Best Elliptical Trainers Top Rated

Spirit XE 350 (Around $1,450)

Best entry-level elliptical trainer. If you're looking for a lot of features, but a Precor elliptical trainer is beyond your budget, reviews recommend the Spirit XE 350. This elliptical trainer has ten customizable programs and an included wireless heart-rate monitor. Unlike the Precor EFX, it includes an upper body workout. Articulated foot pedals help decrease ankle strain, and there's a weight capacity of 325 pounds. The stride length is 20 inches, so it should be plenty comfortable for taller users. Best of all, Spirit includes a five-year warranty on parts, a lifetime warranty on the frame and an unheard-of two years of labor coverage, far better than other manufacturers.


Precor EFX 5.17i (Around $2,700)

Best elliptical trainer. Reviewers say Precor makes the best elliptical trainers on the market. The EFX 5.17i is Precor's entry-level elliptical trainer, but reviews say that doesn't stop it from being one of the most durable options. It has four programs, and there are 20 resistance levels. One feature that sets it apart from cheaper elliptical machines is an incline that adjusts from 12 to 25 degrees. Its long, 19-inch stride makes it comfortable even for tall users. According to the manufacturer, Precor's elliptical trainers don’t have a weight limit, so they're appropriate and stable for heavier individuals. The EFX 5.17i doesn't have moving handles for an upper body workout.


Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A (Around $400)

Budget elliptical trainer. The Fitness Quest elliptical trainer has one huge advantage over other models in its price range -- it has a one-year warranty on parts and labor, longer than other models, which usually have only a 90-day warranty. The Fitness Quest elliptical trainer has ten preset programs and two heart-rate-controlled programs (it has handgrip heart-rate sensors) and can support up to 275 pounds. However, this model weighs only 90 pounds, so it's not as heavy or stable as pricier models.


Precor EFX 5.33 (Around $3,800)

Club-quality elliptical trainer. Precor's health-club-quality EFX 5.33 elliptical trainer adds moving handlebars for an upper body workout. There are 14 programs (including manual), along with 20 resistance levels. The incline is fixed at 20 degrees. With Precor elliptical trainers, you must choose between an adjustable incline or an upper body workout.

Best Backpacks

Gossamer Gear Mariposa (Around $130)

Best ultralight backpack. The Gossamer Gear Mariposa camping backpack weighs just 18 ounces, yet its 4,200 cubic inches can hold enough ultralight gear for a multi-day trip. Siliconized nylon makes the pack water-resistant; oxford cloth reinforces key stress points. For hiking in rougher areas off trail, the Mariposa Plus (Around $130) uses tougher cloth but weighs 3 ounces more.


Granite Gear Vapor Trail Ki (Around $160)

Women's ultralight. This 37-ounce backpack fits most women better than a unisex pack, uses tough fabric, and has a load lifter to shift weight between shoulders and hips as desired. The 3,600-inch volume of the Granite Gear Vapor Trail Ki camping backpack can be compressed well for shorter trips, and you can add an optional lid (Around $22) to store often-used items. A men's version is also available.


GoLite Jam (Around $90)

Weekend ultralight pack. True ultralight hikers can fit enough gear into the GoLite Jam backpack's 2,750 cubic inches for an even longer camping trip, and the GoLite Jam weighs just 21 ounces. It's frameless but otherwise full-featured, with hip belt, side pockets for water bottles, a sleeve for hydration bladder, and more.


Arc Teryx Naos 55 (Around $430)

Waterproof off-trail backpack. Top-ranked in recent roundup reviews, the 72-ounce Naos 55 waterproof backpack uses watertight zippers, welded seams, and urethane-coated nylon, so you need neither rain cover nor inner drysack. The hip belt pivots to move with you, and reviews praise this backpack's balance for loads up to 50 pounds -- heavier than many other backpacks. Its 3,700-cubic-inch size is good for weekends and, with the right lightweight gear, can serve for even longer trips.


Gregory Shasta (Around $270)

Best backpack for big heavy loads. Reviews say this camping backpack is comfortable for loads of 65 pounds or even more, and it can hold 4,950 cubic inches of gear, enough for a winter trip without ultralight planning. The Gregory Shasta's shoulder straps and hip belt rotate automatically to fit you, and a sleeping bag compartment makes it easier to load.


Gregory Deva 60 (Around $250)

Women's backpack. The classic Gregory Deva backpack has been redesigned for 2006 to use Gregory's most comfortable suspension system. The 86-ounce weight is over twice that of the ultralight Vapor Trail Ki, and the 3,900-cubic-inch volume is about the same, but the Gregory Deva is rated for heavier loads up to 45 pounds. Big loads are convenient to access, with a sleeping bag compartment and both top and back zippers. The back panel is ventilated to keep you as cool as possible.

