Video Game that's good for you kids.. Really !!!

Video Game that's Good for your Kids... Really!!!

Video games can be good for your kids and this series is especially true. The Reader Rabbit series is a favorite in our home. The kids love it !! And I love it because it really helps them learn. My boys learn a lot of their reading and math skills from this game. It is just so much fun.

What they really like is the way the game is put into a story. They have to help Reader Rabbit and Sam the Lion through their adventure, by spelling, adding, telling shapes, making pattern, etc. So they're playing game and learning at the same time.

And there are different levels too. They have games for kids preschool up to age 9.

Check out our shopping page for more

Reader Rabbit Learn to Read with Phonics (PreK-KG)

Reader Rabbit Learn to Read with Phonics (Grades 1-2)

Reader Rabbit Personalized Reading (ages 4-6)

Reader Rabbit Personalized Reading (ages 6-9)

Reader Rabbit Personalized Grade 1

Reader Rabbit Personalized Grade 2

Electronic Games have no negative effect on children, but watching TV does ?

A new study in the UK, involving about 11,000 children, has concluded that playing electronic games was not associated with increased risk of problems in children. However, they did find that watching TV for 3 hours or more daily predicted increasing conduct problems in children. (Read the full report here.)

The study looked at the children when they were 5 years old and again when they were 7 years old. So we don't really know how TV and video games would affect them later in life. The authors also mentioned that there were probably more parental restrictions on the age-appropriateness of the video games, compared to TV.

So in spite of the result of this study, I would caution parents to still exert their control in how long their children can watch TV or play video games. And more importantly, what their playing and/or watching. 

Watch and play with your children. Talk to them about what they're watching and playing. Get involved in their life. TV and games are just accessories of life. Use them but don't let them 'parent' your children. Let your children have fun with TV and games but take control. 

2 Hour Children's Screen Time.. Realistic or not ?...

2 Hour Children's Screen Time... Realistic or not ?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has just released a new recommendation for parents to limit children entertainment screen time to less than one or two hours a day. While some parents say that is unrealistic, I say it's very realistic. Children spend most of their time at school. Once they get home, they do their homework, and they should PLAY. Either play with their siblings, or do extracurricular activities, or simply play with their toys. One or two hours screen time a day is plenty.

My boys play games on the internet for 30 minutes each, 3 days a week (including weekends). They can watch DVD after they're done with their homework, so on average they watch about 3 movies a week (including weekends). The older children have more homework so they tend to have less screen time. So yes, it is realistic. You just have to work on it.

What happens is once you introduced a child to screen (be it TV or internet), he/she will be asking for more. Parents have to resist that temptation to allow their children a lot of screen time (especially if they're young). I believe that children will loose their creativity to play if they watch too much. That's what happened to mine, at least. They watch a lot of TV or internet, and then you ask them to stop and do something else and they say "But I'm bored, I don't know what to do." But if you stick to it, they'll find their creativity again and will start playing. Children can play all day if you let them. Once they're 'addicted' to screen, they'll forget about playing. Parents have to limit screen time and children will find that creativity again. 

In this day and age children are exposed to technology at a very young age. They grow up watching parents take pictures on their phones, reading e-books, searching on the internet, playing on the iPad, texting on the phone. So yes, kids will be using them too. But parents need to limit that. There's already so much discussion about the effect of too much screen time. Obesity and violence to name a few.

The point is, limit the time you allow kids to watch alone. And please, always be mindful what they're watching. That's why it's easier to allow them to watch DVD because you can see the ratings and probably even watch with them and discuss it with them. The internet is a lot harder to control, so yes, more restrictions here please. And letting children have their own cellphone ? I say wait till later.

Resources : 

Managing Media: We Need a Plan
One hour of daily media for kids 8-10 unrealistic, say parents

Video Games for Kids... Good or Bad ?

I remember on one of our vacations with their aunts, uncles and cousins, we were at the beach house when the kids just refused to go outside and play. They insisted on staying inside, playing video games and watching TV. The adults finally decided to just drag them off the 'technology' and enjoy the beach instead.

So are video games good or bad for kids ? Like everything else, I believe they're both good and bad. However, I would caution parents to really watch what their children are playing because a lot of seemingly innocent video games are actually violent (I think, anyway). I would say that these types of video games are definitely bad. Education games are, as their names implied, educational and they do teach children a lot of things like reading and math.

