norbtek.info: August 2005

Norbtek.info Podcast Show #006 - Home Networking Extras

Here is what we have for you in today’s show:

News

Main Topic – Home Networking Extras

Listener Email

Cool Gadget of the Week

Windows Tip for Trouble Shooting Drivers (advanced users only!)

The News:

US Tech Recycling

Transfer your Video to TiVo

Plasma TV’s Out Sell RPTVs in Q2

Steve Jobs to run for Governor of California in 2006

[MAIN TOPIC]

So you got a home network, either wireless, hardwired, or both; but none of your friends, family, or neighbors seems to be impressed. Well have I got a few devices that might just put the “wow” factor into your Home Network. I’m talking about Digital Media Players, Streaming Web Cams, Home Power-line Ethernet, and power over Ethernet also known as PoE.

There are several types of media players: ones that play Audio Files mp3s, WMA, AAC like the Squeezebox2. You can get an option on the squeezebox2 that will allow you to stream your audio library up to 20 rooms. The Squeezebox2 is available starting at $199. You can also distribute your video files stored on a local computer on your LAN to individual televisions with the GoVideo D2740 Networked DVD player. This device is a DVD player that is also network compatible, both wired and wireless via 802.11B and G. It will play Mepg-1, 2, & 4 video files as well as MP and WMA audio files with support for viewing your JPEG, Tiff, PSD, PICT and Bit Mapped files. It will also play DVDs, Video CDs, Music CDs, Kodak CDs, and MP3s on CD-r and CD-RWs. The D2740 is going for $240 on Amazon. Netgear, D-Link, and Linksys all have wired/wireless Digital Media Players as well. Netgear has the MP101 which will play all of your MP3 and WMA files, or listen to Internet Radio right on your home stereo. This unit retails for $100 at Circuit City and they also have a video versions as well, the MP115 that is available on-line at PCConnection.com. Linksys has theWMCE54AG which will connect your entertainment center to your Windows Media Center PC. This device retails for $300 from retails like Radio Shack. D-Link offers the MediaLounge DSM-320, a wired and wireless (802.11G) which is similar to the Netgear, but has a few more options and is available at Amazon.com for $160 (a great deal in my opinion

Wired/wireless web cams that have their own web servers in them so you can log into the video stream for home, work or abroad. Check on the house while on vacation or what the kids are doing in the back yard while at work. D-Link has the greatest variety ranging form the simple eye-ball style camera to the industrial looking security camera.

Alternative networking adapters. Netgear has the XE102 that you plug into a normal outlet in your house then plug in a data cable from it your router. Then use another XE102 to go to an Ethernet enabled device or even add a plug in WAP (WGX102)so you can get wireless in the backyard.

There is even power over Ethernet devices available for getting power to those remote webcams that you will install to monitor the kids in the backyard. These devices use an Ethernet cable to provide low voltage power (5 or 12 volts) to a device that would normally need a power outlet. (D-Link, Netgear, & Linksys)

Time for listener email:

None. Come on, give a guy a break. Please write in with your questions on tech and I will help you out the best that I can. I want this show to kind of be like the old TechTV Call for Help with Chris Pirllio and Leo Laporte. You write in however, and then I answer the questions.

[Gadget of the Week]

Lazer Trip Wire for your Cubicle

ThinkGeek

$29.99

[Tip]

Windows Tip

Windows Hidden Driver Verification Feature: Microsoft provided Windows XP with several high-profile tools for troubleshooting potential problems with drivers, namely File Signature Verification and Device Manager. However, Windows XP also includes the tool called the Driver Verifier Manager, which is mainly designed for developers but it can provide you with useful information during a troubleshooting operation.
Here's how to use it to troubleshoot a driver problem:

Access the Run dialog box by pressing the [Windows]-R keyboard shortcut.

In the Open text box, type the command Verifier.

On the Select A Task page, leave the default Create Standard Settings as-is.

On the next page, choose the Select Driver Name From A List.

Select the check boxes next to the driver files that you want to verify.

Click Finish and then reboot the system.

If the driver(s) that you selected are causing a problem, the system will halt and display a BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) along with an error message. If the selected drivers aren't the cause of the problem, the system will start up normally.
Keep in mind that once you enable the Driver Verifier Manager it stays active until you disable it. To do so, follow these steps: