Cool Gadgetz

15 Blu-ray Players Under $300 (And Some as Low as $200) [Dealzmodo]

Mark Wilson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:20:00 +0000

There's no question that Blu-ray is still not as inexpensive as DVD, whether you're talking about the players or the discs themselves. But prices have come down in time for the holidays, especially if you're willing to settle for an early generation model or a refurb.

In fact, we have a list of 15 Blu-ray players that don't go for $300 or under just on Black Friday; they go for that little every day if you're willing to do a quick online search. Here are all 15 models, many with links to decent deals if you're too exasperated to search yourself.

Magnavox (NB500MG9)
MSRP: $298
AVG $220

Panasonic (DMP-BD30)
MSRP: $499.95
AVG $250

Panasonic (DMP-BD35)
MSRP: $299.95
AVG $200

Philips (BDP7200)
MSRP: $399.99
AVG $240

Samsung BD-P1000
MSRP: $999
AVG $200 at low end

Samsung BD-P1200
MSRP: $799
AVG $200 at low end

Samsung BD-P1500
MSRP: $399
AVG $250

Sharp BD-HP2OU
MSRP:$399
AVG $250

Sharp BDHP21U
MSRP: $349.99
AVG $250

Sony BDP-BX1
MSRP: $499
AVG $290

Sony BDP-S300
MSRP: $499
AVG $250

Sony BDP-S301
MSRP:$499
AVG $230

Sony BDP-S350
MSRP: $399
AVG $250

Sylvania NB500SL9
MSRP: $349.00
AVG $200

Sylvania NB501SL9
MSRP: $289.99
AVG $220

RebateStatus.com Files For Chapter 11, Your Rebate May Be Affected [Rebates]

Sean Fallon — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:02:00 +0000

One of the nation's largest rebate processing firms, CPG (RebateStatus.com) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. What does that mean for you? Well, if you happened to mail-in a rebate form with a company that CPG works with, your check may be in limbo because they don't have the money to cash it. At this point, exactly how the situation will be handled is unclear—but there are a few things you can do to get things under control. Dealnews is recommending that anyone who has a rebate check or is expecting one not cash it because it may bounce and result in an NSF fee. Instead, you should hang on to it until more details become available (this goes for rebates that have not been submitted as well). If you are not sure whether or not your rebate is invovled, a partial list of affected companies is available after the break.

Partial list of companies that have dealt with CFG in recent months:

Acronis Software
ACTIVSION
Advance Auto Parts
Antec
AVG
Bed Bath & Beyond
BIC Corporations US - Shaver Division
BFG
Bridgevine
Canon
Citibank
costco
Fujitsu
Home Depot
Logitech
Motorola (Surfboard cable modems)
Natures Earth Products
Nero
Panda Distribution
Pandigital
PC Tools
PriceGrabber
Rosewill (Newegg house brand)
Samsung
Smith Micro Software
Tabletops Unlimited
TrendNET
Westinghouse
XFX
ZeroTherm
Zyxel

Naturally, the best way to tell whether or not you are affected is to head on over to rebatestatus.com and check on your submission. You may also want to try and call any of the numbers listed on your rebate form on the off chance they can provide more information. I would expect an official announcement from CPG (or something from the company you purchased the item from) with details on how to proceed sometime in the next few days. [Dealnews and Fatwallet and Tampa Bay Business Journal Thanks Luis!]

The Tech Specs of HD Netflix Streaming [Streaming]

Mark Wilson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:20:00 +0000

Hats off to Netflix. Without really being prompted, they've released their HD encoding/streaming specifications for the world to see. The company revealed that they originally considered a WMV3 (Windows Media Player 9) codec running at 4000kbps and 5500kbps, but opted instead for a similar Microsoft codec, the VC1AP running between 2600kbps and 3800kbps—which should provide a better experience for those of us with lower bandwidths.

While Netflix offers 24fps movies in their native frames per second, their other content peaks at 30fps. The company researched the 60fps content found on Blu-ray discs, they realized that they'd be better off reserving that sort of quality for another era. Good call.

