This is a device that allows you to burn legally burn DVDs downloaded from the CinemaNow movie download service. You download the movie to your PC from CinemaNow and use the included Roxio Venue software to prepare it for burning. The only caveat is that you have to use DVDs that are labeled Qflix. There are a few vendors that say they will support the format but we couldn't find any online. The discs won't play in recorders or in PCs.
Highlights
Provides the ability to legally download and burn DVDs of movies and top TV hits for playback on standard and high-definition DVD players
Supports standard DVD functions (16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW with double layer write capable)
Includes Roxio Venue software to connect directly to select content providers for easy purchase and download, organization, and burning of movies to DVD
One if the nicest media players we have seen. It has a big 7" screen (twice the size of an iPod Touch). And with the optional DVR dock you can record all your favorite programs and have them ready for you while you travel. Cost is the only real issue we see here.
Watch Movies and TV
Play Music
Look at Family photos
Full web browsing
Full email application
Web TV and Web Radio
Widgets application
ps3toothfairy Review from Ted, Frederick MD:
From the site: "The ps3toothfairy gives your Harmony / universal remote full remote control of your Playstation 3. With the ps3toothfairy, your infrared (IR) remote provides all 51 buttons of the PS3 Bluetooth control. Easy to setup; Configure your Logitech Harmony or other infrared remote for a Playstation 2 then pair your ps3toothfairy with the PS3."
Overview:
The ps3toothfairy is a device that integrates the PCB from a Sony Bluetooth remote into a self enclosed IR receiver. It allows you to use your Harmony remote to send IR commands which get translated into the Bluetooth signals that the PS3 actually accepts for remote control.
Additionally, the ps3toothfairy supports a 3.5mm wired IR input. I am not using this functionality, but it seems like a cool added feature that would have been easy to leave off. From the ps3toothfairy site: "The wired IR input is compatible with most household and industrial IR distribution systems"
When I first went to the ps3toothfairy site, is saw that they offered two different product options the "ps3toothfairy - ELITE" and the "ps3toothfairy -BARE ELITE". They were sold out of the ELITE but had the BARE ELITE option available. (Both are sold out as I write this review 9/15/08). The BARE ELITE requires that you source your own Sony BT remote, disassemble it, and install the PCB into the ps3toothfairy enclosure. Given the availability I decided to purchase the BARE option. Please note at this point that I am comfortable building PCs from components, but have no "electronics" experience (or skills) when it comes to soldering etc.
Testing / Pairing:
The first step, as pointed out by tthe directions, is to make sure your Sony BT remote works with your PS3. This means you need to pair the remote with the console by following the directions that come with the remote. If you already have (and are using) the Sony BT remote, you are good to go.
Assembly:
The only required tools are a small philips head screwdriver, a small flathead screwdriver, and small wire clippers/cutters. The full directions (including photographs) for the Sony BT remote disassembly and ps3toothfairy assembly are available on the ps3toothfairy website (HERE). The PCB was extremely easy to remove from the remote, (they must be assembled by hind since the PCB attaches to the "Buttons" via a small ribbon cable that is inserted into a slot with a simple manual plastic clip holding it in place. Simply remove this ribbon cable and the PCB is free from the remote. To connect the PCB to the ps3toothfairy you simple reconnect the same ribbon cable. The only tricky part is using the wire clippers to shorten the battery connection leads (stiff like a small paperclip). Once clipped, the shortened power connectors easily slide into fixed sockets on the ps3toothfairy. Screw down a couple of nylon screws to keep the PCB from moving around, and you are done. The entire process took 15 minutes (and that is with my 3 & 5 yrs old boys "helping").
Using the ps3toothfairy: Power (and the USB caveat):
Once you have the ps3toothfairy assembled, you need to provide power. This is done via always on USB, or the optional AC power adapter. I opted for the optional power adapter since I do not have a convenient ALWAYS ON usb port near my HT equipment. (Note that you can't use the PS3 USB port if you want to use the ps3toothfairy to turn on the console since there is no power to the port when the device is powered off).
Harmony Remote Integration:
Integrating with the Harmony remote could not be easier, the ps3toothfairy is a supported device via the Harmony software. From the ps3toothfairy site:
"The ps3toothfairy is fully supported by the Logitech Harmony, just use the ps3toothfairy profile, under Game System with DVD / ps3toothfairy. The profile mimics the official PS3 remote as closely as possible -- you will not lose any functionality. For viewing BluRay Discs, you may wish to use the Logitech "Customize Buttons" feature to map a hard key to "Pop Up Menu"."
ps3toothfairy Advanced Configuration:
When the ps3toothfairy is first powered on the internal LED is illuminated for 10 seconds. If you press the angle button during this 10 second the ps3toothfairy is place into configuration mode. From within this mode you can tweak some advanced configuration. The two that are most interesting (to me) are:
LED brightness (flashes when using the remote) : this can be set to "Dim" or "Bright" (Defaults to bright)
Discrete OFF Macro : The ps3toothfairy has built in macros to power off the console. I assume this is because the ps3 has no discreet power off code (um...why?), The two codes are "short" and "long". The distinction being that the short macro will not work from within a game, while the long one will (in most, not all, games). The short macro will not turn off the console from within a game (defaults to long).
Additionally, the configuration mode allows you to assign a different key to enter configuration mode, turn on a mode where the ps3toothfairy attempts to track the on/off state of the console, configurable device IDs to support multiple ps3toothfairy devices, and a sensor selection (IR Sensor or Wired IR).
Results and Conclusion:
The documentation is excellent, the build quality of the ps3toothfairy is excellent, the setup is trivial w/ my Harmony 880, and it works flawlessly. I've been using it for watching DVD and Blu-ray movies for a week with no incidents. I would not hesitate at all to recommend this device to anyone w/ a PS3 and a universal remote they love (They publish IR codes at the ps3toothfairy site in-case you are not using a Harmony).
Before you make the decision to puchase the ps3toothfairy, I suggest you go to the site and review the documentation available for download from the support link on the ps3toothfairy site.
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