As we near the holiday shopping season, retailers will soon start rolling out the deals in an effort to entice shoppers to spend their hard-earned dollars. With the emergence of the Internet, and the 24-hour shopping cycle it provides, we have much greater shopping flexibility than we did 10 years ago, but the questions remains: Where are the better deals, online or in the store? And where do people prefer to buy their technology?


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Well, if you trust The NPD Group analyst firm, their research shows that when it comes to tech purchases:

“56 percent of people read up on new TVs at retail websites, but only 19 percent follow through with an online purchase – the lowest number for all included CE. Online smartphone shoppers weren’t too far off though, with 23 percent balking at the concept of purchasing a new phone online. Meanwhile, 52 percent of those buyers had looked up deals and other information on the web.”

So, based on this research, it looks like shoppers rely more heavily on the web for researching their prospective purchases than actually making them. Fair enough, but what if you want to compare prices and get the best deal on a wireless HTCP keyboard or computer to TV streaming kit? What’s the best way to determine the best value available?

For this task, the web has a clear advantage over brick and mortar stores since there are dedicated websites that can help you determine the best possible price for the exact product you need. Short of calling every Best Buy or Walmart in your area and asking for the best prices on a given product, the web is a far more efficient tool for determining value. One site that provides a robust price comparison platform is Pricewatch.com, which provides listings of the best online deals for many computer peripherals and products from tablets and printers to HDMI cables, adapters and motherboards.

Of course, you can always buy direct from the manufacturer by visiting sites like our own Shop.IOGEAR.com, but it’s really just a matter of convenience and how much research you’re willing to put into it.

The bottom line is, the holidays often bring out all sorts of deals. Cyber Monday, Black Thursday, free shipping, cash back on store credit cards and more are all used to motivate us as shoppers. And while these can sometimes motivate an impulse purchase, the best buy is always a well-researched one.

Don’t forget to check out our Twitter deals feed, which we update twice weekly with great IOGEAR deals.

According to In-stat research, the number of Blu-ray players shipped will increase to 105 million by the year 2015. If you’re like most people, you’ve already made the switch to an HDTV, however, if you’re not a PS3 owner, or just haven’t made the jump to a Blu-ray player yet, we have some advice for you courtesy of the sharp minds at HDTV Etc.


We all know competition breeds innovation and fair pricing, but it also breeds something else, indecision. Fortunately, with all the choices of Blu-ray players available, HDTV etc. writer Dennis Burger helps us drill down to what we really want by giving us, Five Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Blu-ray Player.


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So, before you shell out your hard-earned cash on a new Blu-ray player, put on your HD thinking cap and consider the following:

1. Is there an app for that?

“Having a disc player that only plays discs is so two-thousand-late, so before you shop around for your next (or your first) Blu-ray player, take a good look at the app selections available for the various brands and decide which (if any) are for you.”

2. 3D or not 3D? That’s the real question.

Check out the flowchart in the article. Seriously, it’s probably the best tool available for answering this question and even an HD-DVD supporter could understand it.

3. What sort of connections do I need?

It’s important to not only understand what your current hardware requires for connections, but also what might be coming in the future so the Blu-ray investment doesn’t become obsolete or incompatible as your A/V system evolves.

4. Should I buy a universal player?

“Don’t assume that “universal” actually means “universal.” …If you really want to play every 5-inch disc format ever touched by a laser, you should definitely read the fine print and make sure your obsolete format (or burnable media) of choice is actually supported.”

5. Do I need WiFi?

“Even if you have no interest in over-the-top rental services, even if DLNA steaming or some other form of media sharing is the last thing you’d ever want to do with your Blu-ray player, you’re still going to want to connect it to the internet, if only for the occasional firmware update to correct for disc incompatibilities.”

The astute HDTV etc. writer goes on to mention the IOGEAR Universal Wi-Fi N Adapter as a solution for bringing Wi-Fi to a Blu-ray player (or other Ethernet-enabled device) at a low cost, and often with performance benefits.

Traditional DVD players can be bought for less than $30 now, but if you’re considering some type of video playback component, it’s really short-sighted not to go with a quality Blu-ray player or a PS3, just make sure you grill yourself appropriately before investing. And when the day comes, there are also a number of useful Blu-ray accessories available from IOGEAR including HDMI cables as well as HD audio/video switchers and splitters to help in any installation setting.