For me, video games are good if you really pick your games and watch how long you spend time playing it. I would definitely avoid games containing violence, and I limit the time the kids can play the games. 

Additional resources :

(these happen to be the good review on video games and kids. However, read carefully and you'll see that the games they refer to are specific, non-violent games).

Are video games good for you? Can button bashing prepare children for adult life?

Video games may encourage healthy behavior

Video games helping kids who suffer from chronic pain

Sonic Rivals 2 for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $11.75

The gloves are off and Sonic and his rivals are gearing up for an intense new head-to-head competition exclusively on the PSP(PlayStation Portable) system. This sequel to Sonic’s 2D action platformer features all-new "jostling" controls for tighter competition and a brand-new Battle mode that allows two players to jump into six different Multiplayer challenges by sharing one disc.

With three new characters, 12 new stages, and upgraded signature moves for each character, the enhanced Rivals experience will bring a whole new level of handheld fun to the PSP system.

Features:

• Battle Mode: players will select from six ways to thrash their rival buddies: Knockout, Ring Battle, Race, King of the Hill, Capture the Chao, and Tag.
   
• Single Disc Game Sharing: two players will easily access the Multiplayer challenge with just a single disc using the wireless function.
   
• Intriguing New Storyline: the Chao seem to be disappearing and all eight rivals must work fast to find out who is behind it.
   
• Three New Playable Characters: Miles "Tails" Prower and two other new characters round out the cast of eight rivals.
   
• Free Play Mode: free from rivalry, the player can experience the challenging old-school Sonic-style map at their own pace!
   
• Expanded Card Collection: players can now collect 150 new cards for loads of new options to customize their playable characters.

Specifications:

• Format:  Sony Playstation Portable
• Players: 1-2 Players
• Memory: 256K minimum
• Wireless Compatible: 2 players

Megaman - Maverick Hunter X for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $12.99

A remake of the 1997 Super Nintendo game. Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X builds upon the Mega Man engine, with newly rendered 3D models and visually enhanced environments. In addition, players can expect a new soundtrack and new sound effects as well. Maverick Hunter X also sports new cutscenes that will precede every boss battle, and an all-new, unlockable movie that details the Mega Man X universe. As with previous Mega Man titles, a stage select system lets players tackle levels in any order and replay them limitless times.

By defeating bosses, X acquires weapons which can be used to unlock new paths through other stages. Armor parts are also hidden throughout the game and provide players with abilities that can be used to access additional areas and items. With combinations of jumps, dodges, wall jumps and a high speed dash ability, the action reaches the frantic heights which the X series has become known for.

Features:

• New graphics – all characters are newly rendered as 3D models amidst vividly updated environments
• Retooled game play features add to the virtual make over for the game
• Entirely rearranged background music and sound effects
• Complete voice acting for all cut scenes provides an immersive gameplay experience
• All new cut scenes precede boss battles
• Modified level arrangements – item locations, map layout and strategies for completing levels have been updated, offering a new challenge for even veteran gamers
• Upon beating the main game, a whole new story is unlocked where players take on the role of X's arch rival, Vile
• Play style focuses more on offensive combat action, with an emphasis on technical maneuvers and advanced moves for a hard hitting, intense experience
• Special animated movie offers deep perspective into the Mega Man X world
• Movie unlocks after completion of main story mode
• Get a peek at events that unfolded before the plotline of the first Mega Man X game
• Gain valuable insight into the motives of enemies and allies, even learning Sigma's reasons for starting his rebellion movement

Specifications:

• Format:  Sony Playstation Portable
• Players: 1 Player
• Memory: 512k minimum

NBA 2K11 for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $9.99

NBA 2K11 is the latest installment in the best selling, and highest rated NBA videogame series. NBA 2K11 is the best way to plug into NBA culture. It's the most fun, authentic NBA videogame experience and is for any sports fan with that competitive fire who wants to play the best NBA simulation on the market. It's the NBA series that everyone is playing - from the most elite NBA athletes and superstars to the local court gym rats. NBA 2K10 delivered on its promise to TAKE OVER, and NBA 2K11 will build on that momentum by dialing up all of its features - gameplay, AI, presentation, visuals, audio, online and more - to deliver the best basketball videogame experience EVER. When you're the #1 selling NBA videogame two years in a row, the #1 rated NBA videogame 10 years in a row, and have collaborated with back-to-back NBA champions, Kevin Garnett (2K9) and Kobe Bryant (2K10) - what is NBA 2K11 to do for the next act? Simple: Michael Jordan. The greatest basketball player of all time debuts for the first time in this hardware generation and brings his passion for the game to NBA 2K11 with an all new Jordan Challenge mode, historic Bulls teams, and even a MJ: Creating a Legend mode offering gamers the chance to be a rookie Michael and craft a new career for him. This is on top of improvements to core gameplay elements - including an all-new IsoMotion dribbling controls, deeper My Player mode with new My Career feature, all-new breathtaking visuals, and much more. This year BECOME THE GREATEST with NBA 2K11. Features: Relive 10 different legendary games from Michael Jordan's career and replicate in NBA 2K11 what MJ did on the court. Successfully reenact all 10 game scenarios to unlock the MJ: Creating a Legend mode.   Delivering the most realistic feeling and reacting dribbling system to date with seamless transitions between ankle breaking moves allowing users to translate thought to motion and dominate like Michael Jordan from the perimeter to the paint.   Take your offensive game to the next level with an unprecedented amount of control via the enhanced Shot Stick. Dozens of new shot types, from layups to jumpshots to dunks and everything in between, are under the user's control with the flick of a stick.   The Greatest soundtrack to date featuring an eclectic mix of upcoming breakout bands and highly acclaimed hip-hop artists such as Big Boi, Drake, and even an original, exclusive track from 12 time Grammy nominee, Snoop Dogg.   Complete the Jordan Challenge to unlock this special mode where you get to take control of a newly drafted rookie Michael Jordan and craft your own version of Michael's career in the NBA. Specifications: Platform: Playstation Portable Players: 1 Memory Size:  992 KB Ad Hoc Players:  1-2

Gran Turismo 5 for PS3

Available at our shopping site for $16.50

The next installment of the award-winning Gran Turismo simulation racing franchise, Gran Turismo 5, is designed for play exclusively to the PlayStation 3 system. Known for its signature beauty and precision, this highly anticipated racer showcases new jaw-dropping cars, real-life tracks, and diverse racing styles. Gran Turismo 5 promises to deliver exciting advancements to the series, and in the process deliver in the most comprehensive racing experience ever. 

The Real Driving Simulator is Here
True to its pedigree, Gran Turismo 5 takes the GT series, as well as the simulation racing genre as a whole, to a whole new level. The game features over 1,000 realistically rendered cars. This is nearly 300 more than were included in GT4 for PlayStation 2, and literally several hundred more than what was available in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, the first GT game variation developed for PS3. This tremendous list includes standard categories of vehicles, including stock cars, tuned pre tuned vehicles and tunables, but keeping with modern automotive technology GT5 also includes the latest, hybrid and electric car models. Just like any car, these can be raced, but as with their real-life cousins, players can also do things with these cars like monitor battery power as related to speed and other car usage. In addition, GT 5 features over 20 courses, more than 60 variations, a new physics engine allowing for realistic damage, a new in-cockpit view, HD support, and much more.

Multiple Play Modes
Local play options in Gran Turismo 5 include both a single player and split screen two-player arcade mode. GT Mode includes world map, my garage for storing your rides, car dealer, tuning shop, championship race, and license test. Online support through the PlayStation Network includes multiplayer support for up to 16-player races, an open lobby, text/voice chat, private room, online photo album, online replay album, and the ability to export replays to YouTube.

Key Game Features

• 1,000 Vehicles - 170 Premium new models, including hybrids and EVs, and 830 kinds of standard models similar to those seen in previous games.
• Plenty of Courses - Rip it up in more than 20 courses, more than 60 layouts.
• New Physics - The in-game physics system simulation is brand new to the series, and allows for greater realism and damage.
• Arcade Mode - Allows for single race functionality and 2-player battle.
• GT Mode Features - World Map, My Garage, Car Dealer, Tuning Shop, Car Washes/Oil Change, Race Championship (Series system, point system), License Test.
• Online Features - 16-player support, Open Lobby, Text / Voice Chat, Private rooms, Online Photo Album, Online Replay Album, YouTube replay output.
• Photo Mode - Photo Drive and Photo stage.
• Gran Turismo TV - Video output to a PSP or PSP Go, Progressive Download, Improved user interface, continuous play for videos.
• Sound Features - Custom soundtracks pulled from your PS3 hard-drive; Dolby Digital 5.1 and 7.1.

