Southern Gospel Radio: July 2012

7/03/2012

Dual-channel Uhf Wireless Lavalier Microphone System Review

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(More customer reviews)The 320 (and the 100) series Azden radios were really good radios until the FCC allocated the 700 Mhz band to the public safety service in the USA. Outside of the usa these are still popular frequencies for wireless mics, however Azden was forced to reintroduce the popular 320 with the 325 which is less expensive, has more frequencies, and is compatible with the new digital television space.
Your odds of getting a good channel with the 325 series are good while your odds of getting a cop with the 320 series are small but the consequences are high. The 796-804 Mhz space lands on top of the new public safety band. Also Azden bumped up the power on the 325 series extending an already sufficient range even further.
If you have a 320 system just check with your local law enforcement to see what their plans are to utilize the 700 Mhz band for public safety in your area before you continue to use it. Less crowded areas are not likely to pay the big bucks to move to 700 Mhz, while New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco will be moving there very soon. The problem lies in the fact that even a 15 mW transmitter can be heard by the tall public safety radio towers in your town which are designed to hear weak signals from 30+ miles away.
Azden's updated 325 series radios are in abandoned 600 mhz frequencies and do not have this issue, while offering many new features. I am surprised the 320 systems are still being sold but azden may want to support foreign customers with their remaining stock.
Other than the frequency choice, the 320 is a great radio system offering the editor dual channel audio tracks from two lav systems. Even the semi-pro would appreciate radio stereo mics or one for each of two people in the new 16:9 widescreen format. Very few dual mic systems exist and the 320/325 system from azden is one of the most affordable to date with excellent sound quality and a decent range (100-150 feet in dense areas). A good frequency to pick is 800.000 Mhz as this is unassigned by the FCC as part of the "guard band" between systems.

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Meridian Alfred Dunhill AD88 (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I own both the F80 and the AD88. Guess I like them! Actually I love them both but they are different. The F80 is presently on sale because Ferrari did not want to renew their contract deal with Meridian and wanted their name or logo off the player. So right now the F80 is the one to get at nearly half price if you really look. I have the Ipod dock on both with an upgraded Kimber cable for the ipod dock and an upgraded power cable both available from the UK.
So what is the difference? The AD88 has a beautiful wooden cabinet with a metal structure and is better as a radio playing very close to you,on your bedside table or desk it will capture every note very tighly and is wonderful at playing beautifully even at very low volume settings. Plus you Ipod never sounded like this before. It has less dispersion than the F80 and is easier for your ear to locate in the room but it, like the F80, has adjustments for height of sound and width of sound projection so you can tailor it to your taste.It plays very delicately but with soul, precise like a lynn product while the sound is lush and beautiful.
If I had to get only one price notwithstanding, I would get the F80, it is simply the same with more dispersion , more spectular sounding, harder to tell where it is playing from and seems to play louder; it fills the room quite easily. I never regretted purchasing the F80. Do however remember that like any high end product it needs to be broken in , at least 150 hours of play and 200 is better before either one of these players will do what it is supposed to do.
How qualified am I? 30 years od owning Wilson speakers, Krell, Cello, Lynn, etc. I used to have pricey high end systems and now they are gone and I own these and I play them more and enjoy my music more, CD or Ipod. I simply will buy more of the F80 for other rooms.It took me a while to buy the first one because I kept listening to store displays with no break-in time; they do open up with time. The Ad88 has two very separate speakers while the F80 sounds as if it has one speaker. If you have uneven hearing the F80 is the one to buy, it is sold on Amazon.
I gave them 5 stars because I have not heard anything similar that played this well when smaller than those huge one room sound systems for audiophiles.

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WorldNav 7000 7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased my WorldNav at atruck stop about 6 month ago.
Although there was no major fixes that I needed on this device I did call them and let company know about one restriction that is not listed. Surprisingly they sent to me a new update the same day. I love the function where I can see on the map restricted roads showing me where I not suppose to be. I can search for scales along the route and find companies I go to by phone number if I need to.
Driving without truck GPS specific device is not safe. Tickets are also very expensive. All in all I am happy with my purchase and would recommended my friends to get one.

