other hardware
Latest
Searching For Sonny: first feature film shot on a DSLR
What's the world coming too, really? Not only did we see the first official presidential portrait shot with a DSLR this year, but we're also seeing the first feature film to be entirely shot on one as well. Searching For Sonny has grabbed the rights to that latter claim, a little ditty written and directed by one Andrew Disney. As expected, we have Canon's almighty EOS 5D Mark II to thank, though Nikon fanboys will surely love that their lenses were used. Head past the break for a sneak peek, and hit up the read link on April 15th for the full trailer. Indie filmmakers, this is the break you've been waiting for -- don't screw it up.
Lian-Li intos low profile PC-C39 HTPC chassis
Still teetering on which Lian-Li chassis to put your next HTPC in? Hope you're kosher with one more option to make things even more difficult. On the real, the PC-C39 aims at a very specific niche: those who want low profile and are willing to deal with the limitations attached. Said case, which arrives in black or silver brushed aluminum, supports micro-ATX motherboards, includes an anti-vibration HDD cage, a pair of 70mm extraction fans, folded elements to prevent sharp edges and four low profile expansion slots. Too bad it'll set you back $210, huh?
Mac-friendly Houseport USB To Z-Wave adapter shipping soon en masse
For those that don't visit Fry's Electronics on any regular basis, you probably reckoned that Wayne Dalton's totally promising USB To Z-Wave adapter had simply failed to ever make it onto store shelves after being launched 14 months ago. Turns out, the device (and the OS X-friendly Houseport software) has just been loosed from its limiting "Fry's exclusive" agreement, and it's about to ship out to anyone who desires it starting June 1st. We're told that the hardware and software hasn't changed since CES 2008, and even the retail price ($87) will remain the same. Of note, eager beavers can snag a limited number of upgradeable pre-production units today for $79, but then again, you never really know what you're going to get. Hang tight, Mac-owing home automators -- your long-awaited solution is nearly here.
New firmware adds high-def video plug-in to Archos 5 / 7
Hey, Archos 5 / 7 users -- do we have your attention? Good. You know that high-def support you've been not-so-patiently waiting for? Archos just hooked you up good fashion. As of right now, the read link is holding fresh firmware for both players (v1.6.03), which tosses in support for WMV / VC-1 playback at 720p (24fps; 6Mbps maximum). The update also fixes a number of bugs involving MP3 tags, TV recording errors and GUI malfunctions. Give it a download and report back, won'tcha?[Thanks, Trevor]
Video: GE bringing 3D HD baggage screening to airports
Certain airports have already taken the whole "walk through the metal detector" thing to the next level, but things are about to get stepped up once more thanks to TSA certification on a new product from GE Security. The CTX 9800 DSi, which happily sits in the company's explosives detection systems (EDS) line, is now free to waltz into airports in order to "protect travelers with advanced high-definition 3D imaging baggage screening technology." We're talking 360 degree, finely-detailed views of baggage contents, which will undoubtedly cause immense embarrassment when a given TSA agent sees your prime selection of underwear, nose hair trimmer and pink nail polish. Here's hoping this won't slow security lines down even further, and if you're interested in seeing what all this thing can do, just mash play on the video above.
NAD's PP-3 digital phono preamp turns vinyl pits to digital bits
Vinyl holdouts have one less excuse for not making the leap to digital thanks to NAD's PP-3 Digital Phono Preamplifier. Turntables with encoding capabilities are nothing new, but if those decks have been beneath your standards then you've been out of luck. The PP-3, however, lets you supply your own deck -- the audiophile-friendly MC/MM phono preamp is RIAA-equalized and passed through a rumble filter before being output as a soft-clipped digital signal (on a handy USB port) courtesy an onboard A/D converter. The PP-3 also has a line-level input that might come in handy for when you decide to tackle your reel-to-reel tape archives. Available now for $199 -- don't you want to hear this MP3 stuff that all the kids are raving about?
Futaba thinks Field Emission Displays are still the future
Sony may have given up hope on the future of Field Emission Displays (FEDs) -- CRTs that rely on flat electron emitters, ditching the cumbersome tube and the bulk that goes along with it -- but Futaba is still moving forward, demoing a series of displays for Engineering TV in a video embedded for your viewing pleasure below. The company isn't exactly well-known in consumer display circles (head down to your local hobby shop for a schooling on its most famous products), but despite that seems to be no slouch, able to make these things as slim as 4.2mm while delivering the image quality and contrast ratios of a CRT, all at a lower energy consumption. Could this be the future of the car dashboard? Right now we'd just be happy with some more responsive servos for our RC10; we'd be even more of a force to be reckoned with at the local 1:10 scale dirt track.
iZ3D debuts polarized 3D glasses, announces DirectX 10 driver
iZ3D, the company responsible for that $399 22-inch 3D monitor, has just unveiled a new way to see the third dimension at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco. The new polarized 3D glasses are currently in beta testing and should soon be released alongside the iZ3D v2.0 / DirectX 10 driver. Reportedly, these linear polarized glasses will solve color viewing issues experienced by some users, not to mention allowing for easier user adjustments. Full releases for both the spectacles and the new driver are just past the break.
