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HDHomeRun Prime TV tuner officially available for preorders for $249, six tuner version next week
After a false start when it passed certification earlier this month, SiliconDust's three CableCARD tuner HDHomeRun Prime is finally available for preorder from Newegg for $249. The release date is scheduled for June 29th but those interested in getting it hooked up to their HTPC as quickly as possible may want to wait until next week when the six-tuner 6CC version goes up for preorder, as those are expected to begin shipping first. There's no volume discount on the tuners at $499, but at $83 per tuner you might be able to justify it as a better value than the four-tuner and also network-sharable InfiniTV 4. Either way, if you just need a bit more information before purchasing, you'll find it on the sales page, on the linked PDF below or in the video trailer embedded after the break. [Thanks Justin & @TheReal_PeterF]
NEC's MEDIAS N-04C is only 7.7mm thick, has Android 2.2, NFC, and no ambition to leave Japan
It's only been three months since the last avalanche of NTT DoCoMo phones, but that's not stopping the Japanese carrier from scheming up another hardware refresh. Leaked out ahead of what's expected to be a February 24th launch, we've now laid eyes on what's likely to be the highlight device of this year's spring batch : the 7.7mm-thick NEC MEDIAS N-04C. It follows last year's N-04B in nomenclature only, what with the older model being a flip phone, and offers a spacious 4-inch touchscreen, a 1seg TV Tuner, NFC contactless payments using Sony's FeliCa standard, and a skinned version of Android 2.2. Look out for it in Japan soon, but don't hold your breath if you live outside the sunlit kingdom -- history has shown devices like the N-04C tend to stick to their native market.
SCT iTSX lets you tune your car from your iPad (video)
Viewing vehicle information wirelessly from an OBD-II port? Been there, done that. Actually tuning your car and making it faster over OBD-II? That's genuinely new, and that's what SCT is up to with its iTSX. For $350 you get the Bluetooth dongle and access to a free app that works on iOS devices. From there you get access to limited tuning parameters, like specifying idle RPM and fuel type. If you're familiar with SCT you know that's probably a little limited, but if you go to an SCT-authorized tuner they can create custom tunes, tweaking way more parameters than that, and download those tunes to your device. You can then apply them whenever you like or, even restore your stock tune if you're feeling really crazy. Compatibility is a little limited, though, only working with Ford and GM vehicles '96 and nearer. Right now the hardware is ready, just waiting on App Store approval, so look for release in the coming months. %Gallery-113463%
New batch of Yamaha stereo receivers flaunt retrotastic looks
If you long for the days of leisure suits and Magnum PI mustaches, or are just in the market for audio gear to match your arcade and TV, then Yamaha's new R-S line of receivers might be just the ticket. The R-S700, R-S500, and R-S300 draw inspiration from the audio equipment of the 70s and 80's and all feature minimal aluminum front panels with André the Giant hand-sized knobs for adjustments. Their throwback looks hide modern day goodies like YBA-10 Bluetooth audio streaming, iPod dock connectivity and a dedicated subwoofer output. Power-wise, the R-S300 provides 50 watts per channel of clean power, while the R-S500 and R--S700 scale the wattage up to 75 and 100 watts per channel, respectively. If you like to keep your power and tuner separate, then the similarly styled A-S500 integrated amp and matching T-S500 tuner can also oblige. Slated to time warp to shelves later this October, pricing starts at $330 for the R-S300 and works its way up to $550 for the top tiered dual-zoned and dual remote-toting R-S700. With all the retro love going around though, just make sure your short shorts stay in the attic -- that history ain't quite ready to be repeated. For full details on the line, have a peek at the press release after the break.
Confirmed: Droid 2 hack brings FM radio, in one ear and out the other
When we heard that the Motorola Droid 2 was the latest Android handset to nab the ancient magic of frequency modulated audio using Droid X files, we just had to give it a try, and sure enough, if you've got root, the FM Radio app can be yours with a quick download and just a few lines of code. Before you run off to void your warranty, however, you should know it's got a fairly desirable feature missing -- it only plays audio out of the right earphone. But hey, if we're going old school, we might as well go all the way, right? Excuse us while we go listen to some glorious monoaural sound. Files and instructions at our source links, immediately below.
