BEST Electronics |
Apple
iPod MP3 Players + Photo
Region Free DVD Players
DVR - Digital Video Players
Copy ANY Movie
(even MACROVISION protected)
Best Laptop with Blu-ray Player
Best Portable GPS Navigation
Best HiDef TVs |
| Top Brands | Reliability | |
| Low Prices | Free Shipping | |
| Easy to use | Feature Rich |
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
 BEST 2008 Laptop
has a great 17" screen, plays Blu-ray movies and has plenty of
power for games and business applications with: Intel Core 2 Duo T5450
dual-core processor, dual 160 GB hard drives, 3 GB RAM, built in
Quad-mode Wi-Fi, and is Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium
(with Media Center capabilities); even includes a remote control.
On
Sale Now
|
|||
|
|
|||
 |
Best
2008 DVR: Since
the FCC required manufacturers to put an HD turner in new DVRs starting
late 2007 they stopped shipping them to the US market so you have
limited new choices or buy used. For now (2008)
the best option in the US is the Philips DVDR3575H/37 1080p Upscaling DVDR with Built-In Tuner (FREE shipping too) DETAILS or the Pioneer DVR-550H-S |
||
|
|
|||
Best iPod, DVR & Region FREE Models Reviewed |
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
  People are buying TV shows turned into DVD's like crazy,
no doubt due to hit shows like The Soprano's, Freinds and others. But also
for the high quality, convenience and
lack of commercials!
|
|||||||||
You have probably seen Tiger Direct on TV demonstrating various computer systems. They also have everything associated with computers and at low, low prices. I have bought from them many times and their service is first rate. |
|||||||||
The Apple iPod is my favorite piece of fun electronics.
The model most people are buying at the moment is the
Apple 4 GB iPod Mini Silver
The new "2nd generation" iPod mini builds on the strengths that made the original mini a blockbuster best-seller: easy to learn, easy to use, elegant user interface, immensely usable "click-wheel," and outstanding sound quality. Since the original mini was introduced a year ago, some competitors appeared that offered higher capacity, better battery life, and lower price. This new iPod mini answers the competition with some important improvements which make it a compelling choice over the competition:
The 2nd generation mini is cheaper: the original mini was $250 for 4 gigabytes of storage, which holds up to 1000 songs. The new mini is under $200 for 4 gigabytes, or you can pay a little more for the 6 gigabyte model (up to 1500 songs) or even the 20 gigabyte model is now under $300. It holds an unbelievable 5,000 songs. Then there is the great 30 gigabyte Photo Model that tops my wish list.
To achieve this price drop, though, Apple no longer includes
a dock or charger - these are available separately, but you can live
without them just fine. For example, the battery charges whenever the mini
is plugged into your computer's USB port.
In addition to these improvements, there is a minor cosmetic difference,
concerning the color choices: gold is no longer an option (it was the
worst seller in the original mini), and the other colors are now a bit
brighter.
The iPod mini comes with iTunes software to help you organize the music on
your iPod, and to transfer music from your CD collection to your player.
If you wish, you can use the iTunes software to purchase music from
Apple's online store and download them directly to your iPod, but the
software absolutely does not push you to do so.
The mini also comes with the same earbuds that accompany every other iPod.
They are better than the headphones that come with most MP3 players, but
you'll probably want to consider replacing them with something a bit
nicer.
Like its predecessor, the build quality of the new iPod mini is excellent,
very sturdy, just like all iPods. My 40gb iPod has taken a lot of abuse
and has held up extremely well. Plus, I did a fair amount of research on
the original mini and it has held up well since it was introduced. I should add, I
have bought many products at Amazon.com
and have not had any problems at all. .
This is my favorite piece of electronics. I have used the
previous Panasonic model E80H
for over a year with no problems and bought the new model E85HS
as soon as it became available. I should add, I bought both DVRs at Amazon.com
and have not had any problems at all. I did read the manual before I unpacked
the unit as I do with anything complex. This model is more intuitive than most
but knowing idiosyncrasies like the "hidden" reset button are
important. You can also do some things the manual doesn't cover, like record
from a DVD to the hard-drive. Like ALL consumer DVRs, it will not copy a
copy protected DVD. That includes just about all US releases. However,
copying a personal DVD, TV program or VHS tape is a breeze. It is easy to do a
variety of edits and make a very useable menu for your DVD version. And
you can copy* a "copy
protected" DVD or tape, ANY movie really using a simple attachment; the Sima
CT-2. This magical little device by GoDVD is
inexpensive and very simple to use.
