3/31/2011

Magnavox ZV457MG9 Dual Deck DVD/VCR Recorder Review

Magnavox ZV457MG9 Dual Deck DVD/VCR Recorder
Average Reviews:

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I've only had this product for a week, so I can't address reliability--only design and function.

Overall, this is a good unit that does what it needs to do at a reasonable price.It does take some time to learn how to use this unit, and some things are not intuitive, so be sure to sit down and actually read the manual as you do things.

This unit has a DVD recorder and a VCR--which is handy for transferring old videos to DVD.However, if you have commercial VHS tapes, it will not let you dub those to DVD (due to copyright restrictions--if you try, it says this program is not allowed to be recorded.)The process for dubbing from VHS to DVD is pretty straightforward--set up the parameters and press a button and let it go until you tell it to stop or it senses that you have come to the end of the recording on the tape.

The editing process isa little more challenging.If you want to input title names, you have to use the remote like you are text messaging (eg press 1 three times to get the letter C).Also, the manual does not tell you this, but if you are not using RW discs, any chapter marks that you add will not be read by any other machines.(When you press skip during playback, you advance to the next chapter mark.) You can add manual chapter marks that are read by this machine, but when another DVD player is reading the finalized disc, it only recognizes the chapters that were auto-generated. On RW discs, manual chapter marks do show up.You can set the frequency of the auto-chapters--I used 5 minutes.

I tested this machine with +R, -R, +RW, and -RW and it worked as advertised with all of them.Both the +R and -R worked with my two other DVD players.The RW discs were not recognized by my older (2002) Sony DVD/VCR combo.The difference between +RW and-RW is that you don't have to go through the finalization process on the +RW discs, though there is a process called "Make Edits Compatible" that you need instead. I used Sony and TDK discs and they worked fine.I did not try Memorex discs because I have had problems with those in the past.Supposedly, the -R/-RW standard is more compatible than the plus versions.I found the distinction in compatibility to be more about whether it was R (single burn) or RW (rewritable).

It also has a digital tuner (standard definition) that works as well or better than the Zenith digital converter box I was using before in terms of pulling in channels and keeping a good picture.It also can tune analog channels, though there are none near me anymore.It does have an onscreen program guide that tells you the channel, signal strength, name of the program, and a program description.It does not tell you the length of the program or any programs that will be on afterwards. It does have the ability to record TV onto DVD (and VHS--some other units don't let you do this) and you can program the timer to record your show.

In general, the buttons on the remote are small and not well thought out.I was also disappointed that the remote lacks a button for changing aspect ratio; doesn't control the TV; and lacks some other basic buttons related to TV watching. Don't lose the remote either--it is integral to using 90% of the functions.It does have a few interesting bells and whistles:There is a commercial skip button to use during DVD playback that automatically jumps 30 seconds ahead.There is also a feature where you can tell the VCR to go forward a certain number of minutes.
Also, this unit tends to "think" slowly--whether loading discs, changing channels, etc., you have to wait for it.It ultimately does get the job done and the wait is just a little longer than what you might expect.It's not a deal breaker, just a minor quirk.

Overall, this unit compares favorably to others out there, even ones that are more expensive.I compared this with a Panasonic unit that cost about $300 and found that this had more functionality because the Panasonic unit was geared to use DVD-RAM discs.On that one, you could use R or RW but with limited editing ability.If you are looking at any DVD recorder, go online, find the manual, and read closely through it (this one's at [...]Carefully compare functions, paying special attention to what functions are available with each specific type of discs.

In general it is more complicated to record to DVD than VHS, so any DVD recorder is going to be complicated. This one doesn't do much to simplify that, but it does offer most of the functions that a combo unit like this should have at a reasonable price.

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Product Description:
Dual Deck recorder with ATSC digital tuner. Record home movies on to DVD from Tape. HDMI up conversion out put for HD type picture quality on DVD

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Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System (Black) Review

Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System
Average Reviews:

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I own a new 40" Sony Bravia LCD that I hooked this system up to. I was very impressed with its sound and its wide range of features for the price! However, there were a couple areas that I feel need to be addressed.

PROS:
- Excellent sound, especially the Movie DCS mode which adds a ton of depth to any movie
- Easy setup
- Excellent integration with a Sony TV. I can fully control my LCD from the receiver remote after hooking up the HDMI cables.
- Full HDMI switching makes initial connection and switching between sources a snap. I can switch between cable and my PS3 with 1 button.
- Wide range of format handling, including Linear PCM.
- Wide range of sound modes.
- No color distortion issues when switching between HDMI sources. This seemed to be a problem in older models.

CONS:
- I found the bass to be a little lacking due to the fact that the subwoofer is passive. I swapped the included one out with this: Yamaha YST-SW216BL Advanced YST II Front-Firing Active Subwoofer and it brought the sound to a whole new level!
- Uses proprietary speaker wire connections. Sony makes it very hard to swap the subwoofer like I described previously because the receiver uses proprietary plugs for the speakers instead of generic speaker wire attachments. The system comes with 4 thin speaker wires with plugs to the receiver on one end, and bare wire on the other to hook up to the satellite speakers. However, the subwoofer's is HARD WIRED, so it can't be detached at all. What's worse is that Sony only sells their speaker wires in packs of 5, for a whopping $55.
To use my new subwoofer, I simply found an aftermarket plug with a small length of wire on eBay, spliced it with some standard 18 gauge wire of my own and hooked it up to my new sub. Voila, it worked like a charm.

OVERALL:
Out of the box, the system is a solid 4/5. With a powered subwoofer and a little bit of handiwork to get around Sony's greed, it can be improved to 5/5.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System (Black)

Product Description:
Take advantage of the advanced audio capabilities of Blu-ray Disc movies with this dynamic surround sound system. The HT-SS360 features a sleek, slim receiver with all you need to enjoy the dramatic sound quality you crave. A perfect complement to your Blu-ray player and advanced gaming platforms, this you'll appreciate this system's simplicity in set-up and connectivity. Three HDMI inputs are included for connecting HD sources with a single cable and directly accessing them through the remote control. One-button control is also available with BRAVIA Sync technology, maintaining the proper settings for each component and allowing you to focus on the entertainment.

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3/30/2011

Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 6 HD Inputs Review

Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 6 HD Inputs
Average Reviews:

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I haven't seen this in the comments, so I thought I'd pass this on.I was looking forward to eliminating all the component, coax, and fiber cables and going with HDMI from my Tivo HD and a Sony Blu-Ray player. I can do this as long as I select HDMI 1 -3.

