Sunday, May 3, 2009

Payroll Services

Payroll Services Reviewed


Does anyone go into business thinking how fun it will be to file taxes or filtering through piles of payroll and employee benefits paperwork? Of course not! It is however a vital part of doing business and is increasingly more and more time consuming. That's where Payroll Services Companies come into play. Payroll Services can free up your valuable time to do what it is that earns you money!
There are many ways to get the dreaded tax and Payroll paperwork completed without spending all your time doing it. There are Payroll Tax Services, Payroll Administration Services, Online or Web Based Payroll Services, advanced Onsite Payroll Software, and many other Payroll Outsourcing Companies to chose from to lighten your heavy load. After all, people go into business to work on their passion or to live out their dreams not to deal with all the hassles and technicalities of running that business. Your employees deserve the best possible benefits and you deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your business is complying with all the rules and regulations. With the peace of mind that comes along with that, you can dedicate your time and energy to build your business and focus your mind on the important things related to that.
The burden of Payroll and Tax Preparation can be eased by hiring an in house accountant, purchasing state of the are Payroll Software, or by Outsourcing your load to a local accountant, payroll service, or to an Internet Payroll Service. You will do doubt find many different types of Payroll Software just by doing a quick search on the web. Several of these Payroll Programs are exactly the same Software just branded under different names! Once you find a decent Payroll Program, there is no guarantee it will be easy to understand or use. It will for a while even take you more time to get your Payroll work completed. It is almost impossible to find a Payroll Software Program that meets all the needs of your business without having a program designed just for you.
In House Accountants are the best solution for larger business but not the best solution for the small business owner. Paying a full time specialist is definitely the most expensive way of easing your paperwork burden and still there is no guarantee that your specialist will not make errors.
Outsourcing your Payroll and Business Tax needs seems to be the best option for most businesses. Outsourcing your Payroll Accounting frees your company of the burdens that go along with Payroll paperwork and accounting. Basically, once your Payroll Services Account is set up, your only part in the process is to send, e-mail, or fax your payroll information like hours worked to your Outsourced Payroll Accounting Provider and leave the rest to them! They will do all the calculations and take out all the necessary tax deductions (even child support!), and forward the checks to you for employee distribution. They can even do all the work to have your employee's checks electronically deposited directly into their personal bank accounts saving you the cost associated with issuing checks. If your Payroll Service makes any mistakes, unlike an in house account, they will take full responsibility and make all corrections. When outsourcing your companies payroll needs, you are just a click away from complete and up to date Payroll records via the Internet! As you can plainly see, for the small business owner, Payroll Outsourcing Services are the best possible solution.

Data Acquisition Starter Kits2

PC-Connected Data Acquisition Systems
Product Description
DI-710 Series
16SE/8DI, low-cost USB or Ethernet instrument with stand-alone capability.
DI-715B Series
8 signal conditioned plus 8 direct inputs. Low-cost USB or Ethernet instrument with stand-alone capability.
DI-718B Series
8 signal conditioned inputs. Smallest complete Industrial Data Acquisition System available. Low-cost USB or Ethernet instrument with stand-alone capability.
DI-718Bx Series
16 signal conditioned inputs. Low-cost Ethernet instrument (USB converter available) with stand-alone capability.
DI-720 Series
16-bit, 32-channels, printer port, Ethernet, and USB Interfaces.
DI-722 Series
16-bit, 32 extended measurement range inputs. Printer port, Ethernet, and USB interfaces.
DI-730 Series
14-bit, 8-channel, built-in isolation, wide dynamic measurement range (10mV to 1000V full scale). Printer port, Ethernet, and USB interfaces.
DI-785
32 signal conditioned inputs. Low-cost Ethernet instrument (USB converter available) with distributed synchronous capability.
DI-788
32 signal conditioned inputs. Low-cost Ethernet instrument (USB converter available) with distributed synchronous capability.
DI-1000TC
4 or 8 channel instrumentation modules designed for temperature measurements using thermocouples.
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Thermocouple Data Acquisition Sytems
Product Description
DI-1000TC
4 or 8 channel instrumentation modules designed for temperature measurements using thermocouples.
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PC-Based Oscilloscope
Product Description
DI-770 Series
PC-Based Oscilloscope provides five virtual instruments in one at 25MHz or 100MHz throughput.
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Modbus Distributed Data Acquisition Products

Product Description
DI-900MB
Din rail mountable analog and discrete I/O modules that support the Modbus-RTU protocol for distributed data acquisition applications.
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Analog Channel Expanders
Product Description

DI-78B
16-channel, signal conditioned input (backpack) expander for DI-720 and DI-730 Series Instruments accepting DI-8B modules.
DI-725-7
32 channel, analog input (backpack) expander for DI-720, DI-722, and DI-730 instruments.
DI-725E-7
32 channel, extended measurement range analog input (backpack) expander for DI-720, DI-722, and DI-730 instruments.
DI-75B-7
8-channel, signal conditioned input (backpack) expander for DI-720, DI-722, and DI-730 instruments.
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Probes and Transducers
Product Description

100987
AC/DC Current Probe. Specifically designed for probing in crowded wiring.
PFP350
Pressure sensor transducer measure pressures from 2.9 to 10,000 PSI.
LCF450
Low profile pancake type load cell (500-10,000 lbf).
LCF455
Low profile pancake type load cell with tension base (300-10,000 lbf).
LSB200
Miniature S-beam load cell (0.7 oz. to 100 lbf).
LSB302
Higher capacity S-beam load cell (25-300 lbf).
HMP50
Use with the DI-710 Data Logger for temperature and humidity measurements.
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Accessories
Product Description

DI-789
Ethernet Repeater board for DI-720, DI-730, and DI-78x Ethernet synchronous data acquisition products.
DI-205
16-channel signal interface (termination panel) with 5-way binding posts.
DI-705
16-channel signal interface board with screw terminals.
DI-706
32-channel signal interface with banana jacks.
DI-1000 Accessories
Browse our accessories for the DI-1000TC series. Included are miniature thermocouple connectors, a power supply and cables in variable lengths.
FC-1
Ferrite choke for interference reduction over USB cables.
DI-5B Module Accessories
Browse our accessories for DI-5B Modules. Included are backplanes and a power supply.
DI-8B Module Accessories
Browse our accessories for DI-8B Modules. Included are backplanes and a power supply.
Cables
Browse our list of data acquisition cables.
Adapters
Browse our list of Adapters.
Brackets
Rack mount kit, handles, and brackets.
Test Accessories
Test accessories for use with DI-730 Instruments or the DI-706. Shrouded banana plugs and right angle plunger hook.
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Miscellaneous Boards
Product Description

DI-400 Series
Multi-function Plug-In card. 12-bit, 16-channel analog I/O board.
DI-5001
14-bit, 32-channel, OEM printer port data acquisition board with programmable gain factors of 1, 2, 4, and 8. Available with Ethernet and USB interface options.
DI-660
Special function card. Intelligent, 128-bit parallel digital I/O card.
DI-EPP
EPP parallel port plug-in card.

Data Acquisition Starter Kits

Product Description
DI-148U
8-channel, 10-bit starter kit with ±10 volt input range. USB interface.
DI-148U-SP
Same as DI-148U but with 2 String Pot inputs and 2 general purpose inputs. USB interface.
DI-158 Series
4 fixed differential channel, 12-bit starter kit with up to a ±64 volt input range with 10 gain ranges. USB interface.
DI-194RS
Four channel, 10-bit starter kit with ±10 volt input range. Serial port interface.

