Motorola EM326g Prepaid Phone (Net10)

I bought this phone from Target after I inadvertently cracked the LCD screen on my LG 300. This phone has some very nice features: Bluetooth, Digital Camera (1.3 Megapixels), microSD Card Slot, MP3 Player, and FM Radio. It also has a Browser, but you can only access the Net10 site with it; access to all other sites are restricted.

I'll briefly touch on each of these and other features:

Bluetooth

The bluetooth works surprisingly well. I can connect the phone to my iPAQ 111 Pocket PC using bluetooth for transferring files between the units. I also have no trouble connecting the phone to my Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS unit and my Plantronics Headset. Once my Nuvi is connected to the phone, I can use the Nuvi as a speaker phone. I can also use the Nuvi to dial and receive phone calls. SWEEeeet!

Digital Camera

The quality of the picture taken with the 1.3-megapixel camera is pretty good. Each JPEG file is typically less than 100 Kb.

microSD Card Slot

The microSD slot will only read a microSD card (2 GB or less), not a microSDHC (microSD, High Capacity 4 GB or more). If you insert a microSDHC card, you will get the message: Please remove card and insert again.

MP3 Player

The sound quality through my Sony earphones is decent enough. The MP3 player, unfortunately, doesn't have an equalizer.

FM Radio

The FM Radio reception is as good as any portable radio. Since your earphones function as an antenna, the FM Radio won't work unless you have your earphones plugged in.

Browser

Internet access is restricted to only the Net10 Web site. (Interestingly, some people reportedly have full (unrestricted) Internet access on the browser.) I tried a few URL's (e.g. google) but each time I got the error message: HTTP error forbidden.

The Net10 Web site has links for Sports, Weather, and News. The page loads are excruciatingly slow! It can take a few minutes for a page to load, if at all. Sometimes, the page just hangs. You would have to be pretty desperate to want to use the browser!

e-mail

I tried to e-mail an attachment a couple of times but had no success with it. 3.5 minutes (1 minute standard rate + 2.5 minutes e-mailing rate) were deducted from my account on _each_ attempt, even though the e-mail failed to get through! The error message: Sending failed: Connection error.

o Miscellaneous Features

The phone has all the "standard" features that come with most cell phones: polyphonic ring tones, games (e.g. Need For Speed Carbon), and tools (e.g. calculator and alarm clock).

o Usability

Service: The standby battery life is about 2 to 3 days. Cell phone reception from the Net10 service is decent enough (Net10 actually uses the AT&T network). It comes with 300 minutes of free airtime (a 30-d0llar value).

Volume Control: I really like the volume control buttons on the left side of the phone. You can quickly set the phone to Silent, Vibrate, or one of seven volume levels without having to wade through the menus.

Form: The phone is very compact. It is the same size as the LG 300.

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The biggest gripe I have about the phone is the crippled browser. Other than that, I don't really have very much else to complain about it. For me, an absolute must-have on a phone is bluetooth and this feature works flawlessly on the EM 326g. Overall, I'm quite happy with it. For the price, it's really not a bad deal. If you're looking for a prepaid phone, this one's definitely worth consideration.

My Net10 LG300's keyboard died so I replaced it with this phone. I find it to be an excellent "cheap" phone. And it has a standard micro USB port for charging....you don't have to buy a confounded proprietary car charger. Highly recommended.

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The phones activated without incident...I bought three of these...One the sim was in backwards.

Sometimes the phone coulnt find a signal...Under tools hitting Network twice restored service.

This is a good phone for making calls and dont use the text feature...Highly recommended.

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this is the coolest phone for under $9.00 with the memory card included. This is perfect for teenagers to learn responsibility before spending lot for them to break.

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nice cell phone with this price. but does not include 300 minutes free airtime from NET10 which I thought would.

BTW, net10 website also sell this phone for $39.99 (free shipping) if you live in specific area like California.

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Memorex MB2190 Micro Cassette Recorder

Excellent tool from Memorex! I've had this for quite a while now and NEVER has it failed me. I've used this on trips, classrooms, photo shoots & have let my children use it for their school projects and it continues to provide service and is always a very reliable aide.

The knock on the battery usage is noted, but if you purchase the more expensive type, then it cancels the problem out. There is also the responsibility of taking the cheap batteries out when the unit is not being used. Aside from this minute hassle, the product is worth the money. Thumbs up!

Sony ICD-B500 Digital Voice Recorder with 256 MB Built-in Flash Memory

I've only had this for a few days, but my intial reactions are:

Very compact and fairly easy to use.

Good price for a Sony product.

The instruction manual is a mess and needs to be totally re-written and re-organized.

Would be nice if it came with a carrying case, even if a cheap, basic one. I bought a cheap cell phone case to house it in.

Sound quality is good; with the mic at high level I find it picks up too much background noise but at low level it's pretty good.

After using this for a couple of months, further comments are that it does what I want it to do, but one more complaint is that it takes 9 button pushes to change folders. To navigate between folders should be easy, they make it complex.

As a journalist who uses the Sony ICD-B500, I can tell you I'm super happy with it. It's not going to make podcast-quality sound files, or even upload into your computer, but it does exactly what it says it will -it records interviews with good enough clarity to transcribe later. I used this recently to do an interview with a soft-spoken guy at a crowded party, and the recording came out just fine. There was background noise, but he was perfectly audible. In my experience, this is a bargain digital recorder that's of solid, reliable quality. It's not a top-of-the-line model, but it is perfect for my needs.

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The recorder has good sound and it is easy to start recording. Setting up a folder and inserting recordings into that folder is not intuitively obvious. In fact, all the features are not intuitive. You have to read the manual which is not well organized.

However, once you get the hang of it it's a good recorder.

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This is a great product to record lectures. It doesn't matter where you sit in the classroom, the audio quality is great. The only problem is that you can't transfer the tape recordings to a PC, you can only listen to it on the device. It should be PC compatible.

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I bought this product to record my voice lessons and practice. The sound quality of recordings would suffice for speech alone, but is not sufficient for singing. No matter how far away I am from the device, certain pitches cause the sound to become horribly buzzy and full of static. Plus, it's made out of the cheapest plastic in existence.

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RCA RP3503 "Shoebox" Cassette Voice Recorder

• Compact design has the features of a full sized cassette recorder in a slim package
• Automatic level control provides a constant recording level regardless of the volume control setting
• 3-digit tape counter for easy tracking of your location on the tape
• Retractable carry handle
• Includes external stand-up microphone, AC/DC adapter

I'll preface my review by stating that if I were searching for a high quality voice recorder I would have gone with a brand other than RCA. However, I needed an inexpensive unit which my two young children could operate without much difficulty, and one that played music cassettes. This one does the trick. It is light, compact and easy to use, the sound is decent, the microphone keeps them entertained since they can record their own voices on tape, and the unit operates on both battery or A/C which means I can tote it along in the car to keep them busy. I searched all over for the actual toddler tough versions of these tape recorders which were sold a few years back, Fisher Price or Playskool I believe, but it seems that technology caught up to even the little kids' toys and the units are all CD or MP3 now, which my children don't yet use. This cassette recorder suits our needs just fine for now, and at an affordable price.

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The RCA cassette recorder which I purchased from Amazon for $24.99 did not work after several days of sporadic usage. I tried different tapes and had the same non-working result.

Audiovox is listed in the manual as the distributor, but it states that I must pay/ship the defective recorder to a "Product Exchange Center" in Texas. The RCA warranty does not cover such things as (1) Customer Instruction...and allows the Exchange Center to charge me for "service not covered" whatever that may be. Additionally, it also allows the Exchange Center to ship me a "refurbished" unit.

This entire ordeal has soured me on buying anything but books from Amazon. It would easier to buy a recorder from the local Best Buy and be able to return a defective item for a new one or my money back.

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I purchased this inexpensive unit solely for the purpose of using it to record individuals that I would be profiling in the local newspaper. Since the purchase this summer, I have been satisfied with the quality of the unit's performance.

For those seeking something of a higher standard, then money should be spent. However, for a basic recorder/player, one can't pass this one up.

