With complete of the variant TV display technologies on the market now ( Plasma, DLP, LCD, etc. ), it is principal to know the first pro’s and con’s of the display technologies used in manufacturing High Definition TVs. First, here are the ruling types of displays available present:
- Direct view tube CRT
- Flat panel LCD
- Plasma
- Rear projection LCD
- Rear projection DLP
- Rear projection CRT
- Rear projection LCoS
What makes a plasma TV better than a direct tube CRT? Why would I pick a rear - projection TV over an LCD? Each type of display has likely advantages and disadvantages associated with the technology used in manufacturing the display. The following adviser provides a summary which should help you know relevant points to consider when deciding which HDTV display type is great for you.
Direct-view CRT HDTV Displays
CRT stands for “cathode ray tube " and is the type of TV we are all most recognized with. Chances are, if you have a TV that is 5 or more years old, you have a CRT TV. Despite their age, CRT displays still approach a lot of bang for your buck.
The main advantages of CRT’s include:
- Flat screen – which provides wide viewing angles ( most new CRT’s built now have flat screens, but you will stilled find a few that have are manufactured with curved screens )
- Famous picture quality
- Relatively inexpensive in all sizes
- No danger of burn - in
- Capable of producing true blacks
Sounds nice, so why are CRT displays losing market share new display technology like plasmas and LCD’s?
- Bulky size and very heavy weight
- Maximum screen size is limited to approximately 36 "
To present you an idea of what is meant by “bulky " and “very heavy ", a normal 27-inch flat screen CRT will weigh around 100 - 120 lbs, a normal 30-inch flat screen CRT will weigh about 150 lbs and a common 36-inch flat screen CRT will tip the scales at about 200 - 225 lbs. At over 200 lbs., that kind of weight is going to require at least 2 heavy people to lift it up onto the TV stand.
CRT’s are also much larger in terms of depth. A common 27-inch CRT measures 20-Inch deep, a normal 34-inch CRT measures 24-inch deep, and a normal 36-inch CRT measures 26-inch deep.
Why should I choose a flat screen CRT over a curved screen CRT?
The answer is two - district:
1 ) Having a flat - screen will allow for wider viewing angles, so that you can those people sitting on the left and right sides of the TV also have a good view of the images going on displayed.
2 ) Having a flat screen liking allow you to view the image as it was meant to be seen, without any of the growth in images that is associated with a curved tube. A curved tube has regular flaws that cause the picture to be “stretched " as it reaches the edges of the screen. While this may not be an important element for you, I would encourage you to look at a flat screen and a curved screen side - by - side. The variance in picture quality will be much more solid.
Flat panel LCD HDTV Displays
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display and is the type of TV you will be known with if you have seen the flat - panel LCD monitors used with many newer computers. The same technology is also used in LCD TV’s.
The main advantages of LCD’s include:
- Flat screen – but see below for note on the viewing angles - Thin, lightweight and stylish looking
- High resolution and excellent image quality
- No danger of burn - in
Flat panel LCD’s main disadvantages: - Relatively narrow viewing angles - Expensive in sizes over 30 " - Incapable of producing true blacks
To give you an idea of what "thin" and "lightweight" means, a normal 27-inch to 30-inch LCD will weigh about 40 - 50 lbs, a 32-inch LCD will weigh about 50 - 55 lbs, a 37-inch LCD will weigh about 60 - 65 lbs. These types of TV 's are thin and light enough to be hung on a wall.
Plasma HDTV Displays
While plasma displays used to be much too worthy for the average Sunday football fan, they have come down in price enough to become a very good choice for many HDTV shoppers. Having said that, you will more than likely still pay more for a big - screen plasma TV than a similarly sized rear - projection display. What makes plasma TV’s so attractive?
- Flat screen with very wide viewing angles
- Very thin and lightweight
- High resolution with deep, saturated colors
- Excellent picture quality ( especially for home theater )
Plasma’s main disadvantages:
- Fairly valued compared to other HDTV display types
- Slight potential for burn - in
- Limited lifespan
To clarify "thin" and "lightweight", a common 42-inch plasma will weigh between 50 - 90 lbs, a 50-inch plasma will weigh about 80 - 110 lbs. These types of TV 's are thin and light enough to be hung on a wall.
Rear projection HDTV Displays
Rear projection TV 's are an careful choice for a large sized TV and they still offer excellent image quality. They are, however, too sizeable to be hung on a wall and work best when placed on a TV stand ( or on the floor in the case of rear projection CRT's ). The most economical type of rear projection display is the rear projection CRT.
Rear projection CRT HDTV ' s offer:
- Flat screen
- Relatively low cost
- Excellent image quality ( especially for home theater )
Rear projection CRT’s main disadvantages:
- Very heavy and very bulky
- Narrow viewing angles
- Picture visibility suffers in brightly lit rooms
Very weighty and bulky is a nice way of saying that rear projection CRT 's are HUGE. A normal 48-inch rear projection CRT weighs 150 lbs. and is a little less than 24-inch deep, a common 56-inch rear projection CRT weighs almost 200 lbs. and is over 2 feet deep, a typical 65-inch rear projection CRT weighs 300 lbs. and is over 2 feet deep, and a standard 73-inch rear projection CRT weighs over 400 lbs. – now THAT is a huge TV!
Rear projection LCD, DLP and LCoS HDTV Displays
These types of rear projection HDTV displays are also referred to as microdisplays. They work by using a lamp that bounces light off of or through a tiny pixel - filled microchip and onto the screen.
Rear projection LCD’s offer these advantages:
- Flat screen with nice viewing angles
- Thin and lightweight compared to CRT
- Not susceptible to picture burn - in
- No "rainbow effect" artifacts that are sometimes found in rear - projection DLP TV 's
- Excellent image quality ( especially for home theater )
Rear projection LCD’s main disadvantages:
- Fairly worthy
- Slight delay when powering up
- Lamp replacement required periodically
- Possibility for "screen door effect " artifacts
Rear projection DLP’s offer these advantages:
- Flat screen with gentle viewing angles
- Thin and lightweight compared to rear projection CRT
- Not susceptible to image burn - in
- No "screen door effect" artifacts that are sometimes found in rear - projection LCD TV 's
- Excellent image quality ( especially for home theater )
Rear projection DLP’s main disadvantages:
- Fairly expensive
- Slight delay when powering up
- Lamp replacement required periodically
- Possibility for "rainbow effect" artifacts
LCoS, D - ILA and SXRD
These technologies are all variations on the same manufacturing process that utilizes liquid crystal on silicon ( hence the acronym LCoS ). However, implementation of this display technology differs significantly from one manufacturer to the next, so it is impossible to lay out common pro’s and con’s of the technology itself. Each TV with this type of technology will have different characteristics for image quality, viewing angle and cost. I recommend researching each manufacturer and their specific models featuring LCoS in order to compare their benefits and drawbacks to other display types.
Conclusion
There are lots and lots of choices online and in stores today for new TV’s. Enter into the television section of any Best Buy or Circuit City and you’ll get bombarded with a myriad of options for plasma, LCD, direct - view tube and rear - projection TV’s. What you choose for your new TV will either brings you hundreds of hours of enjoyment watching movies, sports and news or will bring you many hours of frustration by not choosing the best type of TV for your needs. My hope is that this information will give you the learning, and the trust, to make the well selection for your next TV purchase.
Saturday 30 April 2011
Accessories - remote viewing, tv
Click here for more information Well, I've only been using it for about 2 days now and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised and 99% satisfied! (1% is lost on the fact that only one computer can use it at a time.)
The quality is top-notch! I thought it might be pixelated, jerky, or buggy - but it isn't. It flows and runs like a regular TV. It just feels like you're watching TV.
Let me also mention all of the features that it has:
* You can watch TV with a full screen and either have the remote on the screen, or not.
* You can hit a button and it will automatically dock to one side of the screen and re-adjust the size of your other windows. And then, you can even fine tune and adjust the size of that window.
* If you just want it to be on your screen and not be docked, you can do that and adjust that screen size as well.
* You can also create a list of favorite channel icons, so all you do is click onto your favorite channel's icon. If the icon doesn't exist - you can create your own!
* It also works with channels like HBO On Demand and with TiVo as well (however, I don't have TiVo).
* If your workplace has a firewall, you can access your home computer using your home computer's IP Address.
This product is HIGHLY recommended! Sling Media Slingbox Classic
Ground-breaking technology. This device allows me to watch my Chicago cable TV service while in Paris. It converts the TV signal into an internet transmission. The image is only about 4 x 3 inches in size on my higher density 1680 by 1050 notebook screen but looks very clean and highly viewable. Sound quality is excellent. Transfer rates ranges from 400 to 700 kbps.
Another feature of this product is that it can be used as an internet based remote control. I have one in my mother's senior home apartment. It enables me to view her apartment, view her electronics, and send remote control signals to her electronics whenever she gets stumped. I'm sure there are many other ways to apply this unique technology.
SlingMedia is an exceptional company. The initial release of this product brought rave reviews -- uncommon for release 1.0. They did not rest. Since then, they have released new versions which further enhanced the SlingBox.
I'm impressed with the concept, the technology, the product, the execution, the installation, the enhancements, the updatability, the reliability, the quality of the support, the people from top to bottom. The staff members are very active on avsforum.com. Great attitudes.
While Tivo enabled me to watch TV when I wanted, this product allows me to watch TV where it was otherwise impossible.
This may be the best consumer electronic product of 2005.
Update 15 Nov 2005: Wow, it happened! Time Magazine named it one of the "Best Inventions 2005" in November 21st 2005 issue.
Update 9 Jan 2006: Won PCMag 2005 Technical Excellence Award\
I'm in no way affilated with SlingMedia. I'm just a SlingBox fan boy.
I was amazed. On my home network, streamed very high quality (though small picture, since the TV signal is actually less than 640x480), and when I went wireless, the quality dropped (as expected), but it kept up with audio, didn't break up. Really amazingly well designed wizard to configure.
