Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M9462LL/A (1.50-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)
by Apple Computer
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports, PC Card slot (Type I/II)
• Built-in 10/100/1000 Base-T, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme; built-in Bluetooth, 56K V.92 modem
• 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 processor running OS X version 10.3
• 512 MB DDR333 SDRAM, 80 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• 17-inch TFT widescreen display, up to 4.5 hours of battery life

Reviews (12)

Some people simply write inadequate reviews...
I dont have a Powerbook 17 (yet), so I am not going to make any statemnts abouit it. Nevertheless I feel like saying the following:

after reading some of the reviews here, I noticed that people often make the mistake of comparing Powerbooks to PCs. This is wrong guys! Please compare Powerbook with Wintel Notebooks only. And then youll probably see that PB definitely is a strong performer. Otherwise you may also start to compare Centrino Notebooks with dual G5s..

thanks

overall good, but not perfect
The Powerbook 17" is reasonably fast. I suggest however to get it with at least 1GB since any Apple computers work defnitively better with a good amount of ram (half Giga is really the minimum). With 2GB (as I got) you will be quite satisfied since that will avoid the use of virtual memory (that can be painfully slow). Also, with 256MB of ram the video card performs quite well (despite I did not tested the computer with hard demanding video software). Comparred to my old PB, the ventilation is quite silent and efficient. Overall I am quite satisfied, still there are some negative points.

1. There in only one button mouse. Apple instists in this idea that is even more ununderstandable since many of its programs (like Safari) actually support a 3 buttons mouse.

2. The screen is ***far*** to be perfect. There is a strong pink backgroud that makes thet display unusable for photo editing. Mac OS is also provided with a very poor color calibration system. I impreved a bit the result by using a color scheme for a 3rd party monitor, but still the pink background is not completely erased.

3. I had some problems with the USB port and finally I had to erase my ipod. I am not sure if that is a problem of the powerbook or of the ipod. With the firewire (which i reserved for other devices) the ipod worked without problems. I suspect (despite I am not sure) that there is some bug in Mac OS since I had other problems with other devices under USB on both this and other Macs.

4. The use of an external monitor is still quite primitive.
a) You can not move the dock on the external monitor
(unless you do not want to use only the external one).
b) You can not have the menubar on both monitors at the same time.
c) The X11 client will open every window always on the main monitor.
d) The procedure to use the external monitor keeping close the powerbook
is quite boring.

These days the new version (1.6GB) appeared. Its specifications look very similar (still lacking a G5). I suspect that it owns the same screen of mine. This can be a serious problem under certain circumstances. So maybe you could be better serverd by a 12" (easier to be carry) and a good external monitor.

One of the best desktop replacement notebooks available
After reading the in-depth review at www.laptoplogic.com (http://www.laptoplogic.com/reviews/apple/25/1/1/) I went out and purchased the laptop from the Apple store with 1GB DDR RAM and 5400RPM hard drive. Everything about this system is stunning -- the screen, keyboard, design, and power. I use to own a Toshiba 15.4" and this thing is LIGHTER than the Toshiba. I'm a new user of OS X and I absolutely love it. It's probably easier than Windows. I recommend buying this thing if you want a large screen notebook that is actually portable, unlike most desktop replacements from PC makers. Amazon offers it with free shipping and no tax in most states. buy it now ... Read more

Asin: B00022HY7S
Sales Rank: 125
Subjects:  1. PowerBook    2. (Power Book)    3. Apple    4. (Mac)    5. (Macintosh)   

Apple Final Cut Pro 4.1
by Apple
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (14 June, 2003)
list price: $999.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (6)

Professional, impressive features tainted with complexity
Final Cut Pro 4 is undoubltely the hyped "creme de la creme" of video editing software available from Mac, hence it's expensive price tag. If you are accustomed to ease, instinctive interfaces then you might want to think again when considering the purchase of this product. Although its wide variety of dazzling effects and features is truly amazing, this power hungry program is definetely not for the faint of heart. If you're a professional that has the paitence to accustom yourself to perhaps the most bizzare complex editing interface (i.e. simply having so many features can almost be a negative aspect) then this program is certainly for you. If you are use to feeling confident with an editing program "right off the bat" then consider reading up heavily on the manual and perhaps taking a training course before even using the program, because it's loaded with myriad features. Although, while working with the program at school I never experienced any crashes or major bugs, I'm sure there are definetely some annoying ones (any editor knows that more complex and abundant the interfaces/features are, the more likely the chance there isroom for programming errors).

Despite the Hype, FCP 4 is a Step Down for Many Power Users
Unfortunately, several time-saving, creativity-enhancing features that I was accoustomed to in FCP 3 were removed for FCP 4. Functional draft renders, my favorite (albeit flawed) feature from FCP 3 no longer exist.This is quite an area of debate, but experienced editors should see why the new (largely useless) rendering system is far inferior to the previous one.The life-saving Shift-F function is also gone, the new "automatic" capturing system makes file management horribly inconvenient, and the online help file has been replaced with a cumbersome .pdf document. Support for Adobe Photoshop files is still poorly implemented. The bundled LiveType program is also much more awkward to use than one might expect from how it's been marketed. (LiveType is not an integrated extension of FCP, but a completely separate--and SLOW--application.)At this point, I feel I am a less efficient editor for having made this upgrade. Why Apple could not build on what they had instead of dropping helpful features is beyond me.

Regardless of what you hear...
I have been editing for 20 years. FCP on a Dual 2.0 Ghz G5 is the best editing solution for the money I have ever seen. It blows away the $75k+ systems that I have used for less than a tenth of the price. FCP at less than $1,000 and a G5 at $$$$$$$ is all you need other than a camera. You can make broadcast quality video with this simple setup. $$$$$$$ for computer and software plus $$$$$$ for a camera that will hold up to a $$$$$$$Betacam... give me a break!! ... Read more

Asin: B000095SBY
Sales Rank: 4564
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Graphics    3. Multimedia    4. Edit (Editing)    5. Image Capture Capturing    6. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple    7. Video    8. Composting    9. Effects    10. Editing    11. Apple    12. (Mac)    13. (Macintosh)   

Apple Power Mac G5 Desktop M9032LL/A (Dual 2.0-GHz PowerPC G5, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW Drive)
by Apple Computer
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $2,494.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: June 2003 The world's fastest personal computer and the first with a 64-bit processor -- which means it breaks the 4 GB barrier and can use up to 8 GB of main memory.

Hailed as the fastest personal computer ever released and featuring a truly remarkable set of technological breakthroughs, Apple's Power Mac G5 M9032LL/A is clearly designed for discriminating individuals who simply won't settle for anything less than the very best. For extreme performance and unrelenting power, this, the top of the line Power Mac G5 model, is as good as it gets.

Driven by not one but two 2 GHz Power PC G5 processors, 512 MB ultra-fast PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory per processor (expandable to a gargantuan 8 GB!), and an ATI RADEON 9600 Pro graphics card with 64 MB DDR SDRAM video memory, the Power Mac G5 M9032LL/A certainly seems impressive. But those figures only begin to tell the story. For its latest desktop, Apple teamed with IBM to redesign its leading-edge CPU architecture. Accordingly, the new Power PC G5 is the world's first 64-bit processor. With two of these 2 GB powerhouses running in tandem -- each sporting an industry-leading 1 GHz frontside bus -- the Power Mac G5 M9032LL/A delivers nearly double the throughout of a single 3 GHz Pentium 4-based machine and, according to Apple, runs standard Photoshop tests at 2.2 times the speed of a single 3 GHz Pentium.

But there's more than raw power lurking inside the futuristic anodized aluminum case. For starters, Apple has compartmentalized the unit into four independent sections to direct appropriate airflow to each key component. A total of nine fans work to keep things cool, yet all are extremely low-speed. Thusly the Power Mac G5 M9032LL/A runs three times quieter than the previous Power Mac G4 enclosure.

Apple has loaded the unit with data handling features, including a monstrous 160 GB 7200 RPM hard disk and a DVD-R/CD-RW combo drive (4X DVD write speed) through which you can archive information, play and burn audio CDs, enjoy the latest movies and record home videos. To help you transfer data to and from external peripherals such as optical drives and digital camcorders and cameras, the system also sports two high-speed FireWire 400 ports, one ultra-fast FireWire 800 port, three USB 2.0 ports and two USB 1.1 ports.

