Amazon.com Review

A few years ago, when personal GPSs first became available, every geek from here to Poughkeepsie was enthralled about the possibility of always knowing exactly where on the planet they were. While the Garmin eTrex isn't the most feature-rich GPS out there, it will definitely come in handy if you don't want your next camping trip to end up like a scene from The Blair Witch Project.

The eTrex is sort of a dumbed-down, rugged version of the company's more advanced eMap. Designed specifically for hiking, biking, and camping, the eTrex is one of the easiest-to-use GPS units available. It offers the ability to track up to 12 satellites so you never lose contact with one. The eTrex won't work inside--however, we don't anticipate that you'll get lost inside a building very often.

Among the eTrex's notable features is its ability to calculate your current and average speed. We used the eTrex to determine the distance from work to home, and calculate how fast we were walking. This helped us gauge the average time it should take to get to work. This feature should really come in handy on extended hiking, camping, or cycling trips where planning your average speed and tracking the distance traveled is critical.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspMain menu &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspMap page &nbsp&nbspPointer page &nbsp&nbspMark pointer page

Sticking with its theme of simplicity, the eTrex has only five buttons, making it easy to use with just one hand (It's specifically designed for the left hand.) Weighing only 5.3 ounces with the batteries installed, the eTrex is also ultralight, making it an easy addition to a daypack. The eTrex is also waterproof, so a little water shouldn't damage the unit.

The eTrex can hold up to 500 user-created waypoints. And using Garmin's TracBack feature, it's easy to plot a course with up to 10 waypoints and follow it in both directions. --Julian Strate

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Light
• Waterproof

• Batteries only last about 20 hours

Features

• Global positioning system (GPS) receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites
• Calculates current and average speed, time of sunrise and sunset, trip distance, and more
• Automatic track log--10 saved tracks let you retrace your path in both directions
• Tough waterproof case; runs for 18 hours on 2 AA batteries
• Compatible with optional Garmin MapSource software for downloading trip and waypoint data (not map compatible)

Reviews (138)

Simple, accurate and cheap ... saved [me] first time out!
Just like two out of every five "guys" on the planet, owning a GPS (really cool compass) was a must..."I can't live with-out one". I picked up the "e-trex" vanilla flavored, hiking, biking and trail version. My intent was to use it in my truck, a little added nav equipment for map reading (make long trips less boring). The basic e-trex lacks the memory for *real travel* logistics (car excursions). A three-hour trip ate 98% of its memory and 70+% of battery life. I must add however, my expectations were minimal, given its price. It calculates your speed better then your speedometer, frightening!!! Make no mistake, you are being tracked!!! As far as bearing, speed, travel time, the basics, this little toy is a treat. It saved [me] when I became lost in the middle of Farmington, CA. not long ago. The sun was down, the ground flat and I... backwards. I remembered the e-trex after about two hours of endless rights and lefts (almost ended up in Yosemite!!!), fired that bad-boy up and was on Highway 99 in 20 minutes, headed home. Paid for itself that night. I highly recommend the basic e-trex as a very basic navigational aide. It does everything it's designed to and does it well. It's also a great "starter" for learning about GPS systems. *Note: This thing tracked my rate of speed to the .5 of a mile and was right on target, if you register one with a serial number, use your best friends name!!! Happy trekking...
Dave

Great for outdoor adventures but...
The etrex is a very good GPS system for the buck. It doesn't however include many features: compass, speedometer, a waypoint storage system, and a basic map showing only your waypoints. The unit is ideal though for camping, and any outdoor activities that you just need a point-to-point navigation for. The unit itself is very solid, VERY small, water-proof (to 30 feet), and will last about 20 hours on just 2 AA batteries. Amazing technology these days!

Keep in mind, the map on the unit does NOT include any detailed information (i.e cities, roads etc.), just your waypoints that you enter. It you want a GPS with a detailed mapping system (cities, roads, coastlines etc...) get either the Emap or the GPS III+. The III+ is the high-end "outdoors" GPS while the emap is made primarily for driving due to its great capability of data storage.

Overall Evaluation on Etrex: Excellent for the money, fun to use, simple, however not very practical.

Wildland Firefighter likes eTrex
For the price and its size, it's a 5 star product. Compared to many larger/pricer units it can be only a 3 star. This is a very competetive marketplace and with the removal of the military Selective Availablity coding on May 1st, you've got to take the big leap and buy one. The eTrex shows accuracy of 11-20 feet commonly. In reasonably dense conifer forests around 60 feet. Put yourself in the bottom of a canyon in that forest and you'll have to spend say 5 minutes positioning your GPS to get 100 foot accuracy. That will not work for surveyors, but you'll get back to where you started just fine. Again, the main reason for this success is the military making the accuracy available to all of us. By the way THANKS. This unit is a very reasonable entry GPS Some Problems with the eTrex: 1) Doesn't have a simple map in it and you can't download quality Topo maps onto it. 2) Smaller size means smaller antennae and its reception in timbered canyons is weak. 3) No external antennae hook-up for when in your car. 4) Does not have a built in compass capabilty for when using a bearing, like the very similar Garmin "Summit" model that will be released shortly.(The summit will cost about twice as much). You really need to use a quality compass with it. But, as you should know, GPS will not repace map and compass, just enhance it greatly. However, for your money, this a geat little unit.

Garmin has good reception
I own 3 GPS receivers and I will say Garmin did an excellent job. The receiver is much more sensitive to satellite signals than my other GPSs. Just don't expect too much from this small unit with tiny screen and very slow CPU for screen refresh. It will drive you nuts to use it for street navigation. It is suitable for back trailing in the mountains. For street navigate, I strongly suggest that you hook this unit up with a laptop but make sure that GPS is set to NMEA and the software GPS setting is also correct. Conclusion, don't street navigate with this unit alone and don't buy a no brand GPS under $90 because you will not be happy with the reception.

Eddy

"Keep It Simple Smarty" applies to this!!
This is a wonderful little unit, compact, light and very easy to use. I have worked with some other GPS units and this one is so simple for the minor simple functions! The unit has the ability to give you time for the time zone you are in, sunrise, sunset and many other functions. I have found this unit to work mainly outside, inside it seems to have troubles picking up the satellites, however if you are using this it is logical to be outdoors. I look forward to getting out on the trails now both hiking and biking, as I can map the trail I take. For someone that wants a simple unit, this is the way to go, as you cant beat the cost. For those that want all the big bells and whistles, keep looking. This unit gives a map of the trail but it is not going to give you every detail of area around you like some of the higher costing units. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Though it looks like a toy, don't be fooled: the Nintendo GameCube is a powerful video game console that rightly deserves its place among the other next-generation game systems. In fact, its playful, appealing design and small size (the unit is a not-quite-cubed 6 inches) aren't the only features that set it apart from the others.

For starters, Nintendo has quite clearly made this a game-only machine. It doesn't try to play your CD collection, run your movies, read your e-mail, or store your MP3 files. The company has concentrated its efforts on games. All the prelaunch titles we've seen play smoothly, with bright, fast graphics and great sound. Nintendo says its engineers have removed traditional bottlenecks that have, in the past, slowed down processing. New components designed by IBM and MoSys, as well as a large-capacity secondary memory cache, keep instructions moving through the system's microprocessor (MPU) at peak levels. In English: the GameCube is optimized to push speed up while pushing costs down; hence its position at the lower end of the price spectrum.

The GameCube is the first Nintendo video game system to use a disc-based medium rather than cartridges for its games. Moving the software to disc media generally means lower development costs for the publishers, which, in turn, trickles down to the consumer not only in price, but also in availability and quality, as it's then easier to try out untested game ideas (Pikmin, anyone?). While most other systems likewise have their games stored on discs, the GameCube's 3-inch format is smaller than everyone else's, and is so designed to fit in a shirt pocket as much as to deter would-be software pirates.

Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that it's the home field of one of the world's premier game designers: Nintendo. While powerhouses Electronic Arts and Sega make games for all systems (including this one), you can play Nintendo games only on a Nintendo system. And Nintendo, you might recall, has been hitting them out of the park since it started with Donkey Kong. In fact, here's a roll call of characters and series you won't find on the other consoles: Mario, Legend of Zelda, Perfect Dark, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon. A few names that the GameCube will share with the other guys: Madden, Tony Hawk, Sonic, Batman, and Star Wars.

The system also comes with four built-in controller ports, so you can easily plug in extra controllers and let friends join in for the multiplayer games--it's even got a built-in handle so you can easily move it to a friend's house. It comes with two memory card slots for saving your progress through games, and there's the capacity for future expansion into the world of online gaming.

In short, the GameCube isn't an all-in-one entertainment system, and neither is it the most powerful of the modern video game consoles. But for video game enthusiasts who want to stick with their favorite characters, its value cannot be beat. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• MPU (Microprocessor Unit): 485 MHz custom IBM PowerPC Gekko
• Graphics Processor: 162 MHz custom ATI/Nintendo Flipper
• Texture-Read Bandwidth: 10.4 GB per second (peak)
• Main Memory Bandwidth: 2.6 GB per second (peak)
• Pixel Depth: 24-bit color, 24-bit Z buffer
• Sound Processor: 81 MHz custom Macronix 16-bit DSP
• Sound Performance: 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding
• Polygon Performance: 6 to 12 million polygons per second (peak)
• System Memory: 40 MB
• Main Memory: 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM
• Disc Drive: 128 ms CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) system
• Data Transfer Speed: 16 Mbps to 25 Mbps
• Media: 3-inch, 1.5 GB capacity disc
• Controller Ports: Four
• Memory Card Slots: Two
• Audio-Video Output: Analog and digital
• Dimensions: 4.3 by 5.9 by 6.3 inches (height by width by depth)

Reviews (298)

One of Nintedo's Greatest Consoles
The Nintendo GameCube is one of Nintendo's best systems to date. It doesn't try to have a ton of different accessories and other things like a DVD player and CD player like Sony did with the Playstation 2. Many say that they don't like the system for that reason. Who cares?! It's a video game system, for God's sake! It shouldn't be anything more. I'll leave it at that. Anyways, it's game are unique and memorable, and most are sequels to the greatest series of all time. Metroid, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Super Smash Brothers, Sonic Adventures, and MANY MORE. This system also sports great music with it's games. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has a great soundtrack to support my theory.^^ The GameCube doesn't rely too much on RPG's, though those are it's strong points.^^; The controller isn't hard to use; none of it's buttons are on the back, and they're close together for easy use. The system holds much more memory than the N64, seeing as Nintendo has finally moved on to discs and not cartridges. If you like Nintendo, this system is for you. Even if you're not a Nintendo fan, get it anyway. You won't be dissapointed.^_^

A unique ride
Consoles are bought for their exclusive games and the system's features. Halo, Xbox Live, and Knights of the Old Republic for XBox, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Final Fantasy X for Playstation 2. But people glaze their eyes over paying any attention to the purple box with a handle and I believe they miss out.

Eternal Darkness, Metroid Prime, Super Mario Sunshine, Zelda: Wind Waker, Pikmin, and Super Monkey Ball 2 are 6 games that are about fun. Oddly enough, all but SMB2 are published by Nintendo. They understand what makes games fun to play with. ED offers mature gamers a deep story (disclaimer: its not as deep if the gamer doesn't ask questions or start looking up ancient history), and Pikmin offers a refreshingly new and charming strategic puzzle adventure.