SeeqPod - Website

SeeqPod is a search engine for music that allows you to play the results through an embedded flash player. It recently has added video support, via YouTube. The files found do not have download links, however they can be downloaded if you use the Firefox extension Video DownloadHelper.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Play online mp3s using your web browser
•Access a huge library of music
•Create custom playlists
•Has both mp3s and videos
•Easy to use
•Firefox extension available
•You can download mp3s as files with an easy hack
•Cool "discover" button makes playlist based on similar artists

Cons:

•Can't copy and paste text from the interface (URLs for example)
•Somewhat clunky Flash interface
•Grey-area music copyright situation

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H - Motherboard

The Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H motherboard is the first platform based on the new AMD 780G chipset. This new chipset includes a DirectX 10.1-compliant graphics core reused from the Radeon HD 3200; with AMD making use of ATI technology inherited from the July 2006 merger of AMD and ATI. The AMD 780G chipset enables decode acceleration of Blu-ray movie playback, second-generation PCI Express, Hybrid CrossFire, a new SB700 south bridge, and a Phenom-ready HyperTransport 3 processor link. Corresponding with the March 4th, 2008 announcement of this board, AMD is introducing a new energy-efficient 45 Watt Athlon X2 4850e for $89. The GA-MA78GM-S2H retails for $95.


Pros:

•Best IGP solution (March 2008)
•low power consumption
•HDMI output
•Connect up to 4 displays with Hybrid CrossFireX - 3rd, and 4th display requires additional graphics card
•DirectX 10.1 compliant
•GPU decoding of HD codecs makes this board HD compatible with a relatively slow CPU
•Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

More information

AMD 780G Chipset

•Supports AMD AM2+ Phenom/ AM2 Athlon64 series processors
•Solid capacitors design in CPU VRM
•Dual Channel DDR2 1066
•Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200-based graphics (DX10)
•Ultimate graphics performance with PCI-E 2.0 x16 interface with ATI Hybrid •CrossFireX support
•Integrated SATA 3Gb/s with RAID function
•Features high speed Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE1394
•High quality 106dB SNR ALC889A HD audio
•Integrated HDMI/ DVI interface with HDCP

http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2647

Hewlett Packard 2133 Mini-Note PC

The Mini-Note PC by Hewlett Packard is the company's first venture into the low-priced, ultra-compact laptop market. The Mini-Note tries to establish itself as a higher-end version with an 8.9" screen and full size keyboard. They also offer configuration options such as operating system, processor, RAM and harddrive. This can make the price range from $499 to $749, making it more expensive than the competition. Hewlett Packard also chose an aluminum chassis for the Mini-Note to give it a slightly upscale look.


Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Nice aluminum outer case
•Great configuration options
•Can run Windows Vista
•Powerful CPU for its size
•Full size keyboard

Cons:

•Heavier than competition
•More expensive than competition
•Slow boot-up time
•Weirdly placed mouse buttons

More information

Features

•CPU: 1.6 GHz
•Screen size: 8.9"
•Harddrive: 4GB flash drive or up to 160GB traditional drive
•Full size keyboard
•Weight: 3.2 lbs
•Dimensions: 10" x 6.5" x 1.1"
•Spill resistant keyboard
•Vertical mouse buttons

Configuration Options

•Operating Systems
•Linux (starting at $499)
•Windows Vista Basic (starting at $599)
•Windows Vista Business (?)

Harddrive

•4GB flash drive
•120GB 5,400-rpm drive
•160GB 5,400-rpm drive
•160GB 7,200-rpm drive

Panasonic HDC-SD9 - Camcoder

The Panasonic HDC-SD9 is an SD-card high-definition camcorder. The SD9 is in the same line as the Panasonic HDC-HS9, without the built-in harddrive. The SD9 records in 1920x 1080 progressive recording with 5.1 surround sound audio recording.

Pros:

•3CCD recording
•Capable of recording FullHD 1080p @ 24 fps
•Very small and lightweight
•58 hours record time on 32 GB SDHC memory card
•HDMI output

More information

The SD9 also features an "Intelligent Shooting Guide" which gives the user tips on recording, real-time, taking into account the current conditions. This can help a beginner videographer who isn't sure how to use the more advanced features.

Features

3CCD camera system
Dimensions: 65mm x 67mm x 126mm
Weight: 275 g
1920x1080 HD progressive recording
5.1 surround sound audio recording
Face detection
Optical image stabilizer
Leica Dicomar lens
SD card for storage
Up to 2 hours battery life with option for a bigger battery

The Orange Box

Five games, One Box. That's the tag line behind Valve's latest offering that packages in three new games along two previously available ones. In a departure from Valve's usual operations The Orange Box will be available simultaneously on consoles alongside the PC. Naturally the title will be available from Valve's Steam digital distribution system, where each game can be purchased a la carte, though at a higher combined price.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Tons of content for your money
•Team Fortress 2 is an excellent multiplayer game
•Half-Life 2 is still one of the best games ever made

Cons:

•Many people already own Half-Life 2


More information

Half-Life 2 and Episodes

Half-Life 2 released in 2004 to great critical and commercial success. The Orange Box contains the original game with updated graphics and improvements to the underlying Source engine technology. Half-Life 2 is praised for its solid physics engine with resulting physics-based puzzles, and immersive world and environments. HL2 was also ported over to the original Xbox with many features downgraded, the Xbox 360/PS3 port are nearly identical to the PC version.

Half-Life 2: Episode 1 is the previously available episodic addition to HL2. Once again you take control of Gordon Freeman, fight alongside his partner Alyx and try to take down the Combine the game's main enemy. Episode 1 reuses many of the same gameplay elements as vanilla HL2 with the addition of a few new items and weapons.

