Efficient Networks 12A-5100-001 SpeedStream 5100 DSL Modem Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the DSL ethernet modem that currently is shipped to those who buy SBC/Yahoo DSL services. If you need a modem in a second room, and you don't want to lug the modem and its wires around, then you may want to consider buying a second modem.
The best thing about it (and most important for a non-techie user like myself) is that it comes (ALMOST) complete and is generally easy to install. An included CD shows installation steps; however, there is an overemphasis on desktop vs. laptop computers. Basically you plug in the modem, and attach one of the included wires into an included DSL filter. THis "filter" goes straight to your telephone jack. It's like a "splitter," in that the filter has one socket for the line to the modem and one to your telephone. Now, you can talk on the phone and be on the internet at the same time.
Here's why the setup is not totally complete. If your laptop computer did not come with one, you will need a device such as the "Linksys PCM200 EtherFast 10/100 32-Bit Integrated CardBus PC Card" (please see my review of this on Amazon.com; the Linksys can get a little tricky). Similar devices are available for desktop computers. This device easily plugs into a "port" on the side of a laptop, or is placed in an open port of a desktop. A different, yellow wire (included with the Speedstream) connects the plugged-in Linksys (or similar product) to the Speedstream modem.
THe Speedstream box comes with the modem, a power adapter, several DSL filters to connect to your phone outlets, cables (RJ-45, RJ-11), a written guide and and a CD containing self-install software. It works in Windows or Mac environments, and desktops, laptops, or workstations--as long as they have "a standard 10Base-T Ethernet port." For either WIndows or MAC, you'll need 64 MB of RAM, at least 100MB free disk space left, and a CD-ROM or DVD drive. The listed "minimum system requirements" also include a 256-color adaptor with 800 x 600 resolution for those with Windows (i.e., a PC instead of a Mac).
Again, please look at the reviews for the ethernet device sold by Linksys and perhaps a few other companies. That was the weak link (no pun intended) in the installation. Everything else was fairly easy. I've had the Speedstream 5100 for about a week now and have had very few problems. You do need to make sure that the cable connections are secure before attempting to get on the internet.

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SpeedStream SOHO DSL routers bring network security and connection flexibility to small offices or home offices (SOHO) needing to share DSL access. Available models offer users the flexibility of connecting with convenient Ethernet or using effortless, Plug and Play USB. This maximizes both provider deployment options and end-user value.SpeedStream SOHO DSL routers have full-featured Web-based management and diagnostic tools, making support a snap. Their comprehensive routing features include support for Network Address Port Translation (NAPT), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name Server (DNS) relay.Online security is vital, so SpeedStream SOHO DSL Routers come with advanced features for network protection. A simple-to-configure, ICSA-compliant stateful inspection firewall, together with NAPT, provides corporate-class security and lets users focus on the Net experience, not the technology behind it.

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LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk 2 TB eSATA/FireWire800/FireWire400/USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 301500U (Aluminum) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a newer version of an earlier model that is very similar (LaCie 301827U d2 Quadra 1 TB eSATA/FireWire800/FireWire400/USB 2.0 External Hard Disk). I talked to a salesman at J&R Computers and he told me the only difference is that this model has 32MB cache and the older model has 16MB cache. The older model has over 100 reviews so you may want to look there as well.
COST:
This costs more than some other external hard drives of the same capacity but there are good reasons: You are paying for the multiple interfaces (eSATA, Firewire 400, Firewire 800 with second daisy-chain port, USB 2.0) and the complete set of cables that come with it. The eSATA support is 3Gbits compared to 1.5Gbits for less expensive drives. The well-constructed case may also add some cost. I'd like to think that the included disk is of a higher quality too, but have no way to judge.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS:
The drive has been working fine for about a month now.
It feels VERY sturdy. It is heavier than other external drives I am familiar with.
It is only slightly warm to the touch when running. The all-metal construction with the exterior ridges seems to do a good job of keeping it cool.
It is VERY quiet. If not for the blue light I couldn't tell that it was turned on. Even when I put my ear right next to it I can hear very little. Even when it is actively seeking it is basically silent. There is no fan.
It does make a few noises when starting up or shutting down. I THINK one of the noises I hear is the heads parking and unparking.
I am using it as a USB 2.0 device right now. I have an eSATA card on order and will update this review to let you know how that goes. UPDATE: The drive works just fine when connected via eSATA. I have not done any performance experiments.
It does have a slot in the back for one of those Kensington cable locks. I didn't see this mentioned in the sales literature, although other external drive manufacturers make a big deal of it. There are a lot of those locks available, especially if you consider the clones. The following is probably the best: Kensington 64343 MicroSaver DS Notebook Computer Lock with Keys (PC/Mac).
Oh, yes, one more thing. The blue light reminds me of HAL in 2001 Space Odyssey, except that HAL had a red eye.
UPDATE 15 Sep 2010:
There are a number of reviews mentioning power supply failures, and I don't want to deny that there is a problem here. I do want to point out that I have had mine for 22-23 months now and it is still running strong. My setup includes an APC BACK-UPS RS BR1500LCD 1500VA/865W UPS System and both the LaCie and its power supply sit out in the open so get plenty of air circulation. My usage is for daily backup via the eSATA interface, so although it is powered on 24/7/365 it only gets about an hour (probably less) of active use each day.


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The d2 Quadra is fully loaded with all the best interfaces-eSATA 3Gb/s, FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0-this all-in-one professional hard disk offers universal connectivity for PC and Mac users. For easy setup, the LaCie Setup Assistant helps format your disk according to your needs. Perfect for digital content creation, audio/video editing, DVD authoring, Web animation, etc., the d2 Quadra can handle multiple demanding professional tasks. It can be daisy-chained via FireWire or connected to your DV camera and is even bootable in FireWire for Mac and in eSATA for Mac/PC. With the LaCie Shortcut Button***, you can easily launch any application in one push, such as the included Genie Backup Assistant software with data restore for Windows or Intego Backup Assistant software with data restore for Mac. The unique, fanless aluminum heat sink design with 60% more surface area for heat dissipation keeps it quiet and safe. Box Contents: LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk, SATA-to-eSATA cable, FireWire 800 (9-to-9 pin) cable, FireWire 400 (6-to-6 pin) cable, USB 2.0 cable (USB 1.1 compatible), External power supply, Drive stand for upright desktop use, LaCie Setup Assistant; LaCie Utilities (preloaded) Genie Backup Assistant software with data restore for Windows 2000, XP, Vista; Intego Backup Assistant software with data restore for Mac OS X 10.4

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SignalMax Wireless PC Card LAN Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I've struggled with picking up my Linksys wireless router signal when 3-4 rooms away. I've tried a Linksys booster as well as high gain antena but got only a marginal increase in reception. That all changed when I installed this card. I now get a "verry good" or "excellent" signal from anywhere in my home. I can even get a good signal from my back yard, 1/2 an acre away from my house! The trick is to configure the card precisely per the directions and not to allow windows to install it automatically.

