Yamaha RX-V2700 - AV network receiver - 7.1 channel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The RX-V2700 has more features than any receiver I know of in any category. The main features that distinguish it are:
* Play MP3s (off PC running the proper software)/Internet Radio
* High Power (140x7 - One channel driven into 8ohm from 20hz-20khz)
* Handles 7.1 multi-channel PCM over HDMI, helpful for Blu-ray and HDMI
* YPAO (Automatically adjusts levels, and bass management features; I believe it also has some basic equalization features)
* Three HDMI inputs (not a common feature of AVRs)
* Can pass 1080P
Cons:
* Remote control longer than usual; controlling network features a pain
* Clunky GUI for network capaibilities
I connected a number of component video sources and audio sources and ran a single HDMI cable to my display. I have no video issues with this setup. I used YPAO to do the initial setup. When that was done I set all speakers to small and the LFE/Bass crossover to 80hz. There's no good reason to let your speakers handle bass if your subwoofer can do it. 80hz is what THX has reccommended. Everything worked fine. The diagrams in the manual of the back panel were hard for me to read. This made it harder for me to try to wire it up with less than two feet between it, and the back wall. There are some photos online of the back panel that might be easier to use.Sound quality is good. If you already had a good receiver, don't expect amazing improvements. Amps tend to sound very much alike. Processing modes are typical. Select straight mode, and it should do the right thing most of the time. I prefer 7-channel stereo for normal music listening, though.
As for video, because I have a plasma, and I feel it does a good job deinterlacing (480i -> 480p) and scaling (to it's native 1024x780,) I only use HDMI conversion. I did play around with the 2700's deinterlacer and scaler options. I saw no improvement. I also see no degradation, which is what I expect. I use the 2700 to convert component to HDMI for a DVD player/Tivo box and my XBox 360.
The network features work ok. I see usual problems with disconnects, etc. To stream MP3's from your computer to the RX, you will need Microsoft Media Connect, or Windows Media Player 11 (which comes with Media Connect.) You don't need to run Win Media, Media Connect will run as a background process, which is nice. Setting it up was easy enough, but I have spent my life working with computers. You will need to go into Win Media Player or Media Connect and add the 2700 so you can share music to it. The ability to play internet radio is one I quite like. You can't add stations, and are limited to MP3 (I think.) The 2700 uses the vTuner database, which is extensive, and you can suggest stations to it. The GUI for the network capaibilities is painful. It's slow for one thing. It will stop displaying with no keypress in 5 seconds or so. However long it is, it's not always long enough forcing you to hit the display button on the remote again. Very dissapointing for a product with a suggested retail of $1700.
As mentioned above sound quality is good. It's powerful enough that I can turn it up as loud as I want without audible distress, and I can't say that about other receivers I have owned. Like most receivers, it's only rated with one channel driven, but don't let that concern you. If it's not loud enough for you, you either have a big room, inefficient speakers or a need to damage your hearing. As for it's sound quality being better than other receivers, I can't say that it is. Most receivers sound pretty close (in tests, even trained listeners have trouble picking out one amp vs. another.)
A brief note about Blu-ray and HD DVD. This receiver will handle 7.1 multi-channel PCM at 96khz/24bits. That allows you to take advantage of the lossless audio formats available on the new high def media formats, such as TrueHD. You will need to set your player to output multi-channel PCM over HDMI. Some people have reported diminished LFE (low frequency channel) when PCM was used rather than bitstream. I don't have room for a full discussion of this alleged issue. It is unconfirmed by any formal review, and some people have reported that LFE over HDMI/PCM works fine. This is only a potential issue if you want to hear the best quality from uncompressed audio on Blu-ray or HD DVD. You always have the option to let the player convert to DTS or Dolby Digital and send that via bitstream over HDMI (or S/PDIF.)
As for video quality, all I asked of it that was it converted component to HDMI, which it does with no obvious degradation.
Why would you spend over $1000 on a receiver? Probably for the feature set, and high power. Yamaha also has a reputation for quality. It's my fifth Yamaha receiver, so I am obviously a fan.

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Offers the highest levels of sound and video quality and convenience for total home theater enjoyment. Features 1080p compatible HDMI, up-scaling, iPod compatibility, XM Satellite Radio Ready, upgraded CINEMA DSP programs, and zone control and Network Receiver functions.

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Axis 0304001 Q1755 Network Security Camera Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great camera! We use them primarily to for viewing entry/exit gates outdoors. This camera has a programmable "gate keeper" function that will zoom into a defined area upon contact closure or motion detection. Great for observing a large area then zooming in to catch a license plate entering/exiting a gate.

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AXIS Q1755 Network Camera connected to an HDTV monitor is the perfect solution for securing areas where greater image detail is required, such as airports, passport controls and casinos.The camera has a built-in slot for an SD/SDHC memory card which makes it possible to store days of recording without any external equipment.

