HP HDX16-1370US 16-Inch Entertainment Laptop Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a big fan of the HP HDX series. It sits at the top of their Pavilion line and is one of the best built notebooks sold in the retail channel. It's aimed solidly at consumers looking for a high end entertainment laptop. Because the material quality is well above average it's not necessarily the best value: you can get these specs for less money, just not with the same build quality. This is a good choice for someone looking for a notebook that can handle more than just web browsing. The biggest drawback of this HDX model is a slightly under powered battery and a little more weight (though again, much of that lies with the superior frame and shell).
Let's go over the specs:
CPU: The Core 2 P7550 runs two separate cores at 2.26GHz and has 3MB of on chip cache. The Core2 line is the best notebook CPU out there today and and this model this is about in the middle of the mobile Core2 line in terms of performance. At 35W it sits in the same thermal envelope as much slower chips (such as the Mobile Pentium line). Having two cores means you can run your full internet security suite and not have your computer freeze up for events like a virus scan.
MEMORY: 4GB of DDR2 RAM is plenty and the 1066Mhz memory speed is plenty fast.
HDD: The 500GB HDD has plenty of storage, even if you like to do video encoding. The 5400RPM speed isn't the fastest but it is more reliable that 7200RPM drives.
DISPLAY: The 16in (1366×768) display looks great. Like a lot of glossy screens it's a little more susceptible to glare, but in the home it looks fantastic. There's also a HDX line with an 18inch screen.
GRAPHICS: The Nvidia GeForce GT 130M w/ 1GB of DDR2 used in this notebook is a large step up from the standard Intel 4500 graphics. It is basically a Nvidia 9600 on a newer (55nm) manufacturing process. With this notebook you can play newer 3D games at reasonable resolutions. This is still a step down from being a true "gaming notebook" but if you want to be able to do occasional 3D gaming on it you can (I should note that online 3D games like World of Warcraft run fine on this chip). If 3D gaming is important to you I would suggest looking for a notebook with something more powerful (either the Nvidia GTS and GTX line or the ATI 4800 or 4600 series). It is more than enough to handle your home entertainment needs. The only downside is it uses more power and will drain your batter faster than the standard 4500.
AUDIO: The Altec Lansing with Dolby Home Theater and Sub-Woofer is part of what sets this notebook apart. The sound is fantastic. It is rich and deep and has none of the tininess usually associated with notebook sound.
DVD/CD DRIVE: Uses the "HP Super-Multi Drive" which means it can read and write pretty much any CD or DVD format out there except for Blu Ray. The lack of Blu Ray is the main ding on the "entertainment" specs of notebook. You can get Blu Ray on other HDX-16 models or by custom ordering it from HP.
BATTERY: The 6 cell battery falls a little short. With this size screen and the upgraded graphics chip you really want a 12 cell battery (which some HDX models have). If you expect to be plugged in most of the time you probably don't care. If you expect to travel with this the 1.5-2 hour typical performance (3 max) will disappoint you.
WEIGHT: Coming in a 7.06 lbs this is slightly heavier than the next step down from HP (a DV6 comes in around 6.5 lbs) but that's mostly improved framing and heavier grade plastics. This notebook is solid.
WIRELESS: The usually Intel 5100 A/G/N supports the most common standards ("A" and "G") along with the new "N" standard. You should have no trouble connecting to wireless networks.
PORTS: This notebook has all the usual ports (USB2, Ethernet, VGA, headphones, microphones, eSATA) and a HDMI port. Thanks to the included remote you could watch DVDs on your TV (if it supports HDMI) in relative comfort. I'm not sure why you would want to foor DVDs, but if you want to use Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Video On Demand, it makes it easy to download and watch movies on your TV.
So if you want a solid notebook with good video and sound this is well worth taking a lot at, especially if you want to download movies. If you are looking for a gaming notebook keep looking. If you want Blu Ray keep looking. If you just want to surf the web you don't need a computer this powerful unless you want really good sound. If battery life is important look for a model with a 12 cell battery (or custom order one from HP).

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LUXURIOUS STYLE:Expanding on the elegance of the current line, the new HDX series is defined by fluid, modern lines and metalized finishes with surprising innovations inside and out. High-gloss HP Imprint finish in titanium and chrome now encases all surfaces visible during normal use for greater durability, and a sleeve is included for extra protection. The HDX series Fluid Imprint features a flowing linear pattern that enhances the reflective qualities of the metallic finish. The streamlined look is enhanced with a color-matched keyboard and touchpad. And touch media controls light up and become visible only when the system is powered on further enhancing the clean appearance. HPs mobile products have won coveted International Red Dot, iF and CES Innovation design awards andbeen recognized by other leading design institutions.EXTREME ENTERTAINMENT: Extreme entertainment is at your fingertips with everything you need to enjoy content in the highest-quality formats - and create your own show. Introducing HP MediaSmart for access to DVDs, videos, photos, music, Internet TV and radio at the touch of a button.What's in the box: HDX-1370us laptop, 90W AC Adapter, 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 with 60 days complimentary live update, Microsoft Works and Adobe Acrobat Reader

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JVC Everio GZ-HD30 80 GB AVCHD High Definition Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this camcorder a few months back and have used it extensively to shoot under various lighting scenarios.
I was so flabbergasted to see how good the camera performed even indoors (where lighting is limited to just a few lit bulbs inside a room). Those of you who are aware of the relationship between video noise (graininess) and low light will find that this camera does an excellent good job indoors.
All my friends who have visited us have been equally shocked seeing such high quality video from a non-professional video recorder. Trust me.... sometimes the videos look even better than some selected shots in movies I've seen on BluRay discs. Having said that please don't expect this tiny camcorder to surpass those gigantic professional video recording equipment -- but the fact it comes so close is commendable.
The color saturation is maybe very slightly higher than neutral, but I frankly find that to be an advantage since the videos really stand out.
The video quality looks outstanding when I play the videos on my 42" HDTV through the HDMI out.
A reviewer complained about the 19 minutes per file limit. I never found that to be a practical issue since you can join multiple files to have a continuous video of what ever length you desire using the PC software provided with the camcorder.
Battery life is average (about 70-80 minutes on a fully charged battery) and so I got myself a backup non-JVC battery for a fraction of the cost of the original JVC battery and it actually performs better than the JVC battery (about 90 minutes).
Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this purchase. Although initially I was a bit hesitant spending $600 on a camcorder, but I soon realized that this is money very well spent.

