Guy Low Price Electronic: 1 Jun 2011

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Highly Recommended - digital picture frame, photo frame

The main reason I decided to buy a digital photo frame is because printing out photos from my Sony DSC-H5 on an Epson PictureMate to share with the family got pretty tiresome. Sure, the prints looked good, but printing them took a long time, they cost about 35 cents apiece and some of the older relatives couldn't see them very well. I figured a digital photo frame would improve the whole process. My requirements were simple: the frame must have very high resolution, be small and lightweight (for packing in a carry-on suitcase), and accept images via a Memory Stick and also via a standard USB interface (which many, I found, do not).

The Sony DPF-D810 meets all of my requirements with flying colors. The 800-by-600-pixel 8-inch-diagonal display is clear, crisp, bright and saturated. Photos display instantly, either singly, until you manually advance them, or in a slideshow with your choice of 10 time intervals from three seconds to 24 hours and with your choice of six transition effects. You can show the full image or crop it to fit the screen. If the aspect ratio of the picture is wider than 4:3, thin black bars appear at the top and bottom of the screen--the image itself is undistorted. You can display image information such as the time and date taken, camera type, shutter speed and aperture, EV compensation and more. The unit will show photos directly from an SD memory card, Memory Stick Duo or USB flash drive, or you can copy them to the internal memory, which holds about 150 high-resolution images. A mini-USB connector lets you transfer photos directly from your computer. You can choose from 14 different full-screen clock and calendar displays, or integrate a clock and/or calendar with six of the 10 different slideshow display options. Thus you can place this frame on a desk or mantel and run it all the time as a useful item of room decor. You can even choose whether or not to display the bright "Sony" logo on the lower part of the frame. All in all, this is a very impressive device that should satisfy the most demanding user. Plus, it is small (roughly 9 inches by 7 inches by 1 inch) and lightweight (less than 1-1/2 pounds, including the AC transformer and the remote control).

Speaking of which, the remote control is a great bonus. When I first set up the DPF-D810, I found it difficult to see the on-screen menus while manipulating tiny buttons with minuscule labels on the back of the unit. Then I used the remote. What a difference! You can access all of the frame's well-designed and logically arranged setup and functional menus with ease. Not all frames in this price category offer remotes. I didn't care about it when I selected this frame, but now I wouldn't be without it.

Even though I wanted a digital photo frame for just one simple purpose, I was pleased to find that this one far exceeded my expectations and offered much more than I needed for a reasonable price. If you're considering taking the next logical evolutionary step in digital photography by displaying your pictures on a photo frame rather than printing them, I highly recommend you consider the Sony DPF-D810. Sony DPF-D810 8-Inch SVGA LCD (4:3) Digital Photo Frame (Black)

I'm the one in the family...and extended family...that does the shopping for electronics/digital products. You know me, many of you have that guy in your own families or group of friends.

When I decided to buy digital frames for my parents and my wife for this Christmas, I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of digital frames. I read a lot of reviews as well and compared many of the features available. Here's what I liked about the Sony DPF-D810 8-inch SVGA Frame:

Simply to use, yet has advanced features that you don't get in this price range

Sturdy, well thought-out design (even the remote is sturdy...many have flimsy remotes that are useless)

4:3 format...standard photo size, so it doesn't undesirably crop your precious photos

Allows the use of all standard memory cards to include USB thumb drives -great for anyone that might be technically challenged

It's not a knock-off brand and was obviously well tested..I didn't have to wonder how long it would reliably work

It's not the biggest frame on the market...it's not the most expensive (by far)

It is a great buy for $79!

Excellent picture, good desktop size. Great that it has multiple ways of getting data. You can also superimpose a clock over your picture which is neat, but not always practical.

The only thing I could think of that it cannot do is that I'd like to be able to set the speed at which the slideshow advances. Apparently you can only show one slide, or have a pre-determined speed slideshow. Great for sharing and viewing, but I'd like to see it change maybe every half hour for my desk. Still, it's otherwise perfect. Well worth the money. Remote is more handy than you would think.

I don't know why you would want the Sony logo to show, but it's nice they allow you to turn that off. - Digital Frame - Digital Frames - Digital Picture Frame - Photo Frame'

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Blu-ray - 1080p, hdmi cables

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These wires were exactly as advertised. They work fantastically with my Blu-ray, xbox 360, and HD Cable. I am getting 1080p signal with the Blu-ray and Xbox. The cable is coming in at 1080i and 720p which is the highest res available to me. I appreciate the no frills packaging which was just sealed clear plastic bags. The price was great less than $5 per cable and $7 to ship expedited (1-3 days). Four wires for less than the cheapest one at walmart and best buy. The best buy guy tried to sell me a mid range $70 cable saying not to trust a cheap one but 1080p is 1080p. Since I needed four cables even if I went with the cheap one at the store I saved around a $100 and had I gone with the suggested one I saved $250. Don't be fooled into packaging and store displays. If it can wait just a couple of days save the money. Fanatic Digital HDMI-to-HDMI Cable Ultra Clarity 6'

This is a good, solid, reliable cable. It provides exactly the same functionality as more expensive cables. What is more, it is as sturdily made as others.

I'm a media pro, and I can honestly say I have yet to see any discernible difference between cheaper HDMI cables and the ridiculously expensive 'Pro' versions.

As Mr. T might say, I pity the fool who'd pay more.

There are some less expensive choices than this cable, and many much more expensive. This one is better built than most, with a thicker cable. It also has larger grips for the plugs, so make sure you have about 3" clearance. The cool red accent color sets it apart.

CNET tested HDMI cables and found no performance differences. Basically, it is digital in, digital out. The "certified" cables are indeed tested, but maybe those not tested would perform the same.