However if I want to use the Assign feature to assign HDMI1 to the BD input or HDMI3 to the SAT input, only the video will be switched not the audio. In order to get the audio, you have to run a coax cable from the Blu-ray player and a fiber cable from Tivo to the BD and Sat inputs. A note on Sony's website confirms this.

The manual is confusing because on page 25 it states: "Be sure to change the initial setting of the HDMI 1-3 input button on the remote so that you can use the button to control your components." Later it says that the HDMI buttons cannot be changed.

Other than not being able to pass HDMI audio through the BD and SAT assignments, the amp works fine.

Note: If you use a Tivo HD with this amp, the code for on/off, mute, and volume is 1176 which is not listed as part of the Sony remote codes on Tivo.

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Product Description:
Ignite your home entertainment experience with the STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V receiver. With six HD inputs (3 HDMI and 3 component), you can take full advantage of all your high-definition components including a Blu-ray Disc player or PS3 system. Everything you hear will sound as close to the master recording as possible with Dolby TrueHD and dts HD decoding technologies. This receiver also features wireless 2nd zone audio capabilities, which allows you transmit wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms via optional S-AIR accessories. Plus, access all of your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver thanks to standby pass-through.

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Sony DVP-NS57P/S Progressive Scan DVD Player, Silver Review

Sony DVP-NS57P/S Progressive Scan DVD Player, Silver
Average Reviews:

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I've had this DVD player a few weeks now and have watched a couple dozen DVDs. None have given me any problems, including scratched DVDs and DVDs burnt on cheap media which would freeze and skip on my old econo DVD player.

The pros: The user interface is excellent. It seems solid, quick to respond, and well made. I love the speed up/slow down feature, very cool. It's sleek and compact looking, excellent remote control response range.

The cons: The remote will not program for too many TVs, there's only about a dozen codes and none of them work for my older TV. I'm sure it's fine if you're TV is from the last 5 years or so, or a very common older one though.

This model is one of very few DVD players I looked at that wasn't made in China, definitely a plus in my book (although many other Sonys are).

I can't yet speak for long-term use, but overall, I'm very impressed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DVP-NS57P/S Progressive Scan DVD Player, Silver

Product Description:
Sony's DVP-NS57P/S is a versatile DVD player with many features at an affordable price. It delivers excellent picture and sound quality so you get the most out of your movies. The Precision Drive 3 system allows you to playback some DVDs that may have been damaged or warped without a degradation of picture quality. Thought it's an excellent DVD player, it can also be used as your CD or MP3 player. For gatherings, use it to share photos with friends and families. You can't go wrong with this stylish home-theater sized DVD player, it is a perfect complement to your TV.

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3/29/2011

Panasonic SC-BT235 Blu-ray Disc 1000W Home Theater Sound System with True Cinema Surround and Advanced Bamboo Cone Speaker - Full HD 1080p Playback Review

Panasonic SC-BT235 Blu-ray Disc 1000W Home Theater Sound System with True Cinema Surround and Advanced Bamboo Cone Speaker - Full HD 1080p Playback
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I bought this system at Costco after reading good reviews for the BT230. I was also impressed with the sound of the system at Costco, compared to the other displays. But after setting it up, several problems arose.

The good:
-Excellent sound
-Sleek design. My wife was a little put off by the tall boy speakers but tolerated them.
-Online content. Access to YouTube, netflix, etc.

The bad:
-Blu-ray player has problems. It was not able to play Baraka without locking up and rebooting. I thought it might be a problem with the disc, but I cleaned it and saw no scratches, and still the same problem.I read that Baraka has some of the most data-rich graphics, and the player always jammed up on very busy scenes with lots of movement and sound, like the panoramic views of waterfalls with roaring sound. This leads me to believe the blu-Ray player cannot handle it.
-Unit shuts down in the middle of movies, radio, etc. This has consistently happened - the unit just powers off automatically in the middle of a movie or while listening to the radio. Very frustrating.
-No wireless compatibility. Before I bought it I read that some of the panasonic systems have an upgrade for wireless rear speakers, but after contacting support, it does not work with this system. And the wires are way too short for stretching across any but the smallest of rooms.

That's too many bads for me, so I'm returning it to Costco today.

**Update: I got the Sony home theater, and Baraka (the exact same disk) played just fine.So there was a problem with the Panasonic blu-ray player handling the data load.And that was after updating the firmware.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-BT235 Blu-ray Disc 1000W Home Theater Sound System with True Cinema Surround and Advanced Bamboo Cone Speaker - Full HD 1080p Playback

Product Description:

VIERA Cast - Enjoy great web entertainment on your HDTV
VIERA Cast's assorted online content just keeps getting better - in addition to popular content such as YouTube and Picasa, it now offers Pandora Internet Radio, Netflix streamed movies, exciting sports from FOX and Twitter communications. No PC required.Cinema Surround - Reproduces Realistic Movie Theater Surround Experience
By using a combination of real and virtual speakers, a more natural and smoother sound can be enjoyed. You'll notice the difference, epecially in an action scene - you'll feel like you're sitting in the center of a true cinema theater.Advanced Bamboo Cone Speaker - Clear, Beautiful Vocals
With the new bamboo cone speaker, the sound becomes much more responsive. Vocals are more pure and cleaner, and the dialog is crisper and easier to understand than ever before.Audio Return Channel - Simple Connection with HDMI Cable
The New ARC feature allows receiving audio signals from the TV on top of the preexisting HDMI function of sending audio/video signals to the TV with just one cable. This will simplify the connection by eliminating an audio cable connection between the TV audio output and the main unit's audio input.FORMATS:
Bluray-ROM/-RE/-RE(DL)/-R/-R(DL)
DVD-RAM/ROM/-R/-RW/-R(DL)/+R/+R(DL)/+RW
CD/-R/-RW
SD/SDHCRECEIVER SECTION:
Selectable Speaker Layout
Whisper-mode Surround
Dolby Digital Decoder/Pro Logic II/TrueHD/Digital Plus/Digita
DTS-HD Master Audio Essential/High Resolution Audio
Digital Amplifier
True Cinema Surround
7.1ch Virtual Sound with 5.1ch
Dynamic Range CompressionINPUT/OUTPUT:
HDMI Out
Video Out
3.5mm Audio Input
Ethernet Terminal
2 Optical Digital InputsVIDEO SECTION
Deep Color
Digital Noise Reduction
High Precision 4:4:4
1080/24p Playback
P4HD
x.v.Color

Item ships in mftr. carton.

