hardware software accessories Dell

hardware software accessories Dell

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Audio/Video Receiver

A low cost home theater receiver with all the right features to become the control center for your system. Supports Dolby Digital and DTS surround decoding and produces 70 watts of power across all 5.1 channels. 96Khz/24-bit DACs for all channels. Reviews from Stereophile raved about its "liquid and suave sound". Input and output jacks are plentiful allowing you to hookup all your audio/video gear.

Attributes (Minimum): Surround Decoding (Dolby Digital, DTS, Custom), Amplifer Power (50W), Audio Inputs (Analog, digital coax, digital optical, 5.1), Video Inputs (Number, S-video, Component), Digital to Analog Converter (24-bit/96 Khz), Multi-room capability, AM/FM Tuner, Universal Remote

PC 2D/3D High-Performance Video Card

Geforce3 from Elsa

The killer video card for today and tomorrow. Excellent 3D performance and visual quality for gaming. This card is over 50% faster at Quake3 High Quality 1600x1200 than its predecessor, the GeForce. Good 2D general performance. nVidia GeForce3 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) chipset. AGP 4x, 256-bit, 64 MB of DDR Memory, 350 Mhz RAMDAC, upto 2048 x 1536 resolution. You pay a extra to be on the cutting edge. Full OpenGL support for the Quake triology of games. Future games will fully exploit this card'ss power.

Most any vendor using this chip is fine as most cards are clones of the Nvidia reference hardware design and use the reference drivers.

This card draws a lot of power, so make sure your motherboard and power supply has enough power for it. 250 Watt or more of system power is suggested as it uses 6 amps on the 3.3V line.

Beware that these video cards get upgraded (obsoleted) every 6 months.

CyberLink PowerDVD software DVD playback program will help you play back Videos without a hardware decoder. It supports most DVD-ROM drives and Video Cards, and best of all -- It works! A free trial version is available for download.

Attributes (Minimum): 2D Performance, 3D Performance (300 M Pixels/sec), Chipset (Nvidia or 3dfx), Card type (AGP), AGP Speed (2x), Video RAM Size (16 MB), Driver Stability, Software Bundle.
Comments: GeForce2 Ultra shipped 10/2000. New GeForce3 Shipping 5/2001.

Digital VCR

Tivo HDR312 from Philips

The VCR of the future, but right now it is more of a VCR supplement. Store up to 30 hours of programming on this unit's internal hard drive. Pause live broadcasts and resume play later. Instantly replay the last couple seconds or fast forward through commercials. Setup channels that automatically record all programs related to key words you setup or let it record shows it thinks you would like.

ReplayTV does not charge you a monthly fee, unlike Tivo's $10/month fee. You can prepay the fee for lifetime Tivo usage at $199. You can control the recording resolution and make it very high quality. Both control cable boxes and Satellite boxes. Replay has a nice 30 second quick skip to move past commercials, while Tivo forces you to fast forward.

Tivo has moved ahead of ReplayTV in 2000 with more advanced features and a hack so you can add more hard drive space. ReplayTV moved out of hardware in late 2000. Tivo does requires several hours to set itself up initially.

Attributes (Minimum): Reording capacity (20 Hr), Resolution (7 Mb MPEG-2), Recording Selection (Guide, Theme), Subscription (Free), Peripheral control (DSS, Cable box, VCR), Video outputs (S-Video), Audio outputs (Analog).

Digital Video Camcorder

Canon Elura 2MC DV Camcorder from Canon

Digital Camcorders have hit the mainstream, the higher-end models keep pushing into the domain previously reserved for professionals. This is a middle of the spectrum DV camcorder that will satisfy most users. Digital Video, with its 500 lines of resolution, shines when used on modern TVs connected by an S-Video jack. It is also great for transferring movies to a computer via IEEE 1394 Firewire with no loss of quality. This unit is one of the first with a progressive scan CCD, making picture quality excellent.