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JVC designed the GZ-HD30 to meet the needs of a broad segment of people who shoot video, including family users. More compact than the GZ-HD40, it offers all of the performance and nearly all of the features of that model, except it has a slim 80GB internal hard disk for a maximum 33 hours of Full HD recording, and does not come with a docking station. Includes: Everio GZHD30 Camcorder, AC Adapter, Battery Pack, Shoulder Strap, AV Cable, USB Cable, Component Video Cable, Remote Control, Software CD-Rom

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Samsung Digimax S1050 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Advance Shake Reduction Optical Zoom (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I did a great deal of previewing of the current crop of digital cameras before this Samsung S1050.
Some of the selling points for me, were the high MP, the higher quality movie encoding, and the large LCD screen.
There is a good level of detail in the photos, the colors are true to life, and the portability of the camera is decent. The skies were less grainy than with some digital cameras, a common problem.
The movie mode could be better, but it is better than the average for a digital camera.
The large LCD screen is great for shots of smaller moving subjects.
Please note: You will need high powered NIHM rechargable batteries for this camera, as with most higher end cameras and especially as the S1050 takes only two batteries. I recommend buying four high powered NIHMs, and a recharger that can handle four batteries at a time, that way you'll always be ready for a shot.

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SAMSUNG S1050 BLACK DIGITAL CAMERA

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JVC Everio GZMC500 5MP 3CCD 4GB Microdrive Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)Had this digicam for about 24 hours and here are my first impressions:
I own a Panasonic SV AV100 which saves mpeg2 video and mpg4 to a SD card. It did it well and I was pleased with it, but the low resolution digital camera function was surpassed by some wireless phones. I wanted a device that took high resolution photos and digital mpeg2 video saved to a memory card that could be immediately loaded to PC and burnt to DVD. The JVC GZ-MC100 and MC200 took 2mp pictures and saved mpeg2 video to a 4 gb microdrive or SD card, but had poor low light performance - worse than my little Panasonic. So, it was with some anxiety that I shelled out $1595 for the GZ-MC500.
I bought it hoping that the new 3CCD video chip would not only give better color video and good 5mp jpeg pictures, but that JVC would have taken the time to improve low light performance... and they did.
In bright light the automatic videocam performance of the camera is really good. Indoors without any light on and bright sunlight coming in the window, the video remained sharp with pretty good color saturation and no graininess to my eye when played back on TV directly from camera. The MC500 seems to really be working much, much better in low light conditions than the MC100/200s before it. At night with room lights on, I took more videos and although there was some dimming of the picture, the video was still bright and not grainy. Color still looked good though there was some loss of color saturation in those conditions. In a completely dark room, forget about it since there is no infrared function. But I did not care about that. Much better in low light than my Panasonic SV-AV100 overall. Microphone picked up voices/sounds in stereo very well.
The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate for me.
The camera bottom heats up while recording to microdrive and I never recorded more than 5 minutes of video but the heat build up was quite noticeable. Unlike my Panasonic, there is no remote control which is quite disappointing in a $1600 digicam that is begging for immediate video playback to TV directly from camera.
In summary, I am both relieved at the camera's good low light performance and very happy with the camera's mpeg2 video quality and very happy with the 5mp jpeg picture performance. I would give this camera 4.5 stars out of five taking off 1/2 point for lack of remote control.
Go to this site and use translate option on google toolbar to read text or just download the duck video and jpegs to see this camera's quality. Rename video .mod extension to .mpg to view in WMP. Remember this is 720 x 480 mpg2
(...)

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Still images or video--capture either 60 minutes of DVD-quality MPEG-2 movies or thousands of super-high resolution UXGA-size JPEG pictures with the Everio--the first camera to use Microdrive technology. The included 4GB Microdrive card, though it is the same size as Compact Flash card, has such unprecedented capacity because it is has its own built-in HDD (hard disk drive).

Until now, tapeless formats have been severely limited in the length and quality of video capacity, but the Everio's Microdrive lets you shoot up to 60 minutes of high quality MPEG-2 video--and even more in lower resolution modes. A selection of recording modes lets you choose more quality or more shooting time. The highest quality Ultra mode records at a constant bit rate of 8.88 Mbps with AC 3 audio--comparable to the DVD data rate (average 4 Mbps video/9.8 Mbps maximum). Essentially what you get is DVD quality, with the same video and audio format as a movie DVD. And the number of still photos that will fit on the Microdrive card is nothing less than awe-inspiring: More than 5,000 of the highest resolution images (1600 x 1200 fine).
Three 1/4.5-inch 1.33 Megapixel CCDs for High-Quality Image Capture The image sensor in the Everio GZMC500 features three 1/4.5-inch CCDs offer the high-resolution capabilities needed for high quality digital videography and photography. The Everio features a total of 5 Megapixel-Class Digital Still recording up to 2560 x 1920 pixels (JPEG), and High-Quality MPEG-2 Video Recording (up to 720 x 480/60i in ULTRA mode) with Dolby Digital Audio (MOD file). And the Megabrid Engine applies separate, optimized processing to moving and still images, for videos with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and high-resolution still pictures.
Versatile, Lossless Data Store what you've shot on the provided Microdrive card, optional CompactFlash or SD Memory Cards. size as a CompactFlash card, but with many Gigabytes of capacity. You can eject the Microdrive card, just as you would a CompactFlash or SD Memory Card, and load data into your PC via optional card adapter. Or simply connect the camera via its USB2.0 interface for quick downloading to a PC. All transfer is digital-to-digital, so you won't lose any quality in the process.
DVD Creation and Sharing
Multi-Format Support In addition to making it easy to create DVDs, the supplied software converts to a variety of file formats for distribution via the Web or by e-mail. Supported formats include DV-AVI, Windows-AVI, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, as well as Windows Media Video and RealVideo that can be streamed over the Internet.