I want to follow up on my first post about the SlingBox. After my review I was contacted by Blake the CEO of Slingmedia asking me if he could have his support Manager give me a call to discuss my problems. After explaning my story to Larry Lane he asked me if I would give the box another chance. He told me that if I ran into more problems that the box can be sent back no questions asked. I decided that since the CEO of the company can reach out to me as a customer that Slingmedia was concerned how they treated their customers! (How many CEO's reach out to the average customer??).
Larry worked with me personally in setting up my new unit to make sure things went right. After the initial set up I still had a few viewing issues. Larry and his team worked with me on the issues only to find out these issues were due to my router. To make a long story short I replaced my linksys router with a Netgear 624A. My entire network seems to be working much better and the slingbox is GREAT!!!!
I cant say enough how wonderful Blake/Larry and their team was! Without the email from Blake I can honestly say that I would not have a slingbox today or in the future. The people running the company are terrific and have completely changed the way I look at their product! I strongly recommend the product to anyone! The technology is amazing! I cant wait to the summer to sit outside on my deck, get some sun and watch the NY Mets play some baseball!!
Thank you Blake and Larry!! You and your team are great!
My friend explained Slingbox to me, and at first I just didn't get it. Then one day it hit me: I could be in a hotel room, get on my laptop, control my Tivo or cable box via remote repeaters, and watch the streaming video sent from my house. That was when I realized that the way I watched TV was about to change again (since I got my Tivo) and I couldn't wait.
I got a Slingbox as quickly as I could and have absolutely loved it. With the help of the great Dell Inspiron 700m laptop, I've watched and controlled my home TV in the airport, hotels, coffee shops, in my bed, at work, and even had a friend's wife catch up on her O.C. in Singapore! I've docked the SlingPlayer viewer while working on my desktop at home. After watching from work a couple of times, my boss bought one and streams the news all day - he's hooked.
The Slingbox looks great, is exceptionally easy to set up, and the software works very well. I'm really impressed with the picture and the dynamic streaming based on bandwidth. Make sure you've planned how you're going to add it to your network- I used the netgear Power over Ethernet bridge to connect to my network from the living room, and I'd recommend it if your TV is far from your network (easy setup, high bandwidth, and no extra radio waves going through your body).
As a Slingbox owner, I highly recommend this product, especially if you've been thinking about getting a TV tuner or Video card with tuner support- this is a more flexible alternative, and SlingPlayer viewer software can be installed on multiple systems.
P.S. Desperate Housewives was only used for the purpose of alliteration. It is not an admission that I watch it. I did actually watch T.V., although not South Park, from Switzerland, and it worked flawlessly! - Remote Viewing - Gadget - Slingbox - Tv
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Pc To Tv Converter - converter, pc
Click here for more information The converter worked, but not as intended. First, it supported resolution only up to 800x600 (did not support 1024x768 as claimed). Second, the TV image was shaking occasionally (once per 1-2 minutes). While 800x600 resolution was fine for watching movies, the shaking was not acceptable. As a result, I had to return the converter. Unfortunately, Sewell claimed the converter was OK and did not return the shipping and handling costs to me. I have a Fujitsu Lifebook notebook with an Intel video card (in case this information helps). Buy a more expensive converter with a power adapter (as opposed to power coming from a USB port). This is because a good effective video processing takes considerable power, which a USB port might not be able to provide. Sewell PC to TV (VGA to RCA) Converter
I needed a device that would allow our church to occasionally record the output of a computer rather than the camera feed that is normally recorded. The computer output is set to 1024 x 768 to match the projectors, so I needed a device that could at least handle that resolution. I also didn't want to spend too much money because this would only be needed occasionally and we don't require studio quality recordings. This device was easy to hook up and the output is very acceptable for an item at this price point. The unit has menu buttons that allow you to adjust the output of the device if needed and that works quite well.
Overall, I'm very happy with the way this item works, especially considering the price I paid. If you are considering this item, just remember to make sure the specifications indicate that it is capable of doing what you need it to do.
I use this to display karaoke words on HD screens (from a laptop to the TV). This product is very easy to use and requires no significant tech savvy, as long as you know the difference between an RCA (most TVs have one) and a VGA (computer monitor) plug. In my opinion, this is the best one you can buy because it's cheap, and for karaoke it cuts down on overhead. Also, works great for turning any TV into a second monitor for either a desktop or laptop. Everything you need is included (i.e. VGA cable, RCA cable, USB power cable, S-Video cable, and the converter itself). NOT OPTIMAL FOR RUNNING MOVIES FROM PC OR LAPTOP TO YOUR HDTV!! For that use a VGA to HDMI converter!!
I purchased this device to interconnect my MacBook Pro to a TV, previously I just borrowed my mom's Apple TV converter "My old ibook g3" but since Apple no longer is going to make those I had to find a alternative.
I am very happy with this device overall.
however there is one thing to note, other than the fact that down converting VGA resolution of 1024x768 down to 640x480 for a TV that is interlaced or to a flat-panel LCD or similar viewing medium. The quality is only as good as 640x480 interlaced.
I would classify this device is an entry-level medium quality converter.
Picture quality is almost equal to the Apple one however!
There is some lag but it's not too horrible, it's there i noticed it on my tube TV and a portable 5 inch LCD.
I move my mouse cursor up and down and it didn't move up and down as quickly as it did on my computer screen. this is due to the lag that it takes to process the video signal through this device, I have used other devices and I did not notice this problem before.
that being said this will work great with still photos, basic PowerPoint presentations "nothing moving real fast", and movies that don't have a lot of action in them. get the point no sports or fast action.
Other than the mouse cursor I didn't notice the lag very much while I was streaming Netflix movies, that is until the scenes started to move quickly.
but it Wasn't as bad as Netflix rebuffering.
now that that's out of the way I did buy another one of these for my church.
the primary use will be to display the PowerPoint "keynote" on a closed-circuit television network amongst four TVs.
We will have the occasional video clip however I don't see the lag being a very big problem right now.
and if you're wondering what my setup is at church.
the VGA out of four computers "Mac, Dell, my Mac, guest" gos into a basic four-port video switch "from cables to go Product #28750" into this device and that goes out to the projector via VGA.
and the composite of this device goes to a four-port video switch and selects between camera and computer which then goes to a VCR to output on channel 3.
I am a part-time DJ and VJ (Video Jockey) and had a problem when I switched to a new computer. It did not have a s video or RCA to plug in my video mixer, which I often like to use. I got this product today, and I tried it out and it worked like a charm. The claims of it not being as clear as VGA is somewhat true, but I tested with the music videos and it looked good and maybe a slight loss in quality, but not much. If you need this product for a specific reason like me, then this works. Text in smaller fonts are little blurry when I intitially was hooking it up, but the print under the videos looked fine because they were bigger. - Pc To Tv - Pc - Converter - Tv
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Accessories - stylus, touch screen stylus
Click here for more information Away on a conference, it turned out that I had forgotten my stylus (a Pogo, which I'd selected after trying a number of styluses), so grudgingly I bought a new specimen - this Griffin stylus. I could not believe what an improvement it was. Although I was certainly not unhappy with the pogo stick, it sometimes had the habit of not picking up my input, and the writing (I mainly use the stylus to make notes on my iPad with Penultimate) was not always what it ought to be. This is so much better. It is slightly heavier (we'te talking grams, though) but that makes it a better rather than a worse writing implement. More importantly, it allows you to draw much thinner lines than the pogo did. The best of the bunch, AFAIC. Griffin Technology Stylus for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and other touchscreens
I had previously purchased a $5-6 stylus on Amazon and was supremely disappointed with the quality, and it just wouldn't work properly on my iPad. This Griffin stylus on the other hand is of great quality and works MUCH better on my iPad. Nice rounded tip with rolls easily on the screen, and I have never had any incorrect spelling entries so far on my screen. Nice stylish product that works better than expected. Recommended for sure!
This is the best very drawing stylus made for the iPad. The size, pressure, conductivity and heft are just right. If only the little hoe at the top had been larger I might have been able to put it on a chain and not lose it! Guess I'll order a another and a backup.
The Griffin Technology Stylus for iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone is an excellent stylus. After about one week of research (reading reviews, etc.) I finally ordered this stylus and I have not been disappointed. I frequently use this stylus in lectures in higher education mathematics courses with an iPad. More recently, I began using my iPad with this stylus to start taking notes in meetings rather than keeping track of paper notes.
Pros:
1. Lightweight but solid feel to the body of the stylus. So far, I've had no hand fatigue due to heaviness nor have I felt that I could break it!
2. Easily recognized handwriting when using apps for annotation (such as Note Taker HD or Air Sketch). Hint: if the app has a "zoom" feature, I use this to zoom in on the file or note that I want to write upon. For Note Taker HD, I have found that "Edit 1" is excellent.
3. The clip, which I at first thought was dorky, allows me to put the stylus in either my breast or pants pocket so I can find it easily.
4. Flexible (rounded) tip seems durable. This is in direct contradiction to what most people say about the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch stylus for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch (Cactus Green). I read several reviews about the degradation of the tip on the Pogo Sketch. I've had this stylus for well over one month now with no signs of wear.
5. After having received this stylus, it looks almost identical to the BoxWave Capacitive iPad Stylus (Jet Black) which gets excellent reviews. The Griffin doesn't come with the tether, but I cannot imagine using it. After some more looking around, it also looks like the Targus Stylus for Apple iPad 16GB, 32GB, 64GB WiFi + 3G, iPad 2, iPhone, iPod, Tablet AMM01US (Black) and the Acase Capacitive Stylus for Apple iPad 16GB, 32GB, 64GB WiFi + 3G, iPad 2, iPhone, iPod, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy, BlackBerry Playbook (Jet Black). I originally paid less for this stylus than its current list price, so it seems that its quality has been recognized.
Cons:
1. The rubber tip will pick up skin oils/sweat (i.e., from an accidental forehead grazing while touching head). I think that this is more of a problem with the fact that the tip is rubber-esque and not so much a lack of foresight on the manufacturer. Just a necessary evil of writing on a tablet with a stylus.
