(Source: McClatchy/Tribune)
Producing your own high-definition video has become increasingly easier with today's line of HD video cameras. But transferring the content from your computer to a TV can be a challenge.
Western Digital (WD) has announced the new WD TV Live HD media player for users who want to play any stored digital content, including HD video, on any HD TV in their home though a simple plug-and-play manner. The player also can handle HD video downloaded from the Internet.
The new device is an upgrade from previous models and now has a more responsive interface to watch videos without the need for a computer.
Users simply transfer or stream content from any Mac or Windows system to an attached storage device (WD would love for you to use one of their storage units, of course, such as the WD My Book World Edition).
The storage unit can then be connected to the media player directly through a USB cable, which is then connected to the TV. The video may then be played back in Full-HD 1080p resolution.
Movies and photos stored on other USB devices such as digital camcorders and digital cameras also can be connected to the player for viewing.
In a full network situation, the unit also will stream content from popular sites such as YouTube, Flickr and Pandora Internet radio. The onscreen menu makes this simple to navigate.
A recent news release from WD noted how much digital content people have amassed and that most do not have the proper knowledge or hardware to view the content on a TV. The average consumer had 123 GB of videos, photos and music in 2009, which will grow to 1.3 TB by 2013, according to research firm Parks Associates.
The WD TV Live HD media player will play a wide variety of files with no need to spend time transcoding.
An Ethernet port in built-in for wired or Wi-Fi connection giving access files anywhere on the network to play movies, music, and photos. Two USB ports area also available for multiple drives along with HDMI connections.
Details: www.shopwd.com, $149.99
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As a BlackBerry user, I consider the most important smart phone functions to be quality reception, e-mail access and ease of navigation.
To this day I've never downloaded a ringtone, music or videos to a cell phone.
Verizon Wireless recently loaned me a BlackBerry Tour for a test drive. Several times, onlookers mentioned to me what a great looking device it was.
To me, aesthetics are not an issue. But my curiosity was piqued I heard this more than once. So I went online to read other reviews, several of which also emphasized what a great looking BlackBerry this is.
The important part to me was that the phone worked great.
