If you’re looking for a convenient, powerful camera to take great, detailed images with, then look no further than the Canon Powershot A3000IS. This 10MP camera sports Image Stabilisation, 4 times optical zoom with a 2.7 inch LCD rear display. The 18 different shooting modes will cover just about all your shooting scenarios or just let the Smart AUTO feature of the Canon A3000IS take care of the technical details leaving you free to compose the ideal shot. Low light scenes are possible with the camera’s ISO range of 500 to 3200. And what’s more the Canon Powershot A3000IS is only $79
from Amazon as we write this.
We came across this 3D Plasma from Panasonic whilst checking out Amazon’s bestsellers list in the Electronics section. The TC-P55ST30 certainly gets glowing reviews from Amazon customers so we thought we’d deep a bit deeper and see what you get for your money.
* 55.1 inch 16:9 1,920 x 1,080 resolution display
* Handles 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 480p
* 24p Playback
* Features include Deep Color, x.v.Color, Super Resolution, Pro Setting , 3D Color Management, Sub Pixel Control, Motion Pattern Noise Reduction
* 3D Panel
* 3D 24p Cinema Smoother
* 2D-3D Conversion
* 2 x Speakers
* Audio Output 20 W
* Surround Sound
* Integrated ATSC Tuner
* VIERA Image Viewer™ handles AVCHD/MPEG2/JPEG/MP3 playback
* 3 x HDMI Inputs, 1 x Composite Video Input, 1 x Component Video Input
* 1 x Digital Audio Output (Optical)
* 2 x USB ports
* VIERA Link™
* VIERA Connect
* Wireless LAN Adaptor
* Power Supply AC 120V, 60Hz
* Dimensions (H x W x D) with Stand 33.5″ x 52.2″ x 15.3″
* Dimensions (H x W x D) without Stand 32.0″ x 52.2″ x Speaker depth: 2.8″; Panel depth: 2.2″
* Weight w/Stand 86.0 lbs
* Weight without Stand 72.8 lbs
* Gross Weight 103.7 lbs
Whilst the TC-P55ST30 generally gets glowing reviews, the main negatives mentioned are picture quality and sound quality probably the two most important considerations when buying an HDTV. Sure the models with better quality will cost you more, but it’s the viewing experience that matters the most with an HDTV. So we’re afraid to say it gets a thumbs down from us. Of course if you have a VIERA TC-P55ST30 already in your living room, let us know what you think of it.
An average score of 4 out of 5 based on these 4 reviews.
Today we’re taking a quick peek at a small HDTV from Philips, the 22PFL4505D, which sports a 22 inch LED LCD 720p display and consequently will fit neatly into just about any room in your home. The model also features TruSurround sound to somehow squeeze 5.1 channels from the two speakers, Pixel Plus HD and multiple connections. However possibly the standout item on the Philips 22PFL4505D HDTV is the price tag of $179. Who can say no to that?
* Component, composite, 2 x HDMI inputs
* VGA (HD-15) input
* HDCP Compatible
* Sleep Timer Function
* 21.1 x 2 x 12.2 inch without stand
* 9 lbs
* 22″ widescreen TFT active matrix 1366 x 768 resolution display
* 720p
* 16:9 Aspect Ratio
* Viewing Angle of 160 degrees
* Contrast Ratio 700:1
* 300 cd/m2 brightness
* Input Video Formats 480p, 720p, 1080i, 480i
* Parental Channel Lock
* 1024 x 768 (XGA), 640 x 480 (VGA), 800 x 600 (SVGA), 1280 x 768 (WXGA), 720 x 480, 1360 x 768 supported PC resolutions
* USB Port
* Stereo sound with Surround Mode
* SRS TruSurround HD sound effect
* 2 speakers 6W total
The Philips 22PFL4505D LCD HDTV isn’t the biggest HDTV in the world and doesn’t sport all the features you may expect from a HDTV, but it does fit neatly in small spaces and only makes a small dent in your wallet. We give it a thumbs up!
