Showing posts with label home video monitoring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home video monitoring. Show all posts

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera BlackI primarily shoot with higher end DSLR cameras. I bought this camera mainly because of its ability to shoot at 40fps and to have a fun, pocket sized snapshot camera. It certainly does delivery on its promises, and does a great job of doing it! It is about the same size as common P&S cameras but is loaded with great features that gives it an edge over other cameras.

The button to switch from single shot to high speed and back to single shot is conveniently located at the top of the camera. Push the button and you are in high speed mode. Push it again and you have a regular camera. If you shoot action shots and are not good at timing your shots to 'capture the moment', you will love this camera. If you have kids and they do sports, you will LOVE this camera.

The camera can be used in a fully automatic mode, fully manual, or anywhere in-between. Access to all the shooting settings is accomplished by pushing one button as well (on the command dial), so you can adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, white balance, frame rate for high speed shootings, buffer settings, etc. The MENU button allows you to access typical setup features and reformat the memory card.

Auto focus is fast and accurate. The focus tracking feature works, and works great. Metering is excellent as well giving consistent, correctly exposed images.

The lens gives very sharp pictures with nice color and contrast. The zoom on the long end to too strong to use effectively without a tripod, even with the image stabilizer on. It is easy to get good 12x shots though.

Like just about any P&S camera, good lighting is the key to success. Very low light performance is only good at best, but keep in mind it is typical just like any P&S camera. If you plan to use your camera in low light often, you may be better off with a P&S that has a f2.8 (or faster) lens, or a micro 4/3 or DSLR camera where you can put a fast lens on the camera. The flash works well when needed, providing even, accurate light without hot spots and naturally looking pictures.

Video quality appears to be very good although I have not viewed the HD video on my HDTV. Video can be recorded in slow motion but resolution is quite low and probably only suited to viewing on a computer. It also requires a lot of light. Shooting under fluorescent lights in slow motion can produce a flicker effect in the lighting.

I have owned several P&S cameras. This one is loaded with features that give it an advantage over many other P&S cameras. Although it is a little bit more expensive than some typical cameras, because of its high speed image capture features, it is an excellent value (if you need and can use those features, of course).

One other drawback is is slow write speed to the memory card. I did not notice any difference using a high speed memory card to a slower speed card. This is not an issue for single shots or if you shot in small bursts. But, if you shoot a burst of 30 shots, you might have to wait 20 seconds for all the images to be written to the memory card, You can of course still continue to shoot (up to the buffer capacity). You cannot view images while the buffer is clearing. I don't know if this camera is any faster or slower in write speed to other similar cameras. But of course, I don't believe there are other cameras that take 30 frames in 3/4 of a second and have to write so many images to a memory card at one time!

The panorama mode of this camera is excellent, providing seamless panorama shots with ease the entire process is automatic. All you have to do is pan the camera smoothly as you hold the shutter down.

I did a side-by-side comparison of this camera Vs a Lumix P&S that my friend has. His camera has a Leica lens. The image quality was basically identical and indistinguishable between the two at both low and high ISO. I have read a couple of reviews about this camera not giving sharp images. If you are not getting sharp images, there is something wrong with your technique as the lens on this camera is excellent.

This is a great little camera. I'm not a professional photographer so may not be as picky about all of the smallest details but I know my way around a camera and this one is awesome. I couldn't decide which camera to go with and after reading a few not so hot personal reviews I got a little worried but now I'm definitely glad I went with the Casio.

I wanted a camera that shoots 1080HD, this one does it and seems to do it very well. It also has an HDMI output build right in so thats a big plus.

I was really interested in the high speed capabilities of this thing as its the only one I could find that has it. Its really revolutionary and is a game changer as far as I'm concerned. I was amazed that the average person could get high speed technology for only $240. Its not perfect as the image quality decreases quite abit the higher frames per second that you go but you can still get very impressive results. The key is to get a lot of light, just the same as what the professionals need for their hundred thousand dollar cameras. I put three or four lights shining on the table and spun a quarter and got really awesome results. It showed up clearly even at 1000fps and looked incredible as it slowly turned. You can watch the unedited footage in amazement so I can't wait to see what I can do after some editing. I'm definitely gonna have a lot of fun with this feature.

I read reviews that said the HDart feature is overhyped and useless but I don't agree. Although its nothing too incredible, it does give some really cool results. It instantly turns a regular picture into a work of art of sorts and I think I'll definitely be able to use it to create some cool images.

One of the other great features in the panorama shot. I don't have much experience with this so when I first did it I was really impressed. It takes a 360 degree picture and, from what I saw, it stitched them together almost perfectly. Its a pretty amazing feature and you can definitely have fun with it. I can't wait to try it out on some outdoor scenery.

