Amazon.com Product Description

Blending innovative technologies with new, simple-to-operate controls, Panasonic's entry-level PV-GS9 camcorder is an affordable entry into digital video with powerful features. Panasonic continues to innovate, adding more optical zoom capability while reducing the overall size. This MiniDV camcorder features a 20x optical zoom, ultra-fast 1.3-second start-up time, digital stills saved to tape, and webcam capability. For a step up in price, the Panasonic PV-GS12 offers digital electronic image stabilization and enables you to save digital stills to SD/MMC memory cards.

Optics
The PV-GS9 is equipped with a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD and 20x optical zoom It also features a 800x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups.

Digital Stills
In addition to video camcorder operation, you can also use the PV-GS9 as a digital still camera. Using Panasonic's PhotoShot function, images are stored on tape.

More Features
The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorder's body, making it easier to view motion images as they're being captured.

The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS9 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpected moments won't be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered.

The PV-GS9 has several built-in digital effects during record and playback, including:

• Digital Mirror: Creates a mirror like symmetrical image
• Strobe: Digitally "freezes" a series of images
• Mosaic: Turns the image into a mosaic pattern
• Stretch: The image expands horizontally
• Trail: Forms multiple impressions of all images in motion, which gradually fade-out as the motion comes to a halt, creating a "trail" effect
• Slim: The image expands vertically

The Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend. Other features include:

• The image-enhancing MagicPix feature allows for rich videos under low-light conditions.Ê
• Web cam capability, which is ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or use as a simple monitoring device when consumers are away from home.
• The unsnapping hand strap doubles as wrist loops, enabling you to carry the camcorder like a small bag or purse.
• Black and white viewfinder

Dimensions and Weight
This camcorder measures 3.3 x 2.75 x 4.38 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 14.1 ounces.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. ... Read more

Features

• Compact digital Palmcorder MultiCam camcorder and still camera with 680,000-pixel CCD
• 20x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 800x)
• 2.5-inch LCD swings open 120 degrees and black-and-white viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, records stills to tape, and Web cam capability
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes

Reviews (9)

Good Camcorder but...
...there are too many things wrong with it. This is the 2nd time I've taken this one home to try out. The first one had great video and I really liked it, but the sound didn't work. I took it back and they gave me another. This one has great video and sound, but full of the mosaic problem I've read about on other digital camcorders. The booklet says this is not a malfunction but a normal instance of digital. Give me a break...why would people put up with this and pay the prices they're paying. No way. I'm waiting until they find a cure and then I'll be back, but I don't believe this is a normal thing.

Good cam.
I bought this camcorder, like everybody else, because i need small, digital, and low-cost. this camera does all that, and the outdoors video quality is excellent.

It's not fair to compare this model with 3CCD or other much more costly models, but i will say that the EIS is not very good, and particularly poor when used in low light-lots of image smear. Of course, i think EIS stinks, period...

Overall, buy it. Best at price point.

molto bene!
For a while, my friends and I have been searching for a digital camcorder to make movies with. We had one already but it was...bad...to say the least. We needed something new.

I got this camcorder and absolutely love it. The picture quality and sound quality is amazing. I can now record at a crisp, clear 720*480 resolution.

Another pro: the zoom is amazing. Don't believe it when it says 800x zoom because that's just false, but if you turn the digital zoom down to 50x, the quality still remains almost the same as optical zoom.

Within minutes after I opened it, I had transfered a video onto my computer using windows movie maker, and saved it as an avi. All you need is a firewire cable (which I bought at the time I bought the camera).

I can't think of any cons for this camera because it has exceeded my expectations in every way.

You can also transfer videos from your computer back on to the camera using the firewire cable, and then record them onto VHS tapes.

Not as good as it should be
Pros: Really good zoom (sorta)

Cons: When you zoom in, it looses pixels; No extra features; can't connect to PC or MAC without buying the driver from panasonic

Overall - wish i hadn't bought it! Over priced!

Just okay!
I have just finished recording my first videotape with the Panasonic PV-GS9 and would like to make the following comments.

First, the camcorder is easy to use and is a basically a point and shoot camcorder.

For the more discriminating users I would like to point out some of the shortcomings of the camera.

1) I have found that the automatic focus is quite slow sometimes and sometimes would not work at all. I was photographing some hummingbirds up close and the camera would not focus on the feeder maybe because the color was white.

2) Dark subjects came out overexposed rather than rendering the intense colors one would like to have gotten.

3) Panasonic does not provide the software or cable to download to one's computer and it has been a real bitch trying to get the folks to respond to e-mail. I currently have three e-mails out to the service folks trying to find out how I might get the software. I received an answer to one e-mail directing me to a site where I could download the software but when I got there the link was a dead link. I have written three times about this and no one has answered my e-mails. Additionally, the e-mail with the dead link stated that the cable for downloading the movies to the computer "...is currently on back order with the factory for 4-6 weeks."

I cannot imagine what one might do if something goes wrong with the camcorder.

Despite the negatives I love the fact that I can get close up shots of birds from a safe distance without disturbing the birds and the camera will focus almost right at the edge of the lens. One could do close ups of ants if he wanted to. One really needs a tripod for the extended zooming range. You cannot hold this camera still at the 50X digital zoom. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick: August 2003. The first PDA to include integrated GPS technology.

With the power of Palm OS 5 and the dependability of Garmin GPS technology, this super PDA redefines multitasking. Its integrated software not only allows you to look up appointments and contacts, it also locates and routes you to them with voice-guidance commands. Feature highlights include: GPS receiver, MP3 player, voice recorder, infrared communication, and vibrating alarm.

GPS The differentiating feature of the iQue 3600 is its integrated GPS capabilities. Garmin's innovative Que technology delivers location awareness, electronic mapping, automatic route calculation, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and map data interface to the iQue 3600. Que technology enables users to see where they are, find a street address, know where the next turn is via visual and voice guidance, get back on track when they’ve strayed off course, and navigate efficiently to their desired destination. Detailed Mapping Users can choose a configurable basemap of North America, South America, Europe, or regions in the Pacific Rim, with generalized information on highways, major city streets, highway exit services, railways, rivers, lakes, and state, provincial, and national borders. The iQue also has the added benefit of detailed street information on the included MapSource® CD-ROM, giving users the capability of looking up restaurant addresses, hotels, local attractions, transportation hubs, emergency services, and much more. Once a desired point of interest is chosen, you have the capability to view more info or even show it on the map screen. The mapping capability of the iQue 3600 makes it a versatile companion for the international frequent flyer who travels, for instance, between New York and London or San Francisco and Hong Kong.

Customizable maps mean never getting lost again

Powerful Organization
The iQue 3600 is built around the Palm OS 5 platform and offers standard Palm applications, such as Address Book, Calculator, Date Book, Memo Pad, and To Do List. And there’s enough processing power to search large databases of stored information and to enhance display graphics with easy-to-read fonts and crisp electronic maps. There's also a voice recorder for making memos, quick notes, and messages. With 32 MB of built-in memory and an expansion slot, you can even store your favorite MP3s.

The flip-up GPS antenna

High-Tech Integration
One of the key benefits of technology integration on the iQue 3600 is its patent-pending contact-locator feature. Enabled by Garmin's Que technology, this feature connects the Palm Address Book and Date Book to the GPS electronic map to give the user the ability to navigate directly to a specific address within the user’s contact database.

System
The Garmin iQue 3600 features the new Motorola DragonBall MXL ARM9 microprocessor, and boasts 32 MB DRAM. This handheld is powered by Palm OS 5, which offers the processing power to take on the most demanding mobile computing tasks, together with advanced multimedia and the wireless connectivity and security that enterprises require.

Display
The iQue 3600 delivers brilliant images with its 2.16-by-3.24-inch display. It has a 16-bit color display with 320 x 480 pixel resolution.

Expansion
Expand your iQue 3600 via its Secure Digital slot.

Software
The iQue 3600 comes with the following Garmin Que applications: MP3, GPS Clock, Address Lookup, Electronic Mapping, Track Log, Trip Computer, Automatic Route Generation, and Turn-by-Turn Voice Guidance, as well as these Palm OS 5 applications: Address Book, Calculator, Date Book, Expense, Mail, Memo Pad, Palm Reader, and To Do List. In addition, it includes these third-party applications: Astraware Game Pack, Documents to Go, powerOne Personal Calculator, StarCaddy, SplashPhoto, and Vindigo.

The Nuts and Bolts

 

Included in the box
iQue 3600, protective display cover, metal stylus, USB HotSync cradle, A/C power/charging adapter, quick start guide, installation/application, CD-ROM with manual, and choice of MapSource configuration with full unlock certificate: either 1) North America City Select CD or Atlantic European City Select CD.

... Read more

Features

• ARM processor powered by Palm OS 5
• Integrated Que technology, with GARMIN GPS and mapping software
• Speaker for voice-guidance commands, MP3 player, and message playback
• Voice recorder for making memos, quick notes, and messages on the fly
• What's in the box: iQue 3600, protective display cover, metal stylus, USB HotSync cradle, A/C power/charging adapter, quick start guide, CD-ROM with manual, and choice of MapSource configuration

Reviews (124)

Don't believe the Hype
This is a great product. I have owned one for a few weeks and it is very cool. Looking at the iQue3600 as only a GPS navigation unit, it has performed perfectly and far exceeded my expectations. Garmin really has the gps navigation software perfected and the palm platform with the 320x480 16 bit screen makes for a pretty impressive package (much better resolution than more expensive in car units). The voice promps work great and the palm interface makes for real ease of use. If you have used a palm before, you will learn the GPS software in a couple of hours. Besides outperforming any GPS nav system in its price range, the iQue 3600 is also a full featured palm with mp3 and voice recorder. If you travel for business, you must get one. The Quefind program has a database of hotels, restaurants, ect, with phone numbers. If you see a place you'd like to eat, call and get reservations, then press "route to" and the iQue does the rest.

