Amazon.com Review

By evaporating water into a room, this portable humidifier soothes dry throats, prevents dry skin, and alleviates congestion due to colds or allergies. Three fan speeds provide control, and, at low speed, the humidifier is bedroom-quiet. This model evaporates about 2.8 gallons of water in 24 hours at high speed. A 2-gallon plastic bottle fits into the humidifier and permits water-level monitoring. It's virtually indestructible, spillproof, and leakproof, and has a wide-mouth spout and flat back for easy filling. The humidifier's wick is treated to inhibit bacteria growth and needs to be replaced every 60 to 90 days. The humidifier measures 15-1/2 by 13 by 11 inches, can be moved easily from room to room, and is simple to clean and maintain. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Clean running design
• Vorando vortex action
• Quiet operation
• Patented bottle design
• High Output

Reviews (11)

Good but not quiet
I bought two of these because the reviewers here gave it good marks and downplayed the noise it made. This product is easy to assemble and clean. Filling the water chamber is very easy compared to other humidifiers I have used. To me it is the best feature. My main gripe is with the noise it makes. First of all, the fan is not as quiet as I had hoped. There are three fan speeds, but the lowest speed is the only one that has an acceptable sound level at night. The higher two are only useful during the day when it can be drowned out by other household noises. To make matters worse, every 2 hours or so, this humidifier makes a series of loud GULPs as the water from the tank drains into the humidifier base. Based on the reviews I read here, I didn't think it would be a problem because I am a heavy sleeper, so I was suprised that the GULPing noise wakes me up at night.

This is a fine product for the daytime, but for nighttime/sleeptime, I wish I had purchased something else.

Excellent humidifier but its not perfect.
Pros:
If you want to humidify a small to medium-sized room quietly and efficiently this is definitely the humidifier for you! I have owned other brands of humidifiers that are as loud or louder on their low speeds then the Vornado is at high speed. I found there to be No Loud Gurgling Sound from this humidifier when filling itself from the water tank. With the fan set on medium you can barley hear it & it does a fantastic job of maintaining a very comfotable humidity level.

Cons:
Removing the water tank from the humidifier is a bit awkward. Instead of placing a handle at the top of the tank (which would be easy to grab) the manufacturer opted to only put a slight bump there. You have to be careful carrying & then loading the water tank into the humidifier if it is filled to capacity; or else you might spill water all over the place. The control knob is hard to grab & turn. Anyone that has difficulty using their hands will find this feature very hard to deal with.

Over all the humidifier does what it is meant to do very well & very quietly. The problems are design flaws that Vornado can easily fix on future models if they so choose to do. I would not hesitate to recommend this humidifier to other people. Filter life is about 60 days.

Good, but noisy
I researched for a long time before I purchased a humidifier for our bedroom. I chose the Vornado for its good reviews and well-known name. While the Vornado is quiet while spewing out the cool mist, it makes an INCREDIBLY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND many times (at least 4) during the average 8-hour night while the water gulps down from the water chamber into the body of the humidifier. IF YOU ARE a deep sleeper, or not bothered by loud knocking sounds, then this is the perfect humidifier for you. However, if you are a light sleeper, like I am, keep searching or wear ear plugs. I am literally woken up in my sleep by the knocking/gulping sound; my husband, who is a very sound sleeper, was awaken one night by the sound, got out of bed, and went to the door half asleep thinking that one of our children were knocking on it. On a positive note, the water chamber is easy to fill and replace, as are the wicks. All parts are very easy to clean. And it does "humidify" the room quite nicely. It is just very loud and I would not buy another Vornado for that reason alone.

solid workhorse - 5 year warranty
A couple of years ago, I bought two humidifiers made by Bionaire. Just outside the 1-year warranty period, the power switches on BOTH of them failed. I bought this Vornado unit as a replacement based on how satisified I've been with the quality of the Vornado fans I own, and it seems to be quite solidly built and it has a five year warranty to back it up. Also, it's made in the United States, in contrast to the cheap (but not inexpensive) Chinese-made Bionaires I had before. The only complaint I can come up with is that it makes a noticible "glug" once an hour or so when it draws water from the tank. Aside from that, the fan is quiet and it's very easily refilled.

