Ebook reader: Devices you should not overlook

Ebook readers are becoming more and more popular, with Amazon's Kindle being a major driving force. Really, can there be any better advertisement for the concept of a small device specifically meant to replace traditional paper books than a prominent permanent ad on the main page of the biggest retailer on the planet? I had my own share of encounters with ebook readers, but overtime I realized that they may not be such a good idea after all. Primarily because almost everybody already has one or more electronic devices that can perform most functions of a book reader with ease. I still believe that he ePaper technology, used in ebook readers will continue to thrive, but at present you just may be better off with any one of the following devices:

• PDA. Pocket-sized computers had the peak of popularity in the early 2000s. It is almost difficult to find them today, because smart phones took on most of their functions. Modern PDAs, such as ASUS 626 have large screens, very well suited for reading long texts. A wide selection of software is available, often at no cost, that allows one to read eBooks. My personal favorites are Haali Book reader and MobiBook.
  
• Smart phone. Often these devices are the size of a PDA, but usually they have smaller screens.
  
• Regular cellphone. Cell phones differ greatly in their configuration, but a lot of them have support for Java, which allows them to run ebook applications. It is extremely easy to load use such services as BooksInMyPhone.com
  

Sony Digital e-Book Reader: PRS 505. Revew, specs and a solution for the lack of Unicode support

Just got a Sony Reader (PRS 505) from Amazon!




Review


First of all, I did not realize that the reader already came with a jacket. It was not very clearly stated. So, I actually ordered an executive brown leather jacket for extra $25.

It took about 40 minutes for the initial charging during which PRS 505 is completely unresponsive. Then I powered it up. Very impressive! The text has very good resolution and the black color looks indeed quite black. It's like looking at a paper printout that has been placed under a thin layer of glass. Just as with an ordinary book, it is a good idea to have plenty of light. There is no back light or anything like that.


The Specs

• displays eBooks purchased from the CONNECT eBook online store
• displays Adobe® PDFs, plus TXT, RTF, BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG and Microsoft® Word files
• plays MP3 and AAC files (protected files not supported)
• internal 192MB memory
• memory slot holds an SD Memory Card (up to 2GB capacity) and Memory Stick® Duo media (up to 8GB capacity)
• 800x600 resolution
  

Pros

• Very light weight
• High image quality
• Good battery life
• Plenty of memory + SD card slot. Sony has released a firmware update that allows the use of high capacity SD cards (4 gb and more!)
  

Cons

• Black and white screen
• No back light
• No Unicode support
• Somewhat difficult to navigate. This Sony Reader is also a little sluggish.
• It is not always possible to zoom in as much as you'd want to. The level of zoom depends on individual books.
  
• Difficult to navigate PDF files.
• Haven't found a way to rotate the screen without going to the settings
  

One particular problem that I had to address right away was the lack of Unicode support. I often read texts with non-Latin characters. You can find firmware versions that can localize Sony Reader, but there is always a chance that you will end up with a brick. Why risk it? There is a free program that can take a text and save it as graphics (you can choose from a list of different formats). You can then make a PDF out of those file. Problem solved. This program was originally designed to create eBooks readable on mp3 players such as Sansa, iPod, Zune etc. But it works just as well for Sony Reader.

If you need this program, it can be downloaded from many shareware sites, but some of them require registration these days. Not this one:

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/eBook_to_Images/1168713945/1

The name of the program is eBook to Images 0.9.11.

Sony Bravia DAV HDX-274 home theater system

I may never be able to figure out the schemes and patterns that various manufacturers use in order to keep customers of such stores as Costco and BJ's uninformed about the actual models of TVs and home theaters they are selling through these distributors and how they compare to the rest of the crowd. It seems to me though that Sony Bravia DAV HDX-274 is very similar to Sony Bravia DAV HDX-275, which is offered at the same proce at SonyStyle.com. Here is what Sony has to say about this product:

The Sony® DAV-HDX275 BRAVIA® Theatre System includes an integrated 5 DVD/CD changer, 1000 watts of home theater power, and an included iPod® Dock. With the optional S-AIR® receiver/speakers system, you can now easily send your music wirelessly to another room in your home. Using exclusive Sony® Technology, S-AIR® brings the promise of multi room audio distribution that most anyone can set-up, it's that easy. DAV-HDX275 comes equipped with DIGITAL MEDIA PORT that works with various accessories (sold separately). The DAVHDX275 can control a select number of BRAVIA® televisions with BRAVIA® Sync via the HDMI™ interface. With "One Touch Play," operations that took several steps have been reduced to one. Also, HDMI™ interface upscales DVD media up to 1080p This BRAVIA® System optimizes speaker placement in just 30 seconds with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration.



The manual for HDX-275: http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/Manuals/158/158HDX275.PDF

In my humble opinion, a very decent home theater system. Most importantly in my opinion is a digital-in port. Of course, this system is designed to perform at its best with a Sony Bravia TV.

See also:
Media room design: ideas and solutions

Digital tv converter coupons -- good reasons to get one

I requested two $40 digital converter coupons! Why not? Well, receiving the coupons cost me nothing. I have cable, but it would be nice to have at least one DTV converter box. There are some channels that you can only get over the air, but one very specific reason why I decided to go for these coupons is this: I have a portable DVD player with AV-in. Sometimes I go on vacation to a place where there is not TV. It is nice to check the weather and the new every once in a while Sometimes I bring a All-in-Wonder box and connect it to my computer. But they I can't use the laptop. It looks like for not too much I can get myself a nice little digital converter that would just do the job!

What is Blue-Ray Disc Matching? Sony HT-SS2000.

I you happen to leisurely search the web for an inexpensive Blue-ray disc player chances are you will come across an attractively priced ($400) unit called Sony HT-SS2000 - Blu-ray Disc Matching Component Home Theater System. Unless you do your homework you may end up with a decent home theater system, but without a Blue-ray player. How is that possible you may ask? Well, quite simply, just because this unit has the words Blue-ray Disc in its name does not make it a Blue-ray player. It is primarily an audio system, but because it is capable of processing high-resolution audio signal outputted by true Blue-ray players. In essence, that's all, folks. To make things even more confusing, Sony uses the same bluish color scheme for this unit as Sony's true Blue-ray Disc systems

Sony HT-SS2000 Manual



See also:
Panasonic Blue-ray home theater

Pillow Remote Control

Pillow Remote Control

I guess, I just don't understand something. Well, apart from the $100+ price tag. I thought it should be possible in this day and age to have a pillow that is somehow capable of reading one's thoughts and change the channels accordingly. Ok, maybe not. But what's wrong with good old voice recognition? Is sowing remotes into furniture really the best we can do? I got ideas better than that. Just use Velcro to keep them in place. Or, better yet, install remotes under the cushions, where they end up half the time anyway.

Philips HTS3544 home theater and the iPod dock

Here is one feature that may seem insignificant to someone, but for me, as an avid iPod user, it is quite important. Whenever I plug in my iPod to the computer with a USB cord (to charge, to update or to simply play the content) the iPod "forgets" the exact place where it was before the connection had been established. This is quite a nuisance, because I often listen to audio books and long podcasts, so it is difficult to find the exact location in the mp3 file. Now, when I put my iPod on the cradle of my Philips HTS3544 home theater not only it resumes playback from the exact place where I paused it, it retains the location after it's disconnected. It seems that the implementation of hardware connections is different in my home theater system. This might be something to consider when you are buying a home theater.

See also:
Home media room design