And if you like those, you'll be happy to know that every one (but ED) of those games has a known sequel in the works. If you like Metal Gear Solid, then a remake is hitting the cube this fall. If you like Resident Evil, Cube is your system. If you have fun memories of mario kart, you'll be ready to buy Mario Kart: Double Dash this year, along with the fastest futuristic racer, F-Zero. If you like RPGs, Final Fantasy Chronicles, Phantasy Star Online, Skies of Arcadia, Harvest Moon, Animal Crossing, and other very good RPGs are here or coming in a few months.

Clearly there are a lot of exclusives for everyone. If you just want your Madden 2004, and Red Faction II, or Timesplitters 2, and Splinter Cell, then you can get those too. Check out the rest of gamecube's library: ..

gamecube kicks butt!!!
well i have to say this was the first system i got (out of xbox and ps2) and ive had it for 2 years now. i have 21 games for it and theyre all brand new, but theyre wer such a low price. honestly, gamecube has the games with the best quality and the lowest prices. i mean, you can get a brand new game for only like 10 bucks! this syystem already brings memories. my very first game was super smash bros. melee. heres a list of games you should look for:

1. Super Smash Brothers Melee (AWESOME GAME!!! MUSIC ROCKS!)
2. Mario Paty 4 or 5 (i recommend 4 very fun family game)
3. Animal Crossing (GREAT GAME SO MUCH TO DO NEVER GETS OLD)
4. Harry Potter (ss, cos, or poa, either one is great!)
5. Any of the Tony Hawk games (the music on #3 is the best! CKY ROCKS!!!)
6. The legend of zelda, the wind waker (awesome graphics, music, and secrets! great game!)
7. Harvest Moon, A wonderful Life (this game is....very very good. a must buy. the graphics are excellent!)
8. Starfox adventures (amazing graphics! very good game!)
9. The legend of zelda, mastor quest or collectors disc (these two games have what is probably the best n64 game ever created!)
10. James Bond Games (I recomend Nightfire, it has the best levels!)
11. Medal of Honor games (great war games! I recomend Frontline!)
12. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (I LOVE THIS GAME!! THE MUSIC ROCKS AND SONIC IS THE BEST GAME SERIES!!!)
13. Sonic adventure DX: directors cut (Very good game! Music is good, too!)
14. Sonic Mega Collection (WOW, this game brings back memories! Has over 10 classic SEGA games!)
15. Godzilla: destroy all monsters melee (a good game to take out your anger on. smash the heck out of the monsters and cities!)
16. Soul Calibur 2 (AMAZING GRAPHICS The best fighting game there is!)
17. Spiderman (I think this is better than #2, better graphics! fun game!)
18. Mario Kart: Double Dash ( Great racing game! classic characters!)

These are only a small amount of all the great games to get!!! GAMECUBE WILL LIVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks!

Oh, one more thing! Nintendo was the first (besides atari) to come out with a gaming system! It has the most systems (besides SEGA) and lets face it: Nintendo knows games! it has the best sustems:

Nintendo (NES)
Super Nintendo (SNES)
Gameboy
Gameboy Pocket
Gameboy Color
Gameboy Advance
Nintendo 64
Gameboy Advance SP
Nintendo Gamecube

If you dont have a GC, I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS GEM OF A GAME SYSTEM!!!! NINTENDO IS THE MOST SUCCEEDING GAME COMPANY IN THE WORLD!!!!!

Best Console Of The 3 From good old Nintendo
Nintendo Gamecube is a Awesome Console with some CONS explore all 3 but Gamecube is still the best.

GAMECUBE

Games 9/10 Best Games on any Console New exclusives Like RESIDENT EVIL METROID PRIME and much more!!! Not The most games but they are really good.

Graphics 8/10 to some morons who said GC graphics suck if you look Closely they are almost as good as XBOX games are dark thats why the graphics are good GC are light but still good.

Controller 7/10 in my opinion they are the best comfy and are easy to use however really bad vibrations.

Internet 4/10 Better internet than PS2 however Very few online games has Mario cark double dash for internet and PHANTASY STAR ONLINE.

PS2

Graphics 4/10 Arent good Dreamcast graphics are almost as good as that Real Blurry and games are too dark to hide the graphics cant handle some games. Terrrible Graphics. ps2 Has good games like GTA and DDR and FIANL Fantasy Wait XBOX as GTA DDR AND FINAL FANTASY so games for ps2 are nothing.

Games 5/10 biggest selection of games however Most of the games they have are terrible and are not worth buying. Even the best games like Wolfenstein and other good games look Terrible when on PS2

Controller 9/10 Best Controller out there good at everything mostly fighting games.

Internet 6/10 As quite alot of internet games really laggy and bad connection Cheap Adopter pretty good

XBOX

Games 7/10 has great games for 13+ of course xbox games are for older people Really good games

Graphics 9/10 really good graphics nuff said

Controller 4/10 Big Klunky Awkward Design Has alot of buttons

Internet 10/10 has a HUGE selection of internet games has XBOX live worth the cost.

OVERALL GC IS BEST GET IT

Don't forget the extra costs
I recently decided between a Gamecube, a Playstation 2, and an Xbox. I was leaning toward PS2 since I already have a bunch of PS1 games, but that got me thinking; if a large part of a systems value is not only how good the games are, but also how MANY games you can play, doesn't it make sense to consider the cost of purchasing additional games?

With this new consideration, I quickly chose Gamecube. Look, a major reason the decision between the three systems is so hard is because they are all good, and they all have their own unique advantages (which are hard to compare against each other when making decisions). Maybe Xbox graphics are the best, maybe PS2 lets me play games from PS1, but I was able to buy a used Gamecube (80), a used copy of NBA 2003 (15), a used copy of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 (9), and a new copy of Crazy Taxi (20) from Electronics Boutique. In the end, I paid only >> 4 << dollars more than getting a used PS2 with nothing.

If you want a great system, you can pick Xbox, Playstation 2, or Gamecube. If you want a great system that you can play new games in all the time (without going broke), get the Gamecube. ... Read more

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 2.0-megapixel CCD
• 11x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 220x) and image stabilizer
• 3.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Make MPEG-4 movies and send them straight to your computer
• Record for up to 110 minutes on one battery charge

Reviews (5)

want to get a camcorder?
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Looking for camrecorder with transfering tape to tape or DVD
i'm looking for a MiniDV camrecorder that will be able to tranfer video to tape or DVD and bilt-in camera still, if anyone know ,please give me an advice

Love this Camcorder
Purchased this Camcorder in January 2003. Did lots of research on comparable Panasonic and Sony models - was totally confused, finally went with the Optura Xi. Am very very happy - yes, it is bigger than the very small models. But I find it very comfortable to work with. The optical stabilizer is great - even video from a moving boat looks good. Another surprise - even though they say you won't use the still camera much on a video camcorder - I found myself using it all the time, so I was happy I had the 2 megapixels on the Optura. Not as high quality as my digital still camera - but great for web and viewing on the laptop screen. As a recent switcher from PCs to Mac - I have also been delighted with the ease of connectivity and use with my new PowerBook.

A good camera
First the caveats. This is my first camcorder (after my family's circa 1980's VHS camcorder), and I've had it for a week. I also seriously considered the panasonic pvdv953, but decided on the Optura Xi because of perceived improvement in low light conditions, known Macintosh friendliness of Canon products, and hot accessory shoe. Though the Panasonic may have an edge in color reproduction, to my untrained eye the differences are arguably unnoticable.

First this camera isn't the smallest, but it fits comfortable in my hand and the 3.5" LCD is nice. The zoom slider is easy to control, and most of the camera's functionality is easy to learn. The "special" effects are cheesy and awkward to use. Luckily if you have good video editing software (e.g., iMovie) you don't need these. Optical stabilization works well, and it takes decent photos (the 8MB SD card supplied with camera is practically useless due to its size). USB and fireware connectivity are plug and play, and work as advertised (on G4 laptop).

"Low light" filming seems to be something that's continually revisited. What the heck does 1.5 lux mean anyhow? One 60 watt light? Shaded, bare, or broken and a lit candle in the corner? This camera works decently with sufficient indoor lighting (think two 60 watt in overhead frosted fixture). The low light modes are useless unless you hold the camera perfectly still. Since the white LED is underneath the lens to the right, the ultra low light mode casts a dark moon across the upper left of the video frame.

When played back on my computer or on the TV, the video images look crisp and the colors vibrant. Overall I'm very satisfied with this camera.

Wonderful performer in its price range.
After considerable research, comparing this unit to the similarly priced Sony TRV70/TRV80, and the 3CCD Panasonic PV-DV953, I opted for the Canon Optura Xi. I wanted a digital camcorder:

1. That was compact enough to "take it along" without it being a hinderance
2. That had acceptable low-light performance (by low-light I mean average lighting indoors after dark)
3. Had a decent 16:9 widescreen mode (using the entire CCD)
4. Had a decent interface (easy to use with good stabilization)
5. No proprietary parts unless there's a darn good reason

Initially I looked at the ultra-compact models, but their unattractive low-light abilities combined with the difficult ease-of-use (hard to keep stable, many buttons on a small area) made me change my mind towards these models.

For #1, the panasonic was the largest and heaviest of the three (almost too big for me), the sony the smallest and nicely designed. Since the Optura XI just came out, I never had an opportunity to hold it, but was pleased to see that it's compact enough for my purposes.

For #2, the Panasonic did not have acceptable low-light performance for indoor home use. Its 3CCDs give it the best color representation of the three by far, however it needs a considerable amount of light to make a difference - better suited to budget-minded professionals who ensure their subjects have enough light. Sony's low light performance was only marginally better than the Panasonic's. The Canon's low light performance is top-notch.

For #3, the sony has a 'wide CCD' which allows for more pixels width-wise which was a nice bonus. The Canon and the Panasonic both use an 'anamorphic' lens that widens the camera's view and forces the widened image onto the 4:3 CCD, which can be later be burned onto a DVD as 16:9 that plays widescreen on widescreen TVs, and letterbox on 4:3 TVs. So all three had good 16:9 modes, with the Sony having a slight edge - and the bonus of presenting the image on the viewscreen as 16:9 as well!

For #4, the Sony loses in my estimation - the fact that I have to use the touchscreen during a shoot to change a picture aspect was a big downfall here. Using a touchscreen during playback is nice, but I don't want to have to use it during shooting and risk camera shake or losing my subject! Also, I have heard many criticisms about Sony's too-sensitive zoom feature. The Panasonic has great ease-of-use, however I found the myriad of manual options a little intimidating - a big plus for professionals, though. The Canon has a wonderful look and feel, it's easy to hold, all its buttons are easily accessible, and its optical image stabilization is the best you can find.

For #5, too bad for Sony, I do not want to have to buy memory sticks. Period. The nice thing about having SD cards around, for example, is the ability to transfer them to your PDA, or your digital camera if needed.

If still photos are important for you, all three provide equally nice stills, with an edge in favor of the Panasonic. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Zen Micro digital music player from Creative Labs packs an incredible 5 GB of storage capacity into a shell small enough to sit comfortably in your jeans pocket. It also rides nicely in your hand, with a palm-fitting profile and thumb-friendly front-panel controls. It's a bit shorter than an Apple iPod Mini, yet its rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 12 hours of continuous playback--50 percent more than iPod Mini's. The Zen Micro is compatible note merely with MP3s and WAV files, but with WMA as well. Toss in USB 2.0 connectivity and you're looking at one spiffy portable music player.

