Woot! - One Day, One Deal

Auria 26” 720p LCD HDTV - $229.99

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:28 -0500

Take A Dive

I’ve given up on finding a good dive bar in this town. All the drinking establishments are large, well lit, and feature young women in short skirts and low-cut shirts. That’s just sad.

I don’t think I’m asking for much. I don’t need bright lights and hundreds of brews and spirits lining illuminated shelves. I don’t need whatever’s popular on the radio blaring in my ear so loudly that I can’t hear myself think about everything that’s gone wrong with my life. I want a older fella named Murray who’s just about seen it all to serve me my beverage, not some co-ed floozy who thinks bending and twisting her body in creative ways is going to get her a bigger tip. Young lady, I am here to drink. Your chest, while lovely, does not concern me.

And, seriously, when did they put huge televisions in every single bar? Was there a law passed or something? If I wanted to watch “the game,” I’d watch it on the Auria 26” 720p LCD HDTV at home. The 16:9 aspect ratio with 5ms response time and built-in HDTV tuner is more than capable of entertaining me from the comfort of my own couch. When I go to a bar, I go hoping to hear a story about heartbreak or loss, to reflect upon my own day, and to look like less of an alcoholic to my family and friends, not to see the series finale of some show I couldn't care less about.

Just give me a few neon beer signs, a wobbly bar stool, a sticky floor, and bathroom that looks like its been visited by Satan after a bout with bad chili. Is that too much to ask?

Authorized for SquareTrade Extended Warranty

Warranty: 2 Year EQD

Features:

Powerful scaling and zooming engine (down/up scale support)
3D comb filter
3D de-interlace image enhancement
Color temperature adjustment
Resolution support: 1080p for HDMI, 1080i (HD), 720p, 480p, 480i, PC timing (both HD and SD content)
On-screen OSD function
IR remote control
Languages: English/French/Spanish
MTS
Sleep timer
Vega mount: 200mm x 100mm
V-chip parental control
Close caption
Viewing aspect ratio: standard / full/ overscan / 1:1 Mode
Zoom / panorama / no scale / normal
Favorite channel
Channel return

Additional Photos:

Input/Output Port:

Digital input (HDMI): 2
Component input: 1
S-video input: 1
Composite CVBS input: 1
TV system support: NTSC / ATSC / Clear QAM
TV tuner input (ATV/DTV): 1
VGA input: 1
PC audio input: 1
Audio output: coaxial SPDIF
Audio input: RCA L/R 2

Panel Specifications:

Size: 26” (diagonal)
Resolution: WXGA (1366 x 768)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Brightness: 450 nits
Contrast: 800:1 (typical)
Response Time: 5ms (GTG)
Viewing angle: 150 degrees horizontal, 150 degrees vertical (CR>10)

Audio Specifications:

Speaker: 5W x 2
MTS Stereo

Other Specifications:

Dimensions: 25.9” (W) x 19.2” (H) x 7.4” (D)
Net Weight: 15.8 lbs.
Power Consumption: 100V – 120V ~ 2.5A, 50-60Hz
AC Power supply: 100V ~ 120V

In the box:

EQD EQ2688 Auria 26” 720p LCD HDTV
Power Cable
Remote Control
(2) AAA Batteries

Inset photo credit: opie

Discuss this product

Price: $229.99

I want one!

Flash In The Brain Pan: Block Tetris

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:20:00 -0500

Now, we've all enjoyed irresponsible games like Rampage where our characters just smash up the city, but… well, we as a society will soon be returning to a post-Tron paradigm. And with our economy now so delicate, do we really want to be sending hundreds of digital people out into the virtual streets looking for virtual work? So we ask you, readers of Woot, if you have a chance today, make a difference for these sprites by losing a few games of Block Tetris.

In Block Tetris you'll be using tetromino shaped apartments to create a little community that will vanish every time you make a line. This means when you win, you'll get the joy of victory! But when you eventually lose, you'll get to know that your strangely-shaped building will be a home to all those sprites that otherwise would wind up on the streets of San Andreas and Liberty City. It's a good feeling to make a digital difference. And doesn't it really help us all?

SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:03 -0500

Maybe Do Sit Ups While You Watch Dragonball Z?

Nerds and sports. It’s as natural as peanut butter and chocolate.

In the past few years, the words “militant subset” have been used again and again. A few crazy Christians, a few mad Muslims, heck, you could probably even find a few angry Anglicans if you looked around. But the truth of the matter is, it’s a few bad apples that spoil things for the average joe. So why, then, are we letting a little batch of comics fans make all nerds look bad?

Sports have always been about obsession and number crunching, which is why the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner is so aptly named. It combines the cutting edge “silicon” with the timeless joy of a “home run”. And that’s not all! The SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner also lets you watch and record digital HDTV right to your hard drive, so you can pause, rewind and fast-forward, tracking down every single stat and being just as obsessive as the dude who’s making an LCARS skin for his iPhone.

Naturally, the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner works on Windows, Mac or Linux, so there’s no excuse for missing out. Unless, for some reason, you’re under the impression that “silicon” and “home run” aren’t compatible. And if that’s what you think, seriously, wise up, Poindexter. It’s the 21st Century. Nerds go to the gym now. And you think some guy who knows how many times Spider-Man fought The Rhino can’t remember Rashard Mendenhall’s yards-per-carry last season?

Authorized for SquareTrade Extended Warranty

Warranty: 1 Year SiliconDust

Features:

HDHomeRun connects to your router enabling you to watch and record TV from any computer on your network
Connect to an indoor or outdoor antenna or to any US cable system to receive digital and HD channels
Streams the full-quality digital stream from the broadcaster or cable provider, up to 1080i high definition without degrading the quality
Record hours of your favorite Digital TV shows directly on to your hard drive and edit out unwanted content
Store your collection on an external drive, portable device, or burn it to a disc
One box, two digital tuners - watch and record Digital TV simultaneously or record two channels
Pause, rewind, fast-forward live television
Works with popular DVR software - integrated TV guide (provided by the DVR software)
Schedule and record all your favorite television shows
Expand with multiple HDHomeRun devices
Use an antenna (not included) to pick up free broadcast digital TV (ATSC) available in your area - What channels can I receive?
Cross OS compatible with Windows / MAC / Linux

TV Sources:

ATSC digital TV (antenna)
Unencrypted digital cable TV

Seamless Operation with Multiple Computers:

Run Windows Media Center on multiple computers sharing the pool of HDHomeRun tuners
Tuners are automatically allocated between computers as needed
Multiple HDHomeRun units can be used together to expand the number of tuners
Tuner pooling works with Windows Media Center, BeyondTV, SageTV, GBRPVR, MediaPortal, and TotalMedia
Free software/firmware upgrade available for download

Compatible With:

Windows Media Center
Elgato EyeTV – DVR for Mac
MythTV – DVR for Linux
SnapStream BeyondTV – DVR for Windows
SageTV – DVR for Windows/Linus/Mac
MediaPortal – DVR for Windows
GB-PVR – DVR for Windows
VLC - Multi-platform media viewer
TSReader – MPEG-2 transport stream analysis

Specifications:

8-VSB (ATSC over-the-air digital TV)
QAM64/256 (unencrypted digital cable TV)
IR Receiver (signal PC with a standard remote control)
Not compatible with satellite TV
Power: 2-prong AC Adapter 72” (182 cm) long; Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.18A; Output: 5.0V – 1.0A
Includes (2) RG-6 coax cables 6ft. each (1.83m)
Includes (1) CAT5e Ethernet cable 6ft. (1.83m)
Product Dimensions: 7.8” x 3.2” x 10” (L x W x H)
Product Weight: 2 lbs

Connectivity:

(2) Antenna/Cable RF inputs
(1) 100base-TX high speed Ethernet input

Requirements:
Operating System

Windows Media Center:
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- Windows Vista Ultimate
Third-party software available for:
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- Mac OS X (10.4 of later)
- Linux

