Ask Engadget: best alternative to a cable company-issued set-top box?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Ozair, who is no longer down with forking out monthly for a subpar DVR experience. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“With the unveiling of (pricey) Google TV, what are the other, cheaper alternatives to setting up HDTV via a cable box rather than renting out Optimum / Cablevision’s outdated and laggy set-top box? TiVo? Any other standalone DVRs? Something I’m not considering?”

For those of you who’ve purchased a standalone DVR + CableCARD setup (or possibly even an HTPC + CableCARD setup), how are you enjoying it? Let this fellow know your optimal arrangement down in comments below — make it quick, it’s not like he can afford to miss this year’s burning of the Yule Log in HD.

Ask Engadget: best alternative to a cable company-issued set-top box? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best Android tablet for under $200?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Pavel, who seems to be primed and ready to splurge on a bargain-bin Android tablet during the impending Black Friday rush. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’ve been looking into getting myself a tablet, but being a high school student, I don’t have the money to go buy an iPad. I was wondering if there were any good Android tablets under $200. If there were any expectations, it would be a 7- or 10-inch screen and that the OS doesn’t lag from basic tasks, because I’ve seen many of these tablets lag on the app drawer. Peace and love.”

Here’s our advice: “good luck.” Every sub-$200 Android tablet that we’ve touched lags somewhat, but it’s definitely possible to find some units that are more snappy than others. You’ve got a number of low-rate options if you’re cool with fighting the Black Friday crowds, but otherwise, have a listen at the readers below in comments. Keep things helpful, alright folks?

Ask Engadget: best Android tablet for under $200? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best laptop that won’t burn your lap?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Stephen, who frankly isn’t interested in suffering from health issues due to insanely hot laptops baking his body. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Real simple: what is the best laptop that doesn’t burn you? That is to say, which is the most powerful mainstream laptop (14- or 15-inch) that runs cool when it’s actually doing something. I’m running a Dell Studio 1537 and both palmrests are warm even though all I am doing is typing this email and streaming Slacker with the LCD brightness on it’s lowest setting. Therefore the WiFi card is cooking and so apparently is the hard drive (even though the processor is only at 12 percent). Help!”

Man, we can’t wait to see the answers to this. No, seriously — we’re pretty sure everyone in the world wants in on this secret. Every 14- / 15-inch laptop that we’ve ever used here (Mac and PC, both) has eventually become uncomfortably warm after extended use, and we’ve personally resorted to keeping a stockpile of pillows around just to guard ourselves. Drop the world a better solution down below if you have one. And by “one,” we mean “a laptop model.”

Ask Engadget: best laptop that won’t burn your lap? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best method for getting the internet on your HDTV?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Troy, who clearly longs to relive the glory days of WebTV. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but I’ve got a curious desire for a good-to-great web browsing experience on my television. I know there are countless connected HDTVs out there, a few new Google TV options and the idea of using an HTPC. I’m not afraid of putting the legwork into hooking up a full-blown computer, but I’m trying to keep everything under $400 or $500, so that eliminates the high-end rigs with Blu-ray, CableCARD, and the like. I also am leaning towards the HTPC so I can have a standard user agent for viewing Hulu content, etc. Anyone in the same boat with any opinions?”

With Google TV just hitting the marketplace, you’ve got more options than ever before. Hard to say just yet if that’s a boon or not, but surely a few readers have a couple pennies each to share on the matter. Toss out yours in comments below.

Ask Engadget: best method for getting the internet on your HDTV? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best passive noise cancelling headphones?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Alex, who just can’t take the noise, dude. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Hello Engadget. I’ve always been a fan of high quality audio but I have a problem. I need noise cancelling headphones, but active noise cancelling gives me a headache and my ear canals aren’t round enough to use in-ear earphones. I’ve also looked into custom earphones but I can’t afford paying $400 or more for a set. What are your recommendations for the best pair of passive noise cancelling headphones? My ears thank you.”

We will say that Klipsch’s oval ear tips tend to fit in funky ear canals that typically reject round ones, but if you’re still hellbent on a pair of cans, we’re hoping our audience below can toss out some advice. If they can hear us from underneath their noise cancelling headphones, of course.

