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Technical Pro – WASP1100WBT

May 1st, 2013 Pritesh No comments

wasp1100wbt 1 Technical Pro   WASP1100WBT

12” Portable PA System with Rechargeable battery & Dual wireless VHF Microphones / Bluetooth Connectivity

 

  • 1100 watts peak power
  • Built-in rechargeable battery fully charges in approximately 8-10 hours
  • Woofer: 12” woofer, 2” voice coil, 60 oz. magnet, Piezo Tweete
  • Inputs: USB flash drive, SD Card, 1/8” AUX, RCA, 2 x 1/4” (guitar, bass)
  • Dual VHF wireless handheld microphones with 50 foot range included
  • Two 1/4” microphone inputs with microphone volume control
  • One 1/4” guitar input with separate volume control
  • USB flash drive / SD Card input accepts drives up to a maximum of 32GB and will playback .MP3 files
  • Repeat playback on USB flash drive / SD Card input
  • Bluetooth® compatibility allows for wireless connection to any A2DP stereo Bluetooth device
  • Features Bluetooth v2.0 with EDR
  • Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) technology, Bluetooth Range: 30 Feet
  • LED charging indicator, Microphone Bass, treble & Echo controls
  • Impedance: 8 ohms , Sensitivity: 94 ±2dB (1W@1M)
  • Frequency response: 80Hz – 20KHz, Full Length perforated steel grill
  • Integral side carry handles, Built-in Equalizer for USB / SD Card playback
  • Includes wheels and carry-on handle
  • For maximum battery life the battery should be fully charged prior to its initial use
  • Dimention : 22” h x 14.5” w x 14” d
  • Weight: 47 lbs
  • Technical pro is known by professional audio engineers and sound professionals as the go-to company for professional sound systems. If you are setting up a live stage or need to fill a big space with crystal clear sound they have your needs covered. But for some situations you don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up a full professional sound system but you still need to achieve a big room sound…the answer is the WASP1100WBT! Built with the same innovative technology and forward thinking design this unit is an all-in-one, completely self-powered professional PA system that can give you that big room sound you seek! And it is one of the most easy to use systems on the market! But it doesn’t end there…The WASP1100WBT 12” Battery Powered PA system with 2 Wireless VHF Microphone is a professional PA system that is easy to use and provides one of the best professional outputs out there. This unit can push out a total peak power of 1100 watts. The speaker components consist of one 12” woofer, a 2” voice coil, a 60 oz. magnet and one Piezo tweeter. This is the combination of power and speakers you need to produce a huge and clear sound! This is like having a full professional club sound system in an easy to use and easy to transport unit! There is a built-in rechargeable battery that fully charges in approximately 8 hours…complete with a battery voltage level indicator and LED-charging indicator. Included are Dual VHF wireless handheld microphones with a 50-foot range. This is an amazing asset to have while live! There is no need to worry about messy microphone cables and the large 50-foot range will allow you to walk around the stage or room and still properly address your entire audience!The inputs on this unit give you the modern options you need to stay current in today’s advancing world of audio and sound. The inputs consist of an 1/8” AUX, 1 RCA, Bluetooth® two 1/4” microphone inputs with microphone volume, bass, treble & echo controls, two 1/4” guitar input with separate volume control and a USB flash drive / SD Card input that accepts drives up to a maximum of 32GB and has the ability to playback .mp3 & .wma files. Play music from your iPod®, MP3 player or USB flash drive during your live event…this is perfect for before your event too…set the mood and play some background music! If you are a live performer, plug in your guitar and rock your crowd! Plug in standard sources such a CD/DVD player or turntable into the AUX and RCA inputs!

    The USB flash drive and SD Card can handle a maximum size of 32 GB & play your .mp3, .wav files from your USB flash drive or SD Card through the WASP1100WBT speaker.

    Forgot your USB flash drive at home? Want to play audio files from your phone while keeping it safe in your pocket? No problem. The WASP1100WBT’s Bluetooth compatibility allows for wireless connection to any A2DP stereo Bluetooth device. That means you can play audio files from your phone, laptop or any other Bluetooth enabled device within a 30 foot foot range. The WASP1100WBT gives you the freedom to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth enabled device.

    The options and professional output are matched by the WASP1100WBT’s sleek design. The unit is also built to last and very easy to transport. For added convenience there are two built-in microphone holster on the side of the unit. The heavy duty side carrying handle, wheels and a carry-on handle will make this very easy to transport and position while setting up. The full sleek and rugged construction of the WASP1100WBT will show your audience that you are professional using professional equipment.