Since this little device is also a digital camera I better touch on that, haha. The still pictures were very good in my opinion. The colors were great and really popped. Some people will complain about the sharpness of the images and if you really zoom in, yeah of course its gonna start getting grainy. If you take the picture and are looking at the full picture, however, it looks great. It does a good job of focusing and automatically adjusting depending on the light in the room. Also since one review said it didn't have an autopreview after you take the picture I'll mention that it does, you just have to go to the menu and turn it on.

Overall I was very pleased with this camera. If it had cost $900 I may have been a little more picky about image quality but at $240 this thing is incredible. Seriously, if you're gonna complain about image quality, go buy yourself a $2000 canon or nikon. And if you're gonna write poor reviews because you don't take two minutes to learn the menu system and features then ask your grandkids to show you how the thing works first. And if you're just on amazon looking for a great little camera that gives you awesome pictures plus an endless set of fun features then don't hesitate to buy this one.

Buy Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black Now

Pros

1. Compact. Packs 12.5x optical zoom in a 1.1" body, competitors are on 1.3" or 1.4" bodies (though Nikon S9100 packs an 18x optical zoom in that slightly larger form factor).

2. Fast operations

3. Good low light pictures a definite improvement from previous Exilims

4. Good video again a definite improvement from previous Exilims

5. Panorama mode better than the Sony Cybershot DSC HX9V.

6. Flash doesn't pop-up and take the space where you'd keep your finger (as in Nikon Coolpix S9100, Canon Powershot SX230 or Sony Cybershot DSC HX9V)

Cons

1. Poor image stabilization. Low light images with optical zoom extended all the way were mostly blurry. Was a deal breaker for me.

2. Battery meter was flaky I saw it indicate solid (meaning full battery) before starting on a picture, medium when focusing and low immediately after the picture was taken. Obviously no single picture can suddenly drain the battery. Also for some reason the battery life is not as good as previous Exilims (which has again been a Casio differentiator)

Check out dcresource.com, pcmag.com and cnet.com for professional reviews of compact superzooms. I still haven't found one from the 2011 crop that I'd recommend.

Read Best Reviews of Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black Here

I am not a highly experienced or professional photographer, just a casual amateur. I was looking for a camera which could act like a P&S for my wife, yet offer high-speed and some other sophisticated features for me at sporting events. This little gem has met all those requirements extremely well. The continuous shutter and high-speed features are stunning, allowing me to capture the pitch leaving the pitcher's hand or the ball leaving the batter's bat. For me, this is a thrilling capability. I also like the panorama capability. The telephoto with anti-shake works great, giving clear crisp photos even when my hand is having difficulty holding the focus area on a small item. The large screen, with higher than average pixels, is a pleasure to use very clear viewing and a fairly intuitive menu system.

The small size and light weight let this little wonder fit easily in my pant pocket or my wife's purse. The only feature I have yet to explore is the HD movie, but I expect it to be as great as the other features if not, I will update this review in the future. I highly recommend this camera and am totally baffled by negative reviews.

Want Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black Discount?

This item has to be the best pocket camera ever. I have had this camera for just over 4 months. I've used it in extremely bright sun shine and in very low light situations (For both Still pictures and Video). Its exceeded my expectations in all areas. Its packed with so many features (High speed shutter operation, panorama photo's, Macro & Super Macro features, High Definition Videos and high quality slow motion videos). Menus are well organized an easy to navigate. Battery life is extremely good. I have taken at least a 1000 photos and 2 hours of video footage on a single battery charge. The controls are easy to use and provide tactile feed back, except for the power off button. One other feature that is rarely discussed, is downloading of video's and pictures from your camera to your PC. It downloads 100 2650x1980 pictures in less than 10 seconds. Truly a speed demon.

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

18MP Cybersnap1018 Red (Micro4GB) Digital Camera

18MP Cybersnap1018 Red Digital Camera18MP Cybersnap1018 Red (Micro4GB)Camera sounds like a great camera for the price, in the decription. It has a sleek and hip appearance. It is a pretty Red color, it's compact, and can fit in a shirt pocket easily. It comes with a Micro 4gb SD card. The problem that I had when I bought one, was just getting the camera to take a picture. Even after installing the new batteries that came with it, I was unable to get the camera to Flash. The notification menu was tellin gme that there was a low battery power. i went out and purchased 3 packs of brand new batteries and tried all of them...but unfortunately received the same response with all of the batteries, and was not able to ever use the flash or take a photo. The Seller wasa kind enough to honor their Return Policy and had me return the Camera and acessories for a full refund.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Nikon Coolpix 5700 5MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom

Nikon Coolpix 5700 5MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical ZoomAlthough I am pretty familiar with Nikon's digital controls having owned a Coolpix 880, I recommend spending some time with the instruction manual: Not because I think the camera is that complicated, but so that you can fully appreciate what the 5700 can do! This is an excellent camera if you really want a digital SLR but can't justify the cost; the 5700's electronic viewfinder behaves like a true SLR while the 8x optical zoom (not digital, which is nearly worthless) covers most lens focal lengths.

