MAVROMATIC for the DIYers, Makers and Electronics People

Atari Classics 10-in-1 TV Games

Fun & Games
March 21, 2004 No Comments

Relive the late '70s and early '80s with this classic Atari controller. The amazing thing is how Atari fit 10 of it's 8-bit games into the controller... plug the $20 controller directly to your TV and start playing games like Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Breakout, and Pong! The only problem, I remember breaking a couple of the controllers as a kid... Check it out here.

‘MakingThings’ Happen

DIY
March 21, 2004 No Comments

I just found out about a company named, 'MakingThings'. They have released a device called the Teleo, which has 4 analog inputs, 2 digital inputs, 2 digital outputs and 2 PWM outputs. What makes them different from all the rest of the robotic boards is that they have added Macromedia Flash support which means you can send/receive variables to/from Flash. With some creativity, this device can be used from simple robotics control to artistic Flash-based renderings via analog sensors.

Using Macromedia's Flash with Teleo, any Flash developer can move beyond their computer screen and mouse and create physically interactive projects (devices that actually move and behave) or develop completely new kinds of interactive environments. This system allows people to build applications that sense light, distance, pressure, temperature, etc. In turn, these same applications can react, triggering motors, lights, among other things. Moreover, applications can be controlled locally from any computer or, remotely, via a standard web browser.

Mobile Media Player – Nokia 7700

Electronics
March 20, 2004 No Comments

If this isn't a sign that the next hottest personal device will be a portable media player... Nokia is releasing the 7700 which is not only a GSM phone... but a digital camera, web browser, fm radio, mp3 player, AND a media playback device that can playback or stream video and audio. For all the specs check out the Nokia website. It's planned for release in the 2nd quarter of 2004.

Share your Replay DVR Files

Hacks & Mods
March 20, 2004 2 Comments

I found this little program called DVArchive that turns your computer into a virtual ReplayTV device so you can download shows from any ReplayTV 4XXX or 5XXX series DVR. This makes burning DVD/VCD's from your ReplayTV DVR a cinch. You can also play shows from your ReplayTV right on your desktop and play shows that are stored on your computer right from your ReplayTV/TV screen. Now if only there was such a simple program that I could use with my TiVo... anyone?

Warm your feet

Home Automation
March 19, 2004 No Comments

It seems like natural stone is the newest trend in home flooring... why not heat that type of floor from below? In the past this type of heating has been only available in custom new homes and was very costly. NUHEAT is an electric floor heating system that's designed for the sole purpose of warming ceramic tile and natural stone floors. Because it uses a thin radiant electric heat mat only 1/8” thick, it makes installing it quick and easy directly between your tile and sub floor without significantly increasing the height of your floor. It's also very reasonably priced, compared to a traditional floor heating system.

Why wait for HD-DVD? WMVHD is here!

Home Theater
March 19, 2004 2 Comments

I'm actually impressed with Microsoft’s WMVHD demo clips. Finally, we can watch 720p and 1080p assets on our high resolution projectors via a Windows Media Center or XP HTPC. Make sure you download some of the demos over at WMVHD and see for yourself what we've been missing.

What might be controversial is the implementation of DRM... because these clips are considered studio masters, Microsoft has DRM'd the assets. I know some might not like this idea, but I think they are heading down the right path with their transparent DRM model. Personally, I’m really not a supporter of strict DRM, but out of all the different models I’ve seen, this one makes a little more sense. We’ll see how all this pans out, but for now, just enjoy these HD clips.

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