HP Mini 311-1025NR 11.6-Inch Black Netbook - Up to 6.25 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this netbook off of hp.com, not off Amazon, just to be clear. I'm reviewing this model as it contains windows 7, not XP. My specs are as follows:
* Black Swirl
* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
* Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N280 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2, 667Mhz FSB)
* 2GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
* 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* NVIDIA ION with a 5-in-1 Digital Media slot (For the N280 processor)
* 11.6" diagonal HD LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1366 x 768)
* HP Mini Webcam
* Wireless-G Card
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* External LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Price: $579.98
Tax: $52.52
Shipping: $29.00
GRAND TOTAL: $661.50
1st impressions....quite impressed. Size is very convenient, I find the keyboard comfortable. The trackpad is way too sensitive and I had to disable tap functions just to use it.
I think these 11.6" screens are really the sweet spot for screen resolution, I find it very comfortable for viewing and light work. I don't like dim screens in battery mode, so my battery life is about 4 hours.
It's definitely not as fast as my Core 2 duo, but hey...its a netbook. I'm using a logitech nano wireless mouse which works great other than it prevents the computer from re-booting or starting if left plugged in during re-start. I still have to iron that out.
The external DVD drive works well, although it adds weight to the package. If going to the office, I will probably leave it at home.
This is my first time using windows 7 and its definitely much more friendly than vista, with limited pop ups. I haven't tried out any HD quality movies yet, but regular AVI's look pretty smooth.
I'm definitely looking forward to the new version of flash, and I intend to try out Warcraft III on here one of these days. Still a work in progress. All in all, very fun to use, uber convenient, light, excellent screen resolution for a netbook, and a good deal of power for its class. I'll see if I can post product pics of my own netbook.

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The Internet is at the center of modern life keeping you connected and informed through email, IMs, RSS feeds, social networking sites and Search. Keeping up often requires time shifting with companion devices like netbooks. Powered by energy-efficient Intel Atom processors, the HP Mini 311 is optimized for Web access and can handle standard productivity apps - but is light enough to carry everywhere at just 3.22 lbs. Its 16:9 11.6-Inch diagonal HD LED BrightView display makes viewing HD content and two documents side by side possible. The 92 percentage of full-size keyboard enables much more efficient and comfortable use than texting (or typing on smartphone keyboards) for most. The touchpad has buttons at the bottom for intuitive use. The HP Mini 311 is the perfect device for staying productive, informed, in touch and entertained on the go.

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ASUS Eee Box EB1501P-B016E Nettop PC - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've only owned this computer for 1 month, but feel compelled to offer a different viewpoint to the other reviewers. When I purchased this computer, it had no reviews, and I was not fully sold on the concept of a 'net top' (worried about intolerably slow performance). I have been building my own systems for work and personal use for 15 years and bought this system to replace a home-built system. I expected to be disappointed. I expected the system to only be usable for web browsing and to stutter a bit on video streaming.
My first impressions of the Asus EB1501P - it's cute! it's small! it's light! It's literally smaller than my wireless router.
Set up was a breeze. It took about 30 minutes to do everything -- starting windows for the first time w/ its configuration steps, removing some of the unnecessary software that was pre-installed, locking down some of the security settings & unneeded services, customizing settings, and backing up the system. It took a very short period of time to migrate my data and install the applications running on my previous system. Wireless networking worked immediately out of box, even with uncommon security settings, which was a pleasant surprise and has never been the case with any other computer or device I've used. It has a short wireless antenna and receives a much stronger signal from my router than any other device I have. The included wireless keyboard and mouse work well. I haven't tried the remote yet. Unlike my much more expensive computers, this worked out of box with a 5.1 channel audio receiver without any additional set up.
Out of box system performance is slower than your average NEW desktop but not unusable. This is due to the limited amount of memory (ships with 2GB). When running a number of very intensive applications, the system was consistently using 1.5GB of memory. This does not leave much overhead. Apps were slow to open (~10 seconds - I am impatient) and sometimes switching between apps froze the app for a couple of seconds. This is comparable or BETTER than any "net book" laptop I've used. Even with these limitations, the system lived up to my expectations based on its intended purpose and specifications and is completely usable for web browsing, music streaming, and video playback.
I made two modifications which made me exceptionally happy with this system:
1) Upgraded the memory to 4GB - if you are already spending this much on a net box, the memory upgrade is only another $75-80 and drastically improves performance.
2) Added a large USB drive for media file storage & backup.
With these changes, the system is performing well enough to replace my other computers for normal daily use. I was most concerned with multi-tasking. I have Firefox, Chrome, iTunes, Tivo Desktop & Service daemon, Norton Internet Security, Windows Media Player, most of Asus's apps, and a few other intensive things, all open and used concurrently without issues. Streaming music and video has not caused any substantial resource spikes. (Caveat, I've heard 1080p playback via HDMI is choppy, but that lower resolutions are just fine -- I've done HD internet streaming with no problem but mostly at 480i). Memory usage is consistently in the 2-2.5GB range (and has never gone over ~2.8GB), which is not a problem in a 4GB system. CPU usage is almost always very low.
Sidenote: all of my software was bought for a Windows XP 32-bit system, and I have had no problem at all with apps working on Windows 7 64-bit, which is pre-installed on the Asus.
Literally my only complaint was that I could not find clear specifications in order to confirm the type of memory used by the system. I had to wait until the system arrived to open the case.
Rating is -1 star for two reasons: 1) price... I think it's a lot for what you get, but that said, every other similar system I've looked at was more expensive without much advantage; and 2) I think this could have been built with 4GB memory for a very small incremental price and would have been a much better system.
Here is the upgrade kit that is needed to bring the system to 4GB. Upgrading the memory was easy and there are tutorials on the web for other Asus models with identical case design). Note the pre-installed memory is 1 - 2GB stick, but the existing memory is an off-brand and I didn't want to have to worry about potential problems with mismatched memory.
Crucial Technology Unbuffered Non - ECC DDR3-1066 1.5V 4 GB Memory Kit CT2CP25664BC1339

