Technology Round Up - BUY HERE

[Dreadful Scathe]

Dreadful Scathes Technology Round Up


There’s been a lot of talk about gadgets, especially the iPod (which costs way to much if you ask me, nice though it is). So no more speculation ….here are a few gadgets with links to the shops themselves.

First off Simple storage. If you want the ability to carry a lot of data about with you – cheaply here’s the solution.

Hi Space 128MB USB Pen Drive (£9.99) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002ZDQ5O/qid=1095840958/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-9409977-6317215)

If you want to play music, and you want to hold a LOT of it you could get an iPod of course but…a 40gb ipod is around £250+. Alternatives ?

How about a Creative Jukebox Zen Xtra 40GB for ( £184.99) (http://www.eurosimm.com/sites/eurosimm.nsf/details.jsp?ItemCode=LDNP-64LFJ5&refid=KLK)or if you want extra features (like the ability to use Ogg Vorbis to store many more music files than normal at the same quality) iRiver 40GB MP3 Player (£246.99) (http://www.4waysolutions.com/acatalog/ihp140.html) – its also got darker colours ;)


Of course not everyone needs to carry a lifetimes worth of music about with them everywhere, nor does everyone want to spend £200 to do so. So if you require tunes on a daily basis try this, a
Sumvision 128mb USB G60 MP3 /Voice Rec FM Radio (£35.88)
(http://www.clickonit.com/product.php?product=194928&c_f=nexttag). It has enough space for 32 songs, that’ll last you around an hour and a half. Plug it in and swap music before you go out....sorted.


Its also quite possible to play video on the move, but those devices are still pretty expensive so I’ll not mention any examples, but, I just have to mention the gp32 multimedia handheld (£100) (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=126&products_id=4362&). I have the non-backlight one which is cheaper but the one with the light is simply brilliant. It takes 128mb SMC memory cards (£12 from ebuyer.co.uk) and can be used as an mp3 player, a divX video player, and a general games machine I have DOOM on mine as well as about 40 spectrum games and 50 SNES games (including a smurf game...sadly enough). It basically has emulators for everything going. You can also use it to read files from your PC.


If reading books on the move is your thing though, you can’t get better value for money than a Palm VIIx (£23.49) (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=1927223484&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=63836)it has 8mb of memory – enough for plenty of books, you can download lots of free books pretty easily. ALSO - It links to your pc and keeps itself in sync with your daily notes and diary as well as email. There are lots of interesting games for it too, but with a black and white screen the main use is books, especially as the batteries last for more than a week with average use and you can swap them over without losing any data.

That’ll do for just now. Feel free to ask questions or request I source some cool item you thought was too expensive, as you’ve probably just been looking in the wrong places :).

[Dreadful Scathe]

I should add that the best site overall for general computer hardware is www.ebuyer.co.uk - for software www.gameplay.co.uk or www.play.com- for camera related stuff www.7dayshop.co.uk .


Theres also decently priced PC and MAC systems at http://www.2ndchancepc.co.uk/

[Stuart M]

Franck, I think you should be looking for reciprocal links on these sites now...you know, stuff like "Wanna dance better than the people in the iPod ad?"

You on commission DS? Or are you looking ahead and expecting Computer training to branch along some seriously eclectic paths ?

:D

[Franck]

Franck, I think you should be looking for reciprocal links on these sites now...you know, stuff like "Wanna dance better than the people in the iPod ad?"Excellent idea, I'll get onto it!

As for Gadgets, well, I have all my current needs fulfilled :D
The ipod might not be the cheapest, but in this particular occasion, it really is a case of 'You get what you pay for' and I'm not talking about the Gb capacity. I have looked at the 'bricks' they call MP3 players, for only £50 less...
For me, the ease of use, utter cool, and many custom designed accessories make the ipod the only music player worth considering (unless your music is all proprietory to Microsoft Media Player :eek: ).

Personally, I use the ipod as a backup at Ceroc nights, and it has more than paid for itself when a CD player failed, or a DJ turned up late...
I also use it in the car (great for listening to audiobooks for myself or the kids on long journeys) and of course, combined with the incredibly compact 'Altec Lansing' folding speakers for the 'after party' party in the hotel at all dance week-ends :D

[dannyboy]

:yeah:
having had both, the iPod is superior in every way.
slick, cool, reliable, top quality. and that's what you're paying for.

