Panasonic HDC-HS900K 3 MOS 220GB HDD 3D Compatible Camcorder (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I waited for several months to have this type of video camera.I was hoping they would make a high definition one but recording on a hard drive not flash cards.I own a PANASONIC AG-HMC40 high definition video camera and it records on 1080/60p and I thought that was a good definition video camera until I saw this one.It's like seeing a high def channel compared to the 720p standard channel.
I did put both cameras side to side and this one had way brighter image than my old AG-HMC40 plus the lcd screen is bigger.
I upgrade video cameras from time to time so I'm familiar with a mini dv tape touch screen sony camera,a sony hard drive standard 720p definition (touch screen also)and my last one a panasonic high definition memory card camera.but this one is the queen of all of them.Still a prosumer v. c. but good enough for me since I can't afford to buy a professional $$20,000 + Video camera
ok,here is the comparison between the 2 of them
panasonic AG- HMC40: splits the video files when recording in 26min lenght so if you were recording some speech or music it will cut 2 seconds at the end (good to have back up video cameras) This one does the same but they are 44:17 min long (good to have back up video cameras again)
The face recognition can work against you...it remembers faces and skin tones,and it will give your image a yellowish tone color. I'm still getting familiar with that.last night while I was recording I messed with the white balance and I corrected the color and obviously you can see that in the footage but that is why I use a back up camera
The battery on the AG-HMC40 clicks upside down and last up to 3hrs
The battery on this model last 90 min only and you have to open the lcd screen so you can slide it from the side to insert it into the v.c. (I need to buy an extra battery,this one doesn't last that long and if you are doing stuff with it you will get even less time...bummer
I always record in 1080/60p with my AG-HMC40 and still looks little bit grainy on dark areas...well this one does the same but is not so grainy ( I use a video light at night)
With my old panasonic I had to change memory cards every hour and a half ( I use SDHC 16gb not 32's in case I loose the footage I won't loose it all) and that was a big inconvenience because when editing the video I had to find the part where I stopped on the back up footage from the other v.c. Well no more of that with this model,it gives up to 38hr of footage with the HG 1920 RESOLUTION,I still have to study the manual in more detail ,the record modes on this model are HA, HG, HX, HE AND CAN SET TO 1080/60 MODE
I did record on HG mode and the image is just as good as my old AG-HMC40 but enhanced,brighter I should say,it looks like is got a lot of contrast
One thing I noticed is that playing the footage on the video camera the speaker is not that loud,it reminds me of my old old sony mini dv tape,but when playing it in the computer it sounds fine,is not a big deal for me,since I transfer the footage to the computer and play it there instead.My old panasonic is very very loud compared to this model.
I don't plan to use this model with the extra lens to use it for the 3d feature.I think you have to buy that separate.
I didn't have to install the included software to use this v.c. all I had to do is connect it to the computer using the included USB cable and then click on AVCHD them BDMV or something like that then STREAM and dragged the files to wherever I wanted to save them.
I'll update more info once I use it for a few months more,this model was released on the first of may and I got it on the 5th
UPDATE:
I've been using this camcorder for 3 months now and I love it. You have to constantly change the white balance when recording,otherwise it won't have the right colors(my old panasonic AG-HMC40 does not have that problem),is really easy to do that.The exposure has to be adjusted all the time also,since I film outdoors and indoors the same day,the zebra stripes are very handy.
I always record on 1080p/60,and the image is just great,not as a professional camcorder but for being a prosumer model is great.



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The Panasonic HDC-HS900 High Definition Camcorder features 1920 x 1080/60p recording, a 220GB hard disk drive, an SD memory card slot, the option to record in 3D and a quality image sensor system. These features give you detailed, beautiful images, a plethora of recording space and the ability to shoot fun and unique movies in 3D with an optional lens. Panasonic's proprietary '3MOS' is a 3 sensor CMOS that adds up to 9.15MP (3 x 3.05MP). These sensors work together with another Panasonic technology, Crystal Engine PRO. This engine is a fast processor which writes those gigantic HD files to the HDD or SD card quickly and efficiently. It also allows for high-res zooming when exceeding the optical range. In addition, the engine works to reduce image noise, rendering beautiful, life-like images. These two work together to produce 1080/60p footage. The "p" means progressive; when recording in a progressive frame rate the footage captures is more vibrant and detailed than even "i", or interlaced, HD recording. In the world of consumer camcorders, 1080p is the gold standard. Of course the sensor and engine wouldn't be able to do their job without a high-quality lens. The HS900 comes with a 35mm Leica Dicomar lens that sports a 3.45-41.4mm focal length, 12x optical zoom range, 46mm filter diameter and a 1.5-2.8 f/stop. Lens can zoom up to 20x using the Intelligent Zoom; and it features a manual ring for more control and creativity with your shooting. Another way

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Canon 8x25 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case and Neck Strap Review

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(More customer reviews)They are, and they aren't, great binocs
What they are: as it says, the lightest and least expensive IS binoculars on the market (right now). The optics themselves are only merely very good, but - HAND HELD - with the IS activated, they allow me to read fine print about 20% closer than with my Leica 8x32 Ultras. On a rest, the Leicas are superior. It's the elimination of the jiggles - the 8x25 Canons don't give an image that's as bright and contrasty as those high dollar Leicas, but the steadier image more than makes up for that.
What they aren't: waterproof or armored. So have a care if you use them in conditions of rain or dust. They're much more complicated than simple binocs, with electric circuits inside, and the matter of reliability does come into consideration - but in the first year, they've survived life in the tote bag ,bouncing along dirt roads without a hiccup. Two more things: besides armoring and ruggedizing, Canon had to compromise _somewhere_ to make them this small. So, while the IS deals well with rapid human shaking. it doesn't seem to correct at all for slow motions. I imagine the engineers were forcd to leave off the sensors for slow motions, to fit everything else in. And, they use CR123 batteries, more expensive and harder to find in a pinch than AA batteries. Of course, if the batteries run dead, all your are left with is a functional set of very good, if a bit bulky, 8x25 binocs. What Canon has created is $300 binoculars that - hand held, with the IS active - outperform my high dollar Leica 8x32 Ultras. And, I imagine, the Nikon SE's, too. No kidding.