Very Happy With It
I've owned lots of bad humidifiers in the past, and I hoped to go without one for the winter, but finally I had to give in and purchase another one (The dryness was killing me). I wasn't sure which one to get, finally I decided on the Vornado, and I'm very happy with it. Better than anything I've owned before. The design is simple, and easy to maintian (other machines I've owned have lots of tiny parts that get gunked or stop working properly). This machine has only three parts, and the electrical parts have zero chance of getting dirty. The only bad thing I can say about this thing is that it's a bit to noisy on the highest setting, but it's so efficient that you'll probably never need to use this. I keep it on low and it keeps a 550 sq foot room at a recommended humidity. As far the the occasional gulping sound, it's not really loud, you're computer probably makes more noise with the speakers off. ... Read more

Features

• Removable airTensity grill focuses air into a tight beam, traveling up to 75 feet
• Inlet air accelerator initiates Vornado's vortex action surrounding you in comfort by circulating the air in the room
• Deep pitch propeller takes a big bite of air
• Innovative air guide improves propeller efficiency; variable speeds control for any circulation need
• Whisper quiet operation

Product Description

Power stand fan converts from stand to table fan. Includes multiple height convertible pole system, adjustable tilt fan head, oscillation, and three speed settings. ... Read more

Features

• 3-year limited warranty
• Powerful Blizzaire motor
• 3 speed settings
• Convertible pole system, mulitple heights
• Oscillation

Reviews (4)

Lasts forever
I've used this fan for 4 years in a college dorm, having it on 24/7 every year, except for summer break which was used about 12/7.Not a single motor problem or break in performance, in spite of the heavy amount of dust present in dorms.I must say, best quality fan I've ever heard of so good job holmes.

Love it! Just ordered a 2nd!
We got one of these a few months ago- it's wonderful! I had originally wanted a Vornado but those were a bit expensive so I decided to give this one a try. It's a very powerful, compact fan- wonderful for those of us with very limited space. It's a little noisy, but all high-speed fans are. Given how powerful it is, it's probably on the quiet side of the high-speed fan category. It's low speed is great for sleeping- in fact we rarely use the higher speeds, even during the day. In summary, we're very happy with this purchase, so happy that we just ordered a second for our son's room.
Edited to add: These fans aren't designed to be cleaned! That's really the only thing I don't like about them--> they are incredibly difficult to clean.

Topheavy, but very useful
Well, we broke ours within the first month.It's too topheavy for the stem to be durable.If the stem were made out of a more durable material and thicker, the fan would have received a rating of 5 without hesitation.My fella has a hairdo that scares most women and children and it takes him hours to construct it.Lots of hairspray goes into the creation and he needs a powerful, adjustable fan to blow the fumes out of the bathroom (yes, this is what I live with every day!).This fan would certainly be a godsend, were it not for the somewhat flimsy stem.Beyond that, we don't find it too noisy, the 3 speeds are great, and the adjustable sizing is perfect for hiding behind our entertainment center (we live in a 600 sf apartment, and space is tight...this fan fits our space needs perfectly).
If you can treat it with gentle respect when you move it around and don't have pets, children (or boyfriends), who are rough with products, I highly recommend it.

Great Fan - my friend is going to buy one too
This fan is solid, well-made, versatile and really ventilates the room well, but as with all high velocity fans it is on the loud side, even on low. It has basically three heights: you can use it as a table fan, or you can insert either or both poles to make it medium height or full standing fan height. Be forewarned though that there is a little work in doing this, but it's not difficult. ... Read more

Features

• UL listed
• Detects carbon monoxide levels from 30 to 999 ppm
• 9-volt battery for power-outage backup
• Loud 85-decibel alarm
• Plugs directly into AC outlet

Reviews (8)

BATTERIES NOT AVAILABLE
THE UNIT WILL ALARM WHEN THE BATTERY IS ABOUT ONE YEAR OLD. IT'S PLUGGED INTO 110 VOLTS AND WILL STILL TELL YOU THE BATTERY IS BAD, EVEN WHEN IT HAS POWER. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT THE THING OFF IS TO UN-PLUG IT. BATTERIES ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, VERY POOR MANUFACTURE FOLLOW-UP WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS UNIT TO ANY ONE.

Recommended
This is the brand the guy from the gas company recommended. It works well and has an easy-to-read display. I am buying another one for another part of my house.