[Chicklet]

please advise colours available.

[Chicklet]

please be advised

chickieflashsamplesupplies.com may open for business shortly :devil: :devil: :blush:

[Dreadful Scathe]

Yes the iPod is beautifully designed but lets compare :

battery life 16 hours for iRiver, 14 for creative but only 8 for the iPod - can someone confirm real use as it seems like a big difference to me ?

Supported Formats IPod does mp3, wav and AAC (mac only). IRiver does Mp3, wav, ogg vorbis (the best around) and the horrible windows only asf, wma ;) The Creative Jukebox does wma, wav and mp3.

extras The Ipod has some nice pda type features i.e. Notes, Games, Alarm, Sleep timer etc... The iRiver will accept audio in and rip music DIRECTLY. The creative is nothing special in the "extras" department.

So to sum up I'd say the Ipod looks the nicest but costs (not by much) the most amount of money. The iRiver is slightly bigger but has better formats a brilliant rip feature and is fully mac and pc compatible. The creative looks almost as good as the iPod but has nothing special about it particularly ...but at £70 cheaper maybe you dont want the extras (especially as you can get the Palm PDA* mentioned above for £24 and that would handle all your extra feature needs :) ).

So, Ill be nice and say I'd make it a draw between the iPod and iRiver ;)

If you want a 40gb iPod you can get one here for £253.95 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=53831&_LOC=UK)


* a PDA is a "Personal Digital Assistant"

Its also worth noting that you can save more money if you look a bit more www.pricerunner.co.uk www.dealtime.co.uk and www.kelkoo.co.uk are not bad for comparing and shopping around.

[Franck]

battery life 16 hours for iRiver, 14 for creative but only 8 for the iPod - can someone confirm real use as it seems like a big difference to me ?The battery life is 12 hours in the latest model (and you can get the battery replaced). I would say that the battery issue is now resolved :nice: Still not as good as the iriver but good enough. In real life use, I have never run out of battery. I do carry a small dock and a car adaptor for charging with me, and the speaker set where the ipod docks is also used for charging. I have taken it to London several times for a long dance week and always had enough power.

So, Ill be nice and say I'd make it a draw between the iPod and iRiver ;)

If you want a 40gb iPod you can get one here for £253.95 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=53831&_LOC=UK)The link above refers to the (now) old model. The latest does not have the row of buttons at the top as the scroll wheel is clickable... Fab design.

What you didn't mention in your comparison is the ease of use and quality and attention to detail. I would recommend to anyone that they try uploading / finding music on their preferred option prior to buying it, as there is no point having 80Gb of music if you can't find the track you want!

Thanks to its integration with itunes, it is really easy to create smart playlists on your pc / mac and the ipod will be updated automatically. You can even create playlists on the go...
The ipod was designed to be used with one hand only, scrolling and selecting with your thumb. It's very fast (and intuitive, for example the faster you go round the scroll wheel, the faster the scrolling accelerates, not easy to explain, but crucial when you have loads of tracks).
Apple have always focused on ease of use and achieved miracles with the ipod... No wonder it has the market sewn up.
Not sure about the pc version, but on the mac the ipod also synchronises with my calendar (diary application) and with my address book so I always have my contacts with me too...

I'm on my second ipod, and would love to have an ipod mini as well... Fab colours :D
When I have run out of space on my 40gb ipod, I'll buy a larger one!

[Dreadful Scathe]

good points. The iRiver is viewable as an external drive, so you can create any directory structure you like and can use winamp or other programs to create your playlists (you just select some music and select "save playlist") not sure about "on the fly" playlist making, I could see that being useful and Id be surprised if it wasnt supported.

I think the ability to rip from any audio source just by plugging it in is a huge benefit of the iRiver so if you meet an iPod owner in the street you can copy the track theyve just been listening to :).

[Franck]

I think the ability to rip from any audio source just by plugging it in is a huge benefit of the iRiver so if you meet an iPod owner in the street you can copy the track theyve just been listening to :).Yeah, that could be a very useful feature :nice:

It won't be long before dancers turn up with an iriver and ask if they can plug it to the mixer at their favourite dance night and rip the full set :whistle:

[SwingSwingSwing]

Another plus point for the iRiver (IMHO) is that I can control it all from the remote control which is very handy when I'm out and about. The iRiver is safely secured inside my jacket pocket but I can carry the tiny remote control in my hand or clip it onto my jacket zip.