    If you are addressing a large conference room, a club space or music type of venue, or rolling this baby out for a family party on the deck you will have all the options you need inside this sturdy compact unit! The WASP1100WBT is one of the user-friendliest devices available to a performer. It has gained the respect of professional sound people but you don’t need to be a professional to use it…and it can be had for a price that is almost too low to list

Technical Pro H3502URIBT

April 23rd, 2013 Pritesh No comments

h3502uribt Technical Pro H3502URIBT

digital Hybrid amplifier / preamp/ Tuner with USB / SD Card Inputs & Bluetooth® Compatibility
Color: Black

  • 3500 watts peak power
  • Inputs: RCA (2 audio sources), USB, SD Card, MP3
  • Outputs: Banana binding post (4 speakers), push button (surround sound speakers), RCA (record line, preamp, 2 mono to subwoofer)
  • USB & SD Card maximum size: 32GB
  • Plays .mp3, .wav, .wma files from USB drives and SD Cards
  • iPod™ compatible USB input allows for direct connection with an iPod
  • Records .wav files onto USB flash drive or SD Card from Tuner & RCA inputs
  • 128 kbps / 44.1 KHz sampling rate on .wav file recordings
  • Track title, track number & elapsed time will display for USB / SD Card inputs
  • Bluetooth® compatibility allows for wireless connection to any A2DP stereo Bluetooth device
  • Features Bluetooth v2.0 with EDR
  • Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) technology
  • Bluetooth range: 30 Feet
  • Repeat / Random playback on USB / SD Card inputs
  • 7.2 Channel up conversion
  • AM/FM digital tuner , bass, treble and balance controls,
  • Dual 1/4” mic inputs with volume, echo, bass and treble controls, Separate gain control for preamp and subwoofer outputs
  • Digital FL readout with spectrum display, Built-in speaker selector ,
  • Cooling speed fan, Removable rack-mount brackets,
  • Wireless remote included, 1/8” to 1/8” cable included
  • USB input provides 5V power supply
  • Dimensions : 19” w x 3.5” h x 13” d
  • Weight : 20 lbs
  • 110V/220V
  • In today’s world of professional audio too often are we bogged down with multiple pieces of large and heavy gear. Consolidation is the name of the game. Technical pro’s HYBRID technology is the answer to all of your needs. The H3502URIBT is a combined Amplifier / Pre-amplifier / Tuner built with the same quality design you would expect from Technical Pro’s superior technology.Pushing out 3500 watts of peak power and hosting a 7.2 channel up conversion this unit will exceed all expectations. The 7.2 channel up conversion will allow you to connect your iPod® or USB sound device (normally outputting only two channels) and output to seven speakers and two powered subwoofers. Multiple source inputs allow front panel connections for a USB flash drive, SD Card, a MP3 / iPod™ music player and wireless connection to any Bluetooth enabled device…in addition to a two channel and 5.1 channel RCA input on the back.The SD Card and USB flash drive inputs on the front panel of the H3502URIBT, allow you to connect your portable audio directly to the amplifier.

    So what is so special about a USB flash drive / SD Card input? Like most of us, you probably have an ever-growing library of mp3 audio files on your computer or laptop that you want to listen to while sitting on the comfort of your couch. Have you ever tripped over a wire connected to your computer or laptop and then dive onto the floor to save it from crashing and breaking into pieces? We can all agree the fewer wires in our sound system the better. A USB flash drive / SD Card lets you carry around thousands of .mp3, .wav & .wma audio files in the palm of your hand. Simply connect the USB flash drive / SD Card to the computer and copy the files onto the USB flash drive / SD Card. Disconnect it from the computer and connect it to the H3502URIBT and the unit will automatically begin playing the files from the USB flash drive / SD Card. All while keeping your laptop perfectly safe.

    The USB flash drive and SD Card can handle a maximum size of 32 GB & play your .mp3, .wav & .wma files from your USB flash drive or SD Card through this receiver. Playback features for the USB flash drive / SD Card inputs include play, repeat and random playback.

    And you know the engineers at Technical Pro did not stop there. The USB flash drive and SD Card inputs can also capable of recording onto a USB flash drive or SD Card with empty space on it. That means you can record from the microphones, tuner or either RCA inputs directly onto the USB flash drive / SD Card.

