Nikon Coolpix 2500 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Included 8 MB CompactFlash card holds 15 images at default settings
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery(included)
• 2-megapixel sensor captures 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
• Autofocus lens with 3x optical/4x digital (12x total) zoom

Reviews (91)

SYSTEM ERROR
Okay, for 18 months it was a reasonable--not great--camera. It's not big and looks cool, but it is also slow and performs poorly in low light. Red eye is a huge problem.

But, after 18 months, the camera failed to work and displayed SYSTEM ERROR.

SYSTEM ERROR is apparently a common Nikon problem and requires the camera be sent to Nikon for a costly fix. Thus, my one-star rating; I don't have enough cash for my digital cameras to be disposable, I need them to be reliable.

I recommend heartily against the Nikon brand and am awaiting delivery of a new Canon A95.

Still kickin
I have had this camera for a year and a 1/2, and I still find it a great camera for casual photos.

I love the swinging lense-it keeps the lense covered well when not in use, and you can take self-portraits very easy. I also like that you can angle up/down for awkward shots. Extreme closeups are sharp, but you have to fool around to guess where the focal point is. I haven't even played with the video clip part. I do like that you can make small images as you go. The Nikon software was mediocre. I stopped using it. Too bad they didn't continue with this design.

I decided to write this review after looking at similar cameras this past holiday season. While it sucks at indoor pictures (dark and RED)unless there is A LOT of light (the triple flash is obnoxious), it generally delivers. It took better shots of fireworks than my friend's newer camera. [...]

It's holding up very well to being tossed about in my bag, even without a case. The batteries don't charge as well as they did, but it's still usable. It uses Compact Flash, which I feel is better media than the starting-to-fade-away SD or MMC.

If you see it at a good price, go for it. I paid $150 for it and a case and more memory. Should be a lot cheaper now.

it's the best for a casual user
ok, I'm a casual user, I don't take pictures too much, I don't go on trips alot and I don't print.Now, I have had this camera for a long time so I can tell with certainty that I have not even thought of buying another camera to replace it.

Likes:
looks so much better than other cameras.
you can adjust the angle of the lens, that gives you a lot of freedom to take pictures yourself, without asking strangers for help, which you don't know how it will turn out.
Great value since it's very inexpensive now.
Still work just the same as the first day I got it, at least a year now.
The auto-scene mode is a must for novice users.
Easy to use, not filled with a bunch of feature that a novice like myself would never use.

Dislikes:
2MP is too low by the standards today.
Can't take moving pictures under bad lighting (few cameras can, though).

if you aren't crazy about photos, this one will suit you fine and save you money.I saw it on sale at WhoSave coom, a site that lists sales from Amazon and other places on the web, but that was awhile ago.I am not sure if you can still buy this camera new.Either way, I put in a recommendation for Nikon products.
... Read more

Asin: B0000635UX
Sales Rank: 1673
Subjects:  1. Cameras    2. Cool pix    3. Digital Camera (Cameras)    4. Photograph (Photography)   

Panasonic PVDV52 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2.5" Color LCD
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $499.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Panasonic's low-end MiniDV camcorder, the PV-DV52, doesn't have all of the features of its pricier siblings--like a zoom mic or a larger LCD--but it does capture high-quality video in a light, tight package.

Although its 10x optical zoom is lower than other camcorders, it still provides a close-up image for average recording, and a hefty 700x digital zoom capability as well. The image stabilization feature of the PV-DV52 worked well, keeping our frame steady even during one-handed filming.

The PV-DV52 will capture still images as well, but only at 640 x 480 resolution. It also stores images to tape, which sometimes makes them difficult to locate in order to transfer them to PC.

Speaking of transferring, you'll need a FireWire port to move video and stills over at high speed, as the camera doesn't include USB connectivity. It does offer a serial connection, but that is only for transferring still images, as moving video via a serial connection would be akin to draining a lake with a stirring straw.

Some of Panasonic's more expensive MiniDV camcorders offer a 3.5-inch LCD, but the 2.5-inch color LCD of the PV-DV52 proved large enough for average use. The PV-DV52 also offers some nice features for low-light recording (although not for no-light recording), including the MagicPix digital enhancement mode and a built-in light with a 10-foot range.

Tapes eject from the top of the PV-DV52, allowing you to keep the camera on an optional tripod when popping in a new tape. And the battery--which lasted a little over an hour--charges separately from the camera, which makes it easier to have a backup fully charged.

For the price, the Panasonic PV-DV52 allows for high-quality video recording without requiring a big investment. It's a great starter camcorder for a family on a budget. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Light and compact
• Sharp video image
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• No storage card for stills
• Lower optical zoom

... Read more

Features

• Features digital still mode
• IEEE1394 port for easy video transfer
• MiniDV camcorder
• 10x optical, 700x digital, zoom with digital image stabilization
• 2.5 inch color LCD monitor and black and white viewfinder

Reviews (13)

Great value - shame about the mic quality
I have had this camcorder (my first and only) for nearly a year.It was a great entry to home video.

