Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review

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(More customer reviews)NOTES: I still Own this camera in Dec 2010. There are a lot of new cameras with exciting new features. But in my opion this is the LAST GREAT APS format still image DSLRs. And looking at Sony's unfornunate need to copy Nikon with things like cluttering the Shutter Button with a power switch on all new models the A700, A900 (which I have used) and A850 may be the last cameras that fit the hand and quick clean shooting experience. Since I wrote this review Sony did a major Firmware upgrade that improved image quality related to high ISO noise and allows users to show RAW with no noise reduction. On top of that Lightroom 3 fixes the problems Adobe had dealing with Sony RAW files. Both of these upgrades were for me were like getting a new camera. There are moments video would be nice, I would like the improvements in focusing Sony and others have created in the past 3 years. But I have to say.. there are cars with features and classic cars people love to drive.. The A700 is a camera that makes photography a joy and all the new features seem to only clutter that experience so someday I will add a new camera to my gear. I will never "upgrade the A700" I think it as a moment of magic for still photography before Video and more technology transformed the experience forever. There is a reason USED and NEW UNSOLD STOCK have held their price so well. If you own Sony / Minolta lenses this is a great camera to own even though it is one of the last cameras without Live View on LCD etc. If you want a photograpy tool that doesn't get in the way of your art with features.. think about this camera. It will be a classic.
Original Review Soon after Buying A700 in 2007 -----------------
For years I shot Canon SLRs and for a while I moved to Nikon and Canon smaller digicams. When I jumped back to the SLR format in digital I ended up with the Konica-Minolta 5D over the Canon and Nikon cameras in my budget because of great image quality and in camera stabilization which works very well.
I recently upgraded my KM 5D to an A700. WOW!! This is by far the easiest camera I have ever used. Head and shoulders above traditional menus and tiny LCD Icons. The rear LCD shows you all the important settings at one time in a large easy to read format, sometimes with colors to alert you to what might be an unusual setting.
When you need to change anything from Shutter Speed to White Balance you do it right on the settings screen either by pressing one of the several dedicate buttons or using the easy thumb joystick. For shooting I almost never have to go into a menu except to format the memory card.
Auto Focus and Shutter:
It is fast and quiet. The AF has been tested faster than the new Canon in most lighting situations, though lenses on both systems will affect speed.
Both Sony and Now Sigma are coming out with quite focusing lenses that have built in motors so, Sony users will have lots new lens choices.
KEY FEATURES I LIKE:
Stabilization:
The in body stabilization works well With my 18-250 I have pulled off some shots even at 1/10s while at 250mm That is over 5 stops of stabilization, Sony only claims 3.5 stops. This stabilization works on all Sony And Minolta format auto-focus lenses. Some systems like Canon do not offer stabilized lenses in key formats like primes(non zooms) that are used for close-up macro shots or portrait work. It also adds cost and weight to each lens, with this system if you can find a bargain on a lower cost lens or a used lens it is still stabalized.
Example: Minolta made a 70-210 f4 lens often called a "beercan" that is legend in sharpness and image quality. It is often seen used here and on auction sites for $125-$175. It like all Sony compatible lenses becomes stabilized and would be like getting a $600 plus lens for $150.
ISO:
The Sony A700 offers ISO 100-3200 and up to 6400 as "extended ISO" but all ISO ranges are available at all times, no menu settings will enable or disable them like on the Canon 40D. It offers the ISO in 1/3 stop increments, but using the the front control wheel lets you jump a full stop at a time.
Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO):
Sony has several levels of DRO that do what used to take shooting in RAW format and working in tools like Photoshop. It automatically recovers overly bright areas and areas hidden in the shadows so your pictures look more like what your eye can see. Unlike some other cameras that just apply shadow recovery settings to the whole image, Sony has DRO levels that analyze and adjust the image by area to make the effect more natural and keep noise down.
Wireless Flash:
The built in flash is also a wireless trigger for the Sony Flashes and others including the old KM 5600hs and 3600HS, and some Sigma and Metz models. On some systems this is a $150 to $200 add on.
Remote abilities included:
For taking family shots etc. Sony has free wireless remote that lets you take trigger the camera or a 2 second delay then shoot. Plus tons of controls for showing and reviewing your images on a TV. If you hook up the camera to an HDMI TV and to a printer at the same time you can do a family slide show and tell it to print picture from the remote as people ask for copies. It also has remote control software for the computer so you can set it up like a studio and shoot and review images from the attached PC. Great for doing lots of portraits at events without more expensive software or accessories.
It supports both Standard Video and HDMI output so you can see the images on your new HD TV.
Memory Card Support:
Unlike the 40D it supports the new UDMA 300x CF cards and memory stick pro HG so that you can take 25+ cRAW shots a 5 FPS before it needs to pause or an unlimited number of JPGS in any size. You can have both a CF card and Memory stick installed at the same time and switch over when one fills without stopping to open your bag and change memory cards.
Body Seals:
Its not splash proof but Sony has sealed all the doors and controls so dust and stray moisture will not hurt the camera. Some makers like Canon reserve full seals for more expensive cameras.
IT JUST FEELS GOOD IN MY HAND:
It was love at first touch.. a camera designed to fit in the hand.
Unless there is a specific lens or very special accessory that you need on another camera brand, this camera should be #1 or near the top of the list for cameras you consider.
Sony may be new to DSLRs, but they make sensors for lots other DSLRs like Nikon and when they bought the camera business they got most of the designers with years of experience from Minolta. Sony is building cameras for people who love photography and with features for people who like a camera to work with new technology like HD TVs. That makes it a fun camera to own.
I looked at the Canon 30D, 40D, Pentax K10D and Nikon D300 before choosing this camera.
BTW the Nikon D300, would be my second choice, but would cost much more, and still would have limited options on which lenses are stabalized.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

A unique combination of superb picture quality, quick response, creative shooting and sensational viewing make the Sony Alpha 700 DSLR a superior value for serious photo enthusiasts. Its newly designed Exmor CMOS image sensor captures 12.24-megapixel resolution with on-chip noise-canceling before and after A/D conversion. Advanced performance features include continuous shooting at 5 frames per second, an 11-point center dual cross AF system with f2.8 sensor for enhanced precision, and the Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization system that works to minimize blur with every lens you use. For sensational viewing, there\'s a photo-quality 3.0-inch LCD screen and direct HDMI output to Sony Bravia HDTV and other compatible HDTV screens -- and Sony puts all this together in a rugged magnesium-alloy body.

