Nikon Coolpix 5700 5MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom
by Nikon
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $899.90
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Editorial Review

Building on the success of the amateur range of Coolpix cameras, Nikon has introduced the Coolpix 5700 in an attempt to bridge the gap between the amateur and professional markets. This time around Nikon has gone for a semicompact feel, combining an almost palm-size unit with a powerful features one would expect to find on a high-specification midrange digital camera.

The swiveling, swing-out screen on the Coolpix 5700 makes it easier to frame self-portrait, overhead, and floor-level shots.

The Coolpix 5700 comes equipped with an automatic pop-up flash, plus a hot-shoe for additional flash units. The bundled NikonView 5 browser software makes it simple to download, organize, and print images. The package includes a lens cap, camera strap, 16 MB CompactFlash card, AV cable, USB cable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and battery charger. It is compatible with CompactFlash memory cards (Type I or II), as well as IBM Microdrives.

The 5700 allows the use of the viewfinder or the LCD monitor (which rotates through 180 degrees after it's opened out) for framing a picture, providing full freedom of movement and allowing you to capture a picture at any angle--no matter how obtuse. Zoom capability has been increased on the 5700, and the camera features an impressive 8x optical zoom, the results from which are good at all levels and distances. Supporting a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 (4.91 megapixels), an ISO range of 100 to 800, and a top shutter speed of 1/4,000, this camera is definitely a good all-rounder, providing you with great flexibility under different conditions.

The 5700 performs admirably, producing results way above expectation. Color balance is good, and the overall results are of a very high quality. We did have a middling complaint about its size, which actually feels a bit on the small size. With an extra couple of centimeters added to the bodywork, the 5700 would have felt much easier to handle and control in everyday usage. The position of the camera strap attachment also seems awkward, being as it is located on the upper right quadrant of the lens housing, making it sometimes difficult to gain a good grip when in use.

These criticisms aside, the Coolpix 5700 is bound to be another sure-fire hit for Nikon, balancing the huge 5-megapixel image size against a competitive pricepoint. For those not yet ready to move up to the professional level of 35mm digital SLRs such as the Nikon D100, the Coolpix 5700 proves to be a worthy alternative. --Elly Russell

Pros:

• Palm-sized 5-megapixel camera with a powerful feature set
• Includes sizeable 16 MB memory card--can accept IBM Microdrives
• 8x optical zoom

Cons:

• Could be slightly larger for easier handling

... Read more

Features

• 5.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,560 x 1,920 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 8x optical zoom and 4 x digital zoom for 32x total; provides an equivalent zoom range of 35mm-280mm in 35mm photography
• Includes 16 MB CompactFlash card; MicroDrive compatible
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses 1 rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery (included)

Reviews (108)

Save your money-buy the real thing
If you are looking for an entry level professional camera, save up and buy an SLR. I have had this camera for a little over a month and am ready to throw it out the window.

AUTO FOCUS PROBLEMS
The thing can't take a picture that's in focus.At one to one, out of the 958 pictures I've taken, none of them are sharp.It simply can't do it.Many subjects it can't focus at all.Its impossible to judge from the tiny monitor the true sharpness of the photo. Its not uncommon to review a batch of photos on the computer and find that half of them are completely fuzzy.

The auto focus is also extremely slow.It can take several seconds for the camera find its mark.

MANUAL FOCUS IS A JOKE
The manual focus is awkward to use.Although, that's prety much irellevant because the camera's monitor does not have enough resolution to use it.Its been suggested to me that I try bracketing the focus.Except, the point of bracketing is not to be aimlessly wasting memory, hoping that one of the shots is good.

TIGHTEST APERATURE IS 8.7

I thought I could deal with this because most of the work I do is in moderate to low light.That was a mistake.This compounds the previously mentioned Auto Focus issues.

HIGH RESOLUTION
The difference from a 35mm film scan is astounding.Its amazing to pull up a 6X9 at 300 ppi with no noise or grain.

EASY TO USE
The camera is set up like the 35mm SLR I've used for years to and have found it easy to navigate.The buttons on the side can be touched accidentally causing some minor annoyance.

CONCLUSION
If you are a casual user, this camera may be just fine for you.The focusing issues become pronounced when you are trying to achieve a specific aestetic.Perfect focus may not be that important to you eighter, especially if you print mostly to 4x6 or 5x7.Looking atthe other ratings, many people love this camera.However, the serious amateur or entry level proffesional should not waste their time and money on this camera.

For the pictures
I've had my Nikon 5700 for about nine months now. I started out with it as a complete novice, got shutter lucky, and found some beautiful shots in the camera. Over the past months I've moved from a completely automatic point-and-shoot snapper to all-manual settings. I've picked up some knowledge about the basics of photography along the way, and the ability to pop the card and see the results of a setting instantly really shortened the learning curve.

