Showing posts with label small digital recorders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small digital recorders. Show all posts

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Toshiba SD-2200 DVD Player

Toshiba SD-2200 DVD Player
  • Dual-disc capacity plays DVDs and CDs
  • Built-in Dolby Digital decoding
  • HDCD decoding and precision filtering
  • DTS and Dolby Digital output
  • Optical and coaxial-digital output

After going through several DVD Players, I have found the PERFECT ONE -the Toshiba 2200 DVD Player!

This player features everything that one needs to start watching the movies you love:

* S-Video/ Component Video

* Dolby Digital Decoder

* Zoom (3 levels)

* Dual tray

* Coaxial & Digital audio output

It plays every DVD flawlessly, and the audio quality is superb. Do not even think about buying anything else, this is the player to get. It is worth every penny!

Buy Toshiba SD-2200 DVD Player Now

After receiving this DVD player, I was able to set it up and start watching movies in less than five minutes. The picture is excellent, comparable to DVD players that cost hundreds more. The remote takes some getting used to, but is actually quite functional and logical in its setup. The value gets even better when you realize that it supports DTS audio as well. And to those who complain about the lack of an eject button on the remote, it's because if you have an entertainment center like I do, you probably don't want the tray banging against the glass when it comes out of the player. The fact is this player is easy to use, produces great audio and video, and is priced well to match. If you want a good high-end DVD player, the 2200 does the trick in every aspect. Gotta go now, finding more DVD's to watch this weekend!

Read Best Reviews of Toshiba SD-2200 DVD Player Here

This is my first DVD player that I bought, and I was initially very happy with it....great price, great sound, great picture quality.

Then about 3 1/2 months after I received it, it stopped playing discs. I took it to an authorized Toshiba service center in late October, and after a few weeks found out the broken part was on backorder until Late November (suggesting that this is a flaw not unique to my machine). I still haven't gotten it back.... Furthermore, although the parts are covered by warranty, labor is not. A little ridiculous to pay for service to a machine that is not even half a year old.

My recommendation-don't buy as many people are having problems with it (look through other reviews) due to both shoddy equiptment and a dismal warranty.

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I have found this player to be of great value for the price I paid. Nice features include the option for optical, digital, or 5.1 output, easy to use interface, and a dual-DVD/CD changer. The sound is crystal clear, making the perfect complement to my Sony STR-DE835 receiver. All the extra features are great except for the fact that the remote is impossible to read in the dark, and the SD-2200 will _NOT_ play CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, or other such recordable media. However, it will play all your normal CDs, and even decodes the seldom used, but nice to hear, HDCD, or High-Definition Compatible Digital format, which effectively doubles the sampling rate of CDs (from 44kHz to 88kHz), for an incredibly clear CD listening experience. All in all, this player is a great choice for sub-$400 DVD players.

I've had my Toshiba DVD for nearly 1 year now, and for the last 4 months or so, there have been numerous problems, like frozen pictures, "lost" discs,high pixelation, etc. I finally got fed up and brought it to an authorized Toshiba service center. Firstly, it's only fully warranted for 90 days. After that, it's parts only for 1 year. This repair will cost me $125.00. Nice. Thanks. Also, the AUTHORIZED service center has had my DVD for 5 weeks and counting..."Maybe some time next week," they say. I'm sticking with Sony from now on!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Canon FS400 Flash Memory Camcorder with 41x Advanced Zoom and SDXC Card Slot (Silver)

Canon FS400 Flash Memory Camcorder with 41x Advanced Zoom and SDXC Card SlotI received this yesterday (22 Apr 2011).

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I wanted a basic camcorder to capture the typical kids events, vacation stuff, etc. I'm not trying to make pro quality videos, so the Standard Definition is fine...the widescreen format is a plus. Prior to purchasing this, my main concerns were what file type it would record as and how smoothly the transfer to my computer would go. Videos on the SD card are recorded as a .mod file which are converted to a .mpg during transfer (if you use the Pixela software that comes with the camcorder). Transferring to the computer was pretty straight forward and fairly intuitive...my old Vista machine with a 1.8Ghz processor easily handled the transfer and conversion. The size of the device is great; it truly fits in the palm of my hand. The ergonomics are laid out well. On screen menus are not overly cumbersome or confusing. The LCD panel is very bright and readable outdoors. Video quality is what I expected from a camcorder at this price not eye popping good, but not grainy and jerky either. Videos are clear and smooth. I haven't taken enough videos to judge the battery life or video quality in different settings. Overall, I feel like I got what I paid for. At this time, I'll say, "So Far, So Good".

This has been a nightmare! I called Apple, researched for hours, and still couldn't find how to make this camera compatible with iMacs and iMovie.

Well, it took a call to Canon where I spoke with a very pleasant representative after zero wait! Here's how you do it:

1) Open up iMovie

2) Turn on your camera

3) Display your recorded clip on the camera screen (don't play it just display it)

4) Plug the USB into the computer USB port (no firewire necessary)

Voila!! There it is. Just import it from the camera and you're on you way to editing fun. I had all this done and my video uploaded on YouTube within 10 minutes.

Have a good time with this wonderful little camera. It may not be HD but the pictures are sharp, the color is brilliant and I can't tell the difference. It's not hard to use and its not hard to carry. I highly recommend this little super priced camera.

Buy Canon FS400 Flash Memory Camcorder with 41x Advanced Zoom and SDXC Card Slot (Silver) Now

This is my first camcorder i found easy to use the instruction were excellent. Battery life was good, although I bought a battery charger, as charging with out one took a long time. Transferring onto computer was good, and the vision was good.

Read Best Reviews of Canon FS400 Flash Memory Camcorder with 41x Advanced Zoom and SDXC Card Slot (Silver) Here

Seemed to fit the bill for a small road-trip video camera. It zooms in pretty well and seems to stay focused ok for a camera in this price range. The software it comems with seems a bit goofy and it did not recognize the camera when it was plugged in to the USB port. I had to pop out the mem card and plug that in instead.

Overrall ... not bad for the money.

Want Canon FS400 Flash Memory Camcorder with 41x Advanced Zoom and SDXC Card Slot (Silver) Discount?

I bought this camcorder because I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money.

Pros:

Inexpensive, great for first time camera owners, video quality looks pretty decent, handle of it feels good.Pretty sturdy as well, dropped it twice and held its own.

Cons:

The zoom is good however when you get to the further-est zoom it starts to look fuzzy and hazy..The focus up close does the same when you come from far then have to come back . I don't like where the button to record is, it should be off to the left not on the back. When you want to watch a video on your device its either to loud or to low.. nothing in between.

I guess I can't complain, it was like 60 bucks.

Safe to say though IT DOES THE JOB!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Mitsuba DV3000BLK 16MP (Interpolated) SD/SDHC Digital Camcorder w/8x Digital Zoom, 2.4" LCD & Carry

Mitsuba DV3000BLK 16MP SD/SDHC Digital Camcorder w/8x Digital Zoom, 2.4' LCD & Carry CaseLove this camera. easy to use. but picture isn't he best quality. good for the money if you need something easy to use

It sounded like it would be a great, easy to use, simple camcorder but the battery is terrible and the memory is even worse.

Buy Mitsuba DV3000BLK 16MP (Interpolated) SD/SDHC Digital Camcorder w/8x Digital Zoom, 2.4" LCD & Carry Now

This is not a bad little unit , but it has it's drawbacks. The veiw screen is far from as clear as I'd hoped for not good in low light. The other point is the zoom,the switch is really hard to make work every time. I haven't worked with this as much as I'd like to see if I can over come these faults , sometimes problems are operater error. Not bad camera for the money....

Read Best Reviews of Mitsuba DV3000BLK 16MP (Interpolated) SD/SDHC Digital Camcorder w/8x Digital Zoom, 2.4" LCD & Carry Here

The video is fine (not great though you definitely need a well-lit room, and only shoot in early morning), but the audio is barely intelligible. There's also no jack for an external microphone, so unless you want to record with another device and try to synchronize it later in editing (not exactly a fun task), think hard before buying it. You can get a normal digital camera that shoots video clips, with decent audio, for a similar price.

Want Mitsuba DV3000BLK 16MP (Interpolated) SD/SDHC Digital Camcorder w/8x Digital Zoom, 2.4" LCD & Carry Discount?