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Brother MFC-8860DN Flatbed Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the 8860DN a couple weeks ago to replace my aging HP 3330. While I'm quite happy with much of the 8860DN, there are a few things that could use improvement. Some of these can be addressed in software, others I fear are hardware issues.
BTW, I'm on my second machine because I thought some of the issues with the first warranted a replacement. Now I know its a "common" issue.
1) The print engine creaks and makes popping sounds as the fuser heats and cools. Even the demo machine in Office Depot does the same thing. The creaking is really annoying if you sit near the machine. A Brother senior tech rep tells me this issue is common to many Brother lasers. Well, gimme a break because HP and others don't creak! **UPDATE** Brother Corporate office tells me the popping sounds are considered "normal" by the engineers and at this time they have no plans to fix. Pathetic if you ask me. I think most users will agree!!!
2) The scanner ADF head will sometimes make odd sounds when its scanning the last page of a multi-page scan. It sounds as if the motor or gears need lubrication.
3) I've had the COPY function lockup on me a couple times (other fucntions continue to work) and the only way to correct is to power cycle. Cause is unknown but the clowns at Brother support tell me to keep power cycling the resolve the problem. IDIOTS!
4) The IFAX feature is not very well explained and is somewhat odd in the way it works (or tries to work). I've yet to really figure it out. As an alternative I use the FAX FORWARD TO EMAIL function which works well.
5) A PC software bug: When scanning multiple pages its impossible to multitask since the scanner interface takes the focus away from whatever you are doing everytime it begins scanning a new page. Brother apparently knows about this issue and will correct in the next software version.
Other than the above isues, I'm fairly satisfied in the short time I've been using this MFC. If I may comment in response to one of the previous reviews, the beep sound is adjustable and I believe if the user took the time to read the manual, he'd be quite happy with the level of customization available on this machine (I rarely hear of people complaining about too many features). Oh, and yes as stoneaged as it sounds, some people still do occasionally receive faxes.
As far as I'm concerned, the print speed is excellent. Even complex pages print quickly with nearly no delay between pages. A huge improvment over my old HP. Also, I find the scan speed on non complex scans to be excellent. Complex and high res scans are somewhat slower, but they are with many scanners (and certainly about every multifucntion I've run across). Print duplexing is another very nice touch and I'm surprised it works as well as it does. The 8860DN gets the job done and it does them well overall.
Things about the 8860DN I prefer over the new HP 3390 I compared it to.
1) 8860 has a legal size scan plate
2) 8860 will fax forward to email
3) 8860 is $150 less with approx. the same cost per page in consumables.
4) 8860 does duplex scan, copy

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother MFC-8860DN Flatbed Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex

The MFC-8860DN has a convenient flatbed design that accommodates either single sheets or bound documents for copying, faxing, or scanning. With the ability to function as a digital copier, the unit supports reduction and enlargement of documents from 25 to 400 percent in one percent increments, makes up to 99 copies, and includes sorting functionality. Copies up to legal size can be made from both the glass and the automatic document feeder. Print and copy speeds up to 21 pages per minute keep up with busy offices, while outstanding resolution of up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi gives each document exceptional legibility.
The MFC-8860DN features two sided (duplexed) printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. You can take a typical document file and simply choose to print it as a duplexed document right from the MFC-8860DN's print menu, with the orientation you prefer. Your selection then happens automatically, without the need to reload the paper to print the other side. You can also copy or scan two sides of the same document and either print the copy or store the scan as two single-sided pages, or as a single two-sided page. Or, you can copy or scan two single-sided documents and produce a copy or store a scan as a single two-sided page. You can even scan a two-sided document for faxing with only one step and it will be received as two single-sided pages.
As a full-function stand-alone fax machine, the MFC-8860DN supports up to 340 total speed dial locations, and also incorporates dual access and broadcast faxing features. It stores up to 600 pages for Quick Scan faxing or out-of-paper fax reception. Stand-alone fax and copy operation is standard, so no computer is required.
When operating as a scanner, the unit is capable of color scanning up to 9,600 dpi interpolated resolution (up to 600 x 2,400 dpi optical). For Windows and OS X 10.2.4 or greater based users, there is an easy-to-use "scan to" button for scanning directly to an FTP site, image application, OCR, E-mail application or file. Save time and reduce errors with instant direct access through your network connected MFC-8860DN to a virtually infinite number of e-mail and fax addresses stored in your LDAP network address books. Simply use the large, clear 5-line LCD display on the MFC-8860DN's control panel to view the contacts stored in your network address books and scroll to select the address you need. Then you can quickly send faxes and Internet faxes to your selection, and perform scan-to-e-mail-address functions.
The MFC-8860DN provides the ability for an administrator to set various levels of password protected access to certain features, for each of up to 25 different users per machine. Through this feature, you can restrict specific employees such as part-time workers or interns from access to scan-to-e-mail functions or other avenues for sending data outside your walls.
The color scanner function comes bundled with document management and OCR software. ScanSoft PaperPort SE with OCR software is available for Windows and Presto! Page Manager is available for Mac users. Meanwhile, The MFC-8860DN is supplied with built-in wired Ethernet networking. The unit is compatible with both PC and Mac operating systems (Windows 98/NT4.0/2000/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 9.1-9.2, OS X 10.2.4 or greater). Standard emulations of PCL6 and BR-Script3 (PostScript3) are included as well. Brother provides a one-year warranty, covering parts and service.
What's in the Box Multifunction unit, paper tray, multipurpose tray, TN540 Standard Yield Toner Cartridge (3,500 Pages), DR510 Drum Unit (20,000 Pages) CD-ROM with drivers and utilities, printed user's guide, warranty information

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Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)Let me start by saying that I've been using camcorders for 20 years, way back to the full sized VHS days. Canon and Sony have been my favorites for many years, starting with their 8mm days. Since consumer HD seems to have stabilized in its second generation, I decided to upgrade from my six year old Sony 8mm.
The Canon Digital SLR cameras are second to none, I own three of them (Digital Rebel, Rebel Xti and an EOS 40D) and they blow the competition away. I fall into the "prosumer" category for digital categories, and the Canon Digic processor is one of the things that has separated Canon from its competitors. So certainly the second generation HD Canon Vixia 21 with the Digic II processor would be a no-brainer, right? Not exactly.
The good:
120GB hard disk drive - you can record up to 45 hours of video in LP mode, and about 11 hours in the best HD mode the camera has. The storage capacity will, by far, outlast the battery that comes with the camcorder.
SDHC slot - Unlike Sony and their proprietary Memory Stick, Canon has and continued to use SD and now SDHC memory. SDHC cards are available from numerous vendors and they are easier to find and less expensive than the Memory Stick.
12X optical zoom - this works extremely well, as advertised. Digital zoom takes away from the quality of the recording, so I prefer to stick with the optical zoom. The controls for the zoom are very fluid and smooth.
Picture quality - in daylight and indoors with good light, the picture quality is exceptional. Playing the video on my HDTV is just as good as any broadcast HDTV quality you'll ever see on TV.
Image stabilization - very few people can hold anything completely still. With the image stabilization feature, you don't have to worry about it - the camcorder handles it for you and does a great job of it.
The bad:
Short battery life - the battery that ships with the camcorder (BP 807/808) will give you no more than 80-90 minutes of operation. If you don't plan to use it any more than that on each outing, then it is not a big issue for you. If you plan to use it for a day of on and off shooting, you need to get another batter. The BP827 will give you almost five hours of running time, for a steep $144. Adding to this, you can only charge the battery while the battery is in the camcorder. The external battery charger is another $60 or so. In short, if you plan to use this camcorder for longer than an hour, buy an extra battery and the external charger so you can charge one battery while using the other. This is not a Canon specific problem, every vendor, including Sony, has its limitations with batteries and charging. They also have the "optional" longer life batteries and external chargers for a steep price as well.
Low light shooting - The picture quality is grainy and unimpressive. After seeing what the daylight shots looked like on the TV, then watching the low light shots, you will be somewhat dissapointed. Perhaps there is some special low light setting I do not know about - I've only had the camcorder for a week. Another reviewer indicated better luck in low light. I will report back if this is resolved.
Despite the additional battery and charger purchase, I think this is a very good camcorder. I hope to resolve the low light issue. Daytime and good lighting recording is breathtaking on replay. Given that this is a consumer grade camcorder, I doubt you'll find any better for the money.Update:
As promised, I've worked with the camcorder for a couple of weeks now, and not much has changed. The daylight and well-lit room video is broadcast quality HD.Low light is still somewhat grainy. I also purchased a longer life battery and external charger from Amazon, which comes in very handy. I would still purchase this camcorder.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