Other key amenities include a convenient Apple Pro keyboard, an Apple Pro mouse, three available high-performance PCI-X slots for future expansion, and a broad array of multimedia and Internet software. Connectivity facilities include an integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet port, a built-in 56K modem, and AirPort Extreme wireless support (with an AirPort Extreme card). Speakers and display are available separately. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

I HAVE NO REGRETS!!!
PROS:
Amazing speed, and extremely quiet! I'm quite surprised that no one has yet given a review to this wonderful piece of equipment. I guess you don't need to. That statement about "you get what you pay for" is very true. But if you actually look at it, if I were to buy a top of the line dual AMD Opteron or Pentium Xeon system with the same basic configuration, I'd be spending about the same amount of money. And as a graphic designer, I almost went totally PC when I purchased a Pentium 2.8GHz HT (Hyper Threading - the so-called "multitasking" want a be Mac processor) for my wife. Well much to my dismay, I was using a demo of Adobe Photoshop CS to test the PCs' skills, only to find out that when I went to save a 160MBfile, that I only saved about 7 to 8 seconds of time compared to my 5 year old G4 (400MHz single processor) system. Mind you, they both had the same amount of RAM. That's when I remembered testing one of the machines at an Apple store a few months before I almost made that fatal decision to go PC. I saved a 250MB Photoshop file in about 9 seconds!!! Now, the new G5 that's out is the dual 2.5's. So that means the dual 2.0 machines are $500 less (now, $2,500.00). And if you're like me, and can take a couple of weeks to spend some dedicated time to finding a better price, you can actually save about a thousand or more buying it used. I did. I purchased a G5 dual 2.0GHz, 250MB HD, with 1.5GB of RAM and the extended Apple Care Warranty; the full three years was already included with the machine, for a total of $2,400.00. (...) I was a little scared, because I heard about some horror stories about people who got taken of there hard earn money not to get what they paid for. I even found out that the person who owned this G5 was only 115 miles away. So I picked it up myself. He even had it open so I could try it out first. (...)Then you will find out what the going rate is (and also know who the "scammers" are who are trying to take you for your money). Email as many people that seem to be reasonably priced and ask for three things that you have a right to know; 1) What there serial number is on the machine 2) Where they bought it along with the original receipt 3) Get the owners full name and then call Apple (800-275-2273), to get through to the Apple Care Dept. (from last I checked, ext. 3), verify if the G5 belongs to them and if it's still under warranty. Also, ask if there is an option to extend it to the full 3 years; you will have to pay an additional $249.00, but it's completely worth every penny. I know that I'm going off the "review" topic here, but I believe that it is just as important, because of the fact that these machines are not cheap, and they were not available to buy (because of backorder situations, even through Apple), and I know that people want to save as much as they can when purchasing this system (or one like it). But again, we're going back to the beginning of what I said; "you get what you pay for." Another thing to add about this G5, they designed this machine from the inside-out, not the other way around; like I see in some PC towers that are built. The way this system is cooled is simply incredible. I was just reading MaxiumPC's (Sept. '04) review on case towers that just came out, and still NOTHING can touch the way they built this tower. Please do yourself a favor, if you can, either go to an Apple Store, CompUSA, Best Buy to physically try out a 1.8, 2.0, 2.5GHz G5 yourself, or check out there website (www.apple.com). You'll get more information than I can give here in this review. Again, I want to let everyone know (who reads this), that if I sound bias at all, I'm not, I REALLY was about to switch over to a PC; even my close friends were shocked when I said it to them. I actually felt humbled at one point saying that statement. But I'm glad I didn't make that mistake. If you're looking for a workhorse, this is the machine for you; and I'm ONLY talking to GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, VIDEO PRODUCERS AND THE LIKE; NOT to those who play video games on these machines. If you're looking for a gaming machine, then buy a PC. You'll have more to choose from, with thousands of games and more options to making your PC work better with faster framerates by overclocking the processor and graphics card, (only if you're into that kind of stuff and that you know what you're doing - only if - you overclock your PC).
(...) If you do your homework on this, (Graphic Designers - G5 Mac and PC Gamers - OverdrivePC) in the end, it will be worth it! I hope I've been helpful and good fortune to all who read this.

CONS:
None that I know of. Except I would give it a 9 (out of 10) for ease of use, because I was very acclimated to using OS9. OSX takes a day or two of adjusting, but it is a far better operating system to use in the end.

This is a machine for professionals!
The G5 is meant to be "the professional's machine" for graphics and video.After you get past the "platform war reviews" on this list and look at the unitand what it can do, it does all it claims and more.Mac has and I hope always will dominate the digital video, audio and graphics markets.Anyone who cannot get this machine up and running out of the box in a few minutes, should probably invest in a toaster; because its obvious you were not meant to use a computer.The latest OS, Panther is sleek easy to use and pretty much runs the machine for you.Its also the only unix based OS on the market with a GUI.Which means that you can slip into terminal mode and run lines of code, while doing several other, heavy duty tasks in the background; that's background tasks that would bring any PC to its knees.By the way, Panther is the only system on the market that truly takes advantage of multi processors built into these boxes.

No matter what the semi pro's and novice users, who are loyal to PC's post, this machine simply blows any windows based/intel system out of the water.I have used every machine available for 25 + years as a film and video editor, (the toughest job for any machine) and Mac is the king of the hill for power, ease of use and reliable service..for the pro user PERIOD.Anyone who claims to work in a pro graphics shop that is PC based, really does not work in a pro shop; because there are no truly pro graphics shops that are PC based.

The price is as always a bit higher on a Mac, because you get what you pay for.If you are not a professional computer user, get a PC and you will be happy.If you are a professional that needs the fastest machines available, as well as the most reliable machines on the market, you need a Mac G5.

Video Card a Minor Problem at Best
I've been a PC user since the good old days of the soldering iron, my last mac was an old powerbook running OS 6 or 7, either way - it was a long time ago.The main thing thats been keeping me from getting a Mac was price, and I must say - it's getting a lot better.I bought the dual 2.0Ghz configuration from the apple store along with the new 20" LCD (that still hasn't shipped ~_~) and it rocks.The biggest problem people have mentioned on the various reviews is the 64mb card - if it means that much to you, go to the Apple Store on their site and configure your own system with a 9800 or an x800 or a different 9600 if you'd like.I got a 9800 personally.I don't understand how anyone can claim a PC runs faster than this, perhaps with video games but for standard use (this coming from a person to whome standard refers to compiling java) its much better. ... Read more

Asin: B0000A5R5M
Subjects:  1. Desktops (Desk Tops)    2. Desktop Computers    3. Apple    4. (Mac)    5. (Macintosh)   

Final Draft 7 Professional Scriptwriting Win/Mac
by Final Draft
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (01 April, 2004)
list price: $289.99 -- our price: $179.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• 50+ templates; text to speech, have your script read back to you
• Word processing combined with professional script formatting
• Designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stage plays
• Automatically paginates and formats script to industry standards
• 100-percent cross-platform compatibility; easily import/export files

Reviews (37)

Watch Out Hollywood, Here I Come!
I have been writing short scripts since I was 11. I used Word to write them.

Now that I am in older, I am learning that following the traditional Hollywood script conventions make sense now that I am sending my work to scriptwriting contests, etc.

I got Final Draft because all my friends said it was 'what everybody used'. Normally,I would resist following this kind of advice, since I've always thought of myself as not being like everyone else & not following the crowd - but it was correct in this case.

Scripts are literally flowing out of me now.

Watch out Oscar, save one for me!

I am in LOVE with this program!!
F Scott said it best - "...there are WRITERS & there are those of us who write." I write. And write. And write. I have no time. Actually, I don't have time 2 write this, but I am, because this program rocks! I used 2 use Word, have it all setup with my own template and all. Someone in Hllywd **strongly suggested** I get Final Draft, and I bought it here (because amazon has the best prices). I was reluctant 2 switch. Now in re-writes, I am a true believer in screenwriting software. Why didn't I get this years ago? Wow. If you WRITE (scripts) and don't have a copy of Final Draft, do yourself a favor and check it out before you waste another minute. Cheers!

Great.
I have been researching several products for screenwriting. I am a beginner.I do not recommend Hollywood Screenwriter due to restrictions: must have cd in drive to use, incompatible with some cut/paste features, etc.

I read the for's and against's on here and other sites; it was terribly difficult to figure out what to purchase. I want the best for my money.

I did download both Movie Magic Screen Writer and Final Draft.For my work, I found that Movie Magic had too many values to work with in it's software.Although, I enjoyed the "windows" appearance and its reports, I found that the thesaurus was limited.The names list works well.

