IPhone 3G used's review (Extremely Soft and Comfy!!!) 『This body pillow case cover is fantastic. It couldn't be better. It is beautiful, extremely soft and fits my body pillow perfectly. I highly recommend over the cheaper lower thread count brands. Worth the purchase!』
(Awesome service!) 『I think they shipped this when I just thought about ordering it I received it so quickly. The fabric is so nice and silky, and these are difficut to find. Thanks so much, I'm going to get another one.』 『Our gorgeous Body Pillow Pillowcase measures 21 X 54 inches. It is a beautiful pillowcase made of top quality combed cotton. You will love the feel of this pillowcase, but you will love it's look even more! Not just a pillow cover, our Body Pillow Pillowcase is nice enough to use as an accent pillow on the bed each day!』
IPhone 3G used's review (Substandard recliner) 『Chair material was thin and recliner very uncomfortable, after a while, felt like sitting on cardboard. Mechanism was hard to recline and took two hands. Could not dismantle to return, company was of no help. Stuck with cheap chair.』
(Pretty good for the price) 『Received quickly with no damage. Good assembly instructions. All you have to do is add the arms and the base. Works well but mechanism is a little tight. Expect it will loosen as used. Definitely looks like a more expensive chair than $140. I expected a bone (light color) and it is more of a taupe (like the picture) which I definitely prefer. Hard to explain the fabric...does kinda look like leather but feels like it has nylon or something similar. Looks like it will probably wear well.』 『The Leatherette Cushion Recliner by Coaster rendered in a bone leatherette finish is an immediate upgrade for your living area. This contemporary recliner with a swivel base is sure to provide you with endless comfort any time you take a seat.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Battery Operated Flickering Melted Edge Votive Everlasting Candle) 『BE AWARE!! This is only about 1½" tall and 1½" wide. It doesn't flicker like a candle so much as it is like an annoying flourescent bulb that needs changing.』 『Note on candle quality: Know what you're buying. Not all LED candles flicker (like those sold in closeout stores and dollar stores.) If having a realistic candle effect is important, make sure you buy "flickering" candles such as these. When you need to replace the CR2032 batteries after 120 hours of use (or 30 four hour uses), avoid spending $9 per battery in your local hardware or convenience store. We sell Lithium CR2032 replacement button batteries for $2.99 / five pack (that's less than 60 cents per battery.) Search on Amazon for B000RJODBQ』
Kakaku：599 saved$5.99
EMI Distribution
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review ("Live" concerts are lyp-synced with this group) 『Just a warning to anyone wanting to see this group live - I saw them in concert last year with a friend at the Greek Theatre and my pleasure at the singing and fiddle-playing quickly turned to disappointment at the obviously lyp-synced vocals and dubbed fiddle. Their CDs are probably wonderful, but their live performances are apparently not live at all.』
(CELTIC WOMAN) 『An excellent product. I had the CD and now I have the DVD. I saw them perform live in the DFW area and just wish they had more recordings.』
(Features the Incredible Irish Fiddler Mairead Nesbitt) 『Mairead Nesbitt has been featured in Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, Dance Invasion, and other fabulous Irish shows. But this DVD contains some of her best work. You will be absolutely enchanted as she prances around the stage like a pixie all while fiddling and never missing a note. She is accompanied by some very talented soloists with angelic voices. This DVD offers something for everyone.』
(Celtic Woman) 『I thought that I was getting a cd when the dvd was ordered. That was a wonderful mistake! My wife and I watched it the next Saturday night, since we can't afford the tickets for the real concert. We recommend this video highly! Even if this is ordered by mistake, the experience is worth it! The Irish have a really wonderful group of talented women and the world is lucky to be able to enjoy their music.Celtic Woman』
