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Onkyo TX-SR805 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Guess which company managed to get True HD and DTS HD into their next lineup of high end receivers. Onkyo of course!!Cutting edge technology filling your room with beautiful sound.

I received my Onkyo TX-SR805 in the mail yesterday and I couldn't be any more thrilled!The behemoth weighs in at 61 lbs. and you can tell it means business.Daunting as it may look, the setup is a breeze due to the fact that everything you plug into the receiver's many inputs, can be output to the TV through one simple HDMI cable.It upconverts any analog connection you can throw at it whether it's S-video, Component, or simple RCA.If you still have a Hi-Fi VCR or other Standard Definition electronics, I'd suggest investing in at least an S-Video cable for that, or if it does have an RGB Component Cable use that because even though it upconverts RCA it can only do so much for the picture quality.That being said it does upconvert all of these analog signals into 720p, 1080i. It DOESN'T UPCONVERT Composite connections to 1080p.The difference in the upconversion wouldn't be noticeable.

The integrated Faroudja DCDi technology is wonderful!If you thought that your 480p signal was decent before, wait till you see how well this deinterlacing works!Edges have much less noise and things in SD are cleaned up very well through the receiver.

Setup was easy as far as speaker configuration, the Audyssey MultEQ XT auto calibration system runs a speaker measurement set up for up to 8 listening positions in your room!so if you want it to take into account your entire living room seating arrangement, just move the little wired speaker microphone to each listening position and it does all the work.

Unlike some receivers like my recently sold Sony DG800, the receiver's setup menu can be output onto your TV screen.So instead of squinting at the receivers display from across the room, you can see everything right up on the TV screen.However, if you do like to tweak settings while watching TV you can choose not to have it output onto the TV.

If you're actually considering spending around $1000 on a receiver, THIS is the only thing you should be looking at!At the moment, the higher end Denon AVR4306 does just about everything that this Onkyo can do but the Onkyo Receivers are the FIRST receivers to truly decode DTS HD signals, and Dolby True HD!It's absolutely insane all the details that can come out of High Definition Surround Sound!I Recently acquired a Playstation 3 and although I don't plan on converting my DVD collection (500 dvds) to Blu Ray or HD-DVD I did purchase Speed on Blu Ray and I can tell you from what I heard, the future of High Definition Audio is here in this Onkyo TX-SR805!Every detail that they mixed into the movie's original track is encoded into DTS HD.It's literally translated from the original format without any loss of quality.It's ridiculous how amazing it sounds.

You may not hear a huge difference, but when movies start being encoded with this HD Audio, eventually you'll go back to an old DVD and cringe at the sound difference (or at least notice the lack of detail in the audio). If you don't have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player don't fret, there's still a vast array of audio settings between Dolby Digital, and DTS there's also THX Ultra2 certified settings that blow you away!I currently have my DVD player setup to THX Cinema and watching the Pod Race in Star Wars Episode One: Phantom Menace is something you should check out A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

All the features can be overwhelming and the remote isn't the most intuitive, but when you spend a little time getting used to the buttons you need to push to make things work in harmony, you'll be happy with what you've got. Not to mention the beefy remote that comes with it can learn button functions which I love.For example when I coded in my HD Dishnetwork Box I couldn't get to the On screen TV Guide or my Recorded TV Menu, so I assigned the buttons manually and now the universal remote does everything my Cable DVR Remote does!If only I could code it to my Windows Media Center Remote oh well.

My one and only tiny complaint about this receiver is that it doesn't have HD Radio.It supports XM and Sirius radio but not HD FM Signals (not sure how to explain it but it's CD quality Free Local Radio Stations).The radio itself sounds fine and I don't listen to the radio very often anyways so it's not a big deal to me, but being as future proof as this receiver is, it should have HD radio. (Since I don't have XM, Sirius, or an Ipod I can't comment on the Docking capabilities or the Satellite Radio quality)

Last but not least make sure you have a big heavy duty surge protector, this thing is a power monster, you'll want a surge protector to make sure the receiver is getting a regulated amount of power, when I was setting it up I had all my components on at once and someone decided to turn on the hair dryer and a few fans, and there went the power.So be forewarned if you like 4 components on at once you might blow a fuse.also for $30 a 3 year protection plan is highly recommended just in case something shorts out in the receiver (knock on wood) you can service it for free, and get a replacement if necessary.

These aren't available in the store(ordered mine online at CC) and the sales people don't have much info on the receiver itself since it came out in May(about a month from prior to today)but it's comparable to the TX-SR804 if you want more similar opinions :)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo TX-SR805 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Product Description:
In terms of the evolution of home entertainment, recent years have seen a quantum leap. It's a formidable progression when you think of 1080p high-definition video and broadcasts; studio-quality, lossless surround sound; spectacular gaming with stunning motion and graphics; and the emergence of portable satellite radio programming. Bundling all this potential, the TX-SR805 A/V surround receiver has been built to provide comprehensive control over all movies, music, broadcasts and gaming. But that barely begins to describe the TX-SR805's potential. Augmented by its THX Ultra2 certification, this receiver goes even further by bringing you sophisticated room correction technology, multi-zone capabilities, powerful bi-amping and dual push-pull amplification. The TX-SR805 provides a reference point for a new generation of high-definition A/V receivers.

