Asus Xonar D1 - move over creative, your time is up.

Advantages: cheap, works in vista, does the job far better than the competition, optical output!
Disadvantages: limited inputs (see review)

...The souncard market has never really been swamped with options. For those of us who don't use onboard sound and demand a seperate sound card for our sorround sound/gaming/music needs theres never been much choice. Most people go with Creative as they are well known and apparently respectable. I did just that a few years ago, it was a mistake. Their driver and customer support, especially for Windows Vista users is seriously lacking. I was finding my games locking up, my computer suffering from fatal errors (aka Blue Screens of Death) and just general sound issues that were hindering my enjoyment. Research soon showed that the creative card was to blame. As a result i threw my old creative soundcard in the bin and opted for something new, the Asus Xonar D1. Simple, small and effective. Asus's card supports Vista and its drivers are...

AgeUK 27.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of ASUS Xonar D1

It's a superb tape deck! But nothing else!

Advantages: high sound quality, diverse functions, record to tape mode, record from tape mode
Disadvantages: usless instruction manual, useless recording programme, not all cables supplied

...brilliant since it has an automatic song recognition system, so the programme can search for the correct details of the song. However, when recording large numbers of media and also in many tracks and not as one tape, there is one feature that is missing: next track (and/or a pause button). Since this programme has not got this button and is in the form of a media recording "wizard mode", it means that you will need to record the one track at a time. This is made even more tedious because of the already mentioned "wizard mode" as the only mode available. After each new recording (track) you will have to cycle to the end of the wizard and then start over, wasting 1 minute every time for this which when you have 50 odd so tapes to copy (like me) is not the best option. There are a couple of other minor disadvantages like not all needed cables...

StanRogo 28.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of ION TAPE 2 PC USB

Tape (2001)

Advantages: Ethan Hawke - Sweet Use Of Dialog - Richard Linklater - UMA
Disadvantages: Not much - That Vinces' bag of beer is not presently in my room...

...Ever since I watched "Waking Life", I became a huge fan of Richard Linklater. The magical thing about Waking Life was the fantasy trip (seeing as how its real life footage, that was converted into animation) that you experienced, while listening to dialog about very important and profound subjects. Then when I viewed "Before Sunrise" I not only was cemented as a fan, but gained great respect for the awesome way that he directed dialog. In "Tape", he has shown the unlimited possibilities, even if you are limited in materials. For "Tape" is a low budget movie that takes place completely in a motel room. But holds the power of a big budget film, both cinematically and creatively. Tape is... This film is based on a 1-act play, with only 3 characters. Tape begun as an off-off-Broadway play. All taking place in Access Theater's 5th...

zenmachado 14.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Tape (DVD)

Got Any More Old Tapes Laying Around?

Advantages: Lots of big tunes
Disadvantages: Takes a while for the bangers to come in

...Soon after his ?Stillmatic? album came out, in 2002 the New York MC Nas decided to bring out more material as ?The Lost Tapes?, in which he was seen to (rather than come out with a brand new album) compile a collection of all the best tunes which hadn?t made their way onto ?...I Am?, ?Nastradamus? and the 2001 album which reminded people why he created such a buzz with his 1994 debut release. 1. ?Doo Rags? He gets the album going with a fresh tune to guide listeners in. It is a calm one and features some gentle production to ease people on here as he gives you a chance to just enjoy life with a feel-good recording here. It is a tune which reflects the fact that here he was just messing around this material and came up with a light tune to escape what you typically get in a rhyme set from the Queensbridge native. **Four Stars** 2...

XICripZ 17.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Lost Tapes Vol.1, The [PA] - Nas

8mm Tapes are so last year!

Advantages: Good quality tapes that will work and last
Disadvantages: Very dated with better SD Card or Hard Drive options

...I initially wondered why people would be looking to buy these tapes, and if they do, whether it is time to update the camcorder to an affordable SD Card or hard drive version. However, if 8 mm tapes still rock your boat, then the Sony tapes work a treat. There are two kinds of Sony 8mm tapes, the 60 minute (Pack of 3 = £11.99) and 90 minute (Pack of 3 = £21.99) and weigh about 200g per tape. These are lightweight and portable and come in sealed plastic casing with good design covering. You can trust the Sony brand as a leading manufacturer in the video and audio market. The quality of the product is excellent and durable. It will fit snugly into the camcorder without sticking and you will be ready to go. The output very much depends on the quality of your camcorder. What goes in comes out. It will also make a difference if you...

Nothing-But-The-Truth 10.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Sony 8mm Camcorder Tape

Tape - buy the DVD.