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Deck Legend 105 Ice Linear Gaming Keyboard PC. Hands down the most durable, highest quality backlit gaming keyboard on earth. The Deck 105 key Legend: the last keyboard you will ever need. Rugged plastic housing with adjustable feet to give individual comfort. One LED per key lights the individual characters - and they will never rub off The Deck 105 key Legend measures 18.5" long x 7" deep x 2" high (with feet raised) and weighs 3.5 pounds. And as always this Deck carries our 1 year warranty Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a radiologist/nuclear medicine physician working very long hours in front of a computer PACS system I have tried many, many keyboards including all types of Saitek, Logitech, Razor, and Microsoft. This is by far, the best ILLUMINATED keyboard I have ever used. Nothing even comes close. The keyboard is very strong and extremely well built. The back lighting is superb in dark working conditions. So, unless you conscientiously plan to to kill this keyboard, it should last you a lifetime with normal everyday use, like the company claims.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Deck Legend 105 Ice Linear Gaming Keyboard PC. Hands down the most durable, highest quality backlit gaming keyboard on earth. The Deck 105 key Legend: the last keyboard you will ever need. Rugged plastic housing with adjustable feet to give individual comfort. One LED per key lights the individual characters - and they will never rub off The Deck 105 key Legend measures 18.5" long x 7" deep x 2" high (with feet raised) and weighs 3.5 pounds. And as always this Deck carries our 1 year warranty

Hands down the most durable, highest quality backlit gaming keyboard on earth. The Deck 105 key Legend: the last keyboard you will ever need. Rugged plastic housing with adjustable feet to give individual comfort. One LED per key lights the individual characters - and they will never rub off! The Deck 105 key Legend measures 18.5" long x 7" deep x 2" high (with feet raised) and weighs 3.5 pounds. And as always this Deck carries our 1 year warranty

Click here for more information about Deck Legend 105 Ice Linear Gaming Keyboard PC. Hands down the most durable, highest quality backlit gaming keyboard on earth. The Deck 105 key Legend: the last keyboard you will ever need. Rugged plastic housing with adjustable feet to give individual comfort. One LED per key lights the individual characters - and they will never rub off The Deck 105 key Legend measures 18.5" long x 7" deep x 2" high (with feet raised) and weighs 3.5 pounds. And as always this Deck carries our 1 year warranty

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Logitech G25 Racing Wheel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm not an eloquent guy, and certainly not a frequent Amazon reviewer, but I just thought I'd clear up questions if anyone else is in the same boat I was (PS3 owner looking for a wheel).
I love driving sims for PS2, and thought the G25 would be a great way to get my dad to play some games too. I wasn't sure how the G25 would work with the PS3, but lo, it's flawless. Hooked up via USB, the wheel can fully mimic the function of the Driving Force Pro, so Gran Turismo and ToCA give you everything they've got. It also has a lot of future potential with the Gated gearbox and clutch-pedal that most current games don't use. The only reason you might keep a sixaxis handy is for the "home" button to quit to the XMB (ps3 OS).
"Feedback" is an understatement, as the word makes me think of the N64 rumble-pack. Most of you potential buyers are already aware of the wheel pulling you out of turns, or giving enough feedback so you know just when you're about to lose grip through a corner. But the G25 can be so subtle that it almost creates a "3D" feedback map. I'm not sure how to explain it, but when your in-game left rear tire hits a rumble strip, it feel like that specific tire has really hit a rumble strip. I have no idea how they do this with just two force motors in the G25.
In any event, the quality of the road-response is absolutely worth the price, which is already pretty decent here with free shipping. The DFP was tempting, as I've tried it on a PS2, but this wheel is much more subtle, much better looking, and will be the gold-standard for future driving games. No regrets here, just a happy father-son bonding experience and less wear on our real-world cars.

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Real metal. Real leather. Real racing. Premium materials. Hand-crafted components. A team of racing fanatics dedicated to providing the most realistic driving experience possible. With the G25 Racing Wheel, Logitech is taking sim racing controls to the next level, and we'd like you to come along for the ride.The G25's unique dual-motor force feedback transmission delivers powerful, high-fidelity force effects to the hand-stitched leather wheel, so you can feel under-and oversteer before you're on the barrier. Sit down, turn off the lights, and crank up the sound. You're not playing games anymore; with the G25, you're racing.

Features:

System Requirements:

PC with Pentium processor or compatible
256 MB RAM
20 MB of available hard disk space
CD-ROM drive
USB port
Windows XP or Windows Vista

or

PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system
Games that support Logitech Force Feedback

Package Contents:

Logitech G25 Racing Wheel (steering wheel)
Shifter module
Gas, brake, and clutch pedals
Power supply
Software CD-ROM
User documentation
1-year limited warranty

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USA Security Store -- USS808 8 Channel CH Security Surveillance Digital Video Recorder DVR Pc PCI Card, Real Time 240FPS, Software Included Review

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(More customer reviews)The unit offers a much smoother installation than Q-See with more options for less $'s. I will update this review in a few weeks if an issue crops up. 3/16/11

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PC Requirements• Intel Chipsetor AMD Chipsetor• Intel Pentium 4 or higher• ATI, Nvidia and Intel VGA card• 512MB Memory or higher• 160GB Hard Disk Driver(Minimum)PRODUCT SPECIFICATION• 8 Channel Video input• Each Camera 30FPS, 240 FPS total in display and recording• Triplex operation for Playback/Record/Network in same time• Support H.264 and MPEG4 Compression• Support up to 2 Cards, Total 16 Channels• 640 X 480 high resolution• Timer/ Motion/ Sensor/ Scheduled Recording• Live Playback in real time by Day, Date and Time• Perfect motion detection function• Easy Video Color Brightness and Contrasts controls• Pan / Tilt / Zoom Control• Multi user and level protection Management• Video/audio Data Backup Management• Manual Back-up to CD or DVD media.• Automatically email a photo to user when a motion is detected• Build in Web Server• IE Remote Viewing over the internet with internet explorer• Remote playback, Recording, and PTZ Control• Support Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 32bit version only

