CrispyTunes.com

We will show you about what is popular gifts ideals for this holiday season with the best price for you only.

1.Samsung Touch of Color T260HD 26-Inch LCD HDTV Monitor


Technical Details
* Screen Size – 25.5 wide
* Resolution – 1920 x 1200
* Brightness – 300 cd/m
* Contrast Ratio – Dynamic-Contrast 10,000 – 1 ( 1000 – 1)
* Response time – 5 ms
Beautiful inside and out, the Samsung Touch Of Color T260HD LCD monitor is a great way to get the most out of your PC–as well as watch your favorite 1080p HDTV broadcasts. It features an embedded DTV tuner that enables you to watch digital HD broadcasts without a special receiving set. And with six image input terminals, you can connect several pieces of digital equipment to the T260HD and use them simultaneously. Two HDMI connections make your monitor a multimedia centerpiece. Additionally, SRS TruSurround XT is embedded to improve audio performance.

The contrast between light and dark colors on the screen is what makes images stand out. The bigger the difference between light and dark images, the more vibrant images will appear. With an amazing dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 you’ll enjoy sharper image quality that’s sure to catch your eye. You’ll also make a style statement with Samsung’s new Touch of Color design, which features a hint of color naturally blended into the traditional piano black frame.

The T260HD is designed to be extremely efficient and uses up to a third less power than other monitors in its class. The unique SoftPower off function lets you put the monitor in standby mode right away, using just 0.3 W of power. It comes with a monitor stand that can tilt up to 20 degrees for optimal viewing and a full-feature remote control. The monitor’s speakers reside underneath the screen and provide a total of 6 watts of audio power (3 watts per channel).

Customer Reviews
I have a Samsung LN52A750 LCD television which is an awesome set for use either as an HDTV or as a computer monitor. I really like the style it has with the TOC (touch of color) and the crystalline bezel design. When the T260HD was announced it seemed like a great idea to upgrade my 22″ monitor with this 26″ and gain HDTV functions while matching the style of the larger set.

What a disappointment! When used as a PC monitor the text could not be sharper, but the colors are all washed out and blacks are a hazy shade of gray. This performance isn’t nearly as good as the cheap 22″ ACER it replaces! Since the 52″ Samsung performs flawlessly as a monitor I figured this 26″ just needed calibration. After adjusting the configuration of the video card AND using the supplied Samsung “Natural Color Pro” software, only very slight improvement could be made.

I then replaced the HDMI cable with a DVI cable to see if that was causing the poor performance… no luck. The images were identical. The DVI cable and video card were the same ones that worked fine with the Acer, so those components could be ruled out as causes.

I even used the menu to rename the port to “PC” in the hopes that would automatically modify the port configuration as it does with the 52″, but that didn’t help either.

Now here’s the really strange part: When used as an HDTV (plugged into Comcast cable) the images simply cannot be better. Even without any adjustments the black levels and color saturation is as perfect as anything I have ever seen. When used as an HDTV this set will not disappoint anyone – no matter how “picky” they are. At least this performance shows there may be some hope in someday finding some hidden method to improve its performance when used as a monitor.

There were four other disappointments prospective purchasers should be aware of:

1) I had already downloaded and read the User Guide from the Samsung website a couple of weeks before anyone began selling this model. Upon unpacking the set I noticed the remote control did not match what was listed in the manual – it was a completely different shape and was missing 7 buttons. This seemed strange because some of those missing functions were very useful. I borrowed the remote from my 52″ Samsung which was equipped with those buttons (and many more as well). That remote was able to control everything, including the functions that were missing on the supplied remote! I called Samsung support and found that they have recently updated their online user guide and downgraded the supplied remote to the one I received. While you can still access the missing functions by navigating through their menu system, it makes using the remote a frustrating experience. This is a relatively minor complaint since I can use my other remote or buy an expensive third-party remote to get those functions back.

2) Perhaps a bigger disappointment with this unit is its total lack of VESA wall mounting holes. There is no way to wall mount this set unless you use one of those old fashioned shelves they’ve used for years for CRT sets. This is a pity because the 1080p performance of this set is unequalled by any other HDTV in its’ size or cost range. Even if you don’t need it as a PC monitor at all, it can be completely justified for purchase solely for its HDTV performance…. but this function almost REQUIRES a capability to be wall mounted, which cannot easily be done wth this set.

