Showing posts with label top voice recorders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top voice recorders. Show all posts

Monday, November 10, 2014

SanDisk 8GB Compact Flash CF Ultra 30MB/s ( SDCFH-008G , Bulk Package )

SanDisk 8GB Compact Flash CF Ultra 30MB/sI originally bought this card as a cheapo backup for my much more expensive Sandisk Extreme 60MB/s CF card that I use in my 7D. However, I have not noticed a practical difference in speed between the two cards. I can count on both hands the number of times I've had to wait for the buffer to flush with either card and this is while shooting 25MB RAW files in 8FPS bursts. I just bought two more of the 8GB Ultras so I don't have to worry about running out of space when shooting on location. No need to spend extra on speed the 7D doesn't take advantage of. I highly recommend Sandisk in general and these cards in particular.

This review is for the Sandisk Ultra 8GB 30MB/sec card (SDCFH-008G), bulk package.

Superfast with the Canon 40D in picture taking and in downloading through the camera.

The 40D is probably too easy for this card. No complaint.

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Works well with my canon 7D even if it's not UDMA. Like the manual says, I can shoot up to 96 jpegs or 15 raw images (up until the camera buffers fulls up). I can also take pictures while filming in full HD.

Read Best Reviews of SanDisk 8GB Compact Flash CF Ultra 30MB/s ( SDCFH-008G , Bulk Package ) Here

I bought two of these. One of them works fine and the other caused issues with my Canon 5D. I took several pictures without any problems but then it locked my camera up when I tried to review some of the shots. I am also unable to move any of the images to my IMac using a card reader.

Both of the cards came in a plastic holder sealed with an adhesive backed label. This label was difficult to remove and left adhesive residue on the outside of the holder. This residue is probably not something that you want to get into a $3000 camera.

In the future I will stick with the retail packaging. I am not sure what "bulk pack" means but I now question whether the same quality standards are adhered to. Maybe these are refurbished in some way? If you do decide to save some money and buy these, test them thoroughly before using (always good advice but not always followed).

I am new to CF cards and maybe I was just unlucky, but if I were Sandisk I would be cautious about the use of my brand on items like this.

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I have approximately oodles of these cards. I am a professional photographer and use only this card and size. I have purchased the ones in "bilk packaging" as well as those in standard packaging and they are reliable and consistent everytime. I do however label and date all of my cards as I purchase them and then pull them out of rotation after so many shots and re-formats.. (I reformat after every shoot)

I recommend these cards highly to anyone in need of the CF cards at a decent price!

Monday, October 27, 2014

VideoSecu Outdoor 700TVL Day Night Security Camera Built-in 1/3" SONY Exview CCD II EFFIO-E DSP 65

VideoSecu Outdoor 700TVL Day Night Security Camera Built-in 1/3' SONY Exview CCD II EFFIO-E DSP 65 IR Leds 4-9mm 3X Zoom Lens for CCTV DVR Home Surveillance with Power Supply and Security Warning Sticker CJZI purchased this camera due to the 700tvl and the 65ir leds for my home. I just put the camera up and tested the camera and wow what a piece of junk. The resolution quality is very poor and there are very dark areas due to the bright sun. Well if this is to be used outside then what do I due with the dark areas. So then I waited till night time to test the IR system and another let down. If you are looking to watch your home up close you will never see the perp.

I will definately be sending this crapper back to market.

I like this camera very much. I installed it about 18 feet off the ground. It works perfectly at night without any lighting and in total darkness. The picture is very clear. I would purchase this camera again.

Buy VideoSecu Outdoor 700TVL Day Night Security Camera Built-in 1/3" SONY Exview CCD II EFFIO-E DSP 65 Now

reason I bought this camera is my father has same one and it is bright at night and very high quality picture. Plus, I like that you can actually see the camera because of its size....my other cameras are small and you can hardly tell i have a security system on the outsides of my house

Read Best Reviews of VideoSecu Outdoor 700TVL Day Night Security Camera Built-in 1/3" SONY Exview CCD II EFFIO-E DSP 65 Here

Purchased this camera as one of a 4 camera application at my work. This camera is installed 30 ' from the ground and 50' from the loading dock. I picked this camera as it has a manual zoom. Once set-up for zoom you need to manually focus. This is not a problem except for needing a second set of eyes on monitor. I am happy with this purchase. Good value!

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I purchased 4 camera and a recorder and a power supply . The recorder was bad from the first time that i received it and try with the seller to get replaced and all the did was give me a run around. the Sony Camera works great .

Be very careful dealing with this people

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Sunday, August 31, 2014

SVAT CV301-8CH-X Web Ready 8 Channel H.264 500GB HDD DVR Security System with Smart Phone Access an

SVAT CV301-8CH-X Web Ready 8 Channel H.264 500GB HDD DVR Security System with Smart Phone Access and Multiple Easy Backup OptionsHome burglary convinced the rest of the household to purchase surveillance set. Easy to set up and configure. My unit isn't connected directly to a monitor, but remote network access is simple and easy. 500GB with 8 cameras records about 1 week. The motion grid for recording is easy to set up on each camera and can trigger any camera u select to start recording if you don't want it recording on a schedule or constantly. Great product.

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Sunday, August 17, 2014

Sony Ericsson P990i Unlocked Cell Phone with 2 MP Camera, 3G, MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Pro Du

Sony Ericsson P990i Unlocked Cell Phone with 2 MP Camera, 3G, MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Pro Duo Slot--International Version with No WarrantyBought this phone yesterday (not from Amazon).

Amazing little device with a lot of innovative features. For example, the phone notifies the user of failure to connect to a WiFi network by crashing and rebooting. A dialog box pops up after the reboot to tell me that the phone restarted to "improve performance." Same thing happened when I tried to scan in a friend's business card, tried to fetch my email, take a photo, sync by bluetooth... the list continues. In fact, in just one day the phone restarted itself to 'improve performance' so many times, the performance must be getting really great by now.

Maybe a firmware update will help? Downloaded the Sony Ericsson Update Service (2.6.4.9). Ran it on my XP box at work once installed, it played a Sony Ericsson eyecatch animation, then crashed with a 'java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException', but at least it kept planing the eyecatch over and over. Ahhhh. Tried it on my XP box at home this time the installer came up with an empty window which stayed empty. No luck there. Finally tried it on an old Windows 200 laptop this time it worked, recognised the phone, downloaded about 150M of something from the internet, pretended to flash the phone with new firmware. The result same firmware, and more 'improving performance' messages.

The bottom line is it is a very promising device. The hardware is good, the software is not even a public beta quality proof of concept prototype at best. Not ready for public consumption in any shape or form. This seems to be a trend among smartphone manufacturers release the product once the hardware is finished, promise to finish the software in new firmware releases, stop releasing firmware updates as a superseding model is in the works leaving the consumer with a kind of working device. Sort of. Sometimes.

I've had this phone two weeks. A few times, when just going through the menus, I've gotten the "blank" screen mentioned previously and wondered "what happened.".

So far, I don't think reception with Cingular is quite as good as I was gettng with the Razr.

Putting it in or out of my horizontal belt case opens the camara lens twist door on the back of the unit. This in turn, for some reason, deactivates the "keys locked" feature which is a pain because when closed, the flip open keyboard sticks out from the rest of the phone and the slightest bump starts things happening.

FM radio will only function with wired headphones as it needs the wire for an antenna.

On Razr, during a call I could push a button to activate speaker phone. On this phone you must go into a menu during the call and select the appropriate two options. This seems to be a step backward in functionality. Sony support confirmed there is no other way.

I like the way the software handles contacts, calendar tasks and all other data entry. Easy to input and access data in a variety of useful ways.

For me, the size and weight of this phone is perfect as before I could not accept carrying around the Palm and Blackberry sized units.

Ranking high on the list of reasons I made the move was the Wi-Fi capability. I haven't tried this yet as my router is on order. If it works, it will be very useful for me.

Bottom line, all the phones I've had before have had inconveniences to get used to. The Sony P990i is no different, but I don't see any show stoppers.

I'm glad I made the purchase. Biggest advantage is total functionality in a good looking "regular" sized phone. (No question, it is a looker)

UPDATE, October 31: I take everything negative back. In the last four weeks I've learned more about how to use the phone and have to say it is awesome. No complaints.

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Even though I purchased and grew fond of the Nokia E62 and E70, I decided to give this smartphone a try due to my good experience with the SE W810i model.

My first impressions on the first couple days were absolutely DISMAL from the numerous crashes that required taking out the battery to cut off the phone. After the 15th crash, I called SE customer service and calmly gave my opinion on the performance of this phone. By suggestion from the operator I downloaded the firmware upgrade from the SE website and must say that all is well. The technology packed into this phone is amazing, and not mention the eye-catching looks of the silver covering.

