HP iPaq 6945 Unlocked Cell Phone with Wi-Fi, GPS, MP3/Video Player, SD--U.S. Version with Warranty

I've had the 6945 for about two weeks now. So far it is performing very well. Setting up the email took a while to figure out. If you are like me, you hate all the clutter and useless software pre-installed on these devices, so it took me a while to clean up the view.

I don't use the Outlook Sync function, but it looks like it works well. The auto-sync function is something to be aware of. The first time I did auto-sync it wiped-out my contact list on my PC and replaced with the few contacts on my sim card. Luckily it only deleted the contacts to my outlook delete folder so it was easy to restore. Here are some PROs and CONs after about two weeks of use:

PRO:

1) Wifi or Cingular GPRS email works well. You will have to set up two different accounts one for your Wifi and another for when you are using GPRS, but that is easy to do. The reason you should do this is so that when you are on Wifi you can send via the Wifi server instead of the Cingular GPRS wireless network. I have set up both a work and personal home email account (both POP3). Looks like this device can handle several more email accounts if necessary.

2) Internet explorer works very well. This is not a lame mobile web browser that strips down sites. It is the real deal. Websites look just like they do on your PC or laptop only smaller. You can customize the view pretty easily. Favorites folder is easy to set up and the address bar is easy to use.

3) The screen is very nice. I find myself using both the built in keyboard and the on screen touch pad. Both work very well. Resolution is very good.

4) WM-5 is very nice. I've used the Work and Excel programs so far. They are essentially the same as on your PC. Why anyone would want to use an iPaq to edit a DOC or XLS file is beyond me, but if you need to do this you can. I have not had a chance to use the Powerpoint viewer yet, but I'm sure it works as well as Word and Excel.

5) I purchased a 1GB mini-SD storage card. That is very easy to pop in and out.

6) You can use MP3s or WMA files as your ring tone that's pretty cool.

7) The device is very solid. Not as big as you would think. Fits well in your pocket or on a belt clip. Looks like it will hold up well. The pen locks in the side and is also pretty solid. Not like the Treo, which I've heard is very fragile.

8) And now for the Phone It works very well! I was surprised because most people complain about the phone quality on these devices. I find the sound quality to be as good as my RAZR. The Cingular Sim-Card can be swapped in and out between my RAZR and iPaq, so if I am going to a sporting event or bar I and dont want to bring the iPaq I can just swap the sim-card right back into the RAZR and it works. I had to call Cingular and get them to change my phone to the iPaq. This was purely for data.

9)YOU DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE THE "Treo Package". Don't let Cingular sell you that extra crap. I simply added the MediaNet200 package for $19.99 which gives you unlimited Media + 200 text messages a month. That is plenty of text messages and the unlimited data gives you all the web surfing and emailing you can do!

10) GPS navigation is pretty neat little function. You have to download the maps from Microsoft Pocket Streets, but they are free. The GPS sucks battery life like crazy, but if you are on the road in a strange city this can be very helpful.

11) Windows Media player works just like your PC. I added about 750mb of music, so the device is actually an MP3 player as well. It has an external speak or you can stick in headphones (be aware, using the media player sucks battery life).

CONS:

1) I'd say the biggest con is the battery life. If you are on just GPRS/Phone with stand by (no talking, emailing or surfing) it will probably last about 2 days. However, using the phone or emailing cuts that down to about only 12-14 hours. If you set up the WiFi as well as have the phone on, your battery life is about 8-10 hours. If you also have the GPS and Bluetooth on, I'd say 5-6 hours. My advice is to not use the GPS or Bluetooth unless you really need them. And, if you are going to be on WiFi, leave the device in the craddle. The USB charging is very slow but the AC adapeter chargest the device to full in about 2 hours. YOU CAN PURCHASE A BIGGER BATTERY and you probably should.

2) Cingular does not support the 6945. You will have to tell them you have the 6925. I called HP they are identical except that the 6925 is Cingular only and the 6945 is unlocked for T-Mobile as well. Obviously Cingular wants you to buy the 6925 instead, but the 6945 is the same. If you call Cingular for support, just tell them you have a 6925 to avoid even having to explain things to them.

3) The ring volume is not that loud. But, it does have vibrate.

4) Do not buy the leather case that Amazon sells with the device for like $. The device comes with a belt clip that works just fine. If you want something nicer, go buy it in person.

...All in all this is an excellent device. I use to carry a cell phone and my laptop on the road now all I need is this. Again, you can swap your sim-card in and out, so keep your old cell phone for times when you don't want to carry around the iPaq.

I only gave it 4 stars because of the battery life. That can be fixed by purchasing the more powerful battery, but that will cost you extra. Also, the device is pretty expensive relative to the Treo or Q or Blackberry. None of those devices have WiFi though.

I love this. Phone works great with Tmobile Prepaid. I use it to sync Outlook and Word between home and office. It's a great note taker. For extensive notes, it works well with Bluetooth keyboard. One thing they don't tell you. In the charging cradle, it does slide show of photos with time and date. So it's a photo picture frame on your desk. GPS rocks. And it's got a voice recorder. Bluetooth works with car kit. Adequate camera. It's smaller than past Ipaqs but the screen is still visible. Love it.

Buy HP iPaq 6945 Unlocked Cell Phone with Wi-Fi, GPS, MP3/Video Player, SD--U.S. Version with Warranty Now

I will keep it simple..

Pros.

*very good exterior design.

*qwerty keyboard feels nice when typing

*very good software package included

*keep all your info, contacts, emails, task, up to date with active sync

*GPS at your hand! (get GPS TUNER 5, excellent tool)

*wifi, easy set up, excelent connection speed

*bluetooh

*edge-gprs, easy set up, get your mms, wap, emails, via your cell phone gprs service.

Cons.

*Battery life sucks

*when you are running more than 3 programs at the same time, sometimes the the screen freezes.

*Camera takes up to 5 seconds to activate when the program is not on.

*Camera with no autofocus

*You need to buy micro sd card, (not included)

The gps in this ipaq is great, I downloaded The GPS TUNER , use my own maps for calibration and i was ready to go. I used my Ipaq gps on a commercial flight sitting by the window, and I got gps fix all the flight. It was great having all my flight info, speed, alt, avrg speed, ete, eta.

The phone feature was off, so my smartphone becomes a pda, and no one cant complain about it during the flight.

It it very nice to see your path later where your flight was.

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I just got my HP 6945; took chip from my T-Mobile MDA; and I was operational. Took no more time to get mail then any other Pocket PC. I installed Tom-Tom, 5-minute veterinary consult, Plumb's veterinary drugs, synchronized it with my calendar and numbers and I am in business. Using a Jabra bluetooth, I can stream my MP3's while doing everything else. The only feature missing was voice activated dialing, but I am adding MS Voice Commander to fix that. I get better reception and signal (and stability) with the HP 6945 than with my T-Mobile MDA. So, it was a great purchase. Picture quality is not what you want if you are a photographer, but it is a phone. In a pinch, a picture is still worth a thousand words. Beats carrying a phone, a camera and a PDA; since this is all in one. I find that my thumbs don't mind the keyboard, but it does take a little adapting. The numbers lock feature is nice.

rog

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OK folks, here is the info you have been waiting for, coming from the perspective of a hp 6315 owner:

First, ALL the bluetooth issues are resolved completely. You will no longer have to be concerned with reconnecting to headset constantly. Plus, NO MORE ECHO thank god! the echo problem is fixed. When using the bluetooth to answer phone, it answers imediately and you can talk the second you hit the button, no delay. Headset sounds crystal clear to caller. (I don't know why all these folks are claiming they can't get their headset to pair up. I had no problem)

Second, in comparison to the 6315, this phone is greased lightening. Its all a matter of perspective, but if you owned the 6315, you will love the speed on this 6945. ie. hit the power button and it shuts right off with no delay. I would say it operates at double to triple the relative speed of the 6315.

Third, no more hangs like the old days. I have been using it non stop for 48 hours utilizing remote surveylance software, installing lots of programs, using mini sd card, streaming with wmp, using internet explorer, using mail & phone, and even running wifi bluetooth and gps NO REBOOT REQUIRED YET. and memory bounces right back when closing programs rather than clogging up and requiring resets.

Basically, Everything that bothered you about the 6315 seems to be fixed.

Beware, to my surprise ther was NO included backup software but I installed sprite backup/restore and it works perfectly.

Yes, battery life sucks, get a car charger and get over it. Note that the bigger battery solves that problem. Alot of people are saying to get the bigger bat if you use your gps, but if you use gps you will plug into charger to keep phone from going into standby constantly so tell them to stick it:)

Note: With small Battery, I took phone off charger at 10:30am and using all features except gps under average loads (including internet surfing and streaming for an hour using wifi and gprs), it was at 62% by 4:30pm. it charged to 100% in about 30-40 min.

other Things to note:

MS voice 1.6 is AMAZING. It hasn't screwed up once. No comparison to older products.

