto remotes. It lacks any hardware buttons, of course, but provides custom configurations limited only by screen space. The software setup is not as simple as I'd like, but the app itself is stable and reliable at this point. I think it would be well-served by a desktop-based application that could upload directly to the base unit. That would allow the user to build a remote/activity much faster than is possible with the iPhone, and decrease frustration significantly. I'm not saying the RedEye isn't worth $188. It's a great universal remote system, and as far as I can tell, it's the only device of its type available for the iPhone/iPod touch (UIRemote seems to be dead?). It just needs some construction refinement, and maybe some software usability tweaks. If you've got an iPhone or an iPod touch, a lot of remotes on your coffee table, and a little time to spend with the initial setup, RedEye is really a very cost-effective solution. For more information (and ordering info), take a look at the RedEye site.
Wall of Sound is loud, prohibitively expensive, and somewhat defeats the purpose
You know the problem with most iPod docks? They're too compact, too convenient. Luckily the wild men at Brothers in Drottninggatan, Stockholm, have the cure to tinny sounds that come in small packages. Hopefully a nod to the sound generated by "the bruddas" from Forest Hills, Queens (and not that of a certain homicidal record producer), the Wall of Sound is a handcrafted, 4 x 3 foot, 125 watt tube amplified behemoth. Intrigued? We bet you are. Sadly, the company has sold out of its first run, but you'll need time to save up your lunch money for one of these anyways: the asking price is $4,495 (plus shipping). Hit that read link to get started.
MTube Android MID streams media to the TV and back via touchscreen (video)
MTube, known most famously in these parts for its diminutive, WiMAX-sportin' media player, seems to be putting some time and effort into Android as of late. While the MTube II hybrid Android / XP / tablet / netbook has certainly inspired its share of techno-lust, the Android MID hits us where it counts: in front of the television. The unholy union of a handheld and a multimedia controller, this guy lets you drag and drop video from the device to your TV, stream media to the TV or vice versa, and transfer files between multiple MTubes -- all this in addition to the core functionality of the OS. Details are still scant: although we know it's rocking an ARM Processor, a 7.6-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen OLED, and Android 1.6, there's no word on storage or memory, or even how the video is streamed (we think that WiFi might be a good guess). As it stands, the thing is most certainly not ready for prime time (as becomes painfully obvious when the system crashes at 1 minute 45 seconds), but as a taste of things to come we're definitely intrigued. Peep the video after the break to see for yourself.
JVC joins the sub-$200 Blu-ray player game with ultrathin XV-BP11
Sub-$200 Blu-ray players certainly aren't new -- heck, some guys have been doing it since the year 2008 -- but you'll never catch us kvetching about a little more competition. JVC has today introduced (in the briefest way possible, might we add) its newest Blu-ray player just ten months after deciding to play the BD game here in the States. The ultrathin (and "now available") XV-BP11 should slide into just about any AV rack, bringing Blu-ray / DVD playback, AVCHD support, HDMI 1.3, a USB socket and compatibility with a slew of audio formats. Curiously enough, the outfit doesn't bother to mention if this thing is Profile 2.0, but we're guessing (read: hoping) that it wouldn't do something as ludicrous as charge two bills for a Profile 1.1 deck in late 2009. Then again, we've seen zanier things go down... Update: Ouch -- this thing is only Profile 1.1. Dud. [Thanks, Aaron!]
Rocketfish wireless whole home audio system cuts the cord on all your speakers
Anyone stumbling into a Best Buy looking for some sort of wireless speaker solution has probably been ushered over to the Rocketfish section, but up until now, only a few devices have been available. Now, the Best Buy staple is introducing an all-encompassing system that aims to cut the (speaker) cable to all of your speakers. The wireless whole home audio system, which is obviously only available at the yellow-tagged retailer, is comprised of a Wireless Amplified Audio Receiver, a Wireless Sender / Receiver, a Wireless Outdoor Speaker and a Wireless HD Audio Starter Kit, which includes both a sender and receiver. The whole rig is designed to work with standard connections for speaker line and line level inputs, so most any speaker assortment should play nice. All told, the devices combined can send up to five sources to nine receivers throughout the home, but not surprisingly, there's no mention made of the presumably lofty price tag.
