Canon Optura 40 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom

Product Description

Canon's new OPTURA 40 Megapixel camcorders unite the world of video and photography like never before. Featuring DV Photo Plus, Canon's one-of-a-kind system for achieving premium image quality, and fueled by a 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor, they capture video and photos with stunning clarity. An RGB Primary Color Filter adds dynamic realism, making colors come alive. Experience the ultimate in picture quality, while still enjoying unbeatable style and performance. Imagine a camcorder, digital camera, and webcam seamlessly combined, and fitting in the palm of your hand. Compromise is a thing of the past; the OPTURA 40 delivers the best of both worlds, giving you the freedom to capture exceptional quality video and breathtaking photos.

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether shooting up-close or from a distance, the Optura 40 delivers video and photos with exceptional definition and contrast, making every shot you take a potential award-winner. Featuring Genuine Canon Optics, the Optura 40 expands on this range with a 14x Optical Zoom and 280x Digital Zoom. Both models allow you to cover all the angles, be it wide or telephoto, ensuring that you always get the shot you want.

Auto-Exposure Bracketing

In uncertain lighting conditions, the Auto-Exposure Bracketing feature will make sure your bases are covered: With a single press of the PHOTO button, the camcorder records three photos with different exposures. Later, you can choose which photo is best for printing or storing.

Enjoy stunning video and photos
The secret behind the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders' incredible video and photos is Canon's DIGIC DV technology. Since videos and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV uses special color optimization techniques when processing an image for output to a TV or printer. The result is accurate, life-like color reproduction in all your videos and photos.

Catch all the action without the shake
Life rarely sits still for a shot, that's why the Optura 30 and Optura 40 feature Canon's advanced Image Stabilization system. Now you can keep images smooth and steady, even at full telephoto and while panning or zooming. The large 2.5" LCD and Color Viewfinder further helps to compose sensational shots from any angle.

Dazzle on-lookers with vibrant color shots
Now you can relive those precious moments with all their true vibrant colors. While traditional camcorders process color with a standard CMYG filter (resulting in duller colors), the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders use Canon's RGB Primary Color Filter, which separates light passing through the lens into their true red, green and blue color components. The result is professional-quality images that deliver natural-looking tones and superior color rendition.

Get the full picture on your wide-screen TV
Unlike camcorders which only record a vertically stretched picture, the Optura 30 and Optura 40 both feature a High-Resolution 16:9 Mode that records video in true 16:9 ("letterbox") format for playback on wide-screen TVs. When shooting in the 16:9 Mode, the entire width of the 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor is used to capture your footage. The result is wide-screen quality videos that are certain to impress even the biggest "big screen" fan.

Canon's Megapixel CCD
Canon's Megapixel CCD Image Sensor delivers crisp images with life-like detail. Whether you are shooting video or photos with the camcorder, you will get the best results. The CCD works like film -- when light is captured by the sensor, it registers an image and advanced processing converts the pixels into digital data creating your video or photos.

Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV
DIGIC DV, our exclusive signal processing circuit, makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos. Since video and digital photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

Take it from sight to website at a moment's notice
Thanks to the Optura's improved Motion JPEG feature, you can shoot video ready for streaming over the Internet or for e-mailing. The Motion JPEG Mode records your footage onto the Secure Digital memory card at 15 frames/second, giving you up to 60 minutes of recording time on a 512MB card. You can then quickly and easily transfer your movies to your computer using the USB cable.

Make incredible panoramas and portraits
The Optura line of camcorders gives you the power to edit your still images in a variety of exciting ways. The Stitch Assist feature allows you to capture and create breathtaking 360-degree panoramas, while the Skin Detail Mode helps you take complimentary close-ups of people by softening details and reducing skin imperfections.

Turn your camcorder into a webcam
Exclusive to Canon, the Optura camcorders feature a Network Mode that enables you to remotely control your camcorder through the DV Messenger2 software application. Control the focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer while streaming the video via its IEEE 1394 terminal

Explore your creativity with the supplied software
Included in your Optura Kit are Pinnacle Studio 9SE and Pinnacle Instant Photo Album, two powerful editing programs that can help turn your videos and photos into lasting memories.

