Seven Samurai - Criterion Collection
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Average Customer Review:
DVD (01 March, 1999)
list price: $39.95 -- our price: $29.96
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Unanimously hailed as one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of the motion picture, Seven Samurai has inspired countless films modeled after its basic premise. But Akira Kurosawa's classic 1954 action drama has never been surpassed in terms of sheer power of emotion, kinetic energy, and dynamic character development. The story is set in the 1600s, when the residents of a small Japanese village are seeking protection against repeated attacks by a band of marauding thieves. Offering mere handfuls of rice as payment, they hire seven unemployed "ronin" (masterless samurai), including a boastful swordsman (Toshiro Mifune) who is actually a farmer's son desperately seeking glory and acceptance. The samurai get acquainted with but remain distant from the villagers, knowing that their assignment may prove to be fatal. The climactic battle with the raiding thieves remains one of the most breathtaking sequences ever filmed. It's poetry in hyperactive motion and one of Kurosawa's crowning cinematic achievements.This is not a film that can be well served by any synopsis; it must be seen to be appreciated (accept nothing less than its complete 203-minute version) and belongs on the short list of any definitive home-video library. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Black & White

Reviews (318)

A masterpiece
The classic praise of this movie is true - the theme is timeless, the characters are deep, the cinemetography is groundbreaking.Somehow what gets lost is that Kurosawa just knows how to tell a good story.Everything that is built on top of that is just bonus.

Toshiro Mifune comes alive as the farmer turned Samurai, who fights for acceptance from a group he idolizes.He captures the essence of the farmer/samurai conflict in his person.

Perhaps the one mistake I made was seeing this before watching the Magnificent Seven.The great western pales in comparison to this masterpiece.

The other challenge for some is pacing.Those expecting a pure rock 'em sock 'em action flick will be disappointed.Building a masterpiece takes time.

an obscure little flick by some Japanese guy
Is there anyone who cares about movies who hasn't seen or doesn't know about this one?

The greatest action movie ever made. The greatest historical epic ever made--an epic about obscure people performing obscure deeds in an obscure little village. The first let's-assemble-a-team flick. The film that spawned more first-rate imitations and cheap knock-offs than any other Japanese art film (with Yojimbo running a close second).

Three and a half hours long and not an ounce of fat on it. Every scene--every shot!--performs three or four functions simultaneously: it moves the narrative forward, introduces or complicates a character, establishes a setting, introduces themes or motifs, clarifies and develops important points, etc. The directorial virtuosity on display here is awe-inspiring (it rivals Citizen Kane in its cinematic ingenuity). Take for example my favorite scene, the one that introduces the three main characters, the wise leader Kambei, the admiring young Katsushiro, and the swaggering oaf "Kikuchiyo". There is hardly a word spoken in this scene, yet the characters of these three men are indelibly established in the briefest of glimpses, all while keeping the audience in suspense as to how, or whether, an infant will be rescued from a crazed, panicky thief who has taken it hostage. Note the brilliant, subtle manipulation of time in this scene (it ends with a dramatic slow-motion death, a move that Sam Peckinpah later ripped off and built an entire career around). And that's just one of dozens of equally remarkable scenes in the film. The cinematography is gorgeous, too--a rich, silvery black-and-white with dazzlingly sharp deep-focus landscapes, interiors, and portraits. Freeze the film at practically any frame and you've got an Ansel Adams photograph.

Criterion has done a nice job of transferring the film to DVD. The images are crisp and clear, marred only by some tiny scratches. (Criterion has never matched the amazing transfer job it did with Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress.) Contrary to what some Amazon reviewers believe, the movie is presented here in its original aspect ratio: Kurosawa did not make a widescreen film until 1957, three years after he made Seven Samurai. Extras include an interesting commentary by foreign-film distributor Michael Jeck, who gives detailed histories of the various actors who appear in the film and discusses some of the cinematic techniques that make Seven Samurai so effective and affecting.

On second thought, don't waste your time and money on this dismal little dud. Buy the deluxe super-bit two-disc collector's edition of Martin Brest's awesome Gigli instead.

Brilliant, but not my all time favorite
What is there to say about "Seven Samurai" that hasn't already been said a thousand times? I surely can't think of anything that hasn't become movie review cliche. Let the cliches begin: It's a singular masterpiece that is considered to be one of the most important films of all time and Akira Kurosawa has influenced generations of film makers such as George Lucas, Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese and a host of others. Okay, end cliches (even though they are true). My take on this movie is that it has an outstanding plot (which "The Magnificant Seven" would later transpose it into a Western medium), is full of many wonderful characters, particularly Kikuchiyo, played by the amazing Toshiro Mifune, and Kambei, played by the great Takashi Shimura, and is a fun combination of action and character driven moments. Personally, I prefer Kurosawa's non-samurai masterpiece, "Red Beard," also starring the excellent Toshiro Mifune, for it's depth of story and character, but this preference does not infer that "Seven Samurai" is anything less than the great film that it is. I recommend "Seven Samurai" without reservation, particularly for those willing to take a 207 minute expediation that is well worth every minute. Criterion Collection DVD's are notoriously expensive but they often provide a wealth of extras. Sadly, the "Seven Samurai" is not as repleat with extras as later Criterion Collection DVD's but the commentary by Japanese film expert Michael Jeck is still worth listening to. ... Read more

Asin: 0780020685
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Japanese   

Tigana
by Guy Gavriel Kay
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 December, 1999)
list price: $17.95 -- our price: $12.21
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (171)

Imagine If You Will...
A story of a country that has been wiped out, extinguished. The leader of the invasion lost his son during the battle and in his rage cast a spell, striking the very name and every memory of that country from the entire population of the rest of the world. The only ones who can remember it are those who were born there and managed to escape the wizards wrath.

Now let's pretend that you live in America and one day Canada comes swooping in and annihilates the US. Then they re-name the country Lower Canada. And no one in the world even remembers that the US ever existed but you and a handful of survivors.

Ok so Canada's not invading any time soon, I love my Northern Cousins but I think it helps understand the passion of the characters to get their name back. Something so simple as a NAME. It's that singular goal that keeps the story pushing ever forward.

I really loved this story on so many levels, it may start off a bit confusing. You're in the mind of a character who doesn't have much of a clue about what's really going on around him so as a result you only begin to understand when he does. Don't get discouraged though it all busts wide open about 50 or so pages in. From there it doesn't let up.
I hope this was helpful.

Quality, quality, quality.
I am reading it for the third time.I don't read many books for a second time, there are too many books out there to be read.

It is as good on this reading as it was on the first.

A rich, evocative, nostalgic, emotional novel, full of plot and sub plot and detail.Charged with mystery and ritual, it is what good fantasy fiction should be.

This is a masterpiece in every way.