I love my film cameras (also Nikon), but there are many advantages to owning a digital camera. Not only can you see your results right away, but the digital nature has some cool advantages want to shoot in B&W? Don't change film, just change a camera setting. The viewfinder in the 5700 will also show in B&W! That's pretty cool. At a decent resolution with moderate compression, I can get 1,100 images on a ... 256 MB card. Yes, that's one thousand one hundred at a quality that will produce a very decent 8x10 print. How many rolls of film is that?

Of course the Nikon quality is exceptional, from the ED glass in the optics to the very strong alloy body. I do not feel that the size is too small, but I do find the positioning of the right camera strap a wee bit awkward.

If you do consider digital, with the 5700 or not, I do recommend buying extra memory cards the prices are low and the 16 to 32 MB cards that usually come with the camera will fill too quickly, especially if you want to use the full 5 MP resolution. Also, battery life is a problem. Buying those ... lithium batteries for the 880 (same battery as the 5700) nearly bankrupted me until I bought Nikon's rechargable battery system (which the 5700 comes with kudos to Nikon). Buy an extra battery or two you will not regret it! Indeed, shell out the bucks for the 5700, you won't regret that either.

This camera rivals the [$] pro cameras on the market. Add a 1 Gig IBM Microdrive and you can take 134 photos in the high res. Raw format which will easily make a perfect 13x19 print that is true photo quality. The minimum density is fantastic so skin tones are beautiful, I was shooting with a Nikon N80 and scanning the transparencies with a Canon 4000 DPI scanner. That is both expensive and time consuming. This camera is about 80% as sharp as that combo...but with a better contrast range! My average session with a model is 6-8 rolls. With 2 microdrives I can achieve that quaintly with no computer necessary! And the cost of a single drive is recouped in 3 sessions (Film and processing costs eliminated).

Cons: Horrible low light sensitivity...Slow saving in the HiRes modes and the camera controls TOTALLY lock up while the cache is written to the disk/drive (after 3 consecutive shots in HiRes ONLY). You can shoot, but not change ANYTHING manually. This problem disappears in the JPEG modes which are fine for many applications. Autofocus is slow at extreme telephoto setting and in low light. AND the shutter release button delay is intolerable when using flash or in low light.

So if you want to do a lot of action photography pick another camera. If however, you want the sharpest image for the least money then buy the Nikon Coolpix 5700. And buy several extra batteries and as large a storage device as you can afford.

Buy Nikon Coolpix 5700 5MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom Now

I read the user warnings: impossible low light autofocus, poor manual focus with no distance indicator, battery eater, buttons on the side can't be found when you need them but always hit by accident, no filter threads. I thought, "It's a Nikon. Must be operator problems." I was wrong.

This camera has a good flash and works well with Nikon external flash units, but there's a catch. The camera will not focus under conditions when you normally need a flash! No focus assist light, and the manual focus...you've got to be kidding: Hold down a button on the side of the camera while turning a knurled wheel on top. Under really bright conditions, you can sort-of tell when the image is in focus, but under those conditions, you probably don't need manual focus. If you think maybe you'll just estimate the distance under dim light and dial it in, well guess what? The focus distance indicator is a bar which slides between a flower and a mountain. How's that for precision measurement!

Yep, it eats batteries. Buy two spares ($$ ouch!) and a rapid charger plus a car adapter. You'll always have batteries on you mind when you use this camera. You can turn off Continuous Autofocus and reduce battery drain, and noise, significantly, though.

I found a press-on adapter for $25 to use standard threaded filters. That helped, but should not have been necessary on a $900 camera.

And just wait till you hit the file type button by mistake--and discover you've changed from Fine (JPEG) to RAW, and have to wait 45 seconds for the 15MB file to save to CF, while you scratch your head trying to figure out what happened.

Yes, the menus are a little complex and mastering the extensive feature set may take a while, but that's to be expected with this many features, although some would be better placed for quick access. Built-in macro focusing is good, too, but an aperture smaller than F8--at least F11 or F16--might give the depth of field you need for close-up photography. The 8:1 zoom is nice, with 35mm equivalent of 280mm, but the wide angle end is weak with only 35mm wide angle instead of the more usefull 28mm equivalent. And given the price of this camera, image stabilization should be included for hand-holding the telephoto zoom.

But it's the low light focus that will drive you screaming into the night. A helper pointing a small flashlight or a laser pointer at your subject will help the camera to focus (you'll get used to the Canon people laughing at you), but you'll still be guessing on the composition, since the viewfinder display goes nearly black in low light. If Nikon could at least update the firmware to display manual focus distance in feet--that would be a help, but just try and contact anyone interested! You get referred to the incredibly lame FAQs and "knowledge base" every time!

If you really want the precision framing of TTL viewfinders on a digital, save your money for a true digital SLR.

