Showing posts with label video surveillance software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video surveillance software. Show all posts

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Sony HDR-TG5V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with Built-in GPS Receiver and 10x Optical Zoom

Sony HDR-TG5V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with Built-in GPS Receiver and 10x Optical ZoomAre you looking for the absolute best quality video & sound available including astonishing low light performance? Then look elsewhere. Are you looking for a camera that you'll actually carry which is also fast & simple to use while capturing very good HD video and acceptable stills? Then stop looking, you've found it. For my money, a camera that gets used is way better than a studio quality hulk that sits in the closet. This thing will fit in pants or jacket pockets. It's a camera my wife will use!

Talk about simplicity, the TG5V has exactly 4 mechanical controls if you include the switch that turns the camera on when you open the LCD. The other three are all located on the back and controlled by your thumb. Zoom ring, video start stop button, still photo button. That's it! Almost all funtions can be set once on the touchscreen menu and then forgotten. But, you can set up a custom menu with your six favorites on a menu that is accessible with one touch of the screen. Very slick and a good thing because the menu is extensive with 14 sub-sections. I set the whole thing up and configured the custom menu without ever opening the manual so I'd rate the new Sony menu design a success.

Video is excellent in HD and still OK in SD. Low light is not the camera's forte but a well lit room is no problem. Batteries last only about 90 min so you'll want a spare. I also bought the wide angle lens and I think most people are going to want that for indoor shots. This camera has a narrower than usual field of vision.

I bought the spare battery & charger kit to free me from carrying the stand and ac/dc converter block. Lastly, I bought the Sony brown leather case with magnetic closure. It's very nice and protects the camera well but I think most of the time I'll carry the TG5V in my pocket in the drawstring bag that came with my Nikon flash. It's perfectly sized and adds almost zero bulk. The wide angle lens has it's own zip leather case. The case velcros onto the camera handstrap and the lens has a separate leash that also clips onto the camera strap. Excellent overall system design.

Edit: Forgot to mention the GPS function. It seems sort of goofy to me but it lets you search for files by location by pointing at the touchscreen. I may grow to like it but for me anyway, it is far from the main reason I wanted this video camera. And it just occurred to me that you may be able to extend battery life by shutting off the GPS reciever.

So why didn't I save $350 bucks and buy the older TG1? The TG5V is about 7% lighter and 10% smaller in volume, has 16GB memory built in, Sony made the touch screen menu system much more usable, and they improved the looks. And then of course there's the GPS thingy?????

Edit 11/07/2009 : Someone left a comment pointing out that when Sony added a bunch of improvements to the TG5V they also took something away. True and a bit strange for a consumer electronics company to remove features. Sony offered 5.1 audio recording on the original TG1V. The new TG5V on the other hand makes do with 2 channel stereo recording. I can think of several reasons why it should have been stereo to begin with but I can't figure out why, once they had 5.1 audio implemented they'd remove it.

So why go with stereo? A lot of customers don't own home theaters with 5.1 surround sound systems. Those who do will likely play back their video on a computer where multi-channel audio doesn't add much "wow". Or they'll burn their memories to a DVD and send it to grandma and aunt Susie who again, don't have a home theater. Or they'll post it on YouTube for others to watch .....you guessed it, on a computer. Also let's face it, this camera is tiny without an input for an external microphone. How good can a tiny 1/8th inch built in mike do separating 5 channels of audio with directional cues?

Do I miss the 5.1 channel audio? Not at all. I view it as an acceptable tradeoff for the worlds smallest high quality video camera that is actually going to get used because of its portability.

Why did Sony jettison a feature they had already designed into the product? No idea. Cost? I doubt it, this camera is marketed to well heeled consumers and the cost difference was probably a few bucks. Maybe they also decided it was a useless feature for the target buyer. Or, maybe their AVCHD codec was having problems with 5.1 audio. It remains a mystery.

This is a fantastic camera. The video and camera controls are easy to use and the zoom is easy to control. It fits very nicely in my pants pocket. The only deficiency is that the documentation for Macintosh OS use is very poor, and actually misleads you to think that the camera is not Macintosh compatible (I was angry when I read the single page on the Sony website, which implied that only photos taken on the memory stick could be used on a Macintosh). Fortunately, I thought I would try to hook it up via the USB to my MacBook Pro anyways. iPhoto automatically launches when the HDR-TG5V is USB connected, and I was able to download the photos the same as with any other camera. The GPS tags worked perfectly. After quitting iPhoto, I ran iMovie 09 and to my delight, it automatically recognized the movies for download. For GPS users, make sure to turn on the camera when you reach a new location and make sure it has had time to triangulate a location (when the three dots becomes a set of bars). If you don't wait for this, the photos are not linked to that location. The other downside is that it lacks night vision, but it does allow for manual focusing and even automatic optimization of focus on faces. Overall, a very handy and convenient camera with excellent movie resolution and good photo resolution.

Buy Sony HDR-TG5V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with Built-in GPS Receiver and 10x Optical Zoom Now

I have an older hdr-fx1, but wanted a small pocket video camera.