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Kodak PlaySport (ZX5) Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle (Includes Remote Control, Tripod, 4 GB

Kodak PlaySport Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle - Burton BundleThe Kodak PlaySport Zx3 (the older model) was a pretty good camcorder (better than most in this category), so I was thrilled when I found out there was a new model coming out. However, Kodak made some changes that I was really disappointed about:

SENSOR SIZE:

When it comes to video quality one of the most important things to look at is the size of the sensor. The (new) Zx5 has a 1/3.2 sensor which is smaller than the (old) Zx3 with a 1/2.5 sensor. Basically, bigger is better when it comes to sensor size. Smaller sensors result in more "noise" which will affect the image quality. This is especially a problem in low-light situations. (I think the video quality is good in bright light situations, but it is a bit grainy in low light.)

Now I don't expect too much from a $179 camcorder, but the older model which came out at $149 (and is now even cheaper), has a bigger sensor (with the same CMOS type and 5 MP size). What's up with that? Newer models are supposed to get better, not worse!

BATTERY:

The other significant change is that the Zx5 has an integrated battery. Yes, that means it's non-removable. Which means that you can no longer keep spare batteries for "just in case"... and you know the battery always runs out at the worst possible moment. And, even worse, if the battery malfunctions/dies the camera is useless and you have to send it to Kodak for them to replace the battery ($$). And besides, what's the point of making a camera that is capable of recording up to TEN hours (on a 32GB card) when a single battery charge can't last even close to that?

If you can get past those two BIG negatives then you might want to read about the GOOD changes:

----Macro mode has been added. (7 17 cm). This is a really great feature.

----Focus range: Zx5 is ~4 inches to infinity, while the older Zx3 is ~39 inches to infinity.

----camera is now shockproof. (Good for those of us who drop things. I am guilty of that.)

----Special "Cool Capture Effects" added. This is really great for all you creative types.

----sharing videos online is a bit easier with this model. ("3-step sharing")

----records in MP4 format. The older model recorded in the MOV format. MP4 format is easier to work with in most video editing software.

The other positives about this camera (but these are not new features):

----Waterproof (up to 10 feet)... but being able to record in macro under water is new.

----Image stabilization is pretty good for a pocket camera.

----Face detection ability

----Can record up to 10 hours if you get a 32 GB card

----Small and comfortable to hold on to.

Comparing to Flip and Sony:

I also considered buying the Flip UltraHD, but its image sensor is even smaller. It is 1/4.5. The Sony Bloggie was a good contender with its sensor being 1/2.5, and it takes better quality still photos, but it's not waterproof and it also has the internal battery issue. You're not going to find a perfect, pocket sized camera with all the features you want, and all for under $200. So, essentially, you have to decide which features are most important to you, and which features you are going to sacrifice.

Overall, this is a pretty good camcorder and is filled with tons of good features, but I think it's really too bad that Kodak made those changes with the sensor and the battery. Otherwise, this really would have been an awesome little camcorder. Despite those 2 big negatives, I bought this camera anyway (instead of the Zx3). (I really wanted the macro mode and mp4 format). If most of your filming will be in low-light situations I wouldn't recommend this camera. It's good if most of your filming will be outdoors or in bright light.

If you do decide to get this camcorder, or any camcorder that uses SD/SDHC cards for that matter, be sure you get a fast card (a Class 6 or higher). A slow card can cause problems when recording.

Also, the HDMI cable is not included with the Zx5. They will send you one if you pay shipping & handling ($6.50). The other problem that people may not know of is that if you happen to own the Zx3 and already have an HDMI cable and think you can use it on this camera then think again. You're out of luck. The Zx5 uses a smaller cable. It uses the micro HDMI cable (type D).

I did a lot of research before buying this camera and still had a hard time choosing. Hopefully this review will be helpful to you.

(((I had to compress the uploaded video because of Amazon's file size limitation. The original is better quality.)))

