[Jonathan DA]

Nils, the Reader's Digest version is that Alan and couple of other "industry insiders" have hinted that "something big" will debut on the scene in September. Since September is CEDIA everyone is speculating that it will be there that the new tech is shown. Adding further flames to fire, some these same "insiders" ar saying that laser projector companies are quietly demoing their products to distributors and expect to launch something very soon. The rest of the thread is just massive speculation on which company will show something and how the things will work. Q-Peak is mentioned several times as well as a number of others.

Hank, yep, I'm buying in Sept/Oct no matter what. I have the money set aside, I'm just waiting see if I can squeeze more blood from the turnip and get an additional $500 or so price drop in the models I like. The front runner is the NEC HT1000. If it drops below $3000 I'll buy one. If not, I'll probably pick up an L300U (hopefully for around $1300-1400 in October) and just wait for the next round of technology. I also like the Optoma H56, its long throw lens works out perfect in my room, I could mount it at the intersection of the back wall and ceiling and it would be very unobtrusive. Optoma doesn't seem to be offering much in the way of price drops though, I haven't seen it for less than $4K, which is just ridiculous.

[Nils Luehrmann]

Before the move, I'd like to replace both my laptop and camcorder.

I don't need a loaded weapon laptop, as I am planning on buying a full blown desktop to handle those kind of duties such as video editing and DVD/CD burning, but I'd like to get a laptop that I can use to watch DVDs (useful during long flights) and possibly use with my projector should I decide not to buy an additional stand-alone DVD player while in California. I'll be using a wireless network and I'll be running XP Pro and mostly Office programs.

For a camcorder I am completely open to suggestion. I currently have a Sharp Hi8, and I am ready to go digital.

[mike_frontier]

...never mind

[Nils Luehrmann]

Thanks to Doc I believe I am close to pulling the trigger on a laptop and thanks to his insight, suggestions, and recommendations, I think rather than get a low-end laptop and a high-end desktop I am going to go all out on a laptop only.

The reason for my previous plan was because it used to be that desktops were significantly better performers than their counterpart laptops, but judging by some of the computers I have been looking at the difference is marginal at best.

The front runner right not appears to be Dell's Inspiron 5150 (released two months ago).

MODEL: Dell Inspiron 5150
PRICE (as configured): $1,865
PROCESSOR: Mobile Intel Pentium 4 3.06GHz
MEMORY: 333MHz, 256MB, 2 DIMMs
(I'll be immediately replacing these two 128MB chips for two 512MB chips from Crucial Technology for a total of 1GB)
VIDEO CARD: 64MB (266MHz RAM) ATi Mobility Radeon 9000
HARD DRIVE: 60GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
DISPLAY: 15in SXGA+
BATTERY: 14.8V, 6,450mAh 96 WHr Lithium-Ion Primary Battery
BATTERY LIFE: +4 Hours
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Extras:
Integrated Network Card
Internal 56K Modem
CD/DVD burner (DVD+RW/+R)
Dell TrueMobile 1300 WLAN (802.11b/g, 54Mbps) Mini-PCI Wireless Networking Card

Doc;s recommendation was further supported by the folks at C/NET who gave the 5150 their top pick and was the top performer of their benchmark testing.

(click here to read their review)

I am also considering buying Dell's TrueMobile 2300 (802.11b/g) Wireless Broadband Router for $89, but I have not yet looked into my other choices for wireless broadband routers.

Before I pull the trigger, any comments?

[Nils Luehrmann]

Thanks everyone for the insight on Digital Camcorders.

Thanks Frederick, for your personal recommendation of the Canon ZR-60.

After reading various reviews and consumer reports I decided to get the Canon ZR65MC.

It is in no way a state of the art DC, but because the prices are falling so rapidly and the performances are constantly improving, I thought it wise to get the best I could for the least amount so that in a couple years I want to upgrade I wont take a beating on this camera. I got an excellent price on one for only $400 which was considerably less than I expected to pay.

If anyone else is in the market feel free to come by and run it through its paces.

[Chad Anson]

Nice system, Nils. Check out http://practicallynetworked.com/ for info/review about networking products. I don't know if the Truemobile products are up there, but some of the other competing products will be.

[mike_frontier]

Hey all I am about to move into my new house and I am in need of an better idea/way to hang my screen up to the ceiling.

Also my screen (when pulled down) is going to cover an front window (my wife wants me to mount the screen close to the wall,, but mounted on the ceiling). Does anyone here know what I can use to mount it up to the ceiling? The screen also weights about 35 lbs?
Thanks 4 any ideas/suggestions.

Mike

[Chad Anson]

Mike, you could build a small box frame the width of your screen and attach that to your ceiling joists. You could then mount your screen to the frame as you would mount it to the wall. Then, you could finish the box out with a nice crown moulding and paint it to match the other trim in your house. Alternatively, you could have the box blend into an existing window covering by covering it in the same fabric.

[mike_frontier]

Chad,

Sounds like an great idea. I already got the idea I want to do. Thanks man!
Mucho Thanks!

Mike

[Nils Luehrmann]

Those of you familiar with MiniDV tapes, what is your opinion on the differences, if any, of the tapes that are out there?

I noticed that there was a considerable price range between all the different makes of MiniDV tapes and thought perhaps there might be some differences, but when I tried to find a site that compares the quality of these tapes I couldn't find any.

Any insight you might have would be greatly appreciated!

[Jonathan DA]

Is Hank's middle name Nostradamus?