Pentax Optio S4 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Average customer rating:

Great camera - but serious picture delays

The Smallest Line of Real Digital Cameras

2 years experience now

Small form factor, decent pictures

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this camera

Pentax Optio S4 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Pentax
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Targus Digital Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery for Pentax DL18 800mAh

SimpleTech 256 MB Secure Digital Card (STI-SD/256)

Ceiva Digital Photo Receiver

Viking 128 MB Secure Digital Card (SD128M)

Samsonite Worldproof 1.4 Digital Camera Bag -Blue/Black

Product Features:

4.0 MegaPixel CCD

Ultra lightweight aluminum alloy body weighs only 3.5 oz

Movie mode records 60 seconds of footage as an AVI file with sound

LCD monitor bright enough for use in direct sunlight

11MB internal memory

ASIN: B0000C4E4S

Product Description

Sporting the tiny dimensions and light weight of its predecessor, the Optio S4 boasts a hefty 4.23 effective megapixels, a 3X zoom lens, and a variety of features including a large, easy-to-use manual control playback button.The Optio S4 features an innovative Sliding Lens system that allows the camera's powerful 3X zoom lens to move up and away so the retracted lens is completely flush with the camera body. This novel system protects the lens and helps reduce the size. Despite the size, the Optio S4 boasts all the features found on other Optio digital cameras: a movie mode with sound playback, a voice recording memo for attaching 30 second memos to select images, a well-placed 1.6 monitor, and approximately 11MB of built-in memory. All these features and more are made even more accessible through a larger, well-placed manual control playback button on the Optio S4.

Amazon.com Product Description

Raising the stakes from its predecessor--the groundbreaking Optio S--the Pentax Optio S4 adds more megapixel resolution without adding any size to the camera's sleekly designed, tough aluminum-alloy body. It features a unique 3x zoom sliding lens system body that allows the lens to move up, away, and lie fully flush within the camera frame to protect the lens and allow for the camera's tiny dimensions.

Optics and Resolution
With the high-level imaging power of 4.0 effective megapixels (2304 x 1728 pixels), the Optio S4 captures everything from macro shots to distant scenery with exceptional sharpness and accuracy. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480.

Equivalent to a 35-105mm lens in 35mm format, the 3x optical zoom allows a full range of shooting from expansive scenery to telephoto shots. All elements are crafted entirely from glass and two of the lenses are aspherical on each side. Combined with 4x digital zoom, the Optio S4 offers 12x combined zoom capability.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Optio S4 can also record movie clips of up to 60 seconds with audio at 12 frames per second. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

The time-lapse movie function allows a sequential set of shots to be run as a short film. This can be used for impressive effects, such as scenes of clouds rushing across the sky, for example, and offers a selection of recording speeds--X2, X5, X10, X20, X50, and X100.

More Features
With a shutter release time lag of just 0.01 seconds, the Optio S4 allows switching from viewing to shooting with a single touch of the shutter or playback button at any time.

The built-in flash on the Optio S4 can be set to fire automatically when shooting in low-light conditions. For greater control, the camera also features flash-on, flash-off, and red-eye reduction modes, and there's also the option of slow shutter sync when shooting in "night scene" mode.

The Optio S4 offers a choice of two kinds of autofocus. 7-point autofocus helps you achieve sharp focus even when subjects are off-center. Spot AF, on the other hand, lets you place the center of focus on one point out of a choice of 49 in the frame, marking that point in the viewfinder for easier use.

Macro mode allows shots from as close as 7.08 inches from the subject, while selection of super macro shooting allows you to compose from as close as just 2.36 inches.

The OptioS has been specially designed with audio recording capability rivaling the abilities of standalone audio recording devices. This can be exceptionally handy for recording important information in meetings. An index can be added during recording for easy playback.

Other features include:

1.6-inch color TFT LCD screen with histogram display
Macro mode: 7.08 inches
Shooting modes: program, picture mode, night scene, movie, panorama assist, 3-D image, digital filter, user
Picture modes: landscape, flower, portrait, self-portrait, surf and snow, autumn color, sunset
White balance control: TTL auto, preset, custom white balance

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored in the internal 11 MB memory or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMediaCards (MMC). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (D-L18, included). It measures 3.3 by 2.0 by 0.8 inches and weighs 4.1 ounces (with battery).