Plus it's got an FM radio so I can listen to the scores on the way home from the footie.

SwingSwingSwing

[Dance Demon]

Yeah, that could be a very useful feature :nice:

It won't be long before dancers turn up with an iriver and ask if they can plug it to the mixer at their favourite dance night and rip the full set :whistle:

Don't some DJs do that already......without an iRiver.........:whistle: :whistle: :wink: :devil:

[Dreadful Scathe]

just spotted this fantastic mp3 player for £35 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=2029131497&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=55678) - it takes memory card upgrades (£10 each) dead handy :)

[spindr]

The Register has a new review Reg road tests the BioNav™ in-car nav wonder (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/15/bionav_road_test/) -- looks useful -- might get one myself, even if they are a bit temperamental and pricey :)

SpinDr.

[Gojive]

The Register has a new review Reg road tests the BioNav™ in-car nav wonder (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/15/bionav_road_test/) -- looks useful -- might get one myself, even if they are a bit temperamental and pricey :)

SpinDr.

Isn't that the same as a wife? :wink: :really:

I love this bit of the review...

"Our test vehicle eventually reached Ipswich after three hours. To be fair, the BioNav™ had not travelled the route for more than three weeks, and so could not be expected to recall every minor detail of the course, such as the general location of Ipswich or the major carriageway which goes there"

:rofl:

[Dreadful Scathe]

The Register has a new review Reg road tests the BioNav™ in-car nav wonder (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/15/bionav_road_test/) -- looks useful -- might get one myself, even if they are a bit temperamental and pricey :)

SpinDr.
:D:D very funny :)

[Dreadful Scathe]

A few people have mentioned recently about turning audio into mp3's and / or cd's.

If you have a PC and you want to rip a CD into MP3's thats easy. Use audiograbber (http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/) the best free tool. However if its from an external audio source e.g. mini disc, record player, DJs laptop ;) etc.. then you need to capture the sound into your PC via your sound card - heres a few links to get you started with that (http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/rippers.html). Also the iRiver unit mentioned in this thread will capture direct from any source without the need of a PC at all, but at £240, its a bit expensive. An alternative is the mp3 music yoyo player/recorder from here (http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Name=yoyo+mp3). The cheaper 256mb version was advertised as a special offer £49 in Micro Mart but the web site is quoting £68 at the moment, but even at that its not to bad a price for a portable ripper. You will till need to involve a PC at some point as you would want the new mp3s to be stored somewhere a bit more permanent - but you can link this to any PC/Mac and transfer the mp3's over.

As for turning mp3s into proper playable audio CDs, any burner software - Nero, Easy CD etc.. should handle that automatically...give it the mp3s and select "audio cd"...easy ;)

[Zebra Woman]

I have a Creative Jukebox Nomad, it's my third one. Each year it would breakdown and I would get a brand new replacement! On this last one the battery has stopped working after about 16 months so I'm outside the guarantee period. If I bought a lithium battery on ebay rather than the branded 'creative' battery, would it be as good?

Can the all of the i-pod accessories be used with my jukebox?

Last question! What is the best way of connecting my PC to my hi-fi? They are in different rooms so a wireless solution would be good. I've heard of an Apple Airport which uses your house's electrical circuit. Has anyone tried this?

ZW :flower:

[CJ]

Smurfy boy...

What would be the best program for changing mp3s into wav files so that I can Dr them using soundforge?!?

(is for cutting and pasting bits of my own tunes, man) :wink:

[David Franklin]

Smurfy boy...

What would be the best program for changing mp3s into wav files so that I can Dr them using soundforge?!?

(is for cutting and pasting bits of my own tunes, man) :wink:Slight overkill for just converting files, but Audacity will do this and is free. (Will also do cutting/pasting, pitch/tempo shifting etc...)

Dave

[Dreadful Scathe]

Smurfy boy...

What would be the best program for changing mp3s into wav files so that I can Dr them using soundforge?!?

edit cos of Davids post: Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about.php) is one ive not used but check out the features to see if that suits you better.

best one is THIS (http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm) but soundforge should handle mp3's anyway - doesnt it? (once a track is mp3'd youve lost some quality wether or not you convert it back into a wav or not)

[Dreadful Scathe]

If I bought a lithium battery on ebay rather than the branded 'creative' battery, would it be as good?