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Covert MPEG4 DVR Recording System with Built-in Color Pinhole Surveillance Camera Hidden in a Motion Sensor (PI1000) & Bonus Sandisk 8GB SD Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Flash Memory Card (SDSDB-8192-A11) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got to admit I was cautious about buying this hidden cameras as to how it/they would work for example, and what had to be used to actually record, plus how long a recording would be possible.......
All I can say now after owning this for a little over a month now is "WOW-WOW-WOW and WOW" I never expected this little camera to be as good, as powerful and as easy to use and setup, and even view what was recorded as it is!!!!
Gee I can set it up to record for several days at a time and the best part is, it is all self contained in the unit.
Some pinhole cameras need something like a recorder to do the work recording which can be an issue all by itself running the wire or even wireless signals between the units can distort some video signals, this unit has no audio and really in a security camera that's not really needed, this Defender Stealth1 has a Color pinhole camera and without audio to take up memory can be setup to record for about 30 some odd days, but the bigger Memory card you use the longer it will record, gee you can record continuously for 6 months to a year if maybe longer if need be, just think about how many VHS tapes you would need to record using a VCR for example, plus this is self contained that you can use long life battery's in or even short life AA(double A) for quick places you need surveillance, it also comes with a cord you can plug in to 110V house current if one is available, but if your out in the woods, or in a tent out in the middle of NO-Where, where there is no electricity; your hidden camera would still work, all you need is maybe extra memory cards as you needed to keep and store what you recorded, unless you had a really large memory card I might should add. You can also plug the memory card into most Laptops and view what you recorded and/or edit it by removing chunks(Blank spots if you will) from the memory card so your action stays closer together if you will. I'm really impressed that something like this didn't cost more!!!
12/10/2009 from Mesa, Arizona


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The PI1000 is a complete video recording system that is both compact and discreet. A built-in color camera catches all the action and the video is recorded onto the included SD card. The best part is, this device looks like an ordinary motion sensor, allowing you to monitor any location discreetly. Simply mount it on the wall at your home or business and the PI1000 will capture high quality digital video. When you want to view your footage, just remove the SD card and watch it on your computer. Alternatively, you can watch it directly from the unit by connecting it to a TV/monitor with the included RCA cable. This portable DVR can be plugged into a wall outlet, but is also battery operable which allows you to place it virtually anywhere. The PI1000 has the option to record whenever motion is detected. This will save you time and ensure that only important footage is recorded. Scheduled recording allows you to choose which hours of the day the DVR will record. You can find your recorded footage quickly by searching by time and date. This device is compatible with regular and high capacity SD cards up to 32GB. This bundle includes a bonus SanDisk 8GB SD flash memory card.

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Logitech® Optical TrackMan Wheel Mouse, Two-Button/Scroll, Programmable, Gray/Silver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this trackball three years ago. I usually have things lying around my computer and don't have the space or inclination to use a regular mouse at home. This trackball has been excellent to me the three years I have had it. I have considered buying a cordless version of the same, but I don't see a significant benefit given that I have never had to move the trackball. Reason I am writing this review is because I would like to buy another one of these for work where I use another excellent Logitech product - the VX revolution mouse. I like the trackball better.
Pros:
Can be used on any surface, you will never have to find a place for it. Keep it in your lap if you want.
No batteries and no maintenance whatsoever. The ball pops up easily if needed (I use the other end of my headphones to pop out the ball when it requires to be cleaned)
Works well in Firefox especially if you have the mouse gestures add-on installed. I have never had to move the ball much for regular web browsing.
Cons
Precision is lower compared to a regular mouse. I have a need to use software which use the Ctrl key held down while the middle mouse button is held down and the mouse dragged - this sequence is difficult with the trackball - at least on a regular basis.
Click and drag is something you will need to practice a bit before you get the hang of it.Fortunately the mouse software allows you to set a lock by clicking the middle mouse button - then it's trivial to do this operation.
I really wish this trackball had an extra button or two that could be programmed - that way I don't lose the middle mouse button functionality yet be able to use drag lock.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech® Optical TrackMan Wheel Mouse, Two-Button/Scroll, Programmable, Gray/Silver

Logitech® Optical TrackMan Wheel Mouse, Two-Button/Scroll, Programmable, Gray/SilverOptical Marble® technology provides ultra-smooth precise tracking. Two programmable buttons and included MouseWare software allow users to personalize mouse to suit their own preferences. Scroll wheel and drag lock button make content navigation easy. Global Product Type: Mice; Mouse Technology: Optical; Trackball; Connector/Port/Interface: PS/2; USB; Left/Right Hand Use: Right.