You can now associate rings and photos to your contacts which is nice cause it pops the persons pic up when calls come in (I dont know if spb added this feature or it came with).

and this phone works perfectly on tmobile service. The only issue was internet access (I had to change the prefix on the internet server options from internet3 to wap).

SPB add on is a must!

You will have issues with screen resolution, but since win mobile 5 doesnt support the larger screen res anymore, you might as well get used to it. Plus, you know that new mobile 5 software will be modified for the newer screen sizes.

Anyway, that's about it.

In conclusion, if you have the 6315 and your thinking about an upgrade, DO IT!!!!

Q-See QS494-452-5 4 Channel Security Surveillance DVR System with 4 High-Resolution Cameras and 500

The Q-see unit basically acts your DVR box for home security and I have it hooked up to some Defender external cameras. The unit is very easy to set up, automate and record. 500 GB is a nice size hard drive which will allows you to record quite a bit of video. You can choose which cameras you want recording, and receive email alerts.

The user interface is not as easy to use as say your cable DVR box but I was able to get it working with somewhat of a learning curve. The advanced motion detector recording was somewhat wonky and inconsistent with my setup but it was not a function I wanted to use so I didn't spend that much time with it.

Otherwise, you have lots of features to choose from and if you need a DVR surveillance recording unit, this could be a great choice.

Technology has advanced since my last purchase of my Q See recorder. Lots of features and easy to use. AAA+++

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I bought this Q-see DVR to replace my broken LTS DVR, I still keep 4 cameras. After opened box, I follow the quick setup manual to setup everything,it looks perfect, nothing difficult, and I download the Q-see QS apps to my smartphone and enter public IP address( not router address ) + port number, log in with ID and passwords, do it as well as the internet explorer. So you got a live view at your smartphone and PC. Once again, there is nothing difficult to setup, just do it step by step as said in the manual.

Read Best Reviews of Q-See QS494-452-5 4 Channel Security Surveillance DVR System with 4 High-Resolution Cameras and 500 Here

The DVR only recorded video. Other advertising claims they made are false. You have to stop record to playback effectively. "QS494" not "QS494-5"

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i have cameras watching around my home and I bought this because another customer has the same cameras and said it would work with them. I don't know how he got his to work but this thing is an expensive paper weight for me.

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Sabrent TV Tuner/Video Capture/DVR/DVD Maker PCI Card with Remote Control (Analog NTSC) TV-PCIRC

only a few channels worked and were fuzzy,

sound never worked,

remote worked once then never again

cheap product dont buy it

The principal benefit of this product is in the valuable lesson it teaches not to buy the lowest price item without first taking a good look at the product reviews. I was never able to get the card to do anything. I tried removing and reinstalling the drivers. I tried getting assistance through the web site. I tried contacting the manufacturer and they never returned my phone call. I've decided to cut my losses and buy a different card.

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I purchased this item and was very excited about getting it... I had a previous version of WinTv and I liked it but wanted something new... as I read the specs for this program and card it looked as if I had found what I was looking for. When I installed the card and program nothing happened, I re-installed and the card began to work but the picture was terrible none of the channels matched if something was on 21 it would show 22.... half of the channels wouldn't even come on... I had to do a system restore 3 times to get rid of the program but now there is a warning that comes on when I boot my computer about missing .dll files.... Buyer beware, this is a worthless item... I have tried to get in touch with the seller and I have recieved no reply...BUYER BEWARE !!!!

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It's cheap, but I couldn't get it to work. It seems to be a problem with the drivers. I wrote to the company for help multiple times but couldn't pin them down on any clear instructions (e.g., they'd tell me to download the drivers from the internet, but when I responded that I allready did so and it still didn't work they wouldn't tell me where to go from there they stopped responding to my e-mails). I'm pretty computer savvy so if I was unable to get the thing working after several hours I don't think anyone else will be able to either.

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I received and installed this card yesterday. It was not recognized by Windows 2000. Neither was the driver included on the CD. Sabrent's site didn't have any driver for the card, either, but did have a wonderful FAQ link about it... Well, I'm assuming that it was wonderful, since the URL was broke. I'm giving them a chance to respond before I send it back.

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Naxa Portable MP3/CD Player with Text Display, AM/FM Stereo, USB/SD/MMC Inputs

• Top Loading MP3/CD Player
• Built in USB Input/Built-in SD/MMC Card Slot
• AM/FM Stereo Radio
• Text Display Function
• 2 Way Power: DC Battery Power & AC Adaptor UL/ETL Approved

Finding decent boomboxes is a challenge these days. There are still some out there but the features are few and sound quality is poor.

I was looking for a small to medium size boombox for my pre-teen daughter which can play MP3 CD's and included a digital radio receiver, tape player, and had a nice full sound.

After much searching area stores and online I came across the Naxa Portable MP3/CD player.

The Naxa is fairly small and the sound quality is decent but does not compare in volume or base to the large and ugly Sony Xplod boxes.

What the Naxa does well is to play MP3 files from its USB/SD port or CD player. The radio is manually tuned (you have to be kidding) but actually gets good reception of a somewhat week FM station my kids like to listen to. The USB/SD feature is especially useful and is now a requirement for me.

There is no cassette tape player which is understandable these days as finding some thing to play tapes on is becoming increasingly rare.

For the price the Naxa has been a good value and is being used by the kids to play their favorite radio station, CD's, and MP3's at low to moderate volumne levels. I'm glad I found it.

If deciding to pick up one of these watch the price, I was able to get this one for half of what some sellers were asking.

I would love to find a quality built and high quality sounding boombox with a digital radio, CD/MP3 player, USB/MP3, and cassette player/recorder (wishful thinking). This would likely cost more than the little Naxa but I'd be willing to pay for it.

I definately recommend the Naxa for its price/value.

It's a nice little portable player for the money.

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With the ability to play mp3-cd, usb flash drives, and SD cards, you can't expect to pay any less for this unit being at only about $40. Anything cheaper and your looking at tiny radios that can't put out any volume and have very limited features.

Pros:

-several inputs provide plenty of options

-radio reception is phenomenal, tons of stations and alot of them come in crystal clear

-button layout is simple and easy to use

-very portable, only about 14" long x 6" high x 8" deep and maybe 4-5 lbs without batteries

-lcd screen lights up with a nice blue display

-has an AUX-in for whatever that can be used for

Cons:

-battery compartment is a bit tight so its a bit of a pain in the butt getting batteries in and out if you do this frequently

-metal screen that covers speakers sticks out a bit to much and makes it too easy to dent the screen if the unit is hit

-the 2 slider buttons that switch the unit between cd/radio/usb etc and Am/FM/stereo are kinda cheap and its best to try and minimize the number of times you handle these buttons. The buttons work ok but they definately have a cheap feel to them.

-bass is a joke

-only moderately loud and only the "jazz" and maybe the "normal" presets provide decent sound and minimal distortion on maximum volume

-radio tuning is analog (which many people prefer digital)

-the +10

I wrote more more cons then pros but I think alot of the cons are just being picky and also alot of them are easy to live with. If less then maybe $60 and considering the features it has I would probably purchase this unit again.

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First Impressions:

What I like:

* Solid Feel

* Lots of features Aux in, USB Memory Key/SD/MMC slots, CD MP3 player, Headphone out Jack, can use battery power.

What I wish it had, could have etc:

* More than a 90 day warranty

* A remote would be super (but, let's be reasonable, it's a low cost box)

* Better controls to allow a bit more bass, the EQ doesn't really allow much of a change in sound.

* A better Manual (With descriptions on how it sorts/prioritizes MP3 Playlist).

* More power (they seem to have trimmed the Volume a bit, probably a good idea in order to not blow out the speakers)

What I don't like:

* Not enough BASS

* The $15+ shipping charge

I originally bought a low end Sony (CFD-S01CD), while it did have the cassette player and had better sound, it didn't have near the capabilities of the NAXA NX-250. Of course, the NAXA is a new name and therefore its quality (to me) is unknown as I have no personal experience with the brand. If it lasts and can hold up under the rigors of camping and light use at home, I'll be satisfied.

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I bought this player for the USB and SD Card inputs. Fortunately, I bought it on sale for $30.00. I heard retail prices being above $100.00! I suppose that's why it went on sale, this unit is not nearly worth $100+. As I indicated, it is just OK for $30.00.

The unit plays MP3 files off of a USB thumb drive, but it is not possible to navigate through the MP3 folders. There is a "+10" button which skips over files 10 at a time. One reviewer mentioned that there is no fast forward or reverse. There is, just hold down the "Skip" or "Back" button. The text display is OK. The song title and artist/album name scrolls along the bottom of the display. When the unit is turned off and turned back on, it forgets what MP3 file was last being played, beginning back at the first MP3 file. All of the above comments for the USB thumb drive also applies to MP3 files on the SD card.

