Showing posts with label reviews of baby video monitors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews of baby video monitors. Show all posts

Friday, October 17, 2014

Minolta Dimage E223 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom

Minolta Dimage E223 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial ZoomI wanted a basic starter digital camera and I also own a minolta 35mm, so I knew that it would probably be a good buy. It had all the features I needed. It takes good pictures, but of course not as good as my 35mm minolta. The only negative things about it is the startup speed and battery life, which was solved by getting NiMH rechargeable batteries.

Thought I would get my son an actual camera rather than those awful "kid" cameras with zero features, and this would save an older camera from a landfill, right? Well luckily I bought this way ahead of Christmas completely failed... all images, pictures and video were just a red haze, like a martian nightmare.

Vendor was very nice and prompt about the refund, though, which saved this from being a complete disaster. Found a cheap (about $7 more than this one) new camera, 5MP. Again, light on features, but whatever, it's for a kid.

Buy Minolta Dimage E223 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom Now

This is my first Digital camera and I had purchased it off my brother who bought it a few days ago but I've been begging for a Digital camera so he sold me this one. I enjoy the fact that it's a Camera and Camcorder but I agree with the first message it is a bit slow to save the picture and get ready for the next picture to be taken. I'm going to use this camera for the first time at my trip to Magic Mountain this Saturday so we'll see how good of pictures it takes. We're going to be there until dark so I'll be able to see how well this camera takes pictures both in the dark and daylight. I'll get back to you on the results. But overall I think this camera is good for a person who's going digital for the first time. Pretty simple to use and pretty nice style. I think it's worth your money. But shop around a little first.

Read Best Reviews of Minolta Dimage E223 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom Here

This digital camera stinks--buy something else

1. Eats up batteries more than anything, more than any digi camera i've dealt with.

2. Delay between pictures sucks.

3. The thing doesn't even turn on anymore (new batteries too!)....

4. Pictures are good, but after taking two pictures, the battery is dead.

5. The picture screen stinks, not very sharp.

Save your money, folks.

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Sunday, August 17, 2014

PowerShot A2500 16.0 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 720p HD Video Recording (Black)

PowerShot A2500 16.0 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 720p HD Video Recordingshutter speed is a little slower than i anticipated, however; it is a good working camera, very small. would buy again.

Bought this little camera at Wal-Mart for 99.00. Very pleased as a amateur photographer just wanting the occasional picture to put on my computer. Thanks to Canon. They make good products.

Buy PowerShot A2500 16.0 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 720p HD Video Recording (Black) Now

Easy to use and review pics. Takes good pictures too for small, compact camera. My second Canon a good buy!

Read Best Reviews of PowerShot A2500 16.0 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 720p HD Video Recording (Black) Here

As a long time Canon compact camera user my favorite new features on the A2500 are...

The Canon PowerShot A2500 does not just stop at taking images but is rather adept at handling videos as well. It is capable of producing 720p HD files at the touch of a button. One of the thoughtful things about this camera is the inclusion of the movie button. You do not have to fidget about with all sorts of controls in order to get the video going. Rather you go back to that simple button and the rest is history.

Another nice feature is that this product is newly minted with an ECO mode which is designed to reduce the power consumption on your camera.

The Canon brand has made cameras its specialty and the Canon PowerShot A2500 holds true to type. This model brings out all the features that you would expect of a camera of its class but has the added advantage of making it easier for the consumer to access those features. In other words you get the best of both worlds with a great camera and easy usage.

Verdict:

There are no major surprises with the Canon PowerShot A2500. It is a great camera that does what it says on the box.

If you are looking for the next model up check out the Canon SD330 as it has another level of features and quality.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B5HE3UU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B5HE3UU&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

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I give this camera a 4 out of 5 because its not to small and not to big. It is light and small enought to fit in you shirt pocket. It comes with a rechargeable battery which last pretty long and cuts out having to purchase disposable batteries that doesn't last very long after a few flashes. This camera is more than suitable for any Vacations or Special Occasions and I would recommend this to anyone who want to have a Vacation or Occasion they dont want to forget. The PowerShot A2500 16.0 MP DIGITAL CAMERA WITH 5x OPTICAL ZOOM AND 720p HD VIDEO RECORDING will freeze that moment, that beautiful memory in time for you in excellent picture quality.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

JVC SR-VS30U Dual Format S-VHS & Pro-DV Recorder

JVC SR-VS30U Dual Format S-VHS & Pro-DV RecorderThis deck was a great idea; an affordable mini-DV and VHS combo with firewire port. It allowed you to caputre old VHS tapes as well as miniDV tapes into your computer. Connecting a DVD player and recording into a computer was also very easy. However the firewire port is extremely fragile and usually only last about three years. I worked in a television station that had 15 of these decks; after five years we had one left that worked. Even if the firewire port is working it is rather difficult to force Windows into connecting a driver to the deck. JVC doesn't provide drivers and it often takes manually playing around with different drivers before finding the right one to force a connection. Macs had no problem identifiying the decks but the new editing software has trouble capturing both video and audio at high quality.