In Final Draft, it has an exceptional thesaurus, but it has a name list that works off of letters you enter vs. Movie Magic which provides a visible name list (a little easier to use).

Both seem to work almost identically in their format method.I did prefer the side bar in Movie Magic to enter or tab "dialouge," "transition," etc.Final Draft does do a find job of handling it and the "mores and continueds" work accordingly.

OVERALL, I came to the same conclusion that one rater has come to.You have to find which software works for you.They are both good.

I chose Final Draft and bought it from J&R Music because its interface is simple, it's easy on my eyes and the cost was relative. There's little clutter. I want to focus on my script and not the drop down with 9 or 10 items on it (yes, FD has one like that too).

To make either product out as a "bad" choice is silly.The developers of those products are math folks working to bring a screenwriting program for liberal arts folks into the market and make it functional.

That's a difficult chore, but I think they did a good job.My choice was Final Draft, because it's no nonsense, straight forward and functional.

Hopefully, some of these details helped you and best wishes getting your script out! ... Read more

Asin: B0001XNGZ2
Sales Rank: 63
Subjects:  1. Screenplay play    2. Computer software (programs)    3. Word Processing (Processor)    4. Text Editors    5. Spell Checkers (Spelling Check)    6. wordprocessing (wordprocessors)    7. Education (Educational)    8. Reference    9. Writing (Literature    10. Hobby Hobbies    11. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple    12. Movies (Movie)    13. Scriptwriting screenwriting script screen writing creative   

Apple Motion
by Apple Computer
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (25 August, 2004)
list price: $299.99 -- our price: $299.00
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Works with Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator
• Real-time motion graphics design software for easily creating motion graphics
• Behaviors technique for creating animation without complex keyframing
• Simple interface for unmatched onscreen interactivity and real-time feedback
• Combine text, graphic, and video elements for instant gratification

Reviews (5)

Powerful software for those who don't whine
I read the below reviews and feel compelled to clarify some important points regarding this software.1) This is powerful software that allows you to create professional quality effects.You can add explosions, multiply objects in a scene and basically let your imagination run wild. 2)I bought the apple motion instructional book (with dvdrom) and it makes learning motion simple and fun.By the end of the 1st chapter you're animating cg butterflies, i.e. making one butterfly turn into 5 and fly exactly how you would like. 3)I'm new to mac and bought an imac G5 1.8 ghz with 1 gb ram and a 64mb video card (very low end).I could use motion, but the real time rendering was slow.Confused about what I just said?Let me explain.Motion allows you to see what changes you are making immediately so that you can fine tune your effects.Do you want to make a butterfly fly a bit faster? It's easy because the movie is playing in real time allowing you to find the perfect speed without having to render each attempt.If you have a slow computer, the real time frame rate slows down.My imac slowed the frame rate from 24fps to 5 fps.However, I still saw the changes and could print to video at 24fps.4.)Upgrade if you want faster frame rates.I decided to upgrade.I bought a dual 2.0 G5, 1.5GB, 256MB nvidia video card (super fast).Now the frame rate is at 22 to 24 fps in realtime!

Bottom line, if you want to create amazing effects in your movie, buy this.If you MUST see the pre-rendered changes at 24fps, spend about 5 grand on a new computer, otherwise, live with the 5 fps.But whatever you do, don't complain that your movie sucks because you could only see 10 fps in realtime. Chances are your creativity needs a tune up more than your Mac.

Groundbreaking idea, burdensome requirements
I played with Motion at an Apple store and was so impresssed, I immediately/spontaneously bought it. I'm running it on a first generation 2 Ghz dual processor G5 with 2 gigs of RAM and a Radeon 9600 graphic card and it is slow and sometimes doesn't render "on the fly" at all. So now I have to get a faster ($600) "recommended" video card and all will be nice according to Apple. I've purchased the highest end Apple products since the Apple II and now I am annoyed. Hey Apple, if you write software that runs slowly on your fastest professional machine - DON'T RELEASE IT!!! I must have spent $10,000 in the last year and a half on Apple products and NOW I'm burnt out. I'll stick to After Effects (which can't do what Motion does without hours of keyframing) and eliminate my "on the fly" expectations.

You may hate it instead of loving it.
If you are used to Adobe After Effects, then be prepared for a rude surprise. The interface for Motion is nothing like that of AE. If you are used to Discreet products such as *flame, *flint, *effect or *edit, then it will make more sense. I am running it on a dual 2ghz G5 w/3GB of RAM and it is still not "real time" enough for my liking. Take it for a test drive before purchasing if you can.

Be warned! ... Read more

Asin: B00022VO74
Sales Rank: 3471
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Graphics    3. 3D (3-D)    4. Animation (Animated)    5. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple    6. Video    7. Composting    8. Effects    9. Editing   

Maxtor A01B120 OneTouch USB 7200 RPM 120 GB External Hard Drive
by Maxtor
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $199.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Compatible with Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000 Professional, or XP
• 120 GB storage capacity
• 7,200 RPM, 2 MB buffer
• USB 2.0 interface (USB 1.1 compatible)
• Press the One Touch button and back up files in one simple step

Reviews (31)

Reliable?A Backup Device Needs To Be
The hard drive crashed in my machine and I ended up replacing the entire computer and changing brands.I was going to buy the Maxtor A01B120 to use as a backup device until I canabalized my failed PC and noticed that the drive that crashed was a Maxtor!I spoke to friends and found they had similar problems.

Caveat emptor...

Dives works very well, but backup software has its hiccups
I think the overall rating on Amazon for this external hard drive is too low. Mine has operated very efficiently without any problems. However, I was not pleased with the backup software included, "Retrospect Express". After experiencing several problems with Retrospect, I switched to another backup software program which has worked flawlessly. Why Maxtor could not include a higher quality and friendlier backup program is beyond me. Anyway, I would recommend the drive, but certainly not the software.

My (older) Maxtor drive is a heckuva workhorse
I owned the older model (Maxtor 3000LE 120 GB USB 2.0 - ASIN: B00006B6LH) and have had it turned-on and in-use since 2002, viturally 24-7, without a single hitch.This includes traveling around (checked bagage, backpack, etc.) and all the bumps and jiggles that go with that.

So, factor that in when you consider this model. ... Read more

Asin: B0000AZW8X
Sales Rank: 5487
Subjects:  1. Hard Drives (Drive)    2. External   

Apple 30 GB 3rd Generation iPod M8948LL/A
by Apple Computer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (02 May, 2003)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Features redesigned and backlit navigation; includes wired remote control, remodeled headphones, and carrying case with belt clip
• Discontinued by manufacturer, replaced by model #M9245LL/A
• Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
• Included docking station makes charging and synching easy
• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)

Reviews (105)

Good Until You Need Support
I had this device for a little bit over a year, and I like most people didn't opt for the extended warranty.In short, it died as soon as the warranty expired.It's the way hardware is and I'm fine with that, but Apple's support wanted to charge me $250 to have it repaired/replaced.That is almost the same amount as a new one, and certainly more than most of their competitors.When it worked, it was great; a device I truly enjoyed, but once it starts having issues, you better look for another device; Apple wont be of much help you.

not so bad
not so bad, good amount of memory, fair battery, decent sound.overall a-okay.problems: battery (not replaceable) & loses charge overtime.Go here for a free 20Gb ipod:
http://www.tech4free.com/default.aspx?ref=117793

Poor compatability for all the hype
While the iPod is great for the amount of music you can store on it, Apple has done a poor job with creating a product that lasts.The battery life is minimal (less than 4 hours and I've had it for less than a year), and it costs you $99 to send your product to Apple to have a new battery installed!I'm told you can change the battery for cheaper yourself, but it nullifies the warranty (and on such an expensive electronic, that is not too prudent).The program Apple supplies to be able to add music to your iPod (iTunes) is also full of poorly-chosen options.It comes with an auto-sync option, which at first sounds appealing, but later proves to be more trouble than it's worth.Having attempted to clear my library in the program, iTunes proceeded to delete all my music & recordings from my computer (many of which I cannot replace).If I were to try to sync my iPod to my computer at this point, the auto-sync feature would replace all my playlists with empty ones.After calling Apple, I found out that there is a 10-15 SECOND window in which I MAY be able to turn-off the auto-sync prior to losing all my iPod files.If, however, I am too slow, or my computer doesn't respond fast enough, I lose everything on the iPod as well.
After all that hassle, the good points of the iPod are it's portability (small size) and it's capacity to hold a lot of music/recordings.I hear there are also some calendar and address book features avaliable to Mac users, but not to PC users. ... Read more