There is a lot of bashing of this product for alleged hard resets. I have never had one, although I did upgrade the firmware via Garmins website. I actually almost didn't buy the iQue 3600 because of some of the negative reviews I read here and elsewhere. Then I saw a newsprogram on undercover marketing and now believe that some of the negative product reviews here and elsewhere are the work of paid marketing folks pretending to be normal consumers. The dollars at stake are too large and this meathod too easy and inexpensive for it not to be happening.

I looked into Garmin and discovered that they are a 5 billion dollar company with a great reputation in the GPS area. So I figured that if the product becomes defective within the first year, Garmin would stand by its warranty and fix it.

If you buy this unit, also buy the car mount kit and a 256mb card. For about $600 you get a perfectly sized easy to use GPS navigation system that really works, and it also is a fully functional palm (you can even run other programs while the gps system is running). Everyone that I have shown it to can't believe what it can do or the price. You pay $300 - $500 bucks for a decent handhold anyway, for a little more, you also get a state of the art gps system with voice and a great screen. My bet is that this will be a very hot gift for Christmas this year.

A very good product
I decided to get the Garmin iQue 3600 since I needed a new Palm anyway and liked the idea of having a portable GPS for hiking and travel. Here is a brief summary of my two-week experience:
Price - very reasonable for such a bundle.
Convenience of use - very good.
Memory - an SD card is a must. The internal RAM will get you nowhere since it is all taken up. I bought a Panasonic 512 MB SD and I don't regret it. Now I have plenty of room for maps, MP3 music, third-party Palm products (including memory hogs such as dictionaries and e-books).
GPS performance - as good (or as mediocre) as you can expect from a hand-held GPS. Very good when holding horizontally outdoors, reception lost when putting in you pocket, lost when going indoors, reasonable on a car dashboard.
Software - well, you know Palm OS with all its quirks and inconviences, but this is Palm, nothing to do about it. Unfortunately, Garmin's device-specific software (Que) is no better. Worthless documentation, unhelpful Help, and some quirky procedures (most notably in Tracks and Audio).
Most troublesome point - absence of external battery pack. What is the use of a portable GPS if you can't take it on a decent half-a-day hike? Palm's own Power-to-Go is incompatible. I got Power Runner (look for it on the Web) and it is excellen t on all accounts, except for being a bit heavy.
In summary, iQue 3600 is the best of its kind, simply because it is the only device of its kind at the present (for this reason it is also the worst ...). Be prepared to spend $... on the unit,another $... on a SD card, then another handful of dollars on Power Runner, then perhaps another handful on a Car Kit, and you are ready to go.

Poor user interface!
I can't believe so many people love this product. I love electronic gismos and rarely need to use instructions to figure how to work things. It took me for ever to figure out and too load maps. Once I got it working, it worked ok, but not great. Besides being hard to set up, it had three major problems.
1) Poor user interface. Hard to figure out how to use. Can't use while driving.
2) Short battery life. I many times lost important data because battery ran out too quickly.
3)SD card slot doesn't hold card well. I loaded east and west coast maps into device. Went on vacation. When I came home, I used it as GPS and wondered why no detailed maps where there. My card fell out without my knowledge.

My First GPS
I read the reviews, I read everything I could about not only this unit, but all types of GPS units. Finally, I took the plunge and bought this unit and the auto adapter. All I can say is I made the right choice. I live in Chicago and my job requires I respond to railroad accidents. Not only does this unit get me there, but it picks a route that cuts the time I spend getting there. It also has shown me new routes to old destinations that were faster and more direct. I also added the 256 mg storage card. When you start loading the map software, it will take some space and you will have to load some now and replace it later for other areas, although I have Illinois, Wisconsin on now. I have the software on my laptop so it is also portable, if I need it on a trip. The auto unit has a beanbag with a cradle that locks the unit and can be positioned on the dash or anywhere the unit can detect the GPS satellites. You plug the combination charger and speaker in and you are ready to go. Step by step audible directions and if you go off route, the unit recalculates and guides you to your destination without any fuss. You can select hotels, restaurants and all kinds of stuff in the directory. The PDA functions are what you can expect, but one great feature is the mirror software that lets the Palm software recognize the Outlook calendar and address book and use it so I didn't have to enter it all over. Get this unit, you won't regret it.

Great When it Work - (Infrequently)
I have the IQue3600, in fact I've had 5 of them. When its working, its absolutely amazing. The PROBLEM in a nutshell, is that its fragile. None of mine has worked for more than a 2 week period. The wiring that passes through the antenna hinge breaks, and you then can't access satelites at all. Up to now, they've been good about replacing. Now they won't even answer my email, and its over 30 minutes on hold to talk to someone, so I'm guessing they're having lots of problems. I'd wait until they get the bugs out before buying one of these, but when they do, its super. ... Read more

Features

• 61 touch-sensitive keys with 100 songs built-in
• Yamaha power adapter and keyboard stand included
• Separate woofers and tweeters deliver sounds with clarity and precision for more lifelike instrument voices
• Enhances sound quality with sophisticated digital effects like Harmony, Reverb, and Chorus
• General MIDI and Yamaha XGlite make for great sound

Amazon.com Product Description

Flat-panel, big-screen luxury is yours with Panasonic's 42-inch VIERA series TH-42PX25U/P. This 1,024 x 768-pixel gas-plasma TV offers a 16:9 widescreen dimension, photo-viewing SD and PC Card slots, and an HDMI input for direct-digital connection with high-definition sources. Its ATSC tuner pulls HD signals (480p/1080i) right out of the airwaves, however, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming, and 2-tuner/split-screen picture-in-picture gives you unparalleled viewing convenience with scalable image sizes.

The set's authorized CableCARD ability means the set will also receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box.

The Benefits of HDTV Standard TVs (SDTVs) display a maximum of 480 lines using the interlaced scan method, which creates a picture with alternating lines of information. Enhanced-definition TVs (EDTVs) display a maximum of 480 lines using the progressive-scan method, which creates an image using consecutive lines of information for a crisp, flicker-free picture. High-definition TVs (HDTVs) display a maximum of either 1,080 interlaced lines or 720 progressively scanned lines for the sharpest possible image.

With a plasma screen you get vivid colors like you've never seen before, extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--the TH-42PX25U/P is a mere 5.5 inches deep, perfect for desk or wall mounting. Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems.

The TH-42PX25U/P's contrast ratio is rated at an extraordinarily lifelike 3,000:1, and the TV is capable of producing over 1 billion colors. Picture-enhancing technologies include the Mach Band Effect Enhancer, a Gamma Enhancement System, and Panasonic's New Real Black Drive System.

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) offers uncompressed digital data transmission between compatible devices, as between the TH-42PX25U/P and a DTV satellite receiver. Other connections include dual HD component-video inputs, 3 each composite- and S-video inputs, and front-panel A/V jacks for easy hookup with external devices, including an RGB PC input (15-pin mini D-Sub) offering up to 720p resolution. A set of composite-video-based A/V outputs simplifies hookup with an external A/V receiver and speaker system.

The TV's internal 2-way, biamplified stereo speakers are powered by 13 watts total per channel and use 5 separate drivers per speaker for extra richness and clarity. BBE ViVA HD3D surround processing creates authentic-sounding 3D effects from stereo speakers and exceptional sound-stage imaging, helping to ensure optimal clarity for centrally staged audio material such as dialogue. Artificial intelligence sound automatically adjusts the volume level on your TV to prevent wide variations in sound between different TV stations and types of programming.

Other features include V-Chip Program lockout, on/off sleep timers, a remote control, and closed-caption decoding.

What's in the Box
TV, remote control, remote batteries (2 AA), a pedestal base, an AC power cord, F-type coaxial antenna adapters, ferrite cores, 2 clampers, a warranty card, a customer card, and a service-center list. ... Read more

Features

• 42-inch gas-plasma TV with built-in NTSC and digital ATSC/QAM tuners and high 3,000:1 contrast ratio; 44.9 x 29.8 x 5.5 inches (W x H x D)
• 1,024 x 768 native pixel resolution with HDTV/EDTV display capability (1080i/480p); accepts 720p input through front-panel PC/RGB analog input
• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) offers direct-digital A/V connection with compatible gear
• Photo viewer through SD/PC Card slots; CableCARD compatibility obviates the need for a separate box for digital cable reception
• Biamplified 2-way speakers with 26 watts total power; BBE ViVA HD3D Sound simulates surround sound from any 2 speakers

Reviews (3)

hung
great picture, but broken comes out of the box. only hdmi works, the rest of videos and components do not work. tv is going back to Panasonic for service.

Great TV, and I wish there were more HDTV channels
After researching and looking at plasma, lcd, lcd projection tv's for couple of months, I finally bought this TV from amazon.com. Had it for couple of weeks now, and am amazed at the quality of the display. Got HDTV from comcast cable and the HDTV channels look and sound great. Of course I wish there were more HDTV channels. I recommend using the Monster DVI-HDMI cable. This TV has a HDMI port. I also recommend Samsung DVD player HD-931 that generates HD outputs via DVI for your DVDs. The resultant image quality is excellent, even though it is not "TRUE HD".

Incredible picture with a much-improved remote.
After a large amount of research, we finally bought this tv and are very happy about it. We don't yet actually have HD but the picture is still great...I can't imagine what it'll be like with HD.

The only problem on the previous model was that the remote was cheap-looking and made badly. This remote looks very nice, with a metal cover and many nice features.