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JVC Everio GZMG37 30GB HDD Digital Media Camcorder with 32x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)At $700 this camera was not a good buy - for $500-$550, not too bad.
The biggest complaint people seem to have is with the video quality - and while I agree it's not as good as a top quality miniDV or some of the more expensive HD models JVC also produce, it's not nearly as bad as they're making out (or they've somehow managed to buy a whole bunch of bad cameras).
I've recorded movies both indoors and out - neither have been particularly poor, and I would place it's top quality setting somewhere around that of a VHS tape. I got none of the artifacts or corruption people have complained about, the quality is a bit fuzzy, but on the whole perfectly acceptable for creating family movies or sending scaled down mpgs via email.
The format it records in is NOT proprietory as some people claim. It records in mpeg 2 format, but unfortunately due to the proprietory software that comes with the camera all the clips have a .mod instead of a .mpg file extension.
No drivers or software are needed - just attach to your PC, then access the HD as if it were a USB thumbdrive. After you've copied the data, you can rename the files to .mpg if you wish, this will make them instantly available to any movie playback program, including Media Player.
Editing in Windows Movie Maker however is not possible, as this softare isn't able to handle mpgs it doesn't create with it's own proprietory codec - but all versions of Premier or other decent video editing programs work fine.
If you want top quality, don't buy an HD video camera - stick with miniDV or spend big bucks on High Definition. If you don't mind a little bit of fuzziness around the edges, then any of these cheaper HD cameras work great.
I've head that the more expensive versions of this camera have higher resolution recording as well as better handling of colour/light/etc. If this is true then you might want to ask a sales rep to do a recording and transfer it to a large screen PC to see if that works better for you. Any salesman worth his salt will do this test for you, after all $500+ is a lot of money, and if they truly want the sale they'll show you how good or bad the camera really is.

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The days of digital tape are over. Don't worry about reloading mini DVD discs either, because the age of hard drive recording is finally here. The JVC GZ-MG37 Everio camcorder features a 30 GB hard drive for recording seven hours of DVD movie-quality video--all in an unbelievably small and lightweight package. Now when you're on the go, all you have to bring is the camera--leave the tapes and recordable DVDs at home. The GZ-MG37 records in high-quality MPEG-2, the same format used for DVD movies. And because the camcorder employs a tapeless format, you can easily delete unwanted scenes, or instantaneously skip to the exact segment of footage you want to view--no fast forwarding or rewinding. The hard drive also makes it easy to edit your footage right on the camera. Just click on a thumbnail image displayed on the GZ-MG37's 2.7-inch widescreen color LCD monitor and watch your memories come to life. Choose the footage you want and quickly and easily rearrange it the way you want it. And, unlike tapes, there's no need to worry about accidentally recording over your most prized moments. Technology for keeping your footage safe and sound is also built into the GZ-MG37. To protect the hard disk drive from shocks and vibrations, Everio camcorders have a protective floating suspension system that effectively dampens vibrations through advanced polymer shock absorbers. There's also a motion sensor that automatically senses sudden acceleration and turns off the power to protect the hard disk drive even if the camera is dropped. With a 30 GB hard drive, you can record to your heart's content. The camera features four different recording modes that let you choose the best balance between quality and recording time. In the highest quality mode, "Ultra," you'll get seven hours of recording time at full DVD image quality (720 x 480/60i) and with full Dolby Digital audio. Meanwhile, choosing the lowest quality mode, called Eco mode, gives you a whopping 37 hours of recording time

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JVC Everio GZHD7 3CCD 60GB Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are more than a casual video user or if you have bought a video camera more than twice in the last 10 years I would say that you probably need a high end HD camera to satisfy you. For me, someone who has only owned 1 other video camera in the last 10 years I find this camera to be amazing. I do not shoot professionally and if i did there are many great HD solutions in the 3-6 grand range. Since this is not my business and I do not have money to burn this was the camera that satisfied all my needs. Those needs were: no tapes, large hard drive, HD quality or something far, far better than my old mini DV camera. I also needed to be able to archive the files on my mac which is a dual 800mhz G4 and possibly edit on the mac in imovie. This camera does all of that, and quite easily I might add.
I had no problems installing the codec that came with the camera for quicktime. Once I opened a clip in quicktime it did not play properly, however once I imported it into imovie it worked fine. I edited simple edits, added new audio and was satisfied for what I need. After all, all I will be doing with this is shooting the wife and kids.
JVC recommends A 1.25 Gigahertz G4 or higher, so do not complain about the camera not working smoothly on your mac unless you meet those requirements. They are stated on the GZHD7 box. I suggest the newest mac with 2 gigs of ram at least. In my experience, more RAM makes all the difference in the world. Eventually I plan to get a new mac to be able to handle the footage.
I have a 1080i sony plasma TV. The picture looked great. There was some banding of subtle gradients I shot. It was acceptable to me. Also the banding was not apparent on my mac in imovie. I think because my TV is already 2 years old it is not up to the same standards as the GZHD7 camera and my mac. Bottom line is the camera was producing better images on my mac than on my TV. Now all this is nonsense because I will be using this to mostly shoot video of my family and friends for recreational use. Compared to what my dad shot of us when we were kids and then the sandy grainy video we used in the 90s this camera is AMAZING. The quality is good enough for me and I would also add that any film student on a zero budget could easily get by with this. Like I said earlier, if you have the means and require perfect HD video, spend the few extra grand and go for the gold.

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JVC has developed the first consumer full High-Definition 3-CCD camcorder capable of shooting and recording full HD images (1920 x 1080i). The Everio GZ-HD7 camcorder also features a Fujinon lens used in broadcast video cameras, now being used in a consumer camcorder for the first time. The 3-CCD system offers superior color reproduction as well.

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Sony MZ-RH1 Hi-MD Walkman MiniDisc/MP3 Digital Music Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a violist and I needed the Sony MZ-RH1 Hi-MD Walkman MiniDisc/MP3 Digital Music Player to record myself to make audition CDs for orchestra auditions and festivals. The recording quality is excellent and the MD player is easy to use. Transferring to the computer was very simple. I used the Sony ECMMS907 Digital Recording Microphone and it worked great. For all you orchestra musicians out there looking for a recording device to make your audition tapes, this is it right here. I highly recommend this!!

