The ability to record, fast forward, pause and rewind live television with Tivo or other DVR technologies is transforming the way viewers make choices in entertainment. Like microwave, cell phone and GPS technologies, digital video recording is one of those “I’ll never go back to the way it was before” breakthroughs.

DVRs use hard drives and on-screen programming guides to allow viewers to choose in advance and record multiple programs with ease. They put the power in the hand of the one holding the remote, controlling live television and recorded shows with the push of a button. Viewers now have greater decision power over their viewing choices at any given moment, selecting from a list of their favorite shows, watching on their own schedule, and fast-forwarding through commercials.

So which is better – to rent or buy a DVR? Most cable and satellite companies now offer digital video recorders for rental and service fees that can be substantial. Although these enhanced cable boxes and satellite receivers may seem like a convenient, space-saving option, a set-top DVR purchase is likely to come with bells and whistles a fancy converter box just can’t beat…

Features of Digital Video Recorders

o Record two programs at a time, record one program while watching another live program, or record one program while watching a previously-recorded program

o Rewind, pause and view live TV in slow motion; fast forward, rewind, pause and view recorded programs in slow motion

o On-screen guide with options to record episodes and movies weeks in advance, with additional settings such as “only record new shows” or “record every incidence of this program on any channel at any time”

o Copy recorded programs to VCR, DVD recorder, computers, and hand -held entertainment devices like iPod, Sony Playstation Portables, and Portable Media Centers

o Varied storage capacity – consider how much hard drive space you can buy in your DVR – the more GBs, the greater amount of available space for recording; current storage capacities peak at approximately 250 GB

o Record at different qualities to save space – 1 GB will give provide approximately 15 minutes of recording time if set at the highest quality, or 1 hour if set at VHS quality

o Play music and view pictures from a connected computer

o HD-capable DVRs — DVRs that support high-definition recording can play back at the same quality a show originally appears – as long as the show is played on a hi-def TV

o Costs include the device and service contract, in the range of $300 – $600 total to get hooked up

Keep in Mind

o Not all DVRs work with satellite TV

o Some DVRs do not come with on-screen program guides

o Some DVRs come with built-in VCRs

o Home theater systems may output better quality sound than some DVRs support

o Make sure that the connectors on the back of the digital video recorder are compatible with the connectors of other components such as cable boxes and TVs. For example, a DVR may come with coaxial digital output connectors when the only available digital input on a home theater system is optical

o Some DVRs come with a DVD recorder, or the other way around. This power combo allows viewers to make DVD copies of television shows they’ve recorded with their DVR. They can burn DVDs from other video sources as well. DVD Recorders are not recommended for copying high-definition programs, because the video will not reproduce at the same quality

o Media Center PCs are personal computers designed to enhance TV, music, videos, pictures etc., and they usually include DVR technology

o Higher-end models incorporate broadband internet and home networking

When comparing products, look for flexibility and future-friendly compatibility. Choose a DVR that is compatible with other entertainment components with which it will be connected, such as HDTVs, cable modems or surround sound systems. Go for the larger number of GBs, and look for the ability to add on other components.

You own a Playstation 2 but aren’t quite sure what other items to buy with it. What games should you buy? Do you need extra controllers? Are memory cards required? Are any other accessories required? Follow these directions below and you can answer all your questions and start enjoying your console to the fullest.

Games – After choosing the system, the biggest decision is what games will you buy to go along with it. The Playstation 2 console is just an expensive DVD player if you don’t buy games, so you need to address this question right away. The first way to choose games is pick something related to a hobby of yours outside of gaming. Do you play football, skateboarding, like cars, or fishing, like a particular movie? There are games for all of these hobbies, movie tie in games, and many more. The second option for choosing your games is start with a list of the most popular games released on the Playstation 2. They are:

Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Final Fantasy X, Madden 2006, Splinter Cell, Gran Turismo 3, and SOCOM Navy Seals

These games aren’t made for everyone, so be sure you check the ratings and descriptions before buying one. The Playstation 2 has one of the broadest game lists of any system so you are bound to find a game that exactly fits your particular likes.

Controllers – The Playstation 2 console originally came with one controller out of the box but two controller slots. Buying a second controller can be a great investment, especially if your friends play games too or multiple people in the house play. The small investment will greatly increase your enjoyment of the system because you can play with friends at the same time. If you buy a multi-tap adaptor you can use four controllers at the same time. Unless you buy the multi-tap adaptor there is no need to buy more than one controller.

This is a great time to mention the difference between Sony brand controllers and third party controllers. Sony contollers are more reliable, while third party controllers are less expensive but can break easier. I only recommend buying Sony brand controller for the most part. The one exception to this is Logitech brand controllers. Logitech makes a high quality wireless controller that is very reliable.

