TechwareLabs » Peripherals

Popcorn Hour C200 Networked Media Tank/HTPC

Androski Matthew — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:22:27 +0000

Introduction

One of the best way to save money and still get a kick ass home theater set up has always been three words, “build it yourself”. Now the company Saybas is changing that and hopefully for the better with the Popcorn Hour C200. The Popcorn Hour C200 is a Network Media Tank that promises to pack a wallop when it comes to home theater set up’s. Thanks to Saybas you now have the option to purchase one of their sleek looking Popcorn Hour C200 units and still have enough in your budget to purchase a few of the latest blockbusters. Ladies and gentleman follow me as I review Saybas’s Network Media Tank, the Popcorn Hour C200.

Your first question is probably “what is a Network Media Tank?”

A Networked Media Tank is essentially a network attached storage device that handles your media files. The Popcorn Hour C200 does this very well but it can also do so much more than that.

Take a look at what the company has to say:

“With Popcorn Hour you can stream or playback digital media content from a variety of sources, such as your PC, network-attached storage, digital camera or USB storage (Flash drive, HDD, DVD drive). Popcorn Hour also makes it easy to download and stream content directly from popular Internet sites like YouTube, Blip.tv, Revision 3 and dozens of other online content sources*. Popcorn Hour even has a built-in download utility, eliminating the need to rely on your PC to download files from the Internet.”

Pretty impressive ideas but can the company live up its promises…

Podcastudio

Matthew Homan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:17:37 +0000

Just recently Techwarelabs we were handed a new product from BEHRINGER to review called the PODCASTUDIO USB. This is a very interesting product for the internet generation. The PC users out there who are looking to put together their own little studio without much coin, read on as by the end of this review, you will probably be ordering one for yourself. The makings of a home studio setup have just been simplifed to your PC and this $99.99 PODCASTUDIO USB from BEHRINGER. Would you like to produce your own Pod cast sessions to be posted on the internet from a weekly sewing circle discussion to a DJ pod cast where your mixing up your own music to be heard later? BEHRINGER has the PODCASTUDIO for a very reasonable price to get you started.

- Everything you need for professional podcasting, music production and digital home recording

- Get a full recording studio “out of the box” including USB audio interface, mixer, microphone, headphones, professional audio software and more

- High-resolution 2 In / 2 Out USB audio interface with plug-and-play for Windows XP and Mac OS X operating systems

-Studio-class 5-input 2-bus mixer with premium mic preamp and 2-band “British” EQ

-Dynamic broadcast-style microphone with 2-stage pop filter

- High-performance studio headphones with ultra-wide frequency response

- Table microphone stand, XLR microphone cable and 2 stereo RCA cables

- Powerful DAW software included (Kristal Audio Engine multi-track sequencer and Audacity audio editor)

- Comprehensive podcasting software (Podifier, Juice, PodNova, Golden Ear) for PCs and Mac computers

- Illustrated quick-start guide “How to Podcast”

- High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life

- Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

*All trademarks (except BEHRINGER, the BEHRINGER logo, JUST LISTEN and PODCASTUDIO) mentioned belong to their respective owners and are not affiliated with BEHRINGER. Mac and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Haupauge HVR-1800 TV Tuner Card

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:30:47 +0000

Introduction:

The notion of a personal Home Theater PC (HTPC) is becoming more prevalent lately. Many ideas can go into the planning of an HTPC. Will it be able to stream video across the network? Will it act as a central media hub? Will it be able to view online videos? The most important question being, will it be able to record and playback TV? This is where Hauppauge shines. Hauppauge has been producing quality TV tuner cards for quite some time now. In the Linux community, their cards are near synonymous with MythTV. So does their latest addition, the WinTV-HVR-1800, have the goods to make it into your next HTPC build? Read on, and we’ll tell you.

Atlona AT-HDAir Wireless USB HD Video Adapter

Ilya — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:33:21 +0000

Introduction

With so many computer peripherals that are used today it is inevitable that wires are becoming cumbersome. Everyone is familiar with the pain of connecting and reconnecting all wires to your computer and than stashing in behind the table in hopes to never deal with it again. Perhaps one of more exciting trends in computer industry has been conversion of peripherals such as mouses, keyboards and HDTV tuners to wireless technology. It is almost inevitable that many more will follow this trend. What we have here is an Atlona AT-HDAir Wireless USB/HDMI adapter. At the core of it’s purpose HDAir makes wireless screen possible. Now that’s an exciting possibility. It is a wireless USB to HDMI adapter and it’s something that showed up on the market only couple of months ago. Atlona is promising that this is their first step on the road to more wireless technology.

Atlona’s take

The Atlona AT-HDAiR is designed to connect any Windows Based computer to either your HDTV or Computer Monitor wirelessly through VGA or HDMI Connections. The HDAiR is based on a powerful UWB technology, allowing users to extend high resolution content up to 30 feet away. Atlona adapter is capable of supporting resolutions up to 1400×1050 or 720p.

Whether wirelessly connected to a projector in a meeting room or to a flat TV screen in the living room, the Atlona HDAiR allows users to easily and conveniently extend their PC visual workspace. Providing both HDMI interface, common in flat TVs, and VGA interface, common in projectors and computer monitors—the HDAiR provides users with the flexibility. Both HDMI and VGA output connections are active at the same time, therefore HDAiR receiver could be used to power up 2 displays at the same time with identical content.

NOTE: HDMI Output will only transfer video signal. AT-HDAiR is not yet able to support Audio.

AT HDAir Specs and Features

Key Features:

HD TV or Projector Compatible
High Resolutions up to 1440×1050 or 720p
Extend computer from the display up to 30ft (10m)
Capable of Mirroring or Extending Display, Atlona suggests to use Extended mode for video playback
Standard and wide-screen aspect ratios (4:3 or 16:9)
Full room coverage with line of site and non-line of site
VGA & HDMI connectivity (DVI with additional adapter), both outputs are active at the same time to provide signal to up to 2 displays simultaneously
32-bit True Color depth for high quality images
Compatible with Windows Vista and XP
Quick and easy installation

Minimum PC Requirements:

CD-ROM Drive
Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista SP1
One USB 2.0 port
512mb of Ram
Pentium 4
30 megabytes (MB) of free disk space

Technical Specifications:

Compatible with Windows XP and Vista
HDMI connector: Standard HDMI 19-pin female
VGA connector: Standard HD15 15-pin female
Gross Weight: 1lb.

Thermaltake Soprano Aluminum Keyboard

Tom Gowing — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:01:10 +0000

Thermaltake is a name we usually associate with a chassis, power supply or cooling system. When considering buying a keyboard, most don’t think about Thermaltake. Choosing a keyboard is non-trivial, with little differentiation between one keyboard and the next, since the button layout is generally the same. Even hotkeys have become standard, with most keyboards having hotkeys for internet, email and volume at the least. In order to assert its excellence, the Thermaltake Soprano Aluminum Keyboard will have to excel in the only major differentiating factor, feel.

Packaging

The keyboard comes in a plain white box, with a sleeve around it, wrapped in plastic. The sleeve has a picture of the keyboard on the front, and more details about the product on the back. The backing has a list of features and various pictures highlighting different areas of the board. All of the major writing on the packaging is in English, with one sentence in eight other languages directing users to www.thermaltake.com for more information about the product. After sliding off the sleeve, we reveal a plain white box with the Thermaltake logo. Opening this box reveals the keyboard, wrapped in bubble wrap, and sealed in plastic, with the USB cable neatly held together with a twist-tie. The keyboard also comes with a user manual, which describes some of the features, along with the warranty and repair information.

EnerMax Aurora Micro Aluminum Keyboard

Will — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:02:58 +0000

Introduction

Enermax, as the name suggests, is a company mainly remembered for their magnificent power supplies, though they have been attempting to branch out into other areas, such as cases and peripherals. Enermax has put their time and and effort into designing a keyboard that is affordable for the every day person, yet good enough for the every day enthusiast. Today, we’ll be looking at just that. The Enermax Aurora Micro, an unusually sturdy compact keyboard. Let’s see if this is a mighty mite, or just shrimpy.

