Best computer news

It’s been a year since the release of the improved 2009-model EyeTV Hybrid, and without a name change, Elgato once again revamps the Mac USB HDTV tuner, now featuring a even sleeker chassis. The 2010 model includes pretty much you would find on last year version, including top notch ATSC reception; unencrypted Clear QAM; EyeTV 3; streaming to iPhone / iPod touch; and least but not least, ability to receive NTSC broadcasts. Even though America has stopped analog TV altogether, the analog source still finds its use in archiving VCR and recording video gameplay.

If you don’t have a Mac, then there’s little reasons to justify dropping $150 on this HDTV dongle. Perhaps the new Windows 7 Media Center compatibility might change your mind. Boot camp users may also find this to be useful when they are staying with Windows. The lack of a hardware encoder (needed to transcode video to lower bit-rate for space saving reason) also leaves something to be desired since not everyone is interested in letting the EyeTV Hybrid consuming over 8GB per hour on some slow-paced TV show (i.e. LOST).
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At last weeks CeBIT show in Germany, Taiwanese computer case manufacturer Lian Li delivered something a little different with the PC-T1R. As you can see, it has a menacing, spidery layout.

The PC is running on a small mATX mainboard, so I wouldn’t expect a hardcore machine here, but it’s a rig that will definitely turn [...]

Western Digital’s My PassPort AV is a tweaked version of their portable storage line specially designed to work with a selected few camcorders, LCD TVs and other CE devices, including XBox 360 and PS3. The USB hard drive enclosed is one of Western Digital’s lower power model, packing about 50% more space than most drives while still able to function on USB bus power. The 320GB drive is encased in the standard Passport enclosure that dissipates heat efficiently, which has been tested over and over by WD on all their many previous versions. This is an important feature for any device that will spend extended periods in a bag or next to warm theater components.

Additionally, about a dozen of camcorder models now support the option to connect directly to USB drives to transfer video to. Many Blu-ray players also are able to play digital media from connected devices. However, only Sony’s HandyCam camcorders released in 2010 and players are specifically mentioned on their site as compatible, but others should follow. The price is set at $109 and is available from their online store right now. The box also includes a proprietary adapter cable to connect the My Passport AV to the said Sony camcorders. Due to the power requirements of larger drives, there may not be many other models released with additional capacity.
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Finally, AT&T has added a few fan favorite features into their mobile broadband dongles. These two new USB modems both have their benefits. The Option entrant is the USBConnect Velocity model, and is equipped with a flip out connector. The steel accented 3G dongle also adds the coveted AGPS technology. This allows cellphones to use highly available location sensing with fairly accurate location discovery. The cellular AGPS signals offer less accuracy than true GPS systems, but are much less finicky when it comes to finding a signal. AGPS systems only work well in areas blanketed by multiple towers for triangulation. Rural denizens will need to stick to true GPS.

The second model being released doesn’t have the AGPS feature, but it is the speed demon of the two. Able to operate on the 7.2Mbps HSPA protocol where available, this should provide double the usual speed found in UMTS 3G areas. This model from LG, the USBConnect Turbo, comes with a rotating version of the flip out connector and looks almost as good as the Option option. They both have microSD slots for memory storage or digital camera card reading. Both are practically free with new activation and a 2 year contract and a data plan. AT&T has yet to release unsubsidized pricing for the pair but those seldom arrive until the device is ready for order which should be any day now.
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Finally, AT&T has added a few fan favorite features into their mobile broadband dongles. These two new USB modems both have their benefits. The Option entrant is the USBConnect Velocity model, and is equipped with a flip out connector. The steel accented 3G dongle also adds the coveted AGPS technology. This allows cellphones to use highly available location sensing with fairly accurate location discovery. The cellular AGPS signals offer less accuracy than true GPS systems, but are much less finicky when it comes to finding a signal. AGPS systems only work well in areas blanketed by multiple towers for triangulation. Rural denizens will need to stick to true GPS.

The second model being released doesn’t have the AGPS feature, but it is the speed demon of the two. Able to operate on the 7.2Mbps HSPA protocol where available, this should provide double the usual speed found in UMTS 3G areas. This model from LG, the USBConnect Turbo, comes with a rotating version of the flip out connector and looks almost as good as the Option option. They both have microSD slots for memory storage or digital camera card reading. Both are practically free with new activation and a 2 year contract and a data plan. AT&T has yet to release unsubsidized pricing for the pair but those seldom arrive until the device is ready for order which should be any day now.
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SteelSeries is launching a pair of new gaming headsets to that will make anyone looking for some serious gaming sound very happy. The most exciting of the two is a USB model, the 7H-USB that promises a virtual 7.1 surround sound environment via its on-board sound card. The 50mm drivers should push more clear highs and deep bass than most other comparably priced gaming headsets. The USB sound card insures that traveling gamers are able to change machines without sacrificing sound quality. The 7H-USB headset also packs a hideaway microphone, easily retracted when not in use. Interesting, it is powered by a standard microUSB connection so no fussing with any custom cables. This same connection now powers most cell phones so you should have one lying around already. They also include an extra set of ear cups. The foam set is for casual listening while the leather version provides a tighter seal and isolates sounds for interruption free gaming.

The 7H-USB USB sound card will work perfectly for both PCs and Mac but has been targeted at gamers of independent of platform. Profiles exist for MMO’s and FPS’s which are suited to the special requirements that each have. SteelSeries has also made transporting these easier than other devices of the same size. Besides being able to tuck away the microphone, this large headset breaks down into 4 manageable pieces. The release date hasn’t been solidified but there’s already a pre-order link at Amazon so it can’t be far off. The USB version costs $30 more than its analog cousin at $149.
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