GoDVD's Sima
CT-2 Works
on ALL TYPES OF MACROVISION (LEVEL
1 & 2) CLICK
for DETAILS
The Panasonic E85HS' (and the E95HS) programming
function is also simple to use. I programmed 16 different TV shows to be
automatically recorded while I was on a five week trip and it recorded them all
perfectly. The TV Guide On Screen Electronic Programming Guide is great
with some cable systems and not with others. I still prefer the manual
programming on mine but at my sister's house the Guide works perfect. I highly
suggest you use the SP speed, so instead of 284 hours of theoretical recording
time you really have about 55 to 95 hours max which is still great! I only use
the fastest XP speed when it is important to see fine details (i.e. swimsuit
edition of Sports Illustrated video;-) or I am going to make a permanent copy of
a less than 2 hour program to a DVD-R. Then by using the variable speed
recording choice I end up with the best possible DVD-R copy. With Panasonics
filters the finished copy can indeed look better than the original source but do
not expect miracles. I often use DVD-RAM for temporary storage of programs I do
not want the rest of the family to see and the high speed transfer is a great
convenience. Playback is excellent even with an older TV but your TV works with
progressive scan this model will display a very high quality image indeed. This
new models play a wider variety of VCDs (the E80H did reasonable well) and if
you like to play music through your TV entertainment center it play CDs and CD-Rs
just fine. I use my region free unit as the
source drive for recording European and Asian region or PAL DVDs to the US
standard on the DVD-R copy.
I have found the DVD-Rs it makes to be viewable in a wide variety on DVD players
as I am the one that converts the family movies to DVD-R and distributes them
all over the country. I also sell some travel movies I made and copies of
foreign films on my website and have not had any returned. No coasters (ruined
disks) and between my two units I have made well over 100 DVD-Rs.
However, I have only used name brand blank DVD-R and DVD-RAM disks, so that
probably has been a factor.
Features like time-slip and one button switch to TV makes viewing a pleasure.
Yes, you can really watch a program while still recording it, or watch a
different program from the hard drive or DVD tray. The remote control takes a
while to get used to but has it all at your fingertips. I noticed some
reviewers have had technical problems with the E95HS
unit but the three I have used personally (self, sister
and neighbor) have worked fine but this model is more complicated to use
than the E80
and E85
models.
Enjoy! NEW
FAVORITE New
LOW price! on the
Pioneer DVR-640H-S
......
If you want to record directly from your camcorder, then Model Panasonic
DMR-E100HS is recommended with several " media readers" built-in. Sometimes
Wal-Mart
offers a lower price when they have it in stock but the bottom line cost has
been consistently lower at Amazon.com
and Circuit
City .
More
Info
I also like the JVC
DRM H30 DVR very much. And for
outstanding storage capacity there is the Panasonic
DMR-E500HS with a huge 400 GB hard drive which will
record hundreds of hours of your favorite shows!
For DVD storage I stayed away from open towers and chose a storage album that would protect my new investment like 'Case Logic DVA40 Koskin DVD Album (40-Capacity)' or the larger Case Logic KSW-208 CD Wallet I do NOT recommend the cheap Xtreme brand cases.
There are 6 DVD regions in the World. DVD players sold in store in the USA and Canada only play Region 1 DVDs. Check out the World region code map. Not only is a region involved in playing a DVD disc, but PAL and NTSC TV formats also play a key role. A code free DVD player will play any DVD from any region in the World.
Most code free DVD players are also capable of playing both PAL and NTSC
formats. However, there is a lot more involved in playing a DVD from another
country. For example, DVDs from the UK are region 2 and are in the PAL format.
So to play a region 2 PAL movie from the UK you need a code free DVD player plus
you need a video converter if you have a American TV or get a player that has a
quality built-in video converter.
Another example is playing DVDs from Japan. Japan is also region 2 but they are
in the NTSC format. To play Japanese region 2 DVDs in America all you need is a
code free DVD player. No need for a Multi-System TV or a video converter as
American TVs are NTSC also.
Personally, I recommend region free DVD players that have built-in video
converters. These are models that will play any region DVD on any TV in the
World. For the best quality at a reasonable price, I prefer JVC players but they
only convert from PAL to NTSC. Great for Americans and Canadians even though you
cannot play American DVD movies on a PAL TV with this player. Which is not an
issue unless you move to Europe.
Instead of buying from an unknown high price dealer or from still pricey
auction, I suggest buying from the World's leading retailer Amazon.com
-- Few people know Amazon.com
now carries brand name, region free DVD players. They have dozens of models
that range from $59 - $999. The
JVC XV N412SL is an excellent quality model that is also very economical (less
than $150). The same model sells for $300 at many online
region free dealers.
