By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Hot on the heels of Wal-Mart’s announcement about video downloads comes another service … this one from Australia. Reeltime’s Download-to-Own service, launching today, will allow you to legally burn copies onto DVDs to play in a standalone player.

DVD files are proprietary compressed versions of an actual VOB format, which when downloaded and burned, Reeltime’s software will automatically decompress the files onto DVD which can then be viewed on a standalone DVD player. The only drawback with the file is that it must be burned onto a DVD disc within 30 days from the date of download. Customers are able to download WMV files anytime they wish as long as they have a proof of previous purchase. Source: DailyTech

We Say: Drawbacks include having the use their software to decompress the files, and it seems to be Windows Only for now … I’m wondering (out loud) if the compression will affect the quality of the final product. It seems while you only have 30 days to burn the product, you should be able to make multiple copies during that time, for safekeeping, or perhaps even burn a copy of the final DVD later.

By Chief Gadgeteer, Gizmos for Geeks
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews.

Nice generic category, eh? We had to do make it somewhat vague so we could fit these 3 items in. No VCR in sight, and not even a DVD player. Oh no. We had to reserve the first spot for arguably the hottest device that everyone has sitting near their Televisions: a DVR. In our case, we made it the latest and greatest Tivo, their Series 3. The next device is the next hottest thing. With its ability to ’sling’ your television, and recorded video anywhere on the Internet, the Slingbox PRO earned a well-deserved place in this line-up. The last device isn’t a device at all. It’s sort of its own category practically: Television Series on DVDs. Oh you know how many of these you can’t help but buy. Tell me you don’t want all 10 seasons of Friends in 1 convenient box!

Source: Gizmos for Geeks.

By Jimmy Daniels
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

It’s been awhile since we’ve posted about something bad on MySpace, right? Well, looks like the folks who created the MySpace Adult Content Viewer have got another little surprise, the “Free MySpace Viewer”. I don’t really understand why you would even need a MySpace viewer to start with, what is it a browser, or what?

A while ago, there was a particularly nasty scam going around the MySpace network, called the MySpace Adult Content Viewer. If you visited a fake profile, you’d see this gigantic popup appear telling you to download “something” to be able to view the page. Of course, anyone doing so would find their PC hit with various Adware and Spyware bundles.

Well, the creators have decided to mix things up a little, because here we have their latest piece of social engineering (at least, we’re assuming it’s made by the same people because it follows the methods and techniques used with the Adult Content Viewer, plus the name is almost identical which is a bit of a giveaway) - the “Free MySpace Viewer”. Visit a fake profile carrying this thing, and you’ll see this appear on your screen. Note how they tell you the content is “securely protected” - because there’s nothing like making people think your rogue install is actually some sort of security feature! At this point, depending on the fake profile, you may or may not see this appear when you click the popup. It’s an image verification screen - another nice piece of trickery designed to lure inexperienced users in. Before you ask - yes, the code generated really is random every time - it’s a fully functional (if slightly pointless) Captcha. Someone’s put a little effort into this one. Source: Spywareguide Greynets Blog

We Say: More losers trying to make a few bucks off of the parents of kids who visit MySpace, if those kids infect their parents computers, then those programs will end up making money off of their shopping, online browsing, popup clicking selves. Just say no to MySpace viewers!

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

It wasn’t that long ago that Amazon.com launched their “Unbox” video download service, and now another biggie joins the mix: Wal-Mart.

The service is only beta, and for now, restricted to Superman Returns. It’s also not a download-only site, but one that allows you to get an extra, downloaded copy, after purchasing the DVD.

Starting Tuesday, when customers purchase the disc from Wal-Mart, they will be able to choose from one of three options for a digital copy: $1.97 for a download formatted for portable devices, $2.97 for one that’s compatible with computers, and $3.97 for one that works on both portable devices and PCs. Then, upon returning to their computers, buyers of the Superman Returns bundled DVD can enter a redemption code on Wal-Mart’s beta video download site and obtain the digital version.

Wal-Mart hopes to eventually expand this service to more DVD-digital download packages, as well as to standalone downloads of movies and TV shows in the coming months. Source: News.com

We Say: Amazon’s “Unbox” software wasn’t given very positive reviews (OK, they were negative). Wal-Mart wasn’t able to take on NetFlix; we’ll have to see how this foray fares.

By Alice Hill
RealTechNews

Not interested in the HD format wars? We don’t blame you. Luckily in this case technology comes to the rescue with an affordable solution - an upscaling DVD player. Upscaling is not to be confused with progressive scan DVD players. Upscaling is just what the name implies - your tickets to full-on 1080p HD resolution with your existing DVD discs.

Why So Cheap?
At $169, we were skeptical, but the gang at I4U grabbed the included HDMI cable (even Sony is too cheap to include one with the PS3) and decided to put the Helios H4000 through its paces. Some highlights:

The unit is small and region-free supporting both PAL and NTSC. An HDMI cable is included and the unit will play SVCD, VCD, CD, HD-CD, MP3 and JPEG as well as your standard DVD media. I4U hated the remote but loved the easy interface and image quality, although they did not have a TV that could do 1080p. More

By Chief Gizmateer
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

We suspect not only kids have toys on their Christmas wishlists, but “adults” do as well. After all, I know this Geek has a few toys listed! While “Pickup Sticks” and “Lincoln Logs” won’t make our list, we instead featured high tech toys that hunt (Roboreptile), giggle (T.M.X. Tickle Me Elmo) or can be programmed (my favorite - Lego Mindstorms NXT).

By the way, due to the popularity of some of the “Gizmos of the Day” we run throughout the year, we believe Remote Control vehicles, especially micro and flying remote control vehicles, will be another huge item this year so mini flying remote control vehicles such as the Air Hogs R/C Helix Micro Helicopter, Remote Control X-UFO, or the Butterfly Indoor Flyer deserve mentioning as well.
Source: Gizmos for Geeks

By David Johnston
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

If you missed out on the initial round of alpha signups earlier this year, you have another chance. Cerulean Studios wants more testers for it’s upcoming release of Trillian Astra (aka Trillian 4). Astra will feature improved compatibility with existing chat networks, speed improvements, widgets, and many new and exciting features. The feature that intrigues me the most is the ability for anyone with a web browser to instant message you through their internet browser. Anyway, time’s wasting if you want to get in on this round of testing. You can find the signup here. If you want to see a sneak peak of Astra, check here.

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Despite the arguments about the Prius and its ability to save money … and there have been plenty (here and here for example) … there’s no denying the Prius has changed automaking. Although the Insight was first, the Prius is still the most popular, and one needs only peer into the carpool lane in California to see tons of them.

Much of the design was done in Japan, of course, but David Hermance was a major contributor in the US, and was among the country’s top experts on gas-electric hybrid vehicles. He was piloting an experimental plane when it crashed on Saturday afternoon.

David Hermance, 59, was piloting an experimental plane when it went down Saturday afternoon about 50 yards off Los Angeles’ San Pedro area.
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