This camera video is not as good as the full size, but is very nice in 1080i. It is not a 1080p camera, so saying it is "full HD" to me is really not true. The GPS tagging works, as well as using a standard DVD burner to make disks that have to be read on a BD reader. Curiously, if you use a Sony BD burner, which I also have, the video is fine, but none of the menus are burned into the standard DVD disk. I have a fast XP computer, and you will need that to burn the AVCHD disks.

The sound got hollow and very strange when the background was a waterfall, and also at other times with background sound.

This camera eats batteries, so have 2 or a charger with you.

Video is good, but for this price, is a 720p Vado, Flip or Kodak a better deal? Except for the GPS, the older model has 5.1 surround and is cheaper.

Overall, it is small and a good camera, but pricey.

Read Best Reviews of Sony HDR-TG5V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with Built-in GPS Receiver and 10x Optical Zoom Here

I am crazy about Sony gadgets, saw this cute little HD camcoder, though it is priced little high I bought it.

Ease of use There are no too many buttons to operate. It is simple and handy.

Battery Life Though the specs say the battery can last for 2 hours of video, you loose battery when you replay videos or review pictures. Overall I felt it is better to carry a 2nd spare battery when you are going out

Video in good light Simply superb

Video in low light gets grainy, you might start thinking if it is really a HD cam or not.

Audio crystal clear. Though 5.1 dolby has been removed, 2.1 sounds great

GPS I had been to India for vacation and there were no maps for major cities

Overall:

I rate this as a great handy HD camcoder + still camera in good light but not so good in bad light. I hope Sony rectifies these things in their future releases.

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PROS

I bought mine for $1500 so the price now is a huge plus!!

pocket size

good enough battery

STABLE picture

BEAUTIFUL 1080p in good light

GPS

Audio is surprisingly good. Compared to the flip cameras, that is.

works GREAT in Sony Vegas Pro

well made strong metal (titanium apparently)

media files created play well on my three media players popcorn, wdtv and asus

CONS

poor low light (but it's tiny so why complain!)

gps takes a while to get running (again, no biggie)

no external mic (not a biggie unless you are recording interviews, lectures)

I use it for family recordings and sometimes hour-long lectures. I have two Kodak Zi8 and Zi10 (Playtouch). The image stabilization is worth the extra bulkiness. Shakey flip-style recordings are NOT good memory keepers.

if you are editing, thank GOODNESS Vegas 11 handles it out of the box. No point complaining about "oh no it doesn't play on my PC" it's AVCHD, so the responsibility is on you to have a decent machine.

The price now is amazing. Just wish it had external mic capability!

******* UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2012

Ok so now it's been nearly a year. The machine is a little battered (i did drop it on a rock on the beach) but still great BUT -the display screen no longer stands perpendicular meaning when I am filming I need to prop it up with one finger (i think a spring is broken inside) NO BIGGIE! Picture and performance still great. I compare to other small cameras which are more modern and this is still a great machine. I would say it is aging gracefully :-) as it is not completely plastic I think it has a lot of life left in it. Unusually, this camera gets a LOT of regular, weeekly use (most get used during vacations only) so I really cannot complain.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO TRUE POCKET CAMERA WHICH GIVES THIS QUALITY !!!

If know of one please let me know!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Teddycam Teddy Bear Wireless Baby Watch and Listen System

Teddycam Teddy Bear Wireless Baby Watch and Listen SystemI purchased this for a friend who wanted to capture video of someone stealing from her home. This bear is good quality, and setting it up was fairly easy and quick. (Esp. for a woman, who does not set up electronic devices often.) Directions are crummy, but you can def. figure it out. The video output on the TV exceeded my expectations, and I thought the imaging was very clear. I can't tell you about audio, because I was in the same room as the bear. The bear's nose could be less conspicuous (maybe a better shape since the camera lens is there), but if he is grouped with other stuffed animals, there should be no problem. This bear does not record video, so if you need this feature, look elsewhere. However, I can see how this would be useful if you want to take surveillance while in another location of your home. For the cost (approx. $45), I would give this product a shot. Hope this review helps.

This thing will not work for me an the camera on its nose is so obvious Its not a nanny cam any1will notice this

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Sanyo Digital Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom, 14 MegaPixel , 3" LCD Display , Movie Rocording - Blue Col

Sanyo Digital Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom, 14 MegaPixel , 3' LCD Display , Movie Rocording - Blue ColorI am an apartment manager, and I use this camera all the time to take photos of damages after people move out. The auto-focus works great in various lighting conditions, and I have never had a photo come out blurry. The batteries seem to die fast, so I always carry an extra set.

I am purchasing another one of these for my 7 year old, because it is inexpensive for the quality of the photos. The shutter speed is quick enough for his always-moving hands, and the buttons are simple enough for him to easily operate. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

The camera worked great, for the first 7 weeks I owned it. I purchased this camera for the Lomo feature. The camera took decent pictures. The reason I give the item 2 stars is that on the 53rd day I owned the product, it would not turn on. I thought it might have been a dead battery, so I plugged it into the charger, but the USB/Power LED did not light up. Despite reseating the battery and trying different USB cables, I could not get the camera to operate again.

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this camera is everything i would want in a camera!!!!!!!! i love it i bought it last night got an sd card so easy to use you can edit your pics you can make REAL movies you can stop in the middle and start again! i would recommend this to ANYONE !