The ability to input info via the qwerty keypad and the touchscreen/stylus is a HUGE draw for me, a former Palm pda/Treo 680 owner.

Accessing WiFi and setting up bluetooth with my MacBook Pro was pretty simple, but synching the address book and calendar is a different story. In lieu of no Mac iSync support I am using a third party software called p990iCal to sync my calendar data and using bluetooth transfers for my address book vcards, and both methods work just fine.

Navigating the phone does take some patience and time, but using the manual with good common sense is usually enough to suffice.

The bright, crisp screen is relatively large compared to the Nokia E70 and the qwerty keyboard, though small, is a joy to type on with my thumbnails. There is one gripe about typing on this keyboard: I love the support for Quickoffice on the smartphone, for I am addicted to writing on the go with Word. Where the Nokia E70 and E62 shines concerning text processing on the qwerty is where the SE p990i rests on its laurels. The SE cannot keep up with my typing speed whereas the Nokias could without a doubt. After pressing each button there is a taskbar that pops up at the top of the screen showing the selected character being highlighted and then placed into the document body. This truly slows up the typing process...and if you keep typing as the p990 tries to catch up, it gets lost and inputs jumbled letters. I have disabled the predictive text feature, but that apparently only handles the words and not the individual characters.

I have deducted one star for this reason alone.

The screen that shows spectacular imagery in clear color cannot be seen at all in outside sunlight, so be aware of using this outdoors. The photo quality is amazing and the flash is very strong while the video quality is great but not stellar. The media player application plays mpeg4 video files that my Nokias were unable to play, and the music player and FM radio is great as long as you have good headphones(the speaker is in mono). I surely took advantage of the space I had in a 2GB memory stick I had used with my previous W810i model.

The task manager is an absolute godsend! Instead if having to go through the menus to access recent apps you can go here and reopen them again! Voice dialing is good but must be programmed for each contact entry which the Nokias did not require at all. Handwriting recognition on the touchscreen appears to be the same as any other Palm device.

This is definitely a neat little tech package for those who love gadgets. Downloading the firmware upgrade should alleviate any problems concerning its performance.

Update for May 2007:

I have long since this review sold my p990 device and returned to Nokia. I am currently using the E61i until my preorder for the E90 Communicator is fulfilled. The p990 was and is still a great device, but just not for my purposes. This is a real shame, for I will always have a soft spot in my techie heart for touchscreens and styli in navigating that p990. I just couldn't tolerate the inconvenience of no Apple iSync support and a slow Quickoffice Word interface in writing my poetry and blog entries. Nokia has provided reliable stability in both these areas and I plan to remain with them as a loyal customer. The p990 is still a capable device for what it can do, only as long as it is updated to the current firmware and can adequately meet one's needs.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Ericsson P990i Unlocked Cell Phone with 2 MP Camera, 3G, MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Pro Du Here

I love this phone. I've wanted a p-series phone for like 4 years now and once i got enough money, i bought it from amazon. Before buying it, i read all the negative and positive reviews about it on this and like 10 other websited. i made myself research for like a month on the phone because i dont just want to waist 600+ dollars on a phone that turns out like crap. But i went for it anyways and it turned out great. It is very easy to use for a pda. Before this i had a sidekick 3. After the sk3 i bought a t-mobile mda, but returned it because it was too confusing. That was my biggest fear buying the p990, but it proved me wrong. I also have NOT been experiencing and random shut-downs or long wait times. It's actually alot faster than my sk3! The screen resoulution is outstanding for a touch screen. the camera is awsome and i love that it doubles as a flash light. The buisness card reader ACTUALLY WORKS! I tested it with a buisness card with a website, e-mail, phone, name, and company name and the damn thing read everything and saved it in the phone book flawlessly. Wi-fi works great too. I connected to my Hotspots account and the phone performed great. 3G is kinda usless for me right now scince t-mobile dosent offer 3g, BUT! i just read that t-mobile just signed an FCC contract to roll out a 3G network in 07!!! So the video phone with soon come very handy. Overall, its the best phone ive had yet. Great look, intuitivness, and sound quality. It truly is THEE PDA Killer.

Want Sony Ericsson P990i Unlocked Cell Phone with 2 MP Camera, 3G, MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Pro Du Discount?

After the first day, I was frustrated with the phone (software problems, connectivity) until I updated the software and found further menu's and how-to's. Now it's perfect. I recommend the phone for people who likes gadgets, pda phones, smartphones, etc, but if you're not into that, this phone can get very complicated to use.

I havent had problems with rebooting or program crashing so far, unlike some other customers. If you want a hi-tech phone, I recommend getting this.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Motion Sensor Nanny Spy Hidden Covert Camera Video & Audio Recorder DVR with Built-in Color Pinhole

Motion Sensor Nanny Spy Hidden Covert Camera Video & Audio Recorder DVR with Built-in Color Pinhole Surveillance Spy Camera motion detection, Wi-fi n, Recording & Remote Internet AccessI looked at hundreds of hidden cameras, eventually I decided to go with this one.

I needed support connecting the camera wirelessly, I called support and the helped set it up.

The camera is doing all I needed, its adjustable, the video is very sharp, and the audio quality is very clear.

Shipping was fast, well packed, included manual with pictures and CD with programs.

First I had to use the cable for initial configuration (my router doesn't have WPS for fast wireless configuration).

WIFI is fast and I can see 30 frames per second.

Definitely going to purchase additional unit for the basement.

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I now have 3 of them installed around the house.

I am able to view all 3 cameras simultaneously in real time.

The box arrived with simple step by step instructions with pictures.

The motion detection device looks like a regular one I have for the alarm system.

What I liked in the first place is that its Wi-Fi wireless, I didn't want to worry about installing cables all over the house.

This model has night vision, I can watch the kids room from my iPhone without leaving bed at night.

Over all exactly what I needed.

Read Best Reviews of Motion Sensor Nanny Spy Hidden Covert Camera Video & Audio Recorder DVR with Built-in Color Pinhole Here

Monday, June 2, 2014

ARKON CMP220 8.5 Inches Flexible Windshield and Dash Mount for Cameras with 1/4 20 Screw Thread

ARKON CMP220 8.5 Inches Flexible Windshield and Dash Mount for Cameras with 1/4 20 Screw ThreadAfter using four other mounts, this one has it all.

Pros: It attaches securely, the flexible arm is long enough, and it doesn't sag over time. The camera mounting head itself is also adjustable so that just the camera itself can be aimed precisely without moving the flexible arm. Even with sharply sloped windshields the flexible arm has enough reach to allow the camera to be positioned below the driver's line of sight.

Cons: This mount is very sturdy, so it is a bit heavier than some other mounts I've used. (That sturdiness is easily worth it; see below.)

Uses: Not just for windshields! I've used it at home on desks, mirrors, refrigerators and tables. It is used here on car dashboards, consoles, hoods, deck lids and even auto roof tops for videoing in and on cars. This mount is frequently attached to various places on the exterior of SUVs for videoing off-road travel, on sports cars while competing in races and on racetrack barricades for documenting each driver's technique.

Just like the pros, I always use a safety cord around the attachment base, but this is the first suction mount I've used that didn't droop with time and has never ever vibrated off. The secure attachment, sturdiness and pricing hits the sweet spot for camera mounts.

For the price this is a good mount. It holds my camera fine but I drive a lot of rough roads so with the flexible arm the camera bounces around. I found that I have to bend the arm so that the camera is touching the windshield to help keep it steady. I would purchase again if needed.

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I wish this was just a bit more sturdy. I got horrible camera shake when I used as a windshield mount for a small camera.

Read Best Reviews of ARKON CMP220 8.5 Inches Flexible Windshield and Dash Mount for Cameras with 1/4 20 Screw Thread Here

I originally bought the Flex Mount for the windshield to record my drives, but the result was very shaky & bouncy (probably due to length, not quality). So I got myself a bulkier/more rigid ball joint mount and it solved the problem, thus rendered the Flex Mount useless. But for my trip to Hong Kong this summer, I grabbed the Flex Mount just in case & I found it pretty handy for still shots & night scenes with my point&shoot. It's definitely not my first choice for a camera stand/tripod, but it was portable & didn't break when I bent it in all sorts of directions (unlike my 2 previously broken Spider Pods).

The Flex Mount provided a good range of motion; it transitioned easily (with practice) from horizontal frame to vertical frame for my photos. And there are some tight places where the suction worked great where you can't get a tripod or spiderpod to stay. Overall, It is a good quality build Flex Mount & suction worked great, but a Flex Mount is just not right for the Car Windshield, therefore I give it 3 stars.