First and foremost, this camera takes absolutely beautiful photographs. Colors are bright and vibrant, and details are rendered beautifully even when printing at large sizes - you can get a 13x19" enlargement to print at about 140 dpi on an inkjet, resulting in a very "painterly" image somewhere between photograph and painting. I decided at the outset to shoot only in camera RAW mode, and so what I've gotten out of the camera is exactly what went in. If you need to re-touch in Photoshop, this is the ONLY way to do it. You can correct a surprising number of mistakes (white balance, exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation) in RAW prior to bashing the image to smithereens with Photoshop editing tools - they only work on processed, "rendered" images.

Downsides are well id'd in the reviews, but I think you can get around most of them. Battery consumption climbs closer and closer to the top of the list of negatives as you move from automated to manual operation. Tip: use manual focus. I've found that assigning manual focus to the function button on the top makes focusing easier than punching for the button on the lens barrel. There isn't anything you can do about slow memory card writes, and we're not likely to see any firmware updates to accept the faster WA cards out on the market.

I've added some filters and lenses to my rig. A good tripod is essential, and the AA battery pack, with a 15-minute charger, makes everything a lot more fun. Note that if you add Nikon lenses, you are permanently out of luck for filters - there are NO filters for the Nikon lenses and adapters that fit this camera. Luckily, there are very acceptable third-party lenses and adapters that will take UV and/or polarizing filters.

I'm no pro, don't even consider myself a photographer yet, but the folks who work with my wife don't know that. It's because of the pictures - they're gorgeous.

The more time and effort you invest in this camera, the more you'll get out of it.

slow focus, slow memory, but looks nice & it's nikon
been very disappointed with the camera. i've used to travel to 12 different countries and the pic quality is good but way too slow to capture any large files other than normal and zooms so slow that itis painful. but i am selling mine if you want to buy one. ... Read more

Asin: B000069092
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)   

Sony DCRTRV38 MiniDV 1Megapixel Camcorder with 3.5" LCD
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $999.99
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Editorial Review

Despite having a smaller and lighter design than previous models, the Sony DCR-TRV38 loses nothing in optical and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 16:9 widescreen mode, a 3.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder. It also functions as a digital still camera with 1-megapixel resolution and stores images on the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

Step-up Value
Here are two Sony features that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiate it from other models in the Sony lineup.

1.0 Megapixel Sensor: Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first to break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording and high-precision Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode). You'll be able to shoot images at 1152 x 864 pixels, for prints up to 4 x 6 inches.

Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera for video and still images, and provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The advanced HAD CCD sensor records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV38 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV38 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

You can take digital stills and record small MPEG EX movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. This is where the 1-megapixel resolution CCD shines, by creating sharp images at 1,152 by 864 pixels that are perfect for e-mail or posting to the Web.

The TRV38 features a huge 3.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. A stylus is also included for ease of use. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV38 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV38 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, stylus, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers. ... Read more

Features

• Compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 1-megapixel imaging
• 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• Large 3.5-inch touch-panel color SwivelScreen LCD display for easy access to the entire camcorder menu
• Includes 8 MB Memory Stick for still image and MPEG1 capture
• NightShot O Lux infrared system with color mode for recording in total darkness

Reviews (12)

Buy it if you want but it might stop working in 1 year
I bought this product last year. It has stopped recording video. I can't see anything in the viewfinder or screen. Absolutely nothing.

On the flip side, it did work nicely for the year when it was working though.

Just in case, you think I am disgruntled, cynical and I am writing this out of spite, please follow this link. There are many like us.

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7594-0.html?forumID=59&threadID=53316&messageID=635769

In fact, people there have filed a class action suit against Sony on this issue.

Overall, buy it if you want to. But see you on the forum above in 1 year.

Beware of Sony
My little advice - Beware of Sony. The quality has decreased over past years badly and customer service and technical support is very bad too. Not to mention the warranty plans and costs to fix things. I just owned a nice handycam DCR-TRV19 that died after one year of seldom use. Something that is obvious factory defect (since many people experience exactly the same problem) costs more than half of the camcorders price to fix at sony service. I advise you to have a look at http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6142-0.html?forumID=59&threadID=53316&messageID=1064984 and see for yourself how Sony treats their customers.
Once again, don't be blurred by pretty design. The inside is piece of crap.
Sincerely.

As good as it gets
Can't see how a camcorder could be any better unless it were bigger.Easy to use (even my wife uses this one - she never used our Panasonic).We Bought this instead of the Sony DVD Camcorder because of the Good Reviews on this and the bad ones on the Sony DVD model.So glad we bought this one.

The nightshot is awesome.Definitely buy a larger battery and extra tapes. ... Read more

Asin: B000087BXC
Subjects:  1. Camcorder (Camcorders)   

Sony VAIO PCG-GRZ630 Notebook (2.40-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $1,499.99
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Editorial Review

Lightweight and more powerful than many current desktops, the Sony Vaio PCG-RGZ630 notebook is a portable workhorse that will effectively handle all your mobile computing tasks without incapacitating your bank account.