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The MZ-RH1 builds on the success of Sony's earlier MiniDisc players but adds several new features, taking digital audio playback to the next level in the process. The sleek and slim audio player plays digital files downloaded in Linear PCM, ATRAC, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, and MP3 formats, but also serves as a pocket-sized MiniDisc recording studio for live concerts and other occasions. The dual functions make the MZ-RH1 extremely versatile, with unsurpassed CD-quality sound and an unlimited storage capacity (each 1 GB MiniDisc holds up to 45 hours of music). In addition, longtime MiniDisc users can now revive their classic MiniDisc audio libraries and upload them to PC using the MZ-RH1--a much anticipated feature among audiophiles.
Sony has improved the MiniDisc recording experience with several sonic enhancements, including an adjustable recording mode that adapts to the type of event that's being recorded. So whether you're capturing a live concert, a basement jam session, or even a business meeting, you'll enjoy crystal-clear sound that's custom fit to the occasion. The device also boasts several listening modes that match specific genres and acoustic atmospheres, such as "club," "jazz," and "pop." The MZ-RH1 even lets you adjust the mic sensitivity and recording level on the fly, helping you adapt to changing sound levels or audience noise during a concert.
Recognizing that professionals often record in dark environments, Sony added an easy-to-use button array and a backlit display. And thanks to Sony's Hi-MD next-generation formatting technology--which records in the uncompressed Linear PCM format to ensure the same sound quality as the original source--you'll enjoy studio-quality sound time and again. The playback quality is consistently excellent as well, with such features as a dynamic normalizer, which automatically equalizes the volume of each recorded track to a listenable level, and a high-capacity coupling condenser that accurately reproduces the bass.
Additional features include a high-speed USB 2.0 interface, Mac compatibility, an HD digital amplifier, complete PC storage for such files as text documents or JPEG photos, and a switchable headphone/line-level output. The MZ-RH1 comes with a rechargeable battery with a battery life of 19 hours, a set of high-powered headphones, and a remote control for easy listening and playback. And at 3.45 by 0.68 by 3.45 inches (W x H x D), the MZ-RH1 takes up only a tiny amount of space. Finally, the MZ-RH1 is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and a 90-day warranty on labor.
What's in the Box MZ-RH1 MiniDisc/MP3 player, USB cable, digital optical cable, AC adapter, remote control, carrying pouch, software CD-ROM, user's manual.

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JVC Everio GZ-MG20 20 GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this camera before going on a recent cruise with the intention of documenting my trip through video. This is a great camcorder for making home videos. I took video during some of the shows that I went to on the cruise and the audio quality was fantastic. Playing it back at home on my home theatre system, it sounded like I was there at the show. The fact that it records directly onto a hard drive is a big plus and it makes viewing and editing very easy. You can easily review clips on the camcorder LCD itself, as a menu pops up that you can scroll through and play whatever clip you want. It also means you can easily just delete clips that you don't care to keep. For editing, you basically hook up the included USB cord to your computer, and your computer automatically recognizes the camera as an external hard drive. No additional software required for this! You then just copy or move the files onto your hard drive. Note that the files are stored as .MOD files. The only software I have found that recognizes .MOD extensions is the included Cyberlink software, however, all you have to do is change the file extension to .MPG and every other video editing and playback software will recognize it. The included Cyberlink software is very limited. I ended up downloading a free trial of their PowerDirector software to edit my video. I found this software suite to be an easy and powerful interface for editing my footage and I managed to make a great souvenir video of my trip, with background music, DVD titles, scene transitions etc.I plan to buy the software suite when my free trial is up.
The battery life is advertised to be only an hour. This may seem short, but for making home videos, shooting an hour of footage in one go is quite a lot. I never ran out of battery on the cruise, but then whenever I wasn't shooting, I had my camera plugged in and the battery re-charging in my cabin.
My only complaint with this camera is the image stabilization. Its fine up to about 12X zoom, but once you get past this, the images become very shaky and virtually unusable. You would need a tripod to get zoom past 12X. This is annoying considering that this camcorder is advertised as a 25X optical zoom. Its basically useless past 12X.
All is all I definitely would recommend this camcorder for its ease of use and the fact that you no longer have to worry about tape.


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No more tapes, record direct to the internal hard drive.Don't tape it. Don't worry about reloading discs either, because the palm sized GZ-MG20 records over 24 hours of video on it's high-capacity 20 GB hard disk drive. So when you are on the go, vacationing or at a family event, pack your lightweight Everio and go. There are four recording modes allows you to record the way you want. The ULTRA mode will record over 4.5 hours of almost DVD movie quality. The FINE mode will record at DVD camcorder quality for over 7 hours. Either way, the high quality MPEG-2 recordings are the same format used as a DVD. There will be no quality loss when burning to DVD. Plus, no cassettes or discs to lose. Every Everio camcorder is designed to simplify your life. The built-in hard disk drive allows you to easily delete unwanted scenes and rearrange your footage even on the go. This Everio's multi-connectivity allows you to get connected and share all your memories. Your own portable video scrapbook- from JVC. Long recording time and easy to use features in a palm sized hard disk drive solution. Over 4 and a half Hours of Recording with 20 GB Internal Hard Disk Drive (ULTRA mode)at DVD Movie QualityOver 7 Hours of Recording with 20 GB Internal Hard Disk Drive (FINE mode)at DVD QualityOver 9 Hours ofRecording with 20 GB Internal Hard Disk Drive (Norm mode)at TV QualityOver 24 Hours of Recording with 20 GB Internal Hard Disk Drive (ECO mode)High-Quality MPEG-2 Video Recording (up to 720 x 480/60i in ULTRA mode with Dolby Digital Audio (MOD file)