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I use this with the Grifiti-Nootle for iPad mini to make a passable adapter to use ipad mini as GPS in the car. Works well, but the ipad mini is probably just a little too heavy. The mini pulls off the suction cup if everything is not balanced just so, or you take a corner at speed. Luckily, no damage to the mini yet, and with a bit of extra caution, the spills should become pretty rare. I'd recommend a slightly shorter neck design, and don't even try it with a full size ipad.

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Sunday, May 25, 2014

NEW Digital Voice Recorder (Home & Portable Audio)

NEW Digital Voice RecorderIt replaced an older Olympus unit that served me well for about six years then died a sudden death. I like the VN8000PC much better because its screen is clearer and it has five channels instead of four in the old unit. I also appreciate the PC compatibility.

I do miss the calendar function of the old unit, but with cell phones having that function available, it is not a major issue.

I use the VN-81000PC primarily as a reminder type, as I am old enough to have become forgetful. It is a wonderful tool and I recommend it heartily to anyone who has a need for a reminder or even to record meetings. Its sound pickup features have been much improved over the years. I like the pouch that comes with it, it allows me to hang the unit around my neck so I will have it always with me even if I am not wearing something with pockets.Olympus VN-8100PC Digital Voice Recorder 142600 (Silver and Black)

Saturday, May 24, 2014

2GB Card + Mini Camera Cam Pen Hidden Video Camera Recorder DV DVR ,Support Micro Sd Card 4GB 8GB

2GB Card + Mini Camera Cam Pen Hidden Video Camera Recorder DV DVR ,Support Micro Sd Card 4GB 8GBWhen I first received the Camera Pen I tested it out. It Worked as I expected. I bought an 8gb memory card for my new toy, however I need to read the instructions a little more careful, or it does not work with the 8gb memory card. It works great with the 2gb memory card.

The pen arrived quickly, and broke even quicker. Got one good video out of it, then started a second and when I uploaded to my computer I noticed that half the frame is blurred and has a pink tint, and the other half is clear--cleaning the lens off with a cotton swab didn't have any effect). The clip broke off on my third attempt. Just from clipping it onto my shirt pocket.

You get what you pay for.

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the one that i was sent is a piece of junk. instructions are not clear. do not buy this product

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Excelente producto, fácil de usar y muy buena resolución de imagen, lo recomiendo plenamente, no lo había calificado por que LIBERTY me lo entrego muy tarde, a pesar que el vendedor lo despacho a tiempo. Gracias

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This gadet only worked 1 time. I was very disappointed. I saw a similar item at Brookstone...guess I shoul've gotten it there.

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Friday, May 23, 2014

VideoSecu Outdoor Day Night Security Camera Infrared Weatherproof CCTV Home 1/3" CCD 420 TV Lines 2

VideoSecu Outdoor Day Night Security Camera Infrared Weatherproof CCTV Home 1/3' CCD 420 TV Lines 28 IR LEDs Wide View Angle Lens with Free Power Supply A71This little camera is very well built with an alumimum body and sliding sun shield. Please note that the camera bracket that I received is not the one pictured on Amazon. The good news is that it is smaller, the same color as the camera and may be metal, just not sure. I really think they have upgraded this part of the camera. Nice! This camera is about half the length of two other cameras that I just recently purchased. SVAT CV31 Hi-Res Outdoor CCD Security Camera w/Long Range Night Vision Please read my Amazon review on this camera! Both of these cameras are about the same in picture and construction quality. The Svat camera comes with 60' of power/video cable with RCA connectons only. Your may need these 20 Pcs of BNC Male Connectors Adapters for RG59 Coaxial Cable 1FV to complete hookup to your DVR card in your computer. If plugging into a TV you will not need these connectors. The VideoSecur camera has the BNC connector so just order your video/power cable with BNC connectors VideoSecu 3 X 50 Feet Power Video Cable with BNC RCA Connector for CCTV Security Cameras 1QA The VideoSecur camera does come with the power adaptor, you just will need the power/video cable. The BNC connectors twist lock at the connection, RCA cables do not. I like the BNC connectors better as they will not come apart. The day time picture is great. The night vision is about the same on both cameras up to 45 feet or so with no additional lighting. I just installed 2 motion detection floodlights which are also a great 5 star product from Amazon (Heath Zenith SL-5525-WH 250-Watt Quartz Motion-Sensing Light) and these make the night picture almost a good as daytime. The Svat and the VideoSecur camera will both do motion recording when hooked up to a DVR card that supports this feature. Since I have motion detection on my cameras and floodlights I can clearly indentify which one of my neighbors cats is digging in my flower bed and leaving paw prints on the roof of my car at 3 AM in the morning. How about that! I put some signs up that I purchased in the windows warning folks that they are on camera and being recorded. I do feel much safer in my home and I think that a potential unwanted guest will probably move to another home to commit a crime. (Sorry about that neighbors). I certainly would not hesitate to recommend this 5 star camera. The only thing I can't say is how long they will last, only time will tell. I can say that all 4 cameras I have ordered where packaged well for shipping and all worked right out of the box.

Note that all security cameras with built-in IR illuminators suffer from a common issue: the illuminator picks up on dust motes and tiny insects floating in the air right in front of the lens and turns them into giant bright white blobs, triggering video-based motion detection (if you are using such). This generates numerous false alarms.

Fortunately, the solution is simple -turn off the IR on the camera and use an external IR source. This camera doesn't have a switch for that purpose, but you can simply unscrew the cylindrical case near the front, revealing the IR module surrounding the lens, Unplug the IR module, and that problem (at least) is solved. For extra McGyver points, you can remove the IR module from the camera, connect it to 12Vdc, and mount it away from the camera but pointed at the camera's view -Voila! Night vision without the giant blobs. I assume that removing the module would void the warranty, but what does McGyver care about warranties?

For the McGyver-impaired, there are nice 850nm IR illuminators available from Amazon for under $10 ("YY Trade IR30" OR "YY_IR30", ASIN B001P2E4U4). This is a good match to the built-in illuminator in the camera.

For an inexpensive color camera, this unit has exceptional low light capability, and excellent IR sensitivity at 850nm, the wavelength of most IR illuminators. The IR functionality is pixel-by-pixel, meaning that you can have a scene that is partly illuminated by natural light and partly by IR, and the natural light portion will be in color, and the IR part in glorious monochrome.

The 3.6mm lens provides an excellent wide field of view.

The supplied mount is flexible and sturdy, although not a true ball-socket mount.

The supplied 12Vdc supply is the smallest I have seen.

The supplied security sticker... is a security sticker.

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The camera appeared to be high quality. Much better than the cameras that came with my Swann DVR. Color day and night. Had good range on the IR. Unfortunately half of the IR led's are out or dim. Beyond the Amazon and seller's return date of 30 days, does not appear to be any warranty. Contacted videosecu.com, no reply. Oh, well! Still works, just doesn't shine out as far. Will not purchase any more videosecu cameras and cannot recommend.

Read Best Reviews of VideoSecu Outdoor Day Night Security Camera Infrared Weatherproof CCTV Home 1/3" CCD 420 TV Lines 2 Here



Here is a video of my yard man out in the yard. The camera is up about 10 Feet high. As you can see the coverage is great. The colors are correct on this camera. If you are using a low budget bullet-cam (like the ones in the bundled kits)... do yourself a favor and upgrade. This also has superior night vision compared to the zMODO bullet cam I replaced. The only think I can think that I do not really care for is the mount. Also, If I were to buy another camera, I would suggest finding one with 500-600 TVL (Depending on your DVR's resolution options). Overall this a great camera for the price!

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I am impressed with this camera. I ordered it to replace one I had over looking the drive way. WOW! What a difference there is. Instead of seeing part of one car in the driveway and one in the street, I see the entire driveway with two cars and the front. A very wide street view! And the night view is excellent. I have uploaded a picture of the view at night overlooking my driveway at night with no lights on. The three other cameras have some night vision, but this new camera really shows everything. And for the price I paid....it's a deal. Amazon got it here very quick, I hooked it up in minutes, and adjusted the camera within seconds. The arm that mounts the camera is metal, and you can adjust easily. Once it's locked into place it stays steady. You cannot find a better wide view/night vision camera for this price!

