Play .MKV’s in Windows Media Center (WMC)

For a long time I had resisted converting my DVD and Blu-Ray disks into any other format because I didn’t want to lose any quality.  I had lived by this rule for a long time, and thankfully companies like QNAP and Thecus came to my storage rescue.  However, the day has come where the cost of storing all the extra garbage that comes along with these movies has opened my eyes to benefits conversions.  With that, I have began converting my movie collection to a format that allows me to lose all the excess fat, but keep my movie loss-less. Read More…

If our readers are anything like me, they like to keep their devices up to date with the latest firmware.  Typically, this is either to fix some bugs that have been found or to introduce some new features to a product.  With that said, it is also normal for a company to distribute a changelog which indicates either what changes have been made or what features have been added.

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I have always thought about investing in a home security system, but most of the solutions I have been looking at are too expensive or too robust for my needs.  I want a solution that allows me to monitor my home from anywhere and record video to an offsite location in case someone got the bug to take my stuff instead of buying their own.  D-Link thinks they have a solution.  Enter the DCS-1130 Wireless N Network Camera.

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Along with the migration of the PC from the home office to the living room comes a bunch of new challenges.  Some of these challenges are simple and some are not so simple; one of my greatest challenges was controlling my HTPC from across the room.  I will not accept having a wired keyboard and mouse attached to my HTPC nor will I suffer from relying on line of site wireless devices.  With that said, a solution proposed itself in the form of the Rocketfish RF-BTCMBO2 Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse one day while I was strolling through Best Buy. Read More...

Ok, so my days of wandering through Microcenter's Apple area pondering whether to buy a NEW Mac Mini are over.  It was a short lived dream... or nightmare; I haven't figured that out yet.  Apple almost had me until Shuttle announced its XS35 at Computex this year.  Read More...

Every now and then, innovation makes its way over to our world. Some things, change our lives dramatically, others we tend to not even realize. If a company wants to save me money, I WANT TO LISTEN. Well, this is what A4Tech wants to do. They want me to take a look at a cordless mouse that uses no batteries, and I will do so with an open mind and a closed wallet. To stir the pot a little, they also shipped me their "Easy Go Optical Mouse" for those of us with laptops that can't stand that friggen ball or that damned touchpad.

First, the "Easy Go Optical Mouse". You didn't think I was going to let you read the neat stuff first did you? I travel quite a bit, and everywhere I go, my laptop goes with me. I have gone the way of the little ball in the center of the keyboard. I hated that! I have gone the way of the touchpad. I HATE THAT EVEN MORE!! (Every time I type, I hit the touchpad and I end up adding sentences together.) My solution, carry a mouse with me every where. Enter the Easy Go Optical Mouse. Read More...

This is the first time I've ever used anything wireless, and I have to say it's pretty nice. So nice in fact, I didn't even have to buy batteries; they include 6 AA rechargeable batteries in the package (Box states 4 Rechargeable, 2 Normal AA), and the base station can be used as a charger for the batteries.

The feel of this setup is nice, although bit odd because of the key layout, the layout of the keys are in an A shape instead of the typical key layout. Maybe it is because I'm typing this in linux with openoffice; I have a dual boot system set up and will be typing this in both linux and windows to give you an idea of how well it works with both. Granted driver/software support is limited to windows, as of this article, linux is not supported, but an email sent to them revealed they are working on linux support. Good news for us who don't like living with just the "normal". Read More...

Today I am reviewing a cordless optical mouse. The Logitech MX 700. I know what you're thinking "a mouse review?". I thought the same thing till I started using it. It's very comfortable and precise for an optical mouse. It is also a very good looking mouse. The silver and black theme will go with most aluminum or black system setups very nicely. Even more so if you just happen to be an Oakland Raiders fan.

The MX 700 comes complete with drivers and batteries (rechargeable NiMH). The base station serves as a recharger and receiver (RF rather than IR so line of sight is not required). It also has a whole butt load of buttons. Read More...