But playing isn't all the Zen Micro does. You can use it to receive FM radio (with 32 station presets to keep your favorites at the ready), and to record, either from the radio or from live sources such as dictation or lectures using the built-in condenser microphone.

Trimmed in a luminescent blue glow and with easily visible backlit buttons, this stylish pink player holds up to 1,250 songs (83 hours) at 128 kbps or 2,500 songs (166 hours) at lower-fidelity 64 kbps (MP3/WMA)--that's a solid week's worth of music listening, never playing the same song twice. Compatibility with Microsoft's WMA compressed-audio format grants access to over 2 million downloadable songs offered promotionally or for sale online.

Perhaps the Zen Micro's coolest attribute is its DJ feature, which will shuffle not only all the songs you've loaded or all the songs on a given album, but, at your discretion, only the tracks you listen to most or only the ones you rarely hear, taking the work out of selecting your favorites or hunting out all the music you're still getting to know.

Zen Micro's rechargeable battery is easy to replace.

For navigation, the device features a vertical, linear touchpad designed to make searching through songs or playlists easy, quick, and fun. The unit's blue, 160 x 104-pixel, electroluminescent LCD shows key functions and song details at a glance, and you can even customize the main menu to keep right at your fingertips the features that matter most to you.

Another of the Zen Micro's handy features is its personal organizer. You'll never forget an important anniversary with the onboard calendar, and it also includes a to-do list and a contacts list, all of which sync seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook (Outlook thus required for use of these features). In addition, the device offers a sleep timer and alarm so you can drift off to sleep to the strains of one playlist and wake to a completely different one.

The Zen Micro's removable battery is easy to swap with another fully charged battery (additional batteries sold separately), extending your listening by a half-day per swap.

What's in the Box
The Zen Micro player, stereo earbud headphones, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, an AC/DC power adapter, a USB 2.0 cable, a belt clip, a stand, a stylish cloth pouch, an installation CD, a quick-start guide, and Creative MediaSource software. ... Read more

Features

• Micro-sized 5 GB digital-music player stores up to 1,250 songs at 128 kbpsor 2,500 songs at 64 kbps (MP3/WMA)
• Vertical touch pad simplifies navigation; body is curved to fit your hand
• FM radio with 32 station presets for listening and recording; 10-hour voice recording through built-in microphone
• 12 hours continuous playtime using the supplied rechargeable lithium-ion battery; extend your listening using multiple batteries (sold separately)
• Includes headphones, a belt clip, a stand, and an AC/DC power adapter

Amazon.com Product Description

Boasting an impressive 8-megapixel resolution and 8x optical zoom lens, the Nikon Coolpix 8700 is a great choice for professional and advanced amateur photographers. Compared with its predecessor--Nikon's Coolpix 5700--the Coolpix 8700 has a faster start-up time, faster data recording, shorter release time lag and a new AF-Assist illuminator for quick AF operation in low light. It also features a movie mode with audio, a lightweight magnesium alloy body, PictBridge compatibility, and much more.

Optics and Resolution
The ultra-high resolution Coolpix 8700 has a 2/3-inch-type CCD that captures up to 3264 x 2448 images for poster-size print enlargements. Other resolution modes include 3264 x 2176, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The 8x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (f/2.8 - 4.2) offers a focal range of 8.9-71.2mm (equivalent to 35-280mm in 35mm format). It also has a 4x digital zoom. The lens incorporates two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration for sharp, clear images. Additionally, the Optical Low-Pass Filter is optimized, which helps the high-definition CCD image sensor get the best optical performance.

See detailed views of the 8700's features: Front Back Top

Movie Mode
In addition to snapping brilliant still photos, the Coolpix 8700 can also capture video with audio. It offers four movie modes: TV movie (640 x 480 pixels; 30 fps) with audio, Small movie (320 x 240 pixels; 15 fps) with audio, sepia movie (320 x 240 pixels; 5 fps) with audio, and time-lapse movie (640 x 480 pixels; 30 fps).

More Features
The Coolpix 8700 offers Programmed Auto, Shutter-Priority Auto, Aperture-Priority Auto, and Manual, as well as Exposure Compensation for an exceptional degree of exposure control. Nikon's 256-segment Matrix Metering system enables optimal exposures in even the most challenging lighting conditions, while its Matrix Auto White Balance neutralizes color deviations created by ambient light sources.The convenient Best Shot Selector (BSS) function automatically selects the sharpest image from a series of consecutive shots--especially valuable during macro or telephoto shooting.

The 5-shot buffer mode retains the last 5 shots when the shutter button is continually pressed and then released in order to capture unexpected or fleeting moments. The continuous shooting feature captures 2.5 (H) or 1.2 (L) frames per second. Alternatively, you can use the new Multi-shot mode to capture 16 consecutive frames in a single image.It's equipped with a large, vari-angle 1.8-inch LCD monitor for increased visibility--even during bright daylight and a high-resolution EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) that offers greater contrast and clearer images.

Other features include:

• Continuous shooting of up to 5 full-size (3,264 x 2,448-pixel) pictures at 2.5 frames per second (fps)
• 12 Scene Modes: Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night landscape, Fireworks show, Close up, Copy, Back light, and Panorama assist
• RAW mode image recording
• Accessory shoe to accommodate attachment of external Nikon SB-series Speedlights
• Fast shutter speed of 1/4,000 seconds and maximum 10 minute long exposure mode (along with noise reduction mode for long-time exposures)

The camera's magnesium alloy body is rugged and lightweight.

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on CompactFlash memory cards (Type I/II), and the Coolpix 8700 is compatible with MicroDrives (no memory card is included with this package). Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (EN-EL1, included, captures approximately 210 images). It can also be powered by the optional MB-E5700 battery pack (6 AA batteries). It measures 4.4 by 4.1 by 3.1 inches and weighs 17 ounces (excluding battery).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Coolpix 8700 digital camera, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (EN-EL1), battery charger (MH-53), lens cap, camera strap, USB and A/V cables, and CD-ROM with Nikon View editing software and drivers. Optional accessories include: Fisheye Converter (FC-E9), Wideangle Converter (WC-E80), Telephoto Converter (TC-E15ED), Step-Down Ring Lens Adapter (UR-E12), Lens Hood (HR-E5700), Lens Hood (HN-CP11), AC Adapter (EH-53), Car Battery Charger (MH-53C), Remote Cord (MC-EU1), and Soft Case (CS-CP11). ... Read more

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures 3264 x 2448 images for poster-size plus print enlargements
• 8x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (for 32x total zoom)
• Movie mode with audio; 5-shot buffer mode; fast start-up time
• Store images on CompactFlash type I/II memory cards; Microdrive compatible; no memory card included
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included); connects via USB 1.1

Reviews (8)

Flexible high resolution camera
This camera is well made and capable of creating very high quality images, if you take the time to learn to use it. Some of its functions are less than intuitive, but it will reward your time spent with the manual with professional quality images. In particular, the metering, white balance and macro capabilities are pro-quality. However, due to shutter lag, this isn't a good choice for shooting sports. The 8 megapixel resolution lets you make 13X19 inch prints or larger that are photo quality. Using a tripod will also pay off with razor sharp close ups and excellent color saturation. This is a wonderful camera for portraits, scenics, and especially close up shots,where the fold out, tilting LCD screen really can be helpful in getting unique angles on your subject. This camera also allows you to use many of Nikons Speedlights (electronic flashes) to get the light on your subject when it is too far for the built in flash. This is a very flexible and capable machine. I do recommend getting a second battery and the lens hood to eliminate lens flare under most conditions. I highly recommend this camera to those who choose not to go with a digital SLR. It is the next best thing and it is MUCH more portable and flexible.

The Best Out There!
Okay, I tested all the 8MP out there and so far this is the one I have to say is the best. It is a little bit harder to get used too, but believe me. Once you get the hang of it, there is no going wrong. I do recommend getting the fastest memory card there is. I am shooting "raw images" and the faster the card the faster you get the picture. It is a NIKON.

Undecided..Great Tool but...Color Cast is too Blue for Me.
Dont misunderstand, this is no dought a wonderful Camera, but I have to compare these Images to My Sony 5meg all the time and this camera is just not as easy and doesnt take photos of people as well. I have studied the Manual since day one, and have taken over a thousand pics...The Sony has Very rich fleshtones, Nikon is Blue, thats the only way I can describe it, I have to Import alot of the images into photoshop to get rid of the Blueish cast, probably my fault and need to study the book more but why should I have to?..The Sony has much better AUTO features, and way better focusing abilities...I bought this camera because of the power and size of the lens...It will fit through a chain link fence, where as the Sony will not, and I am constantly behind fences at sporting events, The Size of the Sony 8meg was just too big to throw into my pack, the Nikon is easier to carry and has an unbelievable lens range for a camera of this size...35-280 is the best of the bunch in the 8meg range...So..my humble opinion, if you want a compact 8meg...this camera is a good tool, just be ready to study and practice with it...If you want 8megs and an easy auto camera, with better focus and much better pictures of people then get the Sony8meg...This Nikon has frustrated me from day one and I am pretty good at photography...I own six digital cameras and this is my first Nikon...Nikon does have an incredible range of accesories for this camera and it is a keeper, I will just have to keep practicing with it and try to figure out why the Hue seems too blue for me...It takes incredible photos of landscapes and the outdoor shots are wonderfull, the lens range is worth keeping it alone...It is so much smaller than my Sony F717...8megs is better for printing 13x19 high quality...No pixelation with my Canon S9000...So...Nikon=serious tool and learning curve....Sony=Auto mode point and shoot with not much study/practice...I now own both so I know...If you aint gonna practice with the Nikon then Get the Sony 8meg or 5meg...Hope this is helpful...cause these are thousand dollar choices.

Great Camera!!
I upgraded to a Coolpix 8700 from a old Kodak DX3500, now my kodak took wonderful pictures, and continued to amaze me. But after download the first pictures I took with this camera in their eye popping glory I was caught, hook, line, sinker.

While this camera is perfect for an amateur aspiring professional it would probably be lacking to any real professional, and I plan to compliment it with a 35mm SLR.

The learning curve on this camera can be quite high, with alot of features and buttons to learn, but after a few hours of playing I managed to get most of the features down. The button layout is also nicely placed, I find it easy to navigate the buttons by touch while using the view finder.

But why talk when you can show! Here are some pictures I took the day I received this camera not 20 minutes after the battery finished charging! No special lighting, in fact it was overcast and raining and sorta dark the day these were taken. (...)Simply amazing! (...)

The best fixed-lens SLR digital camera.
This is Nikon's upgrade from the excellent Coolpix 5700, and it is a truly excellent piece of engineering. If I were in the market for a digital SLR with a fixed-lens, this would easily be my choice. Cameras such as this one illustrate convincingly that film is all but dead for serious photographers. This camera's 8 megapixel resolution will produce stunning images that the user can view at once, without the hassle of the processing lab.

The 8X optical zoom lens on this camera seems excellent both for portrait shots, landscapes, and nature shots, and only professionals or very serious amateurs will miss the ability to switch between lenses. The pictures I took were sharp and bright. Make no mistake, this camera produces excellent images.

Finally, Nikon put an AF-assist on a prosumer-grade camera. This is a significant improvement over the excellent Coolpix 5700, the predecessor to this camera. The buffer is bigger too, allowing the user to take more shots before the camera has to write to the CF card.