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 is a new addition to the series introduced in The Orange Box. The latest installment picks up right after the events of Episode 1, and again introduces a few new tricks to the bag. Originally slated for release as a standalone offering similar to Ep1 in Fall 2006, Episode 2 was delayed for a year and incorporated into The Orange Box release.

Portal

Originally started as a class project, Valve was so impressed by the initial demonstration of Portal that they hired the team and made the mod a standalone game. Built upon the Source engine Portal features no guns or weapons of any kind. Instead you have a "gun" that can manipulate portals, which are tiny wormholes that allow you to teleport from place to place. The game is a sequence of rooms each one being its own individual puzzle that requires you to figure out how and where to place the portals to get from the beginning to the end.

Team Fortress 2

Almost a decade in the making Team Fortress 2 was originally set for release in 1998 as the sequel to the popular Half-Life mod: Team Fortress Classic. The original game was set in a modern day military setting, and introduced the concept of class-based multiplayer where each person can choose from a different role with specialized weapons and abilities.

TF2 follows the paradigm of class based gameplay that has since become extremely popular, but goes for an entirely unique design aesthetic. The graphics are cartoony and over the top, with each class being represented by a highly stylized character. The abilities and skills of each class are limited relative to previous offerings as there are only a few weapons and skills available, however Valve added depth through the sheer number of classes and how they interact with one another. For example, pairing a medic with a heavy class grants the heavy character a major boost in health which makes them a far more formidable opponent to deal with.

Differences in Versions

Graphically Valve states that all three versions of the game will look nearly the same, though obviously a top of the line PC will win out. Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game do not support mouse and keyboard setups. Valve is directly responsible for developing the PC and Xbox 360 port, while a development team inside of EA handled the PS3 port.

Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH

The Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH is one of four models of new Elite receivers released in 2007 including the VSX-90TXV, VSX-91TXH, and VSX-92TXH. The VSX-94TXH is a 7.1 channel receiver delivering 140 Watts of power to each of it 7 channels. Pioneer has caught up to its competition by including 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs with a built-in Faroudja DCDi video processor that upscales all sources to 1080p and sends to the HDMI output, and all analog sources to component video.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•LAN / Internet streaming
•Send room acoustic data to your PC over RS-232
•Upscaling using Faroudja chip to 1080p over HDMI
•Advanced MCACC system /w full phase control
•Looks great; nice build quality
•stellar audio(in pure direct for cd listening and Dolby Digital + and DTS HD MA for Blu-ray) and video

Cons:

•Lackluster UI compared to competitors

More information

The VSX-94TXH has a LAN 10/100 Ethernet connection for streaming music from either your PC or over the Internet with any DLNA compliant source. It features a USB input for connecting external media players or storage devices like an iPod. It is XM/Sirius compatible.

MCACC

The VSX-94TXH has what Pioneer calls Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration Circuit (MCACC) for equalizing and automatically tuning your system to your specific room dynamics. Place the included microphone in your typical listening position, press the MCACC button, and the receiver will automatically calibrate itself. This model includes full Phase Control as well. For hardcore enthusiasts, graphical images of your room's reverberation frequency response can be displayed on your PC over its RS-232 output.

Features

•4 x HDMI 1.3a inputs, 1 x HDMI 1.3a output
•7.1 channel surround /w 140 Watts per channel
•Faroudja DCDi video processing
•Upscaling and transcoding all video inputs to 1080p over HDMI
•Converts S-video and composite video inputs to component video output
•Multi-room, multi-source with 3 zones
•iPod/USB/XM/Sirius/DLNA/Internet Radio
•dimensions: 16 9/16" W x 7 3/8" H x 18 1/16 " D
•weight: 41.14 lbs.

Competitors

•Onkyo TX-SR875 - Reon HQV, no LAN, $1600
•Sony STR-DA5300ES - Faroudja, no LAN, slick UI, 6 HDMI ins, $1700
•Yamaha RX-V3800 - Anchor Bay ABT1010, LAN, $1700
•Denon AVR-3808CI - Faroudja, LAN, slick UI, $1600

The Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH was released in mid-August 2007 with an MSRP of $1600. The Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH boasts similar specifications and features with 3 HDMI inputs and 130 Watts / channel for $300 cheaper with an MSRP of $1300.

SanDisk Sansa Clip

The Sansa Clip is a bare bones audio player by SanDisk that continues the memory maker's tradition for releasing media players that compete in features and quality, but at a lower cost. This approach has made SanDisk the number two company, after Apple, in the media player industry. True to its namesake, the Sansa Clip comes with an integrated clip for attaching the player to your clothes. The small weight and size are intended to make the Clip less intrusive during a workout.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Very competitive price/storage ratio
•More features than Shuffle and Stone
•Good audio quality
•Remembers where you left off listening to music or an audiobook.

Cons:

•1GB only available in black
•Can only be recharged using the USB cable.

