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Gran Turismo 5 Prologue updated with Paris Motor Show vehicles

Usually, car shows like the 2008 Paris Motor Show are look but don't touch affairs. Sure, the cars look nice, but wouldn't it be sweet if you could actually take that Ferrari California out for a spin? Thanks to Polyphony Digital and its Gran Turismo 5 Prologue game for the PS3, you "virtually" can.

Polyphony has released an update for the driving simulator to include three new cars from recent automotive shows, along with a smattering of new features.

If ever there were a great example of "a life gone digital," it's the … Read more

Winegard's RCDT09A is the first battery-powered DTV converter box

One of the often overlooked aspects of the analog-to-digital TV transition is that the vast majority of portable TVs have an analog tuner and won't be able to receive signals after the big switch on February 17, 2009. Earlier this year, we wrote a blog titled, "Don't buy a portable TV this year" to warn consumers about the coming switch, plus the fact that the FCC had stated that it didn't expect any battery-powered DTV converters to be released. Well, that prediction was a little off the mark, as we recently posted our review of … Read more

Dish Network releases DTVPal Plus, promises better reception

Way back at CES 2008, Dish Network announced a DTV converter box called the TR-40 that was going to cost $40, include an electronic program guide and it seemed like it was going to be a simple, cheap choice for buyers looking to handle the upcoming analog-to-digital TV transition. Shortly afterward, the TR-40 became the DTVPal and the price went up to $60. Then the TR-40 CRA came out, which was exactly the same as the DTVPal, except it cost $40. And, as of now, you can buy both products from the DTVPal Web site, essentially giving you the option … Read more

Senator warns of DTV-transition 'crisis'

At a hearing on the impending DTV transition Tuesday, Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of the Commerce Committee, warned that the loss of analog over-the-air TV reception, occurring just 29 days into a new presidential administration, might spell trouble for a country already beset by the financial crisis.

"While federal agencies and industry have stepped up their efforts, I continue to be concerned that they are not fully prepared for the flood of coupon requests and calls that we can expect just before and after the transition," said the senator, a Democrat from Hawaii. "As the current administration winds down, both agencies must remain vigilant so that the next administration does not inherit a communications crisis."

Referring to test of the DTV switchover conducted two weeks ago, Inouye wasn't encouraged. "As the recent test in Wilmington, North Carolina, demonstrated, even with a Herculean investment of time and resources that will be impossible to replicate throughout the rest of the country, consumers made thousands of phone calls seeking help with various aspects of the transition. On a national level, this may translate to millions of calls. Unless more is done, February 17, and 18, and 19, will be very long days indeed."… Read more

Magnavox TB100MW9 DTV converter box handles the basics, but pales to the competition

There are a lot of DTV converter boxes on the market now, and while they all look pretty similar from the outside, there can be significant differences in their features and performance. The Magnavox TB100MW9, widely available at Wal-Mart, is one of the more basic converter boxes we've reviewed, lacking extra features such an advanced electronic program guide, analog pass-through, or S-Video output. While we could live without the extra features, we had a harder time struggling with the poorly designed remote. That being said, the TB100MW9 does do a good job with the DTV basics, as it pulled … Read more

You can't hear digital audio--until it's converted to analog

To hear digital audio it has to be converted to analog. The chip that does that is called a digital-to-analog converter, and there's one in your iPod, computer, and CD, DVD, and Blu-ray players.

Thing is, the quality of the conversion has everything to do with the sound quality you hear. That's why audiophiles pay big bucks for the best ones, and Chord Electronics, a British high-end stalwart has just released the QBD76, which contains a real contender for world's best digital-to-analog converter (DAC) chip.

Chord Electronics are used in top studios, including Skywalker Sound, Abbey Road, … Read more

Apex DT250 DTV converter box packed with features, but pulls in fewer stations

If you were wondering whether the DTV transition was really coming in 2009, the recent early test in Wilmington, N.C. should convince you that there won't be any push backs this time. That means that if you're getting your TV using free, analog over-the-air signals, you should start looking at DTV converter boxes before the big switch on February 17, 2009.

The Apex DT250 is a pretty interesting converter box because it includes several features missing form many competitors--S-Video output, a "Smart Antenna" port and analog pass-through. We were even more impressed when started watching … Read more