Electric razors?
 

What are you...2?

If the tag is still on, the assumption is that it has not been worn. I mean really, how many people go around with tags on their underwear. Sheesh.
Besides being all uncomfortable and scratchy, it would leave a huge lump in a funny spot.

Esoteric combination technology question
 

Weird question:

I have a Rio Nitrus 1.5 gig mp3 player, with drop'n'drag capability, but which is normally driven off of the USB from the computer software.

I also have a fairly high-tech digital camera.

I normally take pics at the highest resolution possible, as you can always decrease, but never increase.

Has anyone seen any info/writings/whatever that suggests a way to hook these two units together with the USB cable and drop pics onto the storage capability of the Nitrus? 1.5 gig makes for a lot of cards, and I get tired of carrying the laptop around.

Electric razors?
 

Ever had sex with a stranger?

(I mean, let's be realistic here. "Ew"? For touching a swimsuit someone else touched? Some people even actually touch the touchee's PARTS!)

Electric razors?
 

damn buttons

Esoteric combination technology question
 

Probably not. You would need some way to get the mp3 player to actively download from the camera. Right now, presumably, you use the computer totell it to do that. But you won't have that capability without the computer.

Apple iPods now can be purchased with a card reader, which is essentially what you want for your mp3 player. Of course, before apple added this device, you couldn't use the 20-40gb of memory on the ipod to save photos, etc.

Things called image tanks exist for the purpose you want. but thats a few hundred $, which is more than the free you were hoping for, i imagine.

iPod owner, do your duty.
 

A San Francisco law firm is looking for plaintiffs for a class action against Apple arising from iPod Sudden Battery Death Syndrome.

The only problem is, the muckraking, whistleblowing consumers who first brought the Sudden Battery Death Syndrome to the public's attention aren't supporting the lawsuit. They call Apple's new warranty and replacement policy "fair."

We report. You decide.

Plasma tvs.
 

I'm considering getting a plasma tv, probably lower end, around the 42" range. What are features that I should look for/consider? One thing that I would like is to be able to use digital cable, but to avoid using being tied to the digital converter box and its remote. I think that some newer tvs allow you to use their remotes for digital cable; is there a feature that allows this option? Any reasonably priced brands out there? Remember, I'm not looking for something that is top of the line, just a basic flat screen system.

As examples, how would you compare:

This Gateway: http://products.gateway.com/products...=plsmtv&seg=hm

with this Gateway:

http://products.gateway.com/products...m42ubtv&seg=hm

with this Daewoo:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....007&cmp=%20%20

with this Akai:

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&b=g&WT.mc_t=I

Plasma tvs.
 

I don't really know much about the differences in 42" flat screens, but I did recently go shopping for a universal remote, which might be the better answer to your remote control concern, regardless of which TV you go with. See, e.g. :
http://www.harmonyremote.com/
(review and price comparison at http://www.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/5/7831.html )

Plasma tvs.
 

Pretty sure you won't find much that can do this. Some cos. are working on a tuner/decoder that will use a standarized card (a la satellite dishes) in place of the cable box, but from what I understand it's a) a couple years off and b) if available, has only limited acceptance so far. So, what you'd need is a tv that has an IR blaster to change the channels on the cable box. After all, if you're using digital cable, the tuner is the cable box, not the tv.

what baltassoc says is probably the best approach. get a universal remote, or a tv with a programmable remote, so you can program it to change the cable box channels.

Plasma tvs.
 

The remote for my receiver (a Yamaha) is programable, and I use that to control my rntire system. Alternatively, I would look to the Marantz line of universal remotes: they're supposed to be terrific and very user-friendly.

oops
 

wrong board.

carry on.


ETA: we are starting to look at plasma/lcd flat screens too. also considering setting up tv-enabled monitor (could run off a computer, or not) in exercise room. anyone set up a monitor that way?

oops
 

I was briefly looking into this for my kitchen, to mount in a place that I could see what was going on on my big screen without actually turning that way. I eventually realized that it was stupid to have two tvs in the same great room, even if one was in the "kitchen" so that I could watch and not just listen to tv while cooking or cleaning up after cooking or sitting at the kitchen table.