With this camera, the photographer can take a large number of digital photographs, upload to one's personal computer, and either print out pro-grade prints with an inexpensive printer (OK, the ink cartridges aren't that cheap but the printers are) or email the photos to any of several processing labs, who will mail you your prints in a day or so. Or, you can do it the old-fashioned way, and take your images to a processing lab and download the images there for printing, similar to dropping off a roll of film in the old days. You can do this AFTER you pick only the pix you want to keep--one of digital's many and major advantages over film. Further, Nikon's Capture 4 program, or Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements gives us a "digital darkroom" that is more powerful than what pros can do in a $20,000 chemical film darkroom. With just a moderately powerful personal computer. The digital darkroom has truly arrived.

Ergonomically, I really like the size and layout of this camera. It is significantly smaller than the interchangeable-lens SLRs, although this is no pocket camera. It has a wonderful quality feel to it--the user knows immediately that this is a world-class precision instrument. I found the camera to be a joy to handle and use. The pictures are commensurate.

The main issue with this camera is one of choice and preference: do you spend the money for this camera, with its excellent fixed zoom lens, or do you opt for a full SLR digital camera such as Nikon's D70, D100, or other comparable cameras that allow one to use the full line of autofocus lenses. This camera costs almost as much as these semi-professional grade SLRs, so the buyer should think about this before buying.

This is an excellent upgrade over the superb Coolpix 5700 and users will enjoy taking excellent images with this precision instrument. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The affordable, ergonomic Olympus D-535 digital camera makes it easy and fun to capture the memories of your life with its easy-to-use one-button, one-function operation. It features a 3.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, built-in pop-up flash, 12 MB internal memory and XD Picture Card compatibility, and a movie mode with sound that can capture as much video as your memory card can handle.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/2.7-inch CCD captures 3.2-megapixel images for printed enlargements up to 11 x 17 inches. Image resolutions include: 2048 x 1536 (3 MP), 1600 x 1200 (2 MP), and 640 x 480. The lens, which is seated in the top-right corner of the camera's front, has a 5.8-17.4mm focal range (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography) with an f2.9 to f5.0 aperture range. The camera has a 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for a total 12x zoom.

Movie Mode
The camera's QuickTime Movie Mode (at 15 frames per second, or fps) without sound can be used to make mini movies limited only by the amount of available memory (internally or externally). It features the following movie resolutions: 320 x 420 and 160 x 120.

More Features

• 1.5-inch TFT color LCD (approximately 130,000 pixels)
• Super macro mode as close as 2cm
• 4 scene modes: Portrait, Landscape, Indoors, and Night Scene
• Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (exposure value)steps in 1/3 EV steps
• Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, and off
• Self timer of up to 12 seconds

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored either within the 12 MB internal memory or on optional XD memory cards. The XD card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The internal 12 MB memory will store approximately 14 images at 2048 x 1536 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting) without sound. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Direct Printing
The D-535 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Power and Size
This camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines supplied; NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 3.4 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 4.9 ounces without battery or media card.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus D-535 digital camera, 2 AA batteries, wrist strap, USB cable, A/V cable, CD-ROM with Camedia Master 1.0 software and PDF QuickStart guide, basic instruction manual, and reference manual. ... Read more

Features

• 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-14-inch enlargments
• Optical and digital zoom combine for a 12x total zoom
• An easy-to-use physical mode dial allows you to quickly switch between six shooting modes: portrait, landscape, indoors, night scene, and more.
• Save images and videos with 12 MB of internal memory or using a compatible xD-Picture Card
• Easy USB connectivity and PictBridge technology for convenient printing on the spot

Features

• Three Megapixel Advanced HAD CCD Imagers for peerless video and still images
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens
• 12X optical and 150X Digital Zoom with Super SteadyShot stabilization
• Capture MPEG Movies on Memory Stick DUO Media
• Intelligent pop-up flash for more light when you need it most

Amazon.com Product Description

Created for first-time users, Sony's RDR-GX300 DVD recorder offers the widest selection of recording and viewing choices available, handling both DVD+RW/+R and DVD-RW/-R discs. It even includes an IR blaster for satellite and cable-box control. Instead of fumbling with 2 remote controls when using the timer function to record your favorite programs, the RDR-GX300's remote lets you select the channel directly from your set-top box(es).

An easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) grants easy recording from broadcast programs via off-air antenna, cable, or satellite receivers. Recording features include chasing playback and simultaneous recording and playback (in DVD-RW VR mode) for a greater recording and viewing flexibility. Chasing playback lets you rewind the recorded material while a program is still recording to view and catch up to the real time recording. Simultaneous recording and playback lets you watch pre-recorded content while recording new content to the same disc.

The RDR-GX300 also features Time Base Correction, pre-frame noise reduction, and pre-video equalizer technologies that rebalance and equalize video content before it's recorded onto a DVD, improving the original source content even before the encoding process begins. In the output phase, the RDR-GX300 recorder combines frame noise reduction, block noise reduction, and video equalizer technologies to produce a rich and textured visual with minimal picture interference from background artifacts or distortion.

Finally, the recorder offers proprietary DVD playback technology called Precision Cinema Progressive, which incorporates Pixel-by-Pixel I/P Conversion technology to augment and balance DVD-video elements. You'll need a high-definition or HD-ready television to appreciate this process. A 12-bit/108 MHz video D/A converter ensures exceptional picture quality for an unforgettable viewing experience, while audio decoding occurs at an amazing 192 kHz/24-bits.

What's in the Box
DVD recorder/player, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and an RF coaxial video cable. ... Read more

Features

• Universal DVD-R/DVD-RW, DVD+R/+RW recorder and player
• Records up to 5 hours of audio/video content per single-sided 4.7 GB DVD
• Precision Cinema Progressive with Pixel-by-Pixel I/P Conversion produces seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• Front-panel audio/video input provides simple connection to camcorders or other devices
• Simplified timer recording through VCR Plus+ electronic program guide

Amazon.com Review

Kicking the technology advances up another notch, the Palm Tungsten T3 delivers a professional, sleek alternative to bulkier Pocket PCs that's chock-full of productivity enhancing and information sharing applications. Improvements over the T2 include a full-screen mode when the bottom casing is slid open, a bevy of enhanced display options, compatibility with Java applets, larger internal memory, and an easier to access status bar.

First, just the technical facts:

• Palm OS 5.2.1
• 32-bit, 400 MHz Intel XScale processor
• 64 MB internal RAM, with 52 MB usable for applications and file storage (an improvement over the T2's 29 MB usable RAM)
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity
• Secure Digital memory card expansion slot
• 4.3 (closed) x 3.0 x 0.66 inches, 5.5 ounces

The T3's Stretch Display

Overall, the Tungsten T3 isn't that much smaller than the Zire 71, but it does feel nicely compact in the hand and its larger navigation button is easier to manipulate with just your thumb. However, the "wow factor" comes into full force when you slide down the bottom of the T3's case to reveal the full screen mode. And it gets even better. The standard "silkscreened" Graffiti input area (so-called because its icons and borders are printed onto the screen's glass) is now replaced by a digital version, which can be hidden to reveal an even larger screen. We found this useful when writing long notes in Memos and viewing an expanded daily calendar view. You don't actually need the Graffiti writing area to input data into notes or Calendar items. With the Full-Screen Writing preference turned on, you can write Graffiti characters anywhere on the screen (you'll even see an outline traced on the screen as you write). But the crowning display enhancement is the ability to rotate the screen to landscape view, which was especially handy when viewing downloaded movie trailers (using the included Kinoma video player). If you're left-handed, you can change the orientation in landscape view so that the status bar and Graffiti input area are more accessible to your own orientation.

The T3 includes the familiar suite of Palm applications (Calendar, Contacts, Memos, and Tasks) as well as a number of third-party software title (ranging from Acrobat Reader to RealOne Player for listening to digital audio). Calendar has been given an Outlook-friendly makeover, adding an Agenda view that consolidates all of today's appointments, tasks, and new e-mails. With full-screen mode on, Calendar's month view now displays smaller calendars for the previous and next months.

Bluetooth wireless functionality is built in, and the Tungsten T3 still includes the BlueBoard and BlueChat for sharing information with other Tungsten users. For Web communication, Palm includes VersaMail and WebBrowser Pro, both of which can be used along with a Bluetooth phone. Additionally, VersaMail can access a corporate e-mail account, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino servers.

Java has also now entered the Palm OS arena, expanding the application development opportunities. The T3 comes with a few sample applets (including a periodic table that would be handy at our local pub's trivia night), but we'll have to wait for more development before Java becomes a full Palm OS tool.

Our only complaint, design-wise, is the placement of the Voice Memo button, which as been placed toward the top of the left side of the case, below the on/off button on the top panel. When turning on the device, our left hand's thumb continually triggered the Voice Memo app when attempting to turn on the T3. Note that you can also turn the T3 on by pressing one of the application buttons surrounding the Navigator, or by sliding the bottom case open. Overall, the Tungsten T3 is a Palm powerhouse, blending its traditional information management strength with new multimedia and connectivity functionality (both wired and wireless). It's about as perfect a personal productivity agent for professional settings as it gets. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Crisp, bright color screen
• Fast processor, ample internal memory, and expansion slot to boot
• Digital Graffiti input area can be hidden for full screen display
• Screen can be rotated to landscape view
• Access to corporate e-mail and Bluetooth wireless connectivity

Con:

• Voice Memo button gets in the way of turning on and off

Features

• Palm’s new breakthrough Stretch Display
• Device slides open to reveal a 320x480 display with 50% more viewing area
• Ultra-fast 400MHz Intel XScale processor and 64MB of internal memory
• Wirelessly access email, dial phone numbers, send text messages and connect to the Internet
• What's in the box: Handheld device; Palm Desktop software, including Documents To Go and Adobe Acrobat for Palm OS; all basic utilities such as Calendar, Contacts, Tasks., etc.

Reviews (69)

Fantastic but a few problems
Overall the Palm Tungsten T3 is a great machine with a bright screen but there are a few issues that you may want to be aware of prior to purchase.

Power supply - if you intend to take the T3 around the world, make sure that you have an international power supply or buy one. The one that came with the box is only 120V. I guess the cradle is fairly bulky so you might want to just get a sync cable with an international power supply.

USB - I had a lot of problems syncing the Palm the first time. After looking around, it turns out that older USB ports are incompatible with the T3. I bought a USB 2.0 PCI card and it works perfectly now. I just wished Palm made it quite clear on their support pages what the problem could be. I spent so much time reloading the software on my PC. Admittedly, my machine is fairly old and probably has a 1.0 or 1.1 USB port.

Kinoma - minor problem, the video player is great and I love the widescreen encoding of movies. The only problem is that if you 'stretch' your T3 while you are playing a movie, it sometimes crashes the whole machine.

Stretch feature - the extendable section is great idea but it seems a little hard to operate. I wish it would extend and contract a little more easily. Just make sure your hand is well away from the extend/contract mechanism while you operate it, your palm could get caught in it sometimes especially on the edges :) The only other disappointment is that not every application allows you to display the document with the whole screen (eg Avantgo).

Aside from the minor issues, it is a responsive machine that runs audio and video very smoothly. The bundled software is great and bluetooth works a treat. Great Value.

T3 sets a new standard
I ungraded from a Palm M500 to the Tungsten T3, which I ordered from Amazon.com, using Super Saver shipping. It arrived six days later; I charged the battery, turned it on, and it has functioned perfectly since. An incompatible third-party application caused a "Fatal Error"; having been disappointed with that application anyway, I deleted it - no loss.