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HP W2007 20-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This monitor is my first LCD and was an upgrade to a ViewSonic 17".I cannot get over how beautiful the colors and picture are.I find myself loading up old games and DVDs just to examine the quality.

It does not come with a DVI cable which I could not find any indication of on the box itself.Also, the information listed here on Amazon under "Technical Details" and "Product Description" differs in regards to the supported resolution.The "Technical Details" are correct.The suggested resolution is 1680 x 1050 and not 1440 x 900.I suspect the smaller resolution is probably correct for the 19" w1907 model.

I did not have a DVI cable already, so at first connected it using the included 15 pin cable and was very impressed on first use.Then I managed to get a DVI-D M/M cable and was even more impressed at the gorgeous picture quality.Definitely worth the extra purchase of a DVI cable.Just don't buy one at a local store where they go for upwards of 50 bucks.Amazon is a wonderful and very affordable alternative.

Mainly my experience with this monitor is in a Windows XP SP2 environment, although I do have a dual boot with Mandriva Linux.The printed instructions that came with the hardware were limited to a simplistic poster which was clear enough and the Windows software installation from the included CD went quickly and flawlessly.Getting the monitor setup in the Linux environment, however, was a bit of a chore and I still have yet to get it do display in the maximum resolution of 1680 x 1050.But that is probably more related to my own challenges using Linux.

I highly recommend this product.The widescreen aspect is outstanding for DVDs and iTunes videos.World of Warcraft never looked so beautiful on my system.In fact it's performed beautifully for every game I've thrown at it so far: WoW, Quake3, BF1942, BF2.Couldn't be happier.Except with maybe a 30". ;)

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP W2007 20-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor

Product Description:
HP W2007 20 In Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor. The HP w2007 features a BrightView wide panel for brilliant picture quality. HDCP enabled for optimum viewing of High Definition content /High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection/ My Display provides one touch adjustment for brightness, color and contrast. Quick View modes change work environments easily and quickly. Dual inputs support digital /DVI D/ and analog /VGA/ signals. The widescreen provides more space to work and play with your HP PC. Wide aspect ratio and fast response time bring gaming, videos and the internet brilliantly alive when you plug into your HP PC. Swivel monitor easily from side to side when sharing the screen. Personalize your monitor with Easy Clip by clipping on photo holders, cameras, and accessories. Resolution of 1680 x 1050 and a wide workspace provides what you need to watch a video, edit photos, surf the net or play a game on your PC.

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Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-40V3000 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been buying Sony TVs for more than 30 years, and they rarely disappoint. The 40" Bravia is no exception. Last year I bought the 70" SXRD model for my living room, and the 40" is for the bedroom. Many televisions are high quality and prices are dropping, so why get the Sony?

Picture quality is excellent, especially in high def.

Sound quality is very good without a home theater setup. Not always the case with flat panel TVs with small bezels.

Remote is well laid out and easy to use (although it does lack backlighting, but I have no trouble finding the buttons I want in the dark). It's easy to change between the 4 programmable picture settings or screen aspect ratios. Sleep timer button is right up on top when your ready for bed and is in 15 minute increments.

It has 2 HDMI inputs for easy connection of compatible devices and several other inputs. You can customize the display to choose between only the inputs you are using and label them appropriately (so it's easy to switch between my TiVo, DVD player, TV and cable box, and hide the other inputs)

There's a zillion other settings that I haven't figured out all of yet, but most are relatively intuitive (except PnP, which has me baffled so far).

I got the flat panel LCD because it uses less power and generates less heat than a plasma, and won't burn-in (although plasmas have improved). The screen doesn't reflect as much, and has a wide viewing angle.

For viewing from about 6 feet, the 40" size is perfect.

Lots of other things I could say about this TV, but it's all good. You can't go wrong with this model. Also highly rated in Consumer Reports, the consumer's bible...

Amazon shopping tip: Amazon offers price protection for 30 days from date of purchase. After you buy this, put it in your cart again and check your cart regularly for a month. The price goes up and down almost daily. When you go to your cart you will be notified of price changes. If it goes down, grab the phone and call for a credit. I paid $1630 a couple of weeks ago and the price has gone as low as $1450, so I've gotten $180 in refunds. Delivery and unpacking are free, and combine with excellent customer service, making buying from Amazon a no-brainer.

I'm delighted with Sony and Amazon for this purchase.

update 3/2009: Forget my last comment. Amazon no longer, sadly, offers 30 day price protection on purchases. Advice now is to go to camel camel camel dot com (leave out the spaces). A great site for tracking Amazon price history.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-40V3000 40 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Product Description:
BRAVIA V-Series televisions are where Full HD 1080 starts. Two sizes, 46" and 40" diagonally, define what Full HD 1080 (1920 x 1080) televisions are all about. Performance functions like Live Color Creation (featuring the WCG-CCFL backlight) and the 10-bit panel display assure picture quality and performance. The BRAVIA Engine- EX full digital video processing system includes DRC-MF v1.0 technology, which upconverts 480i video signals to a 1080p equivalent. DMeX - ready allows connection to the new DMeX (Digital Module Expander) called the BRAVIA Internet Video Link module. And BRAVIA V-Series TVs are big on ease of operation. BRAVIA- Theatre Sync offers one-button command for time consuming control functions and signal path routing. And we didn't forget about connectivity. How about two 1080/24p and 1080/60p input capable HDMI connections, two HD Component YPbPr inputs, and a PC input, just to name a few. Add a sparkling new black picture frame design, quiet operation, and you have BRAVIA V-Series HD LCD TVs.