2. I wish it were a little longer. This a personal preference and by no means hinders the use of the stylus.
As you can see, my "Pros" list is far longer than my "Cons". This is an excellent product and a worthwhile purchase.
Having a new iPad, I added the penultimate app allowing me to sketch, take notes, etc., so wanted a quality stylus to use as a pseudo "pen". Looked through all of the reviews, and decided to order both the griffin (the good one in the orange box with the see-through window showing the stylus) and the Boxwave, which received the best reviews. Also bought both on Amazon to get the free shipping over $25. Received them today (the red boxwave and black griffin) and both have a good hand-feel. In fact, they are absolutely identical. The boxwave has a little string plug-in plastic cap that fits into the iPad earphone hole, while the griffin seems to have a place for the same string plug-in, but it is not included. Other than that, I can only suggest that these two stylus are absolutely identical. Both very nice, good feel, quality units. Had read a review saying to buy a decent quality stylus for the penultimate app. Went to an Apple store, and their available (only one style) stylus was similar at $15. Think I paid $15 for the boxwave and $13 for the griffin. Amazon is the best deal for these. eBay prices were in some cases double for these same pen stylus'. - Stylus - Touch Screen Stylus - Griffin - Ipad
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Large Format Printer - pro 9000, pixma
Click here for more information This product isn't quite listed correctly. It should be listed specifically as the Canon CLI8 Value Pack for the Canon Pixma Pro9000.
This particular printer model uses all 8 of these cartridges at once.
Listing Canon CLI-8 Value Pack BK/C/M/Y/PC/PM/R/G (0620B015) as I have stated, would prevent issues such as the gentlemen who wrote a review saying he had to return this item because he thought it was a double 4 pack so he ended up with 4 cartridges for which he had no use. Canon CLI-8 8-Color Multipack Ink Tanks
I recently purchased a Canon Canon Pro 9000 MKII to replace an Epson 2200 photo pinter. I find the print quality using this printer to be outstanding in comparison to the Epson. The color rendered by these inks are very accurate and the detail provided by the Pro 9000 MKII is easily seen as superior to the Epson 2200- as it should be since the Epson is 8year old technology.
I purchased the 8 ink tank multipack to tray and save money. I rated the multipack as 3stars because, while it is less expensive than buying individual ink tanks, a more cost effective option that Canon should offer is a 4pack that would include 1 cartridge each of Photo Magenta, Photo Cyan, Yellow and Cyan. These are the colors that are used by the printer by a factor of 2 to 1 of the others.
I've printed various Kodak C-print and Cibachrome papers in the darkroom over the last 30 years, and none come close to the quality I get with my Canon Pixma Pro9000 teamed up with CLI-8 inks. In addition, these inks outlast the photo materials and have a wider gamut as well.
I don't think you can find a lower cost than at Amazon.
When you want professional results, prints that you resell, there is no reason to experiment with cheaper, non-OEM inks. When you consider the time spent in the darkroom running test prints for color balance and exposure plus dry-to-dry times, these inks would still be a bargain at their full price found at the retail store. At Amazon, savings of 40% or more make a sweet deal!
Bought an expensive Canon Pro 9000 Printer, so can not see any reason to compromise with generic ink. So far, Amazon has the best price for the real thing. Sometimes I think the manufactuers should give you the printers for free if you obligate yourself to purchase ink from them. Comparatively, the price was not too bad for this.
There's not much to say about printer ink cartridges. Either they're the right ones for your printer or they ain't. These are right for the Canon PixmaPro 9000. All replacement cartridges are overpriced. The price on this pack is about the lowest I have found so far.
I own the PIXMA iP6600 Canon printer which has only 6 slots for the CLI-8 ink tanks leaving out the Green and Red tanks. However, purchasing this 8 pack, with no use for the Green and Red tanks, ended up pricing out to be the equivalent of purchasing the Canon CLI-8 4-Color Multipack Ink Tanks ($43) and then the Canon CLI-8PM Photo Magenta Ink Tank ($14), and Canon CLI-8PC Photo Cyan Ink Tank ($14) Seperately. Of course, shipping is also free thru Amazon with ground shipping so my total which would have been around $71 for 6 tanks ended up being just $75 for the 8 pack. $4 more for $28 worth of new tanks.
Obviously I have no use for the CLI-8 Green & Red tanks but they retail for $14 a piece so maybe I'll just sell them or give them to a friend who has the PIXMA Pro9000. Just a suggestion to those of you looking for ink. (*If prices change since I've typed this review I apologize)
Canon ink is a very good product. I have had not problems in the printer or on the different papers, clothe and vellums I have used it with. I created clothe banners with the inks and they hold up well at art shows.
The Canon cli-8 8 packaging is really handy to be able to buy all the colors I need at once. I use the Canon pro9000 13" wide printer. The red and green inks are a great addition to the ink series for great colors for my art prints.
I always purchase my large 8 pack from Amazon for the value. Great price and great shipping. - Canon - Pro 9000 - Pixma - Pro9000
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cd player - cd player, portable cd players
Click here for more information I would not recommend this product to anyone. My son
received this cd player for his 10th birthday as a
replacement for an old one. Within two weeks the head-
phones quit working. The unit skips with the slightest
movement, making it no fun and unusable to my son. If
you can believe it, the old cd player is actually more
usuable than this almost brand new Coby cd player. : ( COBY CX-CD109 RED Personal CD Player with Stereo Headphones
I am very happy with my little red CD player although if you intend to use this product to take your morning jog I wouldn't recommend it because it has no anit-skip but it is very good for just relaxing and listening to your favorite CD.
I purchased this CD player for my 7 year old son who loves music. The price was awesome! Even with shipping it was less expensive then ones I had seen at the stores. I liked the headphones that came with it; not ear buds but actually headphones! The sound quality is great. My son drags it everywhere and it does get tossed from time to time but has endured well without even a scratch! Would recommend to anyone, any age. Great product.
The particular unit I had ordered did not work. I had ordered it as a christmas present, and couldn't return it in time for something else. The unit was as described, just didn't operate, even after switching to several different (new) batteries. Handed it off so tech savvy kids who couldn't make it work either.
This is a great product if you just sit around and use it i lison to books on CD how ever if you need to run, walk, ect.. This is not the product for you if you move to much it will skip. But for me its great!
My dad was in a nursing home for awhile, and I gave him this, plus 2 CD's to listen to....he enjoyed it very much!! The headband was adjustable, and the player worked great!!!...Plus the price was right!! - Cd Player - Portable Cd Players - Portable Cd Player
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Friday 29 April 2011
Sneakers
Click here for more information I have decided to review this product, since there are no other reviews worth reading, and since it is actually a fairly good buy. The choice can be difficult, because on average this product is more expensive than the other running docks for your ipod.
Firstly, let me say that I have only had mine for a day. I have the 6th Gen Nano. So, I cannot give any feedback at this stage regarding how this product will wear. I will try to remember to return in a month or two's time and post an update. Also, time from buy to receive was about a week, so I cant identify with the other comment about the lack of shipping.
- The product looks good, and is essentially exactly how it looks in the photo. The Nano fits pretty much perfectly. However, if you have a silicone cover on your nano it will NOT fit.
- It is easy to get the nano in and out, and because of the clip on the nano, when its in, it is secure, and therefore wont fall off the watch. This means its not the kind of "cover" where once its in, its in forever.
- The screen of the nano can be easily rotated to have the clock face, and the menu etc interface in the orientation you desire.
- The headphone jack of the nano points UP YOU ARM when the ipod is docked. I find this to be quite convenient as I use mine for running, and therefore want the cable pointing up my arm
- NB one: The docking platform between the two straps is PLASTIC (not metal). I believe this will have pro's and con's, given that plastic will wear better with the sweat, but may not last as long. Potential concern here. However, the plastic does appear sturdy, so will let you know how it goes.
- The size of the watch strap, and the holes make it possible to fit almost all size arms. I am a fairly big guy, and it fits me comfortably. However, if you have mammoth wrists, you may run into trouble.
Post comments, and I will try to answer them. All in all, a good product that is (imho) freaking cool.
UPDATE: March 10:
I have been using the product for about a month and a half. I used a small file to round the edges of the platic platform onto which the ipod attaches, as they were quite sharp and snagged on sweaters etc. My ipod fits snuggly into the platform, and doesn't move around. The plastic platform still looks good.
The silicone straps dont show any signs of wear yet, and I use my strap principally for running, so the straps receives a lot of sweat. Btw, if you use for running, get yourself a set of these babies: Sennheiser Adidas PMX 680 Sports Earbud Headphone with Volume control & Neckband. They are incredible, and dont move an inch when you run. iWatchz CLRCHR22RED Q Collection Wrist Strap for iPod Nano 6G
I had always thought that a small mp3 player could always be worn best on the wrist. Clipping it to a band or cuffing it to your bicep wasn't always the most comfortable, secure fit. Obviously, the market wasn't out there for this idea until the 6G Ipod Nano came along. Before, the small size pretty much limited the total song capacity to about two, and there was no option to securely fasten the player to the wrist anyway- they were still too bulky.
This Nano, with its optional clock display-was made for this wristband (and vice versa). I got this watchband as a gift for my wife after getting her the Ipod for Christmas. The fit is tight and secure. The instructions are nonexistent- if you need to adjust the bands to facilitate positioning the Ipod (to not only display correctly but to have the headphone jack positioned correctly as well, you will have to study the pieces and intuit what needs to be done. Not a problem for me- but I am smart:)
In the end, with a little extra effort on my part swapping the bands around- this turned into an appreciated gift. My wife wears the Ipod daily as a watch. All that is needed is to plug in the headphones and the Ipod reverts back to its original purpose- only secured to the wrist (the headphones are positioned to run up inside shirt sleeves, helping to keep the cords from flaying around wildly when working out).
