Veebeam
Jstas
Posts: 14,974
OK, I had to share 'cause this thing is cool!
Now I know you all have heard of software and such that allows you to play video from a computer over you TV and HT systems. That's all cool and stuff but the biggest drag is that the computer has to be within a certain proximity to the TV. Controls are either there or clunky remotes. I've seen quite a few systems that did this but none that I really felt like messing with. Then I saw this thing on woot.com one day. They had special introductory pricing and I figure, what the hell? It's worth a try!
So I got it. It showed up yesterday.
Here's the website: http://www.veebeam.com/index.php
Here's a video on how it works: http://vimeo.com/15666337
Here's what it looks like:
OK, so essentially, there is a problem with wireless networking. Not enough bandwidth. Polk Audio ran in to this problem with the IP Addressable speakers a couple years ago. That's why they need Ethernet cables instead of wireless NICs. Newer wireless-N standards have high bandwidth ratings but that comes at an error correction cost so in reality, still not adequate.
So, instead of running a full surround sound signal plus HD video feed over networks or having to plug your system directly in to the TV/AVR, this takes a different approach. It uses a little USB transmitter over USB Wireless standards (faster, higher bandwidth but very short range comparatively) which takes the data feed for your video/audio and beams it across the air to the box pictured above. This is beneficial because the data feed uses all the bandwidth and transmits a complete signal to the Veebeam box. The Veebeam box then pipes the video and audio feeds to your TV/AVR. A few newer TVs are coming with similar technology already built in. This little box allows you use that technology without having to drop major coin on a new TV. This is great for people who had older HD projection TV's or even a projector where the technology isn't available and upgrading the current TV or projector is just not possible.
I am currently using the HDMI output straight in to the TV and even on low quality, grainy stuff on YouTube, the picture is incredible and the sound is stellar! For $139, this thing is a steal! I spent most of last night, on the couch, watching prank videos with the GF off of break.com and collegehumor.com and did so in widescreen glory!
So yeah, what I'm sayin' is that this has filled a spot I have been looking to fill and that has been missing for a while. I can now watch anything...even video games, on my gigantic widescreen TV. I watch my downloaded copies of TopGear as well as videos on YouTube and such and even DVDs and BluRay videos off of the computer. I don't have to get up to go to the computer because it's sitting right there next to me. I don't need an HTPC with clunk remotes and wireless input devices...or the noises for that matter. I just need this quiet little box and it's faintly glowing light with the USB key plugged in.
It also works with stuff like Hulu and streaming sports from stuff like MLB.com or NFL Game Day Live. It also can stream your Netflix queue directly. They say it'll stream ANYTHING and they ain't lying.
For the money, I think you'll be hard pressed to find another component that brings more functionality, capability and value to the table than this little box. Totally worth checking out!
Now I know you all have heard of software and such that allows you to play video from a computer over you TV and HT systems. That's all cool and stuff but the biggest drag is that the computer has to be within a certain proximity to the TV. Controls are either there or clunky remotes. I've seen quite a few systems that did this but none that I really felt like messing with. Then I saw this thing on woot.com one day. They had special introductory pricing and I figure, what the hell? It's worth a try!
So I got it. It showed up yesterday.
Here's the website: http://www.veebeam.com/index.php
Here's a video on how it works: http://vimeo.com/15666337
Here's what it looks like:
OK, so essentially, there is a problem with wireless networking. Not enough bandwidth. Polk Audio ran in to this problem with the IP Addressable speakers a couple years ago. That's why they need Ethernet cables instead of wireless NICs. Newer wireless-N standards have high bandwidth ratings but that comes at an error correction cost so in reality, still not adequate.
So, instead of running a full surround sound signal plus HD video feed over networks or having to plug your system directly in to the TV/AVR, this takes a different approach. It uses a little USB transmitter over USB Wireless standards (faster, higher bandwidth but very short range comparatively) which takes the data feed for your video/audio and beams it across the air to the box pictured above. This is beneficial because the data feed uses all the bandwidth and transmits a complete signal to the Veebeam box. The Veebeam box then pipes the video and audio feeds to your TV/AVR. A few newer TVs are coming with similar technology already built in. This little box allows you use that technology without having to drop major coin on a new TV. This is great for people who had older HD projection TV's or even a projector where the technology isn't available and upgrading the current TV or projector is just not possible.
I am currently using the HDMI output straight in to the TV and even on low quality, grainy stuff on YouTube, the picture is incredible and the sound is stellar! For $139, this thing is a steal! I spent most of last night, on the couch, watching prank videos with the GF off of break.com and collegehumor.com and did so in widescreen glory!
So yeah, what I'm sayin' is that this has filled a spot I have been looking to fill and that has been missing for a while. I can now watch anything...even video games, on my gigantic widescreen TV. I watch my downloaded copies of TopGear as well as videos on YouTube and such and even DVDs and BluRay videos off of the computer. I don't have to get up to go to the computer because it's sitting right there next to me. I don't need an HTPC with clunk remotes and wireless input devices...or the noises for that matter. I just need this quiet little box and it's faintly glowing light with the USB key plugged in.
It also works with stuff like Hulu and streaming sports from stuff like MLB.com or NFL Game Day Live. It also can stream your Netflix queue directly. They say it'll stream ANYTHING and they ain't lying.
For the money, I think you'll be hard pressed to find another component that brings more functionality, capability and value to the table than this little box. Totally worth checking out!
Expert Moron Extraordinaire
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!