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Whether you are sitting in the nosebleed seats of a stadium or an opera house, with Canon's 8 x 25 IS binoculars you'll get an outstanding close-up view of the action. The binoculars are designed to fit perfectly in your hands and have a rubber coating for nonslip grip and protection from damage. The focus dial is center-mounted and the image stabilizer controls are easily accessible from either hand. Canon's optical image stabilization technology eliminates shake and reduces curvature of field. The image stabilizer operates with a CR123A Lithium battery. The lenses are coated with Super Spectra multicoating that improves image quality by maximizing contrast and minimizing color smear.
Image Stabilization and More With any high magnification binoculars, most users will experience frustrating image shake. Unless fixed to a tripod, image shake can render high magnification binoculars useless. Canon's IS technology is remarkably effective at eliminating this problem and is widely used by the television industry with Canon's professional broadcast quality video recording equipment. A special VAP (Vari-Angle Prism) corrective IS system sits between the objective lens group and the porro prism on each side of the binoculars. Within thousandths of a second of the binoculars being moved from their optical axis by vibrations, a detection system activates the IS mechanism. The VAP shape alters to refract or 'bend' the light path by precisely the right amount, thus fully compensating for the vibration. It is this essentially immediate response that effectively suppresses image shake.
Super Spectra CoatingA number of optical factors affect the brightness of an image, including the amount of incidental light that is reflected by the lens. An uncoated lens will refelect away as much as 8% of the incidentail light, significantly dimming the image. Canon's Super Spectra Coating prevents that reflection.
What do the numbers mean? 15x50? 8x25? The two numbers used to describe any pair of binoculars are their magnification - 8x, 12x, 15x and so on - and the diameter of their objective lenses - 25mm, 36mm, 50mm, and so on. The larger the first number is, the larger the object will appear to be in the objective lens. For instance, if you use a 10x lens and look at an object that is 100 yards away, it appears to be the same size as an object located just 10 yards away. The second number, the size of the objective lens, is important because the larger the objective lens, the more light it can admit for brighter, more detailed images, and the better suited they will be for lowlight situations. A look inside

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Logitech Z680 5.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have wanted to go digital for long time. My Logitech Z-5300 was an amazing set of speakers, however its lack of digital inputs/outputs isolated its potential to the home PC. Finally, the price of the Logitech Z-680 dropped to an affordable price.
I sold my Z-5300s to another student in my dorm, and purchased the Z-680 from Amazon.com. Amazingly, I received the set within 2 business days via UPS Ground. Needless to say, I am immensely satisfied with Amazon.com.
Thankfully, I had recently purchased a Philips DVP642 player as well, and after reading that the video coaxial RCA cable was the same as the digital audio coaxial, I was all set and ready to go.
So far, I have tested the DVDs Matrix: Revolutions and Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King. I was amazed by the quality of the sound. However, I agreed with the other reviewers that the bass was a bit boomy, especially in Matrix Revolutions. This can be easily remedied by lowering the level of the subwoofer.
When playing my DivX encoded AC3 movies, I saw that changing to Dolby Movie Mode 2 was almost the same as having true Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. It did an excellent job of separating the audio tracks among the voice, music, and sound effects.
Edit 9/25/04: Please read my latest update which explains the difference between Dolby Prologic Decoding and Dolby Digital 5.1. Knowledge is Power!
I have yet to hook my Z-680s to my home PC, but there was very little hiss while my set was hooked up to my DVD player. The hiss was certainly not loud enough to warrant annoyance or disturbance.
Update 9/06/04:
I hooked the system up to my PC via coaxial s/pdif. There is no hiss at all. However, when using the analog connections, there was a very noticeable hiss. I could even hear it 3-4 feet away, which became very irritating.
Trust me, if you buy the Z-680s, do yourself a favor and use the coaxial connection. You won't regret it. I have decided to leave the Z-680s as my personal home theatre system as opposed to hooking them up to my PC.
Last note: the Philips DVP642 is the perfect complement to the Logitech Z-680s. You cannot go wrong with them. Having the two items has been a blast.
Update 9/16/04:
Still loving the Z-680s. I have it hooked up to my suitemate's Xbox, TV, and the Philips DVP 642. Since the Xbox and TV both use analog inputs, I used the handy RCA to 1/8 converter included with the Z-680s. I also purchased a 1/8 splitter. I am considering purchasing the Xbox Advanced AV Pack to utilize the optical connection on the Z-680.
Warning: the subwoofer has become ridiculous...after breaking in the speakers for two weeks, normal levels of bass not only shake my whole 5th floor, but the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th floors-no kidding! Surprisingly, the 4th and 6th floors received the most impact--those vibrations go a loooong way! Remember, if you buy this unit, keep the bass at 20%, unless you are watching Star Wars...then pump it up!
Update 9/25/04:
There have been claims that Logitech has been falsely advertising their product as having true Dolby Digital 5.1 when allegedly, they only had Dolby Prologic II decoding.
Now, there is a big difference between the two. The Dolby Prologic decoding technology has been around for a looooong time; I can remember it since 1991 when my family purchased our first home audio set. Dolby Prologic takes stereo channels and converts them into a surround sound environment--to good effect, but nonetheless hardly comparable to true Dolby Digital 5.1, a more recent technology which directs its sound with far greater accuracy to all six channels, frequency, clear separation of effects and dialog, and clarity than Dolby Prologic.
I too, became a concerned consumer after hearing these rumors on forums and consumer reviews on Newegg and here on Amazon. My product box did not dictate clearly whether it had one decoder or the other or both, so I decided to call a Logitech technician. Thankfully, the the Z-680s came equipped with the ability to decode both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Prologic II.
So when you are playing a DVD you should see "Dolby Digital" appear on the LCD screen of the Digital SoundTouch Control Center. The Dolby Music/Movie Mode that you see when you are playing mp3s or watching a DivX movie is the Dolby Prologic II decoder at work and works very well to its credit.
In a side note, screw Dolby Digital and stick to DTS, the other digital surround sound option the Logitech Z-680 offers, when playing DVDs if the option is available. I have had a greater experience with DTS 5.1 decoding with the Z-680s in the 10 movies I have watched in comparison to Dolby Digital 5.1. DTS makes great use of the surround sound even in movies such as Zoolander [which otherwise makes very little directional use of the rear speakers]. Even my five suitemates agree that DTS has a richer, fuller sound and because of the variety of DVDs we watch during the weekends, it is difficult to say that we are influenced by placebo. There IS a difference :-).
New Setup:
Analog Input - from T.V. & Playstation 2 with stereo splitter
Optical Digital Input - from Xbox
Coaxial Digital Input- from Philips DVP642 DVD Player
Update 10/05/04:
Here is a brief comparison between Dolby Pro-Logic II and Dolby Digital 5.1 using two selected movies:
Dolby Movie Mode with DivX encoded movie Man on Fire:
Voice/Dialogue - mostly center channel with slight residual sound from front left/right speakers.
Music/Score - Evenly divided among front and rear left/right speakers
Sound Effects - Non-directional, evenly distributed. During the gun fight scene when the girl is kidnapped, Pro-Logic II simulates a surround sound effect of gun-fire, making it multi-directional.
Dolby Digital 5.1 for Man on Fire DVD collector's edition:
Voice/Dialogue - Isolated to center channel
Music/Score - Directional music: fades from front to rear speakers or vice versa, varying from scene to scene.
Sound Effects - Directional. Isolated use of rear speakers from rear left to rear right when cars drive by. During the gun scene mentioned above, distinct sounds of bullets "whizzed by" from front right to rear left speakers.
Dolby Movie Mode with DivX encoded movie Star Wars Phantom Menace:
Voice/Dialogue - mostly center channel with slight residual sound from front left/right speakers.
Music/Score - Evenly divided among front and rear left/right speakers
Sound Effects - Non-directional, evenly distributed. Surround sound lightsaber effects can be overpowering as a "large hum" especially with the Z-680's powerful subwoofer.
Dolby Digital 5.1 for Star Wars Phantom Menace DVD:
Voice/Dialogue - Isolated to center channel except in large rooms, echoes can be heard in surround speakers.
Music/Score - Directional music: fades from front to rear speakers and vice versa varying in scenes.
Sound Effects - Directional. Spaceship travel from rear left to front right. Close-up light saber swings begin from rear left and travel to front left, front right, and ends with the rear right speaker.
Update 10-24-05:
OMG! I finally got AC3 to work-but I don't know how! Well, I was playing the Casshern DVD back-up encoded with XVID and AC3. I didn't expect the AC3 to work, so I set the audio effect to Movie Mode. However, I suddenly was hearing discrete audio from my surround sound channels. Bewildered, I went up and listened closely to the center channel, and then the front left channel. Hmmm, either I was having a really good Prologic decode or this was playing in Dolby Digital! I glanced at my control pod and I couldn't believe my eyes--it stated it was decoding in Dolby Digital! Wow! Now I am going to check on all of my AC3 encodes...this is too cool.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Z680 5.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Silver)