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I recently purchased this tape recorder, only to be quite disappointed by its quality (or complete lack thereof). Not only was the recorded sound awful, but the playback was pitch-warped and jumpy. I should have trusted my Dad, who says this brand is the pits. My mistake! I have since used the Sony TCM-929, and it is excellent...it does what it claims to do.

Don't waste your money on this one!

I loved this product, when it was working, then one day, less than 2 months since I got it, it just stopped, went dead.

Checked it, had someone else check it--but no, it's just not working anymore.

It's inexpensive, yes, but when it stops working so soon, it would have been cheaper to have paid a little more for something with higher quality.

RCA used to be a reliable brand... too bad...

Auto Driving Buddy Plug & Play Dual Camera Driving Recorder. 3 Mega pixel photo and 720P High resol

The video is clear to me and the sound is good, This Dash Cam is very easy to use, I wanted a HD camera to record both side of the road to capture these beautiful scenery of British Columbia during summer and fall without spending a lot of money. The swappable memory card on top is very convenient to change to save the videos. So far I get almost 9 hours of continues recording in 720P HD resolution from a 32GB memory, But you have to be careful not to touch the lenses or you have to clean them often, also its feels like a delicate equipment that may shatter when dropped.

Great camera for the price, small, compact and truly plug and play. I just plug the car charger to the lighter and starts recording. The remote controller should be re-labeled to OFF only, because its only turns off the unit but not ON. The rotatable lens is very handy so if you see something on the either side of the road or if you want to record when you get pulled over, its easy to rotate the cameras to point and shoot.

I love it so far. I have to merge both day time recording and 9PM dusk in one video to upload both scene. It looks like Amazon lowers the resolution to fit the file.

Failed miserably within the first hour but the vendor refunded the money. It worked for a little while and it was neat to have a dual screen adjustable dash cam. However, within the first hour the left screen developed a huge, green band down the side and the right screen flickered constantly. I would not recommend this product, but the vendor was fair even though it two-plus weeks to get refund.

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Dogtek Eyenimal Digital Videocam for Pets

The images & sound quality of the Eyenimal are better than I expected. My primary criticism of the unit is that the device does not "lock" securely in place on the animal's collar, so if your pet is very animated (or simply tries to shake the device off its neck), the device comes loose.

Although I have 3 cats & 1 dog, I bought the camera for my 2 1/2-yr-old Miniature Pinscher...since my cats are all indoor-only animals, I didn't feel the cat footage would be of interest to anyone. However, the typical Min Pin hackney gait is a problem for the camera -it results in every shot in which she's walking or running being extremely "jumpy" and, thus, unwatchable.

If you have a calm dog, or one with a lumbering gait, then this is definitely worth the money!

Bought this Petcam from Amazon through .

I loved it for about 3 weeks while it worked.

Then one day my Cat comes in and while it was working when he left...it wasn't when he came home.

It didn't seem damaged at all except foe some scratches on it from my cat rolling around.

He wore it about 6 times in 3 weeks.

I contacted but they blew me off and said I should contact Eyenimal directly...which I did today.

I'll see what happens.

$100 for 3 weeks is ridiculous.

Hopefully Eyenimal will rectify the situation

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I'd love to be able to review the picture quality of this camera. Alas, I will never know.

When it arrived, I noted "Huh -wonder how I'm going to improvise a new clip when this one breaks?" Not if -definitely WHEN. It's as if the manufacturers have NO clue about how an animal might move through space. Crappy design and shoddy materials. No way to attach a lanyard to the unit or otherwise back up the attachment, such as it is.

Yeah, it lasted half an hour. Dog was out of my sight for

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Samsung DVD-V2000 DVD-VCR Combo

• DVD player and 4-head hi-fi VCR combination unit
• Dual-mode optical pickup compatible with CD-R/CD-RW media
• Built-in MP3 decoder plays back music files from CD-R/CD-RW discs
• S-video and high-quality component-video output terminals (for use with compatible TVs)
• Full-size (.25-inch) stereo headphone output with rotary volume control

I purchased this unit about six months ago. My VCR was on its last leg, I wanted a DVD player and I also had limited space. So a VCR/DVD combo was perfect for me.

Overall, I've been happy with it.

Some pros:

About the same size as a VCR (a tiny bit smaller than my old VCR, actually) so it doesn't take up much room.

The VCR and DVD player have separate tuners, so you can watch a DVD while recording something else.

Both the VCR and DVD have the usual assortment of features such as slow motion, search, etc.

The VCR has an easy to use shuttle feature which lets you view the video at -7x/21x(EP), -5x/15x, -3x/9x, (normal), +2x, +3x/9x, +5x/15x and +7x/21x. (I Only wish they had done the same for the DVD)

The DVD options other than speed search (see cons below) are easy to use and convienient.

Some cons:

Controlling the VCR and DVD require you to press different buttons on the remote. I really wish they had intergrated them together better so that the same keys are used for the same options.

The speed search on the DVD requires you to press and hold for a few seconds the same buttons that are used for chapter advance/rewind. So if your finger slips, something blocks the IR signal during that time or the batteries are weak then the unit may interpet it as a chapeter change when you don't want it.

The volume gets muted when you are in the menus or are setting a timer recording. I find this annoying since I sometimes like to program the VCR while watching another program. I either have to wait until a commercial or miss something.

The DVD palyer (as others have said) sometimes starts to skip. I find this happens after about 90 minutes of watching a DVD. But I've also found that turning the unit off and back on will fix the problem. Since I usually don't watch an entire movie at once (or the movies I watch are under 90 minutes) this has not been a big problem for me.

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I recently purchased the Samsung DVD-V2000 DVD-VHS for my dad and I wasn't sure what to expect. He is 72 and has a big VHS collection that he doesn't want to give up and he also has started buying DVDs. He is not a big gadget fan so I started looking for a unit that had the fewest number of control buttons and was the easiest to operate.

After looking at several other manufacturers and models, including those that were significantly more expensive that this one, I chose the Samsung DVD-V2000, and both my dad and I are very happy with it. This unit is super easy to operate. There are two buttons in front that allow you to play either VHS or DVD. Then another bank of buttons for play, fast forward, back, pause, and rewind. That's it. It has to be one of the easiest to use DVD-VHS units on the market. I was also pleased with the picture quality of the DVDs, VCDs and VHS tapes that I played on it.

The only downside that I found is the Samsung DVD-V2000 will only play the standard movie DVD and DVD-R formats. It does not support the DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD+RAM formats. So if you have a DVD burner that only uses the DVD+RW and DVD+R formats, like I do, you won't be able to play them in this unit. Still, for most people this shouldn't be a problem. ...Overall, it's a great unit if you are looking for something that is easy to use and without a lot of bells and whistles.

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Either people have REAL sensative hearing, or do not like Samsung, or they are reviewing the WRONG piece of equipment.

I am here to tell you that this machine is fabulous. I connected the cable to it and plugged it into the wall. After a few minutes, the time was configured and the channels were programmed. I didn't do a thing!

The VCR plays SVHS tapes. It's NOT noisy AT ALL except for rewind. But, I rewound a 2 hour tape from the end and in about 10 seconds, it was done! But, playback and recording are NOT noisy and are quiet. These people must be muting their sets because I cannot for the life of me hear the noise from either the DVD player nor the VCR WHILE a tape or DVD is playing.

Yes, there are some clicking noises from the DVD as it loads up, but so what? Sheesh. Picky, picky, picky. After the movie starts, I don't hear a thing. Heck, the volume from my TV drowns out any noises that it might create. This is as bad as some reviews that stated a machines noise drowned out jets taking off from the airport nearby. I think that's going a little overboard.

The programmable tape functions are great. Daily (Mon-Fri), Weekly (Suns thru Sats), 8 events for up to a month in advance, setting each program to a different taping speed. This unit has most of what I need.

It's DTS compatible, Dolby Digital Surround and for those like me that do not have a decoder, the Virtual 3D sound works fine and gives a pretty fair rendering of surround sound.

The picture from the DVD and the VCR is crisp and sharp, and the colors are great.

