Other Gadgets (general gadgets)

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
These days, you could probably do the same setup with an AirPort Express.

I have this very setup: a PowerBook (Albook with 54mbps airport extreme card) and a dell with a b/g centrino chip. Works flawlessly.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
I have a PowerBook and a PC laptop (Dell Inspiron 600m), and use the AirPort Extreme, which I can recommend. Just set up the network on the Mac, and then add the PC. Easy peasy. These days, you could probably do the same setup with an AirPort Express.

There are less expensive wireless routers, but the no muss no fuss aspect of Apple design is sometimes worth it.

I have an Airport Extreme base station set up independently close to a single Comcast cable hook-up. 1 Powerbook which I used to set up everything else. Everything else is 2 Airport Express peripherals which connect a new Dell and an old HP, respectively.

A few tricks to this.... Get your own Modem instead of renting from Comcast, unless Comcast is giving you the newest Motorola surfboard. Older Comcast modems (RCA???) seem to tend to overheat and stall periodically.

Also, when configuring the Airport Express peripherals, do it from the Apple and do NOT do it while the Express is connected to its intended computer via ethernet or USB. If the intended computer is plugged in while you are trying to configure it, Windows XP will not allow you to configure (at least, the 3 Apple dorks I spoke to on the phone couldn't figure out what the problem was while I spoke to them for hours). So configure the Express peripherals from the Apple, and THEN plug them into their respective computers. Once the connections are in place, Windows XP doesn't seem to have any problems using them.

I would dare say that Apple is THE way to go for a mixed setup, as so many other products are not compatible with the Mac O/S, but Apple products are typically compatible with Windows.

On another note, any recommendations for a stand-alone network printer for a Powerbook, a Dell PC and an HP PC (ugh!)? The old HP sucked and Dell scammed me with a piece of junk that loads vertically (and they even made it sound like it was highly desirable by saying there was a backlog of orders that would delay shipment by 3 weeks). I'm looking for something that is fast, compatible with at least the Dell, loads vertically, and I'm not too concerned with price. If I have to, I'm getting one of the $1500 network printers they got at work that print at 60-120 pages per minute (including image files like PDFs). But any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me


On another note, any recommendations for a stand-alone network printer for a Powerbook, a Dell PC and an HP PC (ugh!)? The old HP sucked and Dell scammed me with a piece of junk that loads vertically (and they even made it sound like it was highly desirable by saying there was a backlog of orders that would delay shipment by 3 weeks). I'm looking for something that is fast, compatible with at least the Dell, loads vertically, and I'm not too concerned with price. If I have to, I'm getting one of the $1500 network printers they got at work that print at 60-120 pages per minute (including image files like PDFs). But any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello

We just got an HP 1300n for a piece of our office. Networked flawlessly, and spits out about 20ppm. They've replaced it with the 1320n, but I assume it's basically teh same (althogh somewhat brickier and uglier). But if all you want is printing and simple networking, this is a pretty good bet.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
We just got an HP 1300n for a piece of our office. Networked flawlessly, and spits out about 20ppm. They've replaced it with the 1320n, but I assume it's basically teh same (althogh somewhat brickier and uglier). But if all you want is printing and simple networking, this is a pretty good bet.

This guy just bought a Brother MFC-8440 and seems happy with it.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
This guy just bought a Brother MFC-8440 and seems happy with it.

And he endorses "Super G3".

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
And he endorses "Super G3".

Yet refuses to write a blog on Bush's inaugural speech. I question his priorities and his authority.

[NotFromHere]

MX Entertainment, based in San Francisco, specializes in translating musical performances to DVD. One feature of the disc is called "Select A Stone" in which you can using your DVD player's remote control jump between camera views aimed solely at Mick Jagger or Keith Richards or Charlie Watts and watch their portion of the performance.

Another interesting feature was one called "Backstage." If you ever wanted to get a glance of what goes on just off the stage during a Stones show, you get a few fleeting glances here. Again the audio remains consistent throughout while the video shifts briefly to action off-stage.

MX has produced several concert DVDs, the most recent being a performance by the group Incubus at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheater, for Sony.