The Logitech Z-680 gives you THX-certified theater-quality digital sound. Both optical and coaxial inputs provide for simple connection to nearly any audio appliance, and with the digital SoundTouch control center and the wireless remote, you can sit back, stretch out, and let loose.
The bass pumps through the Z-680's 188-watt subwoofer. Four 62-watt satellites and a 69-watt center channel provide crystal-clear midrange and highs.
The Z-680 includes built-in Dolby Digital and DTS hardware decoding. Connect the Z-680 directly to a PC sound card, Xbox, PlayStation2, DVD player, satellite receiver, or other Dolby-ready source and get true surround sound. You can also get 5.1 surround sound from a stereo input through the advanced Dolby Pro Logic II system. You can also connect up to four audio sources simultaneously, while accessing each one at the touch of a button.

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Yamaha RX-V665BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I chose the Yamaha V665 after careful comparison with other units, and was very impressed with ease of setup and features. The sound quality is excellent, and while I had initial concerns with power output, at 90 watts it demonstrates more useable power than my previous NAD unit at 100 watts. I particularly like the four "Scene" buttons which allow linked input sources and sound fields and switch the unit on with one action. Contrary to other reviews on Amazon you can easily assign whatever input you wish together with a preferred sound field and assign it to any of these buttons. On the downside, you cannot assign different tone adjustments to these four "Scenes" which means I have to manually attenuate the bass to listen to spoken radio broadcasts which tend to create disturbing bass reverberations at times.
However the one big disappointment, which because of its nature I only discovered too late to return the unit (and I would not have purchased this unit had I known beforehand) is evident when a TV input from some (possibly all?) cable boxes is connected to the unit and passed through using the receiver as a switching unit (one of the key features of any modern receiver after all). In this mode the signal is subject to frequent dropouts of sound and video. Some days these dropouts are hardly evident and only for a fraction of a second, other days they are frequent and last long enough to leave the screen blank for a second or two or to delete entire words on the audio track. This happens with every possible connection I have tried, whether HDMI or component video (I have also tried monster cables to no avail). I have since seen other reviews reporting this same problem on other Yamaha units. My cable box is Time Warner but there are similar reports with Verizon Fios, so the problem seems endemic. Updating the current Yamaha firmware seems to have no effect.
There are always so many variables that it is difficult to track down the source of the problem, and I would hate to criticize Yamaha unfairly, but as the problem apparently occurs throughout the Yamaha product range, it would seem wise to hesitate on purchasing Yamaha until this problem is resolved.

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Yamaha RX-V665BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

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Western Digital My Book Studio II - 4 TB (2 x 2 TB) USB 2.0/FireWire 800/400/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using the WD Studio II 2TB on my 2008 iMac OSX 10.5.6 for two weeks. Connection: firewire 800. Today, it did not mount when I booted the computer.
Checked the WD Website Knowledge Base.
Discovered two things:
1. Knowledge Base Answer 1697: "This issue is caused by the external hard drive's built in auto on/off functionality not correctly receiving a command from the computer system to wake from a power saver mode."
Why does the auto on/off functionality not correctly receive the command from the computer system? WD goes on to suggest installing their WD Drive Manager.
Well, WD Drive Manager is already installed, how else could a user have arrived at this impasse to begin with?
And then they suggest to dismount the drive. How do you dismount an unmounted drive?
2. Knowledge Base Answer 1680: "This is an technical limitation between the FireWire interfaces on the Macintosh computer and the external hard drive."
By "the external hard drive" WD means THEIR brand of external hard drive. I have never had this specific problem with any other brands of external hard drives connected to my Macintosh computer.
When is WD going to fix this "technical limitation" that they have built into their Studio II external hard drive? I would say, that is a pretty serious "technical limitation."
1680 goes on to explain the workaround solution, essentially a routine disconnecting the power cable and reconnecting. Nice.
My hope is that this entire situation is the result of following the apparently misleading instructions shown in the Studio II manual: chapter 7, "Turning Off/Disconnecting the Device."
Since "Auto-off" is the first entry in this chapter, it leads the user to believe that this is the preferred way to operate the drive. Guess not: as it turns out, the hidden "technical limitation" of the firewire connection will eventually cause the problem I have described. I suppose I can't rely on "Auto-off." Use "Safe Shutdown" only, even though the instructions in the manual differ from the instructions presented in WD Knowledge Base Answer 976!
And, speaking of conflicting instructions, compare WD Knowledge Base Answer 1386 with the Auto-off instructions in the manual.
Based on all of this information from WD, conflicting and otherwise, my guess is that the Auto-off feature is problematic (at least with Macintosh computers) because of firewire "technical limitations" caused by the WD external drive design. This fact, if it is a fact, should be expressed clearly in the manual.

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WD's My Book Studio Edition II dual-drive, quad-interface external storage system for Mac offers optimum performance for creative professionals. Lightning-fast FireWire 800 or eSATA interfaces combined with RAID 0 (striping) yields the speed you need for fast, smooth video and audio editing, rendering complex 3D objects or special effects, and saving huge blocks of data in record time. Set the system to RAID 1 (mirroring) for the peace of mind in knowing that if one drive in this two-drive system ever fails, the system continues to run and your data is safe. Includes automatic data backup software, user-serviceability, a 5-year limited warranty, and works with Apple's Time Machine.