I was very pleased with the picture quality and it is easy to use.I have tried the EIS feature(electronic image stabilization) and it really works and the effect on picture quality is barely noticeable.

Editing on a computer with the IEEE1394 interface is fun (and IEEE1394 interface cards for desktop and laptop PCs can be had very cheaply - I bought one for each.)The camcorder can even print the finished movies back to a blank MiniDV tape for archiving and for displaying on NTSC TVs.

The built-in microphone has very poor sound quality - voices sound very tinny.I wish it had a way of connecting an external microphone.And I wish a second, larger battery wasn't so expensive - it is hard to shop around for a third-party battery as the online catalogs rarely mention this model of camcorder.

Shop around for MiniDV tapes - good brands can be found for around $5 but I see them many places over $8.

The battery charger included with mine doubles as an AC adapter and works on many electrical systems round the world (just get a travel plug from your local hardware store.)

Simplicity is key.
This digital camera has everything you need.Don't waste your money on those overpriced gadgety cameras, when all you need is something to capture good quality digital video.

I've played around with quite a few DV cameras, and almost all of them were impossible to figure out.Too many buttons.This camera only has the necessities.My only complaint about the ergonomics is that the record button could be placed better.I usually take my thumb off of it after I hit record, so I have to go searching for it when I want to pause or stop recording, so a lot of my video has a visible jiggle at the end where I was fumbling for the record toggle.

The quality of the video is superb.It gets a little grainy in low light, but no worse than any DV camera I've seen below $900.

Oh, one thing to note.This camera doesn't come with a DV tape to get you started.So, you better put a 3-pack in your shpping cart before you check out.I'd recommend a second battery, too.

This camera doesn't have an analog pass-thru, so you can't use it to transfer your old 8mm videos to DV.... but that's something you'd do only once anyway, right?Why spend the extra bucks on a camera that can do it then?

This is a great deal.If you are the bare-bones type, get this.You'll be pleased.

Best Value
For an entry level miniDV camcorder, this one Rocks.
Easy to use & extremely light.
Buy the Pyro firewire card, and you can get great video to your pc.
For the price you pay, it doesn't get much better. ... Read more

Asin: B00005YTWY
Subjects:  1. Video Cameras (Camera)    2. Camcorders (Camcorder)    3. Image (picture) stabilization (stabilizer)    4. Camcorder (Camcorders)   

Rio S50 128 MB MP3 Player
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $199.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Designed to be the ultimate portable digital music player, the S50 offers memory, features, and a unique design unmatched in today's market. With 128 MB built-in memory, the S50 gives you up to four hours of continuous, skip-free listening. Plus, the S50's memory is upgradeable to 256 MB with the addition of a standard MMC memory card (not included). In addition to its sizable memory, the Rio S50 is loaded with useful features, including a large backlit screen (great when listening in unlit places), a clock and stopwatch, an integrated FM tuner, a carrying case, and an impressive battery life of up to 35 hours on just a single AA battery (up to 20 hours with the included rechargeable battery).

Rio Music Manager software boasts an easy-to-navigate interface, speeding and simplifying the transferring of MP3 and WMA files from a PC to the S50. Rio Music Manager software also contains an advanced and intuitive database thatlets you store all your music and sort by artist, album, or genre. In addition, the software lets you create and name playlists, and incorporates an ID3 tag editor to help update titles and artist information.

Adjustable EQ, repeat, and shuffle play modes deliver all the features you expect in a top-of-the-line portable music player. Bundled RealOne Player and iTunes music management software ensure that your S50 is PC and Mac compatible out of the box, and software upgrades can be downloaded to support future digital audio formats and keep your Rio S50 up-to-date. ... Read more

Features

• Supports MP3 and Windows Media (WMA), letting you scale the quality and playing time
• Integrated FM radio tuner, clock, and stopwatch
• Up to 35-hour battery life on 1 AA alkaline battery (or up to 20 hours with the included rechargeable battery)
• 128 MB of built-in memory holds up to 4 hours of your favorite music
• Upgradeable memory can be increased to 256 MB simply by adding a standard MMC memory card

Reviews (57)