Driven by a robust 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor and an impressive 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to a whopping 1,024 MB), the PCG-GRZ630 is ready for even the most demanding applications. The unit’s 32 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 7500C graphics chipset may have trouble smoothly rendering complex 3-D games and animations but will easily handle everything else. The most noteworthy difference between this and the pricier top-of-the-line machine in Sony’s GRZ series, the GRZ660, is DVD writing capabilities. You can’t burn DVDs with this unit, but you can use the removable DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive to watch movies, record and play audio CDs, and back up data. An integrated 40 GB hard disk is ready for your programs and frequently accessed files.

Measuring 1.8 by 12.9 by 10.7 inches, the unit is of average size. It is, however, rather lightweight at 6.9 pounds with one battery or 7.5 pounds with battery and optical drive. Sony has installed a large 15-inch XGA TFT viewing screen (1,024 x 768 resolution) and integrated stereo speakers to enhance your multimedia experience, and an 86-key QWERTY keyboard with electrostatic touchpad to help you better control your applications. Other useful amenities include a Memory Stick media slot, three USB ports, a super-fast IEEE 1394 port for data transfers from peripherals such as digital camcorders, a 56K modem for low-speed Internet and e-mail access, and a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet interface for high-speed connectivity.

The PCG-GRZ630 is preloaded with a wide variety of software, including Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Money 2003, and an impressive array of audio, video, and photo utilities. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

DON'T BUY A SONY !Stopped working after 2 years.
This Laptop stopped working after 2 years and it seems this is a regular problem with Sony computers(laptops and desktops) due to the memory slots loosening up. I paid $1500/- for this thing !
Warning ! THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY PEOPLE IN A VARIETY OF SONY COMPUTERS, SO STAY AWAY FROM SONY. EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE AWARE THAT THIS IS A INHERENT DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT THEY DO NOT OFFER FREE REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE. HENCE I'M NOT GOING TO BUY ANY SONY PRODUCT IN FUTURE. I'M GOING TO BOYCOTT SONY.

Ditto the bad reviews, subtract 5 stars from my score, =-4
I also had the bad overheating problems, happened under warranty, and after prodding with the dealer (pretty sympathetic), returned it to Sony. It did not resolve the problem, but at least it didn't cost a lot to do it.

The reason I am writing this isn't to warn you not to buy this computer (or any Sony) under any circumstances. You already should have figured this out.

I tried to upgrade memory to see if this can help the overheating problem. It didn't. What I did find out is that apparently the memory sockets are so cheap that I can only use one of them. If I use the other, I get frequent crashes, due, I suppose, to shorting of memory pins.

Seems like a bad design all the way around, and if it happened in my company, the decision maker would be out the door. With Sony, he probably got promoted.

So..... I am big on Corporate Philosophy. If a corporation designs good products and stands behind them, then I'd buy their products. If they act like Sony does, I'll never buy another one.

Join me.

Warning do not buy Sony laptops. bad design and worst servic
same problems like the other buyers that review here. Near the warranty expiration date I realized that sony have given me the turn around to delay my claim.
It turns off and it is a deffecive battery that was recalled. after the delay they said they could not replace it.
It turnes off and realize it was an addtional problem: the fan goes out after a year. It heats up in about 10 to 15minutes.
The support is via electronic system and then after one hour of trying with emails to the manufacturer was tolt to send it to service to San Francisco paying the cost and paying for the parts and repair and no warranty they will fix it permanently.
They took about two weeks to answer my emails. ... Read more

Asin: B000083GME
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)   

Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition
by Capitol
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 March, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Dark Side of the Moon, originally released in 1973, is one of those albums that is discovered anew by each generation of rock listeners. This complex, often psychedelic music works very well because Pink Floyd doesn't rush anything; the songs are mainly slow to mid-tempo, with attention paid throughout to musical texture and mood. The sound effects on songs like "On the Run," "Time" and especially "Money" (with sampled sounds of clinking coins and cash registers turned into rhythmic accompaniment) are impressive, especially when we remember that 1973 was before the advent of digital recording techniques. This is probably Pink Floyd's best-known work, and it's an excellent place to start if you're new to the band. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Features

• Hybrid SACD

Reviews (268)

Confession is good for the soul
So here I go. This album has been overplayed in my opinion. Most of the songs I'm tired of hearing except for one. That song is "Us And Them". I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that song. I remember the first time I heard the song; it was Memorial Day weekend, 1981. I was 13 at the time, and was out riding my bike it was Saturday night, and I heard this song, and I was aroused. I wanted to ride home, and ask my parents if I could ride down to the fish hatcheries by the Deleware River; there was this girl who was 14 at the time, and I wanted to go walking by the river with her. However, my father had to work from Midnight to 8:00 in the morning, and this was 10:00 at night, and about 4 miles away from my house, and so there was no way my parents would let me go. I've held onto this for 24 years, and I want to finally release this. "Pat if you're out there I want you to know that I really liked you back then. I know I showed the opposite, and I really am sorry, and regret not having told you back then."


danrh@cfl.rr.com

Buy it for the SACD, not the CD tracks
Another customer comments that this remaster does not stand up against the original Harvest UK CD issue. I have not heard that, but I do own the original US CD issue, the 20th anniversary US issue, the Mobile Fidelity gold CD, and a number of LPs, including a French pressing from a pre-Wall "complete" box set. Until I heard this, the best-sounding version I'd heard was a Japanese Mobile Fidelity pressing played on a world-class turntable in an incredible stereo system. Stunning.