It's OK but didn't work at first
When first plugging the unit in inside the house I had a problem with resetting it and getting the level to read zero (with several attempts). I thought I might have a carbon monoxide in the house at first but took the unit outside and plugged it in in the garage and it reset to zero with no problem. After moving it back inside the house I plugged it in and now it works just fine. I still don't know why it [messed] up at first or mabey if I didn't do something right, but it was very frustrating. The good news is that it appears to work great now.

CO Detector False Alarms
I have had this detector for a few years and it has worked flawlessly. I have always had very low CO readings in my house since it is 75 years old now. Recently, my wife while in the house, was talking on her Cellular Phone, and walked within 5 feet of this detector, and it set off the detector and caused the detector to generate false readings from the radiation that the Cell Phone was producing. She actually saw the display, displaying a series of random numbers, as she was talking on her cellular phone. We also have 900MHz cordless phones in the house and these do not appear to affect the detector.

Every floor of your house should have one!
One reviewer questioned if these really work... YES they do! I had a new furnace installed recently, and the installers made a mistake. Without detectors in the house I might never have known, and my family could have suffered greatly (ie somebody could have become ill or even died!).

We had had them for years and they ALWAYS read 0. When we started seeing it detect CO we knew we had a problem. Occasional low readings (such as near your kitchen on Thanksgiving if you have a gas stove) are ok, but any consistant reading is cause for real concern particularly if it is away from any known source of CO (stove, fireplace, etc).

I strongly reccomend folks place a detector on each occupied level of your home. If something happens you may very well get different readings on different levels (I did).

When selecting a CO detector be sure to pick an electornic one with a digital readout. They cost more, but are well worth it. The only maintenance with a unit like this one is replacing the backup battery. (BTW, a backup battery is a really good idea. Each year many folks die because they used various types of gas heating devices during power outages with inadequate ventalation.) Also, the digital readout will help track down problems envolving lower levels of CO and may give you earlier warning of a malfunctioning heating system.

Finally, this particular unit has an advantage in that it can be placed directly over an outlet, or the included power cord can be used to allow higher wall mounting or placement on a table/shelf/etc. ... Read more

Features

• Multiple gauge wire networks for accurate, natural sound reproduction.
• 12-cut Turbine 24k gold contacts for a superior connection.
• Exceeds THX certification standards for proper system performance, reliability and ease of installation.
• Bandwidth Balanced design for increased clarity and sonic accuracy.
• MicroFiber insulation for deeper, tighter bass and clearer highs.

Amazon.com Review

Sized for rooms up to 16 by 20 feet, this air purifier from Panasonic tackles unclean atmospheres with a multi-part system of filters and sensors. It is quiet in action, slim in design, and easily detects odors, pollutants, and particles in the air. The purifier's main filter is a true HEPA filter, which removes 99.97 percent of airborne particles, down to 0.3 microns in size. A deodorizing filter with activated charcoal tackles unpleasant odors, and the Infrared Micro Dust Sensor is triggered by smoke, dust, and pollen, reflecting its readings in the air quality monitor. Designed for ongoing or intermittent use, the unit has an AHAM CADR rating of 215 for dust, 215 for smoke, and 200 for pollen.

Panasonic's design is clear and straightforward here with a 24-hour air quality LED display and illuminated lights that show when the filter needs changing. Three standard speeds plus a super setting give you the ability to tailor operation according to varying needs, and a simple panel indicates which filters are in use. Created for versatile placement, the unit measures a tidy 6-5/8 by 22 by 18-3/4 inches. Panasonic includes a one-year warranty. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Electronic air purifier for rooms up to 16 by 20 feet
• HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger
• Deodorizing filter with activated charcoal removes unpleasant odors
• Air quality monitor with micro sensor detects pollen, dust, and smoke
• Filter-change indicator; 6-5/8 by 22 by 18-3/4 inches; 1-year warranty

Reviews (1)

Worthless expensive Product and Horrible Customer Service
I have used this product over a year and this only worked for odor. This will try to remove any odor except one, which was not convenient for me. If I take a shower and enter the room, it will even try to remove my soap smell. However, it does not work for cigarette odor or smoke.

In addition,it will dry up your room and your eyes will get dried and even turn red. It did not work, when my room was dusty. I bought this because I was allergic to mite and dust but it did not work for me at all. I recommend Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, if you want better air quality.

The worst part. I submitted $40 rebate to Panasonic over a year ago and still have not received the rebate. I tried to resolve this problem both by email and by phone for several months. Their excuse was that they closed down the rebate center and they could not cut me the check, although I have all the necessary rebate proofs.