The CD player functions as expected, playing both CD and MP3 files. The AM/FM stereo tuning is analog. Tuning can be a bit touchy, but when tuned in, it seems fairly stable. Since the tuner is analog, there are no station numbers shown on the text display. In fact, nothing is shown on the display when AM/FM is selected.

There are sound equalizer presets, "Rock" and "Pop" for example. But, either the highs or lows get so muted, I just leave it at "Normal". Unfortunately, there is no custom preset.

The speakers are just your basic run-of-the-mill boombox speakers. Don't expect too much if you listen to jazz or pop rock. The body of the unit is all plastic. I can imagine the unit disintegrating into hundreds of pieces if it was knocked off a kitchen counter top. Lastly, the unit can be powered by AC or 8 C-size batteries.

I bought this unit to have while working in the garage or basement. So, for it's limited capabilities and since I bought it a reasonable price, it's OK for my use.

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I was looking for a radio/cd player with a USB port for use in an office setting. I originally purchased a COBY MP-CD471, but had to return the unit due to a loud humming noise the unit makes when earphones are used. The NAXA unit was my second choice, and I really wish I had purchased it before the COBY item. Thus far, it has met my expectations in every way. It has USB capabilities, the radio unit works even in an office building where reception is normally poor, and the CD unit is adequate. The speakers are average, but for my purposes, they are acceptable as I am typically using earphones. If there were one improvement I would make, it would be a digital tuner for the radio rather than the old-fashioned `wheel.' Other than that, I am generally happy with the NAXA unit (for my limited purposes).

Pegasus ST09 9-Inch LCD HDTV with ATSC Tuner, Gray

• HDTV Tuner Inside
• Full TV Feature that can be used with Cable/Sattelite/Air and Other Deviced such as DVD Players
• Travel Friendly
• Wide Screen 9-inch display
• Audio/Video input, S-Video input, External Antenna Jack, Earphone Jack

This small set meets our needs perfectly. It was purchased to replace our trusty 5 in B&W analog at the time of the digital conversion. We use this set only in the bathroom in the morning to watch news and sports while getting ready for work, so we are not with concerned with receiving scores of channels. It took about 9 days to arrive using the free shipping option. The set was well packaged and unlikely to be damaged with routine handling. Setup was a breeze following stepwise instructions (with pictures) on a quick setup card. After the digital conversion the auto scan quickly picked up 14 over-the-air channels (which included all 6 major channels in this area) using only the provided very small HD antenna. The antenna cable connects at the top of the set rather obtrusively; this could have been better designed. We have not tried a cable connection for comparison. Reception for the major channels is good. The picture is clear and sharp, far better than our old 5 in analog set, but it is far from the quality of our 46 in Sony LCD. The picture varies somewhat from channel to channel, some being a little dark and the next a little too light with a washed-out appearance. This can be corrected fairly well using the brightness and contrast controls which are easily accessible via the full function remote. The sound is adequate for this small set and the way we use it: in a bathroom, with the water running. We did not set our expectations unrealistically high.

We highly recommend this 9 in digital TV for use in a kitchen, bath, workshop, etc. for over-the-air reception in a tight space.

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Although its 9 inch screen is larger than LCD TVs in it price range, the picture quality is poor and very dark. No amount of adjusting will help. The sound from the tiny speakers is actually worse than the picture. I do NOT recommend this product.

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We receive over-the-air only. We live in Houston and have strong signals. Reception with the little antenna that came with the TV is very poor. Reception with rabbit ears is still poor but better. Reception with our large attic antenna was good.

The digital converter box we purchased for our other TV receives all stations strong with rabbit ears, so I was disappointed that the TV only picked up about half of the stations using the same rabbit ears.

Also, I don't know what is HDTV about it. Especially since the resolution is only 640 x 234.

Anyway, the picture is decent and it's a decent little TV if you've got a strong enough signal or are just using it for a monitor.

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The Pegasus ST09 9 inch LCD HDTV delivers high quality picture quality and sound for a very low price. My wife has it set up in the kitchen,connected to the portable antenna included with the purchase and she gets all of the over the air channels....crystal clear with very good audio. We'll be taking a road trip next week and will take it with us. This was a great buy.Pegasus ST09 9-Inch LCD HDTV with ATSC Tuner, Gray

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First I would like to respond to several negative reviews. When programming for available channels make sure the antenna is located where it is receiving a strong signal---just a slight rotation can effect the signal. Take your time, get it right the first time, remembering that digital transmissions are very directional. I used the small antenna that came with the TV, then tried a larger set of rabbit ears----could not tell much difference (I live twenty miles out of Phoenix, AZ where most of the transmitters are located). For my location I can get just about all of the channels that are available, about the same as other TV's in the house that I put rabbit ears on. Realizing that this is a hand held portable TV I find the picture to be as good as any small screen with this resolution. Tried hooking it up to the rooftop antenna and I got everything. I get an excellent picture, bright enough to watch outside, I will have to agree that the sound is a little "tinny" but, what should I expect from a unit this size. There is an earphone jack for private viewing. This TV is loaded with features such as, on screen program guide, program info, time, etc....I have a 12v adapter that will allow me to use it for camping and emergency use. Have seen same size TV's at B&M stores for almost twice the price, this is a true value! I would think that if you are considering this TV, try one of your digital TV's on a set of rabbit ears to see what the signal is like in your area. Hope this provides a bit of info. that might be helpful in your decision.

Naxa NX-980 Dynamic DJ Studio Recording or Karaoke Microphone

• Stylish Super Lightweight Design
• Detachable Cannon-type Connector
• 16.5 Ft. Long Cord

I purchased this mic with some hesitation realizing that at this price it would not be a GREAT one. But I thought it would be at least usable as a back up when our regular mic went out or if we had to travel. Taking it out of the box it was very light and had a cheap feel. But I still had hopes that the sound would be ok. Upon plugging in the mic it immediatly gave lots of feedback. It hissed and popped. When you are touching it, the sound gets even worse, so it seems as though there is a short in it or just very badly made. I am returning this mic today and have learned my lesson on buying cheaply priced items for in the case you definitly get what you pay for.New Pro Dynamic DJ Studio Vocal Recording Microphone NR

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I was pleased to see the microphone provides an XLR connection which will come in handy on a mixer or more professional equipment. The microphone comes with a cable that attaches to 1/8" which is good if your connecting straight to a computer or laptop.

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We got this for a child for Christmas. He loves to sing and really liked this we got it with a little amp and he stayed in his room most of the day singing. We tried it out before giving it to him and it produced nice sound! Great deal!

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The suggested selling price is to be ignored, when you can buy the Naxa NX-980 all day long for twenty bucks. That said, you get what you pay for.

It doesn't sound bad, but the microphone has noticeably lower output than a Shure SL-57 or other common studio/recording/entertainment mike. You'll need to crank up the gain on your PA or board.

The XLR connector is not made to standard dimensions. The mike and cable plug (provided) fit each other nicely enough, but wait 'till you try to plug a different cable into it (as entertainers do all the time, on the fly). It is next to impossible to stick a standard XLR plug into the mike, and equally difficult to get it out.

When you need to change a mike or cable in the middle of a set fast, this could be really bad news. Standard and mini phone fittings at the other end of the cable (provided) are poorly made too.

Overall, on a scale of 1 10, I give the NAXA NX-980 less than a five.

this is like best priced microphone on amazon its $8 it does the job and works fine last 2 weeks ive had it and naxa makes good wireless mics also have with have karaoke nights with friends

RCA DRC8052N DVD Recorder

• Record from multiple sources
• HDMI w/HD upconversion
• DV-input
• DivX certified
• Interactive user interface

I wasnt really looking for a DVD Recorder until I saw this product. What I wanted was an upconverting player. After spending $2000+ on a TV, I didnt want to spend another $500+ on an HD DVD player, at least not yet. That is when I saw this on sale at $99. I have never been a fan of RCA, reading different online reviews about different products. I never considered the brand for various MP3 players and other electronics stuff I bought. But seeing this model under $100 with HDMI cable included, I figured I should give it a shot.. After all there arent many upconverting DVD players that sell at that price (add another $20 for HDMI cable at amazon, $60 anywhere else).

It is a week now since I bought the unit. Here is what I found.

The good:

+ It comes with pretty much everything you need(in fact more than what you need) to hook it up to your TV (an HDMI cable, S-video cable and a composite AV cable)

+ Upconversion is good, much better than what I get from my progressive-scan Panasonic DVD Player over Component Video cable. I cant really compare against other upconverting players, because this is the only one I've used.

+ It looks nice, definitely not as cheap as it costs

+ It records quite well in different modes. Similar to good old VCRs it has LP/EP etc that lets you record upto 4 hrs on a DVD. I just tried DVD+R, but I plan to buy a couple of DVD RWs to reuse.

+ It has a AV, s-video and DV port at the front panel (but covered)

The bad:

It takes a while to 'boot'. After you power it on, it takes some 20 seconds before it starts responding to the remote.