(Awsome concert) 『This is a must have DVD for any fans of the CELTIC Woman. If you can't see them in concert see this DVD.』 『Studio: Emi Music Distribution Release Date: 05/15/2006』 『Gorgeous to listen to and gorgeous to look at,Celtic Womanis perfect PBS fare, sort of aRiverdancewithout the dancing. Drawing on the same New Age-y sound and propulsive energy as that show's solo-voice and choral numbers, the live concert features four attractive young women in strapless evening gowns with soaring voices backed by an orchestra, an Anuna-like chorus, and a large percussion section. The more traditional fare includes Méav Ni Mhaolchatha's "Danny Boy" and "She Moved Through the Fair," and Chloë Agnew's "Ave Maria" (the Bach-Gounod version). Movie and TV selections range from Agnew's "Walking in the Air" (The Snowman) and "Someday" (Disney'sHunchback of Notre Dame) to Lisa Kelly's "May It Be" (the Enya song fromThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the King) andÓrla Fallon's voice and harp rendition of "Harry's Game." A fifth woman, Máiréad Nesbitt, adds some variety by fiddling "The Butterfly" and "Ashokan Farewell" (best known as the theme from Ken Burns'sThe Civil War). Occasionally the singers join together, as in Enya's "Orinoco Flow," an a cappella rendition ofWest Side Story's "Somewhere," music director David Downes's composition "One World," and a stately version of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."Celtic Womanwas created by Downes (like many of the other performers, aRiverdanceveteran) along with Sharon Browne and Dave Kavanagh of the Celtic Collections record label.--David Horiuchi』
Kakaku：601 saved$6.01
Sony
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Nothing Tops This Is, If You Like SRV) 『I read somewhere once that if you really want a composite of what Stevie Ray Vaughan was all about, musically, all you need is this DVD. I totally agree. I have a half dozen SRV discs or tapes but nothing tops this.
You get two concerts, one on each disc. The first is the "controversial" 1982 concert at Montreux (in Switzerland) and the other is the 1985 return trip to Montreux. The first was "controverial" in the reception Vaughan and his band received during and immediately after the performing: booing! It is shocking to hear. I've never heard an artist booed on a disc put out for public release, but it's in here. (There were a lot of cheers, too.) Of course, the booing and catcalls were totally unwarranted. The band was excellent and Stevie was tremendous, but the crowd was expecting what they had heard all day: quiet, acoustic blues guitar. When SRV turned up the amps and did his thing, some of them didn't like it. Nonetheless, I liked it and chances are you will, too, if you are a fan of his, or simply blues/rock. What I liked best were a couple of his long, slow numbers, such as "Dirty Pool."
On that disc is a documentary, with band members Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon, discussing that '82 concert and what happened afterward. Jackson Browne also gives his take on his participation in helping out SRV and the band. It's pretty interesting.
By 1985, the crowd knew all about SRV and gave him a great reception and he put on the best show, perhaps, I have ever seen him (and the band) do - just electrifying. In fact, there are four straight numbers - Tiny Pan Alley (a.k.a. Roughest Place In Town, Look At Little Sister, Voodoo Chile and Texas Flood - that are done so well that I had tears in my eyes. That is THE best version Vaughan has ever done on the Jimi Hendrix number (Voodoo Chile) and you have to just see and hear this to believe it. SRV pulls out all the stops, doing things with a guitar I've never seen before.
Folks, it's true: this is the Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble DVD to get, above all others.』
(Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble "Live at Montreux") 『This is a true "classic" double dvd,(two disc), with two concerts of Stevie Ray, and Double Trouble performing at the Montreux Jazz Fesival. It is a masterpiece of "blues-rock" guitar work by Stevie Ray. It also contains bonus material of a documentary interviews with Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, Jackson Browne and John Mayer.
Concert one July 17, 1982, the line-up is Stevie Ray on electric guitar and vocals, Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on the drums. (This was before they added a keyboard player). The set list consists of 8 songs,includeing the classis: "Pride and Joy", "Texas Flood", and "Love Struck Baby". The performances are outstanding, but they get "booed" off stage. However, David Bowie was in the audience and he was impressed with Stevie's guitar Skills, so he got him to play on Bowie's "Let's Dance" album of 1982.