***********************************

~~~Update 3-24-11:

I don't feel this camera is as bad as what some of the negative reviews imply. Sure, I shot some video that was horrible and really grainy, but I was in really low-light and I was moving too fast. I got much better results after slowing down. And filming in really bright light gave great results. What I really love about this camera is that I can get really close to my subject. I was only about 10 to 15 inches away from the birds in the uploaded video. (You can't get closer than 39" with the Zx3).

Also, my HDMI cable arrived today from Kodak so I was finally able to watch my videos on my 55" TV and I have to admit the picture quality was quite good. (so good that I'm changing my review to 4 stars). I actually seemed to get the best results from the 720p recordings. The biggest challenge is low-light. The lower the light levels, the more obvious the graininess is.

Kodak Playsport Zx5, is the more durable, weatherproof replacement for the first generation playsport, the Zx3, this one offers some new features better than the Zx3, yet leaves some features that i yearn they should have left on the Zx5.

I am happy with the waterproof feature, its perfect for any summer holiday with your friends or family. However, dont drop it while your swimming because if it sinks deeper than 10 Ft., the pressure will force water through the seals (always use the included lanyard). Also, dont use it on normal beaches as the water usually isnt clear enough to be able to record anything, recording in swimming pools however, is entirely different. The clarity of a pool makes for some interesting recordings underwater that you dont usually see with regular camcorders like the Flip mino.

The anti-glare feature is a nice touch, especially on the beach, its a software that artificially reduces the glare from your screen, but it does not effect the recording one bit, just the screen.

The menu is pretty cryptic, no words, just alot of symbols which i am fine with, you are gonna read the instructions anyways, and most of the symbols are pretty self explanatory, the only real problem with this is that new people you let borrow the recorder might be a bit confused.

Now, what does Kodak Zx5 offers to substitute the previous model?

The first feature, sharing button system is created to simplify the video or image sharing process to popular social networks. With its new share button applied on the video camera, I just press a button and the video will be uploaded automatically. But to make it work, it has to be plugged into a computer with the software isntalled. Kodak has also added some new popular social network sites like Flickr, KODAK Gallery, and ORKUT.

Second, it has macro mode, which enables me to shoot and focus small objects. This is an interesting feature and in my opinion this is a great main additional feature offered by Kodak. Great for recording small objects such as bugs or items. On recorders without macro, smaller items would just be blurred out of focus if the camera got too close.

third, I can play out my creativity with its four capture effects. Theres black and white, sepia, bright colors and even the 70s film style. With this new feature, you can edit and trim your video with any style effects on the unit itself.

fourth, the battery is not swappable unlike the zx3, so if you like carrying multiple batteries around for convenience, that's not possible. That sucks because with the zx3 the battery isnt all to expensive and you would carry around one or two extra ones in your bag for backup. For the Zx5, the battery has to be charged again until you can use it which will take a couple hours. For one charge, recording in 720p 64 FPS, i managed 137 minuutes which isnt all to bad, but that means when i go out for travel, i will need to bring the charger and charge at night, a bit of an annoyance, however, i am used to apple products being like this, and i have a usb charger in my car so its not a deal breaker for me.

last, all the recorded video files are in .mp4 format instead of the previous .mov format, .mp4 is much more compatible with more programs and easier to edit (as i was so generously reminded by another reviewer). All the files are stored on the HC (high capacity) SD card, i have a 32 GB card in it right now so i can hold up to 10 hours of recording, not bad.

Don't be surprised if HDMI cables and other related accessories arnt there as you will have to pay S&H for kodak to ship one to you.

The other thing I found is, besides with its waterproof condition, Kodak announces this new model will be shockproof and dustproof too. The previous generation playsport only offered waterproofing up to 10 ft, but i guess if its waterproof, naturally, it should be dust proof too right?

Overall, this is a great combination of HD recording filled with editing, social networking, and weatherproofing features.

I bought these to help my little brother record his golf swing, i use the 720 64 FPS setting, which helps address parts of his swing that he is doing incorrectly, its no high speed camera, but its nice that such an affordable camcorder will suffice. I can pause at certain parts, and the swing will clearly stop with only little blur, 32 FPS cameras would skip some portions of the swing as there are not enough shots per second to capture many nuances of a fast golf swing.

Specs:

* Shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof up to 10 ft

* Kodak's Share button lets you choose your favorite sharing destination, e-mail address, or Kodak Pulse Display

* Full 1080p HD videos and 5 MP HD stills, with auto focus

* Get sharper videos and less blur thanks to built-in digital image stabilization

* On-camera editing

* HD720 at 32 or 64 FPS

* HD1080 at 32 FPS

Buy Kodak PlaySport (ZX5) Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle (Includes Remote Control, Tripod, 4 GB Now

i own the zx3. so when kodak said they where bringing out another waterproof camera with macro i couldnt wait to see what it was like.

it is alot like all the other kodak camcorders. it records in the following:

WVGA, 720p 30 and 60 FPS, 1080p

it also has a 5 megapixel camera option on it.

it has 4 extra colour effects which are good if the mood strikes.

normal, High Saturation, 70's film, Black and white and Sepia

it also has the glare shield which the zx3 has. the difference with the zx5 is it has a sensor which change's the screen automaticaly. i have tried it and it works very well.

i found the low light to be better than the zx3. the 60fps low light was really good.

it has an internal battery which some people dont like. i thought it would be a problem to but after having the zx5 for nearly a week i havent even noticed the internal battery.

you can record 2 hours and 35 mins in 720p at 30fps. which is better than the zx3.

you can edit the video on the camera its self and then press the share button to upload it on to facebook, youtube and other sites. you also have the arcsoft software that comes with the camera.

the zx5 has water correction which i would ashume works the same as the H20 setting on the zx3. the underwater video is a lot better than the zx3. it is very clear and the autofocus works very well underwater.

here is some underwater tests using both cameras:

[..]

some people have said about the zx5 having bad audio. i have had a lot of pocket HD camcorders and some of them had bad sound others have had really good sound. to me the sound is ok. i would admit that the zx3 has slightly better sound but to me the zx5's sound is ok.

here is a sound test which was done. i dont think the sound is that bad.

[..]

kodak have said that the zx3 will be discountinued soon. which means that the zx5 will take its place. i think that the zx5 has a lot to offer. the zx3 has some huge shoes to fill but it also has had its issues to.

the only issues i have found so far are that there is a background noise when using the camera underwater. also sometimes when you move the camera infront of the sun you get a bronze flash on the screen. some times the autofocus tries to focus behind you when there is nothing there. its not as bad as the sony bloggie cm5 but it is there.

i do like the zx5 and i have really enjoyed using it. i dont find the sound an issue and having used the zx5 for nearly a week i havent had any problems with the internal battey.

at the end of the day you have to make up your mind what you want and what camcorder fits those needs.

here are some pros and cons for the zx3 and zx5:

ZX3 Pros:

Cheaper. better sound. removable battery.

Cons:

soon to be discontinued. zoom has problem. low light is grainy. some have green pixels in low light. low light not so good. records 1 hour and 20mins per charge

ZX5 Pros:

has macro. has auto focus. better underwater video capture. battery records 2 and a half hours per charge. zoom is better. video quality is better. has special colour effects. low light is better. its dust proof, water proof and shock proof.

Cons:

slight background noise when underwater. bronze flash sometimes on sunny days. autofocus can sometimes jump. which means it goes out of focus for a couple of seconds.

so there you go. i really like my zx5 and i think i will be using it alot more than the old zx3. i hope this has helped.

for more videos and reviews check out Chrisc74 on youtube.

Read Best Reviews of Kodak PlaySport (ZX5) Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle (Includes Remote Control, Tripod, 4 GB Here

For $109 this is the very best PocketCam on the market, no competition whatsoever still here in late 2011.

I bought mine locally in June for a heftier price, but I have had nothing but a great experience with my Kodak PlaySport ZX5.

I was lucky enough to had access to the earlier model, the ZX3, I borrowed it from a friend last summer for a camping trip. It worked great and I was very impressed with it.

The OBVIOUS improvements with the ZX5 are small but worth the extra $10 or so over a new ZX3. If I already had a ZX3 I would have a harder time deciding if I would upgrade, but in the end I know me and I know I would step up to the ZX5.

The improvements I noticed was the awesome quality of the LCD display itself compared the ZX3 and other brands I have used. The anti-glare feature is a huge plus, in the blaring sun I had no issues seeing every detail in the display. At night this model had a slight advantage over the ZX3 and a few other pocketcams I've used. I recorded about 2 hours of footage of wildlife at night in the rain and the video turned out amazing. Only light was the moon and our distant camping lantern. In the city, specifically downtown Minneapolis at night, I have gotten some great footage and the quality is more than acceptable.

Another improvement is the macro feature. I needed to take close-ups of plant foliage and bugs and the ZX3 was OK but when I first used the ZX5 for the same purpose the difference was amazing. I got much improved details in video and picture quality, this upgrade alone is worth the change for me as I do a lot of close-up videos and pics of smaller items in large environments. The quality of the pictures is more than acceptable but nothing great, most smartphones probably have better cameras but it's definitely good enough. I remember having an HP camera back in the day that did 3MP and I thought those were good, so a 5MP in today's standards on a piece of equipment like this is fine for me.