3) The speakers on this monitor are average for a typical HDTV – in other words – pretty poor. My first inclination was to connect a simple set of 2.1 computer speakers because even the inexpensive ones provide a huge audio improvement. It is difficult to justify a full-blown receiver and 5.1 or 7.1 sound system for a TV this small. Unfortunately, the only audio out connection on the back is an optical Toslink connector which no computer speaker system I know of is equipped with. I can’t even find an adapter to convert the Toslink to any analog type of connector.

I was successful in connecting to the audio-in jack on my computer’s sound card via the earphone plug located on the side of the monitor, but it looks pretty cheap to have the wire stick out like that. That appearance is not compatible with one of my main reasons for selecting this item: it’s beautiful appearance. Even with a right-angle jack adapter the cable remains visible and the monitor’s side door covering the connections must remain open.

EDIT: 7-28-08
Just installed a Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speaker system. It solved the problem, but at a steep $250 cost. At least it handles optical inputs, as well as digital coaxial and 5.1 channel analog. It now provides the sound system for this TV as well as the computer and an upconverting DVD player. This is a pretty good sound system that has significantly improved my viewing and computing experience. It is not as good as the sound system in use with my 52″ TV, but it is a vast improvement over the 2.1 computer speaker system that I previously thought was quite good.

4) The biggest disappointment is the lack of “picture-in-picture” (PIP) capability. What could be a more natural use for this set than to be able to use it as a computer monitor while having the nightly news running in a window? The remote shown in the original manual has a button for PIP, even though the manual stated PIP is not available. The remote actually provided does not have a PIP button. I’ve used my other remote (which does have a PIP button) to confirm, and the set just states “function not available”. I feel this is a major design flaw for a set of this type.

Now for the good news:

I really like the crystalline (clear plastic) bezel design and the TOC which matches my 52″ Samsung. Just as with the larger TV, the red TOC is actually so subtle that it appears black unless directly illuminated by bright sunlight, when it still appears more of a very dark reddish-brown. The 52″ set has a design feature which allows subtle screen illuminations to be reflected off the outer edges of the bezel (dubbed as the “halo effect”). I like that feature and am a bit dissapointed this set has not yet exhibited this effect. (If it does, it must be even more subtle than on its bigger brother).

The on/off button on the bezel is not really a button at all. It’s an invisible sensor that activates when you touch a certain spot – just as it does with the 52″. Unlike its’ larger brother the other contol functions for channel and volume are physical buttons hidden behind the right edge of the bezel. The power indicator light is very cool – instead of a small point of light, it is a faint red glow of a sizeable portion of the corner of the frame – perhaps a 2″ crescent region.

I was greatly surprised (and pleased) to discover that after allowing the set to automatically locate and program cable channels that it found perhaps several hundred of them. It picked up lots of HDTV stations without the need for a set-top-box. The best surprise is that it shows standard definition (SD) broadcasts nearly as clearly as the HDTV broadcasts. I have to hit the “Info” key to verify the resolution of many channels because they all look so good. The SD display even surpasses the very good performance from its’ 52″ big brother! SD stations that are of nearly unwatchable quality on my other HDTVs look great on the T260HD, perhaps even better than they did on my old SD televisions (which I no longer have for comparisons).

Performance on HD material is quite good, but not quite as good as that of the larger Samsung.

SUMMARY:
I cannot recommend this unit for use as a computer monitor. If I ever discover a solution for its washed out appearance I’ll edit that info into this review later.

The display performance as an HDTV is much better than it’s performance as a computer monitor with deep blacks and saturated colors.

No PIP functionality greatly reduces this set’s usefulness.

2.Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Chronograph Canvas Watch #AT0200-05E

Product Features
* Ecologically friendly, solar powered Eco-Drive movement
* Durable military green nylon strap
* Date calendar feature
* Luminous hands and hour/minute markers
* Compact brushed stainless steal case with polished bezel
You will never run late with this men’s Eco-Drive timepiece. From the stainless steel case and green canvas strap, to the 1 second chronograph and 12/24 hour time indicator. The bold details never end. Additional features include a date indicator and water resistance to 100 meters.

Customer Reviews
I upgraded to the eco-drive from a watch that recharged by wrist motion. So far I’m a lot happier with the eco-drive. It holds a charge a lot longer, so it’s not a problem to leave it unworn for a day or two. I didn’t like the green military style band on this one, but it was easy to swap for a leather 20mm band. The stock band was a tad small for my wrist. I would expect a lot of men would need to swap it. The numbers look big in the picture, and they’re big on the watch. I like the big numbers, others might not.