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Sony ICFC180 AM/FM Clock Radio Review

Sony ICFC180 AM/FM Clock Radio
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My wife and I have been using the same clock radio for the past 20 years - It's a dual alarm Panasonic and it still works pretty well. Some of its features such as individual up/down alarm/time set for the minutes and hours are not even available on clocks today. And it has a 10 minute snooze - not nine minutes, another feature hard to find these days. But it's lacking in other areas such as no battery backup. So we decided to replace the old clock.

Some research was necessary. For the most part, only Timex, RCA and Sony have competitive products. My requirements were simple - AM/FM dual alarm, battery backup, 10 minute snooze, easy to read display, and not too bright. I did not need a CD or MP3 option. Here's why I bought the Sony ICFC180 and rate it so highly:

Form Factor and Buttons: This is not a large clock radio - it's about six inches square. The case is pretty much all white. Buttons are well spaced and nicely shaped. You can easily learn to use this clock in the dark or by feel alone.

Display: The backlit LCD displays not only the time, but both the alarm settings, each in its own quadrant. This is a great feature. The time is large enough to read from across the room although it could have been a bit larger. The alarm displays are smaller, but fine for viewing bedside. Viewing from different angles seems fine. It has two manual brightness levels and here Sony cheaped out a bit - an auto dimmer with sensor would have been nice. The high level is fine for the day and the low level is acceptable for the night, but who's going to move the tiny switch each day? I leave it on the low setting. I really like the room dark when I sleep and I would have preferred the low level to be a bit dimmer. The display is mostly green, with orange for the weekday alarms. The green is fine, but the orange is just a bit too bright. But again, it's acceptable.

Time Features: Auto time set - well not really. The auto time set feature prominently displayed on the box is a bit misleading. Unlike other clocks (such as from RCA) which can set the date and time and change daylight savings automatically, this clock is just set at the factory and uses a lithium battery to keep the time. If you happen to live on the east coast of the United States, then the time is correct when you first plug it in. Otherwise, you need to adjust the time zone. Since the clock doesn't know the date, daylight savings is also manual, but here at least Sony provided a single button to change the 1 hour offset. My only complaint is that the daylight savings button is on the top and could be accidentally pushed - the display does show an icon for the 1 hour offset, but it's really tiny. I would have made the daylight savings feature a toggle switch (not a push button) and put it on the back - you only use it twice a year.

Radio: Old style analog display and thumb wheel for tuning. Digital with presets would have been nice, but let's not forget, this clock only cost $25. The tuning wheel is stiff enough that it won't be accidentally changed when pickup up, moving, or just dusting the clock.

Alarm: Here's where this clock really shines. The box says it has two alarms, but in reality it has four individual alarms! The thinking by Sony is that two alarms are for the weekdays and two are for the weekends, but since the weekday/weekend feature is a manual push button, you can really use the alarms however you wish. My kids have Timex clock radios with a 7-5-2 feature which lets you determine if the alarm should be used for weekdays, weekends, or both. This is nice because it's automatic, but on the other hand you only get two alarms and have less flexibility. I think the Sony solution is excellent. The clock also makes it totally clear which alarms are active - orange background for weekdays, green background for weekends, and no display in the quadrant when the alarm is off. Setting the alarm time is also very easy with a separate twist knob for each displayed alarm. The time can be adjusted forward or backward one minute at a time. Holding forward or backward changes the minutes quickly and after a few seconds, switches to 10 minute increments. This is a much better solution than just increasing the speed as most other clocks do. In fact, the only other clock that works better is my old Panasonic which has separate forward and backward buttons for both the minutes and the hours. Regardless, this clock has excellent time set controls!

Snooze: What is it with 9 minute snooze alarms? My theory is that increments of 9 are much harder to add in your head and all that thinking wakes you up - but in reality I think it harks back to a limitation of the old mechanical alarm clocks. Anyway, I needed a 10 minute snooze and this clock has that. Plus, if you continue to press the snooze button (which is big and easy to find without looking), the snooze can be increased in 10 minute increments up to an hour - a nice feature. The clock even blinks the alarm set time after you press snooze to indicate you're beyond the original wake up time.

So that's about it. There are some other features (nap timer, alarm melodies, no power no problem), but I haven't really used these much. If you're looking for similar features and also need a CD player, Sony makes another Dream Machine alarm clock (ICF-CD843V), but that one costs $70 and looks like a weird space helmet. All in all, this is an excellent clock radio with well designed controls, tons of features, and a low price.

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Product Description:
Stylish Design - takes up a minimum of space on the nightstand, desk or dresser.

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3/28/2011

SanDisk Sansa m230 512 MB MP3 Player (Blue) Review

SanDisk Sansa m230 512 MB MP3 Player
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Alright, so mp3 players, yeah there's so many to choose from, it gets really annoyin, especially when all of your trendy friends are telling you to get an ipod. Don't get me wrong, ipods are great, i have one in fact, and i love it. But i rollerblade (not recreational, like the kind where you go to skateparks and grind handrails and various other things). So the the ipod's size makes it more prone to be broken, which is why I love this thing. I'm going to skip all the candy coating and get straight to the tootsie roll filling:

pros:
-Most other mp3 players are a little bit thinner, but the sansa has a flat control panel and the back is round to fit in your hand, i know, i know, you're going to put it in your pocket, well just put the interface on the inside of the pocket and none of the buttons have a chance of breaking, or the screen.

-The sansa has an extremely long battery life for one little AAA, around 20 hours, which is awesome since i hate buying batteries, but that's not a problem because i have rechargable AAA, but it's gets extremely aggrivating having to recharge batteries everytime you go out.

- The buttons are perfect, they're big, they're bold, what more do you want, and i noticed most mp3 players put these tiny little pin size buttons on their players, what's the point of that.

-The menu is really straightforward and simple. You just press the menu button on top of the player, and then use the 4 buttons (play/pause, previous track, next track, and stop) as the directional buttons on the menu.

-I used to have the older version of the sandisk mp3 players (256mb) and it was never loud enough, like i would be on the bus or in a busy area and not even be able to hear my music! Thankfully they enabled it to become louder and have a better sound quality.

-It's very inexpensive, i payed 40$ for minefrom a seller on amazon. And that's about how much it goes for retail everywhere else.

Cons:

-The only problem i have is that the earbuds that they come with aren't the best in the world, but i still use them, they're the only earbuds i have ever found that have fit my ears without a 2 billion dollar price tag. Or i would get new ones.

-The fm tuner that comes with this is junk, i get a good signal every once in a while, but it really shouldn't be used as a marketing gimmick, considering most flash mp3 players have one now.