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Stand-alone Data Loggers

Product Description
EL-USB Series
Low-cost, compact, battery-operated data loggers with built-in memory. Measure temperature, humidity, voltage, process current, or carbon monoxide.
DI-710 Series
16SE/8DI, low-cost USB or Ethernet instrument with stand-alone capability.
DI-715B Series
8 signal conditioned plus 8 direct inputs. Low-cost Ethernet instrument (USB converter available) with stand-alone capability.
DI-718B Series
8 signal conditioned inputs. Smallest complete Industrial Data Logger/Acquisition System available. Low-cost USB or Ethernet instrument with stand-alone capability.
DI-718Bx Series
16 signal conditioned inputs. Low-cost Ethernet instrument (USB converter available) with stand-alone capability.
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Stand-alone Data Loggers with Built-in Displays

Product Description
GL200A
10-channel handheld midi data logger with built-in 3.5" TFT LCD color display. USB interface.
GL800
20-channel (expandable to 200) handheld midi data logger with built-in 5.7" TFT LCD color display. USB and Ethernet interfaces.
GL900
8-channel handheld midi data logger with built-in 5.7" TFT LCD color display. High sampling speeds (up 100,000Hz) and a measurement range of 20mV to 500V Full Scale. USB and Ethernet interfaces.

Find the Right Data Acquisition Product



ENET-9481 Signal Conditioning

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General

Form Factor
Ethernet
OS Support
Windows
Measurement Type
Digital
LabVIEW RT Support
No
Isolation Type
Ch-Ch Isolation
Analog Input

Number of Channels
0
Analog Output

Number of Channels
0
Digital I/O

Number of Channels
4 DO
Timing
Software
Logic Levels
> 24 V
Maximum Output Range
0..60 V
Output Current Flow
Relay, Form A
Current Drive (Channel/Total)
4 A/8 A
Supports Programmable Power-Up States?
No
Supports Handshaking I/O?

No
Supports Pattern I/O?
No
Counter/Timers

Number of Counter/Timers
0
Timing/Triggering/Synchronization

Triggering
Digital
Triggers cDAQ Chassis
No
Physical Specifications

Length

18.2 cm
Width
9.5 cm
Height
3.7 cm
I/O Connector
Screw terminals
Operating Temperature
0..55 °C
Storage Temperature
-10..70 °C
Data Sheet


ENET-9481 Signal Conditioning

Source : http://zone.ni.com

Featured Products

DI-730 Trade-in Offer
Get 30% off a brand new DI-730 (any model) just for sending us your old DI-730 (any condition, any model). Hurry! This offer is for a limited time only.
Learn More.

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NEW Data Loggers with LCD Color DisplaysHandheld data loggers with TFT color LCD displays. Record data directly to a USB flash drive. Acquire from up to 200 fully isolated analog input channels.

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DI-788 Industrial Data Acquisition SystemAccepts up to 32 DI-8B isolated industrial amplifier modules. Ethernet interface provides distributed synchronous data acquisition.

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DI-158 and DI-148 SeriesUSB Data Acquisition Starter Kits. Low-cost yet extremely powerful data acquisition starter kits featuring sample rates up to 14,400Hz.

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DI-718B Data LoggerLow-Cost, Portable, USB or Ethernet Data Logger or Data Acquisition System. Up to 14.4KHz Sample Rate. Accepts up to 8 DI-8B isolated industrial amplifier modules.

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Considering a Traditional Chart Recorder Purchase?Think again. See why a more cost-effective and powerful PC-based data acquisition system is right for you.


Souce: www.dataq.com

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Trading Platforms



Four trading platforms


to choose from for maximum flexibility, convenience and speed. Test drive the trading platform




Our FOREXTrader platforms combine ease of use, unprecedented flexibility and a full suite of professional charting and order management tools, all on a single screen. Best of all, you can use the same User ID and Password to switch between platforms at will, putting you in total control of your trading experience.
View real-time prices in 37 currency pairs and spot gold
Execute market orders with just one mouse click
Track P&L and open positions in real time
Perform technical analysis with our advanced charting tool
Choose from 8 available order types
Access a full suite of proprietary daily and weekly research reports
View up to the minute news headlines and market commentary

10 reasons to trade with forex.com

Trade on spreads as low as 1-2 pips, commission-free
Trade currencies and spot gold at FOREX.com. Dealing spreads are as low as 1-2 pips on the most widely traded currency pairs. As always, you pay no commissions at FOREX.com, only the bid/offer spread. And with our fractional pips, you gain an extra digit of precision so that you can take advantage of smaller price movements. Plus, you can enter orders at any price - even inside the spread - and trade around news events, major economic announcements and other times of high market volatility.

Fully automated click & deal trading,
with instantaneous fills At FOREX.com, we've always automated processing for all click & deal forex trades. When you click BUY or SELL, our systems perform a real time margin check and, if accepted, immediately respond with a trade confirmation. Why is this important to you? First, you benefit from an unbiased trading environment that is not subject to human intervention. Second, automated trade processing improves our efficiency, which lowers our overhead and allows us to pass along the saving to you in the form of tighter spreads.

Flexible account types and leverage »
Standard accounts, with a default lot size of 100K and leverage+ of 100:1 (1%), are well suited for active forex traders. » Mini accounts feature smaller, 10k contract sizes and leverage+ of up to 200:1. For traders new to the forex market, a mini account is a great way to get started trading in a live environment. Get Started Now.
Open a FOREX.com trading account.

Award-winning forex trading platform
We pioneered our signature "one-click" dealing in 2000 and have been nominated as Best Forex Brokerage by the readers of Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities for the past two years. Our proprietary trading platform, FOREXTrader, successfully combines ease-of-use with remarkable flexibility. FOREXTrader offers a highly intuitive user interface, advanced customization features, and a full suite of professional charting and order management tools. Take a closer look at FOREXTrader

Advanced tools & research
As a FOREX.com client, you'll have access to a variety of resources and unique trading tools that can help you make more informed trading decisions.

Full suite of daily and weekly forex research.
Whether you're interested in fundamental analysis or technical trading methods, you'll have access to a wide variety of institutional-grade Forex market analysis as a FOREX.com client. And, tune in to our Weekly Market Call for timely trading ideas and analysis from Brian Dolan, our Chief Currency Strategist.

ForexInsider streaming market commentary:
Our exclusive FOREXInsider delivers actionable analysis of news, events and technical levels that impact currency prices, in real-time, to your trading platform. Updates are published as often as 20 times an hour, so that you can act instantly on new market intelligence.

FOREXCharts by eSignal:
Access eSignal's professional level charting package with over 30 analytical tools and indicators, a complete selection of drawing tools, and choice of real-time data feed. Preview FOREXCharts by eSignal

Guaranteed fills on stop loss and limit orders
During FOREX.com's trading hours, all stop and limit orders up to $2 million are guaranteed to be filled at your price. We understand that stop loss and limit orders are an important part of every trader's risk management strategy, and so we take this policy very seriously. This policy does not apply during major fundamental announcements, or outside FOREX.com's normal trading hours.

Negative account balance protection
At FOREX.com, your risk is only limited to funds on deposit. Our margin policy eliminates concerns about debit balances by guaranteeing that you will never owe more than you have in your account.

Support for automated (API) trade executions
For clients utilizing an algorithmic trading system or their own black box strategy, FOREXTrader supports fully automated trade execution via a standard FIX protocol or web-services API. The API provides users with the ability to receive a real-time rate feed, submit trade requests, set and modify stop-loss and take-profit orders, and receive automated confirmations of trade activity. Developers can request access to a testing environment in order to test their systems in real time before using the API in a production environment. Find out more about API trading.

Trader education, mentoring services, and more
FOREX.com delivers hands-on forex training through a variety of educational programs and events. For traders just getting started in the Forex market, we offer one-on-one platform walkthroughs, online training courses, as well as live, introductory web-based seminars ("webinars"). Exclusive client-only events cover more in-depth trading techniques and strategies and include an interactive Q&A with our senior analysts and currency strategists. As a FOREX.com client, you can also take advantage of our professional mentoring services. During your one-on-one consultations with a senior forex specialist, you can discuss the latest market research report, ask for a second opinion about your trading plan, or just bounce ideas around. Contact us to learn more about our mentoring services.