The DVD business is about to head into another format shift. A format of disc called the Blu-Ray Disc appears to be the format that most companies--Sony, Philips (nyse: PHG - news - people ), Hitachi (nyse: HIT - news - people ), Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ) and Hewlett-Packard (nyse: HPQ - news - people ) among them--are supporting as the next evolutionary step in home entertainment. Those discs will contain up to 25 gigabytes on a single-layer disc and twice as much on a double-layer disc, which opens up a great deal of potential.

the rest

[robustpuppy]

I'd appreciate any advice on buying a new TV, Tivo, and DVD. As a reference point, a friend recommended a 46" Samsung DLP that he bought and is very happy with. I think the dimensions of that TV (42" wide, 13" deep) seem about right - hopefully it won't overwhelm a medium sized living room. But I haven't gone to look at it and know nothing about picture quality. As I've written here before, there are few things less appealing to me than walking into a Best Buy.

I'm not interested in plasma because of the burn-in issue, and might prefer LCD over DLP if the difference in cost is worth it in terms of picture quality, slimness, etc. Unfortunately it's not feasible to hang the TV on the wall.

I am also totally uneducated about the HD issue and how that might affect one's choice of Tivo.

The primary purpose of the big TV is for optimal sports viewing. I don't really care to see Donald Trump's hairline in high-def.

Budget is about $2500-3000 for TV, Tivo equipment, and DVD, not including any extra speakers for surround sound, etc.

NFH -- bear in mind that my standards and my budget are not as high as yours, so temper your recommendations accordingly.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
I'd appreciate any advice on buying a new TV, Tivo, and DVD. As a reference point, a friend recommended a 46" Samsung DLP that he bought and is very happy with. I think the dimensions of that TV (42" wide, 13" deep) seem about right - hopefully it won't overwhelm a medium sized living room. But I haven't gone to look at it and know nothing about picture quality. As I've written here before, there are few things less appealing to me than walking into a Best Buy.

I'm not interested in plasma because of the burn-in issue, and might prefer LCD over DLP if the difference in cost is worth it in terms of picture quality, slimness, etc. Unfortunately it's not feasible to hang the TV on the wall.

I am also totally uneducated about the HD issue and how that might affect one's choice of Tivo.

The primary purpose of the big TV is for optimal sports viewing. I don't really care to see Donald Trump's hairline in high-def.

Budget is about $2500-3000 for TV, Tivo equipment, and DVD, not including any extra speakers for surround sound, etc.

NFH -- bear in mind that my standards and my budget are not as high as yours, so temper your recommendations accordingly.

We just bought a Sharp Aquos LCD and we love it. Ours is small (37", I believe) because of space constraints, but it comes in larger models. I nixed the DLP option for the same space constraints reason, so I don't have info on what DLPs are comparable. Excellent picture quality, even during the day watching in a room that faces south (with two story windows). Here's info from the Sharp website - http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Typ...56,s67,00.html We were deciding between this and a Samsung plasma and we are very happy with our choice. Only caveat - Mr Man had to fiddle with the video settings a bit before we got to the excellent picture quality. HD ready, blah, blah, blah. Our small one was a little bit less than $3k.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
I'd appreciate any advice on buying a new TV, Tivo, and DVD. As a reference point, a friend recommended a 46" Samsung DLP that he bought and is very happy with. I think the dimensions of that TV (42" wide, 13" deep) seem about right - hopefully it won't overwhelm a medium sized living room. But I haven't gone to look at it and know nothing about picture quality. As I've written here before, there are few things less appealing to me than walking into a Best Buy.

I'm not interested in plasma because of the burn-in issue, and might prefer LCD over DLP if the difference in cost is worth it in terms of picture quality, slimness, etc. Unfortunately it's not feasible to hang the TV on the wall.

I am also totally uneducated about the HD issue and how that might affect one's choice of Tivo.

The primary purpose of the big TV is for optimal sports viewing. I don't really care to see Donald Trump's hairline in high-def.

Budget is about $2500-3000 for TV, Tivo equipment, and DVD, not including any extra speakers for surround sound, etc.

NFH -- bear in mind that my standards and my budget are not as high as yours, so temper your recommendations accordingly.

I have recommended the Samsung DLP 3 times to people looking for a relatively low priced set with excellent picture quality. The DLPs have excellent brightness and the Samsung has excellent color purity. DLPs are brighter than LCDs and have none of the fast-motion artifacts that you will get on both Plasma or LCD.

