With broadband connections rising in the United States and YouTube kicking off the share your video genre of Web sites that now has dozens of copycats, consumers have become more accustomed to watching TV, movies and videos on their computers. Additionally, with the dropping price of digital cameras and video cameras, and the video and photo features in cell phones, we now witness a whole new generation of consumers that are creating, editing, sharing and consuming media content online.

Pay-per-view options via Amazon and iTunes deliver video instantly to your computer as opposed to the now dated act of getting in the car and heading to the local video rental store, or waiting for your Netflix movie to physically show up in the mail. Netflix offers a wide collection of streaming video content but rarely provides newly released items for instant streaming.

Realizing consumers’ needs, Hollywood is now listening. They’ve Studio executive have slowly warmed to the idea of putting full shows online within 24 hours of the original air-date on traditional TV. This recent UK article shows the dramatic spike in online views of video based content, further reinforcing how much consumers want this option. With more than 80 sites available to legally stream movies, TV shows and short video clips now, clearly the shift to online content viewing is happening now and fast.

All of this is great news for consumers as it makes entertainment easier and cheaper, however, being stuck to your desk, office or kitchen table with a laptop is not the most enjoyable way to watch his newly available content. Having a dedicated computer to soley serve as a multimedia station for most, is a burden they’d rather not deal with. The set up, the proximity to the TV and figuring out how to use it and where to put it, can cause a huge headache. Anyone who’s taken the time to hang their flat panel TV on the wall and fish the cables down through it to have a clean look knows parking a computer tower under it is not the most aesthetically pleasing option.

There is now a better option available.

IOGEAR has introduced the Wireless Audio / Video Kit, which is changing how everyone views multimedia content from the Internet. A simple, clean and no-hassle hookup with no cables will have the video transmitting from your computer to your HD TV up to 30 feet away.

Now you can easily enjoy your HD TV from the comfort of your couch with the near limitless content available online. Unlike digital video recorders which cost several hundred dollars and require a monthly service fee, once you purchase the Wireless Audio / Video Kit it’s yours. The only other requirements are a TV and a broadband Internet connection.

Use the Wireless Audio / Video Kit for more than just streaming video. Easily show videos you’ve made on your camera after you’ve transferred them to a computer, or setup a slideshow of still photographs on your computer to be displayed when you aren’t watching videos. This technology easily converts your TV into a digital photo frame!

Showing you just how easy it is to connect your PC to TV can be opens a whole new world of exciting possibilities, entertainment and cost savings for you and your family. The added benefit of embracing one of the newest and fastest growing digital trends also means quicker delivery of media and instant gratification.

Internet on TV is a trend that still at the beginning stages of explosive growth and IOGEAR is at the forefront, bringing you cutting edge technology to allow full enjoyment of everything the Internet has to offer and will offer for years to come.

You can pick up or order a Wireless Audio / Video Kit today at Best Buy, Micro Center, Fry’s, Amazon or at our own IOGEAR store.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a story predicting that the larger big-ticket technologies will remain on the shelves and consumers will instead go home with the latest gadgets this holiday season. As this article and other industry experts predict, the average consumer will purchase more affordable gadgets and less ‘blockbuster’ devices this season.


So what does this mean? Well, consumers, like you, are prepared and willing to spend $300 or less on tech gadgets this year. With most of today’s most popular consumer electronics (CE) products falling into this price category, it looks like everything from netbooks, to the latest e-book reader and high fidelity speakers might top 2009 Christmas shopping lists.

As we reflect on these predictions and the recent CE trends, we believe that IOGEAR’s Wireless Audio / Video Kit (MSRP @ $299.95) is a perfect fit for this year’s gift exchange.

We offer the Wireless Audio / Video Kit which allows users to stream both audio and video content (up to 720p) wirelessly from their PC to their TV up to 30 feet away. Users can eliminate unnecessary cable clutter and enjoy the best of the Web on their larger TVs from the comforts of their couch. This solution truly gives you or the person receiving this gift the ability to stream wirelessly from PC to TV a reality.

What other gadgets are you looking to put under your tree this holiday season?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

Take a step back and look at how you and your family use common spaces, specifically the living room.  The living room was traditionally a place for people to gather and discuss current matters, how the day went and future plans.

With technology came multimedia.  First was the radio, then television, video, gaming systems and multimedia computers. Now, broadband Internet and wireless technology has pushed computers that were once confined to the office into our living space.

