Gizmo Cafe Blog

HD DVD, Blu-ray and HDMI 1.3 – Soylent Green is PEOPLE!

2007-08-16T11:59:00Z

Hype and misunderstanding follow the new HDMI v1.3 and how it relates to high resolution audio formats found on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Many believe that in order to take advantage of the audio formats, you have to buy all new supporting products. That’s not necessarily true. Consumers are being bombarded with new products like HD DVD and Blu-ray players that carry new standards in audio and require new protocols to make everything work. HDMI (High Definition Multi-media Interface) is a new interface...(read more)

Home Theater on a Budget – Digital Surround Sound Receivers

2007-08-15T15:14:00Z

After buying that brand new HDTV you just want to get home and enjoy your new gear. But don’t forget the sound system. Hopefully I’ve convinced you not to buy a home theater in a box system, but if not, read my last post . Let’s take a quick look at the centerpiece to any home theater audio system, the receiver. Home Theater Receiver The receiver acts as a bridge between everything in your home entertainment system, and it powers your speakers. In short it connects everything together, which is a...(read more)

Nokia Cell Phone Recall - What to do about Your Overheating Battery

2007-08-15T14:59:00Z

If you own a Nokia cell phone with battery BL-5C, it’s at risk of overheating. But don’t worry; the overheating cell phone batteries are not exploding, starting fires, squirting acid into the eyes of its users or razing villages to the ground. In fact, the problem is really quite mild and Nokia is firm that this is just a voluntary recall . The battery has been overheating while recharging. Nokia is playing down the effects of the overheating by saying it may only swell slightly and cause minor damage...(read more)

Home Theater in a Box, Cheap Audio Systems and Why to Avoid Them

2007-08-15T13:59:00Z

Getting chintzy after spending big on a big-screen TV is definitely not the way to go. Chances are, after spending upwards of $3,000 for a new 50-inch flat panel HDTV, you’ve got an amazing display device and are well on your way to an amazing home theater system. But don’t – and I can’t stress this enough – back it up with a $300 Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) audio system. Granted, not many of us are audiophiles pursuing the perfect sound, which will require us to fork over tens of thousands of dollars....(read more)

Premium Xbox 360 Still Lacks 65nm Chipset

2007-08-14T15:20:00Z

You'd expect cooler, new 65nm chips dubbed “Falcon” to lurk within the new HDMI version of Xbox 360, wouldn't you? But it’s not to be, at least not yet. According to a Neogaf forum user that goes by the name of Wonderkins, the new Xbox 360 Premium has only the old “Zephyr” chipset . The new quieter BenQ DVD ROM drive is a nice plus but you’ll have to wait on the cooler chips. Speculation from Wonderkins is that this early run of HDMI Xbox 360s doesn’t include the Falcon chip yet, but later runs will....(read more)