What's In The Box
This package includes the Optio S4 digital camera, battery and battery charger, USB and AV cables, hand strap, and CD-ROM with image software (the latest version of ACDSee 5.0 software designed exclusively for Pentax Optio digital cameras) and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Customer Reviews:

Great camera - but serious picture delays.......2006-12-26

As an owner of an older model, I had been very pleased with the camera, particularly its small size (and perfect fit in a mint tin). However, with the S4 I was very disappointed with the shot to shot time. Especially for flash pictures, the picture button must be held down for a full 4 to 5 seconds to take a picture. Reviewing pictures is also slow - there is a 3 to 4 second pause between each picture when reviewing them on the camera. After using it for a year and being very pleased with all other features of the camera, this drawback alone has gotten annoying enough to want to get a different brand. According to the Optio, the delay is a result of slower processing speed within the camera. So if I was buying again, I would go with a different model of Optio with a better processing time, or check out a different brand.

The Smallest Line of Real Digital Cameras.......2006-08-02

I had the very first Optio S, and I could not find many things about it to improve upon, except for the battery door hinge, less barrel distortion, and more megapixels. Well, the next generation Optio's have 4, 5, and 6 megapixels, so take your pick. The biggest selling point for me has always been the size. These cameras fill niches that a bigger camera frequently cannot. It is ideally suited for street photography, travel, candids, and snapshots.

The Optio S line is tiny and inconspicuous. Your subjects won't often realize that you have a camera in hand. The Optio S4 fits inside an Altoids tin just like the first model, and it should always be that way. I would like for them to make an even smaller camera. An average-sized hand can conceal it quite nicely. I love the picture quality, even though there is barrel distortion and vignetting, but the kind of photography that I pursue often benefits from it. If I want to do architecturals and mural-sized landscapes, my medium-format camera or 4x5 view camera is what I use. Like I said, the Optio S fills a certain photographic niche, just as a large-format technical camera would for architectural photography. And like all cameras, this one won't make you a better photographer; that takes STUDY and PRACTICE.

If there was any other camera that came before the Optio S; that comes closest to it in terms of character, rendering style and other intangibles, I would say it was the Pentax K-1000. If you know anything about the K-1000's cult-like following, you would know what I mean. It's like the K-1000 was reborn as the Optio S. The Optio S is the digital K-1000.

2 years experience now.......2006-02-09

So I figure I might as well give my thoughts on it. I don't have much to compare it too, but I really appreciate this camera, and I continue to feel, looking back, that this was a great buy.

Firstly, I used to play with the white balance, and could never get it right, but my wife discovered the easy mode on the camera, and ever since, I've had only great color. I have no complaints at all about color, resolution, etc. I find the quality much better than film cameras, and that's all I needed.

At first, the battery life was great, but after about a year and a half, it started to go. By now, I get like 60 pictures on a battery.

The one thing that annoys me is the occasional lag between when I press the button and when the camera snaps the picture. I think this is normal of digital cameras, but I can't help being annoyed by it. Fortunately, it's not too bad, and doesn't happen all the time.

Of course, size is great. I got a leather case for it, and stick it in my pocket.

The camera seems to work like new. I had no problems with it at all, which is of course nice.

All in all, very happy with it.

Bruce

Small form factor, decent pictures.......2005-12-04

I bought this camera because I was looking to replace my small, point-and-shoot film camera.

The Optio has been a great replacement, giving decent image quality in a very small form factor.

The interface is solid and relatively easy to use. My only complaint is that the power button and the shutter release seem to be switched around -- the power button is often pressed by people that have never used the camera when they mean to take a picture.

Overall, I am very happy with this camera.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this camera.......2005-04-04

I've had this little gem for a year now and use it daily. The size of the camera and the quality of the pictures makes it the best investment I've ever made in a camera. I have tried other larger, more technical digitals in the past few months, thinking I would like to upgrade my little Optio, but always come back to my faithful little friend. It goes everywhere I go, weddings, outdoor shots, even my son's rollerblade competitions and I've never been disappointed. It's so easy to use, I've had no problem with the battery life as long as I keep my eye on the LCD and it shows me when it's getting low on energy. It doesn't take that long to recharge...just a matter of my knowing when.
The only thing I wish it had was more optical zoom.

