JVC

The latest in gadget news has to do with JVC's new tabletop home theater sound system, the NX-BX3 for iPods and iPhones. It's JVC's first 2x30W sound system for iPod and iPhone, and is designed to replace your actual nightstand!

Available in both black and white, the NX-BX3 has a weight of 20kg for a size of 500x300x110mm and offers all the features that can be found in other iPhone/iPod speaker docks. It sports an FM tuner and SRS StudioSound HD for around $400.

The next time you buy an iPod dock, ask yourself this important question: can I put a lamp on it? It can hold glasses or a flower vase on its top -- really, the sky's the limit (plus some general weight restrictions) when it comes to the things you can place on top of it.

The dock arrives in Japan this month, and will follow in the US this summer.Read more

Do you have an iPad and an iPhone or iPod? JVC just unveiled a new dock that can hold (and charge) them both at the same time! The new JVC UX-VJ3 boasts 30 watts of power, an AM/FM tuner, a clock with sleep timer and alarm, and comes with a pair of separate speakers.

Available in black or white, the JVC Dual Dock UX-VJ3 also features a subwoofer output, four sound modes (rock/pop/classical/jazz), a surround sound mode, and Sound Turbo function that provides a bass boost. A video output allows the dock to be connected to a TV and there's also an auxiliary audio input for connecting other devices. A remote control is included for control of all main functions.

The JVC UX-VJ3 will be available in the United States next week for $199.95.

This week JVC announced that the GS-TD1 -- the first consumer Full HD 3D camcorder -- is now available. Priced at $1,699.95, it's hitting the market at $300 less than when it was originally announced at CES this year.

The GS-TD1 pairs two 3.32 megapixel CMOS sensors with an F1.2 JVC 3D Twin HD GT lens to record 3D video at 1080i, and features a 3D optical 5x zoom (10x in 2D mode), 64GB of built-in flash memory, a SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot for expansion, and a 3.5-inch touch panel LCD where you can view your 3D videos without using 3D glasses. Once captured, 3D video can be burned to a Blu-ray disc or DVD-R for 3D playback on a compatible Blu-ray player.

Three shooting modes are offered - a new "LR Independent" format (MP4 MVC) that records in Full HD, "Side-by-Side" format (960 x 1080 X 2) for AVCHD 3D recording, and 2D AVCHD shooting. The GS-TD1 also comes with new Everio MediaBrowser 3D software (for Windows) for managing, editing and sharing content.

The JVC GZ-TD1 Full HD 3D camcorder is available now for $1,699.95.

Photographers, whether professional or amateur, can be a difficult bunch to buy gifts for - especially if the person doing the shopping isn't a camera pro. We're here to help. We have rounded up some great D-SLR, point and shoot digital cameras and camcorders sure to please the photographer in your life.

Nikon D3100: Chosen as one of "Oprah's Favorite Things," you know this camera rocks. The Nikon D3100 is great for those just getting into the world of D-SLR photography by being both affordable and easy to use. The 14.2-megapixel D3100 is Nikon's first D-SLR with 1080p HD video capture and is also the first D-SLR with full time auto focus (AF) in Live View and D-Movie mode…it can even track human faces. Price: $699.95; www.nikonusa.comRead more

JVC today introduced an entry-level home theater projector, the DLA-HD250/250Pro. But unlike most entry-level models, this projector features D-ILA technology, delivers 25,000:1 native contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness – for under $3000. A steal, considering D-ILA projectors (until now) run upwards of $10,000.

The DLA-HD250/250Pro utilizes three 0.7-inch 1920x1080 D-ILA devices, JVC's wire-grid optical engine, and an advanced HQV Reon-VX video processor by Silicon Optix. It also has a 2x motorized zoom lens with auto dust cover, on-screen, customizable gamma control and ultra-quiet (19dB) operation.

"JVC projectors have been widely acclaimed for their performance, but they've remained out of reach for home theater enthusiasts with a limited budget," said Gary Klasmeier, product engineering manager, D-ILA Systems, JVC Professional Products. "With this new projector we bring D-ILA's remarkable film-like image quality and impressive native contrast to an entirely new market segment."

The DLA-HD250/250Pro will be available later this month for $2,995. Get more information at www.jvc.com.

JVC just announced that its GZ-HM1 Full HD Everio video camera is now available. This high-end Everio features manual controls and offers excellent low light performance, image stabilization and still image quality.

Features of the GZ-HM1 include a 10.62 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 64GB built-in flash storage, an SD/SDHC card slot, Advanced Image Stabilizer, 1920 x 1080 Full HD video recording, Konica Minolta HD Lens, and a 10x optical zoom. It shoots real 10 megapixel stills with ISO6400 sensitivity and also includes an automatic flash for shooting in low light. A microphone input, audio level control, headphone output and a top-mounted accessory shoe are also included.Read more

JVC on Friday announced a new HD Everio camcorder with built-in Bluetooth. The 10.6 megapixel Everio GZ-HM550 records Full HD video and takes nine megapixel digital stills. It has 32GB flash memory and an SD/SDHC slot provides additional storage.

But what's really cool about the latest from JVC is the ability to use a smartphone to control the camera (thanks to the built-in Bluetooth). With the installation of a (supplied) app, a smartphone with Bluetooth can be used to record, zoom and play the camera. It can even be used with a GPS device to record location data of where movie and still files were recorded. The data synchronizes with Google Earth when viewing the file on a PC using the bundled Everio MediaBrowser software. The camera can also be used with a Bluetooth headset to monitor the recorded sound or for voice recording.

The JVC GZ-HM550 Bluetooth enabled camera is available now for $799.95. Read more

Whether you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift for the girl in your life, the man of your dreams, or something that's suitable for everyone, JVC's got you covered.

For Her:

JVC Fashionista Headphones
These inner-ear headphones are designed to match the latest fashion trends. Each earpiece utilizes a neodymium driver unit to deliver high-quality sound and each headphone comes with super-soft inner-earpieces in three sizes for a snug fit that also reduces background noise.

JVC's Fashionista headphones are available now for $19.95. Read more