The beautiful stretch display is even better than reviewers had led me to expect. It is a little bright for my old eyes, so I turned it down, and it is not only very easy on the eyes, it will reduce power consumption. The landscape display option is a great asset for my uses, and well worth whatever it might have cost.

Processing speed is all that is promised. I would occasionally wonder whether the M500 was still running in searches, which it always was, but the T3 delivers results instantly, without fail.

I have been using PrintBoy software, and neither my printers nor my laptop have Blue Tooth capability without additional expense. PrintBoy installed perfectly on the T3, providing seamless changeover to the new PDA.

The voice recorder seemed to be an unneeded frill to me, until I used it a few times. It is a definite asset, as I no longer need to carry a recorder.

WiFi is of no use to me, and the added cost might have deterred me from buying the T3.

Battery life could be better, but my work demands a lot of time in my car, and the car charger will take care of this minor detail.

The price seemed high until I experienced the Tungsten T3. The great display, added memory, processing speed, packaged software, and overall feel of a quality product justify the cost.

UPDATE 6-22-04: After two months of daily use, I have not only become accustomed to the T3, but it is now an old friend, which has never let me down. I had not had any problem with the original graffiti, and learning the new graffiti was an unneeded inconvenience for me, but not difficult. No problems have appeared, and I WOULD CERTAINLY BUY A TUNGSTEN T3 AGAIN, WITHOUT HESITATION!

Satisfied User
I've had my T3 for 7 months now and have nothing but praise for this remarkable gadget.
The 75 applications I've fit into the spacious 64m memory and a 256m SD card include: my check register and shopping list database (Splash Wallet), a world clock with 20 alarms (Megaclock), a complete address book/meeting scheduler/to-do list/calendar (Agendus); an outliner (Bonsai), spreadsheet, word processor, PowerPoint editor (Documents to Go) and relational database (HanDBase); a drawing/painting program appropriate to my 10 years training as an artist (HandPainter); a dictionary and thesaurus (To Go), ebook readers; road maps of Colorado and the New York metropolitan area (Mapopolis); listings of 30,000 movies from the Internet Movie Database -- including main cast,director, and synopsis (on TomeRaider); an MP3 player with my favorite 50 songs; a photo album of 30 pictures; a chess game, submarine game, and Space Invaders clone; an icon editor, a file utility, a backup utility, and a flashlight (PalmLight).
For all that, I still have 40% of the memory free.
For all that, I've never had my T3 crash, whine, play games with my eyesight, or go bump in the night. It does however wake me up in the morning to Reville, but I asked it to do that since it's also my alarm clock.
It has replaced most of the contents of my wallet, two notebooks, and a portable cassette player -- all of which I had lugged around with me for 30 years until I bought the T3.
I like to compare my T3 to a 386 desktop computer I used to own -- the T3 does about about as much, about as well; except now it's attached to my belt.
The only thing I don't like about the T3 is that it's not as sturdy as the original Tungsten-T. The T3 feels noticably fragile.
But after 7 months, I can say: I use it daily. I use it for everything. It's never failed me.

Love it. But battery life disappoints.
Love this Palm device. Earlier I had 2 Mb monochome Palm Pilot, so this is a good change to have 52 Mb color one. New grafiti is better. Voice memo feature is good, but need to keep the source of sound away otherwise recording gets bad. Web, VersaMail, MP3, Bluetooth are not very useful to me. It came with RealOne MP3, but that needs an add on card. I didn't find the feature to turn the display very useful. Rarely use it. The battery life disappoints.

Overall, a great device to have.

Do your research before purchasing
I was very happy with the T3 when I bought it. Great screen and resolution, fast processor, bluetooth. But then about 3 months after I got the T3, it started making a high-pitched noise all the time it was turned on. If you work in an office, it's very noticible. On the street or in your car, not so much so. Finally, as I work inside all day, I got fed up with the noise. Since I'm still well within the warranty period, I contacted PalmOne support. Their response is below.

"Tom, I understand that the handheld makes excessive bussing noise from the screen when it is turned on.I would like to explain this phenomenon for you.

Some palmOne handheld devices may emit a high-pitched buzz, especially when plugged into an electrical outlet. The noise does not damage the handheld, and does not mean the handheld is malfunctioning. All electronic components vibrate to some degree when carrying an electric current. That vibration creates sound waves. The TFT displays used by some palmOne handheld devices can amplify those sound waves, resulting in the high pitched buzz you hear.

In most environments the buzz will be drowned out by ambient noise. In particularly quiet environments, or if you bring the handheld to your ear, you may be able to hear it. Because this is normal and expected behavior, palmOne does not provide repairs for products exhibiting the buzz."

Note the part that says, "...palmOne does not provide repairs for products exhibiting the buzz." Anyone with the T3 on their desk in an office setting with normal hearing can hear the shrill all day long.

Just do adequate research before purchasing. This issue and others (including the lack of Palm support) have been documented by many users on numerous Palm message boards.

Good Luck. ... Read more

Features

• Includes console and 1 controller
• Plays DVDs
• 128-bit Emotion Engine processor
• Lightning-fast gameplay
• Backward-compatible with PlayStation games

Reviews (291)

My favorite system
I'll give you my rhoughts on all three systems
PS2(Top 3 games:Grand Theft Auto Double Pack/Metal Gear Solid 2/Final Fantasy X
Pros:
Play's DVDs
Plays PS1 games
Plays Cds
Has the best games out
Easiest Controller
usally doesn't cost nothing to get online
Cons:
The worst graphics, but not all that bad
Can have long annoying loading times
Need to buy memory cards
Need to buy multitap in order to have 4 players
What's up with Final Fantasy XI(They wan't $99 for game and hard drive, and pay money to be online every month, they're NUTS!!!!)

Xbox(Top 3 games:Halo/Grand Theft Auto Double Pack/Star Wars KOTOR
Pros:
Best graphics out of three
Best for multiplatform games(Like Max Payne, it was better on this than PS2)
no memory cards
Custom sountracks(On selected game)
The fastest loading systems
The best suited for T and M rated games(My kinda games)
Cons:
The controller is still a little frustrating(And I had the dang thing for a while, I need a controller S)

Xbox live costs a bit, but no that much
So far still behind in games, but it's movin on up!
Too bad it can't burn mixed CD songs on it(Cuz I hate grabbing my regular CDs just to get 1 song)
Have to buy DVD kit to play DVDs
STOP DELAYING HALO 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gamecube(Top 3 games:Zelda:Wind Waker/Super Smash Brothers Meele/Metroid Prime
Pros:
Nice tiny compact system
Good ol fasion nintendo games on a new Nintendo system
50% technology/50%good games
cheapest system
Small controller, but it wasn't hard for me to get used to it
Cons:
Not the best for fighting games, (altho I brought Soul Calibur 2 because of Link, and it worked out)
Must take care of discs or one bad scratch can put it out of commision
Cant play DVDs or CDs, but hey it's devoted to nothing but games
Needs memory cards
Bairly any online games(I only know one, and thats Phantasy Star Online)

This console war stuff is stupid, lemme say it again, it's just stupid. It's just baisicly peple who only have one of the consoles, and are mad that they don't have the other one, so they bash it hoping to stop the anger. Like when people say PS2 has atari graphics, if thats what you see, get some friggin glasses yo! And whoever says Xbox has no games, and says Halo's garbage it's catchin on up, and Halo is so far the best game I've played on any new generation console,and anyone who treats gamecube like junk, they're just missiing out on some of the good stuff. Me I just say get all three, because all of them are very good systems, I don't care if one says one systems better than the other, they're all good!

Best System Available
The Playstation 2 Entertainment System is the best videogame console available. Sure, Xbox has those awsome graphics, but have you seen the TERRIBLY clunky controler? And Gamecube isn't any good either, believe me, I owned one. It has a very small library of games, and the games it DOES have are mostly for little kids. The PS2 has the USB Headset, Internet Adapter, a HUGE library of games, it plays DVD's and CD's, and it's backwards-compatible (it plays PSX games)! My only complaint is that the graphics aren't all that sharp. If you are older than 9, and looking to buy a videogame console, look no further. Go out and buy one. NOW. If you don't beleive me, ask one of the 60,0000'th PS2 owners out their.

Games I reccomend:

Medal of Honor Frontline

Grand Theft Auto III

ATV Offroad Fury 2

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Jak II

Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando

Final Fantasy (Pick one of the many titles)

PS2 ROCKS!!! (Note: Look for the PS3 in the next 2-4 years...)

The PS2 is the best gaming system out right now
OK. Put it this way. XBOX sucks. Gamecube sucks. For XBOX, you have to freakin pay to play online. for the PS2, all you need is the Internet adaptor. And what the heck is up with the XBOX controller? Its fat and ugly. Plus the PS2 is more compact and easier carry. Plus, you have to pay more to even do what the XBOX is capable of. 30 dollars for a dvd remote just so you can be able to play dvd's on the XBOX? thats crazy. With the PS2, all you need is the PS2 and a controller. Plus the PS2 has a WIDER variety of games to play than both systems combined. Sure the XBOX may have better graphics, but thats it. So hands down, the PS2 is the best system to buy right now.

DVD? Are you sure about that?
I've never been able to get the play station to work as a DVD player, that is a disappointment, since I get sick of having so many wires in my entertainment unit, and it would have been nice to have one machine that performs three functions. (It plays Cd's quite nicely). That aside, It's a wonder machine that plays not only the new Playstation 2 games, but the older Playstation 1. (who wants to render all of their older games as obsolete?) Even though it would have been nice to use it as a DVD player, and I can't, it is a good machine and well worth the little that it costs. (But beware. . .Playstation makes up for the small cost by charging an arm and then some for the games.)

I love the playstation2!I
Ok,I dont have it,but I want it BAD!So please buy one! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Olympus DM-20 stereo digital voice recorder/music player packs 128 MB of built-in flash memory to give you nearly 44 hours (2,680 minutes) of voice recording or a full hour of near-CD-quality music in either MP3 or WMA formats. The DM-20's compact, lightweight design and smooth, silvery finish make it an ideal travel companion. Measuring a mere 4.31 x 1.56 x 0.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighing in at a mere 3 ounces, the attractive and ergonomic DM-20 fits comfortably in the hand of the on-the-go professional or exercise enthusiast.

The DM-20 has 5 separate file folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files according to subjects like "work," "personal," and "to do." When recording, simply capture your high-quality voice files in either WMA or DSS (Digital Speech Standard) format and then place the recorder in the included USB docking station to begin downloading hours of audio to a PC or Macintosh computer. Stereo voice recording is possible with an optional stereo microphone.

Alarm playback will alert you to meetings, dates, show reminders, or wake-up times. You can simply dictate reminders into the DM-20--such as "Time to pick up the kids!"--and assign a time for this message to sound, like an alarm clock's buzzer.

Built-in WOW sound enhancement produces rich bass, and three-dimensional sound, while a user-selectable 5-setting equalizer lets you tailor the sound to your taste or environment. Olympus's innovative noise-canceling technology makes the sound even clearer. removing unwanted hiss and background noise.

The unit offers a built-in condenser microphone, and a .125-inch microphone jack gives you the option to use a high-quality external mic (not included). A .125-inch earphone jack and supplied stereo ear bud headphones let you monitor your files during or after recording. To suit various sound conditions, you can adjust the microphone's sensitivity. The recorder can be viewed in low-light situations, such as at a lecture hall or during presentations, thanks to its easy-to-read backlit LCD.

