The Smorgasbord

I heard about the Linux Game Console “EVO” quite a long time ago – and I guess I forgot about it. Looks like it’s finally ready for shipping on April 17th for $380. Seems like a lot doesn’t it? I mean compared to a PS3 or XBox 360 it seems like the price is pretty much the same.

So what do you get for $380 on a linux console gaming system? Here’s what I read on a recent post from Linux Devices:

• an Athlon 2.4Ghz 64X2 processor
• 2GB of RAM
• ATI HD 3200 graphics processor
• supports up to 1080i or 1080p for HD Hi-Def gaming
• DVI and HDMI outputs
• 120 GB Hard drive
• CD/DVD ROM
• Biometric scanner
• Two 10/100 ethernet jacks
• Six USB ports
• Mirrors Evolution linux (based on Fedora)
• Video on Demand
• Nearly unlimited storage through cloud computing

Here’s a video commercial I found on YouTube from December 2008:

With those specs, it seems to blow traditional main stream gaming consoles away – doesn’t it? Well after I watched the video I went to the EVO Smart Console web site to get the lastest info. The web site boasts a DVR to pause and record live TV, video on demand, and streaming of TV, photos, or music to any web enabled device. The web site says you can get “extras”, such as a logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, biometric fingerprint scanner, 10GB of online cloud storage, and play HD video games.

Then I click for “more specs” on the EVO web site to find that you can get the EVO smart console with all the “extras” for $599, but the big shocker was that you could get loaded with Windows Vista Home for $799!! WTF!? I guess the almightly dollar reigns supreme showing that (to stay viable) even people working 5 long hard years on a Linux gaming systems offer a Windows PC version in the end! It does list a “DVD burner” in both of these versions. I click one more time to find a smart console “HD” option for $699 that includes an SD card reader and wireless network, in addition to an HD tuner so you can record in Hi-Def with the DVR. You even get “Windows emulation plug and play software” to play PC games in HD. The EVO Game Store is now online as well.

I have to hand it to them, the EVO has come a long way in 5 years – but is it really competition to the XBox 360 and Playstation 3? It certainly doesn’t have game studios with million dollar budgets behind it. And really – it’s not a gaming console at as is it? It’s a fully fledged Linux PC in a small form factor box. The fact that it has windows emulation software to play PC games and makes it so. I think it’s a great idea, but maybe it should be marketed as the “Linux Living Room PC” or something like that.

Last year I blogged about the Eye-Fi Wireless SD cards that were oh so cool! Eye-FI SD cards have an onboard chipset that access your wireless network and automatically uploads your pics and videos to flickr and YouTube among other places! What could be better – right? I’ll tell you what, they have 2 new versions, the “Explore Video” and “Share Video”. They are both 4GB capacity (double the old versions), and the Explore version adds geotagging and hotspot wifi service on top of the old features.

With the new models out, you can find some great deals on the old 2GB versions – as well as deals on the new share and explore Eye-FI versions in auctions ending soon:

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An AC Powered Wireless Ethernet Adapter can help you get devices connected in your home that are either not wireless or too far or inconvenient to run wires too. For example – let’s say that you have a tivo or cable box that needs to be connected to the Internet. May an older computer that doesn’t have wireless capability? You could even connect an XBox 360, Playstation 3, or Wii with these devices. All you need is a power outlet – and problem solved! What a wireless power adapter does is plug into any standard power outlet and connects to your wireless router. It has a ethernet jack, and you just plugin your cable box or computer and voila – Internet connection! It couldn’t be any easier.

The Panasonic BL-PA100KTA is an HD-PLC device, or High Definition Power Line Communication. Basically you get an Internet connection through ordinary AC power outlets. This particular device comes with 2 adapters, and one connects to your router and a power outlet, and then other plugs in any outlet in the house making your electrical wiring a network to connect to the Internet through. Error correction and encryption is available, and the devices can be used up to 490 physical feet. Here’s are some great deals on Panasonic Internet power adapters right now:

2 Sets of Panasonic HD-PLC Powerline Network Starter Packs - 4 units BL-PA300KTA
	USD 60.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 23:03:01
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/U
	USD 99.98 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 07:49:11
4 Panasonic BL-PA100A HD-PLC Powerline Ethernet Network Adapters
	USD 49.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 18:36:37
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/U
	USD 99.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 07:09:21
Panasonic BL-PA100KTA HD-PLC HIgh Speed Powerline Network Adapter Starter 2 Pack
	USD / 49.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 20:19:58
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/K
	USD 157.98 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 08:29:25
Panasonic BL-PA100A HD-PLC Ethernet Power Line Network Adapter
	USD 19.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 14:23:28
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/K
	USD 157.97 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 08:32:43
Panasonic BL-PA100A HD-PLC Ethernet Power Line Network Adapter
	USD 19.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 14:24:21

You could also use the Netgear HDX101, which can be purchased as a single adapter to connect to the Internet (very popular for DVR boxes and XBox 360′s). You can use this device in up to a 5,000 sq foot home! Get speeds up to 200Mbps over a your power lines and transfer large files. This is a great little device at a very reasonable price. Find one now:

Netgear XET1001 85Mbps Power Line Powerline Ethernet Adapter TWO
	USD 42.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 02:24:08
Netgear HDX111 Powerline network adapter
	USD 23.50 (12 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 20:58:10
Netgear 85Mbps Powerline Network Adapter XET1001-100NAR
	USD 23.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 23:34:46
Lot of 12 NETGEAR XET1001 85mbps Powerline Adapter
	USD 240.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 21:57:30
Netgear XE104 PowerLine Kit 3 switches each with 4 ethernet ports 85 MBPS
	USD 79.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 05:30:37
2x Netgear XET1001-100NAR Powerline Network Adapter
	USD 39.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-11 03:29:37
NETGEAR XAVB2001 200Mbps POWERLINE AV 200 ULTRA NETWORK ADAPTER KIT - Fast ship
	USD 47.99 (1 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 06:10:36
Two NETGEAR XAV2001 POWERLINE AV 200 NETWORK ADAPTER 200Mbps
	USD 46.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 06:11:21
NETGEAR XAV2001 Powerline AV200 Ethernet Bridge Adapter
	USD 29.95 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 05:08:18
Netgear Powerline Network Adapter XE102 (Set of 2)
	USD 29.50 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 20:20:25

The Sling Link Home Plug has been one of the most popular and affordable power outlet ethernet solutions over the last 18 months or so:

DISH NETWORK SLINGLINK TURBO W1 HOME PLUG TO ETHERNET ADAPTER SLING LINK
	USD 9.99 (1 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 23:31:18
G100 9/32 COUPLING LINK TOW SHACKLE CLEVIS SLING CHAIN
	USD 21.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 16:39:13
Slinglink Turbo W1 Home Plug to Ethernet Adapter Sling Link to use with Slingbox
	USD 8.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 03:20:37
DISH NETWORK SLINGLINK HOME PLUG TO ETHERNET ADAPTER SLING LINK
	USD 9.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 04:01:31
GRM 1" Web Round Sling Connector Link WLL 47700 NEW
	USD 39.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 16:13:49
DISH NETWORK SLING LINK ETHERNET ADAPTER NEW
	USD 9.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 22:28:21
Sling Link Turbo SL 150-100 Network Interface for SlingBox
	USD / 49.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 23:14:35
Sling-Link Mast System, Ten 2' Links, 1" Wide--Tensile Strength: 7500lbs
	USD 135.49 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 21:22:59
DISH NETWORK SLINGLINK TURBO W1 HOME PLUG TO ETHERNET ADAPTER SLING LINK
	USD 26.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-09 00:54:11
NEW SLINGBOX Solo & Sling Link Turbo Bundle-CHEAP
	USD 105.00 (7 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 11:31:43

This “MSI Wind Netbook Review” shows that there actually are some differences between all the sub and ultra compact laptops flooding the market right now. The biggest complaints about these little netbooks are that they keyboard is too small, the screen is too small, or the processor is too slow. The MSI Wind doesn’t really seem to have any of those problems since it boasts a 10 inch screen, a pretty good sized keyboard, and a Ghz atom processor that’s overclockable. It’s 2.6 lbs and just a bit more in physical size than the eee PC. It’s got jacks for LAN, headphone, mic, VGA, a memory card reader, decent speakers, and about 4-5 hours of battery life. The MSI wind has a 6 cell battery (most of the netbooks have only 3), and the right shift key is actually normal sized. Oh – did I mention that it also had integrated wireless bluetooth built-in?