After they transferred me to same wrong departments many times and did not return my calls, I even talked to 2 people at the management team in Customer Lead Dept and they sent me to wrong department again. Now, they won't even return my phone calls, when I wasted 2-3 hours A DAY to talk to them about it. (You have to wait AT LEAST 15 mintues to over an hour, if you call them.You have to expalin to representatives all over again to talk to Management because they do not keep all the records.) One of them told me that there's no department that resolves problem, when I asked them to give me another contact information because they were not willing to resolve the problem. Run away from the bad service. I am not just talking about representatives. They call themselves as management team and do not even return phone calls. This might happen to you, if you ever buy Panasonic product and there is problem with it. I am disappointed not because I could not receive the rebate but because their service was so horrible. ... Read more

Product Description

American Power Conversion-APC (SUA24XLBP) Smart-UPS XL 24V Battery Pack ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

People who favor fans over air conditioners like to feel a house breathe. A good window fan is a real blessing to a fan person, and doubly so if that fan can be set to blow in two directions. Double the benefits yet again if that window fan has two fan blades, each of which can be set either in or out. The Holmes HAWF3095 window fan has those quadrupled benefits, and then some. There are two 3-speed fans in the unit, each of which can be set for air intake or exhaust, or for air exchange, when one blows in and one out. In addition, there's a programmable digital thermostat and timer, so the fan can shut off automatically when nights get too chilly. And of course there is a simple on/off mode, especially good with the air exchange configuration.

Air direction is set by using the sliding switches located above each fan blade. The mode button is used to turn the fan on and control the speed. The mode button also cycles through three automatic thermostat settings: Auto High, Medium, and Low. There are two additional temperature adjustment buttons to fine-tune the thermostat to a personal comfort level. In addition, a timer setting allows the fan to be programmed to turn on and off at one-hour increments over a period of as long as 16 hours. The HAWF3095 fits most windows, whether it be a casement, slider, or double-hung style. The fan can function either horizontally or vertically, and there are two 3-inch extenders that can slide on at either or both ends to help tailor the fan to most any window.

Always unplug fan before cleaning. Use a soft cloth moistened with a mild, nonabrasive soap solution. Do not use gasoline, paint thinner, or benzene as a cleaning solution; also do not allow water to drip on or enter fan housing. The Holmes HAWF3095 window fan measures 25 by 13 by 5-1/2 inches. (For certain casement windows, a specifically designed bracket may be required; upon request, Holmes customer service supplies this bracket free of charge, along with installation instructions.) Holmes provides a five-year limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship under normal use conditions. --Garland Withers ... Read more

Features

• 25 by 13 by 5-1/2 inches; 120 volts; five-year warranty
• Dual-direction double window fan with programmable digital thermostat
• Fits almost any window, horizontally or vertically; two 3-inch extenders included
• 3-speed fans can be set for air intake, exhaust, or dual-direction air exchange
• Modes include on/off, programmable timer, and automatic thermostat settings

Reviews (1)

Humidity Can't Be Controlled
Well, I loved this fan the first few days. The outside temperature was in the 50's overnight and having it on the intake setting was cooling my hot computer and TV-filled den perfectly. Then, it got hot and humid. If the fan isn't running, it's just like having the window open a foot or so. This causes humidity to skyrocket in the room. I tried to run it on exhaust on the humid days, but it still went to almost 70% while the other rooms on the second floor were in the mid-50% range. I think I was better off just running the air conditioning by itself. The temperature was still around 79 deg. in the room, but humidity was 10-12% lower. My house suffers from the standard "cold first floor - stuffy second floor" syndrome.