ZeeVee releases retooled Zinc internet video browser
It's been a few months now since ZeeVee showed its soft(ware) side by announcing the free public beta of Zviewer, and now we're pleased to announce that it's back with a new name, a new face and a slightly revised agenda. Rechristened Zinc, this latest version is -- for all intents and purposes -- a competitor of boxee. Once installed on a PC (a Mac version should surface by April), users can easily navigate to tons of internet-based TV content from the likes of CBS, ABC, etc. Also of note, this version bakes in access to your Netflix Watch Instantly queue, providing access to 15,000 feature length movies and tens of thousands of TV shows. For now, ZeeVee's committed to keeping the application free, and it believes its superior UI will win folks over. The full release is waiting just past the break, and those interested in giving it a go should find a live download waiting right here.Psst... you can check out our hands-on and review over at Engadget HD.
Comtrend's wireless video adapters based on Celeno HD WiFi chip
Earlier this year, Celeno and Cavium teamed up to pump out a WiFi-based wireless HDMI Solution, and now the former company has notched yet another partner in its quest to spread the joys of wireless video the world over. Announced at the IPTV World Forum, Comtrend has selected Celeno's HD WiFi chips for its wireless video adapters, which are available now for service providers worldwide. Their purpose? To distribute multiple HD IPTV content from any Ethernet-equipped home gateway or DVR to IP set-top-boxes. In other words, the solution ensures reliable IPTV home networking, providing whole home coverage without any new wires. There's no specific word on where we'll see this stuff roll out, but those over in London can check it out in person starting tomorrow. Full release is after the break.
MSI rolls out R4600 HDMI GPU series for HTPC builders
We won't say the homegrown HTPC is making a comeback or anything, but shortly after Lian-Li laid out a new pair of cases, in flies MSI with a new duo of media PC-centric video cards. The R4600 series is comprised of the R4650 and R4670 (ATI), both of which are available in 512MB of 1GB flavors. Aside from boasting an all-too-useful HDMI port, these cards also support 7.1-channel audio output for use with internal Blu-ray drives, and the design is such that they won't infringe on any other nearby PCIe cards. Per usual, MSI left us hanging with respect to pricing and availability, but we're going out on a limb and expecting these to be totally reasonable.
Linksys by Cisco PLTK300 Powerline kit is pretty, sluggish
And to think, this here box had so much promise. At first glance, it's easy to fall head over heels with the PLTK300 Powerline box. After all, it features a four-port adapter that easily manages game consoles, Blu-ray players, AV receivers, etc., and passes those signals along your home network via power wiring. The rub? It's based on the older 85Mbps standard and not the fresher, speedier 200Mbps protocol. In other words, you may see dropped frames and the like if trying to push too much HD through here at once. Ah well, at least that news makes the Asia-only availability that much easier to live with.Update: So, these seem to be shipping now in the US. Huzzah! [Thanks, Dave!]
Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 gets official
You've got to love it, don't you? Just a day after we caught wind of Logitech's Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 (via the always informative FCC), the aforesaid company has come forward and confessed to its plans. The good news is that the adapter is for real, and while we're still not being told too much about the device itself, we do know that it will operate with any Harmony remote and it won't take up a USB port on your console. In other words, it's a simple Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter, though it promises to give Harmony remote users "complete control (including power on / off) over the movie-watching experience on a PS3." We're pleading for more information on pricing and availability, but until that's received, just enjoy your weekend knowing that you'll be able to buy one soon enough.