More information

Features

•1GB for $40, 2GB for $70
•4-line, 2-color OLED screen
•FM tuner with 40 channels
•Voice recording with built-in microphone
•92dB signal-to-noise ratio
•Formats: MP3, WMA (including protected), Audible
•Battery life: 15 hours

Despite its small size SanDisk has included a number of extra features that distinguish it from its main competition, the iPod Shuffle and Creative Zen Stone. Most notably is the inclusion of the 4-line OLED screen that lets you browse through your collection and toggle settings from the player itself. Alongside the radio functionality is the ability to record FM broadcasts, and record your voice through the integrated microphone. All recordings are saved in the WAV file format.

On the format side the standard formats are supported, but no support for some of the less popular such as Ogg Vorbis. Audible support for audio books, and protected WMA support are both notable features of the Clip. The Clip integrates with Rhapsody's subscription service and lets you mark songs so they are automatically purchased next time you sync the player with your computer.

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1363)-SanDisk_Sansa_Clip.aspx
Dimensions: 2.2" x 1.4" x 0.5"

Samsung 6 Series

The Samsung 650 series, also known as the 6 series is one of the high-end offerings part of Samsung's 2008 LCD line up. They are positioned above the 550 series and below the highest-end 750 series. There are many similarities with the 750 series with the major difference being the lack of the USB port. Added ontop of the 550 series is the ethernet port for Internet content, and a 120Hz mode for smooth displaying of fast motion. The 6 series is considered the successor to Samsung's 2007 71F series featuring a similar glossy panel, and 120Hz mode.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•120 Hz refresh rate and 4 ms response time
•Great black levels
•4 HDMI inputs
•Ethernet port for RSS and weather

Cons:

•Ugly remote control
•Picture-in-Picture support only for analog signals
•Can't turn off the Auto-Motion Plus (AMP) feature
•Red tinted bezel can be distracting
•Sometimes the TV will randomly shut off for no reason
•Doesn't have an LED backlight.
•Super-reflective surface leads to glare

More information

Specs

•1080p native resolution
•50,000:1 contrast ratio
•120Hz mode
•4ms response time
•Ethernet port for RSS, news, weather and stocks
•Inputs: 4xHDMI 1.3, Component, Composite

750 and 650 features

Ethernet port - the included ethernet port will allow you to access RSS feeds and other real time content to display sports information, news, stocks and weather. It's currently unknown whether other forms of content such as full Internet access will be available in the future.

4 HDMI ports - the lower level series feature 3 HDMI ports, with the high-end models adding an extra HDMI port for more expandability. All HDMI ports are version 1.3.

Common to all 2008 Samsung plasmas

Anti-glare screen - first introduced in the Samsung's 71F series of television released in 2007, Samsung claims they have improved the glossy anti-glare screen to reduce glare and reduce reflections.

3D support - the televisions can accept and properly display 3D content. If you have the proper glasses and source conent the TV will handle 3D images.

Upgrades over 71F series

Upgrades have been made to the internal circuitry to reduce power consumption and improve image quality. The new backlight system runs at twice the frequency which reduces the amount of flicker perceived. Samsung has also reworked the Auto-Motion Plus (AMP) feature to reduce what is known as the Triple-Ball-Effect (TBE) where fast moving items in an image will appear three times. AMP settings have also been made more flexible as they can be adjusted independent of the 'display mode' chosen.

Models

The naming convention for the 6 series models: Samsung LNxxA650T. Where the "xx" is replaced by the size of the set.

•LN40A650T - 40" screen | March 2008
•LN46A650T - 46" screen | March 2008
•LN52A650T - 52" screen | March 2008

Grand Theft Auto 4

The next-generation sequel to the controversial number one selling game. Grand Theft Auto 4 has you playing as Russian immigrant, Niko, trying to escape his shady past in modern-day New York. In a break from the trend of increasingly larger worlds to explore, Rock Star opted for a more densely packed smaller game world than in San Andreas. Major improvements over the previous games come in the form of a more vibrant city, substantially improved combat mechanics, "deeper" personal relationships, fleshed out physics and animation systems, and a comprehensive online component.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Storyline or freeform abilities
•Excellent graphics (every version gets better)
•Emergent physics system and animation with Endorphin
•A city that feels more "alive"
•Seamless multiplayer

Cons:

•Limited co-op gametypes
•Rockstar never talks about a PC release until a year after the consoles

More information

Gameplay

GTA4 fundamentally resolves down to the basic mechanics the first incarnations pioneered - stealing cars, shooting gangsters/cops, and completing missions. The fourth main installment of the franchise refines and improves many of these fundamentals. Most notably is the change to the gun shooting mechanics, where before auto-aim played a very large role and often times frustrated players, GTA4 uses an over-the-shoulder view similar to that in Gears of War. Also similar to Gears of War is the inclusion of a cover system that lets Niko hide behind objects to avoid getting hit. Hand-to-Hand combat has also been refined with a deeper moveset, and more combos available.

Driving has taken on a more realistic feel to match the rest of the game's setting. Cars now have more distinctive weights and features that sometimes make them more difficult to drive than in previous games. Vehicles that can be driven by Niko include cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and helicopters. Bicycles and airplanes introduced in San Andreas don't make the cut.

Setting

Rockstar is taking the game back to its roots and placing the setting in the fictitious Liberty City. This time around the city is far more realized and offers a more than passing resemblance to New York City. Four of the Five burroughs are found in the game under fictitious names, with the notable exception of Long Island. Rockstar has been quoted as saying the city is smaller than the one in GTA:San Andreas, however its far denser, making the overall amount of places you can travel to be equal. Buildings are more interactive with many containing full interiors.

