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October 31, 2008
An HDTV Tuner for your Computer - Pinnacle's PCTV HD mini Stick
More and more people, are watching more and more video on their computers. There are many sites to watch videos, but what about watching local broadcast TV on your computer. Enter the new Pinnacle PCTV HD mini Stick. It is a very compact - about the size of a small USB thumb drive - that plugs into a USB port of your computer.
It comes with:
- the USB HD Tuner,
- a remote control,
- software on a CD,
- a telescoping antenna,
- and a travel bag.
Set up was quick and easy, insert the Stick in a USB port, load the software, attach the antenna to the Stick (you can use another antenna if you choose). Then have it scan for available channels - with the included antenna I got 17 of the 21 stations that antennaweb.org indicated that I should be able to receive with a small multi-directional antenna. The antennas for the stations that I could not receive were from 22 miles to 69 miles away.
Before purchasing this product, you might want to go to antennaweb, enter your address and check the available stations in your area - please note that you do not have to enter your name or email address to get this information. And be sure to go to here and scroll down to make sure your computers specs meet the minimum system requirements.
You can watch HDTV on your computer, use your computer as a DVR, even burn programs to a DVD.
The menu interface is not as intuitive as a TiVo (but what is?), but after a few minutes of playing around with the software, I was watching and recording television shows. It has a rudimentary EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) to help you plan recordings. The video editing software is very basic, but if all you want to do is delete commercials or the boring parts of Saturday Night Live, it works just fine.
The Pinnacle PCTV HD mini Stick works well - the MSRP is $119.99 for PCs, $129.99 for Mac. Comments?
Posted by Bob Gatton at 10:32 AM | Comments (2)
October 27, 2008
Bicycle Storage - The Gladiator Claw
The Gladiator Garage Works folks make some great products - benches, cablnets, even refrigerators for garages. Recently they launched the Gladiator Claw Advanced Bike Storage Device - an innovative device for storing your bike.
The Claw has a die cast aluminum base and arms that securely hold the bike. Press the rear tire against the 'plunger' and the arms close around the rim of the bike. To release, push the bike up to press again on the plunger and the arms open. Very cool.
Installation is easy, secure the Claw to either a bare ceiling joist or through dry wall to a joist with the supplied wood screws (2).
It works as claimed, it was easy to store my bike.
Pros:
- its very clever,
- well made,
- the arms have plastic bumpers where they come in contact with the bike's rims, so they won't be scratched,
- easy to install,
- and it is a little easier to use than the vinyl coated hook that it replaced.
Cons:
Its $60!
For more information, please go to Gladiator and scroll down. You can buy the Claw at Amazon starting on November 15th or directly from Gladiator after December 1st.
This is a good product, no doubt about it, but the alternative is a $2 vinyl coated hook from Home Depot or Lowe's. What do you think? Is this a worthwhile or is it too much money?
Posted by Bob Gatton at 11:17 AM | Comments (1)
October 16, 2008
Jet Rack - Ladder Storage for Trucks and Vans
Even though this blog is 'Tech Talk', occasionally I find a clever low tech product. The Jet Rack is a simple, affordable ($79.99) system that securely stores ladders - vertically or horizontally - on the ceiling or walls of a van, trailer or truck.
I wanted to test their product, but I don't own the right kind of vehicle, so I enlisted my friends at @home audio video, one of East Tennessee's premier AV companies. Brian Kimmitt, their lead installer, wrote the following review:
"Installation was pretty straightforward. It took about an hour to install, which included cutting the strut to length and figuring out the best location to install it in the van. The installation instructions were clearly laid out.
After using the system for about 5 weeks now, I am very happy with it. The ladder unloads from the van easily, and then reloads even easier. It is rock solid during transport, and holds the ladder tightly. The lock cable also adds peace of mind.
As per the instructions, I did have to pick up some lithium grease to grease the strut so what the rack system would slide. After adding the grease, the whole system slides easily.
Bottom line, keeping the ladder off the floor was the overall goal, but the system makes it even more convenient by making removing and reloading the ladder from the van effortless. I would definitely recommend the product."
Thanks Brian. For more information go to Jet Rack and watch the video.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 9:01 AM
October 15, 2008
It's Not a GameBoy. It's a Blackberry.
(from guest blogger Brian Bruce, Site Director of HGTVPro.com)
Thanks to Bob, I now sport a nifty OtterBox on my 8330 Blackberry Curve. I'll say one thing right off the bat - don't name your product after a waterproof mammal unless it's completely waterproof. It says on the package that it's not waterproof, and although it's close (you'll read about that soon) it cannot go under water.
Having said that, if you work in tough conditions and need a case to protect your Blackberry Curve, go get an OtterBox.
I'll be honest, when Bob said he wanted me to try out this new case for my Curve, I was less than enthusiastic. I've tried case after case, but I've never found one I like. This one, though, did the trick. Here's my take.
The Good....
- It was easy to set up. The clear plastic that came with the outer shell was easy to wrap onto the phone. The casing snapped right into place and the sleeve went on with ease.
- Protection is above par. I've dropped the phone several times from different heights since I put the case on, and I've not experienced any technical problems with the phone. It also got knocked off a clipboard into some wet grass at my son's football game where normally it would've gotten soaked -- but again, no problems. In fact, I took the case off a few days ago and the phone still looks brand new.
- The keyboard was still easy to use. When I put the sleeve on the phone, I wasn't sure if the molded keys in the plastic were going to line up correctly, and even if they did, I didn't think the keys would respond as well. I was wrong. I've not had any problems with the clear plastic and, in fact, have loved the extra protection they offer. Other buttons on the phone respond perfectly.
- The sound quality is still excellent. Both outgoing and incoming calls have been as clear as they were before I started using the case.
The Bad....
- The case is big. One of the things I liked about the Curve was that it was smaller than the old 'brick' style Blackberries of old. I could fit the Curve in my pocket without a case and it never got in the way or felt uncomfortable. The case makes the phone feel like it's the same size as the old Blackberries, so you pretty much have to use the holster on the belt. I've never been a fan of those.
- It garners attention. This is both a bad and a good. I had at least 20 people ask me if I was talking into a Game Boy when using the phone with the case. I got kinda tired of explaining to people what I was talking into. However, the combination of the size and the black and yellow colors stand out, so I guess that helps OtterBox get some recognition. And now that I think about it, it's good that people notice it. I left it on a bench at an amusement park and someone grabbed me to remind me that I left my phone.
Bottom line: If you need great protection from the elements (barring complete submersion) and don't mind the size, the OtterBox 'otter' be your next case if you have a Blackberry Curve.
Posted by at 2:17 PM