Light and powerful player
I'm really impressed by the Rio S50, its light weight and powerful output is unmatched by any player on the market.I paid $90 dollars for the unit and $75 for a 512 mb memory card.With the onboard 128mb ram, 640mb ram total I was able to store approximately 10 hours of music all for about $165.This is impressive considering prices almost a year ago.The audio quality and the units 5 band adjustable equalizer, matched with a good set of headsets (Koss 'The Plug' earbuds), deliver superb bass and crystal clear highs without any distortion throughout the entire volume range; you'll never get caught short of audio quality (something to take for granted nowadays with most units at this price.) The S50 will never seriously compete with the more expensive units such as the ipod in storage(the ipod is basically a hard drive.), although the s50 may be more rugged. However, if you're measuring light weight vs. quality, ruggedness and storage size vs. price the s50 is definitely a way to go.The s50 is my champ in the light weight department, with no moving parts except for the on off switch it's a reliable companion on just about any trip or climate.I wouldn't hesitate to throw it into my backpack or luggage for a week-long outing.You may want to bring along an extremely light-weight FM/Am radio, though; On the rare occasion when I did want to listen to the radio, I never picked up any stations reliably. This is truly an mp3 player enthusiasts unit.

Horrible Company!!!
Bought one of this company's mp3 players and I lost my cord which connects it to the computer. I ordered a replacement and waited WEEKS to get it despite the next day air priority shipping. For over a week they showed that it was ready to ship, but they still didn't send it out. If you buy this item, pray you never have to replace a part!

Great player, poor radio
The performance of this unit for playing mp3s is AOK. The radio is not good enough, and I frequently find myself carrying a radio in another pocket when I carry the S50. I would love to have the same thing with 256 MB built in--and dispense with the radio if they can't do better than this. ... Read more

Asin: B00006HYJ2
Subjects:  1. Portable Audio    2. MP3 MP 3 Player    3. MP3 Player (MP 3)   

Toshiba Satellite 1905-S303 Notebook (2.40-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you’re shopping for an industrial-strength mobile computer to serve as a desktop replacement, the Toshiba Satellite 1905-S303 notebook PC is the kind of heavy-duty, no-compromises performer that can fill just about any shoes, no matter how big.

The 1905-S303’s 2.4 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor-M provides gale-force computing power across a broad range of productivity and multimedia software. The notebook’s 512 MB of memory--expandable to 1 GB--and 512 KB of L2 cache smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously. The notebook’s 40 GB hard drive offers substantial data and multimedia download storage.

A multifunction DVD/CD-RW drive lets you watch movies, and listen to and record music and back up data on CD. Sound from the notebook’s built-in stereo speakers is enhanced by 3-D sound support with HRTF 3-D positional audio, Direct 3-D sound, and hardware acceleration for DirectSound and DirectMusic.

The 1905-S303 includes a 15-inch XGA active-matrix display that, coupled with an ATI M6-P graphics controller and 32 MB of 250 MHz DDR external video memory, supports up to 16 million colors at 1,024 X 768 resolution.

The 8.3-pound, 13-by-10.9-by-2-inch 1905-S303 includes an integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface with RJ-45 LAN port and built-in 56K V.92 modem with RJ-11 connector. Other ports include two USB interfaces, a TV-out interface, a FireWire interface, a parallel port, and an RGB monitor port. A 32-bit CardBus-ready PC Card slot supports two Type II cards or one Type III card.

The notebook’s keyboard includes 85 full-size keys with 12 function keys. The 1905-S303 also offers a touchpad pointing device and a full complement of hardware-based CD control functions.

Installed software includes Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works, Intuit Quicken Basic 2001, InterVideo WinDVD, Norton AntiVirus 2002, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

If there was a 0 Star system..
My computer shuts down all the time and forgot one hour - think more like 10 minutes - it is ridiculous and I would NEVER buy a Toshiba again - they have a class action lawsuit against them for the series 1500 but not for this model - if anyone is a lawyer and bought this - maybe it would be good to also file for one!

Problems
Don't get me wrong, I love this computer.But, as a law student, I need a computer that will work OR if it needs maintenance will not require me to pay in blood.I got neither in this computer.Since getting it, I have had to fix quite a few major things (battery, AC adaptor)--these repairs could have been several hundred (thank goodness for the extended warranty).Now, two years after purchase, it will not work.My system board has apparently failed because the half inch metal tongue in the ac adaptor computer port has broken.This has killed my entire computer.And, it will cost over one thousand dollars to fix.To add insult to injury, I find that this is one of the most common problems with the toshiba laptop.ANd the part will break off with regular wear and tear.Why would they build a computer with this obvious defect you may ask??The answer is obvious--now I have to buy another computer, or pay them 1k to fix mine.IF I do buy another one, it will NOT be a Toshiba.Think about it before you buy this computer.Maybe you can afford constant repairs of this type, but I can not.