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The WLAN1500 Wireless PC LAN Card is designed to deliver unmatched performance for consumers seeking hi-speed data rates over maximum distances, in real world conditions.The WLAN1500 is ideal for connecting wirelessly at home, at work, or at your favorite hotspot.The WLAN1500 is great for notebooks without Wi-Fi, and is a significant upgrade that provides a 2x to 4x increase of useable range for notebooks with built-in wireless.The WLAN1500 Wireless PC LAN Card is guaranteed to improve any existing network, and is guaranteed to cover ANY home or small office when used with the WR1500 Wireless Router.

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NAS Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a rather quirky product. I have to say at first I wanted my money back and was so pissed and frustrated at the damn thing (this is why I say it is not for the feint of heart). Eventually after a lot of playing around with the NAS settings, changing settings on my router, and general tinkering around with it I got it to work the way I'd like. The NAS is a very good yet very simple device so it does take a bit of technical knowledge/tools to get this thing working right. The setup is a simple plug-in to a USB port from your external hard drive and a jack into one of your router's ethernet ports. Of course it also needs power but other than that make sure your external hard drive is on and you're in business.
The main features of the NAS include:
1) Media Server that will sync pictures, music, and videos to things like X-Box's, PS3's, Media center PC's, etc.
2) BitTorrent to download all of those media files or other digital content.
3) SMB general file sharing service.
4) FTP file sharing for web based file access.
5) It is dirt cheap compared to most NAS devices which cost upwards of $150 to $200, which means you have to accept the quirks (yes, quirkiness is a feature).
The system is not a flawless one so like I said earlier you really should know a thing or two about computers to use this. Below are a list of things I did to ensure this device will work as well as any "quirks" I ran into:
1) Use at least a 100Mbps router but preferably a 1Gbps router like a Wireless N (a switch or wired router is fine too). Do not use a hub. They are dumb devices and will usually mess up video quality.
2) Enable QoS (quality of service), it is your friend. This guarantess better streaming quality and a consistant file sharing experience.
3) Do not use more than two features of the device at once e.g. FTP, BitTorrent, and media streaming. Though it can be done, the NAS's processor cannot really handle it thus causing it to fail and therefore freeze. The only way to fix it is to reset it by unplugging it for 15 seconds minimum as the internal reset from the web interface does not work at that point.
4) The media server works great on my PS3 and PC, however it only recognize avi files for video and mp3 files for audio. No other video or audio format is recognized despite the server saying it recognizes mp4 which my PS3 can play.
5) When using BitTorrent if your NAS ever gets shut off, interrupted, etc. the NAS will need to start your download all over again. The files downloaded are intact but anything that did not finish is lost which makes the NAS not ideal for very large or important files. On a side note also be sure to run only one or two BitTorrent files simultaneously as this can also crash the NAS.
6) Do not use a complicated or multifunctional USB device with the NAS. The NAS can only recognize one device at a time so more than one will only confuse it. An example would be a external hard drive dock with card reader or some (notall) multifunction printers.
7) If you ever have a problem streaming music or video, sharing files, or downloading BitTorrent always try different things. Resetting both the NAS and the receiving device is a good idea as well as trying different downloads, reuploading the original files, or recoding the video/music to a different format.
In general it works 85% of the time with no problems (now that I know how it works) and requires very little resetting after I got it fixed. This NAS is cheap, does what it says and does it well so long as you are comfortable witha couple quirks. In the end I had to give it a 4 star rating because I like what it does despite the issues, but I still was teed-off that I initially had so many problems. Hope it helps any prospective or existing owners.

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The Addonics NAS Adapter is a convenient and economical solution for adding any USB storage devices onto your LAN (Local Area Network). Once on the network, the USB storage can be shared by any network user, just like an ordinary NAS device. When use in conjunction with Addonics Storage Towers or Storage Racks, a Multi-Tera bytes storage with various RAID capabilities can be instantly added to the LAN. With the NAS adapter, you can custom build you own NAS appliance with RAID capability and plenty of storage expansion using Addonics family of Drive Enclosures, Port Multipliers, and IO converters. Come built-in with a USB 2.0/1.1 connection and a fast Ethernet 10/100Mbps connection, the NAS adapter supports both SMB (Server Message Block) and the open source Samba network protocols, allowing for cross-platform access of all shared data for most versions of Windows, Mac OS X, and various Linux distributions. For remote users who are not connected over the LAN, the NAS Adapter provides FTP access for up to 8 simultaneous users anywhere in the world with an internet connection. In addition, the NAS adapter can also be used as a print server or as a Bit-Torrent downloading appliance.

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NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PC Card WPN511 - Network adapter - CardBus - 802.11b, 802.11g Review

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(More customer reviews)This little card, when used with the teaching tools of Linux and Windows based OS platforms, this little card works very well with both. It's maximum range capability allows my laptop to be used at over 100 feet from the wireless router. With the capability to transmit information to another (ad-hoc) computer such as a laptop the range and the Tx and Rx is far greater than 100 feet. With the Linux OS platform using in conjunction with the madwifi driver, the compatability and ease of use is dead on.
If you are looking for a great product, versatility, and user friendly application of installment, then this is the product of choice.


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Netgear WPN511 PCMCIA Wireless Network Adapter As a 21st-century consumer, your notebook computer is an integral part of your life. But doe

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Grace Digital Wireless Internet Radio with remote (white) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)UPDATE: I was so happy with my first IR2000 I purchaced another one for home.
This is a great radio. I've owned it for nearly a week now and it's worked flawlessly. I was looking for a radio for my desk at work and I couldn't have made a better choice. Over the past few weeks I read every review I could find about every internet radio on the market. I finally decided on this one. I really love it. The sound is great but don't expect to be using it on full volume to cover your entire house. Here is my list of likes and dislikes and I hope it helps.
Like's:
-The size was perfect for my desk
-It looks very stylish
-I fired up the radio and had it working within minutes without reading the manual
-It was very easy to register at [...] and automatically download my radio stations and streams.
-I added some personal streams and they appeared on the screen of the radio within minutes.
-It was very easy to browse stations around the world without the use of my [...] account.
-The Audio sounded really good. Especially for the size of the radio
-WIFI setup was very simple. I moved it from one network to another and it remembered both password keys (WEP & WPA)
-The signal strength was really good especially with an internal antenna
-Navigation on the screen was very simple.
-When available it scrolled song or audio information across the screen. E.g. I tuned into aircraft traffic control after I added it to own streams after finding in on a website and within minutes weather information was scrolling across the screen.
-The remote is simple to use
-External input for an MP3 player, etc is a great addition
-It can stream audio from just about anywhere.....Radio Station Streams, Pandora, Sirius, Your PC, any MP3/REAL Audio/WMA stream off the net....
Dislike's:
-The headphone jack is on the back. I use my headphone a lot and it's a pain having to pull the radio forward each time I want to plug them in. The Aux (External) input should be on the back and the headphone input should be on the front.
-Although it's good that the radio is light, it tends to slide a little when I press the select button at times.
-I looked at the manual after I got everything working and it's laid out OK. They could lay it out just a little better.
Conclusion.
The radio is well worth the money. It's very easy to use and setup. The sound is great. The menus are easy to use. It's built well. In all it's a fantastic radio. If I were purchase another radio for my desk, beside my bed or on a table in the lounge room, I would buy another one of these for sure. In fact, I'm thinking about it right now. I give this one 5/5.