Can the all of the i-pod accessories be used with my jukebox?

Answers: Probably, if it fits and I have no idea, Franck is your french font of ipod knowledge ;)



Last question! What is the best way of connecting my PC to my hi-fi? They are in different rooms so a wireless solution would be good. I've heard of an Apple Airport which uses your house's electrical circuit. Has anyone tried this?


It doesnt use your houses elcectrical circuit - although you can set up a network that way its a different thing...ill look up a link later. Airport just gets power from a socket but actually networks using standard wireless technology. It is quite good though, but you will need a wireless network already. Ill get a bit more info on this subject this afternoon with links.

[Dreadful Scathe]

<h2> Music Music Everywhere </h2>
Note: I've included links to several different shops. They may not be the cheapest.
Always shop around

There are a few ways to play music at the other side of your house, lets see what they are....

The easy way is to just get wireless speakers and plug them in in another room. Then no network is involved! Here's an example of some at £100 (http://www.boysstuff.co.uk/product.asp?id=10614). Wireless speakers seem to be more expensive in the UK but shop around first.

Amazon.com has wireless speakers at
less than $30 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000J0D8/102-2944976-3420915?v=glance).
Tip: I have 2 sets of wireless speakers myself but when shopping around I asked in PCWorld what types they had, to which the assistant laughed and said 'Theres no such thing'.
PCworld = Muppets :).

Some of the links below contain reviews as well as a price, so if this is new to you, I'd advise you to read them all.

If you already have a wireless network (and if you don't but you want one then, again, ebuyer is your best bet
(£40 for this fast wireless router which should allow you to use a wireless device anywhere in your house) (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=2761975214&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=60654))

First up, the Apple Airport Extreme. (http://www.apple.com/airportextreme/)
This allows you to extend a current wireless network and, for example, play music elsewhere see this review for further explanation (http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/fullreview.php?reviewId=553). You can get them for about £80+.

Here's one on ebay with a nice picture (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=75523&item=5728879513&rd=1). If this ebay link expires, er..which it will do as it's for a live auction, just do another ebay search for "airport extreme".

This Linksys Wireless HiFi £130-ish (http://www.newswireless.net/articles/030210-DMA.html) does a similar job(from a music point of view at least), but is not quite as subtle or "designer" as the Apple.

This Netgear (http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h614.htm) looks great and has a groovy LCD display, and is wireless OR wired. They are around £100. As you can see here. (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_100&osCsid=d125f67f3cb7e5b9213133ec383222f9) Note that that last link also mentions the more expensive but stylish squeezebox wireless player.

<h3>Alternatives to Wireless :</h3>
Best of the bunch is the excellent media mvp from hauppauge, which allows you to play music and video from your computer onto your TV. (read review). (http://www.hardwarezoom.com/viewcontent.jsp?ReviewID=189&PageNo=1) Its as cheap as £70 from ebuyer.co.uk here (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=52910).

The only drawback is its NOT wireless, you'll need an ethernet cable, but its a bargain if you can handle that. Its worth it even if you only want to play mp3s, the fact that it does video too is great :).

Of course you could go the whole hog and actually have a "media" PC in your livingroom, itll cost a bit more but it gives you all the power you need and looks great because its designed for this purpose - see here for a few examples. (http://www.aria.co.uk/shop.asp?aisle=Shuttle%20XPC)

Thats the end of todays technology round up ;) tune in (pun?) next week.

[Dreadful Scathe]

Also, further to Zebra girlies ;) question... if you wanted to create a network USING your electricity plug sockets. Here is a link here (http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,105305,00.asp) that explains a bit about it, with links (2nd paragraph) to 3 major suppliers of the technology (albeit the US version - they have different plugs of course).

and...Here's a uk websites take on it. (http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/default_ShopGroup.asp?ShopGroupID=61&Alt=Yes)

Ebuyer here (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=2763248064&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=72305) sell a usb homeplug network device for £34, so with 2 of those you can go from one end of your house to the other.

[Zebra Woman]

Thanks very much DS :hug:

You are so right about PC world, I have had the same experience when I asked about the Airport.

I have had a little look at the links. Wireless network sounds good, ease of use when selecting tracks in the remote place is my only concern ....I will definitely get wireless speakers for my kitchen.

Can conventional speakers be converted to being wireless? I have two pairs of new and gorgeous B&W speakers which I wouldn't want to change.

