PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was not a fan of PDVD 9, it was IMO never out of Beta and not what you would call compatible with Vista. However, Cyberlink is moving in the right direction with Ultra 10 (this review is for Windows 7 only).
OK, first off there are only 3 Blu Ray media players on the market. 1) Cyberlink PowerDVD, 2) Corel WinDVD 2010, 3) Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater 3. All are available for download and all have trial periods. I can tell you right now not to bother wasting time with Corel's new implementation, its garbage and there's a reason its been on sale lately for as cheap as around $40, it just plain doesn't work. Arcsoft's player looks like its spec'd similarly to PDVD 10, but I haven't tried it. However, it is priced at around $90, about the same as Cyberlink's product so maybe you can tell a difference between the trial versions.
The first thing that impressed me about PowerDVD 10 Ultra, was that once I downloaded the fully licensed version, there was no 100Mb+ "patch" required to make the thing work. I mean it DID work right out of the box with Windows 7 but some features like 3D and the ability to add video files to a playlist were disabled. But the upconversion of regular DVD's to HD is the most impressive feature of this software. You can even split the screen to see the difference for yourself, its amazing, and works 5 times better than WinDVD. Also, its automatic. Or, if you want more control over playback you can switch to "hardware acceleration" using your video card settings but you'll soon forget about this feature, TruTheater is just that good.
PDVD 10 is allegedly compatible with most video formats, but I haven't found that to be the case. The only thing I can play since the upgrade are DVDs and Blu Rays, it wont play avi, divx, etc. although they claim to be compatible, I see a lot of complaints about this so I'm not the only one. It will play .VOB and MPEG2 files but crashes when you touch the controls. It also plays .MOV reliably but only from my iPhone, it wont play .MOV files you convert using Cyberlink's PowerDirector. Typical! DVD Audio is covered with a number of options for 2/4/6/8 speakers including Dolby Surround Downmix and TruTheater Surround. Other classic features like Slow Motion, Snapshot, Zoom 4x/9x make this the most versatile player on the market.
3D I cant speak too cause I don't have a 3D ready/HDCP compatible monitor so that feature is disabled in the player but I'm anxious to try that out. MaximumPC did an article recently on converting 2D video to 3D with a simple script change so I know its possible to convert normal DVD's to 3D, I just haven't seen it demonstrated. You will need a 3D monitor, compatible video card, and shutter glasses. After the latest update I can simulate this even though I don't have a compatible system but the player will produce a pseudo "3D" image, I just don't have any glasses so I don't know what it looks like.
Don't know if you're system is compatible with 3D, no problem. Just go to Cyberlink's website, click the Support link and download the BD Advisor, it will analyze your system and tell you exactly what you need to play 3D Blu Rays. There's also a forum worth checking out before you plunk down your hard earned cash for this feature.
Update 12/15/10 On the subject of "patches"..... there are a number of updates on the Cyberlink website that should improve performance and fix a few minor bugs, and as usual with Cyberlink it is a confusing process, and ALL these fixes are over 100Mb files. Autohiding the control panel during playback was my biggest issue, there's a fix for that. Most of the other patches are updates to incorporate optimization for video cards and 3D playback. After downloading all the updates, I can play AVI, MPG, MOV, VOB etc. files and create playlists without any problems.

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CyberLink's most advanced movie and media player to date, PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D delivers 3D and HD movies on the PC. PowerDVD 10 is a unique universal player that offers the best playback quality available. Whether it is 3D movie content, captured home videos, or your digital music files, PowerDVD 10 lets you access them all from the same convenient player software, enhancing your experience in all kinds of new ways.


The Universal Player for Upgrading Your Media Experience to 3D and HD
Brilliant Blu-ray
Experience Blu-ray movies the way that only PowerDVD 10 can offer: simply unbeatable quality. Optimized for the latest hardware acceleration technologies from Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD, PowerDVD ensures smoother movie performance. PowerDVD 10 launches your Blu-ray movies up to four times faster, too.

Blu-ray 3D*
Seeing is believing the kind of life-like imagery that Blu-ray 3D* can deliver, and PowerDVD 10 brings it to life on your PC. Offering the best-quality 3D movie experience possible, PowerDVD is compatible with the full range of 3D hardware on the market, including glasses, graphics cards, and monitors.
* Notice of Free Mark II Upgrade: Consumers who purchase PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D will receive a FREE UPGRADE that enables support of the Blu-ray 3D format and 2D to 3D conversion of video files. Available summer 2010.

Play DVDs in 3D
Give your existing movie collection a new look and feel. PowerDVD 10 makes it easy to convert regular DVD movies into a spectacular 3D experience thanks to its advanced TrueTheater 3D technology. It's easy, too. With the simple click of a button, PowerDVD 10 transforms your favorite 2D movies into 3D. You can also customize the 3D effect by adjusting the depth slider. PowerDVD 10 takes you to new heights of visual excellence for standard DVD content.

Upscale DVDs and Videos to HD
Enjoy better movie playback quality for both your DVDs and video files with TrueTheater HD upscaling technology. PowerDVD 10 lets you output to an HDTV in a quality that looks noticeably sharper and clearer. Optimization for hardware acceleration ensures even smoother results.
Browse Titles and Chapters by Touch
Make your DVD searches more exciting with FancyView, an animated browsing mode for your DVD titles. Enjoy a unique perspective when browsing for movie titles, chapters, and special features.
Get a preview of chapters for those DVDs you've watched with PowerDVD's "flashback" thumbnails. FancyView supports touch technology so you can flick through movie chapters with your fingertips too.

Better Video Playback
Enhance your home videos during real-time playback with PowerDVD 10's TrueTheater Noise Reduction and TrueTheater Stabilizer. Simply select TrueTheater Noise Reduction to remove any "visual noise" from grainy videos, to give a much clearer, artifact-free picture. Apply TrueTheater Stabilizer to fix the shakiness in videos that often occurs when you take handheld camcorder shots. As a universal player, PowerDVD now plays even more formats, gives you access to online movie trailers via MoovieLive, and lets you upload files to YouTube.
Home Theater Music
Supporting the latest music library features of Windows 7, PowerDVD 10 makes it even easier to listen to music from the player you use to enjoy your movies. Create playlists of favorite tunes. Use TrueTheater Surround technology to optimize your audio for home theater and PC hardware. Sounds great!
High-Definition Audio
PowerDVD 10 lets your ears enjoy the ultimate movie experience too, with support for high-definition audio formats from Dolby Digital and DTS. Support for HDMI 1.3a delivers the purity of lossless HD audio via a single convenient cable to your home theater system.

Movie Reviews & Live Comments
Create movie reviews that other users can read and play using PowerDVD 10. MovieMarks combine bookmarks and review comments and can be shared online via MoovieLive.com. Meanwhile, Live Comments let you post your opinions to Facebook, Twitter, and MoovieLive while your movie is playing.