Multiplayer

Grand Theft Auto 4 is the first time that online multiplayer is available to console players. Rock Star has taken cues from other modern online games and added their own GTA twist. Up to 16 players can take part in online matches that exist within the same open world of the single player. This means you can engage in one of the 16 different multiplayer modes and still travel to any part of the map, engage with civilians and do everything you can do in the regular game. Rock Star attempts to keep the interactions localized by making health and weapon respawns occur in select parts of the map.

Customization plays a large role in the multiplayer modes. Hosts are given the ability to specify the number of pedestrians available, cars in the streets, if cops are active, auto-aim settings, etc. Players themselves can also customize their digital personas with different clothing and body shape choices, the more you play, the more points you gain to unlock further customizations for your avatar.

Rock Star Social Club

Taking inspiration from Halo 3 Rock Star has a website that accompanies the game to provide statistics, community organization and other benefits to gamers. Not only do online games get logged in the social club, but extensive leaderboards and challenges for the single player game.

Differences between Xbox 360 and PS3 versions

Downloadable episodic content will be available exclusively for the Xbox 360 version. Any exclusive content/features for the PS3 version has not been announced yet.

War Machine M1 Elite Desktop Computer

This exceptional performers extreme expandability will appeal to power users whose storage requirements are extremely high.

A product with skulls on its case and "Combat PC" emblazoned on its desktop wallpaper obviously targets gaming enthusiasts. But straitlaced power users who look beyond the skulls and the references to tactical warfare will be impressed by the War Machine's M1 Elite's performance and expandability.
The $4485 (as of January 3, 2008) M1 Elite's components are state-of-the-art across the board. They include a 3-GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 CPU and two sticks of 1GB DDR3 RAM mounted on an Asus P5E3 Deluxe X38 motherboard, two 150GB 10,000-rpm Western Digital Raptor hard disks in a striped array, and a 750GB Seagate hard disk (for a total of 1.5TB of storage). A single 768MB EVGA nVidia 8800 Ultra graphics board handles graphics duties, which is why this machine qualifies as a power system, not a dual-card gaming system (all of the systems on our Gaming PCs chart have two graphics cards each). The package is rounded out by Samsung's 226BW, a high-quality 22-inch display with a native resolution of 1680 by 1050 and a Liteon LH20A1S 20X DVD writer.

The M1 Elite's stellar components helped the machine put together a score of 131 WorldBench 6 Beta 2--the best performance we've seen from power system of late. Frame rates on games were excellent, thanks to the unit's GeForce 8800 Ultra graphics.

The M1 Elite's innards are housed in a black Coolmaster Stacker case whose main claim to fame, aside from its imposing all-black countenance, is its ability to support nine drive bays, each of which can be configured as internal or external and can accommodate 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch drives. Stylistically, War Machine keeps things sepulchral, with the aforementioned skulls, blue backlighting, and nearly everything else rendered in black. I especially enjoyed the black flex tubing the company employs to bundle the SATA cables and power leads.

Completing the package are a set of excellent gaming peripherals: Logitech's programmable G9 laser mouse and G15 gaming keyboard. The latter, whose keys backlit in blue match the machine's style, offers 18 easily programmable G-keys (macro keys for games).

Like the first War Machine M1 Elite we tested, the new QX9650-equipped M1 Elite is an impressive performer with lots of free bays. Its all-black case won't appeal to everyone, however.

Denon AH-D2000 - Headphones

The good: Luxury full-size headphones with deep, powerful bass; well-padded earcups; solid construction.

The bad: Pricey; leather covers on earcups can cause sweat with extended listening sessions; body doesn't fold down for compact storage

The bottom line: For at-home listening, the Denon AH-D2000 headphones provide plenty of oomph, masterful musicality, and a solid, well-constructed design.

Price range: $206.99 - $350.00

Specifications

Manufacturer:Denon

General

Product Type - Headphones
Weight - 12.3 oz
Additional Features - Gold-plated plug

Headphones

Headphones Type - Headphones - Binaural
Headphones Form Factor - Ear-cup
Connectivity Technology - Wired
Sound Output Mode - Stereo
Response Bandwidth - 5 - 45000 Hz
Sensitivity - 106 dB/mW
Impedance - 25 Ohm
Diaphragm - 2 in
Magnet Material - Neodymium

Remote Control

Type - None

Connections

Connector Type - 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )

Miscellaneous

Cables Included - 1 x Headphones cable - 10 ft
Included Accessories - 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter

Power

Power Device - None
Battery - None

Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver

The good: Cheap; easy to set up and use; tuner and antenna are compact and highly portable; works with Media Center.

The bad: Bundled software suffers from unattractive interface; no Mac support.

The bottom line: The Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver provides a cheap and easy way to watch and record HDTV on your PC. We recommend this compact tuner and antenna kit particularly for laptops that feature Microsoft's Media Center app.

Price range: $82.00 - $110.95

Specifications

Manufacturer:Plextor Corp.

