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NEXT GENERATION RECORDER REQUIRES FAST INTERNET

Most of us think of personal computers using web browsers when the Internet comes to mind. And while it's true the Internet is still accessed mostly by computers, we sometimes lose sight that the Internet's primary function is communication. Many new consumer electronics products aren't losing sight of that fact and are just now beginning to tap into the Internet for new and faster abilities.

Take the ReplayTV for example. It originally appeared on the scene as one of the first digital video recorders and got its television listings via a dialup modem that called a private network. Just recently acquired by SONICblue, the new ReplayTV 4000 series now gets its programming from the Internet. But what really make it interesting is that it now REQUIRES the type of high speed broadband access provided by DSL and cable modem services. As a result, what used to take up to a half hour or more now only takes seconds. But downloading TV listings is only part of what the new broadband access device is all about. Because it can send and receive so quickly, recorded programs can now be sent to other ReplayTV units within the house or around the world. So if you forgot to record a show, just ask anyone you know who recorded it with their ReplayTV to send it to you. The unit maintains a complete Internet address book of all your ReplayTV contacts. Another nice feature is the MyReplayTV web site. Just log on and instantly see your ReplayTV's station guide as well as all of the shows that have been and are scheduled to be recorded. If you see something you want to record, just select it online and it will be done. This service was originally introduced on the first generation ReplayTVs but the slower once-a-day dialup access prevented making selections within the same day. With always on broadband access, that's no longer a limitation.

The ReplayTV 4000 requires an Ethernet connection to a router that's connected to your broadband service. And since your computer is also connected to the router, you can transfer digital photos from your computer to the ReplayTV. ReplayTV organizes your digital images into folders and presents them on your TV as a slide show for all to see. Images can also be used as a screen saver for your TV when the ReplayTV is not in use.

The other amazing feature is the new Commercial Advance that provides commercial-free recordings. It's almost spooky how accurate this feature is in that it can automatically detect a commercial and skip over it so that you watch your recordings virtually uninterrupted. You can elect to turn this feature on and off at any time if for some reason you actually want to watch the commercials.

But while features like Commercial Advance, digital audio and an improved conflict resolver are nice additions, it's the 4000's Internet broadband access ability that makes the new ReplayTV 4000 a star.

www.replaytv.com (877) REPLAYTV

Look at things from another angle

If you're looking for another way to stare at your laptop computer, check out the Lapvantage: Portrait Edition ($49.95) computer stand. The stand literally stands your laptop on its side so that the screen offers a portrait view rather than he traditional landscape orientation. The higher vertical position lets you see an entire web page, email or standard document without having to scroll up and down. Of course you'll also need to buy Portrait Display's PivotPro 6.0 software ($49.95) that rotates everything on the screen 90 degrees. Just place your open laptop on its edge and the elevated stand positions everything at just the right angle. The elevation lets you open and close your CD-ROM drive without having to move the computer. You'll also need an external keyboard and mouse since the sideways orientation for the most part renders the laptop's keyboard useless.

www.lapvantage.com