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Epson Stylus Photo RX620 All-in-One Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before I start, I just want to emphasize that I have been in the IT industry for about 15 years and consider myself to be pretty knowledgeable about PC and PC peripherals. This DOESNT mean that I'm infallible, just simply that I know what to look for in a device. Now onto the review...

It was time to replace my tired HP Photosmart 7260, although still working and doing a great job, I may add, I wanted something, well.... different. So, I decided to delve into the AIO(All In One) category. I initally started with an open box HP 2355 from Sears and was initally pleased as punch. Decent print speeds, wonderful photo and text output and an awe-inspiring design. However my happiness was short-lived. Apparently there was a reason it was an "open box" and priced so cheap. It was defective. Continuous banding, horrible color output after sitting a few hours, etc. So, much to my dismay I took it back and decided to stick with my PS 7260 until I could afford a high-end AIO. Well the time came to purchase and I shopped around, read numerous reviews and finally picked up an Epson AIO cx6600. For those of you who havent tried this printer, its MORE than worth the money!!! Excellent speed, nice look and good print quality. All out of a 4 ink tank system! However, I just could not settle with this device(Nothing really wrong with this AIO except that I could not settle for the 4 color pigmanet-based print engine) and decided to return the 6600 in favor of the 6 color, dye-based RX620. I'm glad I did.Heres why:

1.) Print speeds seem to be on par with the cx6600 (Which has decently high ratings for speed).
2.) Photo quality is among the best I have EVER seen. This AIO is on par with the high dollar, 8 color dedicated photo printers. With Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper and a high-resolution image(i.e 4-5 MP high-end camera), you almost have to have a microscope to detect ANY dithering or banding. I have printed everything from 4x6 prints up to 8.5x11 and continue to be blown away by the quality. And I have a VERY keen eye for imperfections!!!
3.) Contrary to some reviews, text DOES appear sharp and crisp. Print speeds arent super-fast, but will suffice for most applications.
4.) Copy and scan quality are among the best Ive seen from an AIO. This is probably attributed to the excellent print engine and over the top scanner. I copied an older film photo on the photo setting(NOT best photo) and could not believe my eyes. The printer has the ability to restore old photos and I'm here to tell you...IT WORKS!! An adapter is included to scan negatives and slides as well, which I have not had a chance to play with as of yet.
5.) Setup and operation are a breeze! Even printing sans computer could not be easier. The full-color LCD is very informative and easy to use!
6.) Bonus features! You can even scan directly to a memory card, or backup to a Jump Drive/CD-RW directly connected to the printer!!
7.) Its relatively quiet! Much quieter than most of the HP's that I have used.

Everyone complains about the lack of a fax, but I do NOT see this as a fault! It is designed to be a home-based photo center. You CAN scan to fax with the included software, however and I found it to work as advertised.

CONS:
All in all, I have a hard time finding faults in this AIO and I'm REALLY looking. But there are a few irritations(Not really faults)
1.) The USB cable is attached to the machine from INSIDE the lid. You have to raise the lid to install the cable, which is fed to the back via a path notched out. Kind of crazy, but not a big problem.
2.) Epson thought it to be a good idea to put a product sticker on the top, which almost covers the entire lid. This includes the shiny black oval/oblong area that gives the RX620 a handsome look. When the sticker is removed, residue is left on the shiny part and is ridiculously difficult to remove. Solvents that are effective in removing the residue, cause swirl marks on the surface. Again an irritation, but does not take away from the operation.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Epson Stylus Photo RX620 All-in-One

Product Description:
Great for slides, negatives and photos. Make the most of every photo with the Epson Stylus Photo RX620. From restoring faded family photos to creating black-and-white or color copies, this top-of-the-line performer does it all. Whats more, you can make reprints and enlargements, without a PC, from slides, negatives and photos, that are perfect for scrapbooking and framing. Every copy, every print, every scan is bound to exceed your expectations. With the Epson Stylus Photo RX620 theres no fussing with computersits all right at your fingertips. Just insert any memory card, or connect your camera or external CD-R drive directly to this all-in-one. Then, see your photos on the convenient preview screen. Or, print out the proof sheet with thumbnails of all your photos and mark your favorites. The all-in-one reads the ones you selected and they print automatically! You can even crop or resize with the easy-to-use, on-screen menu. Whatever you do, the Epson Stylus Photo RX620 makes your job a lot easier.Dont hassle with copy machines or special kiosks to get great resultsthe Epson Stylus Photo RX620 is all you need. And, it speeds through everyday printing and copying of your documents, recipes, rebates and more, saving you time to do what really matters. With all these great features readily available, the Epson Stylus Photo RX620 is sure to make a lasting impression. - High-quality 2.5-inch photo viewer and photo proof sheet- Epson Easy Photo Fix-provides quick color restora

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Wireless N USB Adapt Same As WUSB600N Clear Packaging Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)GREAT PERFORMANCE AND VERY NICE STYLE WORKS ANY BRAND ROUTER, TIME CAPSULE 1 TB 2.4 GHZ - 5.GHZ

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Product Description:
Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP andMicrosoft Windows VistaNumber of Antennas: 2Antenna Gain: 4 dBi, 1.4 dBiWireless Transmission Speed: 54 MbpsHost Interface: USBDimensions: 0.43" H x 4 " W x 1.10" DGreen Compliance Certificate/Authority: RoHS, WEEE