Ok, well thanks for reading my review of the sandisk sansa 512mb. I forgot to mention that it has a decent voice recorder for notes and such, but i always have mine filled to the the rim with music, so i've never really had the oppurtunity to really try it out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SanDisk Sansa m230 512 MB MP3 Player (Blue)

Product Description:
Weighing not much more than its power source (a single AAA battery), the Sansa m230 512 MB flash memory digital audio player is a full-featured, ultra-portable MP3 player. The m230 includes FM radio and voice recording, a backlit LCD screen that displays ID3 tag information, support for multiple file formats, and full compatibility with most subscription services.

The Sansa M230 can hold eight hours of CD-quality MP3 tracks on its 512 MB memory.

Detailed view of the basic controls.


The Music LCD screen.

The FM Radio LCD screen.

Top Level Menu.
Take Your Music With You
The 512 MB Sansa M230 will hold approximately eight hours of CD-quality MP3 tracks (encoded at 128kps) or 16 hours of WMA tracks (at 64kbps). It's compatible with MP3, WMA, secure WMA, and Audible audio file formats. The backlit LCD screen shows ID3 tag information for the currently playing track (song title, artist and album). Navigate the music on your player with ease, sorting by artist, album, song title, playlist or other criteria. With five equalizer types, you can optimize your sound for your favorite style of music, such as, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop, and Custom (user-defined). Keep the music coming with up to 19 hours continuous playback using one AAA Battery.
FM Radio
The M230 includes a digital FM radio tuner for portable radio listening. Easily access your favorite stations by adding them to one of the 20 presets.
Voice Recording Included
Use the built-in microphone to capture interviews, classes, short notes to yourself, or anything else you might feel inspired to record.
Peace of Mind With PlaysForSure
The SanDisk Sansa M230 digital audio player uses PlaysForSure technology. Look for the PlaysForSure logo if you want to make sure the digital music and video you purchase will play back on it every time. Match the PlaysForSure logo on a large selection of leading devices and online music stores. If you see the logo, you'll know your digital music will play for sure. Choose from a large number of digital music and video stores, including MTV's Urge, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and many more.
Ease of Operation
To transfer songs to the Sansa, simply connect the device to your PC via the included USB 2.0 cable. The device will appear as a drive in the Windows Explorer. Just drag and drop your compatible music files and be on your way. Additionally, use a variety of music software to move licensed music to the device. Works with Windows XP and Windows Media Player 9 or later.
What's in the Box
Sansa m230 MP3 Player, Earphones, Armband and Case, AAA battery, USB 2.0 travel cable, CD with User Manual, and Quick Start Guide.

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Sony CDXGT240 MP3/WMA Player CD Receiver (Black) Review

Sony CDXGT240 MP3/WMA Player CD Receiver
Average Reviews:

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I haven't had this thing for long but so far my experience has been wonderful. I had been using off-brand stereos up until I bought this and I was absolutely amazed at how much better the sound quality was after theyinstalled it.

Even in my old '91 Accord with stock speakers, this thing gets LOUD and the sounds is clear and crisp. The Equilizer is simple but effective and it's easy to change the custom setting without really even looking so you don't have to worry about driving unsafely.

The design is nice and solid and the detachable face plate actually houses all the controls so the stereo is useless when you take it with you (some off brands don't do this).

The knob is the volume control, not the radiotuner. I personally love for the knob to be volume so you can quickly turn it down if you get pulled over or something.

Overall I'm very happy with this stereo, the sound quality is absolutely amazing for the price. The fact that you can burn MP3 CDs and have as many as 300 songs per CD is a major plus. Added to that is the fact that it has a 3mm AUX Jack in the front so you can listen to ANY MP3 player or music device that also has a 3mm output via a male-to-male 3mm cable!(You can play iPods, Portable Cassette players, Portable CD Players, Portable DVD players etc.). Minus one star because the display has a very narrow angle of view in the daylight and since the whole thing has a 45 degree tolerance you may not be able to see it well in the daytime.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony CDXGT240 MP3/WMA Player CD Receiver (Black)

Product Description:
Witness the ultimate sonic experience with the Xplod CDX-GT240 head unit. The front auxiliary input lets you ditch those annoying FM transmitters and enjoy clear music from your portable music players while you're driving. Experience powerful, vivid sound compliments of the same built-in HPF/LPF (High Pass Filter/Low Pass Filter) and 52W x 4 High Power output (208 watts total power) featured in the most high-end Xplod head units.


Keep it simple.
Front panel auxiliary input.
Red key illumination.
MP3/WMA Playback
Play CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, including discs loaded with MP3s and WMA files.
EQ3 Stage 2 and 52 Watts x 4 High Power
The GT240 delivers 52 watts of peak power to all four speakers for increased sound levels (208 watts total power).
Detachable Faceplate with Front-Panel Aux In
The front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car's sound system.
Rear/Sub Selectable Pre-Amp Output with LPF/HPF
Boost your car's sound system with minimal effort and maximum flexibility by using the pre-out to add a subwoofer and external amplifier, or another audio component, to your Xplod system. A built-in LPF (Low Pass Filter) and HPF (High Pass Filter) work to deliver overall better sound, and the LPF features a phase shift function that reduces low-end reverberation
Black 13-Segment LED Display
13 Segment black LCD with negative display for viewing information.
Radio Data System (RDS)
Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible AM/FM stations.
What's in the Box
CDX-GT240 receiver, Parts for installation and connections (1 set), User manual

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3/27/2011

External USB 8X DVD +/-RW Dual Layer Burner for PC or Laptop Review

External USB 8X DVD +/-RW Dual Layer Burner for PC or Laptop
Average Reviews:

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I bought this external optical drive for my new Asus 1000h based on the well written and convincing reviews here, and even though the Targus at twice the price is always promoted along with the Asus and Acer netbooks. (My Asus rocks by the way) Just like the other reviews say, I plugged in the power cord (runs off of 1 usb) and the data cord (another of the 3 Asus usb's) and the Asus recognized it immediately and I began downloading software cd's for my new Canon dslr. Then I watched a movie dvd. That was it. Didn't need the driver cd. Also comes with a LG DVD Writer Solution DVD if you need/want it. I'm pretty picky, and this unit exceeded my expectations. It's perfect. And thanks to the previous reviewers, you were spot on and saved me almost $100.

