Man Cave » Electronics

Time to upgrade my Camcorder?

glocker — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:55:00 +0000

Just when I think it's safe to go to Amazon again, Sony dicontinues their HDR-CX150. The closest thing left in their Handycam line is the HDR-CX300. The HDR-CX300 Handycam is a nice camcorder, but I'm not sure it has the same "bang for the buck" as the HDR-CX150. On the plus side, the HDR-CX300 has some very cool video modes, especially Slow Motion and the Golf Shot. I think the Golf Shot especially could be used to make some very cool model railroad photos and the Slow Motion mode would be cool for street... err... drag racing and model airplane videos. OTOH it's kind of pricey and my CX150 is practically brand new. I think for now I'll wait and see. I really want one and I'm in the middle of buying a house - maybe I can work the cost of the HDR-CX300 into my "home improvement" budget" - or I could give the HDR-CX300 for my son as a housewarming gift and then borrow it once in awhile. Hmmm, the creativity is flowing already...

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New Toy – Kodak Playsport Zx3

glocker — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 05:17:17 +0000

Actually 3 new toys - all video cameras. We bought a Sony HDR-CX150 about a month ago and I really like it, especially the way it works in low light. The only problem is our 5 year old son like it too, but I'm not about to turn him loose on a $400 "toy." So... I decided to get him a Flip UltraHD - less than $150 from Amazon, rugged, easy to use. What could be better? Well, after I bought the UltraHD my wife found a Kodak Playsport Zx3 that is even better than the flip. Among other things it's waterproof. So we got one, and she's right (as usual) - it's a better value for the money than the Flip. The Flip is more hackable though so I still like it better. Here's some links:

Comparing the Zx3 with the Flip UltraHD: http://www.squidoo.com/flip-video-vs-playsport-zx3

Why I like the Flip UltraHD better: http://www.squidoo.com/-flipvideocamera

Review of the Sony HDR-CX150 Handycam camcorder: http://www.squidoo.com/sony-hdr-cx150-handycam-review

Check them out, any of these camcorders would be a great "toy" to have in your Man Cave.

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Computer for my Cave

glocker — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:47:10 +0000

I'm thinking about a computer for my Man Cave, but I'm not sure what to get. The obvious choice would be a PC. Besides using it as a computer, it could also be used as a DVD player, hi fi, etc. I can download pictures and videos to it. It will run just about any software I need to support my "activities" - database, spread sheet, email, etc. I can even write my own software for it. For a man cave, though, it's a little too generic for my tastes. I need a PC, but I'm going to have to supplement it with something else, something more "computer-like."

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