So what works for 3D? What can you expect to watch with it? In one word, Everything. The dust is settling and the true form of 3D is starting to emerge. Sporting events take on new life, making it appear as though you are sitting in the stadium. You get first row view of your team on a field, the lay of the golf course, or the exact distance that a play was or wasn’t made. Movies now immerse you in their setting and literally draw you in as the story develops around you.

Bottom line is that 3D TVs are the best 2D TVs on the market. They are the flagships models, each draped in the finest technology that brands have to offer. Incredible video processors, deep black levels and contrast that make even CRT TVs drool. They are connected, offering the best input packages and other levels accessible to the internet. Some will even change the content that you have to better suit their third dimensional delight.

If you are looking for a top of the line HDTV, 3D is going to be your best choice. If you are on the fence, hopefully this will help make your purchase decision that much easier. You can also checkout some of our recent OneCall videos of the latest 3D HDTV sets to hit the market.

As most of us discover the joys of owning your personal home theater we find almost everything is operated by a remote control, quickly amounting to a collection that sits neatly in a basket on the coffee table, or in a drawer of the end table. Rarely are they all in the same place at the same time. One of the remotes in the pile might even be a multi-device remote allowing you to punch in a series of 4 or 5 digit codes, sorting through the codes until you find just the right one for your device. Now that you have tamed half of the system you can settle into the couch, fingers exhausted.

Acoustic Research has introduced a few new solutions to reclaim control of your home theater system and I recently had the opportunity to take the ARRX15G for a test drive. Their new X-sight remotes allow you to control up to either 15 or 18 device. The first is the ARRX15G Xsight Color which is capable of controlling up to 15 different devices also featuring a color LCD display and uses standard AA batteries. The second model, the ARRX18G Xsight Touch offers control of up to 18 different devices with a color touch screen LCD display, rechargeable battery system with charging dock, and an option to utilize RF (Radio Frequency) control with the optional ARRE433B RF receiver.

One feature of these remotes that really wowed me was the simple set up. Both Xsight remote controls offer easy set up using the on-screen display of the remote itself to will walk you through the different devices and add them to different macro functions such as Watch TV, Watch a Movie, Listen to Radio Etc. This is a process that few remotes that offer extensive control of your system include; usually this type of setup requires connecting the remote control to your home computer. However, if you prefer using your computer to program the remote control, that option is available. Acoustic Research offers the EZ-RC set up software allowing you to use a USB connection and follow a simple on-screen step by step set up guide on your computer. With this software your remote control’s programming information is stored directly on the EZ-RC website, so that you can make changes or add devices and not lose all of your programming information.

While using the remote controls I found them to be well balanced in the hand making it easy to navigate and operate with one hand. The back of the remotes is coated in a nice non-slip rubber ensuring the remote stays in your hand until you would like to place it down. I found that all of the buttons also had a reasonable click to them allowing you to know that they had been pressed. Dedicated buttons are used to turn the system either All On (Hello) or All Off (Goodbye), which helps cut down on devices getting out of sync in the start up or close down procedures.

My time with the Xsight remotes was a pleasing experience. They are a very capable system control option that will help you get the maximum use and enjoyment from your home theater system.

Photos are just the tip of the iceberg with the DMC-TS2. The camera also offers the user the ability to capture HD video to SD/SDHC memory cards with the AVC/HD video format or HD Motion Jpeg. The new Leica 4.6x zoom starts at a robust 28mm wide angle to squeeze in those trees into your nature composition or your extended family’s vacation portrait. You will also be able to capture your images with very little blur largely in part to Panasonic’s Mega Optical Image Stabilization.

What truly makes this camera unique is the new LED light for underwater or low-light photography and videography. The LED can be set to an automatic function that takes most of the guess work as to whether or not the situation demands more light than what is available. This function is separate from the built in flash.

The Panasonic DMC-TS2 is currently available at OneCall in Yellow, Orange and Blue colors.

I was amazed by how well everything was designed on the unit. The fold-out doors have wire runs to allow you to plug in your equipment from the front such as the USB/iPod connection and then close the door. The HDMI output to the television also supports version 1.4a with the new audio return channel. This feature allows the audio to pass back from your television to the receiver…providing that the television supports the function.

p.s. As a side note, OneCall also has a killer package right now with the Klipsch HD Theater 1000 package.

Cable-It is a cable management productthat works very much like a zipper for all of your cords.  You place all of the cables into a threading device and zip the cable sleeve onto your cables.  You can either pre-measure the  tubing or cut to size when you reach your desired length.   Put the Cable-It product on one side, pull and the job is complete. It works great even with cables of varying lengths.

For anyone looking to manage the clutter of the hydra, this is truly an elegant solution.  I highly recommend it!

Fast forward to present day and we see the arrival of the new Nikon S1000PJ digital camera,  the first digital camera with a built in projector.  With the ability to project images at a size of 5 to 42 inches you won’t have to crowd around the back of a digital camera to share your images.

This little camera packs a 12.1 megapixel sensor and a 5x optical zoom starting at 28mm.  It also couples Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology to help eliminate shake and vibration for sharp clear photos.  The 2.7 inch lcd screen packs in 230,000 pixels of resolution and an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

Be looking for the Nikon S1000PJ to project into OneCall’s camera section soon!