Asin: B00009J5W0
Sales Rank: 10977
Subjects:  1. MP3 Player (MP 3)    2. Gigabyte    3. 10GB    4. 10 GB    5. Portable Audio    6. MP3 MP 3 Player    7. Jukebox    8. Apple    9. (Mac)    10. (Macintosh)   

The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide (2nd Edition)
by ifilm publishing
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (March, 2001)
list price: $19.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The recent boom in independent filmmaking has been both a boon and an added challenge for aspiring directors. While the chic status of festivals like Sundance makes it easier for a few hot new directors to find major distributors, other worthy films risk being lost amid a sudden flood of contenders. Chris Gore, editor of Film Threat magazine, has written the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide to help the aspiring auteur rise above the tide. The book is chock-full of practical down-and-dirty advice. Every aspect of submitting to and attending film festivals is covered, from an exhaustive listing of festivals and their entry deadlines (the Turku, Finland, Lesbian and Gay Film Festival deadline is in July, so get cracking) to what to wear to the industry party you'll be crashing (big pants with big pockets, the better to stash giveaways and whip out business cards). You can even find a listing for the best bar in the Ukraine (Eric's in Kyiv) and a sidebar of handy tips that will keep you on your projectionist's good side.

Perhaps most helpful is Gore's inclusion of interviews with actual filmmakers who have experienced wildly varying degrees of success; the directors are remarkably candid and very generously try to help others avoid their own mistakes. Those who are still struggling not only illustrate the ongoing process of learning to play industry games, they show an artist's remarkable ability to keep the spirit alive. Filmmaker Joal Ryan memorably describes taking inspiration from the career of Pauly Shore: "The world tells him he's not funny; he says he is--and keeps working." Whether you want to be a filmmaker or just party like one, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide will help you operate like a true industry player. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (23)

It looks like a magazine!!
What's with all the advertisement strewn all over the 3rd edition?I have the 2nd ed. and wanted to upgrade to the new one, but found so many obnoxious magazine-style full-page ads that it looked like a copy of Cosmo, and put it right back on the shelf.They should discount the price with all that ad revenue.No complaints about the 2nd edition- I think I'll stick with it.

Needs an update
The first half of this book contains generic film-festival information (on applying to and attending festivals, a diary from the "Blair Witch" makers, etc.) which contains some good material.The meat of the Guide, though, is the series of entries about hundreds of specific festivals making up the second half.And here, the age of the book (published in 2001) becomes a problem.Putting it bluntly, if you bought this book as research material for submitting your own film to festivals, you'll find a lot of festivals listed here that simply don't exist anymore, as well as much out-of-date information about those festivals still in existence.Needless to say, it also lacks any mention of the many festivals that started after this book went to the printer.After three years, Gore really needs to update this or, better yet, make it an annual.

A Requirement For All Filmmakers
If there is one SINGLE book that every filmmaker should have, it is this one!

Chris Gore has done a community service to all indie filmmakers by putting together a book that comprehensively lists, almost, every single film festival out there, with tips on how to get accepted and how one's approach should be towards acceptance

While the book isn't necessarily based upon financing and distribution (however, it has major tidbits upon that) it truly is a wonderful read upon the film festival/independent world and what it will take find success within it

If you're an indie filmmaker like myself looking to enter your films (whether they be shorts or features, or docs) then GRAB THIS BOOK ---- if you're a film lover and a festival-goer, then I also recommend it, as I have yet to see a more comprehensive guide put together, regarding festivals

A MUST READ FOR ALL FILMMAKERS AND LOVERS

Thank you for reading and thank you for the time!

Keep up the good work Chris Gore! Us Filmmakers OWE YOU BIG ... Read more

Isbn: 1580650325
Subjects:  1. Cinema/Film: Book    2. Directories    3. Film & Video - General    4. Film & Video - Reference    5. Film festivals    6. Performing Arts    7. Performing Arts/Dance    8. Pop Arts / Pop Culture   

Segway Human Transporter (HT) i Series
by Enroute Solutions Inc.
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: November 2002. World's first dynamically stabilized Human Transporter; forward and backward maneuvering guided by rider's natural motions.

The Segway Human Transporter (HT) is a truly 21st-century idea. A two-wheeled electric vehicle that's practical, efficient, slightly miraculous, and an undeniably fun way of getting around, it's as different from a bicycle or motorcycle as the original personal computers were from their lumbering, mainframe predecessors.

Control
In our tests, we rode the Segway HT in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Zipping along on the little platform was so steady and comfortable, we quickly forgot how much technology was at work to keep us balanced. The Segway HT moves forward with cues from your body language--the subtle leaning you use to balance yourself while walking or running. When you lean forward, the Segway HT goes forward. A walking lean produces a walking rate, a steeper running lean can bring the machine to its top speed of 12.5 mph. The Segway HT stops when you right yourself again.

Steering is controlled separately with a small twist-grip on the left handlebar. The Segway HT's two-wheeled design makes it quite agile--it can do sharp turns and turn completely in place. Sharper turns require slight leaning into the turns, as you'd expect, but the Segway HT helps by actively regulating turn responsiveness based on your speed. One small complaint: using a throttle-like control for turns instead of acceleration did take some getting used to, but the inconvenience was minor and went away over time.

Overall, we were surprised how quickly we were able to get comfortable on the Segway HT. A novice can be underway in seconds (with supervision) and ascending ramps and turning figure eights in minutes. After training and a few hours of use, a rider should feel comfortable with a wide range of activities.

Riding
The Segway HT moves briskly along on both paved and rough terrain, taking ruts and potholes bumpily but with no loss of control, even for the beginner. Modest hills were ascended with ease and without much discernable effort. All things told, the Segway HT seemed rugged enough to provide reliable transportation in pedestrian environments ranging from rural trails to the sidewalks of a congested city. And utility aside, it's worth stating that the element of machine-assisted balance was a continuous delight. We simply had more control over our movements than we previously could have imagined possible. This was particularly true on downhill rides, where our body language had a degree of command over gravity so unusual that it produced a dreamy, floating feeling.

The Segway HT is not a medical device; if you can't easily stand upright or endure some jostling on varied terrain, it will not solve these problems for you. But while the Segway HT cannot provide balance that the rider doesn't already have, its responsiveness brings a subtle beauty to the rider's movements. We watched more experienced riders start, stop, swoop, and turn as gracefully as figure skaters. In fact, the machine's ease of use could create some overconfidence. The Segway HT has not suspended the laws of physics--its wheels need traction. While the machine will keep itself level under almost any situation we could imagine, a careless rider who drops a wheel over a curb, or tries to turn too quickly on a slippery surface, certainly could take a tumble. Segway advises that riders wear a safety helmet (like a bicycle helmet) and start out in the Beginner mode before moving on to the faster settings.

User-Friendly Design
The Segway HT's controls are simple. A single round display on the handlebars shows either a smiley face (meaning "get on") or a frown face ("get off"). A graphic surrounding the face indicates the battery level. The Segway has no brakes--slowing down involves the same process as acceleration--and its gentle rate precludes any need for a speedometer. We timed its startup speed from the off position to ready to ride: pressing an encrypted "key" to the key port (the key looks like a large watch battery on a plastic fob), hitting the start button, and waiting for the smiley face to come up took a little more than one second.

This machine is clearly designed for close interaction with pedestrians. Its footprint is only a bit wider than a large man, so we were able to do things like ride comfortably in an elevator with another Segway HT rider and a pedestrian, with an almost disappointing lack of bustle or incident. The machine can haul 75 pounds of cargo and still support a 250-pound person, though you'll need touse the HT's soon-to-come mounted accessory bags for any serious buying trip.

Usability
Having ridden a Segway HT, we think almost anyone would be delighted to try this machine. Inevitably, however, one must ask about how usable it is. Clearly, it isn't a car: it won't carry multiple passengers or much luggage, go long distances, or protect you from the elements. Still, we thought of many circumstances where the Segway HT could be a fun and practical alternative to other modes of transportation. We can see potential users as regular folks traveling to and from work each day, students and professors in college towns, city dwellers who take many short trips, retirees in Sunbelt resort communities, vacationers traveling with RVs, and people with easy access to nature trails and walkways.