The Canon HG21 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive camcorder sets a new standard for High Definition, delivering optimal image quality, long shooting times along with the extraordinary ease and versatility when viewing video on television or a computer. Capture amazing HD video with even greater detail and color reproduction with its innovative 24Mbps capability, and the addition of a video-capable SDHC card slot plus the extended 120 GB internal Hard Disk Drive allows you to now record up to 45 hours of video onto the internal hard disk drive so there's no need to worry about running out of space. And, like all Canon VIXIA camcorders, the HG21 features: a Canon HD video lens, FULL HD CMOS Sensor, and Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV II image processor. Create the look and feel of Hollywood movies with the 24p Cinema Mode and even use Canon's select Photo Grabbing function to capture still images from previously recorded video. If online video posting and sharing interests you, the HG21's 30p mode provides the perfect frame rate for the web and delivers clarity for fast-action subjects.The HG21 offers the unparalleled combination of Canon's exclusive SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer to stabilize a wide range of movements, Instant AF for accurate focusing that's critical when shooting in HD, a built-in video light to easily shoot in dark settings, and the Canon exclusive 2.7-inch Multi-angle Vivid LCD Screen to view from various angles with true color representation and contrast. The HG21 features the latest HD technology, excellence in Canon optics and engineering in a compact, sleek design that delivers the high level of performance you've come to expect from Canon.

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Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV 3.3MP Digital Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Handycam Station) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been doing research for months and really wanted to buy a Panasonic PV-GS400. Its video quality, four-way ring, 3.5" LCD, 16:9 cinema mode, and overall prosumer features made it a camcorder legend (read review on www.camcorderinfo.com). I missed the boat, though, since it has been replaced by the PV-GS500, which is not the same camcorder. So I opted for this Sony. This camcorder takes excellent video, make no mistake; just check the reviews on CNET and especially Camcorderinfo for more technical information on this. After all my research, I feel that this is the best overall family camcorder because it is very user-friendly for all the technophobes out there, but it also allows some manual control for the user that wants to explore more advanced (read: manual) features. Word of caution: these more advanced features are accessed via LCD menu, and do not have one-push buttons or rings like the PV-GS400 or other higher end prosumer cameras, but rearranging the LCD menu and putting controls like spot focus, spot meter, focus, exposure, and white balance in the first screen of the p-menu makes this little (literally) camera far more usable. The review on camcorderinfo made it sound like rearranging the LCD menu was a job for the gods of technology. It is not. I read the manual in a half hour, and after another half hour all the menu items had been sorted based on my preferences: it's just a matter of pressing p-menu on the LCD, scrolling all the way down, selecting the p-menu options, pressing the Sort button, and then moving the buttons around according to your preference. Now, it is really important to move all the buttons I mentioned above (spot focus and meter, focus, exposure, and especially white balance) to the first screen if you want to keep your sanity. The reason is simple: you will be using some of these features a lot. White balance, for example, offers four options: auto, outdoor, indoor, and one-push. If you want faithful reproduction of color, take my advice: use one-push. I noticed that the indoor option takes an orangey video, but if you get a white/grey card (you should, it's about $18 for a Kodak one here on Amazon) or use any white surface (the back of a notebook for example) under the same light as your subject, frame it with your LCD and press one-push under the white balance menu option, your video will have a perfect color reproduction. Do you see why you want to have white balance in the first p-menu screen?
Other things you should do: enable 16:9 and also 30p (if you have an HD TV or watch your movies on a computer screen) so that you do not have the flickering of 60i interlaced mode; enable the zebra pattern feature (at 100) to see what parts of your frame are over-exposed; enable 16bit audio (default is 12bit) for higher audio quality; enable guideframe (the criss-cross-like option to help you shot video according to the rule of thirds. If you do not know what the rule of thirds is, google it. It is a very important composition guideline unless you are Steven Spielberg. Then again, if you were Steven Spielberg, you would not be reading reviews on this kind of camera, would you?). Once all this is done, there are a few other things you need to do if you want to convince your friends to watch your home videos and actually enjoy them:
-Get a microphone; the on-camera mic is bad. Get the HCM-HST1 with its funny windscreen (you will see and laugh) or the new $199 bluetooth lavalier ECM-HW1 if you have the dough; with the former you have to be close to your subject to get good sound; with the latter, your subject can be up to 30 meters (I think, check the specs) away and still get very good sound. An external mic is, along with extra battery and tripod, a must. You will thank me later;
-Get the NP-FP71 battery. It lasts a couple of hours with the LCD open; this way you will not run out of juice while your kid is giving the performance of a lifetime; I was considering the FP90 battery for extra juice, but it is very, very big. Not worth it unless you are planning on shooting the next Sundance indie masterpiece;
-Don't forget the Sony BCTRP battery charger since you are at it;
-Get the Sony ND filter package (and maybe the Polarizing package if shooot at water, metals, windows...) to shoot outside;
- Get a firewire cable to connect your camcorder to your Mac or PC; it is better than the USB cable that comes with the camera;
-Get a tripod. People get sea-sick when watching shaky, hand-held home videos. Disable the camcorder's Steadyshot feature when you use a tripod. It is not necessary and reduces overall resolution. Remember to re-enable it if you are forced to shoot hand-held. The Sony $127 VCT870RM is an excellent choice for this camcorder. It is light, yet sturdy and with a pro look and feel. It offers smooth (very important) panning and tilting, and you can control your camcorder directly from the tripod's handle (record/stop, zoom, photo), which is very, very handy; it means you can control your camera without taking your hands off the tripod handle or your eyes off the LCD screen; you'll feel like a pro, which is priceless, especially for guys :) We are grown-up kids after all;
-Monitor your audio. Unfortunately this camcorder does not have a headphone out connector, but you can use the AV out and some adapters to connect your headphones. Audio is very, very important, arguably more important than video quality, so monitor it for your important videos (weddings etc...);
-Get the Sony DVC premium BLUE (not yellow) tape ($3 each, buy them in bulk) and stick with it until your camcorder dies. It is considered bad to switch tape brands (even though it is subject to hot debates these days), but I have read that Sony uses wet lubricants whereas other manufacturers (JVC, Panasonic, Fuji) use dry lubricants. If you use a Sony camcorder, stick with a Sony tape. Do not get the Sony DVC excellence or HD tapes. They are respectively $10 and $15 each, not worth it; get the premium tape and send me the difference :);
TIPS to shoot great home videos:
-Use a tripod and external mic;
-Keep your panning (horizontal movement of the camcorder) and tilting (vertical movement) to a bare minimum while shooting. If you must pan, do it in one direction and then stop for 30 seconds or so). Do not pan back;
-Keep your zooming to a bare minimum while shooting. Zoom in or out before the shot, then take your shot;
-Consider yourself as a photographer: your camcorder stays still, only your subjects move within the frame; take hints from Hollywood movies; you'll find yourself looking at Hollywood movies with a different (more critical) eye, once you start shooting yourself, which is great;
-Use a reflector (e.g. JTL 36" white/silver round reflector at about $30 on amazon) to reflect light coming from one direction so that your subject is lit evenly;
-Use the 30-second rule: shoot at least 30 seconds of your subject even if your subject goes out of frame. This way you will have lots of room for editing;
-Shoot the first minute of a tape on something non-important; when DV tapes screw up, they usually do so in the beginning;
-Shoot your subject from different angles
-Use wide-angle for introduction of scene and Telephoto for emotions. Here is where you may want to use your manual focus option to blur the background when taking a nice portrait shot of your kids (assuming they are not running all over the house J);
-Turn your video into a story; don't shoot randomly; shoot with purpose and edit brutally so that the final video is fun and interesting;
-Do not use the camera fader and other digital effects; add them in iMovie or whatever editing program you use;
-Google great video techniques online. There is plenty of advice. Check out www.current.tv/studio/survivalguide/ for some great tips
Why this camcorder? Great for the family, light and easy to use, takes great, sharp videos even in automatic mode, relatively cheap at $600 or $700, better low-light performance than a Panasonic PV-GS500 at a cheaper price (even though the GS500 is also a good one. It does not offer zebra pattern or headphone out, though). Where to buy it? You can buy it here on Amazon like I did. You might be able to find online stores like Click for Digital that offer it for less, but Caveat Emptor: you will have to deal with pushy Brooklyn salesmen that want to sell you expensive extras because that is where they make their money, and you might wait and wait before you get your camcorder (even though they say they have it in stock). I wanted to buy this toy to shoot my daughter's D-day :) and almost missed because of those guys. I promptly cancelled my order and ordered it from Amazon. No pushy people, and I got the camera the next day. Besides, if you have an Amazon card, that is a $25 gift certificate right there, which brings the price difference down to $60. In conclusion, we are in a transition from DV to HDV. HDV camcorders are expensive, do not offer 24p film-like mode (unless you spend $6,000 for the new Panasonic HDV camcorder), and HDV is slower to edit and impossible to watch on current DVD players (even though you can keep the tapes and rip HD DVDs once they become the standard). So, I bought this HC96 because I feel it is the best transition camcorder. After all, my daughter is not going to wait another couple of years in mommy's tummy :) She needs a camcorder now! Hope this review will help. I've got to go back to my Birth Book now. Ciao.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV 3.3MP Digital Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Handycam Station)

The DCR-HC96 from Sony gives you a full-featured, compact MiniDV camcorder at an affordable price. Highlights include the Advanced HAD CCD imager, which captures stunning detail and clarity, and 10x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot picture stabilization, which focuses on distant subjects, providing clear close-up images with less distortion. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens offers less glare and increased contrast for vivid, more life-like color and tones. A 3.3-megapixel sensor allows you to take still images that can be printed at photo quality up to 10 x 14 inches. Make your personal videos complete with additional customization features such as Picture and Fader effects for creative and professional looking enhancements. Picture Package software helps you easily organize and edit still images and video.

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Samsung 275T 27-inch LCD Monitor Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this monitor and have been very impressed. It really does it all. have the main pic hooked up to my computer and with great color although I found the reds a little much for human skin tone with DVD that are played through. Adjusting is fine. TV through S video (Standard Definition digital signal) cannot be faulted. Will upgrade to HDTV in future as can display HD.
No speakers but hooked up to Set top box and sounds fantastic to match screen. PIP is a treat to surf internet/work and check out whats on tv. Perfect for small apartment as is duel use. 30"model didn't interest as cannot plug in component S video ect.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung 275T 27-inch LCD Monitor

The Samsung 275T is a professional-quality 27-inch widescreen LCD monitor certified for Windows Vista operating system and designed for users that demand both efficiency and precision. Combined with remarkable room to move, highlights include a 6ms (G to G) response time, 178-degree viewing angles, and 1,000:1 Contrast ratio (plus a 3,000:1 Dynamic Contrast mode). And because comfort and convenience are always important, a height-adjustable stand and five easily accessible USB 2.0 ports are included. The Samsung 275T widescreen LCD monitor. Precision power to satisfy the needs of engineers, web designers, and all the experts in between.

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DVDO EDGE High-Definition Video Processor Review

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(More customer reviews)After having owned numerous 'line-doublers' (all the way back to Faroudja upscaling my 480i sources to 480p for my first home theater,) and innumerable HDMI switchers, I have finally found one that takes the alphabet soup of HDMI versions and handles it with aplomb while being the cleanest and most easy to use upscaler to 1080p that I've touched to date.
So, after having issues with HDCP handshakes, HDMI versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3a, and 1.3b not playing well with most autoswitching units--this product from DVDO does all of the above with aplomb.
Want to take your upscaling DVD player, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, TiVo HD, Wii, and more and mix and match audio inputs to a single optical output? Done.
Want them all at true 1080p (including your wee-little wii?) Done.
Want to get rid of the "Sugar/Mosquito-Noise/Sparkle issue from compression of your HD inbound signal? Nicely done.
Want to see everything pop better on your HD screen without looking artificially processed? Simply Done.
Want power-on priority for various units in your system (the TiVo comes before the Xbox 360, and the Denon 2930ci comes before the PS3?) Again, done and done well.
Add a simple remote, ability to tweak at will (should you even want to) and you have a massive winner of a product.
My biggest worry was any effect I'd have on speed of play with the game consoles--no issue... It not only has a game mode but takes Wii-Widescreen 480p and puts it out at a solid 1080p/60 and looks great doing it.
Films on Blu-Ray with 1080p/24 are stellar (minus the extra stars in the black sky from compression issues.)
All in, I heartily recommend this product--and you'll note that I am fairly even in pans, middling reviews, and OK product discussions, but rarely give a rave.
This is a rave and applause to the DVDO crew. Our household has two and counting now.
[Consider this a laughter-and applause-filled standing ovation.]