The smaller lenses sensor is actually better than the original on the ZX3, a much wider angle view and the quality upgrade although not very noticeable is noticeable. This sensor is definitely an improvement over the first. Don't be fooled by some reviews that claim it's worse, they fail to understand that bigger is not always better, especially in the pocketcam world.

Many also do not like the "fixed" battery. I love it. Sure it would be nice to be able to switch out batteries when needed, but being this camera and it's battery can film at 720p at 60 frames for hours, I did almost 4 hours on and off, mostly on, before mine went low to where I needed to plug in it. A little planning doesn't hurt. But if your main issue with this camera is you can't film enough with the battery life given, you need to by a professional camcorder already.

Again, the two biggest negatives I have seem from legit buyers is the smaller sensor and the fixed battery. These to me are NON-ISSUES and had ZERO factor in me deciding my purchase.

Another negative I see is that it freezes during filming, this was due to old firmware and the latest update fixes this issue. I never had the issue, but a friend with a ZX5 did and she did the update and it never froze again. Anyone buying a new ZX5 after August doesn't really even need to worry about the update. If you look closely at the 1 and 2 star reviews, most of them complain about this issue and if you notice the last complaint was many months ago. The issue is fixed so it's a MOOT issue. The ZX5 does not deserve so many 1 and 2 star ratings. A good percentage of these folks are giving bad reviews because they needed a professional camcorder and were too cheap to go buy one.

Going over the upgrades again, the focus range is much improved, the macro feature is GOLD, records in .MP4 which is THEE standard currently and a huge improvement over the .mov files on the ZX3, indestructible, feels very comfortable and natural in hand, for $100 what more do you want?

If you're debating between other pocketcams just end that debate and go with the ZX5.

If you're debating between a pocketcam and a regular or professional camcorder, all you really need to know is what you plan on using the cam for. For 90% of the populations need, the Kodak ZX5 meets and exceeds those needs.

I will be buying two of these from Amazon for Xmas gifts.

NOTE: Don't skimp on a the SDHC card, get the class 10. I buy Fuji but it's the only brand I've ever used so I can't comment on the other cheaper brands. Even the Sony cards have had issues, but to each their own.

NEW AS OF 12/9/2011-

I just bought another Zx5 for my brother and I will be buying another for a friend for Xmas. This comment is now from a VERIFIED AMAZON PURCHASER. lol My Zx5 I've had since early summer 2011 and I paid a much higher price than what's offered here now. It's a no-brainer deal.

Price of Zx5 is now $99. I'd throw it 6 stars if I could.

Want Kodak PlaySport (ZX5) Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle (Includes Remote Control, Tripod, 4 GB Discount?

I don't know why people would give anything higher than two stars. This camera is OK at best.

I'll start with the bad:

1) Low light shows the weakness in the ccd. Tons of noise in the dark areas, just total chaos. Especially if you move around (Like at a club or party). Even in the daylight technicolor noise can be seen in mid-tones and shadows.

2) Packaging. It comes with so little. Just a USB cable, and send away for a HDMI cable? Are you kidding!? Obvious personal-information/advertising ploy and totally unnecessary. Not even a case is included.

3) The Battery is not easily replaceable. I haven't looked into how to really open it up (possibly voiding the warranty) to replace it if it DOES die but I wouldn't want to do it away from a clean workbench. I BOUGHT THE AMAZON SUGGESTED BATTERY. DON'T DO IT!!! Currently I'm trying to figure out how to return it to the 3rd party, but since the battery isn't a plug and play deal do not buy it! You're just wasting time.

4) Menu navigation is sluggish/laggy but works OK since you won't go to it often and is simple and straightforward.

The good:

1) If you stick this thing on a tripod, during a sunny day, and set it to either 1080p or 720p -not 720p60the image is acceptable for a sub $200 camera. Photos are also acceptable, but I've seen sub $150 photo cameras that take better pictures.

2) Super fast start-up. Takes pretty much just a one count and its ready to shoot. Very nice.

3) Tripod hole on the bottom. Also very nice.

4) Not overloaded with a mess of buttons so it's easy to do the major tasks without too much fuss.

5) The anti-shake works very very well.

Ultimately this Camera is OK, not amazing as the specs -and some suspect reviewsindicate. Tripod daylight use is the best you can get I think in a sub $200 camera. Image quality is good unless you move too much then expect some artifacting. I like to work with 16:9 720p mostly unless I'm filming something in the daytime on a tripod then I'll set it to 16:9 1080p. Reason is there seems to be less artifacting in 720p and its easier to work with on an underpowered Netbook if you are away from your home computer. 720p60 fields is just a Benny Hill show, maybe some will like it, but I think it would also interfere with throughput and create chaos in some situations. So that's all I have to say for the review, I hope it was helpful.

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Friday, August 29, 2014

Android 2.2 8 inch Tablet Pc - A8

Android 2.2 8 inch Tablet Pc - A8UPDATE: This gadget was terrific--for the 3 days that it actually worked! I put it on to charge and the next morning it wouldn't come on at all--never to come back to life. It seems that several others have had the same problem. I emailed the seller, who responded immediately, who acknowledged the problem and has promised a full refund when he receives it. So disappointing, as it was great when it worked. Hopefully, the bug will be worked out of these and they will be available at this price point, as they are tons of fun.

I received my tablet yesterday, 11/17/11, well before the promised delivery date, so was really surprised at the speedy delivery. I was somewhat taken aback by the fact that there was no manual or instructions of any sort, and this was a bit intimidating since I have never had an Android device. It would have been nice to at least have a diagram to tell me what the basic function buttons were, but after a bit of playing around, I was able to figure out most of it and download a couple of apps that I really wanted (Kindle, Nook & Audible). I did download a Kindle publication that covers Android 2.2, but it is aimed at the Galaxy so is of only general use. I could't find any aftermarket resource that specifically discusses the operation of Android 2.2 in a tablet, but there may be one out there. There are boards and blogs that might be useful for dealing with specific issues, but so far I have been able to intuit the functions that I want with no previous experience with Android OS's.

I am disappointed that my device does NOT have a USB input jack on the unit as indicated in the described specs. The one I received has a black edge, not silver like the one in the picture, so I am not sure if it is the same brand/model (the unit itself has no brand on it, and the packaging has something in Chinese characters but no English label) or not. It has a separate doggle that plugs into the power port, so I am crossing my fingers that this will operate without any special tweaking on my part, since I am not a "techie". I don't really expect to have to use that all that often, so having to do one step more than just plugging into the port is not that big a deal.

This tablet is absolutely great as an e-reader that allows me to access a number of different sources. Being a senior citizen, I like the backlit screen for reading (I found the e-ink of the Kindle 2 difficult to read even with large type). Browsing the web is straightforward and the Market has more apps than I will ever use. I don't expect this to replace my iPhone (which I love and am lost without), but it is nice to have an app-based way to access the functions I use most often. The lack of documentation and USB jack caused me to deduct one star on the rating, but those would be easy to fix.

This little guy does not replace my laptop or my iPhone--too small for the first and too big for the second. But it fills a gap between the two, being the right size for book reading (especially with the ability to re-size the text), read email and do some basic surfing. The size of this unit is perfect (8"), being large enough to read easily and small enough to be easy to handle and hold for an extended period of time. I have yet to find out how long the battery will stay charged, but it is not anywhere near as long as the Kindle (but I need to tweak a couple of settings--turn off the GPS--for longer life, I just found out), but it will certainly get you through a day of reading. It can be recharged with a wall socket or USB connection. I think it will be ideal to take when traveling, since I usually am too busy to spend much time on the internet. Being able to carry books, read mail and check some news is well within the capabilities of this little unit. For 40% of the price of the basic iPad, only slightly more than a Kindle and less than the color Nook, it is a very handy crossover device and worth the cost if I don't ever use it for more than I have already gotten it to do.

What had drawn me to this device was that it had the latest Droid version. Although that might be the case, it is some sort of hybrid of a Droid. First of all during boot, a Linux logo appears in the left hand corner of the screen. I thought Droid was a stand-alone operating system. The device does not have a connection to the Droid Marketplace. It has a connection to some other app store that does not offer nearly what I have access to on my Droid phone. The device works okay. Wifi works fine and the battery life seems stable. But the bottom line is that it is just 1/2 of a Droid. I essentially bought a wireless web browser that will also play some games and will be good for eBooks. It runs Google Maps, and I found a few interesting apps on the third party app store. Overall, I would not recommend it unless you have disposable cash and need something a little larger than your phone to use when you are bored at the airport or coffee place. I intend to keep the device. Maybe over time things will improve and I enjoy the touch screen interface that Droid offers. Besides, I'd be out money if I were to return it, which makes no sense. The device was made in China. If you are really interested in owning a tablet device, focus on devices made elsewhere.

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This Apad8 operating system and software works well. The actual physical tablet worked for about 12 days then died.

The little manual does not explain at all how the unit should be charged correctly, I left the device to charge the battery overnight and next day was dead.

Android Padlet gives only 7 days warranty on the unit. Android Padlet did not respond to my inquiry for more information for the unit.

I have tried to reset the unit, pushed all the buttons and the device is totally dead, I would assume that during charging it shorted.

For , the use of 12 days this actual tablet pc is not worth buying from any seller. I do not recommend buying it.

===============

01/26/2011

Just want to mention: Amazon.com and the third party seller have no fault on this transaction that went wrong. Android Padlet did contact me trying to address my concerns. So I change my stance on the seller.

