Tech Dad Central

At CES - The product that surprised me most!

At huge trade shows, such as CES, every once in a while you stumble across a hidden gem of a product at an inconspicuous location. I was heading to the escalators at the Las Vegas Convention Center when I stumbled across what looked to be a small living room tucked underneath the "down" escalators. There was great music coming from a crowd. I thought it might be a live artist playing guitar on the couch. When I got closer, however, I noticed that it was actually a show booth for a company called Soundolier.

The booth was a mock-up of a contemporary living room playing great music ... but where was the sound coming from ... there were no floor or wall-mounted speakers anywhere? Answer: The floor lamps and the ceiling fan overhead. Soundolier builds attractive furniture with built-in wireless speakers. Absolutely brilliant.

If you've ever set-up a surround sound system, you know how hard it is to place and install the side and rear speakers. Plus, once you start drilling holes and running cables through your walls and ceiling these placements are permanent. So take a couple of Soundolier floor lamps and place them behind your viewing sofa, add the wireless controller to your A/V receiver and you're good to go. Wireless speakers built-in to cool furniture - a stroke of genius.

At CES - Top TV Trends

3D TV was everywhere at CES but there were a number of other TV technology changes worth noting. Although much more subtle, they are poised to have some significant impact ... and they are all related as you will see via the progression below:

The Power TV - Most pundits talk of PCs becoming "more like TVs" by being able to stream video and watch live broadcasts. Now it's time to turn this around ... TVs are becoming "more like PCs"! As manufacturers start to add significant processing power and huge hard disk drives into the latest generation of TVs, all of the sudden your 55-inch flat screen has a whole new array of tricks.

The Networked TV - If you've got a big screen and loads of processing power, then you want to get connected. Most new models feature wired and wireless (802.11n) capability to hook up to your home network. Once connected, they are offering up a variety of new services. One of my favorites, however, is the ability to update their firmware over the network in order to become ...

TV as Media Center - You're now online with plenty of power and a fast network connection, so why not make the TV into the complete Home Media Center? These new TVs (via online firmware updates) allow for direct access to online video services such as Amazon, Netflix and VUDU which can then be streamed or downloaded for purchase. Now you now longer need any additional hardware (such as my beloved Roku player) to hook-up to these great services, the TV does it all. But keep going, these new sets come with big (1 TB) hard drives built-in so that you can store and view my home media (photos, music and videos) directly from my TV.

The Giant VideoPhone -  Let's add a built-in camera to the top of the screen and we then have ... an at-home video conferencing system right in your living room. Since the new models have tons of processing power, a fast network connection and a giant screen, these TVs become the perfect IP-based video conferencing system. We have now officially caught up with The Jetsons.

A Remote Control you cannot lose - Since we now have a high-resolution camera, let's use it in place of the standard remote. Known as "gesturing", these new TVs will soon feature the ability to use your own hand and arm motions to control the system in place of the remote. That's right ... you make a specific arm or hand movement while sitting on your couch and the TV screen turns into a giant remote that you control my waving and pointing.

The battle for your living room is now joined. It's the TV versus the A/V Receiver versus the Set-Top Box. Who will win? ... Stay tuned (pun intended).

At CES - More Stuff I Want!

The biggest trend at the recent Consumer Electronics Show was 3D TV. It was everywhere and the success of the movie Avatar in 3D put the technology in the forefront. So I wandered the show trying to learn about 3D TV technology. Most vendors had 3D televisions that required glasses (just like in the movies) for viewing. A few, such as RCA, are introducing 3D TVs for the naked eye. Their demo, however, didn't look that great and gave me a headache.

So I walked away thinking that the lead in 3D was anyone's game until I stumbled across an all-black booth fashioned with a brand I had never heard of, Cell TV. At the booth, there was a line behind a velvet rope where only a few lucky souls at a time were allowed entrance to an unknown demo ... of course I got in line.