The menus take a while to get adjusted to, but they have a lot of features as well.

The unknown:

* I have used it only for a week, so I dont know about the reliability yet

* I havent used the DivX play back yet

Overall I think it is a great bargain (Upconverting players sell $70+, DVD recorders sell at $70+, HDMI cable costs $20+ why not pay $100 for this). The video quality is definitely better(may be not the best) than my Panasonic (480p output). Bonus is you can record DVDs too.

I will post my experience after a few weeks.

***Update

I experimented with the DivX playback as well, from CDs. It plays extremely well, the picture quality is as good as any other DivX player I have seen on display. After using (not abusing) it for about 4 months now, I think the player is quite reliable. I would recommend it, unless you have another couple hundred dollars to spend.

Buy RCA DRC8052N DVD Recorder Now

Bought this in March of '07 and 5 months later it wouldn't even power on. Regardless of what some reviewers might think it was not because of my stupidity but of the poor quality of the product. Customer service is incompetent and hard to understand. The service policy is to ship it back on your own dime and hope they have it in stock to send a replacement a few weeks later. You are rolling the dice if you buy one of these.

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Bought this unit. It will not power up right out of the box. I would not suggest buying this item. I have read several other reviews stating the same thing. It appears this item has serious qaulity issues.

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I had the exact same experience as one of the spotlight reviews: Cable reception is worthless, and so is the customer service.

I couldn't get it to recognize my cable signal any better than black and white and fuzzy. If I switched it to antenna instead of cable it would recognize channels 1-13 clearly, nothing above that. There's something wrong here, because I've never had a problem with any other device.

So I tried calling customer service since there was nothing addressing the problem in the user guide or the help website. After being on hold close to an hour I boxed it up and it's going back.

There are aspects I like about it, but without the basic functionality of cable reception it's useless.

Until now Sony was the only brand I wouldn't buy because of serious quality issues. Now I have to consider adding RCA.

For those of you that like it and it works for you, splendid! For those of us that are disappointed, it's not because we don't know any better, it's because it doesn't work.

Looks like RCA continues to put out junk for honest consumers. This thing died after 3 weeks. I took it back for a refund. Before it died it wouldn't recognize discs anymore. It amazes me the level of poor electronic engineering that goes into these things. The TV tuner has mono low fidelity sound ONLY! So if you expect to hear your favorite TV show with stereo hi-fi sound, you can forget about it. I guess RCA isn't aware that all TV shows are broadcast in stereo now. The picture quality of the tuner is awful. Its so bad that I had to use my old VCR as a tuner. I connected the output jacks of the VCR to the input jacks of recorder. Even the clock is bad, you have to reset it almost everyday because it its off 10 minutes. RCA stopped making their own stuff years ago, some company in China makes all their junk. Save yourself a bunch of headaches and avoid this junk. I give it 0 stars

Archos AV400 80 GB Video Player / Recorder and MP3 Jukebox Player AV480

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

Actually, I am very much astonished from the reviews written on the AV480 here on amazon as well as on other sites.

Since this device is no cheap at all, i had to run an extensive survey trying to evaluate this equipment. And all the feedback was very discouraging.

All the reviews said that the AV480 fails much and doesn't work and stuff like that. But, since i was desperate to have a large (more than 50 GB) portable media device and i couldn't find other choice (May be except the iPod, and the Zen) i decided to take my chances and try one.

Let's cross our fingers:

I have it now for around a 1.5 months, and this piece of art is really amazing.

I tried almost every possible combination of features together to check if it is working. And yes, i admit that i have extensively tested it.

I connected it to my computer, and it worked fine, nothing needed to recognize the AV480 as a USB 80GB harddisk.

I ran up to 10 copy operations of large data from the PC to AV480 (2GB) simultaneously and with 3 copy operations from the AV480 to the PC. This test was done all together to randomly test the scheduler (OS) of the AV480 and does it que the data in a correct manner or not. With these threads opened, the odds should be very high that the disk will fail in one of them. But, amazingly it went through very smoothly. So I am now pretty sure from the OS is rigid.

The other tests were rather easy, i tried to run MP3's on the unit and sucking the battery dry. Trying to check when the unit abnormally or urgently shutdown, and expecting a failure when booting it, i didn't have any problem. The unit when just charged, started up very normally.

I tested recording as well (Audio only) and it is very clear to me.. It records to WAVs, but there is no problem. Any ripper will change that to MP3's.

I still have the video recording test to go. I didn't try that yet, though i believe that it will pass fairly.

Ok, looking very impressive with the above tests, i tried to be picky, and try to catch anything bad in that device:

1. The battery charging looks very primitive. When you charge the unit, it just charges over the level it is originally at. Meaning: If you have a total empty battery, charging in 4 hours. Then a half empty battery will charge in 2 hours, a 1/4 empty battery will charge in 1 hour and so on. I think that this way the battery will experience memory effect. Meaning that for a half battery charging, the next time the battery will tell the unit that it is empty only after a 1/2 battery discharge. Though my unit is not experiencing a memory effect, but this rather takes long times.

2. The unit power connector is sloppy. Using the charger that came with the unit, it is very easy for the charger to get disconnected from the unit if you accidentaly pushed the unit a bit away.

3. I don't know if the power connector is a standard size! I tried buying a car charger from RadioShack. The charger didn't fit in the unit. Actually the unit needed a little longer jack to fit in. The jack at RadioShack was short, and when you push it hard in it contacts the power, when you release the pressure it disconnects.

4. The design was meant to be elegant, but the finishing quality isn't that elegant. If you look from the side of the unit you can see the light of the LCD.

5. The carrying case is very premitive. It has no place to carry the earphones with it. And it is very hard to reach the buttons when the unit is in the carrying case.

6. The recording unit comes with a very large bunch of wires that makes the connection with the TV and Sound system in my room even more harder and messy :)

7. Archos' customer service SUCKS! When i was researching for this unit, and found the discouraging reviews and found a more encouraging reviews on the AV380 i asked them if they still support the AV380 (because Archos' site is the only place that doesn't sell the AV380!). And till now i have no answer back :)

Conclusion:

It is a very efficient device with couple of drawbacks that can be solved by firmware upgrades.

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I must say i'm very surprised by the reviews below; about them not working after a little use. I'm also worried, because now i'm wondering if mine will break soon. I've had no problems in about 3 months that i've owned it... hopefully if it's lasted this long then i'll be OK for the long term.

My experience with it is great. I'm sure you know all it's features, so i'll just list some complaints (nit picks):

The shell is quite delicate. You must handle it with care or you may ding it.

In the dark it can be a little difficult to feel out the buttons; they don't stick out very far so it helps if you can see the buttons well.

I wish you could record "audio" in MP3 format. Currently it records in a format that yields a huge file size.

When you fast forward a video, you don't know how far you've gone until you stop fast forwarding. It screen doesn't update as you fast forward.

If you get video from the internet, or elsewhere, you must convert it to a specific format that the AV400 can read. The package comes with very easy to use software, but if you're converting lots of videos, it can be time consuming.

I would like the photo viewer to have more options... for example, i think it would be great if it could show a "histogram" of a photo, so you can make sure a photo is exposed correctly.

The LCD gets dark if viewed at a high angle. If viewed directly on it, too low, or too far right or left, however, the quality is great! But i'm sure that's just a limitation of LCD screens.

So far I am very happy with it, and I can live with my little complaints. I'm just still hoping that my unit will continue to work well for a long time...

John

Read Best Reviews of Archos AV400 80 GB Video Player / Recorder and MP3 Jukebox Player AV480 Here

I love the AV480 when it works.

However, I've gone through 3 units already. Each one has had its hard disk break within 1 week of use. Unfortunately that was enough time for me to record about 60GB of ripped DVDs (now all lost).

Has anyone had this device work for more than a week?

I was extremely careful with it and it still broke. On the other hand, I've purchased one of those Microsoft Portable Media Centers. That has withstood much harsher handling. Unfortunately it is only 20GB. I like the AV480 more, but I wish it would work for more than a week.

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Like many others, I first thought that the AV-480 was the "King of all electronic devices". At first use, the integrated photo, video, and audio capabilities appear to be second to none. The user interface is quite intuitive and the quality of the audio and video is excellent. The video recording capabilities net a file that is about twice the size that it should be; but the playback quality is awesome.

Why then do I rate this device at only two stars. Unfortunately the AV-480 has been a single use device for me. Each Sunday evening, I copy my movies, photo's, and mp3's onto my AV-480 and before I board my outbound flight on Monday morning, I receive the famous "cannot read hard drive" message. In order to restore the unit back to a working condition I have to format the hard drive and wait until I return from my travels to load all of my data back on the device. I am about to purchase an 80 Gig external hard drive to carry on my trips so that I can restore all of my AV-480 data from the external hard drive to the AV-480 via my laptop in flight. Thus increasing my initial $800.00 investment to over $1,000, all in the name of in-flight entertainment.