Have additional suggestions for Blu-ray shopping or choosing the perfect video player? Let us know in the comments, via Twitter or on our Facebook wall.

The NFL Football season brings joy to U.S. sports fans like few other sports can. With only 16 games per season and playoffs, it’s a limited window of enjoyment to root for your favorite team, unlike baseball or basketball, where the season’s last for a better part of 8 months.


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Because of this limited season as well as the proliferation of Fantasy Football and Picks leagues, people are willing to go all out in their dedication to watching every possible game. Whether it’s the Direct TV NFL Sunday Ticket or the new NFL Mobile App on Verizon, fans can enjoy more action than ever before from the comfort of their living room or even when they’re on the move.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a technology-laden Man Cave (or other room with multiple TVs), it can be challenging to monitor all of those early and late-Sunday afternoon games simultaneously, especially if one TV is 3D, one is 1080p and the third is a behemoth CRT model. Fortunately, IOGEAR has you covered with a new 4-Port HD Audio/Video Splitter*, an ideal solution for the hardcore football watcher with multiple TVs.

The new IOGEAR AVIOR HDMI Audio/Video Splitter* is a four port device (also comes in 8 ports) that takes HD audio/video from a single HDMI source (like a cable box or satellite receiver) and directs it to as many as eight separate HD TVs or displays with 3D support. Also HDCP compliant, the unit support the highest quality HD video and multi-channel digital audio; enabling the splitting of HD content from DVR/set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, computers and other HD or non-HD devices.

Distribution of content is an important measure when transferring Full HD 1080p (24/60 Hz) with multi-channel audio and 12-bit Deep Color, and the new splitters make sure content always appears at the best possible resolution based on the signal and screen capabilities.

NFL football fans are passionate and IOGEAR is committed to serving that passion with technology solutions that get the most value out of all available content.

Are you a football fan? Share with us your favorite team and favorite place to watch the game in the comments, on Twitter or via our Facebook page.

*Note that these products are only available from AVIOR Series approved dealers.

Anyone who’s tried to install a video card in a computer knows it’s not a simple DIY project. In homebuilding terms, it’s akin to furnace or electrical work and not something for the inexperienced. However, fiddling with your computer’s internals can be a thing of the past with the new IOGEAR USB to HD Adapter.


A.K.A the GUC2025H, the new adapter connects additional HD displays to a desktop or laptop computer using a USB 2.0 cable, something all computers have (as opposed to HDMI). Throw in an HDMI to DVI Adapter and you’ve got a set-up that will complement almost every modern computer and TV combination.

Going even further, because the increased bandwidth of HDMI and DisplayLink™ technology are utilized, the USB to HD adapter provides both video AND audio support, a huge advancement from the traditional internal video cards or external DVI/VGA adapters that only supported video.

Need proof, here’s what Engadget says:

Pumping out video content to the big screen has been simplified, sure, but audio has always been the Achilles heel of the diminutive dongles. Enter IOGEAR, whose GUC2025H USB External HD A/V Adapter solves this exact problem — without taking up any additional ports to boot.

With a USB to HD Adapter in place, laptop users will be able to have up to three displays showing content; the laptop screen, a second display via the built-in VGA port and a third from the USB port courtesy of IOGEAR’s new adapter. In the home, the GUC2025H complements convergence since it provides a hard-wired streaming solution of standard or HD content from the PC to the TV with only a single HDMI cable connection. Youtube, Hulu and other computer content can be streamed to the TV interference-free with ease.

Outside the home, the USB to HD adapter is made for multitasking. Office accounting and marketing personnel will appreciate the ability to view large spreadsheets across two screens without sacrificing continuity. Graphic designers can queue up editing tools and pallets without constantly minimizing and maximizing windows, while data analysts can type in one document while viewing reference material elsewhere. Lastly, anyone who works heavily with email will appreciate the ability to open attachments on one screen while staying in the inbox to manage email functions.

Installing the USB to HD Adapter is quick and easy for anyone who’s ever plugged in a mouse or other USB peripheral. No need for multiple software and hardware updates to get both audio and video, and no need
for an external power supply since the adapter runs via the USB port. With video cards, it’s sometimes necessary to remove a computer’s back panel, locate the existing video card, remove and replace it with a new one, all without affecting any of the sensitive electronics. While certainly possible, these actions can void a manufacturer warranty, or worse, cook the motherboard.