Read Best Reviews of Sanyo Digital Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom, 14 MegaPixel , 3" LCD Display , Movie Rocording - Blue Col Here

love the touch screen

Daytime pictures are great, night shots can be a bit grainy if ISO is set a little high, but other than that, it is a great camera.

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I use this camera for audit work. It is the only one I have found that imprints date and time on the picture. The zoom is very good and the flash very bright, sometime too bright but good for even 10 feet away. The camera also does HD movies.

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Monday, April 21, 2014

Panasonic PTAE8000U 1080p Full HD Projector

Panasonic PTAE8000U 1080p Full HD Projector
  • 2400 Lumens of Brightness
  • 1080p (1920 x 1080) Resolution
  • Full-HD-Optimized Lens
  • 480 Hz Processing Capability
  • 2x Optical Power Zoom

I love the projector, never-mind the 3D, it is not a subtle upgrade from the PT-AE4000. In terms of picture quality, everything is better brightness, contrast, and clarity. It is actually bright enough that in a reasonably light controlled setting, you could run in ECO mode and be perfectly happy. Again, going from PT-AE4000 to the 8000 is well worth it. 3D seemed fine, just make sure that you purchase the correct 3D glasses as there are different versions, even within Panasonic.

Now the bad part I like everyone else, try to save a buck when I can. I didn't realize that Amazon allowed grey-market, marketplace dealers; but in retrospect, I guess that was my own naivety. BIG VALUE, Inc. IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO SELL Panasonic. They claim that they are just like buying from your retail store, but I have never had a retail store that was grey-market. Your rebates and warranties WILL NOT be honored by Panasonic. Unfortunately the way I found this out was by trying to redeem a rebate. By the time I received a denial from Panasonic and clarification from BIG VALUE, Inc, I was outside of the 30 day return window.

I will go though the claim process and hopefully Amazon will support my side based on BIG VALUE's deceptive marketing, but it's an expensive lesson to learn; as regardless as to whether I am able to return the projector; I also lost out on the two free pairs of 3D glasses and the $100 rebate check.

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I wanted to wait a while before writing this review, but I can't hold off any longer. So far I have about 40 hours on this projector and I absolutely love it! I have it ceiling mounted in the rear of our home theater. The room is completely light controlled, and I am projecting on a 120" wide, 2.35 aspect ratio acoustically transparent screen. Throw distance is approximately 17'.

Out of the box without any adjustments, I thought the picture was great. I did a quick calibration this past weekend with the Disney WOW BD, and tweaked a few of the picture settings. Now the picture is fantastic! Colors are rich, great blacks and detail in dark/shadowy parts of movies, whites are bright when they should be. Everything really pops. Sharp focus and details as well. We have watched a mixture of HDTV, 16:9 movies, and 2.35:1 movies. All have been 2D. I don't have any 3D movies (or glasses for that matter) so can't comment on the 3D performance.

One feature that I really love is the auto sensing of the movie's aspect ratio. Everyone has to comment on how cool it is that once a 2.35:1 AR movie starts playing, the picture zooms to fill the entire screen automatically. I have to admit that I don't get tired of seeing that happen. Very cool.

One thing to keep in mind if you are going to use the auto AR switching is mounting location. In general, the center of the lens should be no higher than the top of the screen. Mine is about 2" higher, and I can still make it work with the lens shift and v-area position controls, but I don't think it would work if it were much higher than that. I'm sure this varies with throw distance and screen size, so make sure to test before you permanently mount it.

Also, if you are expecting to get the Panasonic rebate, you need to know that Amazon is NOT an officially authorized reseller of this product. They may be for other Panasonic items, but this is considered a "business class" projector, and Panasonic only has 5 authorized resellers for this projector. I'm not saying don't buy it from Amazon, I just want you to be aware that you will not qualify for the Panasonic rebate if you do. I found that out the hard way.

Overall I give this projector 5 stars. In my opinion, it would be very difficult to find a better projector with more features in this price range. I would not hesitate to recommend this projector to anyone.

Read Best Reviews of Panasonic PTAE8000U 1080p Full HD Projector Here

Compared to my previous old 2004 NEC LT-260K projector, which was quite good in my dedicated HT room wow, big improvement!!

I recommend ProjectorCentral.com to compare, and the Panasonic PT-AE8000U was very highly rated!

I've only had the new projector installed for a couple weeks, but here's the differences I've experienced so far:

Improved 1920x1080 Resolution (Now can even sit on the floor in front of the big 122in screen and it's still quite clear!)

Much greater Contrast Ratio! (500,000:1) Night Scenes are much clearer, and gives more depth of field.

Brighter (Can even use room lighting now if desired with very little screen washout!)

Quieter Fan (better during silent passages...)

Longer Lamp Life (2000-3000 previously, and now 4000hrs, 5000 in eco)

More refinement / adjustability controls options

3D capability that didn't have before... (Can be immersed in the movie if you choose on occasion... Wow! Amazing!)

2D to 3D Conversion option

Power Zoom & Power Focus, as well as other setup improvements

Better Color Interpretation

Very fast 480Hz Dual Core Processor greatly improves fast motion scene tracking in real-time without eye fatigue.

Split-Screen helps setup changes to see present and proposed change comparison...