Wireless trading and account access
As a FOREX.com client or registered practice account user, you can access the currency markets via virtually any Internet-enabled wireless device. Keep on top of the market from anywhere – you can view real-time forex quotes, news and commentary, and charts and set rate alerts. You can also monitor your open positions, leave orders, even buy and sell at the market. There are no extra fees, and no special sign up. All you need is an Internet-enabled wireless device. Learn more about FOREXTrader.wireless


Source: www.forex.com

Discover the full breadth of our offering

Forex 101

Read free online material. Review the basics of the Forex market, its key concepts and common trading drivers.
Webinars

Join us for free interactive webinar. Our webinar series provide instruction, demonstration and discussion.
Workshops

Come meet us at a workshop. Attend a local workshop designed for new and active traders alike.
Training courses

Learn at your own pace. Sign up for one of our comprehensive online training courses.
Consultations

Trade with a plan. Speak with one of our experienced Market Strategists to help you develop a strategy to meet your goals.


Source : www.forex.com

New to the Forex market?

Learn to trade currencies - your way

Learning to trade the Forex market effectively requires the rightguidance and resources. That's where we can help.Attend a live, interactive webinar

New to the Forex market?

We've worked hard to distill our collective trading experience into an approach suitable for all skill levels. Step 1: Understand the FOREX market. Dive into Forex 101 for a compact overview of the basics or sit back and join us at one of our live interactive webinars.Step 2: Prepare to trade in a live environment. Register for one of our training courses and study at your own pace or join us at a local workshop, where our experienced instructors can teach you in a dynamic classroom setting.Step 3: Test your skills risk free. Sharpen your technical analysis techniques with a free 30 day practice account.

Source: www.forex.com

Online Trading

FOREX.com is a division of GAIN Capital Group, a dedicated partner to professional FX traders and fund managers worldwide. Institutional services include IB programs, white label solutions, and asset management. Individual forex traders can take advantage of the market expertise and financial strength of GAIN Capital Group and access an institutional FX trading platform, FOREXTrader, along with our powerful real-time forex charts, professional forex market research, and suite of advanced forex trading tools. For traders new to the currency trading, FOREX.com offers forex training programs, forex minis, and information about trading the foreign currency market.


Source:-www.forex.com/

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Chapter 1: What equity debt is

Home equity loans are an increasingly popular way to raise cash. Find out what the risks and rewards are.
Your home is your castle -- and sometimes it's also your bank. The equity in your home -- the current appraised value minus the amount owed on the house -- can be tapped through loans at lower interest rates than credit cards. This chapter defines the types of home equity debt and the pitfalls of each. We also look at the tax advantage and low interest rates that make them such a popular option for borrowing.

Strayer University

Quality
Earn a relevant, substantive education from an accredited university that employers respect.
Convenience
Programs you want, on campus or online, at times that work for you.
Affordability
Continuing your education may be more affordable than you think.
Support
Our faculty and staff will be there to help you succeed.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Ananda Spa india


Located in the tranquil Himalayan foothills, close to the mythological cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, surrounded by graceful Sal forests, overlooking the peaceful Ganga as it meanders into the distance, Ananda is the spiritual pathway to the ultimate, discovered through the union of body, mind and soul. It is not just a retreat that will leave you breathless with the enchantment of its surroundings, but assists in redefining lifestyles to include the well-known traditional Indian wellness regimes of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta combined with best of International Wellness Experiences to bring about the union of mind, body and soul



Radisson Edwardian Manchester


In a superb central location, this magnificent 5-star hotel offers luxurious accommodation, free Wi-Fi and excellent leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool. Built on the site of Manchester’s famous Free Trade Hall, the Radisson Edwardian Manchester still retains the building’s beautifully preserved Italianate exterior. The hotel has an excellent location, right in the heart of the city, opposite Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Central (formerly known as the GMEX centre and the Manchester International Conference Centre (MICC)). The spacious and luxurious rooms feature king-sized beds, state-of-the-art TVs with satellite channels and high quality bed linen. The en suite bathrooms are clad in Scandinavian slate and feature a walk-in shower and a bath. The luxury spa offers a range of relaxing and therapeutic treatments and the hotel also boasts an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a fitness centre, a health spa and a jacuzzi. The Opus One restaurant offers fine dining while Alto has a more relaxed, bistro feel.
Hotel Rooms: 263. Hotel Chain: Radisson Edwardian.



Palace Hotel


A magnificent terracotta grade ii listed building within the bustle of Manchester city centre with newly refurbished contemporary rooms and many interesting architectural features. This is an excellent place to stay for those looking for stylish accomodation in the heart of the city. The Palace has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that emphasises friendly and hospitable service. The hotel offers a variety of facilities and services that meet the needs for business and leisure travellers including a business centre, bar and restaurant.
Hotel Rooms: 257. Hotel Chain: Principal Hayley Hotels & Conference Venues.



Britannia Hotel


This historic Grade II listed building boasts free Wi-Fi access and superb city transport links, situated in a prime location for shops, theatres and the former G-MEX exhibition centre. A famous landmark dating back to the mid-19th century, the Britannia Hotel offers contemporary facilities and superb period features, including a beautiful balcony stairwell. It has 2 of Manchester’s popular meeting places in the Wave Bar and Bar-Rogue, providing food all day at affordable prices, with great music and DJs. Add to this Jenny's Carvery, a Pizzeria and the traditional comfort of Crompton's French Restaurant, and you are truly spoilt for choice. A 5-minute walk from Piccadilly Station (with direct links to the airport), the hotel is also adjacent to the main coach station and has the Metro tram system on its doorstep. Valet parking can be arranged on arrival and a multi-storey car park is close by.
Hotel Rooms: 363. Hotel Chain: Britannia Hotels.



Starhotels Metropole


Located in the Umbertine section of Rome, near the central Termini station and a few steps away from the Teatro dell'Opera, the hotel is ideally located to explore this historic city. During the day you can explore the famous art sights of Rome before unwinding in the hotel’s piano bar, with live music. Dominated by the Liberty-style skylight, the bar is perfectly illuminated, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The hotel features 6 meeting rooms, which can accommodate up to 495 people and can be adapted for various meeting requirements.
Hotel Rooms: 243. Hotel Chain: Starhotels.



Starhotels Michelangelo Rome


The Starhotels Michelangelo is an elegant hotel set just a few steps away from the ancient walls of the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Square with its magnificent basilica. This establishment offers spacious guest rooms equipped with all modern amenities. The hotel features a bright sunny lounge with brocade sofas and marble floors which welcome you as you arrive. You can relax at the hotel’s restaurant or bar after a day of sightseeing in this enchanting city. The Starhotels Michelangelo is located in a tranquil, residential area of the city. It is ideal for those wishing to visit the Vatican Museums, including the spectacular Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. The hotel also has good transport links and is within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions including Castle St. Angelo and the Tiber River.
Hotel Rooms: 179. Hotel Chain: Starhotels.



Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo


An unbeatable location, excellent service, and a panoramic roof terrace with a view across Rome; you have all this and more at Hotel Mediterraneo, only 200 metres from Termini Station. Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo is located in the popular Esquilino district of Rome, the highest of the city’s 7 hills. You are a 5-minute walk from the impressive Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Walk a little further along the road and you will find the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. Your guest room is comfortable and elegant with large windows and high ceilings. Choose a Suite and in addition you will find a hydromassage bathtub and a private terrace with a view across Rome. The hotel also features fully equipped conference rooms for a maximum of 80 people. Start your day with a varied buffet breakfast, complete with freshly baked pastries and seasonal fruit. The bar is open throughout the day and provides drinks and hot and cold snacks. At lunch and dinner, try some traditional, Italian cuisine at the restaurant, which opens out onto the terrace during the summer. Check out the new add-on option when booking and guarantee your half-board service in advance.
Hotel Rooms: 254.

