Handy Gadgets

A review of the Toshiba XD-E500 DVD player has been posted over at Pocket-Lint. 'The Toshiba XD-E500 is a black box with minimal fuss in design. The size of an old VHS player and sporting a new look from Toshiba that it is promising to roll out across its range of DVD players and televisions, you'll get a glowing white Toshiba logo when on, a stack of numbers displayed in green and a clear green display giving you the chapter numbers and other info about the DVD you are watching. There are hard playback buttons along the front, although refined enough that they don't distract too much and virtually all the player's controls are operated via the well laid out remote.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 3:04 PM | Permalink

A review of the compact Flip Video Ultra Series camcorder has been posted over at MobileTechReview.com. ‘Whether it’s because of an incredibly unlikely opportunity, or just the incredibly short attention span demonstrated by many people in the information age, there are a growing number of situations where even an advanced, sophisticated video camera just won’t do you any good if it is too complicated or slow to capture the action. Recognizing this huge potential market for fast, easy video cameras, Pure Digital Technologies has introduced the Flip camera line, including the new Flip Video Ultra series. As you might have guessed, the Flip Video Ultra doesn’t offer all the features or quality of a pro-level camera, but it actually comes a lot closer than you might expect. In short, if convenience is one of your highest priorities in a digital video camera, the Ultra is a slick and effective choice.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 11:13 PM | Permalink

InfoSync World have published a review of the Vudu Internet-based video download box which connects to the Internet in order to bring movies to your television set on demand. ‘Packing an impressive 250GB HD, Vudu promises up to 100 hours of storage for purchased movies. The company also claims that its video processor is capable of rendering video at Full HD 1080p resolution. Port-wise, the Vudu is as flexible as they come. It offers an HDMI port for digital video and audio as well as component, composite and S-video output options. Audio is pumped through R/L analog, digital coaxial or digital optical ports. The Ethernet port allows connection to the service, and two USB ports allow for future storage expansion. Vudu includes the most advanced (HDMI) and the most rudimentary (composite) cables for connection to your television; for the in-between options you must find or purchase additional cables.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 4:50 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Sony LocationFree TV LF-V30 which is a device that connects to your cable or satellite box and streams your TV shows and DVR content over the internet for you to watch and control anywhere you go 'About the size of a hardcover book, the all-black LocationFree TV LF-V30 could be mistaken for a somewhat fat wireless router--understandable, because that's pretty much what it is. Like Sony's PlayStation game consoles, it can be mounted horizontally or vertically (a snap-on plastic base is included). The front face of the minimalist black box has a smattering of green status LEDs, along with a power switch, a setup mode button (for use during the initial configuration), and a reset switch.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:37 PM | Permalink

A review of the slim Nu CinePlayer PDP100 DVD player has been posted over at CNET. ‘One of the flat sides of the PDP100 has a reflective, mirrorlike finish (which is why the product image looks a little strange), while the other side has a standard white finish. As we mentioned before, the PDP100 is only 0.71 inch thick, and it measures 5.91 inches wide and 6.42 inches deep. You can position the player on the included stand for vertical positioning, or just lay it flat on its side. If you're really into the PDP100's design, you can even buy a wall mount ($30) to display it next to your flat-panel HDTV. With no front panel controls, you'll definitely want to make sure the remote doesn't go missing. Unlike standard standalone DVD players, there is no DVD tray and discs are loaded via the same kind of slot-loading mechanism found on Mac laptops or the Nintendo Wii. The mechanism works fine, although you have to push the disc almost all the way into the player before it pulls it in on its own, which feels a little strange.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 11:58 AM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the VUDU box which delivers the movies you rent or buy via the Internet. 'If there were an award for foolproof setups, Vudu would win hands-down. This is how simple it is to get up and running with this glossy black box, which is only slightly larger than the Apple TV: Plug the Vudu into your home network router, then connect the Vudu to your big-screen TV using an HDMI cable (or other A/V connection). After you plug in the AC adapter, the Vudu boots up, and within a couple of minutes you're greeted with a main menu screen with several easy-to-understand selections, including Find Movies, New Releases, My Movies, My Wish List, and Info and Settings. Along the bottom of the slick interface, you can scroll through a selection of 20 movies ready for download, which constantly refresh.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:54 PM | Permalink

Infosync World have published a review of the MyVu Personal Media Viewer eyewear which contain built-in video viewing and audio systems for high quality viewing. ‘The MyVu Personal Media Viewer is a small, lightweight visor, somewhat reminiscent of the contraption Geordie on Star Trek wore. It is thin enough that it gives you plenty of room to see over and under the unit. The earbuds dangle from the right spot on the arms, and the entire unit relies on a single cord that connects to the dock connector port on your iPod. We like that the unit draws power this way, which cuts down on cords and batteries, but could cause problems for battery performance on the iPod.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:20 PM | Permalink