Great book, but...
As everyone else here has already laid down their reasons for why they LOVE this book, I don't think I need to go into too much detail.Kay is able to amazingly create complex, wonderful worlds for his characters to grow and interact in.It is easy to be left in awe of the complexity and detail that he must have in his mind, down to even the tiniest details of people's customs (like closing four fingers over the thumb on the left hand three times to make a wish come true).

That said, I think that the book is deficient in one area.This is the second Kay book I read, after Lions of Al-Rassan.I liked Lions better for one main reason- the characters.In Tigana, there are, in my opinion, too many characters.Kay seems unable to decide exactly which ones should be the "main" characters.And therefore, switching from one person's point of view to another person's several times during the story makes it difficult to give any *one* character any great depth.The only character I really felt like I "knew" at the end was Devin.And maybe Alassan or Dianora.Devin because much of the book is through his point of view, and Alassan because you learn about him through the other characters.Most of the other ones seem fairly one-dimensional to me, especially when compared to the very rich characters (of which there are only about four) in Lions of Al-Rassan.It was hard to really care deeply for some of the characters, or to feel any sort of connection with them, when you really haven't gotten to know them throughout the book.For that reason, I rank Tigana below Lions of Al-Rassan, though the storyline itself is on the same level. ... Read more

Isbn: 0451457765
Sales Rank: 34000
Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Fantasy - Epic    3. Fantasy - General    4. Fantasy fiction    5. Fiction    6. Fiction - Fantasy   

English Settlement
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

English Settlement is a watershed work for XTC that provides a valuable link between the band they had been (caustic, high pitched, and quirky) and the band they became (sublime, pastoral, and still undeniably quirky). It reveals a band in transition, coming only months before swearing off touring, due to Andy Partridge's stage fright, and the subsequent departure of drummer Terry Chambers. Despite the internal hemorrhaging, or perhaps because of it, XTC produced their finest record. English Settlement deals largely with the horrors of modern life and ordinary people's attempts to make sense of it all. Racism, violence, and the senseless proliferation of weapons are ingeniously examined in songs such as "Runaways," "No Thugs in Our House," and "Melt the Guns." The record's finest moment, however, plays against these horrors with "Senses Working Overtime," a pastoral piece celebrating life and all its simple wonders--the beautiful as well as the commonplace. With its majestic, sweeping chorus and hilarious lyrics, "Senses" laid the groundwork for XTC's '80s sound and established Andy Partridge alongside Elvis Costello as one of England's premier songwriters. The album also features two of bassist Colin Moulding's finest compositions: the frenetic "English Roundabout," which builds the narrator's disgruntlement with a delirious, staccato guitar attack, and "Ball and Chain," a compelling plea for landmark conservation that would have fit flawlessly on the Kinks' reactionary manifesto, The Village Green Preservation Society. This was the last time XTC would record as a bona fide rock quartet and it presents the band at the height of its playful glory as they enthusiastically trip down a fertile new path into uncharted territory. --Paul Ducey ... Read more

Reviews (48)

I believe this to be XTC's best effort
This is the only XTC CD I own. I'm reasonably familiar with their others works, but this one, English Settlement, is by far their best effort.

Certainly, they have a unique style, especially in the area of singing. This CD could potentially irritate the heck out of you; so, buyer beware. You may want to listen to some of their songs, prior to purchasing this CD. If you like what you hear, this is the CD to buy.

Their songs have a focus not commonly found in rock music; i.e. family issues and the seemingly mundane aspects of everyday life. The lyrics are very adult oriented; it's refreshing. I'm especially partial to the song, No Thugs in Our House. I appreciate it more as a parent than I did years ago when I was a teenager.

Initially, I gave this CD a rating of 4 stars; however, I must admit that twenty years after first owning this recording on vinyl, I special ordered the CD because I missed listening to some of the songs. Ergo, I give it 5 stars. In a lot of ways, this CD is timeless.

It's unique. It belongs in every serious musician's collection.

XTC.....some good songs, but Partridge gets on your nerves.
I have to take this album a few songs at a time, because who can really tolerate Andy Partridges singing style for more than 2 or 3 songs?That whiny English balderdash or whatever you want to call it.It's irritating.Too bad, because there are some very good songs on this album.Ball and Chain and Senses, he does the least whining, and guess what?Those are the best ones.

Just a transitional affair..a CLASSIC transitional affair!!
"English Settlement" is a major transitional album in which XTC move from a raw, punky sound into a more pastoral, intricate, earthy sound. It's a nice mixture of both of those sounds.

From the lush, labrynthine opener "Runaways" to the wintry, sugar-sweet pop of "Snowman", this is a lengthy, adventurous album that really pays off.

The big hit was "Senses Working Overtime", which manages to combine bizarre medieval chanting/accoustic plucked verses with a 'Sesame Street meets The Beatles' celebratory pop chorus into something incredibly good.

"All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)" is arguably Andy Partridge's best lyrical contribution ever, delivering some profound metaphorical statements about life ("Life's like a firework, you're only lit once, and you must stand and radiate correctly"). Bittersweet, wistful, and beautiful.

Other great songs on the first half include the raucous "No Thugs In Our House", the catchy pop/rock of "Ball & Chain", the spanish/classical accoustic "Yacht Dance" (which has some intricate 12-string finger picking), and the lush, nautical-prog rock voyage "Jason and the Argonauts".

The second half of the album has more of an earthy feel, with a doses of ska ("Melt the Guns", "Down in the Cockpit"), African/tribal beat ("It's Nearly Africa"), and reggae-pop ("Knuckle Down").

Then there's "Fly on the Wall", a fun little rocker with a buzzy bee synth. And "English Roundabout" is like Yes or ELP trying to do ska. It's like, "Ok, this ska sound is nice, but what if we did this in 5/4 time? And added a harpsichord?". Great tune though.

If you're not familiar with XTC, get familiar with them *now*. This is a good place to start, as it contains both links to XTC's past (artsy punk) and their future (artsy pop).

Best Songs: Senses Working Overtime, Jason & the Argonauts, All of a Sudden, Melt the Guns, English Roundabout, Snowman. ... Read more

Asin: B000000OMT
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Canon PowerShot S20 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $699.99
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Editorial Review

The Canon PowerShot S20 is one of the smallest 3.3-megapixel digital cameras in its class. Its half-inch 3.34-megapixel charge-coupled device (CCD) creates full-color and B&W high-resolution images up to 2,048 x 1,436 pixels.It offers a 2x optical zoom lens and a range of shooting modes.The zoom can be enhanced at the touch of a button with a digital teleconverter (2x/4x) for seamless zooming up to 8x.