Chelsea Tower Suites & Apartments


Calling it a modern apartment tower would be underselling this exceptionally designed, futuristic tower. Standing tall and overlooking most of its peers, the Chelsea Tower is situated opposite the finance hub, the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), on Dubai’s ultra-chic Sheikh Zayed Road. The first impression of the tower is its’ awe-inspiring architectural eccentricity, which sets it apart from the mundane and the ordinary. And once you enter the Chelsea Tower, we promise you that your mood will be elevated, as your senses get immersed in pure luxury. Standing 49 stories tall, the Chelsea Tower has some of the best views of Dubai. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the Jumeirah beaches on one side and the sparkling city on the other, you’re bound to be mesmerised by the view, whichever window you might look out of.
Hotel Rooms: 281.




Arjaan - Dubai Media City


Located in the heart of Dubai’s Media City, the Arjaan offers a range of luxury self-catering apartments alongside the full services and facilities of a top hotel. The Arjaan Dubai Media City features 167 suites and apartments, all beautifully furnished in a contemporary Arabian-style and offering a wide range of modern amenities. Each apartment is equipped with luxury bedrooms, modern bathrooms, well-equipped kitchens and a living-dining area. Each apartment also features at least one private balcony with stunning views over the marina, Palm Island or the city. Guests of the Arjaan Dubai Media City can make the most of the hotel’s many facilities which include a temperature controlled outdoor swimming pool, a separate kid’s pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The hotel’s courtyard features 2 cafés serving a range of snacks, salads, drinks and pastries. There is also a small souk at the hotel with a range of shops and a small food court. The Arjaan Dubai Media City is just a short distance from the Mall of the Emirates, the Emirates Golf Club, Jebel Ali Golf Club and Dubai Marina.
Hotel Rooms: 167. Hotel Chain: Rotana.

Oasis Beach Tower Apartments


The luxurious Oasis Beach Tower Apartments is situated directly on Jumeirah beach in the Dubai Marina. The elegant and modern apartments offer beautiful panoramic sea views. Wireless internet is available free of charge. Enjoy the beautiful location, the comfortable and well-decorated apartments, and the outdoor swimming pool. The Oasis Beach Tower Apartments is close to the city's business and shopping areas. Free parking is available on site.
Hotel Rooms: 180.

Kempinski Hotel


The impressive Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is the world’s third largest indoor ski resort. It has one of the world’s longest indoor ski slopes and the biggest covered snow park. It is connected to the largest shopping mall outside North America. This truly unique five star deluxe hotel is a complete leisure experience with a state-of-the-art health club, Ayurveda wellness centre, swimming pool, and tennis court. The rooms and suites are luxurious and beautifully designed. Kempinski Hotel has a prime location on Sheikh Zayed Road in the heart of modern Dubai. It lies a few minutes from Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the Jumeirah beach stretch, and just 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport and downtown.
Hotel Rooms: 393. Hotel Chain: Kempinski

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Olympus Tough 8000 Details


Olympus Tough 8000 Details
Editors' Comments
The Olympus Tough 8000 has a durable construction in a camera that is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof, shakeproof, and all around lifeproof, but early reviews aren't happy with image quality. Tough is one way to put it. Indestructible might be better. Either way, Olympus' new Tough 6000 can take whatever you got. 12-megapixel resolution and a 3.6x wide-angle optical lens ensure that every photo you take is just as sharp and crisp as you remember it, while a 2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen makes taking and reviewing pictures easier than ever.
Olympus 8000 Specifications
12-megapixel resolution for photo-quality, poster-size prints
Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof
3.6x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom
2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen
Compatible with xD Picture Cards and microSD memory cards (not included)

Olympus SP-590UZ Details


Olympus SP-590UZ Details
Editors' Comments
Olympus offers a new option for those seeking the ease of a compact digital with the control of an SLR, and packs a 26x optical zoom, the longest lens on the market. The SP-590UZ features 12-megapixel resolution that allows users to create their own photo-quality, poster-size prints. A 26x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom also ensures that users will be able to get up close to the action without sacrificing photo quality. Additionally, the SP-590UZ's tough construction protects it from anything the elements can throw at it. A 2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen makes taking and reviewing photos easier than ever.
Olympus SP-590UZ Specifications
Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof, and all around lifeproof
12-megapixel resolution
26x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom
2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen
Uses xD Picture Cards and microSD memory cards (not included)

Canon Powershot SD990 IS Details


Canon Powershot SD990 IS Details
Editors' Comments
The Canon Powershot SD990 is intended another superlative ultracompact, this time packing a tremendous 14.7-megapixel CCD sensor. It's the pinnacle of digital camera technology, with a small, lightweight body that isn't lacking in power and poise. The SD990 IS contains a 14.7-megapixel sensor, this year's upper limit for pixels, and is sure to turn heads in the coming year.
Canon SD990 IS Specifications
14.7 megapixels
3.7x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom
Lens-shift image stabilization
JPEG file format
ISO 80-1600
Auto and manual exposure
Secure digital memory storage
3-inch LCD display
Lithium-ion battery

Friday, April 10, 2009

Apple iPod shuffle (3rd generation)


Apple's latest iPod shuffle sells for $79 (direct)—twenty bucks less than the feature-barren original—and sports a laudable 4GB in its practically minuscule frame. The tiny player has learned some new tricks, too. Most notably, it "talks" to you in a charming robotic voice, using a new feature called VoiceOver that identifies songs at the press of a button, and informs you when your battery is low. Alas, there are drawbacks: The playback controls are absent from the player itself (they're relegated to the earbud cord) and in true shuffle fashion, there's still no screen or FM radio. For some, the price, storage space, and slick, minimal design might compensate for the shuffle's many shortcomings, but Sandisk's Sansa Clip is a better deal.

Measuring 1.8 by 0.7 by 0.3-inches (HWD) and weighing a feathery 0.38 ounce, this Lilliputian player looks a bit like a USB thumb drive, but even smaller and thinner. And it sports what Apple calls a "highly recyclable" black (which looks more like dark gray to us) or silver brushed-aluminum enclosure. A switch on the top panel toggles between three modes: Shuffle, Play in Order, or Power Off. The earphone jack sits right next to the switch, and a shiny metallic shirt clip (branded with the Apple logo) runs along the length of the back panel. That's all there is—talk about minimalist.

Because the earbuds house the controls that the player itself lacks, ditching them, at least for now, is not a possibility. Apple reps assured me that several third-party manufacturers, such as Etymotic Research, will be creating earphones with integrated shuffle controls, as well as adapters soon, but it's unclear exactly when. So buying a new shuffle today means accepting Apple's earbuds—for now. A way-too-short USB cable is included to connect the player to your computer—it plugs into the 3.5mm headphone jack.

A very welcome addition is the ability to load your playlists (previous shuffles didn't support this feature). VoiceOver will even try to pronounce your playlist's title for you, but anyone who's experienced Apple's previous text-to-speech efforts (or Radiohead's OK Computer) knows a forgiving ear is required. VoiceOver is actually more of an iTunes feature than a shuffle one, but this happens to be the first iPod to use it and Apple won't say whether it plans to add it to future versions of the touch, classic, or nano. When you sync your shuffle to iTunes, you get the option to enable or disable VoiceOver.

One cool thing about VoiceOver: If it detects that some of your music is, say, German or Italian (it knows 14 languages), it will announce the title in that tongue, accent and all. I got a kick out of it, but if it happens to irk you, go to the Get Info menu for the affected songs in iTunes and switch the VoiceOver option to English. Or, you can be nerdy and switch all of your song titles to Czech just because you feel like it. Sometimes, the voice gets it wrong, but it's still amusing: There's nothing French about Bernard Herrman's "Psycho Suite," but it was nonetheless endearing to hear it announced in a feminine French accent.

