COOL GEAR: Tech Gifts for Dads

JVC XV-BP1 Blu-ray player

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Since EM is first and foremost an Entertainment Website, I thought I’d start our Father’s Day Tech Guide off with a nice Blu-ray Player. This new line should work well with Direct TV HD Receivers.  JVC’s first Blu-ray player is a versatile HD player, offering playback of Blu-ray discs, plus playback of the AVCHD format, the HD format widely used for HD camcorders, including the JVC HD Everio line.  Other features include BD Live (Profile ver. 2.0) compatibility when used with USB memory for access to easy firmware updates, new movie trailers, updated subtitles, online shopping, chat and gaming.  Other playable formats include JPEG, MP3, WMA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS and DTS HD.  The XV-PB1 is available for $299.95.  This is a really nice player, but I would recommend taking a look at LG’s line of Netflix Enabled players as well.

T-Mobile G1

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The T-Mobile G1 with Google, the first phone powered by Android, is the perfect device to keep dad connected to family and friends this summer.  The device comes equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard, touch-screen and a mobile Web experience that includes popular Google services such as Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube and others. Dad can personalize the T-Mobile G1 with a number of applications available on Android Market – from sports applications to help him track his favorite team to interactive games to play with family and friends.

The HP Pavilion DV3

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The HP Pavilion dv3 which is the perfect PC for dad.  It has a nice 13” display for watching movies, great audio to listen to music and large hard drive to fit all the family pictures.  It also has enough power for users to create family videos and photo projects.  It also lets parents stay in touch with their kids any time with the integrated HP Webcam and microphone.

New JVC Everio Camcorder Line

JVC Everio Camcorder

For 2009, the Everio line includes hard disk drive (HDD) models, memory camcorders, and for the first time dual memory models, including standard and high definition dual SD memory card camcorders, the world’s first dual card slot models.  For sharing, all 2009 JVC Everios make it easy to watch videos on an iPod or iPhone by exporting videos to the user’s iTunes library with the new One Touch Export function provided by bundled software for Windows. This joins the One Touch Upload function for uploading to YouTube, a feature available on all Everio camcorders for 2009.  For the first time, HD models are the same size as standard definition Everios that use the same media.  The 60GB GZ-HD300 and 120GB GZ-HD320 offer HDD storage for extra-long recording times and are available for $699.95 and $799.95, respectively.  The GZ-HM200, one of the smallest and lightest full HD camcorders available, offers dual SD card recording and is available for $579.95.  The GZ-MS130 standard definition model combines SD card recording with 16GB of internal flash memory and is available for $349.95.

Slacker G2 Portable Radio

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One of the coolest little gadgets that no one really talks about is the Slacker G2 Portable radio. This cute little radio packs quite a punch. The Slacker G2 plays all of your Slacker Radio stations on one sleek, ultra-portable player. Whether you listen to one of over 100 expert-programmed Slacker stations or custom stations that you create, the music evolves to match your tastes as you listen. It seamlessly caches your stations while you are connected to the Internet. It took me several weeks to realize that the device wasn’t always connected to the Internet. If your Dad is a music fan, but doesn’t want to deal with iPods, or music services like iTunes or Zune, this is a great way to go. Once you set the account up, it’ll automatically play the stations on the Radio and best of all as you tell it your Favorite songs it’ll start tailoring itself to you personal taste all without being connected to a computer.

Casio’s 3D Chronograph Watch

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For $450, Casio’s 3D Chronograph EQW-M1000DB-1A, the newest member of the Edifice line of metal analog watches, will give dad a chic new look. The watch features the solar atomic technology that appeals to the geek in every man, but has a modern look to keep him trendy and environmentally-conscious.

2nd Generation JVC TeleDock LCD TV with Integrated iPod Dock

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Introduced last year as the first HDTV with a built-in iPod dock, the new line offers better iPod and PC integration.  New features include: multiple aspect ratios for iPod video playback; song/artist display on TV during audio playback; photo slide shows accessibility during music playback; iTunes sync capability when PC connected to TV; and 120Hz Clear Motion Drive III technology on select models. The TeleDock is available in 32”, 42” and 46” sizes, and are priced at $849.95, $1,149.95 and $1,549.95 respectively.

Unbind Book Creator

If your Dad is into photography, this may be an interesting tool. Unibind PhotoBook Creator –is a portable machine that makes unlimited perfect photo albums for weddings, birthdays, graduations, vacations, baby showers, gifts, party mementos, and scrapbooking. PhotoBook Creator features a sturdy steel spine that creates a perfectly bound hardcover of up to 220 pages in a variety of colors and finishes. Albums are available with a window allowing the first photo to be viewed through the cover. www.myunibind.com. Priced at only $99.99.

Updated: January 20, 2011 — 10:14 am