So yes, this is a very good product. No instructions in this case won't merit a mark down because any adjustments are easy to figure out and don't require extra parts/tools to accomplish. Once adjusted (and this may not be necessary for you) this watchband is well-made and obviously manufactured to fit the Ipod securely and attractively. This product complements the Ipod so well I expect Apple will come out with something similar to it, soon.
The part that holds the nano is flimsy and poorly made.
Problem one: very rough edge that hangs out beyond the nano.
Problem two: the whole band depends on one very thin piece of plastic underneath the nano. The piece broke after about 2 months of daily use.
The bad was great and very comfortable, but the piece that holds the nano is terrible.
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Portable Speakers - ipod speakers, ipod dock
Click here for more information I bought this item after reading several positive reviews posted on this site. Having tried it out, I do agree with many of the positive comments, but also found a couple of negatives that turned out to be deal-breakers for me, and I have decided to return it. One of the negatives is specific to my particular listening preference and may not apply to other folks. I bought this unit to use with my iPod in the bedroom. I like to fall asleep listing to SOFT music, so good low-level volume control is important for me. Unfortunately this unit are not well matched to that need. It has very little sensitivity at low levels: with the volume set only a few steps above zero on the push-button control, the sound level is already getting rather loud. Worse, the unit does not "remember" the previous volume stetting when it is switched on, instead it automatically resets to a mid level (which is actually quite loud) - this is something one could live with, obviously, but for me it's just too irritating.
My other negative is a general concern about the durability of the vinyl cover, which has to be folded back to support the unit when it is in use. The idea behind the design is good, making it easy to transport with the cover in place. However, as a support it seems flimsy, and the quality of the vinyl may not be sufficient for long-term use, given that it has to be folded back on itself each time the unit is set up. Past experience of folding vinyl in other situations leads me to suspect that it will soon develop splits along the fold.
To summarize:
Positives: Decent sound quality for a small unit; highly portable; looks good; easy to use if you don't care about the volume issue noted above.
Negatives: Volume control does not remember previous setting when unit is switched on and lacks sensitivity at low levels; vinyl cover may not be very durable. Altec Lansing IMT320 inMotion Compact iPod Speaker System
Good: AUX input. Battery powered and mobile, flip cover for travel, doesn't buzz on AT&T network, loud.
BAD: when its plugged into an outlet it automatically powers off when nothing is being played for a few minutes and when you turn it back on, it does not retain the volume level setting you were previously using! Very annoying. It needs a remote. The button are poorly located directly behind your device where they are hard to see and get to.
I use this unit every day at work as PC speakers which charge my iphone while I'm at work. When I pause Itunes for more than 5 minutes or so, the speakers power off and I must turn them back on. When they are turned on, the volume is reset to half, which is too loud in my office. Also, because I am constantly turning the unit on after it shuts off, the buttons are in a bad spot...right behind the iphone.
If I had known all of the annoying things about this unit at the time I purchased, I would have spent more money for a better unit.
WOW! Great product for the cost! We have bought 4 different brands that either crap-out or sound like crap, Altec's CEO is not kidding when he says most people make a pretty box and fill it with whatever speaker they can find, and not to mention the internal amps in those crappy sets. These guys have nailed it! definately easy to use, and great to listen to. I am getting ready to a third unit now (yes we bought 2 already) and I am glad we did.
Thank you Altec Lancing!
I guess I thought this device would be larger than it is. I purchased it mainly for my garage so I could listen to music while I work. The sound is pretty good for it's size and the bass is probably the best you can expect from such small speaker. I guess I would enjoy something a bit larger though for a more full sound. We did take it on a recent camping trip and it's size was an advantage in that situation. The ability to run it off batteries was a plus.
If I had to do it all over again I would spend a bit more $$ and go for something larger. - Ipod Speakers - Ipod Dock - Portable Speakers - Docking Stations
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Portable Speakers - ipod speakers, ipod dock
Click here for more information I bought this item after reading several positive reviews posted on this site. Having tried it out, I do agree with many of the positive comments, but also found a couple of negatives that turned out to be deal-breakers for me, and I have decided to return it. One of the negatives is specific to my particular listening preference and may not apply to other folks. I bought this unit to use with my iPod in the bedroom. I like to fall asleep listing to SOFT music, so good low-level volume control is important for me. Unfortunately this unit are not well matched to that need. It has very little sensitivity at low levels: with the volume set only a few steps above zero on the push-button control, the sound level is already getting rather loud. Worse, the unit does not "remember" the previous volume stetting when it is switched on, instead it automatically resets to a mid level (which is actually quite loud) - this is something one could live with, obviously, but for me it's just too irritating.
My other negative is a general concern about the durability of the vinyl cover, which has to be folded back to support the unit when it is in use. The idea behind the design is good, making it easy to transport with the cover in place. However, as a support it seems flimsy, and the quality of the vinyl may not be sufficient for long-term use, given that it has to be folded back on itself each time the unit is set up. Past experience of folding vinyl in other situations leads me to suspect that it will soon develop splits along the fold.
To summarize:
Positives: Decent sound quality for a small unit; highly portable; looks good; easy to use if you don't care about the volume issue noted above.
Negatives: Volume control does not remember previous setting when unit is switched on and lacks sensitivity at low levels; vinyl cover may not be very durable. Altec Lansing IMT320 inMotion Compact iPod Speaker System
Good: AUX input. Battery powered and mobile, flip cover for travel, doesn't buzz on AT&T network, loud.
BAD: when its plugged into an outlet it automatically powers off when nothing is being played for a few minutes and when you turn it back on, it does not retain the volume level setting you were previously using! Very annoying. It needs a remote. The button are poorly located directly behind your device where they are hard to see and get to.
I use this unit every day at work as PC speakers which charge my iphone while I'm at work. When I pause Itunes for more than 5 minutes or so, the speakers power off and I must turn them back on. When they are turned on, the volume is reset to half, which is too loud in my office. Also, because I am constantly turning the unit on after it shuts off, the buttons are in a bad spot...right behind the iphone.
If I had known all of the annoying things about this unit at the time I purchased, I would have spent more money for a better unit.
WOW! Great product for the cost! We have bought 4 different brands that either crap-out or sound like crap, Altec's CEO is not kidding when he says most people make a pretty box and fill it with whatever speaker they can find, and not to mention the internal amps in those crappy sets. These guys have nailed it! definately easy to use, and great to listen to. I am getting ready to a third unit now (yes we bought 2 already) and I am glad we did.
Thank you Altec Lancing!
I guess I thought this device would be larger than it is. I purchased it mainly for my garage so I could listen to music while I work. The sound is pretty good for it's size and the bass is probably the best you can expect from such small speaker. I guess I would enjoy something a bit larger though for a more full sound. We did take it on a recent camping trip and it's size was an advantage in that situation. The ability to run it off batteries was a plus.
If I had to do it all over again I would spend a bit more $$ and go for something larger. - Ipod Speakers - Ipod Dock - Portable Speakers - Docking Stations
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Digital Rebel - xsi, canon
Click here for more information My journey with DSLRs began back in 2003 with the original Digital Rebel. DSLRs changed my photography for the better like nothing else. Five years and some 25,000 shots later, it's still going strong. Along the way I upgraded to the Canon 30D, which is a fantastic camera as well. When the 40D was announced, I decided to wait until the 50D sometime in 2009, but wanted a newer backup/second body for my photography needs. So when the XSi/450D was announced, it sounded like a perfect fit for my needs.
I got it from Amazon.com three days ago, and have given it a pretty good workout since then, having shot about 650 shots under a variety of shooting conditions and with a number of different Canon and third-party lenses. The following are my impressions.
The build feels very good. The camera feels wonderfully light yet well built. I'm 6ft tall with average size hands, and the camera feels good in my hand. The battery grip, to me, defeats the purpose of having a small, light DSLR, so I opted for a Hakuba/Opteka grip (it's a plate that screws into the tripod socket that enables you to use the excellent Canon E1 hand strap with it) and I couldn't be happier. I'm not a fan of neck straps, so this works well for me (see the uploaded photo for the configuration).
Most of the menu buttons on the back feel different from the ones on the original Digital Rebel and the 30D; the XSi buttons feel more tactile and have a definite "click" to them when you press them. The exception are the Exposure Lock (*) and AF selector buttons, which have retained the deeper, softer feel of the older cameras. Just different, not better or worse, for me.
The LCD is now 3" with 230K pixels. The playback images look great, and probably because of the higher resolution of the sensor, there's a very slight delay when you zoom in to 10x while the image loads and displays properly. People coming from other cameras or brands might not even notice it--I only did so because of the difference between it and my two other Canon DSLRs (which have lower resolution sensors). The viewing angle of the LCD screen (how clearly you can see the screen from side and up and down) is excellent; you can still see the screen holding the camera almost straight up for an overhead shot (more on this later). I'd estimate the viewing angle is about 160-170 degrees both horizontally and vertically.
The Digital Rebel has a separate status screen above the main LCD screen, and the 30D had one on top of the camera, so I wasn't sure if I was going to like the big LCD acting as the status screen and no top screen. I'm happy to say that this arrangement works well, at least for me. The back screen makes it really easy to take all the settings at a glance. The viewfinder is much larger and brighter than that in the Digital Rebel. A humongously welcome feature for me is the always displayed ISO value in the viewfinder.
The camera is only 1/2 of the image quality equation, the other being the lenses being used. Coupled with my favorite lens, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L telephoto lens, the XSi turns out fantastic images. The supplied kit lens is very light and compact for being an image stabilized lens, and turns out good performance. The IS is certainly very useful.
Two features that used to be missing from the Digital Rebels and found in the more expensive DSLRs are now featured in the XSi: spot-metering and flash exposure compensation (these may have been available in the previous Digital Rebel model, the XTi, as well). The inclusion of those two features make the camera a much more complete and compelling photographic tool. The timer function now has a custom mode, where it'll count down from 10 seconds then take a number of shots (specified by you) in succession. No more running back and forth to reset the timer after each shot! There's also the traditional 2-second timer.