Ushered inside ten at a time, we were instructed to don our 3D glasses for the demo. The first thing I learned is that Cell TV is actually a brand name for Toshiba ...  a company I don't usually associate with TV breakthroughs. Next, however, I learned that Toshiba has packed these TVs with some serious graphics processing power. They have changed the display from a simple TV screen to a powerful 3D rendering engine.

What this means is that the Cell TV renders beautiful scenes using any of the current competing 3D technology (including MPEG4-MVC and RealD) but what sets this product apart is its ability to take standard 2D content and convert it to 3D on the fly. The graphics power in the Cell TV  takes 2D images, renders them into a very realistic 3D image and then displays the scene on the screen. I watched the TV toggle between 2D and 3D modes and was blown away. One caveat: the demo did not include any live sporting events - the main thing that TechDadCentral really cares about. However, this shortcoming mercifully prevented me from watching the Pats lose by 19 points in 3D.

The Cell TV is due out later this year and when asked about price, all I got was a blank stare from the booth staff. It must be one of those, "If you have to ask ..." luxuries.

Tomorrow, I'll discuss the other new TV trends I saw ... not quite as "in your face" as 3D, but important nonetheless.

At CES - Stuff I Want!

TechDadCentral was at CES over the weekend and saw many items in the, "I want this!" category. Over the next few days, I'll post about the stuff that I want.

To get started, I want the DISH Network ViP 922 satellite receiver due out later this year. It includes:

• A DVR with 1 TB of storage space
• A pair of tuners in one receiver
• Built in Slingbox capability

The Terabyte of storage means that even my teenage son can't fill it up by saving every episode of Scrubs in HD.  The pair of tuners allows me to drive two TVs with two separate remotes - one upstairs and own downstairs - via a single receiver. Connected to my Ethernet, the ViP 922 has a built-in Slingbox so that I can watch my home service in HD on my laptop wherever I go. Big money saver as I don't need to rent a second receiver for upstairs or upgrade my Slingbox to HD.

FYI - Viewing your Slingbox in a browser (as opposed to downloading the 250 MB Slingplayer application) is also coming this year.

Taming the Digital Music Library – Solution #4

We're in between Christmas and New Years so it's time for the final "in between" solution. This one is very low cost ... but comes with some serious drawbacks.

Solution #4 is what I've had in place for over three years now, an Airport Express base station connected to my A/V receiver. The Airport Express is a hybrid device unlike anything else on the market. It can function as:

• wireless bridge
• wireless access point
• USB print server
• iTunes client

... or a combination of the above. It's the same form factor as the power supply for a Mac laptop. Given it's compact size, I've seen tech-savvy travelers use one to convert a hotel wired network connection into an in-room wireless network.  For our purposes you will need a Connection Kit ($39) for an audio hook-up to your A/V receiver. I went with a TOS-link optical cable for the best sound available.

So your Airport Express connects to your network, either wired or wireless, and then to your A/V receiver via the connection kit. You configure it via a free utility from Apple called, appropriately, the AirPort Utility and enable "AirTunes" on the device. The Airport Express then magically appears in iTunes running on any system on your home network (Mac or Windows!). Look in lower right-hand corner of the iTunes window. You now have the choice of routing the audio from iTunes to the remote speakers, namely your A/V receiver.

My set-up has all of my music stored on my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo which happens to include a built-in iTunes server. Any laptop or desktop on the network can see the server and then access stored songs from within iTunes. With the Airport Express in place, I can then route the audio to the A/V receiver.

Pluses:

• Low cost - a used AirPort Express can be had for as low as $30. Add a good quality Connection Kit for $39 and you have a solution for under $70.
• Can also double as an access point or wireless bridge to extend your wireless network.
• Includes a USB port for connecting a printer as a network print server.
• Wired and wireless network connectivity.

Minuses:

• Still requires an active computer running iTunes to select and play songs.
• Audio only.
• Set-up, via the AirPort Utility can be confusing given all of the options
• Quality issues have arisen for the newer 802.11n models.

Cost: $69 - $140

Summary:

I use this solution and it works really well ... but ... I still want to get rid of that laptop or PC running iTunes. Why doesn't my A/V receiver include this?