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- Wirelessly broadcasts over 17,000 radio stations directly from Wi-Fi(R) router & Internet- Includes Pandora(R) & SIRIUS(R) Internet radio- Features 802.11B/G & WEP/WPA-compatible- White

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HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One Printer Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this HP C6380 printer a few days ago (not from amazon). The printer arrived yesterday afternoon and I hooked it up immediately. The setup of the printer was as easy as it could be. I bought this to use wirelessly so the setup involved configuring the WIFI.
Unboxing the printer was easy. Take all the blue tape off each compartment, remove the cardboard shipping supports and then load the ink. The printer uses 5 different ink cartridges but they all sit securely in the "trolly" which makes it easy to load. Once you get the ink put in the trolly you plug the printer in and open the compartment so the ink mount will move over and you seat the trolly in place and push down to lock it into place. Then you load paper and the printer goes a little wild for the next 4-6 minutes while it aligns itself and cleans the cartridges.
Once the alignment is done you are ready to hook the printer up. I can't talk about using USB as I am strictly using it for WIFI purposes. To setup WIFI all you do is select your network from the list that is detected, then enter your password and you are done!
Now you install the software. On my mac it had an issue and kept having crashes when I tried to use the scanner function. I uninstalled the software and downloaded the latest version from HP's website and reinstalled it. After doing that I followed the instructions to add my printer which took about 30 seconds and was ready to go!
The first test I did was printing. I printed a word document and it started printing almost immediately and took about 4 seconds for the page. I then printed a picture using the photo tray and was able to print a border-less 4X6 picture and that took about 8 seconds and the quality was amazing. Finally I scanned wirelessly. My last scanner was very old and took about 2 minutes to scan a picture. This scanner took less then 4 seconds to scan and transfer the picture to my computer wirelessly!!!
I am genuinely thrilled about this all in one printer/scanner/copier. It is fast, great quality and the fact it is wirelessly allows me to use it from my Mac and my wife to use it from her Windows laptop without connecting any cables. If you need a great quality printer I highly recommend this one.
Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention, this printer has pre-defined templates built in which is perfect for homes with students. The templates include graph paper, lined notebook style paper, large paper for the younger kids to write on, tasks to do list, mazes and many others. They really thought of everything in this printer.

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The HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One Compact Color Inkjet Printer, Copier, And Scanner is capable of printing at speeds of up to 33 ppm in black & white and 31 ppm in color. Enjoy freedom from messy cables and wiring with the C6380's built-in Wi-Fi and optional Blue tooth capabilities. The C6380 is also capable of printing up to 8.5 x 11-inch borderless photos that feature vivid color and stunning 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution from supported memory cards or PictBridge compatible digital cameras.
Print Crisp, Colorful Photos and Image-Rich Documents Not only does the HP C6380 print colorful photos and documents at speeds reaching as high as 31 ppm, but it also makes the quality of the imagery a priority, with its use of HP Vivera Inks and five-color ink process that produces lap-quality photos and laser-quality text.
With the HP C6380, you can print directly from a variety of supported memory cards, including CompactFlash, Memory Sticks (Duo), SD Card, SDHC Card, MMC,xD-Picture Cards. No need for the computer; just plug-in a compatible memory card and use the colorful 2.4 inch LCD screen to help guide you through the printing process, or just plug in your PictBridge digital camera to print directly.
Wireless Networking Made Easy Hp is a leader in wireless printing, and they make it easy to configure your wireless network. The C6380 features built-in 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi connectivity for networking laptops and desktop computers to a single printer without having to use messy cables, and HP's step-by-step instructions will guide you through this simple process.
Color Copy and Scan With Ease The C6380 features easy one-button copying in both black & white and full-color with ultra-high resolution of up to 600 x 600 dpi and 9600 x 2400 dpi respectively. It will make as many as 50 copies with the push of a button at speeds of up to 33 cpm in black & white and 31 cpm in color. Reduce or enlarge originals from 50% to 400% for added versatility.
You get a full-color preview of your scan before you actually decide to scan the document, which can be as large as 8.5 x 11.7 inches in size. Once you decide to scan, it will be quick; it takes a matter of seconds to produce full-color images up to 4800 dpi in dynamic 48-bit color. Use the included software to enhance a scanned image or document to an unbelievable 19,200 dpi for producing large-scale prints and digital documents.
Versatile Paper Handling This printer will handle a variety of special media, including cards, envelopes, transparencies, and photo paper at sizes as large as 8.5 x 14 inches. The C6380 comes equipped with a 125-sheet paper tray and a convenient 20-sheet photo tray.
Compatible with both Windows (including Vista) and Macintosh, the HP Photosmart C6380 measures 17.79 x 15.97 x 8.17 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 16.4 pounds. It's backed by a 1-year limited warranty that includes phone support.
What's in the Box HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One Printer, power cord, power supply, print head assembly, HP 564 black cartridge (approx. 250 pages), HP 564 photo black cartridge (approx. 130 photos), HP 564 cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges (approx. 300 pages each), software, media sample pack, set-up and basics guides.