Concert two - July 15, 1985 and the line up consists of Stevie Ray on guitar and vocals, Tommy Shannon on bass, Chris Layton on drums, and Reese Wynans on keyboards. There are also guest appearances with Johnny Copeland, also from Texas. The set list consists of 13 songs. The concert is outstanding, and the fans love it this time. Some "classic's " performed include: "Pride and Joy", "Mary had a Little Lamb", "Cold Shot" (with Johnny Copeland), "Tin Pan Alley" (with Johnny Copeland), "Look at Little Sister" (with Johnny Copeland), "Voodoo Child" and they are called out for an encore which includes "Couldn't Stand the Weather".
Concert two above shows Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble at their very best. This is a true classic 5 star concert. Stevie Ray was a guitar master, and this concert dvd shows it.
If you like great "blues-rock" guitar music, then I highly recommend this one, you won't be disappointed.』
(Bad-A**) 『Great dvd set. Two excellent shows. A must for any Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble fan.』
(Stevie Ray - Live) 『A legend in my time - rocks and thumps to a beat only he can drive home.. recommended . A great visual treat for Stevie fans....』
(Great show, not so great quality) 『This is a fantastic Stevie Ray Vaughan show which shows the true guitar skills of Stevie Ray. Any true fan will need to own this show simply to hear his masterfuil guitar shredding. The sound quality isn't great, but at a normal level of sound, it's fine. The only problem is the bass is a little off when you turn it up.』 『If you have even a passing interest in Stevie Ray Vaughan's peerless mastery of urban blues guitar, youmustownLive at Montreux 1982&1985. Spaced almost exactly three years apart, these concerts (60 and 93 minutes, respectively) represent the Texan blues god at his fiery best, with Double Trouble (drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon) laying the solid foundation upon which SRV built a Fender-driven sound as fierce as it was perfectly refined. The '82 show was truly "success in disguise," because despite booing from a festival audience lulled by a day of acoustic blues, and the stunned dejection that SRV felt after persevering through a uncompromising set, this was the turning point in SRV's career, leading to post-show encounters with Jackson Browne and David Bowie, who proved instrumental in bringing Stevie's music to an appreciative global audience.
When Stevie, Chris, and Tommy returned to Switzerland three years later, with organist Reese Wynans adding rich new dimension to the Double Trouble sound, the Montreux crowd was primed for a rip-snorting set, and SRV's jubilant response is a joyous thing to witness. One of SRV's favorite bluesmen, Johnny Copeland, appears for a three-song triumph in a set that's uniformly superior and ecstatically energized. Basic three-camera coverage is all you need, although guitar students--for whom this DVD is a godsend--will surely wish for more emphasis on SRV's picking and fretwork. Recording quality is superb in the Montreux tradition, with 5.1-channel remixes that surpass the original masters. A splendid 23-minute documentary features retrospective interviews with Layton, Shannon, Browne, and John Mayer, and the accompanying booklet includes a heartfelt reminiscence from Bowie. Stevie Ray may be gone, butLive at Montreuxensures that his gold-standard legacy will endure.--Jeff Shannon』
Kakaku：199 saved$1.99
Sony International
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Get to Know Another Side of Ricky Martin) 『First let me confess, I am a BIG fan of Ricky Martin. So, most all of his work impresses me. But this DVD and the almost twin CD are something I'd like non Ricky fans to see and hear. He's so much more than Livin' La Vida Loca. The guy's got a deep, lush voice (just listen to 'Tu Recuredo" on the "17" CD--from his MTV UNPLUGGED release--another GREAT CD&DVD). The man can sing!! The videos selection here is eclectic and allows you to see Ricky through his 17 years as a soloist. He's always been the consumate peformer but the videos allow you to see how his style has changed as he has grown and matured. I especially love the EPKs (electronic press kits) since they let you see him at work and kind of at play as he jokes with the camera. If you think Ricky is just the guy with the hip movements (although they are pretty fine!) you are missing out! He's incredible!』
(Glorious HD transfer and bonus material must have) 『Whereas years ago a Best Of music videos DVD was issued in english, this product offers videos in spanish/2 in spanglish. The video images are extremely vibrant and crisp. The ill-fated LIFE Dual CD Disc w/dvd footage that was canceled by Sony previously, as well as the Almas DelSilencio featurette top off this release with behind the scenes footage and Ricky at work, play and exercise, showcasing his beefcake waist-stripped photo shoots. The discography for all his albums and their track listings is a nice feature. It takes a bit to get used to the menu option to forward/back-up individual videos to play, and there is no "All" option. Ricky's dynamic use of either his native language, english, or spanglish, does not diminish the dance/soul urge you feel when his music fills your ears. You can't help but feel emotion when his sound enages your senses.
