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| Click photo to see images of all the Editor's Choice 2007 products. |
Known as a RAID -- a redundant array of independent disks -- this massive, multimedia-enabled external backup and storage system incorporates four 7200rpm "quick swap" SATA drives and offers several configuration options that balance speed and data safety. In its default RAID 5 mode the array functions normally, preserving identical data on other hard drives if one should fail. (You must replace the faulty drive quickly so that the system can restore data to the new one.) But unlike conventional PC-connected external RAIDs, the TeraStation also serves as a Gigabit Ethernet (125MBps) network server that can be accessed by one or more computers via a wired or wireless router. And its built-in FTP (file transfer protocol) capability allows you to use an off-site computer to send files to the RAID or retrieve files from it remotely. The TeraStation Live is DNLA (Digital Network Living Alliance) certified, so it can stream video and music wirelessly to compatible televisions, stereo systems, and mobile devices. Other assets include easy setup and configuration, a heavy-duty power supply, a nearly silent cooling fan, dual USB 2.0 ports for attaching extra drives, and backup software for Windows. About $700 (1TB), $1100 (2TB), or $2400 (3TB).
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Lite-On LH-2B1S Blu-ray Disc Triple Writer
This internal disc burner is currently the most affordable cross-platform model capable of reading and writing Blu-ray optical discs. It can also burn DVD and CD media, but Blu-ray discs hold many times more data than those formats. The new discs are available in both 25GB and 50GB capacities, each in BD-R (write-once) and BD-RE (rewritable) versions. The Lite-On is limited to the 25GB discs, but it's swift -- burning Blu-ray at 2X (about 45 minutes for 25GB), writable DVDs at up to 8X, and CDs at up to 32X. Burning software is bundled, but we'd suggest buying Nero 7 (Windows) or Roxio Toast 8 (Mac). The drive will also play prerecorded high-definition Blu-ray movies, of course, but you'll need a fast Windows-based computer with Serial ATA and an HDCP-compatible monitor. (The acronym stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection.) Mac owners can use the Lite-On to play standard resolution commercial DVDs but not high-def Blu-ray titles. About $500.
Archos 605 WiFi
This personal media player simply redefines the category. Unlike competitors, it lets you surf the Web on any wireless network, using its eye-popping 800x480-pixel, 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen and Opera browser plug-in. The pocketable 605 WiFi is the first such device to stream photos, music, and high-definition video from your computer to a connected TV. It's also the first that allows you to purchase video on demand, watch and post movies on YouTube, and control your cable or satellite box for scheduled recording. The 605 WiFi has a simple photo viewer that allowed us to browse and zoom 10-megapixel JPEG files (no RAW) very quickly. And Archos tells us they're working on providing still-image uploads to webmail, blogs, and photo sites. The 4GB model (which uses flash memory) includes an SD card slot for extra storage and is amazingly cheap. The 30GB model (which uses a hard drive) has USB 2.0 connectivity but no SD slot. A 160GB model is on the way, and numerous plug-ins and accessories will be available, along with the player, later this summer. About $200 (4GB); about $300 (30GB).
American PHOTO Editor's Choice 2007
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