Average customer rating:
Cisco Systems 827-4V Adsl Router 1E 1Adsl 4 Voice

Manufacturer: CISCO SYSTEMS - ENTERPRISE
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Routers | Wired Networks | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

1ADSL 4 VOICE

ASIN: B0000515Z1

Product Description

The Cisco 827-4V enables service providers to offer small offices and enterprise telecommuters additional voice services by using their existing copper infrastructures. By taking advantage of DSL high-speed access, service providers can provide integrated, multiline voice services over a single pair of copper wires. This enables service providers to offer new voice and data services without incurring the cost of a truck roll or expensive product forklift upgrade.The Cisco 827-4V employs the award-winning toll-quality voice technology used in the Cisco AS5300 VoIP access server gateway. In June 1999, the Cisco AS5300/voice gateway won BCR Magazine's "Best in Test, " with unprecedented scores to date for any VoIP products tested by Mier Communications. This test is the leading method of testing voice quality in telephony applications. This award-winning technology is an integral part of Cisco IOS software and is available on a range of different products, from the service provider trunking gateways to customer premise equipment such as the Cisco 827-4V - all with the same, best-of-breed voice quality. The Cisco 827-4V enables multilayer prioritization of traffic, supporting ATM, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), and IP functionality. This product supports optimized voice compression at the application level with powerful digital signal processors (DSPs) and a full range of codecs to offer high-quality derived voice lines, thereby minimizing the use of bandwidth. The voice functionality of the Cisco 827-4V, which is based on H.323 standards, enables third parties to develop applications to a standard protocol, resulting in an ecosystem of compatible voice applications such as enhanced call control via gatekeepers, service billing, and network management. Such an ecosystem provides a complete solution for rapid deployment of intranet voice services for small offices and enterprise teleworkers.

Average customer rating:

DO NOT BUY THIS DRIVE!

It worked great, at first.

Sorry, no standing 'ovation' for this drive

POOR QUALITY, POOR SUPPORT, POOR CREATIVE!

Terrible purchase

Creative Labs PC-DVD Ovation 12X DVD-ROM

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

DVD-ROM Drives | Drives & Storage | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Drives & Storage | Creative Labs | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
ASIN: B00005LDNX

Product Description

PC-DVD Ovation 12X kit enables PCs to playback high-definition DVD video without dedicated decoding hardware. Video and audio decoding, navigation and decryption are performed seamlessly through software. When motherboard real estate is at a premium, the PC-DVD Ovation 12X is the affordable choice for experiencing DVD.

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT BUY THIS DRIVE! .......2005-05-07

This drive has been nothing but headache... I would give this drive ZERO star if I can. It played fine for a month and then it started having problems. Initially it refused to read DVDs then after about another month, it stopped reading CDs. Paid $100 for Creative Labs name, but I'll avoid buying their product again... maybe Soundcards, but nothing else.

It worked great, at first........2003-07-27

First off let me just say that I purchased this drive when DVD-Roms were very popular and it was uncommon to see a computer come with one stock. Knowing that, it was really a heafty price (about 100 dollars). This product worked great for about two months before it broke; in that it, would not notice any type of cd I put into it. So I thought hummmmm, it must be still under warranty because I bought it only a few months ago. I send it into Creative Labs for repare and I get a call about two weeks later informing me that they want 90 dollars (plus the shipping cost) to repare it and send it back. I was furious, and didnt even bother to return their phone calls. Do not waist your money on this product. It breaks easy and can't even read most video disks that any other DVD player would have no problem with (ie VCD)

Sorry, no standing 'ovation' for this drive.......2003-06-11

This is a really bad DVD drive. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. But most of the time it didn't. While watching DVD's, it paused sporatically for up to 10 seconds. Sometimes it did not even play at all. It was fine with data and music CD's. I was expecting a good drive, keeping in mind Creative Labs' reputation. Boy, was I wrong.