PLUS: Original cost was $899.00, I'm assuming the price is doubled by this vendor because they have been discontinued. But trust me there is a reason JVC discontinued them. You are better off buying a cheap camera to capture and an AVDC Grass Valley Analog Converter to capture old VHS tapes or DVDs; total cost for both is $600.00

I was lucky enough to stumble upon a JVC SR-VS30 deck at the local Goodwill and snagged it for an astonishing $24.99. It has worked perfectly with FCP5 on my iMac, and I was familiar with it after using the same model in the edit bays at my college; I've been able to capture miniDV and VHS tapes for myself and clients without any problems. And although SD is well on its way out, I'm definitely keeping the deck for future digitizing purposes. There's always someone who wants an old family vacation transferred to DVD.

Buy JVC SR-VS30U Dual Format S-VHS & Pro-DV Recorder Now

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR Digital Camera (Red)

Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR Digital Camera4-stars for camera design and still image quality, 1 star for video.

I have tested and compared images, video, features, and usability for all the top ultra-zoom compacts including Fuji F770EXR/F750EXR, Canon SX260HS, Sony HX9V, Panasonic ZS-15 and ZS-19/20. This was the last camera I compared and I was expecting to really like it as Image Quality is my first priority criteria, followed by video, then features/usability. Here's my main takeaways:

Well lit, ISO 100-200 shots: Fuji gets 3rd place. Canon SX260HS has best detail with least noise. Panasonic ZS-15/19/20 are next best with slightly better detail than Fuji with a tiny more noise. Sony ties for 3rd with Fuji with slightly less detail and noise (Sony has the most agressive noise reduction of the 4 so there is a little bit more detail smearing.)

Fuji is almost unusable for video. When you pan the camera the video stutters. Even worse, when you zoom, camera has MAJOR problems focusing to the point the camera will not focus properly at all most of the time beyond 7X zoom. The lens motor is also the most audible out of all the 4 cameras. Panasonics you can barely hear the lens. Sony wins with Panasonics coming in a close second.

Low-light / High ISO: Fuji comes in second. Sony wins. Panasonics come in third images are unusable beyond ISO 800, too much yellow color splotching all over. At ISO 400, it is practically a tie between Panasonic, Fuji, and Sony. At crazy ISO 1600 and up, Fuji wins with usable images (barely) followed by Sony but you really can't expect much from these small cameras with small sensors at those kind of ISOs.

Flash: Fuji comes in third. Very strange flash that only pops up manually (which has its benefits). You must press tiny button on side of camera really hard. Flash is not motorized and it looks like a part of the camera that could easily break in the future. Flash is underpowered compared to the other cameras.

Design/Usability/Software Fuji is heaviest of the 4 cameras but has a nice rubberized feeling body finish. Panasonic is amazingly small. Sony in-between. All of them have different styles of software. Panasonic has best set of software features. Sony very limited in scene modes. Fuji has nice software but many of the options are locked out when in any mode other than manual. Panasonic's wins as far as the Intelligent Auto function. Very reliable. Canon had troubles focusing sometimes.

Overall, Panasonic wins. Fuji would be a close second, tied with Sony if the video wasn't so terrible. Search YouTube for videos including this example:

I'm surprised by some of the negative reviews on this product, and wondering if the folks who had problems somehow landed with defective models. My experience has been pretty flawless from day one. I bought this camera as an add-on to my usual DSLR; I was looking for a pocket-sized camera with a great zoom (this one had markedly better range than other pocket cameras I tested) and a nice variety of auto, semi-auto, and manual features to play with.

One of the features some of the reviews took exception to was the push-button flash. I can understand the concern about breakage, but I've used this little guy for over 5 months now in less-than-delicate conditions and haven't had an issue. I actually like the manual nature of the flash, as it's an easy way to get a "flash" photo -or turn off the flash -without fiddling with the settings menu.

It's been very good with rapid response in turning on/off, the menus are relatively intuitive, and some of the menu options -such as the panorama setting -are outstanding. I've taken some of the most beautiful landscape shots with this tiny camera, many of which rival even those taken with my Canon.

Is there some noise? Yes. I also have noticed that in automatic settings, outdoor pictures tend to be a bit blown out and overexposed. I deal with that either in Photoshop/Lightroom, or by switching to a manual setting and adjusting ISO from there.

The other little quibble I have it that when the zoom is maxed out, autofocus doesn't work. You have to pull back slightly on the zoom to activate the autofocus. Other than that, I haven't experienced the loss of focus or the problem with tracking focus that another reviewer mentioned.

Is it perfect? No. But for the price, it's a great little camera for travel or for everyday shutterbug adventures when a big DSLR is too much to pack along. I'd definitely recommend this purchase.

Buy Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR Digital Camera (Red) Now

I've taken a zillion exposure-bracketed pictures (for subsequent HDR merging) and videos with this little guy and it's been great. It's certainly not perfect, but given the price, I have no regrets. The zoom is outrageously noisy when recording video and the autofocus during zooming is terrible, but I still consider this a great deal and keep it with me at all times. It's my first Fuji product and I've gained enough trust in their technology to start investigating their higher-end cameras.

Read Best Reviews of Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR Digital Camera (Red) Here

Hi users and reviewers of this camera:

The blurb above says, "High Speed Continuous Shooting Capture action at almost 8 fps at full 16-megapixel resolution or shoot at 11 fps at 8-megapixel resolution" and the manual on page 47 describes how to do this ... but I only ever got three pics. That's hardly continuous.

