Easy networking
Connecting printers and hard drives for use over a network has been a daunting task for even the most knowledgeable.
With the Belkin Network USB Hub, all that is needed is to put a plug into a socket.
The hub looks like a standard USB hub and is designed to accept five inputs from hard drives, scanners and printers. Special PC software – a Mac version should be available in September – finds the hub on a network and treats those peripherals as if they were plugged right into the computer.
The shiny black hub allows one computer to use one of the devices at a time, with up to five people using one of the connected peripherals each. For example, Mom in the den can connect to a hard drive while Dad in the bedroom connects to a printer, but Mom and Dad cannot use the printer at the same time. There are two USB ports on the front of the device and three on the back, along with an Ethernet port for connecting to a wired or wireless router.
Available later this month, this $129 hub could save on buying multiple peripherals for multiple PCs around the house. The family just needs to learn how to share. – John Biggs, The New York Times
HDTV on the road
It’s summertime, and catching your favorite TV shows is not so easy when you are on vacation or a weekend outing. A cheap, portable TV is one option, but what if you’ve developed a taste for high definition? Plextor has come out with its Mini Digital HDTV Receiver, which connects to a laptop’s USB port. The receiver, which sells for $99 and is available at, has an external antenna and software that scans for over-the-air HD signals.
Plextor’s receiver works only with computers running Windows XP or Vista. The more computing horsepower you have – both memory and graphics – the better your viewing experience. Underpowered systems can produce a picture that occasionally stutters.
The software, called ArtecMedia from Ultima, allows you to switch channels and record and play back shows. You can also set a schedule of shows to record. Of course, the PC and the software must be running to time-shift shows this way. The receiver draws its power from the laptop, so you may want to plug in before you veg out. – Stephen C. Miller, The New York Times