Of course, the signal on regular tv is not top-notch, but that is true on every tv. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The 80 GB Archos Pocket Video Recorder AV480 is the ultimate handheld digital video recorder that offers TV recording and a portable home entertainment center in one pocket-sized device. Watch videos and view photos on the large color LCD screen, listen to and record music, and transfer photos from your digital camera and data files from your PC. It features a TV Cradle, an external speaker for enjoying music and video without headphones, and a built-in Compact Flash reader for transferring photos directly from digital cameras.

The AV480 has an 80 GB hard drive, which can record up to 320 hours of video content from a TV, VCR, or cable/satellite receiver using the TV cradle. It plays MP3 and WMA digital audio files (included protected files) as well as WAV audio.

Once the TV Cradle is connected to a TV, VCR or cable/satellite receiver, you won't have to reconnect the cables again--just dock the AV400 and you're ready. The Recording Scheduler directly controls the tuner inside your VCR or cable/satellite receiver to automatically adjust the channel and record based on the time and duration of the schedule. The Scheduler will also synchronize with Yahoo TV Guide (where available) from the Internet so you can prepare your recordings for the week or month in advance.

What's in the Box
Archos AV 480, TV cradle with audio/video connections, remote control with 2 AA batteries, protective case, USB 2.0 cable, stereo headphone, manual, AC adapter/charger with US/UK/EU plug ... Read more

Features

• Archos 500648 AV480 80 GB Video Player / Recorder and MP3 Jukebox Player
• Record your favorite video programs--up to 320 hours on 80 GB hard drive
• Connects to TVs, VCRs, and cable/satellite receivers
• Watch video on 3.8-inch LCD screen
• Store and play MP3, WMA, and WAV digital audio files

Features

• 4 GB model holds up to 1,000 songs; supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible (6), and AIFF formats
• Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
• 1.67 inch (diagonal) backlit screen displays full song names and more
• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
• Comes with earbud headphones, belt clip, AC adapter, FireWire cable, and USB 2.0 cable

Reviews (192)

Small in Size not in Functionality
The iPod mini is built from the ground up as a portable device for people with fast-paced lives. It's small and lightweight physical dimensions are perfectly suited to be being placed in a pants or shirt pocket without being a burden.

But don't let its light weight fool you into thinking the iPod mini is a pushover. The 4GB hard drive (3.7 GB actual) can hold about 1,000 songs - enough to last almost three full days. The installed software includes four games; calendar; notepad; contact database; clock; backlight with timer; alarm clock; and the abilities to customize the main menu; create playlists; and rate songs. All this is in addition to being able to be used as an external hard drive.

However, the most revolutionary aspect of the iPod mini (aside from it's size and weight) is its control interface. Incorporating the 'Menu', 'Pause/Play', 'Forward' and 'Back' buttons directly to the touch sensitive scroll wheel not only creates simplicity from a design standpoint, but form a user one as well. Accessing these controls is a breeze. Thankfully the touch wheel is designed well enough that accidental pressing of a control is unlikely to occur since you have to press down a bit to activate the button. I'd actually like to see the entire iPod line adopt this interface.

Some people complain that the iPod mini is only slightly cheaper than the 20 GB iPod and offers a lot less storage space. But what you loose in storage space you gain in portability. It is also important to consider that compared to other players of its size and weight, the iPod mini offers much more storage space, many more features, and a better music jukebox in iTunes 4.0.

I want to carry the most music I can in the smallest possible device that offers the best interface and features. For me, that device is unquestionably the iPod mini. If you have similar demands of a portable music device, the iPod mini is sure to become a permanent accessory to your lifestyle.

Small But Powerful
The iPod mini is built from the ground up as a portable device for people with fast-paced lives. It's small and lightweight physical dimensions are perfectly suited to be being placed in a pants or shirt pocket without being a burden.

But don't let its light weight fool you into thinking the iPod mini is a pushover. The 4GB hard drive (3.7 GB actual) can hold about 1,000 songs - enough to last almost three full days. The installed software includes four games; a calendar; a notepad; a contact database; a clock; backlight with timer; an alarm clock; and the abilities to customize the main menu; create playlists; and rate songs. All this is in addition to being able to be used as an external hard drive!

However, the most revolutionary aspect of the iPod mini (aside from it's size and weight) is its control interface. Incorporating the 'Menu', 'Pause/Play', 'Forward' and 'Back' buttons directly to the touch sensitive scroll wheel not only creates simplicity from a design standpoint, but form a user one as well. Accessing these controls is a breeze. Thankfully the touch wheel is designed well enough that accidental pressing of a control is unlikely to occur since you have to press down a bit to activate the button. I'd actually like to see the entire iPod line adopt this interface.

Some people complain that the iPod mini is only slightly cheaper than the 20 GB iPod and offers a lot less storage space. But what you loose in storage space you gain in portability. It is also important to consider that compared to other players of its size and weight, the iPod mini offers much more storage space, many more features, and a better music jukebox in iTunes 4.0.

I want to carry the most music I can in the smallest possible device that offers the best interface and features. For me, that device is unquestionably the iPod mini. If you have similar demands of a portable music device, the iPod mini is sure to become a permanent accessory to your lifestyle.

The Greatest Invention Known to man
3 months ago i reccieved my Ipod mini.I was in a waiting list since March. Since ive laid eyes on it has changed my life. I love it to death i wouldnt change it for the world its small,sturdy,and has great sound.I always get complements on it.I dont know how would my life be with out it.The price is good for it it holds only 1,000 songs for 50 bucks more u get 5,000. I just love it its money well spent.

Funky Color...great price...
I could care less about the price, I am so typical...I was ready to purchase a 40GB! This product is excellent. When I purchased the green mini iPod, it was 3 days before my mom's birthday. In the house...we have seperate computers, I felt bad that she had to lug around a CD player on her arm, that I bought her a pink mini iPod. She was so so SO excited, she ripped the box open, charged it, then installed the software on her computer...3 weeks later...she still loves it, she jogs, runs, and hikes with it on her arm, one day...she even ran in the house telling me to log onto Target.com (We mostly buy all our electronics, furniture, and stuff like that from Target.com) to write a "divine" review, well...here I am. This product is excellent, fun, and holds about 1,000 songs, she has her 80's playlist, I have my rock playlist. (When buying this item...if you are a early morning/late night jogger, purcase the armband, it'll come in handy)

One Punk Rock Kid

one of my wishs
When i first laid my eyes on that hot pink ipod i was shoked.
i ran over to my mom and told her about the wonder thing i have judt seen "whats that" she repilad that as i pointed to the ipod.
it really nice but we dont have the money for that right.
Some day i hope that someone will suprise me. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Spin your commercial CDs, your homemade music CDs of almost any stripe, or listen to the radio, TV, or weather-band transmissions with Sony's versatile, full-circle D-NS707F S2 Sports-styled Walkman portable CD player. Designed for rugged outdoor use, the player features active control playback operation so you can make changes to your program literally while you're on the run. Sony's "h.ear" clip-on headphones are designed for streamlined comfort.

Skip-Free G-Protection technology boosts the laser pickup's shock protection to minimize read errors that would otherwise interrupt your music, providing quick recovery from both horizontal and vertical shocks. The D-NS707F's water-resistant body and heat-resistant lid helps protect it against the elements, with rubber gaskets, bushings, and splash-resistant seals that help keep out water, moisture, and dirt.

Playback options include 32-track programming, repeat (track, disc, or program), random play, and--thanks to Sony's great work in DSP efficiency--more than 75 hours of ATRAC3plus CD or more than 50 hours of audio CD playback from 2 AA batteries (not included).

The D-NS707F's 2-line dot-matrix display is built right into its handstrap, offering full ID3 tag recognition, and bookmark playback (which lets you program your favorite songs from multiple CDs and play them back at the touch of a button). CD Text support displays artist and title information with compatible commercial audio CDs.

The player comes bundled with Sony's SonicStage CD Simple Burner software. Compatible with ID3 tagging and most CD burners, this application transfers songs from CDs or MP3 music files from your PC's hard drive and burns them to recordable CDs using ATRAC3plus compression.

ATRAC3plus is a high-quality audio-compression technology that reduces the size of digital audio files while preserving much of a track's original sound quality (similar in concept to MP3 or Dolby Digital sound formats). With ATRAC3plus, music can be burned and compressed at 132, 105, 66, 64, or even 48 kbps (kilobits per second), letting you select the right balance between fidelity and storage space (you'll get around 490 songs per disc at 48 kbps).

The D-NS707F delivers a whopping 51 station presets, which works out to 30 FM, 10 AM, 4 WB, and 7 TV stations so you're never far from your favorite channels. You can hook the player up with your home system through an optional analog stereo "Y" interconnect.

Digital Mega Bass Sound boosts your music's low end without high clarity and low distortion, and there's also a built-in equalizer with 3 preset curves and 1 customizable setting. Sony's automatic volume limiter system (AVLS) conserves batteries--and guards your hearing--by capping your listening level at either of two settings. The player also works with an optional AC/DC 4.5V power adapter (AC-E45HG or -E45A).

What's in the Box
CD player, h.ear clip-on stereo headphones, CD-ROM (SonicStage software), a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Portable S2 Sports CD player compatible with MP3 files and Sony's ATRAC3plus compression technology; 2-line display with ID3 tag recognition
• Built-in FM, AM, TV, and Weather Band radio with 51 station presets
• Includes SonicStage CD Simple Burner software to facilitate ATRAC3plus CD burning from MP3 files and from other CDs
• Skip-free G-Protection technology eliminates or reduces skipping; active control playback operation simplifies active use
• More than 75 hours extended playback with 2 AA batteries (not included) for ATRAC recordings and over 50 hours continuous audio CD playback

Reviews (2)

Operates faultlessly
This player takes CDs, including CD-Rs and CD-RWs with 20+ hours of mp3 on them, in stride. It plays them through, and does fast forward and rewind about as well as my solid-state mp3 player. Utilizing CD-RWs, I use this unit instead of a juke box. I still use my solid-state mp3 player only because it is more compact than this unit. As I prefer having TV audio available, no other player/receiver would have entirely satisfied me. The impressive technical accomplishment of this product will cause me to favor Sony products in future.

