Best computer news

ION Audio has made a name for itself with vinyl and cassette owners alike as it is behind the USB turntable and USB cassette archiver. So, it doesn’t take long for anyone to figure out that the company has also set its eyes on the VHS digitalization market. ION Audio VCR 2 PC may look like an ordinary VCR at first sight, but soon you will notice a USB 2.0 interface that allows you to hook it up to a PC. In essence, it’s pretty much a VHS equipped with a USB video capture. A composite connection is adjacent to the USB for camcorders, and RCA output is on the back to playback previews on a TV. SCART output is available in the PAL version.

The included Muvee AutoProducer 6.0 does all hard work of converting your VHS stacks into digital format whether it be H.264 for iPod/PSP or MPEG-2 for DVD authoring. There’s no info whether or not the $249 ION VCR 2 PC will defeat the Macovision VHS copy protection, but it is unlikely that it can.
Permanent Link

Everyone knows that nothing can beat the quality of sound that you get from a 5.1 surround system. Unfortunately with the aural bliss comes the headache of cable clutter and space constraints when trying to find a place to put those rear speakers. While the cable clutter is something that everyone can and usually does live with, the lack of space for rear speakers isn’t. Featuring SRS TruSurround HD, the Logitech Z Cinema offers virtual surround sound in a 2.1 speaker configuration. Full review below.
Permanent Link

Finally component video recording through USB is becoming affordable with Blackmagic’s new USB Video Recorder. The company traditionally makes mid-end post video production equipment so the $129 Video Recorder won’t come at a surprise. What is unique to the Blackmagic is the component input, obviously, and the onboard H.264 real-time encoder. S-video & composite are still available but no one will miss those anyway.

Couple with the slick simple software that lets you select pick targeted devices; automate black line cropping; and configure recording options, converting your VHS, Video-8 or other analog video (eg. XBox 1, PS2) should now be now relatively easier. That is if you’ve a Mac and don’t need to convert anything 720p or 1080i. To overcome both, give the Hauppauge HD PVR a try instead.
Permanent Link

Creative has just followed up with a member for its X-Fi series. Dubbed the SB-XFI-SR51 Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1, the external USB sound card boasts 5.1 surround sound and Xtreme Fidelity. The company’s Xmod also belongs to the same USB category in the X-Fi family except this less costly solution cannot do surround natively and emphasizes on the surround sound virtualization on headphones with CMSS-3D. Both the Xmod and the XFI-SR51 come with ‘crystalizer’ that supposedly improve sound quality of lossy MP3s.

Moreover, the XFI-SR51 can decode Dolby Digital as well as DTS audio, and it is fully compliant with OpenAL for Vista gaming and EAX Advanced HD 4.0. We will be more excited if the future Sound Blaster supports lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA for our Blu-ray MCE. In the mean time, Asus Xonar U1 Dolby USB sound card is worth a look too for road warriors.
Permanent Link

RSA Security has been pushing an initiative called “Ubiquitous Authentication”, partnering with manufacturers to embed its SecurID software into everyday devices such as thumbdrives and cellphones. Its latest partner is Sandisk which has recently debuted Cruzer Enterprise flash drive.

By integrating both secure data storage and RSA SecurID software for two-factor authentication, the Cruzer Enterprise eliminates the need for a discrete hardware authenticator. This is meant for road warriors who already buy secure tokens for tasks like VPN access and who also keep sensitive info with them on their trips. Since the loss rate of such drive is evidently high, the Cruzer Enterprise’s 256-bit AES hardware encryption is equally important to the targeted customers. The two-for-one drive will be available in size from 1 to 8GB with read speed of 24MB/s and write speed of 20MB/s. No words on the pricing as Sandisk is obviously only taking bulk custom orders from enterprises.
Permanent Link

When I first saw this gadget I was wondering if it was just a late April Fool’s joke, then realized that it said version 2 and that meant there was an original. Yes, the USB Mask 2 (warning: Japanese) is now available from Thanko. The mask draws utilizes bus power to provide airflow while using a paper mask to aid in breathing clean air. The fans supposedly help eliminate the hot moist air that make wearing the mask so uncomfortable.

The new mask seems to make you look a bit less like Jason wearing his hockey mask, but still keeps you tethered to your desk as it doesn’t have any rechargeable batteries to let you leave the desk. At least the fan speed is adjustable so you don’t always have to feel like there is a hurricane in your face.
Permanent Link

The Autobots and Decepticons are locked in the eternal struggle for the All Spark (spelled as two words in the movie). The former clan wants it to rebuild its home world Cybertron and end the war, while the latter wants it to transform Earth’s technology for its own benefit and conquer the universe. When falling into the hands of a USB geek, the All Spark would transform into a 4-port USB hub; and given its size, it seems an overkill. Keep in mind though, the manufacturer won’t be responsible your USB missile launcher is brought to life.

The £17.99 All Spark hub is definitely one way of cluttering up your desktop while the in-desk hub is the exact opposite, putting unused grommet holes to good use.
Permanent Link

Until USB 3.0 becomes a reality, all we can talk about a flash drive is either security or size. When Imation Atom comes along, we know it’s another thumbdrive to brag about its midget size. Just how small it is? Atom measures at 30.5 x 13 x 5.6mm – about the size of a paper clip. The drive is embedded with SIP (System in package) module which adopts the advanced NAND flash memory packaging process – the reason why the Atom is made so small.

Since it has a capless design, the keychain loophole makes it easy to attach to cellphones as pictured above. Available in capacities ranging from 1GB to 8GB, the Imation Atom will come bundled with 128-bit AES software encryption in addition to five-year limited warranty.
Permanent Link

Besides having an odd name – what exactly is an Otus, anyway – the new Eks Otus also has an odd mix between traditional and new generation DJ features. The Otus is a USB DJ controller (i.e., a piece of hardware meant to simulate the actions normally performed by a turntable), built almost entirely of aluminum and complete with ASIO and MIDI drivers, carefully placed LEDs, reprogrammable buttons, and a customizable unit surface and feet. What should make the Otus appeal to the traditionally-minded is the controller’s design – it’s meant to fit in a standard DJing desk – and the 7.5 inch jog wheel, which makes the Otus look exactly like a heavily-featured turntable and should ease the mind of the digitally skittish.

For the forward-thinking tech heads, the Otus includes a multi-channel sound processor allows for effect layering: enable an effect on one channel, press a button, and you can enable a second effect from anywhere in your arsenal. While the individual ideas aren’t that new, the presentation is excellent, and we get the feeling the Otus is going to acquire some serious fans.
Permanent Link

Low-profile keyboards must be a big hit amongst road warriors and now desktop users. Kensington has just followed up with a low-profile wired keyboard called the Ci70, which shares the same name as its wireless desktop set. Being USB wired allows the aptly named Ci70 Keyboard with USB Ports to double as a USB hub. It’s got two top USB ports in addition to a tethered mini USB cable for recharging cellphones and MP3 players, but Micro USB is taking over as the standard for handsets so the cable will need to be changed sometime later. For $49.99, you get yourself a sleek multimedia keyboard that is 35% smaller than most others.
Permanent Link