Week of August 6, 2006 Q: I recently went to a Circuit City store to purchase a Toshiba laptop computer that was advertised for only $499. When I stopped in to buy it, I asked the salesperson if they had it in stock. They checked inventory and told me they had five. I said […]
Week of July 23, 2006 Q: I’ve been copying some of my old audio cassette tapes to audio CDs. I’ve had perfect success using CD-R’s, but poor success using CD-RW discs. On playback the CD-RWs will usually give errors (dropouts) and sometimes the CD will actually lock-up a player. In doing some research I found […]
Week of July 23, 2006 Q: In one of your articles you recommended a less expensive competitor to the Bose table radio. We want one that can play CDs. Could you please advise on which one to buy? -Bob Charny A: You are referring to the Cambridge SoundWorks Radio CD 740, which sells for $349. […]
Week of July 16, 2006 Q: I read your Blu-ray/HD-DVD article and was staggered at some of your comments. You do not seem to understand digital media at all. Digital media is the same regardless of device. Files and films on HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs are identical- what differs are technical details such as the […]
Week of July 9, 2006 Q: My son & I want to buy a fairly cheap ($400 tops) digital MiniDV camcorder so we can play around with making movies using iMovie (we both have Mac’s). What would you recommend and why? -Geoff Sirc, Minneapolis, MN A: Without question, I very strongly recommend […]
Week of July 2, 2006 Q: What are your thoughts regarding the new HD-DVD and Blu-ray high definition video discs? -Thaddeus Mark, Castle Shannon, PA A: HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) are the two new formats competing to be the high-definition video disc of the future. Each promises to provide much better […]
Week of June 25, 2006 Q: I want to buy a digital SLR and I am torn between the Nikon D50 and Canon Rebel XT. For the same money I can get the Nikon with two lenses, or the Canon with only the 18-55 kit lens. I go back and forth […]
Week of June 18, 2006 Q: I read your column about the Zenith Silver Sensor for receiving HD TV and it was very applicable to my situation since I have difficulty receiving HD off the air. However, in looking up info on it, it seems to be for UHF only. Is that the case and […]
Week of June 11, 2006 Q; A friend and I are planning to start a small business that will specialize in recording the memories of the people of our community on video. Our plan is to guide the interviewee through the events of their lives by means of a customized list of questions. After, the […]
Week of June 4, 2006 Q: Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for a tuner and antenna for a HD-ready TV? -Larry Lilly A: The antenna is more important than the tuner when it comes to good reception, so I will start there. For an indoor set-top antenna, my favorite is still the amazing […]
Week of May 28, 2006 Q: I am looking for an editing program to use with my computer to edit digital camcorder movies. My main criteria is I want it to be easy to use. What do you recommend? -Jerry Rutledge, Mt. Lebanon, PA A: I’m in the process of completing an informal test of […]
Week of May 21, 2006 Q: I think at times that I need to take a digital camera course. I have been digital for 6 years and recently purchased the Olympus E-500 SLR. I have trouble with all my digital cameras (I also have an Olympus C-770 and SP-350) and most pics with any white […]
Week of May 14, 2006 Q: I want to buy or make a “gunsight” viewer to fit on my camera. When taking action photos I find it cumbersome and almost impossible at times to sight through the viewfinder or the LCD screen. I propose to build, if need be, a square wire box […]
Week of May 7, 2006 Q: I want to buy a new stereo system, for music reproduction only not TV or movies. My music is still primarily on my record albums which are in great condition. I like my old rock music and enjoy classical music, especially sad violins played really loud. […]
Week of April 30, 2006 Q: Will I see a noticeable difference in high definition picture quality if I upgrade from the component video connection to the HDMI connection? I have high definition cable and the newest version of their box has an HDMI output (the older ones only had DVI). I have a Sony […]
Week of April 23, 2006 Q: When my sister and I would visit my parents’ house we used to love renting VHS movies and watching them together as a family. Then the video stores converted to DVDs. It would seem to be a simple solution – buy a DVD player. However, my mother […]
Week of April 16, 2006 Q: My daughter Sarah needs speakers to complete a stereo/surround system for her apartment living room. I gave her my surround sound receiver as well as a Bose center speaker. She will consider floor-standing or bookshelf models in the $400-1,000 for a pair price range. The room these […]
Week of April 9, 2006 Q: I have an opportunity to buy a Floor-Model Panasonic TH50PX50U Plasma HDTV. This is the same one recently rated highest by Consumer Reports. It has been a floor model for only about 4 months. The list was $3999, and it is marked down to $2999–BUT the manager of that […]
Week of April 2, 2006 Q: I am writing to comment on your recent column about repairing equipment, and bad experiences. The reception on my 20 year-old Sony receiver got very poor. (The amplifier was OK.) I knew it wouldn’t be cost effective to repair it, so I went to Circuit City and bought a […]
Week of March 26, 2006 Q:What important details are commonly missed when setting up a home theater? Any helpful hints to correct things that people commonly overlook? -Kevin Gulbrandsen, Thousand Oaks, California A: There arefour that come to mind right off the top of my head. I’ll list them here, and revisit the issue in […]