Key Features:
Universal movie and media player delivers 3D and HD movies on the PC
Offers the best playback quality available for 3D movie content, captured home videos, digital music files, and more
Delivers the smoothest Blu-ray playback; optimized for leading CPU/GPU technologies from Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA
Experience Blu-ray movies; optimized for the latest hardware-acceleration technologies
TrueTheater technology transforms 2D movies into a spectacular 3D experience
Compatible with full range of 3D hardware, including glasses, graphics cards, and monitors
Upscale DVDs and video files to HD quality with TrueTheater HD technology
Browse DVD titles by touch with animated browsing mode
Enhance home videos during real-time playback with TrueTheater Noise Reduction and TrueTheater Stabilizer
TrueTheater Surround optimizes audio for home theater and PC hardware
Create movie reviews and live comments that can be shared with others

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Toshiba BDX2200 Wifi-Ready Blu-ray Disc Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Maybe it was just my particular player but after two days the unit stopped working properly. The first day everything worked perfectly, including the internet hookups to watch Netflix. I hooked it up with HDMI cables and watched both Tron Blu-Ray movies with no problems. The next day when selecting an episode from Netflix the video went out, but the sound was still there. I turned off and on the player and it worked fine for about six hours. Problem continued on the second day with several episodes of audio but no video. Turning off/on the player didn't work this time. Finally the video went out entirely and I wasn't able to get it back. I changed the hookups from HDMI to component thinking that might have been the problem, but the problem continued. Today before I returned it from where I bought it I tried it with component cables again and for whatever reason the video worked this time. However now the power button doesn't work on the unit. The only way to turn it on was with the remote.
Maybe it was just a bad luck player, but if it doesn't work properly it's of no use to me. When it did work it was excellent though which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of one.
Notes: Loading of Netflix was about twice as long compared to any other device I've used for Netflix (XBox 360 and Wii).
Loading of Youtube was just as fast as my regular PC.

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Philips BDP5012/F7 Blu-ray Disc Player Review

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(More customer reviews)This unit is a great unit and is superior to Sony & Panasonic models. First it plays all the DVD recordable formats. It loads DVD and blu-ray very fast. It has 5.1 analog outs as well as HDMI and standard 2 channel audio. It has distance settings for your speakers when using the 5.1 outputs. The image quality is excellent. I have compared it to both top line Sony and Panasonic models and find it superior to both. It is a great buy.

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Magnavox NB500MG1F Blu-Ray DVD Disc Player (Manufacturer Refurbished) Review

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(More customer reviews)I can't say that "I like it" (4 stars) or "I love it" (5 stars) but this made in China, refurbished Blu-ray player met my expectations which explains the solid 3 stars, meaning "It's Okay".
As a player, this is an inexpensive, basic, no frills unit that does the job I expected it to do and not a lot more - play Blu-ray, DVDs and audio CDs in the bedroom. Nothing more than simple playback should be expected from it but, so far, it has played everything without a glitch. The picture is steady and crisp and so is the audio. There was no skipping so far and old DVDs that became unplayable on the DVD player that it's replacing can be watched again and play flawlessly.
First, for what the player lacks: Internet access. There is no Ethernet port and there is no WiFi - therefore there will never be Netflix or Pandora streaming or anything that needs a network connection. In addition there is no easy way to upgrade it or, if it's upgradeable, the capability is not documented in the manual.
On the positive side, besides the basic playback, this model does a pretty good job upscaling DVDs and has an SD slot - it supports SD, (miniSD and microSD will need an adapter) and SDHC and it does NOT support miniSDHC or microSDHC cards. You should be able to display JPEG pictures. Another welcome feature is its going into standby mode if no action is taken for a few minutes while displaying the 'menu'.
Available ports include HDMI Out, Audio Out, Component Video Out, Digital Out (coax) and Video Out.
The player came with a small and easy to use remote control (batteries included), a 50-page manual and an RCA component video cable.
I have no complaints about this model. It is, by design, an inexpensive, basic features Blu-ray player. Up until now, it performed as expected.
____________________________________________________
When it comes to the 'refurbished' aspect of this product, I am not as happy.
The unit that I got was dirty. This is not an exaggeration. It had greasy, visible fingerprints and palm prints all over it and I had to spend quite a while cleaning it up. It was also scratched. The scratches were minor but it was scratched nevertheless. The manual is a stapled Xerox copy of the original but it's readable. I understand that 'refurbished' is a rather fuzzy concept but I've been spoiled by the 'like new', quality of refurbished items I received from Linksys or Logitech. This unit arrived in a far from 'like new' condition.
Related to the not exactly 'like new' quality of this refurbished product, it's worth noting that the original 1 year Maganvox warranty does not apply. Instead, you get a 90-days warranty that "does not apply to the cosmetic appearance" (a quote). In addition, the buyer is expected to pay for shipping.
____________________________________________________I don't know if I should consider myself lucky for receiving a working unit but I can only review the product that I received which, once cleaned and hooked up to the TV worked well. The lack of high-end features is not a disappointment or a surprise and it's compensated by the low price. The apparent lack of support is a concern but, again, this is not an expensive product. The 3 stars are well deserved for what I got but I would not recommend this as a 'buy' to anyone who wants to play it perfectly safe or is shopping for a unit that should last for several years.MARCH 12, 2011 UPDATE:
4 months later, I like it more. It performed flawlessly so far. It was a good buy.
--
>> Brush your teeth, it's the law!

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ASUS WiCast EW2000 Wireless HD Video Transmitter and Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm looking for wireless HD solutions for a while to meet my needs : 1. to work with my DirectTV receiver DIRECTV Plus? HR24 High Definition MPEG-4 DVR (HR-24-500) HD DVRand wirelessly transmit the HD A/V signals to my 2nd TV in other room; 2. to wirelessly send signals to the projector from my laptop with HDMI output. Recently I found Amimon's WHDI solution is the most latest and advanced technology and here comes two products using this technology which can fulfill my requests and I got both of them. They are ASUS WiCast EW2000 Wireless HD Video Transmitter and Receiver (from my laptlop) and brite-View Air SyncHD New Arrival! brite-View "Air SyncHD" (BV-2322) Wireless 1080p HD Video/ Audio Transmission Kit(for my DirectTV receiver) and I'm satisfied with both of them so far though with limited time of ownership.
Asus WiCast is pretty straight forward to set up, I only need to connect the transmitter to my laptop and connect the receiver to the projector and it's done, it wirelessly streams everything on my laptop screen to the projector and then on the projection screen. The quality of signals and transmission are great (but probably it's designed for in-room usage only so there's limitation of the distance and the penetration. I tried to connect it to the DirecTV receiver but the signal got choppy after the wall in between even it's within 30 feet).
brite-View Air SyncHD works just like it should be, I connect the transmitter to DirectTV receiver (and connect the HDMI output of the transmitter with HDTV to pass through the signals) and also connect the receiver to my 2nd TV in other room within 30 feet. The quality of HD A/V signals and transmission are great too, only it takes a bit longer to synchronize. The penetration is great without any delay and I can control the DirectTV receiver in other room with its IR sensor/extender.
I really like these two products and the WHDI technology really works great. I review both of them is to provide information and reference for those who are also looking for wireless HD solutions and you can decide which one is most suitable for your situation. Hopefully it helps!


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Stream HD, Wirelessly ASUS WiCast transforms your PC into a wireless media center. Using the latest Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) Technology, easily connect, stream, and enjoy picture-perfect Full HD visuals and high-quality audio streaming from your PC to a compatible HDTV or other external display. Setup is streamlined so you can power the WiCast transmitter with just your PC's USB ports. Its small, compact design makes it a nice fit to any home or meeting room environment. And with up to 3Gb/s transfer rate, ASUS WiCast can stream any content with up to Full HD quality, less than 1 ms latency, and up to 8 channel audio playback.