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AppleCare Protection Plan - Mac Pro Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For someone who has ALWAYS rejected the notion of purchasing an 'extended warranty' on ANY product purchase as just another cynical method for American corporations to wring every possible cent they can from us as consumers, I must IN THIS CASE ONLY, urge anyone considering the purchase of an Apple laptop or one of Apple's overly priced Mac 'Pro' workstations purchase the Apple'Care' extended warranty. (I am NOT some 'Leftie' anti-corporation/conspiracy theory nut-case! I simply believe that if I purchase a brand new, EXPENSIVE piece of technology - be it a motorcar, a refrigerator, a digital SLR, a flat screen teevee OR an 'insanely kewl' Apple Product [god-Steve's own description of ALL his groovy Apple Products!] - then it is reasonable to expect these 'quality' products last longer than 60,000 miles or 1 year! Consider all the blah-blah about 'quality American products' we are berated with these days.)

Why Apple'Care'?
Consider this: I purchased a Mac 'Pro' quad-core workstation a couple of years ago. Within less than 9 months I began experiencing MULTIPLE hardware problems. Of course, when I took this gift from the gods back to an Apple Store - and by way of many, many lengthy conversations with 'product specialists' @ AppleCare - the 'geniuses' (at the Apple Store's 'Genius Bar'), and the technicians in the Apple Store who supposedly 'worked on' my Mac 'Pro' all advised me 'it's a software issue'. Yep. You betcha! And that most-likely 'it's a THIRD PARTY software issue'. You know, buggy code like that built into products dumped on the market by the likes of Adobe... (Say what?!)
The 'geniuses' solution to my (perceived) problems? 'Archive and Re-Install!' They could NEVER find 'a problem' running their tip top diagnostic software (ASD + they even 'beat it up' with an 'intense' chess game software title the 'geniuses' additionally-use when making an uber effort to find the chink in either hardware or software and are unable to locate it by simply looping ASD for 24 hours or longer). If anyone has ever had to endure the gauntlet of 'Archive and Re-Install' you know that this option is the absolute LAST DITCH EFFORT one considers in order to make an OS play nicely once again with other software written SPECIFICALLY FOR that OS! (C'mon Apple! What's with all this smugness about how stable, how sophisticated, how kewl the Mac OS is?)

Well, long story short, I have the great fortune of being friends with a certified Apple technician; and unlike the 'geniuses' at the Apple Stores who just run software tests (because IT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE A HARDWARE ISSUE - NOT a Mac!), my good friend is someone who will not accept ONLY the diagnosis of a software scan, no matter how many times you run it looking for a problem. Based upon my description of ongoing problems and with a series of screen captures I emailed him illustrating some of what I was experiencing, without even having the machine in front of him, based upon his years of experience working on Macs (and PC's) he advised me there were problems likely-with both the logicboard AND the video card. (BOTH major hardware failures, both EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE elements for Apple to replace on their 'professional' top-of-the-line product, the Mac 'Pro'!)

*It took me an additional 9 months of wrestling with countless Apple representatives before the company (finally!) decided to replace the machine!* I will not bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, I have been a loyal Mac computer customer *over the past 20 years* and have decided I will NEVER purchase another Mac 'Pro' workstation! (These are Apple's 'professional' level 'workstations'. They are phenomenally overpriced for the quality of computing you get in my experience! When I originally bought mine, approximately two years ago now, I paid nearly $4000! However, becauseI STILL PREFER the Mac environment over the Windows OS I will likely purchase *an iMac* one day in the future and max it out w/RAM for the photo editing work I conduct every day. But never, ever again will I squander money on their so-called 'professional' equipment. And as a finer point, I own Apple computers ONLY. I will not purchase any of their other products, hardware OR software. Adobe does a much better job of designing creative applications, in my opinion.)

So, to come full circle, my advice to you, to 'get it' (AppleCare for one of Apple's workstations or laptops), is based upon the advice my Apple tech friend gave me early on: 'Just cough it up Mike. A couple hundred extra bucks for extended hardwareprotection MAY save you LOTS MORE in the future!' I could have never imagined how right-on his advice to me was! (And BTW, I continue to experience videocard hick-ups even with my brand new replacement, the 'Nehalem' box; AND this quad core 'super computer' REALLY DOES NOT seem anywhere near as fast ['blazing fast'?!] as one is led to believe by all the Apple hoopla on their site. Think I'm nuts about the 'quality' of these Mac 'Pro' workstations? Stop by DealMac from time to time over the coming months and take note of the TONS OFrefurbished Mac 'Pro' 'workstations' the Apple Store is re-selling every now-and-then. Over the past year alone I have seen Apple dump hundreds of these 'pro level' refurb-machines that failed the first time out! Do your own research before dropping Big Bucks on one of these things! And if you have owned one of these machines for less than a year *purchase AppleCare before your initial 12 month warranty runs out*!)

Click Here to see more reviews about: AppleCare Protection Plan - Mac Pro

Product Description:
Every Mac comes with 90 days of telephone support and one year of service coverage at an Apple-authorized repair center. The AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro (MA516LL/A) extends the complimentary coverage on your Mac Pro to three years of world-class support. The plan includes expert telephone assistance, global repair coverage, onsite repairs for desktop computers, web-based resources, and TechTool Deluxe from Micromat--all for one economical price.
This comprehensive AppleCare Protection Plan covers your Mac Pro, as well as an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM purchased for your Mac Pro. You can also register one Apple display for coverage, provided the Mac and display are purchased together.