Advantages: cool, stylish, simple, convincing
Disadvantages: Set entirely in a motel room

...Adapted from a one act, three character play by Stephen Belber, ?Tape? ought to be considered a landmark in low budget film making. Set entirely in a seedy albeit comfortable motel room in Lansing, Michigan, the feature opens with quirky shots of Vince (Ethan Hawke) drinking beer, doing press ups, and jumping energetically around his two bedded room, dressed in boxers and a vest. When old high school friend Jon turns up - a handsome, ambitious, up-and-coming film director - their past is explored through slick, natural dialogue and a convincing rapport. But as the nature of their relationship is unfolded, so does Vince?s ulterior motive, as he becomes curious to know more about a dubious incident that occurred ten years ago, involving ex girlfriend Amy. So begins the film. You?d have thought a film so limited in setting and cast would...

zak-2 28.01.2005 · Read review
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Review of Tape (DVD)

The Explosion - Black Tape

Advantages: Many great Pop Punk gems
Disadvantages: Probably wont appeal to those that don't usually go for Pop Punk

...The Explosion is one of those 'The Next Big Thing' branded bands - and the thing about these bands is that sometimes it happens for them, and sometimes it doesn't. However, in most of the cases where it just doesn't happen, the band isn't particularly great - this can't really be said of The Explosion. With 'Black Tape,' The Explosion has produced an album that although not entirely original, is full of substance, energy and excitement. There are many great tracks on display on this album that make The Explosion stand out from the pack and seem like a shining star in a sky of monotonous generic bands. This album kicks off with 'Deliver Us' which in some respects is a bit of a bad move because I'd say that this is probably one of the weaker tracks on the album. There is some heavy distortion on the guitars, and it doesn't really do...

RazzaLazza 07.06.2005 (08.06.2005) · Read review
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Review of Black Tape (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Explosion (The)

D1X. Too heavy to handle?

Advantages: This is a brilliant camera that copes well in most situations.
Disadvantages: The D1X is quite heavy and bulky, not recommended for occasional photographers!

...I have been using the D1X for about 2 years in my job as a military photographer. The basic package will come with the D1X body, a 35-70mm lens, and nikon battery and charger. The quality which this camera records information can be seen in the finished product. I have taken images of landscapes, aircraft, people, technical parts (including close-up's) and many other subjects. There are 4 modes for use with this camera, shutter priority, manual, apature priority and 'P' or 'automatic'. Along with this are subject settings, i.e: sunny; cloudy; florescent lighting; shadow; ect, all of which are excellent features. The D1X performs well in most circumstances, although it is not brilliant with skin tones. For every 6/10 photographs I take of people, I need to correct the colour slightly. Apart from this dissapointing feature...

sadies2005 08.05.2005 · Read review
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Review of Nikon D1X

Great tape. This is about TAPE.

Advantages: High quality tape that does not suffer from degradation
Disadvantages: Hard to get hold of.

...***NOTE! This has been called a camcorder by mistake on ciao! It is actually a camcorder tape!*** When it comes to camcorders, a camera is only as good as its tape. Im quite lucky because I own a good make of Camera. A Sony One. However, I also match the quality of camera with a quality tape. A Sony one! Why? Well, Sony Tapes are obviously engineered to perform best in a Sony Camera. For this reason, I bought a 3 pack at the airport on my honeymoon. The price was £7.95 so about £2.64 per tape. For my £2.64, I am getting 90 whole minutes of sheer quality recordable tape that does not grain or lose quality with usage. No stretching or deformity. Just excellent recording and playback time after time. With a 90 minute tape such as this, you are getting an optimum tape quality. 60 minute tapes are too short in recording time...

andycharger 30.09.2002 · Read review
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Review of Sony P5-90HMP3 Tape

Good Quality comes at a Price

Advantages: Excellent print quality
Disadvantages: short and a bit expensive

...The Dymo D1 tapes, which are suitable for a whole host of different Dymo label machines are a great invention. Most of us will remember the old Dymo machines, which used pure pressure, to stamp out the letters on to a pretty hard plastic sheet, which had a self adhesive backing. The new Dymo machines, with the D1 tape brings it all to the 21st Century. Using heat technology, to bond the ink to a thin plastic sheet, and produce good quality thin labels to be adhered to whatever you like. The D1 is available in a whole host of widths; 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 19mm, 24mm, and a whole host of colours, ranging from; black on transparent, black on white, black on yellow, white on transparent etc etc. I have been using D1 tapes for over a year now, t on the small LablePoint 100 hand held machine, and the larger Label Manager 400 machines...

ChrisAllsopp 03.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of DYMO D1 - polyester self-adhesive label tape - 1 roll(s) (40913)