Memory

512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB RAM recommended

CPU

2.8 GHz Pentium 4 or better for digital content playback, dual core recommended for HD playback

Disk Space

1-4 GB per 1/2 hour of DTV recording

Additional Photos:

Important Notes:

You must have a cable TV subscription or an antenna (not included) to use this product
Satellite TV and IPTV are not compatible with this product
You must have an Internet network in place with a high-speed Internet connection to use this product

In the box:

(1) SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner (Color: White)
(1) HDHomeRun Installation CD
(1) High-speed Ethernet cable
(2) RG-6 coax cables
(1) Power Adapter

Discuss this product

Dyson DC22 Turbinehead Canister Vacuum

Woot — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:10 -0500

You can’t keep my deposit! That’s illegal!

Fine, you win. I’ll vacuum the stupid place before I move out.

Yeah yeah, “a lease is a lease,” I get it. Even though I haven’t had hot water for the 12 months I’ve been here. You know what a year of cold showers does to a man?! Oh, and thank you for educating me that “lessor-controlled heat” translates to “35 degrees in my apartment in winter.”

I’ll just use this Dyson DC22 Turbinehead Canister Vacuum. I don’t care if the DC23 has a bigger bin; it’s cheaper too, but that’s because this one has more power. That means more dirt off the carpet and less time picking fingernails out of my area rug.

YEAH, I BITE MY NAILS! IS THAT AGAINST YOUR PRECIOUS LEASE, TOO?!

You know what? I’m not even going to use the hard floor tool. And forget about the stair tool. I’m sick of slumlords like you pushing people like me around! You think you’re the only one in town offering a two-bedroom with a view in a great neighborhood 20 minutes from my work?

Well an extensive analysis of the rental market indicates that you are, but that’s still no reason to lord it over me!

Warranty: 5 Year Dyson

Features:

The DC22 weighs 18% less than the DC23 (16lbs vs. 19.46 lbs)
Level 3 Root Cyclone technology never loses suction and captures microscopic dust
230 consistent air watts with suction control (for curtains and delicate fabrics)
Turbine head with air-driven brush bar can be used on any type of floor
Dyson Digital Motor spins at 88,000 RPM (9 times faster than a Jet engine)
Hygienic quick empty bin minimizes contact with dirt
Clean Air Exhaust, air expelled has 150 times less mold and bacteria than the air you breath
Washable HEPA filter traps microscopic allergens such as pollen
Controls in the wand to turn machine on/off as well as to turn the brush bar on/off
Includes the hard floor tool for improved cleaning on hard floors
Button press cord retraction
Telescope wrap system – hose and wand compress for easy storage
Brushless motor
Anti Vibration System

Specifications:

DC22 Suction Power (constant): 230 Air Watts; (The model DC23 is less powerful with 220 Air Watts constant)
Movement type: Fixed wheel
Filter: Lifetime Washable HEPA filter
Brushbar control type: On turbine head
Cleaner head / Floor tool: Turbine head
Digital motor driven by 5,866 digital pulses per second
Iron Core Rotor
Bin capacity: 0.32 gal
Power Cord Length: 16.57 ft.

Accessories:

Stair tool: A Dyson-designed tool for removing dust and dirt from stairs and stair carpets
Combination accessory tool: Debris nozzle converts to a brush tool for dusting
Hard floor tool: Improved pick-up on hard floors. Long bristles to prevent scratching or marking on wood or delicate floors

Dimensions:

11.46 x 15.83 x 10.35 inches (H x W x D)
Telescopic Wand: Compressed 20 in. / Extended 39.5 in.
Max. reach: 27.85 ft
Cord length: 16.57 ft
Suction Hose: 6.4 ft
Weight: 16.07 lbs

Additional Photos:

In the box:

Turbine Head
Brush, Crevice and Stair Tool
Combination Accessory Tool
Hard Floor Tool
Telescopic Wand
Suction Hose

Discuss this product

Your Parents Really Named You Ariadne, Huh : Woot Weads The Wire

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0500

Every week in this space, we’ll take a look at the news and offer our own incisive blend of commentary, analysis, and poop jokes. The news you need, from a voice you can trust, in the 90 seconds you have to spare: that’s Woot Weads the Wire.