But, while I was looking into it, I found these things out:

coax inputs on flat-panel displays make them a lot more expensive, even if they're LCD;

coax inputs on regular monitors are extremely rare;

the only way it's cost-effective is if you get an LCD monitor, and they don't look that good.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Anyone recent do any research they care to share on HDTV-ready rear projection televisions in the 50-55 inch range?

I need to upgrade my current Sony 53" [non HDTV] and I am currently doing feature comparisons.

[And no, don't be snarky and suggest going for the plasma - ain't ever gonna happen until I actually own the wall you have to cut open to install the wiring]

Rear Projection TVs
 

Well, if you're spending several thou on a set, what's a couple hundred on getting a drywaller in to fix it up when you leave?

Plasma tvs.
 

These days, the only three remotes I use are my Tivo remote, my DVD player remote, and my reciever's remote.

Rear Projection TVs
 

My buddies, who went to CES this year, tell me that Samsung is making a very nice DLP. I was told that the picture ROCKS. Samsung makes 2 versions of their sets. 1 version you'll find in Best Buy, the nicer cabinetry will be found in higher end video stores.

Sony's new LCD is also very nice however, I, personally, do not like the cabinetry that the set comes in. Great picture, cheesy cabinet.

Plasma tvs.
 

Dear cheffy,
Why would you want a low end plasma? Remember that you can't watch standard 4x3 shows on a plasma due to burn in. Don't let people tell you that the "refresh" button will take care of the burn in as it will only do that for awhile. Over time, you will still experience burn in. Viewing 4x3 programming in the stretch mode merely cuts off the top and bottom of your picture so you're actually losing about 1/4 of your overall picture.
Daewoo makes as good electronics as they do cars.
Akai, does not make plasma screens - find out who the OEM is.
Gateway - same as Akai. Not an OEM.

Low end plasma picture suffers from digitization on fast movement and cheap color filters. If you're going to use it to watch regular network TV, don't do it. If you're going to watch just DVD's, maybe consider an LCD or DLP. Unless they're all cartoons, again, because fast movement will show obvious digitization and ghosting.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Are you kidding?

Rule of thumb - dont, ever, ever, ever spend money on apartment walls.

Plasma tvs.
 

Translation: I bought the low-end Waterdancer.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Exception: Don't let the threat of a withheld security deposit prevent you from making your apartment livable through reversible non-structural modifications.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Does this mean you are volunteering to tape the new sheet rock? Otherwise, humbug!!

Air Purifiers
 

I'm considering buying a room air cleaner and wonder whether anybody has an Ionic Breeze and if so, whether it works. I like the fact that there are no filters to replace, but for almost $400, it had better actually work.

Although I have mild allergies, that's not what I want the thing for -- with two dogs and a cat, I'm looking for freshness.

I also wonder whether the any air cleaner would do anything to reduce paint fumes. I painted my bedroom this weekend and the VOC's are getting to me.

Air Purifiers
 

Read reviews here.epinions.com

Apparently the biggest con is the smell of ozone since the unit works based on electrostatic principles. That said, one reviewer says you can't use candles in the house and others complain of reliability. Electrostatic unit will not really help with paint fumes.

Air Purifiers
 

Consumer reports did a write up on air purifiers a couple years back. My recollection is that their conclusion was dont' waste your money, and that you were better off using a better-quality furnace filter, for $8, instead. Of course, if you're in an apt. without your own HVAC unit, well, dunno.

Consumer Reports' October '03 report basically said that, on the plus side, the "Ionic Breeze" is very quiet, but on the negative side, that's because it isn't doing anything. Ranked next-to-last in single-room air purifiers.

Basically, since it (and some similar competing models) has no fan, it doesn't move enough air through the filter to make any real difference in your air quality.

Their quick-pick:

QUICK PICKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Room air cleaners that are very effective with moderate operating costs:
19 Friedrich $500
21 Whirlpool $270
The Friedrich (19), an electrostatic precipitator, was among the best at removing dust and smoke. We found that its $72 auxiliary odor filter adds nothing to performance and may not need to be replaced annually. However, its collector plates do need periodic cleaning, and it may generate ozone and make a crackling noise. The Whirlpool (21), a HEPA filter, has fairly low upkeep costs for this type.