The exterior design does leave things to be desired. The control buttons are cheesy and hard to operate. The display is too small. Instead of a carrying case or an anchor for a strap, there is a stupidly designed protruding flexible handle that makes the unit twice as bulky as it needs to be.

Great for CD's, lousy with MP3's and ATRACS.
Pros:
1. Long battery life.
2. Decent sount (on CD's).
3. Easy to read display.

Cons:
1. Plays first quarter of an MP3 fine, then it starts scratching and eventually stops.
2. Plays first tenth of an ATRAC disk fine, then it starts scratching and eventually stops.
3. Takes about 5 - 10 minutes (not seconds!) to read a MP3 disc before playing.
4. Button placement makes it easier to use with your left hand rather than right.
5. You have to press a button rather hard and long to make the function work.

In other words, if you listen to the radio and CD's only - and are left handed, this is the perfect player for you! ... 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 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 Zen Micro's built-in condenser microphone.

Trimmed in a luminescent blue glow and with easily visible backlit buttons, this stylish red 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 in a given album, but also, at your discretion, only the tracks you listen to most, or only those 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

Whether shooting up-close or from a distance, the Optura 40 delivers video and photos with exceptional definition and contrast, making every shot you take a potential award-winner. Featuring Genuine Canon Optics, the Optura 40 expands on this range with a 14x Optical Zoom and 280x Digital Zoom. Both models allow you to cover all the angles, be it wide or telephoto, ensuring that you always get the shot you want.

Auto-Exposure Bracketing In uncertain lighting conditions, the Auto-Exposure Bracketing feature will make sure your bases are covered: With a single press of the PHOTO button, the camcorder records three photos with different exposures. Later, you can choose which photo is best for printing or storing.

Enjoy stunning video and photos
The secret behind the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders' incredible video and photos is Canon's DIGIC DV technology. Since videos and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV uses special color optimization techniques when processing an image for output to a TV or printer. The result is accurate, life-like color reproduction in all your videos and photos.

Catch all the action without the shake
Life rarely sits still for a shot, that's why the Optura 30 and Optura 40 feature Canon's advanced Image Stabilization system. Now you can keep images smooth and steady, even at full telephoto and while panning or zooming. The large 2.5" LCD and Color Viewfinder further helps to compose sensational shots from any angle.

Dazzle on-lookers with vibrant color shots
Now you can relive those precious moments with all their true vibrant colors. While traditional camcorders process color with a standard CMYG filter (resulting in duller colors), the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders use Canon's RGB Primary Color Filter, which separates light passing through the lens into their true red, green and blue color components. The result is professional-quality images that deliver natural-looking tones and superior color rendition.

Get the full picture on your wide-screen TV
Unlike camcorders which only record a vertically stretched picture, the Optura 30 and Optura 40 both feature a High-Resolution 16:9 Mode that records video in true 16:9 ("letterbox") format for playback on wide-screen TVs. When shooting in the 16:9 Mode, the entire width of the 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor is used to capture your footage. The result is wide-screen quality videos that are certain to impress even the biggest "big screen" fan.

Canon's Megapixel CCD
Canon's Megapixel CCD Image Sensor delivers crisp images with life-like detail. Whether you are shooting video or photos with the camcorder, you will get the best results. The CCD works like film -- when light is captured by the sensor, it registers an image and advanced processing converts the pixels into digital data creating your video or photos.

Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV
DIGIC DV, our exclusive signal processing circuit, makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos. Since video and digital photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

Take it from sight to website at a moment's notice
Thanks to the Optura's improved Motion JPEG feature, you can shoot video ready for streaming over the Internet or for e-mailing. The Motion JPEG Mode records your footage onto the Secure Digital memory card at 15 frames/second, giving you up to 60 minutes of recording time on a 512MB card. You can then quickly and easily transfer your movies to your computer using the USB cable.

Make incredible panoramas and portraits
The Optura line of camcorders gives you the power to edit your still images in a variety of exciting ways. The Stitch Assist feature allows you to capture and create breathtaking 360-degree panoramas, while the Skin Detail Mode helps you take complimentary close-ups of people by softening details and reducing skin imperfections.

Turn your camcorder into a webcam
Exclusive to Canon, the Optura camcorders feature a Network Mode that enables you to remotely control your camcorder through the DV Messenger2 software application. Control the focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer while streaming the video via its IEEE 1394 terminal

Explore your creativity with the supplied software
Included in your Optura Kit are Pinnacle Studio 9SE and Pinnacle Instant Photo Album, two powerful editing programs that can help turn your videos and photos into lasting memories.

What's in the Box

Optura 40/Optura 30 NB-2LH Battery Pack CA-570 Compact Power Adapter STV-250N Stereo Video Cable SS-900 Shoulder Strap WL-D83 Wireless Controller SDC-8M SD Memory Card IFC-300PCU USB Cable DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Windows DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Macintosh

... Read more

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 2.2-megapixel CCD
• 14x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 280x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Capture low-light recordings with Night Mode and record in 16:9 format
• Record for up to 225 minutes on one battery charge

Reviews (5)

A GREAT camera!
Most of the negative comments I read about the camera are from people that don't know how to use the camera. It takes a little time to go through the menus and read the cryptic (non-detailed) manual. And, not all the features are described in the manual.

- The camera does very well in low light indoor situations if you put it in "Indoor" mode.

- I barely noticed the camera motor noise during quiet scenes. I think the only reason I noticed it is because I was listening for it.

- The camera fits very nicely in my hand, with the strap and zoom switch in just the right positions.

- This is my first digital camcorder and it was very easy to learn how to use the basic features. Some of the advanced features took some trial and error to figure out.

- My only disappointments were that it did not come with a tape or firewire, the manual is poor, and the included 8MB card is ridiculous (buy a 256 or 512).

I did a lot of research before selecting this camera, and I am confident I made the right choice. I would have given it 4.5 stars if I had the option.

After small Adjusts, the 40 Rocks!
The Optura 30/40 has two default settings that need to be changed. The first is that in Easy and Auto modes, shutter speed can be a slow as 1/30 second. This causes video to blur, ghosts with fast movement, and blur (grain?) in low light. Go to Auto Slow Shutter (A.SL.Shutter and turn it OFF). The shutter speed will be no slower than 1/60, creating much sharper video.

The second is that audio is defauted to 12 bit. Change this to 16 bit for better audio.

I am extrememly pleased with my Optura 40. It's great in low light, is user friendly, stabilization works well in both 5:4 and 16:9 modes, and the 14X optical is all I'll ever need. The quality of the video and audio is great. It's comfortable in my hand and feels "solid". I like it being a top loader since I use both a monopod and tripod when I can.

Negatives include: In 5:4 mode, tele isn't wide enough (but is fine in 16:9), the cover for the S-video jack seems cheap, and I wish it had optical stabilization. However, it does have better stabilization than my Nikon Hi8 camcorder that has optical stabilization--so it has excellent electronic image stabilization. Also, the 34mm filter/adapter size is unusual. However, step up rings are available (e.g. 34mm to 37mm)and with the fast selling Opturas 30/40 and Eluras 60/65/70 having 34mm filters, I suspect that they're be plenty of 34mm filters available shortly.

A Disappointment!
As many camcorder fans, I was excited by the Canon Press Release about Canon Optura 40 Camcorder, pre ordered it and received it late May. After opening the box, the camera looks great: compact, slick, nice looking lens. However, after a couple of time trial shootings, all these nice impressions were gone for good! A few Major disappointments:
1) Poor video image. The video image has too much "digital" jaggies both in regular daylight and lower light environment shooting. When you play back on the TV, you see the "fluttery" effect all the time. When you pause the image, the jaggies are very obvious and horrible. This is even worse when you shoot in the low light environment.
2) Noisy zoom lever. The zoom lever on the top on the camera body was not a well made (or designed) part. When you zoom in & out using the lever, the noise is very obvious and annoying. This noise was clearly recorded heard from the tape when you playback.
3) The still camera quality is less than a regular 2.0 MP digital camera.
4) The strap that holds your hand of video filming is not in the right position to make your hand comfortable.
5) The 2.5" view LCD screen has too much info displayed and this made the small 2.5" LCD very noisy.

I contacted the Canon USA for my questions. No clear answers were given about the image quality. I compared Optura 40 with Panasonic PV-GS200, the Panasonic has far more better video image quality. Big disappointment for me.

Superb camera
The camera has superb color rendering. Also has a true 16:9 CCD - recordings look truly remarkable on my widescreen TV. I had no shutter issues whatsoever.

the jury has returned with a verdict
I pre-ordered this camera and got it the day it was "released" (5/20), thank you Amazon. Overall the feature content is pretty slick but I have a few issues I need to investigate before I declare that I am in love with this camera or that I am disappointed.

My big concern is that I see a very strange effect when I am mildly zoomed on a subject and the subject is moving around. I see a "fluttery" effect as though the shutter is too slow for the action. It gets really bad at times and is really annoying. I am not sure if the camera (in its "auto-everything" mode) is attempting to adjust to the change in the subject but whatever it is its not good. I will follow up with Canon to determine what the issue is to see if this is a feature of the camera, if my camera is defective or if I am not using it correctly.

I did a side by side comparison with my old Sony DCR-TRV20. The Canon's image at times shows off the 3x more effective pixels and is generally brighter than the Sony but again I am not totally blown out of the room with improvements with the Canon. Low light is a problem and it generates grainy pictures.

Update: june 13, 2004

I noticed the review where the guy mentions the "auto slow shutter" control. BINGO. Barring this strangeness that is now solved, this camera is excellent. In my opinion the video quality is more film-like than video. I assume this is due to the high number of pixels.

As far as the still image feature goes, I've taken really good and really bad shots. Its all about holding the camera still and in my opinion its a little challenging considering the location of straps and buttons on this camera for still shots. None-the-less, if you take your time and think about it, you can get some great stills.

Great Camera. ... 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 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 Zen Micro's built-in condenser microphone.

Trimmed in a luminescent blue glow and with easily visible backlit buttons, this stylish white 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 in a given album, but also, at your discretion, only the tracks you listen to most, or only those 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

Features

• Professional 3-CCD DV camcorder with open architecture design for cinema attachments
• 20x optical zoom lens, XL interchangeable lens system
• Color viewfinder, interchangeable with optional professional monochrome viewfinder
• 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 ratio, 3 selectable frame rates: 60i, 30p, and cinema 24p
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack

Features

• 4.1-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 12-by-15-inch enlargements
• 3.4x optical zoom lens; 3.6x digital zoom; 2-inch micro-reflective LCD screen; PictBridge compatible
• Thin metal body is just .8-inch thick; included PictureCradle makes image transfer and battery recharging easy
• Store images on xD Picture Cards (16 MB xD card included)
• Powered by NP-30 rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with charger); compatible with USB 2.0

Amazon.com Review

You don't need to buy a luxury car or spend thousands installing a multipart system to get advanced GPS navigation capabilities in your automobile. Garmin's StreetPilot III delivers all the high-end features you need--from detailed street maps and sophisticated auto routing to voice prompts and a color screen--in a compact, inexpensive, and portable package.

The Garmin StreetPilot III sports a brilliant LCD display

Setting up the unit was surprisingly simple. First we installed the software from the MapSource City Navigator CD onto our PC and connected the card reader, with the 32 MB data card, to the USB port. Then we went online to unlock one of 10 detailed coverage areas included on the disk; for instance, Area 1 covers California and Nevada, Area 7 covers New England and New York. After that we downloaded detailed maps of our city (San Francisco) and surrounding areas to the data card. We also downloaded waypoints--locations like our home, office, and other places we often visit--onto the card and inserted it into the StreetPilot III. If you don't have a USB port, you can also use the included serial cable to connect the entire unit to your PC.

The physical installation went just as smoothly. We affixed the plastic base to the top of our dashboard with the included adhesive mounting disks, snapped the StreetPilot III into place, connected it to the cigarette lighter for power, and extended the small fold-down antenna. The dashboard mount's quick release makes it easy to store the StreetPilot III when not in use or, if you purchase a second mount, lets you use it in multiple vehicles.

We turned the unit on and in less than a minute it locked onto the GPS satellites and displayed a map of our current location on the clear, bright, easy-to-read color display. As we drove along, it displayed our position and direction on the map, the name and address number of the street we were on, and even the name of the upcoming cross street. The two zoom buttons let us get a very detailed street-level view or a broad overview of our current position, and the menu button allowed us to customize the display.

By using the ‘find’ key, points of interest such as attractions, restaurants, banks, intersections and many more are easily located and routed to. Simply choose the destination from the list and press ‘route to it’. The Streetpilot III will calculate the best route and talk you through to the destination. The crisp, colorful LCD makes checking out your destination easy--even before you leave! This screen displays your possible destination of the St. Louis Zoo as well as local restaurants and emergency medical locations. It’s easy to become familiar with services provided even when you’re 244.1 miles away. Try that with a paper map!

The trip computer screen calculates all the travel data for your trip with incredible accuracy, while verbal instructions inform you of the next turn. Valuable information like distance to destination and time to destination are constantly updated--perhaps even putting an end to the question ‘are we there yet?’ Routes can be displayed several ways such as this turn by turn instruction screen, which highlights your next turn to make. The distance to go and time to go information gives driver’s the forewarning and confidence to watch for the approaching turn. The smooth verbal instructions will let you know when the next turn is approaching.

The fun really started, though, when we used the StreetPilot's routing capabilities. Using the arrow buttons, we input the intersection of a store we'd never visited, and within a minute it calculated the most direct route. The voice navigator told us where to go and when to turn, and it was simple to monitor our progress both on the map and on the text display. We knew the exact address of our next stop and entered it into the unit. The StreetPilot then guided us onto the freeway and successfully to our second destination, telling us exactly where to stop along the street and even on which side of the street the store was located. To get home, we just accessed a waypoint with our home address that we'd preprogrammed on the PC.

Even if you don't know exactly where you're going, the City Navigator maps include points of interest, such as restaurants, shops, and parks. For instance, the StreetPilot can find the closest fast-food restaurant and present you with a list of nearby options.

Testing in San Francisco, we did lose satellite lock a few times in extremely hilly areas or in areas with very tall buildings. We think this was due mainly to the fact that the unit's antenna is inside the car; an external antenna option is available for less than $100 that should solve the problem.

Once you use the StreetPilot III for a while, it's hard to imagine driving solo again. Whether you're planning a road trip or just need help getting around town, it's an extremely helpful companion that's cheaper and easier to install than anything else currently available. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

• Compact, portable design
• Easy-to-read color screen
• Auto routing and voice prompts

Cons:

• Optional external antenna will get better satellite reception in some cities than the built-in antenna

Note about review: This review was written using the original version of the Garmin StreetPilot III. The deluxe version includes a 128 MB data card and full unlock access to all maps on the City Navigator CD-ROM.

What's in the Box
StreetPilot III with portable antenna, PC interface cable, dashboard mount, portable Mount (bean bag mount), external speaker with 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, owner's manual, quick reference guide, USB data card programmer, Americas Autoroute Basemap, MapSource City Navigator North America CD. ... Read more

Features

• GPS receiver with turn-by-turn navigation
• Includes MapSource City Navigator CD-ROM with street-level maps and points of interest; full unlock capability for US and Canada
• Automated voice prompts tell you when to turn
• 16-color display with backlight for dim lighting
• Compatible with optional Garmin MapSource software for downloading maps and waypoint data

Reviews (63)

Street Pilot III - Excellent in the States and Overseas
We took our SP III with us on our last trip to France and used the 128MB memory card to load in all of the data from Paris through Normandy and beyond. There was enough capacity for about half of France. I was very impressed with the routing capabilities and up to date maps available for France. The Unit easily led us to our destinations and provided step by step directions when the routing function was used. It also highlighted our route on the map making following your progress simple, even when driving. Especially nice were the up-close maps of upcoming round-abouts, something common in Europe (and which can be confusing for first timers). The map showed entry onto the round-about and which exit to take, in addition to telling you the information with the voice feature. I was skeptical that the unit would function as well overseas as in the US because I figured the small back roads would not be shown on the map, but was pleasantly surprised. We navigated along highways and through medieval towns with ease. I can highly recommend this unit for use both in the United States and in Europe. While you do have to pay for the maps which are somewhat costly, they are well worth the one time investment. This Unit works as well as or better than any built in or rental car system that I have used.

I recommend this unit
I've owned my unit for about 5 months and love it. It's one of the few pieces of electronic equipment that has passed my wife's "waste of money" test.

I bought the deluxe package to get access to all of the US, and have the portable bean-bag mount. We frequently trade which car gets the unit based on the day's plans. I routinely use the unit to go to and from work, and hit the "detour" button when traffic gets bogged down. Thanks to this unit I have found some lightly traveled trails during rush hour.

The unit offers shortest-distance or quickest-time to calculate routes. There are options available for how much time the unit calculates each permutation. For those concerned about recalculation speed, such as in a city, try setting this parameter to least optimum and thus fasted calculation time.

The shortest distance route will sometimes take you down dirt roads and trails. I drive an Explorer so find this fun. I'd be less impressed if I drove a low-slung sportster. Thanks to this idiosyncrasy I found a quick detour when a rural bridge on my commute was closed for repairs. It's also helped me find spots for fishing when spring arrives.

The screen is easy to see, even in sunlight and while wearing polarized sunglasses. I always use the cigarette lighter for power as the unit is known for eating batteries. The 128m memory card is plenty for storing the maps I need for my local region. I intend to buy a second card so I can have "home" maps and "road trip" maps without having to spend the time reloading home maps after a trip.

Worth the Money
I love it! It was extremely intuitive. Easy to use, lots of features, voice/speaker feature is great.

2400 miles in 5 days and the Garmin took me to and fro!
I bought this little gem for the specific purpose of an upcoming vacation. I just got back this evening, and here are my thoughts.

Price:

I really don't think you can go wrong here for the price. A GPS system for under $500, with a color map (full screen if you choose), current street maps that are fully unlocked, talking directions, visual directions and waypoint setting (marking) right from the main unit.

Look/Feel:

The unit is surpisingly heavy, and when you use the bean bag mount, it stays put. This unit did not slide around my dash on my trip, even when taking curves at 75 mph. Impressive yes, kind of goofy looking though.

The unit feels very well built, and as I mentioned earlier, has some girth, so it won't go sliding all over the place when you are diving into that tight turn.

The buttons are all rubberized and I think they will last a long time to come.