The picture quality is so amazing, you completely forget that you're actually watching a projector!?!

Extremely impressive projector!! Yes, this likely is the best HT projector from Panasonic so far!!!

Thanks Panasonic!! Mike (Puget Sound Area, WA)

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If you are unlucky like myself, you would buy this projector. it is more than 2 months but I am still waiting for the 3D glasses and extended warranty. You are better of with another manufacturer if you want to enjoy 3D movies.

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Just bought it, but has worked great so far. I recommend the product. However the replacement lamp is very expensive.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Sony Open Box HXR-NX30U NXCAM Palm Size Full HD Professional Camcorder

Sony Open Box HXR-NX30U NXCAM Palm Size Full HD Professional CamcorderThis camera is perfect for the half a step below professional but more than a novice and priced right, too! The HD video it records is sharp and clear and it easy to switch between recording to the internal harddrive or to an SD card. The included microphone kit works like a charm and sounds good with great control options. The fluid lens works great keeping the picture stable and smooth as you move around. The projector, while an odd add-on, is actually pretty cool to be able to show people what you recorded without having everyone crowd around.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this purchase and recommend it to others looking to have a high-end camera but not have the high-priced broadcast level cams.

I pick this up for mostly use around the family. This camcorder almost have the same look and fell as the Sony PJ760 minus the XLR microphone. The unit come with one microphone, but there is room to plug in the second one.

There are many setting and features that almost fell like a pro camcorder.

Pro: Resolution, XLR microphone, camera stabilizer, built in projector, led light, and more

Cons: The handle could be alittle longer, lens hood fall off to easy, microphone cable clip break off very easy. dedicated manual button or control.

Over all, im pretty happy with my purchase. If you have any question, feel free to ask.

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I have been looking for pro quality HD video recorder for a number of years. As my kids get bigger, video becomes better at capturing those memories. I had a canon tape camcorder which was great. Unfortunately, the first moments of my youngest was overwritten after someone in the family viewed the video. One of the downsides of tape is that you need to forward back to the end of the recordings or else your prior recordings will be written over. With flash memory recordings, these problems are no longer an issue.

I've looked at SLR video and camcorders, and feel that focusing and white balance is superior (for now) on the camcorders. SLR video is a great tool, but for me, it requires too many accessories and attachments. What appealed to me the most is the size of the NX30U. It's small and discrete without the lens hood and XLR adapter and inputs. Similar quality recorders are larger and attract a lot of attention.

96GB of internal memory is great! You also have an extra SD slot. Still trying to figure out the maximum size card that can be used.

The image stabilization is fantastic! I was able to video a roller coaster ride at California Adventure and the balanced optical stabilization did a great job! I think this feature makes the NX superior to Canon and Panasonic. I was able to hand hold and video the World of Color and the video looks like it's on a tripod. The wide angle of the NX30 is 28mm and is best in class. Telephoto is ~260mm which is beat by Panasonic.

The AVCHD recording format will not import into iMovie, so you'll need to use Adobe's Pemiere or Apple's Final Cut X. Pro gear needs Pro software and a good storage solution. I feel that this is the biggest problem with HD video for most people. AVCHD is good for compression, but problematic for editing. Premiere and Final Cut has a steep initial learning curve.

I'm very happy with my purchase as it has great image quality with superior image stabilization in a small discrete package, but has the ability to flex up to pro audio if I need it.

Update: Got word from Sony USA and the largest SD card that can be used to supplement the 96GB internal flash memory is 64GB. Don't bother getting the 128 or 256GB SDXC cards! An added plus is that in OSX Mountain Lion, the AVCHD files are read by Quicktime natively. One needs to connect the NX30U via the USB port and the flash drive will mount. Clicking on the AVCHD icon, OSX will show previews of all the clips. They can then be opened and played in quicktime and exported to .mov files to where you want. Of course editing and making movies will need Premiere or Final Cut.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Open Box HXR-NX30U NXCAM Palm Size Full HD Professional Camcorder Here

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Brite-View BVC-500C Plugcam 500MB/s Powerline Home Network Camera Starter Kits (White)

Brite-View BVC-500C Plugcam 500MB/s Powerline Home Network Camera Starter KitsThe plugCAM is using HomePlug AV-compliant powerline communications technology to connect to your network. You view the video with a free iPhone app or Android app on your smartphone.

The Starter Kit comes with everything you need: Camera, PLC adapter, cables and mounting screws.

I already have a powerline setup in my house. I did not have to plug in the PLC adapter that needs to be connected via an ethernet cable to your router. I just plugged the camrea in a wall socket. Then I downloaded the iPhone app and scanned the QR code on the bottom of the camera done. The video appeared bright and clear on my iPhone. Again. There is nothing to configure. It just works literally plug and play. You can if you want name your camera and change settings later on.

The access to the plugCAM works also when your are away from home.

The LEDs on the camera make it possible to also see video footage from dark rooms or during the night.

The resolution of the plugCAM is not high to keep the bandwidth usage manageable. You get at the highest setting VGA at 7fps. Rather use a lower resolution at higher fps. After all you want to see what is going on and not make a home movie. The plugCAM iPhone app can take stills from the video footage, but does not record video segments.

