Comdex 2003

Computer trade and industry professionals are gathered in Las Vegas this week for the Comdex Trade Show. Billed as the world's largest computer-related trade show, it's here that plans and technologies are unveiled that will soon be affecting our lives.

HP DVD Movie Writer
Today HP announced it will ship its latest super combination DVD writer, which allow customers to create and share custom CDs and DVDs using video, digital images, music and data.

The HP DVD Movie Writer dc3000, HP's first external DVD writer, includes features making it very easy for consumers to use and enabling the creation of DVDs by notebook PC owners.

Now, consumers can safely save their cherished memories -- everything from photos to custom-made home movies -- with the confidence that they can't be erased or copied over. This new protection is made possible by the drives' support for the new DVD+R format. Additionally, DVD+R discs offer increased compatibility with most existing and future DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players. $350. www.hp.com

Logitech diNovo Media Desktop
Logitech just previewed its diNovo Media Desktop -a combination Bluetooth enabled wireless keyboard/mouse and sleek remote control Media Pad. Serving as both the number pad and remote, the detachable Media Pad features a LCD display that shows music tracks, instant messaging notes and even cell phone messages. Bluetooth allows devices (i.e. cell phones, PDAs, computers) to communicate up to 30 feet away. The diNovo bridges the communication gap between these devices and your PC. $249; www.logitech.com

HP Photosmart 245 Photo Printer
With HP’s new Photosmart 245 photo printer you can preview, edit and select photos before printing with the 1.8-inch color LCD screen. The printer produces brilliant, professional looking borderless, 4 x 6-inch photos directly from your camera's memory card without a computer and its compact, portable design allows you to take it almost anywhere. Connect the printer quickly and easily to a PC and Mac via USB. The Photosmart 245 uses a variety of memory cards-- CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Sticks, Secure Digital/Multi Media, xD-Picture Card. $199. www.hp.com

DISCover PC Game Console
The new DISCover PC Game Console is capable of playing unmodified PC games on a big screen TV. DISCover is basically a PC with a TV output and a customized version of Windows XP preinstalled. It will install, configure, and load PC games automatically without any user input, including Internet-only PC titles. The unit will also play DVDs and MP3s and will come in several models. Prices will range from about $300 to $700. The DISCover PC Game Console is set for launch in early 2004. www.discoverconsole.com

HP Photosmart 735 Digital Camera
Produce clear, crisp photos with 3.2-megapixel total resolution for photo-quality enlargements up to 11x17 inches and outstanding close-ups with 15x total zoom (Pentax 3x optical zoom lens and 5x digital zoom). Record memories in motion and sound - using the video clip capture with audio. The Photosmart 735 also features automatic or manual controls for sharpness, saturation and contrast and an on-board help wizard to help decide when and how to use the manual controls. $199. www.hp.com

Audiovox Flat Screen Portable DVD System
Many cars now come with built-in entertainment systems, but for those who don't have that option or want portability, consider the Audiovox D1210 DVD. It features a built-in 12.1-inch LCD screen -- and you can also take it into the home and hook it up to your TV and use it as a TV/Home Video system. Comes with a mounting kit for mobile use, detachable speakers (used only in the home application), 2 sets of wireless headphones, and a remote control. Powered via battery or cigarette lighter. A TV tuner is built-in for home use. $899. www.audiovox.com

Energizer e2 Batteries
All holiday shopping lists that include high drain gadgets need to include the right battery to the power them. That’s where Energizer comes into play. Energizer has really been focusing on the high end of the category and has news of further power improvements on their high performance Energizer e2 AA batteries.

Engineered specifically to meet the needs of high drain devices like the ones being shown at Comdex, the latest round of enhancements means that the e2 AA batteries lasts 10% longer in high drain devices than they did previously. (Average of industry-recognized High Tech tests). That means up to 30 more minutes in CD players and electronic games and up to 50 more flashes with your point-and-shoot cameras. The Energizer e2 and the other performance brands from Energizer (their photo lithium and rechargeable batteries) are ideal for high tech devices and holiday gift-giving. www.energizer.com

OctiVox Clear Call
OctiVox today announced Clear Call, a phone accessory that plugs directly to any conference telephone to deliver automatic volume matching for conference call participants. For the Clear Call user, all voices are heard equally clear and audible during business conference calls – no matter where or how many people are on the call.

Clear Call uses a technology called multi-band dynamics processing to adjust the audio signal for each call participant. Each speaker’s voice is loudness corrected by four Automatic Gain Controls (AGCs) and then separated into three bands of audio (low, mid, high) to optimize the spectral balance of each person. Peaks are controlled and unwanted hiss and noise are reduced. All of this happens in real-time, so there is no noticeable delay. $250. Available January 2004. www.octiv.com.