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Latest antenna selector is pretty slick, knows nothing about DVRs

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 22nd 2009 at 9:19AM

HDTV antenna finder

We really love us some free over-the-air HD, in fact even when we do subscribe to cable or satellite, we still prefer to use an antenna for the locals because the picture quality tends to be better. At the same time we understand that antennas aren't for everyone, but we still continue to help everyone else find the best antenna for their location. This latest site is really little more than a cool Google Maps mashup like others we have seen before, but from an online antenna retailer. We really liked how it automatically determined our location -- somehow -- and it makes it easy to see where the towers are in your area. What we didn't like was that it suggested a rotator, which is just silly in the days of DVRs -- seriously, like a DVR would be able to turn the antenna to record your favorite show? Just for starters we don't even use a rotator and get every station without issue, but even if we did need one, we'd recommend you go with two antennas and a Jointenna instead. Yeah, it costs a little more, but works perfectly with DVRs, even when they have the ability to record from more than one channel at a time.

Poll: What's the most you'd pay for a quad HDTV tuner with CableCARD?

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 14th 2009 at 11:55AM


Let's be clear right up front, we're not asking you how much you want to pay because we already know the answer; as little as possible. We want to know, what is the most you would pay. Now before you answer, lets put this into perspective. A dual tuner TiVo HD costs $300 at retail (plus subscription), a Moxi is $800 and the old ATI single CableCARD tuners were $300 -- so unlike the Ceton tuner, you'd have to rent four CableCARDs instead of just one. So keeping all that in mind, what is the most you'd pay for a single PCI-E card that could turn your Windows 7 PC and Xbox 360 into the best premium content HD DVR today?

What's the most you'd pay for a quad HDTV tuner with CableCARD?

How-to: Build an HD Media Center for under $1000

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 21st 2009 at 1:12PM

HTPC How to

You probably thought we had all the fun at Engadget HD, but you'd be wrong. Because sometimes the crew over at classic Engadget reaches over and surprises even us. This latest How-To is right up our alley and as extensive as any feature we've done. So click on over and check it out, just be sure you didn't have anything else planned for this afternoon as this is going to take awhile.

A cool new DTV map from the FCC to help you prepare for the transition

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jun 4th 2009 at 10:20AM

FCC Digital TV antenna map
We've long been a fan of free over-the-air (OTA) HD and have been over to antennaweb.org on a number of occasions to help others assess the viability of going cable-less. And while this has worked pretty well for us, we were excited to see this new tool on the FCC's site that shows a much prettier map and even more useful stats that try to predict the signal strength available at your house. We're not sure how accurate the "receive power" estimates are, but we're sure they are more useful than no data at all. So if you're trying to figure out if you need to make any changes to your antenna farm post-transition on the 12th, head on over and check it out.

[Via The Digital Media Zone]

How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center

by Ben Drawbaugh posted May 12th 2009 at 11:00AM

ATI Internal DCT

Access to premium HD on computers has eluded most for way to long, so as soon as we heard that it was finally possible for anyone to add a CableCARD tuner to just about any Media Center, we just knew we had to try it for ourselves, and more importantly, share with you exactly how to do it. This doesn't really require any hacking, or anything illegal for that matter -- we're not lawyers -- but it isn't cheap. The internal version of the ATI Digital Cable Tuner pictured above can be found new on eBay for about $195, or new from PC vendors like Cannon PC for just under $300. If that doesn't seem like a bad deal to you and you already have an HTPC up to the challenge, then you should join us on our journey to HD bliss by clicking through.

Continue reading How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center

New utility makes any computer's BIOS CableCARD ready

by Ben Drawbaugh posted May 6th 2009 at 1:37PM


After learning that some were having success adding ATI Digital Cable Tuners to HTPC they built themselves, we knew it was only a matter of time before it would be possible to make it work on any computer, but we have to admit we never thought it would happen this fast. The Green Button forum member DanITman posted some directions and links to everything you need to make ANY Vista or Windows 7 computer support digital cable. The hack is very simple actually, it just uses a modified version of VistaLoader to emulate a Sony OCUR compliant computer's BIOS. The real beauty is that it can easily be installed or uninstalled and if Microsoft were to black list the Sony BIOS, emulating a different BIOS would be trivial. The only potentially unworkable caveat at this point is if you are using an Dell OEM Windows PC using the OEM key, this will break your activation, but hopefully a solution for that will be discovered shortly as well.