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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Line 6 FloorPOD Plus

Line 6 FloorPOD Plus
  • 32 Amp models from POD 2.0 with Drive, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Channel Volume control
  • 16 modulation effects, including chorus, flanger, and tremolo, plus 6 delay models (dedicated and separate from the modulation effects)
  • 128 Presets
  • 7 footswitches with 1 Volume/Wah Pedal and Tap Tempo / Tuner footswitch
  • Inputs/Outputs include a 1/4-Inch Input, 2 unbalanced 1/4-Inch Outputs, 1/4-Inch Headphone jack and 1/8-Inch CD/Mp3 input

First of all, the problem with reading many of the reviews for devices like this is that many of them are written by newbies who have been playing guitar for two years and have no idea what a good tube amp sounds like, and have no clue what the purpose of the Line 6 Floor Pod is. It is NOT an "effects pedal"; it's a digital amp modeler. That is, Line 6 closely examined numerous classic and modern tube amplifiers and created software that emulates those tones, so that you can use great amplifier sounds for recording or performing without having to shell out the $$$ for a bunch of different amps. This unit duplicates amplifiers by Marshall, Vox, Matchless, Dumble (sort of...), MESA/Boogie, Fender, Soldano, and others. For the most part, if you heard these models in a recording or a performance you'd never know they were digital models they sound that good. Now, there are tube amp snobs that will reject this whole concept as a "toy", but I guarantee that if they heard a recording that was done with the Line 6 Floor Pod they'd never even realize it wasn't a real tube amp. This unit works best direct into a PA system or into a PC sound card for recording. It has built-in speaker emulation that is highly flexible. It even has a built-in "stomp box" that you can put in front of the amp models for more gain. The built-in effects (chorus, flange, delay, reverb, etc.) are decent. I have owned several Marshalls and MESA/Boogies and I will say that the Line 6 emulation of those is very realistic. It has a bunch of presets, but these are completely useless because they are so over the top. It's best to program your own sounds and overwrite the presets. For the price, you will not find a more versatile, realistic sounding tube amp emulator anywhere.

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This product is my first entry into guitar pedals and it meets all of my expectations on sound output variety and quality. A few minor annoyances exist, such as no easy way to turn power off/on to the pedals, and you have to refer to the manual frequently to understand all the different sounds that are available and how to get to each. Other than that it has been fun playing with the different sounds at the touch of my foot!

Read Best Reviews of Line 6 FloorPOD Plus Here

Well, I bought this to replace my Pod 2.0 and my floorboard. This is a more compact package with much better effects. The device is plastic, and probably won't be as durable as the floorboard (which is probably indestructible). I don't notice much of a difference in sound, if any. I haven't recorded with it yet, mainly used it live.

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I've owned every type of stomp box, rack mounted gizmo, and floor units like this and I have to say, this unit is amazing! Better than the Vox, or Digitech or Rolands Ive owned, it does take some getting used to the controls, but other than that the effects are crystal clear and editable. The amp models are accurate and with some tweaking you can get some amazing tones happening here. The gate keeps the unit very quiet at loud volumes with high gain. Whoever the modeling team is at Line 6 did a great job here and the manual is easy to read and well written. This is the best unit around for the money.

I have been play guitar for 18 years now. Have had a variety of pedals over the years. THis is currently the pedal I use. I was inspired to buy a line 6 after hearing the quality of their effects from other guitarists in my church band.

This is a very good pedal for the price. There are absolutely excellent sounds effects. With all the customizable amps and effects, you really can get just about any sound that you want. AC/DC, Led Zepellin, Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creed, Collective Soul are some of the bands I like to cover and this pedal can recreate all their sounds. The great thing is that you don't have to have a fancy amplifier. This pedal sounds great connected directly to the PA system. ALso sounds great connecting my acoustic through it. The wah/volume pedal is easy to switch on/off and sounds great. I had a crybaby wah pedal that I never use now because of this pedal. The quality of the effects are comparable to those of the XT live, though I think that pedal has a few more effects than this, but to be honest, I don't even use all the sounds on this pedal as there are so many to chose from.

A couple of drawbacks: It doesn't have digital display/interface like the XT live pedal. ALso, there is no USB output for digital recording, so keep that in mind. If you want a truly professional footpedal, pay the extra dough and get the XT live. But for me, I wanted professional sound for a cheaper price and this is the pedal for me. ALso is much less complicated than the XT live. Easily customizable, and comes with some great presets.

Oh, and btw, the case for the XT live fits this pedal perfectly.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

ContourHD 720p HD Helmet Camera

ContourHD 720p HD Helmet CameraPros:

Comes with mounting options that can be customized to work for just about any application

Comes with 2 GB SD card

Very well build, doesn't feel cheap at all

Rotating lens to accommodated angles when mounted

No external recording device needed

Cons:

Near HD video, I wouldn't call it HD quality even though the video dimensions are HD, but outstanding for a small wearable camera

*Update: The sound is pretty bad if you are going very fast. The mic location could be better because there is an electronic sounds that dominates the audio at high speeds.

Review:

I bought this camera to help make videos of my dad's Camero and Ducati for his father's day present, mostly just to get another angle. The price was great on Amazon! With all the discounts I got it for $230 which is seventy dollars cheaper than anywhere else. The shipping was great, I ordered it on a Thursday and I arrived on a Monday day.

I just took the camera for a spin mounted on the rear foot peg on my Triumph street bike. I used the included goggle mount, a strap from an old headlamp and some zip ties to secure the camera. The goggle mount can be used to mount it pretty must anywhere that is vertical and has something you can run a zip tie around. The video looked pretty good but like I said earlier I wouldn't call it HD. On my 24 inch iMac it looks pretty blurry and graining even when I am not moving to be considered HD but for a small camera it looks great. It is also nice not to have to have an external recording device and all the wires required for connecting. In both settings, HD and SD the video looks great! Both are in widescreen with the HD at a little higher resolution.

The sound is also great. I was probably going 60 or 70 a few times and the wind was noticeable but not annoying. The sound quality when used in a still setting is amazing for such a small camera. I tested it around the house a few times and the sound was great.

Overall I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting to record Point of View sports action. The quality of the product and video are well worth the price. I would see what you can do with the included mounting options for you order the other mounts. Great product!

I own both the VIO POV.1 and the ContourHD. I must preface this by saying I use these cameras in a unique application, that being on a military helicopter. Both have their pro's and con's but since we are talking about the ContourHD, I will offer this:

Pro's:

Resolution, it is HD of course. It does fish eye a bit more than I would like.

All-in-one: No separate components..everything is literally right in your hand. (can be a draw back) No wires....

Laser for making sure the camera is mounted properly.

USB Chargeable battery with decent life.

30 minutes of HD per gig..comes with a 2 gig card. A larger card really is needed.

PRICE!! Excellent.

Cons:

Not anything close to Mil-Spec like the POV.1 (That thing was built for the military)

On/Off switch can slide back and you would never know it. Fixed in later serial numbers.

Mounting options are minimal.

No lens cover..really? Fix that.

Packaging looks pretty on a shelf but mine arrived bouncing around in the pretty plastic box.

No included case.

The all-in-one design offers limitations for remote operations. You have to be within arms reach to use this thing. Also, you have no ideal what you are shooting or what you shot until you get back to your computer. (The POV.1 has the handheld unit so you can see, and edit, what you are shooting...but comes at the expense of bulk and wires)

Depending on your application, this could be and is a great camera. For what I need it for, it is too limited...until I modify the mounts! Do your research and know your mission before you pull the trigger.

Buy ContourHD 720p HD Helmet Camera Now

I finally received the camera from VholdR. So far it's lived up to my expectations. The video that I saw coming from it was super clear and the color looks amazing. It came with its own software that also made everything easier. The 135 degree field of view is better than the fish eye look that you get with some other cameras. Good price for a compact HD camera.

Read Best Reviews of ContourHD 720p HD Helmet Camera Here

I have this as well as the VIO POV1. The video quality and especially the colors are much better on the ContourHD at 1/2 the price. With the external mic, the sound quality is better on the VIO (can put it inside your helmet to cut wind noise). Too bad they don't have an external mic option on the ContourHD. Unitl VIO comes out with HD, the ContourHD is the helmet cam to beat.

And the ContourHD video works great in a Mac with IMovie.

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I'm going to start with the negatives. Yes, the mic could be better. But when you're haulin', wind noise will almost always be a factor. Battery life? Eh, sure it's not fabulous... but once you pick this thing up, see and feel the size of it, realize that there are NO external parts, and then see the video it produces? You'll forgive the battery life. Buy another battery, which is easy to do when your entire helmet cam costs less than half of anything even remotely in the same league (although nothing actually IS in the same league).

Positives? Where do I begin? This thing is all-inclusive (did I mention NO external wires at ALL?), very lightweight (I hardly notice its presence on my bike helmet), super easy to use, and records unbelievably smooth (I found it almost too smooth, in fact... looks like a cable cam is flying through the trees as opposed to me rolling rocks on my mountain bike) HD video. Yes, the HD isn't as clear as it could be, but if you've read any of the other benefits of this cam, believe me you won't care. The video is still leagues (and I mean LEAGUES) ahead of anything that is out there for this amount of money (and most of the stuff that costs at least twice as much... I'm looking at you, VIO). I've been disappointed in the quality of video of every helmet cam I've used until now.

This device is worth every penny. Make sure your computer can edit HD video though, otherwise everything will look choppy.

