I am pleased to announce that I have added a few more prizes to flesh out my 10th anniversary giveaway! Updating the post after this announcement.
One first runner-up prize: An Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB turntable!
This is a fantastic turntable for the money. See what I said about it in my AT-LP120USB review.
Three second runner-up prizes: A set of Denon AHD-510R headphones! Learn more about them at Denon’s website.
Sound Advice
By Don Lindich
Fourth week of December, 2011
Q:A salesman in a big box store told me that a powered subwoofer cannot be connected to a 2-channel stereo receiver. Is he right?
– Ron Lassow, Minneapolis, MN
A. Though two-channel stereo receivers do not have an RCA subwoofer output, you can still use a powered subwoofer. Just buy a subwoofer that has speaker-level (high-level) inputs. Run speaker wires from the receiver to the sub’s speaker wire inputs, and then run another set of wires from the sub’s speaker wire outputs to the speakers. Adjust the volume and crossover point on the subwoofer’s control panel and it will reproduce the low frequencies and send the midrange and treble to the speakers. A lot of enthusiasts (and speaker companies) think this actually produces better sound quality than using an RCA subwoofer connection.
There are some excellent and inexpensive powered subwoofers with speaker-level inputs. The 10-inch, 125-watt Dayton SUB-100 has long been a favorite for only $120. The new 12-inch, 150-watt subwoofer from Monoprice.com is receiving rave reviews from the media and end users, and its $85 price tag nearly defies belief. If you are building an entire system, spending only $85 on the subwoofer frees up funds for better main speakers, a better receiver or a better television, all of which are likely to make you happier than a pricier subwoofer.
Holiday product highlight: Last week I discussed speakers without mentioning a receiver to use with them. This week’s holiday product highlight is an affordable receiver.
Pioneer’s VSX-1021-K is a 7.1-channel home theater receiver with 90 watts per channel and five HDMI inputs. What makes it special is how easy it is to set up, how great it makes your speakers sound and the way it integrates with your computer and wireless devices.
The ease of setup and great sound can be credited to Pioneer’s Advanced Auto MCACC system. With MCACC, you set up your speakers in the room, connect them to the receiver, then plug a microphone into the front panel and place it in the middle of the listening area. MCACC sends out a series of test tones to not only set the type of speakers and the balance for the entire system, but also analyze the room’s acoustics and match each speaker’s response to the room. Though many such systems are available, MCACC is the only modestly priced (under $1,000) system I have tested that has actually improved sound quality, making the room come alive with perfectly balanced sound. Every other system I have tried makes the system sound worse!
AirPlay allows you to wirelessly stream content from your computer’s iTunes music collection and listen to Internet radio. Just use the ethernet port or attach the optional AS-WL300 wireless adapter and select the receiver on iTunes. The free Apple Remote app or Pioneer’s free iControlAV2 app (iPad only) will convert your iPod or iPad into a remote to control it all. A Bluetooth adapter allows you to stream music directly from your Bluetooth device.
At only $549 retail and $399 street price, the VSX-1021 is impossible to beat. The sound quality and MCACC alone are reasons to recommend it, but the connectivity knocks it out of the park.
Questions? Email Don
Hello everyone- I am back after a long hiatus on posting fresh content. First order of business is to get the weekly columns all up here, and along the way I will be posting exceptional deals that I find. I am working on a promotional giveaway for my 10th anniversary, coming up this July 4th. That’s right, my first column ran on July 4th, 2002!
-Don
Sound Advice
By Don Lindich
Third week of December, 2011
Q: I’m buying a new home theater system and need wall-mounted bookshelf speakers due to room configuration. I have seen you speak highly of both the Polk Audio LSi9 and Axiom Audio M22 speakers. Are there significant differences?
-Larry Mulmed, Minneapolis. MN
A: Both are great choices, but there are indeed significant differences between the Polk and Axiom models.
The Polk LSi9 speakers are big, heavy and very finely crafted with real wood side panels. They are rated at 4-ohms and as such require a powerful receiver. With proper amplification, the sound is sublime, with a rich tonal palette rendered with lots of fine detail and perfect balance. The LSi9 was recently discontinued and replaced by a new, higher-end model that I have yet to review, the $1,500/pair LsiM.