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Full HD Entertainment in a Box Featuring Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics and the Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor, the compact EeeBox PC EB1501P delivers Full 1080p HD entertainment and responsive multitasking performance in a small size.About the size of a paperback novel, you can now do more with less as you perform your day-to-day tasks while using 70-percent less energy than an average bulky desktop.1 Its VESA mount makes it the perfect fit behind a monitor in any home or office—eliminating messy cable clutter. HDMI ready, transform the EeeBox PC EB1501P into your personal media hub when you connect to HDTVs for super-sized high definition visuals and 5.1 channel surround sound. Boasting Super Speed USB 3.0, charge USB 3.0-enabled devices quickly and transfer files from USB storage devices up to 10 times faster than previous generation USB 2.0 speeds.2 Complete with a wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and media remote, you have everything you need to plug in and start experiencing simple, high-value computing right out of the box. The EeeBox PC EB1501P features 2GB DDR3 system memory, Gigabit LAN, 320GB hard drive, slot-in Super Multi DVD drive, S/PDIF audio out port, 5-in-1 card reader, eSATA port, and Windows 7 Home Premium.

Key Features
Next-generationNVIDIA ION graphics for full 1080p HD playback and casual gaming (Learn more)
Intel AtomD525 dual-core processor for responsive multitasking efficiency (Learn more)
HDMIconnectivity for high-quality video and audio on compatible HDTVs and displays (Learn more)
Ultra-compactsize and VESA-ready mount that fits almost anywhere you want (Learn more)
Slot-inSuper Multi DVD drive lets you enjoy your favorite movies andmovies (Learn more)
Greendesign—Energy Star 5.0 and EPEAT Gold certified—saves upto 70-percent in power consumption compared to generic desktop PCs1 (Learn more)
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker device charging and up to 10x faster transfersthan USB 2.02 (Learn more)
Complimentarywireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and remote control

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Complete Home Theatre Package
Power in Connectivity
Mountable Compact Design
Cost-Saving Green Efficiency
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources,3 readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. We tirelessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. We also back our commitment with the industry's most comprehensive warranty.
1 Year ASUS Warranty4
Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars tothe price of competing products:

1 year warranty
1-way free standard shipping
24/7 tech support

What's in the Box
EeeBox PC EB1501P
Quick Start Guide
AC Adaptor
Power Cord
Stylish Stand
VESA-Mount Kit
S/PDIF Adapter
Wireless Keyboard
Wireless Mouse
Remote Control
Warranty Information Card

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
CPU: Intel Atom D525 processor (1.8 GHz)
Graphics: Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics with 512MB DDR3 VRAM
Wireless Data Network: 802.11 b/g/n (@2.4 GHz)
Network: Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mbps
Optical Drive: Super Multi DVD+/-RW
Memory: 2GB DDR3-1333 MHz RAM, 1 x SO-DIMM slot (expandable to 4GB)
Storage: 320GB 5400RPM hard drive
CardReader: 5-in-1 Card Reader (SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC)
I/O Ports: 1 x built-in mini card, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x D-sub port, 1 x eSATA port, 1 x external microphone, 1 x headphone jack, 1 x RJ-45 (NIC), 4 x USB 2.0 ports, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x WiFi antenna
Power Adapter: 65 watts
Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.6 x 1.54—inches
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Color: Black

All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models.Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in images. 1 Max power consumption of the EeeBox PC EB1501P is 65W compared to traditional 250W desktop PC. 2 All figures theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on device and system status.3 Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2010. Rate number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Q2 2010's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/2010-2nd-Quarter-Computer-Reliability-Report.html 4 Covers North America only. ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. For complete details, please visit: usa.asus.com/event/ASUS360.

