Grand Battle

By Buster Carnelli

 If you are selecting a new camcorder, one of the first decisions to make is the type of storage medium that will record your recordings. Selecting a storage medium early in the process will significantly reduce the number of camcorders you need to consider, so decisions made afterwards will be easier. Let’s review the types of storage medium available and provide recommendations based on expected usage.

== Tape Camcorders ==

Despite being the oldest form of recording medium for camcorders, tape results in the highest grade recordings for consumer camcorders. When recording to tape, the image goes through the least amount of compression so the video recording preserves the best level of image quality. In addition to providing high quality images, tape-based camcorders also tend to be cheaper than camcorders that use other storage media.

On the negative side, tapes are limited as to how much can be recorded to between 60 - 90 minutes. However the tapes themselves are relatively inexpensive to get, so carrying backup tapes is typically not an issue. Another consideration with tape-based camcorders is that to get your recordings onto a format you can share with others (a DVD for example) requires that you upload your movie to a computer first. The downloading transfer takes place in real time. So if you are going to upload a 90-minute recording to your computer, it’ll really take 90 minutes. With tape-based camcorders, you can’t perform any type of editing (other than backing over the tape and recording over it again); any editing that you are going to perform has to occur on your computer.

Tape-based camcorders are best suited for two types of users: people who want high quality recordings, and people on a budget.

== Hard-Drive Camcorders ==

Hard-disk drive (HDD) camcorders usually give the longest possible recording times. Depending on the compression used, you can typically get up to 10 hours of recording time on an HDD camcorder. With an HDD camcorder, you never need to get additional tapes. Depending on the specific model, you can edit your recordings directly on the camcorder itself. And when it is time to upload your recordings to your computer, the download rate will be substantially higher than when transferring recordings from a tape-based camcorder.

The primary knock against with camcorders with HDDs is that the recordings are typically highly compressed and this can lead to poorer recording quality. HDDs themselves are also relatively power hungry and can be ruined by drops or environmental extremes (as can your camcorder itself). But if you drop your tape-based camcorder, while the camera may be salvageable, you still have the tape. But with an HDD-based camcorder, if it gets damaged, you are unlikely to get your existing recordings off the camcorder.

HDD camcorders are extremely versatile and they are primarily intended for the home user.

== DVD camcorders ==

Camcorders that store directly on a DVD as their recording media are a good choice for folks who want a format that is widely playable and for people without a computer. It doesn’t get much simpler than filming a movie on your camcorder and popping the result directly into the DVD player.

The main problem with DVD camcorders is the recording quality and length of recording. The length of recording obtainable will depend on the type of compression employed, but at the best recording quality options, you usually only get 20 - 30 minutes per DVD. If you lessen the quality of the compression you can achieve increased recording times, but then your recording quality is decreased.

DVD camcorders are an excellent alternative for folks without computers since there is no need to download the video from of the camera; it comes off straightaway on the DVD. If you have a computer, and it’s a model that you don’t think is appropriate to the increased demands of video transfer and editing, this may also be a good pick for you.

== Flash Camcorders ==

As improvements continue to be made in the flash memory arena, camcorders that use flash memory for recording are becoming more prevalent. Solid-state flash is small and is relatively low-power, so camcorders that use it as a recording media are often smaller and lighter than other camcorder models. They also tend to be more durable and are able to soak up abuse such as drops. Like many other models, flash-based camcorders need to have their recordings downloaded to a computer so that the recording can be transferred onto a DVD, but the transfer is typically very quick for most models.

As with other camcorders that do not store on tape, there may be trade-offs around image quality and compression. Also, depending on the size of the flash memory obtainable, there may issues around the amount of the recording time.

If you are searching for the smallest and lightest camcorder available, a flash-based camcorder is probably your best option.

Buster is a long-time lover of electronic devices who loves camcorders, read his camcorder reviews at camcorder-rankings.com.

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Latest Gadgets for 2008
By Jeremy Thompson

 The year 2008 has started and I am sure everybody is excited about turning over a new leaf and entering a new year. If you are gadget and electronic freak like me then I’m sure you are excited about all the new gadgets the new year will brings as well. I’m going to talk about a few of the gadgets I’m most excited about which we will see in 2008.

First off the SanDisk Sansa TakeTV Video Player. This cool little gadget bridges the gap between your TV and computer. You plug the SanDisk TakeTV flash drive into your computer and download video on to it. Anything from YouTube videos to funny videos clips you get as attachments in your email. Then you place the TakeTV drive into the TakeTV cradle which is hooked up to your TV. That is it. The videos on the flash drive can now be played on your TV. The SanDisk Sansa TakeTV Video Player even comes with a remote control. You can find the TakeTV at your local electronics store like BestBuy, Circuit City, and Office Depot.

