Posted on: Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Tech Toys
Lights, camera, desktop computer
If you're buying a new PC this summer, you might as well get one that lets you create DVD movies. One reasonably priced model is the HP Pavilion 772N. The PC costs about $1,449 and comes loaded with a DVD-Rewritable drive that can be used to create discs containing video, music and photos. It also boasts a 2.26-gigahertz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 512 megabytes of double data rate memory, an 80-gigabtye hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, a 32-megabyte graphics card, and Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections and built-in high-speed Ethernet networking.
Send photos to PDAs with scanners
Scanners are a smart choice for folks who prefer shooting pictures with film but also want the option of working with them as digital images. Epson has several new models coming out in August that are worth a look. Besides scanning photos into computers, these devices can send images to Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The Epson Perfection 2400 PHOTO Scanner offers a super-sharp resolution of 2,400-by-4,800 dots per inch, features a built-in 35 mm adapter for scanning slides and film strips and costs $229. The Epson Perfection 1660 model provides a resolution of 1,600-by-3,200 dots per inch, comes with a 35 mm film adapter and costs $179. The lowest-priced model, the Epson Perfection 1260, offers a resolution of 1,200-by-2,400 dots per inch and costs $99; an Epson Perfection 1260 version with a built-in film adapter is $129.
A subscription plan for software
Photo buffs who regularly update their software may want to try ArcSoft's new subscription plan.
For $79.99 a year, digital photographers can buy a Personal Software License (PSL) that entitles them to 12 photo or video software programs, a year's worth of updates and new product releases, customer support, and online photo storage and sharing at PhotoIsland.com (pacific.photoisland.com).
The lineup of available programs includes PhotoStudio 4, Panorama Maker 3 and PhotoMontage 2 with the normal suggested retail prices ranging from $29.99 to $49.99 for each title.
Folks who want both the video and photo packages can buy them together for $99.99.
Colorful phone is java-enabled
The Motorola i95cl doesn't just work as a phone. The Java-enabled gadget can also handle everything from maps and games to e-mail messages and Web content.
And it displays all these goodies on a vivid 256-color screen. The silver device from Nextel and Motorola comes with a navy blue flip top, measures 3.5 inches by 1.9 inches by 1.2 inches, and weighs about 5 ounces. Its features include a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, voice recorder, caller ID and the Nextel Direct Connect option that lets you instantly communicate with one to 100 people. It sells for just less than $400.
New Casio camera looks cool by pool
The problem with most pool photos is that they're usually shot safely from above, on dry ground. That makes it difficult to get in close and capture the look of a child's face as he pops up after a dive or masters a new stroke.
Casio solves this problem with the cleverly designed GV-10, a tightly sealed, water-resistant camera with a fiberglass body and shock-resistant cushioning. Just don't get any crazy ideas about deliberately throwing the camera into the pool. Water-resistant isn't the same as waterproof. Even though Casio says the camera can be immersed in a container of still tap water for about half an hour, its manual warns against submerging it in pool water.