The unit works as advertised, but not being able to close the window spikes the humidity, even when running on exhaust. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This portable air cleaner is recommended for filtering the airin a closed room as large as 168 square feet (12 by 14 feet). As itcontinuously circulates a room's air--about six times per hour--itemploys two filters to remove smoke, pollen, dust, animal dander, dustmites, molds, bacteria, viruses, and odors. Especially useful forasthmatics and allergy sufferers, the cleaner contains a true HEPAfilter that is at least 99.97 percent effective at trapping extremelytiny particles (as small as 0.3 microns) while a prefilter reducesodors. Honeywell's IntelliCheck system permits monitoring the filters'lives. Each filter has a button. Pressing a button activates a light,which blinks or shines steadily. One blink indicates that the filterhas lots of life remaining, two blinks means less life, three blinksmeans even less, and a steady light indicates the filter needschanging. The HEPA filter lasts one to three years; the prefilter,three months. Filter replacement is simple, and replacement filters canbe ordered separately. The air cleaner has three speeds, and all areexceptionally quiet for an air cleaner this large and powerful. Itcarries a five-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• 5-year warranty against defects
• Recommended for closed room up to 168 square feet (12-by-14 feet)
• True HEPA filter at least 99.97-percent effective; prefilter also reduces odors
• Removes smoke, pollen, dust, animal dander, dust mites, molds, bacteria, viruses
• Ultra quiet; three speeds

Reviews (17)

look before you leap
No, I have NOT bought/borrowed/used the Honeywell 17000, yet I call your collective attention to 3 alternatives which merit serious consideration before you commit your cash and health to the innards of this (or other) HEPA devices. Keep in mind that should you count on repayment by Medicare, then hold off on "my" suggestions. OK, first look at Amazon's newly-introduced product, "Hoover SilentAir 4000 Ionizing Air Purifier" (ASIN: B000090WEX); this looks like it means business big-time, and the Amazon page already describes its ability to annihilate the teeny particles that slip under the HEPA 'radar'. Drawback on this first one: "Dielectric Collection Sheet" probably has to be BOUGHT (rather than wiped clean). Will somebody find out for us all? Next two devices are comparable in that they are tower-style, with supposedly small footprints (incompatible with toddlers and roving animals): one is the "Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier" by SharperImage (cheaper via Outlet); the other is the Honeywell Environizer (2 models, both via RadioShack). The Quadra (2 larger sizes) and the Environizer both carry 5-year warranties, and both guts can be wiped clean with a sponge. Since none of the three alternatives have fans, they draw considerably less juice than any HEPA. I do not know and cannot imagine how a whole room's air can be aggressively scrubbed clean by a passive device, namely the ion purifiers. A fringe benefit of having a HEPA purifier make sound/noise is that there might be less marital bickering over random low-level noises that are inevitably generated by human activity or bodily functions. Once the honeymoon wears off, you both might (re-)UNITE in a mutual dislike for the whir and hum of a HEPA. Should the relationship 'troubles' threaten the bonding, then try to ALTERNATE "pick-on-me" days. The disser won't be so eager to vent, knowing that the next day s/he has to hear the mate...

Don't bother.
I bought this machine and was very disappointed. It is loud, bulky and does not do a good job filtering the air. I would recommend getting a really good vacuum (we have the yellow Dyson and it does a wonderful job) and just going over your floors and surfaces everyday if you want to cut down on dust and pet hair.

Everything I hoped for
I've had this product for about 3 years and am very pleased. The noise level is fine for me. We keep it on low and have no trouble listening to the TV. It also provides some nice white noise for sleeping.
I change the carbon prefilter every 2 months and it is amazing how much dust is on it. I buy cheap replacement carbon filters at Lowes. The HEPA filter I changed once (after 2 years). These are pricey, but with the amount of dust this thing takes out of the air, I knew it was a good investment.
Filters are easy to change, machine itself is easy to clean, and it does a great job.

Strange chemical odor
I believe the air cleaner is working, but it's hard to tell. It gives off a strange chemical odor and has for the several months I've been running it (continuously at first). I no longer use it because of this. I contacted Honeywell, and they suggested I run it outside for about an hour, which I did with no results. It seems like the pre-filter must have been coated with too many chemicals. I'm reluctant to go out and spend good money after bad and try a new pre-filter, but right now the purifier is just taking up room. Anyone else have this problem?

Very noisy and poor cleaning
I bought the Honeywell 17000 and after trying it sent it straight back. It is really noisy and kept even my deep sleeper husband awake. On the high setting it sounds about like a hair dryer on high. On the low setting it's still much louder than my portable fan that I use for white noise. After returning it I did more research and discovered that it had received a poor rating on air quality from Consumer Reports. I strongly recommend against this model. There are much better and quieter products out there. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Ditto piece of junk
Avoid this ADS Instant DVD (?) at all cost. Have tried on two computers, and the USB2 cannot be detected on either. Sorry I bought it.