Read Best Reviews of Nikon Coolpix 5700 5MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom Here

After reading these reviews I am starting to wonder if we are even discussing the same camera; people either love it or hate it. I am of the former persuasion: I really love this camera. No, it's not perfect, but all in all it is the best digital non-SLR machine I've ever used. First I'll discuss the things I'm not happy with; then I'll cover the features of which I am. After that section I'll address some of the complaints that I've read in some of the other reviews.

Let's get started:

What don't I like? I do wish the buttons on the side of the barrel were moved as they are a bit too easy to push by mistake, though once you get used to their location that sort of goes away. I also wish the tripod mount was directly in-line with the lens, not in the middle of the bottom of the case (though to be fair, that's the way it is with most cameras).

Nikon refers to the included 16 MB Compact Flash card (think of it as your digital film, if you aren't familiar with the digital camera world) as a "starter card"; and that unfortunately is true. 16 MB only holds 12 pics at 5 megapixels.. For the price of this instrument I strongly feel Nikon could include a larger capacity card; 64 MB or higher would be ideal but I'd settle for 32. Finally, it would be nice if the camera would accept other forms of media in addition to the compact flash or micro drive. However, this final observation isn't really a major complaint. It's more like a wish.

The things I love

Picture quality is first rate! The color and clarity of the pics are superb, as is the tolerance of slight hand shake. I've taken quite a few snaps where I've known I moved my hand a little at the last moment, and the pics came out razor sharp (not so with other cams). It has auto bracketing (it will take a series of shots that vary between a range you select for white balance/exposure, adjusting slightly between shots, and display the results with the data, allowing you to choose which is the most satisfying), best shot selector (you hold the shutter release button down and the 5700 takes a series of pics-up to 10-and saves the best focused to the card), image sharpening, noise reduction, and about a million other settings. It also allows you to save up to three sets of options or settings as "user settings", so you can recall the settings with just one menu choice, instead of resetting everything again.

One of my favorite features is the macro mode. You can take sharp amazing snaps up to 3 cm or 0.8". If any of you are interested in seeing a sample, send me an email.

The printed user guide is good; not great, but good. I haven't seen any that were better, and quite a few that were worse. You could buy a third party guide to the 5700, and they are usually worth the price, as they give you tips and lessons that the manual doesn't include. Also, the Nikon web site has a multimedia manual/lesson feature for the 5700, and it is a very good overview and covers the basics well. This is provided free of charge.

The case is metal, which makes it feel substantial and allows the quality of the build to come through. I don't feel that it is too small, in fact, it feels pretty much just right and I am rather ham-handed. I also love the fact the camera can save in the RAW format for use in programs such as Photoshop CS. Working with RAW images really opens the field of creativity.

Complaints Others Have Expressed

The most common seems to be the auto-focus at low light. I've not had any trouble at all with this feature. I've taken pics in pretty dim areas and the AF worked fine. I wonder if the folks who had problems had the selected the correct settings; a read of the manual could solve the apparent problems. In addition, you can turn the auto-focus off and use the manual (focus)

I've also read some have found the buttons confusing. Now here I feel I must get on my soapbox. "Prosumer" level cameras are called such and cost the amount they do because of the quality of the images as well as the user controlled settings/features/options. If you are going to spend the kind of cash these machines cost, then it only makes sense to devote some time to learning how everything works. Any camera at this level is similar, there are just too many options to be able to make everything appear when/where every single user expects them to.

I've taught enough people to know that some folks become very frustrated very quickly no matter what the subject. If this is you then I suggest you avoid the Coolpix 5700 or any of the other cameras at this level; you'll just drive yourself nuts. There are a number of good quality point and shoot models in the market and these will be a much better match. If you are one of the folks who enjoys learning new things and the challenge of such, then these types of cameras are great. In the case of the 5700 I found the menus quite intuitive; however, you do have to read the manual to get an overview of how the camera works.

Some people also complained about the battery life. I've not experienced any problems. In fact, I own dig cams from Kodak, Olympus, Pentax and Canon, and all operate about the same as the 5700.

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The Coolpix 5700 is my 5th digital camera (3rd Nikon) and no previous camera compares. The 8:1 zoom alone is worth the price of admission (it's what I'd been waiting for.)

Until this camera I had a firm rule of no camera without an optical viewfinder. I had seen too many digital camera users stuck in very bright or very low light, unable to use their cameras. I warily decided to make an exception based on the fact that in addition to other compelling features of this camera e.g., 8:1 zoom, 5 megapixels I got through-the lens-viewing, albeit electronic. Well, this electronic viewfinder is so good that in my opinion this camera really is an SLR. In fact, I don't know why they can't call it that. It does have viewing through the lens, whether there's a flip-up mirror or not. I would imagine terminology will eventually change to allow such cameras to be called "Electronic SLRs."

I disagree with other reviews I've read that talk about a steep learning curve. I found learning this camera rapid and intuitive. Especially if you've used any of the previous Coolpix models, you'll find everything just where you would expect it to be, but more refined and elegant than in previous models. It is very easy to navigate the menus and to set up. And of course in the default full-auto mode it works just like any point-and-shoot. There's no reason anyone can't pick up this camera and use it right out of the box.