The PowerShot S20 features an extremely compact design that is only 4.1 inches long, 2.7 inches high, and 1.3 inches wide.In addition, the PowerShot S20 weighs just 9.5 ounces. Despite its small size, this camera features large easy-to-control buttons. You can take one digital picture after another.With IC signal processing, the camera speeds up the interval between shots to 2 seconds.It also stores and plays back images eight times faster than previous digital cameras. It has complete USB compatibility.Cables are supplied for transferring images to your Mac or PC with either a serial or USB port.You can record at three levels of JPEG compression: superfine, fine, and normal. The camera is compatible with JFIF and CIFF file formats.

The centrally located mode dial makes perfect shots easy.It offers five shooting modes--auto, manual, image (landscape, night scene, B&W, slow shutter, and high-speed shutter), stitch assist, and flash.With these modes you have the flexibility to get great shots at any time of day and in any kind of weather.The PowerShot S20 also offers red-eye reduction, a self-timer, and continuous shooting.

The Canon PowerShot S20 uses CompactFlash type I and II memory cards and also supports IBM's 340 MB Microdrive, capable of storing the equivalent of 10 rolls of pictures at a time.The PowerShot S20 comes with a comprehensive software package that is fully compatible with PC and Macintosh computers.It includes Adobe PhotoDeluxe ZoomBrowser EX, PowerShot Browser, Time Tunnel, SlideShowMaker, PhotoStitch, PhotoRecord, and PhotoAlbum for both Mac OS and Windows.The package includes a wrist strap, a video cable, interface cables, a lithium battery, an 8 MB CompactFlash card, a case for the CompactFlash card, and a user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• Smallest 3-megapixel zoom camera available
• 3.3 megapixel sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality prints at 8 x 10 and beyond
• 2x optical plus 4x digital Canon autofocus zoom lens
• Uses Type I or II CF cards, including Microdrive; Included 16 MB card holds 31 images at default resolution
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port; uses 2CR5 disposable lithium battery (included) or optional rechargeable battery kit

Reviews (38)

Poor quality and terrible customer service
If possible, I would have given the camara some negative stars.

I was glad when I first got the camera. But it did not function at all after I used the camera for less than 10 times within a year. I called customer service and was told to send it back to factory. I was told I would be charged about $160 to fix the camera. I asked what the problem was and was told they did not know what the exact problem was until they took the camera apart and gave a close check!

If you want to find a reliable digital camera, try some other brand but not canon.

Good camera after getting around a few weak points.
I have one of these in my glove box and use it all the time. My other Camera is a G2 and admit the G2 is far better than the S20. As most will agree the battery is flat too soon to trust for more than 20 mins. I've built some Li-ion batteries for this camera and solved the problem. I now can run almost 3hrs. beforea charge in needed. Canon made a big mistake powering this with 5 AAA Ni-MH cells, should have been the Li-ion's like my G2. The G2 goes forever on a charge and the Li-ion batteries hold a solid charge with a very low rate of static dicharge.
The S20 is still a valid camera in my bag and many of my local news photos are shots taken with my S20. Its been a solid kick around digital thats hit the floor many more times than any plastic model could ever take, and if its too heavy for some then I guess you'd be crying about why Canon made the case out of plastic. Yes I have dents in my S20 but the case is why my S20 has lasted the many miles and bumps it has. OK so the S20 is a basic camera in todays market but as a used 3.3MP (Amazon's, header incorrectly states 3.2)
Digital its been time and road tested to be an Excelent example.

Everything Wrong!
Bought it 2 years ago for $$$ and $$$$ for battery pack.
POSITIVE:
NONE!

NEGATIVE:
1. OVER PRICE.
2. TERRIBLE PICTURES.
3. BATTERY ONLY LAST 20 TO 30 MINUTES (40 PICTURES).
4. 2X ZOOM ?? CAN'T DO A THING!!
5. NO UNDERWATER CASE

MUST BE BLIND TO SAY IT IS A GOOD CAMERA!
SKIP IT! NOT WORTH A DIME!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00004TCTK
Subjects:  1. S 20    2. Digital Camera (Cameras)    3. Photograph (Photography)   

Sharp DV-L70U 7" Portable DVD Player
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $999.99
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Editorial Review

Give Sharp's new portable DVD player some bonus frequent flyer miles, book a flight to anywhere and watch this Moviegoer soar. The DV-L70U is ideal for long airline flights, since you can play both DVDs and music CDs--for free! It's also a great pacifier for anxious kids on highway journeys.

About the size of two DVD cases stacked on top of one another, the DV-L70U Moviegoer weighs just over two pounds with the supplied lithium battery pack, making it lighter than competing models. With a 7-inch diagonal, 16:9 aspect-ratio screen, the Moviegoer also offers one of the largest portable DVD pictures currently available.

The L70U's liquid crystal display is extremely impressive; it offers good brightness and contrast levels (even in high-ambient light) and we found absolutely no anomalies such as dead pixels. The DV-L70U exhibited a minimal amount of hotspotting--a common problem with LCD technology, where the lower-middle portion of the screen appears washed out. Although some grays appear slightly blue, colors remain faithful overall; flesh tones and outdoor scenes look natural instead of pink and neon green. In fact, the Moviegoer's vivid images seem to expand the 7-inch diagonal screen size instead of diminishing it.

The rechargeable lithium battery pack snaps into place and connects to the player via a short, pin-connector cable. An onscreen icon flashes when the battery is low. Sharp estimates the battery will last for up to three hours before it needs recharging. With the supplied AC adapter, you can recharge the unit in about five hours. The AC adapter allows you to play movies on the DV-L70U, which is useful if you want to watch DVDs in a hotel room. You can also connect the DV-L70U to a TV monitor and use it as a standalone DVD player.

Sharp supplies all the necessary audio-video (AV) cables, except the digital-audio optical link that's necessary to connect the DV-L70U to an outboard processor with DTS or Dolby Digital decoding. You can use the AV jacks for outputting and inputting audio-video signals. This enables you to use the LCD screen as a monitor to display images from a camcorder--or even a VCR.

The layout of the DV-L70U's features is very intuitive; its basic functions--play, stop, skip, and arrow buttons for navigating DVD menus--reside on top of the panel to the right of the disc-loading well. You can access additional functions, such as zoom, virtual sound, subtitle on/off, as well as disc programming features, from the supplied remote control. You can also get to basic features from an onscreen graphical user interface (GUI), but we found the GUI to be more cumbersome than the remote or panel buttons.

Our only other minor complaint concerns the Moviegoer's aesthetics. Although the faux brushed-aluminum design is very appealing, it reflects light back onto the LCD screen, particularly in the dark, which diminishes picture quality. We'd prefer a flat-black coating on the inside of the player.

Soundwise, the dual front speakers below the screen are merely adequate. However, since portable DVD players lend themselves to solitary viewing, most users will use headphones. We recommend that you purchase a high-quality set. We also strongly recommend that you purchase a carrying case, given the cost and delicacy of the liquid crystal display.