What's in the Box

Optura 40/Optura 30
NB-2LH Battery Pack
CA-570 Compact Power Adapter
STV-250N Stereo Video Cable
SS-900 Shoulder Strap
WL-D83 Wireless Controller
SDC-8M SD Memory Card
IFC-300PCU USB Cable
DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Windows
DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Macintosh

Customer Reviews:

Great, convenient, likes my Mac.......2005-01-20

Wonderful! I don't know much about video, but I just plugged it in and it worked. I am really pleased with the quality of the video and the nice way it connects to the software that came free on my computer (iMovie).

Yesterday I took video in falling snow. I set the camera to Snow/Sand setting, and it took care of everything. Nice feature.

The manual is minimal. I hope to find something better online.

Very disappointing.......2004-12-11

After doing a great deal of research I purchased the Optura 40. It was highly recommended by Consumer Reports and reviewers on this and other sites. I also purchased the Video Light since most reviewers mentioned poor low light performance as the main drawback to the camera. First of all, the light created red eye in my child, the main subject of my recordings. Without the external light video of indoor events, my main place of recording, was grainy and dark. Second of all, the automatic zoom was terrible. It was almost always out of focus. Third of all, the noise when the camera is recording is extremely loud. I had to look up tips online for how to adjust the camera so the noise wouldn't show up on the actual tape. I have a Sony analog with low lux and 16x zoom which I held side by side with the Optura and used to record the same things. The Sony was far superior. For the price of this camera you would think you could expect good low light performance and zooming. Canon can't manufacture a camcorder that doesn't make loud mechanical noise? I don't understand how everyone could say this is a good camcorder. Needless to say we have returned the item and are going to start looking at Sony digital camcorders.

Canon Optura 40 MiniDV- Best compact camera by far.......2004-12-08

Canon Optura 40 MiniDV

My family just bought the Canon Optura 40 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom; it is a digital video camera. I fell in love with this camera as soon as my mom charged it up and turned it on. I immediately wanted to take the camera out and start taping the first thing that came to mind. I started with video taping my house just like I was on MTV's cribs. I went in all of the bedrooms of the house, then I went to show off the cars, next I went into the back yard and taped the pool and all of the extensions that we've added on to the back yard. There were three excellent features on this camera; they were the readable buttons, flip-out side panel-viewing window, and the long battery life.
The best part about the camera was the simplicity of the buttons. The buttons on the camera are located on the underneath the flip out screen. The buttons had their symbols on them and also had the function written above. After messing around with the camera for a few hours, I had remembered the order of the buttons. A slight down side to this camera is that it is for right handed people in general, which allows you to have your fingers on the buttons at all times.
The next item is the viewing window on the camera. The camera has a flip-out, rotating, side view panel. This panel has crystal clear imaging that is amazing. Looking at a tape that I had taken a few months prior; I was amazed of how the crystal clear images of the tape place me back in the moment. The tape was of a parade in North Dakota. With me living in Arizona, and to feel as if I were back in North Dakota is truly breathtaking. The reason why the picture on the screen is so realistic is the vivid colors. Even in low light the picture quality is superior.
Battery life is another huge plus with this camera. The battery on the camera can almost last one tape; however, this isn't continued use. If the battery is used continuously it will last about an hour. The battery takes approximately fifteen minutes to charge up. This is a huge plus, if you are in a hurry and need another battery right away or even if it is a back up battery.
There are several other wonderful qualities to this camera: compact, lightweight, comfortable eye piece, clear voice recorder, extraordinary playback, and exceptionally easy to travel with. This camera has a high rating from most of the people that own it. It is definitely worth every penny spent. It is highly recommended by most to go take a look at one soon.