Extend your coverage to three years of service and expert telephone technical support.
One Number to Call for Help
Get direct telephone access to Apple's own technical support group, the people who know your system best. Because Apple creates the computer, the operating system, and many built-in applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. Just one phone call can help resolve most issues with your Mac because AppleCare representatives can help troubleshoot Apple hardware, the Mac operating system, and many Apple consumer applications, including iLife, iWork, Jam Packs, iChat AV, Mail, Safari, iCal, iSync, AppleWorks, and QuickTime.
Convenient Repair Options
The AppleCare Protection Plan ensures that Apple-certified technicians will perform repairs using genuine Apple parts. With this plan, parts and labor will be covered for three years from the date of purchase of your Apple computer, two years beyond the one-year limited warranty. The plan includes onsite service for desktop computers as well as global repair coverage, which can be very important if you travel abroad.
Coverage Information
The AppleCare Protection Plan is subject to terms and conditions, which are provided on the AppleCare Protection Plan website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime?

You can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime within the one-year limited warranty period. Your eligibility for coverage under the AppleCare Protection Plan starts from your hardware purchase date. Apple strongly recommends that you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan when you purchase your Apple product to maximize the additional benefits provided under the plan.

What service options does the AppleCare Protection Plan offer?

Apple may provide service through one or more of the following options: carry-in service (to Apple retail stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers), direct mail-in service, onsite service (for desktop computers), or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) parts (so you can service your own product).

What does "global repair coverage" mean?

If you take your Apple hardware with you when you travel and happen to need repair service, the AppleCare Protection Plan offers global repair coverage. You can either go to an Apple retail store or contact Apple for information on how to obtain service. Service will be limited to the options available in the country where service is requested. Service options, parts availability, and response time vary according to country. Please see the AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions for complete details.

When I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, do I need to register it?

If you purchase your AppleCare Protection Plan and your covered product separately or elsewhere, you will need to register your AppleCare Protection Plan. Your AppleCare Protection Plan coverage starts from your hardware purchase date. Registering your AppleCare Protection Plan at a later date does not extend your coverage.

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Toshiba D-R4 Multi-Drive DVD Recorder Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just purchased the Toshiba D-R4, it is my first foray into DVD recording.I like the Toshiba brand and I liked the price, I purchased Sony DVD-RW media with it so I could start recording, this is going to replace my VCR.Well first you have to format the RW media in the recorder, reminded of 1984 when we had to format 1.44 diskettes.Well once I got the box opened and read the manual they, Toshiba, recommend you use JVC DVD-RW 2X version 1.2.Well I had my Sony DVDs so I started formating, it was a no go three DVDs later every one of them failed could not format.The next day I called support and they recommended I try JVC or Memorex brand.So I had to run around to 4 stores before I found Memorex DVD-RW, I never saw JVC brand.The Memorex worked fine and I am recording now but why oh why don't they have a label on the box or include one of the DVD brands that work with the machine in the box, the store I bought the recorder at only carried Sony brand DVD-RW.So be aware if you want to use the machine after you buy it get JVC or Memorex brand DVD-RW discs, of course you can use DVD-R or DVD-RAM I have not tryed those yet.Also watch the + and - signs, the Toshiba only uses DVD- not DVD+.It seems to work fine, it is more complicated than a VCR, way more options.Hope this helps.

Update: This was a lovely recorder however it was unreliable, there were often times I would find it had not recorded a timed recording I had setup, it got very frustrating and I ended up replacing it with a Panasonic.The new one was not as easy to use as the Toshiba but was way more reliable.Also, I setup the Toshiba as a spare and got the firmware update DVD from Toshiba, BAD IDEA, ruined the unit.It never worked after the update.
Now have Philips DVD recorder with hard drive it is the only way to go,I don't need DVD copies so this works perfect for me.Still miss that Toshiba D-R4 though.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba D-R4 Multi-Drive DVD Recorder

Product Description:
A happy meeting of high quality and high value, Toshiba's Multi-Write D-R4 is not just a full-featured progressive-scan DVD player that handles your DVDs, CDs, MP3/WMA music discs, and JPEG-filled recordable discs. It's also a DVD recorder capable of storing up to 6 hours of audio/video on a single-sided 4.7 GB recordable DVD--whether broadcast programming or copies of your home movies to share with loved ones.
The D-R4 offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--perfect for instant chapter access and for multiple re-recordings--as well as DVD-R, the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). DVD-RW compatibility lets you erase and rewrite, though relatively few players and computer drives will play back DVD-RWs. DVD-RAM discs can be read, written, and erased more than 100,000 times.
When recording, the D-R4 captures the first video frame and displays it as the chapter mark. You can then designate chapter marks with custom screen captures or thumbnail images of your choice. The D-R4 also lets you generate and save custom playlists using any title and chapter. Each list of desired footage can be separately titled and edited (for removal of, say, commercials) and then seamlessly played back.
Time Slip lets you use your DVD recorder like a personal video recorder, or PVR. Because of DVD-RAM's fast transfer rate, you can view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning, while still recording the show in progress.
The D-R4 features a 181-channel cable-compatible tuner and 2-month, 36-event programming. And, in addition to recording new video content, the D-R4 lets you transfer and even enhance your favorite video recordings to durable, space-saving discs--a terrific way to archive, preserve, and access your movies and family videos. The unit's EASY NAVI menu simplifies operation by giving you direct access to key operations such as locating and playing back of recorded content.
For top-of-the-line playback, the D-R4 is equipped with a 10-bit/54 MHz video digital-to-analog converter capable of great color purity and detail. When connected to a high-definition or HD-ready television through its ColorStream Pro component-video outputs, the D-R4 delivers Toshiba's Digital Cinema Progressive picture. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.
The D-R4 also has Toshiba's Digital Cinema Progressive feature, which performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.
The deck's abundant connections include multiple composite- and S-video inputs and outputs, stereo analog (left/right) inputs and outputs, and an optical digital-audio output for use with a compatible digital surround receiver.
What's in the Box
DVD player/recorder, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, a stereo analog audio/composite-video cable, and an RF coaxial video cable.