Very poor Toshiba, I will not buy this Brand!!
This damn machine alway crash without any warning and cannot boot after that. I have to try all the ways to cool it (including with ice!!) to make it boot again. Strongly against this damn machine. ... Read more

Asin: B00006LS95
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)    4. Toshiba   

No Name Face
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (31 October, 2000)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

No Name Face is an auspicious debut from a band seemingly made to rule the airwaves. The insinuating melodies that mark Lifehouse's radio-friendly sound are not unlike those of matchbox twenty or Live in their softer moments. From the first single, "Hanging by a Moment," to the emotive and uplifting "Quasimodo" and the wonderful "Trying" (think Crowded House at their lilting best), Lifehouse are self-possessed and focused. Young singer-songwriter Jason Wade (the son of two ministers) imbues Lifehouse's vibe with a spiritual quality that's never heavy-handed, delivering the goods with the authority of an experienced troubadour. No Name Face may be a first offering from a young band, but it looks to signal the beginning of an estimable career. --Katherine Turman ... Read more

Reviews (553)

RIP-OFF
I HATE THIS ALBUM!!! The only good song on this album is the first one but the rest of them SUCK. The rest of the songs are only slow, acoustic crap. DON't BUY THIS ALBUM...PLEASE!!!

2.5, it was good till it lasted.
Who ever says this is the best album, or best album of the year they should definitely check far more records to come to that conclusion. When I first got it when it was just released I was in my late teens, in high school and ofcourse STUPID! This album doesn't lack of music compared to other artists in the same level but the tunes are definitely repetitive. In fact, I can not stand one song from this album, it sounds over and over the same, which is how you can spot a mainstream band or album. I did told people this band would not last. Was I wrong?

Every single song...
on this CD is amazing. Lifehouse is really one of the most talented bands out there and should be heard by everyone. I love bands that write beautiful, heartfelt songs and this is one of them. No Name Face is just an utterly amazing piece of work and I really cannot say anything else without sitting here for days. Everyone must purchase this album. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. ... Read more

Asin: B000050HZO
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Post-Grunge    5. Rock   

Big Honkin' Zits : A Zits Treasury
by Jerry Scott Jim Borgman
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (28 August, 2001)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $10.17
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (7)

Heehehhahahahahheeheeheehhe, yukyukyuk!
I evaluate funnies by the drawings, and, of course, is it funny or not? With that said, here we go.

In some ways, I think this comic is influenced by Calvin and Hobbes, one of the most memorable and classic strips. This comic strip is drowned in sarcasm and irony. The drawings have a sort of sketchy quality about them, something that makes them loose and very cool-looking. They have shading and scribbly detail, but are still very clear and easy to understand.

It has more than 4 characters, allowing the cartoonist to come up with many interesting character traits. Exploring these personalities is very fun to read. A boy and a girl never seen not hugging each other, a mom, a dad, a big brother, and a boy with a guitar are just some of the characters. I think this strip has about the right amount of characters.

This book is my first encounter with the comic and it is very appealing. I won't tell you to buy it, because I'm not a salesperson. I'm merely telling you why I like it.

You will love ZITS
If you have or have had teenagers, you need to red Zits.The adventures of all the characters will keep you laughing.They even manage to capture the angst of both parents and teens.

You'll pop with (laughter with) Zits!
In Big Honkin Zits (hey, it's named after ME when I was 16..or 26) you can clearly see WHY this strip by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman is one of the fastest growing and most popular strips EVER.

The best way to explain it is: it's on the same quality level asBill Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes at it's funniest, most irony-laced and visually comedic BEST. Once again we have Jeremy...the self-absorbed 15-year-old who is constantly (in his view) humiliated by his parents' mere existance (except when he lowers the posture and briefly show he really cares). The strip shows things from the adult point of view but ALSO does a good job of pointing out how a teen might view the parents (his parents ARE dorky).

There are several reasons why this strip is such great COMEDY, and holds up so well in a treasury form such as this. The artists use a story-line of sorts (akin to the story-line Watterson would use where a given daily strip would stand alone but is part of a group with a theme). The shorter strips work as well as the longer ones. As in Calvin & Hobbes we often see things from the teen or parental view in the form of a fantasy (his father dressed like a clown; Jeremy with huge ears after his girlfriend mentions his ears are big).It's a strip that shows character evolution: his girlfriend finally gets her braces off; he goes to his first real rock concert; sneaks into his first teen porn film etc.

But above all it's the world-class visual comedy, character facial expressions and actual irony-heavy comedy that makes this strip among the best EVER. Since there are tons of strips I'll share one that is my favorite. Jeremy's mother reads an article that says "the average teenage boy thinks about sex once every eight minutes." They look at each other and each says "Wow." She thinks: "That much?" He thinks: "That's all?"

You're going to want to read Big Honkin' Zits again and again and each time you're going to laugh as much as the first time. SUPERB selection of a SUPERB strip that happily continues to quickly grow in circulation, artistically and comedically. ... Read more

Isbn: 0740718541
Sales Rank: 32554
Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Duncan, Jeremy (Fictitious cha    4. Duncan, Jeremy (Fictitious character)    5. General    6. Humor    7. Topic - Family    8. Humor / General