Accuracy:

I didn't have a single problem with the maps and the streets we traveled. What did get a little "off" was if I was on a frontage road, or an exit road that ran with a road I just turned off, sometimes, the unit thought I was on the previous street and told me I was "off route". Not a big deal, as it recovered quickly and kept me going. However, I was in California and several streets seemed to parallel others and I would imagine this could give the Garmin fits.

Odometer accuracy is another area to look into. The mileage on my car read about 15 miles less than that reported by the Garmin. Not a big deal for sure, but it makes me wonder if my digital one in the car is off, or is that within tolerances for a GPS unit?

Waypoints/Routes:

Pretty simple here. Awesome, just awesome. Once we arrived at our hotel, we were kind of hungry so I checked for a steakhouse nearby using the "Find" feature. Numerous showed up, and within 4 pushes of a button, the one we were going into was located, made into a waypoint, routed to and away we went. It delivered us to the restaurants parking lot flawlessly.

Route Calculation:

Read carefully on the differences between shortest distance or quicker time. Shorter distance will tend to take you off main roads/interstates. On our trip, it routed us off I-15 (California) to a couple of secondary highways that were out of the way, and in the end, connected back up to I-15!! How goofy is that?

All in all, I would make this purchase again in a heartbeat. I was initially only going to use it for the trip and then resell the unit. Now after the trip, not only am I convinced on keeping this, so is my whole family!

A Great Deal for the Money
I purchased this in June of 2004. I was going on a cross country trip and I have ZERO sense of direction.

I wanted a GPS system for my car, that would talk to me as I drove (this is an option you can turn off if you don't like it) but that wasn't in the $1000 and up range.

For the amount this is selling for it is a great deal.

Yes, there are fancier systems out there, but if you don't need fancy bells and whistles (like the tidal patterns, or what the current hunting season is in your area) than this is the perfect choice.

Be patient during the initial set-up. If you are downloading a lot of maps (I was going across the country), it could take a couple of hours to set everything up. And if you don't have a HUGE memory card, and are going on a long trip, you'll need to take your computer with you to upload new maps. However, if you just need it for driving about town, there is more than enough memory.

Once you are up and running, the learning curve is quick. It's easy to ask for new addresses. It quickly recalculates if you accidentally go off route. And it still has some helpful tips, like it can tell you where the nearest gas station or restaurant is.

This is well worth the money and I can't imagine how I would have driven across country without it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Take care of all your instrument needs with the Magellan Meridian Platinum Global Positioning System receiver. This rugged handheld GPS unit coordinates data from up to 12 satellites to pinpoint your location anywhere on the globe, and it includes a barometer and a three-axis digital compass. The 16 MB database provides details on U.S. cities, interstates, major roads, and airports. The Meridian Platinum's Secure Digital Memory Card slot allows you to slide in a data card to get even more detail, or use a memory card to store waypoints and routes.

The Meridian Platinum is PC compatible and stores up to 500 waypoints and 20 reversible routes with up to 30 legs. It also comes with a quadrifilar helix antenna for optimal satellite signal reception and fast position fixes. WAAS and EGNOS capability adds to the versatility of this receiver, which can be operated in English, French, German, Dutch, Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or Swedish.

See your exact position on the Meridian Platinum's seven navigation screens and vertical profile graphs that show elevations of the route traveled. The oversized grayscale display allows you to easily see location information and comes with a backlight and backlit keypad for use even in dim light. Waterproof rubber armoring and an ergonomic, compact design add to the Meridian Platinum's functionality.

The Meridian Platinum is compatible with Magellan's MapSend software, including MapSend Streets Europe and the recently released MapSend Topo for the United States. Vehicle, bike, and swivel mounts are sold separately. ... Read more

Features

• 12-channel GPS unit with 16 MB base map, barometer, and 3-axis digital compass
• Built-in database of U.S. cities, interstates, major roads, and airports
• Secure Digital memory-card slot for expanded storage
• Waterproof; rugged, ergonomic design
• Oversize gray-scale screen with backlight; includes serial PC interface

Reviews (32)

Awesome GPS unit!
It took me a very long time (3 months or so) of comparing just about every Garmin and Magellan units before choosing the Meridian Platinum and I am *extremely* pleased with my final decision.

The Meridian Platinum is very easy to use (didn't have to read the manual and this is my first GPS). I was up and running with it in about 15 minutes.

I use this GPS for GeoCaching as well as street navigation in the car and it's excellent for both applications. One of the deciding factors for me was that the Magellan units are not as proprietary as the Garmin ones: for instance, using SanDisk memory cards is possible with Magellan but not Garmin. Considering the price that either Magellan or Garmin charge for those bits of silicon, going with the SanDisk option is a no-brainer.

For street navigation, the MapSend Topo software is a *must have* since the basemap shipping with the Platinum is really weak in details. Even though the MapSend software is a bit outdated, it's still a good buy.

I also purchased a 64Meg SanDisk SD card and a Cruzer SD card reader/writer to avoid using the serial connection for loading maps. Works like a charm! Loading a 32 Meg map only takes a few seconds as opposed to hours over the serial link.

I have not experienced any problems with the MapSend Topo software or GPS lock-ups as reported by a previous reviewer. However, I *did* upgrade the GPS firmware (free download from the Magellan site) before messing with the MapSend Topo software.

While the MapSend Topo software is necessary to upload new maps to the GPS, it's not great to plan trips with it. For that purpose, I find DeLorme's TOPO USA 4.0 to be excellent.

But when it comes to the management of routes built from waypoints, nothing beats the "EasyGPS" software. Even high-end products from DeLorme or Magellan aren't as good just for that purpose.

Overall this is a BIG thumbs up for this unit. The only downside may be how the GPS eats batteries (the electronic compass of the GPS has something to do with it but can be disabled to increase the battery life if needed) and for this reason, NiMH rechargeable batteries are a must.

Great Unit-Barometer feature over rated-compared w/Marine
I must say I really like the Platinum GPS. I used a friends Marine unit several times, which sold me on Megellan. I used both units (marine & my Platinum) side by side while driving. Every display was identical b/w the two units. The Platinum has some features the Marine doesn't. For the extra money, you otta get something. The base data b/w the two are almost if not identical. I didn't look that close. For the Money the Marine is a great unit. I decided to spend a few extra bucks (which I will discuss later)and get the Platinum because of the built in Barometer and electronic compass features.
The Barometer is accurate, but so what, I don't see the need. The compass works very well except while moving at hiway speeds. If you're a hicker/camper the feature is great but why not save a few Bucks and buy a regular compass and get one of the more accurate Sports Trak Models?
The Thermometer works, but once again who cares about the temp is inside the car?
...BR>Over all the Platinum is a great GPS for what it was built for. Think twice about the Barometer and Compass features. If I did it over I would buy either the Sports Trak or the Gold.

A full featured GPS receiver
I've been using my my MeriPlat on almost a weekly basis for over half a year now. I'm very happy with the purchase! The features I love most are the SD slot and the three-axis magnetic compass...meaning it works while held vertically, horizontally, or on it's side. It also has a superior built-in antenna when compared to Garmin's Etrex series of receivers. I've been out in the woods with friends who had Etrex. They periodically lost signal reception while I stayed locked in. The MeriPlat even works inside the house away from windows! In fact, the only time I have ever lost signal was under heavy tree canopy during a down pour. I highly recommend buying Magellan's Direct Route software...it gives the unit turn by turn routing ability and works great!

Warning: Does NOT meet specs
When I first got the unit, I loved it. It appeared accurate, though it took a long time to acquire satellites at times. In fact, many times my Delorme Earthmate would acquire within 15 seconds, and the Meridian would take several minutes (while moving in a car sitting on the dash). The ability to use SD/MMC cards and load maps onto the unit was great for general usage. I used Magellan GPS for everything, from hiking, kayaking, driving, to boating.

HOWEVER, the specs say that the unit is IPX7 compliant, which means accidental submersion underwater for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. I was in a kayak, got hit by a wave with the Meridian in my pocket, and was in less than 1 meter of water for less than 15 seconds, and water made it's way into the unit.

I sent Magellan/Thales navigation an email and gave them a call but was not given much help, even though I own multiple Magellan products (including the GPS companion, etc...). They noted that I could have it serviced for $150, which is what an new unit cost (this was not the platinum edition, but it is the same form factor and same case). All customer service would tell me is that sometimes water may enter through the keypad area. Well, if water enters through the keypad area, how can they advertise that it is IPX7 compliant?

I may be an isolated incident. However, with the customer service I received, I don't think I would ever buy another Magellan product, and will probably get rid of the rest of my Magellan products. I think the product design, features, usability, and intuitiveness is great, just the product does not perform up to expectations or promise. I would also consider customer service as well.