System Specifications:

• Format:  PAL (will work in PAL and NTSC systems)
• Players: 1-2 players
• HDD: 256 MB minimum
• Video:  HD 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• 3D compatible game
• Network functions
• Network players: 2-16 players

Lego Batman for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $14.99

Lego Batman : The Videogame for PlayStation Portable is the latest video game release from the award-winning team behind the LEGO Star Wars series. With famous LEGO fun and charm, the game takes you into the world of Gotham City's ultimate crime-fighting hero. Here the one-and-only Caped Crusader comes to life in a completely original storyline that draws its frame of reference from everything from everything Batman from the classic DC comics to cartoons, the TV series, and the current blockbuster movie franchise.

Gameplay
In the game players will take control of the Dynamic Duo, Batman and Robin, to fight Gotham's City's most notorious criminals including The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Scarecrow, Killer Croc and many more. These criminals have broken out of Arkham Asylum and are determined to wreak havoc on Gotham. As a twist on this players will also be able to explore their wicked side and fight their way through the game as the villains, experiencing the game from a completely different point of view with all-new criminal objectives. And in a nod to Batman's famous penchant for gadgets, the game comes loaded with a collection of high-tech suits, gadgets and cutting-edge vehicles. With these players will be able to step into the unique LEGO Batman universe to bring super villains to justice - or as the villains, to run amok in Gotham City. The choice is yours.

Play Modes
LEGO Batman: The Videogame allows players to move through the game in Story Mode from both the hero and villain sides, as well as replay any level in Freeplay Mode with any characters you've unlocked. Along the way you can also access previously hidden areas to find additional rewards and bonus content and collect LEGO studs and special LEGO bricks throughout the game which will unlock tons of extra content including special power-ups and bonus levels.

Key Game Features:

• Fight for justice as Batman and Robin or create chaos as The Joker, Catwoman and other villains, as you save or destroy Gotham City.
   
• Rocket through sewers and bound across rooftops as you take the fight to the criminals across classic locations in Gotham City.
   
• Fight on land, sea and in the air using a number of powerful Batman, Robin and villain-controlled vehicles, including the rocket-powered Batmobile, sleek Batboat and stealthy Batwing.
   
• Enhance the abilities of the Dynamic Duo with all new power suits, including the Magnetic Suit.
  Enjoy numerous game modes and levels.

Specifications:

• Platform:  PlayStation Portable
• Player:  1 player
• Memory: 128KB minimum

Samsung SMART CAMERA DV300F

Available at our shopping site for $187.95

Product Features

Take great self-portraits of you and your friends

The DV300F features a front 1.5” LCD that makes taking group and other tricky self-portraits a snap. Play Children Mode animation to keep a child’s attention or let the group know just when to smile with Self Timer’s visual countdown. Be part of every image with the front LCD, preview self-portraits, then click, and effortlessly get perfect pictures with you in the middle of the action. With the Jump Shot feature, quickly shoot images of your friends jumping, and then create fun animations.

Share your moments wirelessly

With Built-in Wi-Fi capability, you can share any special or exciting moment on the move. Send photos by uploading to Facebook™, Picasa™, Photobucket™, or email directly from the camera. You can also upload videos to YouTube™, then sit back to wait for the raves. Samsung Mobile Link allows you to directly send your images to your smartphone or tablet. You can also save the images to your PC by just one click with Auto Backup. No more searching for the cable — it is that easy.

Fit the whole group in the picture

With the live panorama feature, you can capture the entire shot without stepping back. It lets you see the final image in advance, so you know you're getting the picture that you want.