Audio inputs are on both the front and back. Audio outputs are on the back, with composite video, S-Video and Component outputs available. That pretty much guarantees a rare connection failure. Heck, the DVD output can go out through the coaxial cable TV out so that you don't have to have an RF Modulater for TVs that do NOT contain RCA input plugs.

You can watch a DVD WHILE recording a show on the VCR.

The remote can be programmed for the more popular brands of TVs out there. I had no problems with getting my RCA TV programmed into the remote.

For those that are complaining, I would take those with a grain of salt. No noise, no tapes being eaten and I've even played audio CDs and MP3s with no problems. The only problem I DID run into was right after I put in a CD-R with MP3's on it (which it automatically found and started playing), once I started to play back DVDs, they wouldn't work well at all. I turned the unit off and then back on and the DVD's worked fine. But, I don't see myself using this as an MP3 player anyways.

VCDs seemed to work sporatically, but again, I don't really care too much about those. DVDs are the main thing as well as VHS tapes for my children.

Overall, an excellent buy. Better than the HIFI JVC VHS machine I bought along with it for the upstairs family room. That went back.

This is a great machine for the money. Get it.

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This DVD/VCR Combination player and recorder from SAMSUNG is good. In the SP mode it records and plays back very well. EP recording is acceptable as long as you play back your recordings on this unit. The front load VCR accepts and ejects the tape with frictionless accuracy. The on-screen display indicates tracking, speed, elapsed time and remaining time. I also really liked the high-speed Fast Forward and Rewind operation. Programming the unit for time-date recordings is pretty basic and similar to SONY and RCA units. You must navigate the controls just a little differently. It will also play back S-VHS recordings, which is a very good feature especially for a combo unit. DVD play and menu operations are pretty much the same as most other units. It is gratifying that you can get both the VCR and DVD signal through the RF output. If you have an old TV with no video line inputs there is no longer a need to purchase a separate RF Modulator to receive the DVD signal. That's a really nice feature. It is interesting to note that this unit is very similar in look and performance to SONY's combo DVD/VCR player. However, SAMSUNG's hand remote is a big improvement over SONY's which is awkward to use. SONY's remote is just too small. SAMSUNG's hand remote fits in your hand nicely. Overall this is an excellently designed unit both esthetically and functionally. Most importantly it performs beautifully. Both DVD and VCR images look great.

The unit is definitely exceptional when it comes to being eye candy and it's considerably convienient for people like me who can't stand clutter. When I had the DVD/VCR hooked up to my big screen entertainment center, I had very little complaints other than the remote is complicated and the process can be frustrating. It also worked well with my Adelphia Digital Cable. Then I made the mistake of hooking it up to my bedroom television (A new Philips 32 inch flat screen) and it's been a disaster. I never noticed how incredibly loud and annoying the sound that this combo emits when hooked up to a smaller television. Even on the highest volume, the sound is dull and the unit actually hums. It's not the TV because when I watch cable, the sound is crystal clear. I tried cleaning the CD lens with one of those disc cleaners many times but to no avail. Also, various repairmen have claimed that it's just the product's quality and not a defect. I hooked it up to a few other high quality TVs around the house (ranging from 19 inches to 53 inches) and the sound doesn't waver...it's a nightmare.

SRD-1610DC 16CH H.264 Digital Video Recorder, 4 CH Audio, DVD Burner

While I'm a fan of Samsung DVR's this unit was certainly a disappointment. The unit is advertised as 120 fps at the lowest resolution. If you divide 120fps by 16 (the max number of cameras) you get 7.5 frame per seconds. 7.5 is the maximum number of frames per camera it can record--regardless of the number of cameras attached. I purchased this unit and attached 7 cameras with the understanding I would be able to record at 15 fps per camera (120/7). Not the case. The unused fps cannot be applied to the other cameras. 7.5 fps is all you are going to get, even if you have just one camera. Playback at 7.5 fps is jerky.

Samsung higher end records, such as the SRD-1650 or SRD-850 CAN allocate the unused fps to other channels

Full HD 720P HD Car DVR Car Camcorder Camera with Wide Angle 120 Degree Support Built-in 3G-SENSOR

• 120 degrees wide-angle function
• built-in 3G-GSENSOR gravity sensor with reverse video capability

Purchased this model for HD clarity and for the separate rear camera. The images coming in from both cameras are clear and readable on the computer. Do not expect to be able to scan through the unit and view your videos, say to view after a accident. I am impressed with the clarity of the rear auto videos. Traffic as well as tail-gators image well and usable in case of an accident. Having a separate rear view camera aimed from the rear of your vehicle is much much better than using a rear camera videoing the passengers and a faint car in the rear window. Driving into the afternoon sun is not so good. I have not driven at night, but do not expect much there. The software is crude but manageable. It comes with a remote to ease through the software. For me, the suction cup holds the unit well though adhesion is available for the unit. The 2" LCD is too small but the videos come up in the computer full screen.

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Fast delivery , and as described, recommend

very nice , small, easy to assemble, very good video quality, record front and back in the same time in two seperate folders , easy to access to it.

Love it !!

Tripp Lite HT810ISOCTR Home Theater Isobar Surge Protector 8 Outlet RJ11 Coax 5700 Jls

This is a well made unit, although I did mark it down to four stars because of a design quirk. Normally, one would expect an optimal condition to be indicated by a green light. Not so on a couple of the monitored parameters on this unit. One is lit red to indicate correct function, and another is amber. I had to call Tech Support to clarify the issue. Other than that, I'm trusting it to provide the stated protection. Just be aware that it doesn't do any line conditioning, so is ineffective with regard to brownout conditions. It only protects against noise, spikes, and surges.

First off, please note the Amazon.com picture for this unit is not what this unit looks like. Check out Tripp Lite's website to see what it really looks like.

This looks nice with the A/V equipment it is supposed to protect. It is short... with the feet, about as tall as a blu ray/DVD player. It is deeper with the plugs plugged in, more like a receiver, however.

The big blue voltage display is cute, which brings me to my only criticism With such a nice display, it would be nice if other useful information could be toggled onto the display Such as amperage currently (so to speak) being used, or even better amperage currently being used by a selected outlet. You can dim the display if you don't want it to distract you, but I find the blue color is very non-distracting and subtle.

But assuming this protects from 5700 joule surges as advertised... I feel a lot better knowing my equipment is now protected.

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Purchased for the protection of some costly new home theater gear. The reason I needed the new gear in the first place was due to the fact that I had an unprotected rear screen projection set, amp, and DVR fried in an electrical storm recently. If you do not want to purchase electronics based on the vagaries of Mother Nature, you would be foolhardy not to use effective surge protection. There are many examples of this type of power center. Deciding which one to purchase can be quite confusing. I decided on this Tripp Lite unit based on my ownership experience with other Tripp Lite gear, its high power rating, and its appearance/low profile. I've been using it for 2 months, running a 65" plasma flat panel, A/V receiver, Apple/TV, DVR, PS3, and a wireless router plugged in. The unit has handled current flawlessly while remaining cool. Of course the true test of a power center is whether or not it actually protects your gear against surges. This Tripp Lite unit is well constructed, has a desirable power handling rating, a nice long power cable, and a robust warranty. So, what's not to like?

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Great product for the money. I wish it had a bit more protection (re: Joules) but it does a great job of filtering out "noise" from my HT system.

Only thing I found better was the $1000+ gizmos which is waay out of my price range.

Buy it over anything Monster has out there!

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Perfect for my theater system. Great rack mount. Fits Perfect.

Not only does it work well but it looks great.

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Panasonic DMP-BD85K WiFi Enabled Blu-Ray Disc Player (Black)

• Superior Video and Audio Performance
• Wi-Fi enabled with super sensitive antenna
• Ultra-fast 0.5 second startup
• More compact Design
• More efficient energy consumption

There is a lot to like about Panasonic's latest high-end Blu-ray player, the DMP-BD85: excellent video and audio performance, a rich assortment of streaming media options (Netflix, Amazon VOD, YouTube, Pandora Internet Radio and now VUDU via a recent firmware upgrade), and a highly customizable assortment of tweakable parameters for audio and video hobbyists. Also, with built in Wi-Fi via the included USB adapter, it's easier than it used to be to reap the benefits of an internet-enabled player. However, the bland text-based menus and operational idiosyncrasies of the player make it feel a little bit behind the times.

