Cellphone recommendations?
 

My understanding is that ATT stopped network expansion once the deal was reached, and I have seen that in print in a couple of places. I'll try and find a link.

ATT coverage quality really depends on market. They suck donkey balls here in PHL, but friends who use ATT in other markets rave. The combined coverage promises to be spectacular.

And yeah, the t637 rocks. It's got everything that the v600 has in a candybar format. One disadvantage if you travel internationally, however, is that the t637 lacks the 900 mhz band that is widely used in Europe and south america.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

I'll be in europe in September with about 9 people, does anyone have any experience renting/buying/etc.-ering a cell phone that works there (Austria/Germany)?

We were also think of going the walkie-talkie route, which, no matter how old you are, is always fun.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

Do you currently have a GSM phone that supports eurpoean bands? Also, do you intend to use the phone substantially? If so, I suggest buying a pre-paid sim when you get to Eurpoe and plopping it into your current handset. It will be the cheapest way to go. Alternatively, you can activate international roaming and dialing on your current account (assuming it's GSM). This will be more costly, however.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

It's been a couple of years since I've looked at this (see, generally, my posts to the kids board) but if you happen to have T-Mobile,* they have (or used to have) a relatively cheap add-on to their plan where you can use your minutes in Europe as well. It was like $5-6 a month. If you happen to be on T-Mobile, you might take a look.

*T-Mobile is a sub of Deutche Telecom, so they have prettty good EU coverage.

Cellphone recommendations?
 

I was recently looking for a new phone, and have almost settled on a v600. A point you didn't bring up is that it has bluetooth which maybe a feature one wants to look for if you have (or are considering) a car that is bluetooth equiped for handfree dialing/talking, or if one likes the idea of the wireless earpiece. Now if I can just get T-Mobile to give me one for free...

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

If it's like the AT&T plan, though, you pay through the (roaming) nose, about 99c/min. Good in a pinch, but not for high-volume calling. I'm told, also, with TMO specifically, that voicemail can be a bit hit or miss while over there.

TMO I believe also has a plan where they fedex you a phone for use in Europe--it costs more, but has cheaper minutes. Return upon return.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

No, T-Mobile's plan was considerably better than that. I had a friend who was spending half his time in London and half in New York, and wanted to be reachable regardless. There was a monthly surcharge, but the per minute cost was the same. He had limited choices as to the phone he coud use, however, due to the differing GSM band issue.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

An unlocked v600 solves that problem for you. In the US, Cingular is the only carrier that sells the v600 without a sim lock.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

Jesus, man, you're like the Raymond Babbitt of cell phones.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

I found this promotion:

This summer, cell phone rental firm TravelCell (www.travelcell.com) is offering a free week's rental, a $29.99 value. To get this deal, call 877/CELLPHONE and specify promo code FWFF-604. Order by August 31 for trips anytime in 2004 to get the special rate. This is the best deal you'll find right now for renting a phone to use in the UK, Europe or most of Asia.

You obviously still have to pay minute charges. It's recommended by frommers.com, which I trust.

Thanks for your help everyone.

International cell phone or walkie-talkies
 

Att sucks, definitely sucks...

Music
 

The stereo system belongs to the ex and I need a music source. I am not a huge audiophile or technophile -- all I want is a reasonably priced, versatile system (i.e., one that could be incorporated into a more sophisticated TV/"home theatre" system should I ever acquire one) with good sound.

Obviously I need a receiver, and probably a CD player should I ever want to play something on CD without having to convert it to an electronic music file, but I'd like to be able to hook my MP3 player into the receiver (I assume receivers all have this capacity now). I know I need good speakers, of course, and to start will need enough speakers for 2 rooms (the LR is right below the BR so speakers can easily be wired upstairs).

I don't know where to begin and absolutely refuse to set foot in Best Buy. So, edumacate me. What can I get for say, up to $1000, and is it possible to spend significantly less?

Music
 

I don't have specific recs on brands, but one place I've been very happy shopping on line is Crutchfield. Their prices are generally pretty competitive adn both their catalog and website, plus materials they'll send for free, are very good on educating you as to what you might want and how to set it up.

As for MP3 players, all you'll really need is a patch cord that goes from mini-jack out to audio line in. Radio shack has them for about $8, and if you're playing MP3s, you don't need any fancy quality.

Music
 

I'll let other folks address the receiver / speaker options, because they probably know more.

But instead of a CD player, consider a five disc DVD changer. It'll play CDs, DVDs, MP-3s (usually), and probably all the different DVD based high fidelity audio formats.

Every receiver is going to be able to handle your MP3 player, although you may have to get the right cord.

Music
 

Concur on the Crutchfield rec.

Music
 

Good point. Or, for less (like $100-150), get a single-disc DVD player, which will also play CDs. Receiver, at the lower end, for about $350, and speakers for $500. You can add the surround sound speakers later--just make sure the receiver (and it almost certainly will) has speaker outputs for them. Done and done.

Music
 

As for receivers, do yourself a favor and go with a higher-current model. Your ears will thank you. In the sub $500 range, stick with Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, and Harmon Kardon. If you are looking at the HK stuff, check out Harman Audio's eBay store.. Harman Audio is the parent company for Harman Kardon, Infinity speakers and JBL speakers. You can often get brand spankin new stuff at their site for way below retail.

One more piece of advice; don't skimp on speakers. I know that you said that you are not an audiophile, but shitty speakers sound like shit, and you WILL notice. One SCREAMING bargain is the Wharfedale line of speakers, which you can get for great prices on Amazon. The Wharfedale Diamnond 8.2 is available in either black or maple and, at $299, are absolutely unbeatable for the price. You won't find anything that sounds better for under $500.