General

Video Input - This card can receive HDTV signals, allowing a system equipped with it to act as a tuner for a connected HDTV-ready device.
Device Type - ATSC HDTV receiver
Enclosure Type - External
Interface Type - Hi-Speed USB
Width - 2.8 in
Depth - 1.1 in
Height - 0.6 in
Weight - 0.7 oz

Video Input

Features - Time shift function, 16:9 widescreen mode, Picture-in-picture capability, One-touch recording from Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

Video Input Adapters

Digital Video Format - MPEG-2
OS Required - Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Vista
Interface devices - Sound card
Compatibility - PC
Required slot - None

Expansion / Connectivity

Connections - 1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Compatible Bays - None
Compatible Slots - None

Video

Form Factor - External

Software / System Requirements

Min Processor Type - 1 GHz
System Requirements Details - Pentium III - RAM 256 MB

Manufacturer Warranty

Service & Support - 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details - Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting

Sony VPL-VW200 - Projector

The good: This projector has exceptional color fidelity. It produces a deep shade of black with excellent shadow detail. It also has a superb feature package, including panel alignment and blacking, and it has solid connectivity.

The bad: Expensive; some loss of resolution because of the scaler; MotionFlow dejudder processing creates artifacts and makes film look more like video; no horizontal lens shift.

The bottom line: Although it certainly costs more than most of the 1080p competition, the SXRD-based Sony VPL-VW200 delivers one of the best pictures of any projector.

Price range: $10,647.00 - $15,000.00

Specifications

Manufacturer:Sony Electronics, Inc.

General

Device Type - SXRD projector - High Definition 1080p
Width - 19.5 in
Depth - 22.6 in
Height - 6.9 in
Weight - 44.1 lbs

Projector / Panel

Image Brightness - 800 ANSI lumens
Image Contrast Ratio - 35000:1
Image Size - 3.3 ft - 25 ft
Resolution - 1920 x 1080
Native Aspect Ratio - Widescreen
Display Format - 6,220,800 pixels
Lamp Type - Xenon gas fluorescent lamp 400 Watt

Projector Lens System

Focus Type - Powered
Lens Aperture - F/2.54-3.53
Zoom Type - Powered
Zoom Factor - 1.8x

Video Input

Analog video format - PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM, PAL 60, NTSC 3.58, NTSC 4.43
Analog video signal - RGB, S-Video, Component video, Composite video
Digital video standard - High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Digital Television Video Formats - 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p

Video Input Device

Type - None

Audio Input

Type - None

Audio Output

Type - None

Input Device

Type - Remote control - External - Wireless

Expansion / Connectivity

Expansion Slot(s) - None
Interfaces - 1 x Composite video input - RCA, 1 x Component video / RGB input - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Component video input - RCA X 3, 2 x HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A, 1 x Serial RS-232C - 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9), 1 x S-video input - 4 pin mini-DIN

Power

Power Device - Power supply - Internal
Voltage Required - AC 120 V
Operational power consumption - 650 Watt

Environmental Parameters

Sound Emission - 22 dB

Best Bicycle Helmets

Bell Citi (Around $50)

Best bike helmet, adults. Experts say the Bell Citi is one of the most comfortable, lightweight bike helmets for adults. It also passes both government and independent impact testing. While not quite as well ventilated as some pricier helmets, the Citi's 16 vents should keep riders plenty cool. The Bell Citi uses one of the latest trends in design. Rather than the pointy upswept profile of most bike helmets, the Bell Citi has a smoother, more rounded silhouette which experts say has fewer sharp edges and snag points. A small visor provides some glare protection. Although the Bell Citi comes in just one size, Bell’s ErgoDial retention system allows it to fit most adults.


Bell Ghisallo Pro (Around $105)

Most comfortable bicycle helmet. Though it's one of the most expensive bike helmets, the Ghisallo is also the most comfortable, with excellent ventilation from 17 oversized vents. Bell’s one-hand, micro-adjustable fitting system also gets great reviews from riders who say this helmet fits like a glove, especially for those with more oval-shaped heads. If you have a more rounded head, cycling enthusiasts suggest helmets from Giro (this company is also owned by Bell), such the Giro Monza (Around $105). The Bell Ghisallo Pro comes in three sizes and a variety of colors. We didn't see the Bell Ghisallo included in independent crash testing, but it meets CPSC certification requirements for impact protection.


Bell Trigger (Around $30)

Best bike helmet for kids. The Bell Trigger youth bike helmet performs well in independent impact testing, and it has better ventilation (with 23 vents) than most kid's bicycle helmets. This bike helmet has a rounded design with fewer snag points than some other helmets. Parents like the ErgoDial Fit system and pinch-proof buckle.


Bell Boomerang (Around $30)

Best bicycle helmet for toddlers. The Bell Boomerang is the most highly rated bike helmet for toddlers (with head measurements from 18.5" to 19.75"). The Boomerang gets high scores for fit, with a stretchy yet firm material on the inside of the helmet, which helps to hug the child’s head. The Boomerang has a detachable foam visor, eight air vents, a pinch-guard buckle, and kid-oriented decorative graphics. Most importantly, this 9-ounce helmet scored the highest for impact absorption in expert testing.