Key Features
Full 1080p HD video wireless playback with up to 1920 x 1080 resolution for pristine HDquality visuals (Learn more)
Up to 8 channelaudio playback delivers incredible detail and surround sound support (Learn more)
1ms latency for seamless,stutter-free playback
Wireless Home Digital Interface Technology is the only standard that enables uncompressedFull HD video and audio streaming without wires (Learn more)
3Gb/sdata transfer speed for reliable, smooth Full 1080p HD media playback (Learn more)
WirelessBlu-ray playback to enjoy your favorite movies in Full HD quality (Learn more)
Plugand play setup lets you connect and stream without complicated wires (Learn more)

Learn More
At Home Multimedia HD Enjoyment
Secure Conference Room Presentations
What's in the Box
ASUSWiCast Transmitter: 1 HDMI Cable, 1 mini USB Cable, 1 Adapter
ASUSWiCast Receiver: 1 HDMI Cable, 1 Adapter
Travel Pouch
WarrantyCard
Manual

Specifications
Interface: HDMI
Video: Up to 1080p 60Hz, under 1 ms latency
Audio: Up to 8 channels
Wireless HDMI Technology: Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) v1.4
Transmission Distance: Up to 33 feet
Operation Frequency: 5.15 ~ 5.85 GHz
Data Rate: 3Gb/s
Power Supply: Transmitter: 5V, 2A 10W Adapter (if USB power is not available) Receiver: 5V, 2A 10W Adapter
Power Consumption: Transmitter: 4.75W (powered by USB), Receiver: 10W
Input / Output: Transmitter: 1 x HDMI port, 1 x Mini USB, 1 x DC in, Receiver: 1 x HDMI port ,1 x DC in
Accessories: Transmitter: 1 x mini USB Cable, 1 x HDMI Cable , 1 x Adapter, Receiver: 1 x HDMI Cable, 1x Adapter
Weight: Transmitter: 0.242 lb., Receiver: 0.352 lb.
Color: Black
Dimensions: Transmitter: 4.05 inches, (L) x 2.67 inches (W) x 1.12 inches (H), Receiver: 4.13 inches (L) x 0.98 inches (W) x 4.9 inches (H)
© 2010 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. All specifications are subject to change without notice and features are only in select models. Products may not be available in all markets. Brand and product names mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies. ASUS shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. ASUS WiCast transmission speed may vary on system specification and location.

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Samsung HT-DB390TH Wireless Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was skeptic when I bought DB390 because wireless rear speakers is a new technology implementation using bluetooth. I was pleasantly surprised when it took me little effort to set it up following the manual and the wireless receiver works well.
My main concern was that I have 802.11b/g router that uses 2.4Ghz also, and I have a wireless bluetooth headset, but so far everything works great! I haven't had any issue when using all my devices (wireless network, DB390, and headset) at the same time!

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Offering the elusive attributes of simplicity and convenience to anyone seeking quality home entertainment, Samsung's shining HT-DB390 delivers DVD and music playback in dynamic surround sound--without the need to drape speaker wires across your living room for the surround speakers. That's right: the HT-DB390 comes with a special high-bandwidth 2.4 GHz digital wireless transmitter that beams the data for the system's left and right surround speakers right to them, so you can enjoy enveloping multichannel surround sound without the fuss of drilling holes or hiding speaker cables.The front left, right, and center speakers all use cables, of course (supplied), but--being closer to the system's unified DVD player/surround receiver--they'll be relatively unobtrusive. The HT-DB390 spins DVD-Video, high-resolution DVD-Audio, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) CD, as well as JPEG image CD--great for living-room slide shows of your digital photos.The amplifier delivers 60 watts per channel to each of the system's 5 compact satellite speakers, while the stand-alone subwoofer packs a hefty 100 watts for wall-whopping bass. A built-in AM/FM tuner comes with 30 station presets for easy tuning to your favorite stations.All major movie and music surround signals are decoded and routed to their appropriate speakers: multichannel DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II (which generates 5.1 surround from any stereo source, whether movie or music), and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound. The system includes an AM/FM radio tuner with 30 preset memory settings, and a headphone jack for private or late-night listening.DVD-Audio discs offer super high-fidelity sound, providing 192 kHz/24-bit multichannel and/or stereo sound (depending on the disc), high storage capacity, and unique bonus materials not available on regular audio CDs. These discs often have compressed Dolby Digital soundtracks for listening on standard DVD players, but true DVD-A decoding such as this system provides is required for full sonic appreciation.The system's progressive-scan component-video output prepares you for the future, with the ability to use the system in conjunction with a high-definition or HD-ready television. Smooth progressive-scan images are free from even the slightest hint of blurring or distortion, bringing new realism to DVD movies and other selections.The HT-DB390 also performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; reverse 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.Auxiliary audio/video inputs let you connect additional components like your VCR to the system.What's in the Box DVD player/integrated surround amplifier, 4 satellite speakers, a center speaker, a powered subwoofer, AM/FM antennas, a wireless transmitter, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, all requisite cabling.

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Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this laptop for 3 weeks now. I haven't even had time to really push it to it's potential because it has so much to offer. Don't know about any wireless malfunctioning. Mine works just fine anywhere I go, in an N or G WIFI environment. I use it at home using my DOCSIS 3 cable internet with gigabit wired network or WIFI N class whenever I want to move to an unwired room,and I have not had a problem at all. The HDMI 1080P HD output using the onboard blueray is simply fantastic when hooked up to my LED flatscreen TV. Simply put, this laptop is flawless. Just a beautiful machine, with a gorgeous screen, big sound and a great useable keyboard. You will not be disappointed buying this laptop. I am certainly very satisfied.

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Acer Aspire AS8943G: Ultimate Multimedia Center
Whether are used for creating multimedia content, watching movies or dominating the latest PC games, the Acer Aspire 8943G notebook PC (model AS8943G-6190) delivers high-end styling and world-class performance. It features a brilliant 18.4-inch CineCrystal edge-to-edge glass LED back-lit display with full high-definition (1080p) resolution. And it combines best-in-class Intel Core i7 processing power and stunning ATI Radeon HD graphics with a Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing movies in crystal-clear HD resolution and a Dolby-optimized surround-sound system for an immersive on-the-go cinema experience. And the Blu-ray Disc drive includes an integrated SuperMulti drive for creating your own DVDs and CDs.

The AS8943G's exterior sports an aluminum cover that not only looks sharp, but also protects the seamless, frameless display. Upon opening the lid, you'll be wowed by sharp design lines as well as a host of balanced contrasts, including glossy and matte finishes and silver and black accents. The new dual-mode touchpad combines Acer's multi-gesture actions with a touch-sensitive media console. And the new chiclet style keyboard (keys with straight edges vs. slanted sides) extends to a dedicated numeric keypad.

You'll be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i7 processor thanks to the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which maximizes performance to match your workload.