It's true that the standard-CD version of the album presented here on the 30th anniversary reissue is overly compressed and hyped in the treble and not what I would call faithful to my conception of what the master tape sounds (or ought to sound) like.

But the SACD tracks! It's a completely different program. It is far and away the most lucid, dynamic incarnation I've heard, open and airy and simply *clear* beyond my dreaming. The bass tones in the opening of "Time" explode from the speakers with an authority I've heard only in listening to SACD material on terrific systems. It's not at all about *quantity* of bass. It's not boomy. There's simply an ease and richness in the sound of the bass that I can only compare to the sound of a plucked string from an electric bass guitar emanating from a great bass amp.

If you already own this album on CD and you don't have an SACD player, you may want to consider sticking with the version you have. But if you're set up to appreciate Super Audio CD and you like or think you might like this album, this disc is a must-have. Especially at this price! (And it is indeed *The* Dark Side of the Moon, contrary to what another has opined below.)

an all time classic
the dark side of the moon was amongst the greatest rock albums ever made along with the wall and this contains my favourite songs money,us and them and money.very very highly recommended.five stars. ... Read more

Asin: B00008CLOA
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Pop    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Psychedelic    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Synthesizer   

Wish You Were Here
by Capitol
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 April, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Wish You Were Here is a song cycle dedicated to Pink Floyd's original frontman, Syd Barrett, who'd flamed out years before: two grimly funny songs about the evils of the music business ("By the way, which one's Pink?"), and two long, touching ones about the band's vanished friend. The real star of the show, though, is the production: sparkling, convoluted, designed to sound deeply oh-wow under the influence--and pretty great sober too--with David Gilmour getting lots of space for his most lyrical guitar playing ever. And, though the album is big and ambitious, even bombastic, it somehow dodges being pretentious--the Barrett tributes are honest and heartfelt, beneath all the grand gestures and stereophonic trickery. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (519)

a superb floydian classic
wish you were here was amongst the best and most succesful pink floyd albums along with the wall,the dark side of the moon and meddle.this brilliant album contains classics like shine on you crazy diamond and wish you were here.hugely recommended.get all these floyd albums.

Unbelievable.
After Pink Floyd had tackled the monumental task of writing and performing one of the greatest albums ever in the form of "Dark Side of the Moon", the daunting task for the band was to provide a follow-up. "Dark Side" had been a landmark, an album so far beyond anything else that Floyd had done up to that point, it seemed as though nothing would be able to top it. This notion was only half right, although the next album does indeed fall a bit short of "Dark Side", it deserves its place in Pink Floyd's catalog as one of their three best albums (in my opinion, alongside "The Final Cut", an oddity, I realize).

Firstly, the production on "Wish You Were Here" is remarkable for its time, surpassing "Dark Side"'s smooth texture at moments like the ambience of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, as well as the title track. Gilmour's playing is also at its best, the guitar becoming more of an "instrument" (per se), as opposed to the beautiful wall of noise that was presented by the previous album. With only five tracks (and four songs), the material can seem a bit lacking, this is prior to the realization that a single song is 25 minutes, as well as the fact that the other three tracks are some of the best of Floyd's career:

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt.1) - A stellar opener, layers, layers and beautiful ambience. Gilmour's famous riff enters, and from there, the song takes the listener (who, by this time, is perferably on a mind-altering substance of some sort) on a cosmicsonic journey through textures of music. A wonderful opener. 9.5/10

Welcome to the Machine - Things get pessimistic. This song obvious had a heavy influence on the rise of synths in the 1980s,as well as featuring, if not wonderful, than at least effective lyrics and haunting guitar passages. 9/10

Have a Cigar - If this album had a weakest track, this would be it. Still unbelievable in its own right, the bass line is catchy. This is the most upbeat number on the album, but pales in comparion to the epics that are to follow. The emotion here is not as effective, but Have a Cigar still makes for a wonderful segue to the final two tracks. 8/10

Wish You Were Here - Most likely Floyd's most famous song (as well as Another Brick in the Wall Pt.2). A symphony of acoustic guitar, flowing, sensational vocals and heartfelt lyrics makes for one of Floyd's best songs, without a doubt. 9.5/10

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt.2) - Easily the best song on the album, the second part of the epic "shines" at the end of this stellar album, featuring everything that a listener could want, and some things that you may have forgotten. This song must be heard to be believed, and it likely in my top 5 Pink Floyd songs in their entire catalog. 10/10

Overall - 9/10, "Dark Side of the Moon" remains Floyd's masterpiece, but "Wish You Were Here" is a worthy successor, and ventures places that even its predecessor couldn't dream of.