』
(Ricky's 17 video dvd) 『THIS DVD CONTIANS ALL OF RICKY'S VIDEOS ALL IN SPANISH. THE TRACK LISTING ON SONG #11 "SOLO QUIERO AMARTE" DOESN'T CONTAIN THE APPEARANCE OF CHRISTINA AGUILERA. ALL TRACKS ARE AS FALLOW.
1. TE EXTRANO,TE OLVIDO,TE AMO
2. MARIA (REMIX SPANGLISH VERSION)
3. FUEGO DE NOCHE,NIEVE DE DIA
4. VUELVE
5. LA COPA DE LA VIDA (SPANGLISH VERSION)
6. LA BOMBA
7. LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA (SPANISH VERSION)
8. BELLA (SHE'S ALL I EVER HAD" SPANISH VERSION)
9. SHE BANGS (SPANISH VERSION)
10. LOADED (ENGLSIH VERSION)
11. SOLO QUIERO AMARTE (SPANISH VERSION,NOT A DUET W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA)
12. TALVEZ
13. JALEO
14. Y TODO QUEDA EN NADA
15. JURAMENTO (SPANGLISH VERSION)
16. QUE MAS DA (I DON'T CARE) FEAT FAT JOE&AMERIE (SPANISH VERSION)
BONUS VIDEO: QUE DIA ES HOY (SELF CONTROL) (SPANISH REMIX)(1993) 』 『1. Te Extraño, Te Olvido, Te Amo 2. María (Remix) 3. Fuego de Noche, Nieve de Dia 4. Vuelve 5. La Copa de La Vida (Spanglish version) 6. La Bomba (Remix) 7. Livin' La Vida Loca 8. Bella (She's All I Ever Had) 9. She Bangs 10. Loaded 11. Nobody Wants To Be Lonely (Solo Quiero Amarte)featuring Christina Aguilera 12. Tal Vez 13. Y Todo Queda En Nada 14. Juramento 15. Qué Más Da 16. Dejate Llevar 17. Tu Recuerdo "Live" from the MTV Unplugged Concert,featuring La Mari from the group Chambao』
IPhone 3G used's review (Lost Classic) 『This was an incredible piece of animation for its time. Very endearing, neat and memorable songs, and yes, pretty tripped out (it was made in the 70s, hello?). But it has The Camel With The Wrinkled Knees! What a sad, sad song he sang. Oh how I wish they'd re-release it on DVD. :(』
(Surprisingly subversive.) 『I haven't seen the movie in its entirety in some time, but I remember it quite vividly. How could anyone forget something so utterly bizarre? I can't figure out why I watched it so many times when I was young, because even then, some parts gave me that guilty "should I really be watching this?" feeling. Especially the captain character.
I've given it two stars for two reasons: whoever the actor is that provided the voice for Andy, he did a fantastic job in the song No Girl's Toy. The song isn't all that great, but man, what a performance.
The second reason is that in all the clips I've seen recently, the animation has been amazing. Not surprising, considering it was directed by Richard Williams. They just don't make 'em like that anymore. Too bad there wasn't more substance to back it up.