Quickly retrieve and store all your media files on the large 500 GB hard drive, and with dual hard drive support you can add another drive for backups or up to 1.2 TB of extra storage.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam presents vivid images even in low-light situations so you can go face-to-face in online chats and easily take still pictures and videos to share. And to make data transfer painless, it includes an eSATA port to speed up large file transfers while a FireWire port moves videos quickly from your digital camcorder.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
18.4-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution (native 1080p for Full HD viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Specs include a 220-nit high brightness rating, 8ms response time, and 60 percent color gamut.
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM) with support for a second hard drive
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 16 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook. It's compatible with the latest DirectX 11 games
Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; this notebook also includes an integrated 4x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive capable of reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM.
Dual-Mode Touchpad lets you switch functions between a Multi-Gesture Touchpad and a Media Console.Control the show with touch-sensitive buttons that take you straight to your favorite movies or music. In addition, the scrolling volume wheel puts sound management at your fingertips. (Learn more)
Bio-Protection Fingerprint Reader provides an extra level of laptop security safeguarding unauthorized users from accessing your PC at the touch of your fingerprint.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
5 built-in speakers and dedicated subwoofer simulate surround sound with trumpeting clear tones and deep bass beats while Dolby Home Theater Audio delivers riveting sound from any pair of PC speakers or headphones.
Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support for true 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Four USB 2.0 ports
Next-generation eSATA port offers a transfer speed of 3GB/s, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. It allows easy sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices.
FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals.
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.(Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 3 hours of battery life (8-cell battery)
Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.6 x 1.7 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 10.1 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

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The Acer Dual-Mode Touchpad
The dual-mode touchpad offers integrated, capacitive touch media controller icons that allows you to switch between multi-gesture mode to media console mode. At the flick of a finger, you can go straight to your favorite movies or music. Integrated into the touchpad, the backlit media console icons glow underneath the pad, providing a clean simplistic design. In addition, a convenient scrolling volume wheel directly under the touchpad makes it easy to control volume levels.

With built-in multi-gesture capabilities, you can pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

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Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did a lot of research (including Consumer Reports) and settled on this Onkyo as the best compromise between performance and price. I've had it 2 weeks now and am very happy.
The auto setup function works better than a much-more expensive Denon unit I set up for a friend. I used the microphone (included) to measure speaker levels at 3 different locations in the room and the Onkyo did everything else. (It's connected to some older Polk speakers-- they sound so much better through this amp!)
I bought this primarily to process audio from our new BluRay player and the Onkyo does an outstanding job. The sound is better than in most movie theaters! Especially BluRay DTS or HD Master. Wish more movies were recorded in these formats.
We also have our DirecTV HD DVR hooked up to the Onkyo. Audio and video travel through the HDMI Cables, so there's no need to hook up audio separately. Very nice and a feature you will find missing from some more expensive amps.
The amp does get very warm. I put a small fan in the back of the cabinet and that seems to help.
BTW although this is a 5.1 channel amp is DOES support 7.1 if you want the 2 extra rear speakers... you just have to hook it up to your old amp (or any cheap 2-channel amp) and process those 2 channels that way. The 7.1 decoding IS built into this box.
I am not using the "Zone 2" feature but it's very unusual to have that in a receiver in this price range. You can watch a movie in one room while someone else listens to an iPod or FM in another room.
I don't think you can find a better receiver in this price range (and keep an eye on the price-- it's falling!)


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If you're looking for a budget-friendly A/V receiver that offers versatile connectivity and compatibility with the latest processing technology, Onkyo's TX-SR507 has you covered. With four HDMI 1.3a inputs, it can accept up to four high-definition sources—from Blu-ray Disc to HD broadcasting to high-def games—and output them to your compatible HDTV. HDMI 1.3a also enables you to enjoy the pristine "lossless" audio of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio?, as well as secondary audio on Blu-ray Disc via DTS-HD Express. The TX-SR507 comes with a suite of Audyssey surround-sound technologies to help tailor audio output to the unique dimensions of your entertainment space. Meanwhile, a new universal port makes it easy to incorporate an optional Onkyo Dock for the iPod or Onkyo HD Radio tuner into your system. With all this, plus four high-impact Game Modes and the ability to send different audio to two rooms simultaneously, the TX-SR507 puts a huge amount of entertainment potential at your fingertips.

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HP Pavilion DV7-3065DX 17.3-Inch Refurbished Laptop with Blu-Ray - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It was right before Christmas when I bought this laptop and what caught my eye was the price considering everything you get for the price.
First of all the screen is a whopping 17.3 inch widescreen with an awsome color display. On top of the display is an integrated webcam with microphone which I have used from time to time without any problems. Just below the unit are the controls for power, sound, media controls and WIFI. The only button really is the power all of the other buttons are touch sensitive. Just below this you will find the speakers which are decent however the quality could be better but I am satisified for what I do with this laptop. Below the speakers is the full keyboard with numeric keypad just to the right and below this is the touch mouse pad. On the back of the monitor you will find a lighted HP logo and just below that you will find the removable battery.
On the left side of the laptop you will find the following ports...
External Video Connector
HDMI Connector
RJ 45Ethernet port (10/100)
eSATA Connector
2 USB Ports
A notebook expansion Port (which holds the remote for controlling the CD and windows media)
A integrated SD-MS/ProMMC/XD Reader
On the right side of the laptop you will find the following ports...
Power Connection
Locking mechanism
RJ11 Modem port
2 USB ports
Blu-Ray DVD Drive & Burner
On the front of the display you will find indication lights for the power, battery and hard drive and connections for connecting external headphone and a microphone.
After I purchase my unit I upgraded some of the components and actually replaced the 500GB hard drive with two 250 solid state drive which reduced the weight and temperature just a bit but the drives allows Windows to boot now in less that 15 seconds! I also upgraded the memory to 8GB and Windows 7 from the Home version to the Ultimate version.
This laptop works great for what I do which is studying (why I chose the large display), Internet & email, music, visual studio programming and from time to time I will watch a movie. I have not had any problems with the unit since I bought it, to me it does just what I need.
This is a very big laptop and you may have some challenges with weight, heat and finding an adequate bag to carry everything in and because I do significate traveling I wanted something close to what I have at home and this is very close and allows me to work, study or play very comfortly.
Remember laptops tend to be items where personal values dictate your needs so this may not be the unit for you. Also because these are mechanical devices you can experience problems while others do not so I always recommend dealing with a company that will stand behind their product.
Would I recommend you purchase this laptop? No, this is a decision that you must make.