Because the IOGEAR USB to HD Adapter connects externally, there is no threat of memory loss or inadvertent collateral damage from the installation. With support of resolutions up to 1600×1200 / 1920×1080 and 32-bit color, the USB to HD adapter shares content at its ideal resolution for the purest viewing experience possible.

For a wireless solution, IOGEAR also offers the GWAVKIT2, a wireless HD streaming kit that serves a similar function as the USB to HD adapter.


We’d love to hear from you, what computer content is best for streaming to the TV? Do you prefer a wired or wireless solution?

If there’s one thing Internet users like, it’s a good list. Whether it’s the top 10 ways to tell if your man is cheating or five killer iPhone apps for foodies, as Internet users, we’re drawn to random bulleted rankings like college kids to dollar drafts.

While scouring the Internet recently, we came across an interesting story by Geoff Morrison from Sound and Vision titled Seven Home Theater Myths Debunked that highlighted some obvious and not-so obvious beliefs people have about the gear and performance that makes up their home theaters or media rooms. Most people know that owning an HD TV doesn’t guarantee your watching HD content. You need an HD equipped source component (like a Blu-ray or HD cable receiver) and the necessary cables. File that under obvious.

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However, the first “Myth” stated in the article is the one that most caught our attention: Expensive HDMI Cables provide better picture quality. IOGEAR manufacturers many different connectivity and convergence products and it pains us to see other companies charging exorbitant prices for products that deliver the same performance whether you pay $150 or $10.95. There’s no doubt HDMI Cables have done wonderful things for our home AV systems, but many consumers have been taken for a ride.

Few topics have raised the ire of consumers and media alike as HDMI, and more specifically marketing of HDMI. Take for instance this statement by a writer from audioholics.com in a post titled HDMI Cable Speed & Features Explained:

“…if you’ve spent any amount of time around home audio/video and home theater, you probably already know that the sale of audio and video cable is a field in which false and fanciful claims and exaggerations are the rule rather than the exception, and that if a sensational statement is contained on the retail packaging of a video cable, it’s much more likely to be false than true.”

He goes on to explain several of the claims made by pricey HDMI manufacturers, shooting holes in the marketing promises that supposedly make three meters of cable worth over $100. IOGEAR prides itself on a price-driven approach with the quality to match. We offer HDMI cables with Ethernet up to 16.4 feet (5 meters) in length with all the features one would expect, including gold-plated connectors for optimal signal transfer and corrosion resistance.

Some AV equipment is worth spending a little extra on, HDMI cables are not in that category. While the cheapest cables may corrode or fall apart over time, buying a fairly priced cable from IOGEAR will ensure your HD display shows its best for as long as it’s in the house. For the final word, we turn it back over to Mr. Morrison from Sound and Vision:

“Audio and video are transmitted over HDMI as error-corrected, packetized data. 0s and 1s. There is no such thing as better or worse in this world. It either is or isn’t. So if the HDMI cables work—at all— you get perfect audio and video. If it doesn’t work, you get nothing, or next to nothing: no picture, the picture will break up, the audio will drop out, or other unwatchable nastiness.”

Still interested in learning more? This CNET Forum discussion covers all aspects of HDMI cable buying and construction.

What has been your experience with HDMI? Do you see a difference in performance with price or are they all the same? Let us know on our Facebook page or via Twitter.

In July, we celebrated our independence, and now with the 2010 CEDIA Expo coming up and our Wireless HD Kit poised to win an award for best new product, we believe the day of independence from wires in your home entertainment setup is not too far away. In the mean time, we must be content with reducing as many wires as possible. In this week’s post we provide some ideas on how to minimize your wired footprint.

Wireless HD Kit

The centerpiece of most home entertainment setups is the HDTV, surrounded by various devices, which become the primary source of wired clutter.

The Wireless HD Kit allows you to take up to four devices from up to 100 feet away and wirelessly connect them to your HDTV. Then, using a single remote, you can easily switch between the four devices.