After capturing recordings you can erase them or move them between folders. The DM-20 also lets you set up to 16 index marks per message, during recording and during playback. This way, you can locate specific sections of individual dictations quickly and easily. The individual files may be played back at three different speeds: normal, fast, or slow, through either the built-in speaker or the supplied earphones. In addition, with the Repeat Playback function, the DM-20 can repeatedly play back a particular user-selected section of audio recording--ideal for transcribing dictation.

The unit's Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ensures that recording begins only when sound occurs, while its security lock prevents accidental deletion of sensitive files.

The DM-20 is perfectly suited to meet varying professional needs. You can easily attach voice files to e-mails or forward them to others for transcription. The optional AS-3000 transcription kit (DSS Player Pro transcription module with foot switch and headset) can further streamline this process. The DM-20 is also compatible with most voice recognition software, including IBM's Via Voice.

What's in the Box
Voice recorder, docking station, USB cable, stereo ear bud headphones, a CD-ROM, a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• 128MB of built-in internal memory for 45 hours of voice recording or two hours of music.
• Supports voice/audio recording files in DSS and WMA formats and music recording files in MP3 and WMA.
• Stereo recording and playback.
• USB Docking Station for quick, easy uploads and downloads.
• PC and Macintosh compatible.

Amazon.com Review

Palm’s latest PDA offering delivers wireless networking, lots of RAM and a faster processor--a PDA for the professional.Palm has embraced wireless networking with the Tungsten C, which has built in 802.11b capability. This is definitely a PDA for power users, as along with wireless networking comes 64MB of RAM, 51MB of which is available for your applications and data. The Tungsten C runs on the new Intel PXA 255 processor, an update of the PXA 250 which has more speed and better power management than its predecessor.

Compact and powerful

The hardware looks very much like that of the Tungsten W. There is no antenna like the W has, but there is a keypad where the Graffiti area traditionally sits on a Palm. A new version of Graffiti, called rather unimaginatively Graffiti2, is provided, and you can use this to write text direct to the screen should you desire to.

Palm provides a whole slew of applications including Documents To Go, for working with Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. This is in ROM along with email software VersaMail and software to set up the wireless networking features and run VPN (Virtual Private Networking) sessions. Connecting to an existing 802.11b network is easy as pie -- and a separate manual walks you though the process if required. Once connected, you can use another ROM-based application, Web, to browse the Web using your wireless modem.

Though designed with professional users in mind Palm has not lost sight of the fact that the Tungsten C will appeal to a wider audience. They provide the Kinoma player for watching movies and Photos for looking at digital images. A key notable absence is any kind of MP3 player.

Palm’s addition to the range of PDAs with built in 802.11b is a very impressive one. It has the processing power to cope with wireless activity and the memory to deal with the data you’ll download and share while using wireless.--Sandra Vogel ... Read more

Features

• Bright 320x320 transflective color screen
• Fast, 400 MHz Intel PXA255 processor with Intel XScale technology
• Built-in Wi-Fi and keyboard
• Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard Expansion Slot
• What's in the box: Tungsten C Handheld, Stylus, Flip Cover, USB HotSync Cradle, Power Supply, Desktop Installation CD, Software Essentials CD

Reviews (69)

The BEST! PDA on the market
All of the specs you can get from the other reviews and from Palms website directly. My post here is because I am a new owner of the Tungsten C. Ive had mine about a week now and I am really glad I got it.

THE GOOD: tons and tons of great apps and games for this! Some of them like billiards, megabowling, bejeweled, monopoly, pinball, GTS racing, mahjongg.. have high res graphics which make game play estounding! The wifi internet ability makes this palm a 10 star PDA. I can walk near my local apple store or stop into my local coffeehouse and check my email and pull up a website on this palm for free. This PDA will keep me VERY busy for hours on end when I travel on flights. I can even check email in airports too. Im writing a book right now and the built in keyboard is alot easier to type quickly then using graffiti feature. Its great to finally have this PDA to write my book, I no longer need to bring my laptop anywhere! As you can see im not a serious business PDA user but this will last me many years Im sure because it has all the features I want. I recently rode the new Pasadena-Los Angeles metro gold line subway and relaxed doing my Tungsten C.. played some games, replied to some emails, and checked my metro timetables stored as PDFs. Im set for the the future and beyond! (I cant wait until the software to make my Tungsten C a worldwide cellphone is released in September!)

The BAD: Palms website rarely works for me during Pacific daylight hours. The built-in palm web browser cant handle popup windows. In some ways thats good, in some ways its bad. The only other bad thing I can think of is people have complained here of the mono audio feature this palm has. I too think Palm either overlooked this feature on the most powerful PDA on the market or they ran out of room on the pda itself for the jack... or they just want you to go buy their new ones coming out a year later! I couldnt wait and Im glad I got this one NOW. I did fix the mono problem. I bought a $15 Nokia cellphone headset and cut the wire 3 inches above the mic. Then I got a nice set of walkman style stereo headphones and cut the end off. I soldered up the leads and now ive got a great set of headphones with mic for my palm. If you know how to solder its fairly easy to do. Just solder the ground leads together, then solder the mono lead to the two stereo leads and youve got mono piped into both headphone speakers. Finish it off with some black electrical tape. Do a great job and take your time and no one will ever know you spliced it! Its a 15 minute fix until Palm comes out with their own version.

Awesome performance
I've owned several PDAs over the years and had abandoned the Palm platform for Sony Clies - the Clies were faster, more stylish, had more features and fantastic screens. I was intrigued by the features of the Tungsten C and tried one out at a local store and immediately purchased one online. In short, the C is a power user's dream PDA. My impressions after 3 weeks of use:

Screen: incredible, very bright, robust colors - rivals the Clie NX70V, maybe even a bit brighter

WiFi: immediately connected to my home Airport network - range is about 70-80ft - I have been able to connect effortlessly to T-mobile hotspots in several Starbucks

Speed: nothing like it on any PDA - the C truly flies - the browser speed is next to incredible - much faster than browsing on a PocketPC

Keyboard: I have never liked thumbpads, but the one on the C has the keys spaced so they can be accessed via thumb typing - I rarely need to use the new Graffiti 2

Memory: you will not run out!

Battery: very good, I'm getting 10-15 hours

The mono sound issue doesn't bother me at all - I have an iPod for mp3 listening - the C is fine for Audible content - the mono/stereo doesn't make much difference with the spoken word

It would have been nice to have built-in Bluetooth - the only limitation I have found so far.

I would also would have liked to have a travel charger included - it's a pain to have to carry the cradle around.

Great Handheld With WiFi!
This is my fifth handheld. My first two were palm, my third was a Sony, and for my fourth I went back to palm. All four had 8MB of RAM and a 33 MHz processor. When I first turned on the Tungsten C I was amazed at how fast it was. When I clicked on an application it would instantly open, without that 1 or 2 second delay seen on older handhelds. This handheld includes 51 MB of memory, which is very nice for storing applications, movies (using the included Kinoma player), music, pictures and just about anything else. The display is one of the best I've seen, and the high-resolution is really nice. I like the Tungsten T3 expandable display, and was considering getting it, but I realized WiFi was too important. The WiFi is one of the best features of this handheld. I opened the WiFi setup application, it instantly detected my home network, I entered my WEP key and it was connected. Browsing the web on the Tungsten C is not anything like on a desktop or laptop. There is A LOT of scrolling involved, and many web pages take a long time to load, even with cable internet. There are also a lot of bugs in the web browser, and I've had to do many soft resets. I've downloaded AvantGo, which can be used as a web browser, and I never have to reset. The e-mail application, VersaMail, works very well. I just entered my POP3 mail account, and it worked. The keyboard is also a great feature. It is much better than Graffiti, and I'll never go back to a handheld without a keyboard. Palm includes Graffiti2, but I don't even bother using it because the keyboard is so convenient. One thing I've been hearing other reviewers complaining about is the mono headset jack. It would be nice to have stereo, but it's not that important to me. If I want to listen to music, I'll use my iPod. It works just fine for audiobooks, though. The headphones (sold separately from palm) look like ones for cell phones, however, they do not work with cell phones. Overall, this is a truly great handheld. It has a few minor problems, but so does any other electronic device. I've compiled a list of pros and cons:

Pros:

-400 Mhz Processor
-51MB RAM
-Built-in WiFi
-Thumb Keyboard
-Excellent Display
-Comes With Good Array Of Applications

Cons:

-Web Browser Has Too Many Bugs
-Mono Headphone Jack
-No Included Headset

Wonderful Handheld, Couple of minor glitches
First off, I'm now spoiled. After this handheld, I will NEVER go back to a grafitti based palm! I might put up with less memory, maybe a cheaper display, maybe slower processor, but I would never take a replacement without the keyboard. Using the JFile shareware database, my sister entered an entire stack of about a hundred movies in a couple of hours on this keyboard with little or no training. It couldn't have happened on my previous Visor Prism.

-Display is indeed the best in its class. I was amazed that I opened it up under direct summer sunlight inside my car and I could read the text without any problems. [I wouldn't try making out color, but that's fair to me]

-Speed is wonderful. Much faster than the high end Treo's (and better display too) I used to play Handmark Monopoly on my Visor Prism... I tried it on my Tungsten C and at first I thought the animations weren't working... then I realized it was just happening too fast to see!

-Palm's advanced replacement is very well done. I was rushed to ER about two months after purchasing this machine and in the process it got munched in the car door. When I was better I gave Palm a call, paid $150 and had an advanced replacement in decent condition sitting in my hands very quickly. (WITH full warranty still I might add!) It was very nice since I'm very dependent on this little machine.

Downsides?
-Web browser stinks. It crashes a lot on quite a few sites. I'm leary of forking out >+$40 for the pro version when I'm not sure it will be more stable.

-Wi-Fi range is poor. I have to be basically within 20 feet of a base unit for it to work. [Using both a DLink and Airport Extreme]. On the flip side, I have never had interoperability issues as long as I input the keys in full hex. And I understand that this range is typical of units this size.

-Unit will lock on poor wi-fi reception

-No bluetooth! This would be the one feature I completely miss. Wish they'd get this fixed.

Poor reliability
I bought this product from Amazon in May. Amazon graciously accepted to return it and even paid the shipping cost for the return when I found that the PDA wouldn't even charge - the green light at the top that indicates it is charging never came on even once. I talked to Palm support first and they suggested I should send this in for repair and that if they could not repair it they would send me a refurbished product. A refurbished product in exchange for a brand new never-used one? I decided to return it and get a replacement from Amazon.

However, the replacement has the same problem. Of course, I could ask Amazon for a replacement once more bbut now I am sick of this product. It also leaves me wondering about its reliability. It would be even worse if it conked off after 90 days because then I wouldn't be able to return it also.