Ask Engadget: best passive noise cancelling headphones? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Google TV, Apple TV, Roku, or something else?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Brandon, who is fairly interested in ditching his cable subscription. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Hey Engadget readership. I’ve been paying way too much for channels I never watch for way too long. I’m about ready to seriously consider my options for ditching cable. Problem is, I’ve got too many alternatives. Google TV, Apple TV and Roku stick out, but I’ve also heard of using a new Mac Mini along with Boxee. Given that I have a Netflix subscription to loop in, which of these would be my most satisfying option? Or is there another I’m not considering? Thanks for the assistance.”

We feel your pain. Loads of options, and not really one set-top that does it all. ‘Course, you could always whip up an HTPC to really cover your bases, but we’re sure you’ll get some fine input either way in comments below.

Ask Engadget: Google TV, Apple TV, Roku, or something else? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best 30-inch LCD monitor out there?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Edward, who isn’t afraid of making us all envious by asking for tips on a monstrous monitor. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

Hey, I run a small graphic design business in South Yorkshire, UK. Currently we use HP’s LP2475w as our workstation monitors, and are looking for something newer. Since I hate to downgrade electrical stuff, the only logical step would be to 30-inch monitors. They need to have an HDMI input as well as DVI since we’ve a VAIO Z in the office whose only output is HDMI. The other important factors are accurate color (so I guess an IPS panel) without ridiculous pricing. I’m looking at £1,500 ($2,400) as the absolute maximum. Currently I’m looking at the HP ZR30W and the Dell 3008WFP, what would your readers recommend?

The 30-inch monitor space has become increasingly competitive over the past couple of years, and your options now are more numerous than ever. So, what 30-incher are you reading this right now on? Let ’em know in comments below!

Ask Engadget: best 30-inch LCD monitor out there? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best gaming graphics card for under $150?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Dylan, who needs a serious frame rate boost at a serious bargain. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I was wondering what the best video card would be that I could buy on the market for cheap (the highest I would be willing to go is $150, and that is if I absolutely need to). I’m trying to make Dead Rising 2 (and similar) look good. By the way, my computer is running a Biostar T-series TA785G3 motherboard with a AMD Phenom II processor on Windows 7, for what it’s worth. Thanks!”

Look, not everyone can just go blow $400 on the latest and greatest overclocked slab of silicon, and the lower-end market has definitely been heating up of late. Got any solid recommendations for this fellow? Recommended places to buy? Drop a note in comments below — we’re sure your next deathmatch can wait ten seconds.

Ask Engadget: best gaming graphics card for under $150? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best travel-friendly / portable DSLR tripod?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Deepanshu, who is already beginning to understand why the term “money pit” follows” DSLR.” If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I went out and got a Canon T2i, and now I am looking for a decent tripod, preferably one that travels well. I need one which is lightweight, with a price range of $75 to $125 or so. The main purpose of the tripod will be for HDR photography, night shots, etc. when I’m on-the-go. Thanks!”

We’re guessing Joby’s Gorillapod Focus will get a nod somewhere down in comments, but how’s about any suggestions in the more conventional line of tripods? Got any that extend out nicely without killing your back (or forcing you to check it on an airplane)? Let us (and him) know!

Ask Engadget: best travel-friendly / portable DSLR tripod? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: what’s the ultimate network media streamer?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Brett, who seems just marginally overwhelmed by the recent flood of network media streamers. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m looking for a network media player that can play a variety of videos from my NAS as well as connect to media services like Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, etc. I thought I found the perfect match with the new Sony SMP-N100, but the DLNA sharing system was awful compared to an old Apple TV with XBMC installed. Any suggestions on the ultimate Network Media Player? Bonus points for being able to remotely queue videos or control it from a smart phone.”

We’ve been to this rodeo before, but the situation (and consumer demands, too) has changed quite dramatically from just a year ago. Given that there are more players connecting to more portals than ever before, we’d curious to know what box you’d recommend for Brett. Don’t hold back, cool?

Ask Engadget: what’s the ultimate network media streamer? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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