    Forgot your USB flash drive at home? Want to play audio files from your phone while keeping it safe in your pocket? No problem. The H3502URIBT’s Bluetooth compatibility allows for wireless connection to any A2DP stereo Bluetooth device. That means you can play audio files from your phone, laptop or any other Bluetooth enabled device within a 30 foot foot range. The H3502URIBT gives you the freedom to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth enabled device.

    The banana binding post outputs can connect up to four full range speakers in addition to the push button surround outputs for the surround sound speaker set up, two RCA outputs for a record line out and pre-amp output that can be used to control another amplifier. Complete with a designated preamplifier volume control and 2 mono RCA outputs for not only 1, but 2 subwoofers. In or out, Technical Pro’s HYBRID design provides everything you need in addition to a crisp and clear sound.

    The face provides separate gain controls for the pre-amplifier and subwoofer outputs giving you additional control over the frequency outputs. Is your room too “boomy” or maybe is lacking that punchy bass you dream about? These separate controls will give you complete satisfaction in your sound. The dual mic inputs come equipped with separate control for volume, bass, treble, echo efx and a dual karaoke mic mixer. The remote control and removable rack mount brackets will provide numerous options for installation in your home theater, studio, venue or mobile DJ rig. Complete with a digital AM/FM tuner, Technical Pro’s innovative and advanced HYBRID series of amplifiers will be providing the options you need and the professional sound you expect in today’s world.

    Technical Pro changes the face of amplifier technology with the introduction of HYBRID, a technological advance that makes bulky and inefficient amplifiers a thing of the past. We started with the same revolutionary technology found in our power amplifiers, and incorporated a pre-amp, tuner and a dual Karaoke mic mixer. With high power output, versatile loading options, high thermal capacity and reliability, the HYBRID series brings you all of what Technical Pro stands for—incredible performance and sound, versatility, and the ultimate in reliability under harsh conditions.

    With it’s newest feature, a USB and SD Card input with recording functionality right on the face & Bluetooth compatibility the Hybrid makes it even easier to enjoy your music.

How to power four simultaneous screens with the Retina MacBook Pro

August 13th, 2012 David No comments

from Crave: the gadget blog by Dan Ackerman
macmultimonitors01 700x500 How to power four simultaneous screens with the Retina MacBook Pro

(Credit: CNET/Sarah Tew)The new MacBook Pro with Retina display has many noteworthy features, from a unique 2,880×1,800-pixel screen to new Nvidia graphics to large SSD storage options. But, the most surprising may be the multiple video outputs — something not seen on a MacBook before now.

The last several generations of MacBook have had either a mini-DisplayPort or combo Thunderbolt/DisplayPort jack. HDMI has been on our most-wished-for lists for years, so Apple finally adding HDMI (which is found on pretty every other current laptop) is a big move, especially when combined with a second Thunderbolt port.

The initial review of the Retina Pro was largely concerned with CPU/GPU performance, the high-res display, and battery life. Now that I’ve had a little extra time to spend with the system, there’s a chance to look at some areas in more detail. One of the first follow-up questions I received was: “Can the Retina Pro do multiple video outputs?”

 

Arrange your monitors on this settings menu.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) 

 

Related stories

[LINK]

Integrated Amp with Multicolor LED display

July 20th, 2012 David No comments

iab640 Integrated Amp with Multicolor LED display

Model: IAB640

Color: Black

the IAB640 is a very affordable integrated amplifier that gives you complete control for playing sources such as dual mics, iPod™ / MP3 players, and up to three more RCA audio sources, including a 5.1 surround sound input connection. This unit was made for anyone looking for high quality crisp and clear audio translation.

Pushing out a peak power of 2000 watts it will provide the professional power you need for your studio, club venue, mobile DJ rig or home set-up. The dual karaoke / DJ microphone inputs with separate volume knobs gives you complete control over your sound with built-in knobs for adjusting bass, treble, echo and delay. A guaranteed must have!

The back panel hosts standard RCA inputs for connecting up to three separate audio sources and a 5.1 RCA input for a surround sound set up. Also located on the back panel are banana binding post outputs for connecting four speakers and a RCA record line out. You would think that’s enough! The designers at Technical pro took this a step further and provided front panel jacks for connecting and iPod™ or an MP3 player. The graphic fluorescent display meter also located on the front panel gives provides precise level readings.

Totaled with a remote control and removable rack mount brackets you will have easy access to all of the functions of the IAB640 including source selection, eq controls, volume and mute. From the ease of use to the raw power to the innovative design, Technical Pro once again provides the industry standard for an integrated amplifier!