Let's talk for a minute about sensor and the ISO values. XSi/450D has five ISO values you can choose: 100 (best image quality), 200, 400, 800, and 1600. Higher ISO increases the camera sensor's sensitivity to light, thus you can achieve faster shutter speeeds for a given lighting condition. However, the trade-off is that the sensor "noise" (think grain for film photography) increases with higher ISO, so you get a degraded image quality in return for less blurred photos from hand shakes (thanks to faster shutter speed). This may come in handy in situations where flash photography is not permitted, such as a museum or a concert or theater. HOWEVER, compared to point-and-shoot digital cameras, the larger sensors of DSLRs, including the XSi, means that even at ISO 800 and 1600 you get very usable images right out of the camera. Running the images shot at those ISO settings through any number of third-party noise reduction software will improve them even further.
This ties in to another very useful feature of the XSi/450D that makes life easier for the photographer: The Auto ISO function. By default, Auto ISO sets the ISO (the sensor sensitivity to light) between 100 and 800 (by using custom functions, this can be changed to 200-1600). If you are, for example, shooting your kid's indoor basketball game and you know that you need a shutter speed of at least 1/200 sec to "freeze" the action, then you can set the camera to Tv (shutter priority mode) and set the value to 1/200, and set the camera to Auto ISO. Then the camera will match the aperture and the ISO to achieve proper exposure at that shutter speed. With my other DSLRs, setting the camera to shutter priority only allowed the camera to adjust the aperture value; ISO setting had to be adjusted manually. With the XSi/450D, the ability for the camera to adjust the ISO value automatically makes it one less thing for you the photographer to worry about.
I've only tested the Live View function to see how it works, but I can already see how useful it's going to be in studio and macro shootings. Just a note, you can't half-press the shutter to autofocus while in Live View mode. You can either manual focus, or use one of the two autofocus methods, quick (the mirror flips up, the LCD goes dark for a short while, and flips down with focus locked) or live (the camera uses the LCD's contrast detection to achieve the focus--this method is slower than the quick method), both by pressing the exposure lock button (*) while in the Live View mode. Using either the RS-60E3 wired remote or RC-1 wireless remote in Live View mode will ONLY trigger the shutter, and has no bearing on focusing.
Some people seem to be under the impression that the inclusion of the Live View feature will enable them to use the XSi/450D as they do point-and-shoot digital cameras, to compose their shots. That is not the case. You can't really make a functioning use of the Live View feature unless the camera's securely mounted on a tripod or on a flat surface. Both Live View focusing modes, while precise, are too slow to be used for hand-held shooting.
Having said that, there is one use of Live View in hand-held shooting that I've come to value. When shooting overhead or over an obstacle, I can, with the same hand holding the camera, trigger the Live View, compose the scene through the LCD monitor (even if it's out of focus, it's easy to get the general framing right), disable Live View, and take the photo normally. With a little practice, this can be accomplished very quickly. Very handy when you're just holding the camera overhead and hoping for the best.
The Direct Print button that's been much ridiculed and maligned in most Canon cameras now double as the white balance menu button. The Set button in the middle of the four-direction arrow keys can be programmed for a number of different functions: Change image quality, flash exposure compensation, LCD monitor on/off (same as Display button, but can be triggered by the same hand holding the camera), and Menu display (again, can be triggered by the same hand holding the camera).
There is a dedicated ISO button, which is also very welcome. It can easily be accessed during shooting with the right thumb, thereby minimizing the interruption to shooting.
The battery life seems very good. I've shot about 500+ shots on a single charge and the status monitor is still showing charge at full.
I'm using Transcend 8GB Class 6 SDHC card with it. At ISO 100, the camera reports it can fit 396 RAW+JPG (highest quality) on it, but in reality it can probably fit about 420-450 (the camera's always conservative when estimating). With RAW only, it can fit 507. With highest quality JPG, it can fit 1,822. Note that as ISO increases, so do the file sizes and thus you can store less images per card. For example, on ISO 1600, the same card can only hold 323 images, compared to 396 at ISO 100.
My only gripe, and this is more about me than the camera, is the RAW+JPG buffer. I always shoot RAW+JPG, and the buffer will only hold four images at that speed (this is a limitation that's built into the camera's memory buffer system, and thus using a fast memory card doesn't help--see p.64 of the manual). When the buffer's full, you can take two additional images at about a frame a second, then have to wait until the buffer empties (finishes writing to the memory card). When shooting RAW only, it's 6 images. When shooting JPG only, then it's no problem at more than 50 frames. I've found myself switching the mode dial to Sports mode when I'm shooting a fast-moving subject and the buffer simply can't keep up with it. Well, that's why Canon produces different grades and ranges of DSLRs.
I've uploaded some photos that I shot of the local wildlife. Most if not all of those were taken with the EF 70-200mm f/4 L lens.
All in all, it's a fantastic camera. Pretty amazing to see how far the entry-level DSLRs have come in just a few years in terms of features, interface, ergonomics, and quality. I'm very pleased with my purchase and intend to have lots of fun shooting pictures with it. Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) - Xsi - Canon - Photography - Digital Rebel
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Ipad2 Screen Protector - protector, screen
Click here for more information ...like I did. This is "bubble city" - I went through the pains of using almost an entire can of compressed air to clean the work surface of any dust particles, waited at least 20 minute for anything to settle down to no avail - it didn't matter, bubbles just naturally formed in every square centimeter of the iPad's surface....from small ones to huge ones - trying to follow the instructions and like I did with the screen protector for my iPad 1 I applied pressure with the included "card" which resulted in scratches of the plastic surface - all over the place - I became sooooo frustrated by this inferior product I ended up ripping out of my iPad and throwing it were it belongs...the garbage! KHOMO Anti-Glare Invisible Screen Film Protector for new Apple iPad 2 (NEWEST VERSION March 2011 release)
After applying the screen protector, I definitely had a lot more bubbles than I expected, and many would just not rub out. The bubbles aren't really distracting while using the device, but are definitely visible when the device is off.
This item is sufficient for my needs though. I just wanted to protect my screen while using my iPad 2 in an experiment; this screen protector is a decent value and I'l probably just dump it later. In comparison, I bought 5 iphone screen protectors for 99 cents, and none of them had bubbles for the first few weeks (but bubbles formed later). I have not tried more expensive screen protectors, so I don't know how things compare.
I would strongly discourage buying this protector if the appearance of your iPad 2 is important.
Like many of the other comments, I agree that installing this iPad 2 screen protector is nearly impossible. You can get the screen perfectly clean, but as soon as you take the protective coating off the back side (the sticky side) of the screen protector, you will undoubtedly get some lint or dust stuck to the screen protector before you lay it on the iPad screen. This is all it takes to get bubbles that you can not get removed. After several attempts of trying to get rid of the all the dust, I ended up throwing the screen protector in the trash. What a waste of $7.00. Don't waste your time or money!
First off, I'm very picky and OCD. So if you're not like me, then you might be able to tolerate this screen protector.
I was trying to be cheap and tried finding an alternative to a $35ish zagg screen protector. I thought "Hey! it's only 10 bucks with shipping and all I need it to do is prevent scratches right?" WRONG.
The first thing I noticed was that it just felt like cheap sticky thick plastic. I could tell it didn't have a stretchy texture, but it had good thickness to where I thought it will protect my iPad 2 from scratches.
Applying took me about 15 minutes because of lint (I don't know if it was my environment, but I used up a good amount of scotch tape to take the lint off that left a good annoying sized bubble). I thought I could handle the 2 bubbles that was left because of 2 tiny pieces of lint, but I couldn't. Although the lint was pretty small, it left a noticeable size bubble around it.
The holes for the camera and the button were pretty good and it covered the whole screen which I liked, but then the edges seemed like they weren't sticky enough.
I put on a silicone case about 2 hours later, but since the protector in my opinion lacked stickiness, the edges were continually unstuck. I let it sit overnight and put the case back on, but the edges were STILL getting unstuck. I couldn't handle it anymore so I took it off and I could immediately tell that there wasn't enough "stickiness." It peeled off way too easy.
I ended up buying the zagg protector for about $35 and wished I just bought that in the first place and saved my 10 bucks.
Lesson learned.
It is certainly a good product but it took awhile to install. Was not able to position it precisely and still have some bubbles around edges. I wish the manufacturer came up with some way to simplify the process. Nevertheless, it looks good, easy to clean and my iPad did not lose sensitivity.
Applying these screen protectors is a pain. And they invariably bubble. But this works, was relatively easy to apply due to the double layer application and my kids can play the iPad in the car without the glare.
I was a little nervous about getting this cover since there are so many bad reviews, but it turned out pretty good. It was hard to get all the lint off but I only have four tiny bubbles and that is the result of only one try. I think that for the size of the I pad bubbles are inevitable. This cover does remove some of the shine of the iPad (on the black part) but other than that you can barely tell it is there. Don't wear clothes with long sleves when putting this cover on. Also I found it better to use a piece of scotch tape to get the dust off after using the cloth (I found that the cloth kept putting more dust on). Once the dust is off I set the film down on the iPad then I got the big bubbles out with the card. All that was left were little bubbles near the edges. I lifted the film up on each edge ( one at a time) and then used the card to press it back down which worked very well. I haven't used this in sunlight yet so I don't know how well the anti-glare stuff works, but overall this seems to do it's job and for the low price I am very pleased plus I have two more for down the road! - Protector - Screen - Screen Protectors - Ipad2 Screen Protector
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Thursday 28 April 2011
Power Meter - electric consumption, energy
Click here for more information This is a great way to bring the "Prius Effect" into your house... you can totally geek out, annoy your children, and alienate your spouse by watching a graph of your energy consumption while pointing at the culprit disapprovingly.
Or perhaps, you could put an "Energy Jar" in the center of the living room where you can collect funds for your next trip to Disneyland or start that fund to buy everyone extra sweaters and blankets as you crank down the thermostat during the winter.
The basic utility of the device is to show you when energy is getting used and potentially identify areas to improve. If you see something happening at 3AM every night, but everyone's asleep and it's winter, perhaps your irrigation system is still running (even though the water is turned off).
