Other Gadgets (general gadgets)

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Coltrane -- weren't you looking for speakers?

Saw these--may be interesting

http://audioengineusa.com/

[NotFromHere]

Big news for couples who want to get pregnant. A simple device you wear on your wrist might help. It's called the OV Watch. By sensing your temperature, it might tell you the perfect time to get pregnant.

"It has sensors on the backside that maintain contact with the skin," said John Park, M.D. Fertility Specialist. "And as its being worn, it takes periodic measurements over six hours to look at what the average chloride concentration is."

A surge in chloride tells the Watch that ovulation is just days away and the timing may be right to get pregnant.

And so stylish.
But I can see another use for it that has nothing to do with conceiving.

[SEC_Chick]

I know absolutely nothing about camcorders, but with the Chicklet doing all sorts of cute things I would like to record for posterity, it's time to get one. As a bonus, I may also be able to blackmail her, should the need arise, with captured images of projectile poop and other hilarity. Soooooo, as I am not planning on doing a lot of editing or anything like that, I was thinking about getting something mid-range (maybe $500 or so) unless you think I can get away with something less. I don't fully understand mini dvds, so was looking at ones that record to DVD. Any advice in features, brands, what to look for or specific recommendations is greatly appreciated.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by SEC_Chick
I know absolutely nothing about camcorders, but with the Chicklet doing all sorts of cute things I would like to record for posterity, it's time to get one. As a bonus, I may also be able to blackmail her, should the need arise, with captured images of projectile poop and other hilarity. Soooooo, as I am not planning on doing a lot of editing or anything like that, I was thinking about getting something mid-range (maybe $500 or so) unless you think I can get away with something less. I don't fully understand mini dvds, so was looking at ones that record to DVD. Any advice in features, brands, what to look for or specific recommendations is greatly appreciated.

I would get something that's MiniDV (tapes). That gives you the option of editing later. Either way, you'll have the problem of watching unedited stuff, so having it on DVD offers only the advantage of not having to plug the camcorder in. That's easily overcome on any computer capable of video editing by using a feature of directly copying to DVD without any editing. Then you can make multiple compies.

I have a panasonic 3 CCD camcorder. I've been quite happy with it. Sony and canon are pretty reliable as well. I'd tend to stay away from the others.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Coltrane -- weren't you looking for speakers?

Saw these--may be interesting

http://audioengineusa.com/

Pretty cool. Thanks.

[J. Fred Muggs]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I would get something that's MiniDV (tapes). That gives you the option of editing later. Either way, you'll have the problem of watching unedited stuff, so having it on DVD offers only the advantage of not having to plug the camcorder in. That's easily overcome on any computer capable of video editing by using a feature of directly copying to DVD without any editing. Then you can make multiple compies.

I have a panasonic 3 CCD camcorder. I've been quite happy with it. Sony and canon are pretty reliable as well. I'd tend to stay away from the others.

I have a JVC mini-DV (tapes) that I paid something on the order of $250 for and it works great and is small. Additionally, I can dump the movies to my mac and edit them in the free iMovie application and it produces great results. See, e.g. www.fred'sneighbordoesthenasty.com

[NotFromHere]

Of course. It's in Japan.

Apparently bigger is always better in the realm of giant HDTVs, and the leapfrog game to have the largest -- even for just a few months -- continues as Mitsubishi has constructed a baffling 8,066 square-foot display at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan. By far the biggest Diamond Vision unit ever built, it trumps their own creation at Turner Field in Atlanta by spanning 218 feet wide by 37 feet high and allowing for 3 races to be shown at once. The two previous title-holders were Miami's Dolphin Stadium at 137 x 50 feet and Texas' Longhorn Stadium at 134 x 55 feet. Controversy over the true king will surely arise due to Tokyo's set only rising 37 feet in height and rocking an unorthodox 5.89 aspect ratio, but it does indeed sport Hi-Vision (1080), making it a legitmate HDTV. Personally, we'd be able to get more use from a couple plasmas, but if you've got the space acreage, there probably isn't a better way to spend $28 million.





Obligatory Linky

[Sparklehorse]

I have a nano that I bought in May (with a 2-year warranty, thank God). I put it in my purse yesterday but didn't use it until today. When I pulled it out, the screen had/has gone to black and white and says "Key Test" at the top. There is is some other information in the middle of the screen (not bothering to type in here) and at the bottom it says "MENU to continue." When I press Menu, nothing happens. When I plug it into the computer, nothing happens -- it is not recognized by iTunes or anything else. I checked the iPod guide that I got with it and there is nothing about a key test in it. Is the iPod fucked and I should just go return it for another one? TIA.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Sparklehorse
I have a nano that I bought in May (with a 2-year warranty, thank God). I put it in my purse yesterday but didn't use it until today. When I pulled it out, the screen had/has gone to black and white and says "Key Test" at the top. There is is some other information in the middle of the screen (not bothering to type in here) and at the bottom it says "MENU to continue." When I press Menu, nothing happens. When I plug it into the computer, nothing happens -- it is not recognized by iTunes or anything else. I checked the iPod guide that I got with it and there is nothing about a key test in it. Is the iPod fucked and I should just go return it for another one? TIA.

try this:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61705

if that doesn't work, go to an apple store and get them to fix it or exchange it.

[bold_n_brazen]

I confess. I bought a cell phone because I thought it was cool looking. But man, it's more than just great looking. It's actually totally neat-o.

[Sparklehorse]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
try this:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61705

if that doesn't work, go to an apple store and get them to fix it or exchange it.

Thank you very much for the link. It worked like a charm. Yay!

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Has anyone used a Dock-N-Talk? It allows you to plug your cell phone into your home phone system and use your home phones over your cell phone (either as line 2 or as your only landline).

[Penske_Account]

Got it activated a few hours ago. upgrade from the 650. It rocks. EVDO is fast.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
Got it activated a few hours ago. upgrade from the 650. It rocks. EVDO is fast.

Not fast enough for k-racing.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Not fast enough for k-racing.

Kick a man when he's down? Penske, I was 5002. I would have named it Penske Forever, Part Duh. Number 1 friend?