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Samsung HT-C6600 Blu-Ray Home Theater System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was originally planning on getting the 6500, but couldn't find one locally. During that search, I ran into a store that had one 6600 left and it was on sale, so I went ahead and got it. The only apparent difference that I've found is the 6600 has Bluray 3D capability, but other than that they seem pretty identical.
Setup was relatively easy. Everything is color-coded and Samsung has their own little speaker wire plug, so it's hard to screw up. That makes it easy, but more difficult to do any kind of customization of your own with other speakers. The speaker calibration seemed to work pretty well, although now and the audio track randomly gets out of sync on occasion, requiring a re-boot to reset things. So far this has only happened when I've been watching the DVR, so I'm not sure if it's specific to that device or input or not.
I have my Xbox 360 and HD Cable plugged into the HDMI inputs, and it plays everything well. It's great playing games in surround sound, too. That adds a whole new dimension to the gaming experience. All of it is running to a 50" Panasonic plasma TV, which has one of the best pictures in the TV business to begin with, so the video quality is awesome.
I expected the sound to be marginal at best, coming from a bit of a home-theater customization background. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it actually sounds, though, particularly when playing DVD or Blurays. Don't get me wrong here, though. This provides the most basic of surround sound, which still greatly enhances watching movies, but it does not provide the same depth of sound as much more expensive and more powerful systems. That said, the subwoofer does get low enough to simulate most sounds, and the rest of it sounds pretty good. Dialogue is the best part, as this is actually sometimes the hardest part of a soundtrack to find a happy medium for comfortable listening without having to keep the remote handy for turning it up and down as the scenes change. The Samsung finds a balance between action and dialogue where you don't have to constantly adjust things, which is proof that they have the auto-calibration down pretty well.
I have mine wired directly to my home network. I didn't even bother with the wireless dongle, as I've yet to use one that works to my expectations. Even with a wired connection to a 10gb connection, I experienced Netflix issues. The entire internet-based menu and apps system is sluggish at best, so I will probably only use the internet for firmware updates. I believe this is a Samsung issue, not my internet, for the simple reason that I can watch full HD Netflix movies through my Xbox wirelessly with no issues at all. And that's fine with me...I still play them through the Samsung surround sound, so it's not a loss, although it would be nice to see Samsung come up with a fix to smooth things out.
There are various apps and whatnot you can play with online, but the remote is clumsy and poorly designed in my opinion. It lacks any intuitive way to type, for one thing, which limits what you can do efficiently on the web. You have to create an account at the Samsung app store, and another at their internet@tv or whatever it's called site, and I just haven't had the patience to sit through it all. I have enough computers and apps already, so I guess I'm happy with just being able to play Blurays in surround sound for now. :)
For the price, I don't think you can beat what you get with this system. $450 and it does almost everything. I do wish it would tell you what resolution it was outputting to the TV and what kind of sound it was playing in (i.e. DTS, Dolby 5.1, etc). As far as I've been able to discover, there is no way to tell if it is truly playing the encoded surround signal.
Pros: Price, good sound, easy setup, better than normal auto-calibration system for speakers
Cons: Confusing remote, unexplained slow-down in internet signal run through system that makes using Netflix almost impossible.

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Be surrounded by superior sound with the Samsung HT-C6600 3D Blu-ray home theater system.

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Philips HTS5100B/F7 Blu-ray 7.1 channel Home Theater system Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Recently purchased the Philips HTS5100B/F7 Blu-Ray home theater system. It is quick to setup. The sound quality is pretty good, and for a small apartment this is an excellent system. The bass is strong but slightly boomy at high volumes, but I didn't need to go to that high of volumes to really enjoy the blu-ray i put in (the Dark Knight). This system is best for playing movies, music was OK as well but the strength is definitely within movies.
Limitations:
1) NO USB port, so you cannot plug in a USB drive and play divx or other video files off it. The manual says you cannot play video files from the SD card slot.
2) It is NOT 7.1, only 5.1 and there is no place to plug in any extra speakers
3) Speaker wires have plugins so it will be difficult to extend the speakers, you'd have to clip the wires and add them in the middle
4) Only 1 optical input, so you can only add 1 device this way.
Overall, the MSRP is definitely too high, although on sale prices it's very reasonable if you don't expect 7.1 or a USB port.

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Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, this system can get L-O-U-D! It will be perfect in a standard household/apt and I would even say it could fill up a large living room with ease. I don't even have the sub turned all the way up in fear of getting a noise complaint. That's a good thing.
The system offers a lot of dynamic sound settings. Here are some of a few:
HEAVY - added bass/good clarity
CLEAR - More Treble/less bass
FLAT - All levels straight across
SOFT - More subdued/less treble/a little bit of added bass
The system also has a couple of Easter eggs that I was not expecting. There is a nice feature of being able to "re-master" the sound of any Blu-Ray/DVD to give it the user more control over the specific sound they want to hear. Additionally, one can manipulate the visual aspect to create a more refined picture.
The down side is that the system offers a limited amount of inputs, but in its defense, it is not a standalone receiver. The good thing is that it offers two optical inputs which can easily accommodate your XBOX/PS3/Wii and you Cable/Satellite TV receiver.
There is a nice smart setup feature which calibrates your sound from a specific device. In my opinion it worked quite well and the levels were automatically adjusted.

Extra features include the IPOD adaptor which has been done well and easily allows the user to access the IPODs songs/playlists etc. There is also a SD card which can play pictures/video files. The speakers are wireless capable.
Ultimately, I am a stickler for being able to manipulate every aspect of the sound/video to make my experience the best it can be. This system does not offer every little nuance, but for the money it comes pretty darn close with a lot of extra features. Most importantly, I have been quite impressed with the sound and visual clarity of the system and have been quite pleased with the purchase. Give it a look!!


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HDTV is easy. Home-Theater sound systems used to be hard but Panasonic has made it easier than pie (ready-made pie). Blu-ray extends beyond HDTV in sound. HDTV has 5.1 channel ability but Blu-Ray offers 7.1 channels. The SC-BT300 boasts seven speakers to envelop viewers in a remarkably true-to-life surround sound experience. The front and center channel speakers are made with a bamboo diaphragm which provides a tightly intertwined fiber to deliver greater rigidity and accuracy, resulting in clear reproduction of sounds over a wide frequency range, from massive explosions to metallic clangs. The subwoofer features a Kelton system with a dual diameter structure to deliver a deep powerful bass. The Smart Set-up guide uses the help of GUI navigation to allow users to set up their SC-BT300 home-theater system for optimum performance. The result is being able to stay at home while enjoying a thrilling, incredibly lifelike audio performance that rivals a movie theater. The appeal of Panasonic Blu-ray products goes beyond the breathtaking pictures and sound; the networking functions open the door to new kinds of entertainment fun. The SC-BT300 can connect to the Internet for downloading bonus content available with Blu-ray Discs and for playing Internet games via BD-Live. This connectivity is further enhanced with the addition of VIERA-Cast. VIERA-Cast integrates the Amazon Video-on-Demand (VOD) online movie rental service. The Amazon VOD service joins other content options already available on VIERA-Cast, including videos from You Tube, access to online photos via Picasa Web Albums, financial information from Bloomberg News, as well as local weather updates. The possibilities are virtually endless. It comes with a Universal Dock for iPod, making it easy for iPod users to play their favorite music or video downloads. This system is also Green-friendly. It has a power-save mode to protect the green in your

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Toshiba Satellite L675D-S7022 LED TruBrite 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did a lot of comparison between this laptop and a comparable Acer that I found on Amazon and a few other retailers. Over all the specs for both were the same. 17.3 screen, 500 gig hard drive, 4 gigs of ram. But the Toshiba had a better video card with more memory and the AMD processor was a true triple core where the Acer had a Intel i3 duel core. And even though the i3 clocked higher I was interested in the AMD chip since it actually has three dedicated chips that clock at 1.8 ghz and the i3 does not. When I received the laptop the first thing I noticed was the keyboard had a "smooshy" feel to it. My last laptop had a satisfying "click" when I pressed a key but after a few days of typing I am pretty happy with it. The keys are not as sloppy as I thought and typing is easy and accurate. I love the screen! My last laptop was a 15.6" screen and I wanted to trade up to a larger screen (I work from home as a graphic and video editing freelancer) The colors are crisp and the is nice and bright. Overall this laptop is very fast for a 17.3" that is under $800 I do plan on upgrading the memory to 8 gigs (which runs about $200 at this time) but for the everyday user the 4 gigs it comes with are more than enough. The 500 gig hard drive was also a must for me since all the programs I use for my work take up almost a 100 gigs just by themselves. So I am all installed and still have almost 400 gigs for storage. I have had this machine on for almost four hours now and it is not hot at all. Overall I am very pleased with my purchase.
Some smaller things -
Web cam - Not the best, it looks like the contrast it turned up way to high. Honestly its not a big deal to me since I'm not a big fan of web cams.
Speakers - Like most laptops the sound is a bit tinny. I have given up on a Windows laptop sounding as good as a Mac.
USB ports - Only three. my last machine had four and a firewire and this came in handy more than once.
Windows 7 - I don't get what all the hoopla is about. Windows 7 feels just like Vista. Maybe I am missing something, but from all the hype I expected it to burp rainbows and cure cancer and so far I am just not seeing it.
Update October 25th, 2010
I am still happy with this laptop. I have upgraded the memory to 8 gigs (Almost $300 at the time of purchases.) this has made things a little more zippy but now think I could have gone with 6 gigs (and half the price) and still been happy. Cooling on this laptop is the best I have ever had. I work on this all day and have never thought to myself "Better give this machine a rest to cool down".