Taming the Digital Music Library – Solution #3

Now we start getting to the interesting stuff. A new class of "network appliance" is hitting the market from a number of vendors such as Sonus, Logitech and Roku. Known as "Network Music Players", these devices connect to your home network and then to your A/V receiver.

They become the "bridge" between your digital music library and your entertainment system. Their features vary; simple LED display vs. color touchscreen, connection to online music services (such as Pandora and Rhapsody), Internet radio and even built-in speakers. Even an iPhone app is available as a music control user interface.

Pluses:

• If you have your music library on a server, you're all set!
• User interfaces range from remote controls to iPhone apps.
• No PC or laptop required for selection playback! Although there is a web interface available if you would like to control these devices from a computer.
• Connection to Internet radio and on-line music services.
• Wireless connection available - great if you do not have an Ethernet port near your A/V receiver.

Minuses:

• Audio only. If you want to stream video as well, you need to look elsewhere.
• Yet another remote controller - unless you use an iPhone app or a browser in place of the remote

Cost: $129 - $1,100

Summary:: Here is the exact solution that I was looking for when I first started my quest. With my library in one place on my network (my NAS), these devices give me direct access along with some other excellent online music sources.

Taming the Digital Music Library – Solution #2

If you're more of a a do-it-your-selfer, or don't have the budget for Solution #1, then follow along. Solution #2 is via my son and our city's recycling policies. Back in 2001, I brought home a surplus Compaq low-profile desktop PC for my son. His gaming needs soon overwhelmed the graphics capability of this PC and it was replaced by a nice Dell desktop. The ancient Compaq was sent to the curb to be recycled but was not picked up by the city as it was placed on the wrong side of the driveway. I came home from work and saw it sitting there. The idea light bulb went on as I realized I could turn this geezer into a perfectly fine media server ... for both music and video. Here's what I needed:

- VGA video cable. I salvaged this from the recycling bin as well.

- A PC-to-stereo audio cable - it plugs in to the single speaker output of your PC and then into a red & white stereo audio input on your TV (or your A/V Receiver).

- Wireless keyboard and mouse.

- If your entertainment system has a physical network connection nearby, you're all set. If not, then you will need to add a wireless card to your surplus PC.

- A network file server for all of your music and videos - or a a really big hard disk attached to the surplus PC! I already had an NAS on the network.

- Audio software - iTunes is obvious and free.

- Video software - I highly recommend the freeware VLC player from Videolan. It's quick and runs on both Windows and Mac.

So here's the set-up; my flat screen TV has a VGA input that was just crying out for use. I placed the old Compaq into the entrainment system cabinet and connected it the to the TV using a VGA cable. I then plugged in the network cable and added the wireless mouse and keyboard adapter to the USB port. I set the source on my TV for the PC input and set the resolution in the Displays control panel on the PC to match my TV. Voila! I now have a 67" monitor displaying my Windows desktop. That alone will get you some serious geek points with your friends and family.

I then configured the wireless keyboard and mouse along with the network settings for my in-home network. Now online, I downloaded iTunes and VLC. The final step was to "mount" my Network Attached Storage file share that contained all of my music and videos. The Compaq was running Windows XP so I "Mounted the Network Drive" and selected "Reconnect at Start-up".

iTunes required me to "add" all of my music files on the NAS to my local iTunes library ... but make sure that you do not select in Advanced Settings, "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library". Otherwise, you will fill up the miniscule hard drive on your cheap PC and defeat the concept of having all of you music on a shared server! If you are using an attached large hard drive instead of an NAS, then ignore this.

For viewing videos, you simply start-up VLC, select "Open File" and navigate to the video you want to view. Streaming begins in a few seconds.

Pluses:

• Great recycled use of a surplus PC that was heading to the trash.
• Can stream both music and videos to your entertainment system.
• Gives you an additional, networked computer in your home with a HUGE display. There's nothing like surfing the web on a 67" screen.