May 2008 Update:
I still like this watch as much as the day it arrived! It works perfectly, never runs out of battery and looks good. For those of you who haven’t paid for a decent watch, you might not realize you’re missing out on a good quality glass / crystal face. Mine still is scratch free. The watch looks pretty much brand new, even though I wear it every day.

3.14k Gold, Round, Diamond Stud Earrings (1/4 cttw, I-J Color, I1-I2 Clarity)

No jewelry wardrobe is complete without a classic pair of diamond stud earrings. Simple enough for daytime wear, yet radiant with evening attire, they offer sophistication and versatility all in one beautiful package. These classic studs, available in 14 karat white or yellow gold, showcase single round-cut diamonds with a total weight of 1/4 carat held securely in four-prong settings. The diamonds have great brilliance and sparkle. With a minimum color rating of I-J, they are near-colorless and appear white to the eye. Small inclusions, difficult to see with the unaided eye, earn them a clarity rating of I1-I2. These earrings are featured on posts with friction-back closures.

Customer Reviews
These earrings are very small, maybe somewhere between 3 and 4mm each. They do appear white, (I don’t see any yellow tinting) with a slight, slight bit of grey, which I prefer over a super white look (as you might sometimes find in a cz). These earrings catch the light nicely, showing a bit of rainbow effect. They aren’t super, super sparkly or faceted, but they do possess shine and detail. I am very happy with these earrings as they are just what I wanted: something petite and real, set in yellow gold, and with a nice, clean and “believably” sparkly look! I also like the fit of the earrings backs, very tight and secure.

4.Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

Product Features
* Toy cube provides musical foundation for little ones
* Interactive cube teaches how sounds combine to create 8 Mozart masterpieces
* Made with soft, rounded corners
* Includes harp, French horn, piano, flute, and violin instrument sounds
* Recommended for budding young composers of all ages
A true breakthrough in music education, the Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube will be music to your baby’s ears. Providing hours of interactive play for budding young composers of all ages, this award-winning toy is the perfect musical foundation for little ones.

Customer Reviews
This was purchased as a gift for my 1 yr old and became the immediate favorite of both my daughter and her 3 yr old brother. This is the first game that they can both play together. It keeps them occupied for hours, and the music, while clearly electronic, closely mimics the sound of real instruments and is not at all irritating- so we don’t mind listening to it for hours. It is also exceptionally durable, having now been dropped, kicked, licked, and knocked out the car window. No cracks, no broken pieces, and still plays as well as it did the first day out of the box.

5.Keurig B30 Mini Brewers

Technical data
Color: Black
* Color: Black
* Manufacturer: Keurig
* Capacity: 8 ounces
* Timer: No
* Built-in grinder: No
* Pause-and-serve function: No
* Cup warming plate: No
* Included accessories: Variety pack of 10 K-Cups
* Height: 13-1/4 inches
* Length: 10 inches
* Depth: 11-1/2 inches
* Weight: 8-3/5 lbs
* Product: 1-year limited warranty
Make a fresh cup of gourmet coffee or tea in less than three minutes with this single-serve brewing system. The unit uses Keurig’s patented K-Cups, which offer over 70 varieties of pre-measured gourmet coffee and tea from a variety of premium brands. In addition, its patented one-touch technology ensures precise control over the brewing, without the hassle of grinding beans, measuring coffee, handling filters, or cleaning up. Simply open the lid, insert a K-Cup, close the lid, and push the button. The coffeemaker requires fresh water for each cup and brews one 8-ounce cup at a time. A variety pack of 10 K-Cups comes included. Perfect for the office, vacation home, or college dorm room, the portable single-cup brewing system measures 11-1/2 by 10 by 13-1/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews
I previously purchased a B40 for my office. The convenience and selection of coffees immediately made it a favorite among co-workers and myself. Of course this meant that I wanted one for home. One problem with the B40 is the noise. Not bad for an office environment but unforgivable first thing in the morning at home. When the B30 was announced and promised to be quieter, that was just what the doctor ordered. This thing is VERY quiet in comparison. I only drink one cup in the morning prior to going to work so the lack of a reservoir is not an issue. If you want multiple cups 30 seconds apart this is not the machine for you. If you don’t mind the extra step of dumping a cup of water in a hole and waiting 2 1/2 minutes after you press the brew button (if you own the B40 you were already doing this when you turned the power on) then this machine is great. Oh, and the small footprint means you can be very flexible in where you decide to put it. No major concessions in the countertop usage arena. Bottom line, quiet convenience in a small package makes this a winner.

6.The Promise (Deluxe Edition)

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. The Power Of Love (La Fuerza Mayor)
2. La Promessa
3. Adagio
4. Hallelujah (Aleluya)
5. L’Alba Del Mondo
6. Enamorado
7. Angelina
8. The Winner Takes It All (Va Todo Al Ganador)
9. La Luna
10. She
See all 11 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. The Power Of Love (La Fuerza Mayor)
2. Hallelujah (Aleluya)
3. INTERVIEW – THE PROMISE
Customer Reviews
The Boys are back with a new CD called The Promise. This CD is a “Promise Kept” of great new songs that are sung with Il Divo perfection. The music is on this CD is also outstanding.Carlos, Urs, David , Sebby, you are all truly gifted singers. My favorites include La Promessaa,Hallelujah,Enamorado She. The Deluxe edition has two songs performed Live,The Power of Love,Hallelujah and a Interveiw with the Boys. A great new CD to relax and get swept away with. A great collection of songs there is no “weak song” on the Promise. The best CD of 2008.

7.Maxim (1-year) [MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION] [PRINT]

Aimed squarely at young men, Maxim is a glossy magazine focused on beautiful women, slick gadgets, fast cars, sports, entertainment, and other male obsessions. In addition to scantily clad cover models and plenty of revealing photo layouts, issues include reviews of the latest movies, CDs, DVDs, and video games; articles on how to successfully seduce women; the latest styles and trends; and interviews with celebrities. Other regular features include jokes, trivia, a sex column, practical advice, a sports column, and more.
Customer Reviews
I’ve been reading Maxim since about issue #3. I used to really enjoy the magazine: their witty remarks and interviews with the monthly babes and product reviews were both entertaining and interesting. However, I’m now letting my subscription run out. Maxim has went through something like 3 editors since I’ve been reading and the magazine is getting progressively worse.

Maxim used to taste test microwave and fast food-type items and give them real, insightful ratings/reviews…things like pizza rolls, pizza pockets, etc. Now there’s a fictional person named Hiroki, who does tests on stupid foods. So instead of “One tester said, ‘Red Barron pizza had a crispy crust, but was a bit greasy,’” we’re left with “Hiroki said the edible panties, ‘Taste like chicken. Yum.’”

Another area where Maxim disappoints is in the number of advertisements. The magazine is now significantly thicker and stuffed with ads. In fact, I have ripped the first 10 pages or so out of my last several issues because those first 10 pages are all advertisements!

Maxim also puts a lot of emphasis on their women, who have decreased in quality (read: not as good looking). They do some heavy duty tweaking on the computer too; all of the models look like their skin is made of polished copper.

Maxim has called me no less than 4 times to get me to renew my subscription…I HATE telemarketers! The last time they called I finally asked to be removed from their calling list. They have been sending me “this is your last chance to renew letters” for about 4 months. Great, more junk mail.

Don’t get me wrong, Maxim isn’t a terrible magazine, but I don’t think it’s worth subscribing to anymore. You might want to stick to buying it on an issue-by-issue basis, or get the old issues from your friend. Save your subscription money for something else.

8.Philips Sonicare Elite e9500 Custom Care Power Toothbrush

Product Features
* Number-one recommended brand by dental professionals
* One tapered ergonomic handle with a deluxe recharge gauge
* Two contoured brush heads: compact and standard size
* Max to gentle speed setting
* Programmable Quadpacer: 30-second interval timer encourages thorough brushing
Sonicare’s new Custom Care Cleaning System features two contour-fit brushheads (standard and small) for individualized brushing at two speed. Choose “max” speed for everyday cleaning and optimal plaque removal that’s safe and gentle on gums. Select “gentle” speed for sensitive areas that require extra attention. A standard size brush gently removes plaque with a dentist’s precision; a new 30 percent smaller compact size provides improved accessibility for hard to reach areas.Enhanced patented Superior Cleaning Technology directs side-to-side sweeping and twisting action to significantly reduce surface stains, enjoy naturally whiter teeth in just four weeks! It’s clinically proven to reduce plaque, reverse gingivitis and help reduce periodontal pockets, yet it’s gentle on your gums. New lightweight design features a slim, angled neck and ergonomic soft grip handle for improved maneuverability. Smartimer an automatic two-minute shutoff feature, encourages you to brush for the dentist-recommended time. Quadpacer 30-second interval timer helps manage thorough brushing of each quadrant of your mouth. Easy-Start feature gently increases brushing power over the first 12 uses. Deluxe recharge gauge shows battery level and charge status. Comes with a charger base, brush head holder, travel case and wall-mount kit. Replacement heads available (Standard ON415, $24.95; Compact ON420, $24.95). Power handle with brush head measures 9 1/4″ long. Two-year warranty.

