Tags: camcorder, diy, home, system

Home cinema systems: Are kits or components right for you?

Whether you want to buy a home theatre in a box or go the components route, you'll need to decide which way is best for you right from the start.

A budget camcorder is not without its compromises, but these three camcorders should satisfy most casual videographers out there.

JVC Everio GZ-HD5

The HD5 features a 60GB hard disk, high-def 1920x1080 recording and a 10x optical zoom lens. Unfortunately, it records in JVC's MPEG2-TS format, rather than the more popular AVCHD format.
JVC Everio GZ-HM200B

There's no built-in memory or hard disk capacity with the HM200, just two SD/SDHC card slots. You do get a 20x optical zoom lens and AVCHD recording, though.
JVC Everio GZ-MG630

Recording on to a 60GB hard disk, the standard-def MG630 features a 35x optical zoom lens.
JVC Everio GZ-MG680

A standard-def hard disk-based camcorder, the MG680 features 120GB of storage and a 35x optical zoom lens.
Canon Legria HF21

Sporting 64GB of on-board flash memory, the HF21 should have plentiful space for its 24Mbps high-def footage. It also features headphone and microphone jacks, as well as 15x optical zoom lens.
Canon Legria HFS11

With its 64GB of built-in flash memory, the HF S11 has plenty of space for recording 24Mbps 1920x1080 high-def footage. It also features a 10x zoom lens, microphone and headphone jacks, and stereo sound recording.
Kodak Zx1

Kodak's rugged portable video camera will appeal to outdoor shooters, once they get over the unit's strange controls.
Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10EXBK HD Dual Camera

Sanyo's entry-level portable camcorder is very portable indeed, but suffers with some design and implementation flaws.

Camcorder basics

Thinking of buying a camcorder? Just got one? Let's take a look behind the specs and see what you've got in your hands.
Getting to know your camcorder
What storage should I get in my camcorder?

There are many types of camcorders on the market, and all take different types of storage. We look into what's available, so you can decide what's best for you.
Perfectly calibrate your LCD TV

Want to adjust your flat-panel TV to get the best image for your DVDs? Here's how.

Police to use national warning system

A national telephone warning system designed to send emergency bushfire alerts could be expanded to warn of mass shootings and major police incidents.
Lensbaby goes ultrawide with lens adapter

Lensbaby is bringing a wider look to its line of selective-focus lenses, announcing the 0.42x Super Wide lens that expands its products' 50mm field of view to 21mm.
iRiver's Wave Home

There's been a little bit of buzz at CES here about the iRiver Wave Home, which marries a networked multimedia device with a communications hub to form a kitchen/home office-friendly gadget.
New Jensen Touchscreen Multimedia System

The VM9423 Touchscreen Multimedia System is the first of six new Jensen models that will launch during the first half of 2009. This top-of-the-line system features a built-in HD radio tuner, integrated iPod connectivity, and iTunes tagging.

GPS buyer's guide

Prices for GPS devices and apps have come down in the last year and many of us are looking at jumping on the bandwagon. We take a look at how it works, why you should (or shouldn't) buy a GPS, as well as key features to look out for.
DIY home surveillance with a webcam

Too cheap to buy a real home security system? A webcam gets you part of the way there. We examine a few inexpensive ways to do it with an old computer and some home security software.
How to take video in total darkness

All sorts of interesting things happen in the dark, but how do you take a video of them? These tips will help you shoot video in even the darkest places.
Print, save and organise your digital photos

Learn how to organise your images so that they're easy to find, safely backed up, optimised for printing and much more. Once your digital photographs are transferred to your PC, learn how to "process" them for the best possible results.

Get (laptop) smart before you buy

Win the numbers game and get the laptop that's perfect your needs as well as your budget!
Microsoft Windows® 7. Your PC, simplified.

Windows® 7 has been designed to be more reliable, more responsive, and to make the things you do every day easier.