copyright 2006-2008 - Richard Binckley
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A new feature that has been added to the U-verse basket of capabilities is the ability to store your pictures online and display them on your TVs via the U-verse set top box. Basically the procedure is simple, you upload your photos to your flicker.com account then call them up on your U-verse set top box. Simple that is once you have done it!
For more details see: U-verse Pictures
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You have finally got your new HDTV set up to work with your computer and realize it is not much fun if you can’t navagate the web from your couch because of the keyboard and mouse. What you need is a wireless keyboard and trackball combo like the one shown to the left. I use one similar that came with my HP HTPC and will probably get one of these for my other HTPC. Wireless Keyboard and TrackballThe trackball takes a little getting used to, but once mastered I find it to be more convient than a separate mouse. If you are a game player then you will probably want to get a regular mouse or USB game controller, but for browsing and general computer work this combination can’t be beat. |
After getting a couple of the HP Media Center PCs that I wrote about earlier, I decided maybe it was time to get similar performance out of my HTPC I use for OTA recording and as a video and music server. I used the same ATX case the old AMD motherboard was in, so that cost is not included. Here is the parts list:
| 1-D915PGN-BULK — Intel D915PGN 915P Socket 775 ATX MB w/SND |
$29.99 |
| 1-DI5-NXDPA-F2-GP — Cooler Master Socket 775 Heat Sink/Fan to 3.6GHz |
$6.99 |
| 2-KVR667D2N5-1GB — Kingston KVR667D2N5/1G 1GB DDR2 PC2-5300 240-Pin DIMM |
$53.00 |
| 1- PSAP500 — A-Power 500W 20+4-pin Dual Fan ATX PSU w/SATA |
$15.95 |
| 1-Seagate ST3500630AS 500GB SATA/300 7200RPM 16MB HDD |
$73.89 |
| 1-MSI GeForce 8500GT 256MB PCIe Video Card |
$77.95 |
| 1-Intel Pentium 4 550 3.40GHz 800MHz 1MB Socket 775 CPU |
$68.00 |
| 1-LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GGC-H20L | $179.99 |
| Shipping (geeks.com) |
$8.00 |
| Total |
$513.76 |
The only thing I may change is the cpu fan. That cheap fan is pretty loud when it gets wound up. It will be fine because of where it will go - completely away from the TV, but if I was going to house it in the same area, the cpu fan would have to be changed, probably to a unit that would be around $50.
Part of what I was going for was to end up with a unit that would be able to play Blu-ray and HD DVD discs with a stable video - not jerky. So far this requirement has been met. For sure a PS3 would have been a cheaper way to get a Blu-ray player at $400.00, but that would not have given me the same storage, the ability to burn standard DVDs or play HD DVD movies. I know HD DVD times are numbered, but until the movies are remastered and released on Blu-ray there is still the need to be able to play HD DVD discs.
I also had other drives in the box for additional storage that I didn’t include in the parts list as well as the MIT MyHd OTA ATSC tuner card.
Yes the Febuary 2009 Analog TV Cutoff is getting nearer and people are going to need converter boxes. Why wait until the last minute to get these if you are watching TV using only an antenna to get your signal?
For more discussion on this subject read: 2009 Analog Cutoff - TV converter Boxes
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PS3 IR Remote Control |
You have purchased a PS3 with the intentions of using it for a combination game player and Blu-ray player only to get it home to discover there is a big problem. It won’t integrate into your home theater remote controller because you find out the PS3 uses a bluetooth remote and you need a PS3 IR Remote Control. PS3 IR Remote Control Well don’t fret - there is a solution. To the left is a nifty little device that will plug into the PS3 USB port and give you a PS3 IR Remote Control! It comes with a remote controller that will allow the IR codes to be “learned” into your home theater remote from the PS3 IR Remote Control. |
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From the Nyco website: |
Easily control the next generation of home entertainment with the Blue-Wave Remote from Nyko. The Blu Wave allows you to easily control the playback of Blu-Ray movies, DVDs and CDs on the PlayStation 3 console. Utilizing infrared technology, the Blue Wave can navigate system and movie menus, skip chapters or tracks, pause and play a movie or music and replicate other PlayStation 3 controller functionality from up to 25 feet away. The compact USB IR receiver plugs into any open USB port for easy set up requiring no complicate software, pairing or programming. The Blue Wave is powered by 2 AA batteries (included).
PS3 IR Remote Control
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LCD Response Time Explained Frequency Stackers MyHTPC DVD Pictures HDTV Internal Workings Remote Controls - Overview Programmable Remote Controls Touch Screen Remote Controls |
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