hunk o' junk
I can't really add too much to what's already been said. The product doesn't work, tech support is non-existent. I bought it online, received it on a Friday, returned it the following Tuesday after reading about the tech support problems everyone else has been having. When I was installing it, as I plugged in the USB connection, I got the Blue Screen of Death and my computer crashed. When it rebooted, Windows told me the hardware was not designed for XP and that I should not install it. Hmmm, why then does the box for Instant DVD have the "Designed for Windows XP" logo on it? I went ahead with installing the updated software and drivers anyways. When I tried to preview captured video, I got nothing. A black screen. Could not get it to work or do anything. Tried capturing even without seeing anything in the preview in 2 different programs. After 20 seconds it stopped and told me the file was corrupted. And despite the fact that the unit was doing nothing, every time I had the device plugged in, my computer slowed down, my mouse wouldn't respond, and the programs would crash. So I had even less success with this product than the other reviewers here. I have a month-old computer with all the latest gadgets and gizmos. If this doesn't work with my computer, whose computer does it work with?

Having read the positive review here and hundreds others on another website, I will be trying out the Canopus ADVC-100 (do a search for "Canopus" only if looking on Amazon). If after reading this, you are still considering buying this product, do yourself a favor and shoot yourself in the foot instead. It will more fun and less painful.

You should avoid this product
I bought the ADS Tech Instant DVD +DV after reading some great professional reviews in some of the online magazines. I was really excited to get this product. I now wish I'd paid more attention to the actual user reviews, as near as I can tell the people writing the magazine reviews must have never actually tried to use this product. Put simply... it doesn't work. Believe the user reviews, this is a bad product.

I wanted to transfer some old VHS videotapes to DVD, and I also got the +DV option thinking that it would be a nice way to add Firewire capabilities to my USB 2.0 based system for use with my new Digital camcorder. The Instant DVD box failed miserably to deliver on either of these goals.

Using the DV input with my digital camera I had strange artifacts start to appear on the screen. There were weird blotchy sections that started out small, but then grew as the capture progressed until half the screen was covered. While transferring my old analog VHS tapes, certain sections of the tapes would cause the box to completely lock up. When I could get a capture that didn't freeze, I couldn't get a capture where the audio and video would stay in sync. I tried multiple tapes, multiple DVD mastering programs, even multiple computer systems, nothing worked. This was simply making DVD's straight from the captured footage, I wasn't transcoding anything. The only thing that worked for me was taking a nice clean analog signal from my digital camera (since the digital DV capture didn't work.) That was the only thing that stayed in sync, any input that was less than perfect, like 10 or 15 year old VHS tapes, forget about it.

I sent several email queries to the ADS Tech support, after giving up on their telephone support after waiting forever on hold. Other than the automated "Well get right back to you as soon as possible" responses, I've heard nothing else from them. That was six weeks ago... and I'm not holding my breath. If you buy this product, you're definitely on your own.

I've long since returned my box, and chalked it up to a learning experience. Here are a few things to think about, first of all, do you really want a box that converts straight to MPEG2 format? If you want to change *anything*... clip out a few scenes, add a title screen, join several clips together... you have to reencode the file anyway. By uncompressing then recompressing you're sacrificing quality, and not gaining anything from the built in compression. Also, I didn't realize at the time, but you can get a Firewire card with a cable for almost the same price as just a cable... it's cheap, and much better than spending all the extra money for the +DV option.

I now own a Canopus ADVC-100, it's more expensive but worth every penny. More importantly... it actually works! That's much more than I can say about the ADS Tech Instant DVD.

Good but has issues
I have had the DVD+DV for (edit 2: several) weeks now. I have been able to record several movies using several different options. The DV recording works but I find some issues with it.

My best estimation is that the chipmunk sound (when recording with the DV option) comes from my having selected 12 bit sound when I recorded on my sony camera. Some tapes have it and some don't. I am still trying to nail that down. This problem does not present itself when using the analog output of the camera.

I also have some issue with several blocks on the screen being either a frame behind or ahead while the rest are fine. Again, I do not know what causes it but it is repeatible when recording through the DV. I suspect that it has something to do with the settings I recorded on because some tapes do not have the problem. This problem does not present itself when using the analog output of the camera.

I read reviews that indicated that the DVD+DV gets hot and locks up. Well, it gets hot and that is for sure. However, I have recorded 1.5hrs straight on a couple occasions with no hiccup. (edit: I have recorded more sessions and can say that I see no instability in the device. Its been powered for days now and I record at will.)