CHICAGO (UPI) -- A boy flying alone from San Francisco to Canada missed a connecting flight in Chicago because airline workers apparently forgot about him, his family said.

As an apology, the airline allowed the boy to purchase his $4 bag of chips at a special one-time-only reduced price.

BILOXI, Miss. (UPI) -- Jay Leno has been booked to perform a benefit for Mississippians impacted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino said Thursday.

Leno has been scheduled just before current BP CEO Tony Hayward, leading experts to believe that Hayward will soon be losing his job.

NEW YORK (UPI) -- A growing number of nightmare sufferers are turning to a controversial treatment called scripting or dream mastery, scientists say.

Others are buying little tops and listening to Edith Piaf.

DETROIT (UPI) -- Officials in Detroit say they worry that television police shows using the city as a backdrop may lead to negative perceptions about Detroit and its residents.

Officials added that if the portrayals don't stop soon, they'd have everyone involved beaten to death.

VATICAN CITY (UPI) -- The Vatican has started using souvenir coins bearing the image of the Pope to make change at grocery stores and the gas station, officials said.

Locals reportedly can't stop giggling when tourists ask if they can touch their Pope's head.

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The Venezuelan military shouldn't be on alert because of any concerns about U.S. action, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said.

The spokesperson said the U.S. was only planning to crush all vuvuzelas, and somehow that got all twisted around.

M-Audio Recording Studio Equipment

Woot — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:21 -0500

Hit Happens

ProTools gear? Check. Surefire hit songs like “Love Infarction” and “Keyboard Shortcut To You, Girl”? Check. Now all I need to start my production career is a snappy nickname.

Babyface, Timbaland, Glyn Johns: you can’t be a big-name producer without some wacky made-up studio handle. It can make the difference between Jimmy Jam and, uh, the other guy he made records with, whatever his name was. A good name is part of the producer mystique, like Martin Hannett’s drugs or Phil Spector’s famous “wall of hair”.

I’m just glad I chose to buy all three components of Woot’s M-Audio sale, along with the Pro Tools Keystudio. Now that I’ve got my gear situation sorted out, I can devote all of my mental energy to thinking up a good producer name. I’m not worried about tracking up to 24 parts with the Pro Tools Recording Studio USB audio interface and the included software. Create loops with over 60 virtual instruments and effects? No sweat – or rather, gallons of sweat from the sexy ladies who will soon dance to my irresistible club bangers.

The M-Audio Studiophile Desktop Speakers bring out the intricate details of my productions a lot better than my previous playback system (the tape deck in my cousin L’il P-Nut’s ‘91 Camry). And the Pro Tools Vocal Studio’s USB microphone will capture the soaring highs and rich lows of I’ll need for the vocals on my signature ballad, “Guess Who’s Not Wearing Any Underwear?”. I need a real diva to sing that one; hit me up if you know anybody.

So anyway, that’s taken care of. It’s name time. Musclepig? Curlicue? Pappy Jim, Scourge of the Tetons? Nah, those all suck. And I owe it to my classic songs to pick the most commercial yet unique producer name I can think up – anything less and the world may never get to hear “Red, White, & Thong” or “Unexplained Stain (On My Heart)”. Oh, wait, I got one: Steve Albini!

Nah, sounds too goofy. I can do better than that.