Lian-Li introduces PC-C33 and PC-C34F HTPC enclosures
Honestly, there aren't too many empty HTPC cases hitting the streets these days, so it's quite refreshing to see Lian-Li pumping out a new duo for those still holding tight to true American values. Er, DIY values -- same difference, right? Anywho, both the PC-C33 and PC-C34F were designed to house micro-ATX / ATX form factors and boast plenty of room for internal HDDs, fans and a nice array of ports. The latter checks in with just a bit more room inside, not to mention a front-mounted, lockable HDD cage with a hot swap HDD capability. Hop on past the break for the full specifications, and since we know you're wondering, you'll be looking at $160 (C33) / $255 (C34F) for these when they ship in May.[Via HotHardware]
Elgato ships 1080p-friendly Turbo.264 HD video conversion dongle
Remember that brilliant Turbo.264 video conversion dongle that shipped like, two whole years ago? Yeah, it's successor has just hit the streets, and it's as ready as ever for 1080p content. The predictably titled Elgato Turbo.264 HD plugs directly into one's Mac and converts files up to 1080p (from camcorders, digital cameras, etc.) into files that are perfectly formatted for iPods, PSPs or other media players. The bundled software also lets users preview and trim video clips before converting, and it saves folks the time and hassle of importing into iMovie, learning commands, rendering and exporting. Reportedly, a video that would take an hour to convert to an iPod-friendly file takes just 15 minutes with this here dongle, and if that's worth $149.95 to you, you're one click away from brightening your own day.[Via Electricpig]
Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 answers a million prayers
For everything going wrong in your life right now, there's at least one beacon of light to keep you, a dutiful PS3 owner, smiling. A long (long!) awaited device has just slipped into the FCC's database, and while details are scant, most of what we need to know is tucked away in the title: Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3. For far too long, PS3 owners with IR-based universal remotes have had to rely on clunky IR-to-Bluetooth converters to get the two to communicate, but as soon as the E-R0001 hits the market, all that will change for Harmony owners. As of now, we've got three questions that desperately need answered: 1) when?; 2) how much?; and 3) what Harmony remotes are compatible?
Sony hides audio system within stylish RHT-G HDTV stands
If Onei Solutions' speaker-infused TV stand was a bit too extravagant for your den, why not consider Sony's completely classy alternatives? The new RHT-G series follows up on last year's model by including three new HDTV stands that include multi-channel audio systems. The RHT-G950 is designed to hold sets from 40- to 46-inches, while the RHT-G1550 handles big screens in the 46- to 55-inch range and the RHT-G550 holds those 32- to 40-inch models. The G950 and G1550 each host a 5.1-channel array of speakers with 470- and 550-watts of power, respectively; the smaller G550 does 3.1 with 330-watts. There's also a dozen selectable sound modes, a trio of HDMI inputs, BRAVIA Sync support and a Digital Media Port for connecting one's Walkman, PC, phone or iPod. There's no mention of pricing just yet, but these should hit shelves in the May to July time frame.[Via Engadget Spanish]
First unofficial PlayOn media server plugin caught in action
Taking advantage of the latest update to the PlayOn media server software, this YouTube video claims to capture the first unofficial plugin which enables users to easily browse GameTrailers.com trailers on their TV. Greater functionality should make the $39.99 fresh-out-of-beta pricetag a little easier to swallow, seeing GameTrailers (and its overcompressed "HD" videos) listed on a PlayStation 3 menu next to ESPN, Hulu, Revision3 and other supported services may not be incredibly impressive off the bat but it does bode well for the future of this DLNA streaming package.[Thanks, Jackson]
Sigmatek's HFDL-1080 brings an LCD to the mini-system desk party
The niche product segment dedicated to "executive desktop" solutions will be getting a new entry in the "hi-fi with articulated LCD" category in late April (€159) thanks to Sigmatek's HFDL-1080. This piece of desk jewelry comes with a DVD spinner, DVB-T and ATV tuners and an articulated 7-inch LCD. We're guessing the "1080" in the product name is just a byproduct of the predecessor's "HFDL-1070" moniker and not a spec, but for what it's worth, the HFDL-1070 came in at 500 lines of resolution, so the new model will at least meet ED spec. More to the point, we seriously doubt you're going to notice a dramatic difference between HD and ED on a 7-inch display; and shouldn't executive types be focused on work while at their desks anyways?
Sony Style Comcast Labs opens to show off future of high-speed internet
Eager to see what life's like on a Sony VAIO hitting speeds in excess of 160Mbps? Head on over to the City of Brotherly Love, as that's where a flashy new retail location is opening up to simultaneously showcase the future of high-speed internet and Sony gear. The Sony Style Comcast Labs facility will open its doors to the public tomorrow in Philadelphia's Comcast Center, where onlookers will be able to check out the power of DOCSIS 3.0 as well as some applications and platforms being developed to take advantage of all that speed. As far as we can tell, this co-branded location is nothing more than a showcase of current and future products for both firms, though we fully anticipate that reps will be on hand to take orders of whatever you fall for while browsing around. Anyone down for checking it out?
