Belkin

HDMI isn't just for HDTVs any more. As the high-def movement continues to march forward, HDMI connections are becoming standard equipment on everything from cable and satellite boxes, DVRs, game consoles, AV receivers, and DVD players to network media devices, PC video cards, and even camcorders. That means even a fairly modest home theater setup--say, an HD DVR, PlayStation 3, Apple TV, and a DVD recorder--could have three or more HDMI-equipped AV sources. While many higher-end TVs and AV receivers are beginning to sport three or even four HDMI inputs, the industry standard is still stuck at around two.

Traditionally, HD aficionados suffering from an HDMI deficit would bite the bullet and run their sources via component once they ran out of HDMI inputs. But doing so obviates the whole advantage of HDMI to begin with; in addition to losing any fidelity advantage offered by HDMI, you quadruple or quintuple the cable needs (three separate component cables, plus one or two for audio) per source. But there's an easy and straightforward solution: an HDMI switcher. Switchers have one simple task--toggling between multiple inputs--and they can expand the number of available HDMI inputs to your HDTV or AV receiver by a factor of two, three, or even four. … Read more

This shiny white Belkin kit solves all your podcessory needs in one fell swoop?-there's a car power cord for charging on the move, a cassette adaptor to listen to your iPod through your stereo, a headphone splitter to share your music, an in-car holder and a Y audio cable to connect your iPod to a stereo.

The headphone splitter offers a whopping 114mm (4.5 inches) of flexible rubber action to facilitate two people listening to your tunes at the same time. This eradicates the feelings of guilt often experienced on long journeys with friends or family when … Read more

You know those 3-inch-wide holes that are a staple in every office desk these days? Yes, the ones you cover up with tchotchkes and stuff because they're ugly and often useless. Well, Belkin has figured out an ingeniously simple use for them: the "In-Desk Dock." As its name implies, the dock plugs right into the hole for instant installation, according to Gear Live. Even we can handle that.

In brief: The Belkin TuneCast 3 is a simple, attractive FM transmitter that may be suitable for rural users and long, desolate road trips, but it just doesn't quite cut it in a big city.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed. In general, I shun the use of FM transmitters: The audio quality is not up to par with direct line-in or cassette adapters, and searching for an open signal is often a crap shoot. I was one of the fortunate MP3-player users to have both a CD changer and an "… Read more

So maybe you don't have a recording studio in your basement. But if your musical ambitions go beyond playing "Freebird" on Guitar Hero, you might be interested in this new product from Belkin that's making its debut this week at CES. The TuneStudio, as it's called, might look like something like a Fisher-Price "My First Recording Studio" with its compact size and bright colors, but it's actually a pretty hardcore piece of equipment. You can plug in up to four audio sources (you know...mics, guitars, old-school beat boxes). There's a … Read more

The new and improved Belkin TuneStage isn't slated to hit stores for a few weeks, but got our hands on an early unit and give it a test run. Right out of the box, we had the TuneStage II up and running in less than two minutes. Plug in the base station, run a connecting cable to any stereo or powered speaker system, and you're ready to use your iPod as a wireless music box. The new and improved transmitter dongle uses the standard iPod 30-pin connector, so unlike the original TuneStage, the TuneStage II is compatible with … Read more

After extensive therapy, we've been able to admit publicly that we have issues with exposed wires, cords and cables. And we're happy to say that, with the help of some sympathetic manufacturers, we hope to make significant progress in the new year.

Belkin may be one of those companies, if the "cable-free USB hub" it's about to ship is worthwhile. Not only does the $200 hub work without a cable to the computer but, according to Engadget, Belkin also claims connection speeds of up to 480 mbps as far as 30 feet away. That might … Read more