Brabus iBusiness luxury sedan puts an iPad at every seat, a Magic Mouse at every hide-covered armrest
When it comes to being ushered along to your destination at a high rate of speed within a cocoon of luxury, it's hard to go wrong with the Mercedes S Class. However, if this $90,000 (and way, way up) sedan isn't special enough for you, teutonic tuner Brabus is happy to make some... improvements. The company bumps the power up to 750hp, good for a top speed of 211mph whilst also providing a wealth of iDevices to those being coddled inside. There's an iPad (with keyboard) at each of the rear seats, an entertainment system built into the back of both headrests powered by a 64GB iPod Touch, and a 15.2-inch display that swivels down from the ceiling to expose the output from a tunk-mounted Mac Mini. Even for the most ardent of Mac lovers it's a bit too much, but if it weren't it wouldn't be a Brabus. The cost? Nobody's saying, but don't expect this very special kind of excess to come cheap.
Hauppauge officially announces HD PVR support in Windows Media Center
If you're thinking about going the Media Center DVR route but can't or won't get hooked up with a CableCARD don't forget there's another option available to pull in those premium channels now that the $199 Hauppauge HD PVR is supported as a TV recorder in Windows 7. There's been a few updates since the feature was added in beta back in June, which lets users select programs via the Media Center guide to be captured and encoded in MPEG-4 over the device's component video inputs (HDTV resolutions up to 1080i and 5.1 surround sound are supported) while the PC controls connected satellite or cable TV set-top boxes with an included IR blaster. There's still a limit of one tuner per PC and a thread over on TheGreenButton reveals the experience can still be a bit glitchy, but if you've just got to have Windows Media Center and NFL Sunday Ticket then some compromises will be necessary.
Grace Digital's Tuner Wireless Radio & Media Player adds internet radio to existing stereos
So, we've two main issues here. One, who in their right mind would pay $219.99 for a device that still requires a dedicated stereo in order to play back the internet radio streams that Grace Digital's Tuner Wireless Radio & Media Player delivers? And secondly, who would want to put up with Grace Digital's thoroughly lackluster UI? If you can't grok the grumbling, the aforementioned company now has a slender new component it'd love to stick on your shelf, with the device shown above able to stream WiFi radio content from 30,000 stations, Pandora, iheartradio, Sirius, Live365, MP3tunes and a smattering of other sources. It can be wired up via Ethernet or used over 802.11g, with composite, Toslink and coaxial digital audio outputs around back. There's a 4-line backlit LCD for displaying not nearly enough metadata at once, and there's even a remote thrown in for those looking to build out their collection. It's available now if you're feeling the itch, though we'd suggest you get that checked out before blindly indulging.
Is Sony developing PlayTV2? And will we get to play in the states?