With an excellent set of headphones, a comfortable seat, and low ambient light, you may find yourself glued to the beautiful 7-inch LCD screen of Sharp's DV-L70U Moviegoer DVD player. --Eric Gill

Pros:

• Very impressive picture quality
• Extremely compact and lightweight
• Automatic anti-skip buffer
• Doubles as a stand-alone DVD player

Cons:

• Brushed-aluminum design reflects light onto screen
• Mediocre sound quality from built-in speakers

... Read more

Features

• 3-hour rechargeable lithium battery pack
• 7-inch diagonal widescreen liquid crystal display
• Built-in speakers and headphone jack
• Digital output for DTS and Dolby Digital processors
• Multiple aspect-ratio modes

Reviews (40)

great portable dvd player
I purchased this player over a year ago and have used it constantly with no problems. People marvel at the outstanding picture and ease of operation. I cant say enough about this player except get one,compare it to others and you will see my point of view.

Great Player
My boyfriend gave me this for my birthday and by far it is one of the best presents ever!The picture, sound and overall quality of this player is incredible.You forget that you are only watching a 7 inch screen!I highly recommend this product!

my favorite toy
There are not enough words for me to describe how much i love this device. But like everything in the world there are pros and cons of having anything no matter how much you pay for it.

cons: This baby will heat up pretty bad with the portable battery. I recommend watching only one movie at a time with it (about 2 hours).

pros: I can take all the fun of having a dvd player at home anywhere. it comes with audio/video outputs built into the player, a headphone outlet, and one of my favorites is the ability to adjust those hideous 2.35:1 widescreen settings. The greatest thing I love about the dvd palyer is that it is so small, and yet the sound is rich and clear as well as the picture.

This dvd player is a must buy for any electronics freak. Or if you are a big kid like me and love grown-up toys.

five star ... Read more

Asin: B00003GPVB
Subjects:  1. Digital Versatile Disc Players    2. Personal,    3. Portable, LCD, LCD screen,    4. dvl-70u, dvl70, dv-l70    5. DVL70U, DVL, 70U, L7, 0U    6. DVD Player (Digital Versatile Disc Players)    7. Portable Digital Versatile Disc Player (Personal DVD)   

Ricoh MP9060 6x4x24 CDRW & 4x DVD-Rom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $259.95
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Editorial Review

Most PCs ship with DVD-ROM drives these days, and some even come with CD-RW (rewritable) drives for recording data to CD media, but only the most expensive systems have one of each. Now Ricoh has done something unheard of by combining both DVD-ROM and a CD-RW drive into a single unit and offering it in kit form at a reasonable price.

The specifications for Ricoh's MP9060A are impressive. It reads DVDs at 4x speed and CD-ROMs at 24x speed. It also writes data to CD-R media at up to 6x speed and to CD-RW media at up to 4x speed. Some separate DVD drives and CD recorders are faster, but none combine the multimedia and backup abilities the MP9060A boasts.

The drive comes with nearly everything you need to get started, with the surprising omission of an EIDE cable to attach it to the motherboard. Ricoh must have assumed customers would use the MP9060A as a replacement for an existing drive, in which case you could use the old cable. But if you plan to use the MP9060A in a system you're building, you'll have to supply the requisite cable. In a slave configuration (the way we tested it), the MP9060A can attach to the second port on the EIDE cable already attached to the master drive, so this shouldn't be a problem.

The drive includes an audio cable in addition to mounting screws, a software CD, a blank CD-R disc, and a blank CD-RW disc. We had to move a jumper to set the drive up as a slave device on our system, and that simple step was as tough as the hardware installation. The drive installed as soon as Windows detected it, and it was operational within 10 minutes of taking it out of the box.

The only thing holding this drive back from its full potential is the bundled software. The MP9060A comes with a hobbled "lite" version of Adaptec's Easy CD Creator, which failed to copy nearly every CD we tested. We used some better software that already was installed on our system and discovered the MP9060A is an excellent and accurate CD recorder if the software is up to snuff. The included Adaptec DirectCD software, used to make a CD-RW disc act like an external hard drive, worked well.

Setting up the DVD playback software is more cumbersome that it should be, due mainly to poor documentation. We couldn't even play DVD movies until we established a regional code for the drive, which involves scrounging for a password and serial number that isn't even mentioned in the setup documentation.

After going through all that, we still received a regional coding violation when we loaded a DVD. The Cinemaster software finally let us permanently enable the proper coding, but the process was intrusive, to say the least.

Once we jumped through the requisite hoops, we were left with a great DVD-ROM drive that also happened to be able to record on CD-R and CD-RW discs. While recording to DVD media is beyond the capabilities of this drive, it still makes for a reliable backup device that is also fairly speedy for a CD-RW drive. The Cinemaster software isn't the best we've ever encountered, but when combined with the accurate abilities of the MP9060A, it was able to play a horribly mangled DVD disc that most other DVD drives can't even detect.

If you decide to buy the MP9060A, it's likely you'll soon pine for a more robust software suite and perhaps a hardware DVD decoder, so you may want to factor that into your final price. Otherwise, the MP9060A is a sturdy, quiet drive that packs more than enough functionality and build quality to justify its price tag. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• DVD and CD-RW capabilities in a single device
• Generous 2 MB buffer
• Extremely quiet operation
• Good build quality
• Front-mounted headphone jack and volume control

Cons:

• Software bundle is weak
• DVD playback would benefit from a hardware controller card
• Software setup is clumsy

... Read more

Features

• Comprehensive software package included
• CD-RW drive and DVD drive integrated in a single unit
• 24x CD read speed, 6x CD write speed, 4x CD rewrite speed, 4x DVD read speed
• IDE interface for PCs
• 2 MB memory buffer assures smooth playback even with low-quality media

Reviews (4)

Burn the player not the CD
I bought this combo CDRW/DVD player a couple of years ago and it has perform horribly.It's been a major headache since then.When I first install the CDRW/DVD player, it already had problems playing DVDs.At first, I thought it was my DVDs but when I play them on a DVD console it played them fine.
This Ricoh CDRW/DVD player "hick-ups" alot about 30 minutes into the movie. You can hear a distintive "grinding" noise from the motor to have the lazer head to re-read the skip track on DVD.The motor will spin 3 times to attempt continuous play and then gives up and stop all playback.Also, I notice that new DVDs have a copper underface compared to the older silver underface.These new DVDs do NOT work at all this MP9060 player.It has a hard time reading the disk all the time and will skip continuously.Call customer service did not help me at all and they have not called me back regarding how to solve the problem.
As a CDRW, it performs unsatisfactory but it will burn CDs if you are willing to buy alot of them to make one CD.
Save your money and go with another brand.I will never buy any Ricoh products ever.