DVD upconversion is very good to excellent, with some enhancements to Panasonic's Uniphier video processor that are only available in the BD85 and in the new Blu-ray 3D players, the DMP-BDT300 and DMP-BDT350. The entry-level BD45 and BD65 players include a slightly lesser quality version of the Uniphier processor, equivalent to Panasonic's 2009 players. Diagonal lines are clean and free from jaggies, 2:3 film cadence is easily detected by the player, preventing the tell-tale moire distortion that can occur on lesser players, and edge detail is smooth and fairly free of aliasing and any combing or tearing artifacts.

Turning to high def Blu-ray Disc playback, advances to the player's chroma (color) upconversion processor enable outstanding color reproduction and color detail from 1080p Blu-ray Disc, superior to Blu-ray playback on some other more expensive players. To be honest, these improvements are only really visible on larger screen sizes (e.g., large screen projection systems) but home theater hobbyists and videophiles will appreciate the exceptional Blu-ray playback quality of the BD85.

Audio quality is also excellent, with some innovative enhancements to the way digital audio is handled that can improve the sound quality, even over HDMI PCM and bitstream connections (specifically the "Jitter Purifier" and "High Clarity Audio" features). By providing more accurate data for the audio clock, the BD85 minimizes jitter that can detract from the sound quality, even when your receiver or preamp does the audio decoding. For those who have older non-HDMI receivers, the BD85's multi-channel analog outputs and on-board decoding for DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD can provide outstanding lossless audio from Blu-ray Disc (just be prepared to spend some time tweaking the player's speaker settings and your receiver to get the sound dialed in just right).

In our testing, the included 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi adapter worked well. Also with the WiFi adapter is a 3-foot USB extension cable which allows you to place the wireless antenna module outside the audio cabinet where it can get better WiFi reception. We were easily able to stream Netflix in HD using the WiFi adapter one floor away from our 802.11g Linksys wireless router. Access to Netflix, Amazon and YouTube was pretty reliable (though we tested YouTube and Netflix much more heavily than Amazon VOD), and BD-Live features worked well on the player (as long as you give it a couple of minutes to fully connect to the network). Also, for those with the firmware 1.23 applied, as of June, 2010, Pandora is now available in the VIERA Cast screen on this player, and firmware 1.51 (11/2010) brought VUDU to this and other 2010 model year Panasonic players.

But Panasonic made some ergonomic choices here that are a bit questionable. They shortened the remote vs. last year's models by about an inch. And while this does make the basic functions like transport and menu navigation a little easier to operate (at least to my thumbs), the smaller size meant removing the "Set-up" button entirely, and making the frequently used "Display" button much smaller and easy to miss. And although there is a VIERA Cast button the remote, which allows access to all the IPTV streaming goodies, the player lacks an integrated splash screen (as seen on recent LG and Samsung players) which would give you the option to select between disc-based, USB-based on web-based content in an integrated and logical way.

Also, within the "Functions" menu, there is an option called "Network" which actually launches the VIERA Cast screen (why not call it "VIERA Cast" to be consistent?). Perhaps most frustrating to those who watch a lot of foreign films (or non-native English speakers), there is no subtitle button on the remote. Instead subtitle controls are buried deep within the "Display" menu, where you'll also find the nifty 24p mode switch for DVD playback. This is nothing new in the BD85, but it is a questionable choice for a fairly commonly used function.

In the area of loading speed, the BD85 carries on the tradition of earlier Panasonic players being a fairly sluggish disc loader. Sure, there is a "fast boot" option (Quick Start), which can take you from powered off to the basic splash screen and "no disc" message in under 2 seconds. But after that initial boot, you'll still be waiting a while to view your discs we clocked the disc loading times at about 20 seconds to load a standard DVD, 36 seconds to load a Blu-ray and 39 seconds to load a BD-Java Blu-ray (the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie). A BD-Live heavy title ("Inglourious Basterds") can take over two minutes to get to a visible screen, though we did find that using an SDHC card instead of a standard SD card, did speed up this load time significantly, exposing more of the BD-Live content that we did not see when we used the standard 1GB SD card. And that's one more knock why does Panasonic still require customers to buy and insert an SD card in order to use BD-Live? Why not load the unit with at least 1 GB of on-board memory so that customers are not disappointed to find they need an additional purchase just to use BD-Live?

In terms of disc compatibility and reliable operations, we were only able to find a single disc that was problematic on the player the first disc in the "Alien Quadrilogy" boxed DVD set. The default Dolby Digital track plays fine but the DTS track on the extended cut of the film emits nothing but silence. Apparently this is an improvement over earlier Panasonic players, some of which were not able to play this disc at all. We also saw the machine shut itself down a couple of times when playing Xvid-encoded AVI files from a connected USB drive. But thanks to some follow-up testing from Panasonic, confirmed by us, this turned out to be media-specific: in other words, if you use a decent quality name brand USB flash drive (instead of the cheap promo USB drive we initially used), the player plays these AVI files fine.

All told, the operational idiosyncrasies of the player are easy enough to get used to, and will be more annoying to hobbyists who like to get into the set-up menus to test various options and settings and perhaps less annoying to the average consumer. It's the performance that matters, and at the moment, this is one of the top performers available for under $300. So if you don't mind a few less-than-sexy menus and operational quirks, then the BD85 will make an excellent choice for a high performance, affordable Blu-ray Disc player.

Our detailed review is available on Big Picture Big Sound (dot com).

Buy Panasonic DMP-BD85K WiFi Enabled Blu-Ray Disc Player (Black) Now

BluRay quality is outstanding. I use HDMI with 1080P/24 active. The 24 is OFF by default. DVD upscaling is very good. AVCHD and DIVX playback is very good. The interface for the networked features is somewhat clunky but usable. NETFLIX, DIVX VOD and Amazon video services work the way they should. YouTube integration works just great. I had previously purchased (and returned) a Sony BDP-N460 because it was unstable, required reboots and YouTube personal playlists were limited to 6 videos per playlist. I'm happy to say that the Panasonic is stable (heavy duty Elmo rotation) and the YouTube playlists are not limited like on the Sony. Wired networking is straight forward. I used a wired drop, so I have not used the wireless connection yet. The one thing I'm disappointed about is that DLNA features are NOT present on this unit and there is no music services included. There is a "coming soon" block on the NET screens, so maybe its coming in the future. I'm very happy with quality of the unit and its output.

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The positives have been extolled by others already: great picture and sound quality, wifi works great, netflix works great, youtube is good, etc.

BUT, and this is a big user experience BUT, the user interface and remote control have been designed by engineers who have no concept of usability. This is extremely frustrating in an era when Apple (and others) manage to figure out HOW people WANT to use devices and program them accordingly.

Example #1 when watching a DVD, it's almost impossible to get back to the main menu, and if you do, it tends to reboot the DVD (i.e. go through the initial DVD loading process again) which is completely unnecessary.

Example #2 the navigation around the different internet sources is really clunky. You can't easily return to the main internet menu from the netflix screen. Searching for a video in youtube is very frustrating. And for some reason you can't just type in the url of the video.

Example #3 if you want to change the video source from your dvd player back to cable, the DVD remote only lets you cycle through the different video sources in one direction, so you have to click eight times to get back to cable.

Again, none of these things are big deals individually, but in the aggregate they add up and make a very frustrating user experience.

Given the choice again, I'd probably just get a basic DVD player and a separate Internet box for my TV that has a better UI.

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I have had this player for about a week now to get familiar with all of its features and capabilities. The picture quality of BD video is simply stunning, even with my Panasonic 720p projector (which is soon to be upgraded to 1080p). I can only imagine how good the picture will be with 1080p projector! Since all my connections are via HDMI, the sound quality is also outstanding. However, unlike the Oppo and few other bluray players, this one is not SACD and DVD-Audio capable (not a big deal with me). I watched Star Trek twice and this regular DVD seemed to have acquired a new life with the terrific upscaling by this player. Colors and the picture look a lot like in movie theatres, thanks to Panasonic's proprietary video processors developed in collaboration with Hollywood studios. Wi-Fi is not exacly built-in, but with a supplied dongle which is connected to a USB port in the back. USB extention cable is also provided for optimal placement of the dongle and better signal strength. Wi-fi set up was fairly easy, although I wish the instructions in the user's mannual were a bit more clear. Once connected to the internet, currently active services include Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, You Tube, Picasa, local weather, and Bloomberg stock ticker. Navigating via on-screen menus is a breeze with a decent remote (wish it was back-lit). Movies streamed from Netflix worked flawlessly and the picture quality was surprisingly good! More video and music sites are likely to be added as there is a "Coming Soon" area, which is currently blank. I also don't understand why DLNA feature is not available on this North American model, but is reported to be available on the European model. Hope DLNA will be made available via future firmware updates. Boot times and disc-loading times are pretty quick, on par with non-bluray players. Thus, one of the long standing negatives of bluray players no longer seems to be an issue.

All in all, a great player. Too bad Panasonic was a late-comer to a player with these feature sets (wi-fi, internet video streaming etc.), but I am glad that they did finally. In fact, by adding these features to their previous flagship model BD80, Panasonic has indeed delivered a potential benchmark in this price/feature class. I would have given it five stars, but am giving it only four because of the lack of DLNA and limited number of currently availabile video/audio sites (compared to other manufacturers). If Panasonic addresses these issues with future firmware updates, this is clearly a five-star player. Panasonic, hope you are listening!

This is my first blu-ray player. I bought it a few days ago because it offers 7.1 analog out. I didn't really need the wireless capability but since it came with everything it needs for wireless, I was able to take the player out of the box, connect it to my TV and stereo, create a Netflix account on the fly, setup the wireless connection with my home router and begin to watch a movie in about 20 minutes ! This has been the best experience. I never used an online streaming service and never had a Netflix account. Setting up wireless and Netflix was a breeze. I have not used the 7.1 analog yet since I am waiting to connect to my 7.1 amp but even the stereo sound for movies is excellent. The picture quality for both Netflix instant and DVD's are fantastic. I couldn't be happier. A very friendly player. You can also view other online content such as Youtube, Picasa web albums, weather etc.

Livescribe Echo 3D High-Quality Stereo Recording Headset (AAA-00020)

The technology built into these earplugs is marvellous and working very well. The only reason for giving three stars instead of five: the housing of the plugs is too big, making them hard to wear (they tend to fall out of one's ears, and cause pain if worn longer than about 60 minutes).

The astonishing thing is what I saw from a colleague: the headset one gets when ordering the LiveScribe Echo in the extended edition that already includes a headset in the bundle, the earplugs are different! They're well-fitting, and they even put in rubber adapters so that one can adjust the plugs exactly to one's ears.

I originally bought this headset to use while I was at work (while using my Echo smartpen) Well, I have to say the sound quality is great! I think for the size, the price is good. Comfort level, I would dock one star, but that could just be because my ear shape is different. I think if you are looking for a no-fuss headset that can work even in an iPhone, buy this!

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I have the Livescribe Echo pen and this has worked fairly well for amplifying the sound in the recording. I tried to use different mics for it but none of them worked well at all. The only thing is it doesn't filter background noise as well as the description claims..

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I'm not sure if they work much better than the mic on the pen itself but then again I haven't used them in an auditorium setting either so I don't know. I do love having them for going over my notes with the pen in the library though. It's a must I say for anyone who has a livescribe pen.

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i have used many small headset but i must confess the quality of this product is just superb..crystal clear sound quality.

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Esky® Cigarette Lighter Hidden Camera Video Recorder

I am an investigative reporter and was in need of more updated undercover recording devices. The video quality is not HD in terms of broadcast standards, but when it comes to undercover video you can get away with a little less than a crystal clear picture. Most importantly this camera works well in average lighting and the microphone is very good at picking up whatever it is pointed at.

My only complaint is that it has a flashing blue light when it is in record mode. I just put some gaffer tape around it, leaving a small hole to see the indicator light, which made it much easier to conceal.

Overall I am very glad I purchased this product.

This hidden camera has it's good qualities: the video quality is pretty good (not as good as the pen camera) and can be placed more inconspicuously than the pen. After reading the instructions, it's easy to operate. Voice activation is great.

Cons: you need to purchase the microSDHC card which adds another $10 to price. I would rather have paid the additional $10 and have the card included than have to look all over trying to find one.

Overall, glad I bought and will use it.

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I gave it a four star because video quality is not great but ok! Sound is clear like that... The flashing light could of been a bit dimmer but ok! I would recommend this product to ppl who smoke as its easier to play it off lol... Very good product once again...

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How long is recording time?

Don't buy this product, it's a piece of crap, when I got mine it didn't even work and the company wound even give me a refund, stay away from this product!

Mar 19, 2013 by Coaster | See all 3 answers

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does not work after attempting probably 100 times no matter what i tried to do it will not work worthless

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Oregon Scientific ATC 3K Waterproof Action Cam Flash Memory Video Recorder with Web Cam Capabilitie

I bought this primarily to be used as a car dash camera.

I attached the helmet mounting bracket to my dashboard and record my commute to and from work each day.

The video is as good as you would see on cops or other police video shows, actually better than some.

There are only 3 buttons for the user interface, on/off, camera, and menu. The menu options I still haven't figured out.

But for the most part, you turn it on, start/stop the video, and that's it.

The device is waterproof and I plan to use it scuba diving and kayaking.

Its a very cool video recorder very compact, comes with numerous mounting options, and records really good video.

AA batteries last about 4 hours. Rechargeable AA's last around 3 hours. A 4 GB memory card provides around 2 hours of video.

If the user interface was a little more intuitive, I would have easily given this 5 stars.

I have only used this a few times so far, but I will give my first impressions since no one else has. The gist is the quality of the video is not great but to get better in an action cam you would have to spend three times as much.

I took it mountain biking and captured a few videos. It was mostly easy to set up out of the box except the direction omit some steps in how to attach the mount to the camera. But for the most part it was easy to prepare.

The video I took was in the woods just after sunset, so it was not surprising that the first sequence was a bit dark, and the next one was too dark to use. But I though it did fairly well considering the light conditions. The camera was attached to my handlebars, so the video was predictably choppy. But all in all I would have to say it was acceptable. However the sound was terrible. With any movement of the camera the sound is unusable.

I did not use any software that comes with the camera. I have a Mac with OS 10.5. The manual said it only supports OS 10.4 or lower. But I have a SD card reader so I just used that to copy the video files directly from the card. I then used iMovie to edit them.

I think I like the camera. The video quality is not great, but I don't know if there is any other action cam in the same price range that is any better.

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I mounted this camera both on my helmet and my mountain bike and took it on some singletrack adventures. I had several wipeouts where I landed on the camera or the camera directly hit the ground, and it continues to work great! Since it is waterproof as well as shock-resistant, there are no microphone openings, which means that the sound quality is very poor. I just disabled the audio.

Overall I was very impressed with the durability, ease of use, and all of the mounting hardware that it comes with.

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I have mounted this camera on the handle bars of my Four Wheeler, On my Helmet while I Snow Board And on the Gun Barrel while I play Paintball. It's very tough, easy to use and Fun to make movies with. The video can be a little Jumpy in Rough activitys and the audio Is ABSOLUTLY worthless in EVERY situation because of the waterproof seal over the mic. For the money this is a perfect tool for beating the snot out of electronic gear and sill getting a mid level video. You wont get X games quality out of it, But you can clearly see a 300 feet per seccond paintball slam into your buddys head, the spray of snow as you almost land a 25 foot jump and the rise of a 40 foot sand dune in front of you.,,,Totaly worth it.

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I've only had the item for 2 days now, and I would agree with some of the other reviews about poor low light capabilities. But what do you expect from a cheap camera? If you want something better and have a lot of $$$, then go for the vHoldr camera or better. Video quality is comparable to what you see on Police videos.

Pros:

Price (less than half of vHoldr)

AA batteries vs. built in or lithium

Cover on the back is easy to remove and replace.