Well-Built Construction
We had the opportunity to look into the guts of the Segway HT in its pre-assembled state. Inside it was clean and simple, and the few moving parts, such as the gears, struck us as rugged and well made. There are no cooling fans; the circuits and engine are cooled through their contact with the platform's heat-drawing aluminum casing. Each finished HT is tested both at the software level and for quality riding on an obstacle course in the assembly plant. See the technical specifications for more information.

Conclusion
We're convinced that anyone who tries a Segway HT will be smiling in minutes. The other advantage is that early purchasers will certainly be the first on their blocks to have one. But for how long? We think we'll all be seeing much more of the Segway HT in the future. --Erik Hammen

Pros:

• Very high build quality
• Environmentally friendly, extremely energy efficient
• Requires little storage space
• Newness factor--you've never ridden anything like this before
• Fun to ride, and looks cool

Cons:

• Purchase price may be prohibitive for many potential users, though the cost is partially offset long term by nominal upkeep
• Laws regarding legal riding areas (sidewalk versus street) vary from state to state
• Minor inconvenience: rubber plug-in protectors on the machines seemed a bit loose, flopping around a bit on the more rigorously used machines, inconsistent with generally excellent build standards
• Accessories, like carrying bags and lights, will not be available until spring 2003

From the Manufacturer
The Segway Human Transporter is the first transportation product to stand, balance, and move in the same way we do. It harnesses a unique technology called "dynamic stabilization"--the result of more than a decade of research, development and testing, and tens of thousands of hours in field trials--to constantly monitor and balance the Segway HT and rider.

The Segway HT allows riders to travel short distances in dense environments that would be prohibitive to other transportation devices. An amazingly elegant design makes the Segway HT a part of you, sensing subtle changes in your balance and responding immediately. The Segway HT has a level of maneuverability never before seen on wheels--it can balance in place, move forwards and backwards, and turn in place.

Purchase of a Segway HT includes a training session on its operation and features, in order to properly prepare a new rider for safe and enjoyable operation of this new technology.

See Segway HT Advantages.

About This Offer
Because of the unique and revolutionary nature of the Segway Human Transporter, we advise you to read Segway's Purchase, Safety, and Ownership Guidelines when considering placing a deposit. The guidelines describe the terms and conditions of sale, the product warranty, and the details of the Segway HT Early Delivery Contest. Also, the guidelines will help you understand any restrictions or regulations relating to its use in your state. After placing your deposit for the Segway HT, you will receive an e-mail from Amazon.com on behalf of Segway that has the contest entry form. ... Read more

Features

• World's first dynamically stabilized, self-balancing Human Transporter
• Forward and backward maneuvering is guided by rider's natural motions
• Easily navigates most walkable areas, including paved surfaces, dirt roads, grass, and inclines
• Emissions free, powered by rechargeable NiMH battery packs
• Fun to ride--a unique experience

Reviews (104)

Pure transport JOY!
Let me tell you, there is no better way for a human to be transported than the Segway Human Transporter.I was getting tired of walking on my legs, then I got an iSeries Human Transporter for my birthday.That day changed my life.I now can have any girl I want and have made millions on the stock market.How many human tensporters can do that for you?

There are many fake Human Transporters out there.This is the only Human Transporter that will fulfill all of your wildest dreams.

Keep an eye for the Segway Rocketpack Humanoid Flying Modulus.It is in the near future.

Wonderful Tour + Toy but...
It's not very functional.

I had the opportunity to tour Chicago downtown on one of the city architecture tours with segways for about three hours. I can't tell you how giddy I was to get on one. I had seen policemen patrolling around parks and airport with them. It took me about two minutes to get into the balance of it. The controls were very intuitive and easy to use. The whole system is sorta dummy proof. It shuts down itself if you get off it, it refuses to go past a certain speed limit (in fact, almost pushing you off of it after you reach a certain point), and it can stop on a dime.

After using it for a couple hours and after reading a couple reviews here, I have to agree- the segway isn't really intended for more than an expensive toy. It's not comparable to a mopeg or a bike. Our tour was about two hours and half long and at the end of it, my battery was almost at its end. We only went around the Lakefront and to Millenium Park and back to the Adler Planeterium, a mere area of a couple miles. And our batteries were dangerously low. The only way I can see myself using a Segway in an every day environment is if I happened to live like ten minutes from work. Past that, and the segway is pretty much a waste. It would take too long to charge and too expensive to replace the battery for it to be cost-effective. I could take a bus, train, or even bike to a destination for cheaper and faster.

This is not a rip on the Segway technology. I just think the machine isn't made to be very functional. On our ride around the parks, I noticed how poorly it performed on uneven ground (gravel, water, grass). Every little bump was almost a thud when I crossed them. I had to be watch out for cracks and crevices when riding it. Things I wouldn't have done if I was riding a bike. This is all based on my experience with the iSeries. I haven't used the rugged version of the Segway and can imagine it would be better but at a thousand more, it's kinda a moot point.

Overall, I'm glad I got a chance to ride a Segway. I was dying to try one. I couldn't contain the smile I had, as I zoomed past staring strangers and an embarassed girlfriend. But, I couldn't see myself buying one, even though, I work and live in downtown Chicago.

This human transporter is alright by me
Well, let me be the first to tell you that The Segway Human Transporter is a wonderful innovation. I'd been waiting a good while for a quality human transporter, and finally, I felt my waiting had paid off. This baby hit the market, I quickly dished out the 5K needed, and the transporting began. Everything was great, laziness was at an all time high, I really felt like the future was now. "Look at me and my transporter" I'd shout, then I'd turn and mumble to myself, "You fools and your walking and non-space age way of transporting." Life was peachy. Then it came, my boss, Gargon IV, said there was a dilemma on the planet Xaoton 99. I was all over it. I had my Segway transport me, (bet you didn't know it was capable of galactic transport) all the way to Xaoton, with the Segway making the trip quite comfortable and relaxing. I arrived at Xaoton and things were all messed up. I soon found myself in a sticky situation, but it was nothing that the Segway couldn't get me out of. Things got ugly. To make a long story short, the Segway overcame a highly advanced Xaotion army with highly highly evolved technology and all kinds of super high tech lazer guns. So the planet of Xaoton 99 came to peace in the end and everyone was happy

And boy was I glad that my knees didn't catch a lazer because I just wouldn't look as cool anymore on my Segway without the lower half of my legs. The Segway is an amazing improvement in human transporting, it's amazing we can look ahead to the wonderful world of hover transporters travelling warp 10. The Segway Human Transporter is a great start, now lets keep the ball rolling.
... Read more

Asin: B00007EPJ6
Subjects:  1. Computerized cart; iseries;Two-wheeled platform; ht;h t;    2. Motorcart; Motion machine ;htiseries;Standing vehicle; transport    3. segwue; sague; sigue; sigway;sigwey;thingy;transportation    4. i-167; dean; kamen; kaamen; kaman;deka; first;167;    5. invention; new;self-balancing;travel;navigate;eye167;pedestrian   

Sony MiniDV Cleaning Cassette
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $11.39
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Cleans Mini DV camcorder and VCR heads

Reviews (2)

Great! Better than the Panasonic
I bought the Panasonic one at a local store.When you open it, the instructions say don't use this to clean your heads unless your picture quality is already suffering. Yikes!

The Sony product can be used before your images start suffering.

Good for the price.
This tape is great!Don't let the price fool you.If you think that this looks cheap compared to some and won't work well, that's not correct.It cleans the video heads in a dry cleaning format very well.The reason i took 1 stars off is because you can only use the tape twice, which probably explains the cheap price, and because the tape is overpriced compared to other retailers selling it on the market on line. ... Read more

Asin: B0000632H7
Sales Rank: 57
Subjects:  1. Camcorder (Camcorders)    2. Accessories (Accessory)    3. Cleaners (Cleaner)    4. Repair Kits (Kit)   

Sony DCR-VX2100 High Definition MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $3,199.99 -- our price: Too Low To Display
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• 12x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 48x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Manual controls for shutter and exposure, Stamina Power Management, and intelligent accessory shoe
• NP-F330 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery
• Digital MiniDV Handycam camcorder with a 58mm aspherical lens and 380,000-pixel CCD

Reviews (2)

A Good Piece of Equipment with a few quirks
This camera is easy to use and makes a good quality recording. Since it is an upper end product, it does have a longer learning curve than more simple models but the effort is worth it for the added features. There are, however, a few quirks which could have been fixed to make this a much more usable piece of equipment.

The provided microphone jack is an 1/8" stereo. In my camera, at least, it is not mounted very securely. When I have an external mike connected, I had to be very careful to make sure that nothing touched it, otherwise, the sound would drop off. A friend with some tools and expertise fixed this problem but it should never have happened.