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Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Logitech G7 cordless laser mouse is an impressive piece of PC hardware. More often than not for the casual PC user the mouse is overlooked (unless you still have one of those ancient ball mice where you have to pull out the ball and clean the rollers every other day), so Logitech smartly marketed their high end (in price and quality) G7 mouse toward the hardcore gamer segment, the segment who needs the best technology and needs it now. And its main draw--the accuracy and sensitivity of the mouse-- is geared towards that segment of FPS freaks who need that added edge of being more accurate in the sniper role, yet capable of turning and looking as swiftly as possible in the deathmatch or team arenas.
The main draw here is the 2000 dpi laser engine. And, having had experience with the entire line of Logitech's higher end mice--MX510, MX518, MX1000 and now, G7--I can say that the G7 is undoubtedly the most precise mouse I have ever used. The laser engine in the G7 makes a tangible difference in the FPS games I normally play. And ergonomically it fits my relatively small hands rather well. Think of it as a slightly heavier MX 510 or 518--it's about as narrow, and very similarly shaped to its predecessors. The G7, besides having state of the art laser technology and the previous gaming mice ergonomics, now has the added benefit of the tilt wheel. Why the tilt wheel didn't make an appearance in the older gaming mice remains a mystery to me.
Besides that the G7 keeps giving. For one, the high quality PTFE pads the mouse glides over are incredibly smooth. And of course the cordless freedom it offers. For those of you who worry about interference in cordless mice-you won't with the G7. It's not an issue in the slightest sense. Logitech claims the cordless technology in the G7 is "bulletproof", and that is an accurate statement. Finally the swappable battery packs are a great idea-not only will you always have juice, but having the ability to swap out batteries means being able to buy separate batteries down the road-a feature that hampers the otherwise capable MX1000's longevity in comparison.
Also, despite the fact that Logitech is marketing this mouse to the gamer segment, the G7's adjustable sensitivity switching is a boon for any type of mouse use that requires accuracy in movement. Photoshop and other paint program users can dial down the sensitivity for smaller, more precise actions on images that require it. Furthermore, the actual dpi settings are user-adjustable from 400 to 2000 dpi in 50 dpi segments, with 5 customizable settings using the included SetPoint software. Beyond that SetPoint allows for fully customizable buttons. The G7 is an extremely flexible mouse.
The two gripes that I have about the G7 may be major or minor depending on your mouse needs. First, while the G7 is more sensitive and more accurate than the MX1000, it features less buttons (most importantly the forward button on the left side/thumb area of the mouse). Secondly, this is an expensive mouse. Casual users will find it hard pressed to justify buying a mouse this expensive for casual use, even casual gaming use. Most will be satisfied with an MX1000 which is substantially cheaper and, despite being less sensitive and having a non-replaceable battery, has more buttons and is more than adequate for general use across the board.
Ultimately the G7 represents the pinnacle of mouse technology housed in a very comfortable, light, and cordless shell. You pay the premium, but for the most part you get what you pay for--if "insane to the point of overkill" accuracy and cordless reliability is what you're looking for.

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MODEL- 931375 VENDOR- LOGITECH INCFEATURES- G7 Laser Cordless Mouse- Black Application Switch, Cordless, Laser Technology, PC, Rechargeable,Right-Handed Comfort Grip, Scroll wheel, Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom, USB. Extreme cordless performance. The Logitech G7 Cordless Mouse delivers extreme cordless performance with a 2000 dpi laser engine for blinding speed and precision response. The G7s full-speed, bi-directional USB connection sends a blazing 500 reports/secondover 2.4 GHz wireless for a bulletproof connection. Dead batteries will not stop you mid-mission, thanks to a five-level power indicator and twin "hot-swappable" Li-ion battery packs that recharge while you are racking up points. Use Logitechs SetPoint software to customize your mouse with advanced features such as game detection and adjustable sensitivity (including independent x- and y-axis settings). The programmable tilt wheel adds an unprecedented level of control and gaming power.Includes G7 Laser Cordless Mouse, (2) Li-Ion Battery packs, Chargingstation, USB dongle, CD with SetPoint software, Installation guide.* 2000 dpi Laser Engine An ultra-high resolution engine churns images at an astounding 6.4 megapixels per second. A massive (30-pixel by 30-pixel) sensor array and precision laser technology allow the G7 to deliver best-in-class performance and tracking.* Full-speed USB + 2.4 GHz cordless 4X faster than conventional mice, USB delivers blazing speed and instant acceleration. With a 5X stronger connection, 2.4 GHz wireless "bulletproofs" the G7 against lags and interference dropouts.* Two fast-swap ultra-light Li-ion packs Recharging does not have to mean pausing the action. . In the default gaming power mode, the battery life

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Logitech Z 5500 Digital - 5.1-channel PC multimedia home theater speaker system - 505 Watt (total) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this originally for my computer setup to listen to my music, play games in surround sound, as well as watch DVD's in full 5.1 surround sound. The sub on this system is UNBELIEVABLE!!! This system is so good I've transferred it to my TV and use it as a home theater system and I plan on buying a second system for the computer. This is as loud as you will ever need out of a system. The loudest I've taken it is maybe 60-70% power and TRUST ME that was loud as all hell and shook all the glassware in my kitchen upstairs. Unless you have your own house and got this system in the basement you will never set it louder or even that loud without the cops coming to your door.
I have never said this about any electronic purchase I've done, but for the first time ever I've found a product that I will NEVER have to replace or upgrade. This system serves ALL my movie, game, and music needs. I am happy with this purchase for the rest of my life and I am quite the audiophile. I will only buy another speaker system if this one breaks, and I would replace it with the same system. That's saying a lot as there is pretty much no electronic device out there that you can say you'll never have to upgrade to a better one.
This set comes with a control box that has all the volume controls and inputs. From here you control the volume individually to the center, surround, and sub speakers. It has a direct line in (Front, center, surround, and sub) as well as a digital line in and even a optical. I have the direct and the digital lines used. For DVD's I switch over to digital input and the control box does the audio decoding itself in THX surround sound. I've found that this produces the best quality sound and is much better than using the software decoder on your computer. Just set the computer as "pass-thru" no decoding.
For music for some reason I've found that it works better as a direct connection. Maybe this has something to do with the audio card decoding and processing the music. It just seems fuller, louder, and generally clearer in direct connect with music. Also you can set it at direct, stereo, stereo x 2 (uses front and rear speakers) this stereo X2 is my personal favorite for music. It also has a Dolby Prologic Movie and Music setting. I never use the Music setting, it's useless in my mind, it tries to process the music into 5.1 sound and that just doesn't fly.
The Pro Logic Movie setting I've never used until just recently (I've had these speakers for 2-3 years.) I never saw the benefit of the Pro Logic movie setting as I just watched the DVD in the control box's THX setting. I did however recently find he use for the Pro logic movie setting. If you are watching a move that has been downloaded off the internet and only has the Stereo audio then the Pro Logic actually does a pretty good Job at turning it into 5.1 surround. I watched a few movies using this setting and it did an amazing job and turning the audio into surround. Not sure how it can do this, but give it a try on video with only a stereo track and it does a great job. I discovered this by accident watching "Imax Magnificent Desolation" a DVD about the Apollo moon landings and for some reason I had it on Pro Logic Movie. When the spacecraft was landing on the moon it kicked up a bunch of dust and I got startled for a minute because I heard the dust and sound coming from behind me. The system was able to accurately surround sound this event. I watched it again in regular stereo mode and I was astonished at how well the PL made it surround. I cannot watch any video now without the PL Movie setting (unless it's a DVD with authentic 5.1 sound).
So to conclude this system rocks, it's as loud as you'll ever need it and is very multipurpose. Yes I know there will be people saying that this system sucks when it comes to a home theater setup and that you need to buy a $2000 home theater speaker set up. Well perhaps these $2000 systems are better, but I've compared this to those and honestly my ear can barely tell any difference at all, and when you look at the price difference then it's a no brainer to get this system. Oh yeah and the Sub is Huge and gives you all the bass you can handle and then some. I know having a great Sub and bass is what makes a system and to a point this is true as the sub is what makes you "feel" the music and this sub definitely kicks you. I have it about 3 feet away from me and it vibrates my pants when it's set on a pleasant "Metallica" volume '