After awhile, it completely broke down on me, not recognizing any media whatsoever in the drive.

Do yourself a favor and go with Sony or Memorex; their drives seem to be alright.

POOR QUALITY, POOR SUPPORT, POOR CREATIVE!.......2002-12-09

I purchased this DVD player about a year ago, and have never been able to play a DVD (no picture). I can play music CD's just fine, but when playing DVDs, the DVD player spins...and spins...and spins... with no picture. I've tried half a dozen times to resolve this problem through Creative's on-line technical support, and to no avail they have yet to be creative enough to come up with a permanent fix. According to Creative's techs, I need the latest bios updates and chipset patches for it to function properly (which I already have), however they are too myopic to admit that the potential cause for it not working is lack of driver support/updates for Windows 2000, and the possibility that the DVD player is defective. Not to mention, it may take several days for technical support to respond to questions you may have about their products. And when the finally do, they never seem to give you a systematic way of diagnosing and fixing the problem. Extremely disappointed in their lack of support/customer service and poor quality.. And since the product is out of warranty, I am now stuck with an over-rated, poor quality, malfuctioning, [] DVD player that can only be used for playing music CDs. Never assume Creative will resolve your problem in an expeditious, effective manner because you'll end up paying for it; I did! I will never again purchase another product manufactured by Creative..Buyer beware!!! By the way I am still waiting for creative's response to my lastest inquiry...If anyone feels they have the expertise in troubleshooting the lack of picture, please don't hesitate to email me at ysche@aol.com Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Terrible purchase.......2002-11-08

It seems like a lie but until now Creative doesn't have created any equipment support for this model. In Windows 2k as in 98 when I open the tray....it opens but in a few seconds it closes
alone.....incredible. Absurditly it does not even have a pattern of time to close, so you need to pray for, when you put or take the cd.
When I bought it; I put 100 dlls to the trash can.

Average customer rating:
Harman Kardon AVR 430 7.1-Channel Audio/Video Surround Receiver

Manufacturer: Harman Kardon
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

JBL | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Home Theater Receivers | Receivers & Amplifiers | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | Satellite-ready Home Theater Receivers
Accessories:

Monster Cable ILS200-2M Interlink LightSpeed 200 Highest Performance Digital Fiber-Optic Cable (2 m., Toslink-to-Toslink)

Monster Z200i-2M Reference Advanced Audiophile Interconnect Cable, 1 Pair (6.56 ft.)

Monster High Capacity Alkaline Monster PowerCells AA 2850 mAh Power Capacity AA 4 Pack 2850 mAh MB AA ALKA-4

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Product Features:

7 x 65 high-current watts per channel (with less than 0.07 percent THD); 2 x 80 watts in stereo

Multichannel DVD-Audio- and SACD-ready, MP3 and HDCD decoding, front-panel AV input with selectable digital-audio input/output

High-bandwidth (50 MHz) component-video switching, multiroom capability; digital bass management integrates all formats with your speaker system

Handles Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, all DTS modes (including 6.1 DTS-ES Discrete, DTS-ES Matrix, and DTS Neo:6)

Measures 17.3 x 6.5 x 17.1 inches (W x H x D)

ASIN: B0000D8HRC

Product Description

With a sleek look to complement today's flat-panel displays, and technology to make the most of the latest digital sources, the AVR 430 is an outstanding expression of the Harman Kardon design philosophy. All of the newest surround sound modes are here, including Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 and Harman Kardon's own Logic 7. There's an RS-232 port for both software upgrades and system control, along with an LCD remote. And with a Zone II standard remote and a variety of multiroom options, the AVR 430 can fill your whole house with sound.

Amazon.com Product Description

Harman Kardon's high-performance, 7.1-channel AVR 430 audio/video receiver mates power with convenience, flexibility with quality. When it comes to format compatibility, switching and distribution power, audio refinement, and exciting audio-enhancing features, the AVR 430 is quite nearly in a league of its own.

