Zektor ZVG Re-release

Zektor is apparently preparing for a very limited production run of the Zektor ZVG Vector Graphics generator.  If you're old enough to remember the original arcade cabinets of Tempest, Asteroids, and Star Castle, just to name a few,  you'll remember vector graphics.  Razor-sharp wire mesh rendering on a vector monitor is possible as a vector monitor has no shadow mask nor a scanning raster. 

The Zektor ZVG simply plugs into your PC's ECP parallel port and thence attaches to an analog controlled vector monitor (most are supported).  Fire up MAME (with your licensed ROM's of course) and enjoy the finest 1980's gaming on a real vector monitor. 

Zektor has not produced these adapters in a few years and demand in the MAME and usenet community has been high.  If you're interested, you should try to get your hands on one now. 

WalMart strives for piece of CE pie

WalMart continues its aggressive consumer electronics expansion by remodeling their electronics departments in
more than 3500 U.S. stores this week.  Part of the remodeling includes higher-end televisions by
Sony and Samsung and more Blu-Ray players and movies.

Microsoft lays off thousands

Microsoft lays off thousands with numbers to top 5000 jobs in a $1.5 billon dollar cost cutting measure.  This is Microsoft's first company-wide layoff ever.

March Electronics and Appliances sales dip 10%

Data released recently by the U.S. Commerce Department shows sales at consumer electronics and appliance stores fell 10 percent in March from the comparable year-ago period.  Ouch!

WildCharge Offers Wireless Charging Accessory For Cellphones

The WildCharge system, comprising an "antenna" and a charging pad, is compatible with a variety of popular cellphone brands including Blackberry (RIM), HTC, Motorola, Nokia and Sony Ericsson.

Multiple cellphones can be charged at the same time with the WildCharge.

iTunes Converts To All DRM-Free Music

Today Apple began to offer all songs in its iTunes store without DRM, joining sites such as Amazon and Rhapsody. Apple is now also offering tiered pricing instead of $0.99 per song purchases.

Ritz Camera -- Does anybody really shop there?

Big news abounds with Ritz Camera closing 300 stores.   I wasn't surprised at all.  The chain camera store is known as the nation’s largest specialty camera and imaging products store.  How this distinction came about is a mystery to me.

There must be five Ritz Camera stores locally and their stocking levels are poor.  You won't find any late-model Nikon or Canon DSLR's there.  Sure, the clerk will be simply overjoyed to order it in for you.  What's the point of that??!? You could do the same right from home and get it faster and at a better price.

Name brand accessories?  Nope. 

I suppose they relied on point'n'click digital cameras and lousy 4x5 prints.  

Film?  Forgetabouddit.   Nada - -- none!  I have thousands of dollars in film cameras.  And the nation's largest camera store doesn't carry film.  Oversight? Or just corporate pig-headed tin-eared bean counting?

So glad to support real, authentic camera stores like Dan's Camera City and real pro shops like Professional Photographic Services.

DVR's were only a fad

DVR interest swaying as customers preferring live TV -- again...

Microsoft, Zune, and DRM

Microsoft, in spite of Zune failure, unleashes the most DRM restrictive music download service. OOps. 

Senate Nears Deal To Delay Digital TV

"Key senators have reached a compromise on a bill that would delay the
nation's switch to all-digital television from next month until June
12. A vote on the legislation is expected early next week."  -- Washington Post

CES 2009 -- Big Letdown?

Media outlets are reporting 20-30% fewer attendees at the this year's CES in Las Vegas.  Fewer vendors, fewer exhibits, less floor space, and less interesting technology products.  Well, CES can't possibly be a zinger each and every year!   Just in the last year alone we've seen the demise of HD-DVD, the proliferation of very very affordable 1080p displays, the rise of the netbooks, and mobile "everything."

So what was hot at CES 2009?  Looks like mobile and personal electronics grabbed the limelight from the HDTV segment.  After all, what more can one improve on in the HDTV world for consumers to make a compelling purchase decision?   Not much, so it seems.  A 480Hz TV from LG?  Naw.  Superthin LED TVs from Samsung?  Maybe.  New surround sound formats that include a "height" matrix channel from Dolby and DTS??? That's a stretch.