Air Purifiers
 

I will second this recommendation, and it's certainly worth a shot before springing for a $400 piece of clutter. The one's I buy are a little more though - like $12. They seem to really work though. DIsadvantage - they don't clear out localized scents very quickly, so if you cook fish, the kitchen may smell overnight.

Air Purifiers
 

True, the HVAC has to run. So they also aren't so good in spring/fall.

As for pricing, they vary. The ones at home depot seem to run 8-12. Interestingly, the HVAC repair/cleaning guy said that the highest end (the 3M 1250 filter) was "too tight" and hampered the efficienciy of the furnance, but that ht e1000 model was fine.

Rear Projection TVs
 

You can do a lot with spackel (or however it's spelled) and some careful sanding and painting. I've put up speakers in most of the places I've rented, and it's always been worth it to do the three hours of work on the back end to fix all the holes.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Spackelling the holes one drills when hanging speakers, frames, etc. is one thing.

Burger, however, is suggesting ripping open the entire wall for the installation and wiring of the Plasma set.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding exactly what installation requires. But I would think you could cut two holes--one to go behind the TV and another right below it at floor level. TV (and cables) go into big hole behind tv. they come out the bottom where you can run them to the stereo. Fairly easy to patch afterwards, especially if you save the pieces of drywall you cut out.

But, yeah, if you want to hide the cables all around the room, well, fuck that idea.

Plasma tvs.
 

Sorry to hijack, but just a warning on plasmas for any of you that live in higher elevations, particularly the intermountain west. At elevation, the compressed gases in most plasma televisions (xenon & neon?) will emit a constant, annoying humming sound. Of course, this is something you generally don't notice until you get the sucker home. Two of my friends here in Denver purchased plasma TVs last year, and both returned them within a week due to this problem. Supposedly the manufacturers are working on correcting the issue, but I would be wary in the meantime.

Plasma tvs.
 

That's just your wife. She's still pissed that you bought that horribly expensive TV. So, she hums, just like we used to do to the substitute teacher with the hearing aid. Drove her crazy - she kept tapping on the thing all day, looking puzzled.

Plasma tvs.
 

I know a lot of anti-gadget women who are in love with plasma or LCD tvs because of the space saving. They actually lobby for the flat panels.

R(never anti-gadget)T

Plasma tvs.
 

Brings back a funny memory, though off topic. In college I dated a girl who wore hearing aids. Most models have an IR reciever to pick up loop sound broadcast in theateres, etc. It also produces a wierd sound when you fire the TV (or any other IR) remote at it. It was a suprisingly effective way of getting her attention when her back was turned and she couldn't hear me calling, even with the aids on. I wonder if that's why she dumped me...

-epF

Plasma tvs.
 

My wife has done very little resembling "humming" since she received the rock.

Rear Projection TVs
 

Or, you could just wrap the two cables (really, just one component and the power cord) in fabric cable wrap or other similar product and run them down the wall to the floor. It's not the most elegant set-up, but is the fact that you can see the cables really a reason not to get a panel tv in a rental?

Plasma tvs.
 

If you can get rid of a 35 inch tube TV and its shelving unit and replace it with a wall-mounted plasma, you can drastically increase the size of your living space. Where space is scarce (in big cities), the additional space far outweighs the difference in $$ for the same size tube TV.

Time to upgrade
 

Directv will begin broadcasting CBS in HD in the SF/LA markets on channel 81 beginning tomorrow.
Customers subscribing to the local channels will receive this.

And of course the Super Bowl is in HD.

Wireless or dialup in London/UK
 

Let's say a person --- not me* --- was going to London for a week. Let's also say that Said Person needed an Internet connection for his laptop during this time. Said Person complains that dialing in from the hotel line is "too expensive." (Said Person usually stays at hotels that assume money is no object for the vast majority of their guests other than Said Person.)

What would you do to get the laptop connected to the net? Is there a service that provides Wi-Fi connectivity for travelers in London? We have an ISP account that has an international access number in the UK, so dialing into the ISP using a cell phone and modem is a possibility. But what would you do? Assume an ultra-fast connection is not as much a priority as price and short contract.

*Also, not Not Me.

Wireless or dialup in London/UK
 

Have Said Person go to
Starubuck's Coffee
There are about 80 different T-Mobile hot spots.