Specifications

Image Sensor

• 1.0 / 2.3″ (Approx. 7.76 mm) CCD
• Approx. 16.1 Mega pixel
• Approx. 16.4 Mega pixel

Image Stabilization

• Optical Image Stabilization

Focusing

• TTL Auto Focus (Center AF, Multi AF, Object Tracking AF, Face Detection AF)
• Normal: 80 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 250 cm ~ Infinity (Tele) Macro: 5 cm ~ 80 cm (Wide), 100 cm ~ 250 cm (Tele) Auto Macro: 5 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 100 cm ~ Infinity (Tele)

Exposure

• Program AE
• Multi, Spot, Center-weighted, Face Detection AE
• ±2 EV (1/3 EV steps)
• Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

Still Image

Mode: Smart Auto, Program, Scene, Live Panorama, Self Shot, Picture-in-Picture,Magic Frame, Funny Face, Photo Filter, Beauty Shot, Intelligent Portrait, Night Shot, Split Shot, Motion Photo, Jump Shot, Children, Close up, Artistic Brush

Movie Clip

• Mode: Movie, Smart Movie, PIP MovieMovie Size (Frame Rate): 1280 x 720 (30 fps, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps, 15 fps) 320 x 240 (30 fps / 15 fps), For Sharing (30 fps / 15 fps) Format: MP4 (Max. recording time: 20 min) Sound Alive On / Off / Mute 
• Smart Movie Filter: Miniature / Vignetting / Half Tone Dot / Sketch / Fish-eye / Classic / Retro / Palette Effect 1 / Palette Effect 2 / Palette Effect 3 / Palette Effect 4 
• Still Image Capture / Time Trimming

Power

• Rechargeable battery: BP88 (min 880 mAh) Connector Type: Micro-USB

System Requirement in General

• Power Mac G3 or above Mac OS 10.4 or above
• Intel^® Pentium^®4 3.2 GHz or above / AMD Athlon™ FX 2.6 GHz or above Windows XP_SP2 / Vista / 7 32 bit 250 MB or more hard-disk capacity (over 1 GB recommended) 512 MB RAM (over 1 GB recommended) nVIDIA Geforce 7600GT or above / ATI X1600 series or above 1024 x 768 pixels, 16-bit color display compatible monitor (1280 x 1024 pixels, 32-bit color display recommended) USB 2.0 CD-ROM Driver DirectX 9.0c or above

Lens

• Samsung 5x Zoom Lens f = 4.5 ~ 22.5 mm (35.0 mm film equivalent: 25.0 ~ 125.0 mm)
• 2.5 (W) ~ 6.3 (T)
• 5x Optical Zoom
• Still Image mode: 1.0X ~ 5.0X

Display

• TFT LCD
• 3.0" Main LCD 1.5" Front LCD
• 3.0" (7.62 cm), 460 K dots + Front TFT LCD 1.5" (3.80 cm), 61 k dots

Shutter Speed

• Smart Auto: 1/8 ~ 1/2000 s, Program: 1 ~ 1/2000 s, Night: 16 ~ 1/2000 s, Fireworks: 2 s

Flash

• Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash Off, Red-eye fix
• Wide: 0.2 m ~ 4.1 m, Tele: 0.5 m ~ 1.6 m
• Approx. 4 s

Image Play

• Single image, Thumbnails, Advanced Slide Show, Movie Clip, Smart Album

Storage

• External Memory (Optional): micro SD™ (up to 1 ~ 2 GB guaranteed) micro SDHC (up to 32 GB guaranteed), micro SDXC (up to 64 GB guaranteed) 
• Still Image: JPEG (DCF), EXIF 2.21, DPOF 1.1, PictBridge 1.0, GIF Movie Clip: MP4 (H.264), Audio: AAC 
• 16 M: 4608 x 3456 / 14 MP: 4608 x 3072 / 12 MW: 4608 x 2592 / 10 M: 3648 x 2736 / 5 M: 2592 x 1944 / 3 M: 1984 x 1488 / 2 MW: 1920 x 1080 / 1 M: 1024 x 768

Physical Specifications

• 95.2 x 56.5 x 18.3 (20.0) mm
• 120 g (without battery and memory card media)
• 0 ~ 40°C
• 5 ~ 85%

White Balance

• Auto WB, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent_H, Fluorescent_L, Tungsten, Custom

Date Imprinting

• Date&Time, Date, Off (user selectable)

Interface

• USB 2.0
• Microphone: Mono Internal Speaker: Mono
• AV: NTSC, PAL (User selectable)
• 5.0 V

S/W and PC OS

• Intelli-studio 
• Windows XP SP2 / Vista / 7

Philips HD Pocket Camcorder

Capturing & sharing great moments - made easy

Available at our shopping site for $135.99

With Advanced Anti-Shake

Making amazing videos in full HD, and perfect them with the ESee camcorder's superb antishake technology. Dual format recording offers both HD and email-friendly formats, letting 

you share videos on TV up to 4 times faster.

