Onkyo A-9050 Integrated Stereo Amplifier (Black)

Onkyo A-9050 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $499.00
Sale Price: $349.00
Today's Bonus: 30% Off
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I purchased this product to replace an ADCOM GTP-500II/GFA-555 pre/amp combo. My housekeeper moved one of my B&W speakers and shorted one of the channels on the GFA-555. The repair would be over $300, so I decided to downsize a bit and go for a modern integrated amp.

First, the bad: I cannot understand why the gorgeous silver version of this unit is not available to US customers. It is a knockout! That being said, the stenciled markings on the faceplate are difficult to read on my black unit, and there is no LED indicator on the volume knob! Also, there is no way to select the inputs directly via the faceplate or the remote you need to press the input button on the remote or twist the input knob on the faceplate repeatedly until you get to the desired input.

Now, the good: The build quality is excellent. The aluminum faceplate and volume knob look great and feel good to the touch. The ergonomics are just about perfect, with the controls very easy to use. The amplifier section sounds crisp (almost thin), with plenty of top end sparkle. Bass is clean and driving at all volume levels. There is no compression as the volume knob is turned past the 12:00 o'clock position as I have heard in many (even high-end) receivers and integrated.

The built-in DAC is very good sounding and very convenient for connecting a TV and other digital sources. It is not warm by any extent, but neither is it harsh. Still, I preferred the sound of my Sony SACD player using the analog inputs over the amp's DAC. Sound is fantastic when connecting a PC's SPD/IF output to the amp's DAC. Definitely and improvement over using the sound card's analog outputs.

The only real disappointment is the phono stage. With my Luxman turntable and Audio Technica ML440 cart the sound is thin and the level is quite low. The dynamics that I once heard with my ADCOM pre's phono stage are gone. I can hear a lot more surface noise now. I will surely be investing in an outboard phono stage and bypassing the Onkyo's.

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Nikon Coolpix 3200 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Nikon Coolpix 3200 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I've had my coolpix 3200 for about a week, and am really surprised at how good the pictures are, how easy it is to get the pictures into my PC, and how long the batteries last. I bought Duracell rechargeables with the camera, told my camera that these were the batteries I was using through its menu system, and have been taking pictures for a week on the same batteries. That's more than 80 pictures -perhaps more -all on the same 2 batteries, most of them using a flash. My battery charge meter has not even shown up yet.

When I first read the manual, I didn't understand the value of all the frame, portrait, and scene assist modes. As I've used the camera, though, I've come to see that they are very important. The frame and portrait assistants actually change the location of the auto-focus. When I am in sports mode, the camera's auto-focus is constantly changing so that the picture will shoot quickly when the shutter release is pressed. Shutter speed and aperature are adjusted depending on which scene I've selected. In other words, using the modes makes for much better pictures. They are more than just marketing pitches.

The software that came with the camera is okay, though it is nothing earth shaking. Better tools came with my scanner/copier/printer combo, but if you don't have those tools, what comes with the camera is much better than nothing and will get the job done.

I'm very satisfied. The camera is so small that I wear it in a tiny case on my belt all the time.

BTW, I was going to buy the 2200 instead, but am glad that I didn't. Once I had the manual (which is the same for both cameras), I saw that there are a number of small features that the 3200 has that are not available to the 2200. For example, the 3200 has sound for movies, the 2200 does not. You can record voice memos and set sounds for camera functions with the 3200. The 3200 can take more continuous pictures at a time (due to the higher resolution and space required). There are more differences, and most of them are small, but by the time you add them all up, it's worth the additional $100, in my oppinion.

I was an avid amateur photographer back "in the day", but grew tired of the hassles of large cameras and film developing. Thanks to this tiny, filmless camera, I'm a photographer again.

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Apple MacBook Air MC506LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)

Apple MacBook Air MC506LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I've gone through more Apple computers--desktop, laptop, Power Macbooks, iBooks, iPads--since 1990 than I care to count. Out of all of them my favorite was easily the previous Macbook Air (the flash memory model). Forget about the specs. Once you get your hands on one of these, the specs on paper mean nothing. Suddenly every other Mac product seems clunky, overly hot and heavy. The Air is the only model I want to use, and actually do use--day after day. And in no time at all I discover how little use I actually make of a built-in CD/DVD drive or an extra USB port. (Granted, there are times you'll want to insert or burn a disc. I've had better success with $40 non-Apple external drives--currently, a Samsung--than with the Superdrive that Apple makes available for the Air at twice that price. Discs have a tendency to get stuck, and Apple leaves you no provision for mechanically ejecting a jammed disc.) As for a single USB port, a seven-buck 4-port Belkin hub solved that occasional limitation in an instant, though that may no longer be necessary since Apple has provided 2 USB ports, one on each side (the 11" model lacks the 13" model's SD card slot, which makes sense since those preferring the smaller model are less likely to be attracted to it for video/audio storage and editing).

The only product I was awaiting from Apple was a quality "netbook," so what did they do? They produced the wildly popular iPad, which I barely use at all (for the grandkids' visit is about it). Why, I thought to myself, couldn't Apple at least include a keyboard with it and put a cover on it? Well, they did--and they have delivered in spades with this most recent MacBook Air. If you want all of the features of a conventional Macbook minus the weight, look at the 13", slightly more expensive, model. If you want the lightest, most practical machine available (for a writer--not a film editor or audio engineer), stick to the 11.6" model--and be sure to ignore the specs that suggest the common entry-level Macbook is faster, more powerful, etc. When it comes to the "unmeasurable" qualities, the immense satisfaction of writing with a full-sized keyboard on a featherweight machine, the Air is in a league of its own. (I tried a couple of non-Apple "netbooks" and sent them back because they felt like plastic toys made for munchkins.)

The one thing I didn't like about the previous Air--and it cost me in time and money--was the ill-conceived design of the hinges attaching the two halves of the machine. If you knicked one, the entire mechanism began a slow process of erosion, eventually affecting the entire internal circuitry of the machine and leading to repair costs practically equal to the price of the new Airs (the original flash drive models cost over 2 G's). Thank goodness Apple has re-designed the hinge mechanism, making it possible to open the cover some extra inches and without fear of damage to the hinge, the machine, or the user's wallet.

Battery life on the previous model was noticeably limited, especially to someone like me who likes to run a bright screen. The extended battery life of the new Airs (again, the 13" model's is "more" extended) makes it practical to leave the AC adapter at home--maybe for the entire day. Also, speed and graphics resolution, which I thought could not be improved upon, are better than the first model, both seemingly as good as it can possibly get. (Admittedly, the extra time is due, at least in part, to my not using an Air for storing photos, audio and video files and messing with gizmos like "Face Time.") The onboard sound is 50% better, with greater frequency range and authentic stereo sound rather than a single tiny speaker.

The concessions Apple has made for an improved Air are almost too insignificant to be worth mentioning. The machine no longer has the curved edges, which required a cute little trap door that you flipped open in order to connect a USB item, external audio device, or video display. Also, the keyboard itself no longer has backlighting, which was marginally useful at best (since the light could not shine through opaque keys).

Since I've made a couple of references to advantages of the 13" model, I'd better insert here that, as lightweight as it is, it still feels like a tank compared to the 11.6" model. Or to put it another way, the 13" Air is to the 11.6" Air what a conventional Macbook is to the Macbook Air. If I needed a 13" Air, I could probably still live with the first model if the price were right. The excitement, the break-through, the most desirable model, it seems obvious to me, lies with the new 11.6" Air, which is even priced lower than its bigger brother.

Finally, configuration and price. Even with the educational discount from Apple Store, Amazon's is overall the better deal. I probably would be happy with the Mac Air's most basic, least expensive configuration (which brings the machine in at under a G-note). For some reason, Amazon has chosen not to offer through Prime the several different configurations available for this model, but it makes sense that most users are likely to order the pictured version with 128 gigs of memory rather than the standard 64-gig model. Because of my last bad experience with breaking an Air hinge (and, even before that, the previous Air that I received from Amazon arrived DOA) I know I "should" order the warranty. But if Americans did that for every item they purchased, we'd all be in deeper hock than is already the case. Besides, as a second release of what was formerly a new model, the Mac Air has by now had time to work out the bugs. If not, I've never had any problems returning a defective product purchased from Amazon.

They say that the time of the "Netbook" has come and gone. Maybe so, but that's just quibbling about names. I predict the current "iPad" and computer tablet craze will turn out to be the real fad. (You can watch videos on a TV, for Pete's sake, and as clever as some of the thousands of "apps" are, unless you're a committed, 24/7, life-time gamer, they soon lose their allure not to mention actual "use" value.) The Mac Air, which was so maligned upon its first appearance, is one of the most useful, well thought-out, carefully designed and assembled products Apple has come to market with. It's here to stay--and for good reason. Don't wait for Steve Jobs to convince you that you need one, as was pretty much the case with the iPad. This is one machine that makes its own case, and if you've read this far, you probably deserve to have it under your fingers the sooner the better.

[2nd thought re: the Apple warranty. There's no getting around the fact that the Macbook Air is more about convenience than savings. In fact, the necessity of having Apple replace a worn-out battery (it'll happen sooner or later) may be sufficient reason to purchase the warranty (Apple gives you a time-frame for doing so, should you have ordered the machine without the warranty.)]

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Pentax SMC DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM Prime Standard Lens w/ Case

Pentax SMC DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM Prime Standard Lens w/ Case for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I am a pro-amateur photographer and this is the first prime lens I've ever purchased. I currently own an all-Pentax system, including a K200D body with all the other SMC DA* lenses except the 200mm. My intention in buying the 55mm was to have a razor-sharp lens for candid and formal portrait photography. I've shot close to a hundred pictures with this wonderful lens over the course of the past couple of weeks, and it's ability to capture images in low light is awesome at f/1.4, but not quite as sharp as when set to f/2.0. It has marvelously creamy bokeh in the low f-stop range, including a truly magical ability to capture shading and colors not perceived by the human eye. Although I really love this lens, it probably gets a little less time on my camera than others, due to the fact that I still like the flexibility of zooms (the SMC DA* 50-135mm being a magnificent example!)

I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to experience the minimalist pleasures of a prime lens. That is, if you're willing to shell out for the SMC DA's amazingly quiet motor and superior build quality as compared with it's less glamorous brother, the 50mm f/1.4. Believe me, after trying both, the SMC DA* is worth the expense, and it capably delivers absolutely gorgeous image quality in the right hands. Five stars all the way, and kudos to Pentax.

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Sony HDR-XR550V 240GB High Definition HDD Handycam Camcorder

Sony HDR-XR550V 240GB High Definition HDD Handycam Camcorder
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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The HDR-XR550V takes absolutely stunning HD video and stills. I owned the HDR-XR500V which I absolutely loved. In addition to all the great features on the HDR-XR500V, the HDR-XR550V includes an electronic viewfinder and also provides manual shutter speed control. It also offers a non-native 60p output option and in-camera standard definition downconversion. The latter is an especially welcome addition, giving users the ability to record and archive their footage in the highest quality, then export and edit with the smaller, more manageable MPEG-2 files.

Perhaps the most exciting new feature on the HDR-XR550V is the new memory card slot: a single slot that is compatible with both Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and traditional SD/SDHC cards. This new slot will be featured on Sony's entire Handycam lineup this year, giving users unprecedented flexibility in sticking with Sony's proprietary memory format or opting for the more univeral SD/SDHC cards.

I personally love the GPS tagging feature, although I wish it would offer more detailed maps.

The HDR-XR550V has increased hard drive capacity to 240GB, which gives me plenty of recording time.

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Nero 12 Platinum

Nero 12 Platinum
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $129.99
Sale Price: $53.99
Today's Bonus: 58% Off
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Do NOT purchase this product. I purchased it from Nero's web site, as a download. I tried repeated (unsuccessful) installation attempts. Each displayed the number "1158" and no other error text. I then contacted Nero.

I responded immediately, and thoroughly, to their requests for information. Finally, after more than a week without resolution, I reluctantly requested instructions for obtaining a refund.

Nero's exact response was as follows: "Thank you for your e-mail. Please be advised that we are unable to offer a refund, as defined by our terms of trade. These terms were accepted with the purchase of Nero from our website ."

If you have doubts about this review, try searching "Nero error 1158" for countless similar complaints.

I previously owned Nero 7 Ultimate. It was a great product. However, the company has now slid so far downhill that they will not even provide a refund for a product that fails to install.

Following Nero's final response, I immediately contacted my credit card company. They (American Express) were wonderfully helpful. If you purchase the product anyhow, and encounter similar issues, I suggest you also contact your credit card company.

This is the first time I've seen a product that fails to install. Further, the one or two complaints I've had, in the past 25 years, have been dealt with professionally. Even companies consisting entirely of a single developer have responded more appropriately. To see a company, like Nero, behave so unprofessionally is truly disappointing...and unexpected.

I truly hope they revise their approach towards customer service and return to their previous excellence.

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Lowepro Pro Roller Lite 250 AW Digital SLR Camera Case

Lowepro Pro Roller Lite 250 AW Digital SLR Camera Case with Wheels with Tripod + Cleaning Kit for Canon EOS 70D, 6D, 5D Mark III, Rebel T3, T5i, SL1, Nikon D3100, D3200, D5200, D7100, D600, D800, Sony Alpha A65, A77, A99
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I do a lot of traveling and my old backpack style camera case wasn't convenient. My husband found the Lowepro ad in one of his sail magazines. Just used it for travel to FL. I LOVE it, so nice to finally be able to take EVERYTHING along.

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MOTOACTV 8 GB GPS Fitness Tracker and Music Player (Discontinued

MOTOACTV 8 GB GPS Fitness Tracker and Music Player
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $249.99
Sale Price: $155.72
Today's Bonus: 38% Off
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I'll admit that I was torn about purchasing the MOTOACTV after reading the reviews on Amazon, but I finally decided to purchase this product a few days ago and I'm glad I did. As an alternative to some of the detailed, product-specific reviews, I thought it might be helpful to walk through my purchase decision:

It is clear that Motorola identified an unmet market need with this product: a small, fitness-specific GPS device with a built-in MP3 player. That was exactly the feature set that I had been searching for. The alternatives on the market fell short for different reasons:

iPod Nano, 7th generation: GOOD: small, clip + watch + armband options, music, Nike+ app; BAD: No GPS

Nike+ Sportwatch, Garmin Watches: GOOD: GPS, small; BAD: No music, watch only

Smartphone apps (e.g. Runkeeper, Endomondo, MapMyRun, Nike+): GOOD: GPS, cheap or free, most offer music; BAD: requires bulky smartphone, varying quality software

Despite having a feature set that separated it from these alternatives, the MOTOACTV is a first-generation device supported by first-generation cloud-based fitness tracking software. As a result, the device shipped with key flaws, not the least of which was poor battery life and inaccurate GPS accuracy. These types of issues should have been fixed before this product hit the market, but my guess is these flaws were a result of the product team being pushed to get the product out before the holiday shopping season. The nice thing is that in this day and age, the concept of "rapid prototyping" is all the rage. It's now okay to ship a half-baked product, solicit tons of input from early adopting customers, and offer frequent firmware updates to fix major and minor flaws.

Which brings me to the reason I purchased this product: I knew the MOTOACTV v1 would not be a flawless device but it had the features I wanted at a price (on Amazon) that I thought was reasonable. I debated waiting until v2, but I decided to buy this model because I recognized that most of the flaws could be fixed with firmware updates and Motorola appears committed to listening to users and releasing frequent updates. They have already released multiple firmware updates over the past few months (with a preference for the 8GB model, so be wary of the 16GB), including one just before I bought it that fixed the battery life issues. Since battery life was one of the primary complaints from early users, it was essential that they corrected that issue. In addition, they have a forum manager named Matt who is trolling all of the comments on this site and others and is frequently responding directly to customers. I appreciate that, even if he can't fix every issue.

In sum, this is not a perfect product, but I love the combination of features and the fact that it's getting better with each firmware update. Using the MOTOACTV is SOOO much better than lugging around my bulky mobile phone on long runs! As long as Motorola continues the level of support that they have shown during the first few months of this product's life cycle, I would definitely recommend purchasing this device.

------------

January 14, 2012 Update

I've been running with the MOTOACTV for over two weeks and have logged ~80 miles with it. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the device itself. The website that stores workout data and other features, on the other hand, is decent but needs additional focus. For instance, the site does not integrate "planned" and "actual" workouts into the same calendar interface. That's a clear miss that I imagine most customers would want.

As I mentioned in my review above, this is a v1 website and thus I would not expect it to be perfect. Motorola appears committed to listening to customers and rapidly updating the product, so I trust that they are working behind the scenes to improve the online experience. At this point, I'd give the entire MOTOACTV ecosystem (device + website) 4.5 stars. Because I care more about the device than the website, however, I left my rating at 5 stars.

---------------

August 25, 2013 Update

Downgraded to three stars since Motorola discontinued the product and is no longer committed to improvement as they were when I wrote the initial review. Unfortunate because this could have been a great product.

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Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens

Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens with 55-300mm VR + 500mm Telephoto Lens + 32GB Card + Backpack + Tele/Wide Lenses + Monopod + Accessory Kit
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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What can I say about bundles, they're usually not my thing. This selling tactic often results in additional items you otherwise wouldn't have wanted or needed. This bundle, however, not only beat out the price of a camera body and one single lens, the bonus items are useful as well. Maybe for a professional or advanced photographer, they might prefer to select their photographic equipment with discriminating taste. For a beginner, the Nikon D5200 far exceeds an entry level digital SLR. It's the middle child in the line up. As a beginner, may I also suggest the easy-to-understand instruction book "Nikon D5200 for Dummies" available on Amazon. It makes for a great companion to the D5200.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The item description does not indicate that a charger or lithium ion battery is included in the kit. Be aware that the kit does include these necessary items. I made the mistake of ordering them online and now must pay to have them returned.

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Sony Xperia Acro S LT26w Black Factory Unlocked International

Sony Xperia Acro S LT26w Black Factory Unlocked International Version by New Generation Products LLC.,
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $579.99
Sale Price: $346.07
Today's Bonus: 40% Off
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I bought this phone in early August, however from another online retailer. Most have commented already on the pros, so I'll focus on the cons because every product has its flaws. The Acro S is a great phone due to optimized performance (compared to other Snapdragon S3 phones), good ICS UI/customizations, and being waterproof, the main selling point. Battery life is also slightly better than average, on the most part, I can fit in 2~3 hours of talking time, some moderate usage (mostly Wifi internet browsing, Pulse, emails, WhatsApp, text messages). Having both ample storage space (16GB) and an easily removable micro-sd slot means you can cram pretty much anything you want into it.

The HDMI port is also a standard micro plug, unlike some others where they are combined with the USB port. Talking about ports, the largest downside to this phone is that due to it being waterproof, all its ports have a plastic cover. This cover makes listening to music on this phone impossible on the go. If you were to leave it plugged in with a headphone in a pocket, it will very likely snap off. Therefore, getting a bluetooth unit is pretty much required for listening on the go (like the Sony MW600, Samsung HS3000). The other is that, continuous opening and closing of these ports will also wear them down. There is a rubber layer under it that protects the phone from water. Therefore, USB transfers/charging should be done only if needed, it is why a dock is provided on these waterproof phones.

The other major issue is the camera. Yes it does have a high MP count, but on 100% crop, noise issues are very noticeable and quite bad. They are still great pictures, lots of details, good color reproduction, and fairly sharp, just that there is quite a bit of noise (even on ISO100 in bright sunlight). This shouldn't be an issue for most people because the pictures themselves look absolutely great when uploaded to FB and others (downsized). The front camera is alright for video calls, and is 720p. The phone's hardware is 100% the same versus the Xperia S, only waterproof and the inclusion of a micro-SD card slot (advanced users can even flash custom XS's roms onto the Acro S directly, only micro-sd doesn't work). This means the screen really is one of the best ones. It is fairly accurate in colors (not overly saturated), has good viewing angles, and looks very sharp (highest PPI in phones).

During normal usage, the first issue would be the capacitive buttons, you actually hit slightly above the icons, but you should quickly catch on after a day or two. The second thing is that quick capture doesn't always work, and that the Bravia Engine option is currently not working as well after the ICS rollout (but this should be sorted out later on with more software updates). The last issue I have had with this phone is that there is a slight creaking sound when you hold the phone at the bottom and top corners of the top battery cover (sounds a bit confusing I know). These looks like weaker points in the construction simply because there are button cutouts next to it, making it a bit less sound. However, it only does it if you hold it a bit firmly, and it does still feel secure. In the two months+ I've used it, I haven't dropped this phone yet, but have used it daily and pretty much just stuffed it into a pocket everyday. It has held up fine, no scratches anywhere (even the included screen protector), and the text on the back and button icons haven't rubbed off yet (they will eventually though...). I've only had the phone crash by itself two times, which for a smartphone, is pretty good (My old X10, and iPhone 4 would crash 2~3 times a week). GPS is fairly quick to get, though Wifi signal seems to be a bit weaker (not sure if it is a bar display difference, have no actually checked the true db values). All phones side by side in a room, the Acro S displays the only 2 to 3 bars (out of 4) versus 3 to full on the X10, solid full signal on a laptop. I personally have not tried the bluetooth (range) and NFC yet, so I cannot comment on those.

Audio quality is good, headphone output is clear. Call volume isn't super loud, but it is acceptable. Microphone is fairly clear and reduced background noise, but any wind will still silence you.

The other thing to remember is, the battery is sealed! If you need to travel long distances, carry a portable battery charger (already do, so this didn't concern me). The battery inside is not user serviceable even if you open the back lid, it has been sealed with waterproof film, unlike the XS. On the bright side, it is a 1840~1900mAH one that holds up fairly well.

Also any advanced users out there will have to know that the development community (XDA) on the Acro S is not as active due to late entry into the US market, however, there are many mods still available for it (as it works with any XS mod). Root can be done with literally 2~3 clicks should you worry about that.

Most people should know that this phone does NOT work on Tmobile's (or Verizon/Sprint) 3G network, at least for now and most places. There ARE some places that you can get 3G, though mostly in the large cities. You can check their progress (unofficial) on airportal.de , which shows areas where the 1900/2100 band has been spotted (means iPhones and other international phones can work on 3G!).

Overall, this phone is great. Its very well optimized (Sunspider, and other benchmark scores are quite ahead of other similar hardware phones), designed, and so far, seems fairly sturdy and well built. Like I said before, if you use your phone as your main music device, you might have to consider either using a bluetooth unit, or look away because the cover is flimsy and will snap off if you stuff it in a pocket and go jogging with it. Also don't expect this to replace your main camera other than for quick FB posts because there are quite severe noise issues (but they still look good). I really enjoy using this phone.

For whoever is also looking at the Xperia V (I was), the successor to this phone, the V at the moment (October) does not look like it will enter the US market because the "h" version with US 3G bands has not been announced yet. The normal LTE version does not have LTE or 3G bands that the US can use (only Europe/Asia). Also it has 8gb internal memory instead, a VGA front camera, and no dedicated camera button. Similar camera sensor (13MP, but still same Exmor R, not RS), though with the S4 chip instead. You trade off some features to get a bit more speed and slightly better battery life (just a speculation as the S4 is more energy efficient but the Xperia V comes with a smaller, replaceable battery). If you are holding off on this phone for now to wait on the V, it is a tough choice since there are quite a good amount of trade offs, plus the Acro S's price has dropped now.

Update December : 4 Months, though I dropped it a few times, no chipping at the chrome paint (or the body) yet, still waterproof. No new bugs/issues to report. Latest version of fw is .55, which you will have to use XDA's method of flashing (Flashtool) in order to keep root (no longer possible to use the old simpler method).

Update Jan : After winter vacation my parents dropped my phone while trying to take a photo. There is a slight dent (nearly invisible, and you can hardly feel it) in the plastic housing but nothing major. It was about a meter drop onto solid marble. It is still waterproof. I forgot to say that Bravia Engine is working if anyone cares about it. Furthermore, after spending time home with a DLNA TV/BD Player, I've tested the Media Remote and Media Server (Connected Devices app). The app works flawlessly and while there is obvious room for improvement, nicely for a HX750 and a S590 player. It replicates the remote functions, can act as a keyboard input, and stream music and videos quickly to the television or to the player.

After messing around with quite a large number of apps installed so far I have suffered only one freeze, but it was recoverable after about 10~15 seconds. The phone has not reset itself yet.

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EVERFOCUS ECOR264-16X1/1T 16 Ch, 1 TB, Built-in DVD Burner, 480

EVERFOCUS ECOR264-16X1/1T 16 Ch, 1 TB, Built-in DVD Burner, 480 FP
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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First let me say I trust everfocus cameras and their DVRs I have used them for years and they work well.

Some issues on this DVR from time to time it will freeze the controls and you will have to reboot to get the controls to work again.

The search features ie the user interface is antiquated.

They should be easier to find what your looking for without having to be that specific.

So for my home use its good but commercially not so good.

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Sony Alpha DSLRA300X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super

Sony Alpha DSLRA300X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 & DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lenses
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Having previously reviewed the Alpha 200 and 350, it seems a bit silly to review the Alpha 300. After all, the Alpha 300 is a 200 with Live View, or a 350 with 10 megapixels instead of 14mp. Right?

Well, pretty much that's the case. But there is also a corresponding price difference. Is Live View worth an extra $100? Is 14mp worth an extra $200?

For my money, yes, Live View is worth the $100 because of the way Sony has implemented this feature. Unlike most systems, you won't see a loss in autofocusing performance (or a loss of autofocus completely), nor will you alter the way the exposure and white balance are determined. Add to this the articulated screen that makes extremely low or high angle shots easier, and I say "YES"! Any drawbacks? Yes, this screen is a bit thicker, and pushes you back a bit when looking through the camera. Also, the way Sony implements Live View does mean you only see 90 percent of what you'll get on the image.

OK, is 14mp worth the extra $200? I don't know, but I don't think so. We really need more critical comparisons from people with true scientific methods of measuring the difference in image quality, but there are a few assumptions that will probably hold true, based on previous cameras. The 14mp will give a superior image in good lighting, when ISO values (the fake "film" speeds) can be set to higher quality settings. You won't see this difference on an 8x10 standard photo, but probably could in very big enlargements or severe cropping of photos. Keep in mind that the "1.4x and 2x teleconverter" option you have with Live View is nothing more than cropping, with 2x dropping your effective megapixels in half.

Past cameras would suggest, however, that the higher pixel density of the 14mp camera would be a drawback in low light conditions, in particular when we have to raise the ISO settings. Thus, they may not even be as good as the 10mp sensor for these applications (but we still need critical testing to confirm this assumption).

So, for my money, I'd say the 14mp is probably not worth the money for someone shooting an even variety of shoots, but might be for a landscape/wildlife photographer.

Compared to other brands, I think the Alpha 300 wins on features compared to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi or Nikon D60 (Live View, stabalization in body). The new 12mp Canon XSi is more in the price range of the 14mp Alpha 350. In any case, with 3 new Alphas, and the new D60 and XSi, there's no more excuses! Get a camera and start taking great photos!

Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Sony Alpha DSLRA350K 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens

Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)

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Samsung UN65EH6000 65-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

Samsung UN65EH6000 65-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $2,649.99
Sale Price: $1,397.99
Today's Bonus: 47% Off
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The TV is simply a very good, simple TV. As stated by many others, this TV does not have the sort of Internet Connected bells and whistles you find on more expensive sets. This doesn't bother me I have 3 devices hooked up to this TV that are already able to do Netflix, Hulu, etc... and far better than I've seen built into a TV. I recently purchased the 50" model and have enjoyed it thoroughly (and I'm very, very particular about image quality).

The TV is a bit thick compared to many other LED lit LCDs not an issue for me since it will not be wall mounted. The thickness is the result of LED rear-lighting versus LED edge-lighting. While the latter allows thinner panels, the technology inherently lowers the image quality. More expensive sets overcome this issue and provide great pictures, but at the lower-end of the price spectrum, image quality is may be better served by rear-lighting. The set also has none of the "flashlight" effect (bright spots along the screen borders) that is common in even high-end edge-lit sets.

IMHO the black levels produced by a TV are the single most important aspect of overall image quality. This TV does a pretty-darn-good job, but don't expect it to be nearly as good as a decent plasma television. If you keep a few small lights on in the room while you watch a movie the blacks will appear quite nice and dark. In a pitch-black room however, you'll be looking at dark gray instead. The trade off is this TV gets brighter than most plasmas on the market, making it's picture clearer in a brightly lit room. Some edge-lit sets can dim portions of the screen to improve the black level, but this also comes with image trade-offs such as "blooming" (seeing the edge of the brightly lit portion of the screen spilling into the dark areas). Unlike some very high end sets with "full-array" rear-lighting, this set cannot turn off individual LEDs to dim portions of the screen.

This is all really just a long-winded way to say that this TV seems like a good deal, and seems to have image quality that is comparable in several ways to more expensive sets. After weighing the trade-offs of many (MANY) TVs, this seems to have been the right choice for me. It would have gotten 5 stars, but Samsung has decided to put only 2 HDMI inputs on this set (1-2 less than others at the price point). Its a mild annoyance having to use an HDMI switch for several of my components, but far from a deal-breaker and possibly not an issue for the majority of people.

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Swann SWDVR-16300H-US 16-Channel Trublue DVR (Black)

Swann SWDVR-16300H-US 16-Channel Trublue DVR
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Unit keeps rebooting constantly, no HDD flashing unit dead-on phone with operator that is "trying" to help ( I am an electronics tech) and I have explained that I have done everything with the unit as she has requested-It took an hour on the phone waiting for some one-plus the 1/2 hour "troubleshooting" the unit to get her to send me an email with the return authorization info...we'll see...

Now I am without a DVR for the 3 days to ship it and the 3-5 business days for Swann to look at it and repair it, and the 3-5 days of return shipping...

Just letting you all know what happens when the 30 days return time runs out of Amazon return policy.....

Worked great for 45 days! Would not recommend unit-who knows if I got a lemon but If I have to base it on mine it gets 1 star....

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Sony DSC-W710 16 MP Digital Camera with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)

Sony DSC-W710 16 MP Digital Camera with 2.7-Inch LCD
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This little Sony camera is very compact and light, and is a good starter point and shoot at this price. I take lots of pictures, so I was able to put this camera through its paces over about a three-week period. Here is a run-down:

The Good

Very light and fits in any pocket

Relatively low cost and does not "feel expensive", so I do not hesitate to just toss it in my pocket or bag

Has proven to be rugged. Has survived abuse (per the above bullet) very well

Love the "Easy" feature. It detects background light, fast action, faces, and other photo situations automatically. You can override this feature in the menus option.

Has plenty of photo-taking options such as landscapes, beach, toy, b&w. As mentioned below in not-so-good, these features are pretty cumbersome to get to.

Picture quality is very good for this price range. There is no RAW file option, so you are totally dependent on the camera's JPEG processor, which is okay but has a lot of interpolation. It is a little slow to process, but definitely adequate below $100.

Uses SD cards, not the proprietary memory stick that Sony had used in the past.

The Not So Good

Very menu-driven, so it takes time to find a photo feature (such as toy, b&w, beach, landscape, etc.) and you could miss your shot. Best to stay in Auto/Easy mode since it does a decent job of choosing for you.

You have to navigate the menu to deactivate Easy mode before other options become available to you. This will slow you down a lot and may cause you to miss some shots. Ideally they would have any Easy mode on/off button on the camera itself.

The processor is slow, so there is a noticeable pause between shots. The continuous shooting mode labors through about one shot per second.

The post-processing and photo enhancing features on the camera are of limited usefulness. For example, it has a face enhancement feature that I found was only slightly effective. You will do MUCH better using your inexpensive desktop photo software to add enhancements. IMHO, this feature on the camera is more of a gimmick with primitive algorithms.

Sony has opted to use a non-standard USB connector. I like standard connectors that can be shared between devices. For this one, you will need to carry around the cord if you want to charge the camera's battery or transfer photos using USB.

To charge, you plug in the camera. The battery is removable, but the camera does not come with a separate battery charger, so you have to use the camera as the charger. In other words, you cannot charge a spare while you are using the camera. There may be an accessory for this, but then you are spending extra $$ on a low cost camera.

Recommendation

If you want a low-cost, decent point and shoot, this is a good choice, particularly if you want to stay in easy mode most of the time. If you end up loving photography, or if you are already an experienced photographer, this camera will feel light on features and customization options pretty quickly.

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Sony E-Mount SEL 1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens for Alpha NEX

Sony E-Mount SEL 1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens for Alpha NEX Cameras + SSE Accessory Kit: Includes - 3 Piece Professional Filter Set, 4 Piece Macro Close-Up Lens Kit, Tulip Lens Hood & SSE Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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Sunset, thanks for the fast shipment.

I have one feedback to give:

The order status tracking package wasn't updated at real time.

My e-mails are replied with the message: "I can't solve your problem, please call for the number...". For me, e-mail follow-up it's better than phone calls.

But it worked, so i'm very happy with the product.

The lenses are fantastic. The filters works well. The macro lens, are not great, but are not so bad. 100% satisfied.

Thanks again,

(sorry for bad english, i'm learning)

Rama,

Brasil.

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Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens + UV Filter + EW-63II Hood + Kit

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens + UV Filter + EW-63II Hood + Kit for Canon EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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Fast f/1.8 apature for a 28mm

Provides almost instant and accurate AF every time.

Perfect for chest up shots on a 1.6 crop sensor. And provides smooth beautiful bokeh

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