Handy Gadgets

PC World have published a review of the Roku Digital Video Player. 'The Roku Digital Video Player, Roku's newly updated version of last year's Netflix Player, is a welcome arrival. Whereas its predecessor could stream video only from Netflix, the new model can stream video from Amazon Video on Demand, as well. Don't be surprised if the $100 Roku Digital Video Player looks familiar. The hardware it uses is identical to the hardware on the older Netflix Player. Last year, Roku set a goal of expanding its streaming video functionality to include other services; the renamed Digital Video Player achieves that goal.'

Continue reading "Roku Digital Video Player Review - PC World" »

Posted by Admin at 11:03 PM | Permalink

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.'

Continue reading "Toshiba XD-E500 DVD Player Review - Pocket-Lint" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Review: Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder - MobileTechReview" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Vudu Reviewed - InfoSync World" »

Posted by 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.

Continue reading "Sony LF-V30 LocationFree TV Review - CNET" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Nu CinePlayer PDP100 DVD Player Review - CNET" »

Posted by 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.'

Continue reading "Review: Vudu Box - Laptop Mag" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Review: MyVu Personal Media Viewer - Infosync World" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Ezgear Ezvision Video Glasses Review at Personal Computer World" »

Posted by 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.'

Continue reading "Review: Elgato Turbo.264 H.264 Encoder - Reg Hardware" »

Posted by 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 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.

Continue reading "Review: Logitech QuickCam Deluxe – Notebook Review.com" »

Posted by 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 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

Continue reading "i-O Display Systems i-Theatre - Laptop Mag" »

Posted by 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 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.'

Continue reading "Review: LG BH100 Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD High-Definition Player - Gizmodo" »

Posted by 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.'

Continue reading "Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3 - Tech Digest" »

Posted by 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'.

Continue reading "Review: Creative Xmod - Laptop Mag" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Sonic Impact Video 55 – Laptop Mag" »

Posted by 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.'

Continue reading "Dual Wireless Headphone Portable DVD Player" »

Posted by 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.'

Continue reading "Easy Recorder 2: Portable Video Recorder For Memory Stick Duo" »

Posted by 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.

Continue reading "Monitor Your Home Or Office With A Swann Portable Micro DVR" »

Posted by 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.’

Continue reading "Archos 604 (30GB) Portable Media Player Review" »

Posted by 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.

Continue reading "Archos AV700TV Review At Shiny Shiny" »

Posted by 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).'

Continue reading " Mustek MP100 Portable DVD Player Review At Tech Digest" »

Posted by 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. "

Continue reading "Pico DVD / CD Duplicator And MP3 Ripper" »

Posted by 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 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 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 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 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" »

Posted by Admin at 4:46 AM | Permalink

Even with the one major drawback the of not being able to record audio or video, the Toshiba Gigabeat S 30GB Digital Player impresses with the capabilities of holding about 7,500 songs and supporting many music, video, and photo file types.'The Toshiba Gigabeat S handles MP3, WMA Lossless, and WAV, as well as WMV and WMA. Other video formats, such as MPEG-4, AVI, DivX, and MOV, are automatically transcoded in Windows Media Player 11 (DivX video support was planned but not implemented).

Continue reading "Toshiba Gigabeat S MES30VW Digital Player (White)" »

Posted by Admin at 3:33 AM | Permalink

With the new Nintendo DS Lite you can use the built-in wireless mode to share games, chat or even play multiplayer games on-line via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection 'The Nintendo DS Lite, like the original Nintendo DS, is a portable gaming system with two vertically tiered screens. On the bottom is a touch screen that allows you to use a stylus or a finger for anything from selecting options to moving characters. There's also a normal face-button layout that allows a more standard method of control. The system plays its own proprietary cartridges (which are somewhere between SD and CompactFlash cards in size), in addition to its near-full backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance (GBA) titles--the system will not play multiplayer modes of GBA games, unfortunately. While DS cartridges are much smaller in capacity than the PSP's UMDs, they play without the often unbearable load times of Sony's proprietary format.'