If you’ve spent any time at all in professional audio, you know the name Technical Pro and what it stands for—incredible performance & sound, and the ultimate in reliability under harsh conditions. And now, Technical Pro offers the same technology in a series of integrated amps and receivers bringing more of what sets Technical Pro apart from all others.

inside specs text Integrated Amp with Multicolor LED display

  • Dual Karaoke / DJ mic inputs with bass, treble, echo and delay controls
  • iPod / MP3 input with cable
  • 2000 watts peak power
  • Main output power: 500 watts x 4
  • Inputs: RCA (3 audio sources), 5.1 RCA inputs
  • Outputs: Banana binding post (to 4 speakers), RCA (to record line)
  • Graphic fluorescent display meter
  • Bright LED bar indicator
  • Removable rack-mount brackets
  • Remote control
  • Dimensions: 17”w (19” w/brackets) x 5.75”h x 12.25”d
  • Weight: 16 lbs
  • 110-220V Switchable
  • MSRP: $249.00

 

Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again

July 12th, 2012 David No comments

from App Advice by A.T. Faust III

photo full1 Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again

I don’t know about you, but by the time my Apple kit runs out of gas, it’s almost always the darkest part of the day (literally, not metaphorically — I’m not that much of a loser!) While I’m usually able to plug in my iThings before they cut off completely, sometimes I push the envelope and find myself flying blind towards the charger. But even if I successfully navigate past all my scattered gym equipment, dirty dishes, and mounds of crumpled clothes, I’ve still got to fumble with that darned proprietary Apple plug. My iPad and iPhone have the scratches to prove it.

That’s why I’m so interested in the CordLite from Scrap Pile Labs.

Having recently launched a Kickstarter campaign, the aptly-named CordLite is your typical 30-pin connector with a not-so-typical 30-pin trick: It lights up!

Popout

Utilizing a capacitive plug housing and some front-facing LEDs, the CordLite throws off a few muted lumens every time you pick it up, ensuring perfect docking even in the (battery) dead of night. Why didn’t I think of that? Heck, why didn’t you?

Oh well, no worries. We can all preorder one right now by heading over to the cable’s Kickstarter page and pledging $30.

photo full1 150x150 Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again exploded 150x150 Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again pattern2 150x150 Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again CLcolors 150x150 Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again coiledSM 150x150 Help Kickstart The CordLite And Never Be Caught In The Dark Again

[LINK]

 

Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or Pocket

July 3rd, 2012 David No comments

You want to be organized and prepared when you’re walking around, but you don’t want to lug around 10 pounds of gear and ruin your back with a mega-wallet. These essential carry-around Tools are discrete, super-handy, and oh so brag-worthy.

photo by joelogon.

We’ve previously covered the gear our editors and readers find handy to carry in their “Go bags” and laptop bags, and some of those tools (like a certain USB key) cross into the pocket-worthy realm. Otherwise, we tried to stick to very small tools and printables that do a really good job for this roundup.

10. Foldable Organizer

medium d09061e2fa7040637d986e463eda66d0 Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketThe PocketMod webapp is more than a simple printout maker. It’s an expandable, customizable system for creating an 8-page, super-slim booklet with anything you want on any side. You can track your business mileage on one side while keeping your calendar and important contacts on another, or print out an entirely new pocket stuffed with travel maps and local attractions. Cool stuff, and definitely worth the wallet space. (Original post).

9. compact keychain

small c1b2a98ce836fb98dd9699b7cec72004 Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketIf you’ve only got a few keys, and an eye for something different, you don’t have to go with the typical ring-shaped chain. You really only need washers and a rivet to create a minimalist, quiet keychain. You can take it further by shaping those keys into a mini-Leatherman with a few tools kept in, attaching the rivets onto a money clip, orcrafting your own compact key device. (Original posts:compact keychainmini-Leatherman)

8. Universal club card

medium 83f96418c82fa7b48e4d3398d7b99fa4 Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketSome stores require them, some stores provide discounts with them, and others offer passive rewards and points for using club/membership cards and bar codes. Combine all of your codes onto a single card with Just One Club Card, or choose between a card and keyring tab at KeyRingThing. Actually, the two sites seem to have gotten together, and now offer combination cards with a nice laminate finish and firm back, so you won’t have to worry about wear, tear, and faint barcodes. We love it when great webapps find each Other. (Original post: Just One Club CardKeyRingThing)

7. Indestructible, keychain-friendly USB drive

 

