No Flip Zone

One of Dash‘s welcoming gadget gifts was the Flip Ultra (~$150). Mari’s been a fan for months, but I’ve had my doubts… The last couple years, I’ve simply shot (poor quality) video with my relatively ancient pocketable digital camera (Panasonic Lumix FX9) – as Michael Arrington suggests. Both the Flip and the Lumix shoot 30fps … Read more

Boxee: XBMC Reloaded

While the XBMC desktop port continues, a new player (Boxee) is stepping in to create a (free) unified front-end that layers social networking features on top of traditional media extender functionality. For those unfamiliar with XBMC, I’ll go ahead and quote myself: when you’ve completed the upgrade, the classic Xbox is more capable, useful, and … Read more

The DTVPal Giveaway

Want the EchoStar/DISH Network DTVPal digital-to-analog converter before it’s released? Well, I’ve been cleared to give away my review unit. For more info on the DTVPal, watch as I try to set it up prior to receiving my morning caffeine or check out reviews at SatelliteGuys and CNET. The rules: Leave an intelligent comment on … Read more

D-Link DivX Connected Media Extender Unboxing & Setup

As we approach the release of D-Link’s DSM-300 DivX Connected media extender, I (and several of my blogosphere buddies) have been offered an advance look at the set-top box. Like a Windows Media Center or Sage TV extender, the DSM-300 primarily relies on Windows-based software to serve up your digital media (and I’m told a … Read more

Hauppauge HD-PVR – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

After more than a week with my Hauppauge HD-PVR, I can say that my excitement hasn’t waned. This thing brings all the channels: HD, digital, SD – everything to the HTPC user without worrying about CableCARD, broadcast flags, or other DRM issues. I’m still working out the final details for a complete review of the … Read more

New Cradlepoint CTR500 3G WiFi Router Released (I Gots One)

When I departed Sling, I reluctantly returned my their Cradlepoint MBR1000. Instead of immediately replacing the 3G WiFi router at Dash, I hung tight a few weeks knowing a new model was in the pipeline. And today my CTR500 ($170) arrived, overnighted from the 3GStore. Like the MBR1000, this model will share the 3G data … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: Hauppauge HD-PVR Unboxing & First Look: Brent Evans Geek Tonic Canadian Movie Download Services Compared: The Daleisphere H.264 Decoders That Work: Brent Evans Geek Tonic Latest Sign of the Bandwidth Apocalypse: Connected Home 2 Go 3G iPhone Coming to Canada: The Daleisphere Starz Align(s) for … Read more

New Comcast HQ – An IMAX Theater in the Lobby

I took my first trip over to the new Comcast HQ yesterday for a meeting and was duly impressed. Smack in the middle of Philadelphia, the site is nothing like Verizon’s HQ, a sprawling campus in Basking Ridge. Instead, the building goes straight up; a little cafe with water fountains sprinkling the landscape outside. Indoors … Read more