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Denon AVR4310CI 7.1-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver with Networking Capability and 1080p HDMI Connectivity Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this only 2 weeks ago, so this is a preliminary report:
From my testing so far:
Pros:
1. Great sound; drastic (positive) improvement over previous Denon 1508 I had in this setup.
2. Video: The upconversion from any source to HDMI is good and works without a hassle. (The worst case testing of standard cable to 1080p doesn't look good and is more grainy than I would have liked; but standard DVD looks fantastic on my Panasonic 1080p plasma with this receiver).
3. Audussey setup: was quite easy (just took some 10 minutes) and once done, had done a good job of measuring distances and capacities of speakers I have (Martin Logan Aeons for the front, Vignette for the center, ML Grotto for the sub, but a low end polk audio for surrounds in my 5.1 setup), and correctly set the relative power etc for the speakers. I can see the difference in one of the side chairs in my listening setup.
4. On screen GUI: Great improvement over my previous Denon/Marantz etc. Again this works flawlessly, and the GUI, while it can be improved, is good enough for most people.
5. The remote: the primary remote, after you get used to it, is great. Now I could dispose of my Panasonic TV remote as well as my DVD player's remotes and just use one remote effortlessly. I also have a Harmony remote that I stopped using long time ago, and this remote is better than the harmony remote in my experience (one simple reason is that harmony remembers the state of the equipment and expects you to use only the remote always; so if you do manual change, for e.g, walk up to the TV and switch it on, harmony gets confused!). Again a great improvement over previous/lower end Denon models.
5. Network access/firmware upgrade: just having these features is a plus (BUT...I had lot of issues with this - that I am covering below)
6. Ipod direct connectivity using front USB input: great again. (I was able to connect both iphone first gen and a ipod video 5th gen as well as a ipod nano 3rd gen and use them correctly using the onscreen menu). There is an audio improvement mode that improves the compressed mp3 music ("Restorer" - has 4 modes - off or no processing, 64, 96bit and HQ - high quality?)
7. Several inputs - 6 HDMI inputs there is even a set of front inputs - hdmi, composite,USB inputs for convenience.
8. Doesn't get too hot! I tried pushing this - a higher volume on my sub-4 ohm Martin Logans and no sweat! Receiver does get hot but not too hot that you will burn your fingers! This is one big reason I bought this receiver - my experience with other brand rececivers was quite bad - at 75-90 watt/channel, these receivers trip my house fuses frequently; Denon (both my old 1508 at 75 watts and 4310 now at 130 watts) does admirably well in this regard and I have no complaints - only superlative praises for the efficiency and power handling of Denon.
Now for the CONS and the problems I encountered:
1. Poor, unfinished, mediocre web access - while it does allow you to change the source, do the setup of components, control multi zones, volume control etc using [...] (browser) access), it looks very primitive - not one that you expect in a 2000$ receiver.
2. NET/USB and other network Modes: Several bugs here - let me try a few,, but I am not finished finding them yet!
a. Doesn't recognize any NAS drives in the home network; only sees Windows media servers in the network! So to play music in a NAS drive, I have to first add it to a WMP library and then I can play that from Denon. This is more a feature request than a bug.
b. While navigating through list of songs/albums etc, there is no page up/page down keys and so going down one entry at a time and lack of search is a pain when you have thousands of songs.
c. There is a minor bug in playing media server/USB files: while the display goes to sleep after a minute or so, the album art stays in the screen in the same place - this will be bad for plasma TVs!
d. Ipod troubles: I have a first generation iphone and so when I connect that, there is a warning on iphone that says this device is not compatible and so I should put the phone in airplane mode. Say no to this screen and it continues to work normally! Not sure if it is apple's bug or denon's bug! But Denon is recognizing older ipods to current generation.
Quite a few problems I saw with NET/USB/Media server/internet radio have been solved with the firmware updates over the last month..
I want to give 4.5 stars, only because most of the problems I saw can be fixed by software updates (I hope Denon will act fast), and the rest, the most important thing for me - audio quality, video quality, power handling - are worth 6 stars.
I haven't got to testing Audussey DSX - the height and wider channel features presented by this receiver. I will update this review as I test more features...
Update: July 2010: After almost a year and several firmware upgrades later, I still haven't tested the Audissey DSX feature. But the problems I noted with media server/Net are still there - in particular, the media server is still sooooo slow, I can't really use it. In fact, my Denon is wired to the wireless router. Sharing music between my systems using wireless on Windows 7 pcs/notebooks is reasonably (much) faster but Denon is quite slow - literally takes several seconds for each key press. Internet radio, napster, usb drives etc are quite useable (no issues there).
The http screens for this receiver are still primitive - no changes there. You will still need the on-screen menus if you want to make changes. The best you can do with http access is to change the input, change volume/mute (more like a simple remote).
Ultimately, the sound quality is great and audio performance of this receiver rocks - the sole reason for my buying this receiver. In spite of all the other small issues I mentioned, the sound quality and power performance (runs quite cool for the power it handles) is one of the best I have seen at this price range.
UPDATE: 11/26/2010: With the latest firmware updates, the network access and Ipod/USB access etc seem to have improved several fold. Now access to media on my NAS box in the home network is quite snappy, and I can play a song in a couple of seconds after selecting the song.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon AVR4310CI 7.1-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver with Networking Capability and 1080p HDMI Connectivity