Take quick and easy videos in full HD quality

• Relive memories in great detail with full HD videos

• Up to 10 megapixel resolution for high quality photos

• Flash, auto focus, face & smile detection

• Shoot clearer and steadier videos with advanced anti-shake

Share your favorite photos and videos effortlessly

• Integrated USB plug for no-fuss connection to your PC/Mac

• Dual format recording for full HD and email-friendly formats

• Instant video editor for simple editing on the camcorder

• Quick sharing for emailing and posting on Facebook/YouTube

• Direct TV connection via HDMI for viewing your videos in HD

Bring it with you anywhere

• Small and slim design to fit easily into your pocket

• Built-in battery for convenient recharging via USB

• Extra long battery life lets you shoot more

Specifications

Video Quality

• Resolution: Full HD(1920x1080p) at 30 fps, Sport Mode(1280x720p) at 60fps, SD (640 x 480) at 30 fps

• Photo Resolution: 10 MP, 8 MP

• Formats: H.264 video compression, AAC Audio compression, MP4 files format

• Scene Mode: Auto, Snow/Beach, Night, Back-light, Sunset, Fine-Skin

• Effects: Normal, Sepia, Black & White, Negative, Seventies, Analogue, Colour filter

• White Balance: Automatic white balance

• Exposure: Automatic exposure control

Lens & Sensor

• Lens: Auto Focus (0.1m to infinity)

• Aperture: F2.8

• Zoom: Fast multi-step 5x digital

• Sensor: 1:3.2 inch, 8MP CMOS sensor

Camcorder features

• Advanced anti-shake via gyro

• Quick Impression: for video highlights in video

• Simple editing: On camcorder movie editing

• Dual Record: in full HD format, in email-friendly format

• Enhancement: Autofucus, Face tracking, Red eye removal, Smile detection

• Flash Light: LED Flash for dark environment

• 3 Second Pre-Recording

• Power-up Time: 2 seconds

• Auto Shut-Down: 3 minutes

• Tripod Mount

Battery

• Type: Li-ion Battery

• Life: 120 Minutes

• Charge Time: 3 hrs. via adaptor, 4 hrs. via computer USB

Philips Arcsoft software

• Easy Sharing: direct upload to Facebook, direct upload to YouTube, upload button for websites, upload button for email

• Video Editing: add titles, music and credits, create movies, cut video

Display

• 2 inch LCD (diagonal)

• 480 by 234 pixel resolution

Capacity

• Internal memory: 128 MB

• Recording Media: Micro SD Card (up to 32 GB)

• Recording Time: 1 hour @ 4 GB for Full HD, 1 hour @ 1 GB for SD 

Input and Output

• TV Out: HDMI

• USB: Built-in flip-out USB (USB2.0)

• Audio-out: via HDMI

• Speaker: Built-in Speaker

• Microphone: Stereo directional microphone, Windnoise reduction

Dimensions

• Product dimensions (W x H x D): 55.5 x 99.5 x 19 mm

Minimum Requirements

• Windows: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Internet Explorer 6.0, PENTIUM 4 - 2.8 GHz processor, 1GB RAM and 64 MB Video RAM

• MAC: MACINTOSH 10.4, MACINTOSH 10.5, MACINTOSH 10.6, MAC 1.66 Ghz Intel Core Duo,  Safari 1.1

• Other: 1024 x 768 display resolution, 300 MB free hard disc space, USB v1.1

Accessories included

• Wrist Strap

• Soft protective case

• Quick Start Guide

• Philips Arcsoft Software: .

Silly uses of digital camera

I have a mole on top of my head and I want to see it.. properly.... :))

What's your silly idea for digital camera use ?