Continue reading "Nintendo DS Lite Handheld Video Game System" »

Posted by Admin at 4:45 AM | Permalink

There are some quality audio, video, and photo (hard drive) players on the market which certainly rival, and in some cases surpass the popular Ipod especially in terms of features offered. 'The $250 iAudio 6, Cowon's first microdrive player, rivals most flash players in compactness, thanks in part to a 4GB, 0.85-inch hard drive. This feature-packed and excellent-sounding player/recorder supports all sorts of music, video, and photo files (but no album art), and it boasts a slick, high-resolution 1.3-inch OLED screen. While the iAudio 6's interface is an improvement upon that of past Cowon players, it can still be tricky to use. We also believe that Cowon, despite utilizing cutting-edge HDD technology, should have opted for more reliable flash memory, or at least produced a 6GB or 8GB version. Yet, we can't question this player's deft looks and high-octane performance.'

Continue reading "Cowon iAudio 6 4 GB MP3 Player [Black]" »

Posted by Admin at 1:45 PM | Permalink

You can purchase a DVD player for less than the $199 for the Sony DVP-FX810 but if you are a fan of Sony products, you may be willing to ignore the few extra dollars to add this device to your Sony collection. 'Eschewing the silver styling of many earlier portable DVD player models, Sony's gone with an all-black look for its DVP-FX810 ($200 list), which sports a generous 8-inch wide-screen that swivels 180 degrees and folds flat on top of the unit much like a tablet PC. Surrounding the screen is a glossy black bezel, and Sony's covered the LCD screen with something called a Hard Coating acrylic panel for a "clear view." It's nice to have the protective coating, but we don't think it makes a difference in the clarity of the picture. It certainly doesn't help eliminate the screen's glare issues--with the unit off, the screen can almost serve as a mirror. On a more positive note, Sony's conveniently placed all the controls right below the screen. While the remote isn't terribly compact, the buttons are clearly labeled, and it's easier to use than most credit-card-size clickers that normally ship with portable DVD players.'

Continue reading "Sony’s Portable DVD Player DVP-FX810" »

Posted by Admin at 5:33 AM | Permalink

Akihabara News highlights one of the DMB players which is very popular in South Korea at present. 'Here's yet another addition on the DMB market, the DMR 231. This player by Perstel is nicely designed and really cheap (you can pick one up for 200000Won, which is 166 EUR). It has a 3.2" screen and has an SD slot too.' Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) is a digital transmission system for sending data, radio and TV to mobile devices such as mobile phones. It can operate via satellite (S-DMB) or terrestrial (T-DMB) transmission. DMB is based on the Eureka 147 DAB standard and has some similarities with the competing mobile TV standard DVB-H. T-DMB is made for transmissions on frequency bands III (VHF) and L (SHF).'

Continue reading "New Digital Multimedia Broadcasting Player From Perstel" »

Posted by Admin at 3:47 PM | Permalink

The Philips RC9800i touch screen remote control enables almost effortless access and control of information and digital content from multiple types of devices in the home. 'Sleek and understated, with carbon and silver coloring, the Philips PC9800i is one of the more attractive tablet-style remotes you'll see. You can either leave it sitting on a table or pick it up to tap out your commands using your thumbs or the tips of your index fingers. Measuring 4.01 by 5.90 by 1.02 inches (HWD) and weighing 7.49 ounces, the RC9800i feels lighter in hand than it looks at first glance, but its construction seems sturdy, and the finish appears as though it would hold up well over time. A nonremovable, rechargeable battery is built into the remote, which Philips says will give you about 3 hours of continuous use and two weeks of standby time, a figure that's in line with our testing results.'

Continue reading "Philips RC9800i Universal Remote Control" »

Posted by Admin at 3:06 AM | Permalink

If you desire a Blu-ray Disc home player from Sony you will have to wait about mid-August before you can physically lay your hands on one. 'The Sony BDP-S1 features 1920 x 1080p output, the highest HD signal output currently available through a HDMI™ connection. If your HD-capable television does not have an HDMI connection, you can still get the Blu-ray experience - the 1080i analog output allows for HD-capable televisions without HDMI to enjoy Blu-ray Disc features. The BDP-S1 is also compatible with standard DVDs with the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI, which gives new life to existing DVDs libraries3. BD-Java interactivity will further enhance the BD entertainment experience, allowing for development of advanced interactive features. '

Continue reading "Sony Blu-ray Disc Player BDP-S1" »

Posted by Admin at 10:56 PM | Permalink

Samsung gets out of the blocks with one of the first (and I daresay, affordable) high-definiton players using the Blu-ray format. 'While the BD-P1000 is among the cheapest of the first batch of Blu-ray decks, $1,000 is still a big chunk of change for any player--no, they don't record. By comparison, it's double the cost of the entry-level Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player. Furthermore, the Pioneer BDP-HD1 offers one feature the rest of the competition does not: home networking courtesy of an Ethernet jack and some fancy software. The PlayStation 3's November release date is yet another reason to wait before you buy. The console promises to play Blu-ray discs for a price that, while currently undisclosed, is expected to be closer to $500 than to $1,000.'