All-In-One Device... Great Value for the Average User
If you've been waiting for CDs to be replaced by DVDs, and are starting to become a bit impatient 'cos it doesn't seem to be happening, this unit maybe just what you'll need right now during this painfully slow transition period.

CD writing ability of this drive is generally fairly good, although I did find that there was one particular major brand of CD-R which caused the drive to almost hang up, and was unable to make any sort of successful recordings on it.Otherwise, the qualities of the recordings were very consistent.However, older drives might have problems in reading CDs created by this drive.One other problem detected was the inconsistencies between the size of files to be recorded (as reported by the bundled software) and the actual size of the recordings made, which means quite often you'll find that you're unable to pack in all the files you originally planned.

DVD reading is adequate and satisfactory.As usual, the quality DVD video playback will be greatly enhanced if accompanied by a decent graphics card and/or hardware decoder.The speed of the drive should be sufficient for any DVD videos, and if there are any pauses during playback (which there weren't many at all), it is probably due to the quality of the laser pickup.

To summarise, there is nothing exciting or outstanding about this unit, but its major selling point is that it is extremely good-value for what it does, and also saves a lot of space.Be warned that the unit does heat up quite a bit while it is on (even when it's not actually recording!), although I don't think that should cause any problems.And like most multi-function-in-one devices, don't expect it will last very long.

Good Value for the Price.
If your computer beats the minimum system requirenments, you will have no problems with your DVD. The write and rewrite options work good, no bad cd's so far. For the current price, you can pretty much get the same value.This drive is optimal if you have limited bays, or just don't want to buyseperate drives. Over all, this is a good value. Works fine with the rightpc. Even though, I don't suggest buying this just for watching movies orjust for making cd's. ... Read more

Asin: B00004R7OP
Subjects:  1. DVDROM Drive, Drives    2. CDR-W, CD Burner, Burners (Compact Disc)    3. Recorder, Recorders, Recordable, Recordables, Writers, Writer    4. Rewriter, Rewriters, Rewriteable, Rewriteables    5. MP, 9060    6. DVD Drive (Digital Versatile Disc Drives)    7. Internal CDRW Drive (CD-RW, CDR-W, CD-R, CDR, Drive,Drives, Compact Disc Recordable, Recordables)   

Canon Elura Digital Camcorder
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $1,599.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Canon Elura packs a bevy of features into a small, lightweight package. In addition to offering a number of automatic and semiautomatic exposure modes, it allows for more creative or unusual shots by allowing manual control of focus, exposure, white balance, and shutter speed. Canon's optical image stabilization feature works well in conjunction with the flip-out LCD screen to allow shooting while walking or panning--without the familiar bounce and jiggle.

The LCD screen rotates 270 degrees, making it useful for the full range of camera motion. The screen also flips forward to allow for unmanned operation or to let the subjects see what's being recorded. Because it offers a color viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen, the Elura is very flexible. Its upright packaging takes some getting used to. In addition, the camera is geared to right-handed people, so lefties may have a tough time adjusting to the Elura; however, we became accustomed to it quickly.

The Elura offers seven autoexposure settings, including one low-light setting. While Canon recommends a minimum of 100 lux to operate the camera's normal modes, we found that the Elura performed well even in dim light. The low-light setting allowed the camera to operate at minimal light levels, with the expected degradation of picture quality. One remarkable thing about the Elura was its ability to focus quickly and accurately at extreme close range: the specifications say 3/8 inch, but we found that, with good lighting, it could get even closer than that without typical autofocus hunting.

The progressive scan CCD allows the Elura to offer an additional, progressive scan mode. This eliminates the flickering associated with interlaced NTSC signals and allows for higher image quality, especially on pans over high-contrast areas.

The Elura's digital effects are comparable to other cameras in its price range. One nice feature is that you can apply the digital effects during playback and keep the original recording clean. The Elura also offers a widescreen 16:9 mode, which adjusts the viewfinders to give an accurate representation of what playback on a 16:9 monitor will look like.

The Elura comes with a built-in stereo condenser microphone, and a jack allowing for a separate microphone. While there's no mount for an external light, the Elura does have a tripod mount.

This camcorder uses the MiniDV format, which lets you record digital video on an ultracompact tape. Digital video gives you extraordinary video and sound quality. The digital format allows you to take digital still pictures, just like a digital camera. If you want to download and edit your digital still images and video on a computer, however, you have to purchase a separate IEEE 1394 (Firewire) video capture card.

Pros:

• Progressive scan CCD
• Very lightweight
• Still photo capability
• High-quality digital format
• Color viewfinder
• Optical image stabilization

Cons:

• Smallish 2.5-inch display
• Somewhat awkward grip

... Read more

Features

• 2.5-inch swivel LCD screen
• Fits easily in 1 hand
• 12x optical, 48x digital zoom
• Optical image stabilizer
• Stereo PCM recording

Reviews (10)

I need Power Adapter for this product !
I need an Adapter ( power adapter) for CANON MV20 ( Canon DM-MV20E , it writes on the battery spot ). My cam is same as ELURA but the difference is that MV20 is" PAL System " and ELURA is on " NTSC System ". I guess that Power Adapter would be same for both types.If someone knows where could I find a product please let me know. Camera is perfect, no doubt.

Elura 2 problems
This has been one of the greatest cameras until...problems...And I have two of them! On fast re-wind they will sometimes destroy the tape. On both, I only re-wind on slow rewind. Now one will not accept a tape at all. I think someone rewound on fast and hurt the mechanism somehow. A call to Cannon did not admit that they have problems. Still trying to determine cost to fix...if possible.I am reading others on internet with Elura 40 which is similar and they are having problems with totally destroying the tape and $600 to repair??????

To be somewhat fair, I use mine with a helmet camera, carrying the camcorder on my chest. I have not crashed on it but it is not a perfect lifestyle. As a back-up, I bought another... Almost out of the box I had the rewind problems.I could live with those...until now! Changing brands of tapes made no difference.

I use the picture MMC side alot, but remember that it is only 2.0 megpixles and can't take much blowing up. But the pictures are e-mail friendly. The digital zoom is AWSOME!

Other than Tape problems, where you can loose everything, a great camera! 5 stars and falling fast!