I have also purchased the AV-420 based on the reviews. Supposedly this device is more reliable. I intend to use the AV-420 device for domestic travels and only carry the AV-480 plus the soon to be procured external hard drive with backup files for the aforementioned AV-480 when I travel internationally.

The bottom line, for $800.00 you should not have problems like the ones that you find described here. It is useless to send the device back to Archos because the next AV-480 that you receive will have the exact same set of issues. When Archos finally resolves the hard drive issues on the AV-480, it will be the most advanced media device on the market without a close second. In my opinion you should wait until Archos admits that the AV-480 has a hard drive problem and publishes a fix for that problem before making the decision to purchase one. Until then, you should just take your $800 to Vegas and gamble there, the odds will certainly be more in your favor.

I purchased the AV 480 a week before Xmas. Despite all of the negative reviews on this product, I have yet to experience any problems. The model has seemlessly recorded several movies and at least twenty CDs. With that said, I have about 72 GB left. I can probably get fifteen more movies and 100 more CDs on it. This product is great. On trips, you no longer need to carry your DVD player, DVDs and MP3 player separately which saves a great deal of packing space. This is the perfect all in one media player.

Also, there have been recent upgrades on this product from the Archos website which may have alleviated any prior snafus.

As the manual suggests, it is best to download Windows Media Player 9. I don't know whether the machine accepts any other players.

Vivitar 5.1 MP HD 4X Digital Camcorder Recorder 548 w/ 2-inch Screen Red

For the price i paid it was well worth it it was easy to transfer vidieo to computer. Also light weight would recommend it.

This was a gift for my granddaughter from her father. It was very age appropriate and she used it a lot on Christmas day. I know she will have a good use for it because she use to tape with her phone or camera and this is much easier for her to use.

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This set is alright compared 2 other cameras,

and the buttons do stick, but 4 value, u could not go wrong.

i am satisfied.

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had to send this back. It took two pictures and the viewing screen went completely blank. It was a very cheesy product. It was bad enough to discourage me from buying online again.

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LG BD690 3D Wireless Network Blu-ray Disc Player with Smart TV and 250GB Hard Drive

• Enjoy 3D Blu-ray Disc movies in Full HD 1080p
• Smart TV enables an easy way to access limitless content, thousands of movies, customizable apps, videos and browse the web all organized in a simple to use interface
• The 250GB hard drive allows for easy storage and instant playback of music, photos, personal videos and VOD content available through the Vudu movie service
• Integrated Wi-Fi Connectivity allows you take advantage of Smart TV from any available Wi-Fi connection
• Standard DVD Up-Scaling delivers exceptional image quality from standard DVDs with 1080p up scaling via HDMI output

Received it and it worked fine for about 15 minutes. After downloading the update, the bd690 shut down and the HDMI port quit working. The component and composite outputs worked fine. After testing two HDMI cords and connecting the bd690 through my Denon 3808 receiver and directly into the TV it was obvious that the problem was the bd690. LG customer service was very quick to answer but the service was average at best. The person was helpful, but was definitely reading from a script. After telling her everything I had done she started asking me to test other HDMI cords, etc, which I had already done. They even had me download the incorrect update file the first time around. Will update when I get my replacement. Hopefully the firmware update doesn't blast the HDMI port every time...

Update: (5/8/2011)

Called LG about replacement on 5/7 as I still have not received it. This time around they tell me I'm not getting a replacement but that they are in fact "repairing" my unit. Not what they told me on the phone 3 weeks ago, and so much for the 7-10 day window. LG customer service falling quickly in my eyes.

The conversation went something like this.

Wondering when my replacement will come?

We are repairing it so it will take a little time to go through service

I was told I would get a replacement in 7-10 days

I don't see that in the notes

So I'm not getting a new one?

Yes you will get that as soon as possible

But you just said I was getting it repaired

Yes

So I'm getting a repaired one?

Yes.

Divide by zero at this point and hung up!

Buy LG BD690 3D Wireless Network Blu-ray Disc Player with Smart TV and 250GB Hard Drive Now

If the main reason you would select this guy over another unit is the fact that it has its own internal hard disk you should be aware that usage is very unreliable. I've only loaded video off my camera so copyright protection should not be an issue. I can load some videos; play some videos; rename videos -or do just about anything and then all of a sudden the BD690 totally freezes up -I can not turn this guy off via the remote or even using the switch directly on the unit -the only option is to unplug it from the wall. This isn't a once in a blue moon occurance -it happens a lot.

Read Best Reviews of LG BD690 3D Wireless Network Blu-ray Disc Player with Smart TV and 250GB Hard Drive Here

OK...so I purchased the LG BD590 because I don't have a 3D television or plan to get one anytime soon. However, I purchased it at a great price from Amazon.com ($199). Returned it because it wasn't upgradeable without problems...look at the reviews for the LG BD590 and you'll see that there is a bug everytime anyone tries to upgrade the software when it prompts you to do so. Also, the Netflix on the BD590 is simple...a few genre's listed and categories and you pick from them or your stored que...you can't search for movies by title. With the BD690, it is different---you CAN search by typing in words like you would on a Wii or Xbox enabled Netflix. Also, I haven't done it yet but it says on the BD690 you can hook up a Iphone or Ipad and use the keyboard to enter data. Also, the customer service rep I spoke to at LG told me the app for MLB.COM wasn't working on the BD590---I tried it and subscribed on the BD690 and the picture is so incredible...this blueray player must upscale something because the baseball game looked incredible and lifelike. Now, welcome the LG BD690---another reviewer commented that there isn't any Amazon VOD on it...that is true...but, when you do the upgrade it prompts you to do, you have it and a few more things including a Google portway to get on the internet and use your TV as a full internet ready setup...WOW. This unit cost me $50 more than the BD590 but was well worth it...including the ability to do Hulu Plus and other stuff---games, puzzles and more...I LOVE this player...and even though it was $50 more, it also came with a FREE $5.99 credit for Vudu to watch a movie on them....great right there...Get this player and you WON'T be disappointed!!! LOVE IT.

******---*********

UPDATE: Upgraded the software about a month ago...now, Netflix will not play...contacted LG and they say they are working on it...so, until a software update fixes this problem, I'm stuck NOT watching Netflix...it freezes up and no audio when trying to watch Netflix...everything else seems to work but there must be some compatibility issues with the software upgrade and Netflix.

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Have had the player for about 3 months now and am still waiting for LG to correct the problem. Spent a month waiting for them to come up with a new software update to correct the problem to no avail. Finally they said to send the player back for service. Have now done this twice and every time they send it back with the same problem. Now they refuse to replace it with a new unit with a new warranty. They want us to send it back for service for the third time. I have spent hours on the phone trying to talk to someone with the authority to replace the unit and have just been given the runaround. Thing is they know there is a problem with this player but won't, or don't know how to fix it.Product was great at first. Was very easy to hook up (under 5 minutes and was streaming)Problem was the software updates. First lost all the icons in the premium apps. Called LG. They told us to download an update for the software,this brought back the icons but totally made the audio distorted. Called them again, and again, and again. Been at least three weeks and still no solution for the screw up. Blu-ray discs have no problems with audio distortion, only any apps involving instant streaming. Can resolve the problem myself by changing the resolution in the network app everytime the player is restarted after powering down. Changing from 720 to 1080 or vice versa everytime you power up the player fixes the audio problem. A real pain. P.S.FIVE STARS FOR AMAZON. THEY STEPPED UP TO BAT AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION AND OFFERED A REFUND ON THE PLAYER WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO. THANKS, AMAZON

I purchaed the 690 from Amazon several weeks ago. I received it on time and hooked it up quickly. I'm using 1.4 HDMI to my Panasonic 50GT25 and optical to my Yamaha receiver for 5.1 sound. It updated flawessly, wirelessly with a Netgear dual band router (my router is about 30 feet away in another room). Connection was no problem at all just push the button on the router and away you go. It was much less fussing than my Panasonic blu ray in the other room. I played Avatar on Blu Ray first and found out I had to go thru the settings on the LG and place it on pass thru to allow it to work with the encoder on my reciever. It came set for pcm stereo. The pass thru setting allows it to work with anything DTS, Dolby, whatever. Avatar was fantastic in blu ray, the sound was incredible just like you were in the middle of the jungle surrounded by wildlife. I next played a DTS audio recording of a band I had which my previous Sony and Panasonic players had problems with. No sweat, great sound. That got me really interested in seeing what it could do. I had a Dvd recorded of the Highwaymen live from 1990. This reissue was made in Austraila and was Pal encoded for all regions. My previous players, even one that was all regions capable could not play it. Played wonderfully in Dolby 5.1. I could find nothing that said it was all regions. The only thing I watch over the internet is Netflicks and I can actually select new movies to watch with out going to my PC. My Panasonic BD100 won't allow that. I have yet to watch 3D, no glasses and I'm in no hurry not much selection yet. One caveat, you really need to either view and read the 74 page manual on disc to understand set up terms (like pass thru) or print it out the way I did.