Other than those two things, the movie is pretty bad. I don't think I could recommend it to anyone in good conscience.』
(PASSING ON WONDERFUL MEMORIES!) 『This is a fantastic animated musical! A lot of color, great songs (THANK YOU, JOE RAPOSO!) My kids watched this over and over in the 80's and now my beautiful granddaughter, 4yrs. old, watched it today and loved it. She is already trying to sing "Candied Hearts and Paper Flowers" (my favorite) and "I Never Get Enough". I really wish this would come out on DVD. It is a classic! Weird and scary are what you see in most childrens animated programs today........How I miss the good ol' days when films made for children encouraged helping one another, sticking together no matter what and music with lyrics that made you feel happy and warm inside.』
(Experimental animation at it's very best!!) 『At first glance, this movie looks like typical children's fare. Toys come to life, musical numbers every five seconds, and then, you get to Mr. Greedy and things get wonderfully weird!!! I remember renting this video and watching it countless times with my sister as a child. I loved the songs, to be sure, like the Camel's signature lament about how it feels to be a discarded toy. But, the best part was always the wickedly weird animation. For cartoon buffs and animation students, this film is an ultimate must-see. If you can find it cheap at a garage sale or a library book sale, buy immediately and don't look back!! This may not be your "normal" animated film, but it rocks!! there is a similar film out there called "Arabian Nights" or something like that that came out in the nineties, so check that one out too, definitely!! SEE THIS FILM!!!』
(Scary!) 『Hi. My mom loved this as a kid, so she thought I would like it, but I think it's scary, and gives me nightmares. Mostly because of that camel that needs to be in a mental hospital, and that pirate that has bouncy pants when he sings. ONLY give this to idiots!』
IPhone 3G used's review (buns of steel 3) 『i used this video with a friend of mine 4 times a week for about a month. its cheesy and outdated, but it was a good workout and just challenging enough. my friend and i have different body types, and she loves it... but i, on the other hand, gain muscle in my lower body very, very easily, and within about a week of working out with buns of steel my butt had stayed about the same but my thighs had gotten huge! so... if you do gain muscle easily and don't want to add any to your quads, this might not be for you. but, then again, i think i'm probably the exception in this case.』
(Excellent focused, short workout) 『This is a great half hour workout. If you're in good shape, you'll feel like you got a great workout even though it's only a half hour, and if you're not in good shape, it would work well for beginners too. It's low impact, and it allows you to make it harder by adding more weights as you progress. If you have limited time, and want to get the most of a short workout period, I highly recommend this tape. Great for buns, abs and legs.』
(THE BEST) 『I love this work out video! It works!! I lost 4lbs in places i didnt know i had!! Its older than the "newer" workouts but its a keeper!』
(buns of steel 3) 『I found that this tape does not concentrate on the buttocks very much. It's more of an "all body" work out. There are a lot of lunges in the beginning. Be careful if you have weak knees or you could easily injure them. I think Buns of Steel 1 is a better work out. I do like Tamilee's Abs of Steel.』
(Great workout for the buns) 『I had to buy this tape again because I wore my old one out.This is literally one of my favorite Buns of Steels.This wokout is made up of lunges,side lunges,back lunges,squats,floor works thats intense and it has an ab section. This tape works every area of the lower body.I did this tape so much and became dedicated.I now can also add hand to the arm movemnts done with the leg movements.I also have add a step platform for added resistence.Tamilee Webb Goes through how you can add all these things at the end of the video.Beginners should just start with the regular wokout at first.It is effective with not even added a step or weights.I also like added anke weights to the floor work but it is effective without them. This workout goes so fast a smoothly though I start sweating.It is getting cardiovascular workout as well as killer toning.You will get sculpted abs by the floor work and contracted the all through the standed work as well,as Tamilee says to do.You will get beautiful buns with this video,I swear.I wore my old tape out and had to get another one.Tamilee is a great instructer.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Excellent service) 『The CD was as advertised. The price was terrific and with free delivery it beats going shopping at a retail store. Meet Me In St.Louis is a classic, great family film and should be shown in every grade school.』
(It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This) 『Vincent Minelli's period musical is about a family to whom . . . well, nothing really happens in this movie. But if you can give yourself over to its message that (once again) there's no place like home, you'll see that this picture is a thing of pure beauty.
A wonderful score, the most beautiful use of Technicolor you may ever see, and Judy Garland. What's most remarkable about this movie is the complexity of its delivery. Yes, it presents a rose-colored picture of good old days that may never have been. But the cast believes in it. Everything is just a bit heightened -- the colors are rich and seductive, the lighting casts deep shadows and textures across the screen, the banter among family members is more clever than it would ever really be, and the sense of importance around the moments in this year in a family's life make them feel like little jewels to be treasured. Without making too big a point of saying so (ok, so every scene opens with a framed photograph), Minelli presents us with a picture book of memories. This may not be how things ever were, but it is how people would like to remember them.