Now of course one of my top gadgets for 2008 would be related to the Apple iPod. I mean how could not pick a gadget for an iPod. This iPod accessory is a small device which you insert into certain Nike shoes. It will then track distance, time, pace and calories burned as you workout or walk your way to being more healthy. Plus the device gives real-time verbal feedback as your workout and can track your progress and fitness goals as well. Now that is a cool iPod accessory.

Next up is a USB device. If you are like me then you have all kinds of gadgets which use USB as a power source. Well what do you do when you need to power up that device and you are not by your computer or have a friends computer close by? The 4 Port USB Car Charger is the answer. You can plug this gadget into any standard lighter jack in your car and you have 4 USB ports to charge all your gadgets. How convenient is that?

Last but definitely not least is the Sony PS3. Now I know what you are thinking the PS3 has been out for over a year now its not a new electronic. You are right but 2008 is going to be the year that the PS3 really takes off. It just got a price cut a few months ago and Sony just won the battle of the next generation DVDs with Blu-ray over HD-DVD. Plus there are a lot of hot games coming up in the next few months for the PS3. Can you say Grand Theft Auto? Yep it will be out shortly and I can guarantee it will help sell a few PS3. Gran Turismo will be out next month and if you have not seen the previews for it go take them out. They are unreal.

So there you have four of my favorite gadgets for 2008. This is sure to be an exciting year for gadgets and electronics.

Jeremy Thompson is an editor for the gadget site GadgetFind.com. GadgetFind.com is a fun to browser site with all the latest gadgets, electronics, computers, spy gadgets and other off the wall gifts and items from different gadget stores. Check it out at today at GadgetFind.com.

Dos and Donts of Selling Items Online
By Candy Osborne

 Before selling something online, read this first! Here is advice on how to have a positive online selling experience that could increase your potential for online selling success.

First and foremost choose the right venue. There are numerous sites on the Internet, some of which charge a fee for listing and/or transacting goods and/or services. A free venue is just as good as any; why pay to sell online when you can get the same services elsewhere for free?

Save yourself time down the road by choosing a site like UZAP that allows you to re-post the ad instead of starting completely over when the if/time comes. Some sites require you to start over from scratch after a certain length of time depending on each sites individual policy. This can be very tedious and time-consuming, especially if you have had several different ads up at the same time that have all expired relatively close to one another.

Make sure the site is safe. The Federal Trade Commission, Identity Guard and ID Theft Center are just a few sites where you can better understand how to conduct business online safely.

Do your homework ahead of time by researching the competition before listing online. Compare the item you are selling to other items in similar condition. Do this by scanning online classified sites and searching for a similar item you want to sell. Determine a fair price somewhere mid-range of what other sellers are asking to ensure a successful sell.

Post a picture. If the item warrants it and you have the resources, by all means attach a photograph to give credibility to a products value. If selling a car, make sure to photograph it from all sides and remember to show pictures of the inside too UZAP.com allows people to post as many as six pictures per listing.

Most importantly, what you write about in your ad will make all the difference in the world. Make sure you know your audience and write to that audience. Take a look at the difference parts of an online ad and what you should include in each.

The headline

Be creative. Your headline determines whether or not potential buyers will even open your ad and read it. Steer clear of overhyped messaging including typing in all caps, using too many exclamation marks, question marks and other symbols. Do not assume that people understand abbreviations. Spell them out whenever possible in headlines.

The body

In the body, answer the questions people will have about your product. Do not waste other peoples time with unanswered questions. It could cost you the sell. It also looks like you are hiding something if you dont come forward with the information from the beginning.

When describing your item, make sure you write about its benefits and not just the features. This is key! Writing about benefits means that you are answering the question, What will this item do for me? For example, dont just tell potential buyers that your camera comes with three lenses; tell them that the three lenses enable the user to shoot from close by, mid-distance and far away making photography possibilities incredibly versatile.

When it comes to price, there are two ways you can approach it. After doing research on competitors products you can choose to be firm or negotiate your final price. Either way you choose, be sure to state so in your ad. If you are open to negotiating, be ready to play the game. Half of the thrill for some people is the fact that they can haggle the seller down a bit.

If after a period of time your item does not sell you should re-evaluate the situation. Look at the competitions prices and see if the market value has changed. If so, you may have to adjust your price. If you are offering your product at a fair and comparable price, it could be that the demand simply isnt there. Pulling your ad and trying again later when the market demands might do you well.

Be available. Whenever you post an ad, be aware that potential buyers might contact you with questions about your ad. You will need to be available to answer those questions. You will likely receive email inquiries and the faster you can respond, the better. So, dont schedule that cruise to the Bahamas the day you put an ad online unless you dont care about selling the item.

When its time for the transaction, use a secure resource, oftentimes a third party website, to act as the liaison between you and the buyer.

Good luck and happy selling!

Candy Osborne is a marketing consultant for Internet-based companies and former journalist with a knack for finding great bargains. One of her clients, UZAP.com has all the benefits she has ever been looking for in an online community for buying, selling, trading, leasing or donating goods and services.

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