Technabob » vga

Like Magic: Octava Takes Component and Vga and Converts Them to Hdmi

Lambert Varias — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:37:25 +0000

Have too many video devices and not enough HDMI inputs on your TV? Octava’s multi-input converter device accepts regular component and VGA inputs and converts them to HDMI. Even better, it also has space for 3 HDMI inputs, meaning you can switch between 5 inputs on a single HDMI cable. Less hassle and less clutter with better output quality.

Octava’s HDMI converters are equipped with their ClearEye technology that improves HDMI quality by compensating for transmission degradation caused by “attenuation and propagation speed” over cables. Did you get that? If so, please explain it to me, because I sure as hell did not. Of course, don’t expect ClearEye to may your crappy 480p signals look like 1080p – that would take a true miracle.

You had me at “converts standard component to HDMI” Octava. The Component/VGA to HDMI Converter is available for pre-order at Octava’s website for $200 USD; the wonder device will be available starting May 11.

[via hometoys]

Kinyo Artdio M100: a Tiny Cuboid Projector for an Equally Small Price

Technabob — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:00:17 +0000

Pocket-sized projectors are the next big thing in projection technology. But most of the pocket projectors out there are priced from $300 to $400 and more. While this little projector isn’t as high resolution as others like the 3M MPro110, it is definitely cheaper.

Priced at just $220 USD, the Cuboid projector (aka the Kinyo / ArtDio M100) measures in at just 2.36″ x 2.36″ x 1.5″, but can project images all the way up to 48-inches diagonal. The compact projector can be mounted on a standard tripod, and loses most of its heft by putting its power supply in a separate adapter pack.

Powered by a bright 3-watt LED, the mini projector displays 640 x 480 (VGA) images anywhere you’ve got a white wall to spare. Of course, with a wimpy 200:1 contrast ratio, you’ll really want a proper screen and a dark room to watch video on one of these. But if you want to display images or on the wall with something you can just throw in your backpack, this little guy still looks pretty cool.

The M100 Cuboid projector is available now over at Chinese gadget importer Brando.

[photo credit: InformationWeek]

Infocus Play Big Projector: Big Picture, Big Pixels

Technabob — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:59:28 +0000

Wanna play your video games on a massive screen, but don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a huge flat screen? This new projector from InFocus lets you play games and movies at sizes between 40-inches and 210-inches diagonal for under $500.

The InFocus Play Big IN1 gaming projector is powered by a TI DLP chipset, and easily connects to your gaming console or DVD player to crank out huge, reasonably bright images. So what’s the catch? In this era of high-definition video, the native resolution of the projector is only 640×480 (VGA). Sure, it’ll accept a 720p or 1080i/p signal, but it’s all down-rezzed to 480p. It’s got connectors for S-Video, component and composite video, but there’s no HDMI or DVI inputs at all.

While the projector isn’t ideal for HD sources like the Xbox 360 or PS3, it is a perfect match for the Nintendo Wii, which doesn’t output high-def. Heck, InFocus even includes a Wii component cable to make it super simple to get up and going with the popular Nintendo console. The funky-looking trapezoidal projector even has a built-in stereo sound system, so other than a projection surface, it’s entirely self-contained.

Even though the IN1 can project images up to 210-inches diagonal. However, at that size I’m betting the 500-lumen output won’t be sufficient for anything but a really dim picture in a really dark room. On the other hand, it should be plenty bright at anything under 100-inches. As is always the case with front projection, I’d recommend a light-controlled environment.

So if you’re looking for a huge picture on a not-so-huge budget, the Play Big IN1 is worth a look. It’s available for $499 exclusively from Woot.

[via CrunchGear]

Xbox 360 Fan Adds More Outputs Than You’ll Ever Need

Technabob — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:22:19 +0000

This new fan attachment for the back of the Xbox 360 gives you much more than just supplemental cooling. It actually adds a variety of direct-access connectors to the back of the console, eliminating the need for special adapter cables.

Along with two cooling fans, the add-on gives you easy access to VGA, Component, Composite and S-Video outputs. There’s also four USB connectors, a TOSLink optical out for digital audio and an Ethernet pass-through. The GA-CX1005XB Docking Station Fan will be available from Japan’s DigitalCowboy starting July 13th. Pricing information hasn’t been announced yet.

[via AV Watch]