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The DVDO EDGE is an affordable high quality video processor and A/V hub that converts standard definition, high definition and PC signals from up to ten sources (including six HDMI) to any HDTV resolution up to 1080p. EDGE has a very intuitive user interface which makes installation a breeze. EDGE has two HDMI outputs, one with audio and video and one with audio only to facilitate connections to an HDMI/DVI equipped display and HDMI AV Receiver. An optical audio output is available for older AV Receivers. A backlit universal remote control with a luxurious ¿soft-touch¿ finish is also included.Video Inputs:6 HDMI 1.3, 2 Component, 1 S-Video, 1 CompositeAudio Inputs:3 Optical, 1 Coaxial, 1 analog (stereo)Video Output: 1 HDMI 1.3 (A/V)Audio Outputs: 1 HDMI 1.3 (audio only), 1 OpticalOutput Formats: 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and 1080p-24Processor: Anchor Bay¿s ABT2010 with VRS technologiesTechnologies: Precision Deinterlacing (480i/576i/1080i) PReP¿, Progressive ReProcessing Precision Video Scaling II Progressive Cadence Detection Mosquito Noise Reduction (SD/HD) Fine Detail Enhancement (SD/HD) Edge Enhancement (SD/HD) RightRate Framerate Conversion Precision AV LipSync

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Panasonic TC-P42S2 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've owned this for 3 days now, and wanted to wait until I fully tested it to write a review. After seeing how it performs with videogames, blu-ray movies and basic cable, I feel I know the television enough to offer my thoughts.
Picture quality: Incredible. Blacks are as deep as the bezel surrounding the TV. Colors are bold - everything you'd expect from a top of the line plasma. I own a 62" DLP, a 26" LCD, a 50" panasonic 720p plasma and this plasma, and the plasmas are the only sets that really "pop." This model is head and shoulders above even the 50" 3-year-old model I own.
Video game play: There's a game mode, which bumps up the brightness and sharpness. It's great for PS3 games. I've played Demon's Souls and Wolfenstein on it so far, and both look amazing. The system touts "1080 lines of moving picture resolution" to help with motion blur. Honestly, I never felt plasmas had an issue with motion blur to begin with, so I'm not sure how much of a difference this feature is making, but from what I understand in doing research it helps to have it.
Cable: HD looks good - even the reds aren't blown out. Basic cable is standard definition - a thing on it's way out anyway, lol.
Aesthetics/connections: The TV is very sharp looking, and the anti-glare feature on the S model (as opposed to the U model) actually makes a difference. I rolled my eyes when I read the feature, but I'm watching it in the daytime in a well-lit room and the glare is really minimal. The only minor dissapointment is no VGA connection, but I'll figure out a way around that. Was going to use VGA to hook up my 360 (since I'm using computer speakers for audio at the moment), but will go the component route now. By the way, a TON of controls and an HDMI input are on the side of the tv, making it very easy to get to.
Burn-in/image retention/ghosting: Haven't experienced any signs of even ghosting yet. Had my game on pause for a few minutes a couple times to test it.
Audio: Haven't tested the TV's speakers, just using an external set of logitech speakers with subwoofer at the moment.
Overall: For the price, I highly recommend the set. Like I said, I own 4 televisions of 3 different technologies and this one shows off the best picture. I have a collection of almost 800 blu-rays, and stay up to date on all the high-def news, etc... I do extensive research before purchasing a product, and actually went into this thinking I was going to give in and get an LED. I don't want to get into an LED vs. Plasma thing here, but the LED's are simply LCD with different lighting, and it brings all the inherent LCD problems with it. They make catch your eye in the store, but once you get home and get into your environment, it's a different story. That said, this plasma in game mode gets the picture as close to LED as I've seen but with much better blacks.
Update 5/2/10: Just thought I'd add to this that I've had a videogame on pause for more than an hour a few times, and while I wouldn't make a habit out of it, there hasn't even been a hint of ghosting and certainly no issue with burn-in. Even so, the TV seems to have an auto shut-off function after 5 minutes or so of complete inactivity. There will be a message prompting you that it will shut off in 3 minutes and it counts down from there.

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Building on its award-winning 2009 Plasma line, Panasonic's 42-inch VIERA TC-P42S2 Plasma HDTV features a new panel with NeoPDP technologies that provide the best balance of black and white under brighter environments while also offering higher energy efficiency. The new NeoPDP Plasma panel also further reduces reflections and creates sharper pictures with higher contrast in brighter environments. This S2 series model provides 1080p resolution, full-time 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution, and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity.


Key Features

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic S2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

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MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Para el tiempo que la use es perfecta, buen sistema de enfriamiento, nunca me dio problemas, pero el chip Nvidia deja mucho que desear a veces el overclok se hace un poco estresante, y los update de la bios se tardan mucho para sacarlos y no solucionan casi nada, no tiene errores sino problemas con el overclock y lo extraño es que para eso la diseñaron, recomendación busca el modelo nuevo que trae el otro chipset

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CPU Support Dual Core/Qual Core Conroe X6800/QX6700 3.8GHz, FSB800/1066, Socket775, nVidia nForce 680i chipset, 4 DDR2 Dual 800/1066 max, 8GB, 4 (16x+16x+8x),1 PCI-e 1x, S-ATA RAID, 2 PCI, H/W 8CH audio, Dual Gb LAN, RoHS, USB4/6, support VISTA Premium

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Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5089 TruBrite 15.6" (2.3 GHz AMD V Series Processor V140,3GB DDR3 memory,320GB Hard Drive,DVD-SuperMulti drive,Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is one of the best laptops I have ever used! The last laptop I had was a netbook. It was way to small for me to use, so I bought this one. It is SO much better. I actually paid less for this laptop than I did for my netbook. I will only use Toshiba here and out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5089 TruBrite 15.6" (2.3 GHz AMD V Series Processor V140,3GB DDR3 memory,320GB Hard Drive,DVD-SuperMulti drive,Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit)

PerformanceProcessor*AMD V Series Processor V140Operating System*Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)Graphics Engine*ATI® Mobility RadeonTM HD 4250Graphics Memory*256MB-1405MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memoryMemory and StorageMemory*3GB DDR3 memoryHard Drive*320GB HDD (5400rpm)Optical Drive*DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)Audio and VideoDisplay Size*15.6" widescreenDisplay Type*HD TruBrite® LCD DisplayDisplay Resolution*Supports 720p content, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1366x768 (HD)AudioStandard stereo speakers, Microphone jack (mono), Headphone jack (stereo)CommunicationWebcamNo Webcam and microphone built into LCD bezelWireless LAN*Wi-Fi® Wireless networking (802.11b/g/n)BluetoothNo Bluetooth (No Antenna)ModemNo Modem portLAN10/100 Ethernet LANPowerAC Adapter65W (19V 3.42A) Auto-sensing, 100-240V / 50-60Hz inputBatteryLi-Ion (48Wh, 6-Cell)Battery Life*Up to 3.42 hoursExpansionPC Express SlotNo PC Express SlotSmartCard ReaderNo SmartCard Reader slotMediaMemory Card ReaderUSB Ports*2-USB (2.0)Software, Support and SecuritySecurity and ProtectionHDD Recovery, TOSHIBA Supervisor Password Utility, Password Security, Security Cable Lock SlotSoftware*TOSHIBA Media Controller, Microsoft® SilverlightTM , TOSHIBA Bulletin BoardTM, TOSHIBA ReelTimeTM, TOSHIBA Disc Creator, TOSHIBA Recovery Disk Creator, TOSHIBA HDD/SSD Alert, Norton Internet SecurityTM 2011 (30-day trial), TOSHIBA Service Station, Microsoft® Windows Media Player 12, Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Reduced functionality Word® and Excel® with advertising), Microsoft® Windows Live Essentials including Photo Gallery, Messenger, Mail, Writer and Movie Maker.Standards*Energy Star Qualified, RoHS Compliant, EPEATTM GoldStandard Limited Warranty*1-Yr Parts and Labor, 1-Year BatteryPhysical DescriptionWeight*Starting at 5.5 lbs.

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Personal S200 16G Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)== Update Dec. 3, 2010 ==
After updating the firmware to 2.0.7.0 (released in Oct. 2010), it looks like the software issues a & b that I listed below are improved or fixed.
With that said, I still give it 4 stars, but it's more like 4.5.
=========================
I wanted a drive to store sensitive information as well as function as an "everything I need to use on any computer" drive. I've known of the IronKey drives for a few years and I finally decided that it would be worth the money to get one. I've had this drive for about 5 months now and have used it heavily.
Pros:
- Fast performance for an encrypted drive. Noticeably faster than an a secured Cruzer mini/micro.
- Very useful security features. It has it's own version of Firefox with Tor proxy built-in. The Identity Management application is an all-around handy utility. It can store passwords as well as auto-fill on websites. If you have multiple accounts for the same website, you even get a drop-down to select the one that you want. Forgot your password? You can temporarily view it in clear text. The on-screen keyboard can come in handy if you are on a public computer or elsewhere where you might be concerned about keystroke loggers.
- Quality construction. The best durability I've seen without getting incredibly large. Metal casing. Epoxy-filled to make it solid (and harder to hardware-hack). The cap is rubberized to prevent water from seeping into the tip.
Cons:
- A few software quirks that are unpleasant.
a) While the drive as a whole is fast, its version of Firefox, which is one of the features that I use the most, takes upwards of 30 seconds to load.
============
EDIT: There is marked improvement in Firefox startup time. It now takes around 10 seconds for the initial load.
============
b) I also have issues with the proxy settings. There is a proxy setting under the network settings tab in the IronKey menu. This will configure your Firefox proxy as well. I switch between proxy'd and direct internet access quite frequently. There are two problems here. First, the "Use System Settings" option doesn't work. Second, unlike the proxy settings in standard Firefox or IE, when you disable the proxy, it doesn't save the hostname/port. So, every time I enable the proxy after disabling it and locking the drive, I have to add those settings back. I found a workaround for Firefox. More on that in a bit.
============
EDIT: I no longer have to hack around with the proxy settings. While it still clears out the proxy hostname when disabled, I am now able to use the "Use System Settings" option and it uses the same settings as Windows' Internet Options -> Lan Settings menu. Below, I mention using FoxyProxy. When using the built-in proxy configuration, do NOT use FoxyProxy. It will override your other proxy settings when using Firefox.
============
c) Another issue is locking/unlocking flakiness. I've used this drive on both Windows 7 (x64) and Windows XP. I tend to use it with XP, and when I do, locking and unlocking the drive occasionally just doesn't work. When unlocking, it will sometimes go off into space, with IronKey.exe using processor real estate, but getting nowhere. Locking is about as stable as the Windows "Safely remove drive" feature-- it will tell you that it can't be locked because something is in use, but you've closed all files/apps/explorer windows tied to the drive, so short of going through your process list to determine what might be holding it "in use," you either just unplug the drive or shut down your computer.
- Questionable customer service. I opened a support ticket for the proxy setting issue. They first emailed me back to tell me that it sounded like a known issue involving x64-based systems and it had already been fixed. I verified that I was already running the latest firmware and I was still having the problem. A few days later, they responded and said they had just released a new firmware version and to install it. They closed the ticket. I updated the firmware. Problem not fixed. Oh well. I installed the FoxyProxy add-on so I now use that to toggle the proxy in Firefox.
- Expensive. A relative term, I know, but to think that this drive was almost as much as my netbook...hmm. I can say that I've gotten good use out of the drive and am confident that the data it holds is secure and won't be lost due to failure. It means that I have high hopes that it last me for years and the company sticks around so they can continue to make updates.
- No place to put the cap when the drive is in use. It would be nice to have it connected to the lanyard or store on the end like a pen cap.
- [I'm being nit-picky here] The "included lanyard" is a keychain lanyard, not a neck lanyard. It's covered with braided fabric which frays very quickly from the rough edges of the lanyard holes on the drive.
Bottom line:
The cons that I listed are, in my opinion, more annoyances than unresolvable problems. I would recommend IronKeys to anyone just for the security features. If the encrypted space is not needed, a smaller-capacity model will work just fine. If you do need the encrypted space and you can get past the sticker shock, then I would recommend this drive. If you don't need the performance but still need the space, get the D200 model instead. It's twice the capacity for roughly the same price, just lower throughput.

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Personal 16G Secure Flash Drive protects data with always-on hardware-based encryption, stores and manages online passwords. Onboard Firefox for safe, private Web access. FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated.

