hdmi

Sony wireless HDMI system looks good, but less stable than Gefen

After years of fits and starts, the first wireless HDMI systems have finally hit the market. Sony's DMX-WL1 is one of two such systems, along with the Gefen EXT-WHDMI, and after comparing them directly, we're giving the Gefen the higher score.

It comes down to the reliability of the transmissions. Both systems deliver great-looking video, and, in fact, the Gefen, with its minor problems with false contouring, looks slightly worse than the Sony. But we stress "slightly," and the occasional breakup and dropped signals we experienced with the Sony, compared with the rock-solid Gefen, were enough … Read more

Gefen's wireless HDMI actually works

Sure you can get 30 feet of HDMI cable for $35 from monoprice, but the coolness factor of the $800 Gefen EXT-WHDMI, a wireless HDMI system with a 30-foot range, cannot be denied. And according to our tests, the system actually works--albeit not quite as flawlessly as the cable.

The idea behind wireless HDMI is that some installations, particularly wall-mounted flat-panel TVs and ceiling-mounted home theater projectors, just don't look right with scads of wires dangling from the bottom. To hide those wires you typically have to pay an installer scads of cash to run those wires through the … Read more

Get a 22-inch LCD with HDMI for $149.99

No doubt about it--22 inches is the sweet spot for LCD monitors these days. Witness this deal from TigerDirect: a Hanns-G 21.6-inch wide-screen LCD, with HDMI and speakers, for $149.99. Ground shipping will run you a very reasonable $4.99.

It's rare to find both HDMI and built-in speakers in a monitor this inexpensive. The HG-216DPB also delivers 1,680x1,050 resolution, 5ms response time, and a three-year warranty. The speakers crank out 3 watts apiece--not much, but better than the 1 watt in some monitors.

On the downside, the Hanns-G lacks a DVI port--a likely showstopper … Read more

Flexicord cables take rattlesnake approach

Kiss your blistered fingers and headaches goodbye--tangled cords are a problem of the past as long as you use Flexicords. If you're someone who sets up and breaks down your television, home theater kit, laptop, or desktop computer, Flexicords' coiled design eliminates the need to measure exactly how much cable you'll need to hook up your gear.

The cables come curly and extend out up to 10 feet, ensuring that you have just enough slack without any excess clutter.

Flexicord offers cables for just about any application, including USB, phono jacks, S-video, networking cables, and HDMI. Once extended, the coils retain their shape thanks to a thick pipe cleaner that bends alongside the cable itself.

Finally, each wire comes with its own "recoiling tool," aka an inanimate plastic rod that helps you coil it back up. Prices vary depending on size and maximum length, but they all generally cost around $20, with the exception of the 10-foot HDMI cable that goes for $34.

More pictures after the jump!… Read more

Gateway goes the way of 13-inchers

Dell's done it. HP's done it. Toshiba's done it and so has a slew of other notebook vendors, and finally Gateway comes on board.

Gateway introduces it first notebook PC with a 13.3-inch wide-screen display, hitting the sweet spot display and size for the mobile user. However, with a starting weight of 5.3-pounds, it is a bit heavy for a 13-incher.

The UC series has a round touch pad, black, brushed-aluminum keyboard and palm rest, brushed-aluminum barrel hinges, metallic trim, and rounded edges and corners.

Beginning January 8, the Gateway UC Series will be available … Read more

Gateway releases new MD series notebooks

Leveraging the style of Gateway's MC Series notebook PC, the new Gateway MD Series notebook line delivers cinematic mobile entertainment and mainstream performance to consumers on a budget. The MD Series sports a 16:9 aspect ratio and high-definition 15.6-inch wide-screen display at a 1,366x768-pixel resolution. With its HDMI 1.3 media connection, it lets consumers connect to a display device for enjoying high-definition video and audio through a single cable. The MD series has the option for dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 graphics with DirectX 10 support and 512MB of dedicated memory.

In addition, the … Read more

Fully Equipped: Stupid human tricks--no HD on an HDTV

The Leichtman Research Group recently conducted a phone survey that showed 18 percent of HDTV owners think they're watching high-definition shows, when, in fact, they're viewing standard-definition programming.

I'm not sure exactly what questions LRG asked and how it arrived at that 18 percent figure, but I can tell you that I spent part of my New Year's Eve this year confronting and rectifying a non-HD situation just in time to see the ball drop in Times Square in HD.

This is not the first HDTV I've rescued from the standard-def dungeon. It's happened … Read more

Stupid human tricks: No HD on an HDTV

The Leichtman Research Group (LRG) recently conducted a phone survey that showed 18 percent of HDTV owners think they're watching high-definition shows, when in fact they're viewing standard-definition programming. I'm not sure exactly what questions LRG asked and how it arrived at that 18 percent figure, but I can tell you that I spent part of my New Year's Eve this year confronting and rectifying a non-HD situation just in time to see the ball drop in Times Square in HD.

This is not the first HDTV I've rescued from the standard-def dungeon. It's … Read more

A refurbished, rotating 22-inch LCD for $139.99

Remember the 24-inch rotating LCD for $199.99? Here's your chance to nab its 22-inch cousin for $139.99 shipped.

As with other Buy.com promotions of late, you have to use PayPal to get that price; otherwise, it's $149.99 (still an awesome deal).

Like the 24-incher, this "famous maker" liquid-crystal display is comparable to one of HP's monitors, namely the W2207H. In addition to the usual 1,680x1,050 resolution and 5ms response time, it features stereo speakers, a USB hub, and an HDCP-compliant HDMI input (in case you want to connect, say, … Read more

What we Craved this week

You've probably been shopping your little consumer hearts out in preparation for the holidays. So if you didn't keep track of all the goings-on here at Crave this week, we understand. Here's a roundup of some of the week's best stories.

Rumors surfaced that a touch-screen, OLED Sony Walkman will appear at CES 2009. Don't bet on it, says CNET's Donald Bell.

Radio Shack will offer a $99 Netbook, but there's a catch.

PlayStation finally opened its "Home" to the public.

CNET's Stephen Shankland tried to get to the bottom … Read more