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Cisco-Linksys WMP54GS Wireless-G PCI Card with SpeedBooster Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The good? Wireless speeds are in excess of the 802.11g spec, so I am getting 100-110Mbps (12.5-13.5 MBps) from the basement to the living room easily. Once the initial horror of setup was over, I've been happily connected ever since. And you can't beat the price: Linksys gear is dropping in price, likely due to a ramp-up of pre-N gear on the horizon. (That's the new 802.11n standard which promises 6x the g-rate, and pre-N Belkin gear is delivering triple the speeds, so 150Mbps, or nearly 19 MBps).
The bad? Customer support, or lack thereof. I had a problem with the client not seeing the router. The *real* problem was the firewall on the basement machine. However, mention the words "Workgroup" or "file and printer sharing" to a Live Chat Specialist and watch how fast they come back with "we don't support configuring Windows" and a link to a knowledgebase article that will not give you a step-by-step diagnostic.
That's a shame, because a troubleshooting map would come in real handy. I fixed the problem myself -- I usually do with rare exception -- but for the non-IT professional, I fear for you. It's Belkin or Netgear for me next time.
And even more: the DHCP server on these routers are apparently very flaky. I could never get mine to give up an IP address to my WMP54GS card, so in the ened I configured it for a static IP and was connected. Woe to the inexperienced customer who tries to get an IP from one of these automatically. This issue is known throughout the Internet, but good luck trying to get Linksys to admit the problem and fix it.
The ugly? Try installing it. IF you manage to see your router on the first shot, your karma is perfect and heaven awaits you. Sinners like myself are forced to install the Linksys drivers only after the failed promise of Wireless Zero Configuration fails. Yes, you'll be switching between the Windows config and Linksys config a few times until you get it right. My suggestion would be to ensure you can see the router first (channel selection being the biggest 'gotcha' here), then worry about encryption and such.
Also, don't be surprised if the DHCP server on the WRT54GS router doesn't give you an IP address. It's a known issue to the outside world, which is waiting for Linksys to admit it and fix it. Configuring your WMP54GS with a static IP will get you fully connected in every case.
I have companion reviews for the WRT54GS and WUSB11, also Linksys gear. They won't be very flattering, either, but it's XMas time, and readers should not be giving bad gifts.
Fred

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The Linksys Wireless-G PCI Card with SpeedBooster installs in most desktop and tower PCs, and lets you put your computer almost anywhere in the building without the cost and hassle of running network cables.Now you don't have to drill holes in your walls and climb through the attic or cellar to get connected to the network.Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, use instant messaging to chat with friends, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network.

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Sling Media SlingLink Ethernet Connection Bridge Review

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(More customer reviews)The SlingLink is an ethernet bridge which will allow you to connect ethernet-capable devices via your home electrical wiring. It uses the HomePlug Powerline 1.0 standard, which is well-established. (You can Google the term homeplug to learn more.) Note that this standard only provides a data throughput of 14Mbps even if your home LAN is 100Mbps-capable. But this is not necessarily a bad thing if you have multiple users sharing your home network - in addition to having the ability to cap the bandwidth utilization via the SlingPlayer software, the SlingLink itself will also be throttled so as not to hog your entire home internet access pipe.
As another reviewer has noted, you must also connect both SlingLink boxes to outlets on the same circuit. SlingMedia technical support confirms that this latter requirement is one of the more misunderstood issues involving the device.
So, check your home wiring first (i.e. which outlets are connected to which circuit breakers) before buying to ensure that you can place the SlingLink where you want it. (But this is good practice for homeowners anyway).
With those limitations in mind, most users will encounter no problems with the device. Setup is easy and with the above cautions in mind, it works as advertised.

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SlingLink Ethernet Connection Bridge.Network your Slingbox to your router without installing new wires. Use the wiring in your walls to transmit Internet signals throughout your homes numerous wall plugin sockets - direct to your SlingBox! Simply plug-in and you are connected.

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SMC WSKP100 802.11G Wireless Skype Phone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have seen a lot of mixed reviews on this product, some good and some not so good. I was a bit hesitant about purchasing this, but after having done so, I have no regrets. It works as advertised. It was easy to set up and works pretty well.
Pros:
1. It gets you away from the PC.
2. The battery life is sufficient for about an hour or perhaps more (they say 3 hours talk time). If you talk more than that, plug in the charging cord when the battery appears to be weak, even while you are on the call. It is very similar to a cell phone in this respect.
3. It's easy to pack around, as is a cell phone.
4. The display is bright and buttons are easy to operate.
5. You can store all of your Skype contacts as well as your Skype OUT contacts for quick access.
Cons:
1. Upon occasion it may be sluggish, perhaps leading to a freeze. Just pull off the battery and snap it back on and you are good to go again. This phenomenon is rare, however.
2. It does not have a web browser for inputting passwords to access wireless networks though a browser. If you are lucky, you can usually find an open spot and it will auto connect to that.
3. No cradle for charging if you buy the product in Japan (Logitec) or in the U.S. (SMC).
4. This unit seems slow to update the status of on-line or off-line users. My PC is very quick, but this unit takes a while sometimes. Upon occasion you must initiate a call to an off-line user for them to appear on-line.
5. No speakerphone function. It comes with a i-pod type of earphone/microphone that includes a mute button, but a speakerphone function would be nice.
Overall no real complaints. However, I do strongly suggest that you buy the Edge Core version of this product from the U.K. as it has a charging cradle with it.
Skype WiFi Phone CRADLE and WIRELESS ROUTER WA4101-Cradle AP.
Also, take some time to update your firmware through your PC before using this product. This will make a difference in performance.


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The new compact Wi-Fi Phone for Skype is perfect for users who need mobility and cost effective voice calls over the Internet. The WSKP100 is intended to help users make Skype calls at home work or campus without the hassle of having to turn on your computer

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Cisco-Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, a little background... I consider myself fairly skilled at using computers.. I have been using them for 25+ years and have installed operating systems, configured routers, set up wireless networks, recovered systems from virus crashes, etc. Reading the below reviews I thought that while installing the music bridge might be a bit tricky, I could handle it.
WOW. I don't know where to begin. This product has the worst documentation I've ever seen, both in the box and online. I spent 10+ hours getting this to work on my system, plus another hour un-doing damage to my system registry after the Music Bridge driver conflicted with another driver in my system and caused a crash.
Having said that, I finally have it up and running and it is operating as promised, though using 100% of my CPU power and thus causing the computer to run very slowly.
Reading the support forum on the linksys site, the people that have the fewest problems installing this equipment are those that don't have routers. Ironically, though Linksys (and Cisco) are router companies, the instructions do not include the special steps that must be taken to re-configure your router so it will connect with the bridge.
Be warned - this is not plug and play and you may very well spend a lot of frustrating time trying to get it to work. Once it is working there are many idiosyncracies (eg having to close and open your music player to get it to play through the bridge) that you would not expect from a well-designed piece of hard/software.
This is a bargain for a reason - I'd suggest you spend a little more and find something better. Good luck!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge

You're having a party, but you don't have the time it will take to burn a disc of your favorite digital tunes. This is where the Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge comes in. By letting you wirelessly stream audio files from your PC to your stereo or other speaker system, no matter which music service you use, the Wireless-G Music Bridge gives you all the convenience of digital music with the sound of high-performance stereo.With the Wireless-G Music Bridge, you can send whatever music your PC is playing--whether it's from media players, games, Internet radio, orMP3 files--through your home network and to your stereo system. If you're running a wireless (802.11b and 802.11g) network, the Music Bridge will send your music to your stereo with no need for any additional cables. Simply connect the Wireless-G Music Bridge to your entertainment system via the included RCA cable, and you'll be ready to start cranking the tunes. Alternately, you can also use standard 10/100 Ethernet cabling to connect to your network.If you have a 5.1-channel surround sound system, the Wireless-G Music Bridge includes software that creates a virtual 5.1-channel sound in your PC, so that you can take full advantage of your stereo system. The Wireless-G Music Bridge also lets you choose what audio from your PC you want to play over your audio system. For example, you can choose to send music but not email alerts or other PC tones. Or you may want to keep the alert tones streaming. It's entirely up to you.An easy-to-use setup wizard will guide you through the configuration so that you can be up and running in no time. The Wireless-G Music Bridge supports 128-bit WEP encryption to ensure a secure connection and is compatible with wireless 802.11b and 802.11g standards.What's in the Box Wireless-G Music Bridge, Ethernet network cable, stereo RCA cable, power adapter, setup wizard CD-ROM, user guide on CD-ROM, and quick installation guide.

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Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 ) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a home user, after upgrading my broadband to 6.0mb/s from Comcast, both my netgear and linksys routers were overwhelmed and couldn't cope up with all the activities for the 5 computers, Xbox360 and Slingbox in the house. After researching all the business class routers, including Netgear, Linksys, Sonicwall and others. Finally, I've decided that Cisco is the best product that would solve my problem. Knowing that this is a sophiscated product, I ordered the most basic router without wireless access (hence less variables to configure). Amazon has the best price among all the websites though you certainly don't get any type of technical support from them. As expected, the router requires some professional knowledge to configure. Being a home user, I only changed very few settings through the SDM software that came with the router and it worked very well within my network. The performance of the router is impressive and I am getting the same download speed if I connect my PC directly to the modem. With all the loaded activities in the house, the CPU usage was just around 40%. This router certainly is of professional quality and doesn't even warm up after leaving it on all the time.
On the flip side, I found that the user interface (SDM) to manage the router is a little over complicated. It could be much more simplier but is still acceptable. The command line interface through the console port is definitely for professional who knows exactly what they are doing. Through the command interface, you can get almost all status and configuration from the router. I dare not to modify any configuration using the console interface because I'm not sure what I'll be changing. In addition, this router is 4 times more expensive than the ones you can get from local retail stores. Overall, I would recommend this router if you need the quality and performance. Otherwise, stay with the consumer products from Linksys or Netgear.

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MODEL- CISCO851-K9VENDOR- CISCOFEATURES- Cisco 851 Secure Ethernet Router Cisco 851 Ethernet to Ethernet Router. Cisco 850 Series integrated services routers are fixed-configuration routers that support broadband cable and Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) over analog telephone lines connections in small offices. The Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) Web-based configuration tool simplifies setup and deployment and centralized management capabilities give network managers visibility and control of router configurations at the remote site. Cisco 850 Series integrated services routers offer:- Secure connectivity with Stateful Inspection Firewall and IP Security (IPSec) VPN support for small offices.- 4-port 10/100 switch- Easy setup deployment and remote management capabilities through Web-based tools and Cisco IOS Software.* Stateful Inspection Firewall and IPSec VPN Support Provides secure access when connecting to the Internet or connectingsmall offices to a central site.* 4-port Mbps 10/100 Switch High-speed LAN ports connect multiple devices to the small officenetwork.* Cisco SDM and Remote Management Features of Cisco IOS Software - Cisco SDM helps resellers and customers to quickly and easily deployconfigure and monitor a Cisco access router without knowledge of theCisco IOS Software command-line interface (CLI). - Out-of-band management with an external modem through the auxiliaryport allows IT managers to remotely manage routers at small officesites. - Cisco Configuration Express Service supports factory-loadedconfigurations in high-volume deployments. - Support for the Cisco CNS 2100 Series Intelligence Engine enablesplug-and-play installations with centralized configuration management. -- SPECIFICATIONS ---------------------------------MEMORY - 64MB DRAM included no

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Power Supply for 2Wire 1000HG 1000HW 5V 2.0A 100-240V Review

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(More customer reviews)I haven't purchased this item, but I own a 2wire 1000HG gateway and had to replace my original 6V power supply. I tried 2 units with the same specs (5V, ~2A) as the one advertised here that I borrowed from some USB hubs but they didn't work, however a 6V 2.5A rated transformer does the job. Now I'm looking for a switch mode supply to replace the big transformer, but I'm skeptical about using anything rated less than 6V.
Also the correct plug size is 5.5mm OD/2.5mm ID, not 7mm/4mm as listed.

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Perfect AC Power Supply Adapter for 2Wire 1000HW and 1000HG modems. UL Certified and fully tested for long term durability.

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Hawking Technology Hi-Gain 6dB Omni-Directional Wireless Antenna (HAI6SIP) Review

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(More customer reviews)Hooked the H-A16SIP to my Linksys WRT54GC. The antenna connections are compatible. No extra part needed. Defintely helped with my two major issues. I now have connectivity in former dead zones and those annoying Windows system tray connect/disconnect messages have stopped. I tried three routers (Linksys, SMC, Apple), none improved the connectivity as much as adding on a H-A16SIP.
While this device helped me, it clearly doesn't help everyone. Only buy from a place that will accept a return.

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MODEL- H-AI6SIP VENDOR- HAWKING TECHNOLOGIES FEATURES- Hi-Gain 6dB Wireless Antenna Hawking Technologies H-AI6SI (Single Band 802.11b and 802.11g) Wireless Antenna boosts your wireless signal strength from 2dB (standard) to 6dB! One of the major problems with many wireless networks is the poor coverage area of standard access points and routers. Hawking solves this problem with an antenna that attaches to the connector of your Wireless Access Point or Network Adapter. By increasing the strength of your antenna your Wireless Network distance signal strength and performance are significantly improved. Whether you have an 802.11b 11M Wireless Network or even the newest 802.11g wireless network Hawking has you covered. Hawkings Hi-Gain Wireless Antennas are designed to work with most Wireless Access Points Wireless Routers and Wireless Network Adapters. By using the popular Reverse-SMA connector the Hawking Hi-Gain Antennas can be used on most Wireless Devices. Simply unscrew your current antenna and screw on Hawkings Hi-Gain Antenna and youre ready to go! Includes Hi-Gain antenna Conversion Adapter (RP-SMA to TNC jumper cable and user manual. -- SPECIFICATIONs ---------------------------------- Network 2.42.56 GHz: IEEE 802.11b WLAN Standard IEEE 802.11g WLAN Standard Electrical Properties : Impedance 50 Ohms nominal Gain 6 dBi Polarization Vertical Mechanical Properties : Connector- Reverse SMA Plug Cable - RG 316 Attachment Strength- 5.0Kg/cmREQUIRES- IEEE802.11b or IEEE 802.11g 2.4Ghz Wireless Network. Wireless Device with Reverse-SMA Connector (Access Point/Wireless Router/Wireless Network Adapter/Wireless Bridge) Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000//NT/ME/XP and more!SIZE - Height: 295mm Base: 77mm diameter e-mail: Techsupport@hawkingtech.com MANUFACTURER WARRANTY: 2 YEARS

