How to use iPhone to control HTPC
Most of Windows Media Center features are easily accessible with IR or RF remote controls and unless you need to type something remote is the only control device you’ll need to enjoy your media.
But typing on the remote control resembles chatting on a cell phone without a dedicated keyboard. It requires multiple key presses to enter almost every character. And if you need to enter non-latin characters it becomes even more dubious.
When it comes to typing, you are better off with a wireless keyboard such as Logitech’s diNovo (Edge or Mini) or Microsoft’s Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000. Those are great keyboards, and they include some kind of a pointing device (such as trackpad or navigation pad) along with media controls (play/pause/fwd/rew/stop).
Though there are a number of points that you should consider before investing in specialized media keyboards:
- they will run you $100+ in most cases;
- they are not compact (maybe with exception of diNovo Mini) and you cannot operate them with one hand like a remote control;
- you’ll have to always have them by your side and that’s not very convenient considering their size especially if you are not sitting in front of the desk;
- having to switch from remote control to keyboard and back will not improve your experience;
- you are bound to only one (or in best case - two) language layout(s) on the keys;
So what are our options?
Save big on the best Windows ever!
Microsoft has just announced pricing for its next version of operating system - Windows 7.
The Windows 7 Home Premium and Ultimate editions feature the best Media Center experience you can get, with built-in support for TV recording, Internet video, Netflix and a wealth of plug-ins from third-party developers.
The estimated retail prices for upgrading your existing XP or Vista system to Windows 7 in the U.S. will be as follows:
- Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
- Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99
The full retail versions of Windows 7 will sell in the U.S. for:
- Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
- Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99
That’s a bit cheaper than similar packages of Windows Vista.
But here’s the good news…
Only from now till July 11, 2009 you can pre-order the greatest MS operating system ever with up to 58% savings! Wow! Don’t miss this chance!
If you have several systems to upgrade (and most of us do) your savings will multiply! Order direct from Microsoft Store below…
Multi room audio is coming to power lines near you
Retrofit-friendly multi-room audio will be truly possible very, very soon. This year, NuVo will ship a multi-room audio system that runs over the electrical wiring already in every home. This system, called Renovia, will be based on the HomePlug 1.0 standard for power line communications (PLC). This standard and this technology are tested and proven, says David Rodarte, President and Chief Operating Officer of NuVo Technologies LLC in an interview to HomeToys.
Read the complete article in the latest issue of eMagazine at HomeToys.com
Via AVSForum.
YouTube XL is for big screen
YouTube has released a Flash-based video player called YouTube XL “optimized for watching YouTube videos on any large screen”.
In addition to an all new design offering large text and simplified navigation, YouTube XL offers a continuous play feature, which lets you search for a topic on YouTube and then press “play” once to watch all of the videos sequentially on that topic. Also, getting from one video to the next takes just a few clicks, and you can control the action with a blue tooth enabled remote control, or even some mobile phones.
Discover new music… for FREE
In my iTunes I have a smart playlist called “Never Played Songs”. I usually sync this playlist with iPhone to listen “on the go” or while in the car. At times it (pleasantly or not) surprises me with the kinds of music I have in my collection. And while at home I tend to listen mainly to my favorite albums or Internet radio stations, it’s nice to be able to discover new artists and new music styles on occasion.
Sweet Sonos Bundle Deals
If you were ever dreaming of that hi-end multiroom audio experience in your home, now is the good time to jump on this Amazon offer.
Sonos ZP90/CR100 Bundle
For a limited time only and while supplies last Amazon could save you up to $200 off Sonos ZonePlayer and Controller bundles
Now, doesn’t that sounds like music to your ears?
When it comes to multiroom audio, Sonos is a solid choice, and it comes with tons of free music too. Beyond your own MP3 collection you have a choice of 25,000 Internet radio stations plus Pandora, Last.fm, Sirius, Napster and Rhapsody.
Don’t delay, remember it’s a “while supplies last” sale, and at under $600 a bundle they are not going to last for long.
Deal alert: APC H10 AV for $99
APC H10
TigerDirect has an amazing deal on a power conditioner from the market leader APC.
Normally priced at $279.98 the H10 AV is currently on sale with Instant Savings of $179.99. Don’t miss this chance to protect your valuable AV equipment for just $99.99.
The H10 AV delivers pure, stable power for high performance home theater components. The H Type Power Conditioner combines surge protection, isolated noise filtering, and voltage regulation. Finally, there’s a solution that eliminates stress on component power supplies, eradicates EMI/RFI and voltage fluctuation as a source of AV signal degradation, and protects equipment from damaging surges, spikes, voltages fluctuations, and lightning.
H10 AV has 12 outlets, so it should be able to protect most home theater set-ups. And if it will fail to protect your AV gear, APC will cover your losses for up to $500,000! Isn’t that sweet?
Head over to TigerDirect for more details.
Hulu pulls the plug on third-party providers
Hulu.com, the website that provides legal, full-length TV shows, movies and other video content on demand, today updated their APIs, so that third-party developers like Boxee, Re-Quest and others can no longer use Hulu’s video content in their products.
They (Hulu) explained that studios (i.e. content providers) requested that step to be taken, “and we are respecting their wishes”, said Hulu CEO Jason Kilar. (continue reading this article and leave comments here…)
Getting digital
It’s been a while since I wanted to do that, but I’ve finally braced myself and jumped on a digital TV bandwagon.
Comcast sent me a cable box which arrived in about 4 days. After half an hour on the phone with Comcast’s rep and suggested 45 minutes of waiting time (while cable box was downloading the listings, and what not) the OnDemand menu came up on my TV set. Great! Now what?
It’s good to be able to see all these channels on the TV, but I’m so used to watching TV on my schedule (i.e. recorded on the Media Center PC) and without commercials, that my first thought was to immediately connect the cable box to my Gateway FMC-901X. (continue reading this article and leave comments here…)
HDMI cable for just a buck per foot
Here’s another great deal for you…
SmartHome sells Installer Series HDMI 1.3b Audio/Video Cable, 25 Foot for just $25. Yes, that’s 25 foot of HDMI goodness for 25 USD.
I don’t know if it’s a typing mistake on their part, the price seems unbelievable, but that’s exactly what I’ve found. So, I’m passing it to you. Enjoy.
The HDMI 1.3b standard compliance gives you the following features: