Smart Home Blog

Russound Collage is a media system which uses powerline to transmit media content. It’ll be a good choice in case of an embedded multiroom music system for retrofit house. The system includes two components – a Collage Media Manager and Amplified Keypad. The Collage Media Manager is connected to the LAN via Ethernet port to get media content from the network shares and online services. Its power cord provides both power to the unit, as well as a connection to Powerline Carrier network.

The Amplified Keypad sports color LCD display and navigation buttons. Additionally it has built-in FM tuner. So, you’ll able to listen you favourite FM stations as well. Thanks to built-in amplifier the keypad can be directly connected with speakers. Also using built-in microphone two or more keypads can be used as intercoms. The navigation looks very similar to iPod. But it isn’t bad.

Installation of Collage is simple and DIY oriented. But the price is higher then ordinary DIY system. The Collage Media Manager is $549.99 and the Amplified Keypad – $849.00. Russound is planning to produce iPod dock and Source Bridge which will allow to connect external media source such CD changer or CCTV video cameras. In that case the Amplified Keypad will be also used for video monitoring.

Recently Philips joined to the 3D rush. They announced 3D HDTV lines which will include 8000 and 9000 series. The Cinema 21:9 will also get 3D compatibility. Additionally consumers should buy active shutter glasses to enjoy 3D content.

The 3D HDTV from Philips will be available this Summer. But the price for TV and glasses is not known yet.

Not ordinary keyboard for HTPC was produced by Cideko. The Cideko Air Keyboard is a wireless compact QWERTY keyboard with additional media and navigation keys. Additionally the keyboard has built-in gyration mouse which makes control of HTPC more handy (see the demo video below). To have that possibility you should spend almost 90 bucks. But I think it’s worth that.

There is only one disadvantage. It lacks F1-F12 keys which are used in the media software. For example, F7 brings main menu in the LinuxMCE and F8 – lighting “rose”. But from another hand it’d be interesting to configure the Cideko Air Keyboard similar way as it’s done for Gyration mouse or FiireChief. In any case, that keyboard can be a good addition to your home theater based on PC.

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The simple hack will give you ability to use Zune Wireless Remote – new and old, or Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote with Windows 7 Media Center:

• oped registry and find key Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\HidIr\Remotes\745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da;
• find the REG_DWORD named CodeSetNum0 and change its value to 0;
• reboot the PC.

The idea of that hack is to force Windows to scan all IR channel instead of just the first one (Zune and Xbox 360 remotes use channel 8). After applying the hack many other remotes used IR channel different then 1 will be recognized by your system.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Mvix expanded its media player family by producing Mvix UltioPro. That player offers a standard range of network media player’s features. It supports all well-known media codecs and containers and allows to play media content from internal HDD, attached USB storage or network shares. The player is ready for Full HD video (I didn’t find anything about HD audio in its spec). But in addition to that the Mvix UltioPro has possibility to record video from external sources via Composite input. That unique feature for such devices can help you convert your VHS library into digital format.

The Mvix UltioPro HD Media Center with PVR is available at $169 without HDD on the Mvix online shop. To be able connect the player to the LAN via WiFi it should be paid additionally $19.99 (802.11g) or $39.00 (802.11n). The price and PVR feature make the Mvix UltioPro is very attractive for buying.