Supplementary question: Could the same wireless network be used to save having TV aerial cable running between rooms?

No rush..I'm still on dial up so any surfing is very slow.

Thanks again ZW :hug: :flower:

[DavidY]

Maybe DS (or someone else) can advise me...

I spend hours in my car and like to "timeshift" radio programmes using cassette tapes.

I have a digital timer plug (£15-£20 or so) which switches everything on at the right times, and a cassette deck with a mechanical switch that's set to automatically record when it's powered up. All this takes place unattended when I'm not in. I can also record more than one programme at different times (good when I'm away for the weekend). I then play the cassette in my car the next day.

Trouble is these days that the cassettes are on their way out - cassette decks are harder to find and cars are less likely to have them as standard.

So what's the modern equivalent?

Is there technology around which will let me record unattended using a simple timer plug & then play it in my car the next day? I've considered mini-discs, but I'm not sure what sort of future they have either.

Any ideas?

[neilh]

:yeah:
having had both, the iPod is superior in every way.
slick, cool, reliable, top quality. and that's what you're paying for.

Then why are the current batch failing and not being replaced in the UK as they are in the US? :mad:

[neilh]

Slight overkill for just converting files, but Audacity will do this and is free. (Will also do cutting/pasting, pitch/tempo shifting etc...)

Dave
If you want a full pro package,then I'd recommend "Cool Edit pro" - a bit expensive but you can d/load demo versions. Full editing of ALL sound files,CD ripping AND a 96 track recording studio. Oh,AND you can rip sound from MPEGs etc- waaaaayyyyy kewl!

[Dreadful Scathe]

Theres a timeshifting radio here (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/) - its a usb device so should work on any modern Mac or PC. Dunno about standalone players but a TiVo (http://www.tivo.com/1.0.asp) would do it for video or radio if you have radio channels through the TV I assume.

[Gus]

Dear Techno Mage (and associated acolytes) ... I seek audience with my vexation problem.

I'm using iTunes on a PC to manage my music catalouge. however, I need to have this music available when I'm away from my base office for
Music in the gym
Backup sound source for DJing
I was going for a solid state MP3 player as I've heard that hard disk based players (.g. iPOD) dont take too kindly to be shaken about when I'm running etc. However, solid state kit is very expensive £ per MB and I'm not sure about the ease of use when I'm DJing. Solutions? iPOD, Creative version or get a iRiver solid state player??? But how will a non iPOD cope with iTunes? :confused:

[DavidY]

Theres a timeshifting radio here (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/) - its a usb device so should work on any modern Mac or PC. Dunno about standalone players but a TiVo (http://www.tivo.com/1.0.asp) would do it for video or radio if you have radio channels through the TV I assume.OK... but how do I timeshift radio and listen in my car the next day?

I think I need something with removable media (like my old cassettes) which I can record at home but transfer to the car the next day.

Being able to record unattended is important too - somedays I stay out late dancing, have no time at home to do very much except eat and sleep before leaving for the next day.

Thanks for your help,
David

[Dreadful Scathe]

OK... but how do I timeshift radio and listen in my car the next day?

I think I need something with removable media (like my old cassettes) which I can record at home but transfer to the car the next day.

Being able to record unattended is important too - somedays I stay out late dancing, have no time at home to do very much except eat and sleep before leaving for the next day.

Thanks for your help,
David
I just got one of the YoYo devices (in my signature)..and discovered that it will record FM radio at a time you specify - as an mp3 at a selectable bitrate up to 320k - its then just a case of copying it onto CD, Tape or if you have one of those fake tapes that allow you to play from a headphone socket you can use that.

[Dreadful Scathe]

You bastards! Pardon me..but aria.co.uk sellers of yoyo mp3 players and other things (http://www.aria.co.uk/specials.asp) have just added the 512mb yoyo player to their on sale list at £59. BUT I JUST BOUGHT THE 256mb ONE 2 BLOODY DAYS AGO AT £49. (if you follow that link scroll down till you find it)

but I wont feel so bad if someone else buys one :).
Heres what it can do :