All accessories come with versus purchasing individually with the vHoldr model

Already in a waterproof enclosure unlike all other similar cameras

Movies are in AVI format versus proprietory format

No quality problems with moderate light transitions. Going from light to extreme dark will take the camera some time to adjust.

Cons:

Screen is small and symbols are hard to read/recognize.

Rather bulky but I don't know how it compares with other action cameras

Poor low light capability. Can't use at night or really dark areas. Okay in moderately dark ares like shade from a tree.

Back area where SD card and batteries are does not look very waterproof.

Sylvania DVC860D DVD/VCR Combo

• 4-head hi-fi stereo VCR with front audio/video inputs for camcorder or gaming console
• Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel digital output (for use with a compatible surround receiver)
• DVD-Video, VHS tape, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CD playback
• Quasi S-VHS playback, 19-micron heads for clear recording in EP mode, and self-cleaning tape heads
• Component-video, S-video, and composite-video outputs accommodate most TVs

With this machine you can't go wrong, 100 bucks get's you a VHS and DVD player and tons of other features. I personally love the MP3 playback on this system, no longer do I have to go to the trouble of connecting my laptop to my home entertainment center to play MP3's on surround sound.

Video playback and sound quality are just typical in comparison to other machines, it's nothing fancy nothing shabby. For 100 bucks though you can't ask for more.

This is a must for the movie and music lover on a budget!

Buy Sylvania DVC860D DVD/VCR Combo Now

Well this is something new for me -an electronics review -but I just had to put in my two cents on this product. I ordered this DVD/VCR combo for the family for Christmas after our ten-year old VCR finally bit the dust. After reading a few glowing reviews and spending less money for this unit than I did ten years ago for the old VCR, I felt like I made a great buy. But shortly after placing the order, the negative reviews started popping up for this item, and I got nervous that I once again I let the penny-pincher in me make an unwise buying decision. Well now the holidays are over, the unit is set up and running and ... (drumroll please) ... it's great! Granted I don't play DVDs like I do CDs, but I have experienced no problems whatsoever. The picture quality is first-rate. It plays Disney and various other movies without problems, though I haven't tried DVD-Rs. The VCR provides high quality images on playback of taped TV-shows, and on our worn-out old kids-videos. It even will timer record on the VCR while the DVD is playing -what a luxury! Sure it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but at this price what do you expect! My old clunker VCR was cheap and it didn't have a lot of features either, and it outlasted my friends and families fancier units by years. Here's to the Sylvania following in its hallowed footsteps!

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First off, I feel horrible even giving this piece-of-crap product 1 STAR...it deserves a ZERO!

My girlfriend and I received this DVD/VCR player for Christmas this past year. We went out and bought all of our favorite DVD's because we were so excited to finally have a DVD player.

Little did we know that the thing would only work for a month or so before making a slow, painful death. Last evening alone, we spent 1.5 hrs just trying to get the stupid thing to read a DVD, which by the way, was BRAND SPANKING NEW! It makes the most god-awful sounds you've ever heard in your life and if you are lucky enough to have it identify your DVD, don't get too excited because I GUARANTEE it will stop in the middle of the movie and start over!

Buyer beware! Even if you see this thing on sale for $5.00, think again and spend wisely. You'd be better off buying a BIG MAC or a WHOPPER than putting countless hours of misery and frustration into this ridiculous, foreign-made, over-priced JUNK MACHINE!

Sylvania has definitely taught me one thing...to stay the heck away from their cheap line of products! I'm not worried as there are other electronic consumer companies who will actually treat me with respect and provide me with a reliable, worthy product. ADIOS, Sylvania!

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I also bought the Sylvania DVC860D DVD & VCR combo as a replacement for a cheap "Monkey Wards" VCR I bought 8yrs. ago for a much greater price than this unit. What a great Christmas buy at $99.99! It works great in re-running VHS Tapes out of my library and has played all the DVD's I have burnt with my new Plextor 708A DVD Burner.Also, this unit even hooked up to my 14yr. old TV using RF cables: how about that! This product does it all that they say it will, and is a fantastic bargain. I truly recommend this product to all. Remember, just because it cost more doesn't mean its better!!

I got this for my 3 year old for Christmas mainly because I was tired of hearing all of his Disney vidoes a million times a day. Things went great for 3 months. Then the stupid thing ate Dumbo. Image a little 3 year old crying because 1. Dumbo (his favorite because we sing the songs together) is now all gone and 2. he can't watch ANY of his tapes in his room now. I really wish that I read the other reviews before getting excited about this purchase and disappointing my son. DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT! I would've been better off acting out the videos myself.

SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME CableCard TV 3-Tuner HDHR3-CC (Black)

I've been following this product since it was first promised earlier this year. I read all the gotchas, problems, etc, and thought I would be able to use that knowledge to help when I finally got the product myself and installed it. I also have an HDHR so thought it would be similar. Here's my experience:

I received it today (wonderful one-day shipping from Amazon), and had picked up my MCard (CableCard) at Cox yesterday. Hooked everything up, plugged everything in, and went through the install so far pretty straightforward. The setup did upgrade the firmware to 20110830, however, on SiliconDust's website they've released 20110920beta1, so I went ahead and upgraded to the latest. Finally get to the part where you call your cable company, and that's where things started getting interesting. The first call activated successfully, and I thought it was done, I said thank you and goodbye. But I only got basic channels, not extended (no ESPN, CNN, etc). So I called back, and she sent "hits" and "INITs", to no avail. Finally she had me unplug the Prime, pull out the CableCard, plug it back in and re-insert the CableCard. Then she re-paired it. But in my error, I gave her the wrong codes (you give them three ID codes). I didn't know that when you unplug, remove and reinsert the CableCard, it generates a new ID for the Data code. The other two codes are static. She couldn't get it to pair up again, but strangely, I started receiving all the channels! So we assumed everything was fine, even though it wasn't activated. Sure enough, in a few minutes I lost the channels again. A third call to Cox, and I gave him the correct codes (even though he was on the verge of saying he would just as soon send a tech out), and finally, it all worked!

My recommendations:

1. Get the setup and card activation done before even going into Windows Media Center. Use the SiliconDust Setup and QuickTV to verify things are working. Get familiar with the Prime setup web browser, so you can get the codes and see the status of the activation. Check the logs to see if the channels are subscribed or not.

2. Be prepared to give the cable company what they need the three (correct!) codes from a web browser pointing to the Prime. Cox didn't need any special instructions for this product. The last tech kept referring to my Tivo (I didn't correct him).

3. Once you've verified it all works from the Setup/QuickTV, close all of the HDHomeRun windows so you won't get tuner availability errors, then go into WMC and configure your TV Signal. This part actually worked great for me.

I've been watching TV for a few hours now, both on my computer and on my Windows Media Extender, with no glitches or hiccups. Will withhold final judgement until I've gone a few weeks.

(ETA, just want to say that Cox was very helpful, this was all done on a Saturday night, and the second tech even called me back after giving me some time to find the codes and so she could do some research on it.)

Update 3 1/2 weeks later: So I was missing a bunch of channels, and after several calls to Cox and an onsite visit, they said I needed a tuning adapter for Switched Digital Video (SDV) channels. The tech that came onsite didn't have any, so another trip to the Cox store, and then I hooked it up at home. The TA wouldn't lock on the signal, so a few more calls to Cox, and another onsite visit finally resulted in the SDV channels coming in, but no cable channels! Finally one more call to Cox, and now I'm getting all the channels I should be getting.

Other than the channel problem though, I have been recording several shows a week, sometimes two shows at a time, and have had zero problems! It has been very reliable.

HDHomeRunPrime provides cable card decryption for my Comcast TV. Converting the encrypted channels that you pay for (anything above ch 30 and above) into IPTV format.

I have tested it with Microsoft Media Center and have found that it works well streaming the content real time over the Ethernet. For those who do not have Microsoft you should be glad to know that they support a variety of TV watching applications (on Linux to boot). However their is one big thing to note. If a broadcast has been flagged on TV you cannot watch or record it on any program except Microsoft Media Center. Be sure to check to see if your TV provider flags all broadcasts or leaves it off by default. Comcast (which I have) leaves about 99% of their TV programing un-flagged by default. ALSO for flagged broadcasts be sure your have a complete hdcp complaint setup as the flag requires that type of DRM.