Has been the best 1 CCD camera.
I do corporate & personal video production & have found the Elura to be the best 1 CCD chip video camera I have ever used.
I have used about 8 1 CCD hand held cameras & the Elura's picture quality has been the best. I have been able to flawlessly edit the Elura's video in to the video taken by my Sony VX1000, which is a 3 CCD camera.
Canon changed the construction & parts on later models, I've tried a couple, & the picture quality is not as good as the Elura's.
My latest try is the Sony DCR-PC120BT. This is the latest 1 CCD camera with the new HAD CCD. It is a good camera, the claim that the HAD CCD reduces video noise is true but the color is not as rich as the Elura's. In my experience with what people look for in video color always wins.
It's interesting that the Elura was the first to use a mechanical focusing/shutter system, others like Sony & newermodels from Canon use digital, & the claim that this would improve picture quality seems to hold true in my experience. Now the new Sony 120 is using a mechanical system.
The option of taking stills with the video camera is worthless. First of all the image quality is not good. The new Sony DCR-PC120BT has a number of new features to supposedly make the pictures good but they have terrible distortion when taken inside. Outside pics are okay but the end result is a pic that will only make a okay 4x5 print. If you go larger you loose sharpness & color. Leave the still picture taking to a still picture camera.

The Elura has proven to me to be a really good hand held video camera & worth the price. Yes it doesn't have all the features like new ones but how many people use them? When I video tape I want the focus on my subject not some strange color filter or digitized effect. I have had a couple cameras with the night vision & I have used it about 2 times.
If you want a good picture with good color the Elura is the way to go, if you want features to play with a couple of times get something newer. ... Read more

Asin: B00002JX0E
Subjects:  1. Camcorders    2. Still Zoom    3. Stereo Sound (Audio)    4. Image stabilization, stabilizer, picture    5. Camcorder (Camcorders)   

Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox (Blue)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of our biggest frustrations with MP3 players has been their limitedstorage capacity. You'll typically get 64 MB via internal memory or memorycards, which provides just a little over an hour of near CD-quality MP3 audio.So when we heard that Creative was releasing a 6 GB player that can hold over100 hours of music, it sounded perfect. Soon we'd be rifling through a massivecatalog of tunes on our little player, from Elvis Costello to LL Cool J to MilesDavis, whenever the whim struck.

The Nomad Jukebox is essentially a portable hard drive with software that willplay MP3 audio. Since hard drives include spinning and moving parts, this playeris not ideal for active MP3 users from joggers to snowboarders.

We cracked open the box, inserted the rechargeable batteries (two sets of fourAAs are included), plugged in the AC adapter, and waited the recommended 12hours for them to charge initially. This is a very important step. This was oursecond set of batteries--we didn't bother to heed Creative's initial chargingdirections when we first got the product, and our first set of batteries soonlost the capacity to be recharged.

After installing the included software (we tested the Jukebox on a Macintosh G4using SoundJam MP; for PCs, Creative includes PlayCenter 2) and connecting theUSB cable, we quickly deleted 2 GB of starter MP3 and audiobook files andstarted loading our own music. We started with about 500 songs, but noticedafter the load had finished that not all the songs made it onto the Jukebox.Also, the SoundJam software didn't like us doing any other work on our Mac G4,stalling out the load whenever we switched to another program.

We found it was best to load in smaller numbers and to keep SoundJam up as theactive application (unfortunately, not the most efficient use of computer time).The transfer rate is about 6 minutes per 100 MB, which translates to around 25songs. (So far, we've loaded 861 songs and we still have over 2.3 GB left ofstorage.)

Once music has been transferred to the Jukebox, you need to create an activeplaying list by navigating one of three lists--artists, albums, and genres--thenadding songs to the queue. (This points out the need for creating thorough ID3tags, an electronic label that can include song title, track number, year, andmore. ID3 tags can be created via the PlayCenter and SoundJam software manuallyor be imported from the online CDDB database. For more information abouttagging, see the Amazon.comMaking MP3s Guide.) Playlists canbe saved in the Jukebox, though it can be a bit tedious (there's no keyboard),and you can't add songs to an existing playlist.

The Jukebox also sports some nice additions. It has a line-in recordingcapability (using an external microphone) that records WAV files that can beadjusted for optimal (or low-end) sound quality, and it can play audiobooks.

The biggest downside to the Nomad Jukebox is its portability. As noted, it doesrun on rechargeable batteries, but they'll last far less than the advertised twohours. Also, this isn't the device to take jogging; its internal hard drive,though somewhat shock and motion resistant, just won't take that kind ofactivity. It's really made for stationary play using its included AC adapter.

It also has a few playback glitches, the biggest being that you can't fast- forward or rewind within a song. Also, there's no bookmark feature for audiobooklistening--a necessity for long files.

Ultimately, the Creative Nomad Jukebox isn't perfect and isn't suited foreveryone's MP3 needs. But it has become a staple of our gadget life--it travelswith us daily to the office and hooks in nicely into stereo systems, both athome and at friends' houses. Someday, we'll all wonder what we did without anMP3 jukebox. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• 6 GB of storage is massive--over 1,000 songs
• Several methods for selecting playlist songs (artist, album, and genre)
• Line-out for connecting to stereo systems, and line-in for recording

Cons:

• Battery power is sucked up quickly
• Prone to skipping/stalling when used in heavy activity

... Read more

Features

• MP3 Audio
• ADPCM
• Portable digital audio player with 6 GB of built-in storage (over 100 hours of CD-quality music)
• Plays MP3 files; upgradable to support other formats (such as WMA) and is SDMI compliant
• USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac
• Weighs only 14 ounces and measures the size of a portable CD player
• Comes with headphones, rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, and carrying pouch; "In the Media: ""Creative Lab's Nomad Jukebox is a monster product for the serious digital music freak."" --Pen Computing"

Reviews (100)

Dies after one song
For me, this mp3 player is great for holding all of my music-I downloaded all my Cd's and still have room for more.

My problem is this:When I unplug it from teh wall to take it out running, it plays, then dies after one song.I replaced teh rechargeable batteries, but it keeps doing the same thing.It just freezes up and I can't press any buttons.Then I have to wait until it says "shutting off, not in use" before I can try turing it back on again.

Best MP3 player for its time
When this item first came out, it was the best thing ever invented. I had it for about 8 months before I upgraded the hard drive to a 30gb. I took this thing everywhere with me (even to bed at night). It became an obsession. I purchased the car adapter kit from jukeboxaccessories.com so that I could take it along with me for long trips and listen to kiyosaki audio books.