During this evolution nothing has really been able to control, manage or streamline how we interact with all the different devices in our living rooms – with the exception of the universal remote. But even with the universal remote, it was never easy switching from device to device.

Now, imagine sitting on your couch, watching TV in one moment, then easily switching to your computer to check a few emails and perhaps browse the Web, then switching over to your favorite video game system all on the same TV display and without leaving your couch.

IOGEAR’s latest revolutionary offering allows users to do that and more, in a simple way.  Utilizing an HDMI Multimedia KVMP Switch to seamlessly change between devices takes your home entertainment into a new level of enjoyment.

What’s amazing about this KVMP is the HDMI integration, it allows a single cable to be run for both high video resolution (1080p HD) and sound transfer, which makes setup a breeze.

The HDMI KVMP Switch supports digital inputs from:

• Blu-Ray / DVD players
• Gaming consoles
• Set-top boxes
• Home / office computers

Because the KVMP is designed to connect all of your existing systems to one central display, it becomes the brains behind your home entertainment system. Display Emulation Technology built into the KVMP remembers monitors parameters such as display resolution and eliminates the nagging delay when switching between or booting devices.

One of the new features included with this unit are the two USB 2.0 ports for asynchronously sharing USB devices between computers.  This patented asynchronous switching allows you to switch applications between two connected computers; run one application on one computer while running a second app on another.  You can further expand the ports with a USB hub.

Now you can take the guesswork out of connecting your gaming and multimedia systems to your living room HDTV while utilizing your multimedia computer to its fullest potential with this simple plug-and-play solution.  The HDMI Multimedia KVMP Switch is a complete home entertainment solution to enhance and enrich your living room and turn it into a complete home entertainment center that the whole family can enjoy.

We want to know how your home entertainment setup has evolved over the years. Tell us all about your setup in the comment section below or at our Twitter page. If you have any pictures to share with us, please do so at our FaceBook page. We look forward to your ideas.

Is your small screen shrinking? That’s the question asked of you in IOGEAR’s latest commercial airing on the popular site Hulu.

As people continue to turn to the Internet to view content, they turn to Hulu, one of the most popular sites for entertainment content.

You may remember, Hulu’s own funny commercials featuring Alec Baldwin and Seth McFarlane were a hit when they aired during last year’s Super Bowl.

We thought this would be a perfect place to share with Hulu users just how much better their viewing experience could be with our Wireless Audio / Video Kit.

As you probably know by now, the Wireless Audio / Video Kit helps take you from the small screen to the big screen by wirelessly streaming content from your PC to your television.

What’s your favorite part of the commercial? We really got a kick out of the opening scene.

Cheers,
The IOGEAR team

Over a six-week period, hundreds of gadget-loving people became fans of IOGEAR on Facebook in hopes to win our cutting edge and ground breaking Wireless A/V Kit. The Wireless A/V Kit utilizes Ultra Wideband technology (UWB) to broadcast HD video signals from your home computer or laptop to your HDTV up to 30’ away, changing forever how you enjoy online, streaming content.

From network television sites to funny YouTube videos, streaming video content right to your television has never been easier, or without as much clutter. The Wireless A/V Kit will finally allow you to bridge the gap between your computer and TV without the fuss of running cables, and enable you to enjoy movies, videos and more from the comfort of your couch, not stuck behind a computer desk.

Of the hundreds of fans, we randomly chose Joey Milici to be our winner! Joey, you are in for a real treat and hope you are ready to change how you look at your computer; its just become a home media and entertainment center. Don’t worry about hooking up cables, cutting holes in your walls or even buying a dedicated computer Joey, your existing computer and our Wireless A/V Kit will bridge the gap to your television and bring the Internet into your living room, where it belongs.

It’s been a busy week here at IOGEAR as we prepare for the 2009 CEDIA EXPO, September 9-13 in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Attendees this year will be able to test drive our recently launched Wireless Audio / Video Kit, a product that bridges the gap between the computer, home theater, and stereo systems by streaming both audio and video content (providing HD resolutions up to 720p) to an in-room VGA or DVI display as far as 30 feet away.

We’re also going to be showing off our new HDMI Control Center. The HDMI Control Center gives users the power to control, watch, navigate, switch and interact with various HDMI devices and computers on an HDTV. We’ll share more news on this product next week.