Now as for streaming stability, I have noticed that if you go to wireless and attempt to access HDTV their will be some glitches as wireless does not provide the consistent quality of service and will drop packets causing your show to stutter. Wireless N might be a possible solution to solve this issue. However all I have is wireless A and G so I cannot test N.

Recording TV shows on any PC is now possible no matter its location in the house. We have three pc's and this device can send HD TV to all three without even breaking a sweat. Keep in mind if you have Ethernet over power in your home it will have the same issues as wireless. (How do you think I know that >_>

Silicon Dust provides a TV preview window so that you can quickly see if the device is working when you activate it. Oh speaking of activation, if you have Comcast expect to set some time down to get this device activated as most reps at Comcast are not to familiar with cable card activations. Ah, one other thing if you pay for TV you have the right to get one Cable card from your TV provider free of charge. MAKE SURE for this product that you request a CABLE CARD M and NOT CABLE CARD S. (FYI You can get the cable card from your Comcast store.) I have a you tube video overview of the physical device (update you will need to look for it on youtube amazon removes links.)

(Update 1-15-2012) Having had the HDHomeRunPrime for a while I have a few observations to bring to light. First and foremost if you have multiple windows pc's and have purchased this device you will need to get each one activated with your cable provider. Second for your machines to receive HD on certain channels you will need to know if your machine is HDCP compliant. Lucky for you Microsoft has put a testing application in media center under settings to test to see if you are HDCP compliant.

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PRO 8GB USB Digital Activated Voice Recorder Mp3 player Dictaphone Black

I am not satisfied with this voice recorder for the following reasons:

1) It takes about 5 sec. to boot, once it is turned on. Then, once the REC button is pressed, it takes another 4 sec. to start recording.

2) When playing the recorded file, on 25-th second it loses the 0.5 sec. fragment of conversation, thus a word might be missing. I checked it several times.

3) While playing the recorded file, it constantly generates an audible noise like `mouse' clicking about 4 times per sec., modulated by frequency about 12kHz. So, it sounds like a whistle with clicks. Probably, the unfiltered bias on analog circuit getting noise from digital circuit during recording poor design. When using this unit as MP3 player and playing MP3 files loaded from computer, it plays them great. As a voice recorder this unit is terrible.

4) With external microphone connected, the audible noise is less loud, but quality of recorded voice is significantly lower as well.

5) In the voice activation mode, it loses a word after a pause due to long response, so this mode is useless for important conversations.

6) Sometimes, while playing a file, whether previously recorded on it or loaded from computer, it does not respond to STOP button to stop playing, or shortly pressed PLAY button to pause, and only responds to long pressed PLAY button to turn the unit off. This is intermittent problem, and it happens approximately 2 times out of 10.

Poor sound quality & virus infected! This unit is not worth trying. I felt a full refund was warranted for the risks involved.

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It is easy to carry around because it is so small, and the recording quality is high. What I didn't like too much was the instruction manual. It was a little difficult to understand. I think it was the translation.

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Very disappointing product:

Poor quality:

The glossy coating on the black plastic case is peeled off near buttons

One button is defective

The product did not work

The manual is terrible (unless you can read the section in Chinese) the English tranlation is unreadable (the loudspeaker is called 'trumpet'... and the sentences do not make any sense)

Not worth it despite the cheap price

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Yeah, even with the instructions I can't even figure out how to make this thing work. I thought I almost had it once, but it was just wishful thinking.

Sony ICD-P17 Digital Voice Recorder with USB Connectivity

Pros:

Large 278 minutes recording capacity at the highest (and only) recording quality mode

Good recording quality

Lightweight, but feels substantial

Small learning curve

Informative LCD display

Cons:

Does not include software for Mac OS X

Play/stop toggle button is not very tactile

Memory not expandable

No carrying case, batteries not included

After looking at digital voice recorders in similar price range and feature sets (USB connectivity, long recording time), I chose the Sony ICD-P17. While it's not among the smallest recorders out there (Olympus takes that honor), it has a *usable* recording capacity of 4 hours and 38 minutes (keep in mind that each recording takes up minimum of 9 seconds worth of space). The ICD-P17 has one and only one recording mode (mono 150 to 3,500 Hz), optimized for 16 MB flash memory capacity. Almost all other recorders specify the LP (long play) recording capacity, which in most cases sound poor. Their SP (short play) recording capacity is often less than half the LP capacity.

The ICD-P17 is not tiny (about as tall as an average-sized palm and about half-an-inch thick), but it fits comfortably in anyone's palm. Located at the top side are connectors for external microphone and earphone.

To the right side are record/stop and pause buttons, rewind/play/stop/forward toggle switch, hold slider (sliding up disables buttons and turns off LCD), volume knob, and USB connector.

Located on the front face are microphone, speaker, LCD display, folder button to toggle between 5 folders (each folder can have up to 99 recordings), divide button for dividing/combining recordings, display button to toggle between elapsed time/remaining time/date/time, menu button, microphone sensitivity button (high for quiet environment, low for noisy environment), and erase and stop buttons.

The ICD-P17 takes two 2 AAA batteries (not included), which are good for about 10 hours of recording and about 8 hours of playback. Included are USB cable and Digital Voice Editor 2 software that runs on Windows. Connect it to your PC's USB port and you can download recordings for archival purpose (or convert them to MP3 or WAV format). Since ICD-P17 is a USB 1.1 device, transferring 1-hour worth of recording will take 36 secoonds or so.

I've had the last two versions of this voice recorder (lost the first one) and have watched the features evolve...as well as my use of them. This is by far the best value for the money. At this point the higher end Sony VRs haven't created the incremental value to make it worth it. The cheaper VRs (Sony's and others) leave out features that you will probably regret if you're using this for any lecture records, interviews, notetaking, interviews, etc. Here's my take:

1. you will want to transfer the recordings

You WILL want to archive something, email it, or you just clear out some space in memory but haven't listened to/transcribed what you last recorded. If you buy a VR that has no means of getting the files off, I'm pretty confident you'll find yourself frustrated within the first few weeks. The only exception might be if you're just logging a bunch of little personal notes. I have a memory stick version, which simply means it's a less easy (more expensive) device to transfer the files than this USB model. USB is the right solution by far at this stage in the game and it allows you to get the data off from almost any computer...the alternative is dragging around a 6-in-1 card reader if you need to transfer something in a pinch.

2. this recording time is plenty

This is more that 4 hrs of recording time. Even in very intensive use (multiple, sequential interviews) I've never run out. Given that the transfer to computer is so easy and quick, you simply get in the habit of moving this file(s) after your recording. You're not losing anything by not having removable/upgradeable media.

3. good usability on the device

They've simplified things from the earlier models -buttons and function are B+ intuitive (it's no ipod, but close). Key functions are well thought out and not-so-obvious ones are also there. Comfortable, lightweight form factor means you can slip it into a sports coat, small purse, shirt pocket (it will slip out if you lean over, trust me). It's solid state and 'throw it in the briefcase tough'.

4. mic/device is best for proximate recording

Dictation, lectures (if you can put it on the podium or near a speaker), songwriting, etc. Other folks have noted that meetings can be a little muddled. Agreed. Sound quality is VERY GOOD for this kind of recording. Listening through the speaker is fine for general use, but you'll get a notably better sound of you use even a cheap earphone.

5. get rechargables

If you do any regular recording (say, more than 2x per month) you'll end up spending more that you realize if you don't. Sony makes a great set for their digital cameras that seemingly last forever.

6. ignore transcription/speech-to-print software

As much as I'd want this to work, it just doesn't seem to cut it. I've trained ViaVoice (more than 3 hrs) and played with Dragon, and even-learned-to-talk-so-the-computer-can-understand-me-more-clearly. Useless. No time savings correcting things, and you appropriately feel like a idiot for make a simple thing way to complex. I wish it was different, but I think most reviewers for these packages will agree.