Great album!
I love every song here, its one of my all time favorites. Get it! ... Read more

Asin: B000024D4S
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 December, 1997)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Though many predicted that Roger Waters's acrimonious split with the band after 1983's aptly named Final Cut would ultimately spell the end of Pink Floyd, the remaining band members confounded pundits by extending their status as classic rock's most ponderous dinosaurs into the 1990s and beyond. And if the title was a gentle jab at Waters after a years-long legal struggle over the Floyd moniker, the music was all too familiar; some would say even formulaic. And lest anyone doubted that the absence of Waters's dour soul would lighten things up a bit, guitarist and post facto leader Dave Gilmour gamely took on the Mantle of Conscience for topics ranging from the cold war ("The Dogs of War") to yuppie self-indulgence ("On the Turning Away"). And if this album sometimes evokes an uncomfortable feeling of a band on autopilot, it's one that can still turn out the likes of the anthemic "Learning to Fly" on cruise control. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (250)

terrific
I just cant understand why this great album is getting negative reviews.this is a terrific floyd album with gilmour at the helm.just listen to superb songs like learning to fly and on the turning away to appreciate the greatness of this album.hugely recommended.

Awful!
This is maybe the worst Pink Floyd album ever..."Learning to Fly" is a great song but the songs like "Sorrow" are terrible ones! This is just another piece of sc**p!

A modern day Floyd is not bad, Gilmour shines on...
Many thought with Bassist/Songwriter/Singer Roger Waters leaving the band that they were pretty much through.This album proved that they could move on and also let the genius songwriting, vocals, and guitar skills of David Gilmour Shine through.This album is truly a gem to be treasured, even for those who liked Syd Barret and Waters.It just goes to show what a great band they are and how they stand the test of time.

1. Signs Of Life
2. Learning To Fly
3. The Dogs Of War
4. One SlipListen
5. On The Turning Away
6. Yet Another Movie (6a Round And Around)
7. A New Machine (Part 1)
8. Terminal Frost
9. A New Machine (Part 2)
10. Sorrow

Signs of Life, Learning to Fly, and the epic soul searching song "one slip" are just some of the great songs you will find on this album.Title's like Yet Another Movie and A New Machine (1 & 2) and indicative of the way the band is able to move on into new material and territory without founding member Roger Waters..yet still hold true to Pink Floyds exploring musical landscape.The song "on the turning away" is a slow moving ballad that is very strong.Don't get my use of the word "ballad" mixed up with the ballads that flooded the market from the likes of Slaughter and Cinderella and other cookie cutter hair bands.This stuff cannot be topped!I strongly recommend this album!
... Read more

Asin: B000002C1W
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Compaq iPAQ 3955 Color Pocket PC
by Hewlett Packard
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $499.99
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Editorial Review

The HP iPAQ H3955 Pocket PC comes with a 400 MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB flash ROM, and a Secure Digital memory slot for additional memory.

The H3955's display is a color transflective TFT LCD, 3.78-inch, low power, 16-bit color touch screen, capable of displaying more than 65,000 colors with 240 x 320 resolution and .24 mm dot pitch.

The H3955 comes with a docking cradle (USB or serial with AC power and charging), a 400 mAh lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, a touch-sensitive display, a soft keyboard, character recognition, handwriting recognition, inking, and a voice recorder.

Programs installed on the Pocket PC include: Microsoft Windows CE, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Voice Recorder, Notes, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player (MP3), Calculator, Solitaire, Inbox (for e-mail), Microsoft Reader (eBooks), File Explorer, MSN Messenger, Terminal Services Client, VPN Client, Infrared Beaming, Clock, Align Screen, Memory, Volume Control iPAQ Task Manager, iPAQ File Store, iPAQ Backup, and iPAQ Image Viewer.

Software included on an accompanying CD-ROM includes: Microsoft ActiveSync 3.5, Pocket Outlook 2002 (e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks), Microsoft Reader (eBooks), and Conduits Peacemaker Professional.

What's in the box

• iPaQ H3955
• Docking cradle (USB or serial with AC power and charging)
• 400 mAh lithium-polymer rechargeable battery
• Touch-sensitive display
• Soft keyboard
• Character recognition
• Handwriting recognition
• Inking
• Voice recorder
• Software

... Read more

Features

• Play MP3 music or audio programs from the Web, and record and play back voice or meeting notes
• What's in the box: H3955, docking cradle, lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, touch-sensitive display, soft keyboard, character recognition, handwriting recognition, inking, voice recorder, software
• 3.78-inch, low-power, 16-bit color TFT LCD with white backlight, 240x320 resolution
• 400 MHz Intel X-Scale processor, 64 MB SDRAM
• Secure Digital Card expansion slot

Reviews (41)

Power issues
I have had my 3955 for only 16 months of relatively light usage (I do not even use it every day, as I quickly learned how rapidly the unit burns through a charge).Now, for no apparent reason, the internal battery will not hold a charge . . . fully charged off the docking station, the unit is fully discharged (and all my data and settings gone!) less than 24 hours later after the unit has not been used at all!For this kind of money, I would expect better battery life and the ability to self-install a new battery, rather than having to send the unit in for service.I will probably not purchase another iPaq unless these issues are addressed by HP.