While it's a bit unfair to compare bitrates across codecs, Vudu's premium HDX material is still the top dog in streaming, supplying encoded rates ranging between 9Mbps and 20Mbps. Then again, most of us can't watch that footage in real time. [Netflix via CNET]

BuildingPorn: The Dubai Skyline-in-Progress [Architecture]

Adam Frucci — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:00:00 +0000

The Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world, is at 160 stories and counting, with the tower due to be complete next September. But it's not the only tower under construction in Dubai, not by a longshot. No, the city appears to be sprouting up from the ground like a bunch of weeds, with as many cranes as buildings. And now, The Big Picture has nearly 30 amazing shots of the city in transition. Hit the jump for another of my favorites and then head over to The Big Picture for the rest.

[The Big Picture]

BuldingPorn: The Dubai Skyline-in-Progress [Architecture]

Adam Frucci — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:00:00 +0000

[The Big Picture]

Pocket Jockey iPhone Game Simulates Horse Racing In Most Suggestive Way Possible [IPhone Apps]

John Mahoney — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Pocket Jockey simulates those carnival games where you have to propel your horse down a via any manner of hammer-bopping, ball-rolling or water gun-squirting—only here, the idea is to actually jump up and down like a horse's gallop. A firm slap to your own hindquarters (riding crop optional) delivers an additional boost via accelerometer detection. If you still have questions on how this whole thing works, why not let two lovely and tech-savvy ladies demonstrate for you in video form. The scene is on a bed and it may involve assorted panting and gasping, but yeah, it's probably SFW.

If you're still with us, Pocket Jockey will run you 99 cents in the App Store. [Pocket Jockey (iTunes Link)]

Pocket Jockey iPhone Game Simulates Horse Racing In Most Suggestive Way Possible [IPhone Apps]

John Mahoney — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:45:00 +0000

If you're still with us, Pocket Jockey will run you 99 cents in the App Store. [Pocket Jockey (iTunes Link)]

Windows 7 Touch Control Makes Media Center Interface Awesome [Windows 7]

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:44:07 +0000

newVideoPlayer("/win7mctouch_giz.flv", 475, 314,""); Visiting Microsoft's Media Center posse in Redmond, I just caught a glimpse of the Windows 7 Media Center interface with integrated touch control (no third-party software) on an HP TouchSmart. All I can say is, I've always loved the MCE user experience—it really is a highlight of Microsoft design—but adding smooth touch interaction makes it even better. The only thing missing here is multitouch, but I'm told that's coming. Check out the vid. [Windows 7]

Konica Minolta Working on Thumbdrive-Sized Projector [Projectors]

Sean Fallon — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:43:00 +0000

It appears that Konica Minolta will take mini-projector one-upsmanship to the next level with a new device that measures about 1.6 inches long, .79 inches wide, and only .3 inches thick—roughly the size of a smallish thumbdrive. When all is said and done, Konica believes that this new projector will be able to throw 20-inch color images in XGA resolution at distances of about 20 24-inches away from the screen and use less than 1-watt of power while operating. Unfortunately, the device will not be ready for public consumption for another 2 or 3 years, which opens up the door for another company to one-up their one-up. [Nikkei-subcription via Crunchgear via ComputerWorld]

Study Reveals Students Blame Gadgets For Their Missing Homework [Dogs Vindicated]

Sean Fallon — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:30:00 +0000

A recent survey of British teachers has revealed that students are relying more and more on tech-related excuses to explain their failure to hand in homework. Traditional excuses like "the dog ate it" have given way to gems like "the computer crashed", "the internet was down", "a printer failed to work" and "work was deleted by accident". Apparently, students believe they can slide one by older, less tech savvy teachers this way—and the teachers admit that they are more likely to fall prey to this tactic. However, as the following list of the top five worst excuses will illustrate, some students shoot themselves in the foot by taking things waaay to far.

Top five worst tech-related excuses according to the survey:

•My dad's computer was hacked by the Russians and they stole my homework.
•A burglar stole my printed-out homework along with the computer.
•The PC exploded when our dog went to the toilet on it. (Still blaming the dog!)
•I accidentally tipped a bottle of cider over the computer and it broke.

Remember kids—keep it simple because simple is believable (fade to "The More You Know" graphic).[Telegraph via Fark Image via Itchmo]