A tip: anything with an "analog" clock or timer is chewing up energy. My front-loading washer eats energy while doing nothing (there may be a solenoid holding a door lock open). My microwave eats almost as much energy as my laptop just telling me the time. How you "solve" those problems will definitely depend on how popular you'd like to be in your house.
Depending on your energy "rate structure", you may be able to identify ways to stay out of certain "zones" where things cost more. I live in a place with "Tiered" rates. When you exceed one level, the price per kWhr goes up. So, peak use doesn't matter as much as reducing the "base load" of the house.
I was able to identify a hundred watts of power vampires (and maybe more) in surprising locations, and verify their effect with this setup. By turning those things off, I might stay out of the next higher energy rate tier. If you live in a "time of use" rate area, you might use the data differently.
The point is - with this setup, your data is WAY BETTER than the power company's data - in that, you can see it every few seconds and it's pretty accurate. But, I wouldn't try arguing your bill with it...
This unit works with both the Black and Decker (Black & Decker EM100B Energy Saver Series Power Monitor) and BlueLine Power Cost Monitor sensors.
Note that this unit is also now compatible with Google PowerMeter, but I still prefer Microsoft Hohm. You can't seem to use both at once.
Also, and this is important, this unit absolutely REQUIRES 802.11b wireless support on your router. Some new routers do NOT support "Mixed Mode" (e.g. 802.11b/g, a/b/g, b/g/n etc.) connection. If yours does not, you will be stuck using 802.11b for your network.
The setup was fairly straightforward. When I installed the software, it found a new version of the firmware for the unit and installed it without issue.
One thing to note is that the instructions tell you to "Hold the Reset button until the light stays RED" on the unit in order to get it to pair with your sensor that's out on the power meter.
Don't do that. If you hold the reset button too long, it will erase all the programming you just did on it.
It appears to me that the unit is ready to pair as soon as you disconnect it from the computer and move it to where you'll be "installing" it (near the power meter). The light blinks red and amber at that point. Pressing the reset button didn't change the blinking pattern, and pressing the button on the sensor outside on the power meter immediately paired the WiFi device to the power meter sensor.
One thing to note is that this unit has a very informative web page inside it. It will tell you things about the current link status of your connection to Microsoft Hohm or Google Power Meter, the battery level in your power meter sensor, and the signal strength of that connection.
The device's web page also automatically refreshes the data more quickly than the Hohm site. But it will ONLY SHOW YOU DATA IF YOU USE A SECURE WIFI NETWORK. They warn you about this in the package. But it's just a helpful reminder in case you don't use at least WEP security. Some people scratch their heads when they see a blank page, but Hohm has their data somehow.
I chose to assign the device a FIXED IP address on my router so that I could always get to that web page. If you use DHCP, the Hohm connection will be fine, but your device might drift around your network when your router resets itself. You can fix a DHCP address in your router or in the device setup. Doing it in the router may require re-doing the device setup just because of how your router behaves, so I'd recommend doing it in the device setup.
The device seemed to survive a power outage, and Hohm reconnected as soon as the power came back on.
So, now that you can see all your data, go out and hunt for power vampires! Blue Line Innovations BLI 31100 PowerCost Monitor WiFi Gateway
It does the job, but can sure be annoying to get configured. The fact that it is only 802.11b and flakey with some newer routers is also a pain - but I've managed to make it work with my gear (mostly). I found going with a static IP setup to be the best route. I think overall it's probably about $50 overpriced. - Electric Consumption - Energy - Microsoft - Energy-saving Devices
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Iphone Clock Radio - iphone clock radio, ipod clock radio
Click here for more information First time in ages I've had to read the instructions for a clock step-by-step, but it was oh-so-worth-it. How nice to charge my iPhone on my nightstand and not have to fumble for it in the morning, and even better, to awaken to music of my own choosing! The display is easy to read, the iPhone fits snugly and easily into the dock, and now that I've figured out how it works, it'll be fine. I'll want to keep the instructions on hand, though, for future reference (but the fact that it's not intuitive will help keep it safe from my college-aged daughter who likes to steal everything when she comes home on the weekend). The speakers sound much better than I expected for a clock this size, too--another pleasant surprise. Sony ICF-C05iP Clock Radio for iPod (White)
Sony ICF-C05iP Clock Radio for iPod (White)
My favorite thing about this alarm clock is not the ipod feature which is why I purchased it, but it's the different settings for the display. The display can be bright, dim, dimmer or off with a tap to the snooze button.
I also agree with the first reviewer that it was not and intuitive set-up. I had to refer to the set of instructions for the first time in years!
Ourchased as Christmas gift and went over like gang busters! This is a great IPOD Alarm Clock. Lots of features...has multiple dimmer settings for the display, summer DST button in back (just push and is set for daylight savings time, and they found it fairly easy to set up. They really loved the small footprintof the clock. It is not more than 5" L and 4" W. Very nice and great price!
Awesome look (I've white one) - compact size - works great with iPod 3rd Gen iPhone 3GS - Radio, FM - Alarm and most importantly alarm with ipod/iphone music :) - mornings are melodious !!
I would give 5/5 for the look and size, 3/5 for the sound quality (I'm use to Harman-Kardon), 4/5 for feaatures it has. It lags the AUX input, not able to connect my Samsung Galaxy S using Aux cable :( - probably they could make the driver supporting it......but over all pretty good job by SONY!!
After I finally got an iPod nano, I decided I wanted a radio for it, one that included an alarm. I looked through review after review of models by iHome, RCA, Sony, and others. I didn't want to spend too much money, since I would only use it for the alarm and occasionally as a radio. I have had a Sony CD Clock/Radio for nearly 10 years, and until this past year, it worked great (the CD player finally died, but the clock and radio still work.). I decided to get this model at Christmas, and I have been very pleased with it so far. The sound is surprisingly good for such a small speaker set. I have no trouble setting the alarm to just the song I want, and while some have complained that it is difficult to work initially, I had no problem with it. As long as this little thing works at its current level for a year or two, I will be supremely satisfied with it. I would definitely recommend this to others, and buy another down the road. Works with the latest generation nano, though it is not listed on the specs.
What I like about this alarm clock is that it keeps my iPod charged and ready to go while allowing me to wake to the music I choose. I also appreciate that when the power goes out and comes back on my clock still has the correct time. That said, there are several things about this unit that I do not like.
As with previous reviewers I had to "read the instructions" and they are not intuitive so I too need to continue keeping the instructions near the clock.
I was initially drawn by the bright or less bright feature of the display but the reality is that I simply can't read this clock - at any brightness - without my glasses on at night - a problem I did not have when I was using a colored LCD display. It may simply be that this clock is not for folks with astigmatism. For those without eyesight difficulties this should present no problem.
I bought this radio for my bathroom because it was small, had a clock, and had a dock for my IPod. I was so pleasantly surprised that I could actually use the radio. We live in a rural area about 40 minutes away from the radio stations we can listen to. There is no radio in our house that can get good reception from any of these stations. I didn't expect this radio to be any different and was just planning on listening to my IPod. This radio gets great reception and now I mainly listen to the radio stations on it. I would definitely recommend this radio.
The little (in shelf space) clock/radio is a great buy, as value for price. The sound is very good for the small speaker, the dial light dims completely. There are more than enough station memories, but setting them up is a little tiring. There are just two iPod inserts/adapters and none fits the iPod video 5G (which you have to use without an adapter and becomes sort of loose). It's a good buy and I'd recommend it if you don't care for total hi-fi.
The battery that came with the clock appears to be dead, or that function doesn't work - I don't know because I'm too lazy to go find a new battery for it since it's one of those flat ones. (AAA would have been nice!) Also, for some reason I didn't even think to check to make sure this was a feature until I got the clock, but you can not set the day/s of the week for the alarm to go off and also there is only one alarm. Besides that - this little clock has been great. Just the right size, loud alarm, dimmable display, iPhone 3GS dock...it's great. - Ipod Alarm Clock - Ipod Clock Radio - Clock Radio - Iphone Clock Radio
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How to choose a 3D TV that is best for you
In christmas 2010 saying a success in the sales of 3D TV bundles with a cascade of wonderful deals geared towards those buying for the holiday season. Luckily, this means that prices have stayed quite competitive and you can still pick up a nice deal on the latest models.
Choice the cheapest 3D TV can often be a part of a trawl; some online cost comparison sites are so keen to have you pay for the click that you often find that the deal isn ' t quite as amazing as you first idea, and finding the right one can end up being as time excessive as physically travelling between shops and comparing the offers yourself.
The cheapest is also rarely the best and worth the differences in the technology, whether it be a Samsung or a Panasonic 3D TV, can be low. The aim of this article is to give you the basics on what to look for to select the 3D TV.
Choose the right size TV
The first thing to do is trick what specification would suit you best, initial with size. It can be simple to fall into the trap of wanting a 50 - inch TV, but it ' s rarely worth the extra cost if it 's going to use a tiny living room.
Take a tape act to the area where you want your television to go and give it a quick feeling. Remember that the number of inches attributed to a screen is measured diagonally and not horizontally, otherwise you may think that a smaller television is enough.
If you want the television to sit on a wall, make allowances in cost for wall mounting kits. Some offers will bundle one with it, but you may select that they are a rather costly add on, especially if you are planning on buying a really big screen. Alternatively, if you are planning on investing in a new shelf, the same applies.
Once you have set on what sort of size you 're looking for, you will want to make sure you are getting the much out of your new television. 3D TV sets come with a variance of different settings and add - ons and these can be the separation between getting a truly great deal and not.
Which type of display?
The first thing you may need to decide on is which screen type you wanting. There are usually three varied choices; you can either choose a liquid crystal display ( LCD ), a plasma screen or a light emitting diode ( LED ) television.
An LCD screen will last for a long time and regularly omits a very clear image, although these are usually a little more expensive than plasma screens. Plasmas do look sharp and will produce a high quality image, but they may eventually need replacing and are passable to image burning when a still image is left on the television for an lengthy period of time.