Come by booth #5715 and check out our latest products in the Audio / Video market. We’re excited to continue our innovation and momentum into this space.

Cheers,
The IOGEAR team

A recent study by Yahoo finds that “daytime video streaming is right up there with nighttime in terms of the number of eyeballs.” The study found that peak hours for online video viewing are between 12:00 and 3:00pm and again between 9:00pm and 1:00am.
We’ve been staying on top of this growing trend on how viewers are spending more time watching online video as opposed to traditional television programming. With consumers spending more time viewing content online, it makes sense to offer something for them to easily enjoy their entertainment from the screen of a large HDTV versus a small laptop or desktop monitor.

We are pleased to offer a product that easily allows these millions of viewers to access the content on the Internet through their TV with the Wireless Audio / Video Kit. (Check out these two contests where we are giving one away! Laptop Magazine, FaceBook)

IOGEAR’s Wireless Audio / Video Kit allows users to utilize their HDTV as if it is a computer monitor without the hassle of excess wiring, as it connects wirelessly. To read a step-by-step analysis of how it works, please visit this CNET piece.

For more information on the Wireless Audio / Video Kit setup, please see the description here.

When do you spend the most hours watching online video?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

Home entertainment has taken a side step recently, more towards the digital realm meant for easy sharing of content. Dinner parties and family gatherings still happen, but with social-networking sites like Flickr, Kodak.com, YouTube, Mevio and Facebook, the ability to directly connect with everyone regardless of how far away they are is only a few keystrokes away.

Because nearly everyone has a digital camera these days and 99% of all cell phones have a camera built in them, photos are being shared like never before. Now consumers can snap a photo, email or text it to someone, share it on Twitter or post the image directly to a Facebook wall.

Capturing special moments on video is easier today too. Most of the current digital cameras come with video functionality, making expensive A/V equipment a thing of the past. Utilizing video hosting services like YouTube and Mevio allow easy and fast sharing with anyone, anywhere. No need to author DVDs and mail them out anymore.

The ability to share memories has never been more simple or fulfilling. Personalized photos and videos delivered to a grandparent’s email can mean the world, especially when they live in far-away places. With modern technologies, families and friends can continue to share in each other’s lives even if they’re unable to be there in person.

Consumers now have various channels to share photos and video with friends and family, through email and social-networking sites. However, this content shouldn’t be limited to a computer monitor that only person can view comfortably. While home media computers have started to become more popular, they aren’t a sure-fire fix, and can often be complex to setup and use.

The next step in bridging the gap is the IOGEAR Wireless Audio / Video Kit, designed to easily connect your computer and your HDTV, enabling an entire room to enjoy photos from Flickr or movies on YouTube. Ultra-wideband technology allows the Kit to transmit 720p HD video up to thirty feet away wirelessly, easily turning nearly any computer in the room into a media center. No unsightly cables or wires hanging down, no complex setup, simply plug the device into one part of your computer and the other into the TV, and enjoy your cherished memories from the comfort of your couch and on your HDTV.

If this sounds appealing to you, check out our contest that ends on August 31, 2009 where we are giving away one of these IOGEAR Wireless Audio / Video Kits. All you need for a chance to win is to join us as a fan on FaceBook.

The living room truly is where families live today, not like before when it was only used to entertain guests or watch the occasional television show. Nowadays, the living room serves as a sanctuary of sorts; part media room, home office and gaming center. Due to the number of devices connected to each other, it can be somewhat difficult to enjoy all of them in a clean and simple fashion. IOGEAR’s revolutionary HDMI Control Center aims to alleviate some of the confusions.

Introducing the HDMI Control Center to the home market allows consumers to utilize the living room television as a centralized connection point; leveraging both HDMI and USB-powered devices to gain instant access, enjoyment and the freedom of complete user control.

Setting the device up is fairly straightforward. On the back of the HDMI Control Center is a gray area for console where you connect the HDMI cable from your television or monitor to the unit along with the USB-powered wireless keyboard with built-in trackball,. Simply connect the rest of your devices via HDMI and USB for quick and simple setup.



How does it work?

Use the HDMI Control Center to connect and control the following, and enjoy all of them at full 1080p HD resolution.

