Holiday Tech Guide: Accessories

Daniel Greenberg, who writes often for The Post's Sunday personal tech pages, was online Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Noon ET to discuss gift ideas for gadget gurus.

In this year's Holiday Tech Guide, he outlines some of this season's best gadget accessories and high-tech stocking stuffers.

The transcript follows.

For more advice on holiday tech giving, check out this year's Holiday Tech Gift Guide.

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Daniel Greenberg: Hi All. Welcome. Let's get started.

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Washington, D.C.: Daniel, What's the best gadget gift for the guy who basically has every gadget imaginable? (And yes, I mean everything - laptop, Blackberry, satellite radio, GPS navigation system, digital camera, video camera, car phone system!!!) Help, I really am at a lost!

Daniel Greenberg: Ah, but does he have every gadget IN ONE?

How about a portable device that can replace just about all of them? Runs a version of Windows, makes phone calls, takes photos and video, AND gets XM satellite radio?

Intrigued? It's Samsung's new BlackJack, available from Cingular. I covered it in the Tech Gift Guide Nov 6. It is also the most elegant executive-chic phone I have tested.

If that doesn't do it, I suggest the gift of a vacation to a deserted island far from tech gadgets.

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Lyndonville, Vt.: I'm thinking about buying myself an MP3 player for Christmas. Here's the dilemma. I like the looks of the iPod but I'm not a popular/rock music fan. I would like to download things from satellite radio and the web. Is there a best bet among the alternatives? I'm serving on a citizen vote recount team so won't be available during your chat. Thanks.

Daniel Greenberg: iPods are fine for non-rock music, too. I like acoustic folk and classical, and the iPod (with upgraded earbuds) is great for even the quiet passages.

For downloading from satellite radio, consider the Samsung Helix or the Pioneer Inno for XM. For Sirius, consider and the new Sirius Stiletto 100.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hi, Daniel: what is the best inexpensive mp3 player (flash drive) $50 to $70 for which I can buy songs online (not just pay a monthly fee for streaming). for some reason I'm not that into the iPod shuffle/nano, but am open to suggestions. Thanks!

Daniel Greenberg: Could that reason be the lack of a screen? Maximum PC magazine had a how-to guide to "upgrade" a low-cost flash MP3 player to iPod shuffle- put a piece of masking tape over the screen.

SanDisk makes some very good flash-based MP3 players in your price range- and they have screens. The 256MB SanDisk Digital Audio player is decent. The 1 GB Sansa c240 has a street price around your high end. If you can go closer to $100, you can get a player with even better sound quality- the 1 GB Creative Zen V.

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Georgetown, D.C.: Hi: Can you recommend a decent digital camera for $200 or less that doesn't have shutter lag? This seems to be the number one complaint most people have about their digital cameras and I haven't been able to figure out which ones have that problem when looking at them in the stores. Thanks!

Daniel Greenberg: Higher-end digital cameras have virtually eliminated the kind of shutter lag that plagued models, and many low-end cameras show big improvements. If you have not tried a digital camera in a while, you may be pleasantly surprised. Two brands that have done a good job on eliminating shutter lag in even low-cost cameras are HP and Sony. HP makes a PhotoSmart in your price range with low lag. Sony's Cyber-Shot line has several with extremely low lag.

However, I recommend buying from a store where you can test this before buying to see what feels right to you, or buy from a store with a liberal return policy (good advice for any tech purchase).

Be aware that a camera's attempt to auto-focus in low light can cause a considerable lag between shutter click and photo even on the best camera, so control your light or switch off the feature.

Here's a site I like which has done a lot of legwork for you- including breaking down shutter lag not just by one photo, but also five photos. It is missing a lot of cameras, but it looks like a good start.

http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfm

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Bethesda, Md.: Daniel, thanks for your contributions to Rob's chats. A question for you, not technically gadget-related, that Rob didn't get the chance to address on Monday. Are you aware of any add-on or workaround that would allow iTunes to pipe music to two Airports at the same time? That is, is there a way I can play iTunes over speakers in the living room and the bedroom at the same time? Thanks in advance.

Daniel Greenberg: It is theoretically possible, but I don't have an Airport to test (let alone two Airports). From the spec it looks like you can, but only if you stream the same music to each set of speakers (use the multiple speakers option in iTunes).

For separate music streams, try sending it from a separate computer or from the same Mac as a separate user. If that trick works, please tell me.

I agree that multiple-music zones in the home is a very desirable setup. I am currently testing a few potential solutions, including VLC, and a new streaming music product from Logitech. I may have more to report on soon. Stay tuned.

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Louisville, Ky.: Daniel, Not too high-tech, but can you recommend a good FM radio for the gym (i.e. one that can go on an armband)? I take my iPod to the gym usually but sometimes want to be able to listen to the TVs with their sound on FM radio. Thanks!

Daniel Greenberg: Actually, I can't, since I haven't even seen an FM-only portable player in years, apart from some nickel-sized giveaways at trade shows. Sign of the times.

May I suggest that since you already have an iPod, you avoid carrying multiple devices by adding with an accessory that delivers FM? Apple makes Radio Remote for $50 that adds FM. Third party makers have even cheaper versions of the same thing.

Also, you can buy a sub-$50 flash memory MP3 player with FM, like the Creative MuVo TX FM. Consider the MP3 portion a value-added freebie in your FM radio.

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Los Angeles, Calif.: Is the DVD recorder Sony VDR-MC3 as good as its ad claims?

Daniel Greenberg: I wish I knew. They haven't sent one for testing. (This is a device that records video to DVD without a PC.)

It looks fine for straight recording, but most camcorder to DVD projects could stand some editing. And all but the oldest PCs can do video editing, your money may be better spent elsewhere.

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Washington, D.C.: I plan on purchasing an iPod soon, not as a gift but for myself (I guess it'll be a gift to myself). Is there any hope that prices would go down a bit after Christmas, or that one of those things that never really go "on sale"? Is there any reason to wait to purchase this item?

Daniel Greenberg: iPods sell too well and are too fashionable for Apple to have much incentive to discount them. However, Apple is very good at continually offering better models at the old price points, so that's KINDA like a sale. This cycle will likely happen again after the big MacWorld expo in January. But iPods are available in many price points, and competitors offer even better deals. If you want an iPod or other MP3 player now, get one. You have my permission to jump right in.

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Rockville, Md.: How important is a hard drive to a DVD recorder? I want a VCR / DVD combo, but those with drives are more expensive. Are they worth it? Or should I wait for blu ray?

Daniel Greenberg: I recommend waiting a long time for Blu-Ray. Unless you like spending close to $1000 for a player that could be the next Betamax.

VCR/DVD combos are great without a hard drive. The hard drive feature is more convenient, but if you are just interested in just backing up your VHS tapes straight to DVD, you don't need it.

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Arlington, Va.: My 10 year-old son is pleading for an I-Pod Video for Christmas. While I can appreciate his desire to be fully wired, it is unlikely we will invest in something that can easily be broken or lost. Can you recommend anything similarly entertaining that could substitute for an I-Pod Video? Thanks in advance.

Daniel Greenberg: Other than a cheaper portable video player from a less popular brand, there really isn't anything that will fill this very modern niche.

They are reasonably durable. I have not destroyed mine after a lot of rough treatment (though I have scratched the screen- get a screen protector on day one) and Apple has good repair support. One thing you might consider is buying it from a store with a liberal return policy (I start to sound like a broken record).

And if he loses it... well, consider this an object lesson in responsibility that will be far more valuable than the cost of the iPod.

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Alexandria, Va.: For the person who wants to take a radio to the gym, you can still find Sony Walkman radios that have TV bands. There's at least one sports-specific model as well.

Daniel Greenberg: Thanks, Alexandria.

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NY, NY: Hi Dan, Quick but desperately important question. Those HP iPaqs, do you think that they are a waste because PDA phones will eventually be that fast in terms of internet? Or are they good? They don't seem to be able to hold much memory so I doubt I can unload my C Drive there. I'm lost. Just tell me if I should get one. They're pretty cool looking. Oh, is HP even the one to be looking at? I'm interested in something that can hold a lot of stuff and be small and compact (ironic request, right?) Ha, I appreciate your input.

Daniel Greenberg: Sorry, but after trying to juggle both a PDA and a phone for about a year I found it frustrating. The best device in my opinion combines both. Also, the iPaq line is aging and could use a refresh. I have not seen a new one lately (HP, if I am wrong please let me know.)

Uploading your whole C Drive is tough. Whatever pda you get should have removable memory. I'd look at the best smartphones like the Treo.

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Washington, D.C.: I can vouch for the video iPod's durability. I had mine in my bag with a bottle of water that spilled inside the bag, soaking the iPod. I discovered it when I got to work--the water was sloshing around inside the screen--I was sure it was ruined. I carefully used tissue to remove as much water as I could from every crevice and then put it under the low heat of a desk lamp to evaporate moisture. It was dead for a week, but slowly over the course of three weeks it came back to life--the screen cleared up completely, it was able to hold a charge, and I reset it and uploaded all its content. Months later it's still in perfect working order.

Daniel Greenberg: Thanks, DC.

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Los Angeles, Calif.: My wife and I want a computer in the kitchen that will also double as a television. What components do we need? K

Daniel Greenberg: I'd get a laptop, and not a desktop (at least a laptop has a chance of being closed in the event of a kitchen-related hazard like a spill). You'll need a TV tuner like the ADS Tech MiniTV USB external TV Tuner for about $70. HP makes an internal TV tuner with Media Center features for about $200.

Or look at the Toshiba QOSIMO laptop with a built-in TV tuner. New ones with the very fast Core 2 chip are around $1500, but older models are under $1000.

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Grantham, N.H.: What can you recommend for a good digital camera that I can purchase for $150 to $200.

washingtonpost.com: For Cameras, Zoom In on Your Resolution Needs

Daniel Greenberg: An older model, the Canon PowerShot A520 is terrific and can be found for around $150.

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Annapolis, Md.: A wife has hundreds of VHS tapes of her high school cheerleading days she would like to convert to dvd. Is there any device that I can buy that will enable her to do that (without too much frustration)?

Daniel Greenberg: Check out the story I did on this earlier this year.

Go team!

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Brit in Alexandria, Va.: IPods and Cars. I am looking for your thoughts on Car IPod Integration Sets. I drive a Jeep Liberty and am considering buying a Mopar Integration set as part of a Christmas gift. Do they work? Has anyone got one that can offer comment?

Daniel Greenberg: We rarely get evaluation units of things that require dealer installation, so I have not been able to do a full eval of these systems. I will be taking a look at some at CES, and may have more to report then.

Anyone tried one out?

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Daniel, My partner wants me to get him an FM transmitter for his iPod, so he listen to it in the car. I had heard that AudiaX made a good one, but it doesn't appear to be for sale anymore. Do you have any suggestions for a different brand that would be good?

Daniel Greenberg: I've never had a problem with the Griffin iTrip I've been using, now in a new version with a screen.

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Tahoe City, Calif.: I'm looking at getting a Slingbox so I can watch my TiVo when I travel... also moving to Geneva soon and don't want to miss the Daily Show. Is the Slingbox a good choice for this application? What are the alternatives?

Daniel Greenberg: Slingbox is a terrific product. I think that place-shifting will become the new time-shifting as soon as people get to experience all that it can do. Slingbox also makes an HDTV unit, too, which I have not yet tested (overkill for the Daily Show).

Sony makes a rival product, and I've gotten press releases on some new models. I hope to do a roundup soon.

When you move, remember that the Slingbox must be hooked up to a TV here where the broadcasts are, not in Geneva. If all you want is the Daily Show, Comedy Central makes downloads available from their Website.

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Bethesda, Md.: Hi Daniel, Okay what's the best deal in the large, flat-screen TV department? Should I wait until after the holidays for a better deal?

Daniel Greenberg: The best deal changes week to week (and by size- what size are you looking for?

My informal, non-scientific price check shows Costco as seeming to have the best overall range of prices, but wild sales on one unit from the big box electronic stores undercut them periodically.

Yes, you will invariably find lower overall prices after the holidays, but some sales are tough to turn down now. If you can wait, go ahead. (But be aware that you could always wait for prices to come down.)

If you can control the light and have a lot of wall space, the very best deal in flat screens is the flattest screen of all- an HD projector. I've been enjoying a crystal clear, movie-sized 120 inch HDTV screen for over a year on a $1000 projector. Beat that!

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New York: My boyfriend's parents are an interesting couple - he (dad) is very specific/rigid with his hardware/software setup, and so sort of dislikes her (mom) touching the computer in anyway. She was not tech savvy to begin with and with this 'fear' doesn't really use the computer at all, which is a shame, because I've helped her and I can tell she's very intuitive about it. Having access to the internet would enhance her life so much. Very broad question: is there a gift that would help make the situation better? I suppose, her own laptop?

Daniel Greenberg: Yes, and probably a Mac. Easier to learn, less intimidating, fewer Internet microbes, and anathema to specific/rigid PC types.

(I say this as a huge fan of PCs- I'm using one right now.)

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Tucson, Ariz.: I want to get my husband a new LCD monitor, but I'm not sure what features to look for. He uses the computer mainly for gaming and I use it for photos and music. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Daniel Greenberg: Yes. The bigger the better. Gamers tend to have better graphics cards that can drive over-sized monitors in higher resolutions. Using a small monitor is a waste of how gorgeous they can look. Just make sure it has a fast refresh rate.

Big LCDs also can make multitaskers a lot more productive.

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Daniel Greenberg: There are still a ton of questions, so I'll go into extra innings.

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Arlington, Va.: My wife and I have an eight-month-old son, and as such are spending more and more time at home. As a Christmas present to each other, we've decided to upgrade our 15-year old TV and stereo. In doing some shopping, I am trying to find a reasonably priced stereo system that will allow us to dock an iPod that has an am/fm tuner as a replacement to our current all-in-one stereo system. The best I could find is one from iLive for $150. That fits our budget, but it got mixed reviews. Ideally, I would also like to hook our new TV through the stereo as well. Any suggestions? (We already have an iPod.)

Daniel Greenberg: The good ones tend to be expensive, like the Onkyo A-9555. I have not reviewed any of the low-end models. But be aware that with a simple iPod connection kit you can buy any stereo you like and connect both the iPod and your TV.

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Washington, DC: I'm looking to get a new flat panel TV. I'm having a hard time deciding between 720p and 1080p. Is the upgrade to 1080p worth the extra 1000 to 1500?

Daniel Greenberg: I hate to burst the marketing rap on this, but my eyes have not seen much difference in 1080p on current sizes of HDTVs.

Also, remember that your DVDs, your HD cable TV, your HD satellite TV and your over the air HD broadcasts are all in lower resolutions than 1080p (like 1080i and 720p), and they still look great. Only the new HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs are 1080p, and they still look exquisite in 720p and 1080i.

The place that 1080p could still shine is with really big screens (I'm talking projector-big) and with the coming 1080p games. Time will tell.

We are in the midst of some testing as this comes available, and we'll let you know what we find.

If your flat panel is under 50 inches,, 720p should look fine at standard viewing distances. Save some money while you wait for screens big enough to possibly fulfill the promise of 1080p.

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Arlington, Va.: Help! I'm trying to find a decent upgrade for the uncomfortable earbuds that came with my husband's iPod, but don't want to spend upwards of $100 on the very high performance ones. Is there anything in the $50 range that is worth buying?

Daniel Greenberg: The excellent Creative Zen Aurvana's I reviewed in the Tech Buyer's Guide have a street price of under $100. High-end maker Etymotic has the ER-6 Isolator in the same range. Sennheiser's MX500 is a mere $20. It blows away the iPod buds.

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For the 10 year old who wants a video iPod: Just buy the Apple Care Protection Plan for the iPod. In my experience, once you buy the plan Apple will repair/replace the iPod for just about any reason.

Daniel Greenberg: Great point. Thanks.

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Bethesda: to Brit in Alexandria - I have a dealer-installed iPod in my Honda Accord. It works perfectly. It rests in the glove box so I don't see the iPod screen and it doesn't identify what's playing on the car's video screen. It has some software that does that by voice but I could never figure out how to work it so I don't use it. Music-wise tho' it's terrific.

Daniel Greenberg: Thanks for the report. How much did it cost including installation?

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Re Arlington upgrading 15yo TV and stereo: I have to put in a plug for the people at Graffiti on Connecticut, they helped me set up a great surround sound system that didn't break the bank. They were very helpful and really seemed to know their stuff. When I checked out (on the internet) what they were proposing on my own, I found that they were on the mark in terms of consumer reviews and costs.

Daniel Greenberg: Another report from the field for DC folks.

I have bought from Graffiti for over a decade, and I like their prices, knowledgeable team, and service. I don't know their latest return/exchange policy, but they are a good source.

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NOVA: A Christmas idea for myself: I need to backup my music and photos on something other than my computer. I'm not too tech-savvy. What do I need and how easy is it to move stuff (I can figure out my photos, but worry about moving my mp3s b/c 1. I'm not 100 percent sure where they are stored and 2. I don't want iTunes to lose them). thanks!

Daniel Greenberg: Good for you. My pet cause is backups. You want an external hard drive that plugs in via USB 2.0 (the old version USB 1.1 is too slow) or Firewire. You can unplug it and move it to another PC.

I have had good experiences with Maxtor's One Touch external drives, which also come with decent backup software. Prices have been falling lately, and everyone should get them.

If you have multiple computers on a home network, get one of the new network-attached external drives (Maxtor also makes a few). They are more expensive, but they will back up all your PCs even when your main PC is turned off.

Also remember that if you have an iPod or other MP3 player, that is also a backup, and can backup more than music. But don't rely on this alone, since you could lose or damage the iPod.

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Annapolis, Md.: What portable GPS do you recommend?

Daniel Greenberg: I wish I could- I have not yet done a roundup of them. I hope to test them soon. Anyone have one they prefer, and why?

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silver spring: I want a big old reliable USB hub. Any recommendations? Every single one that costs under $50 gets lots of bad reviews. Should I take a lesson from that, or is there a cheap good one?

Daniel Greenberg: Get a cheap one. I've been using a D-Link hub for years with no hiccups, and that one is about $20.

Just make sure to buy one with USB 2.0 and not 1.1 (most are now, but you never know...)

And if the one you buy dies, definitely return it and get a new one or get your $20 back.

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Tenafly, N.J.: Is there a gadget that lets me listen to AM/FM radio on my iPod nano?

Daniel Greenberg: Apple makes the FM Radio Remote for the Nano. Third party makers have cheaper ones, too, like Belkin's TuneFM.

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Alexandria: Too Many Gadgets. I have a cellphone, PocketPC and am looking to add an MP3 player. But I cannot carry a third device. Are there any phones that have decent MP3 capability - or would be worth it as a PocketPC/Phone?

Daniel Greenberg: I use a Treo 650 to accomplish all those tasks because I too got tired of a pocketful of unintegrated gadgets. The audio quality is fine with decent earbuds (and an adapter for the mini connector).

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Bethesda: On the integrated iPod for a vehicle, I don't remember the cost. But I just checked the website of the dealer from whom I bought the vehicle and the accessory - now listed as a generic mp3 player is - is priced at $544 which I believe includes installation.

I would think that Circuit City or some other seller could sell a generic and install for slightly less but that's just a guess.

Daniel Greenberg: Thanks, Bethesda.

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Jason, DC: Hi Daniel, My wife wants a PDA, but is also due for a new phone. I was thinking of getting a smartphone, but I know she doesn't need the push email, web access etc. Is it possible (affordable?) to get a smartphone without some sort of data plan on any provider? Thanks.

Daniel Greenberg: Yes. The Sprint phone I have has an optional data plan.

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Arlington, Va.: Are the higher end in-ear buds worth their price. I'm talking the Etymotic's et al. I have a pair of $30-40 Sony EX71's that I like well enough and they provide a pretty good fit in my ears. The wires are a little fragile though which is something I worry about on the higher end ones as well. I don't want to lay out big bucks only to have the wires break.

Daniel Greenberg: Yes. Higher end earbuds make iPods sound like they had an audio upgrade. All the high end models come with good warranties. I wouldn't let that deter me.

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Columbia, Md.: I am in a position this year to spend a little more money for Christmas and am willing to spend up to $275. for a DVR/VCR combo. What would a good choice be?

Daniel Greenberg: I have not tested many, but I like the Samsung in the DVD/VCR story mentioned above.

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Tampa, Fla.: Just wanted to let everyone know my husband bought me a Garmin Nuvi 350 and I got it early. I (was) always getting lost and late for everything. I love my Nuvi b/c it is very simple to use right out of the box, and because it talks so I don't have to look at a screen. Also, when I am in an unfamiliar part of town I can type in a restaurant chain or a car wash or whatever and it will tell me where the closest ones are. It's awesome! $488 at Wal-Mart. -Melissa

Daniel Greenberg: Thanks. It costs more than others, but I have heard good things about that model.

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Washington, D.C.: Thanks for taking my question. I'm looking for an standalone internet radio to allow me to listen to music from around the world without having to fire up my PC. The only one I've been able to find is the Acoustic Energy Wi-Fi radio. Do you know of any other standalone internet radios?

Daniel Greenberg: I have not tested those, but I hope to soon. If you have a smartphone, software like pTunes can stream Internet radio to your phone.

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Burke, VA: The lovely bride wants a better cell phone, and would like to dump her old Handspring. Obviously solution: a Treo. BUT -- and here's the question -- is the iPhone (that legendary, but yet unseen, beast) actually coming in January? We're a happy iPod family.

Daniel Greenberg: Good luck guessing and speculating with the rest of us. If you don't need one in the next two months (at least), cross your fingers and wait.

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Alexandria, Va.: Thanks for your help in suggesting the SanDisk players. Do you know which download series (let's say $1/song) would be compatible? I'm trying to avoid paying $15 for streaming but not owning media...or whatever it's called. Thanks!

Daniel Greenberg: SanDisk is starting a service with Real Rhapsody. With Microsoft appearing to be abandoning its own PlaysForSure, it could be worthwhile.

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College Park, Md.: I'm getting a Canon digital camera for Christmas (sd600). In your opinion, would I be better off using the photo software that comes with the camera or scrapping that for Google's Picassa? Is it necessary to have Canon's software in order to get the pictures onto the computer in the first place?

Daniel Greenberg: Google Picassa should import photos from Canons. If you are already familiar with the free Picassa and it does all you need, why learn new software?

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Arlington, Va.: I was looking for a "docking station"(?) for an MP3 player for my child where the MP3 player is not an IPod. All the ones I saw said they were made for IPods. Can you use an IPod station for any MP3? Or do you need to get some other kind?

Daniel Greenberg: What is the model? There are docking stations for Creative's MP3 players and others. Some iPod docking stations have a standard input jack so you can play the audio- but not charge the portable. You'll still need to plug in the charger.

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Herndon, Va.: What do you think of the less expensive LCD 37 and 42" LCD HDTV brands that can be 2/3 to 1/2 the price of the majors? I've heard they use the same panels and components, so performance is often comparable.

Daniel Greenberg: I have seen great cheap HDTVs. Some of the majors, like Sharp and Panasonic make more exquisite TVs than the cheap ones, but not all name brands do. Brand is helpful, but not perfectly helpful. Minor maker Vizio has come from nowhere with some outstanding models at rock-bottom prices, including their 42 inch model.

You need to do your own eyeball test in a store (though even that is not a perfect test, since stores can tune up some models and de-tune others.

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Arlington, Va.: My son wants an iPod shuffle for Christmas, but our home (dinosaur) PC runs Windows 98. Any thoughts on a stripped-down desktop or laptop that'll let him transfer music? Thanks much

Daniel Greenberg: Many models still work with Windows 98. Creative's Muvo NX, for one. Also, you can buy a very inexpensive early models like a Rio on Ebay for a song.

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Washington, D.C.: Dear Dan, do your readers have any experience using a service that will put your CD collection on your IPod for you? My son mentioned a service called Riptopia where you send them your CDs via mail they "rip" them, whatever that means, and they put them on your IPod so all you have to do is turn it on. This sounds perfect for a person, such as myself, who doesn't know much about computers/tech. However, since I don't know much about computers/tech I would prefer a more informed opinion. Thanks

Daniel Greenberg: Unfortunately, I don't. Though this would make a great story idea. Especially since I have fallen behind in my CD ripping recently, and now have maybe 200 CDs in need of conversion to MP3 format. Stay tuned...

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Silver Spring: My Husband likes to listen to audio books. Which MP3 player would you recommend for just that purpose? He doesn't need it for music since he already has a Sirius system. Really enjoy your information!

Daniel Greenberg: The iPod is fine. Even the Shuffle lets you use bookmarks. Also check out the Zen V from Creative, since it has extra features for audiobooks.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Daniel, As an early Christmas gift, I bought myself the Treo 680. As a new Treo owner, what should I be looking for to make the most of out my new toy? For what it's worth, I'm a woman.

Daniel Greenberg: Extra memory. An SD Card (maybe one that converts to USB without an adapter-- see the Gift Guide.)

And also a visit to http://www.treocentral.com. You'll be glad you visited. The forums are very helpful. Enjoy your new toy.

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London, U.K.: I'm looking for a digital camera that is great in low-light, has very quick shutter lag time, large screen (tiltable?), and has image stabilization. Recommendations?

Daniel Greenberg: The Canon PowerShot SD630 would be your camera if it had image stabilization. Try the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1. I have not tested it, but on paper it should do what you want.

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Daniel Greenberg: OK- 2 and half hours is too long- we all have work to do. Apologies to all the people with unanswered questions. Maybe Rob can pick up some in his next chat.

Happy tech giving!

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