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Cisco-Linksys WPC300N Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)Linksys WPC300N Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
The Linksys WPC300N has some nice features in a PCMCIA card. Unfortunately, many high expectations based upon the wireless N standard will leave a lot of people disappointed. I'm going to discuss Windows XP and Vista separately, since I bought the card a long time ago and have used it on both.
First and foremost, this card was created when the Wireless-N standard was still in draft form. In fact, I have had this card for more than 2 years, which tells you just how long ago that was. There's nothing wrong with that, just be aware that there are several limits in this card.
First, this card can be configured to achieve greater throughput by setting up multiple data channels. That's the `MIMO' technology that uses multiple radios, which they vastly over-hype on the packaging.
However, the improved range of the wireless N standard as compared to wireless G just never materialized. That's because this is still a 2.4 GHz card. Newer wireless N products with 5 GHz capabilities are on the market which give much better range than this.
Second, the firmware AND software for this product initially were each very buggy. I first installed this product on Windows Vista and have tested it on some 2003 boxes. All of those required multiple reinstalls and driver downloads. In the end, the GUI configuration tool is very limited in explicitly give you the information you need to know whether you are getting a faster connection with this device. So if you're not techy, this can be a drag.
The wireless security support of WPA2 is nice, and most legacy cards don't have that. It gives you stronger encryption (256 bit). But this only really works if your access point is configured that way too. Linksys WRT300N Wireless-N Broadband Router And in that case, there are newer cards and access points that give you this and more.
Still, I can say without a doubt, that when I needed to add another wireless connection to my Vista Ultimate box, this guy worked much better.
Bottom line, there seems to be a lot of people clinging to XP. If you're one of those, plan on downloading and updating your driver software and firmware before even testing this card.
If you are a Windows Vista user, only get this if you need a spare card for backup machines or multi-card setups. If you need something for your primary wireless access, you may want to avoid this and the WPC600N Linksys WPC600N Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N PC Card altogether and go with the 5 GHz Netgear line. NETGEAR HD/Gaming 5 GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit (WNHDEB111)
Pros
+ Works well on Windows Vista
+ Does give you MIMO support for greater capacity
+ Once you set it up, seems to work well with Wireless G
+ PCMCIA slot saves you from using a USB port
+ Nice WPA2 support
Cons
- Doesn't give you full Wireless N capabilities (only 2.4GHz, no 5GHz)
- Legacy OS users need to download and install many updates
- Price is still surprisingly high
- Somewhat buggy software requires frequent shutdowns
- Better options available for the price
This card might be worth looking into if you can get it on sale and need an extra one for an older laptop.
Enjoy!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WPC300N Wireless-N Notebook Adapter

The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter is the simple way to add or upgrade wireless connectivity in your notebook computer. Just slide it into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy incredible high-speed wireless network access while retaining true mobility.
The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter uses the very latest wireless networking technology, Wireless-N (draft 802.11n). By overlaying the signals of multiple radios, Wireless-N's "Multiple In, Multiple Out" (MIMO) technology multiplies the effective data rate. Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase the range and reduce "dead spots" in the wireless coverage area. The robust signal travels farther, maintaining wireless connections up to 4 times farther than standard Wireless-G.
With Wireless-N, the farther away you are, the more speed advantage you get. It works great with standard Wireless-G and -B equipment, but when both ends of the wireless link are Wireless-N, the throughput can be increased even more by using twice as much radio band, yielding speeds up to 12 times as fast as standard Wireless-G.
Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. At home, you can surf the web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out on the patio. You'll also be able to connect with any of the growing number of public hotspots springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels and convention centers. Your wireless connection is protected by industrial-strength 256-bit encryption. The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step.
The incredible speed of Wireless-N makes it ideal for media-centric applications like streaming video, gaming, and Voice over IP telephony, and gives you plenty of headroom to run multiple media-intense data streams through the network at the same time, with no degradation in performance. Get your notebook connected to Wireless-N, Wireless-G, and Wireless-B networks with the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter from Linksys.