New Skoda Fabia

Quick Take

* Fuel Economy 14/18 km/l (city/highway) Diesel
10/15 km/l (city/highway) Petrol
Available Engines 1.4PD TDI In-line 3, 85 bhp Diesel
1.4 MPI In-line 4, 85 bhp Petrol
Available Transmissions 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)

* Estimated values may differ under various conditions

Highlights

First-of-its-kind super hatch.
Lavish interior feel.
Striking chrome grille.

Pros

Impressive mileage.
Choice of different engines.
Large boot space.

Cons

High Pricing.

Overview

The Czech car manufacturer, Skoda Auto of the Volkswagen Group, develops and manufactures premium automobiles for the world market. The year 2001 witnessed the advent of Skoda Auto's Indian operations, beginning with a plant at Shendra on the Auranagabad border in Maharashtra (the company's single manufacturing unit outside of Europe).

Skoda has introduced its second generation Skoda Fabia in India as a 2008 model. The Skoda Fabia is a 5-door large hatchback which was introduced to the world at the March 2007 Geneva Auto Show. The first generation of Skoda Fabia has sold since 1999 and has been a very successful model with over 15 Lakh of them being sold in Europe and other countries.

Based on the PQ25, which is a large new platform, the Fabia has a chassis with a sophisticated front MacPherson strut suspension along with a strong lower A-arm and non-independent rear suspension. The Czech manufacturer has kept Indian concerns in mind before release of the new model by introducing a raised suspension and returned springs and dampers – all together called the 'rough road' package.

The Fabia's anti-lock braking system (ABS) ensures maximum control of the vehicle in emergency braking situations. Its Motor Speed Regulator (MSR) and dual brake assist system ensure utmost safety while driving. The model also features dual front air bags that provide cushioning and reduce the impact in case of collisions. Fabia resembles the Maruti Swift in looks, but it is longer than the Ford Fusion.

Powertrain & Performance

The Fabia in India comes in diesel and petrol variants that are borrowed from the Skoda roomster, which is another successful model from Skoda. The 1.4 PD TDI diesel variant comes with an Inline-3 engine that generates 68 bhp. The 1.4 MPI petrol variant has an Inline-4 engine. Both engines are coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The diesel Fabia gives amazing fuel efficiency, which is close to 14.1 km/litre in the city and 18.5 km/litre on the highway. The Petrol variant is expected to deliver approximately 14.7 km/litre on the highway.

Build & Styling

The Skoda Fabia has an instant appeal with its cheeky cuteness. This large hatchback has a sharp design that makes it stand out in its class. The Fabia successfully gives a compact appearance with a tight-fitting roof, projector headlamps that are a blend of aesthetics and functionality, and a big chrome bar with a classy look. The exterior appeal is further complemented by alloy wheels with wide tyres for better road grip.

Stepping into the hatch will give an altogether new experience of comfort, innovative technology, and safety features. The interiors have an impressive dual tone design for a lavish feel. Fabia's multi-textured seat fabrics give a touch of class to the interiors. The interior of the hatch is packed with technology that includes a multi-function information display of the current time, outdoor temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, distance traveled, time driven, and average speed range. Convenience features include a remote keyless entry for one-touch lock and unlock, electronically adjustable and heated outside rear view mirrors, and front and rear power windows.

To keep occupants entertained, Fabia adds a CD/MP3 player with large graphic display and auxiliary audio input to use portable audio players.

New Volkswagen Passat

Quick Take

* Fuel Economy 6.0/10.0 km/l (city/highway)
Available Engines 2.0L lnline-4 turbo diesel, 140 bhp
Available Transmissions 6-speed Automatic Transmission (AT)
6-speed Sportronic Automatic (AT)

* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.

Highlights

Top-notch technology.
Two-zone temperature control.
Electronic stabilization program (ESP) for better safety.

Pros

Luxurious interiors.
Excellent ride and handling.
Two-stage front airbags.

Cons

Only one engine option available.

Overview

The Volkswagen group (Wolfsburg, Germany) is one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. It is now entering the Indian market with Passat, a luxury sedan.

The Volkswagen Passat is a thoroughly engineered, full-sized diesel saloon that offers class-leading comfort, performance, and safety. With its elegant design and stylish appearance, the Passat will definitely stand out in the crowd of luxury sedans lining the Indian market. Passat has acquired the highest rating of five-stars by the NCAP in Europe for occupant protection during crash testing.

The new Passat is designed on a stretched version of the PQ45 platform used by the new Golf. Known as the PQ46 on the Passat, its 2.7-metre wheelbase is almost as long as that of the Accord or Camry. The new Passat comes with a more efficient use of space and also uses a transversely-mounted engine and an independent rear suspension.

The Passat is available in two variants - DSG and DSGS, which are offered in front-wheel-drive configurations. Both are powered by a 2.0-litre TDl lnline-4 turbo diesel engine. The top competitors of the Passat include the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Volkswagen is planning to add more choices/variants to the Passat depending on the response to the launch in India.

Powertrain & Performance

The DSG and DSGS variants receive a 2.0L TDI diesel engine that generates 140 bhp @ 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 320 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm. The DSG teams with a 6-speed automatic transmission while the DSGS is mated to a 6-speed Sportronic automatic transmission which gives a sportier feel and is smoother in comparison. Acceleration is sporty and active. The six-speed automatic transmission provides seamless acceleration and a sport mode 'tiptronic' transmission offers an exhilarating driving experience.

