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Epson adds Tethered Shooting to their P6000/P7000 Backup Units

p6000-tether

Although I own an Epson P6000 (see my original review here) I've been using my HyperDrive ColorSpace more lately because of the increased performance and longer battery life. However, I never sold my Epson P6000. Good thing I didn't sell it 🙂 Otherwise I wouldn't get to play with one of the newest features of the latest firmware update.

 

p6000-transferring

 

Shooting Tethered to an Epson P6000/P7000

When I do shoots in the studio I almost always shoot tethered into Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 on my MacBook Pro. So shooting tethered is second nature to me. In the latest firmware for the Epson P6000/P7000 you can now shoot tethered directly to the device. I downloaded and installed the necessary firmware updates to bring my P6000 up to the latest version. Then I connected a USB cable from my Nikon D700 directly to the P6000. I turned on both devices and enabled tethered shooting on the P6000. I fired a couple of test shots and saw the progress bar on the Epson P6000 indicating that the images were being transferred over. I noticed it took about 6-7 seconds per 12MP RAW (.NEF) file. It works! Also you can keep shooting while the transferring is happening. Here's the 5m long USB cable that I use.

The P6000/P7000 support tethering from the Nikon D700, D90, D3X, D3, D300, D300S and the Canon  EOS 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 50D, 40D, Digital Rebel T1i

 

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Best of 2009: Terry’s Top 10 Gadget Picks

Happy New Year! It's that time once again to take a quick look at my favorite gadgets of last year. The gadgets I've chosen were the ones that I used the most and that had the most positive impact on my day-to-day life. These gadgets were either introduced in 2009 or had significant updates in 2009. These are the gadgets that I would recommend to a friend without hesitation. So let's get to it…

 

iPhone 3GS

iPhone 3GS

Anyone that knows me knows that the iPhone 3GS is my communications device of choice. The 3GS made my life easier this year with more memory, a faster processor, and graphics to run apps that I never dreamed of right from the palm of my hand. I use my iPhone quite a bit in my day to day routine. I actually get a ton of work/communications done with this device.  I get both work and personal email, SMS and MMS messaging, productivity and business apps, and yes even the ability to make calls. This is the one gadget that I now couldn't imagine being without. See my original iPhone 3GS review here. Learn more about the iPhone 3GS here.

See my Must Have iPhone Apps here.

See my favorite iPhone and iPod touch accessories here.

 

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

When I am at home and not producing content, I enjoy my home entertainment systems and home theater. The one remote that has worked for me better than any other remote I've tried is the Logitech Harmony One. This remote is configured from your computer to do exactly what you want. Anyone with more than a couple of entertainment components should do themselves a favor and check out the Harmony One. See my original review here. Get the Harmony One Remote here.

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Sony and Nintendo should be very afraid

It was widely reported that Apple's App Store downloads jumped over 1,000 percent on Christmas Day and that for the first time, iPod touch app downloads outpaced iPhone App downloads. While this is all certainly good news for Apple, App Developers and the platform as a whole, it's a telling sign that companies like Sony and Nintendo should be very afraid. 

09ipodtouch

 

The Handheld Gaming Pricing Model has changed!

The reason that these two gaming giants should be afraid is that they have built their handheld gaming businesses on a model that includes selling a moderately priced device and charging a significant price on games.

Safari

A quick look at bestbuy.com reveals that the lowest priced game for the Nintendo DS is $9.99.

Safari 2

However, their best selling games are starting at $19.99. Now you could look at this and say that people will spend more for a game that they really like and there's probably some truth to that. However, the games for the iPod touch range anywhere from FREE to $1.99 on average with $9.99 being considered to be an "expensive game." 

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onOne Plug-In Suite 5 Review

One of my favorite Photoshop Plug-in Suites just got upgraded. The good folks over at onOne Software have shipped onOne Plug-in Suite 5. I first got turned on to this powerful set of plug-ins back when it was version 3 and have been hooked ever since. Now I'll be the first to admit (like most suites) that I don't use every single feature/plug-in in the suite. However, usually the way suites work is that if you're going to use 2 or more of the products you end up saving money by buying the suite as opposed to the individual products. 

onone5

When I upgraded to Plug-in Suite 4 I was using Mask Pro and PhotoFrame quite a bit. I was also using Genuine Fractals on occasion. Now with Plug-in Suite 5 I'm very intrigued by PhotoTune and PhotoTools. That only leaves Focal Point which also interests me. Yep, it looks like I'll be using much more of this version of the Suite than I ever have before.

PhotoTune3

 

What is onOne Plug-In Suite 5?

Good question and I think that most people see the name and have no idea what this product is or whether or not they need it? Plug-in Suite 5 is a set of  6 powerful plug-ins for Photoshop that can be used by photographers of all skill levels. The plug-ins are accessed right inside the "host application", which can be Adobe Photoshop CS2, Cs3 or CS4 as well as Photoshop Elements 6 or 8 on the Mac or Elements 6, 7 or 8 on PC. Some of the plug-ins are also accessible from within Lightroom 2 or Aperture 2.1.