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Panasonic DMP-BD85K WiFi Enabled Blu-Ray Disc Player (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)There is a lot to like about Panasonic's latest high-end Blu-ray player, the DMP-BD85: excellent video and audio performance, a rich assortment of streaming media options (Netflix, Amazon VOD, YouTube, Pandora Internet Radio and now VUDU via a recent firmware upgrade), and a highly customizable assortment of tweakable parameters for audio and video hobbyists. Also, with built in Wi-Fi via the included USB adapter, it's easier than it used to be to reap the benefits of an internet-enabled player. However, the bland text-based menus and operational idiosyncrasies of the player make it feel a little bit behind the times.
DVD upconversion is very good to excellent, with some enhancements to Panasonic's Uniphier video processor that are only available in the BD85 and in the new Blu-ray 3D players, the DMP-BDT300 and DMP-BDT350. The entry-level BD45 and BD65 players include a slightly lesser quality version of the Uniphier processor, equivalent to Panasonic's 2009 players. Diagonal lines are clean and free from jaggies, 2:3 film cadence is easily detected by the player, preventing the tell-tale moire distortion that can occur on lesser players, and edge detail is smooth and fairly free of aliasing and any combing or tearing artifacts.
Turning to high def Blu-ray Disc playback, advances to the player's chroma (color) upconversion processor enable outstanding color reproduction and color detail from 1080p Blu-ray Disc, superior to Blu-ray playback on some other more expensive players. To be honest, these improvements are only really visible on larger screen sizes (e.g., large screen projection systems) but home theater hobbyists and videophiles will appreciate the exceptional Blu-ray playback quality of the BD85.
Audio quality is also excellent, with some innovative enhancements to the way digital audio is handled that can improve the sound quality, even over HDMI PCM and bitstream connections (specifically the "Jitter Purifier" and "High Clarity Audio" features). By providing more accurate data for the audio clock, the BD85 minimizes jitter that can detract from the sound quality, even when your receiver or preamp does the audio decoding. For those who have older non-HDMI receivers, the BD85's multi-channel analog outputs and on-board decoding for DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD can provide outstanding lossless audio from Blu-ray Disc (just be prepared to spend some time tweaking the player's speaker settings and your receiver to get the sound dialed in just right).
In our testing, the included 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi adapter worked well. Also with the WiFi adapter is a 3-foot USB extension cable which allows you to place the wireless antenna module outside the audio cabinet where it can get better WiFi reception. We were easily able to stream Netflix in HD using the WiFi adapter one floor away from our 802.11g Linksys wireless router. Access to Netflix, Amazon and YouTube was pretty reliable (though we tested YouTube and Netflix much more heavily than Amazon VOD), and BD-Live features worked well on the player (as long as you give it a couple of minutes to fully connect to the network). Also, for those with the firmware 1.23 applied, as of June, 2010, Pandora is now available in the VIERA Cast screen on this player, and firmware 1.51 (11/2010) brought VUDU to this and other 2010 model year Panasonic players.
But Panasonic made some ergonomic choices here that are a bit questionable. They shortened the remote vs. last year's models by about an inch. And while this does make the basic functions like transport and menu navigation a little easier to operate (at least to my thumbs), the smaller size meant removing the "Set-up" button entirely, and making the frequently used "Display" button much smaller and easy to miss. And although there is a VIERA Cast button the remote, which allows access to all the IPTV streaming goodies, the player lacks an integrated splash screen (as seen on recent LG and Samsung players) which would give you the option to select between disc-based, USB-based on web-based content in an integrated and logical way.
Also, within the "Functions" menu, there is an option called "Network" which actually launches the VIERA Cast screen (why not call it "VIERA Cast" to be consistent?). Perhaps most frustrating to those who watch a lot of foreign films (or non-native English speakers), there is no subtitle button on the remote. Instead subtitle controls are buried deep within the "Display" menu, where you'll also find the nifty 24p mode switch for DVD playback. This is nothing new in the BD85, but it is a questionable choice for a fairly commonly used function.
In the area of loading speed, the BD85 carries on the tradition of earlier Panasonic players being a fairly sluggish disc loader. Sure, there is a "fast boot" option (Quick Start), which can take you from powered off to the basic splash screen and "no disc" message in under 2 seconds. But after that initial boot, you'll still be waiting a while to view your discs - we clocked the disc loading times at about 20 seconds to load a standard DVD, 36 seconds to load a Blu-ray and 39 seconds to load a BD-Java Blu-ray (the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie). A BD-Live heavy title ("Inglourious Basterds") can take over two minutes to get to a visible screen, though we did find that using an SDHC card instead of a standard SD card, did speed up this load time significantly, exposing more of the BD-Live content that we did not see when we used the standard 1GB SD card. And that's one more knock - why does Panasonic still require customers to buy and insert an SD card in order to use BD-Live? Why not load the unit with at least 1 GB of on-board memory so that customers are not disappointed to find they need an additional purchase just to use BD-Live?
In terms of disc compatibility and reliable operations, we were only able to find a single disc that was problematic on the player - the first disc in the "Alien Quadrilogy" boxed DVD set. The default Dolby Digital track plays fine but the DTS track on the extended cut of the film emits nothing but silence. Apparently this is an improvement over earlier Panasonic players, some of which were not able to play this disc at all. We also saw the machine shut itself down a couple of times when playing Xvid-encoded AVI files from a connected USB drive. But thanks to some follow-up testing from Panasonic, confirmed by us, this turned out to be media-specific: in other words, if you use a decent quality name brand USB flash drive (instead of the cheap promo USB drive we initially used), the player plays these AVI files fine.
All told, the operational idiosyncrasies of the player are easy enough to get used to, and will be more annoying to hobbyists who like to get into the set-up menus to test various options and settings and perhaps less annoying to the average consumer. It's the performance that matters, and at the moment, this is one of the top performers available for under $300. So if you don't mind a few less-than-sexy menus and operational quirks, then the BD85 will make an excellent choice for a high performance, affordable Blu-ray Disc player.
Our detailed review is available on Big Picture Big Sound (dot com).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic DMP-BD85K WiFi Enabled Blu-Ray Disc Player (Black)

Start watching your favorite high-definition movies almost instantly with the Panasonic DMP-BD85 Blu-ray Disc player, which features an ultra-fast 2-second boot time. You'll also enjoy BD-Live and Panasonic's VIERA Cast functionality for accessing Internet video content thanks to the included Wi-Fi connectivity (via included Wireless LAN adapter) as well as wired Ethernet networking.
It also includes both a USB port and a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, making it easy for you to view and share both digital still images and HD video recorded with an HD camcorder in the AVCHD format (DivX movie format also supported). Other features include compatibility with a wide variety of disc formats (including standard DVD movie discs), HDMI Jitter Purifier, 7.1-channel audio decode analog output, Energy Star certification, and Panasonic's VIERA Link function--allowing you to operate multiple audio/video components using a single remote via HDMI.
Additionally, Panasonic's lineup of 2010 BD Players are designed to reduce power consumption and also feature a slimmer, more efficient design to reduce packaging waste.


Key Features
High-quality image processing via PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus technology for clear and vibrant color reproduction that is faithful to the original film (learn more).
High-definition audio decoder (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential) takes advantage of the 7.1 channel surround sound now incorporated in Blu-ray Discs.
HDMI Jitter Purifier provides clear, robust bass sounds faithful to the original
Digital Tube Sound Simulator produces the warm, realistic sounds associated with a tube amplifier.
7.1 channel analog audio output to produce a true 7.1 surround sound experience that rivals the movie theater.
VIERA Link utilizes HDMI to enable control all VIERA Link combatable products with one remote.
SD memory card slot enables you to play your photos and movies taken with digital cameras and camcorders by just sliding in an SD memory card into the SD slot.

What's in the Box BD Player, remote control (with batteries), Wireless LAN adapter, power cord, operating instructions
VIERA Cast Online Content Panasonic's VIERA Cast service allows you to stream movies, TV shows and music from a variety of sources without the need of either an external box or a PC. Powered up with Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, you can also access YouTube, Picasa, Bloomberg, and other Internet sites from the special VIERA Cast screen. And as additional sites are added to the 2010 VIERA Cast service, they are added automatically. You'll need to be connected to your home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi (using the included Wireless LAN adapter).
Specifications

Disc/Media Compatibility

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Experience Movies Like Never Before The DMP-BD85 employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus. Developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, this high image processing technology reproduces clear, vivid colors that are faithful to the original film.
Panasonic's Blu-ray Disc players employ high precision 4:4:4 signal technology, which working in tandem with PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus processes each pixel of the Blu-ray Disc video signal in the horizontal direction to compliment vertical direction processing. P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD) is another technology that contributes to the superior picture quality of the Blu-ray players. P4HD processes more than 15 billion pixels per second and applies the optimal processing to every pixel.
Panasonic's Blu-ray Disc players further utilize 16-level motion detection to categorize the image motion of each pixel into one of 16 levels; diagonal processing to detect diagonals and correct the pixels accordingly; 1080p up-conversion to up-convert content recorded in the 480i/p or 720p format to 1080p.
This Blu-ray Disc player also provides 1080/24p output, reproducing cinema images from a Blu-ray Disc and DVD in their original 24p form with no need for conversion--enabling you to enjoy cinema images in the same format used in cinema with a 1080/24p-compatible TV.
Complimenting the HD audio codecs, the BD85 Blu-ray Disc player features 96kHz surround re-master, a function that enhances the sound quality of CDs and other sources, and even improves the quality of the multi-channel audio data on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.

