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The NewMediaGear Holiday Product Roundup is Here!

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2009 is almost history. As Laura and I look back on ’09 and fast-forward to 2010, we take a look at some of the coolest gadgets and gifts for the technically minded. Normally, we’re all audio (now video too), but we like to have fun this time of year and hope you join us.

A Holiday Season tradition at Studio1A – the Holiday Product Roundup has arrived. The gear is here…

The Kodak Zi8 portable HD video camera is an amazing little device. The link will take you to all of the specs and hype, but it’s important to know that Kodak really thought this video cam through, maximizing performance and features in this price range. For me, here are the things Kodak got right on the Zi8:

1. Price. Most people are finding the Zi8 HD from $159 to $179.

2. Image stabilization is critical, especially for a small-mass camera. Although not perfect, it helps.

3. HD. For me, 1080p is overkill in a cam of this caliber. The sweet spot is 720p. Kodak allows 30 or 60fps options @ 720.

4. Codecs. The Zi8 creates easy to read MOV files encoded in H.264, making iMovie or even Final Cut imports a breeze, unlike DiVX.

5. An external mic input! This is amazingly useful and hard to find in this type of camera.

THE BAD?

1. Internal Lithium-Ion battery. Charge time is quick (about 2 hours), but I would have preferred AA’s, which are available almost everywhere. The worst situation is to be on-location with a dead battery. I’m getting an extra pack that should solve the problem.

Overall, Kodak hit a home run with this one. I already applied the easy-to-update firmware. The most notable change is a smoother zoom. Don’t forget to pick up a fast SDHC card!

What can’t be repaired, created, modified or improved using a Dremel tool? Dremels have been an important part of the inner, and back lot (garage) at Studio1A for years. The folks at Dremel mentioned their new oscillating Multi-Max, and I had to try it.

The cable-feed hole under my console (don’t tell Laura) was created by a Dremel, as well as countless installs and Amateur Radio projects. Oh, there were plenty of home improvement projects too …or were there?

Anyway, the new Multi-Max from Dremel really delivers. It’s oscillating head is easier to manage and offers a lot of power in a small package. Anything that can fit in your hand and comfortably cut through 1/4″ oak is pretty cool! For cutting, sawing, sanding, grinding and many other tasks …there’s nothing like a Dremel.

Don’t take my word for it. Check out Dremels 30 Minute Miracle videos with Paul Ryan, and don’t forget to enter the 30 Minute Miracle contest*!

*The 30 Minute Miracles contest is wholly administered by Dremel

I have a fascination with internet radio, which explains why I’ve watched wi-fi internet devices like the new Logitech Squeezebox very closely over the last few years. They’re getting much more refined. Overall, Logitech designed a great sounding device that opens an entire world of streaming radio. The Squeezebox connected right away to my 802.11g wi-fi and prompted me to update the radios firmware. The update went smooth.

Within minutes, I was cruising around, listening to very nice sounding streams. I experienced a few disconnects after long listens, but not one buffering problem, which was pretty impressive. The overall amp/sound from the Squeezebox is excellent for a tabletop radio. Nice rich, ported bass and a great amp. There is also a line-in that allows the Squeezebox to play your favorite portable player. Not just limited to wi-fi, there is an RJ-45 connector on the back for direct internet connection via cable (just as in the old days).

The menu is easy to navigate and the radio has a solid, even heavy feel. The crisp multi-color LCD panel keeps you informed. Applets are available, but still a bit clunky. The radio worked very well, and that’s where I spent my time. The Squeezebox can be remote controlled via the web or using a Squeezebox Server. I had issues using the server, which were caused by my laptops firewall.

Internet radio is certainly maturing from the clunky devices of the past. Keep in mind that the Squeezebox is available in several different models. My tabletop model is currently selling for about $159 street price. This line of internet radio from Logitech offers incredible listening choices, nice sound and a smooth, colorful menu. The room filling, quality amp and integrated bass port is welcome and often overlooked on internet radios. No annoying stutters or buffer problems were experienced on my end. I do have a wide bandwidth pipeline, but am still impressed with the Squeezebox compared to other ‘I’ radios that we’ve tried in Studio1A.

Street Price at time of publication – $159-$179

What’s a chumby? If you don’t utter those words when you first see, or hear about it, you must really be a geek! The chumby has a cult following of geeky users and developers alike. The chumby is an open platform mini-computer that encourages people to develop apps, or widgets.

The original chumby started it all with little more than a small LCD panel and open architecture. Soon chumby programmers were busy making widgets and the rest is history.

Over 1500 widgets can be found in the ‘community’, along with any type of pixie clock you could imagine. The chumby one input consists of a click wheel on the side, its touch panel display and a large button on top. If you often buy things before knowing how you’ll use them, you’ll love the chumby one. I found it very cool. Nobody needs a chumby, but I certainly wanted one!

On Sale at post time for $99.95

I first met the folks at Otterbox during the Podcast Expo, year one. Every year, we’re proud to have Otterbox back on the Holiday Roundup.

This is a huge year for smart phones and Otter cases offer Rambo-like protection for everything from handheld devices to small laptops. I tried out their new line of cases for the iPod Touch. The iPhone and BlackBerry is also well supported. These cases offer everything from light protection, to armor-like shielding from the elements.

Over the years, I’ve found that nothing protects my valuable little devices like an Otter. Check out the full line at Otterbox.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the show. Of course, we’ll chat again before 2010!

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Drop me a line with comments, thoughts and suggestions:
mark at newmediagear dot com

Best,
Mark Jensen & Laura

Filed under: PodCasts, bluemax, chumby, dremel, Holiday, kodak zi8, Panamax, Podcast, zoom q3