DIY'ers successfully build their own CableCARD equipped HTPC

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Apr 29th 2009 at 4:28PM

ATI Digital Cable Tuner
HTPC fans were devastated when it was revealed that only OEM PC builders would have the privilege of building Vista Media Center PCs with CableCARD support, but hope is here: it looks like a few members of The Green Button forum have figured out how to build their own CableCARD ready HTPC. There's two barriers to overcome, which unfortunately still make it more difficult than just picking up an internal or external ATI Digital Cable Tuner, but they're not terrible: would-be system builders just need to score an OCUR tuner product ID number and use a BIOS contains the correct OSFR table. No one's figured out how to tweak just any BIOS yet, but apparently most ASUS P5Q motherboards work fine -- so really you just need to score some used CableCARD tuners off eBay and ask the seller for the PID from their computer. Or you could throw caution to the wind and plug in the generic PID of 263DJ-2Y9YT-6X9G6-W28DB-697TF, which may or may not work. Anyone feeling brave enough to grab a new mobo and CableCARD tuner and give this a shot?

Mac-friendly Houseport USB To Z-Wave adapter shipping soon en masse

by Darren Murph posted Mar 29th 2009 at 6:51PM


For those that don't visit Fry's Electronics on any regular basis, you probably reckoned that Wayne Dalton's totally promising USB To Z-Wave adapter had simply failed to ever make it onto store shelves after being launched 14 months ago. Turns out, the device (and the OS X-friendly Houseport software) has just been loosed from its limiting "Fry's exclusive" agreement, and it's about to ship out to anyone who desires it starting June 1st. We're told that the hardware and software hasn't changed since CES 2008, and even the retail price ($87) will remain the same. Of note, eager beavers can snag a limited number of upgradeable pre-production units today for $79, but then again, you never really know what you're going to get. Hang tight, Mac-owing home automators -- your long-awaited solution is nearly here.

How to make the most of your hotel television

by Darren Murph posted Mar 27th 2009 at 9:33PM


We've covered a number of newer hotel chains that actually recognize the importance of delivering HDTV programming and HD VOD to guests, but for the vast majority of places still living in decades past, there's Gadling's latest how-to guide. If you're sick and tired of checking into hotels with ancient TVs and lackluster programming, there actually are some options. For one, it's always smart to carry a bit of media on a PMP and bring along every connection cable you can imagine. Furthermore, those with Slingboxen and other place-shifting solutions can usually pipe their content from laptop to TV with the right connections. If you're looking to get schooled in the ways of good travel, hit that read link and open wide.

Lian-Li introduces PC-C33 and PC-C34F HTPC enclosures

by Darren Murph posted Mar 20th 2009 at 2:26PM


Honestly, there aren't too many empty HTPC cases hitting the streets these days, so it's quite refreshing to see Lian-Li pumping out a new duo for those still holding tight to true American values. Er, DIY values -- same difference, right? Anywho, both the PC-C33 and PC-C34F were designed to house micro-ATX / ATX form factors and boast plenty of room for internal HDDs, fans and a nice array of ports. The latter checks in with just a bit more room inside, not to mention a front-mounted, lockable HDD cage with a hot swap HDD capability. Hop on past the break for the full specifications, and since we know you're wondering, you'll be looking at $160 (C33) / $255 (C34F) for these when they ship in May.