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Product Description:
Description:Speed: 24x CD/CD-R/CD-RW (read) 24x CD-R (write) 24x CD-RW (write) 8x DVD (read) 8x DVD (write). Supported CD Formats: CD Text CD Extra CD-DA (audio) CD-ROM XA Photo CD CD-ROM. Supported Media Types: CD-ROM CD-R CD-RW DVD-R DVD-RW DVD+RW DVD+R DVD+R DLMedia Load Type: Tray. Enclosure Type: External. Enclosure Color: blank. Powered from the computer's USB port no AC adapter required. Dimensions (WxDxH): 5.6" x 6.1" x 0.75". Weight: 0.9 lbs . Software Requirement: Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP/VistaUSB 2.0 External Rewriteable DVD +/- RW Drive is so slim that you can put it into your pocket! No additional AC adapter and software needed supports plug and play this portable external DVD burner lets you can instantly watch DVDs and create DVDs CDs with your notebooks tablet PCs and desktop PCs. Featuring fast DVD record speeds the Slim DVD+/-RW Drive burns at 8x speeds in DVD-R and DVD+R formats.Plug and play no additional software drivers needed. USB 2.0 Interface.

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Sony Portable Mini-Disc Player/Recorder (MZ-R500PCNAVY) Review

Sony Portable Mini-Disc Player/Recorder
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This little MD player is one of the greatest audio investments I've ever made. I can't figure out why folks are buying MP3 players. These MD recorders, especially the MZ-R500, seem to be the best kept secret in the world of mobile personal audio.
One complaint however... I don't like the fact that the recorder always defaults to "automatic" recording volume level. You will quickly find out that the auto volume feature doesn't let enough sound in. It also makes "mush" out of live albums as it compensates too much for the crashing percussion instruments. I found this out when I recorded the live version of Orange Blossom Special by Johnny Cash. I thought something was wrong with the MD recorder. When I set the recording volume manually, the mush went away.
It must be set to manual each time you record, from song to song or album to album. Any time you start recording, in other words. All other settings the user makes stays put, just this ONE feature resets to auto. Quite frustrating.
Once these small issues are figured out, this is a fantastic little gadget. Certainly meant for folks on the go. Simply start it playing and slide the "hold" feature in place. All the buttons are now disabled and can't be hit accidentally. Drop it in your shirt pocket and go! This thing does NOT skip either!
Cheers.

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Product Description:
ThereM-^Rs not much more you could ask for with this MiniDisc player from Sony. Besides looking good with its cool navy case, it has SonyM-^Rs G-ProtectionM-^Y anti-shock system and Digital Mega Bass<< that provides rich, deep bass. The power consumption technology allows a single AA battery to last for up to 48 hours of playback or about 5 hours of recording. Now listening to your very own mix of music is just a touch away.

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3/26/2011

GPX Portable CD Player with AM/FM Radio, Line in for MP3 Devices and Remote Control (Black) Review

GPX Portable CD Player with AM/FM Radio, Line in for MP3 Devices and Remote Control
Average Reviews:

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The sound quality is complete crap. There is absolutely NO bass and when you try to turn up the volume the speakers crackle and cut out. I was excited about this radio because it is mp3 ready and came with the jack to connect my mp3 player. When I connected my mp3 player I was shocked to discover that the sound quality could get even worse than it already was. I actually like the design and I guess since I will be using it in my office at low volume it will serve its purpose, but I still wish I wouldnt have wasted what little money this costs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: GPX Portable CD Player with AM/FM Radio, Line in for MP3 Devices and Remote Control (Black)

Product Description:
Get the party started - at home or on the go - with this portable CD player and AM/FM radio with remote control from GPX. A modern, sleek design with a cool vertical load CD player. Plays CD/CD-R/CD-RW audio tracks, programmable, with repeat 1 and repeat ALL function. Song skip and search. Built-in speakers with digital LCD read AM/FM radio. Line in for MP3 devices. Uses AC/DC dual power - 6 size C batteries, not included. Includes detatchable AC cord, line-in cable and remote control (uses 2 AAA batteries - not included).

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LG BD370 - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - CinemaNow, Netflix, YouTube - gloss black Review

LG BD370 - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - CinemaNow, Netflix, YouTube - gloss black
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This is a great item at first but after the first couple of weeks this will become a pain to deal with.I had this for about a month to a month and a half and the netflix would freeze up and cut the player off.When you call customer service they tell you that you have to reset it.This means that during your down time you have to get up, unplug the unit and hold the on button for a half minute.UGH!!!!!!!If they have you send it in, you have to wait until they are done.Who wants to pay for something to not have it at all for a while.When it is working it is great but it won't last long.If you buy this then GOOD LUCK.You are really going to need it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG BD370 - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - CinemaNow, Netflix, YouTube - gloss black

Product Description:
Full HD 1080p resolution and 1080p upscaling, this network Blu-ray Disc player is the ultimate in picture quality. Plus stream movies, TV shows and videos, to your TV directly using Netfix, and YouTube without a computer. Simply connect it to a broadband home network through the built-in Ethernet port and grab your LG remote.

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3/25/2011

Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-ray Player Review

Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-ray Player
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Well, I just got the player a couple of days ago from Amazon, and since nobody has reviewed it, yet, I thought I'd first provide a comparison to the 350 and then my impressions to give a full overview.

COMPARISON
This is the "big brother" of the Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player. What are the differences (Apart from more than $100 at the time of this writing)? One big one (for some) and two minor ones:
- It does 7.1 ANALOG Audio out. (Big deal for some people, like myself.)
- It decodes ALL next-gen audio formats (the 350 does not decode the one that is not used much, and I am reading that they will upgrade that via firmware, so minor difference).
- It is BD 2.0, which is the newest and for now final Blu-Ray format. (The 350 can be upgraded to it by buying and installing a memory card, so also only a minor difference.)
The last two are nice if you want a player that is future proof without you actualy needing to fiddle around with it. Unless you really hate doing things like firmware upgrades, I don't think they are worth the price difference between this unit and the 350, though.

The real difference is that this player does 7.1 ANALOG Audio out (see my experience below). So IF you have a receiver that cannot be connected via HDMI, but that is otherwise so good (was so expensive) that you do not wish to switch it out, and it has 7.1 ANALOG Audio in (often called "External In" or "Pre In"), you can connect this player via 8 (yes, eight, not a typo) analog audio cables to the receiver, and still receive all 7.1 channels of Audio. I, for instance, own a Denon 5805 receiver (original cost several thousand dollars), which I do not want to switch out. By spending the additional money for this player, I can have pretty much the same experience as if I had an hdmi capable (newer) receiver. So mostly, this only applies to people who are willing to spend a lot of money for a perfect audio experience. One thing to note: You can not get the full 7.1 Audio via either optical or normal digital connection. The audio quality will be downgraded to accomodate that those cable formats can't transport the data fast enough for the full quality. Another thing to note: This does not concern the actual picture quality, just the audio.

