May
07
Characteristics:
2.4GHz Wireless radio remote control incl. optical trackball (800dpi) for the Windows Media Center
-incl. mouse, MCE, application, multimedia & remote hotkeys
-OS support: Microsoft Windows XP/2000/ME/Vista
Included in delivery:
1x remote control, 1x USB receiver, 2x batteries type AAA, manual
Technical overview
| Radio range | 10m |
| Frequency range | 2.4GHz |
| Dimension h x w x d | 35 x 50 x 175mm |
| Weight (retail) | 0,345kg |
| Required connectors | USB |
| Material | plastic |
| Mark of conformity | CE / FCC |
| Colour | black |
May
06
It’s a little-known fact that Windows Media Center can tune in local FM radio stations–provided, that is, you have an FM tuner connected to your PC (some internal TV tuner cards include one) and a good antenna.
Hey, this is the Internet age, right? Why mess around with 80-year-old technology that pulls in maybe two dozen stations (if you’re lucky) when you can stream over 100,000 radio stations from across the planet?
RadioTime is a free radio-streaming service that lets any computer user do exactly that. But if you’re a Windows Media Center user, you can grab the RadioTime WMC plug-in and “surf” the airwaves right from your couch.
After installing the plug-in (I recommend using the Get the installer link on the product page), just fire up Windows Media Center and head to the Extras section. Click the RadioTime icon, then choose your desired category: Local Radio (on my system it automatically detected my location), Talk Radio, Music Radio, World Radio, or Sports Radio.
There’s also a My Presets option, which is kind of like a Favorites area, but you have to sign up for a free RadioTime account in order to use it. Speaking of which, the plug-in is also free.
There’s not much more to say about RadioTime for Windows Media Center, other than it’s cool beyond belief and a must-have for any WMC user. (Note: It works with all versions of WMC, though I tested it only with Windows 7.)
While you’re at it, why not grab the My Channel Logos plug-in and soup up your channel guide with network logos? It’s equally awesome.
May
05
Like Nettops and building your own PC? Well, you’re in luck – says VIA. The VIA ARTiGO A1100 is a neat little do-it-yourself nettop powered by VIA’s 1.2GHz Nano processor and paired up with the VX855 media processor, which we know can handle 1080p video playback. VGA and HDMI video outputs are standard (on the back) as well as gigabit Ethernet, five USB ports, and optional 802.11b/g. VIA is calling this the “smallest full featured PC kit available today” and we’re inclined to agree. At $243 ($199 if you’re one of the first 10 to order) it’s priced well t0o.
So how is it DIY? Well, while the processor, pico-atx mainboard, chassis, and graphics processor, you’ll be on the hook for adding memory, a hard dive and an OS. Of course you can (and probably will want to) add wireless modules and card readers as well.
Check it out at VIA’s site here.
May
05
Onkyo is launching a new nettop in Japan. It’s a little different from the regular nettop in that it comes with TV tuners, and AM/FM radios. Unfortunately, there are no plans to bring this to the US anytime soon. Nevertheless, under the hood the Onkyo DP312 nettop has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, NVIDIA ION graphics, 2GB of RAM, and a 320G hard drive. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium and has 802.1b/g/n WiFi, HDMI output, a wireless keyboard and mouse and a remote control and sells for the equivalent of about $700.
You can find more information about both computers at the Onkyo web site (PDF link).