Amazon.com is a great place to shop with confidence. The only thing I wish, is that Amazon.com and the third party sellers stop allowing these companies, like the manufacturers from China to take advantage of the customers: No troubleshooting instructions, less than 30 days return policies, no technical support, no-name companies, no location address, no customer service toll-free phone.

Ofcourse lots of electronics are made in China but generally speaking, those sold in the US are backed by a Company Name, who offers warranty and returns / repairs / replacements unlike this Android PC tablet. Google does not manufacture the tablet PC, they only put the operating system on it, and offers software downloads.

These A-pads and Android phones evidently have major flaws and the customer is doomed to hang with a lemon. Everywhere on the internet are now a lot of people who feel they have been scammed, and to add insult to injury, are required to pay a hefty return transportation. That automatically rise the price at over $300.00 for this particular item, not to mention the frustration, aggravation, and time.

Google should take note if they want to save their face with these devices (too bad because android 2.2 is a great system) Give the job to other country, that keeps accountability and good reputation for their products.

Chinese manufacturers would better either honor their product or cease to sell through Amazon, Google and other reputable companies. Nobody wants a deal with dishonest companies. Their no-name now is in the mud. No PC or digital phone repair shop want to even touch these devices. There are no spare/replacements parts for them in the US.

Who sells this item? Amazon, Google, Alibalba, Aliexpress, Chinadigitalcomm, Dhgate, Umibuy, LightinTheBox, Android Padle, Merimobiles and many others.

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My wife wanted a larger tablet than the Archos A32 that I use. She found this on Amazon's site and was interested so I bought it for her birthday. What a disappointment. The touchscreen doesn't read 90 percent of the time, the unit locked up twice in the first hour I tried to use it and the WiFi will NOT CONNECT to any network at all, including my secure network and my OPEN network.

I contacted the seller and they are very committed to making this right. Sports Entertainment immediately refunded my shipping charges to my account while I shipped it back to them. Once I shipped the unit they refunded my purchase price. I would not buy this product but I would definitely buy from Sports Entertainment again since they are very responsible in my opinion.

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I received this Android 2.2 OEM Tablet (No brand name) with the condition as expected. My experience of using Verizon wireless Android smart phone apply to using this tablet.

The difference:

1) 8" resistance touch pannel works well but requires harder push when operate.

2) Loaded with Quickoffice to open MSFT office documents. On my cell hone I have to pay for a copy to run on cell phone.

Pro:

Got to market to download and run APP.

A few APP failed to run, but most runs fine. Adobe reader also work as expected.

Good response and speed to operate

Con:

Not sure if GPS is not working or not included. This is not clear to me. Product only comes with a 4 page instruction.

System may sometimes lock up and requires a reset if try to use USB connection with a PC.

Adobe flash 10.1 download from market failed to install. Don't know if this is expected?

It's not the good quality of workmanship you would expect from a brand name high priced iteam. I got what I pay for.

In summary, worth the money and do what supposed to do.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

TASCAM BP-6AA External Battery Pack for Portable Digital Recorder

TASCAM BP-6AA External Battery Pack for Portable Digital Recorder
  • Increases DR-40 recording time from 17.5 hours to over 50 hours
  • Tripod screw mounts under DR-40
  • Powers through USB cable
  • Holds six AA batteries

This product works exactly as advertised. It powers my Tascam DR-40 recorder perfectly and significantly extends the recording time. As a bonus, it can also be used to charge cell phones instead of running the DR-40 via its on-board USB port. My iPhone 4 charges flawlessly.

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Not only can you use this for Tascam device, you can also use it to charge any 5 volt device. You just need a usb cable on the other end for you to plug it in. This is like the perfect replacement for the lithium battery for your device because it uses AA batteries. Awesome!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

American Recorder SIB-101CS Photo Studio-in-a-Box

American Recorder SIB-101CS Photo Studio-in-a-BoxI was not expecting much based on the price but I wanted to see if I could improve my photos for small ebay stuff I wanted to sell. The only down side to this package is that the lights are not very bright. I did not find this to be a big issue since I could just increase the exposure time to compensate. The fact that it all folds up into a neat thin package is really clever. The camera stand surprised me the most, it's thick metal and supported my heavy DSLR and big leans easily without feeling like I was overloading it. It even has a locking ball head to make it easy to make overhead and portrait shots. I also thought the light holders and were clever the way the legs retract into the handle with a spring. They could use a rubber pad on the bottom of the feet because the weight of the cord will pull them off the table. The built in blue or gray fabric background is also a nice feature however, because it must be folded to be stored in the kit, it has a nasty crease in it that shows in your photos. It performs as I expected and I am getting very good looking product shots. Play around with the exposure and be sure to close down the lens or you will get a very shallow depth of field. I also found that setting the self timer in my camera allowed the camera to stop shaking well before the shutter fired.

Upon opening the box and unpacking the lights I noticed parts missing (they had fallen off). The kit is a good idea but this one is quite cheap, the tripod is useless and will not support a DSLR I tried and no luck as it would not lock. The components were undersized and cheaply made. The fabric is good, not great but good -the box is difficult to keep square with the small velcro tabs. The lamps over heat in minutes and take quite a long time to cool down. Your better off looking elsewhere.

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The idea of this is great. The light box part is fine (although I would prefer a white background to blue and grey) and the package is slick. It's true you get what you pay for though. The lamps start heating up quickly and smell horribly and cannot be turned off without almost burning your hand. There are extensive warning notes all over the instructions about fire...they must know it runs too hot. Also, the 'camera stand' is awkward and worthless. Just use a regular tripod if you need to get this for a cheap, temporary solution.

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I have never written a review on Amazon before, and the reason is I have never felt the need. But there really isnt a ton of information out there about this, so I figured a few words may help someone else looking to purchase the SIB-100.

First of all, I bought this item mainly to take pictures of merchandise to sell on eBay and my website. I unpacked it, and without even glancing at the 1 page "manual" I set it up and was taking pictures within minutes. It's very easy to set up. (Look at the picture, then set up. It's a two-step process really.)

I have been taking pictures with it of all sorts of things all night and must say I am mightly impressed. (You can see some of the pictures I took under "customer images")

This item is not designed for your DSLR!. The camera support is not sturdy enough to hold it. However, it works like a champ for my mini-digital olympus 500. The camera stand adjusts in any way you can think of to get just the shot angle just the way you want it.

The backdrop does have a crease in it, howver I noticed I was able to diminish the crease by limiting the depth of field. (using a longer focal length and moving the camera away from the subject)

Other than that minor gripe, this will work prefectly for my needs. The lights get HOT! (As do all photo lamps) so be careful, best just to let them sit a while after you are done using them.

This is the only thing I have seen like it on the market designed specifically for taking pictures of small items all in one kit, and to sum it up, it does the job perfectly. Just make sure you of other camera support arrangements if you choose to use a SLR.

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I had been shopping for a light tent for some time and had even resorted to making a temporary one out of a hanging file folder frame. Worked so-so but wasn't something I wanted to travel to job sites with.

Saw this at $66 and thought, "Why not give it a shot".

Took it out on a product shoot just after I received it. Works like a champ, looks professional, and transports easily.

The camera stand seemed a little lightweight for my Rebel DSLR until I removed the battery grip.

Overcame the camera shake on long (2.5 second) exposures by using an IR remote shutter release.

This was well worth the investment and I can strongly recommend it.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Mel-8704R K2 EMF Meters EVP Digital Voice Recorder New

Mel-8704R K2 EMF Meters EVP Digital Voice Recorder New
  • Custom Dual Display Correlates EMF & Temperature Cold Spots Simultaneously
  • Bright Custom "Nightview" Display with On/Off Button
  • K2 With Push On/ Push Off Switch
  • 1GB Integrated Flash Memory Provides Up to 270 Hours Of Recording Time
  • USB Port For Fast File Transfers

I can't rate the K2 meter as it was not shipped, the MEL meter was the highlight of the order it worked fine and it was easy to use, nice large display and backlight. The Colby voice recorder was extremely hard to set up, and when it was finally set up it crashed and wouldn't turn on, not sure if the set up problem was the due to an issue that caused the crash, I ended up buying everything seperately somewhere else, for not much more money, and returned the combo package. The seller review posted right after mine had the same issue with the K2 meter not being packed in the shipment. Customer service from Amazon and the seller were both unhelpful and unable to resolve the problem

Monday, July 14, 2014

Audio Jammer

Audio JammerIt's a gimmick. After testing several times it just doesn't work. In addition to not working its totally annoying !! It's a waste of money in my opinion !!

This tiny thing does the job..I live in apartments where you can hear the neighbor's put down their fork on their plate, sneeze or cough easily. I know my neighbor has had a listening device the past year because the couple no longer talk,watch t.v or play their music,,it's as if they have dedicated their life into mines due to the fact when I first moved in the first 3 years I had friends, gatherings and private conversations/intimate moments might have been overly exposed. They are now stalking me and know when I leave but I figured it out after so long. I am also a victim of Gang-stalking aka Community Stalking for many years, so this device is able to help me keep some of privacy private. The only thing it can get too loud and have to adjust the volume and your voice with it and it might bother your pets sensitive ears you have to use it sparingly not all day if you have pets.