Thumbs down for this Palm. Thumbs up for Amazon's superb customer service. ... Read more

Product Description

Equipped with 9-point AiAF, a feature normally found in Canon's high-end models, that allows users to get crisp, clear images quickly, even with off-center subjects. The PowerShot A85 is compatible with a wide range of optional accessories, including supplementary wide-angle, telephoto and close-up lenses as well as dedicated waterproof housings with a depth rating of 130 feet (WP-DC30 for A85 model). The new A-Series digital cameras offer Direct Printing functionality, making it easy, quick and convenient for anyone to produce high-quality photos without the need for a computer. The Print/Share button, found on most of Canon's new PowerShot models, also speeds and simplifies printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge-enabled printers. The Print/Share feature also enables one-touch Direct Transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000 and 98 computers, for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet or emailing. Once connected, the Print/Share button will light up blue, indicating that it is ready to print. For quick and easy printing of high-quality images, Canon's CP printers offer the perfect option. In just 85 seconds***, consumers have printed photos right in their hands for sharing with friends and family. New to the line of Compact Photo Printers is the ability to print on 4" x 8" paper-ideal for family holiday photos or to announce the arrival of a new baby. Other printing enhancements include An ID Photo Print feature that a ... Read more

Features

• High-performance 4.0-megapixel digital camera with 3x optical/3.6x digital/11x combined zoom
• 1.8-inch LCD monitor for easier image previews and reviews
• Exclusive Canon XImage Processor and iSAPS technology for faster processing and excellent image quality
• New Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloads
• 9-point AiAF with special scene modes for spectacular shots in special situations

Amazon.com Product Description

A digital entertainment device for both movie buffs and technophiles, Toshiba's RS-TX60 digital media server features DVD recording abilities alongside TiVo Series2 technology with free TiVo Basic service included with purchase. The unit's high-capacity, 160 GB hard-disk drive (HDD) stores up to 200 hours of audio/video storage (depending on the quality level you select), while DVD recording gives you the option for archiving your VHS and camcorder footage and for easy recording of your favorite TV programs. A convenient, front-panel DV input (IEEE 1394) is perfect for quick transfers of camcorder material onto the hard-disk drive and then to DVD.

The unit also comes with a 45-day free trial of the TiVo Plus service so you can try features unique to the TiVo Plus service, including the ability to search for programs by title, set up Season Pass recordings for your favorite shows, and create actor, director, and keyword WishLists searches.

With TiVo Basic Service included and without paying a subscription fee, you can record your favorite TV shows onto the HDD and watch them on your schedule. You can also record content from the hard disk drive to a DVD media (DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM) quickly and easily. The easy-to-use TiVo interface can automatically create a DVD menu for easy navigation. DVDs can be named according to your program selections, or you may manually enter a title.

This is a great DVD player, too. Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the RS-TX60 will deliver the full potential of your commercial DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, gives you higher resolution and sharper images than standard 480i signals while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Toshiba's Digital Cinema Progressive feature (3:2 pulldown detection and reversal) digitally corrects frame distortion in film-based material to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

The recorder/player's ColorStream Pro component-video output (selectable for 480p/480i) works for both DVD and TiVo content. There are 2 composite-video-based AV inputs, 1 S-video input, and 1 RF coaxial input (for an antenna signal or a feed from an older VCR or cable box). A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions, while both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's Toslink optical digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

The DVD drive is fully compatible with your MP3 and WMA music CDs and will even play discs full of your favorite JPEG digital photos for ready-made slide shows right in your living room.

A supplied IR blaster cable for cable-box and satellite receiver control (C3 Control) connects to the back of the recorder and transmits an infrared (IR) signal to change channels on your cable or satellite box, as needed, for advance recording--freeing you from having to pretune the correct channel ahead of time.

The included, no-fee TiVo Basic service features a 3-day rolling program guide, TV "Trick Play" features (such as the ability to pause and rewind live TV), instant replay/instant skip, and manual recording capability with repeat function. The unit is fully upgradeable to the TiVo Plus Service (subscription required: $12.95 per month or a "product lifetime" fee of $299 that's good for as long as your RS-TX60 remains operational), which includes TiVo's Home Media Option for remote (online) scheduling, access to MP3/JPEG digital media files from your PC, and multi-room viewing with no additional TiVo receivers.

What's in the Box
DVD/HDD recorder/player, a remote control, remote batteries, an IR blaster cable, a user's manual, a stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty/registration information. ... Read more

Features

• DVD recorder/player with built-in 160 GB hard drive and free TiVo Basic service (pause, rewind, instant replay, 3-day advance recording)
• Up to 200 hours of audio/video storage on hard-disk drive (HDD); records to DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM
• Component-video output for both DVD and TiVo content; DVD offers progressive-scan output for use with high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• Front-panel IEEE 1394/DV input provides a quick and easy connection with a compatible digital camcorder
• Measures 16.5 x 3.3 x 13 inches (W x H x D)

Features

• Sends a high-quality live audio/video stream to your network wirelessly over 802.11g -- viewable from anywhere
• Built-in stand-alone web server, no PC necessary
• Security Mode automatically sends email alerts with video clips upon motion detection
• Supports up to four simultaneous remote users
• Compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP

Amazon.com Product Description

With its small size and quick reaction time, the Sony DSCP73 digital camera will be your constant photographic companion. The affordable DSCP73 offers point-and-shoot simplicity with a variety of features normally found in higher-end models. This 4-megapixel camera features a 3x optical zoom, 4-shot burst mode, conversion lens compatibility, A/V connection to view images on your TV, and a high-resolution movie mode that's limited only by your Memory Stick's capacity. For a step up in price, the Sony DSCP93 adds a 5-megapixel CCD, higher resolution LCD screen, and 9-shot burst mode.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/2.7-inch Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise, and provides a 4.1-megapixel effective resolution (2304 x 1728).The Real Imaging Processor offers greater clarity and picture quality as well as improved response time and battery life and decreased shutter lag. The DSCP73 has a 3x optical zoom lens that's combined with a smooth 2x digital zoom for a 6x total.

Movie Mode
Capture video with audio at 30 frames per second (fps) at VGA size 640 x 480;the included 16 MB memory card will store 42 seconds of vide at this setting. Movie length is only limited by the amount of storage you have on hand. The Video Mail mode captures a smaller movie (160 x 112 pixels) that's more suitable to sending to friends and family via e-mail.

More Features
The DSCP73 offers the following additional features to the DSCP41:

• Live Histogram Display: Available in capture and playback, the Live Histogram displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate the correct exposure.
• Manual Exposure Mode: Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable Shutter speed (30 Ð 1/1000 sec.), and 2-step Aperture control.
• Conversion Lens Compatibility: Increase your shooting options by adding either telephoto lenses to increase your optical zoom or wide-angle lenses to increase the width of your field of view. You can even add filters for special effects.
• Audio/Video Output: For reviewing images and MPEG movies, the DSCP73 offers an A/V output for convenient connection to a TV or VCR, this makes sharing images with family and friends easy.

Other features include:

• Resolution modes: 2304 x 1728 (4.1MP), 2048 x 1536 (3MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), 640 x 480 (VGA)
• 1.5-inch, 64K LCD monitor makes framing shots and reviewing pictures easy.
• Selectable Focus Mode: Monitoring AF (Auto Focus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release.
• 5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus: By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, SonyÕs Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.
• AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator: Briefly illuminating the subject, in low--or no--light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.
• Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isnÕt centered in the frame.
• Multi-Burst Mode: Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera (selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second).
• Scene Selection Mode: With 6 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, or Beach.
• Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.
• Pre-Flash Metering: With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.
• 4 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 4 shots (fine) or 6 shots (standard) at 1.3 frames/sec. even at 4 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports.

Direct Printing
The Cybershot DSCP73 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer--such as the Sony PictureStation DPP-EX50--without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and the Cybershot DSCP73 is compatible with Memory Stick Pro media--for storage up to 1 gigabyte. The included 16 MB Memory Stick will store 8 Fine and 14 Standard 4.1-megapixel images. The DSCP73 transfers images to PCs and Macs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection (which is backward compatible with USB 1.1 ports).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AA-sized batteries (2100 mAh). The included adapter/charger provides power while you transfer images from the camera to your PC. It measures 4.63 x 2.13 x 1.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 7 ounces without Memory Stick or batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony DSCP73 digital camera, 16 MB Memory Stick, two AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries (NH-AA-DA), battery charger (BC-CS2), A/V and USB cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with photo editing software.

Sony Photo Vault
The optional Sony Photo Vault mini CD burner eliminates worry about running out of space on your Memory Stick when travelling. It burns images to mini CD-R's without a PC interface--just connect your camera using a USB cable. The Photo Vault also has a Memory Stick slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Duo) and features a built-in photo album capability to display photos on a television screen using a television's standard AV input. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor (2304 x 1728) captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical zoom plus 2x digital zoom for 6x total
• High-resolution movie mode with sound; A/V output to TV; 4-shot burst; histogram display
• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 16 MB card
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0

Reviews (4)

Great for pictures -- not great for videos
We bought this camera as an upgrade from our Canon A40. The big feature for us (after the fabulously quick shutter speed) was the ability to take unlimited videos. (Most other cameras limit the video length because they must buffer the image, whereas Sony cameras can write directly to their memory cards.)

However, we've decided to return the camera. There are 3 movie modes. With a 256 MB memory stick (about $100), you get about 3 minutes of video on the best setting. On the medium setting, you get 10 minutes of video. The third setting does give you 2 hours of video, but is completely unusable. The audio is very poor and the image is blurry and pixelated.

We're disappointed that Sony didn't offer a movie mode in between the terrible 160 mode and the Standard 640 mode. A friend's Sony, now over 4 years old, has such an inbetween setting, and we figured this would be an example of the quality of this Cybershot's lowest setting. Not so!

Great camera
This is our first digital camera and so far we love it. It feels very solid and the pictures are really great. The camera is very easy to use for pictures and for video. I have not used any of the different picture settings but I did read the manual and they seem easy to use.
The camera comes with batteries and a charger but no AC adapter. This is the only reason (no AC adapter) I gave the camera 4 stars instead of 5. I would recommend buying the AC adapter so you don't use the batteries too fast or an extra set of batteries so you always have a charged pair of batteries.

Sony Cybershot DSCP73
My husband & I wanted a good digital camera but did not want to spend a bundle. We own other Sony products and know the products are usually high end. We are pleased again with another Sony product. The camera is a little bulky, but the pictures look wonderful and the capability is amazing. More than enough to keep us non-techies amazed!

pretty cool for what you pay
I just bought the p73 and I am pretty content with it. altough bulkier than the exilims of casio, I like the fast cycle times between shots, which often caused me to loose nice pictures before with my old digital camera. The video is quite good considering it's just mpeg, and good for those moments when you wished you had brought your camcorder. I am using the mem stick pro 256 meg so there is alot of room for short videos as well as pictures. The preflash works pretty well in low light, an added benefit is that it catches the attention of my baby so all our shots have her looking straight at the camera. I havent tried the more advanced features yet, altough I am saving up for a wide angle lens to attach onto this toy. It is a bit heavy for a small cam, but then I realized that it was the battery which was accounting for much of the weight. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Still images or video--capture either 60 minutes of DVD-quality MPEG-2 movies or thousands of super-high resolution UXGA-size JPEG pictures with the Everio--the first camera to use Microdrive technology. The included 4GB Microdrive card, though it is the same size as Compact Flash card, has such unprecedented capacity because it is has its own built-in HDD (hard disk drive).

The completely tapeless Microdrive format lets you choose higher video quality or longer shooting times.

Store more photos than you ever thought possible on the included 4GB Microdrive card.

Until now, tapeless formats have been severely limited in the length and quality of video capacity, but the Everio's Microdrive lets you shoot up to 60 minutes of high quality MPEG-2 video--and even more in lower resolution modes.A selection of recording modes lets you choose more quality or more shooting time. The highest quality ULTRA mode records at a constant bit rate of 8.88 Mbps with AC 3 audio -- comparable to the DVD data rate (average 4 Mbps video/9.8 Mbps maximum). Essentially what you get is DVD quality, with the same video and audio format as a movie DVD. And the number of still photos that will fit on the Microdrive card is nothing less than awe-inspiring: More than 5000 of the highest resolution images (1600x1200 fine).