The receiver pumps 65 watts per channel x 7, or 80 wpc in stereo mode (2 channels driven). Its superior audio quality derives from its high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplification, its 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog audio chips, the latest Cirrus Logic CS 49400 24-bit, dual-core DSP with 32-bit post-processing, and compatibility with all popular and many leading-edge surround-sound formats.

The AVR 430's suite of technologies includes HDCD processing and Harman Kardon's exclusive switchable front-panel audio, video, and coaxial digital-audio inputs. The AVR 430 also offers complete digital bass management for all inputs--critical for balancing the inputs from different surround formats--including the 6/8-channel "direct" analog inputs to accommodate playback of high-resolution digital-audio formats such as DVD-Audio and SACD. The receiver's bass management seamlessly integrates these formats with any speaker system, regardless of the capabilities of the playback device.

The AVR 430 also includes a host of important features such as A/V Sync Delay for synchronizing the audio and video signals in systems using digital video displays, external video processors, or with digital sources such as PVRs, satellite, or digital cable; RS-232 connectivity for bidirectional remote control and firmware upgradeability; Harman Kardon's exclusive EzSet remote with two-line LCD display; Dolby Virtual Speaker and Dolby Headphone surround processing; MP3 playback (through a digital-audio connection with your MP3-CD-compatible source component); and a slot-mounted tuner that may be upgraded at a future date to accommodate HD Radio.

Of special interest to custom installers, the AVR 430 offers extensive multi-room capabilities with assignable amplifier configuration and A-BUS Ready connectivity; a comprehensive selection of digital and analog video and audio connections, including two assignable, wide-bandwidth (50 MHz), HDTV-compatible component-video switching inputs; 6 digital-audio inputs, front-panel and S-video inputs and outputs; and a dedicated Zone II remote for multi room operation, among other features.

The RS-232 port on the AVR 430 is its link to additional features, as it works in concert with the receiver's extensive flash memory to permit upgrades to both the operating system firmware and the software that powers the surround decoding. Should new surround modes or features become available in the future, this capability makes it possible to upgrade the receiver directly from a compatible personal computer.

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, radio antennas, a user's manual, and warranty information.

Average customer rating:
Comprehensive Video Group Premium High Resolution "F" Plug to "F" Plug Video Cable 6ft

Manufacturer: Comprehensive Video
ProductGroup: CE

Video Cables | Cables & Interconnects | Audio & Video Accessories | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics | Component Video | Composite Video | DVI Cables | F-Pin-Coaxial Tip | HDMI Cables | IEEE 1394 Firewire | S-Video Cables
Product Features:

High resolution, low loss construction

95%-100% tinned copper braided shield

Molded strain relief

Premium heavy duty gold F connectors

X-traflex jacket

ASIN: B0002CIC0Q

Product Description

Comprehensive's Premium HR High Resolution Series Video Cables are legendary for unsurpassed performance, durability and flexibility. Comprehensive uses only the worlds finest materials to produce these state-of-the-art video cables assemblies. All of Comprehensive's HR series cables are 95-100% shielded and are engineered for today's high resolution equipment. All HR series cables utilize premium molded nickel over brass or 24k gold plated connectors for maximum signal transfer and no discernable loss. HR series cables are finished with Comprehensive's famous black matte, non-glare X-traflex jacket and are covered under a Lifetime Warranty.

Average customer rating:
Fujitsu Siemens ESPRIMO P5905 - Micro tower - 1 x P4 630 / 3 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 1 x 160 GB - DVD?RW (+R DL) - Gigabit Ethernet - Win XP Pro - Monitor : none

Manufacturer: Fujitsu Siemens
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Electronics

Uninterrupted Power Supplies | Batteries, Chargers & Power Supplies | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B000BZUVS0

Product Description

Combine high expandability with latest technology. The ESPRIMO P Series is the right solution for customer requiring a high quality microtower with a managed lifecycle up to 18 month. Working with the ESPRIMO P Series is stress-free: it is ergonomic, silent and reliable. It is easy to administer and secure. The ESPRIMO P5905 offers highest performance for all your day-to-day business requirements.