Attractive but abysmally frustrating
Got this refurbished from Costco.Good screen etc.BUT, the power runs out every time you turn your back on it and there IS NO BACKUP (watch-type) battery.When the power runs out, you LOSE every program you ever installed, and the software walks you through an insultingly stupid nano-tutorial before you can use it again.Stupid design of the decade.Bought a stowaway keyboard for it and whenever the keyboard got near it, the Ipaq got flaky.Tonight the thing died again and I destroyed it (dead, it makes a better work of art than it ever did a PDA).Reason:I had to spend more time and effort reviving it than using it.A great concept with severely crappy reliability.

Great and awesome HandHeld PC
Words cannot even begin to describe this handheld pc.Well, I'm over exagerating a little.If you wanted to get a pocket pc, I suggest you get an Ipaq.It has the most amazing backlight and it's amazingly easy to use.There's hardly nothing that can't be done with it since it can be expanded with different kinds of expansion slots.Buy an Ipaq.

My main reason for writing this review was to actually thank the merchant that provided me her great service.Since it was too late for me to rate her using rate seller, I'll just rate her service here.I give yong2_wen2 a 5.Although I recieved the incorrect item at first, I was able to return the Ipaq and get the correct model with all shipping paid.yong2_wen2 was very responsive to every email I sent providing me with great customer service. ... Read more

Asin: B000069AT6
Subjects:  1. Hewlett Packard (Hewlett-Packard)    2. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    3. Pocket PC (PCs)    4. Hewlett-Packard (Hewlett, Packard, HP)    5. Handheld (Hand Held)    6. Compaq    7. Casio    8. Hewlett-Packard    9. (HP)    10. (Hewlet Packart)   

Apple 10 GB 2nd Generation iPod M8740LL/A
by Apple Computer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The iPod is not just for Macs anymore. Windows users can now join the iPod revolution, and enjoy several exceptional new iPod features as well. The 10 GB Windows model packs 2,000 songs and a 10-hour battery life into a stunning 6.5-ounce package, and Apple ups the ante with new MusicMatch software; a redesigned, touch-sensitive scroll wheel; red-hot FireWire digital file transfers; a wired remote control; and an overhauled calendar/scheduler.

The iPod’s setup and interface are simple: just plug it into your PC and all your songs and playlists are automatically downloaded into iPod at blazing FireWire speed--typically 15 seconds or less. (FireWire is also known to PC users as i.Link and IEEE 1394.) Don’t forget that the player also doubles as a FireWire drive for applications and other files. This new model also comes with a FireWire port cover to protect the player from dirt and other gunk.

In addition to its 10 GB hard drive, iPod has a 32 MB memory cache. The cache is made of solid-state memory, meaning that it has no moving parts, so it's not affected by movement of the device. Skip protection on the iPod works by continually preloading up to 20 minutes of music into the cache.

The iPod has a large, high-quality LCD (liquid crystal display) for viewing up to six lines of text. And the LCD features an LED (light-emitting diode) backlight for clear visibility in low-light situations--indoors or outdoors. Pocket-size and just 6.5 ounces, it weighs appreciably less than the stack of CDs it can store music from.

Featuring MusicMatch software, the iPod can synchronize with newly added music files and playlists. Simply plug the iPod back into your PC and the changes are automatically updated in seconds. With MusicMatch, you can rip MP3s, create playlists, and burn custom CDs all from one simple interface. And thanks to a cool new partnership with audible.com, you can now download audiobooks to the iPod.

You can also download your calendar and schedule to the iPod from applications like Outlook and Palm Desktop. Plus, the iPod now has a built-in digital clock.

The iPod's rechargeable lithium-polymer battery is charged using the FireWire cable when connected to your PC. You can also recharge the iPod using the included FireWire cable and AC adapter when you're on the go.

The iPod supports MP3 (up to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR (variable bit rate), WAV, and AIFF files, and is firmware upgradeable. To use the iPod with your PC, you'll need a FireWire port and you must be running either Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Home or Professional.

The unit comes with a wired remote control, revamped earbud-style headphones, a FireWire cable, power adapter, and CD-ROM with MusicMatch. It's backed by a 90-day limited warranty. ... Read more

Features

• MP3 Audio
• System requirements: PC with built-in FireWire or Windows-certified FireWire card; Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Home or Professional
• Includes wired remote control, remodeled headphones, Musicmatch Jukebox Plus software and carrying case with belt clip
• Discontinued by manufacturer, replaced by model #M8946LL/A
• FireWire interface for fastest digital transfer available; covered FireWire port
• Download audiobooks from Audible.com; keep up to date with new calendar/scheduler and built-in clock

Reviews (75)

Apple's Seeds of Joy
I take my iPod everywhere, I have had it since Christmas, it is the single most useful invention I have ever owned, I have my whole Hip-Hop collection on it. But a few weeks ago it said I only had .5 gb left and I only 800 songs on it, but after a quick reset and reload of songs (it took 5 minutes honest!) it was back to new. You should definately get a case for these, I have kept mine in a case for its whole life and it looks as good as new.

