The Que proReader and the enTourage eDGe are geared to hit the market in the coming months.

Basic criteria for this comparison:

• Designed primarily as an ebook reader
• Large screen
• No DVD-Rom
• No hard drive
• Touch screen
• Under 5 pounds in weight

Que proReader

QUE proReader

enTourage eDGe

enTourage eDGe

Overall Winner:

The enTourage eDGE. The enTourage eDGE has a dual screen and an actual computer built in allowing for web surfing, wordprocessing, and Google Android applications to be installed. The Que proReader requires a separate computer to be fully functional while the enTourage eDGE is a stand alone unit.

Added benefits of enTourage eDGE:

• Includes an SD memory slot
• Ability to plug in an USB memory pen
• Audio recording capabilities with built in mic or an external mic.
• Lower price point

Recommend: enTourage eDGe

Basic criteria for the comparison:

• Single body design.
• Integrated lens with no optical zoom.
• Built in display.
• Pocket sized.

FLip UltraHD

FLip UltraHD

• Captures 120 minutes of HD video.
• 2.0 inch anti-glare display (transflective TFT).
• low or bright light recording.
• Mini-HDMI connector.
• HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second (fps) progressive scan.
• flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare™ software.

Camera Optics

• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity).
• Aperture: f2.4
• 2x digital zoom

Video

HD Video Resolution Modes:

•  720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

Audio

• Microphone: Built-in (stereo)
• ACC Audio Compression

Storage

• Memory: Internal
• Included memory: 8 GB

Batteries

• FLip video Battery pack – Type unknown

Weight

• 179 grams

Approximate Retail Pricing:

• $249.99 USD.

KODAK Zx1

KODAK Zx1

• Records up to 10 hours of HD video with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB
• 2.0 inch anti-glare display.
• low or bright light recording.
• Mini-HDMI connector with cable included.
• HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second (fps) progressive scan.
• Weather resistant design.

Camera Optics

• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (70 cm to infinity).
• Aperture: f2.8

Video

HD Video Resolution Modes:

• HD60: 720p at 60 fps—16:9
• HD: 720p at 30 fps—16:9 (default)
• VGA: 640 × 480—4:3

Audio

• Microphone: Built-in (mono)
• ACC Audio Compression

Photo

• 3 MP (stills, interpolated) JPEG

Storage

• Memory: SD/SDHC card expansion slot with 32 GB support
• Included memory: 128 MB

Batteries

• 2 AA Ni-MH Recargeabke batteries

Weight

• 90 grams without batteries

Approximate Retail Pricing:

• $149.99 USD.

Overall Winner:

KODAK Zx1. The KODAK Zx1 has more bult in over the FLip UltraHD while providing similar 720p HD video recording capabilities. The ability to add upto 32 GB of SD card memory is a huge benefit and the lower base cost of the KODAK Zx1 really stands out too. The FLip UltraHD comes with 8 GB and cannot be upgraded. Persoanlly, I prefer the FLip UltraHD as far as the looks goes but the $100.00 higher price over the KODAK Zx1 is just too high for the added eye candy.  The added savings allows for the KODAK Zx1 buyers to invest in more SD card memory beyond the 128 Megs built in. Also the flip out USB on the FLip series cameras look cool but they do not function well with ports that are either too low to connect to or too high forcing the heavy camera to dangle. The ability to also take still images with the same KODAK Zx1 is a feature I certainly appreciate. No need to carry another camera for those unexpected moments. For parties, the KODAK Zx1 can take better close up shots with a minimum 70 cm focus. The winner is clearly the KODAK Zx1.

Recommend: KODAK Zx1

Basic criteria for the comparison:

• Under $500.00 USD pricepoint.
• 1080p HD recording.
• Designed for extreme sports video recording.
• Single button -- hands free recording.

Video footage taken from the GoPro Motorsports HD Hero.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI7x706ODVM

Video footage taken from the VholdR Contour HD.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjg09bualfo

First: The GoPro HD Motorsports Hero.

