Ultra Cool Gadgets

The HP MediaSmart Server is a home server that can automatically backup and protect your digital memories, centralize your media and content for sharing with friends and family, and enable you to enjoy your digital media while at home or away.

Technical Details
* Intel Celeron 2.0GHz 64-bit Processor.
* Network-Based Backup of Macs Using Apple’s Time Machine.
* Single SATA 7200 RPM 750GB Drives (x2).
* Photo/Video Sharing and Remote Access to Digital Media and Files on a Variety of Devices.
* Automatic Digital Content Organization Across All PCs.

Software Features

* Operating System: Powered by Windows Home Server, a new software solution from Microsoft for storing, accessing, sharing and automatically protecting digital files.
* HP Control Center: The HP MediaSmart software that sits on top of the Windows Home Server software making access to tasks easier. Users with administrative access privileges can access the Windows Home Server Console from the HP Control Center.
* Windows Home Server Console: Software accessed from the HP Control Center to manage your HP MediaSmart Server. Software includes setting up shared folders, assigning user access privileges and customizing backups.
* File Sharing and Storage: Effortlessly centralize your files and access them from any PC and or Mac on your home network.
* PC Hard Drive Disk Backup: Once the HP MediaSmart Server software is installed on a home PC, the Windows Home Server backup software automatically starts backing up the PCs hard disk drive image every night. You can customize the number and frequency of backups kept.
* Mac Backup: Back up your Macs to the MediaSmart Server using Apple’s Time Machine software.
* Shared Folder Duplication: Designate folders that will be copied automatically onto multiple hard drives for an additional layer of redundant protection. Folder duplication replaces traditional RAID-style redundancy.
* Individual File Restore: If you accidentally delete a file on your PC, you can browse versions of the PC hard drive backup image on the HP MediaSmart Server to find the file and copy it to your PC.
* PC Hard Drive Disk Restore: In the event of a PC hard drive failure, the included HP PC Restore disc is all you need to restore a hard drive image from the HP MediaSmart Server. Theres no need to locate your original operating system disc.
* HP Media Collector: Conveniently schedules the server to copy and centralize your Windows PC media files and libraries (including iTunes and playlists).
* Remote Access: Upon installation, you can set up a personal web address to be used for remote access and by visitors. Using your personal web address, you can remotely access shared folders and files on the HP MediaSmart Server from any Internet-connected computer.
* In-Home and Remote Media Streaming: Extend your digital media experiences by conveniently streaming photos, music and videos to your TVs, through gaming consoles such as Xbox 360 or PlayStation3, and computer’s within your home. Remotely stream music and photos from your server to any Internet-connected computer for access while you are away.
* HP Photo Publisher: Easily publish your photos to Snapfish, Facebook, Flickr, and Picasa Web Albums using an Internet-connected computer.
* HP Photo Viewer: Quickly share photos and albums stored on the Server with friends and family.
*Server for iTunes: Centralize your iTunes music libraries and playlists on the server for playback to any PC or Mac running iTunes on your home network.
*Satisfy all your backup and media storage needs with four internal hard drive bays, four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port, and access to Amazon S3 online backup.
*Easy Storage Expansion: Add an internal or external hard drive to the HP MediaSmart Server, indicate that you want to add the disk in the Windows Home Server Console, and the HP MediaSmart Server storage grows. No need to power down the unit or manage drive letters for multiple hard drives.
* Server Anti-Virus Protection: Server side anti-virus trial offer from McAfee for increased protection of your HP MediaSmart Server. Run quick scans of specific folders or deep scans across your entire home server.
*Server Backup: Protect your digital memories from fire/flood/natural disaster… backup your server shared folders to an external hard disk drive, and/or an online backup to Amazon S3.
*Server Recovery: The included Server Recovery Disc can be used to recover all data and restore folders or, to reset the server in case the server operating system disk becomes corrupt.
*Additional Software Add-Ins: Extend the functionality of your server through available software add-ins to enable expanded functionality, server personalization and/or entertainment.
*Users: Up to 10 user accounts can access the HP MediaSmart Server. In addition, a predefined Guest account can be enabled.

Conclusion
For anyone looking for a first time network storage solution or replacement of an NAS with minimal flexibility, regardless of the user’s level of technical experience, this device appears to be a great choice. It has the sophistication to meet advance user requirements yet remains easily understandable by those with modest demands or needs. Equally as important, capacity can be expanded to meet future growth in one’s home network.

The new KEF XQ series boasts a wealth of enhancements over the previous model offer.The new XQ is certain to prove irresistible to those looking for a truly rewarding Hi-fi experience. The new Titanium finished driver arrays used in this XQ series also make use of the latest UNI-Q technology. KEF`s revolutionary UNI-Q array has been further enhanced by the addition a simple yet ingenious tangerine-waveguide` device. This not only improves the HF dispersion but acts as a useful protector for the otherwise fragile tweeter dome. The new UNI-Q driver also boasts much more HF extension so there is no longer a requirement for the hyper-tweeter that crowned the previous model, providing a smoother point source` sound output and also ensuring a much cleaner cabinet design. The XQ models also boast an improved cross-over circuit making use of some sophisticated high-end components previously reserved exclusively for the REFERENCE series and to minimize any electrical coupling, the LF/MF is physically separate from the HF sections. This coupled with the audiophile” WBT terminals fitted directly to the cabinet make the new XQ series a highly credible loudspeaker producing an all enveloping sound image perfectly controlled.