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Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 ) Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been looking at Slingbox for awhile now but was afraid to purchase the first generation product for fear of a tough installation.I am a business travel who finally decided to purchase a Slingbox now that the second generation product has been released.To say the least, I am not disappointed.I have (regular) basic/expanded cable with a coax cable protruding from the wall and a WiFi DSL setup.Installation was easy EXCEPT I had a problem installing the software onto my laptop using their CD-Rom Disc (Which is why I give this product 4 stars instead of 5).The CD does not contain the software download, instead it guides your PC to obtain the download over the internet.My laptop would download up to 90% of the software and then hang.I ended up having to retreive the download directly from the Slingbox Website (no big deal).Once installed, the software automatically configured my router so I could use my slingbox from the outside (from the road anywhere there is a high-speed internet connection).The picture is pretty good when I use slingbox from within my house.On the road away from home, the picture is considerably more distorted.In order to get a better picture, I need to shrink my screen.I watch my local news on the road and plan to watch my local sport teams.I love this product and it helps me make the most of my cable which I pay too much for!If you are a non-techie like me, BUY IT!Do not be afraid of the installation, it was easy.

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Product Description:
The first generation Slingbox was a big step forward for so-called "place shifting" technology, allowing you to view incoming TV signals on any TV computer in your home or on any Internet-connected PC around the world. Sling Media is now introducing the successors to this groundbreaking product. Now there are three Slingboxes to choose from, each with features that make it easier than ever to bring your TV and other media with you wherever you roam. Choose from the Slingbox Tuner, AV, and Pro models depending on your entertainment needs. Compare Slingbox models.

The Slingbox Tuner offers coax and NTSC antenna connections. Slingbox Tuner
The Slingbox Tuner is the perfect companion for your basic cable subscription. With the ability to watch and control your cable TV, the Slingbox Tuner ensures that you can enjoy your live TV entertainment anywhere you go. Turn every computer you use into a portable TV without the need to connect a coax cable! Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone (with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software), you can watch and control your basic cable TV (analog or digital, plus NTSC antenna) anywhere around your home or around the globe. With a Slingbox Tuner you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, or breaking news stories.
The Slingbox Tuner also includes the free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location, in or out of the home.
How it Works
Slingbox Tuner is a small device that connects to your cable box to redirect the TV signal to the computer of your choice--providing high quality video, no matter the distance, so long as there is a high-speed Internet connection. This technology also allows you to access and control your TV from anywhere--and your TV doesn't even have to be on.


You can enjoy your basic cable signal on any computer at home, on the Internet, or on a compatible mobile phone. SlingMedia's patent pending SlingStream technology delivers the smoothest and best video quality possible. SlingStream delivers up to a 400 percent video quality improvement over the original Slingbox. SlingStream is powered by a programmable engine that is capable of running the latest video compression algorithms. SlingStream dynamically adjusts to changes in network conditions, video content, and Internet bandwidth.
At Home, At Work, or on the Go
At home, Now you can watch TV in whatever room in the house you choose. Say goodbye to the days of having to watch your child's favorite DVD over and over again. Now you can watch your soaps in the laundry room. You can watch your fix-it shows in the garage. Or you can watch your cooking shows in the kitchen. You'll never get stuck having to watch shows you don't want to now that you're in charge of what's on, when it's on, and where it's on.
Now that you can access your TV wherever you have your computer, the clock won't be the only thing worth watching at work. You can watch your news and business channels to stay updated. You can catch the big game while tending to business. Or, you can watch your favorite shows during your downtime. In any event, work will never just be business as usual.
With the SlingBox you can travel to another country and actually understand the programs. You can visit the in-laws and not get stuck watching The Weather Channel. No matter where your journey takes you, one thing is certain: You'll never have to take up an extra seat to bring your TV with you.


You can change channels and control your TV on your computer just as if you were in your living room. The AV and Pro models add remote control options for your home theater devices. Smartphone support is available with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software. Ready for Vista
SlingPlayer software is compatible with Microsoft's Vista operating system. Vista-specific feature enhancements are expected to be available in early 2007.
What's in the Box
Slingbox Tuner, SlingPlayer CD-ROM, AC adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz), ethernet cable, RF/coax cable, and quick start guide.

