Sony NEC Optiarc BR-5100S

Advantages: Reads practically everything. Writes to TWO formats (+RW and -RW)
Disadvantages: None so far, but disk costs make it more important not to waste any

...This machine is my first step in producing edited DVD-copies of my own home movies shot on a digital camcorder. The previous VCD video disk standard tended to waste the camcorder’s ability to record around 500 lines of picture detail by squandering it on a mere VHS-quality 280 lines output. A DVD recorder redresses this balance by producing a final product that is as clear as the raw material. To kick off with, I used the two disks supplied to confirm that the machine works OK. Being Verbatim brand, and supplied by NEC, it was only to be expected that they’d work and they did. It was shortly after this that I began to wonder whether I shouldn’t have waited for the Sony model, however long its delivery was. What was the problem? Well, none that you could pin on NEC, but the general consensus of opinion on technical websites was that the NEC... Read review

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Advantages: Fast response time; excellent image quality; sleek design
Disadvantages: Viewing from acute angles results in a poorer image; monitor button labelling

..., and then buy a second one later to double my workspace. And last, but by no means least, manufacturers are making 15 and 17" LCDs with a significantly improved screen response time (16ms), which means that playing games is an absolute pleasure on these new models. The NEC 1760NX has both analog and DVI inputs, has a very clean, sharp design, and a thin surrounding frame (which will be useful when I buy another one to set up a dual display). It is also one of the LCDs with the fastest screen response time available. Another plus point is that the 1760NX is particularly free from glare. Most of the newer LCDs have incorporated a transparent shiny screen protector (including NEC's own 1765, the successor to the 1760). The protector allows me to work with practically no glare despite having two windows behind me in my home office - which... Read review

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Advantages: Bright & clear display. Fast update times. Great for photo editing and games!
Disadvantages: Expensive. Fiddly 'stick' control on front panel.

...an enormously wide angle. The second thing I learnt is that there are four main types of LCD panel: - TN + Film - IPS (superceded by Super IPS, or S-IPS) - MVA - PVA I shan't go into the details - suffice to say that if you wish to read more about them, then a quick Google for "Types of LCD panel" will return most of the information you could require. To cut a long story short though, S-IPS is the preferred type of display for photo editing because of it's wide viewing angle. Before I finally get onto the device itself, it's worth mentioning the last piece of advice that I found, which settled me upon this monitor. Apparently, the best monitors are Eizo. If you can't afford that, go for NEC, Lacie or Apple. (http://www.anands.net/faq/lcd.html) I wanted to spend enough, but not a small fortune, so the fact that the NEC was an S... Read review

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