Academy JDV300A

Advantages: Cheap, multi-region, plays PAL (native) and NTSC (just about)DVDs
Disadvantages: Frame rate not always smooth and appearance dated.

...I bought the Limit JDV300A as a second DVD for the bedroom. Performance wasn't as important as my main player (I keep a Pioneer DV-606D as my main player). However multi-region and the ability to play both PAL and NTSC disks was essential. The machine fulfils my expectations and it only cost £199! The Limit is made with multi-region capability, unlike many players that need a hardware modification. Using the handset, you press eject to open the tray tap in the number 8926 and then the number of the region you want (or 9 for noregion). The limit is packed with features and for the money, I would be very surprised if anyone could do better. Don't expect perfection though - the frame rate is not as smooth as expensive players and the box is a little dated silver with chrome look buttons (not that you'll be using them as the remote works... Read review

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Advantages: It is light
Disadvantages: Everything else

.... The reasons why the recording is bad: it is extremely distorted however quiet you sing. There is a horrible crackling sound all the time. And it is not my sequencer either. I tried others and it didn’t change the sound at all. The worst thing in my opinion is the sound lag. There is more than a second delay when you record, so with a backing track, you need a lot of time having to quantize the vocals with it. This microphone can’t even qualify for karaoke, sorry to say (or sing!). Philips are the last major British company, so really it feels sad having to ‘diss’ them like this, but I even bought an ‘Academy’ microphone from poundland and it does a better job. Of course, the Academy microphone is still shocking, but compared to this, it scores gold. I have also tried to use the Philips microphone for speaking, and it has the same problem... Read review

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Advantages: fantastic tonal quality
Disadvantages: slightly uncomfortable ear pads, pricey

.... Similar Products Used: Sennheiser HD480, Rox, old Sony cans Features: Vented diaphragm Non Resonant air chamber Standard copper voice coil wire Standard copper connecting cord mini plug with 1/4" adaptor Tranducer type dynamic Operating principle open air Frequency response 20-20 SPL 1mV 98 Normal impedance 32ohms Driver matched db .1 ROLL OF HONOUR. (other reviews and awards) "Creating a stereo image of excellent depth and clarity, they ensure every detail is heard, every strand separated." First Headphone ever awarded a "GOLDEN NOTE AWARD" Presented by the Academy for the Advancement of High End Audio. Winner of Audio Video's "GRAND PRIX AWARD" "In the recording studio or for the serious hobbyist, I can't think of a more versatile or dimensionally satisfying personal speaker system." Fi magazine / Vol. 2, No. 4... Read review

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