Atlona Technologies announced their soon to be released HDMI/DVI to Composite and S-Video Down-Converter, the AT-HD530. This device will covert high-definition television video signals to standard-definition video that can be viewed on conventional television receivers or computer monitors.

Atlona has released a new range of HDMI and DVI to HDMI cables that feature a swivel connector end which allows them to bend at 90 degrees in either direction.
This connector design enables users to nearly flush mount their HDTVs - avoiding the problems posed when connecting standard HDMI cables to rear-facing HDMI ports.

Filed under: Cables, Other hardware, Ports, Switches

And to think -- we were gettin' all hot and bothered over the extension of signals to 1,000 feet. Gefen's latest DVI extenders aim to take things far longer than 99.5 percent of Earthlings will ever need, as both the DVI-3500HD and DVI-2500HD (dual-link DVI) can take DVI, USB, RS-232 and analog audio up to 6,600 feet (two whole kilometers) without any dropouts or distortion. Of course, you'll need four fiber optic cables to make it all come together, not to mention $2,679 / $1,599 (respectively) to bring those capabilities home. But hey, you can pipe the big game to your pal's house without actually having to step foot in his less-than-inviting abode.

Gefen's latest DVI extenders take things two whole kilometers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The worldwide market for pay-Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television rose significantly in 2008, with an estimated 18 per cent rise in subscriptions, reports In-Stat.
It suggests the primary reason for this increase was strong growth in the Indian market, which more than doubled to about 9 million subscribers at the end of 2008.

Filed under: Reviews, Media streamers

DViCO's making the already saturated HD media streamer market that much more crowded with its TViX R-3300, but given the smaller amount of choices in the UK, we suppose we'll let it fly. The device was recently apprehended and reviewed by the critics at Pocket-lint, and unfortunately, it wasn't quite a home run. For starters, the device proved somewhat "fiddly" to use, with the well appointed remote proving difficult to learn and the user manual not really being of much assistance. Continuing on with the theme, setup was a mixed affair as well, with a particular file sharing limitation with the NetShare application really grating the nerves. Once things were finally in place, streaming quality was found to be "extremely good" and PVR functionality was top-notch. What we have here is an interesting conundrum: setup and usability weren't awesome, but performance was, which should make for an interesting battle in your mind as you attempt to decide whether to keep or part with your £180.

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Filed under: Media streamers, Players, Internet

There's some hysterical outrage out there right now over the New Xbox Experience's HD Netflix HDCP restrictions -- apparently it only works with HDCP-compliant digital displays, which is prompting a lot of hand-wringing about copyright restrictions and whether older 360s will get "locked out." Well, we're here to make it all better -- that's our NXE-equipped 360 connected over component, happily playing back HD Netflix at 1080i. See? Works fine. The problem is that some older LCD monitors don't support HDCP over DVI, so if you're in the minority of people using an HDMI to DVI adapter to drive an older display that doesn't do HDCP, HD Netflix won't work, since it can't authenticate. That's not the best situation, but DVI isn't a default supported 360 output, so we wouldn't expect 100 percent compatibility -- and besides, you can always run VGA. We're waiting on official confirmation from Microsoft of all this -- we want to get things absolutely right -- but in the meantime you can console yourself with another shot of HD Heroes over component after the break.

Update: Yes, it works with movies too -- we just tried it with The Orphanage, and it looked great. Pic after the break.

Continue reading Debunk: Xbox 360 streams HD Netflix over component just fine

Debunk: Xbox 360 streams HD Netflix over component just fine originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Blu-ray, Media PCs

Cyberlink's updated its BD Advisor (the HD advice having sadly, but understandably, falling by the wayside), to check for profile 1.1 (Picture-in-picture) and 2.0 (BD-Live) support. A quick download of the 4 MB app and a scan later, and you know if your hardware may need an upgrade to play movies at all, or to enjoy all the special features by checking out the new advanced tab in the new, slightly cleaner interface. Our request for a calculator to add up the cost of necessary upgrades has yet to be answered, though we're slightly comforted in the knowledge that the required equipment is a lot cheaper now than it was two years ago during our first scan.

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