The new AVR-4310CI is a technological tour de force, designed for consumers wanting to network their AV system. Ethernet connectivity opens up your AV system to host of exciting capabilities like audio and jpeg photo streaming and Internet radio. Additionally, subscription music services like Rhapsody and Napster are supported. The AVR4310CI packs a punch with 7-channels of onboard amplification producing 910-watts of total power (130 per channel). The amplifiers can be assigned for 7.1 channel surround sound, or a 5.1 channel system in the \'main" room and power a pair of speakers in a second \'zone". This only scratches the surface of the AVR4310CI Multi-zone (3) / multi-source (3) capability. Enhanced power amp assign features, second and third zone programming feature allow the AVR4310 to be the hub of a sophisticated whole house system. For video connectivity, the AVR4310CI is equipped with 1080p compatible HDMI 1.3a Repeating technology, delivering both audio and video to your HDTV with single HDMI cable. This HDMI connectivity supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, including Dolby TrueHD and DD+, dts-HD and dts-HR. Also included is Dolby Laboratories new Pro Logic IIz Matrix decoding featuring front height effects channels that expands front soundstage. The AVR4310CI boasts a number of Audyssey technologies, and is the first to offer Audyssey DXS processing. DSX (Dynamic Surround Expansion adds front height and/or width channels to expand the soundstage. Advanced Audyssey MultEQ XT analyzes a speaker systems interaction with room acoustics at 8 positions, and then delivers custom tailored correction processing to optimize clarity and tonal balance throughout the listening space. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is an automatic volume-leveling system that tracks audio dynamics to eliminate the irritating volume swings between TV shows and commercials.

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D-Link MediaLounge High-Definition Media Player (DSM-510) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, I'd like to say that I firmly believe that digital media players similar to this one are the future of digital home entertainment. A simple and inexpensive device like that allows you to stream digital media to your home theater from your laptop, desktop or a dedicated media server located anywhere in your house. This is a great idea. This technology is here to stay. It's just a question of maturity. And, sorry to say, D-Link DSM-510 is not quite there yet.
I truly liked its design simplicity. There are no frills, but all essentials are there - WiFi, Ethernet, HDMI, optical audio and USB port. Exactly what I needed, no more and no less, in a small and neatly done package with clean and straightforward user interface.
However, the device is palgued by fimware bugs that eventually made me take it back to the store where I bought it.
First, the most obvious and the most stupid one is the absence of the on/off indicator. The blue light on the front panel goes on once the power adapter is connected and remanis lit whether the device is turned on or off. So you have to turn your TV on to tell whether it's on or off.
Second, there's no on/off or reset button on the front panel. Well... there's no buttons whatsoever, period. And boy, will you miss that reset button now and then. The only way to turn it on or off is by using remote control.
The most annoying thing is, the device's video output goes completely dark for no apparent reason once in a while and won't come back even if you power cycle it using remote. The device appears to be alive (you can ping it), but video output remains black no matter what you do. The only way to remedy from this is to physically disconnect power supply (there's no reset or power button, remember?)
I upgraded to the latest firmware version (1.01), but to no avail. By the way, firmware upgrade is done via Internet and went very smoothly, although at some point you're left wondering if it's hung up or what? Just be patient and wait for a couple of minutes for it to finish.
I'm really surprised and disappointed that D-Link's QA have not caught this nasty "black screen" problem. Hopefully, it can be fixed with a firmware patch. But until then, the DSM-510 goes back to the store shelf.
And D-Link, take note. If you want to enter consumer market, you have to change your attitude. Consumers are less forgiving than computer geeks you sell your networking stuff to. They won't tolerate bugs that require reaching behind the box and pulling the power cord.