• Home Computers
• Media server
• Blu-Ray / DVD players
• Gaming consoles (Xbox, Playstation 3)
• HD Set-top Boxes
• Digital Video Recorders

A quick tap on the hot-keys on the wireless keyboard will allow you to quickly switch to your desired devices and IOGEAR’s Display Emulation Technology means it will remember the screen resolution and parameters for each specific device, so you don’t need to adjust your TV each time.


Utilize the USB ports to connect a USB hub or other USB peripheral devices such as external drives or digital cameras. Because you are only sharing a screen session, you can run different applications on your computer and your media server while recording to your DVR all at the same time. The HDMI Control Center comes as a complete kit, ready to install out-of-the-box with everything you’ll need. Clean lines and brushed aluminum on the front fascia will match any home décor and an included headphone jack should be all you need for a little more privacy.

You can view part one here.

The way we watch TV shows and movies has changed dramatically over the last few years. Gone are the days when TV Guide dictated what time you must be home to catch your favorite show, or make a trip to the store to buy or rent a movie. Broadband Internet access has been made available nearly everywhere in the USA and media sites are putting it to full use, allowing you to stream content right to your computer and TV, enabling you to watch your favorite shows such as: Lost, CSI, American Idol and House whenever you want.

YouTube was one of the first aggregate sites that allowed streaming video (via the Flash plug-in) that didn’t take forever to load. While their primary focus has been to showcase user-generated content, and they now actively remove illegally-shared TV shows and movies, major studio executives often use it to show trailers of upcoming movie. Many try to create viral videos in the marketing world, and some are done so well that they gain cult-like status. Dozens of similar sites started to show up that offered the same concept, just in a different package. Vimeo, Viddler and MetaCafe are three of the competitors that compete directly with YouTube. While all have pretty strict anti-copyright rules, they also have the ability of being able to enjoy an entire show, since most limit content to 10 minutes.

The concept of legally watching video from over the Internet is now starting to see backing by the major studios. Ironically, watching shows on most computers isn’t ideal, not when a 42” or larger HD TV is hung on the wall. Just as the movie and TV industry has realized viewers want to watch programs when they want, the tech industry has realized these same viewers want to watch programs where they want. Connecting a computer to a television is a task that not everyone is comfortable with. Factor in unsightly cables and the need to locate a computer fairly close to a television, and it’s not hard to see that this is not the best setup. IOGEAR’s award-winning Wireless Audio / Video Kit eliminates the cables dangling from your television and takes the guesswork out of connecting your computer to the TV with the Only a few minutes to hook up and configure, this kit will allow you to wirelessly stream 720p HD video from up to 30’ away.

To take full advantage of streaming content to your television, there is a near endless list of sites to legally watch video from. Joost was one of the first Internet TV aggregate sites on the Internet, but required specific hardware to operate properly, limited selection of shows and an endless amount of bugs. While they tried to figure out how to best deliver their content, Hulu quietly snuck onto the scene. With a proper blessing by some major studios to broadcast media, it quickly became the go-to site to get caught up on TV shows and select movies. Most television episodes will show up on Hulu within 36 hours of their original airdate along with out-takes and cast member interviews that normally wouldn’t be seen on cable television. First on Mars, Fancast and Fora are similar aggregate sites that focus on content from a multitude of different sources.

Traditional broadcast television quickly caught on that this was no longer a trend and wanted to attract more viewers by putting some content right on their own sites. The big four, ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, all stream some of their primetime shows shortly after being aired. Most premium cable channels also stream their more popular shows, like USA, A&E, History Channel and Food TV, allowing viewers to watch their favorite shows on their own time, no longer being restricted to the air time or waiting for a rerun. Best of all, it’s legal! Not only do the television networks gain more viewers, it’s almost an excuse to not illegally acquire content anymore. Furthermore, it’s somewhat of an incentive to stop paying for cable since you can stream the vast majority of shows, and now enjoying them from computer to TV is a reality too.

Streaming content has become so popular that dedicated sites now offer full shows, avoiding the high cost of being on television or worse, not at all, it exposes viewers to a whole new genre of video. Standouts include Revision3 and CNET-TV, both offer content that is enjoyable to watch but would more than likely be passed over by the more traditional networks. There are actually more than 80 Web sites to legally stream movies and television shows from, along with sites that generate content solely for broadcasting via the Internet.

Now is the time to enjoy the shows you already watch, when you want to, and on the TV of your choice, free and legally. Make sure to check out part 1 of this series which highlights the advances within the hardware side of the Internet TV revolution.