Sony LF-V30 LocationFree Base Station Review

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(More customer reviews)I would like to have done this a long time ago, but the technology seems to be just now becoming viable. Based on the research and reviews, the prior versions of the Sony product did not make it worth the purchase. Slingbox was the way to go. However, with this latest release (lf-v30) Sony has caught up and passed Slingbox in the place shifting arena (IMHO). I was able to pick up the Locationfree via price matching by BB for $199. Thus making the Sony cheaper than the Slingbox for similar capability
The first and biggest advantage of the Sony is that its WIRELESS!. This alone was the biggest decision factor for me. I did not want to run 100' of Ethernet cable from my router to the base unit nor did I want to plop down an extra 80 bucks for Slinglink. I was also a little skeptical about the socket networking as my experience with other socket networking products has been sketchy at best. I plugged in the Unit and it found my wireless LAN right away.
Performance has been terrific. Video streaming is smooth and fast. Color and picture are crisp clear and vivid. Nice picture. And I only have the RCA video cable hooked up. The only issue I have run across is that the video stream will freeze or terminate when I am receiving a large email or file across the network. Otherwise it works flawlessly. My Vonage IP phone does not even seem to impact the video stream while I am on conference calls (nor does the phone degrade while streaming).
I like the option of multiple video inputs. Will try plugging in my DVD player at some point and watch movies remote. If that works I may upgrade my DVD player to a "jukebox" player and have my movie library available anywhere I go. (that or convert all my movies to digital files). I plan on upgrading my DVR to HD some time soon and I like having the option of being able to stream that as well via the component inputs.
Installation was relatively easy. Just follow the wizard and it walks you through it with no problem. I did run into one hiccup when trying to stream the video across the Internet. I could not get the NETAv test to pass and had to end up calling support. That was one of the most pleasant support calls I have ever had. Reached a service rep immediately with no wait. He was able to take control of my laptop remotely and had the problem fixed within 5 minutes. Turns out I have an older DSL router paired with a Linksys wireless router. The install recognized this as a multiple router setup which can cause complications. The service Rep accessed my routers via my laptop remote session, opened up a port on my DSL router and got the issue fixed.
All in All I am extremely satisfied and would highly recommend this solution to anyone interested in place shifting their TV viewing.


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Channel surf through your local channels even if you're not local. The LF-V30 LocationFree Base Station grants you access to your personal DVR content and local TV channels from wherever you are. You can even connect your DVD or VCR to the base station and enjoy your home movie collection while on the road. For added convenience, you can easily connect your camcorder and monitor your home from work or while vacationing in another country. With so much versatility at your fingertips, there's always something good on TV, no matter where you are.Internet connection required. Broadband connection recommended.

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StarTech 4-Port Professional VGA USB KVM Switch with Hub (SV431USB) Review

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(More customer reviews)This KVM is advertised to work without a power supply under Mac and PC (as specified on the startech.com website) but doesn't. It has a 5v recepticle but doesn't even include a cheapo wall wart. The 5v voltage is not even common enough for Radio Shack to carry them so they are expecting a lot from the end user.
The specific problem is I get a warning from my Macs about too much power being drawn and then the keyboad and/or mouse gets disabled.
I have 2 differnt setups where it fails to work. One consists of a PowerMac G4 and a PowerBook G4 with a ViewSonic 20" monitor, Apple Pro keyboard, and Microsoft Optical Mouse.
The other setup consists of a PowerBook G4, Old Micron Linux box, Sony 17" LCD, Apple Pro keyboard, and a Logitech Optical mouse.
These seem like common configurations so I am wondering if it is defective or unrealistic about its power requirements. I have written startech.com about this issue. I will update this review once I get a response.

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UPDATE

Startech sent me the power adapter needed when connecting to Macs. BTW, its not included. Seems to work as advertised but I have noticed that if I don't switch to a Mac for an extended period it wont wakeup.