Operating the controls is a snap. The Plus and the Minus buttons adjust the volume, and the unlabeled button in between them controls everything else. One click of the central button plays or pauses, two clicks skips forward, three clicks skips backward (either to the beginning of the current song or to the previous tune, depending how far along in the song you are). If you hold down the button, VoiceOver announces the track and artist you're listening to, and if you continue to hold down the button, you'll hear a beep that signifies you are about to hear a recitation of all your playlists. When you hear the name of the one you want, click the center button once to start listening; if you want to skip through the names of the playlists more quickly, use the Volume Up button. When music is paused, you can still skip songs and hold down the button to hear the robotic voice tell you what's next. It might sound like a lot to remember, but I got used to it quickly.

Still, I wish I could see the buttons more easily—they're built in to the cable so close to your right ear that they're hard to see without craning your neck back. And it bears repeating: These are earbuds—they're not in-ear 'phones—offering an iffy fit and mediocre-at-best audio, so if you're a sound snob, you'll want to hold off purchasing a shuffle until those third-party earphones and adapters hit the shelves.

When your shuffle's battery life dips to 50 percent, 25 percent, or is about to give out, the handy robot voice will tell you so—a thoughtful inclusion given the lack of a screen. Apple rates the iPod shuffle's battery life at a modest 10 hours, which is pretty accurate: Our rundown test got 10 hours and 26 minutes out of the fully charged shuffle. For such a small device, this is a pretty reasonable number.

No FM radio, no screen, and vital controls built-in to mediocre earbuds. Sounds like a clunker, huh? It's not at all, but Apple might do well to realize that smaller and thinner is not always better. I'm willing to bet most people would sacrifice a bit of the frame of the shuffle for a screen or a radio. Still, the sub-$100 MP3 player market is crowded with abysmal devices destined for short lives, but Apple has slowly improved the shuffle—mainly by giving it more storage for less money—and it has become a more reasonable option. But players like the $50 2GB Coby MP705 provide what the shuffle lacks: an FM tuner, a screen, and the ability to upgrade you earphones. Creative's 2GB Zen Stone Plus sports a small screen and costs a mere $18. Neither player, however, is meticulously designed by Apple or can be synched with your iTunes library, and for some, this merits the extra cost. That said, you should consider both before paying $49 for one of the overpriced, last-generation 1GB shuffles that Apple will continue to sell. The same-price Sansa Clip is the real shuffle-killer of the crowd with its 4GB, FM tuner with 20 presets, and built-in mic. And, while it's not an Apple design, it looks pretty cool.


Source : www.pcmag.com

Samsung P3


Samsung's P3 is a touch-screen player with an icon-based menu. Sound familiar? At $149.99 (8GB), $249.99 (16GB), and $299.99 (32GB), Samsung is clearly taking aim at the more-expensive iPod touch. The preloaded software, excellent FM tuner, and haptic feedback are steps in the right direction. But the P3, an update to 2007's P2, lacks Internet access and an accelerometer, making the touchy touch screen feel like a gimmick—and the player seem overpriced.

Measuring 4 by 2.1 by 0.4 inches (HWD), weighing 3.3 ounces, and sporting a 3-inch 480-by-272-pixel touch screen, the P3 has both a smaller frame and display than the iPod touch. A reset pinhole doubles as the microphone, which is found on the bottom panel with the proprietary-to-USB connection and the headphone jack. The top panel houses the Power/Hold button, volume controls, and a built-in speaker. The rest of the controls are internal, operated via the touch screen. Samsung's included earbuds are pretty weak—as usual, we suggest upgrading to something like the Shure SE115, or, for lovers of low frequencies, the Radius Atomic Bass. Also included with the P3: a connection cable for syncing with (and charging from) your PC, and a CD containing EmoDio, Samsung's music- and video-management and video-conversion software. The conversion software is pretty straightforward, but for managing your files, I'd stick with Windows Media Player.

Media players should be easy to use, but the P3 is not especially intuitive. It's easy to navigate to a menu from the main screen, but because the virtual "Home" button is hidden under a flip-up menu (usually at the top of the screen), getting back to where you started can be tricky. The screen is also somewhat insensitive, generally needing several taps to select an option, and it's quite easy to select the wrong one. It's a shame, because Samsung has clearly poured some hard work into the interface's graphics. The main menu is a little cluttered, but it can be customized with various wallpapers. But no matter how nice the graphics are, navigating the device is a generally slow process, and this is bound to annoy all but the extremely patient.

File support is, as usual for Samsung, strong for audio and weaker for photos and video. The P3 plays MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC, WAV, and ASF audio files. Video support is limited to WMV9, MPEG-4, and H.264; for any other file you want to watch, you'll need to convert with the aforementioned software, which is easy to do but can be time-consuming for longer files. Only JPEG, BMP, and PNG files are supported for photos.

Samsung players are consistently strong at playing back music. Like Sony, Samsung knows how to make an EQ that both looks cool and responds as it should to user adjustments. But because the screen buttons are slow to respond, navigating to the music menu and playing a song is slower than on the iPod touch, even though both processes involve about the same number of steps. The Now Playing screen has several different animated graphics to choose from; my favorite, the "Spectrum," shows EQ bands pulsating to the music, like an eighties-era stereo system. Another cool feature in the music menu is the "horizontal stroke" option, which lets you skip a certain time interval in a given song when you swipe your finger across the screen. Alas, there's nothing here like Apple's Cover Flow that truly utilizes the touch screen's capabilities, and there's not even an accelerometer to switch the screen to horizontal mode when you rotate the player—something you find on other touch competitors, like the Cowon S9. (Accelerometer aside, the S9 is inferior to the P3 in just about every respect.)

Video is a pleasure to watch. Sure, the P3's screen's resolution is slightly lower than the touch's (480 by 320 pixels), but because the P3's screen is half an inch smaller, images end up looking just as crisp. All files automatically switch to a horizontal orientation on the screen, and, as with music, playback controls appear when you select a file and tap the display.

For a player with no Internet access, the P3 still has plenty of features, even if they're not all mind-blowing. Among them: an FM radio with 30 presets and a recorder, a voice recorder, and Samsung's usual Bluetooth pairing options. (Want to answer your cell-phone calls through your player? Simply pair the two and you're set.) The included games are incredibly simple—one involves popping virtual bubble wrap by tapping on the screen—and not always consistent given the screen's fickle response to fingers. The widget collection is extensive, if a little underwhelming: a short-term alarm called Sleep Cat makes an animated kitten meow when your alarm sounds, there's a detailed virtual map of every major subway system in the world, plus an international clock, a calculator, an address book, and a memo pad. These extras pale compared with most of the free apps you can load onto an iPod touch, but they do add value to the P3.

The haptic feedback adds little more than charm. A little vibration occurs every time you press an onscreen button. I suppose this is to alert you that you've successfully pressed it, but shouldn't you know you have because the screen changes? I think it was included for the same reason Sleep Cat was: It's kind of fun. The goofiest—and worst-named—use of the feedback is a feature called "VibeWoofer," which makes the player vibrate to the beat of whatever song you are listening to. (Insert dirty joke here.)

Samsung estimates the battery life for the P3 at an admirable 40 hours for audio and 6 hours for video. Our own battery-rundown test yielded 28 hours 27 minutes of audio—still respectable, but not quite 40 hours.

Samsung is one of my favorite PMP manufacturers because, like Apple, it sticks with the formula that works: Make a good-looking, simple user interface and wrap it in a case with a slick design. Although the nice looks remain, the new interface lacks the simplicity found in previous Samsung iterations like the YP-T10's, and the screen's sensitivity issues are annoying. Basically, Samsung is making the same mistake competitors like Cowon have made in trying to beat Apple by emulating its designs. But a touch screen alone isn't enough to make a device exciting, and although the P3 is generally solid, its flaws and omissions (no accelerometer, no Wi-Fi) make justifying its prices difficult for me. As it is, the Samsung P3 is somewhere between an iPod touch and an iPod nano in ability, but without the grace of either.