HDMI Switch

It is becoming typical for a home entertainment system to contain multiple HDMI connected devices, such as Blu-ray players, VCR’s, video game consoles (Xbox360, Playstation 3, Wii) and various types of streaming media players.

An HDMI switch allows you avoid connecting all these devices individually to your HDTV, and instead you can connect your devices to the HDMI switch and run a single cable to your HDTV, with the ability to switch among your various devices with a single remote.

Wireless AV Kit

If you have not upgraded your HDTV to one of the new Internet enabled models, you will need a PC to stream Internet content. This would normally mean you have to put your PC near the HDTV so that you can run the cable from your PC to TV.

The award winning Wireless AV Kit allows you to cut that cord and move your PC up to 30 feet away from your HDTV. You get 720p video streaming with wirelessly distributed audio with a standard 3.5mm TRS stereo audio connector.

Now that you have achieved a new level of wireless freedom, the next question will be – what will I do with all those unneeded cables and cords? We suggest you consider recycling them or giving them to a friend who is still stuck using old component cables.

Do you still have a nest of wires around your home entertainment center? How do you plan to de-clutter? Please take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook. Be sure to check out Twitter Deals feed for extra savings, and don’t forget to get even more value on any IOGEAR purchase at Club IOGEAR.

In today’s economy, the average consumer’s budget may not afford a complete home theatre transformation, but there are some affordable solutions that will make noticeable improvements. Today’s topic explores ways to upgrade without the need to downgrade your wallet size.

As always, we appreciate your feedback and experiences, please take the time to share with us here in the blog comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

HDTV

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Most likely you already have an HDTV as the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup, so the first question will be: Should I upgrade my TV for a bigger one, a version with built-in Internet connectivity, or even to a 3D TV?

Top consumer tech sites, CNet and PCWorld, have great guides that help you decide on an upgrade, but for those satisfied with their current TV, they can opt to save some cash with using the best cables where possible, usually in the form of HDMI. Too many HDMI devices and not enough ports? An HDMI switch is your best solution.

PC to TV

Media Centers let you extend your PC experience into the living room, and might just be the most impactful upgrade in terms of overall experience and streaming limitless content. Imagine having your entire computer’s contents and the Internet available on your HDTV!

At IOGEAR we believe the PC to TV experience is further enhanced by going wireless, and we make that possible with our award winning Wireless AV/Kit. You can always opt to set up your computer near the TV and use a wireless keyboard with a laser trackball as your remote control – a more affordable option.

Gaming

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If you are a gamer it’s probable that you may have more than one gaming system, such as an XBox360, Nintendo Wii and PS3. If so, you may not be able to access all of these devices on your HDTV due to only one HDMI input. Solve your gaming fiasco with an HDMI switch, allowing you to connect more than one console.

DVD / Blu-Ray

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If you are thinking of upgrading from DVD to Blu-Ray, there are many options on the market right now and the prices are reasonable. As an added bonus, newer versions usually include Internet connectivity and the ability to stream Internet media, such as streaming movies from Netflix.com, directly to your HDTV. If you are having a difficult time deciding what Blu-Ray device to go with, check out the Consumer Reports online guide.

You may have a DVD player along with a Blu-Ray player, but you want to just use just one HDMI input on our TV,again, the HDMI switch is the key for any multitasking living room.

Remote Controls

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Declutter your Mount Everest pile of remotes with a universal remote. Your remote control solution will depend on your particular setup, but one worthy goal is to replace your stash of controls with one or two, and possibly a keyboard if you have a PC to TV solution.

If you don’t want to buy yet another remote, utilize the instructions equipped with your cable company’s, as you may find that it can ultimately replace a few of the remotes you have on your coffee table by working with several devices.

Sound Systems

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There are many things to consider when opting for an audio system upgrade. Often, today’s home audio systems include functionality that complement or replace equipment you already have, or even offer iPod/iPhone connectivity and varying levels of wireless abilities.

We suggest you head on over to AVGuide.com to weigh your options. Once there, take a gander at their Surround Sound Speakers Buyer’s guide, a free PDF download with over 100 pages of useful information.

Have tips for helpful upgrade ideas? Take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, Twitter or Facebook. Keep an eye out at our Twitter Deals feed for extra savings, and don’t forget to get even more value at Club IOGEAR.

Cheers from the IOGEAR team!