Sure, it's only one word in a long and involved interview, but according to Sony Cambridge Studio's Mark Green (who's been talking shop with Spong) it seems that a little something called PlayTV2 is in the works. "We're still working on PlayTV, PlayTV 2," he says, while the shop has "other guys working on other concepts." And while that's all well and good, but is there any chance that the digital tuner / DVR for PS3 might make it to the states some time soon? To be honest, we're beginning to lose interest.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Will Comcast kill my EyeTV?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Comcast has been telling me that I need to start buying or renting new equipment in order to keep watching my normal expanded basic channels like SyFy, USA, and TNT. I mostly watch TV on my Mac using an EyeTV tuner from Elgato. How is the Comcast change going to affect my EyeTV? And exactly how shafted am I? Love and kissies, Your nephew Bruce
PS3's Torne digital TV tuner / DVR adapter gets 2.00 software update next month
Japan hasn't had a lot of time to get used to the PlayStation 3's Torne digital TV tuner since it launched in March, but it's already getting an update which will add a few more DVR features to improve the experience. Coming in June, v2.00 will enable MPEG-4 AVC compression to squeeze HDTV recordings by as much as 3x their original size as opposed to just copying the original MPEG-2 stream even while playing a game, plus the ability to start watching a program and fast forward/reverse while it's still recording and update the user's PSN status. The free update will be issued in June, until then Torne fans can argue with European and Australian PlayTV owners about whether or not their new features are better than Facebook integration while the U.S. sits out like the ginger kid of a previous marriage it is. %Gallery-93375%
EyeTV Hybrid shrinks down, gains Win7 compatibility
Same price, same features (mostly) but a sleek and slender new look: yesterday Elgato introduced the latest revamp of its EyeTV Hybrid USB tuner for high-definition digital television. The US$150 widget gives you the option of watching over-the-air digital television in full HD glory, and can also tune in unencrypted (Clear QAM) and analog cable TV signals. If you've got an analog source like a VCR or videogame console, you can also route those signals through the EyeTV Hybrid to watch or play on your Mac (for those who don't need the analog option, Elgato also sells the HD tuner-only EyeTV One for $120). The tuner ships with the EyeTV 3 software, enabling live TV, DVR functionality and shared recordings for your iPhone and iPod touch. With every new EyeTV Hybrid you get a one-year subscription to the TV Guide data feed, which provides full listings and enables the Smart Series recording feature; the software also can detect and display the embedded ATSC schedule information for broadcast shows. After the first year, re-upping with TV Guide will cost you $20. Other than the slimmer profile, the major new feature on this model is the addition of driver support for Windows 7's Windows Media Center. Mac users may not care much, but this does let you use the same tuner if you're using Boot Camp, or you can loan it out to Windows-centric friends -- if you trust them to give it back. You can check out our previous coverage and reviews of the EyeTV Hybrid for more.
EyeTV Netstream DTT tuner streams reruns of The Fall Guy to your entire home network
If you're looking to bridge the gap between the boob tube and YouTube, Elgato (literally, "the gato") has always been a good bet. The company's newly announced EyeTV Netstream DTT takes the ol' EyeTV tuner we've all grown to know and love and lets you connect it to your router, allowing you to watch DTV on any computer connected to your network, provided it's a Mac or a PC. Plays well Windows 7 Media Center and ships with both TerraTec Home Cinema (Windows) and EyeTV 3 (OS X). Available now for €250 (about $350). Hit the source link and never miss an episode of The New Benny Hill Show again. PR after the break.
Stimmmopped lets you tune your axe with LEDs
Look, that BOSS TU-2 has served you (and eleventy billion other guitarists) well, but isn't it time for something a bit different in the pedal board mix? Stimmmopped is that very thing, which is a darling little contraption that uses LEDs rather than a microphone in order to tell you if your strings are tuned as they should be. Put simply, the device illuminates a string with a pair of lights, both of which are flashing at the frequency that the string should be vibrating at if it's in tune; if you're off, the illuminated part of the string will appear to be moving (thanks, stroboscopic effect!), and if you're on the money, the lights will appear fixed. Have a peek at the source link for more, but don't go building one yourself without a steady hand and a few vacation days to spare.
Humax HD-FOX T2 and Panasonic TX-P42G20B become the first Freeview HD tuners on sale in the UK
Slowly but surely Freeview HD is making its entry into UK homes. The well-reviewed Humax HD-FOX T2 is living up to its promise of being the very first Freeview HD tuner around, and is now available to buy via the company's online store or at your local electronics outlet. Priced at £180 ($281), its listing on the Humax Direct Sales site has an amusing "this is NOT a recorder" blinking message to inform people that it lacks the PVR functionality that the forthcoming Toshiba HDR5010 will bring. If your disposable income stretches a bit further and you want your tuner integrated, Panasonic will happily exchange its 42-inch TX-P42G20 plasma for £1,100 ($1,717). It's the successor to the TX-P42G10 and boasts a 600Hz refresh rate along with a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio and the prerequisite 1080p resolution. There's nothing we can do about the dearth of Freeview HD programming for the moment, but at least the hardware is finally out there.