Packaging & First Looks

The packaging is fairly minimal, with a profile shot of the keyboard front and center, and the keyboard itself peeking out to the left side, underneath a plastic shell. The back of the box goes into detail about all the features offered, in as many languages as they can cram on. The keyboard itself is black anodized aluminum, with a silver accent strip along the top and silver Enermax logo in the upper left corner. The keycaps are matte black plastic, with what Enermax claims to be “Everlasting key top printing”.

The USB 2.0 ports on the Enermax Aurora Micro are split, with one on each side of the unit near the top. This makes plugging in large flash drives simpler, though a truly oversized flash drive may run into the lip on the top. The bottom of the keyboard is flat, with three rubber feet along the bottom edge and two along the top to hold it still. If an upward tilt is desired, the two-stage feet can raise the back end up by about five degrees. One thing that is immediately apparent with this keyboard is the feel: solid. The main enclosure is milled from a solid piece of aluminum, and the other parts have been fitted into it solidly, with no flex or looseness. Attempts to deliberately torque the frame, by twisting the ends between my hands, could not elicit so much as a creak. If you’re looking for a keyboard that can stand up to abuse, the Aurora Micro will certainly fit the bill.

Razer Salmosa Gaming Mouse

Will — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:01:12 +0000

Introduction

When I hear the words “gaming mouse”, two thoughts come to mind. “Ooh, that’s interesting,” is followed swiftly by “wonder how much they’re gonna pillage my wallet for this.” Gaming mice have traditionally been expensive: companies like Razer, Logitech and even Microsoft have been engaging in a perpetual arms race to see who can cram more features into their latest offering. Sometimes, though, you don’t want 15 different sensitivity settings, and 42 buttons with 7 macros a piece bound to them. Sometimes, you just want a good, solid mouse with a great sensor, responsive buttons, and as little set-up fuss as possible. Razer has worked to answer that need, and the result of their efforts is the Salmosa, which I’ll be looking at today.

A Little About Razer

Razer has, in recent years, been putting out a broad range of computer accessories, all with a gaming focus. Their core expertise, though, is in computer mice. From their first breakout hit in 1999, the Boomslang, Razer has consistently raised the bar with their line of Gaming Grade mice. They were the first to introduce a 1600dpi optical mouse, the Diamondback, and the first to introduce a mouse with onboard profile memory, the Copperhead. The DeathAdder incorporated the first 3rd generation infrared sensor, which offered greatly increased tracking speed. Since then, Razer has branched out into keyboards, 5.1 headsets and soundcards, all with the aim of making products tailored to the needs of the serious gamer. Clearly, these people are not content to rest on their laurels. From Razer’s Website:

The Razer Salmosa is the quickest entry level gaming-grade mouse armed with the fastest tracking optical sensor in the world. Designed to be one of the lightest and most compact mice of its class, it is the ideal mouse of choice for finger-tip grip gamers who seek both speed and control.

The Salmosa is clearly trying to pack a lot into a small package. Utilizing the same 3G sensor as the DeathAdder, it eschews its bigger cousin’s lights and extra buttons, instead delivering the essentials in the smallest practical package. The Salmosa is designed for the fingertip grip style, which I’ll go into later. For now let’s take a closer look, and see if this is a mouse you can sink your teeth into, or one that just bites.

Packaging

As usual, Razer has packaged the Salmosa in a way that is straightforward, and appealing to gamers. The front features the mouse itself front and center, with the Razer logo and product name also prominent. The back features a breakdown of product features, along with a few detail shots. The left and right sides feature a message from “RazerGuy” in english and french. Opening the front flap, we see the mouse itself encased in a plastic sarcophagus, so you can get a quick approximation of the feel without ripping the box open.

