As HDMI capable devices started to pile up on my audio tower, I realized the time had come to either upgrade my receiver to a costly HDMI switching model or figure out what the situation was with standalone HDMI switch boxes.

I hate to link to a merchant’s site but I ordered this HDMI switch (4 inputs, one output) and it’s worked wonderfully. It’s a little slow to switch and strangely illuminated but the build and output quality are irreproachable and switches inputs from my DVR, Apple TV, DVI connected laptop and DVD player very well. The Logitech/Harmony remote I use has the box in its database though the IR codes seemed wrong, I had to ‘learn’ them.

Hear, hear.

P.S. Their HDMI cables are really cheap too but seem to be work fine (only got rather short ones though).

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Last month, I bought a Dect Skype/Landline phone system, the VOIP8411B from Philips and I must say I am very happy with it. The price has been going up and down on Amazon, I don’t understand why. I bought it around $160, saw it drop to $140 or so recently and now it’s around $220 ?

I mainly use it for international calls but I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a skype-in phone number as well. I didn’t hook it up to a land-line, simply because I just don’t have one. The sound quality for skype-out is very good IMHO and I like the handset size, it’s very comfortable. We’re quick to forget how awkward those cell phones are for long phone calls when we let go of our landlines and use the tiny plastic bricks exclusively.

The UI for skype login and such is very good though I’d like to be able to actually save my password as well as alternate between Skype logins. I don’t have multiple ones yet but I could see having one for skype-in and out and one for computer use mainly.

I know there are alternative and you can find a PC-less wireless (not mobile, not 11b, home wireless) phone on ebay for much less but this is the first one I could find from a reliable manufacturer that didn’t seem to be hastily put together. Photos to follow soon.

Update: Amazon just can’t figure out how to price this. I saw it at $220 recently, at the time of writing this it’s priced at $170. A reader saw it for $200 ? What’s going on ?

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