High-Def TV on Your PC
Photograph: Stan Musilek
ATI HDTV Wonder
Once the exclusive domain of the exceedingly well-heeled, high-definition TV is now within reach of normal budgets. With ATI's HDTV Wonder, the less affluent among us can enjoy HDTV too. The PCI card with its included antenna brings over-the-air HDTV broadcasts to your PC for only $200--a fraction of the cost of a new high-def television. Most PC monitors can handle HDTV resolutions easily, so if your PC has plenty of CPU power and is within range of HDTV broadcast towers, the Wonder can display gorgeous video. If your setup meets these requirements, the Wonder works wonderfully well.
A Mouse That Has Mastered Media
Photograph: Stan Musilek
Logitech MediaPlay Cordless Mouse
Logitech's Mediaplay Cordless Mouse was designed for more than mousing around--it doubles as a media remote control. You can manage your MP3s, audio CDs, and video DVDs totally via the mouse; the extra ten backlit media buttons on this ambidextrous pointing device transform it into a convenient remote control. Just pick it up and stand back from your PC--up to 10 feet away--and the $50 device becomes a handheld remote for instant track selection, volume control, and other standard playback functions. A tilt wheel lets you scroll in three dimensions for viewing digital photos from various angles. And an on/off switch right on the device saves battery life, too. You can use the included MediaPlay software, or switch to other popular alternatives (Microsoft Windows Media Player, Musicmatch, Real, and more).
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