Memory Cards – You will need at least one memory card to save your games on the Playstation 2. The Sony brand 8 MB memory card can save quite a bit of game data. Unless you play lots of sports games, you will only need one memory card. If you really love your sports games, be sure to pick up a couple extras because they need lots of space to store all the data needed to play an entire season.

Accessories – The Playstation 2 has lots of other accessories you could buy including network adaptors, steering wheels, and even a hard drive. The most useful of these is the network adaptor which plugs into the back of the system and allows you to connect to the internet for online games. Many of the most recent games on the PS2 support online play so you will need this network adaptor. (Quick side note: if you buy a Slim PStwo system you do not need to buy this adaptor because it is already built into the system). The other accessories for the PS2 have their uses too but are not quite as beneficial as the network adaptor.

These directions should have helped you choose the games, controllers, memory cards, and accessories you want with your Playstation 2. Now get out there and enjoy your new gaming purchase.

The Sony Ericsson is a principal mobile manufacturer that has created a slot for itself in the market. The stylish and advanced features of these handsets enabled it to reach the mass market within few years. The Sony Ericsson K800i and the Sony Ericsson W810i are the latest handsets and comes to fulfill all your necessities. With these mobile phones the users would be able to perform their daily routine at ease.

The Sony Ericsson K800i is a cyber shot camera handset that comes to boast with its 3.2 mega pixel camera that is enhanced with the auto focus feature and Xenon flash. It has the ability to capture quality images as it can optimise the brightness even if it is shot in poor lighting conditions. The innovative Best Picture feature permits the user to take nine consecutive images and provide them with a choice to choose the best. The Sony Ericsson W810i is a Walkman handset that would fascinate you with its sizzling sound quality all throughout the day. This handset is endowed with a 2 mega pixel camera further enriched with the 4x zoom and the photo light. The users would never feel disappointed with quality and clarity of the photographs captured. The incorporated software of image editing enables the users to edit the images that are captured earlier.

The anti blur feature reduces the option of capturing blurred images and enables you to share the bright pictures with your beloved ones. The video recording feature permits you to record your favourite tracks and playback it in the future whenever you want. The Sony Ericsson W810i handset would accompany and entertain you with its various sophisticated features. The TFT screen that comes with the resolution of 262,000 colours enriches the picture quality that appears on the display. The classy and striking K800i is a very light handset that comes in around 155 gms and with a measurement 105x47x22mm. Whereas the W810i is also very light and the users would be able to handle both these handsets with ease.

The messaging option in the K800i allows the users to send and receive messages and remain always in contact with their beloved one without making a call to them. The handset is further enhanced with the Bluetooth wireless and a wired USB connectivity features. The users of this handset would be able to make video calls with anyone who also possesses the same kind of mobile phone. The Sony Ericsson K800i handset is endowed with the advanced features like the Mega Bass, Play Now feature and the Music DJ. The users would be fully thrilled with its exceptional sound quality and various music features. The owner of the W810i handset would be able to access multiple options with a click of a button. The messaging features, task list, calculator etc ensures you to facilitate all your complex activities.

These compact mobile phones come to the consumers with variety of features that they cannot simply reject. These handsets also feature long lasting battery that would allow you to talk with your near and dear ones at a stretch for about 7 hours. These 3G mobile phones permit you to browse the internet on the move. As such you are provided with a option to share images and experiences with your friends by blogs. You are able to access any latest option to your hearts content with these mobile phones.

The new C902 from Sony Ericsson is the latest in innovative and high tech design. You can use this phone in so many ways that means it’s suitable for just about anyone. The camera is a 5.0 mega pixel with auto flash and is perfect for capturing those great moments. You can then use the upload button to send your photos, videos and files to your blog, Facebook or Bebo – sharing your photos has never been easier.

The phone itself is 107g in weight and is small enough to fit in anyone’s pocket or bag. It’s amazing that all the innovative technology in this phone fits into such a tiny space. There is the option to take 9 pictures in one second so that you can decide on the best shot and delete the rest. There are many games and applications to play with. You can even create your own music with Music DJ application and you can then set your music as your ringtone. This phone allows you to be super creative and most of the applications are for customizing something – whether it is music, photos or videos.

You can do video calls with the camera and this means you are able to see who you are talking to. The internet speeds are extremely fast; with HSDPA 3G connections you can download content in a matter of seconds – it’s broadband for your mobile. You can send and receive emails with attachments using the built in email client which means sharing your stories with your friends and family is easier than ever before.

This phone is innovative and smart and because the operating system is so fast and the system so easy to use even a novice with mobile phones can learn this phone in a matter of hours. It’s perfect for everyone and you can customise the phone to make it even more suited to you.