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Toshiba Satellite L675D: Fashionable, Affordable and Portable with 17.3-Inch Screen
Offering a redesigned chassis with a sleeker body, the nicely affordable Toshiba Satellite L675D-S7022 notebook PC makes it easy to handle computing essentials at home, school or work--from surfing the web and downloading video to managing household finances or studying for finals. And its high-gloss Fusion Finish in Helios Gray will be sure to raise a few eyebrows while you're on the go.

You'll enjoy maximum screen real estate and excellent movie playback from the stunning 17.3-inch LED-backlit display with 720p native high-definition resolution. You'll also be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming thanks to the triple-core AMD Phenom II Mobile Processor P820.

Thanks to the built-in webcam and Toshiba Face Recognition software on this machine, you'll enjoy a more convenient way to communicate, log on or share your laptop among the family. Other high-tech features include a power-saving Eco Utility to help reduce power consumption based on your needs and one USB/eSATA combo port.

This Satellite comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).



Key Features
17.3-inch widescreen HD+ TruBrite LED-Backlit display not only renders stunning visuals, but it's more environmentally friendly as it uses less power (1600 x 900 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio).


1.8 GHz AMD Phenom II P820 triple-core processor (with AMD M880G Chipset and 1.5 MB L2 cache) lets you enjoy movies, music and games like you never have before, with amazing detail, clarity and color. Plus, you can experience Microsoft Windows 7 the way it was intended. All this with the freedom to do more on the go with long battery life rating.


500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)


4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (expandable to 8 GB)


ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics card provides exceptional features, performance and power-efficiencies that enrich what you see and do (256 MB - 1405 MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory).


8x SuperMulti DVD drive with double layer support and Labelflash printing, which enables you to personalize your discs and keep them looking attractive and organized with direct-to-disc laser printing.


Wireless Connectivity
With its integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities, this laptop provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers.



Built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio blends a suite of technologies to deliver a stunning audio experience from headphones or your laptop speakers. It analyzes audio signals and restores tones often lost in encoding, mimicking the same optimization techniques that go into tuning movie theaters and mixing rooms, resulting in brighter highs and deep, thumping bass tones. It also expands stereo signals to 6.1- or 7.1-channel playback for a listening experience that will have you talking long after the performance.


Included Toshiba Software:
Toshiba Media Controller offers simplified media sharing. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, it lets you share videos, music and pictures from the media library on your laptop with compatible devices in your home entertainment network, or with other compatible laptops and devices, like an Xbox 360 game console. And you can do it all without moving equipment, burning discs or fumbling with cables.
Toshiba Bulletin Board is an easy-to-use organizational and productivity app that lets you build your own personalized space on your desktop. With Toshiba Bulletin Board, you can quickly and easily manage your to-do lists and calendars, plus create your own custom work area by pinning your favorite photos, documents, links and more.
Toshiba ReelTime helps you cut down the time it takes to search for files. The easy-to-use app takes traditional text-based file structures one step further to help you find what you're looking for more quickly. Accessible from your taskbar, it shows you a visual timeline of your recently accessed files--using graphical thumbnails--so you can easily identify and get to your files faster.



Included Toshiba Utilities:
Toshiba eco Utility makes it easy to go green as you go mobile. Hit the Eco Button and you'll launch the Toshiba Eco Utility, which puts all sorts of easy-to-read information on your screen, and gives you the ability to adjust the power settings on your laptop. It also activates a light showing you're in the Eco Mode. The Toshiba Eco Utility lets you pick the optimal power plan for your situation. Choose High-Performance when you need every watt you can get, Power Saver for the least energy consumption, or Balanced as a perfect blend of the two.



Up to 3.8 hours of battery life (6-cell battery; 48 Wh)


Dimensions & Weight: 16.3 x 10.6 x 1.49 inches (WxDxH); 6.6 pounds



Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings



Environmental Specifications
Energy Star 5.0 certified
Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact.
RoHS compliant effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances

Learn more about Toshiba's environmental commitment.

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25th Anniversary of Toshiba Laptops
This year, Toshiba celebrates its 25th anniversary of innovations and quality in the notebook PC business. Beginning with the launch of the Toshiba T1100, the world's first clamshell-type, fully functional laptop PC, Toshiba has led the with such innovations as the first laptop with a color monitor in 1991 and a laptop with integrated CD-ROM drive in 1995 (followed by the addition of a DVD drive in 1998). And in 2009, Toshiba unveiled the world's first ultraportable laptop with 512GB solid state drive.

Today, Toshiba continues to be a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing, with virtually all of its consumer laptops earning EPEAT Gold status for meeting standards that help reduce overall environmental impact.

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Panasonic DMP-BD35K 1080p Blu-ray Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I take my home theater hobby pretty seriously, that's why when it came time to invest in a Blu-Ray player (finally the wait is over!!!), I did a ridiculously great amount of research. I was willing to spend much more money on a blu-ray player, but the prices have come down so much, you don't have to! I narrowed down my extensive search for the right player to the Panasonic DMP-BD35K and the Sony BDP-S350. **I BOUGHT THEM BOTH AND DID A "SIDE-BY-SIDE" TEST!**
I have some nice equipment, so I feel that the test was an excellent representation of the capabilities of these two players. My equipment includes a 100-inch Stewart screen with a 1080p Sony Pearl front projector, an Integra 9.8 DTC processor (with all the latest surround sound goodies), a 7-channel NAD amp, 7 Paradigm Signature speakers, and a dual M&K subwoofer (for full 7.1 surround sound).
I do understand electronics, but the Sony manual was really hard to follow. After only one call to Sony, I eventually got the player set up properly. After I set up the Panasonic, everything became much clearer. The Panasonic manual is so much better. But, who really cares about manuals? How do these two players perform side by side?
Audio for BOTH Blu-ray discs and standard DVDs: The Panasonic unquestionably has better audio. Compared to the Sony, the highs were much clearer. The 7.1 surround sound put me right in the middle of the "explosion" (my first test blu-ray disc was National Treasure I) when the Charlotte blew up. The biggest Audio difference was the bass. The bass in the Panasonic was so much better than the Sony. In fact, my old Sony standard-DVD player had better audio than the Sony BDP-S350. I'd give the Sony 3 stars with the audio. The Panasonic had outstanding treble, bass, and surround: 5-star audio!
Video for BOTH Blu-ray discs and standard DVDs: The Sony's video was good, but the Panasonic's video was fantastic! The skin tones were more realistic and the colors were more vibrant with the Panasonic. The Sony seemed to have a thin gray film over everything -- like looking through a filmy-dirty window. The Sony had 4-star video (it looked good, but not nearly as good when directly compared to the Panasonic). The Panasonic and its upscaling gets an easy 5 stars!
Both my wife and I did the "side-by-side" test by going back and forth between Blu-Ray discs and standard DVDs. We didn't discuss any of our thoughts until we each independently formed our own conclusions. After seeing and hearing both players, we were both in complete agreement that in every way the Panasonic DMP-BD35K was superior to the Sony BDP-S350.
By the way, the card slot on the Sony for BD-Live is very hard to get to. I do like Sony as a brand for some things, but not Blu-Ray players.
For those of you who are doing your research, hopefully I can save you some time to answer if you should buy the Panasonic DMP-BD35K or DMP-BD55K. I called Panasonic and asked the differences; besides the price, there are only two differences. The 55K plays DivX's. If you don't have any DivX's like me and most of the people on planet Earth, this doesn't make any difference to you. The only other difference is that the 35K can only output Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio to a receiver/processor that has an HDMI input. If your receiver doesn't have an HDMI input, you won't be able to get them out of the 35K. If your receiver does have an HDMI input and you'll be using an HDMI cable, then you have absolutely no need to buy the 55K. With the 55K, if you have an older receiver that does not have an HDMI input, you can use the 55K's analog audio outputs so that you can have Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio. That's a nice feature of the 55K if you have an older receiver but want the latest surround sound formats.
Also, to save you some research time, I've already checked out all of the professional reviews including the ones on CNet.com: The Sony is considered ok, and CNet liked the Panasonic so much that it is the first Blu-Ray player EVER to receive CNet's "Editor's Choice Award."
I have to go to the store now and return the Sony player that I bought. I'm keeping the Panasonic!! :-)
Hopefully you found this review helpful!