OVERALL: You'll probably have some regrets if downgrade for this unit and you'll probably be frustrated with units that are more expensive -the more expensive ones are a bit overstuffed with some odd features. This is right about where the device should be. Good luck, enjoy, hope this is helpful.

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This is a nice-looking little recorder, and it is certainly cheaper than the $150 Sony ICDST10, but the audio, while generally OK for dictation, is, in my opinion, just not good enough for recording meetings or lectures. The ICDP17's audio quality is approximately the same as the Sony ICDST10 in "LP" mode. The difference between this unit and the Sony ICDST10 is that the ICDST10 will record around two hours of VERY good audio (in "SP" mode, using Sony's LPEC Codec), or a bit over five and a half hours in "LP" mode (compared to a little over four and a half hours for the ICDP17). The Sony ICDMS515 has even better sound quality (and with Memory Sticks available up to 256MB, can record hours and hours of audio), but at $250 (not counting the extra you'll spend to upgrade the woefully inadequate 8MB Memory Stick Sony includes), this is way out of the ICDP17's price range. In my opinion, $150 for the Sony ICDST10 is a much better deal than $99 for the ICDP17.

Read Best Reviews of Sony ICD-P17 Digital Voice Recorder with USB Connectivity Here

I just list the major points to save your time:

1. Only one recording model, there is no LP/HP function.

2. Good shap, endurable, light weight.

3. No background or static noise like tape recorder or Olimpus ditigal recorders.

4. Price is fair, affordable for student.

5. Can't record good when distance is over 10 feet. Place it on the table which close to the speaker or preacher, the recording is almost perfect. I record my sermons when I preach, it works great.

6. Files transfer b/w PC and recorder is extremely fast.

7. Doesn't support any music format, and not a good recorder for music events.

Averagely, 85-90% satisfaction.

Hope this help.

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Sony ICD-P17 omes with USB cable and PC sofware to download and review the recording.

There is ONE recording mode. It provides over 4 hours (278 minutes) of recording capability at great quality! It has five folders for you to store your recording and a timer to remind you. You can also add recording to an exisiting recording can't think of the need for it to record lecture : )

Check it out. I am sure you will find it worths the money.

Flip Ultra Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL

I've made a video review, using the Flip Ultra Camcorder, so that you can see the audio/video quality (Keep in mind I had to compress the video a little bit for Amazon), and I also show how to use the camcorder.

In my opinion, this is an excellent camcorder for a novice, or someone who just wants an easy to use camcorder that is small and compact. I personally don't need more than 2 hours recording time and it's wonderful not having to purchase tapes.

The price is actually less than many digital cameras. I've wanted to own a camcorder for a long time, and the Flip Ultra has finally met my standards for: quality, value, and ease of use.

I have two Flip camcorders the MinoHD, and the Flip Ultra (this product).

I consider this one to be the younger brother to the MinoHD, with lower video quality, but also some things I like better than the HD model. Therefore I'm giving this 3.5 stars, and here is why.

Here's what I like BETTER:

1. the larger viewing screen on the camera as compared to the HD version, this one has a much better viewing screen and a much better field of vision. the HD version has to be some distance away from what you're filming in order to get a good view, but with the ultra you can be much closer to your subject and still see all around them

2. more space 120 minutes means I can carry this thing with me all day and take create 640x480 video, up to 2 hours worth, and that's important if you're out and about (although I wish there was a way to put a memory card into it for more space)

3. The product has a better surface for holding and gripping the camera. The HD version is glossy and slick, where as the Ultra version has a more matte finish on the case so it's easier to hold.

Here's what I don't especially care for:

1. It requires batteries. The HD model is rechargeable, so you just plug it into the USB on your computer and the battery recharges itself. The Flip Ultra takes AA batteries, and while you certainly can use rechargeable batteries, I consider this a step backward. (the batteries also add weight)

2. it's only 640x480 this is pretty much bottom end for video capture these days, especially when most digital cameras are now able to record in HD dimensions; if you are super concerned about presenting your finished video in HD, this product is NOT for you

What is the same?

1. The USB plug is a flip-out in both models, you just press on the release latch and the USB plug flips out just plug it into your computer and the software starts up automatically (note that the ultra version does have the latest version of the software which has some additional picture capture and uploading options you can get this from the website too)

2. From power on, to ready to go, both cameras are FAST. Push the power button, set the date/time (only first time you turn it on) and the camera is ready to go. Push the record button and you're off. Much faster than many digital cams on the market.

3. One button recording same on both, it's a big red button that you can't miss.

4. Good sound quality. The mic on the front of the device gets the sound quite well, without the need for external mic.

5. TV output cable and plug. If you want to show your video on a TV without having a computer around, you can use the included audio/video plug to watch your movies (just remember that your battery will run down faster)

Overall I think this is a great addition to the Flip video line just consider it the more consumer version vs. prosumer (HD level). For the price, storage space, and ease of carrying it everywhere, I'm giving it 3.5 stars. I removed 1.5 stars because of lack of rechargeable features, and it's slightly heavier than the HD model.

Buy Flip Ultra Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Now

Showing the 2nd generation Flip in action: using the Flip and what's in the box, some video samples, and a quick movie editing example using the Windows version of the Flip software.

Read Best Reviews of Flip Ultra Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Here

The new Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation comes in with a few tweaks over the original Ultra. Most notably the internal memory jumps from 2GB to 4GB which equates to about 2 hours of video. Image quality is much improved via the new installed software package. Audio on this model is more enhanced then previous versions via the upgraded microphone. This model accommodates both Mac and Windows operating systems. The LCD screen is expanded from 1.5" to 2". The control buttons are larger. The sliding power button is no more. The tekkies at Flip opted for the industry standard push button. This unit is slightly larger then the original Ultra. The body is plastic and comes in black, pink, white, and yellow with a chrome finish.

Simplicity at its best, above average video is obtained with 640x480 resolution video at 30fps, compressing it using H.264, and encodes it as MPEG 4. As with all Flip gear, shooting and transferring videos to a computer or even uploading them to file sharing sites is simple. The on board 2x digital zoom is a gadget at best and is practically useless. First time mini camcorder buyers should be aware that manual, advanced or still capture settings are not an option. However, the preloaded software package easily allows stills to be pulled direct from video.

For a low resolution model, the Ultra produces above average video as long as one views it via the programmed format on the computer monitor or TV. Enlarging to full screen will not only distort the image, it will also bring on the noise demons. That said, colors were well saturated, sound was good and low light performance was average at best. Buyers should keep in mind that a steady hand is paramount to good video. A tripod will make all the difference in shooting quality video.

Powered up via (2) AA alkaline batteries, this unit opts for a simple video out port that displays low resolution video on TV. The basic composite AV cable (RED/WHITE/YELLOW PLUGS) ships with the device. The folks at Flip throw in batteries, wrist strap and a soft, zip string cover to protect the Ultra's plastic finish. The cover will not come close to protecting the mini cam from bumps and drops. It goes without saying that a memory card slot or even rechargeable batteries would have made this product an even sweeter investment.

By no means will the Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation be confused with any of the top dollar units. However, it is a system that can and will cover the basics for web based video. For those that do not wish to sink the extra bucks into a top of the line mini camcorder, this model will more than cover the bill.

Want Flip Ultra Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Discount?

If you've done any camcorder shopping at all, it doesn't take long to realize that we've got a problem with function/feature overload. You could pick camcorder A with night vision, steady hand, and sepia filming capabilities...or you could pick camcorder B with the touch screen, HD video quality, and 50 other functions that you'd never use... The list, as you no doubt have discovered, goes on and on.

This is why I LOVE my Flip. Within 2 minutes of opening the box, it was on and ready to start recording. Within those same two minutes, I'd read the instructions on how to record, playback, and download the videos onto my computer. In my opinion, this is brilliant technology it's small, convenient, and incredibly simple. Still want high-quality videos, not to worry, this puppy can capture 'em.

If you're an aspiring filmmaker with a commitment to the best of the best of the best...the Flip's probably not the best choice for you. But if you're like the vast majority of people who just want a quality camcorder (and be honest, even though they sound cool, you won't use a quarter of those features on the $400+ camcorders) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, buy the Flip. It's incredible.