So I called customer support and they confirmed that it does not shoot true continuous, just three separate pics with one shutter press.

Can't be true, so I just hit "redial" on the 800 number and this time got somebody who at least cared, and was even knowledgeable.

Continuous does work (albeit with limitations,) but nothing like in the manual ... and really klunky and non-intuitive.

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I must admit, I purchased the camera because it was pretty. That being said, I needed a camera with a good zoom and date stamp.

Within a few weeks the lens cover started to stick and my photos had a black spot on the lower right corner. That self corrected after a few days. After 3 months of use the lens went bad-couldn't take any photos at all. I contacted Fuji and since the camera was under warranty they gave me directions to send it in for repair.

After they had the camera for a week, they sent me a bill for $200 to replace the lens. After a lengthy phone conversation with Fuji they fixed the camera under the warranty which we should not have to beg them to do what they promise to do when we purchase these items to begin with. I got the unit back 5 days ago with a different lens on it.

Drove 112 miles to get my photos for work yesterday and guess what?, yes my lens is malfunctioning again. Cost me time and money. I would send it in for repair, but I need to cut my loses now. They can have it back, but I won't spend the $10.00 to ship it back. It's too bad, it sure is pretty.

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Monday, April 28, 2014

Canon EOS 60D SLR Digital Camera Body + Large Vidpro Camera and Lens Case (Black) + Extra High Capa

Canon EOS 60D SLR Digital Camera Body + Large Vidpro Camera and Lens Case + Extra High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Pack + Transcend 8 GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card + Card Reader + Memory Card Case + Zeikos Shutter Release + Digital Camera Cleaning Kit.The combination package I received with my Canon D60 Body Only camera from The Imaging World contained just what I needed to get quickly up and running including a Zeikos Card Reader, a Vidpro Memory Card, a Zeikos back-up battery and charger and a VIDPRO SLR Case, at a price that was less than what a new Body alone would have cost from other sources at the time.

It was a real challenge to choose between the Canon D60 and the t3i to replace my aged but indestructible Digital Rebel. However, I went with the D60 despite the added cost and, having used it for several weeks, am pleased with the choice. The D60 is much better built and more rugged than the t3i, feels better in the grip, has quicker and more accurate focusing, more rapid firing capability and longer battery life. What I like most about the D60, in contrast to the old Rebel, are image quality, particularly in low light, ease of focusing and state of the art video capability. Like all Canon cameras, the D60 is very easy to use at the basic level yet provides capabilities that will take years to master. The D60 is 5 stars in my book.

So I was extremely worried ordering a camera this expensive online and having arrive new and in tact, but I swear they fast-tracked shipment or something because this package arrived the next day! FedEx showed it hadn't even left the building on their online tracker but this package arrived super fast with everything in perfect condition. I am so relieved and happy with my camera, the amazing price, and all of the goodies it came with for basically FREE!!

Buy Canon EOS 60D SLR Digital Camera Body + Large Vidpro Camera and Lens Case (Black) + Extra High Capa Now

I have long been a Canon fan and this camera is no disappointment. I had a 50D and although in some respects the 60D is inferior to the 50D (eg body construction) the lighter body is a plus. I also like the swing out display permitting photos to be taken from waist height. The video facility is also top class.

Read Best Reviews of Canon EOS 60D SLR Digital Camera Body + Large Vidpro Camera and Lens Case (Black) + Extra High Capa Here

I've been waiting for the right time to buy.. waiting for the best price I could find. Got it just recently through Amazon from The Imaging World. A fantastic package with all the extras I needed to get started. Body only as I was upgrading my Rebel XT. I already had my lenses. The 60D has so many better features! I am thrilled with its performance. Imaging World filled the order so prompt, I had the camera in just a few business days on the Free Shipping. Always a Canon Camera user. This one is great and I got it for a great price.

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I really want this camera since I know about it, the only thing I dont like is that doesnt have the syncro plug for other flashes. I dont know the name of that I hope you understand me. But every thing else are great, the photos are magnificent. I dont already use the video so I hope use it soon.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Professional Rain Cover for CANON EOS Digital SLR & NIKON D Series Camera Medium

Professional Rain Cover for CANON EOS Digital SLR & NIKON D Series Camera MediumI found this product pretty useless. I am a sports shooter and was looking for something to cover my second body. I carry my camera on a strap at my side so this really won't work. If you were a landscape photog and only needed access to the shutter button occasionally...maybe this would suffice. It is quite cheaply made but the price is cheap too.If you are only looking for something a bit better than a garbage bag and tape, then this is the one for you. If you want the best, get a ThinkTank Hydrophobia (I use it on my 1D IV and it is fantastic.

What I ended up using for my 5D III the lenscoat raincoat...a nice compromise. The Thinktank will set you back $150 or so and the lenscoat about $75

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Premium Canon Mini HDMI cable (10 ft)

Premium Canon Mini HDMI cableWith many HDMI cables costing well over $50, I was very happy to see this one reasonably priced. The cable came promptly in the mail and does just what it is supposed to do. I am enjoying my 15.1 megapixel pictures from my Canon EOS in full HD 1080p on my 40" LCD flat screen.

