Gadgets - The future for TV’s

The way we enjoy music and movies is changing rapidly. Instead of listening to CDs, many of us now choose to play music in the house through an iPod-based speaker system, or - if we want to be really flash - through a dedicated music server available from companies such as Living Control, ‘Imerge or Sonos.

Very soon the same will happen in video. Already, hard drive devices such as Sky+, which will store hours of TV programmes, are proving popular alternatives to video/DVD recorders. But that’s not all. Companies like Kaleidescape are now selling hard-drive devices that can store your entire DVD movie collection on a unit not that much bigger than a PC tower. Just click on the cover image of the film you want to watch and it will play at the touch of a button. It’s even possible to store your favourite scenes and watch them — a bit like setting up a play list on your iPod. Video servers are increasingly popular with custom installers carrying out hi-tech makeovers for rich clients. However, with an average price tag of between £15,000 and £20,000, they’re still beyond the means of the vast majority of people.

Nevertheless, the days of owning massive collections of disks (both CDs for music and DVDs for film) are coming to an end. That’s great news for those with limited storage space and also for those who don’t want to take up shelf space with disk clutter.
And although initially people will still need to own the actual disks to ‘burn’ (record) movie content onto their hard drive, this will change with the latest IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) technology which lets you view and download TV programmes and movies directly from the internet. For example, Sky Sports Broadband (skyscape.sky.com) already offers highlights of sporting events such as UEFA Champions League, Premiership football and boxing over the net while the BBC (who provides an internet-based ‘listen again’ facility for much of its radio content) has been trialling an interactive media player (iMP) which will let you watch the latest BBC programmes on your PC. Similarly, the Sci-Fi Channel has added full ‘webisodes’ of Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who to its online video on-demand line-up.

So what are the implications for home-builders and renovators? On a basic level it means that it’s a good idea to make sure you have a cable or telephone point installed near to where you want to put your monitor/TV screen. However, you should also think about the type of set-up you want. While it goes without saying that any type of TV display should be HD ready (look out for the logo), you also need to decide how you might want to access the internet to watch video over the web. One option is to buy a flat-screen TV with a PC input (most of them now have one).

Alternatively, you could opt for one of the latest Media Center PCs which combine PC and built-in TV tuner complete with Sky+ type recording functionality. Designs are getting better all the time and it’s even possible to buy all-in-one units, like the £2,000 32″ Elonex Lumina, which are little bigger than a conventional flat-screen display.

Finally, for those who want to watch their TV and DVD recordings without cable clutter, Sony is introducing LocationFree TV this summer. Combining small LCD screen and decoder device, this clever little set-up works by streaming all of your content over a broadband internet connection so you can watch TV/DVDs wherever you are — in the home or anywhere in the world. We’ve sure come a long way since the BBC transmitted its first ‘high-definition’ broadcasts from Alexandra Palace exactly 70 years ago!

Gadgets Info

Gadgets - Automatic curtains

OK so this one is a tad geeky, but it’s close to my heart as I came up with something similar when I was a nipper with my mecano set. Simply put, it’s a control panel and motor that opens and closes your curtains. Forgetting the lazy factor of this, the positive aspect of this is security. Go off on holiday and program the curtains to close and lights to come on (randomly is always best) and hopefully the little toe rag that wants your TV and car keys will be deterred.

More information can be found at www.simplyautomate.co.uk

Gadgets

Gadgets - bringing the outside in.

A human approach to designing interactive systems

Nebula is an interactive projection system designed to enrich the experience of going to bed, sleeping and waking up. It provides intuitive and natural ways of physically participating in a virtual experience, through simple body movements and gestures. The aim was to create an atmosphere that encourages and enhances rest, reflection, conversation, intimacy, imagination and play. Nebula consists of a ceiling projector linked via the Internet to a database of content. Once users have selected the content for projection, they can manipulate it simply by adjusting their sleeping positions and interacting with their partner while in bed. For example, one algorithm in the system translates body positions and movements into moving imagery and text. Since the dynamics between individuals are random and unpredictable, the flow of content created by the couple will be unique and specific to them. In general, the ceiling projection becomes livelier as the participants become more active.

source: philips

Gadgets

Gadgets - Sonos wireless sound throughout your home

Sonos is the first wireless, multi-room digital music system that lets you play digital music all over your house—and control it all from the palm of your hand. With a wireless Sonos® Controller in hand, you’ll have plug-and-play access to millions of songs—from music services, Internet radio, your personal digital music collection, or all of the above.

And, with Sonos® ZonePlayers in the rooms of your choice, you can play the same song in different rooms, or different songs in different rooms. To start listening, just grab the full-color Controller and simply pick a room, pick a song and hit play.

With a Sonos Digital Music System you can:

• Wirelessly stream digital music and Internet radio, all over your house—in up to 32 rooms.
• Control all your music in all your rooms from the palm of your hand with a 3.5″ full-color LCD screen and scroll wheel.
• Plug-and-play millions of songs from select music services—no ripping, downloading or PC required.
• Liberate the digital music that’s stored on your PC, Mac or Network Attached Storage box.
• Play the same song in different rooms or different songs in different rooms. Simultaneously.

For more information go to www.sonos.com

 

Gadgets

Gadgets - waterproof TV

The likelihood that I would be able to have this installed in my shower room is slim to none. I would firstly use up all the hot water so that my wife would have to suffer the ‘freshness’ of a cold shower and secondly, my monitor addition would get right out of hand. But this gadget is too cool to leave off the site.

When installed, the 5″ TV is watertight and suitable for use in a bathroom, shower, kitchen, hot tub area, etc. It is designed to fit into a wall space approximately the size of a tile. The unit then sits flush against the tiles, all leads being fed into the cavity wall space behind.

It’ll set you back £200

More information can be found at www.techvision.co.uk

Bathroom Gadgets

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