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Garmin StreetPilot i5 1.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)November 2005: I already own several GPS units.
After getting into an argument with a novice who bought a Garmin "i3" and loves it, I bought a Garmin "i5" so that I could prove him wrong. A GPS unit this inexpensive just can't be that good. Boy was I wrong.
I picked the Garmin "i5" instead of the "i3" because my computer doesn't have a DVD drive for downloading maps.
The first area I was critical about was the thumbwheel with the two button (enter and back) solution. After a few hours I found I could enter data faster using the thumbwheel than using a touch screen.
The "i5" is small enough to hold in the palm of my hand, eliminating vehicle bounce, scroll the thumbwheel, and then press the thumbwheel to enter the desired letter or number.
Entering an address often requires only a few thumbwheel presses. First the state/province is entered, eliminating 98% of all the addresses in North America.
Garmin then guides you through a list of city and street names. Often the number of thumbwheel presses is shortened by selecting from a list of possible matches using the back button. Garmin did a great job in this area.
Next is the screen size. The advertising on Garmin's website shows screens with jagged lines. But the actual screen, although smaller is also clearer than most PNDs (personal navigation devices). I suppose this is because the pixels are closer together.
Next is signal strength. I put the "i5" inside my dashboard near the speedometer so that thieves wouldn't easily see it. It still worked great. It occasionally lost the signal but so did my more expensive PND which was windshield mounted.
Next is the instruction manual. You don't need it. Unlike the Magellan RoadMates, where the large buttons do nothing half the time and I don't know which to push the other half, the back button and the thumbwheel always do something and the screen always prompts you.
Next is routing. Don't expect the "i5" to find the best route to get from point A to point B. None of the PNDs do that and the less expensive ones usually chose the first successful route. But it will get you to point B and quickly recalculate a new route if you drive off route. Often the routes it chose were identical to my more expensive PND.
POIs (points of interest). Where POIs are useful is when you know there's a store nearby but you don't know the adddress. The "i5" will show you a list of stores and route you to one if desired. Once I drove around for 30 minutes looking for a small store without the use of the "i5". Finally out of frustration I used the "i5" to route me straight to the location and still couldn't see the store. After walking around for about a minute I found that the store was hidden behind a larger store.
My only suggestion is that I wish the "i5" had talking street names.
I bought this unit to see how well it worked and planned to return it. But I think I'll give it to my wife instead. She's always getting lost on long trips and the "i5" makes a nice low cost second PND.
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January 2006: I gave the "i5" to my wife and at first she was not impressed. I think she'd rather have jewelry.
But she liked the thumbwheel because it didn't interfer with her finger nails.
This morning she took a long trip and as usual called me. But instead of saying that she was lost, she said she got to her destination without any problems and stress free. Usually she's yapping away with her mother and misses a critical turn.
----------
December 2006: The original review claimed the "i5" used the SiRF receiver, but I cannot verify this. My apologies.
I continue to be amazed by the simplicity of the two button solution and the bright screen. In my opinion you won't find a better new PND for less money.
----------
May 2007: The "i5" has been discontinued. It is being replaced by the Nuvi 200, which has a bright touch screen and rechargeable battery.
Thanks everyone for reading this review and clicking on whether it was helpful, whether Yes or No.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin StreetPilot i5 1.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

The Garmin StreetPilot i5 Automotive GPS Navigator is preloaded with detailed maps of North America and is ready to use right out-of-the-box. Another great addition to the StreetPilot i-series, the StreetPilot i5 is a compact, inexpensive automotive GPS navigator that helps you get where you want to go while making driving fun.
About the size of a baseball and priced to keep your pocketbook happy, the StreetPilot i5 is perfect for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers who are looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of GPS satellite navigation. Don't let its small stature fool you, though. Although it only weighs in at 5.3 ounces, the i5 has many of the same powerful capabilities as other premium Garmin automotive GPS navigators.
The i5 features a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a Back button, which makes it easy to select a destination from the unit's menu-driven interface. This unit includes three-dimensional map graphics and provides voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker. Toss your navigation worries out the window, because the i5 will automatically put you back on course if you miss a turn, and a detour function enables routing around traffic problems or road construction. Plus, if want to stay off the highways and blaze a scenic trail, the i5 lets you prioritize your choice of back roads or major highways. It is handy in any situation. and you can easily move the unit from vehicle to vehicle with the integrated suction-cup mount.
The i5 comes preloaded with detailed maps of City Navigator North America NT. These maps feature full coverage of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico--including nearly six million points of interest (POIs) such as gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, and other attractions. You can plot up to 500 waypoints with names and an array of graphic symbols for customized, detailed navigation. This unit also comes with removable TransFlash data storage capability and is easy to connect to your PC through the USB interface.As an added benefit, you can even import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin's free POI Loader software. The sky's the limit with this software--you can even upload safety cameras or school zones to receive warnings if you are traveling too fast in these high-risk areas. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of your upcoming custom POIs.
With a 32k-color, sunlight-readable TFT display with backlight, the i5 is easy to read in almost any light conditions. Motorists can choose from either a three-dimensional mapping perspective or the standard overhead bird's-eye view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (up to six hours of typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.
What's in the Box StreetPilot i5, Americas Lite Routable basemap, City Navigator North America NT (preprogrammed), PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction-cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, USB drivers CD, and quick reference guide.

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JVC Everio GZMC200 2MP 4GB Microdrive Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)While there is much I really like about this camera, its short comings prevent me from recommending it to people who want just one video camera. The problems I am experiencing deal mostly with the camera's POOR performance in medium to low light conditions. While many camcorders excel at producing images in standard room lighting, this camera does a dismal job. In normal room lighting the auto focus will occasionally fail and even at the best of the times the images lack adequate saturation. The manual white balance settings improve the situation only marginally. If you are going to be shooting inside your house, use another camcorder.
Now the upside - the camcorder delivers good quality images when shooting outside. Motion artifacts are occasionally detectable when objects in the scene move quickly but not annoying at all. The zoom is quite satisfying and the auto focus only lags slightly behind when quickly zooming in the 10x optical zoom range. The compact size is spectacular! The standard tripod mount socket is a welcome addition.
And, of course, the whole video editing experience is greatly enhanced by the direct transfer of the camera's hard drive to your editing station's hard drive. (I recommend you get a card reader or PCMCIA adapter, so the camera isn't involved in the video transfer. You can be charging the camera while you are working with the saved video - something you'll do often as the battery only lasts an hour).
The saved video files have a .mod extension. The manual says you should only use the supplied software to edit/play the video files. The supplied software is from Cyberlink and it is adequate. I have found that by renaming the files to .mpg after I have copied them to my editing station, I can edit/play the video files with software not supplied with the camera. Don't know if this will work in all cases, but so far so good.
The still camera images are actually quite nice for a 2 mega pixel camera. They are always saved as JPEG files. I have found no option to save as a lossless TIFF. A real shame since the supplied 4GB microdrive really has enough room to store these big files.
The audio quality is excellent, no complaints what so ever.
One last disappointment - the camera limits maximum file size to 4GB, even if you have a compact flash card that can hold more. As a result it shall forever be impossible for this camera to record more than 60 continuous minutes using the highest quality video setting. Sure, an 8GB card can hold 2 of these 60 minute recordings but something will be missed when the first file hits the 4GB wall and the recording is stopped and the camera waits for you to manually start a new recording session.