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Portege M780-S7220 Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The reason why I am writing this review right now is because I just restarted this laptop after it had dropped its internet connection for the millionth time and wanted to warn anyone thinking about buying this computer. I do not like it at all. It has only been 1 month since I got it, and although it has great specs (core i5 2.4 ghz processor, 4 gb ram, etc), it freezes up so much and takes forever to load stuff up. But the biggest problem is its wireless card. I have had to close and open this computer so many times just to get my dropped signal back. Of course its better than my old Dell which is 4 years old, but even that laptop never dropped as many signals as this one. Plus anyone who thinks that it would be cool to have a touch screen should know that you hardly ever use the touchscreen. It only comes in handy if you are taking notes for a class or doing something that actually requires manual writing.

So, I am not sure if I just have too many programs running in the background, or that this piece is just defective, but I would never buy this computer again, just because I'm so sick of it freezing, lagging, and dropping signals. Otherwise, I suppose it would be alright.

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Product Description:
M780-S7220 I3-330M 2.13G 3GB SYST250GB DVDRW 12.1-WXGA BT W7P/XPP

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Seagate Barracuda ST3320620AS, 7200.10 - Hard drive - 320 GB - internal - 3.5" - SATA-300 - 7200 rpm - buffer: 16 MB Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Almost as fast as the Western Digital Raptor X Drives. Fast and quiet and carries the 5 year Seagate warranty! Can't be beat for value and performance.

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Product Description:

Seagate ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA Internal, Refurbished.
Product Details:


Product Highlights:

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HP W1858 18.5-Inch Widescreen Monitor Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm on my third HP laptop/PC system. Generally my purchases have been problem-free, which is why I continued to go back to HP. However, this monitor -- which I am using with the Pavilion 6240 -- has been a problem.

One issue is the integrated speakers, which are weak and lack sound volume & quality, imo.

The second issue is more troubling. The screen picture always needs adjustment, especially after reboots and system changes/tweaks. The picture reverts to a horizontal picture that is slightly off-screen (horizontal right) and an off-kilter clocked image. The image issues are noticeable and require a manual fix, which are some combination of factory resets and auto-adjustment of 1, 2 or 3 clicks. What the exact combination is ... who knows? The combination that works changes from day to day. This is such an irritant.

The image control problem with this monitor is well-known. I just wish I knew about it before making the purchase. I can't wait to replace this monitor, and I will think twice before purchasing HP again.

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Product Description:
The 18.5-inch HD Ready monitor provides a crisp picture with new 16:9 aspect ratio.Display documents, photos and video on a wide 18.5-inch monitor.View movies and letterbox content easily, using a 16:9 aspect ratio.View details clearly with a maximum resolution of 1366 x 768.Get deeper blacks, brighter whites and subtle colors with a 1000:1 contrast ratio.Reduce blur with a 5 ms On/Off response time.Reduce clutter and enjoy more desk space with space-saving built-in speakers.Adjust the monitor to meet your needs, using the tilt and swivel features.Display digital and analog content, using DVI and VGA connectivity.

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HP Officejet Pro L7680 Color All-in-One Printer Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had the HP L7680 for slightly over three months.I've been a pretty heavy user, having printed (according to the self-test page) almost 4000 pages during that time.Unlike some of the others mentioned here, my unit has been completely reliable.

Print Quality - Printing is very sharp and closely approaches laser quality...it's certainly above the threshold for business correspondence and presentations.The color output is solid, with almost no visible banding.I have not used it to print many photos, but those that I have have been also acceptable, given the constraints of a four color ink system.If photography printing is your primary usage, you should buy a printer with more ink colors.

Ink consumption - Over the span of 4000 pages, I went through the initial set of ink cartridges and am now on the third black cartridge...the second cartridge was a standard capacity one, while the third is the XL version.It's still 2/3 full.A second set of color cartridges were also the standard capacity versions.They're still 3/4 full.When they go empty, they'll also be replaced with the XL versions.Most of my printing is obviously black with a minor amount of spot color.

Faxing - It works.Faxes seem to get there.

Copying - The internal memory is inadequate to allow more than 5-6 pages of a document to be scanned and stored for collated printing.This flaw was obviously anticipated by the printer's firmware designers...the page
that causes the memory to overflow is returned to the scanning input tray so it can be scanned in the next five page batch.Unfortunately this flaw requires manual intervention...you have to remove the five printed pages from the output tray, set them aside and then place them on top of the next batch out.This is an absolute pain...The leader of the copier design team should be required to make fifteen copies of Tolstoy's War and Peace as atonement.

Scanning - The HP software works, but is awkward.I have yet to discover where the defaults are set...and the preset ones aren't optimal for my office.I'd like to be able to set it to scan an 8x11.5 letter size by default, rather than have the software guess the paper size based upon the image.It's NEVER guessed correctly.And, after scanning something into Adobe Acrobat, I need to click on "cancel" three more times before the image is finally transferred...it's like a Japanese monster movie...The Software That Wouldn't Die.There's other annoyances.The bottom line, though, is that it works.It's just doesn't work nicely.

So...the copying and scanning issues dropped this printer from a strong five stars down to three.It prints great and if there was a socket where I could add in more memory, the copying problem would go away.But there isn't.And while the scanning stuff is just annoying, the copying problem is a real time-waster.