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Logitech has taken its award-winning Z-680 speaker system and made it even better. How? By improving everything from the subwoofer to the satellites and adding new innovations like real-time digital sound equalization.The result is the Logitech Z-5500 Digital, a THX-certified, 505-watt 5.1 surround sound speaker system that offers everything you could possibly want... and some things you didn't even know you needed. And once you plug in your PC, DVD or music player, or video game console, you'll never want to listen to anything else.

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SWANN SW343-DP2 4-Channel Digital Video Recorder with 320 GB Hard Drive and 2 Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)the system is a very good for the money, I don't deal with electrical connections so I had someone install it for me. It works real nice but the connection cables are cheap ( cables that connect from dvr to tv) so you have to buy a better one. The camaras work very well and the resolution is very good even at night. The dvr is compact and easy to use with or without the remote. I recoment the system as long as you have someone to install it for you if you don't do electrical connections.

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4-Channel Digital Video Recorder with 320 GB Hard Drive & 2 Cameras

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3Dconnexion SpacePilot PRO - 3D motion controller - 31 button(s) - wired - USB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This will be my fourth version of this product starting with the LogiCAD3D SpaceBall, then the SpacePilot (the old top-of-the-line), then a SpaceNavigator at work, and now the newest top-of-the-line version, the SpacePilot Pro. The difference between this and my former workhouse, the SpacePilot, is that this latest version is more sensitive than any previous version I've owned, and it finally has the controls to allow it to be used on other applications beyond 3D design programs.
I'm still new to this version, and as it was with SpacePilot it takes awhile to get everything set up the way you want it and get used to using it. As far as CAD goes, I would never ever go back to the clunky controls that come with design programs, and this new version is smoother on-screen and more comfortable to use.
With a 3D motion controller, you use your regular mouse and keyboard in combination with the controller to rapidly and smoothly carry out multiple tasks at once. Productivity is enhanced greatly. As the Senior Applications Engineer / senior 3D Modeler at a large Ship Yard, I pushed for and obtained permission to supply all of our 3D modelers with these devices.
As for the newer features, I really like the preset views as it removes another set of mouse clicks from my design routine by putting those oft used commands at my fingertips. Above and below those view presets are some nice new motion filtering controls that come in very handy for showing designs to others by allowing super smooth rotation, pan & zoom, etc.
The old SpacePilot had a monochrome LCD screen, but all it did was tell you what the preset buttons did. This new one is a whole new animal. They call it the LCD Workflow assistant, and I think the name is quite appropriate. You now have 10 configurable buttons instead of six, but the part I like the best is the Mail Applet. It allows you to keep an eye on your email, task, and calendar right in the LCD screen -which is all I need most of the time. You can even have RSS feeds scroll through!
I use the Space Pilot Pro, Autodesk Inventor, and 3Ds Max Design to produce all of the free designs and tutorials you can find on my website at: [...].

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SpacePilot PRO is designed to meet the challenges of today's CAD-intensive business.

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Q-See QSD9004VW2-320 Real-Time Network Security DVR Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Item came exactly as described. Set up was relatively easy, and I am surprised by how clear the wireless camera reception is. I am using this product in central Los Angeles so poor wireless reception in my concrete building / interference would show up immediately. The wired cameras also work well - however I had to put an extension on one of the wireless cameras (a 25' BNC cable) and the resolution of the camera dropped markedly. Not sure if the included wire is about as long as the camera can take or if my BNC extension is cheap.
There's a review here that pre-dates mine by just a couple days and says the item did not arrive as described? Weird. Mine seemed to be a drop ship from the mfr.
Included manuals get you started but aren't all that detailed and you need to have a little sense to get things set up.
One other note - when you set up or change settings using the remote or included mouse typically the network interface will lock you out from applying settings. In this case, simply reboot the system (with the remote or mouse) and then use the network interface after that.