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7/02/2012

Kenwood VRS-N8100 Audio/Video Control Center with Network Function Review

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(More customer reviews)After 7 years with my old Kenwood 1080VR, I was in the market for a new receiver to take me through the next several years of technology. This VRS-N8100 Networked receiver does just that. Its all digital processing delivers amazing sound and the ability to stream media files from your PC or home network is a great addition.
PROS:
- Sound performance is great, while auto-detecting all the major surround audio signals
- Network capabilities ... allows you to take advantage of your PC media files without the need for a media hub
- Extremely easy on-screen setup process!!!
- 4 digital audio inputs (2 opt, 2 coax) are completely assignable via the on-screen setup
- Composite, S-video, and component video ins and outs ... HDTV ready
- Fully 7.1 compatible with LB and RB pre-outs (Surr Back speaker outs)
- Slim attractive design
- Many gaming and headphone options to enhance game play
CONS:
- Could always have more inputs, but the slim design limits space. I had plenty for my setup, but it is fewer than other high end models.
- I didn't see this one coming ... but the remote now controls both the old 1080VR (which is powering speakers in other rooms) and the VRS-N8100 simultaneously. I don't know if there is a way around this.
In all, you will be happy with this receiver. Just with my 5.1 setup and Dolby Digital movie, I could tell a substantial difference in sound quality over the 1080VR Dolby Digital. Maybe it's the ease that you can adjust the speaker settings or the state of the art digital processing. But what is for sure is that this little receiver packs a lot into its small frame.
I highly recommend the VRS-N8100 as a truly future-ready receiver, already!

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The digital age has brought new forms of entertainment to your computer screen, but it certainly has not overshadowed the surround sound home theater experience. The Kenwood VRS-N8100 Audio/Video Control Center with Network Function seamlessly merges your entertainment system with your home computer. The rear-panel Ethernet connector lets you stream audio and video files from your computer to your home theater system. With the VRS-N8100, your entire family can enjoy the multimedia digital files stored on your computer through the sound quality of your home entertainment system.
Kenwood has thought of all the possibilities with this control center. Plug a game console into the front-panel game audio/video input (complete with a digital audio connection) and the VRS-N8100 will detect when you turn on the game console, and automatically select that input and the proper surround sound processing. The Single Zone Dual Source function lets you listen to your game's sound through headphones, while the rest of the family can enjoy music through speakers. Plus, this function features Dolby headphone processing that creates a totally out-of-the-box 5.1-channel surround sound effect through any pair of ordinary stereo headphones, so you won't have to sacrifice sound quality to play your favorite games. And the included universal pre-programmed remote control is ready to go with Xbox and PlayStation2 codes. With the Kenwood Control Center, your family can quit fighting over the home theater, and everyone can enjoy the system at the same time.
Of course, the control center is also a great general receiver with plenty of inputs for a wide array of components. When you watch movies, the VRS-N8100 puts you right in the middle of the action with Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES 96/24 surround sound, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx transforms ordinary two-channel stereo music sources -- CDs, cassette tapes, and radio -- into a 6.1-channel surround sound experience. The PurePath digital power amplifier delivers 130 watts to each of six channels, so your games, movies, and music will really rock the house. And with the ADI SHARC 32-bit DSP processor, high-resolution digital volume control, and rigid chassis construction rounding out the VRS-N8100's features, you can rest assured that this control center will deliver accurate performance at all signal levels.
What's in the Box VRS-N8100 control center, remote control, and user's manual

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X10 LCD Home Automation 64 Event Mini Timer / Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm using the X10 programmable timer to automatically switch my solar array on and off to loads in the house. Certain loads are quite high, and must be switched on only at a certain time of day. With the X10 programmable controller, all this happens while I'm away at work. What a relief! This is how the X10 can be used to counter our oil dependency, and reduce global warming. In fact, just by switching unused DC adapters on and off automatically (like just before you get home from work), you can cut your electric bill.
The only drawback I've encountered is that the way the timed events are programmed can be counterintuitive, thus only four stars out of five. It's important to press the clear button to erase an on or off time of the controlled load before programming a new one, and to press the on or off button several times during programming to make sure you didn't accidentally program an unwanted event.
I like the fact that it keeps very accurate time, as well.

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Manfrotto Fig Rig Kit w/595B Video Camera Stabilizer Support, 521PRO Remote Control and 595CLA Clamp Review

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(More customer reviews)Pricy, but I have a club backing the money. Great for an up and coming Director.