A review of a portable pair of Ezgear Ezvision video goggles has been posted over at Personal Computer world. ‘The Ezgear's Ezvision (UK branding of the Japanese iTheater video glasses) is a compact device that addresses some of these issues. In comparison to similar products, the Ezvision is reasonably portable and comes with a carry pouch, battery pack and AV adaptor for hooking up a source device. It’s easy to get things up and running, provided you have some knowledge of audio and video connections, and the built-in headphones do a great job of handling the sound.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 4:35 PM | Permalink

Reg Hardware have published a review of the Elgato Turbo.264 H.264 Encoder which converts your Mac videos to H.264 (MP4) files). 'Apple TV and iPod. Sony PlayStation Portable. Different devices, but united in common support of the H.264 video compression technology, part of the MPEG 4 standard. And since a lot of us own these, the need for H.264-encoded content is high. The snag: it takes a heck of a lot of processing power to produce. Enter Turbo.264, a dedicated H.264 encoder made by Mac TV tuner specialist Elgato. The size of a large Flash drive, Turbo.264 plugs into a free USB 2.0 slot ready to take over H.264 video encoding from the host processor.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:47 PM | Permalink

The RCA Small Wonder EZ201 camcorder is a pretty simple device to operate since you simply insert two AA batteries and you're good to go. Aim the camcorder at your subject and press record. You can instantly playback what you capture in the 1.5” LCD screen, then delete it if you’re not satisfied. 'Like the earlier EZ101, the EZ201 is very lightweight (5 ounces) and compact enough to fit in a pocket. The 1.5-inch LCD screen flips completely out, making it easy to shoot yourself while watching yourself in the small screen. You can delete any undesirable clips right away, and the EZ201 has a video output, so you can view clips on any TV with a composite-video input (cable included). The unit is powered by two AA batteries and comes with a protective felt carrying case.

Continue reading " RCA EZ201 Small Wonder Digital Camcorder - CNET" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:13 PM | Permalink

Vivek Gowri writing over at Notebook Review.com has posted a review of the Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for notebook computers. ‘The QuickCam Deluxe features an integrated microphone, adjustable focus, glass lens, a hard-to-press snapshot button at the top, and an adjustable clip on the back, which I will get to in just a moment. At just over 2-inches long and an inch wide, the QuickCam is rather large, but the design is sleek enough to mask the size. It is also a pretty slim device, with the webcam itself being less than half an inch thick.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 6:37 PM | Permalink

The Jensen In-Dash DVD/CD Receiver plays DVDs and CDs in your vehicle with the movies being displayed on a 7" screen. Touch screen navigation makes it easier than ever to browse the multimedia functions. ‘With the faceplate stowed away, the Jensen VM9312 looks like any garden-variety single-DIN-size stereo head unit. Two rotary knobs at either end of the faceplate control volume (left) and skip/search (right), although for any sources other then AM/FM radio, the screen is essential for selecting and controlling the media. Two prominent, backlit blue buttons give drivers the ability to change source and mute the current audio on the fly. Dedicated hard buttons for opening and closing the screen, as well as for adjusting display settings, are a nice addition to the very simple faceplate design.’

Continue reading "Review: Jensen In-Dash DVD/CD Receiver - CNET" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:24 PM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the i-Theatre personal video display which offers big pictures on-the-go in a compact AV unit. 'Resembling the high-tech shades worn by the X-Men's Cyclops, i-O Display Systems' i-Theatre aims to bring the big-screen viewing experience to entertainment seekers on the go, whether they're sick of squinting at their iPod's display or want to block out their surroundings in coach class. While the headset offers mobile users private video screenings, the clunky nature of the i-Theatre-and the eye-strain that accompanies each viewing-keeps it from living up to its potentia

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 1:23 PM | Permalink

CNET have posted their review of the LG Super Multi Blue HD player which plays back both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. 'One of the first things you might notice when you look at the BH100 is that there are absolutely zero buttons on the front panel, not even a button to open and close the disc tray. What are you to do when the remote goes missing? Well, there are actually five touch-sensitive buttons located on the top of the unit. This arrangement is stylish, but it introduces a slight design issue--you can't stack other components on top of the BH100 if you plan on using the buttons. The other problem we had is that the buttons don't stay lit up, which makes them a little difficult to see in a dark home theater environment. Aside from that, we were actually pleasantly surprised by how well the buttons work--sometimes touch-sensitive buttons can be finicky, but these were nearly flawless in their responses.'