Source : http://www.pcmag.com

Olympus E-30

The Olympus E-30 ($1,299.99 list, body only) has enough nifty features to turn heads—most notably, offering the capability to add Photoshop-like effects and merge four images into one on the fly. But is that enough? While its images are sharp when light is strong, shots in dimmer environments and at higher ISOs are not as impressive. The competitively priced Nikon D90 ($999.95 direct, body only) does a much better job in similar situations, as does the Editors' Choice entry-level Canon EOS Rebel XSi ($699 direct, body only).

The E-30 measures 4.25 by 5.57 by 2.95 inches (HWD), about the same as most digital SLRs. It's a bit on the heavy side, though: The body alone weighs 1.67 pounds, and with a 14mm-to-54mm lens (about $500) it's a hefty 2.6 pounds. Though slightly smaller than competing screens on the Pentax K2000 and Canon Rebel XSi (both 3 inches), the E-30's 2.7-inch screen is a little more high-tech in that it has an extendable arm that can swing out for different views—similar to that on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. With its many dials, buttons, and switches, the E-30 put its shooting modes and features right at your fingertips. Like most current D-SLR cameras, it uses the go-to Four Thirds lens mount, so you'll have no trouble swapping out lenses.

I use the Imatest hardware and software suite to provide an objective assessment of key image-quality variables. As Imatest showed, the E-30 shines in terms of sharpness: At its sharpest f-stop (f/5.6), the E-30 averaged 2,059 lines per picture height, which is slightly better than the Canon EOS 50D's 1,922, and about 20 percent sharper than the Nikon D90's 1,710. With the ISO sensitivity increased to 400, the E-30 maintained its edge. At ISO 800, though, all the cameras were more or less evenly matched.

The E-30 did not perform well when it came to noise. To test these levels, I take pictures of an X-Rtie ColorChecker at each of the camera's ISO settings and then use Imatest to measure the amount of noise. Across all ISOs, 100 to 3200, the Nikon D90 and Canon 50D were able to keep noise to 1.1 percent or less. The E-30 did not keep pace: At ISO 800 it was already at 1.3 percent noise, and at ISO 3200 it was at 2.7 percent—enough to produce a picture two and a half times noisier than that of the competition. (Even the more affordable Canon XSi and Pentax K2000 produced less noise at high ISOs.) Like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, the E-30 uses a Live MOS sensor, which tends to be plagued by major noise spikes at ISO 1600 and 3200; competing cameras from Canon and Nikon use a CMOS) sensor and produce less overall noise, in my experience.

Aside from its image-quality issues, the E-30 is one quick camera. The shutter-lag test from Shooting Digital indicated that the camera took at an average of 1.22 seconds to turn on, focus, and take its first picture. When powered on but out of focus, the E-30 was able to focus and snap a picture in just 0.77 second; in focus, the camera was able to shoot in 0.3 second. The E-30's scores are comparable to those of the Nikon D90, which takes about the same time to focus and shoot; when in focus, though, the Nikon shoots in just 0.2 second. In continuous-shooting mode, the E-30 takes about five shots per second.

On an unseasonably warm and sunny February day in New York City, I took the E-30 to the roof deck of my apartment building for a test shoot. Everything from people to small brick details came out crisp when I was shooting at lower ISOs. At ISO 800, however, plenty of noise showed up and made images grainy; things got even hairier at ISO 1600 and 3200.

Possibly the biggest lure of the Olympus E-30 is that it can pull off a few Photoshop-esque effects, such as "pop art," "soft focus," "pale-and-light color," "light tone," "grainy film," and "pinhole." Most of the effects take about 5 seconds to process, so after you shoot the picture you have to wait a bit to see the finished product. In the end, though, the treated shots look great—better, in fact, than if you used the same effects in the Picasa free photo editor—and in case you don't like them, the originals are preserved. The E-30 can also merge four images together. (Check out the slideshow for some sample shots.)

There are a couple of things I wish Olympus had included in the E-30. First, a standard USB port—as it is, if you lose the included proprietary USB cable you'll have to order a new one, for about 10 bucks. Second, an HDMI-out to plug the camera directly into an HDTV. Not only do most new D-SLRs have an HDMI-out, but even point-and-shooters are starting to add them.

If you already own one or more Four Thirds lenses and are looking to upgrade your camera body, the Olympus E-30 could be a good fit. Its razor-sharp images in daylight are without compare, and its fun in-camera effects are a blast to play with. Its speed and sharpness might be ideal for capturing outdoor sports, but its noisy images in low-light conditions make me question whether its $1,300 price tag is justified. It's hard to recommend the E-30 over other D-SLRs we've tested recently—especially when you can get the Nikon D90, which performs better in low-light conditions and shoots (HD) video, for $300 less.


Source : http://www.pcmag.com

Pentax K2000


For those looking for an entry into digital SLR (D-SLR) photography, the $599.95 (direct) Pentax K2000 is a great choice at a great price. This 10.2-megapixel camera performs quite well in well-lit outdoor shots, where its captures are just as sharp as those produced by the 12.1MP Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 or the killer 12.3MP Nikon D90. The only area in which the Editors' Choice Canon EOS Rebel XSi outperforms the K2000 is shooting without a flash in low-light conditions. In these situations, the K2000's pictures tend to be grainy. This Pentax, though, has plenty of entry-level appeal thanks to its Help button, which acts as an onboard users' manual.

The K2000 is comfortable to hold and has a traditional SLR look-and-feel. Its 3.6-by-4.8-by-2.7-inch (HWD) body is available in either black or white (the latter is a camera-color rarity). With the included lens attached, the camera weighs 1.7 pounds. The controls are straightforward and are consolidated on the right-hand side of the camera. Most buttons are labeled with large, bold, uppercase text like MENU and INFO. Inside, the camera uses a CCD sensor and shoots through a 3X optical zoom wide-angle 18mm to 50mm lens (35mm equivalent: 27mm to 82.5mm) with corresponding f-stops at f/3.5 to f/5.6. When later analyzed through the Imatest (www.imatest.com) testing suite, the lens produced just a hair of pincushion distortion at its widest and telephoto position; no matter what the subject, though, my real-world photos never appeared warped.

Near the power switch on top of the camera is the K2000's Help button, which is labeled with a question mark. This feature is a real boon for those new to D-SLRs. Simply tap Help and then any other button or dial on the camera, and a short description of that function (and often a one-line tip) is displayed. For example, tap Help and then the ISO button, and the K2000's 2.7-inch LCD displays, "Access the ISO sensitivity settings and auto ISO range. Higher ISO settings allow faster shutter speeds but may add image noise." Once you've outgrown the button, you can reprogram it as a shortcut to one of four other functions: Custom Preview, Digital Preview, Digital Filter, or RAW image format.

The K2000 does not let you use its LCD as a viewfinder, as most entry-level D-SLRs do. The exclusion of this so-called "Live View" feature is not a huge ding, as you'll frame most of your shots through the viewfinder, but it's always a nice bonus. Live View is convenient for photographers more familiar with LCDs from compact point-and-shooters, but it also comes in handy when you aren't able to look through the viewfinder (as when you're holding the camera above your head).

In the lab I use Imatest to objectively rate the image quality of photos produced by point-and-shooters, D-SLRs, and even cell-phone cameras. In terms of sharpness, the K2000 performed quite well. At its sharpest f-stop, the K2000 averaged 1,776 lines per picture height throughout the image at ISO 100. This rivaled the 1,700 averaged by the Panasonic G1 and the 1,710 averaged by the Nikon D90 (at ISO 200; the D90 doesn't offer ISO 100). The Canon EOS Rebel XSi, though, shut them all down, averaging 2,013 lines.