HAVA media streamer for iPhone available now
Just a quick note to all you HAVA Player enthusiasts: the iPhone app that Monsoon announced at CES is finally ready for public consumption. Available from the App Store (of all places), the software lets HAVA owners control it all remotely -- including cable, satellite, and DVR. What's more, you can stream your recorded programming right onto the handset for all those times when you can't stand to be apart from Jim Cramer (few and far between, we know). Supports iPhone and iPod touch (with OS 2.2.1 or higher) and goes for $9.99. PR after the break.
Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official
Hope you didn't spend your well-earned shekels on a WD TV Mini -- it turns out that the HD-less wonder was just a waypoint to Western Digital's latest. The WD TV Live HD media player is an unassuming sort that doesn't really offer any surprises: 1080p video playback, support for all your favorite codecs, both Pandora and Live365 Internet radio apps, WiFi, two USB ports for external storage, HDMI, composite and component video outputs, SPDIF audio output, and more. No big whoop, right? All this can be yours for an MSRP of $149.99, but we hear that Best Buy has 'em for $119 -- and we wouldn't want you to pay any more than that. PR after the break.Update: "That's WiFi ready." As in "WiFi adapter sold separately."
Just Add Power introduces Projector Connector HDMI-over-IP solution
It looks like the gang over at Just Add Power have cooked up a device that will let you manage multiple HDMI sources without the limits of traditional HDMI switches (and no, it isn't an HDMI Balun). The Projector Connector consists of an encoder unit that converts your HDMI source signal to IP packets and a networked receiver that decodes the signal at the display end. Add a managed switch and you can keep adding sources and display devices to your heart's content (up to 200 displays). Controlled by a PC over HTTP, this is definitely a product that will see more use in large organizations than it will in home theater setups. But still, what HD aficionado wouldn't love to get his hands on something this powerful and (relatively) inexpensive? The encoder (VBS-HDMI-308A) sells for $299, while the decoder (VBS-HDMI0108A) will run $250 -- you'll have to buy your own switch. Supports 1080p, HDCP, and up to 5.1 digital audio. Hit the read link to pick one up for yourself. [Via CE Pro]
IOGEAR unveils new HDMI Control Center for well-heeled A/V fiends
Sure, for some folks a simple 4-port HDMI extender is all that's needed, but you're not playing around, are you? If "overkill" is the only way that you roll, check out IOGEAR's latest: the HDMI Control Center includes a wireless keyboard with built-in laser trackball, supports 1080p (1920 x 1200) and HDMI 1.3, is HDCP compliant, rocks Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Support, and ships for the princely sum of $499.95. Definitely not for the weak-willed. PR after the break.