Maybe you don’t need this exact model, but having a nearly-indestructible USB drive that fits on your keychain is convenient in ways you can’t quite fathom until you’ve added it. You’re almost never without a bit of storage for transferring or grabbing files. If you’re the PortableApps type, you’ve always got a working Firefox/Pidgin/Thunderbird setup handy for being productive on someone else’s system. At the moment, the 4 GB IamaKey sells for $22 directly, so it—or something like it—might make a great recommendation as a last-minute stocking stuffer. (Original post)
 

6. Compact calendar

medium a147ae1d26136e642d3dea045690979f Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketDesigner David Seah has been making “candy bar calendars” for some time now, and his 2010 compact calendar is just as beautifully efficient as ever. His are monthly calendars you line up and customize in Excel. If you’re looking for more of an all-in-one solution, try The Small Calendar 2010from Grafish Designs, or the Thumb Calendar 2010 Design, both of which offer clever ways of peeking at today, tomorrow, and the future from a wallet-sized slip of paper. (Original posts: The Small Calendar,Thumb Calendar).

5. A baby (or really cute pet) photo

medium c7878bb762ccf1e7ccf84fcf1153f2d5 Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketWallets get lost, left behind, and lifted more often than you’d like to think. If your wallet is more misplaced than stolen, having a very cute baby photo in your wallet, even if it’s not necessarily yours, seems to seriouslyboost your chances of getting it back. A not-too-close backup is having a cute pet picture. As they say in journalism school, every story (and wallet, maybe) needs a dog—or at least a really interesting humanPhoto by °Eli.(Original post).

4. earbud de-tangler

medium f7f3744ed03c9f057e376ed061a7d88c Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketEver pull out your tangled, knotted headphones and wonder if they’re secretly holding gymnastics practice when they’re tucked away? Keep your earbuds, cords, and plugs in place with a de-tangling tool. Our inner stylist loves this laser-cut earbud owland its old-time-y wooden look, but you can also cut something similar from plastic. In fact, you can fashion an earbud holder out of a junk or expired credit card. If you’ve got no room for a single-purpose flat piece, at least train yourself in manual de-tangling methods like the devil horn wrap, thearound-the-player wrap, or get fancy with a daisy chain or chain sinnet style. (Original earbud owl post)

3. A darned good pen

medium e5944effbd3badc8634723de9bbd59bf Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketYeah, you still need to write now and again. Whether it’s a credit card receipt scrawl or a note you really want to be able to read later, having a pen that actually makes you want to write is always worth the price. We asked our script-friendly readers what pens they liked, and they came back with impressive results. In describing his trusted PenAgain, for example, Cowboy Bill wrote: “Helps my horrible handwriting. Busted knuckles from nuns’ rulers.” That’s an endorsement from the heart, or at least the memory of hands.

2. Multi-tool, credit-card or standard

medium a38254b2c3b1a438635418c8bf0a9700 Top 10 Essential Tools for Your Wallet, Keychain, or PocketWe agree with Steve Sussex’s assessment of the Leatherman Micra—it’s just as useful to computer geeks as to outdoor types. If carrying an actual knife on your keychain won’t fly with security at work, or you don’t want to clutter it, consider the 11-function, credit-card-sized survival tool, alsorecommended by Cool Tools. You get a ruler, a knife and screwdriver plane that can work in a pinch, and, perhaps most helpfully, a bottle opener you never forget at home. Even if you forget to pull it from your wallet before a flight, it’s only around $5, and a fairly clever conversation starter. (Original posts: Leatherman Micracredit card tool).

1. A backup system

 

The wallet is where you should keep all your essential IDs and cards, but it’s good to have a fallback plan for when you leave it at home, or in the cab. Inspired by a Real Simple article (now dead-linked) on using clear pockets and cords to separate ID badges, Gina wrote up a diet plan and backup system for your wallet, based on her own use of a Slimmy minimalist wallet and just the bare essentials. If you find yourself holding up the line to dig through a virtual filing cabinet of receipts and cards, consider putting your own money holder through boot camp.
 


What’s the most essential item on your own keychain, in your wallet, or loose in your jacket pocket these days? Share your stuff in the comments.