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Still images or video--capture either 60 minutes of DVD-quality MPEG-2 movies or thousands of super-high resolution UXGA-size JPEG pictures with the Everio--the first camera to use Microdrive technology. The included 4GB Microdrive card, though it is the same size as Compact Flash card, has such unprecedented capacity because it is has its own built-in HDD (hard disk drive).

Until now, tapeless formats have been severely limited in the length and quality of video capacity, but the Everio's Microdrive lets you shoot up to 60 minutes of high quality MPEG-2 video--and even more in lower resolution modes.A selection of recording modes lets you choose more quality or more shooting time. The highest quality ULTRA mode records at a constant bit rate of 8.88 Mbps with AC 3 audio -- comparable to the DVD data rate (average 4 Mbps video/9.8 Mbps maximum). Essentially what you get is DVD quality, with the same video and audio format as a movie DVD. And the number of still photos that will fit on the Microdrive card is nothing less than awe-inspiring: More than 5000 of the highest resolution images (1600x1200 fine).
2.12 Megapixel CCD This 1/3.6" CCD with a total of 2.12 million pixels (effective: 1.23 million for moving pictures, 2 million for still pictures) offers the high resolution capabilities needed for high quality digital videography and photography. And the Megabrid Engine applies separate, optimized processing to moving and still images, for videos with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and high-resolution still pictures.
Versatile, Lossless Data Store what you've shot on the provided Microdrive card, optional CompactFlash or SD Memory Cards. size as a CompactFlash card, but with many Gigabytes of capacity. You can eject the Microdrive card, just as you would a CompactFlash or SD Memory Card, and load data into your PC via optional card adapter. Or simply connect the camera via its USB2.0 interface for quick downloading to a PC. All transfer is digital-to-digital, so you won't lose any quality in the process.
DVD Creation & Sharing
Multi-Format Support In addition to making it easy to create DVDs, the supplied software converts to a variety of file formats for distribution via the Web or by e-mail. Supported formats include DV-AVI, Windows-AVI, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, as well as Windows Media Video and RealVideo that can be streamed over the Internet.

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)PROS: Fantastic "straight outta the box" image quality. There is almost little or no shutter lag the second your press the shutter button. Auto focus is fast too. It wasn't so much that this was a standard point-and-shoot when I was looking for an ultra-slim camera - but most of the ultra-slim cameras I've tried sacrifice image quality to cram as much technology in such a little body - while boosting the price up. The LZ7 is a fantastic performer. The 6x optical zoom with OPTICAL image stabilization (not digital, I'm not a fan of "digital" image stabilization) is a plus. It's actually BETTER than the IS on the Canon SD700IS and SD800IS that I previously tested out (I returned both of them because paying DSLR body prices for a point-and-shoot camera is outrageous). The major plus of this camera is the image quality. Fantastic, sharp and decently saturated. It's one of the few cameras where I feel comfortable printing photos straight outta the camera. I even impressed a few colleagues of showing some 8x10s that I printed straight out of my silver LZ7 and they were shocked that I didn't take the shot with a DSLR. That's what I call great image quality!
CONS: This is quite a beefy camera. In the age of ultra-slim point-and-shoot cameras that boasts the same features as the LZ7, for the price I paid for it, it's totally worth it. The use of AA batteries might be convenient to some, but it sure contributes to the weight and size of this camera. I'm still pleased regardless. The image quality and pros outweigh the cons of this camera.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

7 MEGA PIXEL 6X OPTICAL ZOOM 2.5"LCD OPTICAL STABILIZATON-BLACK

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Kodak EasyShare C813 8.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Pink) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a good camera for the price (sub 80) , with some issues.
Positive points
Nice photos.
Big screen for previewing.
Easy to figure out, my 10 year old quickly learned to navigate the menus.
Easy to download photos and video into XP, just plug in the included cable (one of the tiny usb cables)
Excellent red eye reduction, better than my Canon.
Uses 2 AA batteries, a big bonus since they are available everywhere. We use rechargable Eneloop brand, they work well in digital cameras and hold their charge when stored.
Negative points
No viewfinder, which makes it tough to see what you are taking in bright sunlight.
No audio playback for video on the camera. It does record the sound, but to hear it you have to download the video.
A little slow between photos, perhaps 5 seconds after a photo before it is ready to take another. We are using a Kingston 2 GB SD Flash Memory Card, perhaps if you bought a faster card this might improve.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Kodak EasyShare C813 8.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Pink)

The KODAK AF 3x optical aspheric zoom lens (35 mm equivalent: 36-108 mm) digital camera captures crisp details and gets you closer to your subjects without losing picture quality.We made sure it had the one feature you've come to expect - simplicity. Because if your camera is simple to use, you'll love to take pictures.The C813 is part of the KODAK EASYSHARE System, so sharing your pictures is amazingly simple. Just press Share. Real KODAK Pictures are just a touch away with our convenient home printing options.

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JVC Everio GZ-MG30 30 GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First the good: this camera is small and very convenient in MANY ways and you don't have the cost of tapes or mini CD's. And if you are a little computer savvy, the file format issue that people are always complaining about really isn't that big of a deal. I have Pinnacle Studio Plus 9.x (ie, with all the latest online updates to that version) and it handles the files just fine once you rename the file extension from .mod to .mpg. I've seen a lot of reviews here and elsewhere on the Internet that Adobe Elements Premiere 2.0 also handles the files just fine. I think ULead and a few others might as well. If you aren't that computer savvy (and don't necessarily want to be), then you may want to consider another camera just for this reason alone (unless perhaps you buy JVC's external DVD burner drive and are happy with mostly unedited clips).
However, I have learned my lesson by putting too much trust in Amazon's online reviews and discounting what is said in official reviews too much sometimes. I don't think any of the reviews here mention this camera's poor indoor (low-med light) picture quality... so I figured the official reviews of it I found elsewhere online were just being too picky. PC Magazine does a good job of describing the poor (especially low to medium light) picture quality in their Oct 17, 2005 review of this camera (you can find it by searching PCMag.com - search on "GZ-MG30"). I'm sure there are many other reviews noting the picture quality issue as well.
I am giving this a 2 rating (really s/b about 2.5, no option for that) because I feel the low to medium light picture quality issue is enough to sink this camera for many people... especially at this price (I paid $550). If it was only $400, then I would have given it 3 stars (for overall price/value). If you will be using it almost exclusively outdoors, then I could probably give it a begrudging 4 stars.
For my all-around purposes, I am dissatisfied with this camera and wish I could return it. If you don't have good video quality, then nothing else really matters, does it? For some people, this camera might be just fine, but for the rest, I hope this review saves you from a costly mistake.


