Technology Archives - Page 4 of 12

Roku HD-XR Player – Streaming HD Video to Your TV

The world of streaming online video is evolving at a rapid pace. The Roku HD-XR Player is a slick product for getting Internet streaming video to your TV. For a very reasonable cost it can deliver HD-quality movies, TV shows, and a number of other Internet services including Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand directly to your HDTV via a broadband Internet connection.

Roku HD XR – A Wealth of Streaming Connections

With built-in connections for wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11 b,g,n networks, the Roku HD-XR provides a range of options for connecting your television to the Internet. The Roku HD XR player also provides a number of different options for connecting it to your television including: HDMI, composite video, S-video and component video. The HD-XR supports video modes of 720p, 480p and 480i and its flexibility allows you to connect it to just about any television you might own.

The Roku HD-XR player is easy to setup, compact, cost effective, intuitive to use and has a list price of $129. It comes complete with everything you need to get going, although you will also need to have a Netflix account which costs $8.99 per month for a standard streaming video access account. If you are one of the over 12 million current Netflix customers you are all set and you won’t need to pay anything extra.

Roku HD, Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand

After the initial set up you will have access to download over 70,000 titles are that are currently available from Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand pay per view. A growing number are available in HD. The small footprint, lightweight Roku HD-XR allows you to:

Watch streaming movies via Netflix from a rapidly growing collection of over 17,000 titles.
Enjoy Amazon Video on Demand’s high quality pay-per-view video, providing immediate access to over 50,000 movies and TV shows priced from 99 cents.
Watch full TV series without commercial interruption and without needing multiple DVDs.
Access the Pandora free Internet radio service that plays music personalized to your tastes.
Access over a dozen other free channels through the Roku Channel Store.
Pay the same rate regardless of how many Netflix movies or television episodes you watch.
Watch live and archived baseball games from around the country with your MLB.TV premium subscription.
Access all these features using an intuitive, easy to use on screen interface.
Potentially get rid of costly cable or satellite TV movie channels.
Never have to go to a video rental store or pay late fees again. Ever.

The size of the Roku HD-XR hides its true power. This streaming video device weighs only 11 ounces and measures only 5 x 5 x 1.75 inches. You can carry the small, portable Roku HD player to other rooms of your home and connect to other televisions as the device can be moved from one TV to another. Given the Roku HD-XR’s portability you might even take it to a friend’s house and use it there as long as they have a high speed broadband Internet connection.

The Roku HD-XR features a straightforward interface and a simple remote control that doesn’t require you to decipher numerous complex buttons. It is easy to see why the Roku Player is Netflix members’ #1 Rated Streaming Device and why the Wall Street Journal, CNET, WIRED, Amazon users and others have given the Roku player overwhelmingly positive reviews.

There are also a growing number of additional free channels that you can access with your Roku HD-XR player. These include:

Flickr.com, where you can browse your own photos and public photos as well.
Facebook Photos, to view Facebook photo albums, as well as friends’ photos.
SmugMug.com, to view your online albums as well as popular content from SmugMug.
Additional free services including: MediaFly.com, Blip.tv, Twit.tv, Revision3.com, FrameChannel.com, DreamTV.com and Highwaygirl.com.

The Roku also provides access to a paid service named MobileTribe that allows you to enjoy online social networking from your TV. MobileTribe helps you stay in sync with your online communities with a single, low cost application. Easily access your existing accounts on Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, Yahoo!, Flickr, Picasa, Google and YouTube, all from your TV.

The Roku is not the only device that allows you to stream video from Netflix and Amazon to your TV. However there is no other device that compares to the features, cost, simplicity, small size, light weight, and ease of use of the Roku. If you are interested in access to streaming video content this is a device well worth checking out.

ScanCafe Medium Format Black and White Negative Scanning

By Mike McEvoy

Several months ago I wrote a review of ScanCafe’s scanning services entitled “ScanCafe – Great Photo, Negative and Slide Scans.” I was impressed with their service, quality and prices. One drawback I found with the service was the absence of an option for medium format black and white negatives. It took ScanCafe a little time but they finally expanded their service offering and added black and white medium format scanning to their mix.

Initial ScanCafe Experience

My first experience with ScanCafe was with a batch of 35mm color negatives that I sent to them for scanning. The results were quite good – great quality at an excellent price. The processing took several weeks but I wasn’t in a rush and for the price I was willing to wait a bit longer. In my post at the time I noted my desire for a scanning service for medium format black and white negatives. A few months ago ScanCafe addressed that hole in their service roster.

So it was with great pleasure that I made my first order for medium format black and white negative scanning services. My initial order consisted of 180 black and white negatives from photos that my father had shot on his Voigtlander medium format camera in the 1950’s. After several weeks I received the results back from ScanCafe on four DVDs and I am quite pleased to say the least. It was a real treat to view a number of old family images which I had never seen before.

Scan Testing Process – Or Not!

For the sake of clarity I must admit that I am not anywhere close to being an expert photographer. So I won’t present any detailed test results from the scanned negatives or any comparison between scanned images and actual photo prints. However I can say the images I received looked outstanding on a 22” monitor and even with cropping and zooming, the images retained their sharpness. They contained an enormous amount of detail and dynamic range.

Medium Format Black and White Scanning Service Details

The base cost for a standard high resolution JPG scan is $.99 which is very competitive. ScanCafe offers a standard scan resolution of 3,000 dpi plus they also offer their Pro Resolution option of 4,000 dpi for about $.10 per scan. I opted for the 3,000 dpi resolution and for their Pro Library option which delivers a TIFF raw scan with no processing as well as a JPEG processed image of each negative. The Pro Library option added $.24 per scan.

The high scanning resolution and the large size of the actual negatives generated some sizable image files. The JPG files ranged in size from 6MB to 11MB. The TIFF format files were much larger ranging from 60MB to over 165MB. The final scans of my 180 medium format negatives came back on 4 DVDs due to the amount of data from the large file sizes. Given the size of the image files it’s good to have a computer with at least moderate horsepower, a good graphics adapter and a fair amount of RAM for viewing and editing. The large files can make your photo editing software work a lot more than it’s used to.

Ready for the Next Batch Of Negatives

Total cost for my 180 medium format black and white negatives came to $375 including shipping, the Pro Library option and an extra set of DVDs. I’m quite please with the scan results, the service and the cost. There is always a little apprehension in sending my irreplaceable negatives off into the unknown but ScanCafe has done a good job of helping me overcome those fears. Their status update emails provide good communication at each step of the process. I’ll be sending in my next batch of negatives in the very near future.

Powerline Computer Networking – Home Wifi Alternative

By Mike McEvoy

Powerline computer networking is an easy to install yet flexible method of adding a wired computer network to your home. Powerline networks are less well known than standard wired Ethernet networks and wifi wireless networks but can be quite useful in a home environment. A Powerline network uses a home’s internal power lines to transfer data using adapters that plug into standard wall outlets. A standard Ethernet data cable connects the adapter to the computer.

Some key benefits of Powerline Networking include:

No complex settings to enter or wireless signals to locate.
The plug-and-play installation is easy and actually works as advertised.
Turns any electrical outlet into a high-speed, secure home network connection
Easy method for expanding home networks to include PCs, HDTVs, TiVo’s, DVRs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, VoIP phones and network attached storage devices.
Great for large homes where a wireless access point cannot cover the entire house.
Avoids problems with wireless settings, signal interference or dropped wireless connections
Better transfer speeds than most wireless networks; good for streaming video.
Wired networking performance and security without the expense of running Cat5e cabling.
Compatible with both PCs and Macs.
Powerline adapters can connect to wireless access points and network switches for added flexibility.

Powerline Network Installation

To install a pair of Powerline adapters simply plug one adapter into an outlet near the router, connect it to the broadband router with a data cable, and then plug the second adapter into an outlet near the target computer and connect the data cable. Install multiple Powerline adapters for additional computers or other networked devices. Every electrical outlet in your home can now access your Internet connection simultaneously. Many people consider these network adapters to be the easiest networking component they have ever installed.

Adding a Wireless Access Point or Network Switch

Another handy aspect of Powerline networks is that you can also connect a wireless access point or a network switch to a powerline adapter. Say you have a room where you want multiple wired connections but only one power outlet. In this scenario you can connect a network switch to the powerline adapter and then connect two or more computers to the network switch.

In place of the network switch you could also install a wireless access point and extend wireless coverage to previously inaccessible areas. Just be aware that those multiple computers will only be sharing a single connection back to the router so you could potentially run into bandwidth and performance limitations.

HomePlug Powerline Networking Standards

Wireless networks have standards such as 802.11g and 802,11n. Powerline networking also has a couple of complementary standards. The first standard was HomePlug 1.0 and had a maximum data transfer speed of 85Mbps. The more recent standard is HomePlug AV which has a data transfer rate of 200Mbps and a higher level of network security. HomePlug AV technology is designed to provide fast transmission speeds that a great for delivering streaming media content such as high-definition video, head-to-head computer gaming, music streaming, Voice-over-IP calling, as well as file sharing and printing.

HomePlug AV certified products are available from companies such as Belkin, Linksys/Cisco, Netgear and Zyxel. Leading Powerline networking adapters include:

If you would like the simplicity of a wired network in your home without running cables through the halls or ripping open walls or floors, Powerline networking HomePlug AV technology is definitely worth exploring. The simplicity of installing these adapters is not overstated. They really are plug-and-play. Plus you have the flexibility of extending your Powerline network with a wireless access point or a network switch.

Additional information about HomePlug Powerline Networking is also available at www.homeplug.org. Below is an interesting video from the HomePlug Association made at the 2010 Comsumer Electronics Show.

New Intel Processor for Netbook Computers

By Mike McEvoy

Intel’s Atom processor is the processing brain inside most Netbook computers. While many conversations about Netbook computers focus on their small size, light weight and low price, a factor that commonly gets lost in the conversation is the netbook’s processor or CPU. With the release of their new N450 Atom processor Intel is changing that discussion a bit.

Most current netbooks use Intel’s N270, N280 or Z530 processors and are fine for basic Web surfing and e-mail or office tasks. In late December Intel officially announced the availability of the next generation of its popular Atom processors for Netbooks, the Atom N450. Major manufacturers are currently offering Netbook computers with this new version of the Atom.

Benefits for N450-based Netbook Computers

The new Atom N450 features integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, improved performance and a smaller, more energy- efficient design. Benefits for computers with the Atom N450 include:

Longer battery life – the ASUS Eee PC 1005PE-P netbook claims to deliver up to 14 hours of battery life.
Integrated graphics built directly onto the CPU.
Smaller chip and chipset footprint due to increasing integration and smaller chip size.
Less heat generated and a lower operating temperature allowing for Netbooks with no cooling fan.
Lower production costs making the processor less expensive.

The Atom N450 runs at 1.66GHz, the same clock speed as the previous N280 version. While most initial tests indicate that the N450 delivers only a small improvement in processing power they also indicate a substantial improvement in power consumption with many N450-based netbook computers registering a battery life of 8 – 10 hours and some as high as 14 hours.

The increased integration found in the N450 is leading to a smaller footprint for the CPU and associated chipset as well as cooler running netbooks that don’t require the use of a cooling fan. Here is an interesting short YouTube video from Intel highlighting features of the new generation of Atom processors.

As noted in our previous posts about Netbook computers – Netbook Computer Primer and Netbook Computers for Students – these small, low-power, low-cost, lightweight, ultraportable computers are very popular with a wide range of consumers. All the major netbook manufacturers will be using the new N450 Atom processor in netbook computers including: Asus, Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung and Toshiba.

Intel has also announced new versions of the Atom for small-form-factor desktops. The Atom D410 is a single-core 1.66GHz chip and the Atom D510 is a dual-core 1.66GHz chip. Similar to the N450 both have very low power consumption and generate relatively small amounts of heat.

According to Intel, “One of the most significant features of the new platform is the integration of memory controller and graphics into the CPU, a first in the industry on x-86 chips. This translates into smaller and more compact system designs and longer battery life. The 1.66GHz chips are designed for small devices, low-power applications and built on the company’s 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process.”

Since Intel announced the first Atom processors for netbooks in June 2008, the market has expanded rapidly and according to Intel the company has shipped over 40 million Atom chips for netbooks. Intel also states that “In the same timeframe, netbooks ramped faster and sold more units than Apple’s iPhone or the Nintendo Wii.”

Here are a couple netbook computers using the Intel Atom N450 processor:
1. ASUS Eee PC Seashell 10.1-Inch Black Netbook – Up to 14 Hours of Battery Life
2. Acer 10.1-Inch Garnet Red Netbook – Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life

Top 15 Computer Tech Tips of 2009 from HTS Tech Tips

By Mike McEvoy

2009 was a good year and a very busy year at the HTS Tech Tips blog. It was our first full year providing useful computer tips, technology news and computer support in an online format. To kick off 2010 we figured we would start with a quick overview of “best of the best” articles from 2009.

Microsoft Windows 7 Insights
The release of Microsoft Windows 7 was a major event in 2009. Windows Vista has been a flop, to put it mildly, and while Windows XP has aged relatively well it is still an eight year old operating system. This post provides useful insights and loads of links to additional information and details on Windows 7.
Netbook Computer Primer
Netbooks, the latest version of the portable computer, stormed into the limelight in a very big way in 2009. Similar to laptop computers in many ways except that Netbooks are smaller, lighter, less expensive and less powerful. The Netbook Computer Primer answers the question, “what is a Netbook Computer” and more. Also be sure to see Netbook Computer Sales Continue to Explode and 7 Reasons Netbook Computers are Great for Students.
30 Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts
Our most popular post from 2009. The Firefox web browser continues to gain popularity and market share. However many users, especially new users, are not aware of the wide range of Firefox keyboard shortcuts available. Here are 30 Firefox keyboard shortcuts to help simplify and speed up your daily browsing.
5 Common Computer Security Mistakes
Security problems are a real drag. They can be a painful and costly experience. The growth of web traffic and email usage has accelerated the distribution of malicious software or malware. Here are 5 common computer security mistakes to avoid.
CraigsList Reader – Free Tool to Search Craigslist More Efficiently
Craigslist.org is one of the most heavily traveled sites on the web but has a well deserved reputation for being difficult to navigate and search. This article is a great search tip to simplify the Craigslist search process. Also be sure to check out: Search Craigslist Classified Ads – 7 Tools for Faster Searching.
ScanCafe Review – Great Photo, Negative and Slide Scans
2009 saw the growth of online scanning services for photos, negatives and slides. ScanCafe.com staked out its space at the top end of the market and developed into a market leader delivering high quality, low cost scanning services.
Using Email to Send Text Messages to a Mobile Phone
Many people aren’t aware of the capability to send an email to a mobile phone as a text message. This is a useful and popular “how-to” article for sending email messages to cellular phones from a standard email program.
Why a Five Year Old Computer Is Slower Than a New Computer
Some people wonder why a 5 year old computer is slow and can’t be tuned up to deliver performance rivaling a more current system. This article shines some light on why computer performance is not just a matter of the CPU speed.
35 Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
Many users are not aware of the wide range of Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts available. These small combinations of keystrokes can be real productivity boosters. These 35 Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts can help speed up and simplify your web browsing.
Microsoft Outlook Data Backup Utility
Millions of people use Microsoft Outlook everyday for reading and managing their email. All the while accumulating more and more email data. To help individual Outlook users protect their valuable data Microsoft provides a free Outlook data backup utility. Highly recommended for any Outlook user.
45 Timesaving Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts
Another in our Keyboard Shortcuts series, this one included a set of very useful shortcuts and efficiency enhancers for users of Google’s Gmail product. These small combinations of keystrokes help you avoid having to move your hand from keyboard to mouse as frequently and speed up common Gmail tasks.
6 Common Computer Data Backup Mistakes
Is your data safe? Have you checked recently? While most people are aware of the potential dangers of losing their computer data how they address the safety of their computer data varies widely. Here are 6 common computer data backup mistakes to avoid.
Google Alerts – Automated Search and Notification
Google Alerts is a free service offered by Google which notifies you by email or web feed about the latest information appearing online that matches the queries (searches) you have set up. Track your business presence online, track your competitors, and even track yourself. A very useful free tool.
8 Easy, Often Forgotten, Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Simple but elegant and oh, so useful. These basic Windows keyboard shortcuts can significantly simplify quite a few tasks. 8 easy, often forgotten Windows Keyboard shortcuts to boost your productivity in a number of different areas.
Increased Productivity with Microsoft Office 2007
The 2007 version of Microsoft Office introduced some user interface enhancements to Word, Excel and PowerPoint that have caused some frustration for users. Some useful tech tips and workarounds to make Office 2007 more user-friendly.
Buying New Computers – A Better Computer for 8 Cents an Hour
Is it time to buy new a computer? Unsure how much to spend on your new computer so that it meets your needs today as well as in the future? Does spending a little extra money actually get you a noticeably better computer? A slightly different angle on how much to spend for a new computer.

If you didn’t catch some of these posts the first time around hopefully you will find something of interest in our top 15. And now its on to 2010…