Continue reading "Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Disc High-Definition Player" »

Posted by Admin at 5:21 AM | Permalink

Having sampled the DVD experience you may be ready to part with a few dollars more to step up to the "outstanding resolution, stunning colors and dynamic sound" promised by high-definition DVD hardware. 'The Toshiba HD-A1 ($499) may not be the first HD-DVD player on the market--the more expensive Toshiba HD-XA1 should beat it by a few weeks--but its lower price point and a nearly identical feature set (it's missing only some cosmetic features and a custom installer-friendly RS-232C port) should make the HD-A1 a popular option for early adopters on more modest budgets.'

Continue reading "Toshiba HD-A1 High-Definition DVD Player" »

Posted by Admin at 1:27 PM | Permalink

The Everio Share Station from JVC allows owners of the Everio camcorder to burn DVDs directly from their camcorders without the hassle of transferring video to a PC before burning. The Everio Share Station is a USB 2.0 DVD burner that can plug directly into JVC's Everio G-series hard drive camcorders. It can act as an external DVD burner for a PC as well as a standard external DVD burner.

Continue reading "'Burn' DVDs with the JVC CU-VD10 Everio Share Station" »

Posted by Admin at 10:28 AM | Permalink

Want to record TV programs on your PC? Who doesn't! CNET reviews a handy device which is easy to install but will set you back the tidy sum of $149. 'The Diamond XtremeTV PVR600 offers a comprehensive bundle of hardware and software for users who want to record TV programs on their PCs without the hassle of installing a PCI card. The heart of the PVR600 is a USB 2.0 TV tuner box, but the $149 package comes with lots of extras bundled, including USB and A/V cables and a remote control. Of the external USB devices we've tested, the Diamond PVR600 offers the best combination of performance and features, making it our recommendation for external TV tuners.'

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Melissa J. Perenson of PC world explores the new features of three external DVD Burners. 'Two recent drives from LG Electronics and Sony share the ability to capture video as well as to burn standard data and video discs. A third drive, from Lite-On, offers unique buttons for dubbing data to disc, rather than relying solely on burning software to do the job as conventional models do. The idea of adding video inputs to a burner isn't new--Hewlett-Packard, Iomega, and Sony have all released drives that do this.'

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Tired of the eyestrain that comes from peering at those miniature screens on the budget-priced portable DVD players? Of course you are. If it is one thing I can say about the various technological gadgets they certainly aren't easy on the iris. The Philips PET1000 10.2" Portable DVD Player offers some relief with its 10.2" screen. 'Like the rest of the portable DVD player market, premium players such as the Philips PET1000 have come down in price, but they're still fairly pricey compared to entry-level portables, which now go for less than $150. What will spending about twice as much on the PET1000 buy you? Well, three things: a sleeker-looking player, a large 10.2-inch screen, and a significantly better picture. This player also happens to read MPEG-4/DivX video files--a big plus for people who have big DivX movie collections.'

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The Epson p-2000 is definitely one piece of equipment you may consider purchasing so long as you are into the heavy use of digital music files, photos and videos. ' This travel-friendly battery operated device is ideal for any application–both personal and professional. Share photos with friends, or display a digital portfolio for business use. A versatile multimedia storage viewer, the Epson® P-2000 offers on-the-spot downloading and playback of photos, videos and music–anytime, anyplace.'

Features:
* View, share and store photos, videos and music
* Large 3.8" Epson Photo Fine™ LCD
* Portable 40 GB hard drive
* Download from leading digital camera memory cards with built-in slots
* Transfer files to and from your computer with a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface
* Connect to a TV or projector with an optional third party video cable
* Rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with AC adapter

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