Customer Reviews
The only difference I can see between my new 9500 and the 7500/7300 models (about $20 cheaper if you can still find one) is that it comes with two different brush sizes. Replacement brushes are available in drug stores, Wal Marts, Target, and some grocery stores. It has two power settings. By default, it beeps at 30-second intervals and shuts off after two minutes so you can “do” your teeth by quadrants. All the “programmable timer” feature amounts to is the option of running for an extra 30-second interval, or turning the timer off entirely so that it’s just on/off. The “easy start” feature, enabled out of the box, gradually increases power over the first fourteen brushings.

(August, 2006: Note that there is now a 9800 model with the same features as this one currently selling on Amazon for LESS. That is the one to get.)

My turn-of-the-century Sonicare would run a *good* two weeks on a charge with just me using it, and this one does too (more like three!). The instructions (then and now) say to leave it in the charger when not in use, but I always unplugged it to run the battery all the way down before re-charging; I think that’s why it lasted so long. These have a good old fashioned nickel-cadmium battery and they only have so many charge cycles. I suspect the manufacturer doesn’t want that getting around because their revenue stream would atrophy if everyone went this long before buying a replacement.

One nice thing about these new-generation Sonicares: smaller brushes and dramatically less splatter. The brush of my Y2K model looked like a standard manual toothbrush and some splatter was inevitable with that thing; I would remove my shirt or drape a towel over my shoulders to avoid getting festooned with micro-flecks of toothpaste. But not with this one! Plus, it hardly weighs anything at all; it’s like holding a spoon.

My dentist turned me on and still recommends this brand today. (I brush for the whole two minutes and he recommends not doing that more than once per day and with a gentle, ordinary toothpaste as opposed to a whitener.) Money well spent –I haven’t had a cavity in all those years. Never thought much about my gums, but they are nice & pink & clean & tight, like in the ad photos. Sonicare gives you 60 days to send it back if you don’t like it.

Tip for newbies: Stand in the shower so that you don’t splatter toothpaste all over the bathroom! Have fun!

9.Guitar Hero World Tour

Product Features
Platform: Xbox 360 | Edition: Guitar Kit
* Battle of the Bands mode lets up to eight players get their groove on
* Comes with exciting extras that enhance your experience
* Use the innovative Music Studio to compose, record, edit and share music
* Features a humungous selection of master recordings
* Offers more localized downloadable music than ever before
You’ll be in rock-and-roll paradise with this bundle. The Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar kit includes a Breakneck GHWT Guitar, Strap, 2 AA batteries, Sticker Pack, Quick start guide and the Hardware manual. The game has advanced modes, options and tools for your rocking pleasure. Enjoy a vast amount of master recordings from some of the biggest acts of all time, including Van Halen, Linkin Park, the Eagles, Sublime and more. The game will also offer significantly more localized downloadable music than ever before. Guitar Hero World Tour gives you creative license to fully customize everything from characters’ appearances and instruments to the band’s logo and album covers. The innovative Music Studio lets you compose, record, edit and share music. The hard-hitting Battle of the Bands mode lets up to eight players get in on the mayhem. Jam like a pro and show off your talents like a true superstar. This Guitar Kit comes with a variety of bonus items.

Single-player Career mode provides a branching venue progressionBox Contents Guitar Hero World Tour game Breakneck Guitar GHWT Guitar Strap 2 AA batteries Sticker Pack Quick start guide Hardware manual

Customer Reviews
I received the guitar/game set at launch and after a week of playing, the guitar stopped registering down strokes. Amazon took it back and sent me a new set. The new guitar works okay, but squeaks really bad and doesn’t have a tactile click when down stroked. Up strokes, on the other hand register every time and have a nice click sound. I might have to send this one back as well.

The game is a lot of fun, though tedious at times. Big thumbs up for the inclusion of NoFX.