I purchased a few of these cables for less money than the cheapest HDMI cable at walmart. I also bought the cheapest one at walmart, before i bought these.

Less than 2 weeks after getting these cables they have all DIED. The first thing I notice is they could not support 1080p, but did support 1080i. After a little more than a week of using these cables intermittently both fail to carry any signal at all now. Not a single device I own, cable box, bluray, computer, or tv will recognize them.

The cable I purchased at walmart is still working. I guess you get what you pay for.

Item arrived in a very reasonable time and exactly as described by seller. The cable works perfectly with my 1080p LG TV and DVD upconverter player. I have also used it with my PS3 and the quality is very good both in picture and sound. I highly recommend this seller and product.

I bought 2 of these cables plugged it into my DirecTv HD DVR and PS3 and the sound cuts off intermittantly for a split second . I've made sure they are connected right. I even tried using the second one and I got the same results. So I ended up buying the MEDIABRIDGE brand and they work excellent.

Great product....Better quality than the ones you can easily pay $100+ for...This seller has amazing communication...FAST shipping....I would highly advise anyone looking for quality HDMI 1.3a cables to order from this seller, than, sit back and enjoy worry free. - Playstation 3 - Hdmi Cables - Blu-ray - 1080p'

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Arctic Silver

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I ordered the Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy 7-gram package through Platinum Micro in August 2010. My application for this epoxy had nothing to do with heatsinks or computer chips.

About a year ago I installed an "Ice Zapper" heating device on my DirecTV slimline satellite dish, which is mounted to a second-story soffit on my house. The Ice Zapper is a thermostatically controlled 120-watt heater with 2 rectangular heating pads that adhere directly to the back of the dish. It activates whenever the outside temperature (as measured by the thermostat built into the power cord) drops below 35 degrees F or so, and prevents snow and ice from accumulating on the dish. The Ice Zapper is not available through Amazon as of Sept. 2010, but can be found at SkyVision.

One of the Ice Zapper heating pads came unstuck last winter, and hung there for the rest of the winter while I figured out how to repair it. Any glue used to re-adhere the heating pad to the dish would need to be tolerant of high temperatures, and also should conduct heat efficiently from the heating pad to the dish. Tech support from SkyVision recommended that I use "Permatex" adhesive from my local auto parts store. The auto parts store had various Permatex adhesives, many of which were intended for high-temperature applications, but none were touted for their thermal conductivity. Then I discovered Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy, and thought I would give it a shot.

The 7-gram Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy kit consists of two 3.5-gram syringes. In my case I mixed the epoxy while standing near the top of a 24-foot extension ladder, outdoors at 80 degrees F. I strongly recommend wearing Nitrile gloves while you mix and apply the epoxy. I started a 5-minute countdown timer and then squeezed syringes A and B into a glob, and mixed them together with the included mini-spatula. For the first 4 minutes the mixture was on the runny side, and formed long runny strands when the spatula was lifted away from the mixing surface, like hot cheese on a pizza. It was easy enough to spread the Arctic Silver onto the back side of my satellite dish using the mini-spatula. The mixture covered a 1.5" x 9" area with ease, and thankfully my mixing surface was large enough to catch drips. Clamping the heating pad in place on the convex side of a satellite dish was not very practical, so I stood there pressing the item in place until the epoxy started to firm up. It took about 10 minutes for the glue to get thick enough to hold the heating pad in place. The nitrile gloves came in handy because the epoxy, when it was runny, squeezed out from the sides of the heating pad and got all over the dish, the heating pad, and my gloves.

The Ice Zapper is back in place again, makes good contact with the satellite dish, and I shall see this winter if the Arctic Silver had the desired result. Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy

This stuff is holding up pretty good. I'm bonding some copper tubing to an aluminum heat sink (coated with a copper looking substance). No complaints. Oh... I had to wait a little bit longer for the bond to stick, I don't remember how long it says to hold the stuff together while it sets, but I recomend you double it.

Heat Sink mount broke of from the mother board, thought of giving it a shot using much heard Arctic silver thermal epoxy. Now the processor is bonded to the heat sink and does not get heated up...bond is strong that i can lift the whole CPU by the heat sink.

I would also recommend to use the arctic silver cleaner to remove the grease for better bond.

I've always hated epoxy. I still hate it. I needed to mount an air-cooled heat-sink to an i/o chip that had lost its clip. After mixing carefully, I applied the epoxy as directed on a web site. (The epoxy does not come with any instructions).

The bond failed two times. The third time things looked good but lateral pressure caused the bond to break. The forth time was a charm. However, I was not very comfortable with it.

Big minus is no manual. However, Google pointed me to a pdf copy of the manual.

Whenever I build a new system (like the dual Opteron server I just finished), I always reach for the arctic silver to help with heat CPU heat dissipation. I have read enough studies and reviews to know that artic silver is the best thermal epoxy available. As a result, I've never had a processor shutdown because of thermal overload, even in less than optimal environments. Although it barely nudges out the second best thermal epoxy, artic silver is still the best.'

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Usb Hard Drive Adapter

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The picture and technical description don't make clear what is included. In addition to the USB to IDE/SATA adapter shown, it includes a 5-inch 7-pin M/M serial ATA Cable, a power supply for both SATA power and 4-pin Molex power, and a single page of concise, clear instructions. It was everything that I needed to connect an IDE disk from a defunct computer to the USB port of my laptop. Amazingly Vista could read the IDE disk with no additional software. Cables To Go 30504 USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial ATA Drive Adapter (Black)

After a bad experience with a similar product sold by eforcity, I was a bit nervous about buying another IDE to USB converter. The CablesToGo product was a welcome change. Everything worked smoothly and I was able to read the drive immediately. The power cable is well made and even includes a convenient switch on the DC lines to the drive.