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It IS loud, but it seems to be effective. My experience with eavesdropping is very similar to one of the other reviewers. I had a neighbor in a `building' in which you could hear a neighbor dropping a pin'. And I had a neighbor also (much like the other reviewer), who became obsessed with eavesdropping on me with electronic devices. Additionally, I also would receive `feedback' if the neighbor thought that I was somehow being too loud and discourteous...like if I did something obnoxious such as set a pencil down on a desk. But one day, when I couldn't stand his behavior anymore, I turned on this device to mid-volume, and that interrupted his ability to detect where I was in my place...and also stopped him from detecting any `sounds' that were coming from my place. I can't go into the details, but he ran around his place, in a frenzy, trying to locate the room that I was located-in so that he could `punish' me for making any `horrible' noise, such as highlighting (with a yellow highlighter), an item on a bank statement. As I said, the unit IS loud, but when YOU are in control, you can `stand' it much, much longer than the other guy whose microphones etc. are shut down by the white noise of this unit. I can't wait for the next time that I get his annoying `feedback' because of just some normal, everyday activity that I can `carrying-out' in my place...so that I can unleash this unit again...this time, for a long, long length of time!

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i bought this because i have a rfd chip in my body some where in my head. the us goverment still uses it to punish you and hurt you with it in many ways and they use it to practice to play with your fuctions of your body to assult yo sexually and phyisically with a machine that the us goverment would not allow as evidence in a court room. so now they use it t and commit felonys and get by with it because the shrinks use it this way on inmates while in prison and dont stop even if your free citizen again after twenty years they stilll use it . i am not sure this blocks them out but i tryed to ask my congress woman to see what can be done and all i got was laughed at at a 4th of july picknic.

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Saturday, July 5, 2014

Honeywell Ademco 5843 Wireless Relay Module

Honeywell Ademco 5843 Wireless Relay ModuleIf you have a 4 button ademco keyfob, chances are you have at least 1 extra button (normally there are buttons for off, on, panic, and then you run out of things to do). That 4th button activates this switch which has a normally open / normally closed output rated at 2A / 28VDC. The switch itself requires 9VAC or 12VDC to run, so be sure to have voltage present to operate it.

People often mistake that it can be programmed to operate from the 5800 series transmitter on your panel. IT CAN NOT. It only listens for unused buttons on the wireless devices (keypad, etc) and can enroll up to 8 devices to activate its one relay out.

I use it for a keychain mounted controller to my electric gate it gives me a handheld way to open the gate in addition to the pushbutton in car garage door opener design. It is handy if I am walking into a secure area and wish to open the gate partway to walk through then close it behind me and engage the 1200 pound mag locks to secure the gate.

Programming of that 4th button in your panel is an option as well (you could have it turn on lighs via x11 or some other feature) but be certain that the panel's receiver can hear your keyfob where you intend to use it. Consult the ademco vista series programming manual for further instructions here.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Philips AZ9111 Ultra Compact Portable CD Player

Philips AZ9111 Ultra Compact Portable CD Player
  • Power-saving 40-second antiskip protection
  • 99-track programmable memory
  • Up to 20 hours extended playing time
  • CD-RW compatible
  • Ultra compact, lightweight design

Bought this one on blind faith, there was no description, and no mention of it at the Philips website. However, it has the same features as the AZ9101 'blue' version also listed at this site. It's got ESP3-40 sec Antishock, a 20 hour battery life, power saving, and best of all CDRW compatibility.

The sound is great, I just tried recording a CDRW of some MP3's I have, and it's bloody superb! The only grumble I have at all with this player is the low volume, even at the highest setting it doesn't really blast your ears off. Though the clarity is excellent, even with bass boost, so if this is my tradeoff, I'm well happy.

Now all I've got to do is buy a replacement PSU unit so I can power it when I'm back in the UK, different plugs y'see.

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I just bought this recently and I am very happy with it. The 40 seconds of ESP is great and the resume play is also great. It came with good headphones, but the volume is not that high. ESP3 is better than any other ESP because it prevents skips even more and is powersaving, the more ESP is on , the more battery life you get. Its ultra slim and can fit in my pocket, its also very light. Compared to the RCA 2365 this is much lighter. This is a great buy. Buy it today!

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I don't know if this is the CD player that I purchased because there's no picture (but it's the same company and it was the same price), but this is the best portable CD player around, and you know why? IT PLAYS CD-RWs! Those are the CDs that you could re-record and that have black bottoms but you couldn't play them in conventional CD players and they are more expensive but they seem to be worthless now that you've used them? Whew--anyway, you can now use them in this CD player! That aside, this unit also has decent bass, a 99-track programmer, 40-second electronic skip protection, and is pretty compact, not to mention a great price. My only annoyance is that there's little beeps when you press the buttons and it resets your settings every time you open it (it's activated when you close the cover). My old Panasonic had switches on the side where the settings were activated, which I think was the best feature on that one. Just minor annoyances, nothing major. It's a great buy for people who had about 20 worthless CD-RWs hanging around the house, like me. Once again, I don't know if this is the right player I'm reviewing (the model on mine is type AZ7793, which seems to be a little bit older model than this), but if it is, then buy it.

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I hadn't purchased a portable CD player in a long time. I am amazed at how far they've come in the last five years. This player is SO small and light. It's only slightly larger than the discs that play inside it. Also, it seems no matter what you do to it it won't skip. It has 40 seconds of antiskip, which makes me think you can go as far as jog with it. Oh my gosh, I can't say enough about this player. If you need one, get this one! You won't be disappointed.

I bought my Philips CD player (AZ-9143) at Target. It is a bit cheaper there. I am very happy with my purchase. It plays CD-Rs, CD-RWs and regular CDs. Most portables won't play CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Sony is one of them. I guess Sony doesn't want to kill MiniDisc by selling CD-R/RW gear. This machine will give you hours of joy!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Sony RDRVX515 DVD Recorder

Sony RDRVX515 DVD Recorder
  • 4 Head (19 Micron Heads) VHS VCR with Stereo
  • S-VHS Quasi Playback
  • Easy to Use Graphic User Interface
  • VCR-Plus+ Timer Recording
  • One Push Dubbing - DVD to VHS or VHS to DVD

This is my second dvd/vcr combo and I primarily wanted the ability to convert VHS tapes to DVD but also was looking for a better DVD player. I found just about everything I was looking for. Recording to DVD is very easy, and you have every conceivable format (-+R,RW). I've tested whether the recorded DVDs work on other, older players and they do. The DVD player is a little slow to load, but picture, sound, and controls are outstanding. VCR is fine, though we don't use it much other than for transferring home movies to DVD. Caution I have not found the remote for this system to be compatible with "universal remotes" even for my Sony surround sound system! But overall, a great spacesaver that doesn't make you sacrifice quality for the various components.

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We bought this model for the ease of dubbing VHS tapes to DVD. Dubbing was very intuitive. Despite some other reviews that said the color was washed-out, we didn't have any problems with color issues. However, the audio function was terrible. While playing DVDs (which is most of the mileage we would put on the machine) the audio sounded hollow and tinny -like an echo chamber. Neither my wife or I are audiophiles -this just sounded bad. We tweaked every setting, and triple-checked all the connections, but nothing helped. Finally, we just hooked our old player back up and the sound was fine. Ultimately, we returned the unit.

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This unit is so full of features that I eagerly purchased it, but I returned it due to two fatal flaws. First, the VCR performs poorly. When playing older tapes, they look noisy, not nearly as good as several other VCR's I have. Since a prime use for this unit is dubbing VHS to DVD, I was very disappointed. Second, you can't select the thumbnail picture for the titles menu. I couldn't believe this! The titles screen would be better with just text titles, rather than include the first frame that the machine automatically selects, which is usually not a good choice! (But allowing selecting a title thumbnail, is such an obvious feature to include, I just can't believe they didn't include this option.) Otherwise, this machine has more features (many DVD recording speeds, many editing options, support for + and R disks and new double-layer disks, etc) than any other machine I am aware of. Nice layout and functionality (except the two dubbing buttons are dangerously close to the two eject buttons, I see mistakes happening here all the time! I returned my unit and am waiting for someone to come out with a unit with this many features (or maybe the next Sony version!).

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I have never been disappointed in a Sony product until trying the RDRVX515 DVD/VCR recorder. I currently own and use two other Sony DVD recorders. The RDRVX515 is totally inferior to the other two. The signal and recording quality are frankly not acceptable the definition is just not there. Also, when I tried to record a movie on several of the cable premium channels, it recorded for a few seconds and then stopped and a message came up saying that "you cannot record copy protected movies". This makes the recorder totally useless to me.