Box front Box back

Box left side Box right side

Box with front flap open

NZXT Avatar Gaming Mouse

Ian — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:01:30 +0000

Introduction and First Impressions:

The Avatar is the first entry into the field of gaming mice of NZXT, normally known for producing high-quality PC enclosures for the LAN gaming market. This is not an atypical pattern; other manufacturers (recently, SilverStone) have branched out from computer enclosures and PSUs into gaming mice with unusual form factors. SilverStone’s was solid but unspectacular, filling a peculiar ergonomic niche for those with extra-large hands… could this be the Next Big Thing, or will it just be another middle-of-the-road mouse for people with – this time – narrow hands? Or left hands — the Avatar already has something going for it, in that it is totally ambidextrous, save the LED sensitivity readout. But that’s not a control, and I’ve yet to find one of those that’s really useful.

Of particular relevance to this discussion is mouse grips – how people actually hold the mouse in the hand. Here, Razer has probably spent the most time introspecting and quantifying just what it is to hold a mouse; I will be using their definitions as they are a common point of reference. Not to give you the impression that the Avatar is a ripoff; it does not compare directly with anything we could find and its shape is unique in the narrow, high arched back and long finger-rest buttons. When I finally got my hands on it, the first thing that struck me was that the Avatar was meant to be tucked up into the pit of the hand. From here, it can be used either in a comfortable palm-down grip, or with the fingertips resting vertically on the buttons in a claw grip; either way, the pinkie and thumb rest in the hollows on either side of the mouse under the shiny silver forward/back buttons. Fingertip grip was immediately obvious as an ergonomic disaster, as even my long thin fingers couldn’t comfortably reach the buttons while floating the mouse between them. I also had an unfortunate tendency to grab the Avatar by the side buttons this way. This may be a dealbreaker for some, but if you have read that and not been frightened off yet, keep reading – this puppy may be just the ticket to fragging and bragging.

Packaging

The Avatar came packed in a gloss-on-matte printed black box with a fold-open cover; the cover contains the manual and driver CD protected by a foam insert. Flipping it open, we find a key diagram on the back of the cover, and the mouse itself deeply recessed on the right, just above a brushed metal (real metal, not magnetic) NZXT badge stuck to the cardboard. Maybe this is a case badge to go next to the ones provided by your motherboard, processor, and video card providers? Unfortunately, the mouse sits too deep in the box to get a good feel without removing it… so that’s just what I did. The Avatar itself s a wasp-waisted mouse with serious science-fiction design cues, from the slighly projecting main buttons that flow smoothly out of the rubberized surface, to the rear ‘hammerhead’ that spreads the weight onto two very slick Teflon pads. Trying these out on a proper mousing surface, the Evo-G MP2, made me realize something – this is easily the slickest mouse I’ve ever felt. I don’t know what they did to the teflon, or whether it will do anything to its service life, but whatever they did I was impressed. Pulling the manual and driver disc out of the cover, both were concealed by a closed-cell foam insert that slid out from the case. Nothing here was enough to get points docked from the score, and that wonderfully slick teflon and great rubberized grip was enough to earn a half point already.

Vizo Master Panel II

Michael Lynch — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:01:05 +0000

Introduction

Vizo , a computer peripheral manufacturer, has given us the opportunity to review one of their functionality enhancing products, the Vizo Master Panel II. Created from its predecessor Master Panel I, this front 5.25” drive bay panel is designed to make access to ports and controls easier. Front panels have recent become a popular item within the computing community, with the ease of access that it has it’s a definite must for users with several peripherals.

Vizo’s Take:

” VIZO Master panel II fits for 5.25″ bay and bears USB2.0 card reader, dual-channel fan controller, eSATA port and multi-I/O function ports in one module which provides the convenient way to connect your devices and manually adjust your system fans” speed at the same time.With Master Panell II, you can do it in the front of your PC and don”t need to go to the back.
It is the most economical, high performance, space saving unit for your PC.”

Packaging

The Master Panel II comes with all the necessary extention cables to make hookup to your motherboard possible and includes the driver disk for the media card reader functionality. There is also a manual which helps explain which cables to hook up and also to provide power to the device.

