What makes this camera unique is it’s ultra wide-angle lens of 24 millimeters (mm) that has 2.5 optical zoom.  Panasonic also has incorporated their Optical Image Stabilization technology into the camera as well!

Another unique feature is that you can shoot images in RAW format! Very few point and shoot cameras offer this functionality! Add to the feature list total manual control and this is a great camera for a serious photographer who wants a quality point and shoot to put in their pocket.

It is worthy to note that the lens on the camera has a aperture range of f2.0 to f2.8. Incredible for a point and shoot camera!

Check it out, it’s definitely worth a look to the dedicated photographers!

Todd B

Check out the LPMicro LED light. This light will be useful for the videographer and/or interviewer. It mounts directly on to the hot shoe of the camcorder or camera. What makes this product so unique is that the light is powered by four “AA” nickel metal hydride batteries. There are no heavy camcorder batteries or power cords to connect (though you can plug in an ac adapter if you want to, sold separately.)!

This provides a nice even light and does not get hot like most video lights. It also provides some versatility by being dimmable and coming with filters to diffuse the light or making the light warmer.

This is great for any camcorder that has a shoe mount. It can also be used with digital still cameras such as the Canon 5D MK II or the Nikon D90 for video  purposes.

A handy tool for the videographer’s toolbox!

Todd B

The Denon AVR-4308ci Receiver has 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to a Ethernet connection. This can be used with a wireless router to stream music from your computer to your home theater system. It can also be hooked up by a ethernet cable to the router. Internet radio from around the world can be streamed to your home theater system.

Some other features worth noting is the support for HD radio as well as a component video out for a second zone. You can then have two video sources running in separate zones! Also check out the Denon S-32 Stereo Shelf System. It has the same wireless capability as the 4308ci only with the speakers built-in. This is like a alarm clock on steroids! Denon’s classic sound with wireless capability and ipod capability

Todd B

Mitsubishi’s series 149 TV’s can help provide home theater surround sound without investing in a home theater system. Their integrated sound projector is designed to provide true 5.1 surround sound from the built-in speaker on the TV. Add the Boston Acoustics PV350 subwoofer to enhance the surround sound experience. Bonus space-saving feature in that the TV is cablecard ready, which means if your cable company supports cablecards you can take out the cable box as well! These TV’s are wall-mountable (no need for a entertainment center or stand!) and available in 52″ and 46″ screen sizes.

Polk’s Surroundbar can also help reduce the amount of speakers needed for a home theater system. The Surroundbar is your center channel, front speakers and rear surround speakers all in one speaker! Just add a home theater receiver and a subwoofer and your good to go!

Omnimount wall mounts eliminate the need for any kind of tv stand saving valuable floor space. Cantilever mounts can be pulled away from the wall, tilted up or down, and even turned to face different areas of the room. Tilt wall mounts are flat wall mounts that can be tilted down. These mounts are useful naytime you need to angle the tv downward. Flat wall mounts are the most affordable option and do not offer any kind of flexibility.

Yamaha’s YST-FSW150 is a perfect compliment to the Surroundbar or any similar product. It’s unique design allows it to slide under furniture to save valuable floor space.

Sony’s ICF-CDK70 CD Changer Kitchen Clock Radio saves valuable counter space while providing music and programming from your favorite cd’s and radio stations. It can be tucked up out of the way under kitchen cabinets. A audio in jack and a holder for your digital music player is also provided (ipod). The remote control magnetically attaches to the unit.

These are just some excellent ways to save on space in your home. Check out our website for more products that could possibly save space and provide a superior home entertainment experience!

Todd B

Canon, Panasonic and Sony ranked highest in their respective segments in J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study (SM) released July 31.

Be sure to check it out before your next purchase!

Todd B

Audioquest cites that there are two issues to consider when purchasing an HDMI cable. First it is important to consider the length that the cable will be ran, and second, it is important to consider your future requirements.

Whereas Monster Cable does not provide any speed ratings for different lengths, Audioquest does. Audiquest rates their HDMI 3 cable as having a bandwidth of 34 gigabytes per second (34 Gbps) for a 1 meter cable. It drops down to 5 Gbps when the cable is 20 meters. Even their lowest end cable, the HDMI A, is listed as delivering 21 Gbps at 1 meter. They do not recommend using the HDMI A for cable lengths longer than 12 meters. At 12 meters they rare the HDMI A at 4 Gbps.

Monster Cable simply lists their top cable, the HDMI 1000, at 10.2 Gbps. They do not differentiate between the different lengths.

According to literature from Audioquest, at 32 Gbps the HDMI cable will be able to handle a 1440p signal with a 120Hz frame rate, and deep color technology. The minimum they recommend for a 1080p signal with a 120Hz frame rate is 16 Gbps. This contradicts Monster Cable’s claim that 10.2 Gbps is sufficient for 1080p with the 120Hz technology.

Referencing HDMI.org there are two speed classes in HDMI cables. Standard speed cables support a throughput of 2.23 Gbps, and can reliably transmit an uncompressed 1080i signal at 60Hz. High speed cables by contrast, will transmit up to 10.2 Gbps of bandwidth and are also capable of transmitting uncompressed 1080p and beyond. Monster differentiates the speed rating according to length like Audioquest. HDMI states that “standard” HDMI cable is good for up to 10 meters.

Todd B

It comes with a self-cleaning station that also recharges the integrated battery in the shaver. A cleaning cartridge is inserted into the station which works in conjunction with a water tank to clean the shaver. When you finish shaving you set the shaver back in to the cleaning station which cleans the head of the shaver and then drys it. It takes about 2 and a half hours for the cleaning process to be completed including a dry cycle. The cartridges should last about six months and can be bought in a package of 3 for around $16 from Panasonic. The cleaning station has indicator lights on the front also to let you know when it is time to replace the cartridge.

What really attracted me to this shaver was not only the self-cleaning feature but the fact that it could be used as a wet shaver with shaving cream. It can even be used while showering! I have tried electric shavers before but I always ended up forsaking them and going back to shaving cream and a razor. I did not like how I felt after using an electric shaver. More often than not my skin felt burned and scraped from the experience of using the electric shaver. It was the idea of using the shaver with water and shaving cream that inspired me to try the electric shaver again.

I have been using the shaver for almost a month now. Though you can use it like a traditional shaver without shaving cream I always use shaving cream and water with it. I have not had a single uncomfortable shave with it. The ES8109 is not going to give you as close a shave as a razor, but it is much faster and shaves close enough for everyday use. I recommend using it with shaving cream and warm water for a comfortable and expedient shaving experience.

Todd B

Just thought I would share this info that I found on USA Today. Monster Cable is coming out with a wireless HD hookup solution that will be here just in time for Christmas! Basically the transmitter plugs into the HDMI connection on the source and the receiver connects into the TV. The wireless range is reported to be up to 30 feet. It will also “upscale” non-HD sources like DVD to HD according to the article. They will be $299.95 for the receiver and transmitter.

Todd B

With apologies to Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movies, the good news is Mitusbishi’s highly anticipated laser TVs are going to be a reality soon! Check out the frequently asked questions about the new laser TVs here.

Todd B