Sony unveils waterproof universal remotes for deep-sea TV addicts
If you're very clumsy (or you love watching TV in the bathtub) Sony Japan has just the thing for you. The Rimotokomanda RM-PZ3SD universal remote comes in a palette of soothing colors, works with a wide variety of sets (including those by Panasonic / National, Toshiba, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Victor / JVC, Sanyo, Aiwa, Sharp, Funai / PRECIOUS, NEC, Fujitsu, Pioneer, Philips, and, of course, Sony), and offers at least a modicum of water-resistance for wet-handed TV viewing (we'll leave that part up to your imagination). To be unleashed on the Japanese buying public "soon" for ¥2,468 (around $26). More pics after the break. [Via Boing Boing]
ASUS O!Play HDP-R1 media player gets the hands-on treatment
Our amigos over at Engadget Spanish have managed to get their hands on ASUS' O!Play HDP-R1 media player and they've taken it for a spin. The player, which supports a HD video playback in a multitude of codecs, including MPEG1/2/4, H.264, VC-1, and RM/RMVB in a multitude of packages including .mp4, .mov, .avi, .divx, and .mkv (and that's not an exhaustive list by any means). There is still no word on pricing or release date in the US, but the one Engadget Spanish laid hands on seemed to be for sale in Taiwan for around €119, or about $169. There are a few more shots after the break -- but hit the read link for a full gallery.[Via Engadget Spanish]
ASUS unleashes USB 2.0 Blu-ray drive -- government denies knowledge
ASUS has taken a pretty basic USB Blu-ray drive and given it a fine veneer of high-gloss looks. The SBC-04B1S-U isn't fancy stuff -- 4.8x maximum Blu-ray disc reading, 8x DVD burning, a USB 2.0 connection, and Windows (but not OS X) compatibility. The bright blue 'X' on the side also flashes and has a dedicated app just to control its brightness. None of this will help, of course, when the strobing 'X' attracts the attention of the entire underground world of paranormal conspiracy theorists to your bedroom as if you threw up the alien Bat-Signal -- but, you know, whatever. There's no word yet on pricing or availability for this attractive, skinny dude.[Via SlashGear]
LEGO Boombox looks sweet, still can't make your kid's music sound good
The collaboration between LEGO and Digital Blue has already produced a couple of interesting gadgets for the wee ones, so here's another one to add to the stack. The LEGO Boombox is a decidedly low-techish CD player / AM/FM radio, with two 1 watt speakers, and a few buttons to boot. The saving grace of this little guy is obviously its shape -- which is awesome -- but we really need to know if its going to come in other colors (like hot pink) before we can think about buying it. This bad boy is going to be available sometime this summer, and it'll run $39.99
Digital media revolution to give home servers a shot in the arm?
Just moments after ABI Research published a report suggesting that all-in-one PCs and internet TV would invigorate the HTPC market comes something similar from Forrester Research. Its latest analysis suggests that the growing trend of maintaining files rather than physical discs could give home media servers a significant boost. Essentially, HTPCs and home storage / networking devices could become entirely relevant as digital downloads become more common and physical media fades out. Granted, we're a firm believer that said scenario is still years away from happening, but we don't doubt that this prophecy will be realized in due time. As it stands, only around 400,000 US households posses a home server, suggesting that the market is just barely in its infancy. Forrester says that figure will grow to 4.5 million by 2012 -- we've got 3.5 years to find out.
Mitsubishi teams with NVIDIA and Aspen for in-home 3D solution
Neither Mitsubishi, NVIDIA nor Aspen Media are members of the recently formed 3D@Home Consortium, but that's not stopping the trio from teaming up in order to bring the third-dimension into the home. In a rather vague release issued today, the three companies are seemingly coming together in order deliver "high-value 3D content to the consumer at home in one convenient package." What exactly is in that package remains to be seen. From what we can glean, Aspen will be providing the Aspen Media Server, which will in turn possess one of NVIDIA's 3D-capable GeForce FX Go GPUs. From there, we'd bet Mitsubishi throws in an HDTV to seal the deal. C'mon you guys, throw us a bone here, will ya?
How would you change the Apple TV?
Any time Apple enters a new product category it's obviously a fairly major development -- we're still getting bombarded with iPhone news over one month post-launch -- so now that you've had some time to play with it, it's only fair that we give the Apple TV the same vulture-like evisceration that we do any other high profile consumer electronics product. The little box seems to have received a warm welcome for the most part, with hackers quickly tearing it apart and adding all sorts of new capabilities to boot, but what we're interested in is how you'd change the device out of the box. Would you make it more or less integrated with the iTunes ecosystem? Should it be friendlier to a wider variety of codecs? Maybe open up the USB port? Okay, have at it...
