EasyCAP USB 2.0 Video Adapter with Audio

Matt Laboff August 28, 2007 Video

Here is a small, portable USB video and audio capture device with some decent specifications. At 720 x 480 resolution you get DVD resolution from the EasyCAP although I would think you only obtain that using S-Video rather than Composite.

ShenZhen also ships the Ulead video editing software which is user friend and ideal for someone who’s looking to take a first stab and create home videos. NTSC format gets you 30 fps while PAL gets you 25fps, and get this; you only need 256MB of RAM to pull this off – although I would highly recommend at least 1GB of RAM when doing ANY type of video editing. If interested go ahead and make a request to Kassy (kassy.forward< @>gmail.com) for more info.Â Or visit his site. Continue Reading

USB with Ten Pin Padlock

Matt Laboff August 27, 2007 Security

It’s no secret Corsair has a ten number push button padlock for their USB flash drive, the Corsair Flash Padlock. It’s also no secret our good friends over at Gizmos for Geeks are security fanatics – Doug prides himself on having the lowdown on the lockdown.

Looking at the picture it’s very obvious what this drive is all about. In addition to any software security loaded on the drive the Flash Padlock includes a physical pin number to be associated with the drive. What I like about this drive is without the correct pin entered, Windows doesn’t even see the drive upon USB connection. The idea behind this drive is dual authentication. 1) Something you know (PIN) and 2) Something you have (the USB drive). (The ID Vault is another product which works much the same way) Tip: Might not want to use the same PIN number as your ATM card/machine. Source: Gizmos for Geeks Continue Reading

Home Brew USB Charger / Power Supply

Matt Laboff August 23, 2007 USB Tutorials

Over the years I think we’ve all gathered some extra power supplies and wall adapters. Here is a quick guide to a home brew USB charger or USB power supply. This USB tutorial is from the Hacked Gadgets website and Alan runs a good site – check’em out.

This unit is great for charging your iPod, PSP or any USB device and only costs pennies to make.

The main unit needs to run from a regulated 5vdc wall adapter with at least 500ma or higher. These are very common and I’d think most households have at least one extra laying around. You’ll also need:

330 ohm 1/4 watt resister
10k ohm 1/4 watt resister
3mm LED (any color)
USB type A jack (female)

So this is what we have for total parts: Continue Reading

Walking Robot Has One Hell Of A Show

Matt Laboff August 22, 2007 YouTube Video

After some USB YouTube browsing I came across this little number. This walking robot has one hell of a show. Check it out.

If you cannot view the video click here. Continue Reading

Singer Futura Is Now Taking USB

Matt Laboff August 20, 2007 USB News

Attention ladies, Singer now takes USB. WOW – this article is starting off to be rather sexist. Why should I assume only woman are interested in a Singer sewing machine with USB? Having USB, one can transmit embroidery designs and pattern selections directly from your PC or laptop. Let me re-word. Attention metro sexual males – you may now use Singer Futura to sew your club logo’s or personalize your towels, handkerchiefs and dress shirts.

There are three models from Singer that offer USB connectivity. The Futura CE-350, Futura CD-250 and Futura CE-150. Seriously, I would think those into sewing would appreciate the ease-of-use USB offers for a process like this. Continue Reading

You Are Your Own Hotspot – New Franklin EVDO USB Modem

Matt Laboff August 15, 2007 GPS with USB, Networking, USB News, Wireless

Franklin Wireless is churning out their smallest EVDO USB Modem so you can be your own hotspot – whether you’re hot or not. EVDO or Evolution Data Only/Evolution Data Optimized provides fast wireless broadband (3G) internet service directly to your [I’m assuming] laptop [or any computer really]. All this access is now portable and available via Franklin’s USB CDU680 modem. You can take the internet with you and surf the web in your car, on the train, in the airport, at your ~~Starwars~~ technology convention or in your Luv Bus RV.

Some exceptional features too. 64MB flash drive – okay maybe THAT’S not impressive, built-in GPS, antenna port for external signal boost, pre-configured for PC/ Mac and swivel base USB connector.

Source: Franklin via EVDO Info Continue Reading

Download YouTube Videos for Your iPhone and iPod

methodshop August 28, 2007 Apple / iPod, USB News

UPDATE: YouTube has reworked their site in response to this article. If you get an error when trying to download a YouTube video, please try some of the plug-ins and scripts listed in step #3. YouTube.com is a great resource. Not many sites allows users to freely upload, view, and share video clips like YouTube does. YouTube even lets users easily post videos on their blogs and personal web sites. But because anyone can upload a video clip on YouTube, copyright violations are rampant. In an effort to prevent the widespread distribution of illegal copied video files, YouTube encodes its video files in the Macromedia Flash format, which prevents viewers from downloading files and making digital copies. Here’s a step-by-step MethodShop.com tutorial on how to rip video files off YouTube and convert them for an iPod Video, Apple TV, iTunes or iPhone. This trick will work on Mac or PC using Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer. BeSocial: digg story | methodshop.com Continue Reading

MPixx 7000 FineArts PMP from Grundig

Matt Laboff August 27, 2007 Audio, USB News

Following the no-button design of the iPhone, Grundig is launching their MPixx 7000 FineArts series PMP player. Brushed aluminum holds in the button less screen and with a 2.4 inch TFT display there is plenty to look at.

