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SONY
Model KDL- 40XBR4 40"
LCD Flat Panel HDTV
This is my first look.
I have been testing this HDTV
with a rooftop antenna, a HDTV
cable box and input from my
standard definition Tivo. While
the black level has been touted
elsewhere for its abundance,
I take issue. Its ability to upscale
a standard definition picture is
one of its best features as is the
quality of the sound which is
nothing short of outstanding,
providing you use all of the audio
controls available.
Much more coming soon.
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CANON
VIXIA HF100
High Definition Camcorder
I Just got this Camcorder yesterday
(May 14th '08) and it does feel right
at home in my right hand. An elegant
piece of fine art just crying out to
be taken out and and shown a good
time. That's exactly what I plan to do
later this month in Kyoto, Japan.
Until I put this camcorder through
it paces I won't be able to give
more than a first impression. I will
be testing it both hand-held and
with the TrekPod Go! Walking Staff,
Monopod (see the review. top right).
UPDATE:
I'm back from Kyoto and all I can
say after using the Canon and
viewing some of the video on my
Sony XBR is WOW !!!
(The following text if from
Canon's website.)
From Canon's long history of optical
excellence, advanced image
processing, superb performance
and technological innovation in
photographic and broadcast
television cameras comes the
latest in high definition camcorders.
Now, with the light, compact Canon
VIXIA HF100, you can have stunning
AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec
High Definition) format recording
with the ease and numerous
benefits of Flash Memory. It's used
in some of the world's most innovative
electronic products such as laptop
computers, MP3 players, PDAs and
cell phones. Add to that the VIXIA
HF100's Canon Exclusive features
such as our own 3.3 Megapixel
Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced
DIGIC DV II Image Processor,
SuperRange Optical Image
Stabilization, Instant Auto Focus,
our 2.7" Widescreen Multi-Angle
Vivid LCD and the Genuine Canon
12x HD video zoom lens and you
have a Flash Memory camcorder
that's hard to beat and unmistakably
Canon.
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INFOCUS IN72
DLP Projector
This is a Home Theater type of
projector. Make sure that you buy
a home theater projector and not
a Multimedia projector for home
use. Multimedia is for use in
presentation environments.
I have been using this projector
for more than a few months. So
far I have used it for 230 hours.
I'm using a 100 inch screen and
getting about 96 inches from
about 10 feet. This is now an
older projector, having been
replaced by the IN76 and IN78
which have both been
discontinued, along with the
IN72. While the IN72 was
selling well below a thousand
dollars, InFocus has
concentrated on higher end
projectors all of which are
1080p rather then making
available 720p which would
be more bang for the buck.
It's too bad because now
you will have to pay over
two thousand dollars to get
a InFocus projector. The IN72
while having a 16:9 aspect
ratio it only produces a
native resolution of 480i. It
will show content of up to
1080p and does a pretty
good job. I will be
investigating the new crop
of InFocus projectors to see
if my list of 'Pros and Cons"
for this projector will make
my list of the newer projectors.
I do know that one of the most
noticeable defects is still present
in all of the InFocus projectors
and could be fixed if InFocus
wanted to fix it, but they don't
want to. It is a most aggravating
omission that plagues me still.
For the price it's wasn't a bad
deal. However it it uses only a
single DLP chip to produce its
color picture instead of a three
chip DLP which is the best type
of DLP configuration. I will be
detailing the flaws in using only
one chip in my expanded review
which I will be posting soon.
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NEUROS OSD
Media Center
My first look review will post
as soon as I have had a
chance to test it.
(The following text is from the
Neuros website.)
The Neuros OSD connects to your
TV or home theater system and
allows you to archive all of your
DVD and video content.
Plug the Neuros OSD into your TV,
connect your DVD Player or VCR,
and hit play. Your movie will be
safely and legally transferred into
a digital library! It works with
home movies too. Just plug your
video camera into the OSD,
push play, and your memories
are digitized.
With the Neuros OSD, you can
store hundreds of hours of video
in one location (like an external
hard drive), get rid of those bulky
cases, put an end to DVD
damage, and instantly access
any of your videos with the
push of a button on a remote.
You can even transfer your video
content to a portable device
(video iPod, PSP, mobile phone,
etc.) to watch on the go, or
email your home movies to
friends and family.
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GATEWAY
Model FPD2275W
22" Widescreen
High-Definition
LCD Display
I have been using this monitor for
several months and love what it does
best, provide an excellent picture.
It show its prowess in the DVI
environment. 720P Component RGB
HD is a big plus in a 22 computer
monitor. The newer model has
switched from Component RGB
to HDMI which might cause
problems in a mixed input
environment. More on that point
and the rest of the review coming
soon!
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LOGITECH
Cordless Desktop
S 530 Laser for Mac
Logitech is probably best known for
making excellent sounding and
affordable home + PC speaker
systems. They also have a large
assortment of Cordless Mice and
Keyboards.
I have been using this specifically for
Mac Keyboard + Mice Combo for
quite a while and enjoy the sleek and
sturdy design. I especially like the
mute button which comes in handy
to mute commercials while listening
to streaming media. I also control
the volume and start and stop
iTunes from the keyboard. I also
like the scroll wheel features like
zoom and tilt left and right to move
sideways in my browser and when
using Photoshop, wow what a time-
saver, not to mention my wrist!
Logitech also makes the Cordless
Desktop S 510 using the same
keyboard and is designed for
Windows. It uses the Logitech LX5
Cordless mouse which doesn't have
as many features as the Logitech MX
600 cordless laser mouse that comes
with the Mac Combo. I guess us Mac
owners are just lucky.
Whether you're a Mac or Windows
user, once you own a Logitech
product you can count on excellent
customer service from a
knowledgeable staff who don't ask
for your date of purchase and don't
want your credit card number
because they stand behind their
products in a way that I wish the rest
of the consumer electronics industry
would take notice and try to emulate.
Slim Devices, a Logitech company,
also makes some very interesting
products such as the Squeezebox
digital music player that I have
known about for quite a while even
before they became a part of the
Logitech family.
I also had one of the first Harmony
Universal Remotes that has also
become part of the Logitech family.
Logitech has a keen eye for
interesting products that add a lot
of luster to a already impressive
line of Logitech products.
I will be adding more details to this
review in the next few weeks. For
now I will use details from Logitech's
website.
(The following text is from the
Logitech website)
Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for
Mac Superior comfort and precision
with one-touch controls designed
specifically for your Mac.
One-Touch Mac Controls: Instantly
access iTunes, iPhoto, Safari, Mail
and more.
USB Mini-receiver: Get reliable
wireless in an instant, and remove
the clutter of wires.
Power Management: Go longer with
a low-battery light and auto-off.
Flatter Keyboard Design: Be slim,
sleek and comfortable.
Silver and White Styling: Designed
specifically for your Mac
(consumer and Pro).
ZERO-DEGREE TILT: Reduce fatigue
with a remarkably natural typing
feel.
SCULPTED LASER MOUSE: Rest your
hand on gently contoured sides and
soft rubber grips.
LASER ENGINE: Get exceptional
mouse control in all applications
on virtually any surface.
TILT WHEEL PLUS ZOOM:
Go side to side or in and out on
photos and spreadsheets alike.
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