A really good camcorder.......2004-09-19

I received Optura 40 as a gift about a month ago. This is my firs DV camcorder.
The quality of movies is amazing, colors are just perfect, and it performs quite well in a low light condition. The are also night modes that turn night in a day (not too realistic, but would be great for recording a wildlife at night for example). Quality of pictures is also great - I do not have to buy a separate still camera, 8X10 enlrgements came out fantastic, and combined with 14X optical zoom you can make it a spy tool. The camera is quite easy to use and intuitive. I really enjoy using this camera. The ability to record 16:9 picture is according to some specialists the best solution on the market unless you want to spend big money on 16:9 CCD camera.

The downsides:
MANUAL!!! I was close to returning the camera to the store after getting frustrated with it. Just sucks.... everything is actually in there, but it as readable as a phone book.

Software - Why there is not a single software for DV capture to a PC? I realize that a lot depends on the card controller, but there has to be a more or less universal solution. So far, Windows Movie Maker 2 fails to properly record sound in DV quality, Ulead has a similar problem and the only one working properly is Adobe Premiere 7.... But maybe it is my Firewire card, who knows...If thre is anyhing more frustrating than recording DV onto a computer, I have yet to find it. I feel Canon could include a simple capture utility and editing program.

Still picture quality with low light is too grainy, looks like the camera tried to go to the highest ISO settings, the results are not too encouraging.

Battery life is about 1 hour without the LCD (elongates somewhat when the battery goes through a couple of initial charge cycles).

Because I am left handed I also use my left eye to see through the viewfiner, but occassionally I start and stop recording with my nose. Fortunatelly the left handed are a minority.

I also had an impession that the camere motor become a bit more noisy recently, but it could be due to a very quiet scenes.

Overall, I love it!!! I think that the quality far outweighs some minor quirks.

Wonderful Camcorder.......2004-08-29

I will give 5 stars for the Optics - just amazing pictures, especially in daylight. I shot a few pictures under a 60 Watt (yellow) light and the picture quality was surprisingly good.

What I liked most about this Camcorder:

1. Great image quality, especially in daylight (comparable to the panasonic 3 ccd model which is much more expensive)

2. Very sleek and compact. Love the look of it

3. Robust. My 3 year old has already dropped it twice and the camcorder has taken it very well.

4. Very good Mic. Audio quality of the recorded movies with the built-in mic was amazing

5. The LCD is big, bright and has crisp images

What I did not Like (complaints):

1. The manual sucks. It is just a little more than a complete listing of all the menus that the camcorder provides. Not much explanation and no good flow.

2. The camcorder "automatically" chooses between optical and digital zoom. There is no way you can manually control that

3. The battery lasts for just 30 minutes (at least in my case). I had to buy a high capacity battery seperately to make it meaningful.

4. The camcorder provides a 12 bit and a 16 bit audio mode. But if you choose 16 bit mode, then later on, you cannot mix audio with the movie using the Audio dubbing feature. The audio dubbing just stops if it sees a 16 bit clip, it works only with 12 bit. Very annoying and very nonsense. I think the reason is that the camcorder stores both, the original as well as the dubbed audio and needs the extra bits for this. But nevertheless, annoying.. (In my enthusiasm, I recored two tapes in 16 bit mode and now am stuck, I cannot mix in audio without first converting them to 12 bit and there is no easy way of doing that).

But overall, this camcorder is a champ.

Product Description

The Yap Phone allows you to use an actual phone handset to place cost-saving calls over the Internet. Simply install the Net2Phone software and plug the Yap Phone into the USB port on your computer.Yap, Your Alternative Phone, is Net2Phone's line of hardware solutions that allows you to easily place low cost Internet phone calls.Yap delivers big savings by putting your voice over the Internet. Calls are placed from a PC or phone and routed over the Internet by Net2Phone's advanced IP Network. And because the calls bypass much of the traditional phone network, Net2Phone can provide incredibly low rates for the millions of calls it delivers worldwide.This package includes USB phone, CD-ROM software, Yap Time Card.