I would buy this product again.

This is a great product and includes everything you need to hookup a Serial ATA (SATA) or IDE hard drive. In my case my SATA hard drive failed on my Vista machine, so after installing a new hard drive, I needed to recover my data. I had no problem at all and I didn't even need any software. Recommended!

I just received this product from Amazon. It arrived three days before Amazon promised it with their free shipping. Always a good deal!

I have been a software developer for over 20 years and I have collected a number of old IDE drives. They, needless to say, are of no use in today's laptops and are easily out-classed by today's giant disk drives. However, you can't just toss old drives like these into the trash, because they may still contain your private and business data files. I initially got this cable to be able to wipe and reformat these drives before throwing them away.

However, after I ordered the cable, I realized that I have hundreds of CDs and DVDs that contain years of back-up data. These discs take up a lot of storage space in my closet. I don't want to get rid of the content of these discs, but I would like to reclaim the closet space they require. The idea then became to use this cable to copy content from back-up CDs and DVDs to these old IDE hard drives and store those in the closet, taking up a fraction of the space, while still preserving the data.

Many of these old IDE drives I have contain old partitions and old versions of Windows (all the way back to Windows NT 4). None of the computers in our house can use these drives anymore, which is why I never was able to re-use them. This cable makes that all possible again. I wanted to recover any files from them that I might need, and then I wanted to format them. I started off with a 1998 IDE drive that has 6GB of space. I was unable to get the cable to co-operate with the drive. The cable's USB driver installed immediately on my Windows 7 Home Premium laptop, but the disk just couldn't be accessed. I then tried another IDE drive from that year that has 10GB of space. Same there. I was able to get it to show a drive letter in Windows Explorer, briefly, but after that it became inaccessible again.

Finally, I tried a drive that was rated for 40GB of space, a newer drive, one that I used on my old desktop as recently as 2 years ago. The USB driver for the cable installed immediately, and it immediately showed a drive letter for the drive in Windows Explorer. I could read all the files on the drive. I then reformatted it using the cable, and it all worked great.

I then tried two 80GB IDE drives, and was able to immediately access each of them, copy some files from them, and finally delete all the partitions and reformat them.

So, from this I concluded that the problem with the first two drives has nothing to do with the cable itself, but rather that the drives are either too old, have become corrupted, or are simply not supported. All of my IDE drives were manufactured by Western Digital (my personal favorite).

The only issue I have found is that the cable's through-put (bandwidth) is restricted to USB speeds, so you won't quite get the performance you might have been used to when the drive was installed in a computer internally. This is especially true if you use a USB 1.1 socket. I think the cables' solution is great for back-ups, but probably not for continuous day-to-day use, but that's just my opinion.

One added bonus? I got rid of my old desktop but kept the nice DVD burner drive. For the fun of it, I hooked up the DVD burner to the CablesToGo USB to IDE cable and it worked just perfectly. I can now have two DVD drives on my laptop, should the need ever arise (e.g. copying a CD or DVD to another CD or DVD without having to first copy it to the PC).

I highly recommend this cable if you have some old IDE drives laying around. I don't have a SATA drive handy, so I have not tested that interface.'

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Transformer - travel converter, europe

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I bought this converter to take with me to Italy while studying abroad. I used it while I was in Rome and it worked well. After doing a bit of research I leaned that converters shouldn't be left plugged in, especially while charging certain items, so I never left it plugged in for more than an hour or two at a time. It heats up quite a bit, so I would suggest not leaving it plugged in to long, especially when it's really hot. I used this converter to charge my laptop, cell phone, and camera battery. I didn't have any issues with it, so overall I'd say it worked great. The watts were good since I wasn't using it for a blow dryer, straightener, or curling iron. I was too nervous to attempt to bring those items along with me to use with foreign currency. The only reason I rated this product a little low is because it weighed a lot and every ounce matters when you have a 50lb weight limit for luggage. 220V Travel Converter 200 Watts Deluxe Step Down Voltage Converter Adapter for Laptops and Light Portable Electronics.

This did the job for on our trip to France but it is SOOOOO heavy and not at all compact.

The cord is long enough to make it easy to plug into an outlet and not be tied to the wall.

We used it for our Medela Symphony Breast pump which is a very expensive rental.

I used this device on a recent trip to Europe. I tried it with my laptop (which doesn't need the conversion since it's power adapter can handle 120V and 220V) and charged my camera with it. It worked great. The only issue was that it does get a bit hot. - Voltage Converter - Europe - Travel Converter - Converter'

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Bad Service - wireless mouse, gaming mouse

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If I don't cover one of the coolest features of this mouse first, I'll forget:

- The thumb shelf changes the game. I had no idea how much drag my thumb would provide and how it interfered with the smooth control of my games. The thumb shelf on the R.A.T. 7 is the perfect size to hold my fat thumb and keep it out of the way.

Continuing on - this will be the first mouse to replace my almost-perfect Logitech from 1999. The Logitech was heavy, had a nice, tactile wheel, moved very smoothly and had a responsive, easy-to-clean mouseball. Yeah, no optics for me.

The R.A.T. 7 starts light and is adjustable up to HEAVY. The solid chunk of stamped aluminum that acts as the frame peeks out from all the adjustable nooks and crannies and holds all the assemblies tightly. The feet glide smoother than any other mouse I've used. The adjustable palm rest is perfect, even if you like a shorter grip. The pinkie shelf was a nice addition, too, until I found that it interfered with play. No problem - I can use the stock pinkie assembly, but I took the whole thing off for an even better configuration taht fits my grip.

The DPI is suffficient for noticeably smoother control, and the on-the-fly DPI adjustment button at the thumb is an innovation I never thought I'd use. Until I started rockin' fools with it in MW2.

The best way to think about this mouse is this way: what else do you have for your PC that will last ten years? And grow or shrink to fit your gaming style over that whole decade? Not even your monitor is this adjustable...

Oh, and there's the fabric-wrapped cord and the removable adjustment tool and the horizontal scroll wheel and the tin that comes with the extra thumb and pinkie plates and the container for the weights and the configuration software and... phew! Cyborg R.A.T. 9 Gaming Mouse for PC

After following this mouse on the web and seeing it's weirdness on Youtube and the Cyborg site. I have to say that I'm more than surprised. Ignore what most people are saying about the sensor, I've picked up the mouse a few times and with any mouse it's going to move a little, even with my G9 and crappy 5 dollar everyday usage mouse, re-aim you crappy players who like to complain and blame a mouse! I'm using a big mousepad, the metal one from Cyborg's site with dual side covering, and the dual DPI setting works great. Play tested it with Global Agenda for the past few hours and it feels great. The sniper button is adjustable to how fast or slow you want to make the DPI setting in comparable to your mouse DPI, other words, if your DPI setting for shooting without scope is set to 3000, but when you scope, you can adjust it at 50% (default) so it's down to 1500, then you can adjust more or less depending if you want the sniper mode to be faster or slower based on a percentage to your current DPI setting. So if you go up to 5000, and the sniper mode is set to 50% (default), sniper mode puts it at 2500.

This mouse is a little bit on the heavier side though, even with all the weights taken out, it tips the scale over my G9 even with the weights in the G9 and NOT in the R.A.T. 7. But that's easy to get used to, the funkiness of it's design and ability to form fit the palm rest and thumb buttons, as well as change the ring finger and pinky siding to different grips as well as a rest for casual usage is a great feature. Doubt it's as comfortable as some ergonomic mice with dual form fitted finger rests, but remember, this is a changeable design.

Very few cons with this mouse so far, minor annoyances.

- I wished Cyborg would have gone with covering for the metal frame bottom, yes, it's sturdy and easily usable as a flail, but the corners of the metal get on my nerves for fear I may scratch my mousepad, which is FROM Cyborg also, lol. Also the mouse's feet could have a little more surface to them.

- The mouse DPI setting button (located in below the mouse wheel) feels a little loose, which kind of scared me, I'm wondering if it should be stiffer or is that how it's suppose to be? Not too sure, will have to email Cyborg about it, but it works, it's more of a single button switch than a button. Like a toggle button, that you press and push forward to increase, or press and pull back to decrease DPI setting.

- Another minor annoyance is the thumb buttons swivle ability, if you get way too into a game, I could see the potential for pushing too hard on the thumb buttons and sniper button and possible pushing in the thumb buttons so you'd have to readjust the swivle again.

- Last minor annoyance is the tool placement for the mouse. I like how it's part of the mouse so it's not easily lost. BUT damned if you have small hands or like to support your mouse with only your fingers for really fast paced pick up and move shooting, for the nub of the tool does get annoying to the bottom palm of your hand, at least move the palm rest down one click to avoid this problem. I like 2 clicks down myself, gives a better palm feel for me.

Overall, I'm really shocked. Glad Saitek/Cyborg kept up with producing this mouse the way it came out and don't let the MadCatz label fool you. Ever true gamer knows about MadCatz, but remember, this is a CYBORG, not really a MadCatz, though it has their label. Also they do include a nifty tin case to carry all the extra parts and even a small container for weights you aren't using, though the weight container is somewhat a pain since the weights can get stuck inside. I suggest you toss it out or place a buffer inside the bottom so weights won't get stuck. With as big as the tin case is, you'd think the mouse would fit inside also, which I wish it did! Be a great way to transport a mouse for LAN parties.

If you got the dough to dish out, it's a pretty interesting mouse with a great concept, adjust it to your hand for whatever reason or game you play. Again, this mouse is capable of being used as a flail, so remember not to beat anyone who sneaks behind you while you're trying to shoot someone. - Mouse - Gaming Mouse - Mad Catz - Wireless Mouse'

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Birth Control - fertility, ovulation

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CycleBeads -- what a great idea. I think every girl should get a pair when she's learning about her menstrual cycle so she knows that ovulation does not happen the same time every month, and that you can get pregnant on a range of days. I'd speculate that many unplanned pregnancies result from young girls and women not knowing the truth about ovulation and fertility. There is no harm in using CycleBeads as a teaching tool as long as one stresses that they are only appropriate as a contraceptive method for women with regular cycles. Cycle Beads for Ovulation Prediction

My wife and I have used cycle beads now for five years. Not only have they kept my wife from getting pregnant, but they also helped her conceive within one month time when we planned the conception of our two children. It's the safest easiest birth control/fertility tracker out there. You just need to put them in a place where you see them everyday and remember to move the day. We work in Asia and my wife often uses this method to teach women about birth control and fertility. She would recommend them to any woman who likes to do things naturally.

It's a simple tool and makes it really easy to understand and track the fertile days and when I'm likely to get my next period. I contacted the company that makes this - Cycle Technologies - with a couple of questions and they were very responsive and helpful.

I heard that CycleBeads made an iPhone app for this too, but I don't have an iPhone. I can understand why some people would rather do this electronically but I like the beads.

it's a good idea and worked for us, but as others noted it's a very manual, and thus error prone, way to track this. my wife now uses an iphone app which is much easier to use and is also far less expensive.

i recommend skipping this product and getting something digital to do this for you which will automatically track your fertility, estimate your next fertility, etc. if you have an iphone i recommend "ova" which is the app my wife uses. It is easy to use and has great fertility tracking and extra features.

I received the cycle beads in perfect condition, brand new. I am very satisfied with them. They are easy to use. Because of Cycle Beads I am off birth control pills. My sex life is so much better because I am 100% natural and drug free. I feel great and am "In the Mood" again because I am ovulating again. I highly reccommend Cycle beads to anyone who is married or in a committed, serious relationship.

I find the beads to be a helpful tool. It helps me stay on track and I like that you can keep it in a prominent place in the bedroom and that way your husband can know where you are in the cycle without having to ask all the time.

Of course you have to be aware and willing to accept the risks of using a natural method.

I love the cycle beads. Yes you can keep track on a clendar but with a little one running around who likes to grab and destroy anything paper these are much better for me. I have been using them for 7 months and only them, for religous reasons I do not use any un-natural forms of birth control, and I have not become pregnant. If you follow the instructions and your cycle falls into the right number of days 26-32 they work wonderfully. - Fertility - Ovulation'

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Ipad Accessory - chargers, iphone cable

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Do not, repeat, do not buy this. It is NOT Compatible with Ipad.

After hooking up my desktop to my Ipad using this cable it just kept making a sync sound. Called Apple support, told that the cable I purchased is 1) defective or 2) must be an unauthorized cable and is not compatible with IPAD AND if I continue to use it, it will void my warranty.

So there you have it...Trying to get refund now. Oriongadgets Sync & Charge USB Cable for Apple iPad (White)

I purchased 3 of the sync cables so we had extra ones for the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. It works fine to use this as power cables however, the iPad syncing didn't work. I guess it reds a better kind of wire for data transfers. For charging and using with other iProducts, these cables are fine. Just don't use it to sync your iPad.

Not certain why all the negative feedback.

My 2 units arrived in brand new condition, well packaged, and are Apple branded (must be OEM).

The cables are clearly labeled Apple, the cables have the same texture and feel as the original Apple 3 ft cable.

The Apple connector is the small original version with the icon printed on it. Molding is firm and not flimsy.

If the cable is inferior to the Apple cable, it must be in the gauge of wire used inside, as it is slightly a stiffer feel than the original Apple cable. This is the ONLY noticable difference. I recommend this cable.

Absolutely sync's no problem as soon as it is plugged into a PC's USB port with iTunes - functions as normal.

Cable charges when plugged into the Apple AC USB power cube-10watt or 5watt(5 watts cubes charge iPad very slowly, unless iPad is powered off during charge)

Cable does NOT charge iPad (64GB 3G model used) when connected to a PC's USB 2.0 port.

NOTE: This is NOT a problem with the cable. Most USB 2.0 ports do not have enough power to charge the iPad, especially laptops.

Newer desktop PC MotherBoards with high-power Power Supplies can utilize double power to motherboard.

If you have a high-power USB 2.0 port, and are not running in sleep/hibernation/low-power save mode/turned off, this should charge. If you have a USB 3.0 power port, this should also charge, provided PC MB is NextGen.

I recommend this cable as a spare, backup or for a travel bag. Especially for the price under $1.

Cons: not available in a 6 foot version.

The cable seems to be slightly thinner than the Apple original, but it works very well and charges my iPad in the same amount of time as the original cable. I have been using it for about a month now and it is working great.

The cord looks just like the one that came with the iPad and is way less expensive. BUT it seems to be just a tiny bit off with the plug in on the iPad. It's always nice to have a back up, but I will continue to use the original cord when ever possible.

I have iPod, iPad and iPhone and charging and synchronizing at my computer and at electric outlets at nights requires multiple locations of connectors to avoid unplugging and plugging at different locations. I bought this in addition to the ones came with each Apple product and this works fine. It came without s&h charges, which I loved. - Apple - Chargers - Iphone Cable - Cables'

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Ipad Accessory - zagg, ipad accessory

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This is a good product and does everything it is suppose to. however the one huge draw back is the space bar and the bottom row of keys. The way the key board sits in the case causes the bottom row of keys to me resesed down below the wrist rests. This makes getting to the space bar a bit akward and somewhat of an uncomfortable reach At first i thought this was to keep the keys off the screen but the snap on portion of the case seems to be able to accomplish this without having the bottom of the keyboard sit so low in the case. Having only one shift key (on left) is an issue as well. I tend to favor the left shift key in my normal typing so i did not think this would be a problem, but it has taken some major getting use to. Even with these limitations my typing is much faster with the keyboard over the pop up apple key board. ONe more thing you should know when using then keyboard theipad will not automatically insert periods when you double space at the end of a sentence or auto caatilize the first word of a sentence. Again this is not a major issue but takes some getting use to since we become so dependent on these little features that make us lazy typers. All in all i give this 3 stars i could go to four is just one of the above mentioned problems was fixed. So i guess its more like 3 and 1/2 stars... Menotek iPad 2 Bluetooth Keyboard Plus Snap On Case For Apple iPad 2 3G and Wifi models 16GB, 32GB, 64GB

Although I just received it this morning, I've put the case through its paces for most of the afternoon and now evening. Previously, I had used a Kensington case that is very similar to this one. Similar, but better.

First, the iPad seems very secure. It snaps into the housing and doesn't feel as if it's going anywhere. The cutouts for the camera are very well aligned, as are the openings for the speaker. Overall it just fits. Nicely.

Second, the keyboard seems to be very responsive. The user manual that it came with stated the keyboard would charge in about 4 1/2 hours. Mine was fully charged in less than 3. It synced very easily and hasn't lost it's connection yet. We'll see how it performs as the battery drains.

Unfortunately, the really need a table to use the case. It can't just "prop" up on your lap and be functional. The small metal stand that opens as a "support leg" needs a solid surface to stand on. Otherwise, it simply topples over. You can fold the keyboard around to the back, but this makes it feel as if you are holding the unabridged Webster's dictionary. With the Kensington case, you are able to prop the iPad onto the keyboard (a ledge made specifically for this). No such luck with the Menotek. Also, even though there is a strap, the enclosure is very sloppy. It doesn't align well, and moves back and forth (or side to side) as you walk. It's not great.

But, in the end, I have a bluetooth keyboard that functions well, and my iPad 2 is protected. The keyboard is slightly recessed into the tray and seems to clear the screen as well. Keep an eye on the faux leather "hinge" because I'm sure it's going to wear in time, and possibly separate from the rest of the case. Time will tell.

This is a very nice quality case. It, in a sense, makes your iPad2 work as a touchscreen netbook with good quality leather cover. The problem is that it is so heavy, it really makes it a chore to lug the iPad2 around, which is known for it's lightweight portability. I would also have liked a little more room on the bottom edge so that I could use the Apple Smart Cover to protect the screen. It's probably not an issue since the keyboard is silicon, but I want the added protection. Also, I wish I could remove the iPad2 from the bottom of the cover and/or have the option of spinning the iPad the other direction without having to pull it out of the case entirely.

Overall, this is good quality and very durable. I would just have liked to have seen a little more versatility.

I had a iPad case plus keyboard for my ipad 1 from Menotek. After trying that, I got one for the iPad 2 as well and have love how easy it is to use and convenient. I just snap my ipad in place and it is secure and not going anywhere. I type a lot of emails and doing it on the ipad screen is always a pain. With the keyboard I am able to get my work done quickly. Connection to the keyboard takes hardly even 30 seconds and I am ready to go. I use it in all of my meetings and other people have wanted to know how they can get one as well because they see me typing so easily on it. I had tried the kensington one for my iPad 1 and it was a pain to use. Everytime I tapped on the screen it would fall down. When I want to use the Menotek one in tablet mode, I just take out the keyboard and it is easy to carry around because the main weight is in the keyboard. Other companies sell one with the keyboard glued in and you end up carrying 2lbs in your hand while using it in tablet mode which tires you out very quickly. - Zagg - Ipad Accessory'

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Staple Gun - stapler, staplers

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Arrow Fastener #JT21CM JT21 -- Great little workhorse for light jobs. I got it for upholstering dining room chair seats and stretching canvas. Works fine, but you may want to apply some pressure at the top front as you staple. It will ensure the staples get in there. Without that applied pressure, the staples may set up a bit from the surface. With that in mind, it is a good tool. Staplers I've had in the past have always needed the extra pressure. If that is a problem for you, get a heavier model. Arrow Fastener JT21CM Chrome Junior Tacker Staple Gun

I bought this to staple my canvases to stretchers. It works great. Staples go through cleanly and neatly, and I haven't had to go back and remove a poorly laid staple yet. It's exactly what it looks like, a simple staple gun.

A word of warning, though...this staple gun doesn't come with staples. I didn't see it mentioned so I'd assumed it would, but luckily Amazon also sells those for not too much and I was able to get those not long after the gun. - Stapler - Staplers'

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Tally Counter - counter, count

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I looked at several tally counters before finally choosing this one. Contrary to most reviews of tally counters - this one did not require batteries and is solidly constructed. But most importantly, I haven't had any issues with missed counts or extra counts that many other reviews complained of. If you can't accomplish the simple task of counting by 1 when it's your products soul purpose for existing you ought to get out of the game. This baby had no problems counting correctly as long as I remembered to push the button. Robic M-357 Tally Counter

These counters certainly met my expectations. The provided photo makes them looks as though the little button is missing or has been detached, but I assure you it exists. Also, the brand name is Sportline -- not that it matters.

They're generally identical to most any other such product on the market as far as design goes. It would be interesting to see if someone could come up with an improved version, but, all-in-all, these work just fine. They seem well-made & durable (I've dropped mine a few times and it hasn't seemed to faze it) and you get decent value for your money.

When I purchased this counter, I was sceptical because of its low cost. It works great, has a very solid feel, and is comfortable to hold. I shook it to see if anything was loose, and if would effect the count (it didn't). It passed the test, and my initial fear of it accidentally being reset was proven wrong. You have to manually turn the knob to reset it. I haven't given it the drop test, and really don't need to. It has a finger loop to insure positive grip in either hand. The numbers are large, easy to read, and they stay aligned too. I would recommend the Robic M-357 Tally Counter to anyone.

This is a really useful tool when you need to do a number of repetitions for physical therapy. It's hard to do a simple motion 15 or 20 times without losing count, especially when you're watching TV or have other distrations. The counter fits easily in the hand, is simple to tally and reset, and seems solidly made. It's nice to find something like this that doesn't need batteries or particular lighting conditions, and is not expensive.

I wanted a tally counter to help me keep a count of how many laps I walk around an indoor track at the city fitness center. Saw a number of cheap counters listed on Amazon and read varying stories of them falling apart or skipping numbers - not terribly useful.

So, I decided to go upmarket an give this one a try. After several weeks, I have found this one to count reliably and hold together. It feels like a solid piece of equipment in my hand and it is comfortable to carry. The thumb activated counter "button" gives a reassuring mechanical click and I have not found it to skip. Resetting back to zero is a simple twist of the knob on the side.

I'll try to take and post a picture showing how well it fits in the hand.

In short, if a reliable tally counter at a decent price is what you are looking for, you have found it here. - Counter - Count - Lap Counter - Door Bell'

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Call Of Duty - high definition, 1080i

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I read every review here before buying, and to be honest, you almost dissuaded me from my purchase. I figured that I would give it a shot. I spoke with Black Magic for a total of a few hours as well. They told me that I would need a 4 drive RAID 0 array to capture uncompressed HD, though I'm getting by just fine with a 3 drive array. Even then, I'm finding myself capturing in compressed anyways because uncompressed 720p from my Xbox 360 takes about 8GB per minute, where compressed is closer to 500MB per minute, and the quality is still rather good, though not as good. Once I got everything set up and configured correctly, it has been making very high quality videos. One gotcha that I found was that if you don't have the 360 configured to output in the exact same way that you have the Black Magic software configured, then you'll just get a black screen, but if it's all set up correctly, you'll be good to go. I'm using a non-supported motherboard in the family of supported ones. I think it supports the GIGABYTE UD5 and I'm using the UD3 with no problems. My biggest advice for people thinking about purchasing this device is to do your homework and make sure that you have the necessary PC hardware before spending the money. Call Black Magic too...they will tell you if your system is not going to work. I'm loving it so far. Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle for USB 3.0 Computers, Capture and Playback Professional Quality HDMI and Component Analog Video in Both SD and HD (Requires x58 based computer or better)

**Update 2: BlackMagic pulled their support on P55 motherboards all together! BlackMagic you are required to give back my money IN FULL now. You can't claim one thing, release a product, then change your mind!!!!! What kind of company is this? Good luck to all who spend almost $200 on a device with a company that won't be around for that long.

My first comment: Why would you design an inexpensive piece of hardware that only works on a chipset that sits on I7 or Xeon processor motherboards? Those are some of the MOST expensive motherboards, and pieces of hardware, out there!??!! More on that later, please READ-ON.

BlackMagic is one of those companies that have great ideas, but their hardware engineers and testers don't simulate real world environments. A cheap device should work in a mid-market, semi-expensive piece of hardware, right?!

Currently I am a hardware and software developer that has been in the industry for 8 years and working for one of the largest platform companies out there.Currently I have a $4000 built computer, with a GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard, a Quad Core Intel processor, and 4 WD 10000rpm Raptor hard drives all running on Windows 7 x64.

Initially I tried connecting the Shuttle to one of the USB 3.0 ports on the computer, which are part of the motherboard, but I was having trouble with the detection. I then tried to update the motherboard's bios because I was told this could be the issue. After the BIOS update the shuttle was detected and showed up in Windows 7 Device Manager just fine, but the "Media Express" app that comes with it said it didn't detect hardware.

After this debacle, I decided to purchase the recommended add-on card that was the USB 3.0 6GB/s Asus x4 lane PCI Express card and add it to my x16 express lane on my motherboard. This also required a firmware update. Once I did this, the Blackmagic drivers detected the Shuttle but then told me I needed to update the Shuttle's firmware. I went ahead and clicked update. After that I figured this would allow me to use the device. NO! The Media Express application still would not detect the shuttle.

Finally, I decided to contact support. The support engineer first emailed me asking me what Chipset I had on my motherboard. He told me it only supports the P55 or x58 chipsets. I told him my setup and that I had it correct per their website and docs. He wrote back and told me "I am stumped, let me research more." What a CROC! This inexpensive hardware only works with P55 or x58 motherboards! This is barely 3% of all computers out there. (Probably less!) Why would you design an inexpensive piece of hardware that only works on a chipset that sits on I7 or Xeon processor motherboards? Those are some of the MOST expensive motherboards, and pieces of hardware, out there?!?! Either way, I had a P55 motherboard, but it didn't have the 6GB/s USB 3.0 ports on it, which is what required me to purchase the additional card.

After purchasing new hardware to support this device, I have found myself with a useless device. It still doesn't work, and it still says it can't detect the device. The only way to get this to work is if I purchase a NEW P55 or X58 motherboard that has the 6GB/s USB 3.0 ports on it already, or purchase a board that has higher bus speeds.

EPIC Fail on BlackMagic's part! BlackMagic, you need to design hardware that works with a much larger set of computers than just x58 machines. That's how you MAKE MONEY! Hauppauge has a device, that is even more inexpensive, that works perfectly. How are they getting an embedded device, that has a low speed CPU in it, to work better than the BlackMagic's Shuttle working with a Full Desktop CPU? (Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR [...] Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR High Definition Personal Video Recorder]]). Come on guys!

This guy says it all: On YouTube, Search for user "TheNewBoston", he has a video called: "How to Record XBox 360 Gameplay in HD", scan to 1 minute 51 seconds. Sad, but true.

The original industry standard for uncompressed video, beginning with the original SD video, was 270-Mbps SD video, but the latest 1080p is 2.97 Gbps or which is done over 3G-SDI for 1080p video broadcasters. 2.97Gbps is NOT 6GBps like the ASUS USB 3.0 card I have can perform. Why shouldn't this work? The SDI data rate is 270 Mbps for SD, 1.485 or (1.485/1.001) Gbps for 1080i HD, and 2.97 or (2.97/1.001) Gbps for 1080p 3G-SDI.

The Hauppauge device is a fair comparison. Why?! Well the Hauppauge device is receiving uncompressed video, correct? By its lonesome, miniature, inexpressive self, it is compressing uncompressed video before it sends it to your computer. Correct?!