512mb will hold around 128 mp3's.
The yoyo will let you play these :).
It shows up on PCs/MACs as just another drive.
You can find Fm radio stations and set them.
You can set an alarm function to record said radio stations at any time.
You can record/encode new mp3s directly onto the player using the excellent onboard mic or the line in socket at a SELECTABLE bitrate up to 320kbps.
It takes 1 single AAA which lasts for 18 hours. Which is good because at a lower bitrate you could record voice for the life of the battery :). (default voice (i.e internal mic) bitrate is 32kbps which takes 1.2mb of space for a 5 minute conversation). Never again wonder what that great track was and try to feebly hum it at people later, just record a section and play it to them ;)

[Dreadful Scathe]

update on Hard Drive Players - just found a Creative Zen 20gb player (which looks uncannily like an iPod) for a mere £169...go here (http://www.shop.bt.com/invt/cch168) - the 24 hour battery life is a good selling point ;)

[DavidY]

Pardon me..but aria.co.uk sellers of yoyo mp3 players and other things (http://www.aria.co.uk/specials.asp) have just added the 512mb yoyo player to their on sale list at £59. ~SNIP~but I wont feel so bad if someone else buys one :).I had a look just now but think I'm too late & there are none left :sad:

[DavidY]

I'm contemplating getting some sort of video camera to record my dancing with the aim of seeing what I look like & what I do wrong. :what: :sick:

I see there are some quite cheap ones which I assume have some sort of solid state memory - so no tape or anything of that sort. Which I think means they can only record a few minutes at once - but this might be OK for what I want it for (I probably only need to dance for a few minutes at once). Also they look a lot cheaper than the ones using tapes.

Anyone used one of these? Are they any good? Is there a catch?

[Dreadful Scathe]

I'm contemplating getting some sort of video camera to record my dancing with the aim of seeing what I look like & what I do wrong. :what: :sick:

I see there are some quite cheap ones which I assume have some sort of solid state memory - so no tape or anything of that sort. Which I think means they can only record a few minutes at once - but this might be OK for what I want it for (I probably only need to dance for a few minutes at once). Also they look a lot cheaper than the ones using tapes.

Anyone used one of these? Are they any good? Is there a catch?
solid state video players do not give a particularly good picture and as a decent one is £100 and you can get a cheap digital video camera from £200ish (i.e. here for a 16x optical zoom jvc mini-dv for £210 (http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/camcorders/jvc-grd23ek.asp) I know what I would go for. Tapes are cheap and reusable at £12-ish for 5 tapes. (www.7dayshop.co.uk)

[CJ]

solid state video players do not give a particularly good picture and as a decent one is £100 and you can get a cheap digital video camera from £200ish (i.e. here for a 16x optical zoom jvc mini-dv for £210 (http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/camcorders/jvc-grd23ek.asp) I know what I would go for. Tapes are cheap and reusable at £12-ish for 5 tapes. (www.7dayshop.co.uk)

So, what/where would you recommend for digital camcorder type things?!?

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy:

[Dreadful Scathe]

So, what/where would you recommend for digital camcorder type things?!?

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy:
try here for Kelkoo (http://audiovisual.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/c_123501_camcorders.html) you can select camcorders by price

Dealtime here is also good (http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPP-Camcorders--12956_digital)

Once you find a model you like, search on google via model name to see if you can get a better price. Ebay is usually not a good idea as you are more often than not going to pay an inflated price,as DV cameras plummet in price quite regularly.

GO for any camera with a Media type of "Mini DV" . If you do insist on going for the cheaper solid state cameras steer clear of "integrated memory" ones and go for ones that take cards - cards only cost about £10 for 128mb of memory (www.ebuyer.co.uk is about the cheapest - free postage on cards). Do NOT try and buy memory cards from the place you get the camera, you'll pay WAAAY too much. e.g. Argos is ok for DV cameras if they're on sale but a 128mb sandisk SD card costs £29.99 (on sale for £10 off) but ebuyer will sell you the exact same make for £11.74 including p&p...a slight difference Im sure you'll agree ;)

[Will]

[size=4]
If you want to play music, and you want to hold a LOT of it you could get an iPod of course but…a 40gb ipod is around £250+. Alternatives ?

iRiver 40GB MP3 Player (£246.99) (http://www.4waysolutions.com/acatalog/ihp140.html) – its also got darker colours ;)

Cheers DS, have used this link to buy one. Cheapest I could find too!

[Dreadful Scathe]

Groovy. Remember and get really good headphones so that the sounds of Man City football chants and Cliff Richard songs don't bother innocent members of the public :).