Feel free to PM if you want more specific recs.

Music
 

Dissent. Never buy speakers mail order. It's not worth it. Not worth it. Trust me on this.
Highlights - bring your own music to the store, avoid discount stores. Scope the salesmen - avoid smarm. Pick your own damn speakers. Everyone's hearing is individual and certain speaker brands will sound better depending on the music you listen to. Don't listen to classical on JBLs and don't play headbanger on Martin Logans.

Music
 

The only reason I recommended crutchfield for the store-averse (as RP appears to be) is that they have a no-questions-asked 30 day return policy, which allows you to set the speakers up in your house and give them a try.

If you really don't want to go to a store, it's an easy way to listen to any speaker.

Music
 

I don't think you've shopped for a DVD player in the last couple of months. These days, a decent (not great, but still named brand)DVD changer runs right about $100.

Personally, I think the $40-50 premium for a changer is well worth it, but YMMV.

Also, I think that unless one is hooking it up into HDTV and are really serious about it, there is little reason to get an expensive DVD player (just make sure it has an optical audio out and whatever video out is most appropriate for your TV).

ET change optical video to optical audio.

Music
 

Optical AUDIO out is also important, as it cuts down on wires/clutter.

Music
 

Sure because unpacking and packing and schlepping big ass speakers back to UPS, is so much more easy than just going to a damn store.

Music
 

I thought she said she didn't want to go to a store?

Music
 

Optical audio (sorry, previous brain hiccup) is one of the greatest innovations to come along lately. One cord, digital quality data transfer to the last possible component. It's a thing of beauty.

While I'm sure any receiver anyone is going to recommend here is going to have it, it's important to look for it in both the DVD side and the receiver side. In fact, these days a receiver should have at least three for proper expansion (one for DVD, one for Playstation and one for the cable box).

Music
 

No, she said she didn't want to go to Best Buy. And for good reason. The big boxes are too, just too. Best Buy, Circuit, CompUSA all the same - too noisy, high school kids in bad shirts who don't know shit.

Music
 

And the store set up will mirror yours at home, so you can be assured the speakers will sound just the same once home.

Music
 

The resonance will change, the timbre will not.

Music
 

So much for my reading comp skillz...

Cellphone recommendations?
 

I have a Treo, my wife has V600. Two thumbs up!

Comcast DVR
 

OK, so I still haven't made up my mind re: the satellite v. cable issue. For another wrinkle, Comcast just rolled out their DVR systems in my area, which I understand is a TiVo-type service integrated into their HD cable boxes. Does anyone have any experience with this v. TiVo. I know and really like TiVo, but the thought of having everything integrated into one box is appealing. Then again, if the Comcast DVR is laden with crippling DRM crap, I am not inetrested. Inquiring minds want to know...

thanks,
AdL

ETA: I found a couple of reviews/comparisons here and here.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

PocketPC with four-way wireless (IrDA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and quad-band GSM/GPRS).

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/sc/309813...overview-1.gif

{Drool.} Drop the camera, though. Useless.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

I prefer my phones smaller and unobtrusive. If it makes a noticeable bulge in my front pocket, it's too big. And my idea of hell is a PDA/phone combo. As I notted recently, the death of my fourth PDA in 6 years has me back on the Franklin Covey paper planner. Imagine my joy if every time for the last several years my expensive PDA died, my expensive phone went with it. Sorry, but that is one toy I will definitely live without.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

If it makes a noticeable bulge in your front pocket, it's news. Ha, ha!

Fair point about the size of the phone, but in order to get e-mail when out of range of a wi-fi hotspot, you're basically on a cellular system, so why not make it a phone too if you're going to be using that chip anyway? This thing isn't really a replacement for a phone qua phone because it is, as you note, impractical to carry except in a briefcase or bag. Rather, it's a replacement for a Blackberry* and a (partial) replacement for a Windows laptop with wi-fi Internet browsing access.

*If you're currently wearing a Blackberry on a belt clip, you're beyond hope already. (Note: Not you, Wonk. General comment.)

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

See, I miss the good old days when people spent large portions of their lives out of reach. I don't want to be reachable by email all the time. In fact, I only recently (within the last two years) broke down and gave a significant number of co-workers my cell phone number.

As a general rule, if I'm out of the office, I don't want to talk to people at the office.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

I agree with you in principle. However, if I am accessible when I am out of the office, then I do not really need to be in the office.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

You have sort of a good point. There are days when I don't feel like going in to the office. On those days, I usually plug in my laptop in the basement, or go out on the patio, turn on my cell phone, sign on to my email, and work from home in shorts and a comfy shirt between good cooking shows, movies, etc.

But with things like this HP, or a crackberry, I picture you standing on the side of the baseball diamond, missing one of your kids sliding into home plate, or in the lobby of the megaplex, missing that tasty sex scene with Diane Lane, tap, tap, tapping a response to an "urgent" email that could easily have waited until tomorrow morning.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

Do as I say not as I do. I don't have a blackberry and once all the kids are at the LL game, I turn the cell phone off.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

Since I don't need a second bulge, I'd go for the Siemens SK65:

http://www.siemens-mobile.com/reposi...case_72dpi.jpg

Cellphone with Blackberry built in.

Siemens press release

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

I don't go much for the cell phone fetish, but damn that thing is sexy.

Except for my blackberry objections that pretty much line up with wonk's, I'd consider one of those.

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
 

I fully agree on the blackberry and, for that matter, the cell phone with a number given to my employer.

But if forced to carry one, I'd go for the sleakest thing possible, and that one's pretty smooth looking, especially on my employer's tab for what undoubtedly will cost over $400.