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JVC KDNXD505 KD-NXD505 in-Dash Single DIN 40GB HDD DVD GPS Navigation Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For those who are interested in such details:
iPod
gapless: yes
resume: yes
seek: average
dvd/cd:
gapless: no (except cdaudio, which of course works)
resume: yes (but disc read/load takes 30 seconds or so)
seek: below average
hdd:
gapless: no
resume: no
seek: above average, nearly instantaneous response

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Click here for more information about JVC KDNXD505 KD-NXD505 in-Dash Single DIN 40GB HDD DVD GPS Navigation Receiver

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Electro Voice RE-20 Cardioid Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)The reason these are so popular in radio, is that talk show hosts today (and their in studio guests) don't know how to talk into a microphone.But this mic doesn't care. You can have one person where the mic is pointed to the side, or pointing down at thier pants, and another person talking into it properly, and both will sound good and the same. No proximity effect on these mics, so they are idiot proof.
However, if you know how to talk into a microphone, and want one for voice-over work, the Shure SM-7 is THE best microphone on the market today. (So was the SM-5, but it is no longer manufactured) AND, the Shure is cheaper too.
However, this one does LOOK better, and it is just as widely used in radio as the SM-7, so if you really like the looks of this one, then go ahead and get it.
However, for just a few extra bucks, the RE-27 is the improved version with better frequency response, so might as well get the better one. It looks almost the same.


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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)I have to say, "Wow I love this lens."
I'd recommend this lens for three kinds of people:
1) People who want to get a taste of the L-series lenses who need a lens in the 70-200mm focal length relatively inexpensively;
2) People who already own the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens who have to lug that huge thing around for a long time;
3) People who want a L-series 70-200mm lens who don't NEED f/2.8 or IS.
Call me a wimp, but shooting 1000-2000 shots a day in the field with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS gets tiring, especially if you're hand-holding. This lens is relatively inexpensive for being L-series glass, the difference in optical quality is almost imperceptible from the f/2.8, and it's sturdy and ergonomic enough to use all day long.
When I plan on shooting the whole day, especially over the course of several days, this is the lens I take with me, NOT the f/2.8 IS. It's shorter, narrower, and lighter. While you may not feel the difference when shooting for a couple of hours, take two people of equal endurance and strength and give them the f/4 and f/2.8 IS and send them out for a day and you know who is going to come back with the sore arms when the day is over.
On a 1.6x FOVCF body, the 70-200mm focal range makes this lens a little tight; but at 1.3x or 1.0x FOVCF, this focal length range is quite awesome. When I travel, I like to pair this lens with the 17-40mm f/4 and use my feet to fill the gap between 40 and 70mm (I also take along el-cheapo 50mm f/1.8 so I can shoot in low light, and the 1.4x teleconverter to give myself an effective 450mm reach) -- all of this is a good, lightweight, relatively inexpensive package. Also, while being quite a chunk of pocket change, this lens is nowhere near as expensive as the f/2.8 versions, and so it's a lot less of something to worry about when traveling or shooting under adverse conditions.
As so far, I have found NOTHING that I do not like about this lens (well, except for the one-stop loss from f/2.8).
I have to say that if you are looking for a single lens to do General Purpose work, this is not it. This lens is for specfic purposes. This lens works best as one-half of a pair, taking the upper useful focal lengths, while you use something like the 17-40mm f/4L or the 24-70mm f/2.8L to handle lower range of focal lengths. If you're looking for a carry-everywhere never-change lens, try the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. It's a great value, the focal length range is in the sweet spot, and the optics are not bad.
Otherwise, if you fit into one of the three categories at the beginning of this post, I would highly recommend this lens to you.

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Capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with the Canon EF 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens. This high-performance, L-series telephoto zoom lens is distinguished by such features as an f/4 maximum aperture, an inner focusing system, and a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM). The last two features combine to deliver quick and quiet autofocusing--a priority for many amateur and professional photographers. In addition, photographers can attach and use a circular polarizing filter without difficulty because the front lens element does not rotate during focusing. Compatible with the same tripod collar (sold separately) used with the EF 300mm f/4L USM lens, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

Focal length: 70-200mm
Maximum aperture: 1:4.0
Lens construction: 16 elements in 13 groups
Diagonal angle of view: 34 to 12 degrees
Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
Closest focusing distance: 3.9 feet
Zoom system: Rotating type
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions: 3.0 inches in diameter, 6.8 inches long
Weight: 25 ounces

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Kenwood DDX514 6.1-Inch Wide In-Dash Monitor with USB/iPod Direct Control/DVD Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Rotary volume control and front disc loading (instead of flip down or motorized flip) was the selling point for me.
I bought this head unit to replace the factory stereo for my FJ Cruiser. I
also purchased the HD Radio module(HT300) for this radio. I gave it three stars for
the following reasons:
a. USB Drive - I bought it mainly to have all my music on a USB drive which would
be very convenient(No more changing discs). The Kenwood manual says that it will sort the files
alphabetically if it is on a USB drive, and it will sort the files by the order
in which the files were put in if it was any other usb device(like a regular mp3
player). However, my biggest disappointment was that this head unit does not
sort the files alphabetically on my USB drive. This head unit puts the newest files/folders
at the end of the list and the oldest at the beginning. It's tedious
to find the desired file/folder you want to play when you are driving as you
have to go through the list one by one, since it is not listed in alphabetical
order.
I contacted Kenwood USA's technical support. I told the representative about this issue and told him
if they had a fix for this. The guy just told me that it's not really a problem. Yeah right!
After searching online for a few hours, I found a workaround that will work with this head
unit. Search for DriveSort and install this on your computer. It's a freeware so you don't have
to worry about purchasing it. This software can arrange the files in a USB drive and places them
in alphabetical order.
Note: When you turn on this head unit, it will scan and index all the files
that is in the UBS drive before it will start playing. The more files you have,
the longer it will take. I currently have about 5.7GB worth of music and it
roughly takes about fifteen seconds to load up before it starts playing.b. MP3 files with album art - I purchase a lot of my mp3 files online and most
of them come with album art. If you play an mp3 file on this head unit that
has album art, the music will play immediately, but it takes about 2-4 seconds
for the album art to load on the screen. I personally don't care about the
album art, BUT while the head unit is still loading the album art on the
screen, ALL THE CONTROLS ARE ON HOLD. This means that you can't change a
track, adjust the volume or go to another screen as long as the album art is
still not loaded on the screen. This is a real PAIN as some of the mp3 files
are louder and while the album art is still loading, you can't lower the
volume!c. Graphics - You can load up your own custom background if you choose to.
However, the text on the screen will just block your background image. There
is no option to turn off the text on the screen or turn off the screen. The
only work around with this is to put your background picture on EVERY folder
you have music on and set it to play a slideshow.
Also, the text fonts/graphics could be better.d. Preouts - If you have a 4 channel amplifier, a sub and want to use fading, this
might be a little problem. You only have 2 sets of preouts. 1 set for the
front and 1 set for the rear or sub. The built in crossover that comes with this head
unit is great, but you are limited to set the rear crossover setting as a
rear speaker or a sub.
There is a workaround for this. You can use a speaker output to rca converter
for the rear speakers. You will then be able to use all the builtin crossover
settings (front, rear, sub).e. User Interface - The user interface is decent enough. It's not a steep
learning curve. It might take a little while to get used to, but it's no rocket science.
You will be able to operate this head unit without reading the manual thoroughly.f. HD Radio - I bought the HD Radio kit for this head unit. There is a
difference in sound quality between the analog broadcast and digital broadcast.
However, HD radio quality is still not CD quality, but close. From my experience
on this module, it made the analog receptions stronger. Even stations that had a weak
signal came in a whole lot better. As if it wasn't weak anymore.g. Equalizer - The head unit comes with built in presets and you can have a
custom setting. I have Polk Audio speakers all around and the built in
presets were just to bright for my taste. (I listen to a lot of smooth jazz).
Setting the custom Eq was not easy. The custom Eq contains 3 bands; Low, Mid
and High. Now the tricky part is you have to select the center frequency for
each band. One for your lows, one for your mids and one for your highs. Then
you can adjust the level.Personally, I would have preferred a custom 5
band or 7 band graphic Eq over this. You will have to spend quite a bit of time
to get it right for your taste.
However, If you really want a defined sound for your car, I would recommend purchasing
a 13 band equalizer.h. Manual - The manual that comes with this head unit is very broad. It
doesn't go in to depth with details. It does not give you examples. It merely gives
you the button or the icon and what the button/icon does.
Other than those mentioned above, the unit works fairly well. The response
time when changing to different screens or menus is not super fast, can be sluggish
at times, but it's nothing unbearable.
This my first head unit that has a built in USB port with it. I can't compare
it to other head units that have USB ports as I do not have experiences with them.*** NOTE for installation of a subwoofer ***
If you are going to install a subwoofer with this head unit, you would want to
change the rear preamp setting to SUB to maximize the functions that come with
this head unit. You can ONLY change this setting when the head unit is on STANDBY.
Press the SRC button and scroll down until you see Standy then select it. You can go to the
system setup and change the rear output from rear to sub. Then go to audio setup then
turn the subwoofer setting to on.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kenwood DDX514 6.1-Inch Wide In-Dash Monitor with USB/iPod Direct Control/DVD Receiver