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Panasonic's two new slim, BD-Live compatible, feature-filled Blu-ray players, the DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55, offer cutting edge technologies focused on producing the ultimate movie-viewing experience. The BD35 and BD55 both feature an HD Audio Decoder (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTSTM-HD Master Audio Essential), delivering 7.1-channel surround sound through a 7.1-channel receiver equipped with an HDMI terminal. The DMP-BD55 features high-end audio components and can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound. Both models are equipped with an SD Memory Card slot that makes it easy to transfer images from an HD camcorder or digital still camera that uses SD Memory Cards and are compatible with Panasonic's VIERA Link function so they can be operated by the VIERA HDTV remote control. The combination of a Panasonic Blu-ray player, Home Theater audio system and a VIERA HDTV converts the home entertainment experience into a true-to-life cinematic experience. Consumers can now view and enjoy movies the way the film maker intended -- in stunning High Definition video and audio – right from the comfort of their own home.
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True-To-Life Colors with PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus The PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus video processor was developed after more than 15 years of collaboration between Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory and professional cinema studios in Hollywood. With PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus, users viewing content on Blu-ray Discs enjoy crisp, vivid colors that are extremely close to the original. A high-precision 4:4:4 function creates video signals in which each pixel of the signal from the Blu-ray Disc is color-compensated, so when the player is connected to a Panasonic VIERA HDTV, the colors are even sharper and more vivid.

UniPhier System UniPhier is a Panasonic-created system LSI developed by applying 45-nanometer processing to a consumer product – a world's first. This single-chip integration technology also contributes greatly to the BD35's world's slimmest height of 49mm.

Blu-ray Video Features More Picture
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BD-Live

Life-Like Surround Sound
The BD35 and BD55 both feature an HD Audio Decoder (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTSTM-HD Master Audio Essential), which supports the 7.1-channel surround sound newly adopted in Blu-ray Discs. Users can enjoy 7.1-channel surround even with systems that do not support HD Audio -- as long as the DMP-BD35/55 is connected to a 7.1-channel receiver equipped with an HDMI terminal. The DMP-BD55 can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound by simply connecting to the DMP-BD55.

Dolby TrueHD, Dolby's next-generation lossless technology developed for high-definition disc-based media, delivers tantalizing sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master.

Delivers enthralling studio-master-quality sound that unlocks the true high-definition entertainment experience on next-generation discs.
Offers more discrete channels than ever before for impeccable surround sound.
Compatible with the A/V receivers and home-theaters-in-a-box (HTIBs) of today and tomorrow.
Dialogue normalization maintains the same volume level when you change to other Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD programming.
Dynamic range control (Night mode) enables you to customize audio playback to reduce peak volume levels (no loud surprises) while experiencing all the details in the soundtrack, enabling late-night viewing of high-energy surround sound without disturbing others.

The Panasonic BD55 goes a step further with a high-end audio design and components. Thanks to a 192kHz 24bit audio digital-analog converter and high quality insulators, electrolytic capacitors, copper-foil film capacitors and ultra-low-impedance electrolytic capacitors, the DMP-BD55 delivers the same kind of exciting surround effect and lifelike ambience as today's finest cinemas. The DMP-BD55 can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound by simply connecting to the DMP-BD55.


HDMI Features x.v Color
RGB Color Range

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Sony BDP-BX1 - Blu-Ray disc player - upscaling Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, this IS the same player as the BDP-S350 however the remote included is a backlit remote that I believe is included with the BDP-S550 player. This BDP-BX1 also comes with a decent HDMI cable. Based on my research, Sony creates these different models at the request of the Big Box stores (BB, CC, etc...) to prevent shoppers from requesting they price match Costco, sam's Club, etc...
On to the Player:
This unit is profile 2.0 compliant. Blue ray discs load fairly quickly but the slight delay over standard DVD's takes a bit of getting used to. This is an inharent problem on any Blue-Ray player due to the sometimes heavy Java interface used for its menu structures. BD Live will require a USB memory stick to be inserted into the back of the player. I would suggest getting a 1 or 2 GB memory stick and just leave it there (not sure why Sony wouldn't include internal memory?). These memory devices are VERY economical at this point so this is no big deal. Be cautious when purchasing a memory stick though, many may not fit due to it's recession into the case a bit. I've read that the Kingstons work well.
Firmware updates are VERY easy; a "technologically challenged" person will have little or no problems updating the firmware if it becomes necessary.
I use the HDMI interface through my Denon 1909 receiver to my Pioneer plasma and the image quality is breathtaking; although this is expected from any Blue ray player. Standard DVD's play well and the image quality is as expected. It's upscaling ability matches my TV's upscaling abilities so no real improvement in video quality.
The audio quality is superb, though getting true HD audio (True Dolby Digital or DTS-HD) requires an easy change to the default menu setting (Select DD and DTS rather than bitstream if I recall correctly... just google it if having a problem); only do this if your reciever supports the HDMI HD Audio formats. DTS-HD in 7.1 (not too many movies in 7.1 but there are a few)is incredible and put a HUGE smile on my face to see my Denon reciever properly decode both HD-DD and DTS-HD. I notice only a small improvement from the HD audio (5.1) over the standard 5.1 audio and my system is a fairly good 7.1 audio system. The HD audio is NOT a reason to jump to Blue Ray but the image quality is.
The remote layout is acceptable and the backlit function is a nice feature. It lights up in a nice bright blue color rather than the typical boring greenish glow.
All in all I would highly recommend this player to anyone looking to jump into the Blue-Ray realm. If you have a nice TV that support at least 720P you will greatly appreciate Blue-Ray media. If you happen to have a reciever that supports the HD audio formats then you will find the HD audio to be the gravy.
With a good quality HD television, you will find that the upgrade to Blue-Ray from standard DVD is as large a jump as it was from VHS to DVD. Price points are finally making the Blue-Ray plunge a realistic jump for us mainstream folks rather than just the tech junkies.