Music advances the story in ways few musicals manage to pull off. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have Garland deliver the most memorable ones: "The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Our point of view keeps shifting between those of our two main characters -- Judy Garland's Rose and Margaret O'Brien's Tootie -- and there's a persistent sense of seeing things the way they might have . . . or the way they might look back on these memories. O'Brien's Halloween night is not simply beautiful -- dark and moody, lit by moonlight and bonfires -- but it allows you to see and feel as she might, or as she might remember that night. The camera is low and tracks with her, looking up at houses and adults and the dark tree tops.
And yes, it's a perfect movie for the holidays. Sure, the story's climax takes place on Christmas. But, most importantly, it's the movie's perspective on the fond memories of childhood that makes this an especially good fit for the season.』
(Meet Me in St. Louis DVD) 『Meet Me in St. Louis is a favorite movie of mine&to get it on DVD for such a good price was really a treat...it arrive safely wrapped in record time&I am pleased to use Amazon again. JLKV』
(movies) 『this is a great movie, go it for my moms b-day. love it! and it got here fast』
(Nostalgic period musical) 『This movie is a Valentine to the "good old days",days that are viewed through gold tinted lenses and I defy all but the most curmudgeonly not to yield to its pleasures.It features a near peak Judy Garland impeccably directed by Vincente Minnelli in a movie that looks at a year in the life of an affluent middle class St Louis family .The father ,and head of the family (at least notionally)is Alonzo Smith (Leon Ames).The family consists of mother Anne (Mary Astor),two older daughters named Ethel(Garland)and Rose (Lucille Bremmer)and two much younger ones Agnes (Joan Carroll)and the baby of the brood Tootie(the winsome and charming Margaret O'Brien),and a son Lon (Hank Daniels).Completing the household are the capricious grandfather (Harry Davenport)and the faithful family maid Katie played by the scene stealing Marjorie Main.Marriage is on the mind of the two eldest daughters;Rose is being courted by one beau at home and is corresponding with another who is away at college in the East while Ethel is attracted to the boy next door John Truett (Tom Drake).Agnes and Tootie are still mischevous children The movie looks at the life of the family over a year ,a year in which the city prepares to play host to the 1904 World's Fair ,the scenes of which are beautifully recreated by the art team under the skilled direction of Cedric Gibbons .Indeed the art team deserve special kudos for their work on the movie -the interiors are also sumptuous ,rich in colour and detail so this is amovie that always looks beguiling .events covered include Halloween and Christmas ,a season overshadowed by family tensions as a move to New York is in the offing .This gives a memorable bitter sweet tinge to Garland's moving rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ,a song which gains added complexity from its placement in the movie.The other musical highlight and the big production number is The Trolley Song ,and also memorable is the Skip To My Lou sequence. Plot is not the strong point of the movie ,and these are provided by a stellar cast ,period detail and a string of tuneful ,melodic songs,all bathed in a warm lustous technicolor. This is one of the warmest and most charming of musicals ,a portrait of an altogether more innocent and less cynical era ,a triumphant celebration of middle clasa Americana
Unashamedly nostalgic ,this is a lovely movie and should be seen by those wanting a warm hearted celebration of the past and family values』 『One of the finest American musicals, this 1944 film by Vincente Minnelli is an intentionally self-contained story set in 1903, in which a happy St. Louis family is shaken to their roots by the prospect of moving to New York, where the father has a better job pending. Judy Garland heads the cast in what amounts to a splendid, end-of-an-era story that nicely rhymes with the onset of the 20th century. The film is extraordinarily alive, the characters strong, and the musical numbers are so splendidly part of the storytelling that you don't feel the film has stopped for an interlude.--Tom Keogh』
IPhone 3G used's review (Relatively Low Cost but a Disappointing DIY Solution) 『I'm a new do-it-yourselfer (DIY) when it comes to surveillance systems, but have learned a great deal over the two weeks that I owned the Samsung SHR-1040K. I wish to share my experiences and impressions of the system. The SHR-1040 is a compact DVR unit designed for 4-channel surveillance containing a built-in a 160GB hard drive (called an HDD) and remote control. The 1040K adds a complement of four Samsung cameras (2 daylight and 2 day/night) with 60 ft of cable for each.