The DDX514 offers innovative and convenient entertainment features like USB Direct Control for iPhone/iPod and front aux input for portable media players. The 6.1-inch touchscreen is easy to read, and with Variable Color Illumination, you can even match the deck's illumination color to your vehicle's dashboard lighting.

6.1-Inch Touchscreen with Variable Illumination The DDX514 puts intuitive control right at your fingertips with a fixed 6.1-inch QVGA TFT Active Matrix Display and powerful, easy-to-use graphical user interface. Customize the unit's front panel illumination with the new variable illumination palette of colors--match your interior tones, dash lighting, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Enjoy Your Favorite Media The DDX514 is a media powerhouse, letting you play your favorite CDs and DVDs, along with several digital audio and video formats. The unit accepts DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, VCD, and CD-DA discs. It plays back AAC-LC, MP3, and WMA audio files; MPEG1 and MPEG2 video files; and can display JPG images. Throw your files on a disc or a USB device and enjoy them in your vehicle wherever you are.
And, of course, you still can listen to the AM/FM radio. Use Auto Memory to automatically add stations with good reception to presets, or enter them manually. The DDX514 displays FM radio text when available as well as traffic information, and it allows you to enter station names.
Seamless Connection with iPod Video/Audio Connect an iPod using the optional KCA-iP301V cable to enable full video (for iPods with video capability) and/or audio control. You'll supply power to your iPod as well as charge it while you enjoy your music.
USB Direct Control You can enjoy your favorite music, video, or images from USB devices like flash drives or MP3 players. When connecting a USB device, playback starts automatically. When a battery-powered USB device like an MP3 player is connected to this unit, it also gets a charge, so it's ready to go with you when you exit the vehicle.
Input and Output In addition to the iPod and USB support, you can use the DDX514's front auxiliary A/V input to connect external audio/video sources like video game systems.
The unit also features an A/V output for sending content to an additional screen in the vehicle.
For audio output, the DDX514 has two sets of 2V RCA pre-amp outputs for system expansion (in addition to the on-board 50W x 4 amplifier).
Bluetooth Ready Add the optional KCA-BT200 to enjoy hands-free phone operation or to listen to audio stored on Bluetooth devices.
Hands-free operation of your Kenwood entertainment system allows you to keep your hands on the steering wheel, allowing you better concentration on your driving. Advanced Bluetooth technology provides wireless connection and operation of Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as mobile phones and even phones that can stream music via A2DP.
Navigation Ready Add the KNA-G510 for a full GPS navigation package. Equipped with the latest Garmin navigation technology, the KNA-G510 includes advanced mapping of the United States and Canada and more than 6 million points of interest right at your fingertips. The KNA-G510 is ready for XM Live Traffic feeds. Simply add the XM chip set tuner, subscribe to XM radio, and receive constant traffic and weather conditions with continuous, real-time updates--24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HD and Satellite Radio Ready The DDX514 allows you to enjoy SIRIUS (requires CA-SR20V cable + Sirius Tuner) or XM (requires KCA-XM100V + XM Mini Tuner) radio in your vehicle. Enjoy a multitude of channels featuring music, news, talk shows, sports, and traffic information with CD quality sound.
You also can add an HD Radio tuner. When you connect an HD radio tuner, features of the unit are disabled and changed to HD Radio tuner features.
Rear Camera Input The DDX514 is ready for a rear camera, allowing you to monitor behind your vehicle as you back up.
What's in the Box Kenwood DDX514, sleeve, trim ring, wiring harness, installation tools, installation manual, operation manual, warranty card.

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Gefen EXT-VGA-141LR VGA Extender LR Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This set works quit well for it's designed function. But be aware that it says VGA and it means VGA only. The resolution it will extend is 800 X 600 and no higher. I was hoping for 1024 x 768 (SVGA) but no luck. I decided to use it the run video from a DVD player to a projector about 200 feet away and it works well. Gefen makes a DVI set that requires two Cat 5 cables to be run between them and that will do a great laptop display on that same projector.