The K2000 did a good job of retaining sharpness at higher ISO sensitivities. You're safe to expect a crisp picture from ISO 100 to 400: Sharpness at these ISOs averaged between 1,700 and 1,800 lines per picture height. We obtained similar results at ISO 800, but with higher noise levels. Sharpness dropped to the 1,500s at ISO 1600 (which is on a par with that of the Rebel XSi) and to the 1,200s at ISO 3200—but there was also a lot of noise. The K2000, though, smokes the Panasonic G1, which has about 32 percent more noise than the K2000 at ISO 1600 and almost double the noise at ISO 3200. The Rebel XSi shows the least noise overall: about 28 percent less than the K2000 at ISO 800 and about 15 percent less than the K2000 at ISO 1600. Since the Rebel XSi has less noise at those ISO sensitivities, it will produce less grainy shots when shooting in low light without a flash (which typically requires you to increase your ISO sensitivity).

Testing the camera outdoors in Manhattan, I found that the K2000's shots came out beautifully. Photos of my sister and her boyfriend near Grand Central Terminal all had vivid colors and looked sharp. When shooting skylines, however, I noticed that a few of the shots captured the sky as white instead of blue. This is a common issue; I solved it by flipping the white balance to the Outdoors setting.

The K2000 also worked well indoors. In order to capture the inside of Grand Central, I had to increase the ISO sensitivity to 800 and 1600. ISO 800 looked good and was just at the threshold of reasonable noise, but the lack of light made it difficult to get the fast shutter speeds needed for very sharp pictures. When I kicked up the ISO sensitivity to 1600, images were just a bit too noisy. According to Imatest, the K2000's noise levels at ISO 800 are roughly equivalent to the Canon Rebel XSi's noise levels at 1,600, so the Canon would probably have fared better in Grand Central.

The K2000 may be an entry-level D-SLR, but for the most part it doesn't compromise on speed. I was able to turn it on and pull off a shot in a blazing-fast average of 0.58 second. Using Shooting-Digital.com's shutter lag test with pre-focus enabled, the K2000 averaged a practically unnoticeable 0.1 second of shutter lag. Without pre-focus, the K2000D hit closer to 0.2 second—still extremely fast. The K2000 can snap off 3.5 frames per second in continuous shooting, but that can slow down under stress: The camera averaged 0.43 second between shots when I was manually snapping as fast as I could, but after a few seconds it intermittently slowed to a full second.

Pentax bundles the K2000 with a large flash, the AF200FG, which attaches to the camera's topside hot-shoe accessory port. Sold separately, the flash runs $149.95 (direct), but doesn't add much to the K2000 bundle. Although it's stronger than the pop-up flash that's built into the camera, it doesn't swivel like the more expensive AF540FGZ ($335.95 direct). Swiveling allows you to pull off a flash technique called "bounce flash," to create more evenly lit photos without blown-out spots on faces or red eyes.

Similar to the higher-end Olympus E-30 the K2000 has onboard effects Pentax calls filters, which include Retro, Color Extract, Soft Focus, and a few others. Some effects can be applied only after the photo is shot; others can be applied before and after. For the most part, the end results are pretty terrific. My favorite of the bunch is Illustration, which lets you convert pictures into its versions of pastel and watercolor paintings. (Check out the slideshow for some sample shots.)

The Pentax K2000 is a solid choice if you're looking for basics like speed and sharp images in good light, and its Help button can be a valuable guide for those new to D-SLR photography. For a little more money, the $800 (list) Canon EOS Rebel XSi offers less noise at higher ISOs—helping it produce better shots in more situations—and extras like Live View. But this Pentax is still a quality product at a "recession special" price.


Source : www.pcmag.com

Canon PowerShot SD960 IS


The 12.1-megapixel PowerShot SD960 IS ($329.99 list) is Canon's first, and the only model in its latest Elph line to get a widescreen LCD. This slick little point-and-shooter still gives you the option to take pictures in the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio, but the 2.8-inch LCD, with its wide 16:9 aspect ratio, makes it much easier to frame your shots. It wouldn't surprise us to see widescreen LCDs become standard fare on digital cameras, as they are becoming in laptops, monitors, and HDTVs. Apart from its screen, the SD960 is extremely fast and records dazzling HD video that you can easily output to an HDTV, but Canon's typically bulletproof reputation for high-quality images has developed a few holes with this model.

The 5.11-ounce SD960 sports spiffy rounded edges and comes in five colors (blue, green, silver, pink, and gold). It measures 2.1 by 3.9 by 0.9 inches (HWD), making it a bit shorter and thicker than a BlackBerry Pearl and slightly larger than the $279.99 Canon PowerShot SD780 IS. The new interface is straightforward and attractive; it's similar to the one used in previous PowerShot models, but its higher-resolution text is crisper, and it adds animations to the menus along with cool transitions between images when you're in playback mode. Navigating the menus is a breeze with the camera's easy-to-manipulate scroll wheel, which is flanked by large Play and Menu buttons. The zoom and shutter-release controls are also nice and big, which makes framing and shooting pictures simple. (Check out this video for a detailed look at the new interface.)

The 28mm lens is wider than those on the SD780 IS (33mm) and SD970 IS (37mm), which results in a shorter focal length and consequently the ability to fit more into your images. The lens provides 4X optical zoom with a focal range of 5mm to 20mm (35mm equivalent: 28mm to 112mm), with maximum f-stops at f/2.8 and f/5.8.

The SD960 is very responsive: It can boot up and snap its first picture in an average of just 3.7 seconds. You don't have to wait long to take your next photo, either—on my tests, the camera averaged just 1.8 seconds between shots. On the Shooting-Digital.com shutter lag test, the SD960 averaged a mere 0.45 second between shutter press and image capture—you'd be hard put to find a faster point-and-shooter. To compare, the SD 780 IS averaged 0.50 second, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500 upped the count to 0.73 second, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37 would make you wait 0.85 second to get your shot.

To gauge image-quality factors in the photo lab objectively, I use the Imatest testing suite, which revealed that the outer regions in the SD960's shots were dramatically less sharp than the centers. Images averaged a terrific 2,108 lines per picture height, but while the resolution at the center averaged 2,447 lines, it was only 1,078 at the upper left-hand corner and—even worse—only 374 lines in the upper right. The corners also showed high levels of color fringing. When framing shots with this camera, you'd want to keep subjects as close to the center as possible or you'd wind up with uneven pictures.

To measure noise, I photograph the gray section of the X-Rite Color Checker and then use Imatest to measure the image for colors that don't belong; any color captured in that image is considered noise. The SD960's results were adequate. Like the SD780, the SD960 showed less noise than the previous generation of Canon PowerShots, including the SD790 and the SD1100 at a high ISO of 1600. Hence pictures taken indoors and at night without a flash won't show too much graininess. Noise levels were average between ISO 80 and ISO 200 but higher than average at ISO 400 when compared with other point-and-shoot cameras.

Shots outside of our lab, both indoors and out, were okay. At first look, colors were well balanced with or without the flash, but closer inspection showed that the outer regions of images were softer and had color fringing, when zooming in. Hair, faces, and flowers in the outer regions of the image were also blurry, especially when compared with similar shots I took with an SD780. ( See the slideshow for an example .) Since the two cameras are equipped with the same sensor, I suspect the SD960's wide-angle lens is the culprit here.

Like the SD780, the SD960 records HD video at a 1,280-by-720 progressive resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). Video looks huge and spectacular when compared with the smaller, standard-definition footage the previous generation of PowerShots produced. Videos are saved as MOV files, for which you'll need Apple's QuickTime for viewing on your PC. The SD960 is one of few compact models with a mini HDMI-out port on the camera itself, so you can send audio and video directly to your HDTV with an HDMI cable. The HD-video-capable Samsung NV24HD and the Sony DSC-T500 require that you dock the camera in a cradle, which contains the output. Canon gets extra points for squeezing the port (along with a mini USB) onto the SD960, but we wish it supported Consumer Electronic Control, a feature found on the Samsung and the Sony cameras that lets two HDMI-equipped devices talk to and control one another. (You can use your HDTV's remote to control the camera, for example.)