Click Here to see more reviews about: JVC Everio GZ-MG30 30 GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom

No Tapes and No Discs. This JVC GZ-MG30 has a built-in 30GB hard-drive that is capable of recording up to 37 hours of video in a palm-sized, lightweight (14 ounce) digital-camcorder. You don't need to use replaceable tapes or discs. Instead, you can transfer images to other A/V devices at home through composite and S-Video ports or to your computer through the rapid USB 2.0 high-speed interface. There's a large 2.5" LCD screen for convenient viewing of images as being recorded or played. An astounding 25x optical and up to 800x digital-zoom brings distant objects super close for extremely flexible and creative photography. So on your next trip away from home, don't pack any tapes into your suitcase, just get yourself this Everio G from JVC. The benefits of recording video to a hard disk are the same benefits that have made hard disk-based audio players so popular random access to quickly locate desired material, the ability to effortlessly delete unwanted material, and easily rearrange the playback sequence. What's more, there's no danger of mistakenly recording over something that's to be saved. Scene selection is made easy thanks to on-screen index images, so the large amount recorded won't become a hindrance to quick accessibility. And with remote control operation, it is possible to connect the Everio G camcorder to a TV and operate it from a distance.Auto LED Light, Power Linked OperationUSB 2.0 high speed interface 3-D Noise Reduction for clear pictureMPEG-2 Video Recording for DVD-Movie Quality FootageImage Stabilization -Floating Suspension System; Gravity-like Force Sensor System 640 x 480 VGA digital stillsSD Memory Card slot DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) - DCF, PIM 3 and Exif 2.2 for optimized print quality Make Full-length DVDs Easily Convenient TV playback Easy dubbing to a VCR or DVD recorder Simple transfer to a PC or Apple Macintosh for

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Sony DVPFX705 Portable DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We purchased this DVD player to take on a recent trip (for use on airplane). It performed beautifully and the screen resolution is very clear. The sound level is quite adequate even on a plane (we didn't even use the headphones we bought, just kept the volume fairly low so we didn't disturb others). Can't comment on battery life because we only used it for 2 hours each way. Overall we are very happy with this purchase and plan to recommend it to our friends.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DVPFX705 Portable DVD Player

Keep everyone entertained during road trips with the Sony DVPFX705 portable DVD player, which features a bright 7-inch LCD screen, lithium-ion battery for three hours of power, and an included car power adapter. Dual headphone jacks let two people listen to the entertainment on the go, and it also offers built-in stereo speakers. In addition to playing DVD movies and CD audio discs, it's also compatible with DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, and CD-R/RW disc formats as well as MP3 music and JPEG photo file formats.
The DVPFX705 can connect to a TV for a larger viewing experience via composite and S-Video outputs. It also features 5.1-channel Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound capability as well as virtual surround sound from two speakers.
What's in the Box DVPFX705 DVD player, lithium-ion battery for player, remote control two AA batteries, AV cable, AC adapter, car power adapter, printed instructions

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JVC Everio GZ-MG505 3-CCD 5MP 30GB Hard Disc Drive Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The 3CCD of MG505 does its work. The color is great and video quality is terrific even in low light. The size of camcorder is very handy and compact. I strongly recommend for the additional battery.
I believe that the hard disc camcorder will be the standard soon. No more hassle with DV tape or small CD-R or CD-RW. Each shot of video is recorded into one file and it is ready to be played with your computer.
Tip : The video format actually is already MPEG2 (DVD). But the file extension from your JVC is *.MOD. Just simeply rename it to *.MPG, then it will become universal format compatible with any player programs such as Windows Media Player, Power DVD, etc. No need to convert the file format. You just rename the file extension and that's it.


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Just keep on shooting! Nothing to load, nothing to eject, nothing to finalize. Everio is designed to eliminate your worries. Just keep on shooting, because the built-in large capacity hard drive easily stores hours and hours of your video inside a lightweight compact camcorder. Plus shoot thousands of digital still images. So whether you're at home or on the go, you'll always be ready to record or playback your memories.
The JVC GZ-MG505 3CCD-5Mega HDD camcorder is equipped with a 30GB hard disk drive,advanced photo features, microphone input, DVD creation via USB connection(without a PC), and full wide 16:9 recording with 2.7-inch widescreen LCD.

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MOBI MobiCam System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was really looking forward to having a monitor so I could see my son at night. When I started using it the monitor had lines running through the picture and I couldn't hear anything. The manufacturer said that it doesn't work when you have a wireless network. I was really disappointed so I sent it back. I bought the Handheld Color Video Monitor by Summer Infant. It works great with my wireless network and my 2.4 Ghz phones. It doesn't work very good with other 900Mhz phones or controls according to the manual.