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Protecting yourself and your assets doesn\'t have to be a full time job. This 4 channel DVR system provides you peace of mind by allowing you to remotely monitor your premises over the Internet, or even on your iPhone or other supported smartphone running Windows Mobile Pro or Symbian on 3G networks. Watch live video or playback video, and even access DVR menus from virtually anywhere in the world. With the sophisticated user interface, you can plug in your USB mouse (included) to easily navigate through the program menus. H.264 compression provides more storage capacity and faster quality streaming over the internet and 3G mobile networks. This DVR combo solution records real-time digital video onto the pre-installed 320GB HDD. The two Q-See Digital Wireless Cameras included with this bundle allow you to monitor areas where it is difficult to set up a standard camera. Digital wireless technology helps to avoid interference from other wireless devices using the same frequency such as wireless internet routers and cordless phones. The two wired cameras incorporate Sony CCD image sensors and provide up to 30 feet of night vision. This complete out-of-the-box security solution is perfect for keeping your family secure, protecting your assets against theft, or managing your staff and resources more effectively. This easy to install package has everything you need to setup a secure home or business, and can be integrated into your current security system. With Q-See, surveillance can be handled remotely – worldwide.Q-See offers a free Dynamic DNS service which allows you to create your own domain name to access your Q-See system. With this feature you can remotely access your Q-See system without having to remember the IP address, even if it has been changed (Dynamic IP) by your Internet Service Provider. Register at myq-see.com for your Easy to Remember URL to your domain name. For Product Questions contact Q-SEE at (877) 998-3440 or cs@dpsi-usa.com.

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Altec Lansing MX5021WHT 3-Piece PC Speaker System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a pretty demanding audiophile. I'm into a lot of jazz crossover stuff -- Medeski, Martin & Wood, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Flecktones, Phish, Zappa. I also play electric bass (Modulus, like O'Teil), and so am very demanding about a system's low end. This Altec Lansing MX5021 set is completely satisfying, and the price makes them a must-purchase. I got mine on sale for around $120, they came free shipping through Amazon two days later. I recently bought a new pair of JBL Northridge towers for the home stereo - a nice Denon system. I now spend more time listening to MP3s on my computer than I do for my stereo.
These speakers have really nice range. Of course, there are limits, but it can saturate a home office in full spectrum sound pretty effortlessly without peaking out. The lows are warm and crisp. The system seems to enjoy old analog-y sounding stuff, like old Zeppelin and Bob Marley, as much as booming, complicated digital, like the soundtracks to the Matrix movies. The system seems a little more bothered than most by distortion and hiss. It also seems to appreciate quality production more than most, so the well produced tracks sparkle.
I'd recommend this audio more highly for the price than any system I've owned, home or car, and I've had a few really nice systems.


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Whether it's a gently-bowed cello or a screaming electric guitar, musically sophisticated ears like yours demand full, accurate sound. Featuring a polished, piano-quality black finish, Altec Lansing's 3-piece speakers deliver big-time, in a powered audio system that not only sounds great, but looks terrific in your home or office. The MX5021WHT Audio Speaker System features two midrange drivers in each satellite that produce extremely responsive sound, while the horn-loaded tweeter offers extra-wide dispersion of those crystal-clear highs. Not to be outdone, the woofer pumps out deep lows you'll feel in your bones. Add in THX certification for cinema-quality sound, and you've got an excellent alternative to a high-end home audio system. Connect two different audio sources simultaneously with the auxiliary input jack. Included is a headphone jack for private listening, and wireless remote and wired control pod that controls the bass, treble and master volume levels. Color-coded cables and spring clip connectors ensure you'll be up an running in seconds.

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VISNCP135 16XZOOM Doc Cam 3.2MP 720P HD Output Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Got this for my wife to use in her class at school. She loves it. Uses it every day, throughout the day.

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Avermedia AVerVision CP135 Portable Document Camera VISNCP135 Document Cameras

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Logitech Squeezebox Touch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased my Squeezebox Touch directly from Logitech, and have enjoyed it enough over the first few days of ownership to write a quick review.
To understand where I'm coming from, it may help to know I enjoy classical music, especially when its reproduced by a traditional stereo system with high quality discrete components. I own a British designed and built integrated amplifier and some tall floor-standing speakers from a Canadian manufacturer. Sound quality matters a whole lot to my enjoyment of music, and that shows in the care with which I select the components in my audio system.
I have owned a number of Logitech's previous Squeezebox WiFi streamers, including the Squeezebox Classic and some Duet receivers, so I am not new to the Squeezebox ecosystem. I keep my music collection as a large library of FLAC-encoded files, so as to avoid any potential losses due to codec compression artifacts.
On receiving my new Squeezebox Touch, I swapped out an existing "Slimdevices" branded classic Squeezebox in my main HiFi system for the new device. The Squeezebox Touch first discovered MySqueezebox.com as its source of music and asked me to provide login credentials, which caused it to upgrade its firmware from that site. After that, it rebooted and was able to connect to my local Squeezebox Server that I have running to serve music around the house. After that, I was able to browse my music collection and navigate to internet radio stations either using the touch interface or by using the supplied remote control.
I noticed that the interface automatically uses bigger fonts if you are controlling it from the IR remote and smaller ones if it finds you are controlling it via the touchscreen, which obviously makes sense when you are within an arm's length of the display.
As a first test, I played back a 96kHz, 24-bit high resolution copy of Marianne Thorsen on violin with the TrondheimSolistene playing Mozart's D-major Violin Concerto. At first I played the tracks via a Benchmark DAC1, which is a studio-quality monitoring DAC for use by mixing engineers. The sound was detailed, rich with a deep stereo image and musically involving. Next, I removed the Benchmark DAC from the signal path and tried again. Once again the sound was clearly better than a CD could provide and very close to that rendered through the Benchmark DAC. There has clearly been an improvement to the quality of the analog stereo outputs compared to previous Squeezebox versions, which was already pretty good.
I then went on to listen to Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma playing some Mendelssohn Piano Trios. This recording was "only" in 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality audio, nevertheless I was soon captivated by the musicality of the performance, and could find no significant short comings of the quality as rendered by the built-in DACs compared to the external, studio quality Benchmark DAC1.
Someone starting to use this system without prior experience of Squeezebox Servers or software might face something of a learning curve to begin with. I can't speak to that, but I appreciate that I was able to drop this new device into an existing system and, within a few minutes, start to enjoy some very high quality reproduction of my music library.
The advantages over the previous Squeezebox Classic are:
* Color, touch-controlled user interface and display
* Ability to play back high resolution music without loss of quality
* Excellent audio quality from the analog outputs; significantly better than previous versions.
Another possible advantage is to use the Squeezebox Touch as a music server as well as a client, by attaching a USB hard drive to the supplied USB port. I have not tested this functionality, so I can't comment on how well it works. This review was mainly focussed on sound quality.
Based on my short experience, I recommend this device highly. I think it is a worthy successor to the Squeezebox Classic, as it provides significantly more in terms user interface and sound quality for the same retail price as the older player.