Package Contents:

Master Panel II Main Module

Power Adapter Cable

Fan Cables

USB Cable

MIC Cable

1394 Cable

Line in / out Cable

SATA Cable

RCA Cable

Accessory Package

98 Driver CD for Card Reader

User Manual

Features

For 5.25″ Bay

USB2.0 internal card reader 4 memory slots are active, which allows you to copy data between the different memory cards at the same time

Dual fan speed control knobs (4V -12 V)

Multi I/O transfer function (USB*2/ 1394 / eSATA/ RCA / audio*3)

Support hot plug and hot swappableMust be attached to hot swappable compliant host to enable hot swappable function

No need to go to the back, do it in the front

Support WIN 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista

Support MAC OS 9.X/ X or above

Specifications

Dimensions: 148(W) x 42(H) x 70(D) mm

Card reader Interface: USB2.0

Power Mode: USB power / DC 12V, 5V

Memory card slot:4 slots for: Compact Flash Type I/II, Micro Driver, Memory Stick(Duo*), Memory Stick Pro(Duo*), Smart Media, SD, mini SD*, Multi Media card, RS-MMC*, microSD*
*: need card adapter

Fan Control: 2*3pin fan RPM control knobs (4V-12V)

Weight: 90g

Installation

The Master Panel II requires a 5.25” drive bay, so before you go out to purchase one of these, make sure that you have or can make a free slot. Also something to note is that the knobs on the front of the computer can cause problems to occur with a door on the front of a computer.

Although there are many cables, the installation for this type of device is fairly simple. Included with the device is an instructions manual which shows you which plug goes where. It’s simply plug the connecter from the device to the appropriate plug within your computer. Each socket on the back of the device have a unique shape which can only be used with the appropriate cable, thus there is no confusion if a square plug goes into a round socket.

NOTE: The eSATA functionality is only possible if the motherboard natively supports this, the Master Panel II is only an extension device and does not add this capability to your system.

Conclusion

Overall this device was easy to install and to use. The fact that I no longer need to reach around the back of my computer to plug my peripherals into my computer is wonderful. Not having to go to the back of the computer also helps lower the clutter of wires there. Also this device has a card reader which is compatible with up to 13 different types of cards not to mention the addition of two front USB ports and two separate fan controls. We feel that the Master Panel II delivers greatly enhanced functionality to your computer in the areas which matter the most to the average computer user.

Genius ErgoMedia 500

Michael Lynch — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:01:48 +0000

Introduction:

Genius, a computer peripheral manufacturer, has recently sent us their ErgoMedia 500 Game Pad. From the first glance, this device seems to be well designed and looks as if it would be comfortable. Genius says that the “ErgoMedia 500 is a gaming key pad that turns you into the best game player with the most clear and simple settings that you can use in various games. For game addicts, the unique hand shape design helps support your palm for long time playing. Special keycap backlighting makes sure all keys are highly visible even at night; and you can even chat online with the built-in earphone and microphone jacks. Three different game settings help you quickly search for your weapon, equipment, or any desired target. An additional switch button lets you switch between games instantly.” During this review we will test this device and see if it’s truly what genius claims it to be.

Packaging and Contents:

The ErgoMedia 500 came packaged in a rather stylish box. On the front, it has listed a few features along with a cutout in the cardboard allowing the customer to see the gaming device. On the back, it has a features list which in several different languages.

Contents

Ergo Media 500

User’s Manual

CD Drivers

Features:

New ergonomic designed gaming keyboard for ultra comfort

Fashionable and streamline appearance

Backlighting keycap function for late-night gaming sessions.

Complex macros with 11 programmable keys for customized and instant control.

Built-in microphone and speaker jacks for easy connection.

4-way direction button – up/down/right/left direction button.