The master switch moves from off to VCR mode (up one), record to tape mode (down one) or record to stick mode (down two). It is intuitive but very easy to overshoot the mark. This can be frustrating and I cannot help but believe there is a better design that could be used.

There are a multitude of things that could be done to make the interface on this camera easier to use but it is usable as it is now.

Competition for the XL1S!
This camera is fierce competition for Canon's XL1S. It has the features you need, the Sony name, and flawless transfer. WARNING!: This is NOT for the amateur home videoer. The parameters are begging to be tweaked - just for fun. Settle for a Handycam if you're just filming Billy's soccer game. This one right here is made to be USED. Good for media students, career filmers/editors, and anyone who wants to REALLY have some interesting fun...Sony doesn't disappoint on this one. ... Read more

Asin: B0000X0VU6
Sales Rank: 1554
Subjects:  1. Camcorder (Camcorders)   

Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $499.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you thought you could only get true-to-life resolution, definitive control and stunning output from an SLR camera, check out Sony's new DSC-V1 Cyber-shot, a digital still camera that combines the control you prefer with extraordinary performance and a uniquely-compact design.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camera and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens: Famous for its superior sharpness and color accuracy, the Vario-Sonnar lens is the most advanced multi-layer optical coating system. The DSCV1 zoom lens features 8 elements in 7 groups with aspheric elements.

Optics and Resolution
A Super HAD CCD image sensor delivers massive 5.0 megapixel resolution (effective) for clear printouts at up to 20x30 inches. The 4x optical/4x Smart Zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens gives you exceptional control, providing the 35mm equivalent of 34mm-136mm. The macro focus distance is 3.9 inches, and shutter speed varies from a high of thirty seconds to a low of 1/1000 second.

Storage and Transfer
The camera stores pictures and video on Sony Memory Sticks and is compatible with Memory Stick Pro technology. It interfaces with a PC via a USB 2.0 connection.

Movie Mode
It is possible to shoot MPEG movies with audio at a resolution of 640x480 or 160x112.

More Features
A ten-second self-timer makes it easy to take shots that include the entire family, and noise-reduction technology is designed to make low-light photos less grainy. The camera also incorporates a laser to assist with auto-focusing for crisp shots.

Other features include:

• NightShot infrared system
• Manual exposure controls
• 1.5 inch LCD
• Auto daylight synchro fill flash
• Hot shoe and ACC terminal

Power and Size
The camera is powered by an included rechargeable InfoLithium NP-FC11 battery. It measures 3 15/16 by 2 9/16 by 2 1/5 inches and weighs 10.9 ounces (without batteries). The battery is charged in-camera by connecting to the included AC adapter.

What's in the Box
This camera comes with an AC adaptor, AV cable, USB cable, wrist strap, 32 MB Memory Stick, and a software CD-ROM with drivers for Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000 Professional/XP Home/Pro and Macintosh OS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0/9.1/9.2. ... Read more

Features

• 5 megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 pixels) for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 4x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom (16x total)
• Nightshot infrared feature; MPEG VX movie mode with audio recording; connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0
• Includes 32 MB Memory Stick; compatible with Memory Stick Pro media
• Powered by Lithium-Ion InfoLithium battery (NP-FC11) that is charged in-camera by connecting an A/C adapter (included)

Reviews (75)

Way past its prime
A couple of years ago this camera was a very good option given its 5MP, Carl Zeiss optics and nice zoom; however, nowadays it is just below most of the similar priced or similar featured cameras.The 5MP are no longer a big differentiator and you can probably find better overall packages from Canon and Nikon today.

Pros:
- Carl Zeiss optics.
- Night Shot capabilities.
- Convienient size.
- Infolithium battery tells you how much shooting time you have left.

Cons:
- Memory Stick Memory.Expensive and slow.You can sometimes pay a $40-$50 premium over similar sized Compact Flash or SD memories.
- Slow shooter.This is specially annoying if you are shooting kids.By the time the shot is taken, your kid's smile or special gesture is likely to be gone.
- Flash is too bright.Causes flash-lighted shots to be too bright and in many cases to get red eyes.
- Colors do not come as natural, especially in challenging light situations, such as late afternoons and some indoors situations.

For similarly priced cameras and a good combination of manual/automatic features, I strongly prefer Canon's mid range and prosumer cameras ($400-800 price range).

Excelente cámara, magníficas fotos y sorprendentes funciones
Esta es una excelente cámara digital automática.
1 La óptica de Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens es excelente, inigualable, felicitaciones a Sony por la alianza.
2 La resolución de 5 MP es más que suficiente para las fotos familiares.
3 El tamaño es muy conveniente, ya que cabe en cualquier parte
3 Los videos con sonido son espectaculares
4 La función de visión nocturna y el holograma láser son sorprendentes para una cámara tan pequeña y de gran utilidad.
5 Las baterías son muy duraderas
6 Algunas críticas que no le quitan méritos: el encuadre a través del visor es ligeramente más pequeño que el real visto por la pantalla de la cámara; las fotografías son numeradas en orden sucesivo y no incluyen la fecha en la numeración.

En pocas palabras: Excelente

I Love this camera, but you need to read the small print
Up to yesterday I was not happy with the battery in this camera. I bought it in December of 2003 and by July of 2004 the battery would not take a charge.The second battery (at $70.00) charge up to a week before Christmas and then would not charge either. I read through the reviews yesterday looking for someone with a similar problem and found none.This sent me scratching my head back to the owners manual. What I found was a message in very small print on page 10 about cleaning the DC plug on the charger or your battery won't charge. I did, and they did! I now own two very fully charged batteries. My review yesterday was 4 stars for the camera and the 5th deleated for the bad batteries. I would now like to make my review a very happy 5 stars. ... Read more

Asin: B00008O35T
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)   

Philips 46PP9302 Epic 46" Digital Widescreen HDTV-Ready TV
by Philips
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $1,599.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This 46-inch, high-definition display is capable of producing massive, detailed HDTV signal in all its glory--that's full 1080i resolution via a digital set-top box (which is not included). Progressive-scan DVD players are also prime source components for this set, which offers display format conversion to ensure that you're seeing the image the way you want to, regardless of the source. Designed to meet the demands of curved CRT faceplates, Philips' 35-point convergence brings the accuracy of digital technology for flawless convergence of red, green, and blue electron guns and a superb picture with no colored halos.

If a video image remains stationary, it can eventually burn a permanent after-image into the screen. Automatic Phosphor Aging Compensation (APAC) periodically shifts the television picture in tiny increments that are large enough to blur image retention. Active Control performs continuous picture analysis and maintains control of Automatic Digital Noise Reduction and auto sharpness. A three-line digital comb filter provides improved chroma/luminance separation over standard two-line glass comb filters for a difference you can see.

Used in conjunction with a second video source, such as a DVD player, VCR, or cable tuner, picture-in-picture lets you monitor one TV channel while you're watching another. Virtual Dolby Surround processing circuitry gives you the sensation of four-channel Dolby Pro Logic without the hassle of installing additional rear speakers. Eye Fidelity provides a choice between two scanning techniques: progressive and interlaced. Progressive scanning doubles the number of visible picture lines per field by displaying all picture frame lines at once, eliminating line flicker. Interlaced mode reduces annoying motion artifacts and helps smooth jagged lines sometimes seen on images of curved and angled surfaces. Also, the set's protective screen filter helps prevent accidental damage to the delicate front Lenticular screen. ... Read more

Features

• Picture-in-picture lets you watch two programs at once; Virtual Dolby Surround simulates Pro Logic surround from any 2 speakers
• 46-inch digital widescreen HDTV-ready TV with MultiPoint convergence; 44.5 x 52.6 x 23.5 inches (W x H x D)
• APAC (Automatic Phosphor Aging Compensation) minimizes the chance of image burn-in
• Active Control performs continuous picture analysis and controls Automatic Digital Noise Reduction and auto sharpness
• 3-line digital comb filter reduces dot-crawl

Reviews (7)

Top Choice...
After looking at multiple 40-51in. RPTV's, I purchased this Philips Model.The picture quality is outstanding, especially with Progressive DVD.The price was unbeatable for the high quality features and benefits this tv offers.The tv offers features not often found on more expensive models.I would suggest reading the entire manual and playing around with the remote to increase one's familiarity.Great picture, good looks, and a great buy for the buck!!

