Take your movies, TV shows to the beach
Philips’ Portable Media Center lets you enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies and music on a plane, in a car or even while relaxing at the beach. The PMC7230 model can play recordings transferred from a PC, VCR, DVD recorder, digital video recorder or set-top box. It also can play shows recorded from TV in real time and content purchased from PlaysForSure sites. The player has a 3.5-inch color display, 30 gigabytes of memory, a video timer and a rechargeable battery that can deliver up to three hours of video playtime or 16 hours of music.
Cost: $350.
www.usa.philips.com
“Tornado” weathers PC transfers
New PC? A handy tool from Data Drive Thru can help you transfer your computer’s files. The Tornado comes with two retractable USB cables. One cable goes into one PC, the other into the other PC. After the hookup is complete, a split-screen displays the entire contents of each computer, allowing you to drag and drop files from one PC to another at speeds up to 25 megabits per second. The Tornado also can help with PC backups. Cost: $60.
www.thetornado.com
Software helps recover lost iPod files
If you accidentally delete your Apple iPod files, Recover My iPod may be able to help. Designed to work with all iPod models, the GetData Software application can recover music, video and photos, including files that are lost when you accidentally press the Recover and Reset buttons. It also can help when you receive a message warning that your iPod isn’t recognized or your iPod drive isn’t formatted.
Available as a download, the application costs $40. If only it could also help find lost iPods.
www.recovermyipod.com
Olympus camera has 18X zoom
You can zoom in and zoom in some more with the Olympus SP-550 UZ Ultra Zoom digital camera. Equipped with a powerful 18X optical zoom, the camera can handle telephoto, wide-angle and macro shots. The fast-working model also can capture up to 15 frames per second and can “pre-capture” images before the shutter button is fully pressed. The 7.1-megapixel camera includes a 2.5-inch LCD screen, an electronic viewfinder, manual and automatic controls, in-camera editing tools and a video/sound shooting option. It will go on sale in March for $500.
www.olympusamerica.com