Amazon.com Product Description

With the Yap, setup is easy: just plug the headset into your PC's sound card and enter your ISP and Net2Phone information into the system via the simply-designed software. With the included rechargeable 1,000-minute phone card, you'll be making long-distance calls--even international ones--within minutes of opening the box.

Regardless of the time left on your account, you'll always be able to conduct free live conversation from your PC to any other PC in the world. You can send a live voice message via e-mail instead of a typed e-mail message or send a fax from your PC to any e-mail address or fax machine in the world. Plus, since your information is stored permanently, you'll be able to make multiple calls without dialing your ISP repeatedly.

The headset has a standard over-the-head design, with an adjustable microphone. Volume control is available through your keyboard. Net2Phone includes a three-year warranty on the hardware, which covers parts and service.

What's in the Box
Headset, Net2Phone software for Windows, 1,000-minute rechargeable phone card, instructions

Product Description

Microline 184 Turbo 9-Pin Impact Printer. 300 cps, 5-part forms. 90 columns
Microline Emulation
Parallel Connectivity

Average customer rating:

DOA

Cheap Cheap Cheap!!

Microtek ScanMaker 3740 Scanner

Manufacturer: Microtek
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Flatbed | Scanners | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics
Flatbed Scanners | Printers & Scanners | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
Scanners | Printers & Scanners | Apple | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Microtek | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Printers & Scanners | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Belkin F3U134-10 USB Extension Cable (10-Feet)

Epson S041286 Premium Glossy Photo Paper (8.5"x11", 20 Sheets)

Canon 1029A004 Photo Paper Pro for BJC-8200 (8.5"x11", 15 Sheets )

Acoustic Research Spikemaster SM-BG8 8 Outlet Block, Standard Protection Surge Protector (White)

IRIS Pen II Executive Scanner

Product Features:

1,200 x 600 dpi optical resolution for fine detail

48-bit color depth for subtle shading

Includes Ulead Photo Explorer, ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR

USB interface; compatible with Windows 98/2000/Me/XP

Simple setup; 1-year warranty

ASIN: B00006HZKT

Product Description

The ScanMaker 3740 for PCs gives you powerful features, ease of use, and great image quality. Its 48-bit color depth gives you the image sharpness and true-to-life color quality you need for all your home and school projects. Other great features include 3 Easy-Touch buttons for scan, copy, and email; USB interface for easy setup; and 1200 x 600-dpi optical resolution for enlarging small images without sacrificing image quality.

Amazon.com Product Description

The ScanMaker 3740 for PCs offers powerful features, ease of use, and great image quality all for a low price. Its 48-bit color depth provides the image sharpness and true-to-life color quality you need for all your home and school projects. Other great features include 3 Easy-Touch buttons for scan, copy, and email; USB interface for easy setup; and 1,200 x 600 dpi optical resolution for enlarging small images without sacrificing image quality.

Customer Reviews:

DOA.......2004-02-06

Right off the bat on installation the driver is not signed off by microsoft, thay say continue anyway---I did even though I did this with a creative product and it screwed up my computer had to do a complete format and recovery, they care not about the hrs, hrs, and hrs of your time to fix there garbage products. Back to the scanner, noticed a smell after install, it was coming from the scanner, took it for a new item being used for first time. On a test scan the scan was ok and quality so so but I could tweek it out if I had a chance. After a few scans the scanner would only scan 1/2 of the item. (Travel only 1/2 way down the glass).. The smell was the stick on tape they use to hold the glass up to the unit. the glass was coming loose and falling down, the light would hit the glass about 1/2 way through the scan and get stuck then return. I can fix things, and I probably could of got some good two sided tape and replace the factory tape, ya, would of worked but to think that they would use tape to hold the glass up, with no other back-up is a real joke. Shame on you Microtek and thank god for these user reviews. And don't forget about that not signed off driver that comes with the soft ware. Do your self a favor and check out that canon scanner with 64 reviews (Good one's) Cost's $10 more.

Cheap Cheap Cheap!!.......2003-10-14

The main thing I wanted to do with this scanner was to scan and then email my pictures to friends and family. This scanner is USB and under $... many stores!!! It's quiet and the picture quality is great for it. I have no complaints yet on it, works like a charm. Setup instructions and software were included so with most any USB you just plug and play!

Product Description

Panasonic's vision of the digital future is driven by the needs and aspirations of its business customers and millions of consumers around the world who use its products every day. The company shares their dream to live a fuller life by providing ways of working smarter and enjoying the rewards of technological advances.

Amazon.com Product Description

At just 14 inches cubed, Panasonic's CT-13R18B is small enough for use in even the tiniest bedroom, kitchen, or dormitory. It offers conveniences found in much larger sets, like front-panel audio/video inputs for hassle-free connections with a VCR, camcorder, or gaming console. There's even a single-channel earphone jack for private listening. Other features include closed-caption decoding, auto power on, and auto programmable scanning, which tunes all available channels upon set up, then lets you add or delete to suit your viewing.

What's in the Box
TV, antenna, remote control, remote batteries, and user's manual.

Product Description

Get reliable Ethernet connections for your Mac or PC notebook with dual media 10Mbps PCMCIA card. Whether your computer requires standard untwisted pair cabling with an RJ-45 connector, or a 10Base-2 coaxial cable with a BNC terminal, the MPC-10 is your missing link!Installing this card is a breeze because it comes with drivers for Mac's and PC's, and once loaded, the plug-and-play design avoids any need for software configuration.The Macsense engineers were working overtime to develop the Hot Swap technology which allows you to add the MPC-10 to the mix without having to shut down your server. Smart...very smart.

Product Description

LG Electronics is one of the world's largest electronics manufacturers, producing a large range of consumer electronics and IT products. LG has created reputation for progressive technology and innovation with the latest technological developments in consumer electronics, home appliances and IT products.

Customer Reviews:

TOP NOTCH EXTERNAL DRIVE.......2005-01-20

A VERY EASY SETUP TOOK MAYBE 5 MIN.TO SET UP LOAD SOFTWARE AND PLAY A DVD . HAVE NOT BURNED ANY CD'S OR DVD'S YET SO I CAN'T SAY HOW FAST OR QUIET THE DRIVE IS BUT IT WAS QUIET DURING DVD PLAY.PLUS A GREAT PRICE AND SERVICE FROM TIGER DIRECT.

Excelent DVD recorder for Mac.......2004-12-20

I use this unit with a 300 MHz beige G3 Mac and it works like a charm with MacOS 10.2.8. No problem at all with Toast or other software.

Average customer rating:
Lancast 100M TX to dual FX/SM-ST-SONAR CARD ( R732-16 )

Manufacturer: Lancast Inc.
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Networking Kits | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B0000C5FNS

Product Description

Metrobility's "redundant twister" interface provides redundant data paths for path protection and restoration. An essential connectivity tool for high priority and mission-critical applications, it provides fully redundant data paths as well as power supply redundancy, for Ethernet or Fast Ethernet devices. If the primary connection fails due to a cable or hardware failure, the "redundant twister" interface switches the device's traffic to the secondary connections within 200 microseconds.Intelligent "redundant twister" models also deliver Managed Network-on-Demand capability for mission-critical applications. Managed Network-on-Demand allows the "redundant twister" media converter to be configured to operate in either Dynamic Recovery Mode (DRM) to ensure session integrity and increase uptime, or in Network Select Mode (NSM) to redirect traffic and add security through link isolation. And with SONAR, or Switch on No Activity Received, the interface not only monitors for loss of link on the active port, but will also monitor for traffic. With SONAR, if the active port remains idle for a given amount of time (configurable for 2-4 seconds) the resilient technology of the redundant interface will verify activity on the secondary port, and switch traffic to that port once traffic is detected. This prevents a switch or switch port failure from bringing down the network or any part of it.

Product Description

3.5GB, 8mm data cartridge

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics