OTHER TECH

Kodak EasyShare V1253 Zoom Digital Camera $300 kodak.com Since their introduction more than a decade ago, digital cameras have become ever more capable with each new holiday season. A wonderful example is Kodak's V1253, a camera with 3x optical zoom and a whopping 12 megapixels of resolution.

Without reading the manual, I took the V1253 out on our nightly dog walk to capture both stills and high-def video of a kitten that had taken a fancy to our dachshund. On the dark sidewalk, I couldn't frame a picture using the 31/8-inch LCD, but I was surprised to see a thin beam of light projected from the camera that let me point and click looking directly at the subject. On reviewing the images seconds later, I found that the flash had turned night into day, and that most of the pictures were saves.

On entering a lit courtyard, I switched to the best-quality video mode, HD720p (1,280 x 720, 30 frames per second, QuickTime MPEG-4), and marveled at the resolution on playback in the camera and on my computer. Of course, the supplied composite-video cable couldn't give me high-def stills or video when I looked at the images on my HDTV. For that, Kodak offers an HDTV Dock ($100) with a component-video output.

Other features include face-detection technology (which automatically adjusts the camera's settings for portraits), digital image stabilization (for reducing blur caused by moving the camera), a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and 32 MB of internal memory plus a slot for an SD, SDHC, or MMC card. Although the menu-selecting joystick (more of a nub) is a bit awkward to use, the V1253 should satisfy the needs of most recreational shooters looking for the latest advances in a sleek, high-def still/ motion camera. - Michael Antonoff

Zerosurge 8R15W Power Filter/Surge Protector $199 zerosurge.com As I watch Harry Potter engaged in a fierce hocus-pocus battle against some mystical hooligan, with huge, destructive bolts of electrical wizardry flying everywhere, I'm thinking: "Harry could end this movie right now if he only had a ZeroSurge Power Quality Filter."

As surge protectors go, this one claims to block the strongest unwanted wattage - all the way up to 6,000 volts. And the manufacturer insists that, unlike your typical suppressor, the ZeroSurge totally cancels the incoming electrical burst, won't degrade or wear out, and has never experienced a surge-related failure in the company's 18-year history. So really, this is the kind of prophylactic you'd want to incorporate into any serious home A/V system to protect it against deadly electrical hiccups.

Unfortunately (or I should say, "fortunately"), the 8R15W was never taken anywhere near the limit during the time I had it connected to my home theater system for this review. I mean, what was I supposed to do, ask Con Ed to send a massive power spike to my apartment? I can only testify that this brick-size component boasts an on/off switch and eight outlets (two remain powered even when the ZeroSurge is turned off), and it kept me blissfully unaware of any devilish power anomalies that might have been at play.

So for now, my plasma, DVR, receiver, and so on all remain in excellent electrical health - eagerly hoping that some day, they might be able to play a movie called Harry Potter and the Chamber of Surges. - Rob Medich

mStation 2.1 Stereo Tower $300 mstation.com Based on the increasing number of inviting ports on the market, it would seem that iPods are constantly searching for a new place to dock. And mStation is one brand offering a friendly new slip via its 'Pod-loving speaker tower.

Sleek and modern (a nice combo of black and extruded aluminum), the 2.1 Stereo Tower also packs a good 100-watt jab for its 31/2-foot-tall size, with each speaker column holding a 1-inch tweeter, a 2-inch midrange, and a 51/4-inch woofer. The highs are clear and the lows are solid - though, no, it'll never be mistaken for the power of the sound system at the late CBGB. Still, for an office, a dorm room, or some other smaller space, the mStation's a good stop.

Once you dock your iPod, a palm-size remote not only handles the Tower's volume, treble, and bass but also lets you play and pause your 'Pod and skip through its playlists. That's only one list at a time, however, since the remote doesn't have a visual interface. Still, it beats walking over to the player every time you want to select a track, and it gives you a chance to sit back and admire this compact beauty of a sound system. - Rob Medich

Playaway Digital Audio Books About $30 to $50 store.playawaydigital.com Playaway books-on-chip are a nice slap back at the whole self-righteous "Green" movement. They're like books-on-tape, except the audio comes on a flash-memory card in a disposable unit the size of a deck of cards. That's right: As soon as you digest that last chapter, you can add this baby to our nation's overflowing landfills.

But seriously, the Playaway people do encourage recycling. Their RePlay Rewards program lets you mail back the case for 50% discounts and free shipping on your next selections.

The Playaway couldn't be easier to use. Since it's powered by a pre-installed AAA battery, you just need to plug in the supplied earbuds (although I'd opt for a more comfortable headset), press Power, and then Play. Along with forward and reverse buttons (you can also skip to chapters), there's a three-speed button that lets you set the narrative pace, at speeds ranging from Al Gore to Robin Williams. Pressing EQ lets you adjust the sound quality (though even at the Hi Fi setting, Craig Wasson reading John Grisham's The Innocent Man sounded a little midrangey to me).

While Playaway has a big selection of bestsellers at stores like Barnes & Noble, Brookstone, Borders, and Hudson Booksellers, it's starting to offer music albums, too. (No big-time artists yet - Kidzbop to Go, 102 Bible Songs, stuff like that.) Maybe someday they'll re-release Kermit the Frog singing, "(It's Not Easy) Bein' Green." - Rob Medich

Classic Media The Original Christmas Classics DVD Set $40 classicmedia.tv Nothing earth-shattering here - just a nifty marketing idea: Take some beloved holiday TV specials (and a couple of also-rans), throw in a CD of Christmas songs, and package them in an affordable Limited Keepsake Edition. The animated specials are Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, The Little Drummer Boy, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, Cricket on the Hearth, and Frosty Returns. The CD includes Burl Ives's renditions of "Rudolph," "Holly Jolly Christmas," and "Silver and Gold" (and a very Vegasy, not always on-key "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from Bobby Rydell). Not bad for $40.

But be warned: We're not talking high-def image and sound here, as the DVDs aren't significant improvements over earlier editions. Rudolph, for instance, has long been in need of some restoration work, including the removal of a lot of dirt and scratches and the correction of some occasional burbling on the soundtrack. Also, Mr. Magoo was never meant to be seen at DVD resolution, and it's hard not to cringe when contemplating the inevitable high-def release. But that's all secondary to the advantages of having all these cheery perennials in one inviting package. - Michael Gaughn

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