This compact model weighs only 0.86 pounds, and has 12x optical zoom Canon lens, 380,000 pixel CCD imager, Digital Still capture, MMC memory card, Progressive Scan CCD (non interlaced), PCM digital audio (2 channel/4 channel), IEEE 1394 jack, S-Video, A/V jacks, Digital effects and transitions, 2.5" LCD Color monitor, Picture stabilizer, Photo Mode.

Attributes (Minimum): Lens (10x optical zoom), CCD imager (380,000), LCD Color Monitor, Video Stabilizer, Video outputs (S-Video, IEEE 1394), Audio outputs (Analog).

Entry Level Digital Camcorder

JVC GR-DVL300U DV Camcorder from JVC

Digital Camcorders have hit the mainstream, with prices dropping below $700. This is a no-nonsense camcorder that will satisfy 90% of the general public. Digital Video, with its 500 lines of resolution, shines when used on modern TVs connected by an S-Video jack. It is also great for transferring movies to a computer via IEEE 1394 Firewire with no loss of quality. This model is not great in low light situations.

This model weighs 1.4 pounds, has 10x optical zoom lens, 680,000 pixel CCD imager, PCM digital audio (2 channel and 4 channel), IEEE 1394 jack, S-Video, A/V jacks, Digital effects and transitions, 2.5" LCD Color monitor, Average Picture stabilizer.

Spend more if you want a more compact model, a camcorder with larger zoom lens, or one with higher density CCD.

Attributes (Minimum): Lens (10x optical zoom), CCD imager (680,000 pixels), LCD Color Monitor, Video Stabilizer, Video outputs (S-Video, IEEE 1394), Audio outputs (Analog).
Comments: New models every year. 310U will replace it. It adds Night alive for low light shooting

High-End Digital Camcorder

Sony DCR-PC110 MiniDV Camcorder from Sony

Digital Camcorders have hit the mainstream, the high-end models keep pushing into the domain previously reserved for professionals. This is a high-end camcorder that will satisfy the prosumer. Excellent and priced to show it. Digital Video, with its sharp 500 lines of resolution, shines when used on modern TVs connected by an S-Video jack. It is also great for transferring movies to a computer via IEEE 1394 Firewire with no loss of quality.

This compact model weighs only 20 ounces, and has 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens, digital camera mode, Mega-pixel CCD imager, PCM digital audio (2 channel and 4 channel), IEEE 1394 jack, S-Video, A/V jacks, Digital effects and transitions, 2.5" LCD Color monitor, Excellent Picture stabilizer.

Attributes (Minimum): Lens (10x optical zoom), CCD imager (680,000), LCD Color Monitor, Video Stabilizer, Video outputs (S-Video, IEEE 1394), Audio outputs (Analog).
Comments: PC110 shipped in 1/2001.

Performance VCR

JVC HR-S3800 from JVC

Product Picture If you need to timeshift television programmer or play rental tapes, you need a high quality vcr. JVC is the inventor of the VHS format and maker of some of the best. We have owned 5 of their units over the years.

This model records and plays both VHS and Super VHS. Super VHS gives you a much better picture when recording, 400 lines of resolution versus 240 lines for standard VHS. It can record in Super VHS onto regular VHS tapes, handle Hifi stereo sound, has VCR Plus+ with Cable Box control, includes a universal remote, and has a jog shuttle to control slow motion replays.

Higher end models include features for video editing and Satellite Tuner control. Models get updated every year. With advent of Personal Video Recoders, VCRs are less attractive for timeshifting.

Attributes (Minimum): Processor Speed (32-bit), Audio Outputs (Analog or Dolby Digital), Antenna Type (Round or Ellipitcal), Additioanl Box Ports, and Warranty type (3 Year, 1 Year on site).

Satellite System

RCA DirectTV Satellite DS4280RE from RCA

Product Picture DSS Satellite systems have gotten a lot better. They allows you to receive hundreds of crystal clear channels with digital picture and sound. Recently, they were allowed to carry local programming, so cable's last argument against it is mute. Systems with Dual LNBs allow two TVs to be hooked up.

RCA was the originator of the system and this generation of system features Dolby Digital, a fast 32-bit processor for fast channel flipping, surf guide to help find shows you like, parental channel limits, universal remote, and standard 18" dish.