Buy this camera as soon as you can. It's a blast.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Magnavox ZC320MW8 DVD Recorder

Magnavox ZC320MW8 DVD RecorderIf you're looking to buy the Magnavox ZC320MW8 DVD recorder you are probably looking for a no-frills machine that does the job for a reasonable price; you wouldn't expect a top of the line model with all of the whistles and bells for this price. However, if you are looking for a DVD recorder that will make perfectly good copies from VHS, TV, your home cable box with a hard drive DVD recorder, or from other DVDs, then this machine will not disappoint.

Having read the other reviews for this product, I would make the following observations:

1. The pause function works perfectly well; the BIG red pause sign that is displayed on your TV (but not on the DVD being recorded) for a few seconds is a good enough indicator of the machine's current recording status. If you forget whether or not you pressed the pause button because it is not continually displayed throughout the pause process, I would attribute any confusion more to user error than to a design flaw. In essence, it would be nice to have the pause sign displayed while the machine is paused, but I SERIOUSLY doubt it will be an issue for you.

2. The lack of a continuous 'time remaining' feature will only be a problem if you plan your recording badly. The user sets the amount of recording time on each disc before recording begins, so he should know how much time he has. And after each recording session the disc menu clearly shows how much time is still available on the disc with even a modicum of planning, this will not be a problem.

3. The machine doesn't make copies of the disc it just recorded, but by repeating the recording process you will have an exact copy. The only problem with this would occur if you were creating a disc from a large number of sources, but I'd guess that most (95%+) users will make straight copies from VHS, TV or DVD which would negate this issue entirely. BTW, I have copied many films from TV and edited out the commercials with no problems whatsoever. And you could always hook up a DVD player to the machine to play the first disc and make a copy that way.

4. I've never had a problem with the remote (pointing it even vaguely in the direction of the machine has always worked for me) or with the editing process. The only tiny issue I have is with the user manual; while the step-by-step instructions it gives are very clear, difficult to get wrong, and even have pictures to illustrate each task, I found the order of the chapters not to be intuitive. So if you can handle having to check the table of contents the first couple of times you use the machine (after two uses you should be able to use the machine without needing recourse to the manual), then you will have no problems.

To sum up; for all but the most finicky of recordings this machine will very easily do exactly what the user needs, and will do it for a good price.

Like everyone else, I also wanted to copy my old VHS in DVDs. It's easy to setup, does the job, no problems.

The price was fair and I have had it for more than a year without problems, but no heavy usage either.

Remote is kinda oversimplified. Labeling the titles is like using your cellphone to type text... clumsy.

Pause key is used a lot, so it should be bigger. In a nutshell, the design of the remote is horrible.

You want to make a second copy to send to mommy ? Too bad: the device doesn't make copies by itself, so you have to have your player hooked to it.

No display of any kind, so you have no idea how much time you have recorded.

No pause indicator.. this is worse as it only flashes on the screen for a couple of seconds, so while you mess with the source of program you find yourself unsure if pause is engaged or not.

So, here the pros:

price/value

easy to hook up

does the job

slim

your grandma is probably smart enough to use it :-)

Cons:

no pause indicator: you will miss this !

no elapsed/remaining time indicator

doesn't make copies of the finished disk : you will wish for this

remote needs to point straight at the unit.. you can live with that

editing and finishing the disk is kinda of hidden

Recommended for beginners and non techie people or, just as an entry level recorder.

Buy Magnavox ZC320MW8 DVD Recorder Now

Just to clarify I bought this machine from walmart.com. The machine was refurbished and cost me $56.55 after taxes and shipping fees.

I bought this machine because I needed to transfer my 8mm Sony Camcorder tapes to DVD. About two months ago I bought the Diamond One Touch digital converter to convert my 8mm tapes to my computer so I could then transfer to DVD. Bad idea. The Diamond One touch simply sucked and created out of sync audio, choppy and off centered picture, along with black static lines appearing on the picture often. I am so glad I did some more research and opted for hardware that would convert straight to DVD rather than converting to a digital file first.

Magnavox DVD Recorder is simply awesome if you are using for the purpose of converting to DVD. I'm not sure how it plays as a simple DVD player since for the past two days I've been recording only. Thus far I have successfully converted six home videos. The audio and video quality is very good. Keep in mind though that if you are transferring from video, the quality is probably going to only be as good as the video. I played back my DVD's in a blue ray player and viewed on a HD TV and the quality was pretty good for some old 8mm tapes. The color is a little washed out yes, but that's because of the 8mm tapes and not this player. Make sure you are using high quality DVD's that have enough space. Also be sure to read the directions, it took me two DVD's to mess up before I got it right.

If you also want a digital file of the tapes you are converting then after you have recorded on to DVD and finalized, place the DVD into your computers CD/DVD drive, go to your computer options and open up the drive location for your CD/DVD and copy over the VTS files, the longer the video the more VTS files you will have. No need to convert these files since they should be .vob which will play in windows media player, not sure about quick time player. Anyway, this was a great buy if you need to convert home videos. Of course you will need the camcorder to play you 8mm tapes. Simply connect the camcorder to the DVD recorder the same way you would connect the camcorder to your TV. After that connect the DVD recorder to your TV so you can see what you are transferring. Pop in a blank DVD into the recorder, read the instruction manual which comes with the DVD recorder and go fourth from there. Everything records in real time, so it will take some time to convert everything.

Magnavox ZC320MW8 DVD Recorder

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I have 2 of these,,,one with the vhs combo and they all 3 do the job. Nothing fancy as far as trying to operate it. (That's what I like about it.) Records nice with a good playback picture. I think Walmart mightta originally sold these. I've had several dvd recorders and these do what you want for a fraction of the Panasonic and Sony's cost.

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I have two other Magnavox DVD recorders. Simple to the point. Very happy with this product. Refurbished scared me. Not anymore.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Kodak PlayFull HD Video Camera - BlueSilver

Kodak PlayFull HD Video Camera - BlueSilverFirst, let's consider this is a 99 dollar camcorder that's also one of the smallest capable of 1080-30p video and five megapixel stills. As such, it is an amazing piece of technology that does what it was designed to do, and does it quite well, I might add.

Compared to the FLIP, the Kodak has many advantages. In addition to the silky smooth 720-60p video setting (same as FLIP) it offers three other video settings (1080-30p, 720-30p and 480-30p) and one still setting (5 megapixel) that the FLIP does not. It is smaller than the FLIP. It allows up to 6 hours of shooting at 1080p and 13 hours at 480p (which is DVD quality video). The MP4 format is very Mac and PC friendly, and works well in Final Cut Pro 7 without needing to transcode to Quicktime first. It also plays well in Sony Vegas 11.

The built in lithium battery runs nearly two hours on a full charge, but it can not be removed or replaced. When it's discharged, you're done shooting until you recharge it. The good news is you can charge it from a wall charger, a car's lighter plug or a computer USB port. Yes, it has a flip-out USB connector that appears flimsy, but actually is quite ingenious since it minimizes the torque strain the FLIP puts on your computer's USB port as it hangs out fully extended. I broke a USB port charging a FLIP on my PC this way.

The small size is amazing. It's much smaller than the FLIP, but on the down side, so is the LCD. If you need reading glasses, you won't be able to see this LCD well without them.

The lens is very sharp considering it's only about 1/16th of an inch in diameter. In fact, I can see no edge softness or chromatic aboration in the stills or in the video images. Of course, it's a fixed focus, prime lens, so your creativity is limited to wide angle shots. Don't bother using the digital zoom, as this only makes the image look pixelated. You're better off zooming in during post production and leaving the total image intact on the memory card.

In bright sunlight or hazy outdoor light, the Playful delivers a razor sharp image at 1080p. It does display small compression artifacting that some people mistake for grain. It is not predominant, and most users will never notice it sitting at a normal distance from their TV screen. I should also like to note that playing the memory card through my BluRay player's SD card port yields a cleaner looking image than playing the same card through the camera's HDMI port. Same with playing the card on an iMac using it's own SD slot. I suspect the playback circuitry in the camera adds a little grain itself, but it does not matter once you import the files into your editing software.

In bright indoor conditions, such as a daylit room or normal office lighting, the image is still very clean. The color is very accurate, with skin tones having that rich, filmy look. In dimly lit rooms, the grain does indeed show up, but it looks more filmatic than electronic, creating sort of a 16mm film look. Regardless, the sharpness and color are much better than the FLIP, and the grain is not as much as the FLIP under similar lighting. Exposure seems to be more accurate than any other camcorder this size. While the FLIP tends to overexpose many outdoor scenes, the Kodak always seems to be spot-on. Naturally, there are no manual controls over the color or exposure. Luckily, the camera seems to do a good job of this automatically under varying lighting conditions. There is no focus control. Focus is fixed from 4 feet to infinity. You can get in a little closer in bright light, but less than three feet and the focus becomes too soft.