Sony DVP-NC600 5-Disc Carousel Changer

• 5-disc DVD/CD changer with play exchange and repeat, random program, and resume playback
• Compatible with DVD-Video, video CD, and audio CD-R/CD-RW
• 1 component-video, 1 S-video, and 2 composite-video outputs
• Block Noise Reduction reduces blocked-image sections during fast-moving scenes
• Instant Replay zips back 10 seconds for convenient recaps; parental controls lock out up to 50 discs

I'm enthusiastic enough about this product to give it five stars, but I haven't really explored all of it's functionality, so I held back. I have used the unit thoroughly for DVD and CD playback, and am completely satisfied, but I'm not enhanced sound enabled, so I can't really review the player as it relates to surround or Dolby use. It does sound great on my archaic two speaker/tuner system.

The unit was very easy to set up. Up and running in minutes, with a very intuitive interface. No real learning curve to overcome for basic playback use. Playback of DVD offers crisp picture and sound with no skipping, or frame loss. CD playback is great as well. Several great simulated surround audio options that sound pretty groovy, even without an actual hookup to a surround system.

Remote is functional, but not overly-impressive. Allows for you to program it for use with one other device, presumably your television or sound system. Control functions for the secondary device are pretty limited. Power and volume, basically. I do wish the fast scan function offered more speeds, but you can still blow pretty rapidly back and forth through segments you wish to skip. Remote does have a great feature that allows you to skip forward or back to the next scene marker on the disc. Other units I'm familiar with only have buttons for this function on the unit itself, and not on the remote.

The price point is a little higher than some other 5 disc changers I've seen on the market. However, I've had some bad experiences with lower priced units. I would say that the $50 $60 extra bucks you might pay for this player will more than pay for itself in reliable, enjoyable use.

If you're looking for an affordable unit for general use, I'd say buy with confidence.

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The unit I bought began freezing and pausing during DVD and skipping during CD play after the 30 day trial period. I sent it back to Sony repair center and they tagged a different problem (jittery picture) which they claimed they fixed. When I got the unit back, the original problem was still there along with a new problem, jittery picture. While I await it's repairs once more, I have read several other reviews from Sound and Vision readers and Audio Review to see that my problem is not unique. Others have reported the same problems. There is some serious defects or flaws in this unit making me wish I never bought it. That said, I do like all the features if I can just get a unit that doesn't fail.

Read Best Reviews of Sony DVP-NC600 5-Disc Carousel Changer Here

This is an excellent product. I enjoyed using this DVD/CD player at home listening to music and watching movies. The 5.1 sound output is just clear and crisp. The only "drawback" if I may say so is that it comes with a not as good remote control where the buttons are somewhat hard to distinguish. Overall it is worth its price!

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This DVD player is phenomenal. I have had mine for about 2 years now, and boy, it's been through heckfire and back. It doubles as my CD player and it is always running. I've had it up at school for the past few months and most of last year and my buddies are always messing around with it. The picture is crystal clear and the sound is great. It's loaded will all kinds of cool features that you probably never even knew existed. Anyway, this thing is durable. Don't know what you plan on doing with yours, but mine has fallen off the shelf several times and is constantly getting beer spilled on it by the jokers that frequent my house. The DVD player never seems to mind though. It always does what I ask and never gives me problems. Probably the coolest thing about this DVD player is the lights on the buttons for the disk numbers. The light will be green if there's a disk loaded in that spot and red if there isn't one. It is awesome. You never need to mess around with finding out which slot to put your next disc into. Plus, this is a Sony. How can you go wrong? Mine has lasted me this long and we constantly abuse it. Just think how long it will last if you take care of it! I promise you won't be disappointed with this thing!

bought it two month ago.

I tested it with all kinds of media: DVD, CD, VCD, and CD-R and have NO problems at all--no freezing/skipping.... Some of them have problems with my other DVD player and Xbox. There is a new feature with this unit called "precision drive II" which is designated to tolerate imperfect disks. Plus there is BNR to further enhances that feature! In my experience, NO other players at this price range can touch NC600 !!

Highly recommed it over Panasonic, Toshiba which, according to lots of online reviews, seem to have some *design flaws* instead of random quality issues.

Sony DVPNS725P Progressive-Scan DVD/CD Player

• Single-disc DVD player with support for DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CD
• Progressive-scan video output renders seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• Precision Drive 2 with Dynamic Tilt Compensation improves readability of damaged discs
• 12-bit video DAC with 108 MHz processing for pristine video (through component-video, S-video, and composite-video outputs)
• Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel digital surround decoding and output (for use with compatible AV receivers and speaker systems)

The picture quality of Sony DVPNS725P is better then SONY DVP-NS425P in 480i & 480p mode. No distortion or blurring is found even w/o the progressive scan, just a little gritty. Once you turn on progression scan the picture clears up. Sony DVPNS725P has only a 10% difference in sharpness/clarity/color/hue/contrast between 480p progressive scan & 480i non-progressive scan mode. However, I believe that the unit's 12 Bit Video DAC with 108Mhz processor, regardless of 480i to 480p mode is why you see such little difference. The vertical lines simply double using the same picture quality in 480i mode improving video clarity overall.

Equipment:

TV: Sony Grand WEGA 42" KF42WE610

Video Monster 3 Cable: 1-Meter Coax Cable, 1 Meter Monster Video 3 component Cable

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!

Component/Coax wires do affect the quality of your home video experience. The best DVD player connected to the best Plasma/LCD/DLP/LCOS TV will have negative effects on picture quality if you are not using the best grade of Component/DVI/Coax cable. Yes, you will have to shell out more money for theses accessories (in my opinion Monster Cable has proven itself in my house). However, this is the only way to achieve your large screen TV's maximum video performance. It appears that it's not only necessary but simply required! I get mad every time I read negative reviews on this DVD player or my TV when they never invested in high-grade video cables or, their TV is only 480i compatible & not 480p compatible (they can't properly use the DVD player's progressive scan feature). Please check your manual to verify 480p compatibility for your TV, as some are only 480i compatible while others are only 780p to 1080i compatible!!!

Here is a tip to improve picture quality for analog cable/antenna viewers:

Use a A/C powered, 2 port, coaxial, Electroline Drop Amp to improve analog cable

reception. The 18 gauged Satellite coax cable runs from the cable co. to the Electroline Drop Amp in my house. The 1 Meter Monster Video 3 coax cable (gray colored wire) will run from the Electroline Drop Amp to the TV thus improving picture quality.

Summary:

If you own a 32" to a 19" TV the SONY DVP-NS425P is more then adequate. However if you have a TV larger then 32" you need this DVD player along with high-grade component/dvi/coax cable to produce the clarity/color/contrast/hue necessary for a great theater quality picture.

Buy Sony DVPNS725P Progressive-Scan DVD/CD Player Now

While this player looks good physically, has a nice remote, and some nice features like the DVD jacket display during stop mode I found it has terrible 3:2 pulldown for film mode. I checked it using several movies: Monsters Inc. (which looked incredible), but films like Forrest Gump, Sweet Home Alabama, The Matrix, and Fellowship of the Ring looked so bad compared to my Toshiba SD-4700, I had to take the Sony back. The picture looked overprocessed with noticeable artifacts to the point I couldn't even watch it. Especially tried the lobby scene in the Matrix all the marble made a dizzying effect of inaccuracies on the screen. I really liked the player overall, and the video mode looked great, but film mode was just too bad to bear. I'm going to try the Toshiba SD-3900 next, which should be comparable to my 4700. Wouldn't recommend this for a serious home theater lover.

Read Best Reviews of Sony DVPNS725P Progressive-Scan DVD/CD Player Here

Two years ago, I got a DVD Player. One of the super cheap ones that you used to read about people being trampled whenever put on sale. I loved it, primarily because it was not a VCR. Soon after that, I invested in a DVD ROM for my computer. The quality of the DVD on a computer was drastically better both in audio and video. But a 21" monitor just doesn't compare to a television plus, after watching a movie at night and just wanting to get to sleep, turning off a computer is just too much. Might sound silly but actually try it a couple times. You'll agree.

Each had their benifits, but this Sony DVD player bests both.

It's sharpness and color was as good as the computer out of the box. However, there are four settings to tweak the color so all of the sudden, the movie has the same tints, brightness, etc, as in a theatre. Furthermore, there is a setting to improve image quality: it's off by default, but can be adjusted to smooth the picture or increase sharpness, just like the gausian blur or edge enhance filters in photo editing software.

I have not noticed a delay during layer switching something that was painful on the old settop player.