Works perfectly at 1080p HD and in all other Canon EOS 7d modes. Costs less than 1/4 the price of the Canon equivalent. Expensive "high end" cables are a scam. It would be crazy to pay more. Tip: If you have never tried displaying your HD video or stills on an HD TV through an HDMI input, you will be shocked by the magnificent quality. Absolutely no comparison to the lousy pictures you got with the old analog inputs.

Buy Premium Canon Mini HDMI cable (10 ft) Now

Canon wanted $70 for a similar cable, but I bought this cable for my Canon Rebel T1 digital SLR at this remarkable price. The cable is spectacular and my images and videos are very clear. The standard analog cable that was included with the Rebel is disappointing and there is a night and day difference between a digital signal and an analog signal. I'm very pleased with my purchase.

Read Best Reviews of Premium Canon Mini HDMI cable (10 ft) Here

Looks like this cable will do the job I need, but be aware:

The cable I received is 6' 7" long (2 meters), not 10' (3 meters) as described. The label on the bag it came in also says (incorrectly) 10'. I have no problem with that, but someone needing that extra 1 meter will be disgruntled.

The description implies it's a Canon-branded cable. It's not, but construction seems good-quality and it works fine. The description also does not make clear the cable has one mini-HDMI plug and one standard-HDMI, though the photo is accurate and a sharp eye can spot the ends.

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This cable works as advertised. Please do not pay more than what I paid for another brand. It works, paying more will not give you better results

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Cable Matters 35 Feet Gold Plated DisplayPort to HDMI Cable

Cable Matters 35 Feet Gold Plated DisplayPort to HDMI CableI had been looking for something to hook my Lenovo ThinkPad T420 up to an HDMI based display (both a projector and a 40" TV). I almost ordered one of the cheap adapters I found on Amazon until I read the reviews that they got stuck in the Display Port on the computer and would not come out. I then opted to go for a cable with the Display Port on one end and the HDMI on the other end. This cable is great. Does exactly what I needed it to. I get full 1920 x 1080 on both the projector and TV which is the resolution they support, and the sound goes through as well. Couldn't be happier.

My HP EliteBook 8560p has a DisplayPort video output on it instead of the older HDMI type of port. There are a pretty good number of "adapters" on the market, and also short cables, but I wanted a durable end-to-end solution with none of the opportunities for issues that an adapter introduces. I wanted to get this cable from AmazonBasics or from Cables-to-Go, because I've have very good luck with both of them. As it turned out, when I was shopping, this one from "Cable Matters" was the only option that met my needs. I am happy to say, that I am not disappointed at all. The cable does great at sending high definition 1080P 120hz video and high definition audio from my laptop's DisplayPort to my TV's HDMI input. It works wonderfully, and I'm very happy.

The cable is well made and has good, solid, connectors on both ends. It is the correct length and was packaged properly. It is malleable, yet solid.

I have no complaints at all about this cable. The price was a little steep at $25, when I bought it, but considering there is no competition yet for this length cable, I'm not too surprised or upset. I can remember paying two or three times that amount for a similar cable at brick and mortar stores, back before there were alternatives.

I highly recommend this cable. If there is anything else that you'd like to know about it, that I forgot to put in this review, please let me know in the comments section, and I'll address it.

Buy Cable Matters 35 Feet Gold Plated DisplayPort to HDMI Cable Now

I purchased this cable in order to watch content from my Lenovo T410 laptop on a HD TV. The laptop has a DisplayPort (DP++) output and the TV has HDMI input.

Simply by connecting the ends of this cable to my laptop and TV, I had an 720p HD image of my laptop screen almost instantly. However, there was no audio.

The lack of audio was *not* due to any flaw in the cable. In the process of troubleshooting, I saw several websites which simply blamed this sort of no-audio problem on a "cheap cable" -but, while this cable is certainly inexpensive (which is one of the reasons I got it!), it has no trouble carrying audio (and very clear audio, at that).

I eventually found a Lenovo forum which held the answer: "First go to your audio settings by going FN + F6, choose 'Audio Defaults + Settings'. Then choose your TV as the default audio."

This did the trick for me -I instantly had audio (both through the laptop speakers and the HD TV).

The poster on the Lenovo forum also had this piece of advice (which I never followed, since the first step solved the problem for me): "Now the sneaky part. Push FN + F7 and choose 'Projector Only', then sound will come out of the TV. Took me forever to figure out." Again, I had no need to do this, but I'm re-posting it in case someone else does.

In summary, after some fiddling with my cpu's settings, this cable delivered all that was promised: crystal clear audio and visual from my laptop to my HD TV. Note: I have only used the cable on a handful of occasions during the past few weeks, so I'm not in a good position to evaluate its durability. As a previous reviewer has mentioned, when the DisplayPort end connects to the computer, it "latches" into place, and a small panel must be pressed in order to release it -this "release latch" doesn't feel like the most sturdy thing in the world, but it hasn't given my any problems so far, and handled gently, I would imagine that it will continue to function just fine.

Read Best Reviews of Cable Matters 35 Feet Gold Plated DisplayPort to HDMI Cable Here

(I own the 15' version of this cable)

I bought this cable to connect my Dell Precision M6400 to a TV.