A reason why I haven't bought any previous high-end digital SLR was a concern about size and weight. I had to have a camera I could carry around my neck for bicycle touring. Pictures I'd seen of the Coolpix 5700 made it look rather large and heavy. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's virtually the same size and weight as my previous Coolpix 995 like a compact 35mm camera. It also is the easiest to grip and manipulate of any camera I've owned it seems to cling to your hand. I love the easy shutter release button. A complaint about previous Coolpix's was that for me pressing the overly stiff and "clicky" shutter release button would cause the camera to move. No so with the 5700.

I love the fact that there is a large, REAL lens cap, cleverly designed so that it simply moves out with the zoom if you forget to take the cap off before power-up. I also like the real hot flash shoe. This camera's a winner the best of any I've had.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera

Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video CameraThe image quality of this camera isn't great, and as the other reviewer states, it needs lots of light. The resolution of the video is fairly poor, comparable to a very cheap 4-year-old webcam. If you need to see detail in the image (e.g. for certain security-camera purposes), then it will not work.

Another thing to note is that this camera is much bigger than it looks--it is about the size of your hand. I was hoping to squeeze it into a tight space, but the camera's size took me by surprise. It will be difficult to hide this camera if you are hoping to use it for hidden security purposes.

In sum, if you need a cheap camera that can sit out in the open and take low-detail video of a well-lit room, then this is your product. Otherwise, you should look for more professional (or wired) cameras.

Linksys seems to be living in the last decade. This camera can only be observed remotely with an ActiveX capable browser, in other words, Internet Explorer.

What this means: NO Macintosh, NO Firefox, NO Flock...

To make it worse, the ActiveX control has an expired certificate, which means you can't install it without tweaking the default security settings in the browser.

Come on Linksys, you can do better!!!! How about Flash based video, or quicktime, or Windows Media Video? ActiveX is a thing of the past.

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I bought this based on my experiences with linksys products, but this is a piece of junk. It only works with activex with internet explorer, and only works over the internet with linksys' ddns service (free for ninety days and after that you pay for the life of the product). Doesn't work with IE7. Very sorry I bought it.

Read Best Reviews of Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera Here

The camera itself it not that bad. The design is ok. It's about like most typical Linksys products: ok documentation (but not great), so-so user interface but generally gets the job done. Initial setup is only mildly frustrating (the camera could not initially communicate with my Linksys router, which you'd think they might test back at the lab...) The fatal flaw with this camera is the SoloLink DDNS service. If you're not familiar with DDNS, it basically allows you to hook up the camera to your router and then assigns a domain name so that you can view the camera from any location by typing in an easy-to-remember domain name in a browser. I bought this camera to watch my house while on vacation. The service worked for about five minutes on the first day of the trip and then never worked again. Perhaps they will fix the service (is it a bandwidth issue?) but as of 9/06, it's horrible and I would stay away. On top of all that, you have to pay for this service. The box doesn't mention this, except if you read the small print where it says something like "free trial of SoloLink DDNS". You cannot use any other DDNS service...

If you plan to sit on your couch and see what's going on in your dining room or if you just want a webcam to take your picture while your chatting on IM with your buddy, then this camera may be for you. However, if you plan to view the images from outside your home over the Internet, save your money and wait for improved technology. I should also mention that the image quality is not great. For the five minutes that I could actually view the image, I only managed to see some dark, jagged images of my living room. In a well-lit room, it's probably better.

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Linksys products are usually high quality. This is sadly not the case with the WVC54GC Internet Video Camera. I just finished testing mine, and I'll be returning it tomorrow. I'd rate it zero stars if that was allowed.

Do NOT buy this product! I have tried several brands of standalone netcams and the image produced by this Linksys camera is by far the worst -it is shockingly poor. Take a look at the "Customer Image" I've uploaded (click just below the main product image) and judge for yourself. The image was so blurry, I thought that perhaps I had forgotten to remove the protective cellophane covering the lens. No such luck. Any reviewer who says the image is OK does not have a clue what a decent video image should look like.

Also, this camera only supports remote viewing via Internet Explorer, under Windows, via an ActiveX control, which is a total joke. Forget about viewing your camera from anything but a Windows-based PC. Even if you're on a Windows PC, most public-access machines (say, a courtesy PC in an airport lounge) won't give you access since you'll be unable to download the ActiveX control required for viewing. Also, it has no audio support.

Save your money and buy a Veo Observer.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Dell DisplayPort (Display Port) to HDMI Video Adapter, Connect or Cable - TK041 / 0TK041

Dell DisplayPort to HDMI Video Adapter, Connect or Cable - TK041 / 0TK041This product worked fine on my dell laptop. Happy with the product and simple to use no setting needed to be updated. Would buy again if I ever needed it or someone ask me I will Recommand this product

Cable worked great sending both high quality video and audio from my Dell E6400 laptop to a Sony flatscreen TV. Didn't have to change any setting to make it work, just plugged the cable in the laptop Display port, plugged the HDMI end into the TV and whoola perfect audio and video. Very happy with purchase.