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Sony BDP-S560 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player Review

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(More customer reviews)There seems to be a lack of reviews online for the new Sony 560 and Panasonic 80 Blu-ray players. So I purchased both of these Blu-ray players from Amazon, mainly becuase I wanted to do a critical, side by side comparison of all features and the audio and video quality. It wasn't a professional test-based comparison, just flipping back and forth between these players and my Samsung BD-UP5000 Blu-ray/HD DVD player on my Sony 52" Bravia LCD and studying the image with a critical eye. (I got 3 copies of the Braveheart Blu-ray to do this). Here's what I discovered:
Video Quality: Pretty much a dead tie. Both players had rich, dark blacks. Video noise (smoothness) of the pictures was so close that I couldn't tell which I was watching most of the time. Sharpness was the same. Both pictures had good "3D pop". I wouldn't be surprised if both players used the same chipset. (By the way, the Samsung uses the Reon HQV chip, and while it looked a bit "smoother" by comparison, a tiny bit of the sharpness and detail shown on the Sony and Panasonic was missing on the Samsung. Also the Samsung has a very slight cyan cast to the blacks and the overall picture.)
Audio Quality: I think the Panasonic wins here, but only by a slim margin. Panasonic touts this player as a "high clarity audio" Blu-ray player and it does sound sweet through my Onkyo TS-SR805 receiver, on my Paradigm Monitor 11 speakers. Again, this conclusion is based only on the DolbyHD sountrack on the Braveheart Blu-ray. I'm going to do more serious listening, but I think the Panasonic will still prove better, audio-wise, with any source material.
Audio Formats: Both of these players will Bitstream or PCM output the new HD audio formats. This means that if your receiver doesn't decode them, the player will. Or vice-versa. Some people say pre-amps/receivers do a better job at decoding than BD players do, but I guess that depends on your gear. The Panasonic DMP-BD80 sure sounds good, and I couldn't hear a decoding difference between it or my receiver. With the Sony, I think the receiver may have sounded a touch better, but that might have been in my head.
Speed and Handling: No question about it, the Sony beats the Panasonic hands down. This new Panasonic is no faster than last year's model it replaced, the 55. Everything about the Panasonic is slow...load times, react times when buttons are pressed, or when skipping chapters. The Sony 560 is about the same as the PS3. Every cloud has a silver lining, and the Panasonic DOES give you time to make a cup of tea while your disc is loading! Another little thing about the Panasonic that I don't like is the size (width) of the disc tray...it's the same size or a hair bigger than the disc itself (instead of being smaller like most players) so it's very hard to grab the disc. This sounds like a little niggle, but try it and see. It will drive you nuts every time you try to remove a disc...you'll end up dropping them back onto the tray if you're not extremely careful.
Remote Controls: They're about the same...both very flimsy and cheaply made. Put a gun to my head and I'll say the Panasonic's remote is a little heavier and has larger buttons that are a little better laid out. The Sony 560 is drawing fire for this because it doesn't have an eject/drawer open button on the remote. This is a silly complaint...correct me if I'm wrong, but you almost have to be standing in front of the player to put a disc in or take a disc out anyway, right?!?!?! So what's the big deal about having to press the "open" button on the player? Serious remote-picky people have a Harmony remote anyway.
Other Convenience Features: Neither of these players has Netflix built in, I guess that's a big deal now. Unless they can steam full-quality 1080P (without pauses, subject to my ISP speed) I could care less about that. The reason I have 3 Blu-ray players is because I care about quality and I'm not too cheap to buy Blu-ray movies! The Panasonic has the Amazon/VieraCast and YouTube feature though. Again, I have no desire to see a rough, low-quality mpeg video shot by an idiot on a cell phone on my high def TV! Both of these players are BD 2.0 (BD Live) capable, but only the Sony has Wi-Fi built in. That's a nice feature because you don't have to run a CAT-5 cable from your router to your Blu-ray player. I think the 560 is the first stand alone BD player to have this (the PS3 had it all along). The Panasonic has 7.1 channel analog (RCA) audio outputs, important to people that have older receivers without HDMI. The Sony 560 dropped this feature that used to be on last year's 550 model. Most people have newer, HDMI capable receivers, so I see why they did it. (Sony also did it to make their step-up model, the BDPS1000ES seem more attractive. (That player is $699 and is basically a 560 with a handful of extra features added, like a headphone jack). The Panasonic has an SD card slot on the front, good if you want to view your pictures on your TV, and a USB jack. The Sony features two USB jacks, one on the front and one on the back.
Build Quality: About the same, maybe the Sony wins here by a hair. Both are smallish players, not very deep. The Sony is about 8/10's of an inch taller.
Conclusion: Overall I like the Sony better. It's wireless connectivity is a great feature, and Sony has a great history (with the PS3) of keeping the firmware updated, and this makes it easier. The Panasonic is a nice player, and has slightly better sound, but I'm sticking with the Sony. Anyone wanna buy a slightly used Panasonic DMP-BD80?
(By the way...I had no audio problems whatsoever with the Sony, like some other reviewers had. The Sony has a lot of audio output settings, and I still think some of them had them set wrong. That, or their other gear couldn't handle the output from the 560. I'm seeing a bunch of posts online recently about different TV's and receivers not being compatible or being able to handle certain audio signals, especially bitstream...if your gear doing the decoding doesn't have the "oomph" or processing power to decode it, it will choke and puke!)

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The Sony BDP-S560 Blu-ray Disc player delivers Full HD 1080/24p True Cinema video over HDMI and can upscale your standard DVDs to near HD quality . It also includes built-in wireless functionality (802.11N/G/B/A), allowing you to easily connect to the internet to download and stream BD-Live content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers, movie-based games, and more. While compatible with most home wireless routers, the BDP-S560 Blu-ray Disc player also supports Wi-Fi protected set-up (WPS), for a quick and easy conection to WPS enabled wireless routers. The BDPS560 even supports Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD audio codecs for up to 7.1 channels of high-definition sound.

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