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MediaLounge Wireless HD Media Player 802.11g USB HDMI Viiv

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Vizio VBR120 Blu-Ray Disc Player - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my first blu-ray player, and first Vizio product. I have it connected to my Insignia 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD via HDMI. The TV runs the sound via optical cable back to an older Yamaha 5.1 channel receiver hooked to a pair of Martin Logan SL3's and Cinema center channel.
I'm on a limited budget for our entertainment system (except the speakers! I've had them a while) so while looking for a blu-ray I didn't want a lot of extras such as wi-fi, etc, but something that would upscale my old DVD's and of course play blu-ray's reliably.
First, the player looks great. It is much smaller than other player's I've seen. It looks more expensive that it is. One minor annoyance - for some reason the factory put a long strip of cardboardy type advertising along the top of the player. Not a big deal. But, it was put on with double stick tape that was VERY hard to get off. I had to work at it for several minutes and it left a little residue which I had to remove.
I've only played one regular DVD so I don't have much experience with the upscaling, but that one DVD was very acceptable. I have played several blu-ray discs, such as Avatar, Dark Knight, Casino Royale, Bucket List, and Wild China. Every DISC has loaded within 20 to 40 seconds, with the exception of Avatar which was rented and the DISC was very dirty. After a quick clean it loaded normally. I'm not a videophile, but I do appreciate a good picture, and I have not owned another player to compare against, so my only comments on the blu-ray format are WOW.
Another bonus with this player is the integrated applications. The interface is simple but very effective. You must connect the player to the internet through the hard wired connection (no wi-fi for $99!) and you'll have access to Netflix, VuDu, Pandora, Flickr, Facebook, etc. I connected to my Pandora account and had access to my stations - cool. You get two free movie rentals through VUDU for purchasing the player, I watched one movie and was very impressed. My home internet connection speed would only play the lowest resolution movies, but it looked great! A pleasant surprise.
My only real complaint about this player is the remote control. The buttons are VERY hard to press. For those who have a universal remote this will not be a problem as they will program it in and toss this aside.
For $99 at my local Walmart I am very pleased with this purchase and whole heartedly recommend this player, especially if it is your first player and you have a wired internet connection available (if you want to use the built in apps).

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Xtreamer WiFi Adapter Dongle USB Wireless N Antenna Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The product is good (better than the wdtv live that I previously owned) but some of my files (usually 1080p) are played with some kind of lag (a greenish color appear on the screen).
Other than that, I am happy with the purchase.

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The Xtreamer USB Wifi Antenna is designed to work with all Xtreamer Model (Compatible with Xtreamer SideWinder, Pro, DVD, iXtreamer, Ultra, Prodigy, PVR, Etrayz & Sync-X)This adapter also works with many other media players including the Popcorn Hour C200 and A200. It provides excellent wireless connectivity, allowing you to receive movies, music and pictures wirelessly via your wireless network.Utilizing the latest WiFi "11N" technology the antenna will provide fast, secure and reliable connections that are 175% stronger than other wireless solutions available in the market.This all-in-one device simply plugs into the USB port of your media player and you immediately have a wireless capable Media Player; making it easy to stream movies, music or photos from your computer across your home Wi-Fi network.If you don't have a 802.11n router, don't worry. Get two antennas, place one at your PC and the other connected to your media player and create a dedicated wireless network to ensure smooth uninterrupted streams of content. This adapter supports both Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc modes. Chipset o Ralink RT3070 Single ChipStandards o IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0), IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, Cisco CCX support, CSMA/CA with ACKFrequency Range o 2.4-2.4835GHzWireless Transmit Power o 20dBm(MAX)Modulation Type o OFDM/CCK/16-QAM/64-QAMReceiver sensitivity o 270M: -68dBm@10% PER o 130M: -68dBm@10% PER o 108M: -68dBm@10% PER o 54M: -68dBm@10% PER o 11M: -85dBm@8% PER o 6M: -88dBm@10% PER o 1M: -90dBm@8% PERSecurity o 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES)InterfaceUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, USB 1.1Antenna Type o Internal Omni-directional AntennasCertifications o CE, FCC

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Iomega ScreenPlay WiFi Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)the item was described compatible with iomega ScreenPlay HD which is not true,, the item is only compatible with ScreenPlay Director,,


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The Iomega ScreenPlay Director WiFi Adapter is a great accessory that adds wireless functionality to your ScreenPlay Director Multimedia Drive & TV Link Director (wireless router required). Simply plug the 802.11N WiFi adapter into your multimedia drive?s USB port, then enjoy wireless access to your entire collection of videos,music, and photos on your Iomega ScreenPlay Director Multimedia Drive.