We here at OneCall have all been asked this question more times than any of us can count. “Which is better Plasma or LCD” Everyone seems to expect an answer to this question as either an LCD Television is better, or a Plasma Television is better. Unfortunately neither is the answer for everyone. With large television sets at an all time low, consumers are ready now to gear up for the long haul with digital television. So let’s take a trip through some of the basics for both Plasma and LCD.

Benefits of Plasma Televisions

Plasma televisions generate their image by electrically charging phosphorus gas to generate their image. Contrary to popular belief, this gas does not have to be and cannot be recharged. It’s a permanent part of the television unless the screen was to become cracked or damaged (No raucous parties or throwing things at the television). Here a few of the major benefits of plasma:

Greater contrast is a standard. Better definition between the whites and blacks.
Smoother motion handling for sports and action. It’s made of glass and metal so, they are of a heartier construction and a little easier to recycle.

Benefits of LCD Televisions

LCD televisions are well known for how bright they are. In well lit rooms, they can easily be seen. Most of the sets have very little glare issues, another perfect fit for a well lit room. LCD’s by their very nature I feel do exceptionally well with computer generated content. The rigid structure of each of the cells makes eaking out every last bit of detail quite easy.

Round 2: Drawbacks

Here is where both camps start flinging the venom.

Plasma TV Drawbacks

You can end up with this little thing called burn-in with very rare situations. Most manufacturers have a solution in place to help eliminate this possibility. Over the last few years we have just about seen this issue disappear. Another huge issue is one that cannot be overcome at least not as of yet. Altitude. If you live over 6500 feet above sea level you may want to stay away from plasma. The further up in altitude we go, the less atmospheric pressure exerts force to keep the plasma gas together. This means that the plasma now has to use more power to keep the gas excited and pulled tightly together to generate the light for the image. As you can imagine this causes an unusually excessive amount of noise or humming from the power supply. Does the TV still work? Yes, if you don’t mind the above annoyance.

LCD TV Drawbacks

Well they are getting faster all of the time, but they still quite haven’t caught up. Most people probably won’t notice at first, but you will occasionally see the set almost freeze in place. It does so rarely that you might think your eyes are playing tricks on you. Here is also where that additional sharpness comes to back to play havoc. Regular definition programming looks incredibly soft on an LCD display. Not so much a failing of the set, and hopefully not an issue that we are going to continue to have.

Round 3 – Connectivity

If this were a prize fight this round would really have to go to you the judges. Everyone now seems to offer just about every level of connectivity on their sets. 3-5 HDMI inputs is now just about the standard jack package. With integration of web widgets and internet connectivity also entering the picture, Ethernet and Wi-Fi options abound. Even if you don’t want that as an option, the manufactures have you covered. So at this time we will have to conclude that this portion is an even draw.

Conclusion — The Fall out.

There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to purchasing either one of these technologies. The best way to really tell is with your own two peepers. Perception of value of the technology that you purchase will make watching your new set the most satisfying experience and provide all out happiness when watching the latest hi-def TV show, or the latest blockbuster on Blu-Ray. We truly live in the best of times.

The images that have been captured by Canon’s new magic box are nothing short of breath-taking; perfectly suited for landscapes, portraits, or anything that has a lot, and I mean a LOT, of detail.  The body is also quite solid.

The video mode offers infinite potential.  In my opinion, what video cameras have always lacked is that sense of depth that motion picture cameras have been able to convey.  The ability to convey advancing imaging depth is largely due to the capture format size and the lens’ exceptional light gathering quality.   The video mode offers the sense of depth and buttery-smooth image quality that previously only motion picture cameras have been able to convey.

I can’t wait to shoot one again!

About two months ago my beloved alarm clock finally gave up on life. Finding something to appropriately wake me from my dreams is always a bit of a challenge. (My dreams tend to keep me in something of what most people might confuse to be a coma.) So having something that not only sounds excellent, but is also able to wake the dead is an absolute must. That’s when I came across this new offering from Boston Acoutics, the Horizon Duo-i.

I have always been a fan of the Boston sound. Rich warm bass, detailed mid-range, and ever so mellow highs. When first listening to the Duo-i, I was impressed by the separation in the stereo from speakers that could be considered a little too close together. Of course you could color me biased in my listening but most people are. You’ll find a sound and stick with it, come Hades or high water. The second impressive feature to this clock radio, is the plethora of inputs that come built in. iPods have taken over as most of our primary listening devices, and the duo-i does include a built-in dock with every possible adapter for whatever iPod you may own. From the original to the new Touch, they all work. The Duo-i also has an alternate MP3 in for those of us not enthralled with the iPod (yes, I’m one of those people). A 3.5mm stereo plug is built in as well as a stereo RCA input. Not satisfied with the sound of the little speakers themselves? Not a problem, as the unit also contains stereo RCA outputs.

Dual alarms are a must in my household as well – 1st to wake me and 2nd to get me motivated to start the day. The nicest part of the alarms is the way that it actually starts. It slowly ramps the volume up to what you have set on the unit, so you don’t have a heart attack as the alarm jolts you blaring back to reality. This feature alone has me enamored with the unit. No more bumps on the head as I dart out of bed.

For anyone looking for a great alternative for an alarm clock or even just a desktop audio system, this is a fantastic alternative. Can’t wait to use mine again tomorrow.