The latest revilement in television screens is LED technology. An LED television is actually fitted with an LCD screen but use LEDs as a backlight, which improves colour reproduction and contrast ratios. You will find that most of the latest televisions are using this technology, but it will add a few extra pounds to the cost.
For those looking for an all-round solution that will last, a standard LCD set should do, but if you want something with a little more clarity, then the LED may be what you need.
Resolution is often something that those buying a new television set may miss out on; the higher the resolution, the clearer the picture will be displayed. Resolution is the total number of other specks of colour ( pixels ) shown by a television set and a few extra hundred can really make the separation in an picture. This is less specialized if you are planning on using the television for just watching, but for those who plan on gaming or connecting a computer screen, this can be a high priority.
Multimedia feature
Another weighty thing to note is any extras that you may have built into the set. Some of the latest televisions can play digital media, such as MP3 files or movies, on target from a memory stick. Others even boast the ability to connect to the Internet, allowing you to check your email, Facebook or catch up with the latest in on - demand television using services such as the BBC iPlayer. These add - ons can be exceptionally useful and great worth a few extra quid in the continued run.
3D glasses
Finally, the cost of extra 3D glasses has to be built into the overall payment of the product. You may find a television at a discount price but find that you only receive one pair bundled with the set. If you can find a deal with a few more pairs bundled then it might be worthwhile, otherwise check out the cost of an extra pair as the standard price is normally.
Choice the cheapest 3D TV can often be a part of a trawl; some online cost comparison sites are so keen to have you pay for the click that you often find that the deal isn ' t quite as amazing as you first idea, and finding the right one can end up being as time excessive as physically travelling between shops and comparing the offers yourself.
The cheapest is also rarely the best and worth the differences in the technology, whether it be a Samsung or a Panasonic 3D TV, can be low. The aim of this article is to give you the basics on what to look for to select the 3D TV.
Choose the right size TV
The first thing to do is trick what specification would suit you best, initial with size. It can be simple to fall into the trap of wanting a 50 - inch TV, but it ' s rarely worth the extra cost if it 's going to use a tiny living room.
Take a tape act to the area where you want your television to go and give it a quick feeling. Remember that the number of inches attributed to a screen is measured diagonally and not horizontally, otherwise you may think that a smaller television is enough.
If you want the television to sit on a wall, make allowances in cost for wall mounting kits. Some offers will bundle one with it, but you may select that they are a rather costly add on, especially if you are planning on buying a really big screen. Alternatively, if you are planning on investing in a new shelf, the same applies.
Once you have set on what sort of size you 're looking for, you will want to make sure you are getting the much out of your new television. 3D TV sets come with a variance of different settings and add - ons and these can be the separation between getting a truly great deal and not.
Which type of display?
The first thing you may need to decide on is which screen type you wanting. There are usually three varied choices; you can either choose a liquid crystal display ( LCD ), a plasma screen or a light emitting diode ( LED ) television.
An LCD screen will last for a long time and regularly omits a very clear image, although these are usually a little more expensive than plasma screens. Plasmas do look sharp and will produce a high quality image, but they may eventually need replacing and are passable to image burning when a still image is left on the television for an lengthy period of time.
The latest revilement in television screens is LED technology. An LED television is actually fitted with an LCD screen but use LEDs as a backlight, which improves colour reproduction and contrast ratios. You will find that most of the latest televisions are using this technology, but it will add a few extra pounds to the cost.
For those looking for an all-round solution that will last, a standard LCD set should do, but if you want something with a little more clarity, then the LED may be what you need.
Resolution is often something that those buying a new television set may miss out on; the higher the resolution, the clearer the picture will be displayed. Resolution is the total number of other specks of colour ( pixels ) shown by a television set and a few extra hundred can really make the separation in an picture. This is less specialized if you are planning on using the television for just watching, but for those who plan on gaming or connecting a computer screen, this can be a high priority.
Multimedia feature
Another weighty thing to note is any extras that you may have built into the set. Some of the latest televisions can play digital media, such as MP3 files or movies, on target from a memory stick. Others even boast the ability to connect to the Internet, allowing you to check your email, Facebook or catch up with the latest in on - demand television using services such as the BBC iPlayer. These add - ons can be exceptionally useful and great worth a few extra quid in the continued run.
3D glasses
Finally, the cost of extra 3D glasses has to be built into the overall payment of the product. You may find a television at a discount price but find that you only receive one pair bundled with the set. If you can find a deal with a few more pairs bundled then it might be worthwhile, otherwise check out the cost of an extra pair as the standard price is normally.
Charging Cradle - cradle, accessory
Click here for more information This is a nice enough product; stylish, holds phone horizontally, heavier than you'd expect with a non-skid bottom. Problem is, that's all it is. There is no charger included as I had assumed. You either have to use the charger or the USB charging/sync cable that came with your phone. I wanted a second charger for my desk so I could keep the one that came with the phone in my briefcase or suitcase. Not sure it's pretty enough to justify almost $30 with shipping. BlackBerry Desktop Charge,Sync Pod for BlackBerry Storm 9500 and 9530 (Does not work with Storm2 9550 and 9520)
This device as others have noted does not fit the Storm 2 - 9550, and Amazon should quickly fix the merchandise materials to reflect this as other Storm 2 buyers will all have to go through the same fate of buying and returning this device.
Pros: It works, I use my storm as my alarm clock now. The storm fits snugly into the device. I've even seen pictures where a person had this in their car, but it takes some DIY skills.
Cons: You won't be able to use it if you have your storm in a case.
Other Thoughts: I wish it had a headphone jack then I could use it as a bedside MP3 player. You can still access the jack on the phone but it would be nice if it was in the dock.
I bought this charger for my Storm and recently upgraded to the Storm 2. I can hardly blame the manufacturer for creating a product that does not work with RIM's future line of phones but it does not work with my new Storm2. It works great for the Storm so 5 stars!
The charger will not work with the Storm2 9530 however. There is a anti-slip grip that is designed into the phone's casing which makes the phone a little more bulky than the Storm in that one area of the case. The Storm2 overall is smaller and more light-weight than the Storm. Regardless it doesn't work with the 9530.
I just received the sync pod, but cannot use it. The unit looks good and has a nice weight, but the Storm 2 will not seat on the charge plug. You have to press the Storm 2 quite firmly to get the charger to start (as evidenced by the clock showing on the screen). Once you release the pressure on the phone, it springs up, off the plug and charging stops. RIM's website states that the dimensions are the same for the Storm 2 and the Storm, but my phone won't work on the charge/sync pod.
I will be returning it for a refund. It is too bad - the concept is a good one. RIM needs to revise the dimensions of the sync pod so that the Storm 2 will fit.
Very convenient charging stand. By docking it and putting your phone on clock mode while charging, it doubles as a desktop clock. Once your phone is fully charged, however, it turns off. The charger integrates with your current charger. This is NOT a stand alone charger. You plug in your existing charger to the base. This unit merely lets you keep it in horizontal position so you can use it as a desktop clock.
I've never reviewed anything on Amazon before, but I had to write about this product. I love it. It's great quality, has a nice rubberized pad that protects the surface of your nightstand or table, and it has a good amount of weight to it -- it's not flimsy at all.
This is a great accessory for your BlackBerry Storm. When you put your Storm in the charger it turns it into a great table clock with huge numbers that are very easy to read and bright, all the time keeping your Storm fully charged. I love it!
This is the perfect docking station for the bb storm. It connects perfectly and brings up all my BB info on the computer right away. Changes screen on the BB to clock mode so you have a clock while it's attached to the dock. I love it, it works great and the shipping was really fast. Thank you! - Cradle - Accessory - Blackberry - Charger
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Sidekick
Click here for more information Because in my humble opinion, the phone is fun. I'm so sick of touch phones I couldn't bear my TMobile Mytouch 3g anymore. The thing was a pain, force close, slow, etc. I wanted a full keyboard again. People seem to love smaller, because admittedly, it's more accessible. However, just forego the body glove on this phone, and it still fits in your pants pocket. I tend to think bigger phones get taken better care of, because you're more aware of it. My phone doesn't force close. It's incredibly fast. I enjoy Media Hub app, which allows me to purchase or rent movies right to my phone. For the inability to see in broad daylight, turn the light up on your phone. I did and mine works fine.
Being able to text and surf the web at warp speeds has been very enjoyable. I've found the phone to have some things that seem bulky or what not, but all in all nothing is ever perfect. So I'm rating this 5 stars. T-Mobile Sidekick 4G Android Phone, Matte Black (T-Mobile)
I used to have the previous Danger sidekicks, the original sidekick and the sidekick id. I was thrilled when Tmobile debuted with the new sidekick. It's not at all like the old sidekicks, the only thing in common with them is the screen flipping up. It's very easy to manage and I love all the android apps. It is more bulky than other phones, but not so much that it's an issue. Plus, this sidekick is a touchscreen. also, as a side note it's manufactured by Samsung. I definitely recommend the phone. It's highly customizable.
I was looking to replace a MyTouch 3g with a modestly priced touch screen phone. That phone turned out to be the Sidekick 4G with its physical keyboard. And as for the Pros, that keyboard ended up being the only major plus. But other minor positives were a responsive touch screen, long battery life, and the Wi-Fi calling.
Here's the NEGATIVES: It's big, it's heavy, it feels slightly cheap, the USB/charging slot cover is annoying to open, the phone charger is extremely cheap, the camera is only 3g with no flash, poorly placed buttons, poor volume control, the Cloud Text feature is a joke, and the screen is virtually unreadable in sunlight.
Let me explain. This heavy and bulky phone will not fit into any cell phone holder your midsized car has to offer. Plus, it leans quite far out of the cup holder. The plastic case and the big buttons give it a cheaper feel. When going to charge the phone, if you don't have a decent fingernail, you'll never get the USB cover open. The charger is so cheap you'd think it was a replacement knock-off. The camera takes decent pics, but using it is a complete pain. First, the physical camera button is placed opposite the power button. So when you go to take a photo, you accidently turn off the phone. And because of the phone's size, you need to use both hands and your other hand tends to get into the camera shot. The loud speaker can be great when needed, but it should be responsive. I've had the volume one notch above vibrate and the email notification was still audible 10 feet away. The touted Cloud Texting was a major selling point for me so I tried it via my iPad 2 - pitiful. The website layout and text functionality was poor. I'd be embarrassed to advertise it. And lastly, I was floored when I walked outside and literally had to find shade in order to vaguely see the icons on the screen.