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The SV431USB 4 Port rack mountable VGA USB KVM Switch with Hub offers simple control of up to four computers from a single monitor/display and USB peripheral set (keyboard, mouse).The USB KVM switch features an integrated 4 port USB hub, allowing you to share connected USB peripherals between the four controlled PC/Mac computers as though the devices were connected directly. Offering convenient placement and installation options, the KVM switch features a 1U rack-mountable form factor and rear port connection to master and slave computers, allowing you to make the necessary device connections without disrupting your workspace. A cross-platform solution, the KVM switch supports high resolution applications at up to 1920x1440 and provides a smooth operating experience when controlling mixed (Windows/Mac OS/Linux) environments. Backed by a StarTech.com 3 year warranty and free lifetime technical support.

Get 37% OFF

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Eye-Fi Share 2 GB Wi-Fi SD Flash Memory Card EYE-FI-2GB (OLD VERSION) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A few things to consider after getting the card:
1) Warm up time. If you haven't used the card for awhile or move to a different Access Point/Wireless router. It will sense it can't get a connection and goes through the access point list until it gets a connection if you have multiple WPA-TKIP entries it will add to this time. Hence the slowness of getting it started. Once it knows which AP to talk to. Uploads start within a few seconds after you take the picture.
2) As i tested it. It has the maximum security of WPA/2-TKIP. It can't do AES ecryption. They say WPA/2-PSK but don't mention at what level. It may frustrate some users trying to set it up. I spend 2 hours of pain until i reduced security on my wireless router.
3) The client is only required to setup the card. Afterwards the only reason why you need it is to recieve files onto a computer or setup more wireless access point.
4) Here's the big one. It always requires an internet connection. It always has to call home to the eye-fi service. Transfer to your computer is limited to you line's UPLOAD bandwidth. What it does is uploads your photos to the eye-fi service. The eye-fi service then sends it to your online service and then waits for contact from the eye-fi Client on your computer. Once the client connects it'll start downloading the image to the computer. So you can turn your computer off. Take a bunch of pictures. Turn your computer on and it'll start downloading all the pictures.
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Almost 1 YEAR UPDATE
What can i say. The company is awesome. They've kept up with updates so early adopters can "upgrade" their cards to the newest features.
In fact all the new cards are the same card in reality just priced differently because of the features.
So with all the updates My old Problems #3 and #4 have been somewhat solved.
#3 - You still need to pre-configure the card. But now you can now pay $15 dollars a year for Hotspot access. So now you can go to a closed hotspot service and it'll connect. Check Eye-fi to see what hotspots you can use.
#4 - With the Eye-Fi Home edition they introduced the feature where it uploads to your computer first. And with the "Share"(original) and "explore"(geotag+hotspot 1 year subscribtion included) versions it'll upload to your internet spots afterwards. So now you can setup your computer and wireless router in a room. Take pictures and after a few seconds it'll show up on your computer. Also provided that you have the card setup with the access point and computer ahead of time. You can now shutoff the internet connection and it'll still work. Eg. Cheap man's wi-fi camera without internet connection. So if you bring a laptop and Wireless router (anything with DHCP enabled). You can shoot wirelessly directly to the laptop in the field even with zero internet connection. The coolest update.
You many have noticed there are various versions of the card. In reality ALL the cards are all the same. You can future upgrade even the most basic one. It'll end up costing nearly all the same. All it needs are firmware updates.
On another note. I never wrote about this but i was kinda mad that once you registered the card you couldn't tranfer the card to another address. I honestly thought i'd get rid of the card. But i didn't. Whats really nice. If you camera gets stolen and you have enough "open" access points pre-configured and maybe even the hotspot service. You might even catch the criminal like this lady did. http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Wi-Fi-Wireless-Memory-Card-helps-catch-thief
As they can't re-register the serial numbered card. And maybe you'll even get your pictures too.

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Manufacturer Product Description A Wireless Memory Card? Yes, there really is Wi-Fi inside that tiny little card. It's going to change the way you take, save and share photos.


It makes your camera a Wi-Fi camera. Upload and share your photos automatically. Photos shouldn't be trapped in your camera. Set them free effortlessly and wirelessly. The Eye-Fi Card is a wireless SD memory card for your digital camera. It stores pictures like a standard SD memory card, but also uses your home Wi-Fi network to automatically upload images from inside your camera to your PC or Mac and to your favorite photo or social networking website for sharing or printing. No cables, no cradles, no fuss.