Minuses:

• Need to keep the wireless keyboard and mouse nearby for navigating the PC.
• Your universal remote will likely not work with the PC.
• Video performance may be an issue. It all depends on the graphics power of your PC.
• You need entertainment cabinet space for the PC.
• You need to copy all of your music and videos onto the NAS (or the hard drive). You are about to become close friends with the CD/DVD drive.

Cost: $75 - $600. If you already have an NAS and a network connection behind the TV, then this is a cheap project. If you need to add an NAS (or a big external hard drive for the PC) plus a wireless card, then it's a bit more expensive. The cost of the surplus PC must be included if you don't have one as well.

Summary: A fun, inexpensive way to get your audio and video libraries streaming to your entertainment system. Plus, you get to feel good about recycling an old PC.

Notes:

• Two years after I set this up using the surplus Compaq PC, I got my hands on a used Mac Mini. The Mac Mini took up much less space with better performance and was plug-compatible with the wireless mouse & keyboard, VLC and iTunes.
• This solution, plus all of the upcoming solutions, require you to collect your media library on an NAS (or an attached hard drive in this solution). Only the Russound system in Solution #1 does the collecting for you as you feed it CDs and DVDs.

Taming the Digital Music Library – Solution #1

So here we go …Let’s get all of your music in one place. Solution #1 comes from my friend Scott’s home renovation project. He installed a multi-room music distribution system from Russound. It features a "Smart Media Console" (SMC) that can hold all of your digital music (and digital videos!).

You “feed” your CDs and DVDs into the SMC where they are saved on its internal hard drive (storage capacity ranges from 500 GB to 2 TB). Once saved, your media can be selected and recalled on-demand as part of your home entertainment system. The SMC includes a wired Ethernet port so that system updates occur automatically. Album artwork and track info are also added to your library automatically via the network.

Pluses:

• An all-in-one loading and storage device for your entire digital library. No need for any external file storage or connection complexity.
• The SMC can also distribute TV broadcasts - via a coax connection; along with Internet radio, news updates, music videos and download movies and TV shows (if you do not already have that capability) via Ethernet. Connect to your cable for TV and to the Internet for streaming services.
• Automatic software updates.
• Built-in DVD and CD player. That’s how you “feed” the SMC and build your on-line library.
• Easy-to-use software for selection and playback of all media.

Minuses:

• No wireless connectivity. If you do not have an Ethernet port nearby, you have to add a wireless bridge.
• Uses Windows Vista for its operating system. Need I say more?
• Big Bucks – Russound products are only sold through dealers/installers. And the entry level SMC starts at $6,500 !!

Cost: $6,500 - $11,000 plus a wireless bridge if needed.

Summary: If you want all of your digital media in one easy-to-use location with simple set-up and cost is no object, here it is.

Taming the Digital Music Library – The Holiday Challenge

If you have time on your hands over the holidays, you may want to try my digital music challenge. The goal: get all of your music in digital format (including your CD entire collection), put it online and then make it available to your A/V receiver.

I’ve come up with 5 different methods – each with its own pluses and minuses. I will explain a single method per day over the next 5 days – just in time for you to get your project going for those sleepy days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

I’ll start with the most expensive solution and end with a freebie (although it will have some serious limitations)!

The Missing Feature: Digital Steaming Audio (and video) to my A/V Receiver

I just completed the exercise of taking our family's entire CD collection and moving it to my new ReadyNAS Duo (networked attached storage) at the house. I now have our complete physical music library digitized and on-line. The ReadyNAS has a built-in iTunes server that will deliver the entire library to any iTunes client on demand.

Problem is ... the only iTunes clients I have are iTunes itself. Which means that I need a laptop (or a desktop system) connected to my A/V receiver to play any of this great music. I have so many items attached to my receiver that one more (along with a remote) is too much.

So why doesn't my receiver have a built-in iTunes client so that I can stream audio and video without the use of a computer?

I found a few workarounds that I will cover in my next post ... but I'm still in search of the perfect solution.