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Liteon 4X Blu Ray Reader Black Retail Pack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)[See updates below: I would now give this unit only two stars.]
Summary: At time of writing, it is cheaper to install this drive in a reasonably powerful HTPC than to buy a blu-ray disc player, assuming you have the HTPC already. As with any new technology, there are problems; these will be worked out as the technology matures. You should upgrade the firmware (CP56 recommended). The bundled software, PowerDVD, has limitations and problems which you can work around.
NOTE: This drive is a READER only. It does not write any kind of disc. This is stated clearly in the product description and I am not complaining: it is much cheaper than a writer, and fine for my HTPC.
THE DRIVE
The drive itself works fine so far (one month). As a very standard optical drive, it is as easy to install as any DVD drive. SATA is required for this model, of course, but the advantages of SATA is one reason I bought this drive. In operation, the drive is reasonably quiet.
Blu-ray content requires a reasonably powerful computer. My do-it-yourself HTPC is based on an Intel E6600, an Asus/Nvidia EN9600 video card, and Windows Vista SP1. These are adequate for quality playback on most discs, but I see a stutter occasionally (no more than once every 3 seconds) on Batman Begins, but not others. Blu-ray requires a video card and display or TV that supports HDCP. I was pleased to find that my 3-year-old Sharp Aquos LCD TV does support HDCP; I assume most or all modern LCD TVs and monitors do now.
My drive came with firmware version CP54 installed. I had two serious problems that were corrected by upgrading to CP56 (visit lite-on's support page):
1. Windows Media Center complained that the region number was incorrect, so I was unable to play a conventional Region 1 (USA) DVD, even after setting Region 1 in the control panel.
2. Using PowerDVD 7.3, I was able to play blu-ray movies for awhile, but then one day, every time I tried, I got an Information box that told me that certain key parts of the program needed to be updated (sorry, I don't have the exact message). It gave me the opportunity to update, to which I said yes, and after a brief pause, it said it was successful. Pressing the Play button again put me through the same sequence; I was no longer able to play movies I had already played on the same equipment.
Since both problems were corrected by upgrading the firmware, I recommend that all users upgrade to CP56 or newer by visiting lite-on's support page.
THE BUNDLED SOFTWARE
PowerDVD 7.3 BD, two channel edition, is included. It is capable of playing some blu-ray discs (Blade Runner, Stargate), and not others (Batman Begins).
Some people complain that the two-channel edition does not provide surround sound. For sure it does not provide Dolby Digital 5.1, but I do hear surround effects on my system, at least for Blade Runner blu-ray edition. There are two possible explanations: it could be that the movie includes a two-channel soundtrack with Dolby Pro-Logic (an early surround technology that is inferior to Dolby Digital 5.1); it could be that my updated Accurus digital processor is simulating surround sound in the same way it expands stereo music into full surround. I don't know which, but the surround I heard on the two-channel edition sounds appropriately surrounded, and comments from others on a different forum report the same thing (suggesting that the Pro-Logic theory is correct).
When I start Batman Begins (blu-ray edition), I get the piracy warning and the Warner logo, followed by an icon suggesting a disc read, then a black screen. For most movies, the black screen lasts a second or two, then the movie begins. For this movie, it stays black, and the application appears to be hung (can only terminate with Windows Task Manager). I worked around this problem by installing the trial (30-day) version of PowerDVD 8 Ultra, and it played fine, so I believe this is a problem with PowerDVD 7.3 BD, or some incompatibility with Windows.
One feature I really like is the speed control. You can set playback speed to 1x, 1.1x, 1.2x, 1.5x, 2x and higher, and similar speeds for reverse. For forward speeds less than 2x, it still plays the audio! but in a sped-up fashion. When watching The Wire (HBO series), we have often wanted to replay the previous episode, and this allows us to review some parts carefully and others more quickly.
One feature I really dislike is the permanent splash screen, which is visible at all times that the program is active but a movie is not playing/paused. It is bright red, shows their logo in a large size, and includes a cheesy picture. They should allow us to have a black background, or to substitute our own image.
You can upgrade to PowerDVD 8 Ultra for eighty five dollars (which is ten dollars less than if you bought it without upgrading from the bundled version). For me, there are just a few reasons for doing so: bug fixes (e.g. a fix to allow me to watch Batman Begins), full digital sound including some modern formats, and DVD-Audio (but: NO SACD!!).
There is a whole lot of stuff in PowerDVD 8 that I will never use. I wish there was a simple blu-ray CODEC that would allow those discs to be played through Windows Media Player instead.
I have found only one alternative blu-ray player software offering: WinDVD from Corel. It is on sale for eighty dollars. Unfortunately, their trial version does not allow you to watch blu-ray, and I am unwilling to take a chance without knowing it works properly. No doubt in the future there will be better alternatives.
While I think that the PowerDVD upgrade is too expensive, the cost of the drive plus the upgrade still makes a less expensive option for watching blu-ray than buying a dedicated blu-ray DVD player.
UPDATE: Windows Media Center again complains about a standard DVD with Region 1, even though Region one is set, which forces me to use PowerDVD. The only thing that has changed since it worked before is playing a blu-ray movie (with PowerDVD). I suppose it is possible that... nah, Cyberlink wouldn't disable the free competition, would they?
UPDATE: I have seen the hardware/software refuse to believe that a disc was present in the drive, even after open/close to check. The solution is a power cycle of the computer. I saw this once before writing the original review (but forgot) and was reminded of it when it happened again yesterday.
If I were writing this review today, I would call it 2 1/2 or three stars because of the various bugs that it seems I have to live with. Perhaps the firmware will improve eventually.
UPDATE: The BluRay of "The Dark Knight" is not recognized by this drive. The player says no disc is in the drive, and that is confirmed by the Windows Explorer, even when the disc IS in the drive. "The Dark Knight" advises getting the latest firmware for your player, but the LiteOn site has a version from March 2008, which does not correct this problem. On encountering this error, I tried inserting another BluRay disc, which was recognized as before, so restarting the computer won't help (as it sometimes does). I would now rate this two stars for lack of working firmware for latest releases.

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Sylvania NB530SLX Blu-ray Disc Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This player does all the important stuff very well. I was able to have it entirely set up in about 5 minutes. The picture quality is great, and I'm especially pleased with the upconversion of my DVD library. It does not have a remarkable number of outputs, but it has the HDMI and Coax outs that I need. The downsides are the cheap-feeling remote, the time it takes initially to load Blu Ray disks, and the fact that higher-end players have higher-end features.
Pros:
-cheap (especially since I got it free with the Amazon deal!)
-has the necessary features (mute HDMI audio, picture settings)
-great picture.
-Really easy to set up and use.
Cons:
-The remote is rather sad and pathetic.
-Long load times of Blu Ray disks (does not appy to regular DVD)
-Lack of high-end features.

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High Definition Blue Ray DVD Player, with HDMI output,1.1 profile with Bonus view.HDMI output,1080P upconversion,progressive scan,HDMI 1.3 version support,deepcolor processing,Dobly Digital output.Dolby digital plus,Dolby true HD,DTS,DTS HD,LinearPCM. Advanced user interface,Vitual surround sound and Screen Saver.Parental Lock,Trilingual OSD,SD Memory Slot.

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