 

[Link]

BOXEE BOX – Internet to your TV

July 1st, 2012 David No comments

boxee box BOXEE BOX   Internet to your TV

Getting Boxee, the awesome web-to-TV software, set up in your living room used to be a headache. Not anymore thanks to the Boxee Box (around $200; Q1 2010). This angled wonder lets you consume all the free movies, TV shows and music from the internet, all from your couch — and hooks it up to your system with just a single HDMI cable. Like the standard Boxee software, it also sucks in your own videos, music and photos, playing just about any media format that still resides on your broken down laptop.

[Link]

HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview

June 26th, 2012 David No comments

HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC  650x650 HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview

the first time I heard the word “DAC” I thought it was a misspelling of a company that used to send me catalogs of unusual electronic equipment made in dubious places for ridiculously low prices. Of course I eventually learned what a “digital Audio converter” was and that it’s now found in audio devices to convert a digital signal to analog — because the sound we hear comes through the air and impinges upon our ears. Cyborgs we aint yet.

Now devices created by Dr. Fang Bian are known for their level of sophistication when it comes to audio — the guy’s a certifiable genius when it comes to making electronics dance to his tune. And when you consider how crummy the DAC is that you’ll find in a so-called “high-Tech” device like your laptop, it’s no wonder that the sound is often the least thing the manufacturer is pointing to with pride.

But a standalone DAC can be expensive, not to mention cumbersome to use. But what’s the value in having a really good pair of headphones or powered speakers attached to your desktop/laptop when the DAC isn’t worth jack? So when Dr. Bian sent me the HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC, I was expecting  some high-end tech that wouldn’t be lugged around because it’d be too bothersome.

Instead I’m looking at a little rectangular box that barely weighs enough to juggle with. And a under 3-inches in height and under 1-inch wide/deep, easier to toss in a pocket than my smartphone.

HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC side view 650x495 HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview

A quick spin shows me that there’s a USB socket at one end and a mini-jack and line output sockets at the other. As for the controls and power socket — there isn’t any! Nor any internal battery — oh, I get it, USB not only transfers the digital signal through the USB cable, but supplies the power too.

And because I hate manuals, I can easily figure out how it’s used: you plug a USB cable into the USB socket and the other end into a USB socket on the desktop/laptop. Then you insert a headphone plug or a mini-jack plug into the other socket and put on the headphones or turn on the speakers. Of course you have to select the HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC in the desktop/laptop so it knows to output the sound, but that’s easy on a Mac and just a few extra clicks on a PC (if the blue light on the HIFIMAN goes on, you’ve got power).

HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC USB socket.jpg 650x594 HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview

The HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC is going to have impressive specs, according to the info I was told: inside there’s a Texas Instrument PCM2702 16 bit 48kHZ chipset. And conjoined to that a S/n (signal to noise) ratio of 96dB, 0.07% THD (total harmonic distortion) and stereo crosstalk (signal leaking from one program channel to another) of 78dB. Like my ear registers all that (Cyborgs R Us, not yet). But I certainly can do an “unscientific” test of listening with and without the HM-101 to hear whether there’s a discernible difference.

I’ll be using my MacBook with CD-quality audio files I ripped earlier. For listening, I’ve a pair of Audio Technica ATH-CP500i in-ear headphones (better than the junky pair you get with iOS devices, and in fact equal to or better than many pairs costing over $100, in my opinion). For the portable speakers, I’m going with the STEM Time Command Mini — a small portable audio dock for iOS devices whose speakers are not spaced very far apart. And because I’ve heard some reviews noting that there’s sometimes noise interference, I’ve a really good USB cable to work with, not some $2 junk.

So the Audio Technica in-ears are plugged in to the MacBook directly and I play the beginning track from Boston’s debut album with the volume set at the midway point. Stopping the track after about a minute, I plug in the HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC and plug the in-ears into them. I then repeat playing the track. I immediately notice that the volume seems a bit higher and clearer. The stereo effect doesn’t seem to have been changed any (didn’t expect it to), but a lot of the harshness of the guitars, especially when using the Time Command Mini, seem to have been dissipated. Basically the track sounds “cleaner,” to use a decidedly unscientific term.

HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Mac Sound Preferences HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview

I then repeated this entire process, only playing Landslide by Fleetwood Mac and, for the kick of hearing how old orchestrial tracks can sound, The Last Reel from the Adventures of Superman 1950′s TV show soundtrack CD (first just with the MacBook and then through the HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC). Those points I mentioned earlier with the in-ears now are even more pronounced, and I can turn the sound up a bit more without getting the distortion that otherwise would be the case. I’m even picking up little nuances that weren’t coming through before. Or to be more exact, the nuances in the audio were there but the DAC in the MacBook wasn’t picking them up. On occasion I did hear a bit of hiss between tracks when nothing was playing, but it wasn’t annoying or unbearable. And the level of the bass seemed more deep and vocals crisper — definitely the case with the Fleetwood Mac song.  I even found my Apple-supplied iPhone earbuds  sounding better with the HIFIMAN than without.