Product Features

* New hybrid titanium Uni-Q driver array with aluminum HF transducer.
* No hypertweeter: New HF device has bandwidth to maintain extended HF for the latest HD audio formats, without the necessity of a separate hypertweeter.
* Crown-waveguide device protects tweeter from damage and improves off-axis frequency dispersion and extension.
* Crossover network using ultra high-grade, tight-tolerance components.
* Easy attachment grills using magnets, improved baffle aesthetics.

FEEDBACK:
With KEF’s sophisticated elliptical dome tweeter mounted in the acoustic centre of the bass/midrange cone, the latest Uni-Q® array with `tangerine’ waveguide disperses an uncannily accurate sound image throughout the room with startling clarity, so you have far greater freedom of positioning. Bass extension is as generous as it is well defined, thanks to an ultra-low-distortion bass/midrange driver in a massively braced reflex-ported enclosure. Full bandwidth two-way stand mount/bookshelf speaker.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
1. KEF’s latest 165mm (6.5in) Uni-Q midrange/HF ‘point source’ array with new ‘tangerine’ waveguide.
2. Natural-sounding high performance elliptical dome 19mm (0.75in) tweeter
3. Low distortion 165mm (6.5in) driver.
4. Magnetically shielded, with a choice of three superb high gloss finishes and optional stand.
5. Model XQ20.
6. Design Two-way bass reflex.
7. Drive Units 165mm (6.5in.) Uni-Q with 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome HF.
8. Crossover Frequencies 2.4kHz.
9. Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 88dB.
10.Frequency Response (+/-3dB) 52Hz – 55kHz.
11.Maximum Output 109dB.

Canon introduces the HF11 which captures stunning High Definition video with even greater detail and tonal reproduction, with its innovative 24Mbps capability, and a higher internal Flash drive capacity of 32GB plus an SDHC card slot that allows extended recording time. And, like all Canon VIXIA camcorders, the HF11 features: a Canon HD video lens, FULL HD CMOS Sensor, and Canon’s exclusive DIGIC DV II image processor.The HF11 offers the unparalleled combination of Canon’s exclusive SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer to stabilize a wide range of movements, Instant AF for accurate focusing that’s critical for HD, a built-in video light to easily shoot in dark settings, and a 2.7-inch Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD that allows you to view from various angles with true color representation and contrast.

Technical Details
* 24Mbps offers the highest bit rate in AVCHD for High Definition video – enabling improved color reproduction and tonality.
* Record Up to 12 hours 15 minutes of High Definition Video on an internal 32 GB Flash drive.
* Includes a genuine Canon 12x High Definition video lens.
* Comes with a 3.3 megapixel full HD CMOS sensor (1920 x 1080) and a DIGIC DV II image processor.
* Features Canon’s SuperRange pptical image stabilizer.

Canon HF11 Highlights
1. Dual Flash Memory — Taking Video to the Next Level.
2. Record Up to 12 hours 15 minutes of High Definition Video on an internal 32 GB Flash drive.
3. Genuine Canon 12x High Definition Video Lens.
4. RGB Primary Color Filter.
5. Canon 3.3 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Sensor (1920 x 1080).
6. DIGIC DV II Image Processor.
7. 1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording.
8. Instant AF (Auto Focus).
9. SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer.
10.24Mbps Recording.
11.24p Cinema Mode.
12.30p Progressive Mode.
13.Mini Advanced Accessory Terminal.
14.Intelligent Lithium-Ion Battery.
15.3.1 Megapixel Photos.
16.HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface Terminal).
17.2.7-Inch Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD.
18.Microphone Terminal with Audio Level Control.
19.One Touch Power Button.
20.Built-in Auto Lens Cover.
21.Quick Start.
22.Program AE Mode.
23.Simultaneous Photo Shooting.
24.Built-in Video Light.
25.Headphone Terminal.
26.Focus Assist function.
27.Smooth Zoom Control.
28.3.1 Megapixel Photos.
29.Photo Grab.
30.9 Point Ai-AF Mode.
31.Built-in Flash.
32.Histogram Display.
33.Print/Share Button.
34.One Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty.

In the fast-paced world of home entertainment, you are faced with a myriad of choices. If you’re after a playback component that’s going to take care of your core entertainment needs DVD Video, music CDs, and your computer based music and video files then the DV-SP406 DVD/CD/MP3 player makes good sense. It actually goes a lot further by upscaling video sources to 1080p, for a one-cable HDMI digital connection to a high-definition display. Furthermore, its front-panel USB interface allows easy transfer of your digital music files for playback via your entertainment system. You’ll also find quality components throughout, such as a 192 kHz/24-bit audio DAC and a 108 MHz/14-bit video DAC to promote overall playback quality; an intuitive Disc Navigator system that simplifies control over disc media, and a remote control that can be used with an integrated system.

Technical Details

* HDMI out with 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p output.
* Plays DVD Video, Video CD, Audio CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW.
* Plays MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG-4, AAC, DivX.
* Optical and Coaxial Digital Out.
* Slow Motion DVD Playback (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, or 1/16).

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
This is a good choice for an SD DVD player. It will upscale to 1080p and does so pretty well. It’s a notch below my Oppo 983H, but considering it costs far less than the Oppo, the performance is well worth the cost.
The build quality is solid, as is typical with Onkyo products. Installation is a snap (basically, just plug in the HDMI cable). The HDMI cable is not included (get one from monoprice at a very reasonable cost). Easy to use menu system, and the disks load quickly.
The only downside is the remote, which is small and has poorly marked buttons. But, it has volume and mute control for Onkyo receivers, so it’s a good match should you have that brand.