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Cool Electronics - Holiday Gift Guide
Got an electronics lover who's hard to categorize? This smorgasbord of exceptional products covers all aspects of the electronics universe.
November 15, 2006 | by EH Staff

Audiophiles like sound. Videophiles like pictures. Gadget people like doo-dads. But then there are those chosen few who like everything. If you’ve got an electronics omnivore on your list, these picks are the perfect fit.

Roadmaster VR3 Wireless Backup Camera
Anyone who drives an SUV can use an extra pair of eyes. The Roadmaster VR3 Wireless Backup Camera provides an unobstructed rear view of a vehicle. The camera’s 2.5-inch color LCD screen can be mounted on a dashboard or visor and the lens fits along the bottom of the rear license plate.  The camera can be on at all times or activated only when the car is in reverse. MSRP: $199. www.roadmasterusa.com

Lutron AuraRa Lighting Control System
You don’t need to mortgage the house to have lighting control. Lutron’s affordable AuraRa system controls five dimmer switches from a master or remote controller. The supplied wireless controller attaches to a car visor and can set in motion a path of light while you’re driving down the street. The central antenna can be hidden away in a closet or under a bed. MSRP: $750. www.lutron.com

CarMD Diagnostic Tool
Take your car’s pulse with CarMD, a diagnostic tool for your vehicle that reads information from the OBD2 port and displays it in PC software. The handheld test tool works on all 1996 and newer vehicles. Its color-coded LEDs indicate whether the systems are running normally. Users also have access to a diagnostic database for up to three household vehicles. Run the software, connect the tester via USB cable and a report is generated with probable causes and dealer repair estimates. MSRP: $90. www.carmd.com

EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10-Megapixel Camera
The EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10-megapixel camera comes with a 2.5-inch viewfinder, a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system, and picture style settings for creative control. It comes with a 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens kit or body only. MSRP: $699 for body only; MSRP: $899 with kit. www.canonusa.com

Sony Playstation3
Want the cheapest route to a Blu-ray Disc player? Pick up Sony’s Playstation3 system, which delivers 1080p output on video games and movies. The PS3 will offer more network capabilities than previous generations, enabling real-time communication via chat, voice or video. You can browse the Web, download content, store and view pictures and video, and shop online. MSRP: $499 for the 20GB version; $599 for the 60GB model with built-in Wi-Fi. www.sonystyle.com

Harmony 1000 Remote Control
The Harmony 1000 remote boasts a 3.5-inch color touchscreen and access to Harmony’s database of 175,000 devices. Key in your audio and video gear at the Harmony Web site and a wizard guides you through the setup process. When setup is complete, pick an activity such as Watch TV or Watch a Movie and all gear powers up to the correct settings. Select a source component on the remote, and only those commands relevant to that device show up on screen. Control up to 15 devices. MSRP: $499. www.logitech.com

Westinghouse DPF-0701 Digital Photo Frame
The old way of viewing photographs was a single image in a frame. The 21st century version displays multiple images in a continually rotating format. With the Westinghouse DPF-0701 7-inch digital photo frame, your entire summer vacation can play out over a five-course dinner, discretely, without anyone lugging out a slide projector. The built-in 16MB memory stores roughly 200 still pics and supports AVI motion JPEG, MPEG1 and MPEG 4 files. Available in ebony. MSRP: $199. www.westinghouse.com

Samsung K5 4GB Digital Audio Player
Tired of always being captive to a set of earphones? Samsung’s K5 4GB Digital Audio Player packs its own on-board speakers. The slide-out speakers tuck into the unit when not in use. Earbuds are also supplied for solo listening sessions. The K5 doubles as an alarm clock that wakes you to your favorite tunes. A JPEG viewer displays digital images on the 1.7-inch color screen. Battery life is 30 hours when used with earbuds, six hours in speaker mode. MSRP: $259. www.samsung.com

HP Photosmart A516 Compact Photo Printer
No need to boot up the PC just to print pictures. HP’s Photosmart A516 Compact Photo Printer shoots out 4 x 6 prints in under a minute. Editing capability allows you to remove red-eye, crop and sharpen photos. You can print directly from certain camera phones, PictBridge-enabled cameras, USB drives and memory cards. MSRP: $99. www.hp.com

Monster Cable MCC AVL300-S Monster Central Controller
Monster Cable’s MCC AVL300-S Monster Central Controller controls multiple rooms of audio and video as well as Z-Wave-based lighting modules. You can organize multiple functions into scenes for one-button operation of complex commands. You can control components and lights through walls and ceilings. An easy set-up wizard is included. MSRP: $599. www.monstercentral.com

iPlayMusic Guitar Lessons
Buy iPlayMusic’s guitar lessons on DVD or PC or Mac software and you get free downloads for lessons on the iPod. The DVD package includes two discs of lessons plus a third disc for playalongs. Lessons are the same for iPod but encoded for portable playback. MSRP: $49. www.iplaymusic.com

D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router
Power gamer? Mega video streamer? Multi-tasker? The D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is a draft 802.11n compliant device that delivers up to 14x faster speeds and 6x farther range than 802.11g. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, videos, printers, and network storage. MSRP: $199. www.dlink.com

Sony HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycam
Got an HDTV? Then you deserve to see your home movies in high-definition as well. You can record in HD with Sony’s HDR-HC3 Handycam camcorder. The dual record mode lets you capture 2.3 megapixel stills while shooting in HD video. HD and SD recording modes allow you to retai compatibility with standard definition equipment. MSRP: $1,399, www.sonystyle.com

Universal Remote Control URC-300 Customizer
Replace up to 15 remotes and take complete control over your home theater with the touch of just one button. The URC-300 Customizer’s touch screen LCD panel can be edited based on device and function label preferences. Add the MRF-100 RF receiver base station and send both IR and RF signals, making whole-house operation (indoors and outdoors, through walls and doors) possible. MSRP: $200; Optional MRF-100 $75. www.universalremote.com



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