Key Features

Unlimited WebShare ervice
Wireless Uploads to Computer
2 GB of storage

How it works



WebShare

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RCA DCM425 - Cable modem - external - USB / Ethernet - 38 Mbps Review

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(More customer reviews)For the past so many years, Comcast was merrily collecting $5 a month for a model lease and I never even realized that I could buy one instead. Called them about some account changes and that's when the rep inadvertently mentioned that I could use my own modem. Bought it the same day, plugged it in and activated it, works like a charm. Later Comcast!

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RCA's latest DOCSIS 2.0 certified cable modem, the DCM425 is future-proof and supports up to 16 upstream flows in silicon and represents a further improvement of DOCSIS product-line in a small form factor. The 16 upstream flows allow operators to provide

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Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)360 is in the basement, router is on the 2nd floor. My main reason for upgrading was because while watching streaming netflix movies, it would stop and downgrade the quality to keep up with the streaming movie. This doesn't happen on my pc or when I moved the 360 one floor closer to the router.
The package comes with an instruction manual, installation cd and the adapter. The CD sleeve tells you to put it in first before connecting the adapter. I put it into my 360 and it just stared at me. Probably because I had already downloaded the latest 360 update through Live. The instructions were not clear on this but I feel it is for people that have never updated their 360 and need the WPA2 configuration installed to run wireless n. To clarify, to use wireless N you must use WPA or WPA2. You cannot use WEP encryption. If you do not change it on your router configuration, this adapter will run in ABG only. NOT N. You must also have a wireless N compatible router to run at wireless n speeds (duh).
I already had the older MS ABG adapter wirelessly connected to my 360 and linked to my router, so I just shut it down, unplugged the usb cable and plugged this one in instead. Rebooted and ran "test connection" and it kept the old configuration memory of the connection settings (MAC and ip addresses, passwords, WPA2, etc), except it connected full "4 bars" strong and stated the connection type was n instead of g. I checked this on the router as well through my pc. Connection speeds had varied from 28 to 54 mb/s but now jumped to 52 to 108 mb/s. Tested the unit thoroughly with MW2. No hiccups in voice or connection problems with server during multiplayer or spec ops. Also tested netflix streaming. No problems here either. Watched a full movie with no recalibration/interuption. This has never happened before even on a good day.
The adapter comes with little fold out feet on the bottom so you can stand it remotely if you buy a usb extension cable. Very handy feature if your 360 is buried in an entertainment rack.
Offnote complaint: Router is DLink DGL4500 GamerLounge ABGN, non-firmware updated (which has been known to cause problems). People have complained that this router is not simultaneous dual band. I was on xbox live playing a game in wireless n and using my iphone (wireless g only) to look up info on the net at the same time. I believe the "simultaneous" complaint refers to wireless n devices not being able to see wireless g devices on the same server. Does not affect my configuration.
Conclusion:
Does everyone need this? No. But if you don't want or can't run cable through your house and want the fastest connection speed possible, this is a great trouble free solution. When choosing between the older version and the newer one, the price differences between the two MS supplied adapters is minimal enough that this should be your purchase choice unless you NEVER plan to upgrade past g or your 360 is pretty much in line of site of your router.
I do not work for MS, own a PS3, have red ringed my 360, and still recommend this product.
Pro's: speed, pain free installation, speed, remotely locatable, speed, 2 antennae, did I mention speed???
Con's: clamshell packing, price, vague installation instructions, fragile antennae only pivot left/right, not forward/back or rotateable, same with old one. But since it can be located remotely, not really an issue.
GT: Jinx32

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Designed for versatility and ease, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter ‘N’ enhances your Xbox 360 experience in the digital home, seamlessly synchronizing with the Xbox 360 system with the newest Wireless N standard. Wireless N offers increased speed, coverage and reliability and can easily stream media-intensive applications such as ‘Games on Demand’, HD movies, videos and music to your Xbox 360 system from Xbox LIVE or your Media Center PC.

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