Get 4 HDMI cables for $8.19 shipped

This is an update to one of my most popular posts.

As regular Cheapskate readers know, HDMI cables are insanely overpriced. Pity the uninformed consumer who walks into, say, Best Buy, and walks out $30, $40, or even $50 poorer. Happens all the time.

But it doesn't have to. Help me spread the word: Buy.com has four 6-foot HDMI cables for $8.19 shipped, for a total of just $2.05 per cable.

Just in case you're new to all this, HDMI cables are used to ferry digital audio and video signals between your HDTV and gear … Read more

Get a Roku HD player for $69.99 shipped

This is an update to a post from a couple months ago. It reflects some permanent price drops on the Roku line of set-top boxes!

Looking for an easy way to watch streaming Netflix movies and TV shows? Look no further than the Roku HD, a tiny set-top box that streams from not only Netflix, but also Major League Baseball, Amazon Video on Demand, Flickr, Pandora, and dozens more content providers.

Roku just dropped the price of this model to a very tempting $69.99, and if you buy it from Amazon, you'll get a $10 Video on Demand credit. … Read more

Monday roundup: Five sweet deals

What's this? A week's worth of deals in a single post? Before you collapse to your knees in teary-eyed gratitude, allow me to explain.

See, I couldn't find a standout, must-have, totally killer deal today. So instead I decided to bring you five that I consider pretty good--in some cases very good. Take a look:

Buy.com has the Sony Fontopia MDR-EX71SL noise-isolating earphones for $9.80 out the door. They come with three earbud sizes, a 2.5-to-3.5mm adapter, and a hard-plastic carrying case.Today only, Woot.com has the refurbished Flip MinoHD 720p pocket camcorder for $79.99 (… Read more

Get a Roku HD-XR player for $99.99

Are you looking for an easy way to bring Netflix Watch Instantly movies to your TV? Look no further than the Roku HD-XR, a tiny set-top box that streams Internet content from Netflix and a variety of other sources.

This top-end model normally costs $129.99, but today only, Amazon has the Roku HD-XR for $99.99 with free shipping. Plus, Amazon is throwing in a $10 credit for its Video on Demand service.

Roku's other channels include MLB.com, which, like Netflix, requires a subscription, Blip.tv, Flickr, NASA, and Pandora.

The Roku player connects to the Internet … Read more

Get a Harmony One universal remote for $129

I own a Logitech Harmony One remote control. After a good two years of use, I can say without a doubt that it's my favorite clicker ever. CNET agrees with me, calling it "arguably the best consumer remote control currently available" in its review.

Unfortunately, Logitech still sells it for $250, which is the same price it debuted at more than two years ago. However, if you act fast, Fry's will set you up with a Harmony One for $129 (plus around $7 for shipping).

That price is for a new unit, not a refurbished one. … Read more

Get a TiVo HD DVR for $99.99 shipped

I'm a DVR fan from way back. I started by using ReplayTV (of blessed memory), then made the move to Windows Media Center, which has served me well for many years.

However, I'm at a crossroads. For reasons I won't get into here, Windows Media Center is no longer getting the job done. Thus, I have to live with Comcast's ubercrappy DVR or make the move to TiVo.

I've long resisted using TiVo for one simple reason: the monthly service fee. After you buy the box, you're on the hook for $12.95 per … Read more

Get 12 months of Xbox Live Gold for $28.99

Are you looking to renew your Xbox Live subscription? If you walk into any Best Buy, Target, or the like, you'll pay $50 for a 12-month Gold Card.

For about the next 24 hours (ending May 25 at 8 a.m. PT), Buy.com via eBay has an Xbox Live Gold 12-month subscription card for $28.99 with free shipping.

Even if you're not an Xbox user, I'll bet you know a dad or grad who is. This is a great gift item.

As I've noted before, I despise paying monthly fees for anything. However, this … Read more

Get an 8-inch Wi-Fi photo frame for $59 shipped

I'm a big fan of revolving photo frames. I mean, why stare at the same old picture when you can see a different one every time you walk by?

Thursday only, Dell has the ViewSonic VFP838-11 8-inch photo frame for just $59 shipped. I've seen similar frames for less, but not with the one feature I covet most: Wi-Fi.

Using your home network, the VFP838-11 can wirelessly connect to online photo-sharing sites like Flickr and Picasa. It also supports custom RSS feeds through a service called FrameChannel, which serves up things like weather, sports scores, and Facebook and … Read more

Get a Sony Reader Pocket Edition for $139.95

The e-book revolution is upon us, and I, for one, am delighted. It's not that I don't love bookstores and real, bound books that you can hold in your hands--I do. But for years I've been smitten by the convenience and environmental-friendliness of books "printed" in digital ink.

Ah, but which e-book reader should you get? I'll save the Kindle versus iPad versus iPod versus smartphone debate for another day. Today, Buy.com has the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 for $139.95 with free shipping.

Chip in with your siblings and you have … Read more