Higher-end models offer outputs for multiple sets, Elliptical multiple satellite antenna, HDTV, and Dolby Digital capability.

Attributes (Minimum): Processor Speed (32-bit), Audio Outputs (Analog or Dolby Digital), Antenna Type (Round or Ellipitcal), Additioanl Box Ports, and Warranty type (3 Year, 1 Year on site).
Alternates: Sony DSS Dish Network

Satellite System and HDTV Decoder

RCA DirectTV Satellite DTC100 from RCA

Product Picture DSS Satellite systems have gotten a lot better. They allows you to receive hundreds of crystal clear channels with digital picture and sound. Recently, they were allowed to carry local programming, so cable's last argument against it is mute. This box also receives HDTV from Satellites and HDTV from local stations over the air!

Previous to this unit, a HDTV decoder alone cost $1500. This does not include a dish, we recommend purchasing the companion elliptical dish so you can receive programming from 3 separate satellites. You could also hack together 2 round dishes with a multi-swtich. Includes a VGA output, so make sure your set can accomodate this.

RCA was the originator of the system and this generation of system features a fast 32-bit processor for fast channel flipping, Dolby Digital, surf guide to help find shows you like, parental channel limits, universal remote, and standard 18" dish. The Dish Network boxes can be adapted for HDTV but still require an expensive HDTV set top box.

Attributes (Minimum): Processor Speed (32-bit), Audio Outputs (Analog or Dolby Digital), Antenna Type (Round or Ellipitcal), Additioanl Box Ports, and Warranty type (3 Year, 1 Year on site).

Standalone DVD Player

Toshiba SD2700 DVD Player from Toshiba

Most DVD Players of today are very similar. This is a no-nonsense player that will satisfy 90% of the general public. DVD shines when used on modern TVs connected by an S-Video jack, and when hooked up to a home theater system with a Dolby Digital decoder. Most DVD Players include features like: great video, easy to use interfaces, handling all disks (CD, DVD, VideoCD), HDCD Audio decoding, 10-bit Video digital to analog converters, 24-bit/192kHz digital to analog converters, S-Video and component video outputs, Parental lock, and have Dolby Digital/DTS digital audio outputs.

This model has component video outputs, picture zoom, and Spatializer Virtual Surround Sound.

Videophiles will be looking for newer DVD Players with progressive scanning video outputs for HDTV or DVD-Audio Players that can play the next generation of DVD- Audio music disks CDs.

Attributes (Minimum): Video outputs (S-Video, Component), Surround Sound output (Dolby Digital, DTS), Audio outputs (Analog, Digital), Audio D/A Converter (24-bit/96 kHz), VideoCD compatibility, CD-R readability, Video D/A Converter type (10 bit).
Comments: Shipped in April 2001.

Standalone High-End DVD Player

Toshiba SD6200 DVD Player from Toshiba

Most DVD Players of today are very similar until you need one for High Definition Television Sets. This unit includes a Progressive Scan Component Video Output for connection to a 480p Video Jack on an HDTV set. This is a true progressive unit doing 3:2 pulldown and not just line doubling. This is high-end player that will satisfy the most demanding user. Keep in mind that no hardware-based MPEG decoder to day bypasses the progressive to interlaced conversion step, so you are essentially getting a line doubled interlace signal. Unlike an external line doubler, which acts on an analog video signal, the one in the DVD player can perform its magic in the digital domain allowing for better results. Someday this will be fixed. Currently only DVD playback on Computers allows you to bypass this degrading step.

DVD shines when hooked up to a home theater system with a Dolby Digital decoder. Most DVD Players include features like: great video, easy to use interfaces, handling all disks (CD, DVD, VideoCD), 10-bit Video digital to analog converters, 24-bit/96kHz digital to analog converters, S-Video and component video outputs, Parental lock, and have Dolby Digital/DTS digital audio outputs. Also decodes HDCD Audio discs.

This model has component video outputs, picture zoom, and Spatializer Virtual Surround Sound. Twin Trays for loading 2 discs, and a built in Dolby Digital Decoder.