Specifications:

PC Game: Yes

PC USB Port: Yes

Number of buttons: 11

Macro & Programmable: Yes

Back Lighting: Yes

Mic in & Speaker out: Yes

Mouse wheel: Yes

Supports Windows Vista: Yes

System Requirements:

IBM PC Pentium compatible or higher

Microsoft Windows XP, ME, or 2000

Available USB Port

CD/DCD-ROM driver for driver installation

Wolfking Trooper Gaming Mouse

Michael Lynch — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:01:15 +0000

Wolfking Trooper Gaming Mouse

Introduction:

Wolfking, a gaming enthusiast company who develops gaming interfaces and accessories, recently sent us their new Trooper gaming mouse to review. At first glance, this mouse might look like many others you have seen, but it definitely has a lot more to offer.

Packaging:

The mouse comes in a fairly stylish box with a cut out so you can see the mouse inside. On the front of the box it shows a quick overview of the mouse with little information segments, but when you flip to the back, you start to see all of the features the mouse has.

Features:

Laser Engine

7 Buttons

Full Speed USB

Plug & Play

Fire Button

Adjustable Sensitivity

Specifications:

Resolution:                         3 sensitivity levels: 800, 1600, 2200

Image Processing:           6.4 megapixels/sec.

Max Acceleration:           20g

Max Speed:                        45-65 inches/sec.

Power Supply:                   3.3 volts

USB Data Format:            16bits/sec

Buttons(left/right)          7 million clicks

Feet:                                     250 kilometers

System Requirements: Windows XP/2000/ME/98SE or Mac OS 8.6 or later

Buttons:

Like any normal mouse, it has the left and right buttons, as well as the scroll wheel, which functions as a third button when pressed down. Located near the thumb is two more buttons. These are used for going forward or back while navigating through websites. Unlike other mice, this one offers the fast click fire button and the quick change DPI setting. These two functions each require their own button on the mouse, located just below the scroll wheel.

Testing:

For testing purposes I decided to use the mouse with the newly released game Bioshock. First we will be testing out the multiply shot with a single click. In my opinion this wouldn’t be very accurate because with most games, recoil occurs between each shot, making your new aim a little higher than the previous. To test this I choose a nice flat piece of wall in the game. I fired once so I would be able to see the bullet hole in the wall. After shooting the wall with the various firing speeds I realized that my previous assumption was wrong, each shot was dead on accurate.

Conclusion:

Overall the mouse seemed to work very well with no lag or any skipping. The design of the mouse allows your hand to naturally cradle it in your hand, forming a perfect fit. The ease of changing the sensitivity was smooth, and can be done very simply without having to go into your mouse settings. As for changing the firing speeds, the process is effortless, and at times could be very useful for burst firing.

I would have to say that Wolfking did an excellent job when designing this mouse for even the most intense gamer. Out of all of the previous mice that I have used this would have to be among the top.

Saitek Obsidian

Michael Lynch — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:01:09 +0000

Introduction:

Saitek, a leading company in computer peripherals, recently released a new designer wireless mouse named “Obsidian” where design meets desire. Just by looking at the new mouse you will see that the finish on the mouse is very similar to the obsidian rock, which is how the mouse got its name.

Packaging:

The box that the obsidian mouse is placed in is very nice. When the box is completely closed the consumer is still able to see the mouse through a cutout in the box which is redone with clear plastic. The box also has a flip open front cover which when opened gives you more specs of the mouse and on the inside it has two cutouts, one for the mouse and the other for the recharging dock. The back of the box consists of specs and everything you would want to know about the mouse, shown in five different languages.

Box Contents:

Mouse

USB transmitter

2x Rechargable Batteries

Docking Cradle with Recharge Station

USB Cable

User Guide


Box front	Box back

Box left side	Box right side

Box with front flap open

PC Game:	Yes
PC USB Port:	Yes
Number of buttons:	11
Macro & Programmable:	Yes
Back Lighting:	Yes
Mic in & Speaker out:	Yes
Mouse wheel:	Yes
Supports Windows Vista:	Yes

IBM PC Pentium compatible or higher
Microsoft Windows XP, ME, or 2000
Available USB Port
CD/DCD-ROM driver for driver installation