Pros: Holds all but the biggest music collections, great quality in sound and product, long battery life, great software

Cons: Occasionally crashes

For all those people that say by a cheaper mp3 player I used to have the iRiver, and I through it out of my window 1 day because it was so terrible, trust me the ipod is the best designed and for the price you are paying you get more songs.

Best There Is!!!
Just got the 10-gig I-pod Friday (picked up on sale as Apple is dropping 10-gig in favor of "mini" and "15-gig").All I can say is awesome.I never had Apple before and was skeptical.But all my fears were erased.I have a 6 month-old Compaq at home and had no problems getting the two to sync up.Literally "plug and play".Bonus is, if your Windows PC has a newer fire-wire port, it will even charge the I-pod while downloading music.I have about 250 songs (20 albums) on it right now, and using just over 2-gig.I read a lot about people having problems sync-ing their window-based PCs to I-pod.Based on my experience, I can only guess they are using older PCs (I have a pentium-4, 2.2, 256).One tip, if you're "ripping" CDs to put on your I-pod, be logged into the web.I-tunes will literally fill out all the song/track information for you (a little tid-bit I found by accident).

Nomad beats the Ipod by a Mile
I have recently got an Ipod and I thought is was the best Mp3 player until I did a lot of looking around. The Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra kicks the Ipod so much.

Pros:
1. Eax sound feature which is creatives sound card technoligy so it sounds a lot better
2. The 30gb Nomad cost $300 while the 10gb Ipod cost $400
3. built for windows. No firewire stuff.
4. better features and custmizing
5. no need to use musicmatch or anything just install software and you can put any song on it no matter where the location.
6. big screen with blue backlight.
7. Can replace rechargeable battery
8. Up to 60gb hard drive

Cons:
1. A little bigger than the Ipod ... Read more

Asin: B00006FDR5
Subjects:  1. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple    2. Portable Audio    3. MP3 MP 3 Player    4. Jukebox    5. MP3 Player (MP 3)    6. Apple    7. (Mac)    8. (Macintosh)    9. Gigabyte    10. 5GB    11. 5 GB   

Bose® Lifestyle® 12 Series II Home Theater System (White) (LS12IIWHT)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $1,699.90
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Music Center With AM/FM Tuner and Single CD Player
• Direct/Reflecting Cube Speaker Arrays
• Acoustimass Speaker Module
• Integrated System Design
• Radio Frequency Remote Control

Reviews (1)

OK, but .....
I've wanted a Lifestyle system for several years, and finally found a system for less than...(it had been returned after one day and was heavily discounted). I brought the box home, connected the wires and boxes (very easy) and sat back to enjoy great bose sound. After several months of use, I can say that the system is OK, but not worth the cost (especially if you are paying retail). First, the quality of the materials is not that good. Cables and connectors are cheap and the music center is "brushed aluminum" - which is a nice way of saying painted plastic. Second, the system lacks features that are standard in other systems costing this much. DTS is a glaring omission. The system does not have enough jacks to accept all devices you may want to attach (VCR, DVD, cassette deck, turntable (a turntable requires an additional pre-amp). You also have to buy stands/mounting brackets (will cost another $120+). On the positive side, the CD player, radio and remote work great. Operation is a snap and the documentation good. The sound is OK. Not spectacular, but not as bad as some reviewers will have you believe. Bass is a bit muddy at times and highs are clipped. But the satellite speakers are clear and produce good sound in the mid ranges. I'm 46 and my hearing is good, but not as good as it was at 26. If you're younger or have 20/20 hearing, you may want to comparison shop before buying Bose. Sound distribution and crossover are a bit disappointing. Not the "big" movie sound I was expecting. Again, you may want to compare Bose with another system before buying.
Bottom line: not a bad system, but has average sound and many little flaws and annoyances. The marketing of Bose products in stores often makes it difficult to compare with other brands. Before you spend ...plus for this system (or another Bose product), I highly recommend comparing features and sound to make sure it fits your needs and is the best buy for your money. ... Read more

Asin: B00005UV2S
Sales Rank: 117783
Subjects:  1. Home Theater System (Theatre)   

Xbox Bundle Pak with 2 Free Games: Sega GT 2002 and JSRF
by Microsoft
Average Customer Review:
Video Game
list price: $199.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This limited edition Xbox bundle includes two Sega games, Sega GT 2002 and Jet Set Radio Future--a $100 value!

Take the power and flexibility of a dedicated computer-gaming system and combine it with the easy-to-use, instant-on format of a high-end console system and what do you get? Well, if you also add in DVD playback ability and broadband Internet connectivity, you get Xbox.

The advanced components inside Xbox make it the undisputed powerhouse among current game consoles. A 733 MHz Intel main processor and 233 MHz graphics processor from industry leader nVidia deliver photorealistic graphics in real time. A cavernous hard drive stores saved games and characters, making flimsy memory sticks obsolete. The built-in Ethernet port enables super-fast multiplayer online gaming over a broadband Internet connection. Four game-controller ports allow you and three of your buddies to play at the same time, or you can use them for other peripherals such as gamepads, light guns, voice-activated headsets, and who knows what else?