Pros

Very Easy To Use

Uses PLC not Wi-Fi for hassle-free networking

Smartphone apps to view footage

Cons

Camera unit could be smaller

Not waterproof for outdoor use

If you want to keep an eye on your pets, kids, a machine or anything quickly and affordably from remote than the plugCAM is for you.

Brite-view plugCAM Powerline-Networking Plug & Play Camera Kit can quickly and very easily let you monitor things while you're away right on your Android or iOS device. The plugCAM works over your existing electrical wires so there's no wires to run, if you have an outlet you can set up the camera for monitoring.

Inside the box I found the camera, user manual, mounting screws, power cable, powerline adapter and an Ethernet cable.

The plugCAM is basically two parts, the wall adapter and the actual camera. The wall adapter is the part you plugin near your router or switch and attach the Ethernet cable to it.You don't need another powerline adapter for the camera as the camera has it built right into the base.The camera can be positioned many different ways, it moves right and left and can be titled up and down.The camera features a ring of infrared LEDs around the lens and at the very top is a light sensor to let the camera know when to use the LEDs. The lens can also be turned to focus the picture.Both parts are made of plastic but that's no surprise as pretty much everything is, but both the adapter and the camera seem sturdy and well made.

To use the plugCAM you just need to plug it into your network via the powerline adapter and Ethernet cable. Once done the LEDs will light up and in a few seconds it will be ready to go.To connect the camera to your network you just plug it into a standard wall outlet. Overall I found the setup to be extremely simple, it couldn't be easier really just plug and play and that's it.

To monitor the camera you need to use an Android or iOS device and download the appropriate free app (I'm using Android).There are three ways to add a camera, scan the QR code on the side of the camera, search on your local network or add it manually using the ID and password on the camera. I did the local search and in a few seconds it found the camera.

Pros:

Very simple setup

IR LEDs very bright

Easy to use app for mobile devices

Works over existing power lines so no additional cables to run

Monitor via phone or tablet while away

Cons:

Ethernet cord rather short

Pictures are a bit grainy

No video recording

Conclusion:

If you're looking for a way to monitor your home while you're away I don't think you'll find anything easier to setup than the Brite-view plugCAM. The plugCAM package is just as simple as plug and play truly, if you've got electric then you can stream video. The plugCAM has many more uses than just home surveillance like keeping an eye on your baby or even your pet while you're not home. Since it uses the power lines as your network you don't need to run any cables and anywhere you have an electrical outlet you can setup the camera. The system allows you to add several additional cameras as well so you can monitor pretty much everything you want.

Buy Brite-View BVC-500C Plugcam 500MB/s Powerline Home Network Camera Starter Kits (White) Now

I would just echo what has already been said in other review. The plugCAM starter kit does the job as advertised. It's really easy to use and setup.

Simply connect plugCAM adapter to router with ethernet cable and plug camera to any wall socket in my house. then it's done.

No WiFi setting or PC software installation required.

Scan QR code to add camera onto iPhone is plus. My wife loves this feature and plans to get another starter kit for her parents who live in Japan now.

It really gives a lot of peace in mind when we are in US and know we can access the camera that deploy in Japan anytime.

Since it's so easy to setup, we have no worries that her parents don't know how to set it up.

In addition, the plugCAM transmits video through home powerline so I can place camera in my basement that even wi-fi signal can't reach.

It's one of the reason that I bought the plugCAM and sending back another brand product that doesn't meet our needs.

Video quality is ok to watch from my iPhone 4s. Since I am having limited data plan, I always set video resolution to 320x240 in case

not to get data overage charge while accessing the camera under 3G network.

It's a good product and really fits our expectation. If you want to place a camera in the house that wifi signal can't reach, then you should get plugCAM.

Read Best Reviews of Brite-View BVC-500C Plugcam 500MB/s Powerline Home Network Camera Starter Kits (White) Here

Needed something to monitor our dogs when we are not in the house. Turns out the camera worked so well we are now using them as security. Will add more in the future.

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The other reviews seem like they were written word for word from a sale pitch. Anyway here's a real honest review from an actual user.

Set up is a no brainer. It really is plug and play simple. Plug in the receive into an electrical outlet and the ethernet cable into a jack or into the back of your router. Plug in the camera to an electrical outlet and scan the QR code with the iPhone App and it finds the camera. You can edit it then if you want and put in a name and new password.

The video quality is 640x480 on High, 320x240 Medium and 160x120 Low. The picture is just okay. You can definitely tell whats going on in the image but don't expect Retina Display quality. Colors are weird one some things. My black tank top looked purple but my black cat looks black even when I'm holding him in my black tank top. Not sure what causes that but it's not a problem really.

It works. You won't spend more than 5 minutes setting it up and image quality is more than adequate for most people. Great little system if you want to watch a remote location. I'm using it for my wife's store.

A higher resolution version would be nice to have. Oh the night vision mode really does enhance the picture in poorly lit rooms.

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Sunday, October 13, 2013

HDMI Cable - 2 Male Connectors - 2 Meters

HDMI Cable - 2 Male Connectors - 2 Meters
  • Connectors: HDMI male to HDMI male
  • Gold Plated for better quality
  • Fully HDCP compliant to Provide highest level of signal quality
  • Supports multiple audio formats, from stereo to multi-channel sound
  • Transfer rate up to 5 Gbps

This cable is exactly what I was looking for using it to connect my Blu-Ray player to my receiver. Also purchased another one to connect my DVR to my receiver. Great product for the price! Honestly, don't know why anyone would spend more!