Exceptional HDTV and Progressive Scan DVD images
I researched RPTV's for over a year and my decision ended up coming down 2 RPTV's - the Philips 46PP9302 and the Hitachi 45F500, I looked at a number of manufacturers including Sony, JVC, RCA, Panasonic. My decision to go with the Philips was based on the extra video processing enhancments that come with this TV and the "classy" styling of this unit. As far as the picture quality goes both units provide excellent video but the Philips just seemed to provide a more stunning picture on HDTV and DVD progressive scan. The picture adjustments that can be made to tailor the picture to how "you" want it to look are seemingly endless - each input can be adjusted the way you want it. One other notable thing about the philips is the picture with satelitte - This is one of the few TV's with which the satelitte picture looks even good - and when it comes down to HDTV images it is downright amazing. One thing anyone should consider when buying a RPTV is the ability of the TV to provide some sort of screen protection from phosphor aging as I found out from my research there are some Tv's out there that have only lasted 3-4 years before the black bars wear into the screen. I have found that the 4.3 format is what I am using the most to view programming from satelitte so you get the black bars on either side of the screen so the black bar burn in could be a potential problem. The Philips auto format screen sizing is also one of the best available and not many of the RPTV's I looked at even had anything auto period! - you had to use the remote to fill the screen and the resulting picture was quite unporportional. Another deciding factor with purchasing this TV was the dealer I bought it from offerd me an additional 2 years parts and labor warranty as his comment was " We have very few problems with any of the Philips TV's we sell and that's why we offer the extra 2 years" . On the downside , (if any) this television as with most RPTVS is the viewing angle - it is very location sensitive - you need to view it sitting down and not to far off center - I have found that about 8-12 ft out and no more than 3-6 ft off center on either side is about maximum.
A highly recommemded HDTV RPTV.

Mw

Out-of-box home theater--great!
Spectacular picture, spectacular sound, at least when coupled
with high-res DVDs (which is what I bought this for).EGL
delivery service is well worth the extra charge too; in my case
they got a little confused about which of their stations was
closest to me, but I live in the boonies...and they were quick
to correct the problem when I contacted them by phone. ... Read more

Asin: B000066R5O
Subjects:  1. Big Screen    2. HDTV (HDTVs)    3. High Definition Television    4. 46p9302, 469302, phillips, 46-9302    5. 46-pp9302, 46 inch, wide screen, epic tv    6. theaterwide, theater wide, hd television    7. hd-tv, hi def, high definition, digital television    8. 46pp, 46pp93, 46-pp93, 46pp-93    9. Television (Televisions, TV, T.V., TVs)    10. Projection   

ReplayTV RTV4532 320-Hour Digital Video Recorder
by Replay Tv
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A ReplayTV DVR (digital video recorder) makes it simple to record favorite shows without the complicated programming requirements of VCRs and without videotape hassles. The result? You are freed from set TV schedules, and you watch what you want, when you want. ReplayTV connects nightly to the ReplayTV service to download the latest channel guide information. You use this intuitive channel guide and main menu to follow simple--and in many cases, one-button--prompts. Because ReplayTV uses digital recording to store live television on a hard drive as you're watching, you'll also be able to control live TV. You can pause live TV to take a telephone call, rewind to see a scene again, use instant replay to jump back seven seconds, or watch a scene in slow motion.

With the ReplayTV RTV4532, you can connect to the ReplayTV service through a high-speed broadband Internet connection or an analog mode. And regardless of how you connect, you'll enjoy all the benefits this DVR offers, including one-button recording of favorite shows and the option to watch recorded shows without commercials. Plus, you get up to 320 hours--more than 13 straight days--of storage capacity. If you forget to program the receiver to record a show before leaving for vacation, no worries--access your ReplayTV over the Web and program it from anywhere.

If you connect to the ReplayTV service through a high-speed broadband Internet connection, you'll be able to share recorded programs with friends and family who have ReplayTV 4500-series components. And, if you have a home network, it's easy to connect a ReplayTV and stream video from room to room between multiple ReplayTVs, or share digital photos between a PC and a ReplayTV. With two ReplayTV 4500-series models in a home connected via the unit's Ethernet port, you can watch recorded programs stored on either unit.

So, if you're using the upstairs ReplayTV 4500 unit and you want to watch a program that was recorded on the downstairs unit, no problem--just select it. Other features include commercial advance, show organizer, conflict resolver, progressive-scan output, digital-audio output, and a backlit remote control.

What's in the Box
ReplayTV unit, 1 RF coaxial cable, 1 composite-video/stereo analog audio cable, 1 S-video cable, 1 serial cable, 1 IR blaster cable, a 9- to 15-pin adapter, an RJH to 9-pin adapter, 1 Ethernet cable, a user's manual, an information card, a quick-setup guide, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• 320-hour digital video recorder; lets you pause live-action TV shows and enjoy high-quality slow-motion and fast-forward effects
• Networking ability lets you send programs to other 4500 Series users
• Skip past annoying ads with Commercial Advance feature
• Requires ReplayTV subscription: $12.95 per month or a 1-time service-activation fee of $299
• Measures 16.9 x 3.5 x 13.9 inches (W x H x D)

Reviews (29)

Check out Digital Networks Better Business Bureau rating.
Unsatisfactory. Do not buy the lifetime subscription. Do not buy the product unless you don't mind awful customer service. I have had two models (RTV3030 and RTV5504). The hard drives will fail. You will need technical support. Here is what you can look forward to.

Their customer support office is closed during the very time when someone is likely to encounter a problem or want to activate a new system. Their hours are from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Pacific time with no weekend or holiday hours. If a customer turns on his TV on a Friday night and discovers a problem with the ReplayTV unit he must wait until Monday and call during hours when he is likely at work and not able to be in front of the device. Tivo, their competitor offers support 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM including weekends.

The customer must pay long distance charges for the 20 - 30 minutes they wait on line for a representative due to higher than normal call volume. It is ALWAYS higher than normal and they discontinued the toll free number.

The consumer must pay $60 for "warranty" service. The warranty covers parts but not labor. If your device needs repair you must:

1.Actually reach a technical service representative.
2.Follow all of the troubleshooting steps he has been trained to walk you through.
3.Have him determine that it is a defect in the device.
4.Agree to pay $59.95 for warranty repair (refurbished replacement) and give credit card information.
5.Wait for 24 to 48 hours for an email from a different department with return authorization and address. (After they charge your card)
6.Call to find out why you never received it. (I was told by a representative that this is not an individual experience.)
7.Box the unit according to instructions.
8.Ship at your own expense.
9.Wait for weeks.
10.Go to the tracking web page to find out that that your RMA number cannot be found.
11.Wait until office hours again to call to find out why. ( I will need to complete the steps later as this as far as I have gotten.)

Not perfect but better than 4 Stars!
Commercial Advance - *
Watching Baseball games in half the time - *
Never missing Eastender (for my wife) - * (at least until BBC America make it disappear / go to pay per view)
Pause live TV when the kids want to show you something - *
Watch something recorded whilst recording - *

See - more than 4 stars.

Downside - sometimes shuts recordings off "early" - and I haven't found a way of recording + 1H apart from making a manual recording.

The blue light on the front is too bright.

Largest capacity PVR on the market
If you ask anyone that's owned a ReplayTV or a Tivo, they will tell you that they never want to go back to TV without one. The 4532 is just more of a good thing. While it's rated at 320hrs. of recorded material, nobody I know watches on low resolution, which is the reason to own a large capacity unit. When run at medium quality setting, you are down to 160hrs, and increasing to highest quality reduces that even further. For us, an 80hr unit is plenty, however we want all 80hrs to be of the highest video quality, hence the 4320.

Watch shows when you want to, pause to answer the phone, schedule your viewing for a week and then watch it later with no commercials. Commercial Advance allows you to skip the commercials entirely. There is also a 30 second button that allows you to step through commercials.

Nothing is perfect, and PVR's (personal video recorders) are still relatively new products on the market. There are occasional software glitches, but overally these units work very well. ReplayTV was recently bought by the parent company to Denon, a very large Japanese consumer electronics company, which should ensure it's future.

Having owned earlier ReplayTV units, the advances with the 4xxx series are nice. The 5xxx series does not have the same level of build quality, and the software is buggier. I feel like the 4320 is the best PVR on the market right now. We also own a Tivo, but we let the kids use it. The ReplayTV units have features that Tivo just doesn't have, however Tivo is a solid platform, and doesn't suffer the occasional minor software glitches the Replay units do. Casual user should steer toward Tivo, while people that want to use the networkng capability and are willing to do a bit more setup will be well rewarded by the Replay 4320.