Here’s a video review of the MSI Wind:

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Since I’ve been looking at Netbooks, the HP Mini-Note should definitely not be overlooked since it was one of the first to be classified in this category as an ultra subcompact laptop gadget. I like the fact that it’s not Intel, and that you can configure the hard drive and memory to your liking, in addition to both Windows and Linux flavors. It can be a little more pricey than the others depending on how it’s configured, but it was one of the only ones to pack a 1280×768 resolution into the tiny 7.8″ screen! What more could you ask for though – you get Wi-fi, a webcam, and both express and SD card slots – in addition to the normal USB connects. All in a little 2.8lb case!

Here’s a video review:

You can find the HP Mini-Note for pretty reasonable new and used prices on ebay, here are some ending soon:

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I’ve recently discovered the wonder of the “netbook” that everybody seems to be clamoring about. Basically the sub-compact or “mini-notebook” is very popular and this category is now dubbed the “netbook”. Probably because it’s small, about the size of a book, and primarily used do do things on the ‘net.

I’ve reviewed one before, but at the time the phrase “netbook” wasn’t yet coined. I posted twice about the original Asus eee PC review (linux), and the Asus eee PC Windows XP review.

Although there seems to be quite a few “netbooks” out on the market now, the one that every seems to know other than the eee is the Asus Aspire One netbook. I can only imagine what kind of problems this is going to cause for the tech clueless since the names are so darn similar (Acer, Asus).

If you’re in a hurry and want the short version, here’s a video review you can watch of the Acer Aspire One:

The Acer Aspire one is a 2 lb wonder. Depending on model screen size varies from 7-10″, same for HDD size 120-160GB+ (unless you get one with a SSD, which would probably be 8GB or less). Most units seem to have 1GB Ram, and I’ve seen a few claiming to be able to run Vista Ultimate. They all seem to come with a webcam (although crappy .3 megapixel), and a headphone jack. You also get 3 USB jacks, a microphone jack, and even a monitor out if you need to hookup to a projector. You get of course a LAN jack and Wireless b/g, speakers, a card reader, and usually Windows XP loaded on the system. There is of course a Linux version too. Supposedly the new Windows 7 is designed to run on portable netbooks as well (without the hardware constraints of Vista).

You’re probably wondering – what do people that bought the Acer Aspire one really think of it? Well I can tell you that PCWorld gave it a damn near 5 star review. The same goes for nearly all the reviews on Amazon. Boot time is just over 20 seconds, and normal tasks like Facebook, Myspace, watching video on YouTube, using Firefox, and copying over your favorite album are all quick and easy.

If you’re up for one of these little wonders, I would definitely check out some of the latest auctions for both new and used ones on eBay right now:

[nms:acer aspire one -battery -sleeve -bag -case -drive -charger -skin -screen -keyboard,8,0,0,smorgas.acer.aspire.one]

The LG BH200 Blu-Ray HD-DVD Combo Player is now much more affordable than ever before, and even though Blu-Ray is now pretty much decided on as the standard for surpassing regular DVD’s in HD format – having the “HD-DVD” format option available is a bonus! If you’re wondering what the big deal is about a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD disc versus a traditional DVD movie – all you really have to know is that it’s displayed at nearly TWICE the resolution! If you thought a traditional or progressive scan DVD movie was a pretty good picture – if you own a flat screen LCD or Plasma television, you OWE it to yourself to upgrade your DVD player to Blu-Ray and HD-DVD!

Having said that – the LG BH200 is the one we picked because it not only plays in full 1080p output, but this player upscales the picture of traditional DVD’s to Full HD as well! It’s already setup to handle the “BD-Live” features touted ahead for Blu-Ray discs, but the LG “Super Blu Player” will also do MPEG’s, H.264 Quicktime, and DTS-HD audio as well. Oh, of course it has HDMI 1.3 out too. It also has S-Video and Component outs, but who would want to use those?

Guess what – it has USB “media host” too so you can set it up to access digital pics and MP3′s. Plugin your external hard drives, portable drives, or flash sticks for quick access and review of your multimedia files. The one thing we noticed was that this thing was practically silent when playing discs. It even has a network ethernet jack!