Two models are available; 2GB and 4GB. Both Grundig FineArts models support all the audio and video formats along with FM radio support. If these guys could figure out how to get my satellite radio stations in there we’d be set! The MPixx 7000 also comes with a microSD slot for expanded memory, integrated loudspeaker (how loud is another question) double earphone connection and USB connection for download and power charging. Due out in October at $200 and $240 respectively. Source: Grundig via Audio Junkies Continue Reading

Poll Results: USB Webcam For You?

Matt Laboff August 23, 2007 Poll Results, USB Hub

USB web cameras seem creepy but it’s one of those things you just don’t know about until you try it. Once you get past the idea of seeing yourself on screen, as you chat away the afternoon, you begin to realize how nice web cameras are. Sometimes words can’t describe the idea or thought – this is especial true in business. Sometimes it’s just nice to see the person you are talking to. Well, whatever it is the majority of us aren’t ready. Over 40% of our visitors doen’t have a webcam and over 30% thought it would be creepy – putting it all together the minority are USB webcam fans. Frank, a Colorado visitor, ended up winning the set of USB cables for this poll. Congrats! He visits GetUSB a couple times a month (I’ll have to work on that) and has a variety of flash drives – largest being 8GB. Frank is anxiously awaiting the cut-the-cord with his USB devices and drop some coin on a wireless hub. They’re out for the taking. Continue Reading

U3 Software: UltraEdit Text Editor for Any Web Enthusiast

Matt Laboff August 21, 2007 Software, U3 Related, USB News

Sure Notepad is basic and free for a text editor, but if you’re a webmaster worth your salt, Notepad wont do. UltraEdit has been around for years and is now available to launch from your U3 flash drive.

Running UltraEdit U3 Software from a UFD is ideal because this powerful program installs once, doesn’t mess with registry files and is 100% portable. UltraEdit is a text editor and offers much more…

…configure it for your favorite preferences like syntax highlighting, code folding, basic or advanced menus/toolbars, add your macros, scripts, user-defined tools, and/or FTP/SFTP account informationâ€”all in a “digital briefcase” no larger than the size of a stick of gum.

The trial version is 45 days and full price of the software is $49. A small investment for the web guru. Grab the free trial at U3 headquarters or click the publisher IDM Computer Solutions. Not sure what U3 is? Read this. Continue Reading

Collapsible USB Connector Falls Flat On It’s Face

Matt Laboff August 20, 2007 Apple / iPod, USB News

Apple is motivated to introduce an ultra portable laptop and according to their calculations one of the biggest limiting factors is the port connectors. With that in mind, Apple submitted a patent for a collapsible USB connector (and other connectors like FireWire and RJ-45) to aid in the ultra slim effort.

After reading a summary of the report here it’s clear Apple is looking to create a “highly tapered chassis shape.” (although the picture in that report does show it). So how does this collapsing port work? Without to much detail the idea is this: When the ultra portable laptop is closed so are the ports. When the laptop is opened those ports expand and allow connectivity using traditional sized cables. Seems to me this methodology is asking for trouble, unless the only thing being connected are low speed peripherals like mouse or scanner. Source: AppleInsider Continue Reading

USB Gluttony – Frank’s Cubicle

Matt Laboff August 15, 2007 Useless Novelty

No this isn’t me; and my office doesn’t look like this. Not unless GetUSB came to life and ran me out of house and home. Frank’s Cubicle is not a demo room, but an absolute time killer (in a good way). So if your boss stepped out and you have some time check out Frank’s Cubicle.

On a more serious note, the USB Implementers Forum runs the site and Frank’s Cubicle is a tribute to all the gadgets we’ve come accustomed to love.

The USB Implementers Forum drives certification testing and logo awareness for Hi-Speed USB, Hi-Speed USB On-The-GO and Wireless USB technologies. We developed Frankâ€™s Cubicle to show the ubiquity and proliferation of the most successful interconnect technology in the world, with more than 2 billion implementations to date. Today consumers demand interoperability and ease-of-use. Iâ€™d like to think the USB technology has those benefits mastered. Now when consumers think USB weâ€™d like them to remember the associated brands. The latest technology we are supporting is Wireless USB, in which the first five certified products were introduced a few weeks ago from Lenovo, Dell, IOGEAR and D-Link. Set to perform like USB 2.0 sans the cables. Consumers can expect to see more products arrive on the retail shelves before the holiday season.

Thanks – Kim! Continue Reading