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Beyer Dynamic DT 990 Premium 600 OHM Headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, these aren't nearly as hard to drive as you'd assume from their impedance. I was able to get decent volume out of everything I connected it to form a proper desktop amp, to straight out of the onboard sound from my netbook. They are of course, not being driven properly from something without an adequate voltage swing, but neither are they useless without a beefy amp.
On to the meat of the review. "How do they sound," I hear you asking. In one word, bright, or in two, very bright. Their metaphorical albedo is off the charts. The highs are quite pronounced, but in a very smooth and simultaneously crisp manner. Hardly peaky at all, without transient spikes leaving you constantly fiddling with the volume. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the bass is simply amazing for an open headphone. Its deep, plentiful, and tightly controlled, with the kind of snap you'd expect from a small sealed subwoofer. It doesn't have the same quantity, but the quality is similar. I'd still characterize them as bright because the treble substantially exceeds the bass. The mids are recessed in the sense that they are softer than the ends of the spectrum, but they are very clear and not muddied by the bass at all. At least at moderate volumes. At higher volumes however they seem to become even more recessed, and at extreme volumes it begins to sound like someone left the midrange driver out of a 3-way speaker. However, if you value your hearing this shouldn't be too much of a problem.
I think their biggest plus is their soundstaging. Especially when combined with positional audio. An HTRF fooled me into believing my pet parrot, who was behind me, had chirped when it was actually just the soundtrack to the show I was watching. I don't play FPSs very often anymore, but they'd be great for the task. If you turned down the BGM a little, the deep bass and crisp highs will provide satisfying blasts, booms, and gunshots. If you're not a treble head though, it may be to bright for the BGM in most movies.
I'm not a treble head however, so I decided to return mine after a week of evaluation and more than 100 hours of burn in. I couldn't listen to them for more than an hour without the treble grating on me, and I can't justify keeping a separate can just for gaming, since I don't do as much of it as I used to.If you are looking for a can just for gaming then this probably deserves to be on your short list. For music or movies? I'd say only if you are a serious treble head. The DT990s aren't for me, but they may be just right for you.

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The 600 ohm version of the DT 990 Premium line. Excellant choice for high output usage and headphone amplifiers. Handcrafted in Germany, the famous DT 990. The complete sound spectrum is reproduced in detail from the deepest sub bass to the highest highs. This fully open, dynamic headphone is also manufactured in Germany.

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JVC KW-NT1 Double-DIN Navigation with 6.4-Inch Widescreen Receiver with Detachable Touch-Panel Monitor, DVD/CD/USB/SD Card, iPod/iPhone/USB 2.0/Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my JVC KW-NT1 GPS navigation REVIEW -- written on June, 26, 2009.
First off guys, This is my very first review, so I apologize in advance if I missed anything.
I have this unit for a TOYOTA CAMRY '06 and I was like everyone else when I was trying to decide which model to buy. There were NO reviews online ANYWHERE other than the video reviews from Sonic Electronix and Crutchfield (but they both did an okay job).
I am satisfied with my purchase. I bought it mid June 2009
The screen is nice, but when it is really sunny outside, the DVD video seems washed out because of the touchscreen layer. The GPS, radio, and ipod/iphone screens look fine. It's just the DVD playback that is not bright enough under extreme sunlight. When the sun is a bit more forgiving, like during sunset, the brightness is fine. And when your car is under any shade, the brightness is fine. Overall, the resolution and colors look good and the brightness adjusts to your headlights.
On other notes... The left side controls are touch sensitive, not physical PUSH buttons.
If you have a USB cord connected to the front, it'll block some of the screen view, depending on the height of the unit.
The bluetooth function works great with the iphone. Fast and responsive.
GPS options include 2D and 3D angle views. Includes useful Points of Interest (POI) locations with phone numbers you can easily dial to over bluetooth.
I have not installed HD radio, Satelite radio, or a Rear view camera.... So I can't comment on that.
I did not install this unit myself... .... So I also can't comment on that.
If you decide to keep your steering wheel controls, you'll have to buy a separate module. Using it will take some getting used to. --- This is NOT the fault of JVC, but of the makers of the steering wheel controls module/adapter. The steering wheel control module is a little slow for the volume control. Instead of a light push or tap of the steering wheel buttons, you'll have to give is a medium/hard push. Or you can hold the button down, but then the volume increases rapidly until you release the button.
Pros:
--Detachable faceplate - for added security. Includes soft case pouch for faceplate.
--Easy slot loading disc access - No motorized CD/DVD tilt (my personal preference).
--Works with iphone. Fast load times. Takes under 10 seconds to load.
--Fast GPS. Fast SD card reads. Fast iphone controls. Fast CD/DVD reads.
--FRONT AV and USB ports - USB charges the iphone while being able to use.
--Reads burned CD and DVD+R discs.
--Allows album art from iphone and SD cards.
--GPS reads out street names. GPS shows split screen detailed turns and directions. Has GPS voice lane guidance ("get on the left lane" , "prepare to turn left", etc.)
--Can listen to music while being directed by the GPS navigation voice
--Can play audio books at normal and above average speeds.
--Has a simple adjustable equalizer settings
--Reads my Sandisk 16GB (class 2) SD memory card - this is not official by JVC though
Cons:
--No volume knob.
--Low brightness in DVD video playback under extremely sunny days. --Doesn't automatically tag song or band names from the RADIO.
--No real time traffic GPS updates.
--No video playback from an SD card.
--No button color light choices (a choice of blue, green, or red would have been nice). No screensaver choices or customizable menus.
--Removing the faceplate takes getting used to. Not a big deal...
--NOTE:(press the button to eject the faceplate, then lift UP towards the sky then out)
--must remove faceplate to access SD card slot
--must keep SD card in the slot if you plan on adding your own customizable Points of Interest (POI) locations.
--Speed limits are not always displayed... depends on your city
--bluetooth phonebook transfer not compatible with the iphone
By law you're not allowed to use navigation while driving. In order to use navigation and the hands free dialing (as well as DVD playback) while driving, you need to bypass the parking brake switch built in to EVERY IN-DASH car navigation.
Go to a car stereo installation shop and have them connect the "parking brake" wire to a ground source. This will fix your problems!Overall, I really like the unit. This is my first GPS in-dash unit. I would recommend it. Do not pay retail prices for this model or any model. I would try calling different local car audio installation shops and see if they have it in stock. Places like Walmart, Crutchfield, and Sonic Electronix overcharge! This model is not available at Best Buy or Mobile One.
I give it a 9 out of 10. A+
The overriding decision for me to buy it was:
-- IPHONE compatible
-- built-in Bluetooth
-- fast loading times (music, GPS, startup time)
-- DETACHABLE FACEPLATE
-- no motorized CD tilt mechanism
-- front USB input
I hope this helps!


Click Here to see more reviews about: JVC KW-NT1 Double-DIN Navigation with 6.4-Inch Widescreen Receiver with Detachable Touch-Panel Monitor, DVD/CD/USB/SD Card, iPod/iPhone/USB 2.0/Bluetooth

Enjoy precise navigation with built-in high sensitivity WAAS GPS, and 6.1-inch widescreen touch panel. The double-DIN front panel can be detached for anti-theft precaution. The unit features voice guidance and Text-to-Speech in 3 languages, 6 million P.O.I., Lane Guide, and Speed Limit Display. With the StreetDirector Assistant feature, you can search P.O.I. data on your PCs Google Maps, and easily add to the unit via an SD card. Features include USB and AV-In on the front panel, iPod/iPhone connectivity, and Bluetooth Wireless Technology. Add SAT Radio with an optional tuner.