I knew that DisplayPort (and obviously HDMI) is capable of carrying an audio signal, but I didn't know my Dell was wired to have the audio go through the DisplayPort ... port. It is, and this cable is a credit to the DisplayPort spec. I can't vouch for every implementation of DisplayPort working as well as mine, but here's how it works for me with this cable:

(Windows 7 x64, btw)

a) plug HDMI cable into 1080p TV

b) plug DisplayPort into laptop

computer auto-senses that the TV wants 1080p (or it is guessing, not sure which)

computer changes my desktop resolution from 1920x1200 (16x10) to 1920x1080 (16x9 1080p standard res)

desktop is now mirrored on the TV screen and audio is coming through the home audio system

I could change settings so that the TV is a 2nd monitor that extends my desktop or whatever I want, but in my case, the default behavior is perfect.

Great quality cable, excellent connectors that feel sturdy and like they won't fall apart with use.

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My Dell Precision M4400 has a DisplayPort rather than a HDMI port. I wasted a lot of time looking in local stores for a DisplayPort to HDMI cable. Don't waste your time, order online. The cable arrived in about a week with regular shipping. Cable is thick giving the impression that it will last awhile and connectors seem sturdy.

When I plug in the cable, Windows 7 adjusts the computer screen resolution and immediately displays the image on the TV in addition to the computer. Initially, a small sliver is clipped on all 4 sides of the image due to TV "overscanning". This is not a cable issue, rather a TV issue. TVs should have a setting to correct or turn off overscanning.

Some online comments mention having trouble removing a DisplayPort adapter from their computer because it clips into place. With my particular computer and this specific adapter, I have not had any problems. The 15' length was perfect for my situation. This cable was exactly what I needed.

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Monday, October 14, 2013

HDE® DisplayPort to DVI Cable

HDE® DisplayPort to DVI CableA great price for a cable of this type. Don't make the same mistake I did though: Just because your computer has a DisplayPort and your monitor has DVI, doesn't mean it will work with your computer. I learned you need a "Multi-mode" DisplayPort on your computer (the logo will have two plus-signs in addition to the D) for this cable to work.

This is because the DisplayPort and DVI signals are fundamentally different and this cable does not have any conversion circuitry. A Multi-mode DisplayPort has circuitry for sending both DVI and DisplayPort signals out of the port. This cable just changes the shape of the port.

There exist cables with conversion circuitry ("active adapters"); they are usually around $100 and require both DisplayPort and USB input (here's a miniDisplayPort one: Accell B087B-003J UltraAV miniDisplayPort/DVI-D Dual-Link Adapter). The USB port provides power for the conversion circuitry.

If you have an HDMI port, you are better off converting that to DVI, as HDMI and DVI have identical video signals, so cables are simple and cheap (online, at least).

**Check the comments for links to photos.

Q: Is this cable right for my computer?

A: DisplayPort (DP or DP++) combines the function of HDMI and DVI and started to appeared in late 2007 on some HP business computers. DP detects whether you have attached a standard LCD computer monitor (with DVI, not VGA) OR an HDMI device such as a flat screen TV, projector etc.

Q: How do I know if my computer supports DP?

A: 1. The port on your computer will be shapped like a rectangle with an angled in the lower left corner UNLIKE HDMI which is oval shapped. 2. My HP dc7900 computer contains a printed symbol of the letter D with two ++ signs next to it (see comments to this post for a photo on my website).

TEST RESULTS:

Cable works great on 1.5 years old HP dc7900 running XP PRO SP3 with a standard DVI LCD computer monitor, but it failed when I put a DVI to VGA adapter on the end of the cable.

Quality: the cable connector is solid and has hooks at the end of the cable and a button to retract the hooks. You must push the button in order to disconnect the cable from your computer and it helps to push it in when you connect it.

Software: No special software is needed except possibly for your monitor to support the proper resolution. The quality of the connection appeared just as good as the DVI cable.

Dual monitors: It makes sense to use two identical monitors, but this is NOT necessary. I tested with two different shapped monitors one rectangle one square operating at two different resolutions. I did have to go to display settings in xp and check the box "extend desktop on to second monitor. When in doubt reboot your pc.

DP Standard: Some people reported isses where the monitor on the display port had problems waking up after the computer went in to standby. I did not see any problems at all. Even if the monitor was off when I started the computer. Going into standby and waking all worked without a problem but be perpared for the possiblility that some monitors may fail to go in to standby.

The cable saved me from buying the HP adapter for $40! Most stores still don't carry DP cables yet or have any idea what it is. Apple computers have a display port connection but the shape is different (not compatible). The cable saved me from buying a separate video card with a dual monitor connection on it.

Buy HDE® DisplayPort to DVI Cable Now

I looked everywhere for a DisplayPort to DVI-D cable for my new Dell Latitude E6400 Laptop but came up short. I even asked the guys at Frys Electronics, and they experienced a total geek-out that I was asking for DisplayPort and talked to me about its technical benefits for 15 minutes before revealing that they only had a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. This cable is offered by a vendor with a partnership with Amazon, but it arrived the same day my 2-day Amazon.com Prime shipment arrived, so I was very pleased with the delivery time. A cable is a cable... this one works and was quick, cheap and painless to come by!

Read Best Reviews of HDE® DisplayPort to DVI Cable Here

In terms of connectivity, this cable did exactly what it promises to do.

It worked right away and so far I have had no problems with the image.

I used this between my Lenovo W520 laptop and my Asus VE228H monitor with resolution of 1920x1080.