BOTTOM LINE: IF THIS IS A GOOD UPGRADE OVER THE 350 DEPENDS COMPLETELY ON YOUR RECEIVER, and is more likely if your receiver is older and was expensive. If it wasn't I would get the Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player.

IMPRESSIONS
So, how does it actually work. I have it connected to a 720p TV via hdmi, and a Denon 5805 receiver via 7.1 analog (I have a 7.1 speaker system).

Installation
Installation was pretty hassle free, except for fiddling with the audio to get it to work just like I wanted it to (took about 1-2 hours, which is normal if you add this kind of component to a system like mine). The non-audio setup was only 5-10 minutes (take it out, plug it in, press a few buttons, ready).
For the analog audio, you can tell the unit which speakers (up to 7.1) and speaker sizes (small, large) you have, how far they are from the listener (in feet, fronts and the surround pairs can only be configured in pairs, hard to configure if your sub or surrounds are far away for some reason), and finally speaker level (per each speaker, front and surround pairs can be seperately configured here). It also provides a test tone. Apparently the bass management is done through how you configured the size of the other speakers, and if you tell it small for all you have to have a sub. I am running configured through the unit so far, even though I have a receiver that can redigitalize the analog audio inputs (which I will probably try in the future once I have listened to it like this for a while, so I can compare better). So my impressions below are for having the Sony do all the processing.

Operation
The unit comes on relatively quickly, and starts playing a Blu-Ray disk in about 30 seconds or so, which was a positive surprise after having read the horror stories about waiting times for the last generation of these players. Still noticable slower than a standard DVD player for DVDs. DVDs start faster in this player, though, and can be upconverted. The user interface is mostly graphical, kind of like the PS3s, and you get used to it quickly.

Video / Audio Quality
I was very positively surprised about the video and audio quality produced by the unit, both for Blu-Ray and DVD. The Blu-Ray picture was sharp with great colors and color gradients, and I did not spot any conversion artifacts in 720p (I had the unit do the conversion). In short, the picture is what true HD picture should be. The sound was amazing. Even though right now the movies I played still have no "real" 7.1, but 5.1, I thought localization was fantastic, and the quality crystal clear. The surround was well defined without drowning out the voices. Caveat: I have only played a few movies at this point, so this might be due to fantastic sound engineering. I was not used to the bass management, though, the Denon does that different (it has automatic room correction), so if your receiver does not redigitize the analog signal to apply its own bass management, etc., you might run into a little bit of a problem here (I thought it still sounded great, but then I am not a bass fan). In the end, the unit does not come with automatic room correction, and the bass is one point where that could make quite a difference depending on your setup / room. (This last part applies more to the audio-nut community, for whom it might be a big deal, though, and who are a large part of the target audience for this player as far as i can tell.)
DVD upsampling looks like a "fuzzy" HD picture. I did not spot any abvious artifacts, but then I only took a quick look (I did not buy the unit for DVD playback / upsampling, but for Blu-Ray). Sound was good for DVDs as well.

BOTTOM LINE: Great unit, better than I thought in both picture and audio. If you need 7.1 analog, and can't/don't want to spend 2G on a Denon or Oppo, buy it. You will get 7.1 analog with good basic configuration options, but don't expect automatic room adjustment level results.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-ray Player

Product Description:
Bring home the future of Blu-ray Disc technology with BD-Live and the BDP-S550 Blu-ray Disc player. The S550 is the step-up model to Sony's BDP-S350. It adds a gigabyte of onboard memory, so you can enjoy expanded Blu-ray capabilities like BD-Live interactive features right out of the box, and dts-HD compatibility for studio-quality sound.

BD-Live takes your movie experience to a whole new level. Download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers and movie-based games. Equipped with a built-in Ethernet port, the BDP-S550 makes it easy to access specially created BD-Live content and Bonus View features. A USB port that allows you to add more storage to access the growing number of special features that will be available given the immense storage capacity of Blu-ray discs themeselves. This player outputs a Full 1080/24p True Cinema picture and upscales your existing DVD collection to 1080p when using the HDMI connection. Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD delivers studio master quality audio which is designed specifically for high definition entertainment. Make the most of all of these features with the icon-based Xcross Media Bar, which provides simple navigation of the player's menu system.


Key Features


    Slim chassis
    True 1080p Output (Learn more)
    7.1 Channel Dolby Sound , Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution Audio) (Learn more)
    1 Gb of onboard memory and a USB Port Allows More Storage for Access to More Special Features, Like Bonus View (Learn More)
    Ethernet connection for BD-Live Compatibility and firmware updates (Learn more)
    Higher Bit Rates mean less video compression (Learn more)
    Emmy-Award Winning Xross Media Bar Interface (Learn More)
    Bravia Sync for Easy Connectivity (Learn More)

Learn More


More Picture


See Everything Your HDTV Can Show You with Full HD.


6 Times the Picture Data on DVDs
See everything your HDTV can show you. Blu-ray Disc's Full HD 1080p resolution produces over 2 million pixels per frame to produce a razor-sharp picture with unmatched depth and clarity that takes full advantage of the capabilities of today's 1080p HDTVs. That's six times the picture data contained on DVDs, which are encoded at only 480p.


24p True Cinema Video Output
Most of all Hollywood movies are shot at 24 frames per second, and Blu-ray Disc movies are mastered at 24 frame per second, so it is only fitting that the Sony Blu-ray Disc Players can output your films at 1080/24p for a true film-like experience at home. Of course, Sony Blu-ray Disc Players can also output at 1080/60p for more traditional HDTV sets on the market. Either way Sony has you covered for the best picture possible in Full 1080p.
Backwards compatible and Upscaling
All existing Blu-ray Disc players will play your standard DVD collection without a problem. And with built-in 1080p video upscaling, they'll look even better.


More Bits

In the digital world, picture quality is not just about resolution, but also about bit rates. The higher the bit rate, the more data that is processed, typically resulting in higher video quality. DVDs have a maximum video bit rate of about 10 megabits per second (Mbps). In comparison, Blu-ray Disc is capable of video bitrates up to an incredible 40 Mbps. The bottom line, higher bit rates allow for the least amount of data compression for HD video that looks closest to the original video source.