The Canon PowerShot SD960 IS excels in some ways. But given the camera's price and Canon's track record of stellar images, overall, we were a bit disappointed. If you're looking for a less-expensive Canon camera that can record HD video, the SD780 knocks $50 off the SD960's price—and doesn't suffer from the image problems the SD960 has. But you won't get the 16:9 LCD. If you're willing to spend more, Sony's $400 Cyber-shot DSC-T500 can record HD video. It comes with a sprawling 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD, and it takes better pictures. We like the SD960 IS for its speed, excellent battery life (I got over a week of heavy use on a single charge), and its on-camera HDMI port, but its so-so images detract from the total package.


Source : http://www.pcmag.com

ASUS G71G-Q1


The ultimate gaming laptop needs something more than the fastest processors and the most blistering 3D graphics cards, and ASUS is well aware of this. The ASUS G71G-Q1 ($2,000 street) is close to the bleeding edge, packing features like an Intel quad-core processor, a Blu-ray reader, and cavernous hard drives. It's almost the total package, but it falls short on the one thing that matters most to gamers: graphics. Although the Nvidia GeForce 9800M GS card it comes with is considered a very good gaming card, there are systems that deliver higher frame rates for about the same price.

The G71G-Q1 isn't as friendly on your back as the 6.1-pound Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (Unibody). It suffers the same weight problem as other gaming laptops that use fast parts and a 17-inch widescreen. Although at 9.1 pounds it's lighter than either the Alienware M17 (9.4 pounds) or the CyberPower M1 (9.6 pounds), you can easily work up a sweat lugging it around. The MSI GT627-218US, on the other hand, is a lighter alternative (6.1 pounds) that uses the same graphics card but forgoes the big screen.

ASUS put more thought into design than CyberPower did with its M1, though the G71G-Q1's glossy black top picks up just as many fingerprints and smudges. The Alienware M17, on the other hand, has a matte, rubber-like finish that wards them off. Red is a popular motif among gaming laptops these days. The fiery design of the Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q725 should appeal to gamers of both the zealous and the eccentric varieties. MSI takes a more restrained approach: The GT627-218US's red highlights are used sparingly along its sides. ASUS has distributed red accents generously throughout the G71G-Q1's interior, surrounding the keyboard and on the sides, and, taking a page from the Dell XPS M1730 (Penryn), has developed the gaming theme further by the use of LED lights. Blue LEDs are studded all over the lid, around the touchpad, on the corners of the front bezel, and in the multimedia buttons.

Alas, these LEDs didn't find their way into the keyboard. I was disappointed to find that, unlike those of the Alienware M17 and the CyberPower M1, the G71G-Q1's keyboard lacks illumination. Otherwise, it's a good keyboard, full-size and with a solid foundation that can sustain the constant pounding of easily frustrated gamers. A numeric keypad—handy for entering serial codes—lies next to the main keyboard. (Most gaming laptops have one these days.) I love the design of the aluminum-draped mouse buttons, which wrap around the touchpad, but they're a bit too resistive for my tastes.

The G71G-Q1's feature set is the kind that gamers lust for, and its price makes it that much more compelling. It comes with a built-in Blu-ray reader; in comparison, choosing a Blu-ray option on the M1 or the M17 would boost the laptop's price to more than that of the G71G-Q1. The gorgeous 17-inch widescreen is equipped with the highest resolution possible: 1,920 by 1,200. The two port covers—unique on a gaming laptop—cover the four USB ports and a FireWire port and are handy to have in high-humidity areas. Other, uncovered ports, including HDMI-out, eSATA, VGA-out, and Ethernet are in the back of the system. The 640GB of total storage (made up of dual 320GB hard drives) exceeds that of the M17, the M1, or the X305-Q725. While other gaming laptops offer a one-year warranty (parts and labor), the G71G-Q1 comes standard with a global two-year warranty.

The mere mention of the word "quad-core" can trigger a drool response from performance enthusiasts. The 2.0-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Q9000 has already made its way into gaming laptops like the Toshiba X305-Q725 and the Acer Aspire AS8930-7665 (stay tuned for our review). Video-encoding tests indicated that the quad-core processor was more than 20 percent faster than the dual-core ones found in the M1 and the M17. The margins were even greater in CineBench R10 tests. Furthermore, the G71G-Q1's 6GB of memory is twice as much as the M17's, although the G71G-Q1's slight edge over the M17 in their Photoshop CS4 scores is more useful for bragging rights than indicative of performance prowess.


Source : www.pcmag.com

Gateway P-7808u FX Edition


Hard-core gaming laptops were once thought of as sticker-shock items, but they've changed sharply of late in both looks and price. In their new incarnation, they're acting as big-screen media centers and desktop replacements, now that prices for the fastest parts have plummeted to a level that makes them affordable to the masses. At $1,800 (street), the Gateway P-7808u is aggressively priced for a gaming rig, with a mobile Intel quad-core processor and a powerful Nvidia graphics card built into a light 17-inch platform. Though its looks could use a huge splash of imagination, this hard-core gaming laptop is a terrific deal no matter how you look at it.

From the outside, you wouldn't be able to tell that the P-7808u is marketed as a gaming laptop. Its design, exactly the same as that of last year's P-171XL FX, is as bland and generic as that of some of the cheap desktop-replacement laptops. The only hint at its true nature is a big "FX" logo denoting Gateway's mobile gaming line. The glossy top and the copper-colored accents simply aren't as cutting edge as those of the LED-studded Dell XPS M1730 (Penryn) and ASUS G71G-Q1. Its minimalist design has advantages, though. The 8.9-pound frame is the lightest so far for a 17-inch gaming laptop, compared with the Alienware M17 (9.4 pounds), the CyberPower Gamer Xtreme M1 (9.6 pounds), and the Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q725 (9.2 pounds). To find even lighter alternative you would have to settle for a smaller screen, like the one found on the 15-inch MSI GT627-218US (6.1 pounds).

Design wasn't the only aspect of this laptop to suffer from the cost cutting needed to achieve its price. While the 17-inch widescreen offers plenty of real estate for multitaskers and gamers, the 1,440-by-900 resolution isn't as grand as the 1,920-by-1,200 ones found in the Alienware M17, the ASUS G71-Q1, and the CyberPower M1. And although the full-size keyboard and adjacent numeric keypad were pleasantly responsive, they aren't illuminated like the ones found in the M1 and the M17. Since gamers often play in low-light environments, an LED-backlit keyboard would have been a persuasive selling point.

The feature set is as solid as that of any high-end gaming laptop. It's one of the few Gateway-branded laptops that come with a FireWire port. The three USB ports and a separate eSATA port will support assorted peripherals. The included HDMI port, which lets you stream content to a bigger display, is becoming a standard on media laptops. And while the Alienware M17 and the CyberPower M1 chose to bolster speeds with a fast, 7,200-rpm hard drive, the P-7808u opted for capacity: Its slower, 5,400-rpm drive has twice the capacity of its rivals—500GB. By contrast, the ASUS G71G-Q1 and the Toshiba X305-Q725 support dual hard drives that offer attractive capacities without skimping on rotational speed. For an optical drive, a dual-layer DVD burner is your only option; the G71G-Q1 trumps it by supplying a Blu-ray reader (standard), and the M17 and M1 offer Blu-ray (read-only) drives as optional extras ranging from $200 to $400. The M17 and M1 offer optional Blu-ray drives, which range from $200 to $400. As with all Gateway laptops, a one-year parts-and-labor warranty is included with your purchase.


Source : www.pcmag.com