You can now find the LSi9 on clearance for $699/pair vs. the $999/pair MSRP. This is a truly wonderful deal. But if you are building a whole surround system, the matching LSiFX surrounds and LSiC center channel are $999 and $559 respectively. That puts you around $2,300 before you have purchased a subwoofer and a beefy $1,000-plus receiver to drive the five 4-ohm speakers.
If you are willing to spend the money, I am sure you will be thrilled, but be advised that to get the sound they are capable of will require an expensive receiver and very substantial wall mounts to support the LSi9’s weight of 33 pounds each. Given their weight, I usually recommend stands vs. wall mounts for these speakers ( www.polkaudio.com ).
The $498/pair Axiom Audio M22 is now in its third version, the M22v3. I recently tested its smaller stablemate, the M3v3, and found it a noticeable improvement over its predecessors, which were no slouches to begin with.
Axiom speakers have always been extremely transparent, dynamic and detailed, bringing out sounds you never knew existed in your recordings. This tremendous clarity has led some to comment that Axioms can sound bright at times. The new v3 models preserve Axiom’s best qualities while adding even more detail to smoother sound, along with a touch of warmth that will end comments that Axioms sound bright. At 8-ohms they are easy to drive with even a very modest receiver, and the Axiom QS4 surround speakers are one of the best-designed speakers of its kind.
You can get an entire Axiom M22v3 home theater system with a powered subwoofer for as little as $1,839 delivered. They can be customized in many different simulated and real wood finishes and a variety of grills, which make them easy to match to any décor ( www.axiomaudio.com ).
Armed with this information, visit the Polk Audio and Axiom Audio websites and take a look. You won’t go wrong either way.
Holiday product highlight
Walsh speakers from Ohm Acoustics are another great choice for anyone looking for top-performing speakers. They use unique, patented technology to effortlessly create an extremely realistic 3-D soundfield in your room, no matter where you sit.
I love them because you forget you are listening to speakers at all — they sound like sweet, beautiful music you can reach out and touch.
Handmade in the U.S. for almost 40 years, they range in price from $750 to $6,500 per pair with complete home theaters available ( www.ohmspeakers.com ).
Questions? Email Don
I’ve had a lot of questions come in lately that read a lot like this:
“Hi, not too long ago you recommended an HDMI receiver that is slim and reasonably priced and otherwise wonderful. But I didn’t keep the article from my newspaper. Can you help jog my memory? Thank you.”
The receiver is the Marantz NR1402, and it is indeed wonderful. I am using mine with the Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 speakers mentioned in the post below and it is a match made in heaven! I will be writing more about this combo in a future newspaper column.
Questions? Email Don
Here is another winner from the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show: the Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 5.1-channel home theater speaker system. As you can see in the picture the speakers in this system are very small. Usually tiny speakers mean a big sound quality compromise, but that isn’t the case with the ProCinema 400.
In the picture above the grill has been removed so you can see the ribbed passive radiator on top of the cabinet. The speaker is sealed so when the driven woofer moves the passive radiator moves with it, allowing the speaker to reproduce deeper bass than it could without it. Most tiny speakers sound very thin but the passive radiator allows the ProCinema 400 to sound like a real speaker, not a toy.
The top-mounted radiator is a Definitive Technology innovation that has been one of the keys to the great sound and critical acclaim they have earned over the years.
The speakers have removable bases that snap in place. Putting them on a shelf? The bases provide solid footing. Mounting them on the wall? Take off the bases for a cleaner look.
The ProCinema 400 ships as a system complete with powered subwoofer for only $599. I was impressed at the show so I requested an editorial loan so I could review it, and I am listening to them as I type this. The sound is crisp, clean, and detailed with just the right touch of warmth to make the sound immediately appealing. Instruments and vocals have a palpable presence that is rich and defined. When you start enjoying the music that accompanies commercials, you know that you are listening to some great speakers! My only comment is the center channel needed just a bit more break-in than the satellites before it sounded its best. but this is just a comment, not a critique and something for you to bear in mind if you do buy the ProCinema 400 for yourself.
At $599 retail they represent a great buy from a leading high-end brand. Paired with a receiver like the $399 Marantz NR1402 and you have a wonderful home theater for under $1,000.
Questions? Email Don
In my next column I mention the Ricoh CX6 camera, which I saw for the first time at CES 2012 last month. Ricoh is a name most people have heard, but not so much in the camera market as of late. Years ago Ricoh was a powerhouse in the mass marketplace, selling excellent 35mm compact autofocus cameras. In the digital age they have made excellent cameras, but with specialized features and high prices that have made them more of a choice for pros and serious hobbyists than the typical person looking for a travel and family camera.