The audio out of the box is equivalant to the old settop box, and inferior to the computer just because of the computer's better speakers. However, this Sony player offers a number of virtual atmosphers. It features the normal 2 channel unedited mode as well as type Sony calls "TVS Wide", which simulates multiple channels just like at a theatre. It still lacks huge bass (I don't have a subwoofer connected so your results may vary) but it is better. Also, there is a nighttime version of each method it keeps things like dialoug at normal volume, but reduces the volume of loud events, like explosions. TVSWide Night is a delight to use.

This Sony player actually lets you go frame-by-frame. This is possible with nearly every player, but with both the computer and the old DVD player, it was too difficult. WinDVD (software I used on my computer) didn't have a button I could find to do it, and the old player did, but it showed the distracting interlacing lines. Because of this player's picture smoothing, they disappear.

Also, if you eject or turn off this player whilest playing, it automatically saves the position in the movie. It saves up to 6 movies, if I remember correctly. EG, put on a movie, eject it part way through, watch 6 more, the original movie's position is forgotten. But watch part of it, 4 more, and then return, it remembers. This was possible with the computer but wasn't automatic and didn't exist on the old player at all.

Even the extraneous details of the player as a player have settings. For instance, the front panel lights and display the brightness of them is settable. So at night, you can have the movie playing with no LEDs at all.

The remote is fairly nice. The most commonly used buttons play, pause and stop, lie directly under your thumb. The navigation buttons are below, so you can simply roll your thumb down. The chapter controls, fast forward and reverse, and frame-by-frame controls are all an upward twist of the thumb away. But the subtitle, audio, angle buttons are all out of reach without repostioning your hand, as are are the menu buttons and the player's setting buttons. Its usable, and better than most remotes, but isn't going to win any awards.

I don't have a Dolby stereo so I can't speak towards the multi-channel quality of sound.

The one negative I've found is that I tried playing a video CD and it wasn't recognized. The manual does say it will play Video CDs.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this player. It has replaced DVD player and relieved my computer of DVD playing responsibilities. It's not the cheapest DVD player (nor the most expensive by a _long_ shot) but it's very feature-filled, and the fine-tuned picture and audio settings alone make this worthwhile.

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I bought this over a year ago for $125 bucks from a local retailer. Obviously you can get it for less today. I chose it because I needed a second player for my bedroom TV. I decided on this model mainly because I liked the superior 12 bit/108MHz Video DAC, that it had both optical & coaxial digital outs, and of course progressive scan. I also really liked the design, how small/thin this is. It features 6 disc resume, CD-R/RW, MP3, and DVD -/+ playback. I would've rather had black over silver and I wish it had a digital clock but that's a minor issue. This model has always played my movies flawlessly and I've never had any problem w/ it. Set up was a breeze. The picture is crisp and the on-screen menu is easy to set up & adjust. One minor complaint, the front display has a mirror tint to it which kind of darkens the display a bitthe disc tray has the same, guess sony was going for a stealth look. The remote is good and well laid out, but I know it could be made smaller, ie: not as long. It fits my hand well though w/ the back finger groove. Overall, this is a great little DVD player at an affordable price. I'd recommend it.

The DVPN725P is a great DVD player! I haven't had one problem, and neither have 2 friends who have this same model. The best thing about this Sony is that it is very consumer friendly and easy to use, with a remote that is simple and equally easy to use. I'm sure there are always a few in a product run that have problems or are defective. But the one I have does everything I tell it do, and does it well. Certainly a recommendation from me for the Sony DVPNS725P.

MP-585

This camera does everything it is a PC camera, movie recorder, MP3 player, Camera, game machine and more. I loved that it has video inputs, I hooked it up to my video camera to record my son's soccer games. I placed the video camera on top of a painters pole so I could get a great view of the action no matter what field they played on. I had the camera in front of me and the Video camera on a 18' pole, the coach love the videos, they looked like a professional sports video,

Sony DCRTRV950 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

great camcorder. the 3CCDs really make a difference in video quality in my opinion. unfortunately, you pay for this quality!

pros:

as expected from a 3CCD camcorder, the trv-950 delivers excellent video quality colors are reproduced accurately.

1 megapixel still capability.

miniDV media is widely supported.

12X optical zoom!

steady shot optical stabilization system works well.

ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.

progressive shutter system.

offers color bars and zebra striping.

the 3.5" LCD screen is great.

built-in flash for stills.

built-in mic does a good job picking up sound from the target, not the operator.

great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.

buttons along the left side and back of the camera body control essential camera functions (manual settings for focus, white balance, audio level, shutter speed, and special lighting situations) so you won't need to dive into menus for these commonly used capabilities.

side-mounted cassette means you can change tapes while the camcorder is mounted on a tripod.

low motor noise.

intelligent accessory shoe very useful if you use the appropriate accessories.

allows a great deal of manual control.

cons:

no built in video light but you can get a video light for less about fifty bucks.

you could do better on the still photo department. for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 have 2 megapixel capability while panasonic's pv-dv953 delivers 3 megapixel stills.

as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.

don't expect miracles from 1 megapixel stills.

not as compact as i would like. dimensions are 4"H x 3-3/4"W x 8"D, weighing 2.4 lbs.

the included 8MB memory stick is unacceptable. be prepared to shell out more money for at least a 32MB or bigger memory stick.

does not have a NightShot mode (although i'm not a big fan of this feature).

MPEG movies saved to Memory Stick are much darker than the same scene recorded to a miniDV tape.

noticeable shutter lag for still captures.

bluetooth communication requires optional purchases = more $$.

touchscreen menu system is not intuitive.

this is great camcorder if you are looking for a 3CCD system. it sits atop sony's prosumer line. the competition is catching up though so make sure you also consider the panasonic pv-dv953. peace.

Pros: Compact three-CCD camera; large, readable flip-out screen; one-megapixel still-image capture; clean, clear video images.

Cons: Poor low-light sensitivity; low-capacity Memory Stick supplied; stills require more light than video; Bluetooth communication requires optional purchases.

Summary: I bought the TRV50 2 weeks ago.I returned it for the TRV950 because zooming with the auto focus made video blurry.The TRV950 is instantaneously sharp.I also had made a tape just filming around the home with the TRV50.I compared that tape with the one I just made with the TRV950,just experimenting around the home.Now I see why 3ccd's are better than 1ccd.My best overall experiment was the digital alarm clock(with the big red LED numbers)in the bedroom.With the TRV50 the numbers always looked fuzzy.With the TRV950 those numbers looked crisp and sharp.Hence, I guess that where they get the term "color bleeding"from.I noticed that alot with the TRV50 while looking at bright objects.I even experimented with an UV and Polarizing filter on the TRV50 with no success.I know TRV950 is getting some bad press because it doesn't have Progessive scan,like the TRV50, but TRV950 has what's called Progessive shutter.Sony says it 's a step up and I believe it is too.I compared some of the stills I captured on tape and to me TRV950 comes out on top.I wonder if the number of ccd's has anything to do with this.If not then Sony needs to do more marketing in the Progessive shutter business.TRV50 has and TRV950 does not have infared.Does anybody out there ever really use the thing.Especially when it's only good for what 20 feet at most.Go to your local gun shop and get the real thing.I know the Carl Zeiss lens gets alot of publicity, but the TRV950 does not come with those lens. The less quality TRV50 does. What's the story with that?Logic only tells me that the higher end Sony lens must be better than the Carl Zeiss lens.Also TRV950 eats up more battery time than the cheaper TRV50.Be prepared to spring for a larger battery.I wonder if this has anything to do with the number of ccd's also.

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We bought this camera in the summer of 2003 to replace our older video camera and have had a great experience. The video quality is excellent. The color is superb. Great audio quality. The video records at more lines of resolution than current televisions use, so I have no doubt that the quality will still look great after high definition televisions dominate the home television market.

Recently, my 4 megapixel digital camera needed to be sent in for repairs ... it is not a Sony :( ... We were upset as we did not think we would be able to print pictures until it returned...we decided to test printing out the Sony TRV950 digital pictures...we were amazed that we were able to print out wonderful quality pictures (3x5). So, we have been very impressed with a feature we never intended to use.

The features included on the camera are great...but two that stand out in my opinion are the super steady shot to help get rid of the "jiggle" and the auto white balance...the best I've seen.

This camera does cost more than other consumer level cameras, but the value is well worth it in my opinion. We bought it to take good video of our baby growing up...we are convinced that this is, by far, the best option and we will never regret spending the extra money.

We purchased a 3 Watt light attachment, a 256MB memory stick card, and an additional M71D battery (250 minutes). I would strongly recommend these accessories.

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Product was exactly like described and came with a great amount support equipment, seller was fast and professional. This item was also a great price for its condition, excellent on both counts.

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DEFENDER SENTINEL 8CH Smart Security System with 500GB DVR and 8 Indoor/Outdoor Dome Cameras with 6

My previous experience with security system setup involved a wireless system that was very simple to set up and easy to maintain.

This system is NOT for beginners.

MUST be connected to a TV/Monitor for setup.