Editor’s Rating:

star HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReviewstar HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReviewstar HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReviewstar HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReviewblankstar HIFIMAN HM 101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview

Great

Bottom line: At a retail of $39, the HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC is compact enough to remove any barrier for being carried around. And the setup and use is a no-brainer. Plus it actually does what it says — improving the audio you’re hearing. If the whole idea of being an audiophile is to spend big bucks on components so you can show off — you’’ll have to fake it when displaying the HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC. But for sure you won’t have to fake how much better the sound now is.

Pros

Cons

  • Occasional interference during quiet passages

via HIFIMAN HM-101 USB DAC Review | GadgetReview.

Bluetooth 4.0

June 18th, 2012 Dan No comments

By Mike Elgan

wireless technologies have been transforming domestic life since the availability of home radios in the 1920s. Since then every new kind of wireless technology and every new application has brought more transformative changes to the home. 

Television, for example, used to receive its signal wirelessly, which enabled its fast adoption in the 1950s. As the use of cable TV spread, transforming a wireless signal into a nonwireless one, wireless remote controls added another convenience.

Cordless phones changed when and where you could make and receive calls. Wireless garage door openers and other special-purpose wireless devices subtly improved people’s lives in small ways. You probably have a Wi-Fi network in your home, which you use to connect computers, laptops, phones and possibly your TV to the Internet.

You probably also use another wireless technology called Bluetooth. If you have a wireless headset with your cell phone, or a wireless keyboard or mouse with your computer, you’re using Bluetooth.

Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are geeky technologies working invisibly and behind the scenes to subtly and profoundly change homes all over the world. They’ve eliminated cables, reducing clutter. And they’ve freed you to place consumer electronics devices anywhere.

Now a brand-new technology is about to really change things again.

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why the new, improved Bluetooth will change your house. The fourth generation of Bluetooth technology is revolutionary. It’s not just a little better than the Bluetooth you’re currently using. It’s massively better. 

Today most chatter about Bluetooth 4.0 is about advanced gadgets, such as the highly anticipated Pebble E-Paper Watch (shown). The device will use Bluetooth 4.0 to let you control your phone, as well as household appliances and media devices like your TV, from your wrist.

Bluetooth 4.0 is also called Bluetooth Smart Ready, and one of the best things about it is that it uses much less power.

If you use a wireless mouse or keyboard, you know that the batteries have to be changed or recharged every few weeks or, at most, every few months. Bluetooth 4.0 would enable them to never have to do anything with the batteries. These devices would be charged when you open the box and remain charged for more years than you would want to use them.

This is great news, and not just for lazy wireless keyboard users. I’ll tell you why in a minute.

Where Bluetooth 4.0 comes from. Bluetooth 4.0 isn’t something you buy at the store. At some point, one by one, a gazillion gadgets will add or upgrade to the new technology. The most aggressive company to build Bluetooth 4.0 into its products is Apple. This is surprising, because Apple often lags behind other companies in the introduction of new standards and new technologies. 

The iPhone 4S was the first phone ever to support Bluetooth 4.0. The current iPad (shown in use above) is the first tablet to support it. In fact, every major Apple product, including desktops and laptops, shipped in the past year comes with Bluetooth 4.0 support.

By the end of the year, we can expect every major Bluetooth device, from phones to tablets to peripheral devices, to support the new Bluetooth 4.0 standard.

And that’s just the beginning.

What happens when everything is connected. The reason Bluetooth 4.0 will completely change everything in the home is that it will accomplish the following feats: 

1. It will replace proprietary technologies. A wide range of household gadgets, from TV remote controls to room temperature thermostats to doorbells, use nonstandard tech to communicate wirelessly. New capabilities in Bluetooth 4.0 will mean all these gadgets can just use the new standard. When that happens, you’ll be able to easily connect to, monitor and control things with your phone and tablet. Current tablet products, such as Control4’s 7-Inch Portable Touch Screen (shown) use Wi-Fi or proprietary wireless technologies. Because of those technologies, the use of tablets for controlling things is rare. Bluetooth will make home tablet remote controls and control panels commonplace.