GoPro HD Motorsports Hero

The GoPro HD Hero is a small rectangular camera that looks like your typical “point and shoot” camera. The actual model that is referenced for this comparison is the GoPro HD Motorsports Hero. This camra comes with:

• 1 HD HERO Camera (5 megapixel)
• 1 Rechargable 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery
• 1 Waterproof Quick-Release Housing (180’/60 m)
• 3 Flat, 3M™ Adhesive Mounts
• 2 Curved, 3M™ Adhesive Mounts
• 2 Quick-Release Buckles
• 1 Vertical Surface “J-Hook” Buckle
• 1 Suction Cup Mount
• 1 Three-Way Pivoting Side Arm Assembly
• 1 USB Cable
• 1 Component Video (HDTV) Cable
• 1 Composite Video + Audio Out Cable
• Warranty: One Year

Camera Optics

• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/.6m – ∞), glass
• Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)
• Angle of View: 170º ultra wide angle in WVGA, 720p, or 960p mode
• Angle of View: 127º wide angle in 1080p mode 

Video

HD Video Resolution Modes:

• 1080p = 1920x1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
• 960p = 1280x960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
• 720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
• 720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
• WVGA = 848x480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

Audio

• Microphone: Built-in
• ACC Audio Compression

Photo

• Resolution: 5 megapixel
• Capture Modes: Single shot, photo every 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 secs.; 3 photo burst; self-timer

Storage

• Memory: SD card, up to 32GB capacity (SDHC)
• Included memory: None

Weight

• 179 grams

Approximate Retail Pricing: $300.00 USD.

Second: The VholdR ContourHD.

ContourHD 1080p

The GoPro HD Hero is a cylindrical camera that looks nothing like your typical camera. The actual model that is referenced for this comparison is the ContourHD 1080p. This camra comes with:

• ContourHD Camera
• MicroSD Card (2GB)
• Goggle Mount
• Flat Surface Mount
• Rechargeable Battery (3hrs)
• USB Cable
• Warranty: Length unknown

Camera Optics

• Lens Type: Unknown
• Aperture: unknown
• Field of View: 135° -- 960p and 720p
• Field of View: 110° -- 1080p and WVGA

Video

HD Video Resolution Modes:

• 1080p = 1920x1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps
• 960p = 1280x960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps
• 720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps
• 720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps
• WVGA = 848x480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps

5 megapixel Sensor
Codec: H.264 (AAC audio)
File Type: .mov

Audio

• Microphone: Built-in
• AAC Audio Compression

Photo

• No single photo imaging support included.

Storage

• Memory: Micro SD card, up to 16GB capacity (SDHC)
• Included Memory: 2 GB

Weight

• 123 grams

Easy Edit Software

Compatible with:
    Mac (10.4, 10.5, & 10.6)
    Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7)
Videos Download via USB 2.0

Approximate Retail Pricing: $300.00 USD.

Overall Winner:

GoPro HD Motorsports Hero. The GoPro HD Motorsports Hero has these added features not found on the ContourHD 1080p which truly adds to the usefulness of the camera.

• Still photo capabilities
• Direct video/audio connections for immediate viewing
• Waterproofing to 30 meters
• Better audio recording with minimal wind noise capturing.

The ContourHD is great piece of EYECANDY but unfortunately lacks the features that makes the GoPro HD Motorsports Hero the better product between the two. What the GoPro lacks in external beauty, the camera makes up in internal and external functionality. The GoPro is the hands down winner.

Recommend: GoPro HD Motorsport Hero

During the last couple of months I have enjoyed www.theradio.com. The ability to just go to the URL and have my favorite station play automatically is really sweet. Recently though, I have noticed advertising popping up as soon as I go to the website and after 6+ songs. Not so cool anymore when the flow of music is interrupted with a 15 second commercial. 

Last Friday I decided to join LAST.FM to post a blog for Digital Music Fridays.  This is also a free streaming music website. The main different between www.theradio.com and www.last.fm is that LAST.FM requires you to register. 

Pros: Last.FM

- Allows you to listen to your favorite artist and watch their videos.

- Some of the songs are extended or live version which ruly adds variety.