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The MOBI technologies 70001 MobiCam Wireless System is a simple, reliable, and highly economical solution for any basic remote monitoring needs. Requiring no installation, the 70001 MobiCam system's compact design and wireless technology allow you to position the camera and monitor virtually anywhere making it both easy to use and completely portable. The 70001's camera features automatic voice-activated video transmission with an adjustable sensitivity, as well as IR (InfraRed) LEDs (light emitting diodes) that allow you to receive a picture in total darkness, making it an ideal solution as a baby monitor or for other in-home surveillance.The 70001 MobiCam's camera utilizes the NTSC signal system to achieve 510 by 492 effective pixels of resolution. The IR LED emitters allow this camera to receive a picture under no-light (0 Lux) conditions up to 10-feet away, while the built-in microphone allows for one-way audio transmission and enables the voice-activated video transmission feature. The MobiCam's camera includes a built-in 2.4 GHz omni-directional antenna and three selectable channels that allow you to use multiple cameras with a single monitor. This unit's compact design allows it to be placed in tight spaces such as cribs or shelves, while its adjustable ball-mount-style camera lens lets you achieve an optimum viewing angle. The MOBI 70001 camera can run on either nine-volts DC power via an included AC/DC adapter or eight AA batteries for additional portability, and has an operating temperature of 0 to 40 degrees Celsius.The 70001 MobiCam's 2.4 GHz monitor allows for signal reception from up to 300-feet away with a clear line of sight. This unit utilizes a 1.5-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor, or active-matrix) LCD (liquid crystal display) screen that provides you with a clear and sharp picture with 490 by 240 effective pixels. The MOBI 70001 monitor includes three selectable channels to allow you to monitor multiple rooms, and a standard A/V (audio/video) output jack for connecting to a TV or VCR. The 70001's monitor runs on batteries or via an included AC/DC adapter, while optional PC software and an adapter allows for automated recording via the Internet, your cell phone or pager.Technical Features:
Signal distance: up to 300-feet (clear line of sight)
Signal types: 2.4 GHz wireless transmission, NTSC TV system
Sensitivity: minimum illumination of 0 Lux up to 10-feet
Effective pixels: 510 x 492 for camera, 490 x 240 for monitor
Camera operating temperature: 0 to 40 degrees Celsius
Camera dimensions: approximately 9.2 x 5.9 x 12.3 centimeters (W x D x H)
Designed primarily for indoor use, the MOBI 70001 MobiCam system deserves serious consideration as one of the easiest and most portable economical monitoring solutions available, especially for parents traveling with a small child. While both camera and monitor are freestanding units, mounts are included for each allowing additional installation options. This system is made in the USA and was the winner of the 2004 iParenting Media Award. Users should note that the camera's image sensor may become permanently damaged if exposed to long hours of direct sunlight or halogen light, so the camera should not be mounted or pointed directly at the sun or other bright-light sources.About Surveillance Camera Technical Features Lux rating is the measurement used to indicate how sensitive a camera is to light, and stands for the level of light reflected off a piece of paper by a candle from one meter away. Thus a sensitivity of three Lux would mean a camera could generate an acceptable picture of a piece-of-paper-sized object that was illuminated by the equivalent of three candles from one meter away. The lower the Lux level, the better the camera's ability to work in low-light conditions. The camera's resolution should be greater than or equal to the resolution supported by the system's recorder or monitor. The S/N, or signal to noise ratio, is an important measure of a camera's quality. A poor camera, low-light conditions or poor wiring causes "noise" which consumes processing power and disk space. A camera with a wide dynamic range is ideal, especially for recording areas in which both indoor and outdoor light are present. CCD (charge-coupled device) sensors provide high-quality images that are less susceptible to noise. CMOS (complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensors offer less image quality, but are usually more cost-effective and energy efficient.What's in the Box Camera, monitor, mounting kit, A/V cable, and AC adapter.

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JVC Everio GZ-MG50 1.33 MP 30 GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Finally! I have been waiting for a video camera that takes good quality video (not mpeg4) and does not use tapes. Everyone that I know has a minidv/digital8 camera, and when they shoot something, the last we all ever see of it is when they hook up the camera to the tv at the end of the day. After that, no copies, no sharing, most of the time no one ever sees the video again. The whole point of recording memories is that you can watch them easily whenever you want and be able to share them with friends and family whenever you want.
First I have to say this is my first camcorder ever (yes, I have been waiting 30 years for this camera). I have used plenty of other camcorders that people have let me borrow, but this is the first camcorder I ever buy for myself.
I went to Cancun two weeks ago and I made the decision that I had to buy a camera for the trip. This camera was a great choice and I love it! I didn't have to lug along my digital still camera, because the everio takes 1152x864 pictures as well which is more than enough for me (for those out there that think they need 6 megapixel pictures, wake up and smell the marketing).
When I got back from my trip, I decided to sit down and get everyone a copy of the video. I was a little apprehensive because I work in advertising and I know how cumbersome and slow it can be to work with large video files if you don't have a computer specifically made for that task...I decided to use my home computer because I didn't want to wait (2.6ghz celeron with 512mb of ram). I didn't really like the DVD authoring software that came with it (seemed to complicated and unintuitive), so I used the Nero VisionExpress that came with my Nero Ultimate Edition software. It was soooo easy to get this done. Within one hour I had already completed a dvd with all the footage from trip, with thumbnail menus, and chapters automatically set for each time the camera stopped. I shot some footage of tropical fish in the water at Cozumel and I used that as the video background underneathe all of the menus. On a separate DVD I also created a compilation of photo slideshows (with music) from all the photo cameras everyone took (including pictures taken with my Everio).
I had the software "burn to hard disk" so I could make as many copies as I wanted of both dvds. I made 5 copies and was totally done with the project in 2 hours. This would not have been possible without this camera, capturing from any other minidv camera or other video source would require hours upon hours of video conversion to dvd compliant mpeg2. But since this camera shoots in mpeg2, that is not a factor.
I love this camera and highly recommend it for most people. If you are one of those videophiles that worries about the number of lines of resolution of your video, or how many ccd chips your camera has, then this camera is probably not for you. If you want great looking video and the convenience of being able to share it EASILY, CHEAPLY AND QUICKLY then definitely check out this camera.
On another note, I have used the software that came with the camera to convert video clips to quicktime, windows media video and realvideo. This is very useful for emailing clips, posting them on websites, or putting them inside your windows media center (or other home theater pc) for easy access.
Also, when getting this camera, be aware that there are two models/versions out there that only do 640x480 pictures...I almost made that mistake.

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2.5-inch LCD screen
Built-in Light
SD Card Slot
Recordings of between 7 hours and 37 hours duration
USB 2.0 interface & PictBridge
Data Battery system
Thumbnail-based indexing system
Unique floating suspension system
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
30GB HDD
1.33 megapixel CCD
f1.2 SuperBright lens
15x Optical Zoom lens
Cyberlink DVD Solution
37 hours of recording
1152 x 864, 1024x480 or 640x480 pixels.
Software for use with both the Windows and Macintosh platforms
Dolby Digital audio playback
DV-AVI, Windows-AVI, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 support formats
15 x optical and 700 x digital zooms
weighs less than 14 oz. with the battery attached

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