That may change with the new Ricoh CX6. This is a camera that many readers have been asking for- a compact with the focus and shutter release speed of an SLR. It uses two focusing systems working together to focus in just .1 seconds… yes, a tenth of a second! Here is what an Amazon.com reviewer had to say about its predecessor, the CX5:
“The CX5 is VERY fast with the focus. Point and shoot. Not point, hold half-way while the camera tries to focus—BAM Clear! That is so cool you won’t believe it. I’ll try to add am image of my dog “flying” that I took the first time I used the camera. It’s an amazing shot.”
The screen is especially noteworthy. At 1.23 million pixels it is about 3x as sharp as a typical compact camera screen, even very expensive ones. No pricing or availability info as of yet, but I expect it to sell between $300 and $400. That’s not bad for a Ricoh but still more than some competitive cameras. If that sounds like a bit much you may want to consider a Ricoh CX5, which is selling at only $219 these days and has very fast focus as well. At .2 seconds it takes twice as long as the CX6 .1 second, but that is still pretty fast.
Questions? Email Don
Originally published second week of December 2011
Q. I have a 42-inch plasma TV monitor that does not have a TV tuner. I used to hook it up to a cable DVR, which cost an extra $15 a month on my cable bill. Since I did not use it often, I returned the DVR to the cable company to save the $15 a month. Now the question is: How can I get TV signal to this monitor?
Can I buy a TV tuner or a DVR with a TV tuner and feed it with an HD antenna? The other option is to hook it up to the cable DVR in the family room just on the other side of the same wall on which the monitor is installed. The problem is that I need to walk out to the family room if I need to change channel, etc. What do you think I should do?
-KWOK CHENG, Vallejo, Calif.
A. You can get a component with a tuner and connect it to the monitor, but I do not think that is the best solution. How about a solution that provides full functionality of your family room cable DVR, without being in the family room?
What I suggest is connecting the monitor to the DVR in the family room but using an infrared remote repeater to control it. An infrared remote repeater will receive the signal from the remote and broadcast it via radio waves to a transmitter in another room, which will reproduce it and control the device. An infrared remote repeater can be purchased for $30 or less.
First, connect the monitor to the DVR through the wall. Set up the receiving unit of the remote repeater near the TV. Then place the transmitting unit in the same room as the DVR, facing it. You can then use your remote as if it was in the same room as the DVR. There is nothing to program since the repeater just reproduces whatever signal goes into it. Just take the remote from room to room and enjoy your televisions.
Holiday product highlight: Last week I discussed a premium-priced compact camera for serious photographers and professionals. This week we have a compact camera for everyone looking for something much more affordable and aimed at the consumer market.
Canon’s SD4500IS is a 10-megapixel compact that is regularly available for $170 or less. It has a 10x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, 1080HD video recording, and a wide variety of shooting modes for every situation. It all comes packaged in an attractive shell that is available in several appealing colors. The big appeal, of course, is the picture quality, which is as good as it gets for under $200.
If you are looking for a small, affordable camera as a gift, the Canon SD4500IS will definitely make them smile when they open it, and smile even more over the years as they use it.
Questions? Email Don
Sound Advice
By Don Lindich
Column for first week of December, 2011
Q. I have a 40-inch Samsung LCD HDTV. What is your advice on buying a Blu-ray player for it? I have a Roku box, so I don’t need streaming and Internet capability.
BOB POIRIER
Martinez, Calif.
A. Even though you have a Roku, it still makes sense to get a player with built-in Wi-Fi. Blu-ray discs often contain online content accessed via the BD-Live function, which requires an Internet connection. Blu-ray players also require occasional firmware updates to keep them running their best. If your player is connected to the Internet, it will download and install these updates automatically. If it isn’t, you must find the file online, download it and do the process manually with a burned disc or flash drive. Automatic is much easier and less frustrating.
Since you have a Samsung TV, it makes sense to get a Samsung player because the TV and Blu-ray remotes will operate both TV and player. An entry-level model will work fine for basic movie watching. The improvement in picture quality and sound over DVD or streaming will be dramatic.
