Review Infrared remotes are easily taken for granted for controlling the TV from the couch, but with the Keene IRAnywhere system, you can take channel hopping to the next level. Ever wanted to change the channel from across international borders? For long-distance disciplinarian dads, the possibilities for family fun are endless.
Couch potatoes go global with Keene’s IRAnywhere
OK, so that’s not really what it’s for, but the Keene IRAnywhere system (KIRA) will relay IR signals over any local network and, with the use of a service such as No-IP.com or DynDNS.com, this functionality can be extended using the Internet.
The KIRA package includes two 60 x 60 x 28mm receiver/emitter modules with a power supply each and just one IR ‘wand’. The modules feature an Ethernet port, a built in IR receiver, an input for an external IR receiver, various status LEDs, a reset button and an output for an external IR emiiter, such as the wand. Read the rest of this entry »
Review As the world swings inexorably away from Desktop PCs towards notebooks, netbooks and PMPs, the PC has to adapt or die. One way to go, as Packard Bell would have it, is the touchscreen media PC. It follows the iMac paradigm that the whole thing should be built into the back of a large-format LCD screen.
A nice touch? PackBell’s oneTwo M includes a Freeview tuner
The concept of a media PC, for use in a living room or study/bedroom isn’t new and integrated computers built into LCD screens have been around a while now, but Packard Bell’s oneTwo machines have two extras to set them apart, namely, a touchscreen with support for Microsoft Surface apps, and a built-in Freeview DVB-T tuner.
There are two oneTwo models: M for the Medium 20in screen dual core CPU and L for Large 23in model with a quad core chip. The L version supports a full 1080i HD resolution, but the M, reviewed here, has to make do with a 1600 by 900 widescreen. Both models include wireless keyboard, mouse and remote, so they can be used as conventional large-screen desktops, as well as media centres.
The case of the oneTwo M is all gloss black plastic, apart from an insert of clear acrylic between the two case halves, which extends down to form the front feet of the device. On the back panel are sockets for Ethernet, TV tuner and line out, as well as four USBs, and there are a further two USBs on the left-hand edge. The right-hand edge offers a multi-format DVD rewriter, a 5-in-1 card reader, plus mic and headphone 3.5mm sockets. Read the rest of this entry »
Offered either as a shell or in capacities up to 2TB and designed with small businesses in mind, Iocell Networks utilises Network Direct Attached Storage (NDAS) to pitch its drives above and beyond other comparable single-disk Nas solutions. With claims of ultra-tight security, Raid configurability with multiple drives and blazing fast transfer speeds, can the NetDisk 351UNE really live up to its billing?
Fast and flexible: Iocell’s NetDisk 351UNE
Measuring up at 161.3 x 213.5 x 48mm and weighing in at 567.5g the NetDisk is light, but sturdy. The case features some intriguing orange vents and two simple LEDs, one for power, the other for disk activity. It should be noted that there are no fans or heat sinks, so the device does run warm, but not hot by any means. If that makes you a tad nervous, Iocell does offer a two-year warranty as standard in the UK.
The NetDisk features Ethernet, USB and eSata interfacing. The implementations of USB and eSATA are standard, with the exception in that the drive appears to the host as being internally mounted rather than as a removable disk. This feature Iocell refers to as ‘File System Tolerance’. LAN connectivity is another story. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Popcorn Hour made its name with the rather fine, if also rather expensive A100 and A110 media streamers, but now it has cooked up something strange and new that promises to redefine the breed by offering some unique hardware expansion possibilities.
Popcorn Hour’s C-200 Networked Media Tank
While most media streamers tend towards the small and dainty, at 425 x 290 x 80mm the C-200 Networked Media Tank is a full-sized lump of a device. Aesthetically, it relates more to the hand-assembled British hi-fi components of the 1990s, rather than the latest generation of painfully sleek and modern TVs or Blu-ray players. In short, it’s big, black, bluff and yells ‘bloke’. External controls are scarce, further enhancing the retro feel with the front only housing a four way navpad for basic menu navigation, buttons to control the screen brightness and TV signal output, a standby button – the C-200 has a proper on/off switch around the back – and a rather strange looking door about which more below. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Buffalo Technology’s latest Nas box, the Linkstation Duo has been targeted to meet the ever-increasing multimedia and storage needs of home and small office users. Offered in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, it sports two Sata II hard drives that can be easily swapped out for user upgrades.
Sturdy storage: Buffalo’s Linkstation Duo
The 1TB edition we reviewed utilises two 3.5in Samsung HD502HI EcoGreen drives running at 5400RPM and was preconfigured in RAID 0 mode, allowing for 902.9GB of true storage. Also configurable to RAID 1 and it performs are a DLNA-certified media server, with support for iTunes, Apple’s Time Machine and even the hooks up with the iPhone.
Other features include remote operation with WebAccess as well as FTP and USB print server use and power saving modes. The Linkstation Duo uses an external 110/240v PSU and comes with both UK and EU mains leads, and a 2m flat Ethernet cable. The setup CD also includes Memeo Autobackup for both Windows and Mac. Read the rest of this entry »
