http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/links Latest links, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17993 Germany's Nero AG has announced Nero LiquidTV/TiVo PC, a new product that includes a TV Tuner and remote control…and software that brings the features of a TiVo set-top box to an ordinary PC. Although PC-based DVR capabilities are nothing new, the product marks the first time TiVo's interface and functions have been made available for ordinary computers."Nero has done a superb job of bringing the TiVo experience to the PC, and have done so in a way that lives up to the rich TiVo legacy," said TiVo CEO Tom Rogers, in a statement. "To be able to extend the features of TiVo to a new platform without compromising the intRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/remote-controls/philips-prestigo-sru8015 Philips is well known for their Pronto line of remote control products, but they also make a rather large lineup of handheld universal remote controls. The new Prestigo line represents Philips foray into the consumer remote realm where PC-based programming is discarded in favor of preset codes and on-screen prompts. Where the new SRU8015 remote deviates is in its ability to guide the user through programming with a full color LCD screen - and without the aid of a real instruction manual. The remote is elegant, but a bit lacking in its ability to handle custom programming requirements. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:29:27 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/video/n/3143917 WSJ's Walt Mossberg reviews CrossLoop, a free software that allows users to securely work with other computer users located in different geographical areas. Walt says CrossLoop, which enables you to see the screen and control the mouse and keyboard on a remote computer, is worth a try. (Sept. 25) Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/remote-controls/logitech-harmony-one When a new Logitech Harmony Remote arrives on the scene I like to review it to update readers on the latest models in the line-up. With the introduction of the Harmony One universal remote I felt that Logitech had finally completely usurped the original Harmony design and replaced it with a "from the ground up" approach that reflected Logitech's penchant for svelte devices. In case you were still navigating through that last bit of pontifical text, I was giving them a high compliment. Logitech's Harmony One remote is quite possibly the most beautiful remote control I've ever held. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:40:14 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17814 As the race for the Presidency hits its long final furlong and divides America, spammers are using that to try and infect machines. Security company Websense has warned of a new wave of spam that offers a link purporting to show video of Democratic candidate Barack Obama having sex while visiting the Ukraine.That’s nonsense, of course. The company explains:“Users who click the link are shown a pornographic video taken from hxxp://homemade*snip*.com/.”“While the video plays for 14 seconds, malicious applications are installed on the victim's machine.”One of those applications allows remote control oRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/8301-17939_109-10034981-2.html?part=ecoustics-cnet ffwd.com creates personalized channels based on your interests and information from your social networks. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:05:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17784 Microsoft has warned that it’s issuing four updates to fix critical flaws tomorrow, the monthly Patch Tuesday. The critical rating means the flaws are vulnerable to remote code execution, meaning a hacker could remotely gain control of the computer. One is for Windows, another for Microsoft Office and the other two for Windows Media Player, and one will require a restart after installation. There will be two other high-priority updates, as well as an updated version of Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. Of course, Microsoft has been known to change and add to these numbers.Beginning next month the company will give technical details in advance on the problems requiring upRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17763 Just a day after the company spilled news about re-partnering with cable operator DirecTV, DVR pioneer TiVo has unveiled a new DVR unit at this year's CEDIA Expo—and it's a whopper. The new TiVO HD XL includes a 1 TB hard drive, enabling users to record up to 150 hours of high-definition programming. As with previous TiVo HDs, the unit offers dual tuners, THX certification, HDMI connectivity, and a backlit Series 3 remote control. The new DVR is available now for $599.99."With so much HD content now available, we felt it was vital to offeRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17663 Feel like swinging your Wii remote madly around in the air while trying to defeat a yellow, spike-wearing snaggle-toothed monster? Then Nintendo really wants you to know that Mario Super Sluggers is now available for the Nintendo Wii. The game, rated E for "Everyone," enables players to swing the Wii remote like a bat or use it to make pitches in a Mario baseball game that sees Mario, Luigi, Daisy, and other Mario characters take on Bowser for control of Baseball Island. The game offers single- and multi-player modes, and online baseball cards found on Internet Web sites unlocks features in the games like screensavers and special videos. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/8301-13555_3-10023024-34.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Ever wonder why there are automated call-centers that communicate eerily well, yet there are dozens of keyboards, buttons, and remote controls in your consumer life? For the first time, here's the story of the one company you should blame. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:05:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/150068 I answer BobJam's question, originally posted on the Answer Line Forum, on remotely controlling his sister's PC to help her with a technical problem. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:23:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/8301-13845_3-10020892-58.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Selling for at least $80 elsewhere, the Harmony remote includes special buttons for controlling the Xbox 360 and its media features. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:31:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/remote-controls/universal-urc-mx-450 Universal Remote Control, Inc. released the new MX-450 a stand-alone IR/RF programmable remote control with 2-inch color LCD screen. Custom installers can program and set up the remote in minutes without a PC or Internet connection and URC's MacroEdit firmware allows for full macro editing on the MX-450?s LCD screen. The point of the MX-450 seems to be getting a PC-free remote into the hands of custom installers who may not be apt to bring along a laptop to the jobsite. The MX-450 also provides an advanced, GUI-driven macro programming and EDITING interface, something that is new to the remote control world. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:50:20 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/506830.html Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:37:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/2300-1029_3-6244063-1.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The New York conference, where attendees are tracked via RFID, attracts hacker celebrities including the guys behind the phone phreaker movement and the TV-B-Gone remote control. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:02:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17279 Nintendo’s E3 press conference may still be hours away, but the company wasted no time in building hype yesterday with the announcement of a new controller add-on. The WiiMotion Plus has been designed to boost the accuracy of the controller, helping make on-screen interaction more precise.The relatively small add-on will slide into the base of the current WiiMote, and improve movement calculations by combining data from the remote’s internal accelerometers with the IR-based sensor bar that goes on top of a TV. According to Nintendo, this will give “true 1:1 response” in gameplay, wh Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:20:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17245 In an unusual move for a company still known mostly for its film technologies and digital imaging products, Kodak has announced its Kodak Theatre HD Player, an interactive device with a unique remote control aimed at bringing user's personal high-definition content—like photos and videos—from the home network to the living room high-definition television…but also tie into online media like podcasts, Internet radio, and other Web-based content."The proliferation of HDTV technology has created a demand for HD content beyond standard television programming," said Kodak's Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:15:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/8301-1023_3-9987180-93.html?part=ecoustics-cnet As expected, a downloadable application in the new iPhone apps store makes it possible for the handheld devices to be turned into remote controls for other Apple products. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:27:42 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17217 You can already use your iPhone or BlackBerry to tap out e-mails, surf the Web, and listen to music on the go, but pretty soon, you just may be closing the garage door, turning down the lights in your living room, and firing up the DVD player with them as well. The new Crimson Connect system from Zilog will allow certain mobile phones to act as home remote controls by hooking into existing home automation systems.The system basically acts as an in-between to connect common mobile consumer devices with common home-c Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/500151.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:48:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/8301-10784_3-9978876-7.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Apple is working on an application aimed at letting people use an iPod Touch or iPhone to remotely control iTunes audio playing in the home, MacRumors.com reports. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:25:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/496627.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/18306/ In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we discussed many things: the standby power supply, main power supply, horizontal and vertical deflection circuits, degaussing, and tuners. In Part 3 of this series, we will discuss the IF (Intermediate Frequency), AGC (Automatic Gain Control), sound IF, sound amplification, and the remote control circuits of the basic television set. IF (Intermediate Frequency) Circuits The most important feature of the IF amplifier is selectivity. Selectivity is the process of allowing only the desired frequencies to pass, while rejecting all others. There will be about three or four separate amplifier stages in a color TV IF circuit. By amplifying the signal in stages, the amounts of distortion in the IF signal waveform are reduced. The IF stages of a color TV set are fixed-tuned to a single IF frequency. Both the video and audio IF signals travel together through the IF amplifiers. The IF amplifiers need to have a bandwidth of at least 4.5 MHz, if amplification stages range from 41 MHz to 46 MHz. Traps through the circuits are used to attenuate transmission of the video carrier of the next higher channel, sound carrier of the current channel, and the sound carrier... Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:30:05 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/look/216 Perhaps you know that guy, the one whose love for sports has eclipsed nearly every other aspect of his life. He has two TVs in the same room because he needs to watch different games simultaneously. The largest credit card bill he’s ever had was a ticket for a sporting event. He’s the star of almost every beer commercial ever made. Heck, if you’re reading this, perhaps you are that guy.The ESPN Ultimate Remote is a remote control tailored exclusively for that guy. Unlike a regular remote, a mere tool (to him) for flipping through various forms of sports entert... Tue, 27 May 2008 03:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/JBL_On_Stage_200iD_iPod_speaker/4505-6519_7-32959193.html?part=ecoustics-cnet iPod owners who are looking for a basic speaker they can use around the house should consider the JBL On Stage 200iD, a good-sounding option with a futuristic look and a remote control. Thu, 08 May 2008 07:27:00 -0400