CES was ho-hum for me...

Happy New Year and Lunar Christmas

Happy New Year and Lunar Christmas to our friends (and foes)!  See you!

My Low-Tech Coal Heated Home

Many laughed when I predicted that coal and diesel would make a strong comeback this year.  Manufacturers of coal stoves have already sold double the numbers of coal stoves and heaters from last year's heating season.   And the auto industry continues to introduce new, clean diesels in every segment -- compact and frugal cars to SUVs and performance sedans.

Why the shift in both of these markets?   Frugal customers are driving the market. 

Diesel from Coffee Grounds?!??!?!

Yes, it's true.  A team of scientists were able to extract leftover oils from discarded coffee grounds and, like an alchemist, covert the oils to biodiesel.  The resulting BioD even smells like coffee.  Check out the entire article here.

Circuit City: all aboard the Chapter 11 Choo Choo

Circuit City: all aboard the Chapter 11 Choo Choo!  The downtrodden retailer files for bankruptcy and negotiates financing to keep operations going for the time being.  Ouch...

Circuit City short circuits jobs

Radio station WVRA adjacent to Circuit City headquarters, reported seeing workers leaving this past Friday morning and posted video footage. Circuit City spokesman is withholding comment at this time.   The local newspaper interviewed one of the affected worker who claimed 500 and 800 employees are being let go  including several “upper management” executives.

Best Buy feels the pain

Even Best Buy, the #1 consumer electronics retailer, feels the pain of an economic slowdown (not to mention their staff is clueless).   Why any consumer would purchase even a mousepad from Best Buy is beyond me.

Circuit City and Tweeter circling the drain

"Circuit City Stores Inc. said Thursday the New
York Stock Exchange has warned it that its stock price is not high
enough for continued listing.  The NYSE said shares in the
nation's No. 2 consumer electronics retailer had an average closing
price of less than $1 over 30 consecutive trading days as of Oct. 22,
falling short of the exchange's requirement. ... Its shares have closed under a dollar in trading since Sept. 30, when
the stock closed at 76 cents. Shares rose a penny to close at 30 cents
in trading Thursday but fell a penny in aftermarket electronic trading
to 29 cents."  -- Associated Press



Ouch.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  big-box, mass-merchandisers do not have the capability to adequately train staff to properly represent and sell modern consumer electronics.  Always consider the small independent business owner that vies four your business.  If you're fortunate enough to still have an independent home theater dealer, you should patronize them for business.  Consider, copperbox.com, family owned and operated since 1997 --  home theater guys that really know their stuff over a large product line.

And here's another casualty:

"Tweeter was purchased by a liquidator Thursday night after closing
all of its distribution centers and pushing all inventory out to its
stores, TWICE learned.

Company managers are currently being notified by conference call.

Last night, management held a conference call with top regional
personnel to inform them of the decision, according to sources with
close ties to the chain. The name of the liquidation company wasn’t
mentioned in that call.

This morning, TWICE phoned a Tweeter buyer, whose voice mail message said, “They have closed the corporate offices of Tweeter.”  -- By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE,10/31/2008

Only the Star Belly Sneecthes Could Help Santa

Only the Star Belly Sneecthes Could Help Santa and other retailers this Holiday shopping season.    Is the Grinch going to steal Christmas 2008?  Economic indicators are pointing to just that happening.  According to a new study released from the National Retail Federation, price will be the most important factor influencing consumers' buying
decisions this holiday season.  About 40 percent of shoppers indicated that pricing and promotional discounts will determine wherethey will shop. Less than 14% surveyed said quality merchandize is a more important factor.

Audio Authority AVX-562 revisited

Several months ago I blogged that  copperbox.com was the first dealer to begin shipping the Audio Authority AVX-562.  Sure its a great product, but how has it been holding up since?

Since the initial installation, I added an Audio Authority 1176BK Six-Output Expander to bring the total number of matrix switched outputs to 12.  And I've also added a model 1362 composite to component adapter (for my security camera).    Now I can watch my two PCs, an AppleTV, the PS3 and our BluRay player on all ten displays in our shop!  Most excellent!