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I bought a refurb HP desktop with VGA out and DisplayPort. I had an older widescreen LCD panel with VGA and DVI input, so... rather than using VGA, I picked this up and went DisplayPort -> DVI. Picture is fantastic, worked right away.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Panasonic BL-C131A Network Camera Wireless 802.11

Panasonic BL-C131A Network Camera Wireless 802.11My wife and I wanted to keep an eye on the nanny with our baby from work. After researching the network cameras for several months, it seemed that only Panasonic cameras consistently received positive (usually glowing reviews) whereas cameras from other major brands like Linksys, D-Link, etc received mediocre or poor reviews. So I went with Panasonic. And after about a month, I have to say I am very impressed with it. Some background: I have a classic Linksys WRT54G 802.11g router, with 2 WinXP PCs connected to it via ethernet and 3 more PCs connected wirelessly; plus, I have AT&T/SBC DSL service via a Speedstream 5100 DSL modem. If you're moderately computer literate, you should have no problem following the included instructions to setup (view and control) the camera in wired mode or in wireless WiFi mode.

But if you want to setup the camera to be viewed (and controlled) from the internet, you need to do a bit more work. And this is where Panasonic's excellent, excellent customer support comes in. Panasonic's support line is 8_0_0-2_7_2-7_0_3_3; they are open Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM and Sat/Sun 10AM-7PM Eastern US Time; this tech support is available to you for the LIFE of the product. They will walk you through how to setup the camera, configure your router (for, among other things, port forwarding), and register with Panasonic's FREE Dynamic DNS web service. This last point is important: Panasonic network cameras include FREE Dynamic DNS hosting service for the life of the product; other brands offer the service for an annual fee.

Okay, step-by-step, here's how to config the camera for internet viewing:

First, if you use DSL as I do (as opposed to cable broadband), you have to configure the DSL modem for "bridge mode." (If you don't use DSL, then you can skip this step.) This is because DSL modems act as a router, and port forwarding cannot work behind both the DSL modem's router and (in my case) the Linksys WRT54G router. If you want, you can call your DSL tech support to ask them to walk you through how to "bridge" your DSL modem. But here's what I did.

1. Login to your DSL modem (for me, it's 192.168.0.1) using your DSL account (for me, it's my SBCglobal email address).

2. Select Advanced >> PPP Location

3. Select Bridged Mode (PPPoE is not used), then Change PPP Location

4. When prompted, restart the DSL modem

5. Login to your router (for me, it's 192.168.1.1)

6. Under Setup> Basic Setup >> Internet Connection Type, select PPPoE and enter the DSL login & password info you normally would enter in your DSL modem to authenticate your DSL service.

7. At this point, the "bridging" should have been successful. To check that bridging has been successful, click Status >> Router, and check that you are "connected" with an IP address showing. If successful, you should also see that your DSL modem's "internet" LED light is off while your router's "internet" light is on. What you basically have done is to move the point of authentication for your DSL service from the DSL modem to your router; your DSL modem merely acts as a bridge for the DSL service to your router.

8. Now, we move on to configuring the camera itself. I assume that the camera has already been configured for wired and wireless mode. Login to the network camera (for me it's, 192.168.1.253).

9. Click Setup. Change the Port No. from the default of 80 to 50000 (fifty thousand) and enter the IP address of the camera (for me, it's 192.168.1.253). Click Save, and the camera will restart. When it finishes restarting (taking as long as 1.5 min), it'll bring you back to the "Top" home page of the camera config screen.

10. Log back into your router, and go to Applications & Gaming, where you'll be able to set up port forwarding.

11. In the Port Range, enter 50000 as "Start" and 50000 as "End." Enter the IP Address of the camera (for me, 192.168.1.253). Check Enable. Save Settings.

12. Now, log back into your camera. Go to Setup >> DynamicDNS. Select viewnetcam-dot-com, then Next.

13. Click on "Your Account Link" to bring up the viewnetcam.com registration page, where you then select New Registration. Enter your desired registration info and select your domain name at viewnetcam-dot-com (e.g. yourname-dot-viewnetcam-dot-com). Click Choose.

14. Now, you will be shown a page confirming your registration. Under DDNS status, you will see Active-waiting. You need to wait up to 10min as the domain registration occurs, at which time, the status will change to Active.

15. We're almost done; stay with me! From WinXP Start Menu, click Run and type "cmd" to bring up a DOS window.

16. In the DOS window, type "ipconfig/all", which shows your computer's various network information. Under Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection, copy down the two addresses under DNS Servers.

17. Log back into your camera, select Setup, and enter the 2 DNS Server addresses from ipconfig/all in the 2 DNS boxes.

18. Go back to viewnetcam-dot-com, login to your account, and check that the DDNS status is now Active. If so, then you're all ready to go!

19. Go to yourname-dot-viewnetcam-dot-com:50000 to see your network camera on the internet!

OVERVIEW

The BL-C131A is a wireless/router based camera (no PC needed). In my view, this is the ONLY way cameras should be used due to the unstable PC connected solutions (e.g., PC freeze-up, lost power, etc). It is an IP based system which needs its own local internet address which the included software does a pretty good job setting up automatically.

MY EXPERIENCES

I have tried over 20 wireless web cameras from 7 brands over the last 5 years ($100-$600) and none are close to the performance, reliability, ease of setup of the Panasonic cams for a consumer based product. Dlink used to lead the pack until the BL-C20A/30A units came out. I was a fan of Dlinks but the software setup, remote camera configurations, and Viewnetcam dynamic DNS service of the the Pana's is just the best today.

ADVANTAGES

The included software is the best on the market for finding the camera on your system and trying to configure it automatically. Most software engineers should be SHOT due to sloppy code but the Panasonic software and firmware (software inside the cameras) is pretty good for setup and reliability (I am an electrical engineer so I know the sloppy way most of these guys think).

Tech support for Panasonic is the ONLY support I have contacted from 7 brands with AMERICANS speaking ENGLISH (not "Engrish"). Their patience and overall knowledge is truly outstanding and worth every extra penny this camera costs.

I highly recommend you also buy the Panasonic wireless router. It automatically configures with the cameras and becomes really easy to find/control the cameras.

The ability to reset/reconfigure the cameras remotely is INVALUABLE! I am often travleing in China, at my home in Chicago, or my home in Florida and want to make changes. I can do it remotely with 100% success after the first setup. I was even able to configure some cams in Chicago and Fedex to my wife in Florida and they booted up into the other system perfectly!

The Viewnetcam dynamic DNS service is stunningly reliable. It has never gone down and my cameras reset/refind themselves every hour so if your local ISP dynamically changes your IP address (Comcast is worst) you are always going to have the cams back up in 1 hour.

The ability to snap images, group small video screens, and "mouse-point" the cameras via the pan-tilt-zoom are outstanding.

The built in microphones are AMAZINGLY sensitive and pick up small noises remarkably well. I could hear the kids playing outside the house with cams inside.

The built in multi-screen servers can integrate different models of cameras. For example, I use a BL-C131A cam as #1 at my mom's house for PTZ and audio. I then add a BL-C30A for simple PTZ photo/video and a BL-C20A for fixed photo/video. They all coexist in one screen and work beautifully!

The photo snaps work PERFECTLY for building a simple web page and placing multiple screen snaps on 1 page (I placed 8) thus a super slim matrix of what is happening in my homes. Each photo at 320x240 is only 8kb so they download fast.

The mobile function (viewing on a cell phone browser) works INCREDIBLY well. I use it everyday on my Treo700P via Sprint.

DISADVANTAGES/CAUTIONS

ANY web cam is tedious to setup, no matter the brand. Be patient, and call Pana's tech support before returning the unit.

DON'T expect HD quality video these are 640x480 screens as best and the upload speed of your home network will always be the limiting factor. I do not recommend more than 4 cams online at once since this overloads even a good 768K upload system.

The pan-tilt controls are outstanding. Lots of left-right-down travel but up is limited. Also, the zoom is a digital zoom (NOT an optical zoom) thus very pixelated and not worth much.

The cams can fight for packets and "burble" your VOIP telephone calls.

SUMMARY

Outstanding product. I now own 14 units around the world and all are stone-cold reliable. Just great products.

Buy Panasonic BL-C131A Network Camera Wireless 802.11 Now

I have experience with D-Link cameras, and this one is much better. Setup was a multi-step process, but went smoothly, and the free internet address really works. The camera has yet to lose signal, and I have it positioned a the farthest end of my wirelss network. Picture is clear, sound is ok, interface is very good. Only works well with Internet Explorer. On a Mac, the video will display in Firefox but without sound. I haven't expored all of the features yet, but the main thing is that it works (more than can be said for many wireless products).

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I purchased four of these cameras and found out that the recording software included with it comes with a license to record only one camera. If you want to record more than one camera, you have to purchase an upgraded version with additional licenses and that lists for $399 and Amazon has it for $315.03 + Shipping Network Camera Software

If you are purchasing more than one camera for Surveillance purpose, make sure to take in to account of the additional costs.

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You can do all setup via the builtin web server even firmware updates. There is no need for installing anything from the included (windows only) CD. Streaming MP4 or MJPEG video works right outta the box in Safari as does the static captures no need for drivers or anything else.. Those looking for typical, painless MacOSX setup will get it with this Panasonic webcam..

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera

Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital CameraI already had a Sony DSC S50 for myself and was looking for another less expensive camera for my daughter. I purchased the P30 for her and assumed that it was accessorized like my own camera. After purchase, I realized that the camera kit DID NOT INCLUDE a rechargeable power supply or recharger. The supplied AA batteries will only last about 2 hours under the best conditions. The batteries were shot by the time I familiarized myself with the operating manual. You can purchase an accessory kit from Sony for about $99 that includes a rechargable lithium battery, charger, and a camera case. I would have preferred to purchase the camera with this equipment included.

Most of the customer reviews so far have expounded on two key facts: 1) This camera has very good functionality for the price, and 2) Sony did a poor job with power supply. It comes with alkaline batteries, which the manual says you can't use to transfer files to a computer. It's hard to call the power adapter and a battery upgrade (e.g. nickel metal hydride) anything but a necessity.