Continue reading "LG BH100 - CNET" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 3:20 AM | Permalink

Gizmodo have come into possession of one of LG's BH100 (Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD High-Definition) Players and have posted their "First review' of the gadget which is capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. 'Right off the bat, I'll tell you that the rumors that the HD-DVD compatibility is half-assed are absolutely true. One of HD-DVD's strongest points is its interactive menus and video features, like the ones we wrote about in our Fast and the Furious HD-DVD review. This player didn't support the menus on this movie, and some of the special features, like being able to repaint a race car in the movie, were only found when I manually skipped to the chapter. Even then, the only thing you can depend on is that the movie will play. Which may be enough for many, but not enough for those who want the most from both formats.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:24 PM | Permalink

Tech Digest have reviewed the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3 DVD Recorder which allows you to record both video and digital photos to DVDs without requiring the use of a PC. 'The form factor is quite distinctive – pretty typical for Sony – although it does look like two different units have been squeezed together. But at least it should be at home on a desk or table. It also has a weighty, robust feel to it, so even though it doesn’t look particularly ideal for carrying around, should you want to take it out and about instead of weighing yourself down with a laptop, it should hold up pretty well.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 2:32 AM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine has provided some informed comment on the Creative Xmod plug-and-play device for PC/Mac which allows the user to listen to enhanced sound from music and movies. 'Initially, we were a tad skeptical of Creative’s much-hyped Xmod, a plug-and-play sound enhancer that connects to a notebook’s USB port for upconverting digital audio to surpass CD quality. But our suspicions were soon stymied after firing up this ingenious device. Whether we were listening using headphones or a set of 2.1 speakers, movies and music sounded clearer and crisper'.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 3:24 PM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine assesses the capability of the Sonic Impact Video 55 to manipulate the video of your iPod. ‘The Video 55 measures 8.7 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds, so you'll hardly notice it in your carry-on. Flip open the Video 55 to reveal its seven-inch display, a pop-up slot for your iPod, and its touch-sensitive controls. Once your iPod is docked, it folds down flush into the unit. The shiny, black interior matches the iPod perfectly, but it's also prone to fingerprints.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 2:14 PM | Permalink

The Dual Wireless Headphone Portable DVD Player from Hammacher Schlemmer allows two viewers to enjoy a movie at the same time using two separate pairs of headphones. This task is accomplished using an integral FM radio that transmits the audio wirelessly from the DVD. This is the perfect item to share a movie with that special friend on a night out when two is the only company around. 'The player has two neodymium magnet-driven speakers for use without the headphones that produce robust low-frequency sound without distortion. The headphones have padded earcups and adjustable headbands. It has a composite video ouput and coaxial digital audio output for connection to a TV or stereo system. Plugs into an AC or DC outlet, or can play movies for up to three hours on its rechargeable lithium battery.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 2:49 PM | Permalink

The new Easy Recorder 2 from Hagiwara Sys-Com is a portable digital video recorder that records in MPEG-4 format onto Memory Stick Duo or PRO Duo. 'The Easy Recorder 2 records video content (via composite analog signal from a VCR, DVD or video camera) directly to Memory Stick Duo in MPEG-4 Memory Stick Video format, a widely used video format for popular portable devices and compatible with Apple Quick Time® for your personal computer.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 3:07 PM | Permalink

Have a suspicion something is going on which needs to be monitored? One possible solution would be to install the Swann Micro DVR which would provide continuous video monitoring up to forty four hours. 'The Micro DVR is an all-in-one digital video recording system that is loaded with features which make it an ideal solution for covert surveillance. The Micro DVR features a built-in color camera, 128MB of memory and a LCD screen for viewing and playback. Recording can be programmed into the DVR through easy to use on-screen menus or triggered either through video motion detection or sound detection options.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 11:08 AM | Permalink

CNET has reviewed the new Archos 604 (30GB) Portable Media Player. ‘Designed to replace the AV500, the 604 is slightly bigger than the 30GB AV500 at 5.1 by 3.1 by 0.6 inches and 9.3 ounces, but it's more polished and has more screen real estate with less bezel (4.3 inches vs. 4 inches). It's quite a bit thinner and lighter than its chief competitor, the 0.87-inch, 10.5-ounce 30GB Cowon A2, which is more contoured and softer than the blocky 604. Though it's not as pocketable as the 4 by 3 by 0.5-inch 404, in addition to other video-playing MP3 players, its big screen and removable battery are more than enough reason to make it a mobile companion. The built-in kickstand is also a sweet little extra. We've read some comments about the design being "ugly" but in person, the device is pretty hot.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:11 PM | Permalink

Shiny Shiny has reviewed the Archos AV700TV and commented favorably on the "digital television portable". 'The AV700 TV's main reason for existence is the ability to watch digital television on the move. To support this, there's a 7" screen, which dominates the handset. This is an ample size for watching TV comfortably, particularly since there's a fold out support stand which means you don't have to keep it clutched in your hands. Finding the channels is also a simple matter of connecting the antennas to the unit and scanning for channels - with the right orientation of the aerials you can pick up a full complement of fifty plus digital channels.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 2:15 PM | Permalink