2. It will enable more things to be wireless. Bluetooth 4.0 will make it cheap and easy for companies to add wireless connectivity to random things: lamps, washing machines, refrigerators, coffee makers, air conditioners, ovens and much more. You’ll be able to control and monitor things from your phone or over the Internet that you previously had to control by touching the object.

3. It will let you automate things. Once an appliance or piece of functional furniture can be controlled through Bluetooth 4.0, it can be easily automated. You just need the software to control it. Your smart phone and tablet are based on an “app” economy, so you can expect literally thousands of home-control apps to come on the market over the next few years.

4. It will help appliances talk to one another. With all your stuff connected via Bluetooth 4.0, the appliances in your house can talk to other appliances without your involvement. The thermostat can turn on the air conditioner. An incoming phone call can pause your TV show. The alarm clock by your bed can turn on the coffee machine. The cell phone in your pocket can turn on the lights in and around your house as you pull into the driveway.

Futurists have been making bold predictions about the coming age of the “smart home” for decades. All these visions involve wireless technology for connecting devices to the Internet, to user control devices and to each other.

Bluetooth 4.0 is that technology. And now it’s here.

 

via Manage lights, refrigerators and more through your phone or tablet when the latest wireless technology rolls into all your home devices.

Galileo a new way to see

May 14th, 2012 David No comments

the Galileo is a revolutionary, iOS-controlled robotic iPhone platform with infinite spherical rotation capability. Just swipe your finger on the screen of your iPad or other iOS device and Galileo reacts, orienting your iPhone or iPod Touch accordingly.  With applications in areas of photography, cinematography, social networking, and video conferencing, Galileo gives iOS devices endless possibilities of remote-controlled motion. Capable of infinite 360° pan-and-tilt at speeds up to 200° per second in any orientation, Galileo is an invaluable tool to everyone from an amateur photographer to the professional cinematographer, and vastly improves the experience of video chat for anyone needing to stay connected.

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How Will You Use Galileo?

To bring distant experiences closer than ever before?  To capture an exquisite sunset panorama?  To film silky smooth gimbal shots with unparalleled power and ease?  Galileo gives you the ability to do things you never thought possible.

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  • Video calls and conferencing – stay connected as you follow the action
  • Baby monitoring – see what you want to see, not just what the babysitter shows you
  • Remote learning – follow professors around the classroom; see who is asking questions
  • time-lapse photographycreate dynamic time-lapse videos that encompass movement along with passage of time
  • Cinematography – Shoot interesting transition shots, panning down, panning across and up, etc.  Mount the Galileo on rails and create a mini-rig for your iPhone camera!
  • Real estate photographybuild 360° spherical virtual home tours with ease

Below is a short time-lapse demo video to give you a sense of what’s possible with Galileo. The clips within this video were shot on a prototype Galileo with an iPhone4.

Galileo Features

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  • Infinite 360° panning and tilting rotation. 200° per second pan-and-tilt speeds.
  • Remotely controlled from your iPad, iPhone, or web browser. Swipe your finger across the screen or move your mouse to control the movement of the Galileo and your device.
  • SDK (software developers kit) for app development. Freedom to integrate Galileo functionality into existing apps or to create entirely new apps built around the movement capabilities of Galileo.  Or build software to integrate the Galileo with other hardware (e.g. camera rails).
  • Outfitted with a standard tripod screw, the Galileo can be mounted on any tripod.
  • Fabulous charging station for your iPhone or iPod. Charges your device while plugged in (USB cable included).
  • Rechargeable Lithium polymer battery lets you use your Galileo anywhere.
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The Galileo charges your device while plugged in

 Galileo a new way to see

Specifications

  • Works with: iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPod Touch 4th Generation
  • Controlled by: iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPod Touch 4th Generation, and web browser
  • Colors: black, white, limited edition Kickstarter Green
  • Weight: 7oz
  • Size: 2 x 3.25” closed, 3.5 x 4.3” open
  • Tripod Mount: Universal 1/4” thread; compatible with all standard tripods
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Available in black, white, and limited edition Kickstarter Green

Join the Galileo Community!

What excites us the most about Galileo are the uses that we haven’t thought of yet. With our Galileo SDK, app developers have the freedom to integrate Galileo functionality into their existing apps as well as create entirely new apps around the unbounded movement of Galileo, expanding the possibilities for automated tracking and photographic and cinematographic applications.

So what will you do with Galileo?

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Freedom to develop apps or integrate into other hardware with our SDK

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