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Logitech Squeezebox Touch. The color touch-screen Wi-Fi music player that lets you discover a world of music—all through your stereo.

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Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master Security System with Night Vision Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all the SETUP is very easy. The on screen prompts will take you though the steps.
1.Install the software.
2.Plug the master network adapter into the power outlet and plug the Ethernet cable into your router
3.Plug the camera into power outlet and click yes to update firmware (adapters and camera).
NOTE: Do not unplug the camera or the master adapter during the update.
Wow that was easy. It took less than 15 minutes to get the system up and running.
PICTURE QUALITY
The picture quality is great during daylight hours but not so great at capturing clear pictures of moving objects in total darkness. However in my case I have a flood light with motion detector that comes on when someone enters the area at night making the video bright and clear.
MOTION DETECTION
What I like is that you can draw areas on the actual image from the video camera to trigger recording. In other words you can eliminate false recordings from cars going by or movement outside your property.
You set up each camera individually providing ultimate flexibility in alerts, sensitivity and recording. In addition, once you have created a LogitechAlert account, you can select which cameras triggers an email alert.
EMAIL ALERTS
You set the LogitechAlert account up from the Settings Menu (the gearwheel icon).
From here you can enter several email addresses. I have mine set to send a text to my cell phone (as I don't have a smart phone with email and web access).
Most cell phone providers offers an email address starting with your cell phone number that will be forwarded to you as a text message.
Please look the email address up on your providers web page. I can not put them up due to Amazon posting regulations.
You may get charged for each text by your cell phone provider so make sure to set the Alert Frequency and Motion Filter conservatively (from within the Settings Menu - Alerts-Advanced).
As mentioned above, I have not received one false alarm although my system is still set using the default values.
RECORDING WITH PC TURNED OFF - THIS IS A GREAT FEATURE.
The camera(s) stores all motion triggered activity regardless if you have the PC on or off. To review all recorded activity, start the PC and click the "Enter Playback Mode" icon. A very intuitive calendar and timeline shows up indicating recordings. Point to a time and click on play to see the activity.
UPDATE:
You can review/playback history from only the dedicated PC on your network.
Logitech suggests not loading the software on more than on PC on the network.
If you do, you can only watch live video but review/playback will not work from the other PC's (also unexpected results may occur).
NOTE: You can view the real time images from anywhere on the web with the free Logitech Web Alert Viewer. To get full control with playback via a remote PC you must purchase the Logitech Web and Mobile Commander for an annual fee* of $80 (at the time of this writing).
Unless...
You keep a PC turned on all the time and control it from any PC (or web enabled phone) on the web using Teamviewer or LogMeIn (both are free for private use - you can download the programs from Cnet.com). Then you can access the Logitech Alert Commander interface as you normally do from home.
UPDATE 1: I am using the free version of LogMeIn and it works great. The only disadvantage is that you can not hear audio from the home computer. But you can see the live video feed and use playback along with camera adjustments etc. Actually you can operate your home computer just as if you were sitting in front of it. You can access it from work or anywhere in the world via the internet.
UPDATE 2: I have now used both remote programs for over a month. Logmein appear to be unreliable with respect to video quality. TEAMVIEWER IS THE WINNER (To get perfect video quality: select "View", "Optimize Quality" from the TeamViewer screen on the remote computer).
Cost for leaving your home computer on all the time.
The cost for a 40 Watts consumer** 24 hours per day, 365 days per year = $35/year at $0.10 per kWh.
However, LogMeIn allows you to use "Wake Up On LAN" so you can turn your home computer on from the remote computer (Too much to cover here).
* Come on Logitech!!! Reduce it to a $50 one time fee and sell more systems to happier customers.
** One UPS manufacturer estimates 40 watts power consumption from an entry level desk top with a 20 LCD monitor. Turn the monitor off and bring the cost down even more. Also set the hard drive to turn off if not in use via Windows "Power Options Interface". You may also be able to set the home computer to "Wake up on LAN".
INSTALLATION OF THE CAMERA'S POWER/DATA ADAPTER IN THE ATTIC
First of all I wanted to hide the wire to the camera.
Logitech's instructions show the power/data wire going from the camera to a power outlet on the side of the house.
Consequently a thief can easily unplug the camera.
Solution
Pull an extension cord from a power outlet in the attic (or somewhere else) and connect it to the grey power supply/adapter for the camera.
IT WORKS!!!
I know Logitech Customer Service had told another reviewer "The adapters CANNOT be installed in the attic".
Logitech may be concerned about high attic temperatures present in some climates.
My attic does not get very hot; in addition I mounted the adapter just above the lower perimeter soffit vent where outside air constantly flows in.
The power/data Ethernet cable to the exterior camera (mounted under the roof overhang) is now routed through the soffit to the camera adapter in the attic.
Drill a 9/16" (14 mm) hole to allow the Ethernet plug to pass through the soffit. Mount the power adapter over the soffit vent with the power cable coming out at the top as shown in Logitech's instructions.
NOTE: I used a 100 foot grounded heavy duty extension cord plugged into a grounded power outlet. I don't know if using a grounded outlet and grounded extension cord matters because none of the adapters are equipped with grounded plugs. You may not need a heavy duty cord as the camera adapter uses very little power.
PREVENT BLACKOUT DURING POWER OUTAGES USING A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
I still want the surveillance system to work during power outages or if the power line to the house is cut.
The Manual tell you it will not work if you use a surge protector or UPS.
Solution
I already have the cable modem and the wireless router plugged into an APC BN600R Battery Backup (UPS), so all I had to do was to plug the black Logitech network adapter into the UPS and pull an extension cord from the UPS to the grey Logitech camera adapter. All the equipment is fed from a single UPS.
IT WORKS!!!
The disadvantage is that you have to pull extension cord(s) from the UPS to the camera adapters. In my case it was not a problem because the extension cord would drop down from the attic between the studs in one of the walls to where I have my router.
I am sure you can use a higher capacity UPS as long as ALL your Logitech adapters are connected to it.
SOUND/AUDIO
Out of the box there was no audio from the camera.
Solution
To turn the sound on:
1) Un-mute from the Command screen (slider at the right hand bottom) and
2) Click on Settings (gearwheel icon) and click on the camera name (my one and only camera is called "Entry way")
Then check the box Enable Audio (after accepting the legal notice).
Note: If you have more than one camera, you have to Enable Audio for each one.
GOOD QUALITY PRICE RATIO
Overall I will rate the Logitech 750e a quality system for the money. As an alternative, you can purchase professional systems that will cost thousands of $ but is unlikely that they have the remote access this system has.
Perhaps Logitech have "beefed up" the mounting hardware for the camera. My hardware is rigid and of good quality. Another reviewer had problems with the hardware.
(I tightened and pre-adjusted the holder/adapter and added a drop of Locktite (blue) to the threads prior to installation. It is easier done on the ground as compared to the top of a 15 foot ladder).
UPDATE: The mounting plate is covered with a rubber cover. You have to tighten the holder rod FIRMLY to the base to ensure a rigid mount (or else the camera will wiggle).
Also, one of the cameras would turn freely no matter how hard the thumbscrew was tightened. It turned out that there is a phillips screw hiden inside the short rod which is being clamped by the thumbscrew assembly. The phillips screw was loose. Simply remove the thumbscrew completely to take the assembly apart. Then tighten the phillips screw and put it back together.
Logitech, QA/QC you need to address this issue. This is probably why so many people are complaining about the camera mount.
SUMMARY
-Very easy setup
-Great picture quality in daylight but not in total darkness
-Motion detection is very reliable
-Flexible email alert settings
-Workaround if you don't have a phone with email or web access
-Recording with PC turned off - great feature
-Workaround to avoid paying $80 per year for remote access
-Attic installation of the camera's power adapter
-How to connect "Battery UPS backup"
-How to turn the sound feature on
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Logitech alert 750e outdoor master system is the weatherproof, night vision video security system you can set up yourself and count on when you need it. installation is simple and takes just minutes.

