http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/links Latest links, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-squeezebox-boom This week, Logitech unveiled its new Squeezebox Boom all-in-one network music player. The system, which is not portable so much as it is self-contained, features an integrated 30-watt Class-D amplifier and speakers - a first for the Squeezebox family. Logitech is betting that the network music player will be the CD player of the 21st century. Now that Squeezebox has successfully added its SqueezeNetwork service, users can actually listen to Internet radio and other web-based music services without an active PC networked in their home. Adding a PC with the free SlimServer software also means that you can listen to all of your music (including those on iTunes) anywhere in your home. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:01:06 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17704 Logitech has taken the wraps of the SqueezeBox Boom a diminutive network music player for its recently-acquired Squeezebox network music system that includes an integrated 30-watt amp and two 3-inch speakers so people can take their tunes anywhere their Squeezebox system can reach."The network music player will be the CD player of the 21st century, and Squeezebox Boom is the first player in its class to deliver high-quality audio in a compact, all-in-one design," said VP and general manager of Logitech's streaming media business unit Robin Selden, in a statement. "From the streamlined setup to the breakthrough acoustics, the SqueRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17648 If you've ever considered getting into the DJ business with a pair if iPods, Sony would love for you to consider the newest entry in its Muteki series of speaker systems> the XROSS Fade LBT-DJ2i music system. The XROSS fade can mix and crossfade music from dual docked iPods as well as external sound sources like CD players, and push it out into a party with 450 watts of amplification.The XROSS Fade comes with a cross-fader with monitor cue and an integrated two-channel mixer, so aspiring DJs can check an upcoming track through headphones and due it up good and proper before setting it loose on a crowd. DJs can mix two songs together or blend seamlessly between two tracks. The con Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=351&Itemid=21 If the SDAI-2175 power amplifier has flaws, they were invisible in my system. Every other amplifier I have had... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17049 Sometimes it seems silly to pay $69 for a display-free music player that has to be completely configured using desktop software—especially when a few dollars more will get you a media player that can display photos and video plus pull in your favorite FM stations. The Nextar T30 is just such a beat, offering 4 GB of onboard memory (and an SD slot for another 2 GB of storage), an integrated FM tuner, a voice reorder, and a 3.5-inch 320 by 240-pixel LCD display."Users will find our new T30 portable media player [..] the perfect solution for enjoying their favorite movies, music, and mem Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:15:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/16051 AT&T has introdcuced the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, a refresh of the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series that offers improved features and lets AT&T compete more effectively with Sprint and Verizon for BlackBerry fans. The new phone sports classic BlackBerry features like push email, but also touts an improved 2 megapixel camera, international roaming capabilities (thanks to GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity), and integrated 802.11b/gg Wi-Fi connectivity for speedy Internet access when within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.BlackBerry Pearl fans will be pleased to know the 8120 offers a side-loading mic Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:10:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/433259.html Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:27:00 -0500 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/413999.html Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:44:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/19536/ No doubt you've seen those big, sophisticated-looking cameras that professional photographers and hard-core enthusiasts use. Perhaps you've heard the term "SLR" and know that it refers to those big cameras. But what exactly is an SLR camera, and how is it any different (besides being so bulky) from the little digital cameras many people carry around in their pockets? This article will introduce you to SLR cameras, specifically digital SLRs. We'll help you understand what these technical marvels can do and why you may—or may not—want to invest in one. What is an SLR Camera? SLR stands for "Single Lens Reflex," and it refers to a class of cameras. Other examples of camera classes would be "Point and Shoot" (P/S) cameras, "Prosumer" cameras, integrated cameras (like in cell phones), pinhole cameras, etc. While there are many variations among SLR cameras, they all have a couple of important things that make them part of the SLR class. First, unlike P/S cameras, SLR cameras have two distinct, detachable parts: a body, and a lens. The body, also called a "back" by photographers, contains the brains and the controls of the camera. If it’s a traditional SLR camera, film’s contained in the body ... Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:26:14 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/14518 AT&T has officially launched the BlackBerry Curve 8130, a new BlackBerry smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard, integrated GPS, two megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 320 by 240 pixel screen. AT&T is hoping the BlackBerry Curve will appeal to everyday consumers as well as folks looking to tie in with BlackBerry-enabled enterprise systems, at a price considerably less than Apple's popular iPhone."The introduction of exciting new handsets, such as the BlackBerry Curve 8310 with GPS, helps enhance AT&T's position as the world's leading provider of BlackBerry services with one of the most compelling BlackBerry handset portfol Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/14117 Back in The Olde Days, the "wireless" used to be the focus of a living room: families would huddle around the radio set to hear news bulletins, serial drama like The Lone Ranger and The Shadow, and tap into the latest dance tunes. (You know, from that hep cat Glenn Miller.)High-end audio developer Meridian is aiming to bring some of that mystique back to the living room with its all-in-one F8O tabletop entertainment system. The F80 combined an AM/FM Tuner, DAB digital radio, and CD audio player with an integrated 80-watt amp, full-range speakers, and a subwoofer. And, if you connect it up to a display (PAL and N Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/14019 In a development eerily reminiscent of the Sony DRM rootkit fiasco of 2006 (in which the company tried to protect music CDs from copying by way of software programs which exposed users to security theats), computer security firms are warning that fingerprint reading software for Sony's MicroVault USM-F USB drives with integrated fingerprint readers may expose Windows users to security risks. Like the CD copy protection software, the fingerprint reader software attempts to hide key files from tampering either by the user or computer security programs; in doing so, it potentially creates a "safe zone" from which attackers and malware could run software or othe Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=21 Following a product as revered and successful as the SP3 integrated amplifier, ONIX steps up and produces the new H6550. How... Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/12084 Microsoft is apparently working toward launching its Xbox 360 video gaming console in China, assuming it can get a stamp of approval from Chinese authorities and regulators.According to reports, Microsoft is working with both computer distributors and Internet service providers in mainland China with an eye towards authorizing official sales agents for the gaming system in the country. However, Microsoft is also talking with regulators in China's culture and information ministries to ascertain whether authorities are comfortable with the product and the content it makes available, as well as the Xbox 360's integrated Internet and Internet-based multiplayer gaming features and online comm... Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/12042 Snip:"Mitsubishi’s WD-57831 is a striking example of a fully-integrated HDTV with an ATSC (over-the-air) HD tuner, Cable HD QAM tuner, and a standard definition NTSC tuner. This model is also Digital Cable Ready, featuring a CableCARD slot. What this means is that if your cable company offers CableCARDs, the TV will allow you to receive all programming provided by the cable company (including HD) without a cable box. What you can't do with CableCARD is buy programming or movies via your remote. If you utilize your cable company's video-on-demand (VOD) or pay-per-view (PPV) services, you might be better off using a cable HD set-top box that would also include an integrated DVR (Digital Video Recorder). Whatever your pr... Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:30:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/11812 Sports equipment and accessory maker Nike has expanded its line of iPod accessories from its Nike + iPod Sport Kit—which offers a shoe-based sensor to monitor your workout—to include a Nike C.O.R.E. backback with integrated iPod controls, and a new wrist-based Amp+ Bluetooth remote for iPod.The Nike C.O.R.E. backpack has been available for a bit, offering extensive personalization options (right dow... Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:15:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/11508 At the Digital Life event this week in New York City, Dell Computer took the opportunity to showcase several new products, including two new LCD televisions and an LCD flat-panel computer monitor, aiming to maintain and extend its forward position in the LCD market.First up, Dell introduced its new W3207C and W3707 32- and 37-inch high-definition LCD televisions. Both units feature over-the-air high-definition television tuners and 1,366 by 768 WXGA resolutions. The 32-inch W3207C offers a 1,200:1 contrast ration, 8 ms response tune, and a 30-watt amp pushing integrated stereo speakers, all for a starting price of $1,199. Moving up, the W3707C of... Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:00:00 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/47077/233226.html Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:43:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/163873.html Mon, 26 Sep 2005 15:03:00 -0400 http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/47077/105029.html Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:11:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/volume_12_2/dk-design-vs1-integrated-amp-6-2005.html There were times in the beginning of the review period during which I thought I heard a lack of extension in the lower treble, but it seems to have disappeared over time. Whether the disappearance was a function of the amplifier breaking in or the change from the stock Chinese tubes, I?m not really sure. I wish I had a pair of those tubes to verify it at this point, but unfortunately, it will have to be left to speculation. That being said, while it was interesting to hear all the different tubes, my core impression of the amplifier was made during the first few weeks with the stock tubes and really, the NOS tubes were just variations on a consistent theme. In plain English, the DK VS-1 Reference MKII sounded very right no matter which tubes were in place. The bass is phenomenal, there are tons of information, with truly realistic scale and weight, and everything is reproduced effortlessly. While the DK looks the part of the neighborhood bully, it also has a sensitive side; sort of a new-age bully, I suppose. The midrange has a purity to it that makes listening a truly captivating experience, and the highs seemed very neutral overall. The amplifier produces a very well balanced, focused sound with plenty of air around both voices and instruments. All the while I had this amp, the DK proved an absolute joy to listen to and produced an enormous, room-filling sound. Perhaps the best evidence of just how much I enjoyed the amplifier was that I made it a point to listen to music every day. There is no higher praise I can give a piece of equipment. Fri, 01 Jul 2005 13:51:14 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/10263/ Broadband Internet access is quickly becoming commonplace in many US homes. It is also common to find that each member of the family has his/her own desktop computer or laptop, which means that one Internet connection makes it inconvenient when multiple users are vying for access at the same time. Networking computers together solves the problem of having multiple users and limited resources. In a computer network, all computers have the ability to share one Internet connection, which ends the conflicts of who gets to use the Internet at any given time. Networks also allow things like printers, files, music, and scanners to be available for anyone on the network to use. As an example, a home network would only need one printer, and everyone on the network can use it as if it were connected to his or her computer. In days past, all computers were networked together with wired connections. Unfortunately, for many home users, stringing network cable from room to room can be extremely difficult, if not impossible. Today, computer networks can be created wirelessly (without cables) which means that a wireless network can be easily integrated into any home. Wireless also allows portable users to have ... Tue, 14 Dec 2004 10:13:17 -0500