Warranty and out of warranty repairs are handled by exchanging for a reconditioned unit. These units also carry a warranty. We have never hand to exchange one, and from what I see on the AVS forum, not many others have had to as well. ... ... Read more

Asin: B00006JQPZ

TiVo R24008A 80-Hour Digital Video Recorder
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $299.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: November 2002. The only digital video recorder with a content ranking system, Season Pass program recording, and WishList program recording.

TiVo's Series2 DVR delivers more recording capacity at a lower cost and also offers the latest in networked home entertainment. TiVo DVRs record television programming directly to a digital hard drive, eliminating the hassles of videotape. The TiVo Series2 offers up to 80 hours of recording time in TiVo's small, sleek chassis (15 inches wide by 11.5 inches deep and 3 inches high).

TiVo automatically records your favorite shows.

The TiVo DVR Series2 is compatible with virtually every television available. It also works with VCRs, TV antennas, cable systems, and satellite systems. A patented remote control simplifies program recording and controls multiple TiVos within the home (two devices can share your existing phone line). Connections include three video inputs and outputs (S-video, composite-video, and RF coaxial), one set of stereo RCA analog audio inputs, and two sets of stereo audio outputs. A standard female RJ-11 telephone jack is the channel by which the Series2 accesses the TiVo service.

TiVo subscribers can pay $12.95 per month or a one-time product lifetime fee of $299. Benefits of TiVo service include, but are not limited to, Season Pass (TiVo automatically finds and records every episode of a series all season long, even if the network schedule changes); WishList (TiVo finds and records programs that feature your favorite actor, director, team, or even topic); Smart Recording (TiVo detects lineup changes for you and suggests programs to match your interests, if desired); and Showcases (exclusive entertainment plus recording shortcuts from some of the most popular networks on TV).

Now, you through your home network you can access TiVo's Home Media Features. This services provides remote scheduling capabilities from anywhere you have Internet access; MP3 streaming from your PC to your TiVo so you can listen to music through your home theater sound system; digital image viewing from your PC so that you can create slideshows on your TV; and multiroom viewing, which allows you to connect two TiVo Series2 DVRs in your home so that you can record on one and watch on another. ... Read more

Features

• TiVo service fee is not included
• Up to 80 hours of digital audio/video recording capacity
• Works with antenna, cable, digital cable, satellite, and combinations
• Everything required for installation is supplied
• TiVo service eliminates the hassles of VCRs and timers

Reviews (198)

Must have for busy people and families
This product is great. We now have two. Transferring shows between them or to the computer is a breeze. Last Thanksgiving we had a slideshow of all of the pictures we'd taken in the last year showing on our TV in the background. This was a hit with everyone, especially with family we don't see often.

Great concept, problems with product, lots of hidden gotchas
I never had a DVR (aside from my computer) before, so when I finally managed to get my Tivo all hooked up, I was really impressed. I especially love the "Season Pass" feature which will pick out all the times your favorites program airs, and let you schedule recording for all of them in a few clicks.

But then the headaches began...

(1.) First of all, how many of us have the telephone line near our TVs? Normally, the TV and electronic gadgets are on one side of the room, and the phone is on the other - right? Tivo needs a phone line to get it's program information - at least initially. So if your house is configured like mine, be prepared to have phone line extensions strewn all across your living room while you spend up to a day downloading and installing all the program information by phone.

So of course, I almost began to drool when I read in the Manual that you can actually connect the Tivo to your local or wireless network.

(2.) Problem is, you most likely will NOT be able to connect your Tivo to your local or wireless network. I took Tivo's own approved list of hardware (direct network adapters or wireless receivers) to my local geek toy store, and bought the top recommended networking connection on the list. That didn't work, so I returned it and bought the next recommended item on Tivo's list. That didn't work either, so over the course of the next two weeks I tried three (yes, 3) more. Nothing. I finally gave up, and had to buy a long extension cord for my phone line and install it more perminent-like.

(3.) The main reason I'm here today, is because I found this page while searching for an explanation to the weird high pitched whistle noise my Tivo began making last night (after only 2 months of ownership). Turns out this is apparently an increasingly common problem - which I never heard of until today - and even more unfortunately seems to indicate that my Tivo will be totally dead in the next few days. Right now, it's literally delaying everything I do (trying to view my cable box's program guide, etc) by 30 seconds or more (the normal lag time should be around 1 or 2 seconds)

So, since I've already paid for the lifetime membership, I'm now searching for a relatively cheap way I can fix the problem myself. Do I need to replace the harddrive, the case fans, ..or what? By the way, if Tivo goes out of business, how will I get my program guide? Tivo doesn't grab the FREE TV Guide data from your cable like the no-subscription-required Panasonics can.

(4.) Oh, and also wanted to warn people about one more thing that only starts happening after you've had your Tivo for a few weeks - which is actually intentional on the part of Tivo - but which isn't mentioned anywhere in any of their manuals or documentation, for obvious reasons...

After a few weeks (if your Tivo still works), you'll start to get little on-screen pop-up alerts RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAM which stay there for atleast 30 seconds until you click it or patiently wait for it to go away. And what are these prompts? ADVERTISING which actually is made to look like a really important subscriber announcement from Tivo. Maybe it's important to THEM, but I'd rather NOT see it in the middle of my TV screen. Actually, that's yet another example of Tivo's dumb implimentation: You'll only see this advertising if you're watching live TV instead of the recorded programming... and since most people with Tivos are watching the recorded programs instead of live TV, Tivo's sponsors are paying for ads that few people will ever see... Great business ideas - yes?)

In addition to these on-screen ads which interrupt your viewing, when you go to your Tivo menu, you'll find atleast TWO links to advertisements. The really bad thing about these links in particular is that they are positioned in the place where your other normal Tivo menu options are listed. So instead of selecting your "To Do List" or upcoming recordings, you might accidently find yourself watching a series of advertisements - WHICH YOU CANNOT DELETE OR REMOVE.

OK, so that's all I have to say at this point. Seems to me that Tivo had a great idea, but terrible implimentation. I don't know about their customer service, but I probably also won't even bother, if it's going to cost me $100 to $150 to ship them back their own defective product anyway.

If I can't fix the Tivo, and I'm not in the mood to pay double-or-triple in trying to get it fixed, then it's apparently just become one nice looking but useless paperweight... to which I have a lifetime subscription.

aviod at all costs!!
I got this for christmas, my first reaction was "awesome i've wanted this for awhile now!" so me and a friend started to hook this up the other day we started at 3:30 PM we finally got it hooked up at 8:30!! yep 5 hours, and i had to drive to radio shack to buy a bigger phone cable, because we brought the tv and the tivo into the kitchen to try and hook it up there but we couldn't because we needed the digital cable box... ok fine so we started over and it still didn't work! at this point im starting to get really angry we head to radio shack and get everything we need and finally we hook it up only to find out the six button on the remote doesn't work! then i tried to fast forward threw the commercials its so slow that buy the time you did you miss half of the program your supposed to be watching!! i can go on forever about this bad product... just skip it ... Read more

Asin: B00006LIQL
Subjects:  1. r-24008A, tevo, pause tv,    2. dvr, tapeless recorder, tapeless, ti-vo, tivoe    3. R240080, 80 hr, pvr, personal video recorder    4. r24008A, 24008A, r240080, 240080    5. TiVo    6. PVR (Personal video recorder)   

Sony MDR-NC20 Noise Canceling Headphones with Foldable Headband
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $179.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Retreat to a world of music, sleep on airplanes, or focus all your attention on study materials with Sony's stereo Noise-Canceling Headphones. They fit comfortably and have soft, high-quality speakers that completely cover your ears for an all-encompassing listening experience. Unlike lower-end models, these speakers don't pinch, leak sound, or cause pain with an in-ear insert. The noise-canceling feature blocks out 70 percent of all low-frequency sound. You'll still be able to hear someone speaking directly to you, but ambient noise--papers being ruffled, the rumble of an engine--disappears almost completely. Headphones plug into a Sony Discman, Walkman, and most other portable stereos or receivers. A mini jack allows you to plug the headphones into the standard jacks in airplane armrests, which will give you much better sound than the $5 disposables will for in-flight music services and movies. Sony's Noise-Canceling Headphones fold up for easy packing in a briefcase or carry-on luggage. One AAA battery is required to operate the noise-canceling function. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features<