Precise Navigation The KW-NT-1 gives you full-featured GPS touchscreen navigation on its detachable 6.1-inch wide screen, with coverage of the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and Puerto Rico, and over 6 million points of interest.
This isn't just a dumbed-down GPS slapped on a stereo either. The KW-NT-1 includes competitive features like voice guidance, text-to-speech, lane guide, and powerful search/routing options.
Select Navigation Features:
Search destinations by POI, Address, Zip Code, Coordinates, Previous search, or Favorites.
Store up to 100 favorite destinations, the last 50 destinations, and 4 via points in Destination Memory.
Calculate routes by fastest/shortest route, or choose to avoid freeways/toll roads/etc.
Street Director Assistant lets you easily update your P.O.I. data from Google Maps using your computer, and save to the KW-NT-1
Lane Guide so you're in the correct lane for an exit.
Speed Limit Display and speed alert


Quality Entertainment
CD/DVD Playback Play back your favorite CDs, CD-R/RWs, and MP3 CDs to take advantage of the four channels of 50-Watt sound.
If you're taking a break from driving, enjoy some DVD video, along with all the standard DVD controls you'd expect. Use the composite video output to send video to an external monitor.
Enjoy Dolby Digital sound and a 7-band EQ to dial things in.
MP3/WMA Playback With ID3 Tag Display Enjoy MP3 or WMA files from CD, DVD, USB devices or SD cards. ID3 tag info such as artist/track is displayed on the monitor.
AM/FM Radio Tune into the radio and store your favorite preset stations for quick access.
iPod/iPhone Ready Add the KS-U29 cable to enjoy the contents of your iPod or iPhone in your vehicle. Plug directly into the front of the stereo.
The KW-NT-1 provides full charging and video display for iPod video and iPhone. Allows full audio category and song function operation with the stereo controls.
A/V Input Check out content from an external device--camera, DVD player, video game device, etc.-- with the included A/V input.
SAT Radio Ready Purchase an add-on adapter and easily add SIRIUS/XM radio to your entertainment options.

Bluetooth Technology The KW-NT-1 features built-in Bluetooth Wireless technology for hands-free calling.
Transfer your phonebook via Bluetooth to the KW-NT-1 (up to 100 numbers). Enter a number directly from the unit's screen, or dial by phonebook, dialed calls, received calls, or POI info.
Included is a high-sensitivity external wired microphone to get you set up right away.

Plenty of Power and Room to Grow You'll get a wild ride out of the on-board MOS-FET amplifier, with 50 Watts peak through four channels (20W RMS x 4). But if you do want more, six gold-plated preamp outputs are included (front, rear, and subwoofer) for connecting to external amps.
On the video front, you'll get a composite output. Add a second monitor to the back seat and you're set.
You can also make things more safe and convenient with a rear-view camera or steering wheel remote.
What's in the Box KW-NT-1 Main Unit, Sleeve, Brackets, Monitor Panel and Soft Case, Trim Plate, Power Cord, AV I/O Cord, Crimp Connector, GPS Antenna, 3.5mm A/V Mini Cord, Microphone, Microphone Clip, Microphone Holder, Installation Hardware, User's Manual, Installation Manual

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Pioneer SE-DIR800C Wireless Headphones with Dolby Headphone Technology Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had purchased an inexpensive Sony home theater in a box system that was a pretty nice system for the money spent. But I found myself with problems that had nothing to do with the quality of the system. As I watched movies, I was bothered by various ambient noises from my apartment... street noises, the people upstairs, water running through pipes, the hum of the refrigerator, etc. And, if I was hearing noises from the outside, it's a pretty good bet that people on the outside can hear what's coming from inside. So, I needed a solution, and it seemed the mutually beneficial solution was headphones. Unfortunately, while my HT receiver has a headphone jack, it only outputs 2 channel stereo sound, and it seems like a waste to have to rely on that when I have a system capable of outputting 5.1 channel sound. Doing some research I realized there was no way to get surround sound through headphones with the equipment I had, even if I purchased expensive headphones. In fact, many tech-savvy posters on message boards scoffed at the notion of headphones producing surround sound altogether. Fortunately, they are mistaken.
In my research I found out about Dolby Headphone technology and read about the Pioneer SE-DIR800C. Dolby Headphone technology treats the sounds from different channels in a way to make it sound like it's coming from different directions, the directions they would be coming from in a traditional 5.1 based speaker set up. I had heard the effect for myself with cheap stereo headphones and was not overwhelmed. But since the reviews of the Pioneer system were all so good, I decided to blow my tax return on them.
What this Pioneer system does, based entirely on the movie watching experience, is everything I needed. The simulation of surround sound is completely convincing. So much so that I have a hard time believing its simulated. The headphones are well designed, lightweight and comfortable and do a great job of keeping out sound. I've watched several movies so far with them, and often the sounds of the movie are all I can hear through the length of the film... a far cry when I watch movies with my speaker based system. Invariably you forget you are listening to headphones and lose yourself in the film, if you are watching a good film. The sound is clear and open, and the bass is deep, though it can't recreate the effect of an earth shaking subwoofer. But it's such a joy to have the volume cranked up without worrying about disturbing anyone. There are some minor inconveniences with the design of the unit... there's no outputs or remote, for example... but that wouldn't be a problem if you had a separate receiver with an output and remote... just have a single digital output going from your HT receiver to the pioneer receiver and you can still control all your inputs with the HT receiver remote. I wouldn't have minded using a wired headphone but this wireless set is flawless for watching movies (if you're listening to music and want to walk around you'll lose the signal if you leave the room).
The Pioneer receiver has a separate headphone jack, so if you have one friend over (or two perhaps, with a headphone splitter), they can listen. Since I have no headphones as nice as the wireless ones included in the set, I'm not sure if high end headphones plugged into a Dolby Headphones processing jack would be as effective as these headphones. If I didn't already have a speaker based HT system, I might have considered looking for one that has Dolby Headphones processing and purchasing a pair of expensive, high end headphones. But since I already had a system, purchasing this Pioneer system was less expensive (though expensive none the less) and offers me everything I could have possible needed. There is one problem with the headphones... you might get spoiled. After using them I saw a movie in a theater with great DTS sound. But I could hear people whispering, eating popcorn, sucking down the last of their sodas, and a man with respiratory problems, and I found myself wishing I could have been using these headphones in the theater.