If you have a lot of DVDs or rent them frequently, consider a Panasonic player as their DVD playback quality is superior, even at the lower price ranges. Anyone looking for a high-end model should consider the Sony PlayStation 3 for $249 or the Oppo BDP-93 for $499.
Holiday product highlight: Premium compact cameras for serious photographers are nothing new. The Leica Minilux, Nikon 35Ti and Contax T 35 mm film cameras are examples of boutique cameras that were highly prized in their day. They combined solid metal bodies, sharp lenses and a hefty price befitting their high quality.
The 12-megapixel Pentax Q ($799) is the modern digital equivalent of these cameras. It has a rugged magnesium body so small it can hide behind a playing card but unlike film cameras, the Pentax Q has interchangeable lenses. Five lenses are available and more to come.
I was initially skeptical of the Pentax Q, and that is coming from someone who has used Pentax SLRs for over twenty years. A large sensor is the main attraction to an interchangeable lens camera and at first glance the small sensor and premium price made the Q seem hopelessly outmatched. I now see the Pentax Q is in a class of its own. It does not replace a large sensor camera and given the price it isn’t for everyone, but enthusiasts and pros looking for a tiny camera with maximum creative potential will find it to be a marvelous addition to their toolkit.
The Pentax Q feels solid in the hand and any knowledgeable photographer who picks it up, explores the interface and settings and fires a few frames will quickly understand it is a serious and capable photographic tool. It produces clean, sharp images and excellent video, and is fun to carry around and use. The blur filter allows you to separate the subject from the background; the different lenses raise creative possibilities not possible with other tiny cameras.
Questions? Email Don
Sound Advice
By Don Lindich
Q. I have a second home in South Florida and am considering getting rid of my cable service there to save money, since I am not there all the time. For a long time I thought you had to have cable to get TV anymore and thought rabbit ears went out 30 years ago, and now people are talking about using them to get HDTV. I figure the local channels will be enough for the time I spend there. Is it hard to get TV with an antenna and will the picture look as good as it does as with cable? I currently have a high definition cable box with a 720p Panasonic plasma HDTV.
-Donald Carl, Milwaukee, WI
A. There is a good chance the picture quality will actually be better than what you are getting now. Most pay TV companies, both cable and satellite, take the original feed from the network and compress it before rebroadcast so they can fit more channels on their system. If you get the signal with an antenna you are getting it in the original, unaltered form for the best possible picture quality.
Digital TV is very easy to receive, especially in Florida’s flat terrain. Just connect the antenna, set the TV to receive signals from “Air ” or “Antenna” and run a channel scan. You may find a few extra channels as a bonus as many local broadcasters have two or three channels on the digital band. For example, where I live the NBC affiliate also broadcasts RTV, or Retro TV, and a weather channel on separate subchannels.
Holiday product highlight: This week’s holiday product highlight goes out to those of you looking for a stocking stuffer for an iPad, iPod or iPhone lover.
Monoprice.com has made a lot of friends nationwide by selling top quality high-speed HDMI cables for $5 or less, compared to the $50+ often charged in stores. It is a lot nicer to get your 3 HDMI cables for $15 instead of $150 or more! They now sell accessories for portable devices and the same high-quality, high-value equation still applies.
Want a USB dock for your iPad, iPhone of iPod? Only $9.52. How about a high transparency screen protector for an iPad? They are $1.27 each. An iPad case with integrated stand? Yours for only $8.48. A silicon case? A mere $3.29. A sharp, modern folding adjustable aluminum stand? That will be $10.08, please. Radio alarm clock iPod/iPhone docks are $29.68 and $49.28. If you have priced accessories in stores before, you know what a deal these prices are. On the site there are a lot more products for Apple and other brands so be sure to check it out.
If you are shopping for someone who has all the accessories they need, consider a gift card to the iTunes store to help them buy more music and apps for their favorite device. It is sure to be appreciated and used in short order. If you like game a few of my favorites are RC Plane 2, a flight simulator with great graphics, pleasant music and lots of airplanes, any version of Monopoly, and Battleship, which has been updated for the 21st century with animations and superweapons that can sink a ship with a single hit.