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I bought this adapter to connect my laptop docking station to my TV at home.

I purchased this product having trying a less expensive Displayport to HDMI cable that ended up being faulty.

It was a little bit more than what I had wanted to spend (taking into account you need another HDMI cable as well), but it works. Video and audio come through well. The only thing I am not sure about is that the image is extending beyond the TV's boarder. It is cutting off the length of about half of the task bar from all sides. I'm not sure if this is due to resolution settings or not. I'm still working on that.

I found this adapter on a few other websites for less, but Amazon was the only one that would state that it was a new unit. With my previous experience with a faulty cable I knew there was a chance that I would need to return it, and Amazon's return system is the best I have worked with.

It shipped quickly, and it works. I'm very satisfied with it.

Read Best Reviews of Dell DisplayPort (Display Port) to HDMI Video Adapter, Connect or Cable - TK041 / 0TK041 Here

It allows me to display my pc on our big screen. Makes it a very nice huge monitor. Working from home is easy.

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I usually use this cable adapter to run movies from my Dell laptops priority display port to any TV that has an HDMI port. High quality handy little doo-dad, Was out of state as a guest at a meeting and the AV equipment was missing some cables so they couldnt hook up as required. Pulled this little cable out of my bag and found a long HDMI cable from their TV in their break room and saved the day.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Whistler WHIWIC2409C Wireless Inspection Device

Whistler WHIWIC2409C Wireless Inspection DeviceThe product works exceptionally well. With Blue-Tooth transmission of the image captured by the probe, your assistant can view what is being photographed by the probe or, alternatively, you can leave the Monitor attached to the probe's handle and view the picture yourself.

With variable control of light intensity, the camera can be controlled to provide the best view of the environment in which it is being employed.

It has a color screen. You must charge the screen overnight before first use. 4 AAs go in the handle. I used the Whistler WIC2409C all day. The screen has contrast, brightness and orientation buttons. The orientation button is very useful because as you twist around with the camera your image may turn upside down. This button sets the image back right side up. The color screen is also detachable and works wirelessly. This screen is very convenient because you can lay it anywhere while you shove the WIC2409C inspection cable into an inaccessible area. Also, this screen has a video-out port, which I connected to a 19" computer screen. But all I needed was the detachable screen with wireless connection. Finally, this inspection camera has four small LEDs on the tip. But for behind walls these small LEDs are like a small flashlight in an underground cave. Therefore, I taped a mini LED flashlight on the camera end with electrical tape. Then I turned the mini flashlight on and fed the camera into my cieling. I had more than enough light and could see around 10 feet between the joists of my cieling.

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After many comparisons of the different inspection cameras on the market I ordered the Whistler 2409C. What I missed was that not all Whistler inspection cameras that look the same in the ads have the ability to record to an SD card. No wonder the seller had the lowest price. This one has no SD slot. Be sure to check this feature before ordering. Also, the focus depth of field is very narrow. No way to focus this camera on the subject in "view". Still, for the low cost it's a good entry level, non-pro camera for the average user.

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Great device for the price, lighting and screen resolution can be better. Moving parts on the tip of the cameras (mirror) can be mounted better. Overall it gets the job done.

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Great features for the price, easily extendable and use it for a varity of problems. Keep it charged do not kink!

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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Toshiba Camileo X400 Camcorder

Toshiba Camileo X400 CamcorderI purchased the X400 from Best Buy online. It had only been out a short whle and the feature set was compelling for me. Having been using a standard definition mini DV camcorder for years, this was my first entry into HD recording. My primary use was to record my son's gymnastics metts.

I shot a brief video outside to get used to the controls. The results were amazing crisp video with vibrant color. I was pretty psyched. Then I tried recording at the next gym meet. The resulting video was blurry. Strangely, the clarity of the picture would go in and out of focus. It appeared the camcorder was constantly attempting to autofocus but could never get there. I looked through the manual for help but could find nothing regarding this. I thought perhaps I should turn off the autofocus but could not find a way to do this. I experimented further changing other controls, resolution, auto stabilization, and light settings. Still the video was blurry.

Next step was to see if Toshiba could help. I went to the support section of Toshiba's web site. There was a user's forum but nothing on the X400. There was not a form or email address so I phoned the support number. I thought they might give me suggestions on how to correct the issue. I was wrong. They told me I would need to return the camcorder to Toshiba. So I boxed it up and sent it back. I was disappointed in the customer service in that they could not even offer any suggestions to resolve the issue.

Figuring that the X400 was defective, with the credit I decided to try the X416. It is the exact same camcorder with the exception of having 16GB of built in memory. (The X400 had no built in memory but relied solely on SD card). Unfortunately it is exhibiting the same deficiencies as the X400. Unless I can get better results out of the video, this will be returned as well.