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Don't let a sleeping family keep you from your new action adventure movie, DTS 5.1 concert, or online video game tournament by setting up these Pioneer wireless surround sound headphones. The SE-DIR800C phones, which connect to any 5.1-channel source--including a DVD player, game console, digital cable box, or satellite receiver--are equipped with Dolby Headphone technology, which produces up to five virtual loudspeakers in your head by directing and reflecting the sound from each channel. The effect is a stunning surround experience, far more dimensional than with typical headphones, and, some say, even better than with a high-performance surround speaker system. The audio is natural sounding and doesn't cause "listener fatigue" as do many other headphones. The phones also work with a variety of surround formats, including Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Surround.
Most conveniently, the SE-DIR800C phones are completely cordless. The small wireless transmitter connects to your source (DVD player, game console, etc.) and broadcasts a clear, strong signal via infrared technology to the headphones. Thanks to the wireless technology, you won't snag a headphone cord on furniture, your dog, your glasses, or anything else.
The phones feature a trio of "virtual room" presets from which to choose. The options actually reproduce the sound of a playback system in up to three different listening environments based on the acoustic measurements of real rooms. The small room setting (DH1) re-creates a small, well-damped room with very little reverberation that's perfect for both movies and music-only recordings, while the medium room (DH2) is a more acoustically live (or "wet") room that's well suited to both formats as well (with moderate reverberation). Meanwhile, the large room setting (DH3) offers a bigger sound, more like the audio within a concert hall or movie theater.
A final bonus stems from the onboard volume control. With a volume dial on the headphone itself, users can easily turn up the audio without getting out of the chair. The SE-DIR800C phones, which offer a transmission range of up to 26 feet, are an ideal choice for folks who live in busy households where people go to sleep early, or for anyone who wants a little audio privacy while watching movies or listening to music. The phones are backed by a 90-day warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box Wireless headphones, transmitter, rechargeable AA batteries, charger, coaxial digital cable, two-way stand, user's manual.

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Soundcast SOU-ICO410 OutCast Outdoor Wireless Speaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The initial quality is great, but after a few months I found many quirks that don't justify a large price tag. First complaint is that the "audio in" jack snapped it now jiggles around creating static if I can even get it to pick up the feed. The second is the interference with my Wifi network, the transmitter drastically reduced the strength and range of my network. I also use a Sonos system that is also effected by the transmitter. Engineers should be fired, and ill take my money back!

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The OutCast weather-resistant, wireless speaker lets you enjoy rich multi-directional stereo sound throughout your house, in your yard, on your patio and even on a boat. With broadcast range of up to 350 feet, this powerful wireless speaker receives transmissions through walls, floors, and ceilings without the hassle of running wires.

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Harman Kardon HK990 2x150 Watt 2.2-Channel Stereo Integrated Amplifier (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First time owning Harman Kardon product and i love it.
The HK990 is amazing with its 150 watts of power but
seems to be more on hand what was specified.The bass
is incredible and midrange is sweet also the treble
is better than my M15hd.I hook my ATC SCM19 to this
amp and it is delicious despite my speakers screaming
for 300 watts the HK990 is more than capable of delivering
the power.
Great amp with a beautiful,almost neutral sound that
has captivated me and has made me a Harman Kardon fan.
Just remove the cheesy aluminum veneer on the bottom
section and replace it with real aluminum.It would be
fitting for a product of this quality sound to have
the aesthetics to match.

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In terms of raw power, the HK 990 is the most muscular amplifier ever to carry the Harman Kardon name, more than capable of driving the most demanding loudspeaker loads without breaking a sweat. But the HK 990's awesome power is nothing if not highly refined, extending beyond watts and amps. With a choice of discrete optical or digital inputs or an analog-only signal path, as well as fourth-generation Real-Time Linear Smoothing (RLS IV), 2.2-channel EzSet/EQ room optimization, dual subwoofer outputs and an audiophile-quality phono preamp section, the HK 990 offers a combination of features you will find irresistible. Others, of course, may simply hunger for all that power. We understand completely

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Wadia 170iTransport iPod transport with S/PDIF digital audio output Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I do massage therapy for a living all day. I can load up a jazzilion tracks in apple lossless or AIFF format and go to work and have incredible tunes all day - or - my customers can come in and drop their personal I-phone or I pods in my Wadia and listen to "their" tunes while relaxing. I use this in connection with a $10,000.00 Bryston audio system and DAC. easy to use. Does not dissapoint. now if I can just remember where I left my IPod. :}

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Panasonic 7-14mm f/4.0 Micro Four Thirds Lens for Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)How can this outstanding ultra wide micro four thirds lens not have any reviews? I'm not a professional photographer, but I can't sit by idly while this lens is denied its proper accolades.
First, an ultra-wide lens is very useful. The difference between 7mm and 14mm is enormous. The broad field of view at 7mm lets you take amazing landscape pictures. At 7mm, mountains are reduced to boulders, and boulders are reduced to small rocks. More importantly, the ultra-wide angle lets you take close ups of objects while preserving their relationship to the objects around them. And most importantly, the ultra-wide angle lets you take pictures in close or cramped quarters that simply would not be possible with any other lens. At 9mm you can sit in the corner of a room and take a picture of the entire room!!! During filming, you can zoom out from 14mm to 7mm to create a dramatic effect that cannot be achieved with another lens.
Second, this is an excellent choice among all ultra-wides. slrgear and dpreview have tested it and found it to provide excellent image quality. It is ideally suited to the Panasonic G1/GH1/GF1 and the Olympus E-P1 because it is the only ultra-wide lens available for micro four thirds that will auto-focus and auto-expose during movies. Auto-focus and auto-exposure are quiet enough under normal conditions that I can't hear them. Auto-focus hunting is minimal. As of firmware version 1.1 (dated 2009/11/25), this lens officially supports auto-focus in 1080p24 FHD movies. It is incredibly light (only 300 grams) when compared to similar lenses in other formats. The next most compact ultra-wide zoom is the otherwise excellent Olympus Zuiko 7-14mm f/4.0 Aspherical Super ED Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras, which costs 50% more and weighs nearly three times as much with the required Panasonic Mount Adapter. And this lens is currently the only native m43rds ultra wide zoom with constant aperture throughout its zoom range (7mm to 14mm). Wow.
Now the bad news.... Flash is problematic. The wide hood at the end of the lens blocks the on-camera flash in the wide field of view that this lens provides and will cast an ugly shadow right in the bottom middle in your frame. So if you take a flash picture with this lens, your picture will have a dark spot in the center bottom where the lens blocked the on-camera flash :( I'm not sure if a hot-shoe mounted flash can solve this problem because I haven't found any that are rated down to 7mm. This is annoying since at f4.0 this lens isn't fast enough for low light photography without a flash.
And finally, my druthers. My favorite use of this lens is photographing tight indoor spaces, where I am always wishing for a faster lens. So I wish this lens was faster, even though it would be heavier and more expensive. But even exactly as it is, I highly recommend this magical lens for confined quarters and for landscapes.
**Update August 2010**
I took the 7-14mm with me on vacation this month and reacquainted myself with its charms. In Santa Cruz, I discovered that the 7-14mm has a magical ability to look around obstacles, and see things that are not visible to the naked eye. Due to an unfortunate seating choice at the Roaring Camp Railroad, all I could see was the back of the Shay locomotive pulling us up Bear Mountain. At 7mm, this lens reduced the entire locomotive to a small part of the frame and the resulting pictures were better than what I could see with my own eyes (see images). The GH1 with this lens is so light that I took a 1080p24 movie of the Dixiana's 20 minute descent HANDHELD. A few days later I used this lens to take aerial pictures of the Bay Area salt marshes. With this lens's huge 7-14mm range, I could frame my aerial shots exactly as I wanted. No other lens on any other widely available still or video camera system can provide as wide a field of view and as excellent image quality in so compact and inexpensive a package as this lens.

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