This Is the Best GPS Available
Two years ago, after extensive research, I purchased my Magellan Meridian Platinum. I have used it for automobile travel, geocaching, and to just play around with. It is a reliable and extremely accurate GPS. I spent last weekend geocaching (if unfamiliar with the term check out www.geocaching.com)locating 8 caches. The "MeriPlat" got me to within feet of each item. It is easy to use, most screens can be customized, and is very rugged. I have both MapSend Streets & Destinations and Topo and have found them to be acceptable for my use. With a SD card you can load several map areas and select them as needed. Documentation accompanying the GPS is lacking but there are several excellent user groups on Yahoo that provide all the information you need to squeeze every bit of functionality out of your MeriPlat. Two years after it was introduced, the Meridian Platinum is still one of the best GPS units available in its price range. You cannot go wrong with this GPS. Good luch and happy geocaching. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Elegantly bold with a stainless-steel tank and black decor, this hot-water reservoir-style home brewer makes 10 cups of cafe-quality coffee in less than three minutes. The coffee brewer's specially designed stainless-steel inner tank, with its 800-watt heater and internal thermostat, keeps water at an ideal temperature for maximum flavor and fast brewing. A vacation switch is provided to completely shut off all electrical components when the unit is not being used for three or more days, but safety features, designed into the coffee brewer, make the daily use of this switch unnecessary. Whenever the brewer has been shut off or unplugged, the filled tank takes about 15 minutes to heat the water to the proper temperature before using. While coffee is being brewed, the newest water in the tank is heated to the proper temperature and held until needed so that hot water is always available. The unit's convenient sliding lid makes it easy to add water, while its custom spray head insures optimum coffee-flavor extraction. Brewed coffee is kept hot with the unit's durable, porcelain-coated, scratch-resistant decanter warmer, which is controlled by a lighted on/off switch. The only routine cleaning required is rinsing the brew funnel and decanter after each use and occasionally wiping the outside of the brewer with a damp cloth. For more thorough cleanings, the brew funnel and decanter are top-rack dishwasher safe. The coffee brewer measures 8-1/2 by 13-1/2 by 11-1/4 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty. --Catie Unger ... Read more

Features

• Measures 8-1/2 by 13-1/2 by 11-1/4 inches; 3-year limited warranty
• Hot-water reservoir-style home brewer makes 10 cups of coffee in 3 minutes
• Stainless-steel inner tank with 800-watt heater and internal thermostat
• Sliding lid for adding water; custom sprayhead provides full-flavored coffee
• Durable, porcelain-coated, scratch-resistant decanter warmer

Reviews (2)

THIS COFFEE MAKE IS AWESOME
We received this coffee maker as a wedding gift. My husband thought it was crazy that anyone would spend this price on a coffee maker when you can get one for $20. After tasting one cup of coffee from this coffee maker, he changed his mind! Because the coffee maker holds a reservoir of hot water, the coffee when it is brewed comes out hot. Most of the time with regular coffee makers, the coffee comes out luke warm and you have to nuke it in the microwave. Not with this one. We absolutely love this machine. No problem with set up or anything. We highly recommend it!

This is the way to brew coffee
Over the last month I have purchased four coffee brewers and returned them while searching for the best machine I could find. When I received my Bunn, I was impressed with the quality and design of the machine right off. Once I made my first pot of coffee I knew this was the one I had been searching for. While this is the latest Bunn design for home use, it functions very similar to the more standerd version. The initial setup takes a bit of thought and preperation because unlike other brewers, the Bunn alsays keeps a pot of hot water ready to brew. So you first have to fill up the storage tank, then add another pot and only then turn on the machine and wait about fifteen minutes for it to warm up. Once you have accomplished the initial setup, making a cup of java is as simple as one, two, three. Just put your coffee in the filter, and place it in the holder, add the water and close the swivel top. Almost immediately you have coffee flowing into your pot. Ten cups in less than three minutes. Want another pot, just one, two, three again. Here are some of the things I noticed. Compared to other brewers, this one weighs more. I suspect that is do to the fact that unlike the cheeper brewers it is not all plastic, but rather has a stainless heating tank etc. The light which indicates the warming pad is active is lighted and easy to see from anywhere you roam. The unit comes with a Three Year warranty from the manufacturer. The pot has a wide mouth which makes it easy to clean. The warming plate is coated for easy clean-up. It is made in the good old U S of A. SUMMARY: If you want a well made, simple to use, coffee brewer that makes great coffee in less than three minutes. If you want to make a statement that you know about coffee and how to brew it. If you insist on quality, then this is the one for you. If on the other hand you want a bright red or blue designer piece of plastic, with little lights, a clock and timer. Perhaps even something that lets you know when the coffee is finished, then perhaps this is not your best choice. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sony's KV-27FS120 27-inch WEGA television is a CRT (cathode-ray tube) set that's both stylish and feature-packed. A silver cabinet houses a flat-screen Trinitron picture tube that cuts down on glare and minimizes image distortion. A host of technologies ensure vivid, distortion-free viewing.

One of the coolest features is the KV-27FS120's 16:9 enhanced mode, which delivers maximum picture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines within a letterboxed image--wasting none of its horizontal resolution on rendering the black bars that border a widescreen image.

Velocity modulation (selectable: off, high, low) improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's three-line digital comb filter further enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt).

Top-of-the-line component-video inputs minimize digital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. You can choose between a set of rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience when hooking up a camcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output offers both fixed and variable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with, for instance, both a VCR and a surround receiver. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection.

The set produces stereo audio with 10 watts per channel. Its fine-pitch aperture grill allows more electrons to reach the screen surface, while a high-precision deflection yoke guides the electrons accurately for bright, clear images. A headphone jack lets you listen in private. Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, tilt correction, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation.

What's in the Box
TV, remote control, remote batteries, warranty information, and user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• 27-inch direct-view CRT television with flat, high-contrast FD Trinitron picture tube; 30.25 x 23.25 x 19.63 inches (W x H x D)
• Digital comb filter enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl
• Component-, composite-, S-video, and RF video inputs accommodate nearly any video source
• Clear Edge VM wideband velocity modulation improves the definition at picture edges
• 10 watts per channel x 2; includes Steady Sound auto volume control with BBE sound enhancement and SRS 3D audio effect (simulated surround sound)

Reviews (26)

To Previous Post
To the previous poster: The V-compression mode should not "squish" your picture anymore than it would normally in 16:9 mode unless the DVD your watching isn't ANAMORPHIC or "Enhanced for wide screen TVs".

What V-compression does (using ANAMORPHIC discs) is that it takes the resolution that would normally be used in projecting the black bars on the top and bottom of the TV screen and adds this to the resolution of the actual film image so you get more resolution. A sharper and more film-like image just as you would get if you use a widescreen TV. What you see as "black bars" then is just those portions of your screen being "off".

Personally, I'm very happy with this set. You get a lot of features and a great image for the price and size. And with the custom matching stand it just looks great in any small to medium sized room! The only negative I've encountered is the weight. Very heavy!

Great Value for the Money
I highly recommend this TV. It may be a little more pricey than equivalently equipped televisions from other manufacturers but the Sony quality shines through. The picture is fabulous and even without a home theater set up the sound is great. I spent the extra money for good cables and hooked my DVD player up through the component Video and the picture is great. It is almost like seeing "The Fellowship of the Ring" in the Theater. Also the 16:9 aspect ratio is great for those items that aren't in Widescreen format. It gives them a real widescreen feel. All in all this is the best electronics purchase I have made in years.

Best small/med non HDTV with clean 16:9 mode for DVDs
I've had a slew of uninspiring 19 inch conventional televisions, so this Sony 27 inch is practically perfect in size, picture quality, and function. No, this is no HDTV and when viewing cable and tv shows, you can easily see more graininess and lines than an HDTV if you do a direct comparison, but for a conventional TV, it still is the best that I have seen.

The picture is sharp, clear, and lively when you sit close and from afar. Colors are saturated, but not overly so- the result is pleasing to my eyes and I enjoy watching it. The biggest feature in my mind is the 16:9 mode. This mode allows the TV to use all of its resolution for widescreen viewing, making it a mini 25-26" widescreen. In this mode, I cannot see any lines and the picture is clean and vivid. Watching widescreen DVDs in this mode is so rich and clean- I cannot describe it- I swear it is close to HDTV, but in tiny form, but the clarity and resolution are still very high- Finding Nemo is very sharp and there are no lines visible to my eyes.

There are some downsides that I have noticed- Even though this is a flatscreen, the glass has some distortions and lines are not perfectly straight. This is normal in all tubed TVs. Also, for this basic model, the 16:9 mode is activated in a menu so it takes like five button presses to get to turn it on. The sound quality is improved, but you still need a surround system to get full sound. As another reviewer has said, to turn off the TV sound (to use your own surround sound), you have to go through a menu. I think the more expensive versions have direct buttons for these features.

Dudes, you know how important a TV is when you get home and just want to veg- HDTV is great, but costly and not really ready for anything other than basic TV channels and DVDs. If you are watching regular non HDTV channels on an HDTV, you will need a 34" widescreen to get the same conventional 27" picture. For the price, I'd rather get this TV now and wait for HDTV when it matures (in about 2006). The 27 inch TV is perfect for a small apartment or a large bedroom. At a viewing distance of 6-7 feet, it feels intimate, but not "large." This TV is the cream of the crop in its class and provides entertainment without digging a large HDTV hole in your wallet.

broke down less than 2 month
The picture tube went less than 2 month. This unit is made in Mexico.

Good, but flawed
I was looking for a good 27" TV and of course everyone mentions the Sony.

Not a Sony fan, I see them resting on their name more than anything these days, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

Hooked it up - Component DVD, S-video gaming, antenna.. all of it. First things first, clarity is really good. I went from a blurry as heck 25 to a pretty crisp 27. Nice. Games looked outstanding. DVDs looked.. well.. wrong.

I bought the TV because it had 16:9 mode. Great, I love anamorphic dvds. Turned the option on in my dvd player, turned 16:9 on with the tv.. Hmm, it doesn't look right for some reason. I checked online and it is a known issue that the sonys oversqueeze the picture. And we're not talking a mm or so, we're talking over an inch. So a 2.35:1 movie was more like a 2.45:1 or 2.5:1. Something that was grossly distorted. Soo, I had to break into the service menu, grab some measuring tape, and used a setup disc to make a circle, well, circular. Something Sony obviously couldn't do. Flaw one, but fixable.

I tried watching the Simpsons on this Tv - not a good idea. Homer is Yellow, not orange. People don't all have sunburns on TV. I tried fixing the colour and it got to the point where to make skin tones look even tolerable, everything else had a noticeable drop in saturation. Checked online, surprise surprise, red push for sony tvs. Only on the newer FS100s they've changed the registers in the service menu, so good luck finding out exactly what to change because it's not what it used to be. Flaw 2, not quite fixable.