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RocketfishTM - 4-Port Wireless HD Kit Rf-whd200 Review

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(More customer reviews)Had a nasty cabling situation where it was not possible to run HDMI through the walls. Was getting ready to do serious renovations when a friend recommended this.
My setup is a Scientific Atlantic HD cable box and a PS3 (netflix, bluerays etc) transmitting to a Sony Bravia 47" 1080p LCD TV approx 10 feet away. Don't have direct line of sight, signal is traveling through a built in bookcase, a few studs and some drywall.
Setup was a breeze, had it working in less than 5 minutes. Supplied cables are of good quality.
Watching 1080p BD's (eg tested Avatar, Pacific, Lord of the Rings) was awesome, could not notice any difference in picture quality (compared against a physical cable)
Also like that is runs on 6hgz, did not get in the way with my dual channel wireless network running on 2.4 and 5ghz.
Highly recommend this, have been using for 2 weeks with most of our experience either 720 or 1080p with absolutely no issues.Downsides (all minor)
Supplied remote is very small - you definitely want to program signals into a universal remote.
Changing resolutions takes approx 1-2 seconds, this can occur in expected places, e.g. bringing up the cable menu (switches from 1080p to 720p).

Price on Amazon is almost half of the big box stores.


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Use this kit to mount an HDTV to a wall or a projector to a ceiling, and place the source components elsewhere in the room. This kit is also ideal for an HDTV or projector installation where running an HDMI cable would be difficult.

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ASUS OPlay Air - Wireless N TV HD Media Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Only a few short months after the debut of the ASUS O!Play HDP-R1, Asus gives us the O!Play Air (HDP-R3). It adds wireless connectivity and a media card reader to an already solid media player. For users in search of a versatile wireless media device, this is a serious candidate for your entertainment dollar.
Physically, the Air is identical to its predecessor. It's the same boxy plain-Jane black housing except with a new LED indicator (for Wi-Fi) on the front and 3 media reader slots on the left side (CompactFlash, SD, Memory Stick). Inside, it is the same Realtek chipset and software, therefore, it inherits all the strengths of the R1 as well as all its flaws. For more details on the usability issues, please read my review on the O!Play R1 page.
Instead, I'll focus mostly on the wireless playback capability of the Air, since it is marketed principally as a wireless media player. If you don't need wireless, by all means, save yourself some $ and go with the R1. But if like me, your router and storage devices are too far from your media player/TV and you don't want to be running wires all over the house, then the Air is for you. An alternative is to use powerline ethernet technology, which sends network traffic through your home electrical wiring, but such adapters like the ZyXEL PLA401 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Wall-plug Adapter (Starter Kit--2 units) are an extra $80-150 to start (and you need at least 2).
Like the R1, set up was a breeze. Do you have to supply your own HDMI cable though (only a composite is included). The AC adapter is very smartly designed and is a regular 2-prong plug like a laptop adapter, not an awkward wall-wart that blocks other sockets. A side benefit of this design is that it affords you about 12 feet of extra cordage to position the Air at a convenient spot on your desk or entertainment rack. Upon plugging it in, it goes to the configuration screen where you enter the video and network settings. It took several tries to find my SSID and connect to my network initially, but once configured, it works without a hitch and connects instantly upon powering up. It's now happily streaming hi-def content off my media servers in the basement (a DNS-321 and DNS-323 NAS (network attached storage)). The interface is still ugly, spartan, and a bit obtrusive (it'll do a needless connection speed test for EVERY file before you can play it), but now I have all the power and flexibility of the R1 without being tethered to a router.
As reported by the unwanted speed test, I get anywhere from 11-17 Mb/s on average from my D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router running in mixed mode (g/b/n). Sometimes it's higher, but it's adequate for all my content which are mostly 720p MKV files ranging from 4GB to 11GB. It is able to see my Mac on the network and connect to it, but it couldn't see any files. Comparison to WD TV Live:
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I'm pleased with the ASUS O!Play line so far, and there's definitely a lot of room for improvement, but you are probably wondering how it stacks up against the Western Digital WD TV Live, its main rival. First, the Air gives you wireless connectivity straight out of the box. With the Live, you need to purchase a separate compatible N dongle (about $30), giving the Air an edge on price. With RMVB playback, a media reader, and an e-SATA port, the Air is a better value pound for pound, but it is twice the size of the Live and not much to look at.
The Live has the edge on overall polish, design, and user-friendliness. The interface is beautiful and very intuitive. I don't have to drill down several layers through redundant network folders just to get to the videos directory. On the O!Play, I have to jump through a series of hoops. From the main menu I have to select: Movies -> Folder -> Network -> Workgroup -> DNS-321 (my NAS) -> [login popup dialog] -> then finally the drive volumes -> file listings. If you tell the player to save it as a shortcut, it's still a series of hoops: Movies -> Folder -> Network -> DNS-321:/ -> drive volumes -> files. The first 3 menu layers are totally unnecessary and this is a major impedance to usability, particularly if you are trying to explain this to less tech savvy users, like my dad.
Note: It is important to use the Network browser menu option, not UPnP, which is spotty on all devices I've tested. UPnP just doesn't work at all for me. Only a handful of files show up on the list. With Network, all the files are there.
The Air's remote is big, but a bit oddly arranged. The remote on the Live is small, making it easier to lose, and skipping ahead is quite awkward. With the Air, you can set it to skip at a fixed interval (1/5/10/15/30 mins) and just push on the remote. On neither device, however, can you go to a specific time code.
The Air lets you change the encoding of external subtitle files on the fly, sparing you the hassle of re-saving files as UTF-8 that you'd have to do on the Live. If you're dealing with non-Western characters, this is important. Subtitles are easier to read on the Live, however, because it puts an outline around text. On the O!Play, I found myself having to change the colors repeatedly when I was watching one movie because it kept blending into the scenes.
Lastly, the Live has YouTube and Pandora streaming, giving you access to web content. It can also check for update itself and install them. The Air has no access to the outside world.
Overall, I like this player a lot. The ASUS has proven itself to be a versatile and capable media player in my home, despite all its warts and rough edges. The Live and the O!Plays are the only two serious contenders in the home media player market, in my opinion, and you can't go wrong choosing either one of them.
UPDATE: 2/15/2010 - Wow! ASUS just released a firmware update today (1.09) greatly expanding the capabilities of this player! (A corresponding update with the same features was also released for the HDP-R1). It adds internet radio, Picassa, Flickr, weather, and internet TV (but no YouTube)! I watched some educational programming from NHK about Japanese candymaking. The video is blurry, like most internet video, but this is a very exciting addition to the device! There are 100 channels on the list, from all over the world. The top ones on the list are from Asia, and further down, I saw sites from Egypt and other parts of the world. This won't replace cable by a long shot because of the low video quality, but it's a nice add-on for those who enjoy international programming and don't want to pay high cable fees for additional channels. (For me to add Japanese TV, it's an extra $25/month! That's for ONE channel.) I am upgrading my rating to an enthusiastic 5 because of this new functionality. The interface still needs a lot of polish, but the features definitely make the ASUS R1 and R3 an excellent value for your money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS OPlay Air - Wireless N TV HD Media Player