You will not regret buying that set. That said, the HDTivo is going to run you close to $1000. But see if you can squeeze that into your budget. You'll want the Tivo and you need the HD. Superbowl!! (However the bastards at FOX have not yet signed a contract with DirecTV so I will not be able to see the Superbowl in HD. Something to do with wanting more $$ greedy bastards.)
I'm not a real fan of the Samsung TV stand. It's pretty and modern and whatnot, but not really functional. There are other stands available for that set. Ask the doofus in the store what other brands they have that will work with that set.
I can't see recommending anything else in that price range as that is clearly the set of choice for most people in that price range.
Samsung has 2 different lines of DLPs which have different functionality. The ones you see in Best Buy will not be the same as the sets you see in an Ultimate/Tweeter/Sound Advice/MagnoliaHT. The cosmetics are nicer in the higher end sets - better framing around the screen. And only about $50-$200 more per set. See if that's worth the extra $$ for you. The screens and the mechnisms are the same internally. The computer chip is better in the more expensive set.

DO IT!!

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I have recommended the Samsung DLP 3 times to people looking for a relatively low priced set with excellent picture quality. The DLPs have excellent brightness and the Samsung has excellent color purity. DLPs are brighter than LCDs and have none of the fast-motion artifacts that you will get on both Plasma or LCD.

You will not regret buying that set. That said, the HDTivo is going to run you close to $1000. But see if you can squeeze that into your budget. You'll want the Tivo and you need the HD. Superbowl!! (However the bastards at FOX have not yet signed a contract with DirecTV so I will not be able to see the Superbowl in HD. Something to do with wanting more $$ greedy bastards.)
I'm not a real fan of the Samsung TV stand. It's pretty and modern and whatnot, but not really functional. There are other stands available for that set. Ask the doofus in the store what other brands they have that will work with that set.
I can't see recommending anything else in that price range as that is clearly the set of choice for most people in that price range.
Samsung has 2 different lines of DLPs which have different functionality. The ones you see in Best Buy will not be the same as the sets you see in an Ultimate/Tweeter/Sound Advice/MagnoliaHT. The cosmetics are nicer in the higher end sets - better framing around the screen. And only about $50-$200 more per set. See if that's worth the extra $$ for you. The screens and the mechnisms are the same internally.

DO IT!!

How much is the Samsung thingy?

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
How much is the Samsung thingy?

HL-P4663W will run about $2499
HL-P4674W will run about $3199.
Both are 46" sets, but the upper line set has nicer cosmetics and a better computer chip inside. The better chip will get you a little bit nicer picture during fast movements, less digitization during motion and normal viewing and a little bit better color saturation and black level. In the pictures you can see sort of what I mean about the framing around the screen. You can barely see any border around the picture in the black set. The framing is thicker and more obvious in the silver set. But still. Both are very good TVs. I told you where to go to get one. Now do it.

HL-P4674W


HL-P4663W

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
HL-P4663W will run about $2499
HL-P4674W will run about $3199.
Both are 46" sets, but the upper line set has nicer cosmetics and a better computer chip inside. The better chip will get you a little bit nicer picture during fast movements, less digitization during motion and normal viewing and a little bit better color saturation and black level. In the pictures you can see sort of what I mean about the framing around the screen. You can barely see any border around the picture in the black set. The framing is thicker and more obvious in the silver set. But still. Both are very good TVs. I told you where to go to get one. Now do it.

HL-P4674W


HL-P4663W

My only gripe with DLP's, not necessarily the Samsung, is the limited viewing area--they're nice when you're right in front of it, but when you go to grab a beer you can't see the picture as well when you're not in the optimal viewing area. Since I am a raging alcoholic, this would really bug me.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
HL-P4663W will run about $2499
HL-P4674W will run about $3199.
Both are 46" sets, but the upper line set has nicer cosmetics and a better computer chip inside. The better chip will get you a little bit nicer picture during fast movements, less digitization during motion and normal viewing and a little bit better color saturation and black level. In the pictures you can see sort of what I mean about the framing around the screen. You can barely see any border around the picture in the black set. The framing is thicker and more obvious in the silver set. But still. Both are very good TVs. I told you where to go to get one. Now do it.

HL-P4674W


HL-P4663W

I can't vouch for nuthin here, but nextag sometimes shows a price history over time for certain products. I looked up the 4663W and it immediately gives me a range of prices from 1600 to 2500. And it shows a fairly steady decrease in prices over the last year.

Other sources indicate that LCD TV prices are expected to continue dropping for this entire year.

http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buye...sung_HL_P4663W

Hopefully, this link will show the pretty chart. Don't make no waves, don't catch no downward-drifting knives.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
My only gripe with DLP's, not necessarily the Samsung, is the limited viewing area--they're nice when you're right in front of it, but when you go to grab a beer you can't see the picture as well when you're not in the optimal viewing area. Since I am a raging alcoholic, this would really bug me.

DLP is much better off angle than LCD is.