My $175 Olympus E-PL1, a good Craigslist find
If you ever buy or trade electronics or photo gear on Craigslist… especially if you are looking to buy and find a bargain… this is for you. It seems like a lot of people out there think that writing a Craigslist ad over-hyping their old gear is going to allow them to commit the equivalent of highway robbery, selling their cast-offs for far more than they are worth. I hope that people aren’t falling for it, but just in case… read on, and this is a post you may want to pass on to your friends and family, too. There is a lot of Craigslist Chutzpah out there as many items on Craigslist are listed at prices that show the seller to have no shame and no honor! (Or at the very least, no common sense, but most of the time I am going to put my chips on the no shame/ no honor!)
This post discusses people who actually have gear to sell and are trying to take unfair advantage of an uneducated buyer. Criminal scams and fraud are another story entirely and won’t be discussed here.
Gabby, Beni and I would like to wish everyone a Thanksgiving! Check back over the holiday season as I have many treats in store!
I have had a lot of new newspapers pick up the column lately and I am getting a bit behind on my emails as it has increased exponentially. If you are waiting for a response will get back to you, I promise! And now, for a post I have been wanting to write for a while… Craigslist Chutzpah, sellers without shame
Ohm MicroWalsh Short Speaker
Long time-readers know how much I love Ohm Acoustics Walsh speakers. You can read what I have to say about them at the links below:
http://www.soundadviceblog.com/sound-systems/product-of-the-day-ohm-walsh-3000-speakers/
If you want to treat yourself to the best, Ohm is having a Black Friday sale this weekend, including Thanksgiving hours! I have copied the email I received and pasted it below in italics. I can think of no better way to celebrate the start of the holiday season than with some designed-and-made-in-the-USA sonic perfection, at big savings!
Questions? Email Don
Ohm’s Black Friday SALE starts Wednesday!
We’re having our second Black Friday SALE — Starting Wednesday; so…
If you are ready to order speakers or upgrades, give me a call and we will make a deal if at all possible. We have some amazing deals.
These all use our latest Walsh technology.
I’ll be in the office Thursday 4-9PM, Friday 10-7PM and Saturday 10-7PM to take calls.
If you get no answer, please try later; I’m going to be the only one here. Everyone else is on Thanksgiving Holiday.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
For more information, please visit our WebSite: http://www.ohmspeakers.com
LP Gear.com has a new turntable package available, one I am proud to have had a hand in putting together.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is an excellent direct drive turntable with built-in phono preamp and USB connection. It’s a great value as it ships from the manufacturer but the DJ-oriented cartridge is the weak link. LPGear.com recognized this and for years has offered a package with the Audio-Technica AT95 cartridge and an improved platter mat to bring the performance into the realm of true hi-fi, if entry-level hi-fi.
After testing the sweet-sounding $99 Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge, now my favorite offering for $100, I suggested to LPGear that they consider creating a package combining the AT-LP120-USB with the MP-110, to take the sound quality to an even higher level than their AT95 package. They have done just that, at only $354.95. If you want an affordable USB turntable you won’t find more bang for your buck anywhere. The AT-LP120-USB is a fine platform that belies its price and the MP-110 and its sweet sound will sweep you away.
AT-LP120-USB with Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge at LPGear.com
Vinyl Records and Why You Should Have a Turntable
Questions? Email Don
The Kodak Easyshare Max has proven to be an excellent superzoom camera with a very impressive specification. It has a clear and sharp 30x optical zoom lens from top-tier lens manufacturer Schneider of Germany, optical image stabilization, 1080p HD video, fast shooting speed, good low light capability and a f/2.8 28mm lens at the wide end. Old-school photographers will appreciate the ability to select from various “film modes” to duplicate the look of Kodachrome (RIP), Kodacolor, Ektachrome, Tri-X B&W, and T-Max B&W Kodak films as well as sepia tones. Users report great looking images and video, along with fast focusing and quick shutter response. The MSRP is $299 and it offers great value and quality at that figure. At the current online price of $220 nothing even comes remotely close to what you get with the Easyshare Max.
On the downside is shot-to-shot times are a bit slow unless you are using continuous mode, and the panorama mode seems to be a bit hit or miss, as well. Battery life is just average with the four included rechargeable AA batteries, so a second set is advised if you are going to be taking pictures all day. Though these drawbacks may make the Easyshare Max less than perfect, in the end they don’t amount to much for most users who are simply looking for an easy-to-use camera that delivers a lot of creative potential and wonderful images for not a lot of money.