ASUS O!Play Air - now with integrated wireless N and a built-in card reader, it is the most convenient way access your media files to your TV/monitor.Stream your media content wirelessly or through the LAN.Also equipped with a eSATA, USB, card reader for a variety of storage support.This device is easy to use and highly compatible with many video and audio formats. Experience full HD 1080p playback through the HDMI port.

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ASUS WiCast EW2000 Wireless HD Video Transmitter and Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm looking for wireless HD solutions for a while to meet my needs : 1. to work with my DirectTV receiver DIRECTV Plus® HR24 High Definition MPEG-4 DVR (HR-24-500) HD DVRand wirelessly transmit the HD A/V signals to my 2nd TV in other room; 2. to wirelessly send signals to the projector from my laptop with HDMI output. Recently I found Amimon's WHDI solution is the most latest and advanced technology and here comes two products using this technology which can fulfill my requests and I got both of them. They are ASUS WiCast EW2000 Wireless HD Video Transmitter and Receiver (from my laptlop) and brite-View Air SyncHD New Arrival! brite-View "Air SyncHD" (BV-2322) Wireless 1080p HD Video/ Audio Transmission Kit(for my DirectTV receiver) and I'm satisfied with both of them so far though with limited time of ownership.
Asus WiCast is pretty straight forward to set up, I only need to connect the transmitter to my laptop and connect the receiver to the projector and it's done, it wirelessly streams everything on my laptop screen to the projector and then on the projection screen. The quality of signals and transmission are great (but probably it's designed for in-room usage only so there's limitation of the distance and the penetration. I tried to connect it to the DirecTV receiver but the signal got choppy after the wall in between even it's within 30 feet).
brite-View Air SyncHD works just like it should be, I connect the transmitter to DirectTV receiver (and connect the HDMI output of the transmitter with HDTV to pass through the signals) and also connect the receiver to my 2nd TV in other room within 30 feet. The quality of HD A/V signals and transmission are great too, only it takes a bit longer to synchronize. The penetration is great without any delay and I can control the DirectTV receiver in other room with its IR sensor/extender.
I really like these two products and the WHDI technology really works great. I review both of them is to provide information and reference for those who are also looking for wireless HD solutions and you can decide which one is most suitable for your situation. Hopefully it helps!


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Stream HD, Wirelessly ASUS WiCast transforms your PC into a wireless media center. Using the latest Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) Technology, easily connect, stream, and enjoy picture-perfect Full HD visuals and high-quality audio streaming from your PC to a compatible HDTV or other external display. Setup is streamlined so you can power the WiCast transmitter with just your PC's USB ports. Its small, compact design makes it a nice fit to any home or meeting room environment. And with up to 3Gb/s transfer rate, ASUS WiCast can stream any content with up to Full HD quality, less than 1 ms latency, and up to 8 channel audio playback.