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A circular frame with a crossbar to mount most mini DV cameras, the Fig Rig becomes part of the body to produce smooth, steady travelling shots. It is this very fact which is the secret to the Fig Rig. As the operator walks, his/her muscles and tendons absorb all the shocks, transferring only fluid movements to the camera. As there are no straps or harnesses attached to the Fig Rig, quick and wide movements can be made within the same shot - from ground-level to overhead, in one smooth movement. The camera, accessories and operator become one, allowing you to film scenes quickly and unobtrusively. With the Fig Rig your creativity is virtually limitless. The Fig Rig is more than just a steady support. It is a frame on which to build your system. Your camera has only one hot-shoe for accessories, limiting you to one light or one monitor. With the Fig Rig, you can mount any number of accessories that are necessary for today s cameras. With the use of the optional 595CLA you can convert the Fig Rig frame into a fully-loaded roving cine rig precisely positioning your mic or monitor anywhere around your camera. Add on a Manfrotto 521 series remote control and now you have complete fingertip control of zoom and focus. Customize the Fig Rig to your liking

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7/01/2012

Brand New Clarion Vz400 7" DVD Monitor with Built in Bluetooth and Usb Input for Ipod/mp3 Player Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a graet unit. I am able to watch video from my cell phone, DVDs and TV (via slingbox mobile). Bluetooth is clear on both ends. Radio reception is great and I am able to get distant staions clearly. If you bypass the parking brake over-ride, you need to install a switch between the unit and the ground.

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Sony MZ-NHF800 Hi-MD Minidisc Walkman Portable Music Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Having lost the 707 Mini Disc player which I had for 2 years, I have just replaced it with this model.
I picked this model because it offered everything I needed at a reasonable price. I could not find any reason to buy the 900 for $50 more. The MZ-NH1 has backlit LCD which is good for recording in a darkened venue, and is made from Magnesium which is tougher, and has a rechargeable battery. Worth $110 more? I don't think so. It is also better than the 810ck which the technical data says does not play mp3s.
I use the MD mostly for self recording, voice lessons etc, and occasionally for mp3 playback. Having also got the new 1 gb 45 hour disc mini disc, I am happy because it is now possible to get on one disc what I previously had to spread over 34 standard 80 minute discs. If I want, I can store about 900 songs, or 70 cd's, or save a whole year of voice lessons.
A major problem was managing the discs, and often running out of space to record a voice lesson or a performance. You can imagine how much easier it is this way. Another major problem was transferring self recordings to the computer, because the supplied software does not accept self recordings, apparently Sony even wants to control your self recordings, in addition to mp3 copyrights.
There are so many different ways to get mp3s now, I am not sure why this is even an issue. But it sure it frustrating and time wasting for people using this device legitimately. Ironically tranferring Mp3s is a very straightforward check in/out method.
I can only assume this has to do with potential unauthorized live recordings. There is no way these precautions would deter a determined bootlegger, so what is the point of making it more difficult for everybody?
I use my computer line in to record in real time, which can be a drag, and then using Cool Edit to tidy up, and edit the tracks and convert to mp3s.
I also bought the Sony Stereo microphone ECM-DS70P which gives excellent reproduction.
This MD is a great machine, and I highly recommend it. Hope this review was helpful.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony MZ-NHF800 Hi-MD Minidisc Walkman Portable Music Player

This stylish and versatile player lets you store up to 45 hours of digital music and bring it with you on a single, skip-free, 1 GB Hi-MD MiniDisc. The Walkman supports MP3, WMA, and WAV, plays back in ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus audio formats, and includes an AM/FM/TV/weather radio built into the remote. When you want to record, the USB connection delivers burn rates of up to 100x for your MP3s and CDs.
A handy Jog Dial provides easy navigation, and music management software lets you group your tunes and customize your playing environment. This player also includes line-in functionality for line, mic, or mini analog optical inputs and a USB-in port, as well as such niceties as volume control for the included set of headphones. And, the player's three-line LCD display provides album, artist, and song title information on a clean, single screen. You can even store data from your computer, such as documents and presentations, on this player using its USB interface. A single AA battery, which you'll need if you want to use the device away from your computer, is not included.
Note: The MZNHF800's recording features and bundled software are not compatible with Macs.

What's in the Box The Sony MZNHF800 Hi-MD MiniDisc Walkman, a digital-tuning remote control, an AC adapter, a digital cable, headphones, a SonicStage software CD-ROM with a simple MD burner application, and a USB cable

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Electro Voice RE-20 Cardioid Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)The reason these are so popular in radio, is that talk show hosts today (and their in studio guests) don't know how to talk into a microphone.But this mic doesn't care. You can have one person where the mic is pointed to the side, or pointing down at thier pants, and another person talking into it properly, and both will sound good and the same. No proximity effect on these mics, so they are idiot proof.
However, if you know how to talk into a microphone, and want one for voice-over work, the Shure SM-7 is THE best microphone on the market today. (So was the SM-5, but it is no longer manufactured) AND, the Shure is cheaper too.
However, this one does LOOK better, and it is just as widely used in radio as the SM-7, so if you really like the looks of this one, then go ahead and get it.
However, for just a few extra bucks, the RE-27 is the improved version with better frequency response, so might as well get the better one. It looks almost the same.

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