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Canon VIXIA HF S200 Full HD Flash Memory Camcorder & Pro Manual Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm generally more of a still photographer at heart, but I finally decided to purchase an HD video camera, and after considerable research, I chose the Canon HF-S200. It seemed to have the right mix of features, size, price and quality - and so far, it's measured up.
From an ergonomics point of view, I found the camera about right for my hands. The controls seem logically laid out, and it fits naturally in my hand in a way that lets me hold it steady without feeling awkward. Still, even though the camera is barely a pound in weight, to get the best HD quality, you'll want to consider a monopod, tripod or some other support. I use a Kirk shoulder harness borrowed from one of my still cameras, and it works well. Otherwise, the controls seem to be where I'd like them and it took fairly little effort to get to the point where I could operate most of the features without fixating on the camera itself. Also, because of the memory card architecture, there are no moving parts in the recording system (there are of course moving parts in the lens, focusing mechanism, zoom, etc), making it quick, responsive and - best of all - totally silent in operation.
The camera also has all the right connections, including HDMI input/output, LANC remote controls, and connectors for outboard audio or microphones. The camera also has a shoe mount for things like video lights, and it can connect to some of Canon's cool accessories like their DVD burner (which I don't own, so I can't comment on).
This recorder writes to SD (SDHC) memory cards - up to two at a time, with the ability to fill one then overflow onto the other. Recording times are purely a function of how large your memory cards are, but assuming 32GB cards, you can get almost five hours of HD recording time by installing two cards in the S200. And of course you can carry a pocket full of extras, making recording time essentially unlimited. The AVCHD video format means you can plug your cards directly into many video editing programs with no need to transform or re-do anything. All in all, this is very convenient compared to other media (such as tape) where you essentially have to copy video to your computer as a separate step before you can work with it.
The camera includes a 10x zoom Canon lens, plus an additional digital zoom feature. I found the lens to be very good for a camcorder, producing bright, sharp and detailed videos with good color and contrast. Still, if you look at the output frame by frame on a computer, you can tell the lens - while impressive - is no match for a top quality DSLR lens. Plus, you're getting only an effective 6-8MP - pretty low by today's DSLR standards. I'm not so sure this is an issue, but I guess I don't shoot serious video with my DSLR, and I wouldn't shoot serious stills on my video camera. In 35mm terms, the range is about 43-435mm...good on the long end, but not quite as wide as I might like overall. Still, it's a fast lens and focuses close (about a foot, depending on zoom setting). A final nice feature is that the lens takes standard photo filters (58mm), and I find it handy for instance to screw on a polarizer sometimes.
I find most of the other features Canon includes to work well and to be thoughtfully designed. The 3.5" LCD panel is sharp and clear, although not always readable in bright sunlight. Auto-exposure and focus seem very fast and accurate, and even when there's a lot of fast motion, I usually find all the critical parts of the scene to be in sharp focus and properly exposed, aided by Canon's face and scene detection capabilities. When you want to, you can override exposure and focus to get a specific effect.
This is also the first consumer camcorder I've used that offers a choice of frame rates, from 24p to 30, giving you video that can have more of a film-like quality (24p) or be more natural to post online (30). The camera also has support for the latest wide-gamut color (x.v.color), giving you rich and vibrant colors if the rest of your equipment can handle it. In my case, displayed on a high-quality 60" plasma monitor, the videos look amazing.
To be clear, this camera is essentially the same as the Canon S20 or S21, the main difference among the models being the amount of on-board memory. I believe the S21 comes with 64GB built-in, the S20 has 32GB and this one (S200) has only the SD slots - you supply the memory. Since I like the idea of external memory cards that I can pop into my computer for editing and post-production, I think I'd end up using the slots anyway, and the onboard memory in the other models wouldn't be particularly helpful for me. This was the main reason I went with the S200 instead of one of the other models.
From an overall image quality perspective, the Canon offers the best image quality I've seen from a consumer product, period. HD images in 1080p are simply stunning, as good as anything you'll find anywhere. The image stabilization helps ensure you don't get "bumpy" scenes, and even the audio channels (which are capable of 5.1 recording with an add-on surround microphone) are quite good for such a small device. Overall, I was blown away by the video quality - it was much better than what I thought I could get at this price point.
Great camcorder - highly recommended and worth the price.

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Canon's VIXIA HF S200 Flash Memory Camcorder, with two SD memory card slots, offers Canon's most sophisticated feature set to date - blurring the line between consumer and professional. Canon's superlative proprietary imaging technologies help deliver video and 8.0 megapixel photos with incredible detail and lifelike color. Touch & Track allows you to achieve sharp focus and precise exposure for any subject, simply by touching the generous 3.5" High Resolution (922,000 dot) Touch Panel LCD. Native 24p Mode perfectly matches the frame rate of film. And 5.1-Channel Surround Sound ensures your audio complements the stunning realism of your video.FEATURES:Flash Memory - The VIXIA HF S200 can record crisp, high definition video directly to two SD memory card slots, but it gets even better. With Relay Recording, the camcorder automatically switches video recording from one SD memory card to the next available SD memory card, when the first card becomes full. It will be easier than ever to capture that late game play or the exact moment those first steps are taken.Stunning Image Quality - A Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens delivers unsurpassed image quality and a smooth background for professional-looking results. The Canon Exclusive 1/2.6" 8.59-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution and photos with astonishing detail, while Canon's Exclusive DIGIC DV III Image Processor provides the ultimate in color and imaging performance, with enhanced reproduction of difficult to capture purple and blue tones. Exceptionally lifelike tone and detail are captured thanks to 24Mbps Recording, which offers the highest bit rate in AVCHD. Even when shooting in extended telephoto range, the VIXIA HF S200's built-in 1.7x Digital Tele-converter retains excellent image quality. The VIXIA HF S200 not only captures images in Full HD, but records and outputs at 1920 x 1080 as well, so you get Full HD, from lens to screen.Dynamic SuperRange

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Intel Core i5-2500K Processor with 6 MB Cache, 3.30 GHz for Socket LGA1155 - Unlocked Boxed Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this as an upgrade for a stalwart Intel q6600 Core 2 Quad system I have been using for the past two years. My previous q6600 system was over-clocked (3.0ghz) and coupled with high performance parts to maximize efficacy. I figured this chip would be a MILD improvement over my aforementioned unit. Delightfully, I was WRONG.
The 2500k:
Saying this chip is a good "bang for the buck" is somewhat inaccurate. It's a sonic boom for the buck. It over-clocks to 4.5Ghz on air with moderate temperatures with a basic ($30) after-market air cooler and runs completly stable. I decided to run this chip on a daily basis at 4.0Ghz to preserve the longevity of its operation. This chip is excellent for use in programs like Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, and of course gaming. Providing you have an adequate video card this CPU simply WILL NOT let you down in intense graphic CPU-based games (Star Craft 2) or taxing programs (CS3+).
CONCLUSION:
This is an excellent chip with stellar price to performance ratio.
PRO's:
-Fantastic Value
-Runs Cool
-"K" edition is unlocked and easily overclocked
-Amazon's current pricing is in-line with the web's best.
-Loves to be overclocked with relatively low voltage.
CON's:
-No hyper threading (have to go to the i7 sandy bridge for HT)
-Does not make chocolate chip cookies or sing "Soft Kitty" to cheer you up when you are sick.Bottom line:
Click the order button and make this baby yours. Unless you want the i7 for the hyper-threading capability (recommended for intense video editing, taxing multi-tasking and encoding). Kudos to Intel- this is a great architecture and worthy successor to their previous lines.
-----------------------
A Note About the Meaning of the Intel i5 Core 2500K Model Number:
Intel: The Brand
i5: The Modifier
500:The Chip Series SKU
k:Unlocked Cores (for overclocking)
-----------------------
My Sandy Bridge System Specs:
CPU: Sandy Bridge Core i5 2500k, Overclocked to 4.4ghz, Antec Kuhler 620 H2O CPU cooler.
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth P67
GPU: (2x SLI) MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
MEMORY: G-Skillz 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (overclocked)
PSU: Antec Truepower 23754 TP-750 BLUE LED 750-Watt PSU NVIDIA SLI Certified 80 Plus Bronze Advanced Hybrid Cable Management Power Supply
CASE: Silverstone Raven-02EW
--------------------
If you have any questions feel free to ask I will try to respond ASAP.