The other issue worth noting with both the X400 and X416 is the battery life. It is pretty short. I am lucky to get 1 hours worth of video before the thing is spent.

I have purchased several Toshiba products in the past and been happy with the items and experience. I think their TVs are very good. But it appears they missed the mark with the Camileo HD camcorders. As disappointing as the camcorder is, the customer service is equally so.

This camera will not focus. It constantly moves in and out of focus and there is no way to stop it. I DO NOT recommend purchasing this camera.

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Low quality of the battery, it only lasts 1 hour ... I'm in for warranty claim.

The camcorder works great, excellent zoom and has a good quality recording and the best, is light.

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I bought this camera about 6 months ago. It is absolutely the worst camcorder I have ever owned, and I have owned several. It is HORRIBLE in low light. Seriously, its like you are recording through a thin film of tomato soup. It is average in bright sunshine, though I have seen non-HD camcorders with sharper picture. To top it all off, there is some kind of glitch, where if you record while plugged in (cause the battery only lasts about 15 minutes)it will just shut off in the middle of your recording, without saving.

Last, and WORST of all, there is no way to disable the autofocus, which constantly bounces in and out of focus, with the speed of a championship ping-pong match. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get good video with this camera....

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Good Day to all of our valued customers. I would like to take this opportunity to address any outstanding isues with the Camileo product line. If for any reason you are at the point of an unresolved issue with a product, you may have it replaced free of charge , from the origin of purchase. Furthermore, a new warranty will apply to your replacement item and you will be updated for 24 hour support on our valued customer marketing profile. Hoping this will ease your troubles or acclimation to any one of our new products. .... Please bring this correspondence with you.

Sincerely, Michael A. Camileo , Director,C.E.O. Marines Landing Companies on behalf of Norio Sasaki , Director,President,C.E.O. Toshiba Corporate Headquarters , Tokyo.

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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Canon PowerShot A310 3.2MP Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot A310 3.2MP Digital CameraAs an owner of two other canon cameras (G2 & S50) I'm obviously pleased with the products they put out. When I decided to look for a smaller lightweight anytime camera I again went with canon. I did look at nikon, fuji, and sony, who all had nice features but for the money and options this camera looked best. After playing with it for a bit I'd have to say the point and shoot pictures are very good--outside. the load up time is short, and I can simply snap away without a problem. The pictures come out very bright and clear for a 3.2mp camera--some nice stuff. Now when taking pictures inside, the story is a lot different..the flash drains serious battery power (a310 takes AA or nimh rechargables) and takes close to 30 seconds to 'recharge' before you can take another picture. Luckily I don't plan on using this inside much, but if you are this is definitely something to be worried about. The lens is fixed, but there is a 5x digital zoom that works pretty well between 3-4x once you get to 5x its very grainy. Size is good, it's about the same size as my s50 but much lighter, the power-on mechanism is the same, using the front lens cover as the switch. it's rather secure compared to the s50, i don't feel that it will open up accidently often. To wrap this up, my overall feeling is that I'm pleased with the purchase, the battery life is short, my first set of AA batteries died in about 45 minutes, the features are good, the pictures come out nice and the video option works fine. indoor pictures aren't so hot, but if you change the ISO speed and exposure you can pull off decent pictures with or without the flash. It's a great camera!

I bought this for my daughter because it is inexpensive and easy to use, and it's been a lot of fun. You will be hard pressed to find a better 3.2 megapixel camera for the money. Picture quality is excellent, operates on two AA batteries (get rechargables with a recharger because battery life is short), downloads your photos in seconds to your computer through a USB cord that comes with the camera, has a zoom (the 5x max zoom is not sharp; you are better off cropping and enlarging a non-zoom photo image on the computer), the flash is decent, and the features are functional. My daughter loves it. I have been a confirmed film camera purist and still prefer my Nikon with its hefty 28-210 zoom to a pixel image, but why lug that around when we have this little pocket wonder? A perfect introduction to digital photography...

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I was looking for a good camera for a good price, and found the a310. Since I don't need great photos, even though this camera gives great photos, it's great. All the controls are very user friendly; you can switch from camera mode to movie taking mode with a mere switch, which brings me to the movie taking ability. Of course, you can't expect a great movie capability, but this camera sure covers what I need. With a decent sized card, you can get a whole lot of movies. However, on the highest resolution, you can only take movies up to 30 seconds long, which is okay for me since most movies longer than that get boring. I use a 512mb card, and can get about 450 seconds of high resolution video(30 seconds each)and more than 1000 seconds on medium. on low resolution....wow. I find myself using the movie capability more than the pictures. If you're starting out in photography, or just want a decent camera for a great price, you've found it.

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I bought this camera on a friend's advice. I have been very happy with it. It is packed with loads of features. I find it easier to use than my old point and shoot analog camera. The only drawbacks are, battery life, and the small CF card it comes with. I bought a 512mb card which allows me 300+ pics on the highest setting. I also bought re-chargable NiMH batteries which give me about 200 pics before they need to be replaced.