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I JUST WANT TO SAY I BOUGHT A COUPLE OF THESE CABLES AND THEY WORK WONDERFULLY WITH MY AUDIOPHILE GRADE HOOK UP. I ENJOY BLUE-RAYS AND MUSIC. THESE CABLES WORK BETTER THAN MORE EXPENSIVE BRANDED ONES IN FANCY PACKAGING. THIS IS A TRUE EXAMPLE OF CUTTING OUT THE MIDDLE MEN FOR A GOOD DEAL ON A GREAT CABLE.

THANKS,

KRIS

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Recieved cables within a few days of ordering, no problems, and would buy again. Saved money and am happy with results.

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Works perfectly! Works just as well as cables costing $30 or more. We have had it for quite awhile with no loss of quality. We have also gotten them for family members who report no problems at all.

I've purchased over 6 HDMI cables (over the span of a few years) from various vendors on Amazon. Each time the deals change, but I have yet to find a seller send me cables that didn't match the advertising. Until now.

First, there are no ferrite cores on either end of the cable as the picture suggests.

Second, the picture depicts a fairly thick cable (that is, well insulated). What I got was far from it... they are positively the thinnest HDMI cables I have ever received. I went back to read the description of the product and realized I was a sucker! The text "premium cable" and "heavy duty" is absolute b.s. because it flat out states the wire is 28awg (28 gauge)... that's .321mm thick! Think about it... a third of a millimeter! And not only is the wire inside very thin, but so is the shielding and insulation. I got had!

No, I haven't tried them out yet (they're for my father-in-law's system and I'll hook them up this weekend). I'm sure they'll work, but given the flimsy-ness of the cable, I clearly can't place them where interference is likely.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical ZoomThe L2 and L3 models are twins with a shared instruction manual. For some the more expensive L2 may be a better choice.

At a camera store I made several identical shots with both cameras and the L2 produced consistently sharper images when zoomed in on the fine detail of ordinary shots. (Using readability of distant text to judge sharpness of jpg images saved in the largest file size.)

With simpler menus than higher priced cameras these seem to be a good choice for the less determined photographer in your family. I am going to use mine as a backup for an older pocket digital on a trip and ultimately as a spouse's camera. While she likes 4X6 prints, for which the L3 would be fine, I will keep her files and view them on computer and so chose the extra sharpness.

This is a very likeable little camera that is significantly smaller than my older digital. To keep that size advantage I found a Tamrac slip in case with Velcro closure flap at a photo chain store with many cases to choose from.

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On a trip the L2's daylight photos and videos were very good and the Best Shot Selector a fine feature, however the weak flash was a serious limitation in many situations. Some dark images were improved by a feature Nikon calls "D-lighting". In dark situations my old digital produced far better images. I would subtract one star if Amazon would let me edit the rating.

I waited to review this camera until I'd really put it through the paces on a 10-day trip to Paris, where I used it in pretty much every conceivable scenario: indoor, outdoor, sunny, cloudy, closeup (macro), high zoom, videos in the day and night, etc. I've explored all of its features at this point, including all of the scene modes (panorama included).

This is a good camera. To my thinking, the single best feature is the "D-Lighting" option. This feature is an automatic color/lighting adjustment tool that one accesses when in "play mode" (viewing previously-taken pictures). It's a very smart feature that will compensate for poor lighting situations. I used this on almost every picture I took. The panorama feature is also nice--it's used in conjunction with the bundled software Nikon includes with the camera. Video mode is quite good--with a 2GB card, and tuned to a lower quality (smaller) video mode, you can actually get a couple hours of video on this thing.

I'd recommend this camera for amateur/casual use--it's very intuitive, and will suit those not inclined to gadgetry and technology. Also a VERY good first camera for a teen. It's certainly not the best thing out there, but it's inexpensive and takes excellent pictures at 5.1 MP. Also, the AA battery life is long, and makes it easy to keep the camera powered, even in a foreign country using a different voltage (no recharging necessary, just replace the batteries). Very lightweight, and can be tucked into a pant pocket.

Some shortcomings: the biggest flaw is that the camera has no HOLD function--that is, there's no way to disable the on/off button without removing the batteries. Thus, if you put the camera in your pocket and the power button is unintentionally pressed, the camera will turn on, and the lens will try to open. This may lead to the "lens jamming" other reviewers have complained of. This was an annoyance, though one I easily overcame by removing one battery in situations where I thought it might be an issue. Also, if the lens tries to open but can't, the camera will shut down and display a "lens error" message. This might drain the battery, but, in my experience, won't seriously hurt the camera. Another shortcoming, though one shared by most cameras in this price-range, is that it lacks the aperture to take really good sharp pictures in low-lighting situations, without a tripod. The small lens simply can't gather enough light fast enough to get detailed nighttime city-scapes, for instance. Anything beyond the range of the flash (which is good) will be dark or blurry. The same problem might confront a user in a museum where flash is prohibitied. Unless you have a tripod or a very steady hand, the pictures are likely to turn out blurry. Finally, several users have complained that the memory-writing process is slow--that is, after taking a picture you have to wait several seconds while the camera saves the picture before you can take another one. This is true. My understanding is that some of this has to do with the write-speed of the memory card you purchase, but some of it also has to do with the camera itself. Not recommended for situations in which you'll want to snap off several pictures in quick succession.