Key Features
Full 1080p HD video wireless playback with up to 1920 x 1080 resolution for pristine HDquality visuals (Learn more)
Up to 8 channelaudio playback delivers incredible detail and surround sound support (Learn more)
1ms latency for seamless,stutter-free playback
Wireless Home Digital Interface Technology is the only standard that enables uncompressedFull HD video and audio streaming without wires (Learn more)
3Gb/sdata transfer speed for reliable, smooth Full 1080p HD media playback (Learn more)
WirelessBlu-ray playback to enjoy your favorite movies in Full HD quality (Learn more)
Plugand play setup lets you connect and stream without complicated wires (Learn more)

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At Home Multimedia HD Enjoyment
Secure Conference Room Presentations
What's in the Box
ASUSWiCast Transmitter: 1 HDMI Cable, 1 mini USB Cable, 1 Adapter
ASUSWiCast Receiver: 1 HDMI Cable, 1 Adapter
Travel Pouch
WarrantyCard
Manual

Specifications
Interface: HDMI
Video: Up to 1080p 60Hz, under 1 ms latency
Audio: Up to 8 channels
Wireless HDMI Technology: Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) v1.4
Transmission Distance: Up to 33 feet
Operation Frequency: 5.15 ~ 5.85 GHz
Data Rate: 3Gb/s
Power Supply: Transmitter: 5V, 2A 10W Adapter (if USB power is not available) Receiver: 5V, 2A 10W Adapter
Power Consumption: Transmitter: 4.75W (powered by USB), Receiver: 10W
Input / Output: Transmitter: 1 x HDMI port, 1 x Mini USB, 1 x DC in, Receiver: 1 x HDMI port ,1 x DC in
Accessories: Transmitter: 1 x mini USB Cable, 1 x HDMI Cable , 1 x Adapter, Receiver: 1 x HDMI Cable, 1x Adapter
Weight: Transmitter: 0.242 lb., Receiver: 0.352 lb.
Color: Black
Dimensions: Transmitter: 4.05 inches, (L) x 2.67 inches (W) x 1.12 inches (H), Receiver: 4.13 inches (L) x 0.98 inches (W) x 4.9 inches (H)
© 2010 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. All specifications are subject to change without notice and features are only in select models. Products may not be available in all markets. Brand and product names mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies. ASUS shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. ASUS WiCast transmission speed may vary on system specification and location.

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Mediabridge Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Category 2 Certified - Supports 3D & Audio Return Channel - (6 Feet) Review

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(More customer reviews)These cables worked great for me...I'm getting 1080p@24hz no problem. My setup is a Samsung 52" LCD TV (LN52A650) and a Playstation 3. Save yourself a whole lot of money and don't get ripped off buying "Monster" or any other overpriced HDMI cable. Order processing, USPS shipping, and receipt in Texas was lightling fast(7 days). Order 2 while you're at it...someday you'll need another one!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mediabridge Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Category 2 Certified - Supports 3D & Audio Return Channel - (6 Feet)

Mediabridge Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI® Cable with Ethernet - Supports 3D, Audio Return Channel and Up To 4K Resolution Buy With ConfidenceUnlike most HDMI Sellers, Mediabridge Products is an Official HDMI Adopter Licensed by HDMI Licensing, LLC. See our certificate in product images section.Quality ConstructionMediabridge's Full Metal Jacket Connectors provide the pinnacle of protection from physical strain and electronic interference. HDMI combines both audio and video into one cable so it's all you need to connect your HDTV to your Blu-Ray Player, Xbox360, PS3, HD Cable Box, PC or any HD device with an HDMI output.Compatibility- Supports 3D Content- 4K, 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i Resolutions- Audio Return Channel- Supports Highest Refresh Rates Available - Transfer Rates of Up to 340Mhz or 10.2gbps- True HD Dolby 7.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio- HDCP Compliant- Ethernet Channel For Sharing Internet Between HDMI DevicesNOTE: HDMI Ports that support Ethernet Channel are required for internet sharing. Ethernet Channel has no effect on audio or video and does not affect compatibility with devices that do not use the internet. This cable is the perfect solution for the most basic setup as well as the most advanced.Physical Specifications - 28 AWG Cable - Thicker For Durability Yet Flexible Due to Soft PVC Jacket- Full Metal Jacket Connectors - For Durability and Interference Protection - Shielding Throughout Cable- Gold Plated Warranty and Technical SupportMediabridge HDMI Cables are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Contact Us Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm Eastern.HDMI, the HDMI Logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC in the United States and other countries.

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