Now comes in the Intensity shuttle. I have an expensive I/O USB3.0 capture card installed, which is capable of latencies of 4GB/s to 6GB/s installed in x16 PCIe lane on a Quad Core PC. That's STILL not good enough hardware?! Tell me there is not something wrong with this picture?!

A hardware company that is targeting mid-market customers, with a cheap I/O device, for uncompressed 1080p video, should target the same price range of PC's as well. Correct? Not require highly specific hardware specifications.

At the very least, this device should capture 720p or 1080i with NO PROBLEM AT ALL. Still, it won't detect or work with my high-end PC at all. This is very sad and frustrating.

Honestly, BlackMagic, EPIC FAIL

UPDATE: If you need to know what North Bridge processor (etc P55, x58, etc...) is on your PC, try using the free cpu-z program which is @ CPUID dot com. - 1080i - High Definition - Hdmi - Call Of Duty'

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External Hard Drive - storage cases, case

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I picked this up with a Freeagent GO drive when Amazon recently had both on sale. I have 3 Freeagent GO drives, and 3 different cases!

The first case is the one included with the dock - Nice and simple, but not very much protection. Very thin, but doesn't hold any cables. Should be included with the drive, not the dock.

The second case is the Caselogic THS-101 Portable Hard Drive Case (Black Houndstooth) - a very nice case (stylish, protection, extra space to hold cables, and feels nice).

Finally, I purchased this case - the VHS-101.

The VHS-101 is very similar to the THS-101, except it has a plain black design (opposed to black-on-black houndstooth). The feel is quite "rough" compared to the soft feel of the THS. Aside from that, they seem to be the same in terms of protection/size. The included pocket is nice, without adding too much extra bulk. Someone mentioned in another review that this space is big enough to hold a 2nd Freeagent drive, and I considered that a selling point (being able to carry 2 drives in 1 case -- awesome!). Unfortunately, it's such a tight fit that I wouldn't trust it - it also doesn't protect the whole drive (the top is exposed about 1").

The VHS has a blue colored inside (the THS has a tan color). I actually found the blue to be very ugly - I don't understand why they didn't just use black? I do like that the VHS uses a metal zipper with a hole on the end (the hole is good if you need to "lock" the case closed with a lock). The THS has a fabric zipper without a hole.

Overall, the case is good in terms of protection/size. It's not stylish like the THS, but it's not super ugly (well, the outside at least!). I don't care for the feel of the case very much, but again it could be work. If you're looking for a portable hard drive case (portable meaning 2.5" USB drive), this is about the best case out there (and believe me, I've looked). With that said, the very similar (but much nicer) THS-101 case gets the top choice. Spend a couple bucks more, you'll probably be happy you did! Case Logic VHS-101 Portable Hard Drive Case (Black)

Read the measurements for this carefully - because I didn't! This was suggested as "what people frequently buy" with the Seagate Expansion 750 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST907504EXA101 I just bought. You can even one-click to buy them together. Only this case is too small for that hard drive.

So if other people have "frequently" bough this case with that particular drive, they all must have been as annoyed as me to have to drive to the post office to return this $7 item.

For those of you for whom this case will fit your drive....it is a pretty flimsy case. It will protect the drive from scratches to the externer surface, but offers no padding whatsoever.

This case is absolutely terrific. I bought this because I wanted something to provide my storage unit. When I got it I was pleasantly surprised to find that it can accommodate not one, but two hard drives. This suits me just fine. I recently bought a Seagate 640GB and a Toshiba 500GB. The interior of the case is blue so it matches with the Toshiba, the Seagate I place it on the outside. So it is quite appropriate.

Thanks Caselogic.

I had been using a Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB External Hard Drive for about 2 years now without any cover or case. I am a student and am on the go a lot between classes, apartment, library, and coffee shops. I usually kept it in backpack during transport, and even with all the travel, I never had any problems with it.

For Christmas this year, I decided to buy a portable external hard drive as a gift for someone and figured it would be nice to get a case to go along with it (plus it was pretty cheap at 8 bucks). The inside of the Case Logic VHS-101 is a teal, greenish color, and the outside is a black color. I tried fitting a couple portable USB drives: Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB and Western Digital Elements 500GB; both fit just fine with a little bit of wiggle room. The outside has a little pocket to hold the USB cable. It feels very secure, I wouldn't worry about anything damaging it inside my backpack.

After getting this as a gift for someone else, I went ahead and ordered one for myself too. My USB has pretty much my whole life inside. I still don't think that it is essential, but it's nice to have some peace of mind having your USB drive protected.

This is really a well-designed pouch. It is very light, with lots of padding all round, and a small pocket to keep the cable in. And you certainly can't complain with the (discounted) $6 price.

The bag has got a nylon outer layer, and lots of padding all around - sides as well as front and back - to protect the hard drive inside from shocks. You can also keep the cable attached to the hard drive, and leave the zipper just slightly open so that you can keep the hard drive inside the case even while it is plugged into your computer. This is useful if you do not intend using your hard drive a lot. If you are going to be accessing the hard drive frequently, it is a good idea to keep it out to prevent it from accidental overheating. Overheating however does not seem to be an issue with current portable hard drives, so your decision to make.

So, the pluses:

1. Light case. Very light in fact.

2. Lots of padding all around.

3. The zip feels smooth to operate.

4. Feels high-quality.

Couple of minor quibbles with the case:

1. Would have been useful to have a zip or a velcro fastener to keep the front pouch closed. While the hard drive's mini/micro USB cable is not likely to fall off, you would feel better with the additional protection.

2. The inside covering of the hard drive case is an ugly blue. A light blue shade that while unnoticed most of the time, does jar whenever you look at it. A more neutral shade would have been preferable. - Hard Drive Case - Case - Carrying Case - Storage Cases'

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