HDMI to DisplayPort Solution from Kanex at Macworld 2010

It's great that your shiny new iMac can also function as a second monitor for other devices. Not so great? The fact that those other devices have to be connected via a DisplayPort connection, meaning the options of just what you can hook up to it are limited, to say the least. This week at Macworld, Kanex is showing off their new box, slated to go on sale in April, aimed at bringing additional functionality by allowing you to connect HDMI devices like gaming consoles to your iMac.

Here's a look:

Wii Transfer at Macworld 2010

Leave it to an enterprising Apple developer to come up with a solution that the big guys either can't (or won't) find. Manton Reece of Riverfold Software has developed Wii Transfer, a small utility to allow streaming of audio (mp3's or non DRM'ed AAC files) and video to the wii from your Mac on the local network. The videos are converted by the software first to FLV, and you won't be able to watch HD (hey, write to Nintendo!) but if you have one console, and its the Wii, then this is a solid streaming option. Heck you can even move your Miis over to the Mac. Why? Because you can!

Here's our talk with Manton at Macworld:

Macworld 2010: First Impressions

We battled snow from the east coast and inexplicable west coast flight delays, but now we are on the ground at Macworld 2010.

In the first trip around the show floor, it seems everyone is in high spirits, and while the number of booths might be lower than when a certain computer manufacturer was here, it really does feel like a great chance for the smaller developers and accessory manufacturers to get their product out there. We've always had a soft spot for scrappy startups anyhow.

It's also interesting to see the Apple world at a crossroads: There are clearly two different kinds of "Mac people" here. On one hand you have the "classics" folks with OS 7 t-shirts, and a Newton here and there. These are the people who have been with Apple through thick and thin. Of course, if you're still using a Newton, and don't have an iPhone, maybe you aren't really supporting the Apple that exists in the here and now.

On the other hand, you have the blogging/tweeting/four-squaring crowd that on any other day, probably wouldn't be caught anywhere near the first group. Still, like a family reunion, for the next few days, everyone will get together, and they'll talk about that one relative who couldn't make it to this year's event: Apple.

(Look for more coverage and videos throughout the day. Here's our quick summary of the plan. Just click on the "MacWorld 2010" tag at the bottom of the post to see all the Macworld posts as they go live.)

Our Macworld Coverage Plans

As you read this, I am somewhere over the country, on the way to San Francisco (and enjoying GoGo in-flight internet). I wanted to tell you how we're handling Macworld this year.

First, we ruled out a booth for a few reasons: #1: Cost. #2 We want to work hard to bring the experience of Macworld to everyone who can't be there, rather than simply say hello to those who can. Instead, we have a manic schedule of interviews and product demos from a wide variety of exhibitors. The plan is to shoot during the day, and encode and post in the evening. We're taking everything we need to do live video as well, but frankly, I think you'll get more meaningful content with us focusing on shooting during the day.

We will  keep the non-Macworld blog posts flowing as well, just in case Macworld beat you up as a kid, or otherwise left you cold and indifferent to the annual event.

Also, if you're not already, please follow us on twitter @TDLLive where we'll be able to quickly tell you when we will be going live, and give more of a flavor of the smaller things we notice at the event. Oh, and of course if you'll be appearing in person, it would be great to say hello!

See you from San Francisco...

Exclusive Online Screening of "Welcome To Macintosh" Documentary, Right Here

We're excited to let everyone know that on the heels of the wonderfully received debut of "Welcome to Macintosh" at Macworld, we will be presenting the film Monday night at 9:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM PT right after TDL Live. Rob Baca, and Josh Rizzo will chat with viewers throughout the film, and answer your questions.

If you're into such things, the full press release is below. Go forth and spread the word. Oh, and don't forget our channel is completely embeddable, so your site can have show the movie Monday night too!

Exclusive online screening of “Welcome to Macintosh” documentary on tDL

PHILADELPHIA - On the heels of its Macworld 2009 presentation in San Francisco, the new Apple centric documentary, "Welcome to Macintosh" will have a special one-time online screening, Monday, January 12th. At 9:30 PM ET on TheDigitalLifestyle.tv

Filmmakers Rob Baca and Josh Rizzo will participate in a live chat during
the screening where viewers can ask questions about it the movie, the people and the creation process.

"We are thrilled to bring this special screening to the Mac community," said
Ryan Ritchey, founder of TheDigitalLifestyle.tv. The film's Macworld
presentation drew and international crowd and included discussions with Apple legends Steve Wozniak, Guy Kawasaki, Ron Wayne, and others.

TheDigitalLifestyle.tv is an online video network dedicated to Apple news,
rumors, and has the largest collection of Apple-related videos in the world.

“With acceptance in five international film festivals, "Welcome to
Macintosh" is reaching its goal of bringing the story of Apple and the
Macintosh to the new generation of iPhone and iPod users around the world,” said Rob Baca, Co-director of the film.

The widescreen DVD is NTSC Region Free and includes over three hours of
extended interviews, a "making of" featurette, theatrical trailers, behind
the scenes photo journal, Mac symbiosis montage, interactive menus and
subtitles in English and Spanish. It is available today on FilmBaby, Amazon
and the films website welcometomacintosh.com.

"The DVD goes far beyond the movie, exploring in-depth the stories and
experiences that made the Macintosh what it is today" said Josh Rizzo,
co-director of the film. "There are so many great stories to hear, we are
very excited to have the opportunity to share them."

"When we set out to create an online video network dedicated to Apple and
its fans, this is just the kind of programming we wanted to find," says
Ritchey.

Robert Baca a & Joshua Rizzo are 2002 graduates of Ithaca College's Roy H.
Park School of Communications. Robert resides with his family in Columbus
Ohio where works as a producer of industrial and commercial videos. Joshua
currently resides in Los Angeles and works as a post production systems
engineer for TV and film. Welcome to Macintosh is the first feature-length
film they have directed.