Well, I impulse spent and bought this from the J&R Music World website and phoned in my order for a HP Pavilion Widescreen Flat Panel and this DVD Recorder/VCR Player by SONY. I RARELY impulse purchase by the way. However, when I saw this thing on J&R's website I was like wow and the price was great too! After I purchased it I searched for reviews on my new TV and this Player. The HP TV got excellent reviews while this got nearly horrible reviews by almost everyone that's reviewed it here at Amazon.com. Well, now that I have unpacked it, set it up and actually have used it and dubbed a few DVDs from VHS Tapes I have to say that I must be one of the few people who are actually having a great experience with this player thus far. Every negative thing I have read on this site regarding the player are understandable. But only because you REALLY need to sit down and UNDERSTAND how this thing works! I have successfully dubbed 9 episodes of a TV Series I recorded onto VHS in 1997. The quality of the (SP) recorded DVD-R was just as it is on the VHS. And speaking of the VHS playback...it is not as bad as some people are saying. I compared it to my Sharp VCR WITH the fine tuning mechanisms turned on. This Sony VCR plays back that 9 year old VHS tape with ease and the quality is the same. The playback of the finalized DVD-R on other DVD Players (and PC DVD DRIVES) looks just as good as it does in this Sony player. I don't know but maybe some people just need to actually sit down and just work with the features and settings and options a little more. The manual was a but confusing with how to work some of this Players primary features. But once I figured it all out it was a breeze. I don't really care much about the fact that you can't record from TV if the signal will not allow you to. My main concern is just getting rid of all these freaking VHS TAPES! And so far I think that it will be a wonderful experience as it has already been. I will be chucking ALOT of old VHS tapes in the very near future. :)

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Panasonic PVDV103 MiniDV Compact Camcorder with 2.5" LCD

Panasonic PVDV103 MiniDV Compact Camcorder with 2.5' LCDI was looking for an inexpensive camcorder with high quality audio and video, digital download capabilities (i.e., miniDV), and good portability. I tried out numerous camcorders and read up on many more, and I eventually settled on the Panasonic PVDV103. The first distinguishing feature is that it's seriously SMALL -noticeably smaller than the comparable models from Canon and JVC. It fits really well in the palm of my average-sized hand, and most the controls then just fall naturally under the fingers. As a result, it's a pleasure to use even for extended hand-held filmimng sessions. The audio is very clean, unlike the Canon ZR-series, and the video has wonderful, natural colors. Downloading an image via Firewire is easy and trouble-free. I only have three minor quibbles with this camcorder: 1) it doesn't have the Sony-style night vision capabilities for filming in dim or dark situations; 2) its optical zoom is 10X, which is good but not superb; and 3) its image stabilization isn't quite as solid as Canon's or Sony's. All in all, for the price (and even for hundreds more), I don't think there is a better all-around camcorder.

Panasonic makes a great DV. I'm on my second one. The video quality is solid. The import to the PC works well. They have been reliable. Nice and light. Everything you'd want.

The only downside in my experience on my prior Panasonic was it broke after about a year of fairly frequent use. Their service policy is a flat $250 charge to fix it, regardless of the problem. That was about half the price of the unit new, which seems out of line.

Otherwise, if it doesn't break, great unit.

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When shopping for a camcorder the first thing to pick is format. I dismissed analog because of the lower resolution and poorer picture/sound quality. I considered miniDVD, but this is a relatively new format and is therefore significantly more expensive at the moment. I chose miniDV because it seems to be the most popular digital format right now. I also decided that I did not want to use the camcorder for taking still shots that are stored on removable memory. Even the very expensive models have low resolution that will yield poor pictures. My advice is to stick with a separate digital camera and save some money on the camcorder. I have had good luck with Panasonic tvs, dvd players, projectors, and cordless phones so I naturally considered them when shopping for a camcorder. Consumer Reports also rates Panasonic camcorders highly in terms of reliability and picture quality. I chose this particular model because it had all the features I needed, is very compact compared to other brands, and is reasonably priced. I think this model will please and adequately serve any home movie makers.

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Purchased this item two months ago. I used it four times and now it shows a "dew detected" warning. The camera then shutdown and no longer works. I did some research and found this is a common problem, not only with this model, but several other Panasonic products. The problem is due to a detective module that Panasonic uses and the only way to fix it is a repair bill of $150. I have tried several times to contact Panasonic, but have received no response. Until Panasonic upgrades their parts and customer service I would buy elsewhere.

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the "dew detected" sign is another way of Panasonic saying that the camcorder needs "servicing" and that you will have to send it in to be fixed for a price of at least $80. There are TRILLIONS of forums on the lack of reliability of this camcorder.. so DON'T BUY IT.. or any other camcorder from Panasonic.. because they're just unreliable.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Pyle Home PTCDS1U Classical Turntable with AM/FM Radio CD/Cassette and USB Recording

Pyle Home PTCDS1U Classical Turntable with AM/FM Radio CD/Cassette and USB Recording
  • Phono/Radio/CD player/USB record/CassetteAM/FM Radio - Ceramic stereo cartridge - 2 speaker
  • Front loading,single CD, drawer type - Auto return - AC Power
  • CD/MP3/CD-R/CD-RW discs compatible - Audio output power: 2.5W(max) - Dimensions: 20.08"X13.39"X8.86"
  • USB record - 3.5mm Aux in jack
  • 3 speed turntable 33-1/3, 45, 78 RPM - Remote control for CD/USB

My husband got me this for Christmas. It's wonderful~! It's small but the sound is not. The quality of the sound is really good. I have collected tons of music over the years and most of it was collecting dust. This does it all~! I really love mine. The turn table looks like it's a bit cheap, but I've listened to LOTS of records on it without any troubles. If you're looking to hear it all on one machine I'd say this is a great buy. It's not too bulky either. The only complaint I have is that the antena for the sterio isn't very good...but that is a small thing that could be added too. Also I've been able to take my records and capture them onto a USB device and then burn them on my computer.

This is a follow up on this product. It is 2 years old and hasn't been used TONS...I do use it regularly but the CD player is dying. It's making a lot of noise and has started skipping around when I play a disc. The turntable still works well, as does the radio and tape player. Really bummed that the CD isn't working much anymore. It's out of warranty and I doubt it would be worth the cost of fixing it (assuming that anyone is willing to work on it.....most electronics are unfortunately made to be disposable these days). I haven't attempted to contact the manufacture to see if it's repairable. BUT it does say in the paperwork that IF it's sent in you have to send a $30 check to have it mailed back...so shipping on both ways would be spendy not including the repair and replacement parts. Boooo.

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I've had a number of devices to attempt to capture all my old media. Everything hooked into my computer, and every one had a flaw of some sort. Email notification, error dings, etc. got captured with the music, making me have to start over. Well, this little jewel gives me EVERYTHING I wanted. With five xerox boxes full of cassette tapes and a 40 year collection of LPs, there's a lot of conversion to be done. Well, now I have what I want, and I'm delighted with the results of the first five tapes.

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I got this for my wife for a Christmas present as she had been asking for something like this. There are many different options for a classic old style looking turntable which also plays CD's, mp3's, cassette's and the radio. I did quite a bit of research before finally selecting this one and neither my wife or I have been disappointed. The unit is very solid and well put together. There is not a lot of cheap plastic where there shouldn't be. It plays old vinyl records and albums just as you would expect and you can adjust for different speed settings for each. I was also able to connect my iPod to this unit and play it through the AUX connection and that was very easy to do, but you will need a specific cable to do this which you can get here for a few bucks http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SE6IV8 CD's also play great on this unit and we were pleased with the overall sound. We have not played any cassette's but I would assume that it would function as it should. Overall I am very pleased with this purchase and would recommend this product as it is a good unit for the price.

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BUYER BEWARE! After a month of reviewing items, I finally settled on this product b/c of the look and multi-functionality of it. I wanted a record player for my classroom but I never even set that portion of the equipment up b/c the CD player broke after about the 8th use. Will not open nor eject. Sending back to Amazon. I read about similar issues, but figured, "What are the chances?'

Aside from that issue, the gold plate and all buttons are plastic, the plate itself is crooked on my unit, the wood has had a feeble wood putty job, and the speakers (connection) is scratchy on the i-pod. Please also note, PYLE REQUIRES YOU TO SEND IN $30 FOR ANY REPAIRS, so thank God for Amazon and California state law on refunds! I'm going to buy a standard record player made in USA, Japan, or Germany. You get what you pay for!

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I bought this for my parents who needed an all in one stereo, and, after having had to replace one unit which was shipped with a defective CD player, the new one works very well. The sound out of this unit is surprisingly full even though the speakers don't appear to be heavy duty. FM reception was good, the CD player works well, and it also allows my folks to play records as well on a record player which, though it isn't amazing quality, seems to work well enough. The cabinet size and design are nice for that "old-timey" feel. As a whole, it's a solid machine.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

ID Mate Summit Bar Code Reader

ID Mate Summit Bar Code ReaderFantastic product. My wife who is visually impaired finds it VERY user friendly with excellent database of products. Prompts are easy to follow and portable. She can also label clothes or other items with included blank 100 bar codes provided. If a barcode is not recognized by database (only had two so far) you can voice record the product. It even (if you prompt it) will tell you the nutritional facts of product as well as directions for use. Battery life is very long been using 2 weeks without it needing a recharge yet. Product is expensive but well worth it for any blind or visually impaired customer who wants more independence around the house or in the food/clothes store.

I purchased the ID Mate Summit Bar Code Reader. Anyone that is blind or visually impaired would benefit from this bar code reader. I use it to find out what is in a can or package. You just turn on the reader and point it towards the item you want scanned and turn the product until it recognizes the bar code and it beeps and tells you what the product is. It also gives you manufacturer information, nutritional information, and most important user instructions. I can pick something out of my freezer, point the scanner towards the product and it scans it and tells me what it is and tells me how I need to cook it. I can pull a can or box of something out of my pantry and it tells me what it is, I.E., Delmonty green beans, Campbell's soup, Nabisco crackers etc. You can also make your own labels to put on items, like books and cd's. It has a built in recorder and they provide labels with bar codes on them and you just say what the item is and any other information you would like to know when you scan it later. It will also scan items other than food products. It also is smaller than its predecessors and fits comfortably in my hand. I do wish they would improve the speech instead of using the basic computerized voice; however this shouldn't stop you from purchasing it.

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This is a great device. It can scan a lot of stuff including CDS. The voice is very robotic. It is using the Doubletalk system with is preity old. It is very useful. it can do a lot of stuff. You should really by this device or wait for next model.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Honeywell Video HD51P Super High Resolution Vandal Resistant Dome Camera

Honeywell Video HD51P Super High Resolution Vandal Resistant Dome CameraSeems to be a good little cam. We use it to identify faces, if needed, at a pharmacy drop off location. The camera is about 20 feet away and is very clear. I cannot attest to the performance of the dome and camera is outside though.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

RCA SCENIUM Digital Media Recorder with DVD Player (DRS7000N)

RCA SCENIUM Digital Media Recorder with DVD PlayerAfter purchasing this unit and programming it to record my favorite shows, I found that it often displays "An error occurred" when it is time for it to begin recording a show.

The errors were intermitent, and there was no apparent cause, so I exchanged the unit for a new one. The new one does the same thing.

I sent an e-mail message to RCA technical support, but they did not respond. If I cannot resolve this problem, I will probably return the unit for a refund.

My issues:

I also get errors when trying to record with unhelpful messages

Having it switch channels on my cable box doesn't always work (doesn't always enter all the numbers)

It won't let me enter most 3-digit channel numbers

Crashed on me twice so far. Unit still had clock working, but won't turn on & status light off. Unplug/Replug to work again.

No support on website for this product yet

Limited naming convention on recorded shows (i.e. can't specify caps where I want them, names have to be very short).

Opening/Closing DVD drawer takes you to menu (i.e. can't put movie in to watch later without disrupting what you're watching).

Can't record show on one channel & still watch another

When it does record, it works great.

Am hoping for some sort of firmware update(s) to fix these issues

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I think maybe people that are unhappy with a product purchase are more likely to take the time to write a review, than are people that are satisfied.

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with this RCA Scenium hard drive recorder/DVD player.

The good: Great picture from both the DVD and hard drive, I like the Guide+ (much more accurate than the TV listing in our local Gannet newspaper)and the simplicity of one click recording w/o messing with tape and VCR programming.

The bad: Not much. The hard drive could be bigger, I look forward to the next generation product that includes a DVD recorder in which to dump off hard drive material. And the channels do change a bit too slowly.

Anyway, there was no way I was going to give the TIVO people one or two hundred dollars AND a monthly annuity of $13.00 (just for a program guide). This RCA unit was just what I was looking for.

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My wife and I absolutely love this unit in conjunction with our DirecTV. Frankly, we don't use the Guide+ because we have the DirecTV grid. Yes, we have to manually set the record time on the DMR, but it takes about 45 seconds and can be set for once, everyday, M -F or whatever you want. I think the complainers must be those who could never figure out how to set the clock on their VCR.

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This is so much better than an old VCR that I used to have. Now I can record on the go and program as well. I like the ease of use and also the size of the internal hard drive. I do wish it was a little smaller and that it would completely shut down when turned off, but besides that..nothing bad from my point of view.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

KGUARD All-In-One Surveillance Combo Kit 4 Channel H.264 DVR with 4 CMOS Cameras (OT401-4CW134M-500

KGUARD All-In-One Surveillance Combo Kit 4 Channel H.264 DVR with 4 CMOS CamerasGreat product-kit has it all and can easily be set up by anyone. The picture on the monitor is clear and color is good.The DVR has all kinds of ways to run the cameras. I will by another if I ever need to.

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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

HDMI (6 Feet) Super High Resolution Cable - Male to Male Connection - Use with HDTV, PS3, XBOX, DVR

HDMI Super High Resolution Cable - Male to Male Connection - Use with HDTV, PS3, XBOX, DVR, Cable, A/V, DVDI have replaced all my RCA cables with these HDMI cables. This a one cable handles video and audio. Less clutter in the back of the units.

era justo lo que necesitaba muy buena compra y apenas llego lo utilice en mi ps3 y la calidad es excelente

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Ion IT34 Duo Deck Ultra-Portable USB Turntable with Cassette Deck

Ion IT34 Duo Deck Ultra-Portable USB Turntable with Cassette Deck
  • Compact, portable design fits easily into a bag or back pack
  • Plays and converts vinyl records and cassette tapes
  • Built-in speaker allows you to listen to your records or cassettes anywhere
  • Convert records and tapes into MP3s using the included EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software
  • Headphone output for private listening or connection to external speakers

Great turntable, also like the fact that it has a cassette player in it. Chances are if you have records, you probably also have cassette tapes, either pre recorded or ones that you recorded yourself. I like the slim design although it would have been nice if ion included some kind of drawstring bag or carry strap being that it runs on batteries as well as AC/USB. Now the cons. When I first played a tape it was slow and lots of wow and flutter. Then the next time I used it the noise dissapeared and has not returned since. I guess maybe it just had to be warmed up or something. The other issue is the stylus. It tends to skate a cross certain records at times. I discovered the problem. The needle that comes with it is a lower quality stylus than the replacement ones. So the best thing to do is order replacement stylus # 793-D7M. It replaces original needle on this table and various other models of ion even of crosley. Tip material is diamond, and the tip radius is 7 MI, and it tracks 3 to 5 grams. Might sound like a lot, but there are much less skating issues , and the sound is much clearer. Yes I would recommend this product to a friend.

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No problems. Not bad for the price.

You will have to put out more money

to get better quality. I would recommend it.

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I was really looking forward to this item, because I have a lot of older audio tapes that I haven't been able to listen to for years. But this unit was a severe disappointment, because it didn't even work. No matter which power configuration I used -and I was quite taken with the fact that there were several ways to power the device -nothing happened. I was able to get my computer to talk to it, but nothing would play or move. The turntable wouldn't turn, and the only button that worked with the tape deck was the eject button. I think the motor was simply dead. I may re-order and try again, but right now I don't have a whole lot of confidence in Ion products. I may just get a standard stereo tape deck instead and connect that to my computer.

The unit itself seemed nice in terms of construction and compactness, although many of its features are a little difficult to find right away (not labeled, not mentioned in the instructions, etc.) and none of them would actually work for me. Be warned that the instructions are next to useless (and only cover software problems, with no mention of how to deal with mechanical problems) and the software itself is grade z and forces you to immediately import your recordings into iTunes. (Get Audacity instead, if you can). For these reasons, I doubt I'll take a second chance with this product.

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I thought about staying away from all ION turntables after my ION Quick Play LP turntable gave up on me, but when my ION Tape Express also died on me, I realized that I was really wrong! So, I got the ION Duo Deck as a replacement, and it works like a charm! It's basically a USB turntable with a built-in cassette deck. I also love the Duo Deck's built-in speakers, which allows me to use the Duo Deck as a standalone player, but the disadvantage is the requirement of four AA batteries. Instead of using the packaged EZ Vinyl and Tape Converter software, I used Audacity to digitize my family's old vinyl LP's and cassette tapes. I digitize the audio in 16-bit, 44.1 kHz for easy importing to iTunes. Of course, the vinyl LP's and cassette tapes plays at a slightly higher speed, but I managed to restore the albums to their original speed using Audacity's change speed filter. The digitized audio may sound a little off, but you can't go wrong with Audacity's high-pass filter. I use the click removal and repair filters to remove the pops and clicks from the digitized vinyl LP's. When I use the noise removal filter, I use these settings for my family's old vinyl LP's:

Noise Reduction: 12 dB

Sensitivity: 4 dB

Frequency Smoothing: 300 Hz

Attack/Decay Time: 0.25 seconds

As for cassette tapes, I use these noise removal settings:

Noise Reduction: 25 dB

Sensitivity: 5 dB

Frequency Smoothing: 2 kHz

Attack/Decay Time: 0.25 seconds

After normalizing the digitized recording, I split the albums into separate tracks, and then I save the tracks in 16-bit AIFF, so I can burn the digitized albums on CD's using iTunes. I also use iTunes to convert my digitized albums to 256 kbps AAC (iTunes Plus) for listening to on my iPod. I'd strongly recommend this USB turntable to those who are willing to digitize their collection of old vinyl LP's and cassette tapes. It's the best of both worlds!

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Maybe the level of volume is not so high, but my son, who is a music lover, really likes this product.

It has shiped at time, and arrived in excellent conditions. Very nice!