More Sound


Dolby TrueHD internal decoding and bitstream output via HDMI for the Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution Audio) codes delivers studio quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment like Blu-ray Disc movies, with up to 7.1 channels of surround sound that is virtually indistinguishable from the original studio version. 7.1 channel analog output provides connectivity to older receivers, making the player compatible with your existing audio system with 7.1 analog inputs.

The BDP-S550 is compatible with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby's next-generation lossless technology developed for high-definition disc-based media. Dolby TrueHD delivers tantalizing sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master, unlocking the true high-definition entertainment experience on next-generation discs. When coupled with high-definition video, Dolby TrueHD offers an unprecedented home theater experience that lets you enjoy sound as stunning as the high-definition picture.

    Delivers enthralling studio-master-quality sound that unlocks the true high-definition entertainment experience on next-generation discs.
    Offers more discrete channels than ever before for impeccable surround sound.
    Compatible with the A/V receivers and home-theaters-in-a-box (HTIBs) of today and tomorrow.
    Dialogue normalization maintains the same volume level when you change to other Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD programming.
    Dynamic range control (Night mode) enables you to customize audio playback to reduce peak volume levels (no loud surprises) while experiencing all the details in the soundtrack, enabling late-night viewing of high-energy surround sound without disturbing others.

Xross Media Bar

Xross (pronounced Cross) is Sony's Technical-Emmy award-winning graphic user interface for Sony WEGA and BRAVIA televisions and PS3 and PSX game systems. The interface features category icons spread horizontally across the screen that organize the viewing options (TV, Music, Internet, Tools, etc...). When a category icon is selected on the horizontal bar, a vertical bar appears showing the viewing options within that category. Using the directional pad on your remote, you can easily maneuver horizontally from category to category, then scroll vertically through individual viewing options to easily navigate through the wide range of programming available on today's televisions.

BD-Live

BD-Live is a Blu-ray feature that enables you to access special content via an internet-connected Blu-ray player. Because it's not coded into the disc, BD-Live content is always updated, always fresh. With BD-Live, your Blu-ray disc is different every time you view it.

Check out the latest previews, download special scenes, exclusive features and ringtones, and participate in online communities or games.

As BD-Live continues to grow and expand, even more features will become available, customizing features and content to your location or preferences.

More Space

Blu-ray Disc has 5x more storage capacity than DVD, which allows more content to fit on the disc. The extra storage capacity also means more room for special features like inline navigation, Bonus View, interactive games, deleted scenes, director commentary and more Navigate to special features, other scenes, or settings without leaving the content you are watching.

Bonus View lets you watch special features and commentary inline without leaving the movie.


HDMI Features

x.v Color


RGB Color Range


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Sony MZM200 Professional Portable Hi MD Recorder Review

Sony  MZM200 Professional Portable Hi MD Recorder
Average Reviews:

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I'm happy to relate that this digital recorder has exceeded all of my expectations. As a musician, I can tell you that this device is extremely intuitive and easy to use, much like a digital camera. I quickly learned how to convert several file formats -- wav to mp3, for example -- which means ultra-fast review of my performances. And since recording levels are automatic, I've not had to worry about distortion or poor audio quality.With sophisticated technology of this sort, I no longer need to hire engineers to capture my location performances; it's not rocket science.Kudos to Sony for this excellent product.

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Product Description:
This Hi-MD portable audio recorder is ideal for journalists and musicians who need to make high-quality stereo audio recordings using cost-effective removable media. The MZ-M200 recorder comes supplied with an ECM-DS70P Stereo Microphone and MDR-EO931Earbud Headphone. The recorder uses affordable Hi-MD media with 1 GB storage capacity. Three Hi-MD recording modes are supported including: Linear (PCM) 44.1kHz/16-bit, ATRAC3plus 256kbps (Hi-SP) mode and ATRAC3plus 64bps (Hi-LP) mode. In addition, three conventional MD recording modes are supported including: ATRAC 292kbps (SP), ATRAC3 132kbps (LP2) and ATRAC3 66kbps (LP4).The recorder supports USB 2.0 uploading + downloading with PC (using supplied Sonic Stage software),and USB uploading with MAC (using supplied Hi-MD Music Transfer software), allowing transferring audio recordings to a computer and storing them on the computer in .Wav file format.This Hi-MD device can also be used as a USB mass storage device, allowing storing data files on the Hi-MD disc along with audio

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3/24/2011

RCA RP5605 AM/FM CD Clock Radio with Large LED Display Review

RCA RP5605 AM/FM CD Clock Radio with Large LED Display
Average Reviews:

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I am very happy with this clock radio/CD player.I especially like that the time can be set forward and backward and that the time display is easy to see without the light from it keeping me awake.The radio and CD player sound fine for what I use it for and for the price.The control buttons are in a good location and easy to use in the dark, once you know where everything is.

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Product Description:
The RP5605 CD clock radio by RCA is the perfect companion in the morning. The AM/FM clock radio has a large 0.6-inch LED display that makes it easy to see and read. This is a basic clock radio that offers dependability without having to learn how to set-up various features. The simple alarm button layout eliminates any confusion and ensures that setting the alarm will be easy. The top-loading CD player also is easy to access. You can change the alarm settings to wake to the radio, buzzer or any track of a favorite CD.

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Memorex 210 MB 24x Pocket CD-R Mini-Discs (50-Pack Spindle) Review

Memorex 210 MB 24x Pocket CD-R Mini-Discs
Average Reviews:

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The pocket cdr's are becoming more and more popular lately with some digital camera's now using them.Personally, however, I've found that they work great in normal cd burners and come in handy for use with larger presentations (particularly powerpoint) that you'd have to waste a whole normal size CDR to burn or take the risk of saving to a Zip disk and then not have any means to retrieve it.I've also found they come in handy for resumes as they give you a somewhat more professional look.The only downside I can find with the pocket Cd is that they aren't recommended for front loading drives and some cd-roms seem to take forever to recognize the disk.Otherwise, they're fantastic for personal use and to back up some of the smaller, more personal documents on your pc.