Samsung Smart Camera for Sale

Samsung SMART CAMERA WB150F

Available for $215.95 at our shopping site. Only 1 left !!

SMART Zooming, SMART Sharing

Take your vision much further and clearer
18x Optical Zoom, OIS

The serrated, snow-capped peaks of a mountain range — your eyes take it all in, and so does your new Samsung WB150F. With its 18x Optical Zoom, it brings the intimate details closer, so you can capture a Golden Eagle launching into flight. Whether wide-open vistas or detailed close-ups, the WB150F lets you get the shot you want. But it has to be steady too. That's where the WB150F's OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) comes in handy. The very second you shoot, the image is stabilized. So no matter how shaky your hands are, your photos won't be.

A versatile lens for any situation

The WB150F features a 24 mm wide angle lens allowing you to get wider shots at close range with incredible detail. It also boasts an incredible 18x zoom Schneider-KREUZNACH lens making capturing distant subjects in perfect detail easier than ever.

Share your moments wirelessly

With Built-in Wi-Fi capability, you can share any special or exciting moment on the move. Send photos by uploading to Facebook™, Picasa™, Photobucket™ or email directly from the camera. You can also upload videos to YouTube™ then sit back to wait for the raves. Samsung Mobile Link allows you to directly send your images to your smartphone or tablet. You can also save the images to your PC by just one click with Auto Backup. No more searching for the cable, it is that easy.

Capture every peak of the mountain range

With the live panorama feature, you can capture the entire shot without stepping back. It lets you see the final image in advance, so you know you're getting the picture that you want.

Get full control
Full Manual Mode (A/S/M)

Full Manual gives you the ability to take complete control and capture the photos exactly as you want them to be. Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority settings let you experiment with shutter speeds and depth of field, so you can shoot fast-moving images in low light. With Samsung cameras, your creativity counts most.

When it comes to brightness, it’s brilliant
3.0” hVGA LCD

Its 3.0” hVGA LCD provides improved contrast and color reproduction, which allows you to enjoy a wider and clearer image. And its hVGA LCD brightness automatically detects environmental illumination and adjusts the LCD brightness for optimal image viewing. It does the thinking for you, which makes the WB150F a smart choice.

Make your own movies

720p HD Movie Recording, H.264

The WB150F artfully combines a professional-grade still camera with a compact HD video camera. You get 720p HD quality video at 30 frames per second and 4x longer recording time than MJPEG video. Use the 18x zoom to get up close and vividly personal. SoundAlive, with special zoom noise reduction technology, ensures you crystal-clear, vibrant sound recordings.

The simple way to go pro
Smart Auto 2.0

Smart Auto 2.0 turns fleeting moments into perfect memories with professional-style results. Whether it’s friends at last night’s party or moonbeams reflecting off the water, Smart Auto 2.0 (still and movie) analyzes key elements in the composition and automatically adjusts its 16 photo modes and 4 movie modes to capture the best shot. And since life never stops moving, the camera’s object tracking feature captures subjects that just won’t stand still.

Specification :

Image Sensor

• 1/2.3″ (Approx. 7.76 mm) CCD
• Approx. 14.2 Mega pixels
• Approx. 16.4 Mega pixels

Display

• TFT LCD
• 3.0" (7.62 cm), 460 K dots

Exposure

• Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure
• Multi, Spot, Center-weighted, Face Detection AE
• ± 2 EV (1/3 EV steps)
• Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

Still Image

• - Mode (Dial): 1) Smart Auto 2) Program 3) A / S / M 4) Scene 5) Magic Plus 6) Wi-Fi 7) Set 8) Movie
  - Scene: Beauty Shot, Night, Landscape, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Beach & Snow
  - Magic: Live Panorama, Magic Frame, Split Shot, Picture in Picture (Still / Movie), Artistic Brush, Photo Filter, Movie Filter, Photo Editor
  - Smart Auto: Portrait, Night Portrait, Night, Backlight Portrait, Backlight, Landscape, White, Macro, Macro Text, Tripod, Action, Macro Color, Natural Green, Blue Sky, Sunset, Fireworks
  - Drive: Single, Continuous, AEB, Motion Capture
  - Self timer: Off, 2 s, 10 s, Double (10 s, 2 s)