I have attempted the direct to DV process. It worked as advertised and by that I mean that since I only had a 1.6ghz chip, I got a movie but with lost frames. You can tell when this is going to happen because it shows in the preview menu. Looking at the requirements, you have to have a 1.7ghz minimum to make this work. I think that is accurate. The dvd I created I was able to play it fine with all the menus created on the fly. The only problem is with the dropped frames. I have a 2.6Ghz on the way and that should solve the problem.

I use w2000 pro and have applied all known patches for video, system, ulead software. I did ask one question of ADS tech support and am still waiting for something besides the autoresponder. If you need technical support you might need to look elsewhere. (Edit: !Still waiting!) (Edit2: Still Waiting)

All in all, I am (edit2: less happy with my recent observations)

(edit: The main reason for this edit is the following. The manual for the DVD+DV indicates that using the variable bit rate option in the custom settings allows for a generally higher quality recording while maintaining smaller file sizes. This is the way it works with MP3's so I starting using this option. What I've found over the last several hours of recording is that their implementation doesn't work well. The whole concept of variable rate recording was meant to apply bits where they are needed. Specifically, in fast moving scenes. Now with this option selected, I get substantial artifacting in the area of movement (i.e. my child's hands that move around). I've found that this remains the case even though you select 9mbs (the highest setting). However, the constant bit rate option creates images that are as good as what I can see directly from my camera on the TV.

My guess is that they have created their codec to optimize file size at the expense of quality. Anyway, I've just turned it off and am recording at either 6mbs or 9mbs depending upon the video.)

(Edit 2: I have just started trying to backup VHS tapes and ran across a nagging problem. I've have tried a SONY and a cheap brand VHS with no correction. ADS tech support is non-existant. I found a 3rd party support site that has the answer and describes my problem exactly. To summarize, there appears to be some common distortion from the audio track when reading VHS tapes. This appears as a static laden line across the bottom of the video and a vertical black bar on the left. Based on my experience, the amount of distortion at the bottom is related to the quality of the player you use. A side note is that my SONY camcorder RCA output does not produce this problem as it is not based on VHS (I presume).

Apparently, the TV used to display the video will determine if the issue is actually seen when playing the DVD (some TVs play on an area larger than the glass portion that you look at). The distortion will appear on any player that shows the whole file (i.e. PCs).

I cannot speak to it but some have suggested that other converters do not have this problem.

...

ADS sucks
I bought this due to reviews. What a mistake--I have worked for over a week, burned many many DVD's and none have been able to play. The software causes shutdowns, freezes, and misup, plenty of varying error messages. I even had to reinstall Windows XP. This is a lot of trouble and will drive you nuts. I suggest other products, stay away from ADS Technologies' USB Instandt DVD. It is neither instant nor is it DVD! ... Read more

Features

• Controls Winamp, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, PowerPoint, Rhapsody, iTunes and more
• Roam the room and interact with your audience when using Powerpoint
• Enjoy streaming Internet radio stations
• Change channels, DVD and TVPause, Fast Forward, Rewind your PC DVD Player
• Adjust the volume, hit mute, or switch stations with the click of a button

Reviews (4)

Works Great!
I love my PC Remote. It's easy to use and easy to set up. I use it for one at the office and one at home every day to run presentations and my pc jukebox at home. I just bought four more for my friends and family. I read another review about someone having problems. I have not had one. It just works!

Like an ADD child
This product sounds great. Control your PC from anywhere in your room!! Cool!! It even installed easily. But that's when the problems started. Programs just don't listen to the remote. I'll be listening to a song on itunes, and want to change it. I take the remote, point it at the reciever, press the button, the little activity light on the reiver lights up and....nothing happens. The song doesnt change, the cursor doesn't move, zippo. So i push the button again, this time it will work. Or maybe it doesn't, so you push it again, then five minutes latter, suddenly, the playlist skips twice.

To make a long story short, this product is just plain unreliable. When it works, it is awsome. When it doesn't, there is no explanation. I think it is a great concept, that needs some serious refinement.

Great remote for your ATI PC tuner card!!!
This remote is great for those of you with the ATI tuner cards! The remote ATI features is nowhere in the same league as this remote. It has 4 different preset "hot buttons" that will launch the programs you want from a distance. I see FAR more features than the Mfr. supplied remote. I love it! You can just sit back in your recliner and fast forward through the commercials of recorded programs, you no longer have to sit in front of the PC to do it anymore! Highly recommended! Whatcha waitin' for! Buy it already!

Works Great.
Recently, I replaced the CD Player on my stereo with a full blown PC and use my TV as the "monitor". I had been using a wireless keyboard and MusicMatch software for playing my MP3 files. After a while, I got tired of having to keep the keyboard with me if I wanted to switch tracks, stop playback, pause, etc. I found this little gizmo after a quick search and it does everything I need. The software that comes with it integrates well with the popular music software (MusicMatch, Windows Media Player, Winamp, and many more), and you can even use the remote as a rudimentary mouse. Of course, you can't enter text with it, but if you're using a PC as a stereo component, this remote is great.

You get the remote and a USB infrared receiver. Installation is a snap, and the range is great. StreamZap has said they're considering modifying the software so it would be compatible with other brand remotes, eliminating the need for their remote altogether which would be a nice touch. Until then, I programmed their remote codes into my universal remote and it takes care of everything. ... Read more

Features

• THX-certified component video cable for connecting DVD players and HDTV receivers to TVs and monitors
• Separates color signals to ensure best possible picture resolution and clarity
• High-density double shielding rejects EM and RF interference
• Easy-to-identify color-coded bands make hookup simple and error-free
• 24k gold contacts; measures 8 feet long

Features

• Made especially for Vornado air cleaners
• HEPA replacement filter for Vornado AQS25 & AQS35 air cleaners
• 12.50x2.50x19.00 2lbs

Reviews (2)

helps asthmatics a great deal
This product is more energy-efficient than many, which is a big plus for an item that many (like me) leave going 24 hours a day, due to bad allergies and asthma. These have helped my mom a great deal at her place, though she did have to return one unit that developed oily spots inside, then became noisy.

It's a component
The filter itself traps a lot of dust, especially when used with the prefilter. However, it is part of the overall system works with two specific models, therefore, shortcomings of the filter are shortcomings of the entire assembly. The only problem I have with the filter itself is that it is very expensive. That is why I am giving it four stars instead of five. ... Read more

Product Description

Gray, LW 24 Airwasher, For Rooms Up To 500 SQFT, 3 Speeds, 2 Gallon Tank Capacity, Air Washes Without Filter pads, Automatically Humidifies To The Correct Degree, 10 Year Warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Uses no filter pads
• Water is the filter. Fresh every day. Cleans with a consistently high level of effectiveness, as water doesn't clog the way filter pads do.
• Extremely quiet. Ideal for use in bedrooms.
• Visible purifying performance. Pure water evaporates, leaving dirt trapped in the tank like salt in the sea.
• Odorless. No smell of moldy filters or stagnant water.

Features

• For rooms up to 20 x 10-Feet
• True HEPA high efficiency filter- Traps 99.97% for all airborne particles as small as .3 microns
• Popup filter cartridge makes changing the filter easy. 3-in-1 system combines all three filters in a single convenient unit, with change indicator that indicates when you must replace the filter
• 4 speed fan designed for quiet, flexible operation
• 3-stage filtration system and ionizer. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 70 purifies air with 3 filters: A washable pre-filter, a True HEPA filter and an active carbon filter

Features

• Air purifier with built-in ionizer and permanent easy-to-clean IFD filter
• Whisper-quiet operation; AHAM clean-air delivery rate (CADR) of 100
• 2 air-cleaning levels for customized and efficient operation
• For medium-sized rooms up to 150 square feet; compact design
• Measures approximately 15-1/2 by 14-1/4 by 19-3/8 inches; 5-year limited warranty

Features

• Measures approximately 16 by 14 by 12 inches
• Quiet portable humidifier for rooms up to 900 square feet
• Digital humidistat with timer; 1-1/5-gallon tank capacity
• Circular wick filter traps impurities; CarbonX filter reduces odors
• 3-stage Microban protection inhibits bacteria, mold, and mildew

Features

• Measures approximately 14 by 10 by 23-1/2 inches; 5-year limited warranty
• HEPA-grade air purifier with electronic controls, permanent IFD filter, and built-in ionizer
• For room sizes up to 230 square feet; compact design and quiet operation
• Filter monitor light indicates when filter needs cleaning; CADR of 150
• 3 air-cleaning levels; programmable 10-hour auto-shutoff timer