The instructions are actually pretty thorough and explain everything you need to know about running CAT 5e or CAT 6 cables through your walls without making a horrid mess, but please don’t blame me if you somehow manage to destroy something. [Instructables via Lifehacker]

The kit includes a remote, 2.5-inch space for a you-provided HDD, three USB slots, Ethernet, and support for more than a few file formats. It launches, well, soon, as there’s no date and it’s currently in pre-order. [Amazon via The Gadget Site via Engadget]

After reporting some issues with their internet connection, technicians advised the folks over at Unplggd to wipe the tips of their ethernet cord with a coffee filter. Apparently the filters are excellent at catching loose impediments like lint, plus the technician reported witnessing more than on instance where installers had left cheeseburger grease on cords. Gross.

A bit anticlimactically, this coffee filter tip didn’t solve the problem for Unplggd, but it might still help you. Well, that, or you’ll just start licking those cords clean like we do. [Unplggd]

The diagram below illustrates part of what he tried to set up. What it doesn’t show, unfortunately, is how slow the network would have been compared to the average home network now. In your face, Bob. [BBG]

The Price: $US700 (4TB), $US499 (2TB)

The Verdict: It’s a NAS for normal people. With a simple curved white design highlighted by a single hypnotic bar of white LED, the diminutive My Book plugs in to your router via ethernet to give you up to 4TB of networked storage. You plug it in, it shows up on your network, and that’s that. (There’s a more advanced CD installation that allows you to auto-backup your PC hard drive should you want the software.)
We tested the large, 4TB RAID 1 (mirrored drive) version of the My Book. In other words, you have about 2TB of recordable space that’s backed up to another drive so that if one drive fails, you don’t lose any data. If you wanted more speed/space, the drive can be reconfigured to RAID 0 (Striped) mode allowing you to access all 4TB. And it’s easy to forget, if you choose to mainline the My Book right into your computer’s ethernet jack, transfer speeds are fast. Gigabit ethernet reaches 1000Mbps, which is easily faster than USB but also quicker on paper than even Firewire 800. Still, transferring a 700MB file took 1:32. Transferring 8.2GB in files took 18:49. (In other words, you won’t actually be copying files at 1000Mbps, but the installed system has no trouble streaming HD media over Wi-Fi.)

You feel a bit of warmth dissipating out of the My Book’s large top to rear vent panel (that we wish were metal instal of plastic), but system runs cool enough, offers easy access to the drives (you just pop the lid) and operates with very little noise. Quite simply, it works pretty well and makes a cute little media server (if you’ve got the scratch).

It’s As Simple as RAIDs Get

Small, Quiet Formfactor

Mega Storage

Venting Could Feel More Durable, But It’s Flexible and Thereby Easy to Pop Off

Reaching data rates of 1000Mbps (over the former speed of 200Mbps), Belkin’s new $US150 Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit includes one Powerline router and two Powerline adapters, allowing you to stream multiple uncompressed HD data feeds through your home with little issue.

Of course, these are best case scenario numbers. If your old home has lousy electrical, that theoretical spec speed could drop a lot lower. Then again, at the overkill bandwidth of 1000Mbps, it can afford to. [Belkin]

Even having the plug stick out another 5cm so the adapter sits over another powerplug would fix the problem. Fortunately, it seems to work through an extension cord, although I’m certain that would have some kind of effect on performance. I’ll let you know how the product performs once I’ve played with it a bit more.

[Netgear XAVB101 Product Page]

The brilliantly coloured headgear pictured above was designed by students of the Pontificia Bolivariana University in Medellin out of what we are told is discarded ethernet cable. Seriously, it looks as though one false step could break her neck like a twig. The outfit pictured below looks as though it is made out of thousands of zip ties—every network admin’s best friend.

[io9 / Images via RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images]

Simply put, this fairly simple DIY device involving an RJ-45 connector spliced onto a power cord that will obliterate anything with an Ethernet port. Essentially you are running 120 VAC though a cable that likes something in the neighbourhood of 2.2-2.8. From what I understand, the results can be gruesome and spectacular. The instructions on how to make one yourself are in the following link, but you know as well as I do that plugging this thing into your router is not going to be a good idea. [Fiftythree via Boing Boing Gadgets]

These DLNA-compliant, 1080p displays come with Ethernet ports, so you can get on the internet and connect to widgets, which include Amazon Video-on-Demand, Youtube, Yahoo and Flickr. It also has a USB port, letting you plug in any USB storage device with photo/audio/video content play the files back on the TV.

The LCDs also features Sony’s Bravia Engine 3, 24p True Cinema, a 120Hz frequency and the XrossMediaBar UI.

The W-series will arrive this spring in 42, 46 and 52-inch flavors, but despite being labelled as an “economic” option, there’s no mention of pricing as of yet. There will also be an accompanying 3.1-channel AV soundbar that supports 1080p video in. It will hit stores in June for $500.

SONY DEBUTS MORE NETWORKED BRAVIA HDTVS
Models Extend Line-up Featuring “BRAVIA Widgets” and Other Connected Features

LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2009 – Bolstering the recently announced 2009 BRAVIA® LCD HDTV line-up, Sony Electronics today announced a series of additional networked models with full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive (1080p) resolution. This new W-series adds an economic HDTV option, while delivering the same interactive functionality as the recently announced BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 models.

The networked models feature an Ethernet connection so the sets can directly access Sony BRAVIA Internet Video content using an existing broadband connection. The service offers one of the largest selections of free and premium movies, TV shows, sports, music and more from an array of partners like Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube®, Yahoo!®, Sony Pictures, Sony Music and many others.

BRAVIA Internet Widgets, provided by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, expand and personalise the experience by allowing you to interact with your favourite Internet content like Yahoo News, Video, Finance, and Flickr® while watching TV shows. Track your favourite sports team, check your stocks, and share photos with friends and family as you watch television.

The 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 and 40-inch KDL-40W5100 (diagonal) models feature Motionflow™ 120Hz technology for improved sharpness and detail in fast-moving images. They also feature Sony’s BRAVIA Engine™ 3, which delivers a crystal clear picture even if the content isn’t perfect.

The W-series models are Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) compliant, enabling easy access to digital photos, music and video stored on a PC or other DLNA server using the XMB® interface and the TV’s remote control. They also offer a USB input for displaying digital photos or playing digital video and audio files from compatible USB storage devices.

In addition, these models feature:
24p True Cinema™
XrossMediaBar™ (XMB)with enhanced 3D favourites menu
Internet powered TV Guide Onscreen
BRAVIA Sync™
BRAVIA Link Compatibility
4 HDMI inputs

Single PC, component, composite and S-video inputs

Designed to match the W5100 series models, the HT-CT500 3.1 channel sound bar supports features an integrated AV receiver supporting full HD 1080p video and the latest advanced audio codecs. This sound bar theatre system will be available this June for about $500.

The new KDL-52W5100, KDL-46W5100 and KDL-40W5100 networked televisions will be available this spring direct through www.sonystyle.com and Sony Style stores, as well as authorised retailers nationwide and military base exchanges.