Great when Jukeboxes were first coming out
Well, I own the original Nomad Jukebox 6GB, and I've had it for a year and a half. No lie, a year and a half, functioning. But I'm upgrading to a Nomad Jukebox 3 in a couple weeks. I'm obsessed with music. Anyways, Lets start with the main annoyance, the battery life. You can get four hours if you're really lucky, but count on three and a half. If its plugged into the wall though, you obviously wont have to worry about anything. The player itself is pretty shock-proof; I haved dropped it many times, and it still works to this day. It IS a bit bulky but hey it's better then carrying around 150 CD's. You will have to restart it alot, especially when the batteries get low. Don't even bother with that stupid reset pin, just yank out the batteries. The sound is more than great, I can definetly give it that. People shouldn't complain about the headphones supplied with it, because honestly; who actually USES stock headphones? Of course they [are bad]. The sound is nice and loud, and the presets make it even better. Navigating on the player was always pretty easy for me once I got the hang of it, and the green backlight is nice, you'd be suprised how bright it is. The Playcenter 2 thing is the only thing I have ever used so I can't complain about it. It's kind of annoying at times though, be prepared to restart your computer once in a while. As for transfer speeds, my computer is ancient so I know nothing but USB 1.1. It's pretty slow compared to a nice computer with FireWire or USB 2.0 but I usually only rip CD's so it doesnt matter. As old as this MP3 player is, people will still get incredibly jealous of you. It all depends what you're looking for. With things like the iPod and the Nomad Jukebox 3, and even that hideous looking Archos thing, this MP3 player doesnt really stand up to the competition. However it IS cheaper then most of the new jukeboxes, and if you can stand the battery life and you're on a budget then this is a great MP3 player to invest in, if you TAKE CARE OF IT! If you arent to short on cash and you're big on features, memory, and battery life then I suggest looking elsewear. The Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 is a good alternative in that case. ... Read more

Asin: B000026D6I
Subjects:  1. 6 (MB) megabytes    2. MP3    3. mp 3    4. Portable Audio    5. MP3 MP 3 Player    6. Jukebox    7. MP3 Player (MP 3)   

Sega Dreamcast Console
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $149.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Dreamcast system is, in a word, awesome. Fire up Soul Calibur, and instantly you'll appreciate that the graphics and gameplay are even better than in the arcade version. And Sonic Adventure, with its light-speed gameplay, is sure to wow even the most jaded gamer.

It's amazing that such a small machine (it's about the size of your mouse pad) can deliver such incredible performance. Chalk it up to superior engineering. Dreamcast's only downside is that it comes with only one controller and a demo disc. In order to truly take advantage of Dreamcast's capabilities, we recommend outfitting the controller with a Jump Pack and a Visual Memory Unit. Getting one or more extra controllers is also a good idea, because some of the best Dreamcast games support up to four players at once.

Why it's so cool:

• Ultramodern components: Custom-made video, audio, and processor technology blows away the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation and puts Dreamcast in the same league as PS2 and XBox.
• Integrated modem: In another video-game first, Dreamcast comes with a 56K modem. Use your regular Internet service provider and the separately sold keyboard to access e-mail, shopping, and the World Wide Web. Not only can you upload high scores, participate in chat discussions, and download updates and enhancements for your games, but, through a membership to the SegaNet Internet service provider, you can play Quake III Arena, NFL 2K1, and other games against Dreamcast owners over the Internet.
• The Visual Memory Unit (VMU): More than just a memory card, the VMU is a miniature portable game system that fits inside a controller--so its LCD screen is easily seen by you but hidden from your opponent.
• All-in-one entertainment: It plays games. It plays audio CDs. It connects to the Internet and lets you browse the Web or e-mail friends. Our note to the cost-conscious: If you have a Dreamcast system, you just don't need a separate CD player or a separate computer. Dreamcast does it all, and does it well.

--Mike Fehlauer ... Read more

Reviews (929)

Hours of good fun playing!
I bought a Dreamcast last week for (...)with more than 20 games and I'm very happy I did! Some games on it are just amazing.. I have an xbox but I love fighting games and Dreamcast has a bunch of quality ones. I can also play, nes, snes, mega drive and mames games on TV: that's just the best ! Very cool console.

Dreamcast
The release of NHL 2K2 marks the end of the Sega Dreamcast's remarkable run. While production of the Dreamcast may be over, the legacy lives on. In the dreamcasts short lived life time 248 Dreamcast titles were released. The first console to venture into online gameplay, Dreamcast has a built-in 56K modem. With 128-bit processing, 3D audio capabilities and stellar 3D graphics, your gameplay experience just got better.

When you purchase Dreamcast, you receive the Dreamcast console, 56K modem, one standard Dreamcast Controller, Stereo A/V cable, power cable, ten-meter phone cable, Internet browser CD-ROM, game sampler CD-ROM, and instruction manual.

Peak graphics performance of over three million polygons per second provided by the PowerVR 2DC graphics engine for the fastest, most sophisticated 3D graphics ever seen on a videogame console.

128-bit 3D processing power provides amazing lighting and other special effects.

Built-in 56kbps modem for the ultimate in multiplayer online gaming.

16 megabytes of memory for huge, complex game worlds.
64-voice CD-quality audio.

Four built-in controller ports for easy multi-player action.
Built-in high-speed expansion ports.

If you a collector and want the last sega console ever made then dreamcast can be had for about $40 to $20 bucks depending on where you look

a chunk of moneydown the drain
I bought it, but then I bought sonic adventure 2 after that. I turned my console on, then the screen turned pitch black. It froze. If you want to play sonic adventure or sonic adventure 2, buy a NINTENDO GAMECUBE. I know those work. This system is 6 years old. If you buy it, a big clump of money is down the drain. Now, go to the homepage and type 'gamecube' in the search bar for amazon.com and start shoppin'! ... Read more

Asin: B00000K2R4
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Hardware    3. Game Systems    4. Sega Dreamcast    5. Console   

To complete the package, KitchenAid includes a spiral-bound guide with instructions, mixing tips, and 67 recipes--from crispy waffles to a caramel walnut banana torte. --Betsy Danheim ... Read more

Features

• One-year full warranty
• 5-quart bowl with lift lever
• Includes flat beater, wire whip, dough hook, and pouring shield
• 10 mixing speeds, from "stir" to "fast whipping"
• Bowl and attachments, except wire whip, are dishwasher-safe

Asin: B00004SGG4
Subjects:  1. Kitchen Aid    2. Kitchen-aid   

Krups 867-42 Il Caffe Bistro 10-Cup Coffee/4-Cup Espresso Maker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $215.00 -- our price: $169.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

By combining a regular coffeemaker and espresso machine, this1500-watt appliance makes it possible to satisfy every coffee cravingwith a single, compact unit. Separate water tanks permit simultaneouscoffee and espresso brewing for satisfying everyone at once. Theespresso-machine side includes a steam nozzle with a foolproof frothingattachment for creating coffee drinks like cappuccino and café latté.Making espresso follows tradition: tamping the proper amount of coffeeinto a filter basket inside a filter holder, twisting the filter holderonto the machine, pouring water into the machine's boiler, and twistingthe control knob, which instantly goes from the off position to brewingespresso or frothing milk. Depending on the amount of water, up to four2-ounce cups will then be brewed into an 8-ounce glass carafe.