The Plug-Ins are:

  • FocalPoint – a plug-in to allow photographers to create a realistic depth of field effect in their photos. You can control the focal point and even have multiple focal points.
  • Mask Pro (my favorite) – allows you to mask difficult objects such as hair, glass or smoke/fog. This one has saved my butt on many occasions when I needed to extract someone from a background.
  • PhotoTune – this one simply allows you to easily color correct your photo. If Photoshop Channels confuse you, then PhotoTune will be a dream to work with. 
  • Genuine Fractals – If you've ever tried to size a photo up, you know that it can quickly lose detail and sharpness. This plug-in aims to make the image that you res up look as good as possible. I've used this with great results and looking forward to the new version.
  • PhotoTools – allows you to choose from hundreds of effects to add to your photo to make them stand out. Easy to use with drag and drop as well as sliders.
  • PhotoFrame – we see those cool burned looking edges all the time in print. Although you can do this manually in Photoshop, PhotoFrame makes it soooo much easier. There are several frames included from some of the best Photoshop professionals in the industry.

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iTunes Extras work like a DVD

DVD Extras have never really excited me. I can't think of a single DVD movie that I bought because it had great extras. Director's commentaries, deleted scenes, alternate endings, interviews and trailers are all cool, but I almost never look at them. So needless to say when Apple announced iTunes Extras in iTunes 9, I wasn't even remotely interested. Then something happened…

itunesextra-startrek

 

I saw that I can have visual chapters now?

I loved the NEW Star Trek movie so much that I bought it on iTunes immediately and later on Blu-ray (yes, I know the Blu-ray comes with a Digital Copy. I was excited OK?). I hadn't had a chance to watch it again until recently. I decided to watch it on my Apple TV. I was pleasantly surprised by the menu that came up. Sure I knew about the possibility of Extras, but what I wasn't expecting was a more "DVD like experience" in the form of a menu and more importantly CHAPTER perspective. 

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So what’d you get?

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photo compliments of iStockphoto.com

I've been reviewing my favorite gadgets, services and apps all year long. Now it's your turn! Tell us what you got this holiday season (tech wise) that you're excited about? Use the comments section below. Tell us what it is, why you like it and provide links if you can? Did you get or give anything from my holiday gadget gift guide?

 

Hey! If you got an iPhone or iPod as a gift, check out my Favorite Accessories here. Also if you're looking for Apps, check out my Must Have Apps here.

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Last minute gift ideas

Last minute gifts

You forgot _______________. It happens. That relative or friend walks through the door that you totally forgot to get a gift for and you feel bad. Yep, it happens. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. However, for those of you who do (you know who you are) here are a couple of things you can do to save the day.

 

iTunes Printable Gift Certificates

iTunes

When you go to hang up their coat, head to your computer and fire up iTunes. Then go to the iTunes Store and buy a "Printable" gift certificate. You can print it (quietly) on your printer, fold it and stick it in one of those emergency cards that you keep around. Oh yeah, you forgot those too. OK, a handwritten envelope will do. You can then explain to them that with this they can download music, movies, apps and more. Whew!

 

Amazon Printable Gift Certificates

amazongiftcert

OK, so the person that just walked in is not into digital entertainment. I get it! No problem. Head over to Amazon.com (here's the link to get you directly to the gift certificates. This way you won't be out of the room any longer than you have to be) and buy a gift certificate and print it out. Now they can go order whatever they want since Amazon sells just about everything.

 

Happy Holidays and get back to your guests 🙂

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Just Dance for the Nintendo Wii

I don't review a lot of games here because I'm not much of a gamer. So when I do it's usually something that's pretty fun. This is one of those times. My family was really interested in the Just Dance game for the Nintendo Wii so I ordered it. 

 

 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A10khGHrQ0c

What's the Object of the Game?

Like the title says: Just Dance. While the game does offer some competitive features so that you challenge your friends, you don't have to go that route. You can just queue a good tune (nice 80's songs built-in) and Just Dance. Although I didn't actually play this, I was rolling on the floor laughing at family members who did. Not that they couldn't dance mind you, it was just fun watching some of the more old school dances on screen and watching people trying to mimic the moves. You can have up to four dancers going at once (1 controller per dancer required.) There 35 different dance songs to choose from and each song has its own animated avatar on screen to show you the moves. By holding a Wiimote in your hand it can determine if you're doing the moves correctly. 

If you do decide to have your own dance off, Just Dance will award the most points to the person who does the dance more accurately than the others. If you're using this as a workout I strongly suggest using the built-in warmup routine.

 

It's a lot of fun and of course anything that gets you up off that couch every now and then is a good thing.

 

If you have a Wii and want to have a lot of laughs, I highly recommend this game. It should also be a ball at parties. I can only imagine how much fun this gets after people have had a drink or two. 🙂

You can get Just Dance for the Wii here ON SALE. Also if you need a Nintendo Wii Game Console, you can get one here.

The Wii fit board is NOT required. It simply uses the standard game controllers to tell if you're doing the moves correctly.

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