- Have direct access to the artists current activities like tour dates.

- Create your own playlist that you can share with others. You must have at least 45 songs from 15 different artists added to your playlist before the playlist can be listened to.

- Good sound quality.

- No audio commercials.

Pros: THERADIO 

- No Registration required.

- Simple interface that allows you to quickly enter the artist or genre of music

- Good sound quality

Cons: LAST.FM

- The screen can be over crowded with information about other styles and artists. 

- Banner and sidebar advertising.

Cons: THERADIO

- Audio commercials the first time you visit the website and occasionally throughout the streaming music.

- Music selection within any genre seems to be limited.

- Songs can get repetitive.

Simularities: 

You can mark a song as a favorite or ban the song from the playlist.

You can email the song for play to friends.

Overall Verdict:

LAST.FM WINS out over THERRADIO.

The simply answer is that professionals and users with disposable income always want the best and the fastest equipment. It’s all about who can publish the first quality image to capture the ultimate credit and rewards. For the average user, is a DSLR the only option for taking quality pictures? The answer from my perspective is NO.

Here is a list of the differences between a DSLR and a Compact Digital Camera.

DSLR has live view which means that the viewfinder looks  directly through the actual lens before taking the picture.

Compact  has an electronic display of the image being taken.

Both will have an LCD display and a viewfinder or just an LCD display on the compact.

DSLR has a removable and exchangeable lenses. One lens for each type like wide angle, close up, telephoto or zoom.

Compact has only one compound lens. Most have a wide angle, close up and zoom contained in one lens mechanism.

DSLR cameras are typically big.

Compact cameras are small and thin.

DSLR has no built in flash or a small flash plus a hotshoe for an external flash.

Compact has a built in flash with no support for an external flash.

What makes the DSLR larger than a compact has to due with two reasons.

1: The imaging chip used is a CCD chip which is larger over a CMOS chip used in a compact camera.

2: The mirror that reflects the actual image to the viewfinder is mounted between the lens and the imaging chip thus requiring addition depth to the camera housing.

8.0 megapixel is not the same on a DSLR and a Compact camera.

DSLR uses a CCD chip which operates at a faster speed thus can snap pictures requiring less light.

Compact cameras use a CMOS chip which is cheaper to manufacture, smaller in size and operates slower. The CMOS chip is about 1/4 the size of a CCD chip in a DSLR camera. Since the CCD chip is 4 X larger, comparing an 8.0 megapixel CCD to a CMOS means each pixel on the CCD chip is capable of capturing 4 X amount more of light for each pixel. This in turn results in a higher image quality. The additional light enhances the color and depth of the image taken.

Generally lenses used on a DSLR are of higher quality and also reflect a higher cost price. Most lenses alone cost more than a complete compact camera.

Pros of a DSLR

- Dozens of different lenses to chose from.

- Support for various lens filters.

- External flash support or wider and stronger flash accessories.

- Support for external remote triggering.

- Faster response time for image capturing.

- Generally first in acquiring innovative new technology.

Cons of a DSLR

- Manual focusing and manual zoom.

- Must change lenses for different situations.

- Since lenses are changed, this can introduce dust into the camera housing.

- Requires loads of batteries.

- Very bulky and in many cases heavy.

Pros of a Compact Camera

- Very small and light.

- Auto focus and auto Zoom.

- Easy to use for beginners plus added features great for seasoned photographers.

- No presetting required for point and shoot photography.

Cons of a Compact Camera

- Slower shutter response.

- No support for a larger external flash.

- Not suitable for low light photography but some do have special low light settings.

- Most high end photo editing programs do not support specialized compact camera features like RAW image file.

Each manufacturer has their own specific RAW coding format. High end software support high end equipment mostly.

Overall, a high end compact camera can compete with a low end DSLR when you just compare final images side by side in normal photo taking conditions. Extreme low light or difficult lighting conditions will always have a DSLR camera win most of the time. With all of this being said, is a DSLR the best choice? It can be if you are familiar with various aspects of the hardware and photo techniques but can be very daunting if you are just learning the steps. If you are a novice or have never used a DSLR or even an SLR, I would learn a few steps first from someone that has experience before jumping into a DSLR. A high end compact camera can still do wonders for you.

