New Gear
Did Somebody Say, "Convergence"?
RCA's new family of Scenium products includes the DRS7000N. It's a progressive-scan DVD player with a built-in PVR. Oh, and by the way, it plays MP3s, too. The DRS7000N uses local broadcast signals to receive Gemstar's no-fee Guide Plus+ data stream for its electronic program guide and can record up to 30 hours of programming.
RCA Scenium DRS7000N: $599
(800) 336-1900
[www.thomsonscenium.com]
TV to Your Mac
El Gato's EyeTV PVR product for Mac OS X is now available. It functions as a tuner for cable and broadcast sources, and includes an A/V input for sources such as satellite. Just connect it via USB to your Macintosh. Its software manages 14-days worth of EPG data, and records programs on your Mac's hard drive as MPEG-1 to conserve space. It's also compatible with the Keyspan remote control.
El Gato EyeTV PVR: $199
[www.elgato.com]
HD DirecTV ASAP
Samsung's new SIR-TS160 digital TV tuner receives digital DirecTV programming and analog broadcasts. It's ready for the HD future, too, with a DVI (digital visual interface), component video, RGB and HV (15-pin) connectors to digital displays. S-video and composite video connections provide for analog displays along with optical and coaxial digital audio connections. It uses a common program guide for local and satellite TV, which makes VCR programming seamless.
Samsung SIR-TS160 TV Tuner: $699
(201) 229-4000
[www.samsungusa.com]
A Desktop Computer in your Palm
The new OQO is a full-featured computer running Windows XP, facilitating convenient simulsurfing and enjoyment of 2-screen interactive TV. It measures 4.1" x 2.9" x 0.9", and features a 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, a 10GB hard drive, 256MB of memory, 802.11b and Bluetooth networking and a lithium-polymer battery. It can also attach to a VGA monitor or projector.
OQO handheld computer: $1,800
(415) 920-9090
[www.oqo.com]
You're On the Air
Sony's SRS-RF90RK wireless speaker system allows you to listen to stereo sound from a receiver up to 150 feet away, without running any cables. It's also portable, with 3 1/2 hours of run time on its built-in NiCd battery. You can also plug it in for continuous entertainment. Sony offers additional sets of speakers for $150 per set.
Sony SRS-RF90RK Wireless Speakers: $180
(800) 222-SONY
[www.sel.sony.com]
Burn Baby, Burn
Panasonic introduces its third-generation home DVD-R/DVD-RAM recorder. The DMR-E30 features progressive-scan output capability and offers personal video recorder functionality, including the ability to play one program while recording another. Much more rugged than videotape, DVD-RAM discs are said to be re-writable up to 100,000 times and double-sided discs support up to 12 hours of recording time.
Panasonic DMR-E30 DVD RAM Recorder: $800
(800) 211-PANA
[www.panasonic.com]
Dazzle Me With Your Photos
Dazzle Multimedia's new TV Photo Show allows you to use your television to view digital photos stored on SmartMedia or CompactFlash memory cards, as well as IBM Microdrives. The TV Photo Show lets you to share your photos without using a computer, and extra space without draining the batteries on your digital camera. The unit also includes an infrared remote control, for uses from the couch, all the way to educational and corporate presentations.
Dazzle TV Photo Show: $70
(888) 212-8045
[www.dazzle.com]
Ready for Anything
Pioneer's new Elite DV-47Ai DVD player plays DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and Super Audio CDs. The player can send audio via FireWire to Pioneer's companion Elite VSX-49Txi receiver, avoiding digital-to-analog until the last possible moment for the most pristine sound quality from these advanced new audio formats.
Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai: $1,200
(800) PIONEER
[www.pioneerelectronics.com]
Living Room DVD Recorder
Philips' new DVDR985 DVD+R/+RW recorder features a FireWire port for a digital connection to DV camcorders. It also utilizes variable bitrate (VBR) recording to aid in compatibility with home DVD players, and automatically creates index screens of recorded material.
Philips DVDR985 Recorder: $999
(800) 531-0039
[www.dvdrecorder.philips.com]
Tunin' the Net
Onkyo and its Integra division present the Net-Tune line of music servers and stereo receivers that function as clients. The Integra NAS-2.3 Server (pictured) features an 80GB hard drive that can hold almost 1,300 hours of music in MP3 format. The system can also utilize a personal computer with an Ethernet connection as a server.
Integra NAS-2.3 Server: $2,000
(800) 225-1946
[www.integrahometheater.com]
Tune Twice
Echostar's DishPVR 721 satellite receiver features PVR functionality with two tuners, allowing you to receive one DISH Network program while recording another onto the unit's hard drive, or can record two programs at the same time while you watch a program that's already been recorded. The unit can record up to 110 hours of programming. A USB port is also provided for future upgrades.
Echostar DishPVR 721: price varies
(800) 333-DISH
[www.dishnetwork.com
Do You Copy?
Terapin's new MCR-TX3300 dual-deck MP3 audio CD recorder and data CD duplicator can create MP3 CD-ROM discs from existing audio CDs with no computer required. Its USB interface allows you to transfer MP3s from a computer, and it comes with upgradeable software. You can also pipe live audio into the unit and record continuously for up to 12 hours.
Terapin Technology MCR-TX3300: $499
(888) 654-0645
[www.terapintech.com]
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