Pros:

Defender has online videos that help with setup and provide tips. This is useful.

four bullet and four dome cameras more than you will likely need.

Watertight cameras nice for outdoor mounting.

Tamper proof installation of cameras another nice feature (as long as you drill a hole in the wall....)

500GB DVR provides plenty of recording space.

multiple resolution settings

more options than I require as a homeowner for settings times to record, days to record can be done separately for each camera you can even have block zones for sensitive areas (like your safe or other area that you don't want recorded.

Camera connection cables are plenty long for running from the DVR to the cameras and you can connect them together if you don't need all the cameras for extra long runs.

Menu options are ok you really need to take the time to watch the videos and potentially call the company to ensure you have it all down.

Network viewing option great!

Cons:

One of my cameras was DOA I have emailed support for resolution we'll see what happens.

Again setup is NOT for the faint of heart there is a great deal involved from running the wires, to determining where to set up the DVR and even setting up remote viewing from your outside computer or smart device.

Uses RCA video from DVR to monitor what is this, 1985?! What about HDMI like the rest of the world? It would be nice to pull in audio alongside the video with ONE cable.

I just set the system up so I will see what sort of recordings I get tonight (I typically only record at night to see what's going on out there) and I will add night vision capabilities to the review.

Overall this is a VERY complete system. You need to plan out your camera locations and be able to run the cables and mount the system properly. This means being able to drill through walls and run cables potentially through conduit or through the attic or crawlspace. Again not for the amateur. Wireless is the wave of the future I would think that would be a far better option given the state of the technology.

I received the Defender Sentinel 8 Channel Smart Security System from Amazon. Let me state up front that I have never installed a security system before so I hope this information is helpful to those who wonder how difficult it is to set up a DVR and the cameras with little previous knowledge. It's easy to say the setup was easy and everything works, but in my case, there was a steep learning curve. That said, the actual setup is not difficult. A one-sheet quick start shows you how to hook up the cameras and then connect the power supply and finally the cables to your DVR and monitor. What was more problematic was deciding how to set up the system and which monitor to use--a computer or a TV. My computer monitors do not have RCA connectors/plugs, so I either needed an adapter (RCA to VGA) or a VGA splitter with one cable going from the monitor the the computer and the other going from the monitor to the DVR or I could use a DVI to VGA cable since the monitor has a DVI plug and the DVR has a VGA. This works, but I have to switch the output with the monitor buttons so I can go from D-sub (the normal computer screen) to DVI (the DVR screen). I found the monitor buttons did not easily allow the switching. I then considered buying a switch that could be changed manually and quickly. Finally I settled on hooking the DVR to a second TV that's housed in an armoire in the master bedroom. This TV has only one AV input/output so I bought an inexpensive plug (Male to 2 Females) and had no difficulty setting up the DVR. I can access the main menu to change input with the included remote or I can add a manual switch that will change the input instantly. This, as I see it, is the main thing to consider when deciding how to view the camera output. Another solution would be to add a second monitor just for the DVR, but that takes up space.

As for setting up the cameras (four dome cameras for the inside and four bullet cameras for outside (they are water-resistant but not waterproof, so you need to mount them where they'll have some protection as in under the eaves), I have only set the outside cameras in place to set up the system. We will install later next month when our painter finishes the exterior. For the purpose of this review, all cameras are working and the clarity is good, both during the day and at night. I will further tweak the system once the outdoor cameras are permanently in place. But here's what I learned: visibility is very good and under most conditions, a trespasser's face could be identified. Since we live in a remote mountainous area on acreage, we were anxious to have some type of monitoring/recording device in place.

Defender has several videos to show best areas for camera installation, a five-step hookup guide (that didn't work for me but might for others), and a couple of guides to set up internal and external networks.

In all, I spent about four hours watching the tutorials, talking to a Defender technician and my local electronics supplier to make sure I covered all my options. The actual camera hookup took only minutes; running lines through the house's crawl space will be a bit more time-consuming, but overall, this system was easy enough to figure out for a newbie and should be simple for anyone with a better knowledge of electronics and security systems. One negative was figuring out where the User's Manual was located. Go to the www.defender-usa.com site and click on Support, then Download Center. Click on DIY Security Systems and finally click on the 8CH Smart Security DVR with 8 Ultra Hi-Res Security Cameras & 500GB HDD (Model No. 21031)--sixth from the top. The User's Manual is a pdf file available in English or French. Despite the difficulty of finding the manual, I give the system two thumbs up. While remote access is an added feature of this system, since I don't have a Smartphone, it's not something I can comment on in my review. I like that the 500GB hard drive can hold over two year's of recorded data and that the DVR functions just like a computer with a USB mouse and/or the remote. The One Step Remote Viewing software auto-networks your DVR and is a free download for PC or Mac.

The night vision camera feature is accurate for 100 feet.

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This Defender Sentinel package includes the following:

* DVR with 500GB HDD

* 2 x BNC to RCA Connectors

* 10ft RJ-45 Ethernet Cable

* 6ft Power Adapter (cUL certified)

* 6ft RCA video cable

* Instruction Manual & Software CD

* USB Mouse

* IR Remote Controller with batteries

* Window Warning Stickers

* DVR Quick Start Guide

* 4 x Indoor/Outdoor Dome Security Cameras

* 4 x Outdoor Security Cameras

* 8 x 65ft Extension Cables

* Power Adapter

* 2 x Four-to-One Power Splitter

* Mounting Hardware

* Camera Quick Start Guide

The DVR is their model #21013, the bullet cameras are their model #21006 and the dome cameras are their model #21060.

Installation was fairly easy... it only took me about 7 1/2 hours to install the 4 dome speakers inside the house, the four bullet speakers outside, run all the cables and set the DVR up. The instruction manual was well-organized and comprehensive. We elected the 24/7 "always on" option instead of only using the motion-detecting option (you can choose either).

Observations: The bullet (outdoor) cameras deliver a great picture both in daylight and nighttime. The cameras have an IR cut filter that delivers more life-like nighttime colors. Living in Florida, there are a lot of outdoor cats and I could easily see the black-striped one two doors down across the street. I saw a fledgling Blue Jay hopping around yesterday under the guidance of its parents, tand went out this morning and saw a few feathers in the corner of the backyard. I was worried so I viewed last night's footage and the camera picked out a raccoon attacking the little bird in the middle of the night. It was very sad. The only good news is that the camera image was excellent in viewing small dark animals.

My wife checked on our baby sitter remotely (via smart phone) two nights ago and saw a good clear picture feed from the dome cameras inside the house.

Recommendation: Highly recommended. The DVR playback is easy, the bullet cameras have excellent night vision, and the images provided to a remote device are clear and distinct.

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This came at the opportune time for me, because my husband and I have invested in small wine bar (we own a third and we're both work there part time). Actually it's a coffee wine bar, but we call it a wine bar, even though we serve coffee ala Starbuck's. Needless to say, this Defender Sentinel security system is going to come in real handy.

Until we got this, we had no cameras installed. It arrived yesterday afternoon and the three guys got it hooked up in a little over an hour. We have the domes set up inside, where they can watch over the restaurant and the cash register and the bullet cameras set up outside, hopefully to discourage and prevent anyone from breaking in when we're not there, though we do have an alarm system. Still, that won't stop someone who wants to smash and grab and be on his way before the police come. But if that does happen, now we'll be able to see who it was.

The images from the cameras are surprisingly clear. The dome cameras are unobtrusive and the bullet cameras are not, which is what we want. Though we've only had this set up for a day, it's looking like just what the doctor ordered for us.

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I had to get some help hooking up the outside cameras but it went very fast. Only took about 90 minutes to hook up the entire set, inside and out. I waited until dark to see what it would show and how clear it would be and was surprised to see how clear it was, even 30 feet away, someone was out walking their dogs and I could see them as if I was standing next to them, it was that clear. It also clearly showed the neighbors in their driveway 80 feet away that I could definitely see it was them and could even tell you what they were wearing, of course that was in the daylight but after seeing the people walking their dogs so clearly in the dark I have no doubt it would be just as clear that 80 feet away as it was in the daylight. We have a few thieves in town (mostly stealing gas from cars) and it's nice to know that even though this won't stop them from coming into your yard and stealing items you have out for display, it will catch them doing it and you will be able to use it to prosecute them without having to worry if the picture is clear enough to identify them. I also got a kick out of watching what it had on video of my cats after I go to bed. I knew they got into just about everything but was surprised at a few things and it was funny to watch them play in the dark as if it were daylight from what I was watching... I can see where if you have a baby sitter this will tell you everything you want and need to know. I really feel, with more cameras, that this set would be perfect for any business to use. The material the cameras are made of is very sturdy, even the outside ones, and I expect them to work for many years to come. The directions are very clear and easy to follow and the dvr was quick to set up, just took a few minutes. The price seems high to me but I've never looked at these before so maybe it's just right and for what it does, it will be worth it.