Today, First Intelligent Array, announced general availability of their FIA On3 Digital Media Player and Library. It's an easy-to-use home entertainment device that lets users view videos and photos on the TV, and listen to MP3 music on personal stereos. The FIA On3 offers playback, remote access, an abundant storage library, and easy installation for a low starting price of $449. A PC is not required to view and listen to your digital media and you can choose from 80GB or 120GB storage. The FIA On3 supports analog and digital 5:1 audio connections as well as Component, Composite, and S-Video video connections. Up to four of these can be tethered together so you can enjoy your media in every room of the house. The FIA On3 can be purchased through online merchants PC Connection, Tiger Direct, and Zones, and direct from FIA.

If I were going to design an A/V Processor it would probably look something like the Parasound Halo C1. It is THX Ultra2-certified and that can also be software upgradeable (supports Dolby Pro-LogicIIx via a firmware update). I love the little 5" front panel TFT display which can display the main or zone video and the setup menu, great if you locate your components away from your main display. The Halo C1 has a load of input and outputs which will motivate you to buy more devices to plug into it. The use of BNC connectors for the component inputs and outputs is nice to see, that way you can use your true 75ohm cables. The C1 isn't perfect, it doesn't have any 1394 IEEE, HDMI or DVI inputs or outputs, but don't let that stop you from checking out this beautiful unit. It will set you back about six grand but it does come with an unprecedented 10 years parts, 5 years labor warranty which should give you carefree use for many years.

It really bugs me when people call their DVR a TiVo when it's really not. In a recent article over at Wired, they discuss this exact issue. Now Tivo is trying to get your mom to use the real TiVo by using Sex And The City Star, Sarah Jessica Parker and The Practice's Camryn Manheim. They both agree that TiVo has make their lives easier. Your mom does deserve the real thing... so treat her like a star and get her a TiVo!

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I was wondering when we were going to start seeing Digeo's Moxi Media Center in the mass market. Today, Comcast and Digeo announced a planned commercial trial of Motorola Broadband Media Centers (BMC) with Moxi. Deployment of approximately 40,000 integrated dual-tuner DVR and HDTV is slated to begin later this year. The Motorola BMC with Moxi platform will offer a high-definition DVR that provides a unique user interface and is designed specifically to support cable's expanding menu of content and services. It sports a powerful processor, internal hard drive, and built-in cable modem allowing the Moxi Menu viewers instant access to current and future program listings whether they originate from live broadcasts, on-demand programming or their own DVR recordings. Comcast Digital Cable might just have a new customer...

Some things should be kept a secret and I thought about keeping this one close to me, but decided that there must be others that are looking for a replacement to the played out Marine Aquarium by Prolific Publishing. Goldfish Aquarium is their latest release and you can tell they took what they know about 3D programming and applied it to this application. It looks more realistic than the Marine Aquarium, I would even venture to say almost lifelike. You can choose from 12 different types of Goldfish and cycle thru different tanks and views... one of my favorites is the top view, which reminds me of the old flying toaster screensaver by Berkleysoft. Did I already mention the graphics are unbelievable; the fish really act and look real. This is a great screensaver for your home theater or to just have displayed on your DIY inwall touchscreen. The best part is you don't need to feed or maintain anything making the $20 price tag a non-issue. It's currently only available on the PC, a OSX version will be released soon.

I really don't know how Lindows is allowed to release a clone of iTunes. But now users of Lindows can enjoy some of the features that makes iTunes the best music organizer and playback program in the world on their very own system. Named LSongs, it not only shares a similar look, it lets you import, organize using playlists, and listen to streaming audio. Sorry, no Lsongs Music Store. I personally don't think it's worth the $19.95 or switching over to Lindows for it, but there must be some that would... anyone?