I have always been a fan of the better Kodak cameras. See what I have to say about the Kodak P880 here and here. This recent picture of Gabby and Beni was taken with my P880 at dusk at a rest area in South Carolina. I may buy an Easyshare Max for myself while they are this cheap!
Kodak Easyshare Max for $220 on amazon.com
Questions? Email Don
Q. I recently purchased the Samsung PN42C450 after reading your blog. With my PlayStation 2 hooked up, I get sound with a black-and-white picture. I am using the regular red/white/yellow cable that came with the PS2. What do I need to get a color picture?
JIM HONDLIK
A. Your TV does not have a composite connection on its own. You can connect the yellow cable to the green input and it will work but if you use red/green/blue component video cables you will get a better picture. PS2 component video cables with red/white stereo audio are available at prices ranging from $4 to $20 or more. Using this cable will give you a color image that is sharper as well.
If you can’t get a component cable for a particular video game system, you can run the video signal through your audio/video receiver if it has video upscaling. The receiver will convert the signal to a digital HDMI signal that will work with your television.
Be sure to connect the audio cables so the sound will come from your sound system’s speakers, which will sound much better than the TV’s speakers. In the case of a PlayStation 2, an optical digital audio cable can be used for both better sound quality and for Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound on some game titles.
System-building feature hiatus: Readers have responded enthusiastically to the recent system-building segment. I have had a lot of fun writing it, but after next week I am going to take a break and just do Q&A for a while.
Most of the featured systems have been very modestly priced. This week’s system is for those of you who expressed an interest in spending a bit more for something special. All told it’s still not expensive for what you get and its performance is near state of the art.
The new Panasonic TC-P55ST30 3-D plasma HDTV is available for $1,515. (EDIT: now $1199 on Amazon.com) It uses the industry’s best technology to provide a big, beautiful 55-inch picture with 3-D as icing on the cake. The memory card slot displays pictures and plays movies from your digital camera or camcorder, also in high def. It’s an absolute knockout in every way, but especially in value.
The sound system uses Definitive Technology’s new BP-8020ST bipolar SuperTower speakers. I am enthralled with their ability to realistically portray the most dramatic action movie, as well as capture all the subtlety and nuance of chamber music. Built-in powered subwoofers mean simpler placement, big bass impact and modest receiver power requirements. The complete 5.1-channel BP-8020ST system is available for $2,199. I don’t know of a better performing home theater speaker system at the price point. Visit http://tinyurl.com/3m9cmff to see the entire system.
Onkyo’s TX-SR609 receiver sells for $499 (now $399 on Amazon.com.) It is 3D-compatible and offers ample clean power for the Definitive speakers; see www.onkyousa.com.
There are several reasons I am recommending the Sony PlayStation 3 for disc-playing duties. It is still one of the best Blu-ray players you can buy, it can stream Internet content, it is 3D capable, and it plays high-def video games. Make sure you get the Blu-ray Remote to go with it.
It cost $4,000 to get a primitive HDTV not all that long ago. Now it gets you a big beautiful TV, spectacular sound and 3-D movies and gaming.
Questions? Email Don
Sony’s nifty 32-inch Internet TV just received a price drop to $499, almost 50% off of its original price of $799. It’s a good LED-LCD TV in its own right, the Internet capabilities are a huge bonus! It makes for a nice bedroom TV given the picture quality and web functionality.
If you can find one left over somewhere the 24-inch version is selling for only $299!
Questions? Email Don
Yowzers! If you want a 42-inch TV do not miss this!
I’ve had an iPad for about a year now and though I was initially a bit skeptical about it compared to a netbook, I have become quite enamored with it and take it everywhere. I find myself on airplanes a great deal and it is a perfect travel companion.
Most readers are familiar with monoprice.com, who I have long recommended for their extremely high quality, low cost HDMI cables (selling for as little as $1.97 each.) I was pleased to discover they now offer accessories for the iPad and iPad 2. I ordered a bunch and should have them soon. After I test them I will have more to say, but for now it looks very encouraging. I especially liked the backup batteries for as little as $17 and wall chargers for under $9. They have some great looking cases for as little as $7. If you have an iPad be sure to check it out.
Questions? Email Don
My friend David Radin at Just Between Friends shared this excellent article with me earlier this week. It describes in great detail why a $5 HDMI cable is just as good as a $500 one. (Yes, they have HDMI cables selling for $500, or even much more.)