Still images look sharp from corner to corner, but seem to lack the higher contrast that is evident in the videos. You can easily fix this in any photo editing software. Five megapixels is impressive for a camera this small. Yes, you can capture stills from video, and even at the two megapixel limitation of 1080 video, they still look pretty good.

There is electronic stabilization, but don't count on it to remove the jitters in one's extended arm holding the camera one handed. You need two hands cupped strategically around the camera so as not to block the lens or microphone in order to maintain a steady image.

The sound is mono, but has much more punch in the bottom end than the FLIP. But the FLIP's better directional mikes work better picking up individual voices in a room filled with party guests. Wind noise can be annoying, and there's no way to monitor the audio as you shoot. There is also no external mike input. Then remember, this is a shirt pocket 99 dollar camcorder.

This is a simple camcorder to use, and it offers a few setups that FLIP doesn't, including audio level controls and a few video effects. But if you're not interested in changing the settings, you can use it as it comes. Just be aware the factory preset is the middle video quality of 720-30p.

Some early models had locking up problems, but Kodak has a free firmware download that solves this problem. Most recent batches already have the newer firmware installed.

While some users complain of graininess in low light, I think this is one of the best in it's class and size as far as image quality goes. The Kodak Play Sport model offers slightly better imaging in low light, a bigger viewfinder and is also waterproof. Most other features are similar enough to make it hard to distinguish the images between the PlayFul and the PlaySport.

Rick Bennette

For a basic 1080 HD digital Hand-held cam, I think its better than the flip. It accepts up to 32gig SD cards, perhaps more since it has the high capacity support. It's smaller than the flip, and its more easily portable as well.

I did have the Sanyo VPC-CG102, the resolution on playback was grainy, in addition the layout on that unit is very bad. Not easy and doesn't fit in your hand in a way you would want to hold for an hour taking video.. NO GO

I had the Kodak ZI8, great unit, and is the best $100 device small form factor there is. But, not the latest and greatest

I had the Panasonic TA-1, great size, but video was Baaaad. The quality looked very bad for me, plus no 60fps 720 setting. Not good

After going through all this I knew Kodak, from my earlier ZI8 I happened to loose somewhere, took high quality video, so I went with this new Playful. CES2011 gave some positive remarks on it, worth a shot.

So far, so good. I have taken several 720 60fps and 18080 videos, all seem to sync with your setting. 1080 does look to be the smoothest and best quality video. I like the construction, outside feels solid, the side access doors do seem a little flimsy, but the connectors that go into the device are rubber, so much better than plastic in terms of longevity.

Zoom is okay, but will kill the overall resolution. Has a very good lens aperture, when you hold it, even directly in front of you your getting a great angle of view.

Quality 4 out of 5

Video quality 4.5 out of 5

sound 4 out of 5

Overall Purchase 4.5 out of 5

Buy Kodak PlayFull HD Video Camera - BlueSilver Now

You might give it 2-stars or 5-stars. No matter what you compare it to, this thing is better and worse.

Compare it to a smart-phone that has a good still+video camera and it's always with you, or an iPod Touch that shoots video at 720p and does 1000 other things. Compare it to a real camera that has a flash, shooting options, protected lens, etc.

These PROs and CONSs may help you decide if it's for you.

PROs:

* True HD video 1920 x 1080p

* Also has 720p @ 60 frames per second

* 5 megapixel stills (wide frame 3072 x 1728)

* Small and Light (3.95" x 1.6" x .7") amazing!

* Very easy to use

* Clean, simple interface. (Note 1)

* Ergonomic. Easy one handed operation.

Boot-to-Shoot is under 2 seconds. Few missed shots.

Easily clip out bad footage from video

Easily grab 2-megapixel stills from video

HDMI output directly to HDTV

Can mount to a tripod

Stands on edge (any table is a tripod)

Removable/upgradable memory (unlike iPhone or iPod Touch) (up to 32 GB SDHC) (but not included with camera)

Not part of your phone. You can loan it, use it while your phone is in use, it doesn't wear down your phone battery.

Built-in USB male connector (nice! See notes with uploaded photo)

Charge from wall or computer USB

Share utilities easier than with most cameras, but much harder than from a smart-phone.

CONs:

* No flash (but it does pretty well in low light)

* Fixed focus, no auto focus

* Very few photographic options or settings, no optical zoom, etc.

* Display is small, low res. (1.5" diag. see Note 2)

The Kodak Share software is icky. Skip it, use explorer. (see Note 3)

Battery is not user replaceable

You won't always have it with you (vs a smart-phone)

Note 1: It's not iPhone elegant, but the interface makes a lot of sense. Simple, very few layers, all the right buttons. Easy to learn, hard to forget. Few missed shots.

Note 2: The screen displays images in a 1.2" x .67" space with information bands above and below. Small, but adequate for evaluation and editing. The whole screen looks to be about 180 x 135 pixels. Zooms (2x, 4x, 8x) use the whole screen.

Note 3: I found the Kodak Share Button software lame and annoying at every turn. I only used it to auto upload pics & vids to my PC. It changes the date/time stamps (created, modified, etc.) of every file to when you UPLOADED it. You can't pick a default location for videos separate from pics. Etc., etc., etc. Better to move files manually with Windows Explorer.

26-page User Manual (posted at Kodak's site) has more specs and info.

Summary: Full HD video; small, easy-to-use package; no missed shots; affordable. Probably 5-stars if these are your buttons.

Read Best Reviews of Kodak PlayFull HD Video Camera - BlueSilver Here

I really like cameras and this one sounded really great. I have tried the Flip minoHD, Sony Bloggie, and this one now. This one is the smallest of the 3 and records in 1080p the same as the Bloggie. The Flip records in 720p.

The camera is very easy to use but does not come with any internal memory you have to buy an Sd card. It can take upto a 32 GB. I bought an 8GB and it will hold about 1 1/2 hrs of 1080p video or 5500 pictures (it has a 5Mp camera). This can be a good thing or a bad thing I really like when they include the memory as it very handy to already have it onbard but this gives you the option to upgrade and hold more video. (This wasnt a deal breaker for me.) The camer also comes with an USb cord that plugs into the side as well as into the included AC adapter.

The cons for me where the size of the display screen. It is very tiny and hard to see things. Also the Usb that comes out of the top is very flexible and doesnt really open enough to hook into your USb slot with out an adapter. I almost broke off the USB adapter first thing it bends so much and is very cheaply made. Also I plugged the USB/AC adapter into the side of camera and hooked to my computer and I couldnt figure out why the preinstalled software wasnt downloading then I realized this is only for charging and you have to use the USB arm to install the software.

A decent camera which is a little better than the sony bloggie which I had problems with(you can check out my review for it) but the Flip is still easier to use and setup then both of these it just doesnt record in 1080p.

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Six months ago I purchased a Kodak PlayTouch HD. I paid more for it than the cost of this Kodak PlayFull. I now also have this Kodak PlayFull and in comparing the two, this PlayFull takes MUCH better pictures.

PlayTouch vs PlayFull

Appearance:

The PlayTouch is the nicer looking of the two. It has a beautiful shape and touch screen that resembles an iPhone. It's sleek and expensive looking. The PlayFull simpler looking. When you look at the two cameras, you would most likely always chose the PlayTouch because the appearance of it makes it seem like it would be a better camera. This however is not the case.

Size:

The Kodak PlayFull is only about half the size of the PlayTouch. It's very small and can easily be carried in a pants pocket. It's actually smaller than my cell phone. While at first I wasn't sure I would like something this small, I have found I end up taking it with me more and using it mush more because of it's compact design.

Screen:

When it comes to screen size, the PlayTouch wins hands down. It's almost entirely screen, so it has a huge display that is fully touch screen. The PlayFull's screen is very tiny, about the size of 2 postage stamps, so sometimes you have a hard time knowing if you got the picture you were trying to get. Not good if you have any difficulties at all with your vision.

Still photos:

The PlayFull takes much better pictures than the PlayTouch. Neither of the two Kodak cameras offer a flash (a mistake I feel), but at least this PlayFull can still take a nice picture indoors and low light environments. The PlayTouch is almost useless to use for still photos unless your outside or somewhere with fluorescent lighting. This PlayFull can also take a nice picture without blurring, while over 50% of my pictures with the PlayTouch are blurry.

Video:

Both the PlayTouch and and PlayFull take a nice video. In the end, I feel the video I have shot with the PlayFull has come out brighter and better quality.

Ease of use:

While the PlayTouch is beautiful to look at, this PlayFull is much easier to use. Dedicated buttons on the camera make using it much simpler than using the PlayTouch that requires navigating through several touch screen menus to use many of the cameras functions.