I've had the phone for 2 days and it's going right back.
This phone is a joke!! Very bulky and cheap feeling. I am on my second phone and am still having problems with the screen going black and becoming unresponsive. This requires a reboot every time. The battery life is decent, even with all notifications and syncs turned off. Charging takes about 5 hours to fully charge from 20% battery remaining. Text notification sounds randomly change, which is very annoying. Screen is hard to see outdoors, even at brightest setting. Save your money and buy a better phone!
hey the thing is that im from latinamerica and i wanna get one of this phones but i have not idea if this cell phone can be used in my country, please can you tell me if this phone is unlocked already for be used at any country? and if it is not, can you tell me the price of this phone unlocked? and where can i get it? thanks a sorry for my intent of english
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About 3D DLP HDTVs
Home entertainment has changed to 3D DLP HDTVs
Turn on your fresh 3D DLP HDTV, slide on your active 3D glasses, and view the images jump off the high definition screen also into your home theater. The greatest speed of the DLP chip, combined with 3D technology, makes it all workable.
Actuality games and movies like never before
Think playing a game with characters and objects that appear to surround you. Or immerse yourself in a movie that spills right into your alive room. That’s the magic of 3D ready DLP HDTVs. Even when you ' re not watching 3D topic, you’ll see the high definition quality of your DLP HDTV.
DLP HDTVs are the perfect package full HD and 3D capable at a price you can render.
DLP HDTVs are cool for offering perhaps the best full HD, 1080p image quality. With 3D ready capability, your TV is ready for all the 3D matter that is becoming more familiar every day. When you add the optional 3D add on kit, you can enjoy a nice selection of 3D movies and hundreds of PC games today and you’ll have element you need to enjoy future 3D topic. Plus, DLP HDTVs offer perhaps the prime “price–per–inch” of any HDTV making them the perfect big screen HDTVs at an affordable price.
Images so rightful, it’s like you’re there
DLP technology delivers crystal clear, razor - sharp and dynamic images for the ultimate in image quality. DLP technology is capable of extremely high contrast ratios providing a sweet viewing experience - crisper whites, ultra - rich blacks and images that "pop" on-screen.
Want to see 3D HDTV today?
Setting up your DLP HDTV for 3D viewing is quick and easy.
Turn on your fresh 3D DLP HDTV, slide on your active 3D glasses, and view the images jump off the high definition screen also into your home theater. The greatest speed of the DLP chip, combined with 3D technology, makes it all workable.
Actuality games and movies like never before
Think playing a game with characters and objects that appear to surround you. Or immerse yourself in a movie that spills right into your alive room. That’s the magic of 3D ready DLP HDTVs. Even when you ' re not watching 3D topic, you’ll see the high definition quality of your DLP HDTV.
DLP HDTVs are the perfect package full HD and 3D capable at a price you can render.
DLP HDTVs are cool for offering perhaps the best full HD, 1080p image quality. With 3D ready capability, your TV is ready for all the 3D matter that is becoming more familiar every day. When you add the optional 3D add on kit, you can enjoy a nice selection of 3D movies and hundreds of PC games today and you’ll have element you need to enjoy future 3D topic. Plus, DLP HDTVs offer perhaps the prime “price–per–inch” of any HDTV making them the perfect big screen HDTVs at an affordable price.
Images so rightful, it’s like you’re there
DLP technology delivers crystal clear, razor - sharp and dynamic images for the ultimate in image quality. DLP technology is capable of extremely high contrast ratios providing a sweet viewing experience - crisper whites, ultra - rich blacks and images that "pop" on-screen.
Want to see 3D HDTV today?
Setting up your DLP HDTV for 3D viewing is quick and easy.
- Connect your 3D DLP HDTV to a compatible 3D source
- Plug the transmitter into the HDTV VESA sync port
- Place the DLP HDTV into 3D mode
- Put on your active 3D glasses
- Enjoy!!!
Nikon D3000 - digital slr, nikon dslr
Click here for more information Looking over several cameras and choosing one for someone who has outgrown point and shoots, I came back to the Nikon D3000. By no means will this model blow away the seasoned photographer, however it does cover the basics and more. We picked it up and tried it out over the weekend.
First time DSLR users will enjoy the Guide Mode. It literally walked us through different shoot scenarios via the fixed 3" LCD screen. An excellent tool, its step by step instructions allowed my niece to move from the operating booklet in no time. After a few more runs, I am sure that she will feel quite comfortable shooting in the manual mode. The quick shutter release was a nice surprise.
Upon completing two days of shooting with the Nikon D3000, I walked away impressed. In manual mode, indoor shots were a balanced and perfect mix of shadow and color. As usual with shooting in low light, noise will make an appearance. However this system can be tweaked to deliver some outstanding indoor photographs. The bottom line is proper settings.
A basic fix is the VR (Vibration Reduction) feature located on the lens. This should be activated, especially indoors. A tripod will certainly help. In auto mode, just set the camera to night portrait and sit back and enjoy the rest of your flight.
Outdoor shots were vibrant, sharp and rich in color without editing. The onboard flash system was more than capable in meeting fill flash requirements. Without a doubt the overall performance of the camera, features and image quality is excellent.
With 10.2 megapixels to work with, I easily blew up a personal favorite my niece had taken to 16" x 20". Even though I don't see myself trading in my Nikon D300 for this model anytime soon, this camera is by far an upgrade over any of the souped up point and shoots out there.
Its easy to see that the real jewel in this model is the auto focus system. With six auto mode settings (Landscape, Sports, Child, Closeups, Portrait, and Night Portrait) each and every photograph can be a keeper. Onboard editing tweakers won't be disappointed with this model. It covers the basics. The D3000 operates with both SD & SDHC cards.
The Nikon D3000 is paired with a Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX lens. It will operate with any Nikkor DX and AF-S lens. Older Nikkor or similar AF lens is a no go when shooting in auto but will function in manual mode. Since this model is not fitted with the built in optical image stabilizer, I recommend switching on the Vibration Reduction (VR) feature located on the lens. Still the best anti vibration tool is a tripod.
Nikon makes it really simple with a thumb dial for tweaking aperture and shutter speed. Metering, focus modes, and exposure compensation are easily controlled via the menu. The D3000 does not shoot in video mode. This model easily shoots over three frames per second in continuous mode. The 3D tracking sensor operates quite well in low lighting.
The Nikon D3000 camera kit comes packaged with a EN/EL3e Li-ion battery, charger, USB cable, video cable. strap, eye cap, eye cup, software CD-ROM, 18-55mm Nikkor lens, lens cap, instruction booklet and a one year Nikon warranty.
Coming out of the gate, I still find this model a little pricey for a basic DSLR. I am sure heading into the fall and holidays buyers will begin to see a noticeable price drop. Even so, the D3000 is a fine tuned replacement for the immensely popular entry level Nikon D40. Newcomers to the DSLR community will certainly enjoy this outstanding alternative. Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
My good old point-and-shoot camera (one of the Canon PowerShot series) had served me faithfully, but I was growing frustrated with its limitations. It seemed SO slow -- I was always missing great shots of my kids. The low-light performance was not particularly good. And I knew if I ever wanted to take more than basic family snapshots, I was going to need to bite the bullet and buy a DSLR. But they seemed so intimidating!
After doing a ton of research online and trying out my sister-in-law's slightly older Nikon D40, I settled on the new D3000. And I love it! It really is easier to use than I could've imagined, and the shots I've gotten so far are amazing. I have no photographic training, but I am really delighted with the pictures I've been getting so far. I never could have imagined there would be SUCH a huge difference. I've actually gotten -sharp- pictures of my toddler in motion, rather than just kid-shaped blurs! I took it to a local park last night for a couple hours and took some really nice photos there, too.
Some things you might want to know if you, like me, are new to DSLRs:
* Everything you need is in the box (flash, lens, camera body, camera strap, manual, etc.) -except- for a memory card. You'll need to get an SD or SHDC card to use with your camera. These are quite affordable. Of course, you may WANT more lenses, etc., later, but the kit lens is very nice, and offers a decent amount of flexibility. I would suggest, however, get a lens filter to help protect the lens,
* The D3000 comes with a "Guide" -- it helps you choose what effect you're looking for (freeze motion, blur background, etc.) and then helps you pick the right settings. But even just on "auto" mode, it takes some really fabulous pictures.
* Even as a relatively small DSLR, it's definitely bigger and heavier than most point-and-shoots. This wasn't a big issue to me, as I mostly plan to use it at home, but if you want something you can stick in your pocket, a DSLR may not be for you. (I plan to keep my old point-and-shoot as a backup for times when I want something I can just stow in my purse.)
* The D3000 does not have "Live View," where you can frame your shot in the LCD screen. I was a little concerned about this at first, but surprisingly, I've found that I really don't miss it at all. It also does not have video mode (which I find I don't miss, either, because I've always hated taking videos with a camera! They come out all shaky for me.)
* The included printed manual is pretty short and sweet. There is a manual on CD included that is much more complete. Neither, of course, really explains DSLRs in depth or photographic principles, so if you'd really like to learn more about using your camera to its fullest, I'd suggest Digital SLR Cameras and Photography For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) and Digital Photography Workbook For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)). The former does a great job of explaining how your camera works, why DSLRs are different from point-and-shoots, how to care for your camera, and what accessories you may want. The latter has tons of hands-on exercises to help you learn your way around your camera and improve your photography.
In short, if you'd like to jump into the DSLR pond, the D3000 is definitely an excellent introduction. Come on in -- the water's great! - Digital Slr - Nikon Dslr - Nikon - D3000
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