Update:Since I've had the printer for a year and a half, I thought I'd add in a quick update and note that it's still going strong. I've gone through 500cc of black ink, 50-60cc of cyan and yellow, and 36cc of magenta.There has been some drift in the alignment, resulting in some slight banding while printing, but I suspect that that could be calibrated out.The only major problem has been wear in the automatic page feed mechanism in the document feeder, which causes misfeeds while faxing or copying.Cleaning the rollers and pads helped, but they should be replaced.The purchase of a high speed scanner (Fujitsu ScanSnap S510 Sheet-fed Scanner) has pretty much eliminated my use of the automatic document feeder, otherwise this problem would be a serious hassle.

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Product Description:
HP OFFICEJET PRO L7680 Color All In One Printer/ Fax/ Scanner/ Copier. It is the worlds fastest desktop AiO for business color with up to 25 percent lower cost per page. It produces laser quality prints faster than most color laser all in ones up to 12 ppm black/10 ppm color. It contains a breakthrough inkjet draft mode with speeds up to 35 ppm black and up to 34 ppm color. The built in wired networking allows user to share powerful all in one capabilities. Features outstanding scanning with up to 2400 dpi CCD optical scanning for documents, photos, projects and more. Scan and store documents and photos directly to a network folder with Direct Digital Filing. Quickly and conveniently copy, scan, and fax multiple page documents using 50 sheet auto document feeder. Never miss a fax even without power, faxes store in memory when device is on or off. Enjoy efficient high volume printing with optional 350 sheet paper tray for a total of 600 sheets. Archived documents retain laser quality black text and lab quality photos for decades without fading. Do more without a PC using the large 2.4 inch color graphics display and intuitive control panel. Easily preview, select and print photos from memory cards using HP Photo Proof Sheet.

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HP W2207H 22-inch Widescreen LCD Monitor Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As others havewritten, the visuals on this monitor are excellent, the sound is on the tinny side.I'm writing to cover new ground.I purchased this monitor from Amazon on May 21. It worked well for a week or so, then came the problems. The screen would go black when it was powered up. Unplugging worked for a while, but eventually the monitor went all white. To make a long story short, we called HP and the tech figured it was a bad pixel. In the chain of interviews one woman tech agreed when asked, that they would send a new, not refurbished monitor. When a refurbished monitor arrived, I connected to an HP supervisor and found the full story.When you purchase from an authorized dealer (Amazon is not) there can be a store warranty (eg 30 days, 15 days, whatever the store chooses). If I had purchased from such a dealer,and was over the store warranty a few days, the HP supervisor could have (at their discretion) sent me a new, not refurbished monitor. As it was, HP sent the refurbished model under a manufacturer's warranty. The HP warranty allows them to send a a new or refurbished replacement. It appears to be random, odds are it will be refurbished. This one year warranty on the model purchased from Amazon began not on the May purchase date, rather it is from the January 2008 manufacture date. If I had returned this monitor to Amazon, I would be subject to a 15% restocking fee.Welcome to a rock and a hard place.Failures like this are likely rare, but it leaves us with a refurbished model instead of the new one I paid for.Buyer beware.

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Product Description:
The HP w2207 with BrightView panel provides an elegant flat panel monitor with a wide view for work or play. Adjust the tilt, height and switch between landscape or portrait orientation of the display to suit your needs. Get a high quality widescreen picture with a Brightview panel and high contrast ratio. Maximize desk space with innovative features such as integrated speakers, keyboard parking space and Easy Clip by attaching on photo and flower holders to your monitor. Extreme resolution at 1680 x 1050 and 5 ms response time for bright, awesome graphic quality perfect for videos, photo editing or gaming on your PC. Standard 15-pin D-sub analog and advanced HDMI digital interfaces for optimal graphic performance. Dual inputs support true digital (HDMI) and traditional analog (VGA) signals. HDCP-enabled for optimum viewing of High Definition content (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection). Double hinge base allows height adjustment from the youngest to oldest viewer to view comfortably. The HP w2207 provides a BrightView widescreen panel for brilliant picture quality. Dimensions unpacked, max position: 18.95"(h) x 20.61"(w) x 11.38"(d).

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802.11N 300 Mbps Pci Adapter Card Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It took just a few minutes to load the drivers, reboot, and start sailing on the internet.
This card is in a computer in the basement and the router is on the 3rd floor at the other end of the house, the signal is going through quite a bit of material, and is somewhat weak, but the speed is still very quick.

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Product Description:
802.11N 300 MBPS

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Canon i80 Color Bubble Jet Printer Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I print on the go all the time, and sometimes, at conferences and events, it's been more than a lifesaver.Printing good photos on the go seemed a natural addition.

Problems with this printer include: need really good quality paper for decent prints (consistent with Canon printers in my experience); Canon's warranty is lousy (and they have screwed me before with products that broke a couple months after warranty expired); photo quality is less than a dedicated 6- or 8-ink desktop printer; expensive inks.

Primary use:printing at conferences or other public events that keep you away from an office.Kinkos beware--this thing handles most of the jobs that I'd run to a business center to do while on the go.HOWEVER, without buying the extra battery, you're still on the prowl for the power outlets, along with everyone else in the room.

Secondary use:traveling, where snapshots of friends can be handed over while still on the go.I tend to travel light, so carrying a printer is a bit nuts, and the inks run out quickly, but sometimes there's no replacement for printing a photo of some new friend and giving them a copy while on the go.

Tertiary use: desktop printer.There's cheaper, faster, better alternatives for this use though--but it does fine as a backup (or when I want to print from a room without a printer without getting up).

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Product Description:
2/8/200615-19-32...

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