Average customer rating:
DPT SmartRaid IV PM3332UW/3 - Storage controller (RAID) - 2 Channel - Ultra Wide SCSI - 40 MBps - RAID 0, 1, 5 - EISA

Manufacturer: DPT
ProductGroup: CE

Host Bus Adaptors | Drives & Storage | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B0009MIMG8

Product Description

DPT, an Adaptec company, designs and manufactures high-performance SCSI and Fibre Channel RAID controllers, RAID subsystems, host adapters and storage management software for servers and workstations.SmartRAID IV RAID Controllers are among the fastest, most powerful, feature-rich, RAID controllers available today.

Average customer rating:
Cisco Catalyst 2950 24port 10/100 Switch + 1000 Gbic Nfr

Manufacturer: CISCO SYSTEMS - ENTERPRISE
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Switches | Wired Networks | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B00006B6H2

Average customer rating:
CONTIVITY EXTRANET SWITCH 4000

Manufacturer: Nortel Networks
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Switches | Wired Networks | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B00006HRPI

Average customer rating:
CONTIVITY EXTRANET SWITCH 4000

Manufacturer: Nortel Networks
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Switches | Wired Networks | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B00006HRPJ

Product Description

Take home a Toshiba VCR, and you'll see why Toshiba has won industry-wide praise for its high quality VHS performance. Toshiba's line of extraordinary quality VCRs give you every reason to dust off and pop in all your favorite VHS tapes of Hollywood and family movies. Each model is optimized with cutting edge technology for eye-popping video and crystal clear audio. Toshiba's W607 is one of the most popular VCRs available because it has the key features demanded by avid home video enthusiasts. The W607 is a 4 Head Dual Azimuth VCR player with Hi-Fi Stereo, VCR Plus and a deluxe glow universal remote control. Prerecorded movies come alive with Hi-Fi stereo sound. Tapes with Hi-Fi soundtracks have wider stereo separation and fidelity comparable to a compact disc. XDS with Auto Clock Set ensures that your VCR never blinks "12: 00" again.

Amazon.com Review

Toshiba's W607 VHS VCR costs a few dollars more than most of today's entry-level VCR models, but its superior image quality, excellent audio, and convenient layout of controls would be tough to beat in this price range.

While most low-priced VCRs feature small enclosures that look awkward next to other components, the W607 has a full-size chassis finished in an attractive dark gray. Its controls are laid out symmetrically around a central tape slot and luminescent display, producing an attractive combination of visual elegance, functional simplicity, and intuitive operation.

For easy connection of a camcorder or video game, a small, hinged door in the lower left-hand corner conceals a set of gold-plated video and stereo audio inputs. In addition, a prominent round button facilitates one-touch recording.

The W607 delivered some of the best-looking, sweetest-sounding movie experiences of any budget VCR we've tested. Images were rich and detailed with low noise and vibrant colors, although a slightly reddish tint to flesh tones indicated that the picture was definitely on the warm, bluish side. A softening of small background objects suggested a marginal loss of detail compared to more expensive decks.

As you might expect from a four-head machine, special effects (fast play, slow play and still frame) were clear and stable, with little image "jump" during freeze-frame viewing.

Given the growing popularity of home theater, the W607's excellent audio quality is a powerful asset. With both stereo and Dolby Pro Logic videos, the sonic presentation tested the boundaries of our listening room. From the shuddering bass of earthquakes through the most delicate, high-pitched tinkle of breaking glass, the audio spectrum was reproduced with a precision unusual in this price range.

Clearly, Toshiba has outfitted this machine with an extremely capable tuner; standard network programming through the W607's tuner yielded a noticeable improvement in audio and video quality over the TV's tuner.

Enthusiasts who enjoy timeshifting--recording programs to view at their convenience--will appreciate the inclusion of VCR Plus+, which distills programming chores to a few keystrokes of the remote control.

There's also a high-speed transport that can fast-forward or rewind a T-120 tape in less than one minute. This "smart" system also slows the winding at the beginning and end of the tape in order to minimize breakage.

Finally, the remote control uses buttons of various shapes and sizes to identify the different functions. The transport keys (play, stop, fast-forward, and rewind) glow in the dark for quick access in low-light situations. This upgraded transmitter has also been preprogrammed to control most televisions.

