Barb Gonzalez
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CES 2013
Barb Gonzalez Jan 09, 2013 0 comments
Linksys showed its new ultra-fast AC1300 Wireless Universal Media Connector at CES. Although a number of routers were launched last year with the new 802.11ac capability, few devices are available to take advantage of the faster speeds. Smart TVs, Blu-ray players, AV receivers, and media streamers can be connected to the AC1300 via Ethernet cables. The device receives the wireless signal from the router using 802.11ac and transfers the stream to the devices for higher quality HD video without lagging, long buffer times or other interruptions.

The previous 802.11n standard can connect at speeds up to 300 Mbps (megabits per second) on a home network. The new standard is capable of gigabit speeds with single wireless connections at up to 500 Mbps. While a Vudu 3D HDX movie only requires a speed of 9 Mbps to a streaming player, wireless speeds decrease drastically over distance. It's important that a wireless router is sending the signal as fast as possible as it can dip below the speed needed over relatively short distances within a home.

The AC1300 can receive the fast stream from the router making sure that your device doesn't downgrade your Netflix 1080p stream to a standard definition movie. This 802.11ac connector is available now for $159.

CES 2013
Barb Gonzalez Jan 10, 2013 1 comments
Near Field Communications (NFC) will be available on many streaming Home Theater devices. Here's how NFC makes connectivity easier.
SmartStream
Barb Gonzalez Sep 18, 2012 0 comments
The upcoming Wii U will include Nintendo TVii. See how Nintendo is rocketing past its competition to bring you a complete streaming video experience.
CES 2013
Barb Gonzalez Jan 11, 2013 0 comments
New TVs will have home screens like media players for viewers to choose what app or source they want to watch.
CES 2012
Barb Gonzalez Jan 12, 2012 Published: Jan 12, 2012 0 comments
Myspace CEO Tim Vanderhook, and co-owner, Justin Timberlake announced Myspace TV at the Panasonic CES press conference. Available on Panasonic TVs as part of VIERA Connect on their next generation of Smart VIERA TV HDTVs, Myspace TV allows users to share and comment on the TV shows that they’re viewing.

Vanderhook began by explaining,“Historically, TV has been a shared experience, as people gathered together to watch their favorite programs.” Viewers can make comments on programming creating a group conversation that will show up on their friends’ Myspace TV.

SmartStream
Barb Gonzalez Apr 24, 2013 Published: Apr 24, 2013 3 comments
The PLAiR is now shipping. Find out how this small device can stream online videos from your computers, smartphone, or tablet.
SmartStream
Barb Gonzalez Jan 24, 2013 Published: Jan 23, 2013 1 comments
The PlayTo Android app streams video from your home libraries, online websites and the mobile device's saved media. The app works like Apple's AirPlay, and can play on Apple TVs.
Media Server Reviews
Barb Gonzalez Dec 16, 2011 9 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $99 At A Glance: Vastly improved picture quality • More responsive, motion-sensitive, Bluetooth remote • Tiny footprint • Wide variety of content providers

Roku has released its newest generation of media streamers, including the top-of-the-line Roku 2 XS player. Perhaps you haven't given Roku much thought as a serious addition to your home theater. Its earlier models gave more attention to the quantity of media-streaming partners than to the quality of the pictures they were streaming. The Roku 2 XS may change your mind as it changed mine.

CES 2012
Barb Gonzalez Jan 10, 2012 2 comments
Roku showed a network media player that is simply a large dongle that connects directly to your TV set. Shrinking the already small Roku 2 design even more, the new device doesn’t reduce the content or experience.

The Roku dongle will connect to an HDMI port on your TV. It will not come with its own remote. Instead, once connected, you can use the TV remote to navigate the Roku’s home screen, channels and to control playback.

Media Server Reviews
Barb Gonzalez Mar 22, 2013 0 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Price: $100 At a Glance: Small stick connects directly to HDMI input on TV • Same menus and channels as full-sized Roku Box • No additional power connection; requires MHL-enabled TV

That Roku box is shrinking…again. The Roku Stick looks like a thumb drive and is only about 3 inches long. For the most part, it provides the same experience as the standard Roku boxes—same menus, same performance. But to use one, you’ll need an MHL-enabled TV or other device.

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