2.12 Megapixel CCD
This 1/3.6" CCD with a total of 2.12 million pixels (effective: 1.23 million for moving pictures, 2 million for still pictures) offers the high resolution capabilities needed for high quality digital videography and photography. And the Megabrid Engine applies separate, optimized processing to moving and still images, for videos with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and high-resolution still pictures.

Versatile, Lossless Data
Store what you've shot on the provided Microdrive card, optional CompactFlash or SD Memory Cards. size as a CompactFlash card, but with many Gigabytes of capacity. You can eject the Microdrive card, just as you would a CompactFlash or SD Memory Card, and load data into your PC via optional card adapter. Or simply connect the camera via its USB2.0 interface for quick downloading to a PC. All transfer is digital-to-digital, so you won't lose any quality in the process.

DVD Creation & Sharing

Three advanced applications are provided: Power Producer offers easy saving (authoring) of your video clips in any order to DVD, even right from a USB-connected camera, so you can share your original DVDs with anybody who owns a DVD player. Power Director offers feature-rich non-linear editing so you can flex your creative muscle with titles, effects, and even mix still with videos. Power DVD for easy video clip and DVD playback with AC 3 audio.

Multi-Format Support
In addition to making it easy to create DVDs, the supplied software converts to a variety of file formats for distribution via the Web or by e-mail. Supported formats include DV-AVI, Windows-AVI, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, as well as Windows Media Video and RealVideo that can be streamed over the Internet. ... Read more

Features

• The first camera to use Microdrive technology
• Includes a 4GB Microdrive card that can hold 60 minutes of DVD-quality video or more than 5000 high resolution still images
• Completely tapeless format for a ultra-compact, lightweight body
• Includes software for easy video editing and DVD creation
• Also supports CompactFlash and SD Memory Cards, USB2.0, DV-AVI,Windows-AVI, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, Windows Media Video, and RealVideo

Amazon.com Product Description

Canon's EOS-1D Mark II (successor to the original EOS-1D) is the ultimate professional digital SLR. Nearly doubling its predecessor's resolution to 8.2 megapixels, it also offers an improved shooting buffer for continuous shooting 8.5 frames per second at full resolution--making it the world's fastest digital SLR (as of January, 2004). It also features a faster DIGIC II imaging engine, a rugged yet lightweight weather-resistant magnesium alloy construction, capability for custom and personal presets, and dual storage slots for CompactFlash and Secure Digital cards.

Optics and Resolution
Canon's newly developed single-plate CMOS sensor with 8-channel reading technology delivers exceptional image quality, with approximately 8.2 million effective pixels (8.5 million total pixels) and a generous 28.7 x 19.1mm image size. The sensor's 3:2 aspect ratio is the same as in 35mm cameras, and the sensor's large size realizes an effective angle of view that's just 1.3 times the focal length indicated on Canon EF lenses. It features 3504 x 2336, 3104 x 2072, 2544 x 1696, and 1728 x 1152 pixel resolution settings.

A new on-chip noise elimination circuit eradicates fixed pattern and random noise. A low-pass filter placed in front of the sensor reduces false color and moire effects, while the infrared filter suppresses red fringing caused by sensor reflections and fog.

RAW processing
New Digital Photo Professional image processing software is provided for high-speed processing of lossless RAW files. It enables real-time display and immediate application of adjustments to images and includes a wide array of RAW, TIFF, or JPEG image editing functions, which give control over variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation and color tone. It supports sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Wide Gamut RGB color spaces.

Digic II Imaging Processor
Canon's newly developed, state-of-the-art DIGIC II imaging engine achieves super high speed processing that results in continuous shooting of 8.2-megapixel images at 8.5 fps in maximum bursts of 40 (JPEG format) or 20 (RAW format) shots. By handling larger volumes of image data, DIGIC II also contributes to lower power consumption: up to about 1,200 shots can be taken on a full battery at 20 degrees C, or around 800 shots at 0 degrees C.

More Features
The new 230,000-pixel, 2.0-inch color TFT LCD offers nearly twice the resolution of monitors on other EOS digital models, nearly 100% coverage of JPEG images, and a new bolder typeface that simplifies reading of text menus. Photos displayed on the LCD monitor can be magnified from 1.5X to 10X in 15 increments, allowing you to check the focus and exposure of images with high precision.

You can easily tailor the EOS-1D MARK II to meet your own specialized needs:

• 21 Custom Functions with 67 settings include the removal of the ISO speed extension setting to the ISO speed extension menu, the addition of new E-TTL averaged autoflash metering, and the inclusion of AI Servo continuous shooting, which was previously a Personal Function.
• 25 Personal Functions can be installed in the camera at any time, via driver software, to meet high-level customization needs. New features include the ability to append data for data verification and the ability to apply the Quick Control Dial's ON/OFF switch to the Main Dial to prevent accidental changes to settings when shooting remotely with EOS Capture.

• Images can be recorded in the JPEG image format, the RAW image format, or both formats simultaneously.
• Seven Color Matrix settings are provided for JPEG and RAW images, including five factory presets that were previously available and two new settings that allow independent user adjustment of color space, color saturation, and color tone within a prescribed range.
• ISO speeds are selectable in 1/3 increments (100-1600) and may be set as low as 50 or as high as 3200 through the ISO extension menu.
• It offers 10 selectable white balance modes and a new WB Compensation function, which allows adjustment of blue/amber and magenta/green biases in +/-9 steps, as well as combined use of light-balancing (LB) and color-correction (CC) equivalent digital color filters.
• Canon's improved Evaluative Through-The-Lens (E-TTL) Autoflash system offers new averaged metering in addition to the evaluative metering available on other EOS models.
• Designed as a serious tool for professionals, the EOS-1D MARK II offers rigid magnesium alloy in the chassis and external covers (top, front, rear and memory card slot cover).

Lens Compatibility
Canon's lineup of professional EF lenses--including over 50 models ranging from 14mm ultra-wide-angle to 1,200mm super-telephoto--are compatible with the new EOS-1D Mark II (except the EF-S line). Canon's sophisticated electronic lens mount technology communicates with the camera as soon as the lens is mounted to transfer information about the lens, such as its type, f-number and focal length, thus enabling faster, more precise control from the camera.

EF lenses offer professional capabilities that meet wide-ranging needs, including such features as an Ultrasonic Motor that silently drives the autofocus mechanism with very high precision, an Image Stabilizer that automatically compensates for camera shake via microcomputer, advanced aspherical optics, fluorite lenses, Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) lenses, and Super UD lenses.

Storage and Transfer
The EOS-1D Mark II offers support for both CompactFlash Type I and II (making it MicroDrive compatible) and Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. Images can be recorded on a CompactFlash card or SD memory card alone; on both cards at the same time as a safeguard against losing important data; or on both cards, one at a time, to maximize storage capacity. It connects to PCs and Macs via FireWire (also referred to as IEEE1394, or i.Link) and USB 1.1 (which activates PictBridge printing capabilities).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable NiMH (nickel metal hydride) battery pack (NP-E3, included); it also requires one CR2025 for date and time settings. It measures 6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 inches and weighs 43 ounces (camera body only without batteries; battery adds 11.8 ounces).

What's in the Box
This package includes the EOS-1D Mark II digital SLR camera body, rechargeable NiMH battery (NP-E3), AC adapter (DCK-E1), CR2025 battery, and USB and FireWire (IEEE1394) cables. The CD-ROM includes EOS Viewer Utility software for faster image preview, and Digital Photo Professional software for high-speed processing and handling of RAW images. It is compatible with over 60 Canon EF lenses (excluding EF-S lens) and the entire Canon EX series Speedlite flash range. ... Read more

Features

• 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor--3:2 aspect ratio the same as in 35mm cameras
• Compatible with Canon professional EF lenses (except the EF-S line)
• Continuous shooting 8.5 frames per second at full resolution; rugged, weather-resistant magnesium alloy
• Supports both CompactFlash Type I and II and Secure Digital (SD) memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable NiMH battery pack; connects to PCs and Macs via FireWire and USB 1.1

Features

• Up to 4,800 x 1,200 optimized dpi color, 1,200 x 1,200 black
• Color 4-by-6-inch photos in as fast as 60 seconds
• 2.5-inch flip-up color LCD to preview, select, and enhance photos
• Simple one-touch buttons; prints stills from video clips
• USB, memory card, and PictBridge interfaces; optional Bluetooth; PC/Mac

Amazon.com Product Description

The Zen Micro digital music player from Creative Labs packs an incredible 5 GB of storage capacity into a shell small enough to sit comfortably in your jeans pocket. It also rides nicely in your hand, with a palm-fitting profile and thumb-friendly front-panel controls. It's a bit shorter than an Apple iPod Mini, yet its rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 12 hours of continuous playback--50 percent more than iPod Mini's. The Zen Micro is compatible not merely with MP3s and WAV files, but with WMA as well. Toss in USB 2.0 connectivity and you're looking at one spiffy portable music player.

But playing isn't all the Zen Micro does. You can use it to receive FM radio (with 32 station presets to keep your favorites at the ready), and to record, either from the radio or from live sources such as voice dictation or lectures using the built-in condenser microphone.

Trimmed in a luminescent blue glow and with easily visible backlit buttons, this stylish orange player holds up to 1,250 songs (83 hours) at 128 kbps or 2,500 songs (166 hours) at lower-fidelity 64 kbps (MP3/WMA)--that's a solid week's worth of music listening, never playing the same song twice. Compatibility with Microsoft's WMA compressed-audio format grants access to over 2 million downloadable songs offered promotionally or for sale online.

Perhaps the Zen Micro's coolest attribute is its DJ feature, which will shuffle not only all the songs you've loaded or all the songs on a given album, but also, at your discretion, only the tracks you listen to most or the ones you rarely hear, taking the work out of selecting your favorites or hunting out all the music you're still getting to know.

Zen Micro's rechargeable battery is easy to replace.

For navigation, the device features a vertical, linear touchpad designed to make searching through songs or playlists easy, quick, and fun. The unit's blue, 160 x 104-pixel, electroluminescent LCD shows key functions and song details at a glance, and you can even customize the main menu to keep right at your fingertips the features that matter most to you.

Another of the Zen Micro's handy features is its personal organizer. You'll never forget an important anniversary with the onboard calendar, and it also includes a to-do list and a contacts list, all of which sync seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook (Outlook thus required for use of these features). Further, the device offers a sleep timer and alarm so you can drift off to sleep to the strains of one playlist and wake to a completely different one.

The Zen Micro's removable battery is easy to swap with another fully charged battery (additional batteries sold separately), extending your listening by a half-day per swap.

What's in the Box
The Zen Micro player, stereo earbud headphones, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, an AC/DC power adapter, a USB 2.0 cable, a belt clip, a stand, a stylish cloth pouch, an installation CD, a quick-start guide, and Creative MediaSource software. ... Read more

Features

• Micro-sized 5 GB digital-music player stores up to 1,250 songs at 128 kbpsor 2,500 songs at 64 kbps (MP3/WMA)
• Vertical touch pad simplifies navigation; body is curved to fit your hand
• FM radio with 32 station presets for listening and recording; 10-hour voice recording through built-in microphone
• 12 hours continuous playtime using the supplied rechargeable lithium-ion battery; extend your listening using multiple batteries (sold separately)
• Includes headphones, a belt clip, a stand, and an AC/DC power adapter