This would be a good treat for yourself and the old home entertainment center before you have to start saving to buy other people Christmas presents! Or, you could even put it away as an early present for that special someone.

Here are the best prices you can get on the LG BH200 Blu-Ray HD-DVD Combo Player:

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This “Sata HDD Dock” is one of the coolest things ever! I purchased some cables a long time ago where you can hook up a hard drive via USB, and I thought that was pretty cool. But you still have to deal with the cable. If you have hard drives laying around, or you repair PC’s for family and friends this is just the must have geek gadget tool! It’s a hot-swappable dock, and all you have to do is just plugin your drive in! That’s it! You can get them in Sata and eSata, and most will take 2.5″ AND 3.5″ drives – that means notebook drives too! The ones I looked at even had an eSata cable port on the back of the dock for even faster data transmissions! Who needs a flash drive when you have a port for an entire hard drive!

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Ziotek Wireless Night Vision Kit

I came across the Ziotek Wireless Night Vision kit ZT-812C2 the other day, and it’s the first kit I’ve seen with “night vision”. I reviwed some wireless and IP cameras awhile back, but the Ziotek bundle has high quality picture and sound – and it’s weather resistant, meaning you can mount them outdoors. The range of the wireless cameras is over 350 feet, and the system can be used with a TV, VCR, or other monitors or recording devices. You can switch between the two monitors with the push of a button. If you monitor your home or business, this can be a great way – but I love the fact that these are wireless. That’s such an advent of technology – the ability install security without running camera wires all over!

With this two camera set you can literally see in the dark. These compact cameras provide excellent color video with sound and are weather resistant for use outdoors. The desktop receiver has an adjus With this two camera set you can literally see in the dark. These compact cameras provide excellent color video with sound and are weather resistant for use outdoors. The desktop receiver has an adjustable antenna for fine-tuning reception and a remote control so you can switch monitor channels at the push of a button. The cameras can be powered using 9V battery with battery clip or with 110VAC (battery, clip and AC adapter included).

Click to check prices of the Ziotek Night Vision Camera Kit

We need to find some “floating shelves” after the post about our new surround sound system the other day. You know, the kind that look like they’re just floating on the wall. Since we have a flat screen hanging on the wall – what the heck do we need a TV stand for? I want to get that audio equipment off the TV stand, take it out, mount it on the wall and free up room in my living room!

I’d been thinking about this for some time, and the floating shelf concept was one I had in the back of my head, but hadn’t seen anything even remotely like what I wanted at the store. I took 5 minutes to search Amazon today – and lo and behold they have exactly what I need!

This set of floating shelves is only $100, much cheaper than anything else I say, it’s quality and can hold heavy weights like a big audio video receiver, they are stylish, come in three colors, and very functional! It’s exactly what I wanted and they are on order now! You can check out the floating shelves here!

These audio rack shelves came in a close second, and if I had wanted something on the floor – this would have been exactly what I chose. Maybe when we put a system together for the basement family room this is what we’ll get!

NEW SEI EN8102 Aspen Floating Shelf 10" Black
	USD 29.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 13:01:42
Floating Wall Shelf Wood Bookshelf Decorative DIY Wall shelves MDF Board 3 color
	USD 85.60 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 06:30:47
Handcrafted ornamental 12" floating wood display shelf, Handmade by JTWoodworks
	USD 5.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 15:05:28
2pcs 14"x14"x2" Black Floating Wall Shelf Corner Shelves Wholesale
	USD / 20.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-11 07:27:23
Handcrafted ornamental 18" floating wood display shelf, Handmade by JTWoodworks
	USD 7.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 15:06:45
NEW SEI EN7101 Chicago Floating Shelf 10" Espresso
	USD 29.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 13:39:46
Pair VINTAGE Small Size FLOATING Wood Wooden WALL SHELVES
	USD / 29.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 00:08:18
Floating Wall Shelf Wood Bookshelf Decorative DIY Wall shelves MDF Board 3 color
	USD 85.60 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 07:59:25
24"x10"x2" BLACK WOOD WALL SHELFS FLOATING RACKS LEDGES
	USD 29.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-09 07:09:42
Floating Shelf 22 " The Chicago Bench Co. Pick color Gray, brown, black, white
	USD 33.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 15:59:17