A power assisted rack and pinion steering is quick and responsive. The Passat now uses a transversely-mounted engine and an independent rear suspension setup for improved ride and handling dynamics. The Passat receives a spring strut front suspension and a four-link independent rear suspension which is retuned for Indian bumpy roads. The ride quality on hilly regions is quite pleasant and smooth.

Build & Styling

The Passat is sleek and sports a graceful look. The massive V-shaped Volkswagen grille which is stylishly designed in attractive chrome grabs the attention at first sight. The front is also adorned with rectangular-shaped headlamps that give the car an eagle-like intense gaze. High-tech LED rectangular-shaped tail-lamps give the rear a bold appearance. The Passat rides on 16" alloy wheels with 215/55R16 front tyres and 215/55R16 rear tyres.

The interiors exude style and luxury. The seats are large and comfortable with adequate leg room and shoulder room. The design of the dash is striking. The instrumentation cluster resembles an Audi A8 design cluster where the dials and displays are placed directly into satin-finished metal bezels. The Passat comes with an electromechanical parking brake, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating, two-zone climate control, cup holders, and an audio system with an AM/FM radio, CD player, and MP3 player.

The Passat is armed with various safety features that include cruise control, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), central locking, a remote keyless entry, an engine immobilizer, dual-stage airbags, and an anti-theft alarm system.

New BMW 3 Series

Quick Take

* Fuel Economy 7.2/10.6 kmpl (city/highway)
Available Engines 2.0L 136 bhp Inline-4 petrol
2.5L 218 bhp Inline-6 petrol
2.0L 156 bhp Inline-4 diesel
2.0L 169 bhp Inline-4 diesel
Available Transmissions 6-speed Automatic Transmission (AT)

* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.

Highlights

Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
World-class steering and brake components
New double pivot suspension

Pros

Brilliant handling
Good value for money
Ample safety features

Cons

Costs more than its competitors

Overview

BMW raises the bar on its 3-Series benchmark sedan for this year. Renowned for its blend of engineering, technological advancements and brilliant performance, the BMW 3-Series is one of the most respected sport-sedans on the roads today.

The new BMW 3-Series sedan is available in three trims: 320i, 325i, 320d and the latest '320d highline'. Choosing one over the other is a question of engine, power and price. The car is now bigger, faster and more fuel-efficient. Innovative technology marks the debut lineup: new exterior and interior styling, powerful engines, 6-speed Automatic Transmission and a newly-developed double pivot suspension.

Top competitors include Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The BMW 3-Series costs more than its competitors do, but always manages to stay a step ahead in the compact sports-luxury class. The 320d highline variant is priced a lack more than the regular 320d variant. The 3-Series still remains the standard when it comes to vehicle engineering, luxurious interiors and outstanding handling.

Powertrain & Performance

The BMW 3-Series has always delivered an impressive balance between ride and handling. The sedans accelerate more quickly, stop shorter and turn with more lateral grip, redefining that mix of rear-wheel drive, great steering feel and a perfect balance between the front and rear axles.

The new BMW 3-Series suspension has double-joint aluminium control arms and a five-link independent system in the rear. BMW 3-Series' electrically-operated active steering is more responsive than the conventional rack-and-pinion steering. The 320d highline's engine is the most powerful of the line-up delivering an impressive 169 bhp. Hefty anti-lock brakes provide impressive stopping power. The brilliance of the BMW 3-series is in its handling and control, enhanced by superior technology in the suspension, steering, tyres and brakes. With a road feel that few others can match, an engine that loves to rev and electronic wizardry, the 3-series simply feels rock-solid, adding up to a truly exhilarating driving experience.

True to the BMW tradition, the components of driving -- acceleration, shifting and cornering -- perform impressively, giving the person behind the wheel maximum driving pleasure. The 3 Series' power matches its ability to hold a curve while muscular brakes provide impressing stopping power. The 320d Highline is equipped with the famous iDrive function that works as a control system for the car. In a class increasingly dominated by front-wheel drive, the typical BMW aficionado will appreciate the amazing technology built into the rear-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Bottom-line, no matter how fast you go, you will have fun driving this car.

Build & Styling

The sporty design, that distinguishes the BMW 3-Series, carries the trademark double-kidney grille and a more rounded, brawny appearance. Clear-lens xenon swivel headlights wrap around corners emphasising the car's width. Four lines sweep back to the trunk lid, defining the rocker panels and doors. Traditional L-shaped red taillight lenses and chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets bring up the rear.

Cabin interiors are vintage BMW, with emphasis on driver comfort. Build-quality is exceptional, seats are supportive and the dash has simple, neat analog gauges. All the trims come well-equipped with a multi-functional steering wheel, green strip windscreen, electric seat adjustment with memory function for driver seat, fog lights, automatic air-conditioning, car telephone preparation, six-CD changer, bad road package and hot climate version. The interiors are adorned with fine wood trim and leather upholstery.

Every model comes with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, stability control and dynamic brake control. Other safety features include front side-impact airbags and head curtain airbags for the front and rear.