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Was very excited to finally receive this camera through mail. Tried it out but was amazed of how quickly the included batteries died. Nothing major that rechargeable NIMH batteries couldn't fix. Loved the quality of the pics, but even loved it more when i figured out how to set it on the Superfine setting. The sliding lense cover both acts as a protective cover and the power switch which makes it very easy to use. The included USB cable and power adapter makes transfers to the computer an easy process. My favorite feature on this camera though, is the video mode with sound! The lag between each shot with the flash on is pretty aggravating though. Overall, This camera performs very well for the price and I take it everywhere I go!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5W 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom & WiFi - White

Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5W 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom & WiFi - WhiteThis is a real nice camera for the price, but the wifi, which is the reason I got it, was kind of a pain to set up. There is a button for a wifi "wizard," which should make things easier, but it didn't. That's because, at least for the average buyer, there's not enough information in the box to guide you through some of the things you need to know or have questions on. (I think most users are like me; you set up a wifi connection with a device, pray that it works, and then, thorugh trial and error, you're not even sure what you did that got you to the end result! And then you forget all that until you need to do it again.) I tried on line help at Panasonic and emailed their customer service, and got no where. Finally, I called their 800 number. Talked to a nice techie, but I think he was figuring it out on the fly, just as I was.

Here are two (I think) big helps for others who run into similar problems: 1. You CAN'T use the wifi until after you load the software and set up a folder where the wifi will transfer your pictures to. (Embedded in the directions, it does tell you to do that first, but it's far from apparent that things just won't work until then!) Second, once you load the software, you actually get a window that tells you exactly what you need to input in the final stage of wifi set up (but the nomenclature is slightly different, and that helpful fact was never made clear!), and this is where my problem occurred. BEWARE: if you have a computer that doesn't have a password, the final step WILL NOT WORK! (I never bothered with a password on my laptop:one extra step, and I've never worried about it: you need a password.) Apparently, the code is written so you HAVE TO input a password; you can't just leave it blank (At least their software program listed my password as "NONE," and that's what gave me the idea to try again once I added a password. The Panasonic techie had no clue as he walked me through exactly what I had done in the wifi set up (again), and he should have known about this issue since in my original email, I asked if that was the problem.

I can imagine all kinds of people returning this camera over frustration with the wifi (I mean, why would you keep it if you can't make this higher end feature doesn't work? Too bad, because I think I'm really going to like the camera itself. What I've seen so far, the menu choices are much easier to deal with that my older digital, an Olympus Zoom. I would strongly suggest to Panasonic that they put better "Quick Start" instructions in the box, ones that are consumer tested by ordinary people who are a little unsure of terminology and need the hand-holding. It's actually a 4 or 5 star camera with 2 star directions.

I bought this camera to replace an IP video camera, in order to be able to watch for expected visitors without being tied to the front window, allowing me to get other things done while waiting. It works very well for that purpose. In fact it is considerably better than the IP video camera purpose-built for that. This camera is particularly good for that that because it is small and unobtrusive, it can auto-focus and auto-adjust for the light conditions, and be remotely zoomed if desired. Because it is battery-powered, I didn't expect it to have much WiFi range, and it doesn't, but it is good enough be to useful for me. Working by remote control from my Android phone or tablet, the battery lasts for a couple hours. For more time, I also purchased a DMW-DCC10/DMW-AC5 AC adapter, which works well.

The camera also takes good still pictures, and because of its small, easily pocketable size, it has been very useful to take along when I go out just in case an unexpected photo opportunity arises. The SZ5 doesn't have a mode dial or touch screen, but none-the-less, is quite useable.

For improvements, I'd like to see the WiFi remote control range increased. Perhaps that could be done by also allowing a remote control mode that works through an existing WiFi channel.

The WiFi remote control experiment Panasonic tried with this camera is very successful. I think they have done a good job of it, and I find it very useful. I wish my FZ150 and GH2 had it as well, and suspect it'll be a highly prized feature on the GH3. I'm glad I purchased this camera.

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The camera is just what I wanted. It is small and very easy to use. I purchased for a friend, who also loves it. The only drawback is that there is apparently no fill flash setting. This is a bit upsetting. However, when using the customized SCN settings, there is a setting which I think would substitute.

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Compact camera. Great pictures. Wi-Fi function easy to setup. Awesome new way of taking pictures and sending them online. Love this camera.

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I bought this my camera for my wife because she mentioned that it would be nice to have a camera that the pictures would automatically be transferred to our computer or phones so they didn't just reside in the camera until we erase them to make room for more pictures. It is a little tricky, the first couple of times, to connect the wifi. It is so easy now, that we set the camera up and surprise people by taking their picture remotely and transfer the pictures, to our external hard drive, automatically, every time we plug in to charge.

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