With its fine performance, attractive aesthetics, and wealth of features, the W607 upholds Toshiba's tradition of offering outstanding value. Video mavens seeking a VCR with ergonomics that are on par with its audio and video capabilities won't find a better machine at this price. --Anthony Chiarella

Pros:

Audio and video performance rivals higher-priced models
A long list of welcome features is bolstered by a fine remote handset
Superb control layout on attractive front panel

Cons:

Compared to more expensive machines, images are slightly soft and warm

Amazon.com Product Description

Toshiba's W607 4-head hi-fi VCR offers hi-fi stereo audio capabilities with an MTS/SAP audio tuner. It also features a 181-channel TV tuner, digital auto tracking with channel memory, and front and rear audio-video inputs. Convenience features include auto setup, auto clock set, and one-touch recording. It also features high-speed fast-forward or reverse, up to 400x for 60-second rewinding or fast-forward. The Toshiba W607 has standard-size dimensions, so it will fit nicely in your audio-video cabinet. A luminescent-key remote control and remote batteries are included. This unit comes with a warranty of a year on parts, 90 days on labor.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Product, with Some Quirks.......2000-07-03

Picture quality and sound are excellent, the rapid rewind feature is terrific, and the unit's full-size chassis makes it fit in nicely with standard A/V gear, if that's a concern. The remote is unusually well-designed and convenient. Whenever the unit is powered off, a loud "bump" sound comes through the speakers--this isn't the case with any other VCR I've tried, including an earlier Toshiba model. And when one is watching TV, the unit defaults to "Display" mode, showing time, channel, and program information superimposed over the TV image--one has to press the "Display" key twice to clear it, an extremely annoying inconvenience...

High quality recording/playback.......2000-06-23

Before I offer my evaluation of the Toshiba W-607, I would like to express a general observation of the majority of the VCRs available on the market at this time. Due to the competition to offer lower priced units, I feel that this has been detrimental to picture quality, especially when viewing tapes recorded from network TV. In the past year and a half I have had to replace two VCRs that were purchased approximately five years ago and fell in the $400 price range. None of the half dozen makes or models I brought home came close to duplicating the older units picture quality.

The Toshiba W-607 was purchased to replace a 5-year-old Toshiba model M-660, an excellent machine that I used as my criteria when judging all other VCRs. Although the picture quality of taped programming, including digital cable, falls short of the M-660, it comes quite close. Overall I am pleased with the W-607's performance and features. It's mechanical functions are smooth and quiet. All of the new Toshiba's offer the one minute rewind capability with T-120 tapes. Although this feature may seem convenient, it is a generally known fact that the fastest way to damage the VCRs mechanism, is to rewind tapes in the VCR. It is far better to invest in a separate tape rewinder for $10 or $15.

Programming and set up is straightforward. The addition of auto channel scan and automatic clock setting, are probably the greatest improvements in new VCR technology.

The 607 lacks the "index" feature available on the older unit. This feature placed an electronic "tag" or "flag" on the tape to indicate and allowed easy return to a chosen location on the recording or the start of a recording and remained on the tape until it was taped over. The 607 does have a "counter reset" that allows the user to rewind or fast forward to that zero point. This can only be used once during recording and leaves no electronic "tag", meaning that once the tape is removed, the zero point is lost. My other complaint is that whenever a tape is inserted and viewed, the on-screen display automatically shows the counter setting, speed etc. this information can be removed by pressing the remote's display button. I must say that this feature is useful when flipping through channels in that it displays the program title and channel being viewed.

The newer remote has larger main function buttons for play, pause, rewind etc. but retains the record and timer buttons of the older remote, which I feel have always been too small for easy activation.

Despite the fact that I have pointed out a number of negative features of Toshiba's Model W-607, my primary concern for high quality recording/playback, ranks this VCR number 1 among all the "newer" units I have tried. Taking into consideration that the W-607's price is approximately one-third the price of a unit purchased five years ago, I guess a few concessions must be made.

Worth the price !.......2000-06-20

This is a great product ! Definately value for money. The picture and sound quality are very satisfying. In all very satisfied costomer.

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Electronics

Electronics