Korg Sound On Sound sneers at multitrack recording, offers unlimited tracks
Multitrack digital recorders might not be front and center of the gadget lover's mind right now, but slap that "unlimited" modifier in front and all of a sudden interests are piqued and ears prick up. Korg has made official its new Sound On Sound Unlimited Track Recorder, which will do exactly what its name suggests while keeping each overdub separate for future modification or retuning. You'll be able to fit up to 26 track hours on a 16GB MicroSDHC card and a dedicated guitar input is available alongside mic and line-in ports. Another useful-sounding feature is Sound Stretch, which should allow you to alter speed to between 25 and 150 percent of the original recording without altering pitch. Price is tentatively set at £230 ($375) for a March 2010 release.
TC Electronic PolyTune tunes all your strings at once
We haven't seen much reason to trade up from our ancient Boss tuner in all the years we've been playing guitar, but the new TC Electronic PolyTune might finally persuade us. Billed as the "world's first polyphonic tuner," the PolyTune supposedly lets you tune all your strings at once -- you simply strum away and the display tells you which strings need a tweak. There's also a standard needle mode, two chromatic modes, a real-time stream mode that shows you pitch changes as they happen, and built-in memory so you can lock in your favorite settings. No word on price or availability, but we should find out more at NAMM this week. Check out a video of the prototype in action after the break. Update: Tipster Lane sends in a screenshot from our webOS Engadget app showing the PolyTune with a $150 MSRP and a $99 street price. Check it after the break. Thanks, Lane!
Japan gets Torne PS3 DTV DVR adapter in May, all is right with the world
When the PS3 was announced so many moons ago, one of the major functions that was touted about the thing would be its ability to record and process high-definition video. It's taken quite some time to get there, with the oft-delayed PlayTV tuner finally hitting Europe in late 2008, though the rest of the world still got left out in the cold. Sony's finally taking care of its home crew, announcing Torne, a DTV adapter for Japan that will enable recording of television and even video playback while surfing the web. The Torne will ship in March, priced ¥9980 ($110) on its own or ¥42,800 ($465) as part of yet another PS3 bundle. When will we in the US get a little tuner love? Probably never, at this rate.
Elgato's EyeTV One sticks to ATSC, leaves analog out in the cold
Looking to catch some of those OTA HDTV signals that your local affiliate is beaming through your brain of late? Well, Elgato's EyeTV One would like to show your PC or Mac how, but you'd better not get any wild ideas about plugging into some of your old analog sources like cable or your VCR. Just don't. The EyeTV One is billed as a cheaper, stripped-down alternative to the EyeTV Hybrid, and at around $100 (on certain online retailers) it's about $30 cheaper. Is erasing your sordid past with analog technologies worth saving $30 to you? Do you really want to spend five hours tonight adjusting your OTA antenna to catch CSI: The Real Housewives of Jersey Shore in HD? So many questions that need answering.
iHome introduces iP2 iPod / iPhone sound system and iP39 kitchen gizmo
iHome always does it big at CES, and while we've yet to see everything from the company, the first two products showcased are already looking mighty tempting. The first is the iP2 (the obvious followup to the iP1), which touts Bongiovi technology, a 50-watt amplifier and support for dock-connecting iPods and iPhones. You'll also get individual bass and treble adjustments, an AC output, line-in jack and a bundled remote. The iP39 is an interesting beast, as it's designed mainly for use in the kitchen. Yeah, the kitchen. Designed to fit the decor found in the modern cooking palace, this timer / iPod alarm clock sports a slide out drawer for docking your iDevice, an FM radio tuner, a device-time sync function and a typical alarm clock -- too bad it's lacking a coffeemaker, huh? The iP2 is expected to make landfall this summer for $199, while the iP39 should start sashaying into domicile in the Spring for $99. %Gallery-81544%
