Designed like an old-time stadium scoreboard, the Liveboard ticks away stats of any game currently in progress via a Bluetooth connection to your PC. Once you sync up the Liveboard with your computer via the Liveboard Manager application (1-minute download), LED lights display the current score, inning, balls/strikes, base occupancy, and the batter's jersey number.

Depending on the preferences you set up, the LiveBoard updates scores in one of three ways:

1. Simple Mode: You select your "Home Team" in the Manager application, and only that teams games will show up.
2. Full Mode: When your designated "Home Team" does not have a have in progress, the Liveboard detects another current game within your team's division to display.
3. Cycle Mode: The Board automatically displays all current MLB games, showing status of each for a minute or so.

Each Livebaord package, available online for $299, includes a LiveBoard console, AC adapter, and USB Bluetooth adapter. Once my Board arrived, setup, LiveBoard Manager download, and syncing only took about 10 minutes

For the true test, I sat the LiveBoard down alongside my AM radio, which was tuned to the current Yankees' broadcast. The delay between the call on the radio and the change of display on the Board was usually only a couple seconds, and its Bluetooth receiver worked across the room from my PC (Vroop says it can work up to 60 unobstructed feet from the computer).

Currently the Board is only Windows XP- and Vista-compatible, but Vroop is expecting a Mac-friendly Manager by the All Star Break in mid-July and Linux compatibility by next season. Also, modifications for other sports are on the way.

Post by Corinne Iozzio