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Logitech Alert 750i Indoor Master - HD-quality Security System(961-000329) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been trying to set up a remote monitoring system for a while now, and have experimented with a few different solutions including webcams and other stand-alone cameras. The same problems problems occur over and over:
- When the router gets rebooted, invariably you can't connect to the camera without going back and fixing some part of the configuration.
- Remote viewing through dynamic IP addresses is flaky, and many DDNS solutions don't work very well. And do you really want a static IP address just for this?
- You need a computer switched on near the camera, or a web-server that the camera can stream to. That's somewhat awkward.
- The image quality is so-so, and tends to be good enough to see a person entering a room, but hard to identify who it is.
I'm pleased to say that the Logitech Alert system beats any of the others I've tried hands-down, and it's clearly designed with absolute simplicity in mind, together with the need to connect with the camera system remotely without a degree in network engineering.
Everything is provided in the box, including various mounts, network cables and software. It took more time to individually unwrap each component than connect it together - the whole system was live in under 5 minutes. The software updates itself in seconds, and even setting up user accounts on their website took no time at all. In terms of positioning the camera, it's possible to place it on a stand, screwed to a wall, or attached to a window using the suction cup provided.
This package does several things (very) well:
- The software is extremely simple to use, yet offers some bells and whistles such as motion alerts by email, live recording and playback, and basic controls such as zoom. It's also written in English, and you'd be surprised how many other systems are not.
- It handles Internet disconnection gracefully with an on-board SD card, and doesn't need any user action to help it 'remember' any IP settings.
- Talking of IP settings, these are all under the hood so you can be blissfully unaware of how it works - which is such a major benefit that I'd buy this package for this alone.
- Viewing remotely through a desktop browser in another location is as simple as visiting the website and logging in.
- Viewing from a smartphone is even better. I used their free Android app, and the speed and quality surpassed my expectations.
- The audio broadcast is very clear.
- Adding additional cameras is straightforward, although you have to make sure your Internet bandwidth is capable of supporting the number of cameras you need.
- You can switch off the LED lights that might give away the location of the unit - what a nice touch.
But this package is NOT:
- A completely wireless solution: the camera connects to an outlet unit and communicates to your router with another outlet unit. Although wiring is really minimal, there is always the one cable needed on the camera side.
- A replacement for a multi-camera professional system - though it comes close, and for a fraction of the price might suffice for some commercial users.
- A way to spy on your neighbor's license plates across the road - why would you anyway?
Still, even with those caveats it's a remarkably good solution if you want to view a location remotely with a minimum of hassle.

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Logitech alert 750i indoor master system is the complete video security system you can set up yourself and count on when you need it.

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