Monster's Linux-based network media and automation devices
Monster Cable, the company best known for its, um, cabling, has announced more information about its network media and home automation devices recently displayed at CEDIA. Everything in the Monster Einstein system is controlled by the Nucleus head-end, which runs the home automation and control elements, using Z-Wave and Bluetooth to control sensors and devices throughout the home, as well as interfacing with the media devices on the network. It has gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n network capabilities as well as a VOIP interface, and should retail for around $4000. The $2500 Electron components are the client end points and connect to the televisions and receivers on the network. You'll want at least one Photon 200-disc DVD changer in the system, because even though they're $2400 they have dual transports, meaning two different discs can be played simultaneously over the network. Also plan on attaching one or more of the $4900 Neutron RAID5-capable storage boxes -- each comes with 960 gigs of storage standard but can scale up to 7.2 terabytes. Other devices in the chain include the $1500 Astro Sirius satellite radio tuner with three zones, and the $1300 Tron seven-inch touch panel. Keep reading for more specifics, as well as another shot of the "monster" Photon changer...
Circuit City site adds TiVo Series 3, cites October release
So the worst-kept secret in the consumer electronics industry right now is that TiVo is on the verge of releasing the CableCARD-sportin', HD-recordin' Series 3 box -- but no one seems to know exactly when you'll be able to buy one. We heard from Todd the Best Buy employee that the new machines will be in stock on the 17th of this month, and now our friend Dave over at ZatzNotFunny has spotted the highly-anticipated DMR (remember, they're not DVRs anymore, and TiVo won't sell you one if you use that terminology) on Circuit City's website showing an October availability. Now does that mean October 1st? The 15th? The 31st? Well if we knew, we'd tell ya, but at least now we seem to have an actual release window: the Series 3 will (probably) be available sometime between September 17th and October 31st. As usual, we'll keep you posted as more information comes to light, but if that's not good enough, you're always welcome to switch over to satellite and pick up on of DirecTV's new HR20-700 HD DVRs -- thanks to HDBeat, we know that Best Buy will ship you one of those post haste.Read- Series 3 [Via ZatzNotFunny]Read- HR20-700 [Via HDBeat]
Lifetime TiVo subs transferrable to Series 3 -- for a price
Ever since TiVo realized that it was actually going to be around for awhile and that lifetime subscriptions no longer made financial sense, those subscribers already locked into the $300 lifetime deal found themselves in a bit of a quandary -- how would they be able to upgrade to Series 3 without becoming one of the plebes paying for service by the month? Well current Series 1 and 2 owners looking to get their HD recording on need no longer worry about losing their lifetime subs, thanks to a just-announced offer by TiVo that will allow them to transfer that all-you-can-eat goodness to newly purchased Series 3 boxes -- with a few catches, of course. The TiVo Community forums are buzzing about a recently-recorded Teleworld-broadcast promotion, wherein lifetime subscribers who purchase their Series 3 devices prior to December 31st can transfer those subscriptions before January 31, 2007 for exactly $199; and what's more, this offer gives them a full year of free service on the box that they already own. Yeah, we know, you'd think that paying $800 for a new DVR would be enough to get those subs switched over for free, but considering that a transfer was previously thought to be impossible at any price, in the long run this is still a great deal -- plus, now the rest of us know that Series 3 will be available by the end of the year at the latest. See, everyone wins.[Via TiVoBlog]
Was TiVo invented by aliens?
We've always suspected that TiVo was a little ahead of its time (ever try explaining its purpose to people immediately after it came out?), but none of us could have imagined that the original DVR technology was actually discovered among the ruins of an alien spacecraft that crash landed in the southern Nevada desert on March 31, 1973. Well, at least that's the premise of a new viral video making the rounds on the old internets, presented as a "top secret" training film for the "Bluemoon" project and designed as a primer for those with the proper security clearances to help Uncle Sam make the most of this wild new tech. Although the "leaked" vid doesn't reveal any clues about upcoming TiVo products or services, it is rather amusing to watch a fictional retelling of the device's origins, complete with 70's-style fonts and "dramatic recreations" of how its amazing functionality was first uncovered by stereotypically nerdy scientists. Best line of the movie? Project director A. Watterman claiming that "There are some who believe the potential uses for the box lie primarily in the consumer and household entertainment realm; others believe that the box will help us create an army of advanced super robots!" Cut to scene of a giant Robosapien attacking Leave it to Beaver-type family, and roll credits -- another Emmy-worthy presentation from the good folks at TiVo.