Then there was the geometry. Images shouldn't bend out near the top few inches. Also, when I was playing games there was major distortion in games that had letterboxed cutscenes - to the point where it looked like the few inches between the blackness of the letterbox and the bright scene resembed a scrambled cable station. NOT good. Flaw 3, I didn't even want to try to fix it.

Took the thing back. From what I've read, it's definitely common enough that I didn't want to bother with another Sony. Maybe I'm picky, but for 400 bucks I deserve to be. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Canon raises the stakes for all-in-one digital imaging devices with the release of the Canon Optura 500 (and the companion Optura 400; see a comparison table at the end), which is as adept at shooting digital video as it is snapping high-resolution digital stills. Shorter and more lightweight than its predecessors, the brushed silver Optura 500 weighs just 1.2 pounds with tape and battery and measures 2.1 x 4.2 x 4.0 inches. Like its sibling, the Optura 500 offers 2.2-megapixel resolution for fine video and photo details, a 10x optical zoom lens, image stabilization, built-in SD/MMC memory card slot, and PictBridge compatibility for direct printing of still photos to compatible printers. The Optura 500 also adds a higher resolution LCD, mini video light, ring light adapter for close-up shots, MPEG4 video for email and Web, and USB 2.0 connectivity for streaming.

Optics and Resolution
The Optura 500 has a 2.2-megapixel CCD, which produces 1230K effective pixels for video and 2 million effective pixels for still photos, for images up to 1623 x 1224 pixels (good enough for print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches). Canon's camcorder lens features the same quality found in 35mm and broadcast TV cameras, and the Optura 500 has a 10x optical zoom lens that delivers good definition and contrast as well as a 200x digital zoom. In addition, the lenses feature a unique spectral coating to reduce flare and ghosting, resulting in optimal indoor and outdoor shots.

The RGB Primary Color Filter separates light passing through the lens into red, green and blue color components providing similar color quality found in professional 3 CCD camcorders, yielding truer more natural looking colors. Canon's DIGIC DV signal processing circuit makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos. Since video and digital photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

Shooting Video
With the high-resolution 16:9 widescreen mode, the Optura 500 utilizes the entire width of the CCD (unlike some systems that electronically stretch the picture vertically) retaining image quality and providing a wider horizontal angle of view that is ideal for creating a theater-like experience.A variety of Program Auto Exposure settings allow for easy, optimal shooting in a wide range of lighting situations. The Optura 500 is also equipped with Manual Audio Level Control, commonly found only on prosumer camcorder models, and a swivel grip and palm pad, providing maximum comfort when shooting for long periods of time.

Offering improved compression over Motion JPEG, the Optura 500's advanced MPEG4 allows you to record the full length of your SD Card in high-quality 325 x 288 resolution.

Still Photos
The Optura 500 saves still image files to Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards (an 8 MB card is included with the camcorder). It offers a number of photographic controls that make it easy to get the right shot, including:

• Selectable Focusing Points for bringing off-center subjects into sharp focus
• Continuous Shooting Mode enables rapid fire shooting--up to 3 frames-per-second (1632 x 1224) or up to 5 frames-per-second (1280 x 960, 640 x 480)
• Simultaneous Photo Recording lets you capture e-mail ready digital photos (640 x 480) while you record video
• Auto Exposure Bracketing lets you shoot three photos-Ñnormal, underexposed and overexposed--with the press of one button
• The Built-in flash with Red-Eye Reduction is perfect for taking photos at night, indoors, or filling in shadows
• Horizontal & Vertical Trimming Function and Photo Review Function allow you to make edits directly in the camcorder
• Stitch Assist enables you to capture and create breathtaking 360-degree panoramas
• The Skin Detail Mode helps you take complimentary close-ups of people by softening details and reducing skin imperfections

Other Features
A Mini Video Light allows you to shoot up to 4.9 feet away in total darkness. It can be switched on in any Program mode. For shooting close-up subjects (less than 12 inches away), the supplied Ring Light Adapter provides even illumination and prevents shadows.

The advanced Image Stabilization system works behind the scenes even when youÕre panning and zooming, shooting videos or photos. The Optura 500's large, high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD (211,000 pixels versus the Optura 400's 123,000 pixels) and color viewfinder helps you compose shots from any angle.

With the press of the Night Mode button, the camcorder automatically selects a slow shutter speed and increases the sensitivity of the CCD to brighten the image, while still preserving color. Two additional low-light settings can be assigned to the Night Mode button--Super Night Mode and Night++ Mode. When selected, Super Night Mode automatically triggers the white LED Lamp when needed to enhance the subject for shooting. Night++ Mode is used in the toughest lighting situations, keeping the white LED Lamp on all the time.

Connectivity
The Optura 500 connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via a Firewire terminal (also known as iLink or IEEE1394), enabling high video and audio quality during duplication or editing. It's also equipped with a high-speed USB 2.0 terminal, which Windows Movie Maker2 supports, for video footage transfer and DV streaming.

An Analog Line-in/Out with Analog/Digital Converter allows you to easily transform your analog memories into digital, all in real-time. The camcorder also features a Network Mode, which enables you to remotely control your camcorder through the DVÊMessenger2 software application. Control the focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer while streaming the video via its Firewire terminal.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Optura 500 digital video camcorder, rechargeable battery pack (NB-2LH), power adapter (CA-570), wireless controller (WL-D84), A/V cable, 8 MB SD memory card, USB 2.0 cable, ring light adapter, and Digital Video Solution CD-ROM, which includes:

• Pinnacle Studio gives you every tool you need to easily capture video to your computer, edit footage, add titles, music, narration and special effects and then output the finished movie back to videotape, DVD or the web.
• Pinnacle Instant Album can help you quickly organize your digital photos and video clips into interactive, high-resolution slideshows that can then be burned onto CD and DVD or watched on your TV with Instant PhotoAlbum

Comparison: Optura 400 and 500 Major Features

Feature	Optura 400	Optura 500
Resolution	2.2 Megapixels	2.2 Megapixels
Optical Zoom	10x	10x
LCD	2.5 inches, 123,000 pixels	2.5 inches, 211,000 pixels
USB Connectivity	USB 1.1	USB 2.0
Mini Video Light	No	Yes
Web Movies	Motion JPEG Mode	MPEG4
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
SD/MMC Card Slot	Yes	Yes

... Read more

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 2.2-megapixel CCD
• 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 200x) and image stabilizer
• Measures just 2.1 x 4.2 x 4.0 inches and weighs 1.2 pounds
• 2.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Mini video light, ring light adapter for close-up shot, USB 2.0 connectivity

Amazon.com Product Description

The Humax DRT800 DVD recorder with Series2 TiVo service was designed to eliminate the confusion and complexity of DVD recording with a streamlined design and seamless integration with TiVo digital video recording and an attendant 80-hour hard-drive. The integration of a full-featured DVD recorder/player means you'll have the choice of recording shows to the unit's hard disk or to a write-once DVD-R or rewritable DVD-RW.

Your commercial DVDs will always look great using the set's progressive-scan video outputs (optimized for high-definition and HD-ready televisions). Front-panel audio/video inputs include a DV (digital video) IEEE 1394 jack for your DV camcorder, making it easy to copy from camcorder tapes to long-lasting DVD--perfect for sharing footage with loved ones. You can archive from the unit's hard disk to DVD, too, and the DRT800 even saves you time by letting you burn a DVD in the background while you're still recording and watching live TV.

The TiVo service included with the ($12.95 per month for the first box and $6.95 per month for additional boxes) offers the popular service features available only from TiVo. TiVo lets you search for your favorite TV show, and with the push of a button, set the DRT800 to record it automatically every time it's on. Record up to 80 hours of television entertainment without the hassles of videotape, control live television (pause, rewind, slow-motion, instant replay any channel, anytime), and schedule recordings online.

The DVR section also offers an electronic program guide (EPG), which keeps the DVR up-to-date with 14 days of program data; Season Pass recordings, with which the DVR automatically records every episode of a favorite program all season long; WishList searches to find and record all programs that feature a favorite actor, director, team, or topic; TiVo Suggestions, which automatically records shows based on your recording preferences; and smart recording, which detects line-up changes, adjusts recording times as needed and automatically, and even skips reruns.

If you're already set up for a home network, you can use the DRT800 as an extension of your network, streaming JPEG images or MP3 music files from your PC to the DRT800 for media enjoyment in the comfort of your living room. A home network also gives you access to recorded programs on multiple TiVo DVRs, too.

The DRT800's ergonomically engineered remote control puts the power to pause, rewind, slo-mo, and record right in the palm of your hand. Plus, its varied input/output connections confer multiple configuration options and a pair of USB ports grant the option of future feature expansion.

What's in the Box
DVD recorder/TiVo DVR, a 25-foot RJ-11 phone cord, a phone-line splitter, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, an RF coaxial cable, a serial (data) control cable, an IR control cable, an AC power cord, a remote control, remote batteries, a blank recordable DVD-RW disc, a user's manual, and warranty information.

Note: TiVo service is required and is available for $12.95 per month ($6.95 per month for additional boxes) or $299 for Product Lifetime. ... Read more

Features

• Digitally records up to 80 hours of programming onto the 80GB hard drive
• MULTIPLE PLAYBACK FORMAT COMPATIBLE?including DVD Video, DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, A/V CD
• Control live TV by pausing and rewinding it, and create slow-motion and instant replays of any channel at anytime
• Season Pass function automatically records every episode of a favorite program all season long
• Browse up to 14 days of program data with the Electronic Program Guide