Movie Clip

• - Smart Movie: Landscape, Blue Sky, Natural Green, Sunset
  - Movie Size: 1280 x 720 (30 fps, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps, 15 fps)
  - 18x optical zoom (Max. recording time: 20 min)
  - Voice recording: Sound Alive On / Sound Alive Off / Mute
• - Smart Filter: Miniature, Vignetting, Half Tone Dot, Sketch, Fish-eye, Classic, Retro, Palette Effect 1, Palette Effect 2, Palette Effect 3, Palette Effect 4
• Pause during recording and playing, Still Image Capture, Time Trimming

Power

• Rechargeable battery: SLB-10A
  Connector Type: micro USB (5 pin)

System Requirement in General

• Intel Mac or later Mac OS 10.4 or higher Minimum 256 MB RAM 110 MB of available hard-disk space USB port CD-ROM drive
• PC with processor better than Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz / AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core 2.2 GHz or higher
  Minimum 512 MB RAM (Over 1 GB recommended)
  Windows XP SP2 / Vista / 7
  250 MB of available hard-disk space (Over 1 GB recommend)
  USB 2.0 port
  CD-ROM drive
  nVIDIA Geforce 7600GT or later / Ati X1600 series or later
  1024 x 768 pixels, 16-bit color display compatible monitor (1280 x 1024, 32-bit color display recommended)
  Microsoft DirectX 9.0c or later

Image Stabilization

• Optical Image Stabilization

Shutter Speed

• Smart Auto: 1/8 ~ 1/2000 s, Program: 1 ~ 1/2000 s, Night: 8 ~ 1/2000 s, Manual: 16 ~ 1/2000 s

White Balance

• Auto WB, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent_H, Fluorescent_L, Tungsten, Custom, K

Lens

• Schneider-KREUZNACH 18x Zoom Lens f = 4 ~ 72 mm (35 mm film equivalent: 24 ~ 432 mm)
• 3.2 (W) ~ 5.8 (T)
• Intelli-zoom: 2x

Focusing

• Manual Focus
• Normal: 80 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 350 cm ~ Infinity (Tele)
  Macro: 5 cm ~ 80 cm (Wide), 180 cm ~ 350 cm (Tele)
  Auto Macro: 5 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 180 cm ~ Infinity (Tele)
  Manual: 5 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 180 cm ~ Infinity (Tele)

Flash

• Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash Off, Red-eye fix
• Wide: 0.30 m ~ 3.38 m (ISO Auto), Tele: 0.50 m ~ 1.51 m (ISO Auto)
• Approx. 4 s

Image Play

• Single image, Thumbnails, Advanced Slide Show, Movie Clip, Smart Album

Storage

• Internal memory: 18 MB
  External Memory: SDSC (up to 2 GB guaranteed), SDHC (up to 32 GB guaranteed), SDXC (up to 64 GB guaranteed)
• - Still Image: JPEG (DCF), EXIF 2.21, DPOF 1.1, PictBridge 1.0
  - Movie Clip: MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC / H.264, Audio: AAC)
• 14 M: 4320 x 3240 pixels,
  12 M P: 4320 x 2880,
  10 M W: 4320 x 2432,
  10 M: 3648 x 2736,
  8 M (1 : 1): 2832 x 2832,
  5 M: 2592 x 1944,
  3 M: 1984 x 1488,
  2 M W: 1920 x 1080,
  1 M: 1024 x 768

Physical Specifications

• 106.5 x 59.9 x 23.4 (32.2) mm
• 188.2 g (without battery and memory card media)
• 0 ~ 40°C
• 5 ~ 85%

Wireless

• - Wi-Fi Connectivity
  - MobileLink, Remote Viewfinder, Social Sharing, email, SkyDrive, Auto Backup, TV Link
  - FW Upgrade, Shot-To-Link, AllShare Play, Family Story

Date Imprinting

• Date&Time, Date, Off (user selectable)

Interface

• USB 2.0
• Microphone: Mono
  Internal Speaker: Mono
• AV: NTSC, PAL (User selectable)
• 5 V

S/W and PC OS

• Intelli-studio, PC Auto Backup (CD)
• Windows XP SP2 / Vista / 7