Left out of the reviews is a third factor which people haven't seemed to mention yet. The cameras, or perhaps just some of them, don't function properly with FRESH AA alkaline batteries. After mine quickly used up the two that came with it, I put in good fresh ones that tested well, and the camera wouldn't turn on in either record mode or moving picture mode (and would turn off if I moved into those modes from others). In playback mode, the battery indicator verified that the batteries were good. This led to emails to Sony which led to inane computer-generated responses reminding me to change the batteries. Eventually I got through to a representative on the phone who said the problem I was having was common. Got that MANY people had the same problem. Best Buy doesn't accept the returns because Sony, wary of the problem, includes a label in the packaging saying something like "if malfunctioning do not return to the store." They don't offer you your money back as part of your warranty. Now I'm stuck having to ship it to PA and hoping they return it working properly. Meanwhile I've bought Nickel MH batteries and a charger which has seemed to be a quick fix. I've sent pictures to the computer without the AC adapter that Sony indicates is mandatory.

I've edited this review to add that I now believe I've purchased enough equipment to get around the power supply problem. NiMH batteries, a charger, a 32 MB memory stick, and a USB memory stick reader all appear to make the camera fully functional. It takes good pictures. Still, [those dollars are] a lot to throw at a $... camera, and Sony's skeletal warranty and lack of forthrightness are troublesome.

Buy Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera Now

Ive had a few digital cameras in the past 2 years, but none of the came to the quality and features that I wanted. Being the techno freak I am, I wanted a camera that could do anything I wanted it to. I was almost set on an Olympus when this Sony came in at my work. It was love at first site. For a bit more money I was getting a much better zoom, movie recorder and Sony quality. Needless to say, I got it on my Birthday and I could not be happier. Setting it up is incredibly easy *as most of Sony products are* and using it makes even a novice an expert with a few hours of practice. The layout of the camera is comfortable and lightweight, Easily held in one hand to take pictures. The LCD is bright and crisp and show almost no slowdown when viewing it. A very nice turn nob selects the mode on the camera, No more fiddling with menus on the LCD. The 3xoptical zoom is great when you want to get a little closer. An optional 6xdigital is there to, but the pictures turn out to fuzzy. This camera could do anything you want it to, macro shots, low light, fast action, low light, low background light, movies,clip art, clip motion, red eye reduction and more! The menus system is very straightforward, hard to screw up. Picture quality is awesome. Though sometimes a bit soft, easily rectified with the Photosuite 8.1 the camera comes with. It would be hard pressed to get a better program without spending alot of money. Installation of the USB software takes just minutes, and a full 32 meg Stick takes just 30 seconds to upload. *no more serial!*

One bad side, this thing eats batteries like Joan Collins goes through makeup. I went through 6AA alkaline in 3 hours the first day. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting rechargebles, Nickel Metal Hydride perferred, this camera loves its batteries.

Also, recommend getting a bigger Sony Stick, the included 4 meg only does 6 pics at highest setting, a 32meg will get you 50. *what I use*

In all, I am very much enjoying this camera and taking great photos. If you interested in seeing what some look like email me at icewind@montana.com and I'll give you a link. For people who want to get into the Digital realm but want a low price for great quality, the SONY DSC-P30 is absolutely hard to beat!

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I took the plunge and bought this camera. I liked the style and the features, I read the reviews and disbelieved the battery problems. Everyting everybody writes here is is true...this thing eats up batteries like you won't believe! 15 20 minutes per pair of batteries max. Wow. It's incredibly frustrating. Then, if you want to upgrade to the Lithium battery, . . . the charger, the DC adaptor, or upgrade the memory (the 4MB is a joke) to 32MB, etc. etc All are sold seperately. You can't just grab some no name accesories either. It must be ($$$$) Sony!

I returned this camera in less than 12 hours after purchasing. I won't be tethered to Sony for the rest of my life. If you want a similar camera, at the same price, that has more memory(16MB), uses RECHARGEABLE long-life Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries and includes the charger, try the FujiFilm FinePix 2600 Zoom.

Buyer beware! The Sony has great features. But what good are they when the batteries keep dying?

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After much online reasearch I decides on this digital camera for the price and list of features. In a day of online shopping I found this camera for $267 including shipping charges. I'm a longtime 35mm user (an Olympus IS-30 DLX)and wanted something that was compact, had good image quality and could record short video clips. This camera does all this just fine. The bad part is that only a 4 mb memory stick is included and when taking photos at the highest res this camera ofers you'll get abt 5 pics on the memory stick. Also get the rechargable battery the 2 AA's that came with the camera lasted me 4hrs or abt 20 pics. For the prcie and list of features you get, I don't think this camera can be beat. An additional gripe is that the memory sticks are quite pricey but once you pic up one 64 mb stick you shoud be fine. Sev people I know have this camera and there computer is running windows ME and they had problems. My pc is running Windows ME, the upgrade from windows 98 (1st edition) and it works fine.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Canon 0976B001 DTC-1000 D Terminal Component Video Cable (connects HD camcorder to HD component)

Canon 0976B001 DTC-1000 D Terminal Component Video CableLike every Canon OEM product I've used, the cable is well made and of nice quality. I use it with an adapter to take the component video out from the XHA1 and into the HDMI input of a Atomos Ninja for tapeless capture. And this thing is LONG! I have lots of length to dress the cable out of the way while shooting or reach to a cart where another capture device might be used. You won't be disappointed with this product.

In expensive way to get RGB cable for HVX200 camera. Seems to be of good quality. Perfect HD picture results.

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D terminal video cables are really hard to find. The seller shipped promptly, the cable is of excellent quality and the price was reasonable.

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