Making regular coffee also adheres to tradition: inserting a filterinto the filter basket, spooning in coffee, pouring water into thecoffeemaker's tank, and pressing a button. Depending on the amount ofwater, up to ten 5-ounce cups of coffee will then be brewed into a50-ounce glass carafe, which sits on a warming plate. Removing thecarafe from the warming plate pauses the brewing process for 20 secondsto accommodate a midbrew pour. A programmable digital clock/timer makesit possible to brew wake-up coffee at a selected time up to 24 hours inadvance. For safety, the machine automatically shuts off two hoursafter brewing. The machine has a bright plastic exterior, measures 13inches wide, 12 inches high, and 10 inches deep, weighs 4-3/4 pounds,and carries a one-year warranty against defects. An illustrated bookletprovides clear operating instructions. --Fred Brack

Editor's note: This item may arrive with water inside from themanufacturer's pressure test. This is a normal occurrence and doesn'tindicate a problem with the machine. ... Read more

Features

• Measures 13 by 12 by 10 inches; 1-year limited warranty, 90 days for parts and service
• Dual-purpose machine brews 10 5-ounce cups regular coffee, 4 cups espresso
• Separate water tanks permit simultaneous coffee and espresso brewing
• Steam nozzle with frothing attachment covers making cappuccino and caffe latte
• Programmable 24-hour clock/timer for "wake-up" coffee; 20-second pause for mid-brew pour

Reviews (39)

This ismy cappuccino, latte coffee dream maker machine
I call this my cappuccino, latte coffee dream maker machine.

If you are looking for a cappuccino & latte coffee maker combo this is the machine for you.The manual that comes with this machine has even picture detail to walk you through making your first cup of latte, cappuccino or just a cup of coffee.I would take the manuals advice and get familar with each item.Because if you do not you will get confused and frustrated.It took me maybe 30 minuts to make my first and after that it has been every morning a Latte on my way into work without having to stop in Starbucks.Just by their coffee (or any coffee will do) and make your own.You can even control your calorie intake by making your own with this Krups coffee maker.

I think that it is a wonderful thing to have the coffee maker making your coffee; when you are opening your eyes getting out of bed. Your coffee is already made.If you are not the Latte every morning type of person.This Kurps coffee espresso combo machine has every type of person in mine for coffee makers & coffee drinkers.

I just think that this machine is durable.The time on the clock is easy to program.The manual is easy to learn to make espresso.It is even easy to make your steamed milk and your froth that goes on top of your lattes & cappuccinos.

Now, you will need to purchase the Krups stainless still Frothing pitcher to go along with the machine.If you make as many Latte's as I will the $10.00 price for the pitcher is not bad at all.It is seperate piece.The machine will already have the measuring spoon in it.To me that is all you need.

The only thing that I do not like to do is to clean the frothing attachment.Please follow that manuals instructions.It would be a wise thing to do.

This is a wonderful machine and I LOVE MINE.

Hated it!!!
We were so excited when we bought this machine, it was a gift to ourselves and we thought we would end up saving money making our tasty coffee treats at home well.......

For the first few months it worked just fine, then it suddenly had all kinds of kinks appear. The espresso maker stopped working JUST when the warranty ran out. No steam and no espresso. The coffee maker still works but doesn't make coffee any better or worse than a cheap coffee pot. The lid on the pot broke after about 4 months. If you don't fit the pot on the heating pad just right you will have a countertop of coffee so you have to stand and watch it start to make sure that won't happen. The timer works fine but because of the aforementioned problem doesn't matter much!!

We were very disappointed overall with this machine and I really can't in good conscience recommend it at all!!!! Stay away!!! run for the hills ...seriously!

My first espresso maker, and I love it!
I got this machine about 7 months ago and had never made a single shot of espresso before. The instructions were very clear and the machine is very easy to operate. The froth attachment works very well. I have not had any problems with the espresso maker or the coffee maker. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Asin: B00004SPCV

Makita 6213DWBLE 3/8" 12-Volt Drill/Driver Kit with Flashlight
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $320.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Makita's 3/8-inch, 12-volt cordless drill/driver and flashlight set is quickly becoming a hit on the job site and with the do-it-yourself crowd. Not only does the drill hang with the top dogs in its class for torque, but, along with the flashlight, it runs off Makita's environmentally friendly, long-life NiMH batteries. Compared to standard nickel-cadmium batteries, the NiMH claims 30% longer run time and rates an impressive 2 amp hrs. This drill has a tip-up design that many folks think is more ergonomically true and easier to use overhead or at shoulder height. The drill/driver adjusts easily between its two torque settings, and the trigger-controlled variable speed remains consistent and accurate throughout the 450/1,400 rpm range. The 3/8-inch keyless chuck system holds bits securely and is easy to operate. The legendary Makita motor is geared for extended use in tough job site conditions and is designed so the brushes can be replaced easily from the outside--a handy feature you won't find with every drill/driver on the market. Comfortable to grip and engineered to last, this is a drill for any occasion. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• 12-volt battery
• Two speeds
• Reversible clutch
• Electronic speed control
• Keyless chuck

Reviews (16)

12V makita
I have been completely satisfied with this product. I have used it daily on the job, working in adverse conditions (rain, cold, heat, any combo of them) for over 6 years. Started with the standard batteries and bought a 2nd drill with the new ni mh batteries 18 months ago. All batteries still work great. Both chargers still work great. (even though the older charger won't charge the newer batteries). One drill was even dropped into a full hot tub without lasting problems.I find the 12v driver to be light enough for extended use and still powerfull enough to drive long screws.If you are only doing occaisional work, the 14.4v may suit you better. Thanks to a thief, I am going to be purchasing another cordless soon,and it will be a Makita 12v.

Nimh Batteries have terrible life
Well I bought this drill ... at Lowes, they had 3 new sets they were closing out. I ALSO bought the 14.4v De Walt with the XRP Nicd batteries. For comfort and control when driving screws the Makita felt more refined...however the batteries run down to completely empty in about 20 minutes of drilling!!!! This is totally unacceptable. I had to recharge the Makita 3 times for the one time that I've charged the DeWalt...and the DeWalt is still going strong...its a shame because the price and feel of the Makita was really nice! Anyway, I'll be returning it to keep the... DeWalt 14.4...

Uh-oh
I own a lot of Makita tools and I am an ardent supporter, but I would not recommend this tool. I have been using the 9.6 volt drill for years.It's a tank. I decided to upgrade and bought this drill based on a test in Wood magazine. I had to return 2 of them due to excessive play in the shaft the chuck is attached to.I should have heeded that warning. My drill worked fine for about a year. Then I knocked it off a 4 foot step ladder.It fell about 2½ feet into a pile of leaves and mulch. Honest!It broke. Something in the gear assembly gave out.I disassembled it. Couldn't find the broken part.There are a lot of plastic gears in there.Very disappointed. ... Read more

Asin: B00002269Y
Subjects:  1. Makita    2. (Maketa)    3. (Mikita)    4. Cordless Tools    5. (Volt)    6. (V)    7. Drill-Drivers