This latest version called the Slacker G2 which comes with 4 Gigs of memory and uses Wi-Fi to access the radio stations is available for $199.99 USD. This is not just a music player with 4 gigs of memory and Wi-Fi access to Internet radio. The product is unique in that you do not require Wi-Fi Internet access to listen to the radio stations. The unit reserves 3 Gigs of the memory for the radio station content therefore allowing you to listen to the stations disconnected from the Internet. A connection to Slacker online within 30 days will allow you to refresh the radio stations content. This is an innovative way to allow connected and disconnected radio play. The main service is free just like The Radio except you have commercials and DJ chatter. To remove the commercials and the DJ chatter, you need to subscribe to the premium service. The cost is only $3.99/month charged at an annual rate of $47.88.

Does Slacker offer something as good as the The Radio?

Currently the answer is no since you are dealing with commercials and DJ chatter on the free service. The advantage Slacker offers which The Radio currently does not is mobile portability. I have not been able to access The Radio on any of my Windows Mobile devices. I can access the website and show the FLASH player support details but the player itself is non functioning. Even if I was to have full access to the The Radio on my Windows Mobile devices, I can only enjoy it when I am connected to the Internet.

There is very little information on www.slacker.com on how the actual radio station content works disconnected. I am guessing in that the reserved 3 Gigs of memory is used to store the content. Does this mean when the unit is REFRESHED as Slacker calls their updating process, the whole 30 days worth of radio content is downloaded? If this is the case, how long does this actual REFRESH process take? 3 Gigs is a large amount of memory and though a fast PC and a fast Internet connection can handle this in a few minutes, I am not sure a portable music player like the Slacker G2 has the fast enough processor to handle the large data transfer at warp speed.

It will be interesting to see this type of product take off and become very popular. For now, I see The Radio as still being the hands down winner. I can still listen to The Radio for free via any free hotspot using my laptop PC. No commercials or DJ chatter and I can play a song or any song already played over again and again by going to the HISTORY tab and selecting the song to play over.

The move to digital radio has not been as swift as originally anticipated by these satellite companies. There are a number of issues that prevent music lovers to go completely over to digital satellite in droves.

• Users must purchase a new radio for the service they intend to use meaning a radio for MX Radio service or a radio for Sirius Radio service. Price starting from around $60.00 USD.
• Requires additional hardware to have access to home stereo sound quality and volume for multi user listening.
• Users must pay a $15.00 USD activation fee plus a $12.00 monthly user fee.
• Free Internet radio stations are popping up on a regular basis.

Many radio stations on the Internet are just Internet versions of the regular analog radio stations therefore you are still subject to commercials and the chatter of the radio station host throughout the music broadcast. Nowadays there are more and more Internet radio stations that offer commercial free music just like satellite radio.

Now that we have a new Internet radio station located @ www.theradio.com you can enjoy the same commercial free music just like satellite radio with some interesting advantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of www.theradio.com.

PROS:

• Music with no commercials.
• You can skip songs or remove songs you do not like.
• You can enter a song and have it played immediately.
• You can repeat a song played and also select it from the history tab anytime.
• You can enter the song title, artist or genre to have access to the music you like.

Cons:

• Does not work on mobile devices as is. The website uses Adobe Flash and Winodws Mobile does support Adobe Flash but the website keeps indicating Flash needs to be installed. I have not been able to get the Flash and music working on a Windows Mobile 6.x device. One reason could be is that the website does not recognize Pocket Internet Explorer as a compatible browser.
• The audio quality is not as good as satellite radio but still very good as far as Internet radio goes.

Overall, www.theradio.com on a desktop, laptop or UMPC is the winner if you are interested in music only. Satellite does offer some unique talk radio shows that you cannot get any other way. You will be subject to a monthly fee for satellite. Once www.theradio.com makes it very convenient to listen to their music on any mobile device, it will be a huge hit in my books.