Warranty: 1 Year M-Audio

Features:

M-Audio Pro Tools Recording Studio:

24-bit Fast Track USB audio interface with mic, guitar, and line inputs
Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software gives you the creative power to record, edit, and produce
Pro Tools M-Powered is backwards compatible with previous M-Audio equipment
Create songs in minutes with templates and loops to make music in any style
Over 60 virtual instruments and effects right out of the box
Works seamlessly on both Windows and Mac systems
USB bus power for portability

Pro Tools Essential DVD Software:

16 stereo/mono audio tracks
8 Instrument Tracks
8 MIDI Tracks
Studio quality effects collection including reverb, chorus, delay, flanger, phaser, compression and EQ
3 effect Insert slots per track for up to 3 simultaneous effects
Busses for group mixes/effect sends and Aux Tracks for effect returns―like on a real mixer
2 audio inputs / 2 audio outputs
Over 60 virtual instrument sounds from piano and strings, to bass and drums

Specifications:

Professional 24-bit/48kHz sound
XLR mic input, switchable 1/4” guitar/line input
Separate mic input, input/playback mix, and output controls
Stereo RCA outputs (can also be used as two separate channels)
Stereo/mono input monitor switch
1/4” stereo headphone output
USB powered

Additional Photos:

Pro Tools In the box:

M-Audio Pro Tools Recording Studio
USB Cable

=================================================================

M-Audio Pro Tools Vocal Studio:

M-Audio Producer USB Microphone for great-sounding vocals and voiceovers
Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software gives you the creative power to record, edit, and produce
Pro Tools M-Powered is backwards compatible with previous M-Audio equipment
Create songs in minutes with templates and loops to make music in any style
Over 60 virtual instruments and effects right out of the box
Works seamlessly on both Windows and Mac systems
Desktop mic stand and carrying case included

Pro Tools Essential DVD Software:

16 stereo/mono audio tracks
8 Instrument Tracks
8 MIDI Tracks
Studio quality effects collection including reverb, chorus, delay, flanger, phaser, compression and EQ
3 effect Insert slots per track for up to 3 simultaneous effects
Busses for group mixes/effect sends and Aux Tracks for effect returns―like on a real mixer
2 audio inputs / 2 audio outputs
Over 60 virtual instrument sounds from piano and strings, to bass and drums

Specifications:

Metal body
16mm cardioid capsule protected by wire mesh
1/8” stereo output jack for headphones
USB powered

Additional Photos:

Vocal Studio In the Box:

Microphone
USB Cable
Tripod Stand
Carry Case

=================================================================

M-Audio AV30 Studiophile Desktop Speakers:

3” Composite Woofers
3/4” Ferro Fluid-Cooled Silk Dome Tweeters
Optimage III Tweeter Wave Guides
Audiophile-Grade Amplifier Technology
15-Watt-Per-Channel Amplifier
Magnetic Shielding

Specifications:

RCA Inputs
1/8” Headphone Output
1/8” Stereo Auxiliary Input
Front-Panel Controls for Volume
Rear On/Off Switch
Bass Boost Control
Bass Reflex Design
Dense Wood Cabinets

Additional Photos:

AV30 Studiophile In the Box:

(2) Studiophile AV30 Speakers
6.5' Speaker Wire
RCA Cable
6' Power Cable
1/8" Audio Cable

=================================================================

Minimum System Requirements:

Windows XP (SP3)*, Windows Vista 32/64 (SP1), Windows 7 32/64
1.8GHz multi-core processor (Intel) and 1GB RAM
5400 RPM hard drive with 4GB space (more required for loop content)
DVD drive for installation
Native USB port

*Home and Professional Editions only. Windows Media Center is not supported

OS X 10.5.5 (Leopard), OSX 10.6.1
1.8GHz multi-core processor (Intel) and 1GB RAM
5400 RPM hard drive with 4GB space (more required for loop content)
DVD drive for installation
Native USB port

=================================================================

You Choose – M-Audio Pro Tools Recording Studio or M-Audio Pro Tools Vocal Studio or M-Audio AV30 Studiophile Desktop Speakers

Discuss this product

Woot Watches Wideos: Primer

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:00:00 -0500

You guys like movies with mind-bending twists and somewhat confusing endings? Recent movie box office numbers certainly seem to say you do. With that in mind, we'd like to call your attention to a slightly underground gem that you can now watch for free through Google Video.

Primer was released with very little fanfare back in 2004, but it's gotten a fair amount of street cred among fans of time travel and sci-fi as the years have gone by. Made with only $7000, Shane Carruth's tale of young engineers and paradoxes is a film that almost demands repeated viewings to piece together just what's going on. Sure, you could google the cheat sheet flowcharts that many of the movie's fans have put together, but where's the fun in that?

