DTV is Coming This Week

Don't forget that the DTV transition takes place this Friday or you will be seeing snow on your screens this weekend. Even if you haven't yet received a coupon you had best find yourself a digital to analog converter and antenna. Procrastinators can pick these up for very little coinage if you shop around. Need help? Call 1-888-CALL-FCC and someone will volunteer to assist you.

Via DTV. gov

AMEX Frame and Printer

There are so many multiple electronics now that soon we won't need more than a handful. For example, this AMEX Frame doubles as a printer. With a 7" 16:9 TFT color LCD display also has speakers, remote, music and video playback and supports JPG/AVI/Mpeg1,2,4/MP3 file formats. Compatible with MS/MMC/SD/XD/CF cards, the acrylic/wood SP-7 plugs into your USB and will put on a slide show so appealing others will ask you for prints. The frame has a price of $199.00.

Via AMEX

Freakin' Friday! Flip UltraHD Camcorder

If you still haven't made your claim to fame on YouTube, Flip has a new UltraHD Camcorder. Our Flip has enabled us to upload with such simplicity that we are positively addicted to shooting everything in sight (including our cat.) They have also released a tripod that Amazon will toss in for free (or another accessory) if you purchase before May 13. Sure there are others for less, but as far as we are concerned, if it ain't broke...

Via Free Accessory w/ Flip UltraHD Camcorder

Transform Your PC Into HDTV

Sabrent has a new solution for bringing unencrypted digital cable TV to your PC with HDTV quality. The TV-DGUSB 2.0 Digital HDTV Tuner turns your computer into a DVR while recording movies and TV shows in full-original quality and you can set it to record while you are away. The Windows compatible tuner comes with a remote and is priced around $40.00, depending on where you shop.

Via Sabrent

KDDI au Box Driven By Android

Motorola will be using Android to create KDDI's multipurpose set top box. The "au Box" can play and rip CDs, has storage for transferring to a mobile device via USB and of course play DVDs through video encoding. They will be on display at Japan's CEATEC this October and Masataka Miura, chairman of Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF), says that JVC is also considering developing an Android TV.

Via Android Guys

Think Green on Earth Day

It's Earth Day! Get out there and:

• Replace your evil incandescent bulbs with energy-saving ones.
• Get a "smart" power strip that will shut off your appliances when not in use.
• Change your outlets with those that will help save the planet.
• Purchase an electricity usage monitor for appliances to assesses efficiency.
• At the very least, plant a tree.

Visit the Earth Day Site and send an E-Card or sign up for the Every Day is Earth Day Facebook app and help reduce your carbon footprint.

Via Celebrate Earth Day

Atlona Video Scaler Has 11, Count 'em, 11 Inputs

One can never have too many inputs. Atlona Technologies has launched their AT-LINE-PRO3. The video scaler has two HDMI outputs and 2 Composite AV, 1 S-Video, 2 Component, 1 VGA, 1 DVI-I and 4 HDMI. Any of the inputs can be scaled to different resolutions including 1080HP. The PRO3 converts 50Hz/60Hz for American Televisions in Europe and PAL to NTSC for the opposite usage. It's due out the end of April with a price of $699.99.

Via HomeToys

AmeriCorps to Assist in Digital Transition

The FCC has asked AmeriCorps to participate in a coordinated effort to help make the digital transition simpler. Volunteers will help connect the converter boxes, apply for coupons, work in walk-in DTV help centers and visit non-English speakers, seniors, the disabled and outlying areas that aren't up to speed before June 12. AmeriCorps is composed of about 2 million members, aged mostly 18 - 24, who will begin the task in Denver. If you need help, still have questions about the changeover, or would like to volunteer yourself, contact them.

Via AmeriCorps

Blockbuster OnDemand Coming to TiVo

Watch out, Netflix. Blockbuster OnDemand is also coming to TiVo. Members can rent for $2 - $4.00 or purchase thousands of their titles for instant viewing for $15 - $20.00. The service will be available to TiVo Series 2, 3, HD, and HD XL DVRs and Blockbuster will sell TiVo units in their retail stores as part of the deal.

Via TiVo

More Stations to Switch to Digital Before June

If you wake up one Sunday morning and cannot get your fix of Bill Moyers on PBS, it may be because another 158 TV stations, about a third of them public broadcasting, will switch from analog to digital before the deadline June 12. The reasoning is undoubtedly because PBS is hurting for support these days. That leaves about 51%, or 927 channels that will make the crossover later. The FCC has released PDF lists of those that will make the transition early and those that have decided to wait.

Via FCC

Miro 2.0 - Now Customizable

Miro is a free HD video player that can handle almost any video file and has access to over 6,000 Internet TV shows and podcasts. The open source device has integrated search and will also stream from sites like YouTube and Hulu. The new 2.0 version is customizable and has keyboard shortcuts, while the built-in guide connects you for downloading to your computer. With such extensive free viewing available online, it is no wonder that some of the networks are increasing their output there as well.

Via Miro

Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD, Ulta-Wide Viewing

Philips certainly gets our attention with their new Cinema 21:9, the perfect addition to any home theater. Because the 56" diagonal TV comes close to the 2:31:1 aspect ration of film, it gets rid of those irritating top and bottom bars. The HDTV includes auto-formatting to resize to 16:9 that can be disabled and their Ambilight technology. Available in select European countries in limited distribution, it has a MSRP for €4000 (~$5,000.00.) There are no plans to make it available in North America as yet, but one can hope.

Via Home Theater

Zillion TV - DVD Quality Viewing

Mitch Berman watched a demonstration of Internet-based TV on demand with a PC as the set-top box. About a year later, Zillion TV was born. He says that it brings DVD quality programming to your TV. Berman is hoping that he can nab users of cable and satellite by offering films and TV on demand. Customers get a thin box that connects to DSL or cable modem services and remote for free, then they can buy a program, rent it for a set time period or watch free with commercials.

Via Zillion TV

Freakin' Friday! Prestige Drive Works With Pace Boxes

Iomega has announced that their
Prestige Desktop External Hard Drive, previously used for storage for eSATA-enabled DVRs, is now compatible with Pace set-top boxes. That means an expanded capacity for up to 300 hours of standard def TV or 60 hours of HD. The drive can even enable boxes to function as a DVR without an internal hard drive. Get in touch with Iomega for more information.

Via Iomega Prestige External Hard Drive