PROS Low cost (my complete system cost just over $400) combined with a built-in 160GB drive, and remote, and large number of connectivity options are the chief advantages of this system. The back of the unit is especially nice: containing BNC connections along with Samsung's usual RJ-11 connections for each camera channel, and a VGA port for connecting that old monitor you might have laying around the house (much nicer than a TV set in my view). VGA ports are harder and harder to find, as many manufacturers are going to networkable DVR devices (personally, I have no need for this feature at present).
The DVR uses good file compression technology so you can record hundreds of hours, and it can be done on one channel at higher resolution, or all four channels at once ("quad" recording) at a lower resolution. Has built-in motion detection algorithm that can be set to low, normal, or high sensitivity (but for all connected cameras, not for specific cameras, a disadvantage).
Samsung uses modular RJ-11 cable (somewhere between phone line and RJ-45 for networking) to connect to its cameras. Quite nice, since the DVR unit actually powers the camera and captures its signal. But there are also some cons to this arrangement (see below).
CONS - DVR UNIT I discovered several disadvantages with this unit. The most important is an occasional tendency for the unit to simply quit running (power on, but not responding/recording camera inputs). Samsung customer service was singularly unhelpful, but at least one other reviewer has reported this problem. Strangely, there are a lot of refurbished units on the market, which suggest to me some kind of product design or manufacturing QA/QC problem. Bottom line: I'm uncertain as to whether this is a reliable unit, when reliability is absolutely paramount in a security situation.
Substantial lag between remote control and response of the DVR unit.
As the HDD becomes full, search times are longer and longer (so much so that it was worthwhile getting a cup of tea and returning to see search results). It can be rewritten, by the way.
Even though it's obvious the user's manual wasn't written by a native English speaker, this would be forgivable were it not that it's the most poorly organized and written (in any language) set of instructions that I've encountered in years. It is not at all oriented to DIY customers.
CONS - CAMERAS The two standard daylight cameras SOC-C120 that come with the complete kit contain microphones (most useful if only one camera is recording in real-time mode), and a sensor port for additional stuff. They're plastic, and have mediocre resolution of 330 lines with a¼" super HAD CCD. In actual practice, I found them to be reasonably sharp in daylight and after dark when halogen motion sensitive light illuminated the area. If you need to replace this camera, you'll find it overpriced on the open market, and that the RJ-11 cabling that supports it (it does nothave an RCA or BNC connector) is used by very few other (overpriced) cameras. Best, in my view, to stay with cameras with BNC or similar standard connectors.
The two plastic day/night SOC-N120 cameras that come with the complete kit have OK specifications (again a¼" super HAD CCD offering 330 lines resolution) with 11 IR LEDs and microphone, but in actual practice are pathetic. During daylight hours, they are much less sharp than the standard SOC-C120 cameras, and at night, pictures are poorly lit and grainy. The IR LEDs are much dimmer than those on a Swann Maxi Day/Night camera I purchased, and light less than 20 feet. I would only use them if you have a space of about 10 to 15 feet to monitor--and a little background lighting would help. Again, on the open market, they're expensive, and the RJ-11 cabling narrows your options if you choose to use it.
I replaced one of the Samsung cameras with the higher resolution Swann day/night camera using a BNC connection in place of the RJ-11 channel connection. I found 100 feet of BNC cable with power connection combined for $20 at a local electronics store (50 feet can be had for $15). It gives superior resolution day and night both in "live" viewing and when recording. The Samsung DVR unit was able to detect motion with no trouble.
NOTES I've discovered that a number of DVR and camera kits aimed at the DIY market pair low resolution (330 lines) cameras with DVR units. My thought is to mix and match, much like an entertainment system. It's desirable to get higher resolution (>400 lines) cameras and combine them with a reliable DVR system. The Swann Maxi seems a good value for day/night monitoring of 30 to 40 feet (it also has a highly regarded Sony CCD). I'm looking at other cameras, and will be evaluating a Lorex DVR shortly. 』