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Product Description:
Memorex 32024702 24x Cd-R, 50-Ct Spindle210 Mb;24x; Fits Into Any Standard Cd Tray; Can Be Used With Cd-R Cameras, Cd/Mp3 Personal Recorders & Players & Cd-Rw Computer Writers; 50-Ct Spindle

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3/23/2011

Sony MZ-RH910 Hi-MD Walkman Digital Music Player Review

Sony MZ-RH910 Hi-MD Walkman Digital Music Player
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This device can be used to:
- Listen to music i.e. instead of an ipod.
- Record audio (with a microphone, not included)
- Function as external disk, when connnected via USB to a PC.
It uses 1GB removable disks which sell for about $7 each (plus shipping).As a audio recording device, it is unique for its capabilities in this price range, and essentially substitutes for a DAT (digital audio tape).The device has a line-in and microphone analog inputs.You can record in one of the three formats:high compression (Hi-LP), low compression (Hi-SP), and uncompressed (Linear PCM).The recording times per disk are 34 hours (Hi-LP), 7 hrs 55 min (Hi-SP) and 1 hr 34 min (Linear PCM). The compressed formats are stored in a proprietary Atrac format developed by Sony, which are basically are only of use on this device.Thus most crucial and invaluable feature, however, is that for audio recordings made from an analog microphone, you can convert the recording to the open .wav format when you upload the recording to your computer.The upload requires the SonicStage software which comes bundled with the device.There is pointless restriction that you can only upload the audio file once to your PC, but then you can convert it to the open wav format (the uncompressed CD quality Windows format), and then you are home free--you can do whatever you want with the audio file i.e. make an unrestricted number of copies, copies of the copies, edit the file using sound software, burn CDs, whatever.The sound is exceptionally clear; I use the ECM-719 Sony microphone (this is great mic, the cable is almost 6 feet long however which is a little too long for my preference).I generally record at the Hi-SP level, and it sounds great.For no loss of fidelity due to compression, you can record uncompressed and still get 1.5 hours on a disc.The manual warns that the device should be plugged in when recording, due to high battery consumption while recording, but I have used it off the battery for short periods with no problem.
This device does incorporate SCMS (serial copy management system), which puts all kinds of restrictions on copying digital files.As mentioned previously, you can only upload your analog-source recordings once to a PC, which is not really a problem as long as nothing goes wrong during the upload, and there is no particular reason why it should.As far as MP3s or other digital music, you can load them onto the device, but you can't copy them again after that i.e. back to the computer.The MP3s are not converted to another format, this device can read them directly so there is no loss of quality.You can also copy uncompressed audio to this device, or you can compress it into the ATRAC format to save space.The highest quality compressed format is ATRAC3Plus, which reduces files size to about 20% of uncompressed, and sounds very, very good.It is supposedly better than the highest quality MP3.ATRAC3Plus is the format used by the Hi-SP recording mode also.
This device also has an extra battery holder which holds on AA battery an can power the unit in the event your rechargable battery fails.This is an exceptional feature; it means that as long as you bring some AA batteries with you, you will be able to power the unit.
The reliablity of the interchangable Hi-MD disks appears to be exceptionally good.They are basically infinitely re-recordable; Sony claims you can re-record 1 million times.They are encased in a well made enclosure, well protected unlike CD-RWs or DVD+RWs.I would guess they are much, much more reliable than CD-RWs and DVD+RWs.They are also quite compact, and make a good replacement for thumb drives, or can be used to back up files.For example, you can use it to back up the wav files from your recordings.Howevery audio files, copied directly to the Hi-MD disks cannot be listened to on the device, you have to download them using the SonicStage software.The songs you download are then placed into the some special files on the disks which contain the song catalog, and all the music--i.e. you cannot manage the songs/audio on the Hi-MD through the Windows file system.This was probably done because of the SCMS restrictions, to prevent from copying audio at will.This is an annoying restriction which means that if you want back ups of your audio on the Hi-MD disks, you must do extra work and consume extra disk space--i.e. backup your MP3 or wav files to the Hi-MD disks as Windows files (which cannot be listened to directly).
When the device is connected to your PC it gets power from the USB cable, and actually appears to even recharge the battery while connected.The LCD screen is adequate but has no backlight, Sony makes a lit version for the next model up from this one, for another $100.You need to basically angle the player reflect off the main light source to see the screen.This is not really a problem for me, but the lighted display is probably more convenient.The fit and finish, as with all Sony devices, is excellent.The battery life when used as a player is quite long, they claim up to 34 hours; reports on the internet report that 20+ hours is common.
In summary, the only downside to this device is the SCMS restrictions, but generally you can still do everything you want to do.In particular, you can record audio from a mic (or from any analog input using the line-in; i.e. old cassettes) and make unrestricted digital wav files out of them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony MZ-RH910 Hi-MD Walkman Digital Music Player

Product Description:
Sony has created a great, compact digital music player with the MZ-RH910 Hi-MD Walkman Digital Music Player. Music is stored on Hi-MD discs -- one GB of storage equals over 600 songs (depending on file format). You can easily expand your music storage with additional discs. They are available for only a few dollars, so increasing your storage capacity is affordable. The MZ-RH910 is also backward compatible with the standard MiniDisc media discs.
The five-line LCD screen lets you know what's playing -- the display provides album, artist, and song title. Music on the go has never been better with Sony's Skip-Free G-Protection technology which provides virtually uninterrupted playback of your music.
Sony had the digital music lover in mind when they built this digital player. It is highly compatible with your PC. With the included software you can transfer files from your PC to the MZ-RH910, and vice versa, at a break-neck, 100x transfer speed. And while you're doing this you won't have to worry about your digital music player's battery life -- the USB cable will power the unit when transferring music. Speaking of battery life, you can expect up to 34 hours of continuous playback with the included nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery plus one AA battery.
If you already have extensive music libraries, use the included software to store and play back your collection of MP3s. On the other hand, if you're just getting into digital music and downloading, Sony's ATRAC format provides higher sound quality with smaller sizes than many competing formats. This enables you to store more music and have longer listening times. The system also allows you to play back the most popular Internet audio formats, including WMA and WAV files, with quick, easy conversion to ATRAC.
Sony just keeps on bringing you the hits with this device. Another great feature is the self-recording upload function. Use the line-in jack on the Hi-MD player to transfer and archive your favorite, old tapes to low cost Hi-MD discs. The mic input is a perfect solution for self-recordings, school concerts, or meetings. With your music or recordings stored on Hi-MD discs, you can transfer the files to your computer and covert them to WAV format. A file saved in WAV format provides you with the flexibility to import the file into a music burning software program where you can burn the file to a CD-R/RW. The MZ-RH910 from Sony is not only a digital music player, but also a mini-recording studio in the palm of your hand. You can capture and digitize almost any sound or old-school recorded format with the mic input and line-in jack!
What's in the Box
MZ-RH910 Hi-MD Walkman, nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery, charging stand, dry battery case, AC power adaptor, digital cable, Walkman earbuds, SonicStage software, one GB Hi-MD disc, and USB cable.

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