Click
for a list of the models at Amazon.com
The
JVC XV N412SL Product Description: New Slim Design- Only 45 mm
high Express Play Start- The first scene of the movie appears on screen in
world-record time. Under 4 seconds with single-layer discs only. Region code
Modified from Region 1 Player Plays PAL and NTSC DVDs, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW,
CD, CD-R/ RW, SVCD, VCD, JPEG Playback, WMA and MP3 formats Progressive Scan
Output Code Free playback of all DVD movies from region 1-6 including RCE/ REA
movies Auto region sensing Plays Audio CDs also This player does not need a
multi-system TV or a external video converter Digital Direct Dolby Digital
Converter for Realistic Sound Dolby Digital, DTS and MPEG Decoders 1-bit P.E.M.D.
D Converter with 192 kHz/ 24-bit audio resolution Convenient High Quality GUI
(Graphical User Interface) Video Fine Processor w/ 3-Step Theater Positions
& Variable Playback Effects Theater Position- 3 steps Variable Search
(forward and reverse) Variable Slow motion (forward and reverse) Digest Play (9
pictures) Strobe Play (9 pictures) Angle List (9 angles) Zoom play- 13 step from
1/8 to 1024 times Resume Function 3-D PHONIC for virtual surround sound
Component Video, Composite Video & S-Video Terminals For High Quality
Connections AV CompuLink System w/ Separate Audio/ Video Circuits For Dedicated
Processing Multi-brand Glow remote control Component Video, composite, Video and
S-Video terminals Optical and Coaxial Digital Outputs for PCM, Dolby Digital,
and DTS 110 Volt only- Requires voltage converter for use outside the USA.
Includes: Remote Batteries for Remote Instruction manual Stereo AV cables.
JVC XV N412SL multi region code free zone free DVD player
features:
built-in video converter
for PAL NTSC playback on any American TV!
Code Free for playback
of all PAL/NTSC Region 1-6 DVD movies including RCE DVDs
Progressive Scan, Dolby
Digital / DTS Output, Zoom
Plays PAL and NTSC DVDs,
DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R/RW, SVCD, VCD, JPEG Playback, WMA and MP3 formats
Auto region sensing
Buy with confidence
-- Buy the JVC
XV N412SL at Amazon.com
More excellent choices: JVC410 and also the Multi Region
The Sima CT-2 is truly a magic box.
GoDVD! Saves
Priceless Home Videos and DVD Movie Collections from Disappearing due to Age or
Abuse "There are more than one billion home videos sitting in people's homes,
with a shelf life of less than 20 years. Sima created the GoDVD! enhancer to
help preserves those treasures onto the longer lasting DVD medium, so they can
be viewed for years to come," said Doug Marrison, President of Sima's SPC
Subsidiary. "And through enhanced technology, GoDVD! actually improves and
restores images that may have suffered due to frequent use, age or poor storage
conditions." Also as of July 2004, some Cable/Satellite (HBO) channels are
now "Copy Protected". So you now need the SIMA CT-2 to make back up
copies of some of your Cable/Satellite Recordings. VCR friendly
With the sales explosion of portable, mobile and household DVD players,
Americans are watching DVDs in more locations and more often than ever. Now they
can keep their original in perfect condition, by using the GoDVD! unit to make a
back-up copy - families, vacationers, and business travelers can all benefit.
Further, GoDVD! will help preserve home video memories -- more than one billion
of them in the U.S. alone -- by converting them to a high-quality, digital DVD
format that will last more than a century.
How it Works "Now families who want to share their video memories overseas can do so
easily," said Marrison.
GoDVD!
can also be used for home video editing. With this new technology, consumers can
edit directly onto a DVD disc - helping to save time, money and most
importantly, the video's image quality. BEST
PRICE
GoDVD! is manufactured, sold and intended for use in video editing and
duplicating. Sales and proper use of the GoDVD! product line does not violate
the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act or the copyrights of third parties.
Any use that violates the copyright laws is prohibited.
Sima Products Corporation,
a leading developer of consumer electronics accessories in the photo, digital
imaging and home theater markets. They make the GoDVD (CT-2, CT2, Sima CT2,
Sima CT-2) product line. The GoDVD unit is an innovative
digital video enhancer that makes it easy for consumers to protect their home
video and DVD libraries. Connected between any playback source (VCR, camcorder
or DVD player) and a DVD recorder, the GoDVD! enhancer quickly and easily
restores and transfers old videos to the superior and long-lasting DVD format.
Additionally, owners of pre-recorded DVD movies will have the ability to
create a fair use back-up copy of their original DVD.
The GoDVD! unit stabilizes video signals for crisp copies, reduces video sync
noise and is compatible with S-VHS, VHS-C, VHS, 8mm and DVD. It also contains
four output signal enhancement modes - Normal, Enhanced, Darker and Black/white.
Additionally, as the U.S. population continues to become more multi-cultural,
many will find that GoDVD! has the ability to support both U.S. (NTSC)and
International (PAL) video formats - another great bonus.
|
 Best DVRs Pioneer DVR-640H-S Panasonic DMR-E95 New Models |
DVD Organizer |
|
|
tt | |||||
