Home Network

Onkyo's new TX-NR807 is a network-capable home theater receiver configured for Pandora, Rhapsody, and Sirius' streaming internet radio services. The receiver also plays computer music files from networked PCs, is fully compatible with the Digital Living Network Alliance's DLNA 1.5 consumer electronics interoperability specification, and sells for less than half the price of the company's previous network-capable model.

The TX-NR807 has THX Select2 Plus certification and state-of-the-art processing from Dolby, DTS, Audyssey and Faroudja. The TX-NR807 is also one of Onkyo's first receivers to offer Audyssey DSX soundstage extension processing in addition to Dolby Pro Logic IIz height-capabilities. Read more

Now that wireless networks are everywhere, computer burglars, aka hackers, are having a field day, attempting to invade your privacy and worse yet, steal your identity. Believe me, you don't want that to happen.

That is why we strongly suggest that you take the following steps to secure your network:

1. Almost all routers and access points come with an administrator password that is a weak default, like "password" or the manufacturer's name. Replace the default passwords on every wireless router or access point you purchase with passwords of your own. Imagine, for instance, how many "dlink" networks there would be in the world if none of our customers renamed their routers? Hackers make it a point to know every company's default passwords. By simply defining a new password, one that will certainly be easier for you to remember than the default, you will establish the protection you need to halt hackers from accessing your network or devices.

Most reputable vendors supply easy set-up wizards with their devices. Just follow the directions to rename your router or device with something unique and easy for you to remember. But be careful not to be so creative or simplistic that you provide sensitive information with the name you give your device. "Smith Family Router" is not the best idea. Be sure to write it down and keep it someplace safe for future reference. Without it, the only way to access the router or access point may be to reset it to factory default settings. which will wipe away any configuration changes you've made.Read more

February 17, 2009 -- Logitech today announced that Logitech Squeezebox network music players support online music from the award-winning music subscription service Napster. Using your existing wireless home network and your Squeezebox player, now you can access Napster’s library of more than 7 million songs on the home-entertainment system in your living room, bedroom, or in any room where you listen to music.

“Logitech is delighted to add Napster to its family of online music services for the Squeezebox product line,” said Robin Selden, vice president of the Logitech Streaming Media group. “The Logitech Squeezebox is a Wi-Fi device, so you don’t have to string wires everywhere just to enjoy Napster away from the computer. Whether you love rap or reggae, Beethoven or classic rock, Napster and Squeezebox make it easy to listen to a world of music, streamed to any room in your home.” Read more

Often digital audio is stuck on the PC or the digital music player. Though some companies offer solutions that stream music from a computer to a stereo system, these products can sometimes be too expensive. Logitech offers affordable network music systems that make it easier for you to enjoy -- and control -- your digital music anywhere in your home or on the stereo systems you already own. And with the Logitech Squeezebox Boom all-in-one network music player, even an existing audio system is not required. Using your existing home network with a Logitech network music system, you can listen to your digital music – including the music on your computer, your favorite Internet radio stations, even subscription services such as Rhapsody, Last.FM, Slacker, Pandora and Sirius in any room in your home – even when the computer is off. The Squeezebox Boom is available now for $269.99.Read more

January 28, 2009 – Universal Remote Control, Inc. (URC), today announces the PSX-2 Personal Server, which enables custom installers to deliver unmatched iPod docking functionality to consumers who seek truly integrated home entertainment experiences. With the PSX-2 Personal Server, users can control iPods like never before, all from the comfort and convenience of the same remote controls they use to control their TVs and home audio systems—and with a much higher and more customized level of control than is available on the iPod itself.

Current iPod docks provide on-screen TV interfaces that functionally mimic the iPod interface, but because the iPod is based on a limited number of buttons and a small screen, users must tediously navigate up and down through a series of nested menus, and must internalize a “mental map” of where special features are accessed. With the help of their custom installers and the PSX-2, users can more easily exploit all of the iPod’s features, including some obscure and rarely-used ones, with the touch of a single button. It’s easy to create playlists on the fly, shuffle music, create favorites, and sort music using a variety of parameters—all with far fewer button presses than would be required with the standard iPod interface.Read more