Are your holiday gadget gifts still uninstalled? Or worse … still in the box? Have you begun the installations only to find a key cable missing? Are your new gadgets gathering dust alone, dying to be connected and used?

At IOGEAR, we’re here to help! Read on for ideas on how to use our many devices designed to connect, de-clutter, enhance or just help your gadgets reach a new level of cool.

HDMI

HDMI is a high quality interface designed to work with devices such as AV receivers, cable boxes, DVD & Blu-ray Disc players, PCs and video game consoles to HDTVs and computer monitors. HDMI supports HD video and up to 8 channels of digital audio. You can easily make the switch from DVI to HDMI or vice versa with an adaptor without any loss of video quality.

If you are still connecting your devices with a VGA, coaxial, S-video or component video cable, you are missing out on greater quality and aren’t maximizing the potential of your devices. The bad news: a HDMI cable is not always included with your device. The good news: IOGEAR has a variety of HDMI cables to suit your needs, just click this link and choose the “Cables” check box to view our selection.

Matrix Switch Box

Are you overrun with HD source devices – video game console, PCs, set top boxes from cable and satellite providers, DVRs, Blu-ray or DVD players? If so, then you will appreciate the ability to switch between up to five of your favorite devices with a simple remote control using our HD Matrix Switch with Remote. To make life even easier you can even switch between the devices among 2 HDTVs. There’ll be no more crouching down to move fiddly cables around, and no more reasons to leave the couch – ever!

KVM Switch

If you have more than one computer, then a KVM switch might be the answer to simplifying your computing experience. KVM is an abbreviation for Keyboard, Video and Mouse and is a device that allows you to control multiple computers using one keyboard, monitor and mouse. For example, a user could control their desktop and then switch over to their Netbook using the same keyboard, monitor and mouse attached to the KVM.

To make the process of choosing the right KVM for your specific needs simple, we at IOGEAR have put together an easy KVM product selector. Go to this link and click the “KVM Product Selector” banner to the left to get started.

Printer and Storage Server

If you’re adding a new computer to your network, there’s no need to clutter life even more with additional computer-specific printers and external hard drives. Why not share the resources you currently have? With a printer and storage server you can do just that.

You can even attach a portable card reader to make it easy to share your photos and videos around the home. Plug in a USB hub into the server to add more devices to share among some or all of your computers – and banish sneakernet forever!

Your Solutions & Questions

Here at IOGEAR we want to know how YOU currently deal with connectivity issues between your various gadgets. Have you gone wireless? Are you confused about the various options? Do you have some creative uses for the devices mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below, on FaceBook or via Twitter.

Following our glimpse of everything great and good at CES 2010, it’s time to cast an eye towards some exciting developments in the TV market. Hot off the heels of Toshiba’s recent announcement of their brand new state-of-the-art CELL TV, the consumer electronics industry is buzzing with speculation on the future of the humble television.

Toshiba’s CELL TV technology promises an enhanced picture quality and precise image accuracy by sampling multiple frames and restoring the native pre-sampling signal curve – put simply, providing more brightness, more contrast, more detail and more 3D capability.

For anyone lucky enough to be planning a purchase or even for those satisfied with their current entertainment system, here at IOGEAR we provide the perfect accessory so that your pride and joy works seamlessly within your living room, bedroom or any room in the house. The 4-Port HDMI Control Center provides complete convergence between home electronics and computing, allowing you to stream your content directly to one screen.

The 4-Port HDMI Control Center respects your viewing quality – in fact, it’s designed specifically to enhance your viewing experience, whether you’re watching a high definition movie, browsing the internet or sharing photos with family and friends. The center comes fully equipped with IOGEAR’s Display Emulation Technology, which reads and remembers the specifications of your display, cutting down on delay or changes in video resolution when switching between devices.

For wire-free enjoyment of your latest TV, the 2.4GHz Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel adds the finishing touch. Perfect for home theater PC setups or the home entertainment enthusiast, this slim keyboard allows you to type in comfort from any angle in the room and operates with lightning fast cursor speeds of up to 1200 dpi. Slim and ergonomic, it’s a must have for anyone looking to compliment their PC to TV solution.

For more information on IOGEAR items online, visit http://www.iogear.com.

The TV revolution is coming – one pixel at a time! Will YOU be ready?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team