| LCD TV |
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 Westinghouse LTV-32w3 (*est. $750)
We found
mixed reviews for color rendition and black levels on the 32-inch
Westinghouse LTV-32w3 LCD televisiointn. Although it's inexpensive,
another $100 gets you a better performing TV. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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 Samsung
LN-T3253H (est. $870)
The Samsung
LN-T3253H costs about $100 more than the Westinghouse LCD TV,
but we found more consistently good reviews for the Samsung's
image quality. |
full
report - lcd tv |
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Samsung LN-T3253H
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| Plasma TV |
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| Reviews
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AOC A42HD84 (*est.
$800)
The
AOC A42HD84 is inexpensive for a 42-inch plasma
TV. But in one test, its picture quality was too
blue. In another, it was pale and washed out. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Vizio P50 (*est. $1,300)
For a little less than the 42-inch AOC plasma TV, reviewers say the larger 50-inch Vizio VP42 performs much better, with a rare combination of low price and good color. |
full
report - plasma tv |
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Vizio P50
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| Digital Camera |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-W200 (*est.
$320)
Reviews
say the 12.1-megapixel Sony DSC-W200 is a good example of
megapixel overkill, and image quality isn't said to be any
better than competing cameras. |
| Instead
consider the: |
 |
Canon
PowerShot A570 IS (*est.
$175)
The top-rated
Canon A570 IS costs far less than the Sony DSC-W200, but we found
better reviews for the Canon's image quality and features. |
full
report - digital cameras |
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to top |
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Canon PowerShot
A570 IS
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| Digital
Camcorder |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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Hitachi
DZ-HS300A (*est.
$380)
The
Hitachi DZ-HS300A records to a hard drive rather than
miniDV tapes, which saves you from buying tapes. But
in reviews, image quality scores aren’t the best. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Canon
ZR800 (*est.
$240)
According
to reviews, the Canon ZR800 miniDV camcorder is the best
choice in its price range, with accurate colors and sharp
details. Video quality outclasses the more expensive Hitachi
DZ-HS300A. |
full
report - digital camcorders |
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to top |
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Canon ZR800
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| Cordless Phone |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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VTech
6032 (*est.
$50)
The
VTech 6032 is one of the newest DECT cordless phones,
which promise to eliminate interference with other electronics.
We didn't read complaints about reception, but many owners
say the battery life is very short, and there are some
usability quirks. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Panasonic
KX-TG1032S (*est.
$80)
The Panasonic
KX-TG1032S is also a low-interference DECT phone. Though
more expensive, the Panasonic phone comes with two handsets,
and it gets much better overall ratings than the VTech 6032. |
full
report - cordless phones |
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to top |
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Panasonic KX-TG1032S
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| Headphones |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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Sony
MDR-D777LP (*est.
$50)
The
Sony full-size headphones are inexpensive, but we found
numerous and consistent complaints about plastic parts
that snap off. Some also find them uncomfortable. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Grado
SR60 (*est. $70)
Hands-down,
the Graco SR60 get the best reviews among budget full-size
headphones. Sound quality is great, and we didn't find the
same deal-breaker complaints about durability that we did
for the Sony headphones. |
full
report - headphones |
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to top |
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Grado SR60
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| DVD Player |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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Toshiba
SD-4980 (*est.
$100)
We
found dozens of complaints from users who say their Toshiba
SD-4980 freezes when playing some DVDs. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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OPPO
DV-970HD (*est.
$150)
In contrast
to the Toshiba SD-4980, we didn't find complaints about
freezes with the OPPO DV-970HD. In fact, reviewers say the
OPPO is the best DVD player overall. |
full
report - dvd players |
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to top |
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OPPO DV-970HD
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| Projection TV |
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JVC
HD-58S998 (*est.
$2,200)
Overall image quality of the 58-inch JVC HDTV is said to be good, but critics note that straight lines can look curved, an annoying trait that's likely a result of the concave mirror used in the slim-design cabinet. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Sony Grand WEGA KDS-60A3000 (*est. $2,100)
The 60-inch Sony projection TV isn't particularly thin (about 17 inches deep), but in reviews, critics praise its excellent image quality and price -- and there are no problems with straight lines looking bent. |
full
report - projection tv |
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to top |
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Sony
Grand WEGA KDS-60A3000
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| Photo Printer |
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| Reviews
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Lexmark
P350 (*est.
$140)
In
tests, the Lexmark P350 snapshot printer gets lower scores
for image quality than the Epson PictureMate Dash. Reviewers
also complain about slow print speeds. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Epson
PictureMate Dash PM 260 (*est.
$100)
Reviewers say
it's hard to go wrong with the PictureMate Dash snapshot photo
printer. Running costs are low, and photos are consistently good
-- topping the output from the Lexmark P350. |
full
report - photo printers |
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to top |
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Epson PictureMate
Dash PM 260
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| Wireless Headphones |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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Sony
MDR-RF960RK (*est.
$60)
We
found more complaints than praise for the Sony wireless
home-theater headphones. The majority of users mention
short range and static. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Sennheiser
RS 120 (*est.
$100)
While
the best reviews go to wireless headphones in the $200 to
$300 price range, critics say the Sennheiser RS 120 is the
best you can do for $100. We found far fewer complaints
about static and short range for these headphones than we
did for the Sony set. |
full
report - wireless headphones |
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to top |
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Sennheiser RS
120
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| Ultra-compact Digital Camera |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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General
Imaging GE G1 (*est.
$135)
Even
the kindest assessments of the G1 ultra-compact digital
camera are lukewarm; complaints run the gamut from photo
quality to performance and ergonomics. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Canon
PowerShot SD1000 (*est.
$170)
For another
$35 over the GE digital camera, the Canon PowerShot SD1000
is a vastly better camera all around, according to professional
and user reviews. |
full
report - ultra compact digital cameras |
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to top |
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Canon PowerShot
SD1000
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| Webcam |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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The
Creative Live! Cam Voice (*est.
$80)
Most
reviews say the Creative Live! Cam Voice webcam does
well when it comes to audio, but video quality is average
at best. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Logitech
QuickCam Fusion (*est.
$65)
The QuickCam
Fusion, according to reviews, is easily the best value.
Image quality surpasses that of the pricier Creative Live!
Cam Voice, and the Fusion's audio is also solid. |
full
report - webcams |
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to top |
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Logitech QuickCam
Fusion
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| Portable DVD Player |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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Mustek
MP100 (*est.
$240)
While
we found durability complaints in general for portable
DVD players, the Mustek gets more negative feedback than
others. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Sony
DVPFX810 (*est.
$170)
Although
the Sony DVPFX810 also gets some durability complaints,
this model isn't panned as often as the more expensive Mustek
MP100. |
full
report - portable dvd players |
| back
to top |
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Sony DVPFX810
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| Home Theater System |
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| Reviews
say to skip the: |
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LG
LHT764 (*est.
$300)
The
LG home theater system comes with a 5-disc DVD changer
and a 5.1 speaker system. But reviews say that audio
could have more oomph. One expert calls the bass muddy. |
| Instead
consider the: |
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Philips
HTS3555 (*est.
$225)
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