Conclusion:

While I loved the looks of my beautiful Kodak PlayTouch, I could never get a decent picture with it. Maybe if it had been equipped with a flash, things would have been different. While this Kodak PlayFull may seem small, don't underestimate it. The end result of the pictures and video it takes will surprise you, as it more than makes up for the small screen.

I have learned to love this little camera, and find I use it all the time now and take it everywhere I go.

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Saturday, April 5, 2014

Pyle Home PDH14 14-Inch Portable TFT/LCD Monitor with Built-In DVD Player MP3/MP4/USB SD Card Slot

Pyle Home PDH14 14-Inch Portable TFT/LCD Monitor with Built-In DVD Player MP3/MP4/USB SD Card Slot
  • 14'' High Resolution TFT LCD Screen with adjustable viewing angles; screen rotation - Wireless Full Function remote Control
  • Compatible with DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW/VCD/MP3/MP4/CD-R/CD-RW/JPEG/DIVX/AVI/MPG/VOB Formats - ID3 Tag Compatible
  • High Resolution: 1366 x 768 - Support USB Key/SD/MMC MS Card
  • RCA Audio/Video Line Inputs; Output - Supports Multi Regional PAL/NTSC
  • Built-In Rechargeable Battery Power Source for Portable on the Go Enjoyment of Music; Video Average Battery Life 2 hours - Dimensions: 14.56" x 10.23" x 1.96"

The Pyle Home PDH14 plays DVDs nicely, with great clarity and the size is large enough that several people can watch together without being huddled around it in a tight semicircle. For those exclusive characteristics, I would give 5 stars.

However, this is a PORTABLE DVD PLAYER, and must be evaluated as such. After the initial charge (took several hours), the player was shut down and detached from the charger. The next day, 7 hours later, I tried to use the player, but it would only turn on momentarily, then shut immediately off. After several attempts, I realized the battery was nearly dead. It would play unremarkably while connected to the AC adapter, except the remote wouldn't work (more on that later). So, I referred to the owner's manual again, and discovered that there is a switch on the right side of the player that must be in the off position in addition to shutting it off with the standard power button (momentary switch, circle with line through it icon). So I reconnected the charger, waited until it indicated it was again fully charged, and powered the player down ensuring the side switch was also off. Three hours later, I powered the player up only to discover the battery was nearly dead again!? After repeating this cycle two more times, it became apparent that the battery was not going to hold a charge, or there was a parasitic drain on the system that would not allow it to be unplugged for more than a short while without discharging. Bottom line: when immediately played after disconnecting adapter, the player could be watched untethered to a wall outlet for 57 minutes--SCRATCH PORTABLE FROM THIS PLAYER.

Second problem with the player I received was the remote was inoperable. Albeit, a minor problem with this player since no control features were exclusive to the remote, and all could be accesses through the player's MENU interface. It should be noted the player did not come with batteries; so, I installed new batteries, ensured correct polarity, and... nothing. With batteries in remote, I tested voltage into the remote and it was 3.31 volts. I then viewed the remote's LED while operating with my IR camera that visually reveals function of remotes--also nothing. At that point, I didn't bother attempting to further disassemble the remote (split the case) as the major problem with the player's ability to be portable had already been discovered.

In all honesty, had the player worked as stated regarding portability (been able to watch a full movie while not connected to a wall receptacle), I would have overlooked the bad remote. I contacted the selelr (Quality Car Audio), repackaged, and return-shipped at my expense, and was refunded the price of the player. I've since read more than a handful of reviews stating remotes weren't working. I'm always looking for a good deal and I'm very pragmatic/frugal--but this Pyle Home PDH14 DVD Player wasn't it. I cannot recommend the PDH14 based on my experience with it.

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HUGE CRISP SCREEN!!! ***The BEST portable DVD player out there ! LOVE all the functionscomes with everything!... Nice & solid ,swivels to any angle-SUPERIOR qualitycan't believe I never heard of PYLE b4 ! WoW !!! U will certainly be impressed !!!:)

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Fun little DVD player! It hooks my train ride up with action, comedy and basically helps me time-travel through my commute. You can use a DVD with it, or a USB thumb drive if you so choose, it does both. Has great battery life, often lasting for two days before I give it a recharge. Charges fully in about an hour. Great for the hour commute each day. The remote control is a fully functional one, meaning you can select any menu feature with it that you can directly on the unit.

The compact size is perfect. Very lightweight, and folds flat around the size of a laptop. Very dependable.

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I thought it was pretty light but works great. don't know how long the battery will last. I do wish there was more volume out.

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I just traveled from NY to Brazil with 4 kids and AA airlines do not offer any videos for kids. This was the smartest idea to take with this DVD player. The battery like is like all DVD players about 3 hours. I also bought an external battery for extra life. The unit is very clear and good quality. The good thing about this is that I put on some family videos on a USB drive and they watched those videos as well. Overall I think this is a great product especially for the price. I like the idea you can tilt the unit monitor. The unit also comes with a strap to add to a car headrest but I did not try it yet.I also bought a external battery pack that works great with this product Lenmar DVDU923 Universal Li-Ion Battery for Select Portable DVD Players (Electronics).For long flights this is a great help

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

ZMODO DVR-DK61102-1TB 16 CH Security Surveillance DVR Outdoor Security Camera System 1TB

ZMODO DVR-DK61102-1TB 16 CH Security Surveillance DVR Outdoor Security Camera System 1TBI was a little skeptical when buying but checked out manufacturrer website and was quite pleased with specs and literature available. Other then you may need some 100' wires this system is great! True 60' nightvision, motion sensing, ptz control(pan tilt zoom), and who doesn't like the ability to expand to 3tb, HDMI, list goes on. Haven't tried the internet remote viewing yet but I would definately recommend. Oh yeah if you disconnect any camera there is a built in very audible alarm!

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

16 LED 140°dual Wide Angel Lens - X8000 Vehicle Blackbox GPS G-sensor Car Camera/car Dvr

16 LED 140°dual Wide Angel Lens - X8000 Vehicle Blackbox GPS G-sensor Car Camera/car Dvrthanks . this is a nice item and very usefull . perfect for a car when you are working or else

This device works very well. You can begin to use it once you get past the Chinese font characters. When you first turn it on you have 2 options in Chinese. Pick one, and when it gets to the next screen press the "menu" button. Scroll down toward the bottom and you will find a symbol of a "person with a dialogue bubble" that's where you can change the language. After selecting the language sub-menu you will see "English."

It's easy to operate, captures quality video and has a remarkably clear audio capture even outside the vehicle.

The playback on the computer is easy to operate as well and organizes all the footage seamlessly into individual recording sessions which are broken down further into 60 second segments. You can pick and choose which segments to save, lock (so it wont get recorded over), delete.

The SD card should be a "class 6" but I am using a "4" and it works fine. You cannot use computer playback directly from the camera, you have to take the SD card out and read it individually.

The night vision works, but after it's dark it pays to have brighter headlights in regards to the camera's visibility. Still, it will capture any evidence of an event that occurs to the vehicle via the built in G-sensor, and the camera does capture video from outside the back window if you point one lens that way so other vehicle headlights can be seen behind you at night.

It's a pain to un-clip it from it's mount. Sometimes I'm afraid to leave it in my car window and it's difficult to un-clip.

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

Samsung DVD-V9800 Tunerless 1080p Upconverting VHS Combo DVD Player

Samsung DVD-V9800 Tunerless 1080p Upconverting VHS Combo DVD Player
  • 1080p up-conversion DVD/VCR combo
  • VCR recorder
  • HDMI-CEC (Anynet+?)
  • EZView
  • Multi-format playback ? DVD, DVD±R, DVD±RW, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX?
  • 96KHz/24-Bit Audio Processing
  • HDMI-CEC (Anynet+)
  • Multi-format playback ? DVD, DVD±R, DVD±RW, CD,CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX

A friend recommended the Samsung, as he has had very good luck with them, so I started looking at reviews over the past month on both DVD/VCR Players and Recorders. I had wanted to convert all my VHS Tapes to DVD, and had initially wanted a DVD Recorder, but since you cannot copy Copyrighted Material, I decided to go for the Player Combo.

Pros: The HDMI Interface is a must with my new Bravia T.V., and the Up-Conversion works great at 1080P. I also have a Sony Blu-Ray, but did not want to wear it out from watching just good old DVD's, besides it's a bit finicky at times and takes a long time to boot and load.

Cons: The VCR only works with the Video Out (Composite), so you still have to run those old Red/White and Yellow wires to support the VCR. I had hoped I could use a single output, but the only commonality across the DVD and the VHS would be the Composite Output and I would have then lost the HDMI Capability and the Up-Conversion.

Over-all, it allows me to have a single unit, and still watch my VHS Tapes, and also supports higher clarity with regular DVD's, providing better quality than my Older Progressive Scan DVD on my older Sony 57 Inch, as it only supports the lower 480p.

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Everything written about this unit in the other reviews is accurate. The combo player/recorder is an excellent example of a dying breed, is well crafted, and (I presume) performs to expectations. So why only 3 stars? Because no where in the description was the most important factor, that the V9800 is TUNERLESS. It must be used with another tuner source...like a set top box. Interestingly, I get cable from Time Warner through regular, in the wall, coax and all three of my HDTV's (Sony Bravia and 2 Sharps) have provisions for coax input. With separate DVD players and "traditional" VCR's this is no problem. Unfortunately I have not found any of the current combo players accepting of coax input for the VCR.

If you receive cable through a set top box this unit would be fine, and for under a $100 represents a nice value for the quality of build. My real gripe is with amazon for not being more diligent in spec'ing technical products that they sell. So 5 stars for Samsung and 0 stars for the amazonians!

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If a zero-star grade was available, I would have selected it. After reviewing the rest of the 1-star ratings, I have two thoughts:

1. Allow me to add my voice to the chorus of negative reviews on the Samsung DVD-V9800. It has gone completely non functional after only 4 months at most of very light duty as a DVD player. I don't think I ever used the VCR function other than the one time when I initially tested the unit after installing it. I received the unit in August or September and it sat in a box while I pulled the rest of my home theater together. Of course, now in December, the failure occurred after the 90 days parts and labor warranty has expired and now I am faced with the choice of paying for labor. Ironically, the diagnosis fee will probably exceed the unit's purchase price. I cannot fault Amazon for not being responsive because I didn't even open the box for 30 days or more. Lesson learned: Be patient and don't order stuff until you're really ready to test it and use it.

2. I simply do not remember the Samsung DVD-V9800 having this many negative ratings. I cannot imagine I would have bought anything with this many complaints against it. Anything will have some negative comments but in this case, the common theme of so many of the DVD-V9800's dying at a young age should be heeded by anyone considering one of these units. Lesson Learned #2: Pay attention to consumer level reviews

Oddly enough, when we bought the unit, it was on sale, and my better half really wanted to keep the capability of playing VHS tapes despite their obsolescence, so we bought two of them. At least I won't have to go far for a spare. Hopefully, it may last longer than its predecessor, perhaps even long enough to re-establish some of the admiration I had for Samsung.

To Samsung Management: Take these reviews with you on your next retreat, read them aloud amongst each other. Then ask yourselves if this where you really want to be, with this many consumers consistently criticizing one of your products. Either you will conclude that you are unhappy with the state of affairs . . . or you don't care.

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I'll add my mite to the negative reviews--the DVD player side no longer loads any disc whatsover, including discs it could load the day before. Neither DVDs nor CDs. And this is just a few weeks over 90 days, so the labor charge to fix it would be as much or more than a replacement. Skip this product--Samsung (if you have any sense you are reading these reviews for customer experience), work on your quality engineering so you will dare to give a full (parts and labor) for a full year.

I think I win the prize for the quickest "die" -I watched exactly 4 hours of DVD and the unit no longer works. I bought it in July of 2008 and only now installed it, so I effectively took 5 crisp 20s and set them on fire. I am going to try to work with Amazon for at least a partial credit. Count me as another person who thinks this product deserves a negative # of stars.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Logitech io Personal Digital Pen

Logitech io Personal Digital PenI was an early, frustrated adopter of the A.T. Cross-Pad. The concept was intriguing, and the engineering was an interesting combination of traditional paper, special ink and handwriting recognition software. Where that product fell short, in my opinion, was the painful and frustrating sessions in which you attempted to train the software to recognize your handwriting. A second barrier was the serial interface (USB was on the horizon at the time, but not mainstream). I wrote off the technology (no pun intended) at the time after failing to find a use for the technology, so when Logitech introduced the Personal Digital Pen it seemed time to give technology another chance.

The Logitech Personal Digital Pen makes no claims to transform handwriting into text, which was a major selling point for me. I wanted to scribble notes and get them into a computer in the easiest possible manner. The USB interface that is included makes this easy merely set the pen in the holder and everything you wrote on your pad is quickly in your computer and faithfully reproduced (in my case, near-illegible handwriting and all). The pen has 2 MB or RAM and can hold approximately 40 pages of notes before you have to upload it to your computer.

Up to this point I was pleased with the device, but did some quick math and discovered that the cost of owning the pen was high it only works with special electronic pads that are relatively expensive. Currently there are two manufacturers for the paper (3M for the PostIt Notes and Mead for the writing pad). Logitech does claim that any electronic pad that is marked with an "Anoto functionality" logo will work.

The show-stoppers for me, and the reasons why I returned the product were: (1) the pen's software required Internet Explorer (I have it completely removed from my system for security reasons), and (2) also mandates the use of Microsoft's .NET framework (I have privacy and security concerns about that). However, if you use Internet Explorer and are already using the .NET framework with applications such as Hotmail, MSN, etc. you shouldn't have the same issues as I with this aspect of the product. If you can live with the total cost of ownership that is imposed by the requirement for special electronic paper, you will find the Personal Digital Pen to be a handy tool and a great value.

I am a corporate recruiter who has one hand on the phone and the other with pen and paper taking notes. Before purchasing the IO Logitech pen, my process consisted of note taking on a legal pad (this is b/c I hunt and peck on the key board) and then transferring my notes into a word document. My notes are shared with the hiring manager and used as reference material.

I purchased my pen in December 2002 and have interviewed or 40 candidates, all of my notes have been stored and saved as word documents.

This pen has saved me countless of hours in transferring notes not to mention the savings measured in dollars.

I would highly recommend this product if you can print ledge ably (although it can recognize my hand writing as well) and have a need to recall documents for future use.

The cost associated with refills of electronic paper pales in comparison to the time it has saved me in transferring my notes from pad to document!

Happy in Atlanta, GA

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While waiting for bugs to work themselves out of the Tablet PC, (and for prices to start coming down) this seemed like an excellent substitute. Installation is easy to achieve, and use of the pen is equally easy to master.

The software leaves a little to be desired. There are no features available for editing elements of what has been written or drawn, and Cut/Copy functions are something less than intuitive.

The pen itself, having the cross section of a hot dog, is a little clumsy to handle, and one should not expect to get the most legible handwwriting or clean looking drrawings, but for general note taking and low resolution drawing, it is more than adequate.

Having it in a shirt pocket is a great attention attractor for those who thrive on such stuff. All in all, I am quite satisfied with the product, with one exception. It is devilishly hard to find addtional notebooks and Post-It notes. You can't run down to your favorite major office supply retailer and ask for it, because the sales personnel don't know what you are talking about. In fact, Logitech's online store is out of replacement paper!

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The idea of capturing what you write, as you write it, for transfer to a computer later is clever. But this device is INFLEXIBLE and EXPENSIVE. I have no argument with the goals of the IO device, but this particular implementation is off-base for several reasons.

Reasons to not buy the IO --

1. The pen is big. Does not feel natural in your hand.

2. You have to write on special paper.

3. The paper is relatively expensive.

4. The paper is not commonly available -if you are travelling and run out of paper, you are pretty much out of luck.

I have always wanted a device that could do what the IO sets out to do (but in my opinion doesn't achieve). I tried the Cross Pad which was also not very useful for completely different reasons. Folks, you need to look beyond the marketing and think about the implications of using the IO -special paper, can't scan notes you write on pre-existing documents, memory fills up etc. It is a nice idea but has too many downsides.

Try the DocuPen instead. This tiny portable scanner works with any paper. You can scan pre-printed documents. You can store 50+ pages before having to download; and as a practical matter, you will never run out of memory because you can keep your paper until you're ready to scan it.

The DocuPen is less gee-whiz than the IO but it works and doesn't have these non-obvious downsides.

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For the price I find the "io" to be a good value. It is great for quickly capturing your notes and drawings. However, it does not perform character recognition (except for specific fields such as subject, email address and dates) and it does not have levels of sensitivity (all lines look pretty much the same you can't capture different line qualities).

Before you buy this pen, I recommend evaluating what you want/need to accomplish with it. I need to quickly capture rough sketches and notes. Scanning pages from a notebook/sketchbook takes time that I don't have. The io downloads pages directly to my pc and allows basic options (email, save/open as a Word doc, export as .jpg, etc.) which is all I need at this point. I can easily share meeting notes and sketches with several people in a few seconds no copies, no scanning just clicking an option in the io interface.

It has already been worth the amount I've paid for it and I have only had it 2 weeks.

If you are looking for character recognition and more high-tech options then I recommend going with a TabletPC (which will cost you considerably more). If you are looking for a basic capture of notes/drawings then the pen is a great tool.