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Unlock Your Full Potential: Unlocked 2nd gen Intel Core processors enable system tuning, providing extra performance and flexibility for more complex multimedia applications and immersive gaming. The Intel Core i5 processor delivers performance automatically when you need it with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. Get improved multitasking with these quad-core processors and a stunning visual experience from the built-in visual features. These 2nd gen Intel Core processor family delivers a visibly smarter PC experience. Improved performance, greater adaptability, and unique visual features combine for a better computing experience you can see. Whether you use the PC to be creative, play games, or for everyday tasks such as homework, these new processors make it easier for you to design, render, edit, play, and share. These 2nd gen Intel Core processors feature Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, delivering a burst of processor speed automatically when the workload demands additional performance.

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Dell UltraSharp U3011 30-inch Widescreen Monitor with PremierColor - Max Resolution 2560 x 1600- 16:10 Aspect Ratio - Contrast Ratio 1000:1 - Response Time 7 ms - Supports Digital DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, Composite Video - Built-in Scaler for Multiple Resolutions Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Looked at many monitors with reasonable color gamut in the 27-30 inch size which would be compatible with my late 2008 15 inch Macbook Pro (5,1). Main uses are photography, web design and general office productivity (office, writing papers, electronic medical records). I looked at the NEC 3090 series and the NEC and Dell 27 inch monitors as well. I have experience with the Barco and Eizo monitors at work in the radiology department (where the is also the occasional Dell). Here are the things that eventually sold me on this monitor.
1. Comes with displayport. This is huge on a Mac. It was simple to use a mini-displayport to displayport cable (about $15) to get the monitor working with my Macbook Pro. Full resolution off the bat with no sleep/wake issues, no software to install. There are some serious issues using DVI-D with the 2560x1600 screen resolutions on both the portable and desktop macs. Not the fault of the monitors, but the fault of Apple and their implementation of video cards. You could spend hours online reading about the problems with cables and adapters. Nobody seems to be able to get them to work reliably. Check the NEC site for the latest as they have posted technical bulletins on this issue and things may have changed. Price of the monitor was not an issue for me, but the potential time trouble shooting problems was. I hate computer maintenance and trouble shooting (which is why I'm on a Mac and wish I could ditch all the PC's in the office).
2. Good color gamut, comes reasonably well calibrated, easy to calibrate further with an x-Rite eye-one display 2. That IPS technology is heads and shoulders above TN screens for any serious photography work goes without saying. Covers a good part of the Adobe RGB spectrum (and all of the S-RGB spectrum). As of early 2011, the mac OS is not capable of 12 bit color from end-to-end (OS, software, hardware, output) and therefore to a certain extent, you can't use all the capabilities of the hardware calibration of the NEC Spectraview system at this point in time. People get pretty obsessed about this kind of stuff, but the bottom line is that most pictures are seen on computer screens which have never been calibrated and will not be as good as this Dell (or the NEC) nor can you control the lighting conditions under which someone will view one of your prints. Aside from the most demanding color-accurate uses (you're making commercials for coke, printing fine art for sale), this monitor will get you 99% of the way to where you need to be. No one will ever notice the last 1% (unless they're a geek on a photog forum with lots of spare time). If you really need the best in color management and have the hardware that can take advantage of this, go with the NEC, Eizo or other high end screen.
3. Lots of connection options. USB, speakers, HDMI/DVI-D (I don't use), etc. Some might consider it sacrilege to have these sorts of connections on a professional monitor. I consider it convenient. Less cable clutter.
4. Price. Not cheap, but it is about $1000 less than the NEC which uses the same panel, but different hardware (in fact all the high end 30 inch IPS panels come from the same manufacturer). Usually can be found for between $1150-1300.
5. Screen is NOT too big. I sit with my face about 2-3 feet from the screen. No neck problems so far. I do like the added screen hight that 1600 pixels gives you. Works well with the traditional 3:2 slr format. Also, by the time you add the menu bar and some of the control panels in Lightroom or Photoshop, you tend to loose a lot of working space on the widescreen (16:9) type monitors. I didn't like the feeling that I was working on a panorama the whole time. I worried that I would need to sit miles back, but this is not the case. No real drop off in brightness and the viewing angle is very good.
This is a much better choice if you were considering an Apple 27 inch display - Apple has a much, much inferior color gamut, reflective screen which can be an issue in bright rooms, similar price and lack of other connection options make the Apple somewhat limited. The Dell really was plug and play for me.
Hope this review helps and saves you some time (esp. if you have a Macbook Pro). Hard to go wrong with the Dell or NEC.
PS - No difficulties with Mid-2008 13 inch Macbook Pro. Somewhat of a surprise because of the integrated graphics, but no glitches. Full resolution w/ the minidisplayport to displayport adapter.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dell UltraSharp U3011 30-inch Widescreen Monitor with PremierColor - Max Resolution 2560 x 1600- 16:10 Aspect Ratio - Contrast Ratio 1000:1 - Response Time 7 ms - Supports Digital DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, Composite Video - Built-in Scaler for Multiple Resolutions

Let your ideas play on a grand stage. Experience amazing wide-angle viewing and color consistency with the Dell UltraSharp U3011 30" Widescreen Monitor with PremierColor. Extensive connectivity features and customization via CustomColor mode make the U3011 an ideal choice for professionals in CAD/CAM, graphic design, photography, gaming and other fields where color precision matters. Designed for those who dream bigger. Bring your biggest ideas to life on the Dell UltraSharp U3011 monitor's stunning 30" (76cm) widescreen display area. See what you've been missing. With its 2560 x 1600 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, the U3011 enables a wide, generous viewing area with amazing views from any angle thanks to its IPS (in-plane switching) technology. Providing precise, industry-standard color right out of the box, the. PremierColor technology in the Dell UltraSharp U3011 monitor helps to ensure that you get reliable, true-to-life colors from day one. Incredible color accuracy: The U3011 monitor arrives factory-tuned to AdobeRGB and sRGB modes, so you can dive into projects fast without the need for extensive color calibration. For professionals in design, photography and other fields where color precision matters, the U3011 is compatible with 100% sRGB and 99% AdobeRGB standards to help meet your needs for color accuracy. When you want to fine-tune to a customized color palette, CustomColor Mode lets you adjust color values to your personal preferences. Plus, you get superb connectivity across PCs, game consoles and more thanks to DisplayPort, audio connectors (supports 5.1 channel audio connection), two HDMI 1.3 and two DVI-D connectors with High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP). Easily manipulate the on-screen display with capacitive-touch switches for setup and screen optimization. Easily connect to peripherals or share content using component connections, four USB ports and a 7-in-1 media-card reader.

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Click here for more information about Dell UltraSharp U3011 30-inch Widescreen Monitor with PremierColor - Max Resolution 2560 x 1600- 16:10 Aspect Ratio - Contrast Ratio 1000:1 - Response Time 7 ms - Supports Digital DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, Composite Video - Built-in Scaler for Multiple Resolutions

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