But Xbox has more going for it than fancy innards. The Xbox's Windows-based operating system is a breeze to program on, earning it grateful accolades from Electronic Arts, Infogrames, THQ, and other game producers. The less time developers spend struggling with the operating system means the more time they spend tweaking gameplay, which ultimately results in better games. And games are what it's all about.

Well, games and the fun of owning a green-glowing game console that looks like it came from Darth Vader's living room. --Mike Fehlauer ... Read more

Reviews (173)

true and false
okay, you people make no sense in speaking about system's.
here's something short and simple

XBOX is like your home computer, it will have it's up's and down's.

For the most common problem with the xbox.
dvd rom:
- games freezes up
- will not start up the system properly
- DVD-rom is filled with dust.
- laser lens is broken
If you want the system to last for few years, try not to play with the system for more than 6hours, considering that some games will actually take 48 to 100 hours to finish and yes they're very addicting.

The system does over heat but mainly from the dvd rom only. Over 10,000 console have had this problem and if you surf the net, you will be able to read about people complaints on the system.

GREAT PRICE & GREAT PACKAGE!!!
This really is a great unit and a great package, even if the included games are not your favorite. The price alone makes it worth it & you can trade or sell the games that you don't like! To Cameron (below) from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; You should only apologize for your pure ignorance (that being said in every sense of the words meaning. Oh...You do own a dictionary, don't you? It's that dusty book that is sitting on your shelf of which you could not even decipher the spelling of the title).Perhaps I should ask if you can even read?! (Let's hope that your chronically unused version of a dictionary has some pictures to look at!) You really should spend more time at gaining an education instead of playing video games (of which I am quite sure you are also inept at).
You suggest that other reviewers attend a 3rd grade English class...but I must ask why you would offer them a higher level of education than yourself? You accuse the other reviews of lowering your IQ "massively" but I must ask, "Is there a massive quantity of numerical amounts below 12?" Hmmm...what can we expect from someone who spells the words 'basically' & 'helpful' wrong (i.e.: 'basicly' & 'helpfull'). Hey, I know....you should try to get bumped up to that 3rd grade English class! (After all, how many more years can you spend in 2nd grade special ed? What's that? A 'massive' amount you say?!).
By the way, had you bothered to look at who wrote the "second review", you might (with your limited mental capacity) have noticed by whom it was written...Nubia Rodriguez from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. M...E...X...I...C...O, you moron. Perhaps you might have heard of it? Or maybe even seen it in one of your "picture" books? You see, you asinine little "DOLT" (I am surprised you could spell that one right!) in Mexico they speak MEXICAN! The dear girl was doing her best to relay her feelings in a language which is not native to her. I would really like to see you on a Mexican forum, what with your grand education and all.
FYI...Mexico is located south of the United States of America....which is located south of Canada (with facetiousness I say, "We're all so proud to have geniuses such as you here"). I suggest you attend a 3rd grade geography class as well so that you can figure out which way South is. You see, you seem to possess upside down anatomy....it appears your head is located south of your hips and your ass is north of your shoulders (which would explain your review). That means your "vomit" should be wiped with toilet paper, you half-witted retard! HEY...Edmonton is really cold right now, so it's a good thing that your world contains "ass-hats" to keep your thinking cap warm.
P.S. There is no such thing as "intellectual stability" as you have written. But there is such a thing as having no intellect whatsoever....you are living proof of that.
P.P.S. "Self respect"?! What would you know about that? Try to get some and then learn to have respect for others.
P.P.P.S. Who helped you with the big words like "of" and "to"?

A good price. A good console. A poor choice of games.
First I would like to apologize on behalf of the above dolts. With no understanding of basic grammar, punctuation, spelling, and self respect, these tools have the audacity to write reviews that are barely legible let alone helpfull. Nobody has the time or patience to read filth such as the above. You people make me want to vomit. That second review; WOW! Now that made alot of sense. Not once when reading it did I detect a hint of intellectual stability. Maybe you should stop crying about people commenting that the Sony Playstation 2 is better than the X-Box, and go attend a third level english class. Because education is a wonderfull gift, but it's no X-Box(nice use of the late Mountain Dew advert huh?)

This review is not for the X-Box itself as the above ass-hats thought it should be. This review is for the listed X-Box Bundle. As advertised, and i quote; "Xbox Bundle Pak(another spelling mistake!) with 2 Free Games: Sega GT 2002 and JSRF." As you can plainly see this bundle includes two games. The above reviews, which is a stretch saying that, said nothing about these two games. I may be wrong, having lowered my IQ massively by reading that dribble, and they might have mentioned them. So basicly I am just going to say this "Bundle" is not bad when you think about it. Receiving the X-Box console and two games for a fair price is pretty good. Three stars because these are horrid games. Mindless dribble... ... Read more

Asin: B00006RH5L
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Consoles