What is it?

Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1.

How much will it cost me?

$499.99.

Who makes it?

Sanyo.

Why should I care?

When trying to capture those special underwater moments on video, Sanyo’s Xacti VPC-E1 camcorder lets you focus on the action, not on keeping the camera dry.

How would you describe it?

Whether your summer vacation calls for you to trek through the wilds of the Amazon rainforest, ride the whitewater rapids of Colorado, or just head to the nearest Six Flags Water Park, you’re going to need a camcorder that can get as wet as the action around you. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 will let you get up close on the action, and you can take it where you’d otherwise fear to tread with more expensive camcorders. This first waterproof camcorder on the market isn’t exactly meant for deep sea diving or marine exploration documentaries, but it can handle depths of up to five feet without any worry at the lake house or in a pool. Available in three colors--hey, style does matter at the beach--this is easy to operate, and it is small enough that you can tout it around without feeling burdened by all that "camera gear." Nor is it short on features. It can run for about an hour on a single battery charge, and with an 8 gigabyte memory card (sold separately) it can record up to 10 hours of 640 x 480 video. It features a 5x optical zoom as well as 12x digital zoom, and even doubles as a 6 megapixel still camera, with the ability to take pictures while shooting video.

When can I get my hands on it?

Now.

Where can I find it?

Amazon.com.

What's your verdict?

Buy.

 

What is it?

Toshiba TDP-FF1AU "Palm Sized" Projector.

How much will it cost me?

$699.

Who makes it?

Toshiba.

Why should I care?

At just one pound, and about the size of a large paperback book, it's a truly portable projector that will turn any wall into a 68-inch video screen.

How would you describe it?

With its built-in battery pack--which offers about two hours of play time, just enough for the typical Hollywood flick--this Toshiba projector is worth taking a look at. It even comes with a 23-inch diagonal folding screen and carrying case, so you'll have a true traveling movie theater. It has a host of inputs--RGB, composite, USB and stereo mini-jack-making it compatible with a number of video sources ranging from laptops and portable DVD players to digital cameras. Even though it won't replace a large flat screen TV, and the SVGA 800x600 resolution is far from high definition, this mobile DLP projector is still significantly better than many larger "portable" projector systems in its class. It requires almost no warm-up or cool-down time, and while it's not the brightest projector we've seen, it does a pretty good job even when there's a little ambient light in the room. And since it's sleek enough to fit in your carry on bag, you'll never have to waste your summer vacation time actually reading ever again!

When can I get my hands on it?

Now.

Where can I find it?

Amazon.com.

What's your verdict?

Try.

What is it?

Stanton T.90 USB Turntable.

How much will it cost me?

$399.

Who makes it?

Stanton.

Why should I care?

This turntable features a USB output, so you can transfer your favorite vinyl records directly to a CD recorder or computer.

How would you describe it?

A whole generation may have grown up that might not understand why some of us still hang onto those thin black disks known as vinyl records. However, the fact remains, and serious audiophiles agree, that vinyl has a fuller and richer sound than CD. So you don't have to be a club DJ spinning records until the wee hours of the morning to appreciate a quality turntable like Stanton's new T.90 USB. It features three playback speeds--including 78rpm, should you actually have those really old records lying around--along with a pitch slider in case you are working on your own megamixes. This turntable might be meant for older technology, but it has plenty of 21st century features for our digital age. You can adjust the tempo of a record without affecting its pitch, and more importantly use the digital and USB outputs to copy your vinyl albums directly to a CD recorder or even rip them to a computer, where the included software can convert the songs to MP3 or WAV audio files.

When can I get my hands on it?

Now.

Where can I find it?

GuitarCenter.com.

What's your verdict?

Buy.

DirecTV Sat-Go.

How much will it cost me?

$1,499.

Who makes it?

DirecTV.

Why should I care?

Do you like to tailgate? Now you can party in the parking lot and still stay on top of gridiron action from around the country.

How would you describe it?

Anyone who takes their TV watching very, very seriously knows that going on vacation isn’t relaxing--it means that you have to worry about whether your DVR will record your shows. Portable TVs are good in a pinch, but they only pick up broadcast TV. I can’t be tethered to cable, but with DirecTV Satellite-to-Go I can tune in from almost anywhere. You get an actual satellite dish and a 17-inch LCD monitor to watch anything DirecTV provides, in a high-tech looking suitcase that's smaller in size than an overnight bag, A rechargeable battery powers the unit if you’re not near an AC or DC power supply, but you'll only get about an hour’s worth of viewing time, so plan accordingly. Final note: if you consider standard def roughing, please note that this is SD only, not high-def.

When can I get my hands on it?

Now.

Where can I find it?

DirecTV.com.

What's your verdict?

Try.