An average score of 4 out of 5 based on these 4 reviews.
Today we’re going to take a look at the Sony HT-CT150 3D sound bar system currently on offer at Amazon for $195. Obviously with such a low price tag you’re not going to get a great soundbar system but judging by online reviews for the HT-CT150 it’s not a bad system either. The main feature that all reviewers seem to mention is the 3 HDMI inputs which of course means you can hook up all sorts of hi def gadgetry to the soundbar. According to the Sony blurb rear sound is not generated by bouncing the sound off walls but rear sound is generated from the front two speakers using sophisticated digital sound processing which we hope means it may be easier to set up that a ‘wall-bouncer’ system. But of course it’s all about the sound quality and here are some snippets from the reviews we found
Other sound bars have caught up in terms of sound quality; we found that the HT-CT150 still sounds very good, but it’s not a standout performer as the HT-CT100 was. – CNet well tuned for movies – voices are clear and distinct, even at low volume – ProductWiki surround effect is clearly audible, simulates rear audio well – ProductWiki
Of course, hearing is believing, so it’s probably best you check out the audio quality for yourself, but the reviews do seem to speak well, if not highly, about it. Anyway enough rabbiting from us, here are some hard facts and reviews with a video review as a bonus
* Audio Power Output: RMS: 75W x3 +75W Subwoofer (180-20kHz, 4 Ohm, 1% THD)
* Digital Amplifier: Yes
* S-Master Amplifier: 24bit
* Coaxial Audio Digital Input(s): 1
* DIGITAL MEDIA PORT: 1
* 3 x HDMI Video Inputs
* 1 x HDMI Video Output
* 2 x Optical Audio Inputs
* 2 x RCA Audio Inputs
* Bass/Treble control
* Night mode
* Preset EQ: Standard/ Movie/ Drama/ News/ Sports/ Game/ Music/ 2ch Stereo/ Portable Audio
* Power Consumption (in Operation): 75W
* Power Consumption (in Standby): 0.3 Watts
* Power Requirements: 120V, 60Hz
* Dimensions (Approx.): Subwoofer: 7-3/4″ x 17-3/4″ x 16-1/4″ (196 x 450 x 410 mm); Sound Bar: 31-1/2″ x 2-9/16″ x 2-5/16″ (800 x 66 x 60 mm)
* Weight (Approx.): Subwoofer: 23 lb 3 oz (10.5 kg); Sound Bar: 2 Lb 13 oz (1.3 kg)
Pros – 3 HDMI inputs, excellent sound quality
Cons – limited placement options, subwoofer isn’t wireless, bar needs to be mounted off floor
Our Picks verdict
There are a number of limitations on the Sony HT-CT150 soundbar, namely the remote control receiver being on the sub-woofer, its unsuitability for larger rooms, but of course with such a low price tag there will always be minuses to any product. However it’s sound quality does seem to get a thumbs up, given a small room, so we like the Sony HT-CT150 and give it our own thumbs up.
An average score of 3.66 out of 5 based on these 2 reviews.
* 15.6 inch widescreen LED backlight TruBrite TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA )
* Intel® Core™ i3-2310M Processor
* Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
* 3GB DDR3 memory
* 320GB hard drive (7200 RPM)
* DVD SuperMulti drive
* 1366 x 768 native resolution
* Bluetooth
* 802.11a/g/n wireless
* Integrated webcam
* HD Graphics
* HDMI port
* Gigabit Ethernet
* Fingerprint reader
* Graphite black metallic
* 14.9 in x 9.9 in x 1.2 in
* 5.3 lbs
* Stereo speakers
* 6-cell lithium ion – up to 8.7 hours
Know a good story? Send it to tips(at)our-picks.com and we'll read it, turn it inside out, strip it naked, and we might transform it into a shiny front page article. And of course, you'll get your credit :).
(283 customer reviews)
– 4.5 out of 5
(152 customer reviews)
(2 customer reviews)