[via io9]

ShamWow! – 16 Pack

Woot — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:09 -0500

Suck It Up

Good for leaks of all types. Well, okay, maybe not ALL types.

How ya doin’, Congress guys? The name’s Vince. You might’ve seen me on television with these Shamwows I’ve got here. I got it on good authority that you guys are havin’ a problem with leaks around here, so here I am to give you an opportunity to really do something about it.

Now look, I’m not here to talk about the past, alright? I’ve got several thousand of these Shamwow Towels 16 Packs in the truck of my car thanks to my severance package with the company, and I gotta feeling they’re just what your looking for to clean up this mess of yours.

You’re gonna spend, what, a few million dollars trying to keep things from leaking every year? You’re throwing money away. You use a few of these and all those leaks are gonna dry up in no time. Say you gotta a little leak that suddenly explodes into something bigger. No problem. The Shaw-Wow holds up to twelve times its weight in coffee, wine, any kind of liquid you throw at it. And you get eight large Shamwows and 8 Mini’s, so the next time somebody wants to leak all over the place, you’re more than ready, I’m tellin’ you. Got a leak in the car? Just wipe and wow. Leak in the kitchen? Wow! Leak in a far off country? Ambassador Wow! It’s just that easy.

What’s that? Information? I thought we were talkin’ about liquids here. Dang. Well, how about some chopped nuts, huh? You’re gonna love ‘em, I guarantee it.

Warranty: 90 Day Value Quest

Features:

It’s a towel, chamois and sponge all in one
Holds 12x its weight in liquid
Perfect for your car, boat and many household uses
Washes, dries, and polishes any surface
Won’t scratch any surface
Machine washable and bleachable
100% Rayon

Dimensions:

Mini: 15” x 15”
Large: 20” x 23.5”

Additional Photos:

ShamWow! Music Videos:

In the box:

8 Large ShamWow! Towels
8 Mini ShamWow! Towels

Discuss this product

Springstreets

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:00 -0500

Ah, New Jersey. Is there no end to the gifts the Garden State is capable of giving us? Your people, your places, your inventions, and your filmmakers have captivated our imaginations for years, it's true. But it is the music that has truly helped define the way we look at you, especially when it comes to the songs of the man known the world over as simply "The Boss". And now, thanks to artist Daniel Cassaro, we can all see Jersey the same way Springsteen does.

Containing over 200 visual references to many of Springsteen's greatest songs, Springstreets isn't a real map of New Jersey by any means, but, oh, that it were. The artist is selling poster prints of his creation right here, should you ever want to take a musical journey through Greetings From Asbury Park up to Born In The USA.

[via neatorama]

HTML5 Required

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0500

It may be hard for the current generation to fully grasp, but when we were kids, something like this:

was considered to be cutting edge graphics and was why you chased down the very best computer. You'd spend the school day telling the other nerds about how your game had FOUR floppies and so was CLEARLY the best game on the market, and then race home to try and figure out why the raven needed toast before you could get a castle key. That's why today we were all so happy to find that the very latest thing is the Sierra-looking landscapes of our youth. At least we're still cutting edge somewhere! After the jump, Effect Games shows off what HTML 5 can do. Those who can't handle the page can just look at our screenshots.

There are plenty of these digital drawings at Effect Games, if your browser can handle it. With the motion and sound already in place, it feels like the game is ready to go. You might find yourself tapping the arrow keys in hopes your character will walk on screen and let you start playing. Anybody remember the agony of the Sierra pixel hunt?

We're seriously hoping that this beautiful HTML5 art inspires the return of the computer games of our youth, only this time in browser/iPhone form. Wouldn't it be great to explore a hidden temple on your lunchbreak? Or conquer an alien planet as part of a movie marketing strategy? And we're openly begging you for the X-Wing series, LucasArts. Openly begging. C'mon, one Bag of Crap per level seems fair, right? You hook us up, we'll hook you up.