On the whole, I think this camera is an excellent value that will suit most needs. I'm glad I got it, but I also know that it won't satisfy more demanding users.

Buy Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Now

This camera takes decent pictures but it has a lot of problems. I have two small kids and it's hard to get a picture of them unless they are standing completely still. The shutter speed isn't fast enough, reload is too long after the flash goes off, don't even try to take a picture with the flash off it just comes out totally blurred. Like the other reviewers that have had problems with the lens jamming, mine has done that too, I've only had the camera maybe 6 months and it's already broken, not very sturdy for someone on the go with little kids. I'm very dissappointed in this camera.

Read Best Reviews of Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Here

This is our 3rd digitial camera, and the best we have had yet. Our other cameras are a Sony Mavica CD model and a Kodak v550.

Unlike the Kodak, this camera is well designed so it "fits" like it should in your hands. The various menu buttons and options are very intuitive, and spaced properly across the back of the camera. (In contrast, the Kodak model has many of its tiny control buttons packed across the top of the camera, making them hard to use and to read).

The LCD screen on the back of the camera is very large and is not washed out by sunlight, a problem many other cameras have.

The photos are sharp, well focused and easily manipulated with the software that comes with the camera.

A great camera for the money.

Want Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Discount?

This camera is definitely worth whatever you are spending on it! The fact that it is so small and cute (yes, I said cute... I'm a girl) is just a bonus. The features are amazing, you'll never use them all... but even if you are a real novice you can't go wrong... I mean, there's a section where they even give you the outline of the person, you just have to line them up... point, and shoot. It's even good for taking pics in the dark... even if it looks dark in the screen before you take it, the powerful flash lights up everything.

The fact that it takes a regular SD card is also excellent, you can get that anywhere unlike some of the other proprietary ones. And you only need two AA batteries.

Cons... well, I guess battery life could be a bit longer when you've got lots of video to take. And somebody out there in Digital Camera world needs to come up with a way to improve lighting for taking video as well... maybe a steady lamp that you can manually switch on or something!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Weather Resistant LensThe Pentax K-7 is the best all around digital SLR I have ever owned or used. As a constant companion this system cannot be beaten. With the DA pancake lenses attached, the K-7 is small and unobtrusive. Yet it is a powerful photographic tool. Every feature needed by an experienced photographer is found on this body. Plus a few extra. Also, it has fully auto modes so you can easily hand it to a less experienced user and simply say "point and shoot". For years, to have a rugged weather proof camera meant hauling around an enormous body. The K-7 is built like a tank yet is small and light. I have carried it for at least 100 miles of hiking (not all in one day) and it is a joy. Easily hangs behind my arm while walking on the street so it is always ready.

Performance is fast and reliable in all conditions indoors and out. Note: startup time can be greatly improved to near instant by turning off the shake reduction feature when not needed.

As an added bonus, the "kit" lens included with this body is exceptional. I think Canon and Nikon take pride in providing the most ridiculously crappy lenses in their "kits". So much plastic you can't even use them as paper weights. But this Pentax 18-55 is amazing! Weather sealing, smooth manual focus action, and astonishingly high quality optics.

As a compact, all purpose system for travel and constant carry, the K-7 plus a couple tiny DA lenses is a pleasure. You can argue over image quality all day. But the reality is that you have to have the camera with you to get the image. And this system is small enough and tough enough that it will always be ready when needed.

I will leave all the technical reviews for other people. I went to a lot of camera stores before making my choice. Every single store recommended the Canon or the Nikon over the Pentax. But I had read a lot of great reviews on the net and the selection of lenses for the Pentax covered all my needs. The big deciding factors for me were:

1 Build construction which is far superior to the Nikon or Canon

2 Size. Smaller than the other two and much nicer to hold and feels better in the hand.

3 Weather proofing. I had to take some pictures on the beach the other day with a friend who has a Canon. It started to rain and my friend had to scurry for cover. I was able to finish the shots and not worry about the camera getting a little wet.

4 Lenses. I really like the selection of Pentax lenses. They seem better value for money and the DA* series is great. When you boil down the selection of what you really need or can use on your camera the Nikon or Canon selection is not as huge as it looks unless you are a sports photographer and need a super long lens. Plus you can use older lenses and I have bought a couple of older second hand lenses like a super wide angle that I do not use often, but enjoy to have.

5 Value for money. Pentax gives you a much better camera at this price level than Canon or Nikon.

Image quality from what I have seen to very close between all the better cameras. With any of these cameras you have to read the manual and practice using the camera to make the most of it. With a little practice now I am finding the layout of the controls on the Pentax brilliant and can quickly and easily make any of the adjustments I need. There are so many great and clever features that I really enjoy. The shops also made a big deal about the mode dial on the Canon and Nikon. This is great for beginners and the Pentax is more a Prosumer camera. But the Pentax has these same setting in the menu if you want them and we sometimes use them for general shooting.