[Via HotHardware]

Gallery: Lian-Li introduces PC-C33 and PC-C34F HTPC enclosures

Continue reading Lian-Li introduces PC-C33 and PC-C34F HTPC enclosures

How to automatically download and import HD to Windows Media Center

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Feb 24th 2009 at 11:00AM Featured Story

Media Center Recorded TV screen
We don't try to hide how much we like Windows Media Center around here but that doesn't mean we hesitate to complain when warranted, and one of our biggest complaints has always been the limited codec support -- especially when it comes to Extenders. Well we're happy to say that we've found an acceptable work around, one that does require a little initial let work, but after that it is all automatic. The process is actually simple and in the end you'll have a hard time being able to tell which shows were recorded with Windows Media Center, and which were downloaded -- and of course they're in HD. The bad news is that the legality of downloading HD from the internet isn't exactly crystal clear, but if you aren't scared of BitTorrent and you're looking for a way to fill in the gab left by the HD channels your provider doesn't offer, then click on through.

Continue reading How to automatically download and import HD to Windows Media Center

Lian Li's PC-V351 HTPC chassis makes us want to build

by Darren Murph posted Feb 22nd 2009 at 12:36AM


There goes Lian Li, making us drool all over our keyboards again. The company famous for making cases that you'd actually pay good money for is back, and this time it's after the HTPC crowd. The PC-V351 HTPC chassis is made from brushed aluminum and comes in black, silver or red -- the latter of which should only be considered by those who truly are more awesome than anyone else they know. There's plenty of room for a micro-ATX motherboard, three fans, a number of PCI cards, loads of ports, a few terabytes of HDD space and a TV tuner or two, naturally. There's no mention of price, but we'll go ahead and tell you it'll be expensive (and worth every dime).

Gallery: Lian Li's PC-V351 HTPC chassis makes us want to build

Aspen Media Products intros 2009 HTPC lineup, includes DIY model

by Darren Murph posted Feb 12th 2009 at 6:44AM


Aspen Media Products is probably even less known than the relatively unknown Okoro Media Systems, but it's hoping to break through somewhat with its stout 2009 HTPC lineup. The most interesting newcomer is unquestionably the AMP CL-1058DIY, which is supposedly aimed at the DIY crowd and starts at $949. For that, you get a chassis, a CableCARD tuner, optional 5.1 or 7.1 amplifier and freedom of choice when it comes to options such as processor, memory, storage and adding an additional CableCARD tuner. Think of it as partial barebones, we guess. The CL-1058BD (pictured) and CL-1058BDH are there for folks not looking to touch any silicon, and those can be ordered up right now starting at $1,049 and $1,349, respectively.

[Via Electronic House]

Video: DIY antenna makes good use of wire hangers, spare time

by Darren Murph posted Jan 27th 2009 at 10:08PM


We've seen a few complicated DIY antenna projects before, but we've yet to come across one that makes building one so easy. MAKE has hosted up an eight minute tutorial on crafting your very own short to medium range OTA antenna using just a block of wood, a few spare screws, a handful of old wire coat hangers and a few general tools that are surely collecting dust in your garage. Seriously, it's almost too simple. Head past the break for a look at the video.

[Thanks, Isaac]

Continue reading Video: DIY antenna makes good use of wire hangers, spare time

AudioQuest cooks up field terminated HDMI cables

by Darren Murph posted Jan 27th 2009 at 12:11PM


Installers and DIYers, take note -- AudioQuest has just solved one of HDMI's biggest challenges. Reportedly, the company has created the world's first HDMI cables and connectors that can be terminated in the field while still retaining the integrity of HDMI. Essentially, this solution calls for installers to split the 19 HDMI wires into two groups -- one of ten and one of nine -- in order to make each bundle one that can be crimped. Additionally, AudioQuest's design relies on solid conductors instead of stranded wires, which are supposedly better suited to keep signal integrity and geometry stability. Testing proved that these field terminated cables were able to maintain an optimal 100 Ohms throughout the connector, which is arguably even better than what's offered in the outfit's traditional soldered cables. Of course, HDMI Licensing still has to decide whether or not the new method is fit for certification, but you can bet that AudioQuest will be pushing its point hard in the near future.




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