Tech digest reviews the sleek looking Mustek MP100 portable DVD player. 'As someone who is rarely without my laptop computer, I thought I'd be unlikely to invest in a standalone portable DVD player. However, I found myself really looking forward to reviewing this unit. The specs sound great on paper, and generally the unit doesn't disappoint. The whole unit is compact and feels pretty rugged, without being bulky. It's pretty light to carry around and looks like it will withstand the odd knock or bump. It comes complete with a black carrying case which, whilst not particularly well padded, keeps the player and its accessories neat when travelling, and there's also room in the bag for additional items (DVDs for example).'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 5:07 AM | Permalink

If you have been on the lookout for a gadget to digitize and/or copy your music and video files, Popgadget may have come upon a possible albeit "expensive" solution. "The Pico MP3 ripper, weighs just 6.5 lbs. and costs $699. Yes, you could get about 700 CDs converted by RipDigital for you for that much, but the Pico will let you start your own neighborhood or family racket, letting you rip 25 CDs in a go, totally hands-free. The Pico will rip into mp3, wav, aiff, or flac files, and will retrieve all your CD track information from CDDB just like an application like iTunes will do. "

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 2:57 PM | Permalink

The AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 allows users to watch and record live TV with the Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. With the available dual tuner drivers, two cards can be installed so users can watch live TV on one channel and record another, or record two different shows simultaneously. Previously recorded shows can also be viewed as two others are being recorded at the same time. The PVR functions in MCE 2005 allow for live TV viewing, rewind, time shifting and instant playback. The FM radio features include 9 station pre-sets, live radio listening, or pause, rewind, replay. The AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 supports full band air and cable TV with other features including a fully resizable TV window, closed captioning for NTSC signals and parental control channel lockout.

Continue reading "HTPC News.com: AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 Review" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:55 PM | Permalink

If you don't mind plucking down a thousand dollars for a Blu-ray disc player you may well be more than contented with the impressive image quality of the Samsung BD-P1000. 'As the sole set-top representative of the Blu-ray camp, the Samsung BD-P1000 currently stands as the only unit that can play back Blu-ray movies. If that matters to you, then you might be in the tiny portion of the HDTV-owning population to whom this $1,000, first-generation player could possibly appeal. For everyone else, this review is less buying advice than a referendum on an emerging format war. Which is better, Blu-ray or HD-DVD? Well, after comparing the image quality of both the Samsung BD-P1000 and the Toshiba HD-A1 using the highest-performance 1080p display we had available (see Performance), we can say the nod goes to HD-DVD for consistency of picture quality.

Continue reading "CNET.com: Samsung BD-P1000 Review" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:58 AM | Permalink

Thomas Net.com reports on the new Vi-Cas Vacuum Cups from Vi-Cas Manufacturing designed specifically to assist in the handling of CDs or DVDs. These vacuum cups are especially useful since it is almost near impossible to retrieve a disc off a flat surface without smudging the surface. 'Vi-Cas has been manufacturing vacuum cups in various shapes, sizes and materials sine 1970. They provide short or long manufacturing runs, with short turnaround times. On demand delivery is also available. In addition to micro-cups and bellows, large cups and bellows, soap cups, grabbers, suction cups, tightening discs, and grippers, Vi-Cas offers accessories including level compensators, swivel joints, vacuum valves and fittings and adaptors to suit any application.'

Continue reading "Handle Your CDs and DVDs With Care And Vi-Cas Vacuum Cups" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 3:35 AM | Permalink

The reasonably priced Audiovox D2011 DVD player has the features to enhance the viewing of your favorite flicks, JPEG and audio files. 'Like other portable DVD players with 10.2-inch screens, the Audiovox D2011 is smaller than a laptop but bigger than a more conventional portable DVD player. Audiovox touts this 10-incher as a slim-line model, and while it looks thinner, it's rather generic in style and weighs in at 3 pounds, 2 ounces with its detachable battery connected. That's a shade lighter than most other portables with 10-inch displays but still somewhat hefty.

Continue reading "Audiovox Electronics D2011 Widescreen Ultraslim 10" Portable DVD Player" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:34 AM | Permalink

Alpha blogger, David Katzmaier, shares his "preliminary observations" on the Samsung BD-P1000Blu-ray Player, the first set-top Blu-ray player to hit the market. 'I recently got the chance to spend about three hours with Samsung's BD-P1000, the first set-top Blu-ray player to hit the market, at the company's New Jersey HQ a few days before the product's official U.S. launch on June 25. During that too-brief time, I took a few preliminary observations (and some blurry photos), so here they are.

Continue reading "Alpha [CNET] Blog: Samsung BD-P1000Blu-ray Player" »