I love this camera. It does not look like a big hunk of plastic sitting there and has a quality feel to it. It is very easy to learn to use and the resulting photos are fantastic even with the kit lens. My best recommendation is to go to a shop and hold the Pentax side by side with the Canon and Nikon and you will see the differences I have noted above. It really swings the decision to the Pentax.

Buy Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Now

I have only had a point-and-shoot camera in the past. I had been wanting a DSLR for a while now, and planned on purchasing one with my tax refund this year. I was debating between a K-7 and a K-x. After doing A LOT of research I pretty much came to the realization that in the digital SLR photography world there are two big players, Canon and Nikon. After discussing my choices with my friends, one mentioned that his roommate had a K20 and loved it! I started to research Pentax, and discovered the incredible value to cost that you get from Pentax! I was sold on the K-x, then I started thinking I would like to have the benefits of amazing features and the weather seals. I live in Colorado and who knows when the weather will change. Also the stainless steel chassis and magnesium alloy body were a big sell. This K7 feels like you could use it as a hammer!! It doesn't feel like a feather-light toy, as some competitors do. (Same with the 2 WR lenses) Plus the feature list of the K-7 is amazing.

I received it earlier than the promised date. It was packed fairly well and the package came in good condition. I took it out and set it to P and shot auto for the first day with the 18-55mm WR lens. I took some awesome shots on a "nature walk" through my neighborhood. I have moved onto the manual mode and have started to get into all the features to this camera. (There are so many!!) Having it for 4 days now, I have shot almost 1400 shots. Both indoor and outdoor. I have taken 30 second time delayed night shots, cloudy, full sun, indoor no flash, with flash. The high ISO noise that I have read people complaining about on forums is minimal if you have the settings right! I already have a "highlight reel" folder with my best shots.

I decided to go with Pentax because they are headquartered in Colo. Also I like the fact that I can go buy used lenses and use them in manual focus. A beginner can use this camera and get good results. Yet there is plenty of room to grow into the advanced features and functions!

Read Best Reviews of Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Here

Great camera, big improvement in low-light AF from previous Pentax DSLR's. One thing you must know is Pentax is one of the very few companies who make in-body stabilized DSLR's and used the same mount since film, allowing all current 3rd party lenses and manual lenses from 30 years ago to work on this body and still maintain optical stabilization. Huge advantage for Pentax over it's competitors, but sadly the world is brainwashed by what they see in Best Buy and the advertisements.

Pentax builds cameras for photographers and hobbyists at the best of their ability. Pentax does not create 3 DSLRs in the same class, pricing them one over another after stripping features. Pentax are a loyal company to their loyal consumers; you will never see them screw their consumers over by producing a bunch of half-baked bodies and advertise them as everything. They make one DSLR for entry-level and one DSLR for semi-pro and putting all they have to offer for a more than reasonable price.

Aside from the quality of Pentax's craftsmanship throughout the years, the superb build quality of the K-7 is not to be forgotten, that over 50 years of producing some of the finest film SLR's and DSLR's, all of that innovation and time spent have been put into creating this masterpiece. 77 weather-seals making it resistant to dust, rain, and cold temperatures, this is truly the most powerful Pentax ever built to date.

Sometimes the best just don't get talked about, in fact most of the best things in life don't get talked about. Most people can't think for themselves. Out of all the people in the world, only a very select few who knows what's best for themselves. People don't come to realize the best things in life until it's too late. I'm glad to be part of the few who figured it out for myself. I do things in life that's best for me, not what others think is best for me. I go Pentax when others say otherwise, because when I held a Pentax in my hands for the very first time, I knew that was it.

Want Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Discount?

After years of keen 35mm SLR photography I had retired my old Pentax kit and settled for compact digital photography, waiting for the "right" DSLR camera to come along. After seeing reviews of the K7 it seemed the ideal camera with the right spec and that would allow me to use my older Pentax glass so I took the plunge and ordered one along with the DA 18-55 lens.

First impressions were good, nice and neat in the hand (other DSLRs will feel bulky), feels expensive, buttons well laid out and menus clear and a nice shutter sound. Its first assignment was on the continental divide in CO in mid Feb and it performed flawlessly in snow and temperatures significantly lower that the camera's quoted -15C. The 5.2 fps worked really well for action sequences and the images came out crisp and clear. Since then it has been used for more ordinary photography and has continued to impress; my wife is an artist and she has been using it for her work and loves it.

So, in short, it has been an excellent purchase that I am very happy with indeed. The camera compares very favourably in operation and performance to Canon and Nikon cameras that I have encountered, is better looking and has less "pose factor" than those brands (which I like).

Image quality is excellent with clear vibrant colours, operation smooth and easy to use with an excellent array of useful modes and features, weatherproofing effective. The low ISO performance which seems to be a criticism in reviews has not been an issue for me at all as I don't do that much of it, but results have been good for me even in low light. The kit lens is an ideal out and about lens and weatherproof, but don't expect it to be amazing optically as it is pretty cheap but it gets decent results and there is a huge choice in new and old Pentax lenses for all requirements. Video performance is also good and it's a welcome feature I use it more that I thought I would.

All in all, delighted and fully recommend.

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