No man is complete without his toys. As you probably know, I’m a gadget freak. I’m a firm believer in how technology can make your life better. Unfortunately, technology also gets old and worn out. Case in point: I don’t understand people who use cell phones from 1994. Mine get all beat up very quickly, so I seem to get a new cell phone every year. I’m unintentionally on the cutting edge. Yeah, baby!

No, I don’t have to get the “latest and greatest.” The latest stuff usually commands a premium price, and there are often features that improve with every successive model. Don’t get me wrong; if money was no object, then I’d be buying stuff left and right. Who wouldn’t? A man can dream, can’t he?

Panasonic 54″ TC-P54G25

After nearly 11 years with my first tv, a Sony 32″ Wega, my wife and took the plunge and bought our first HDTV. After much debating and researching, I ultimately went with my first choice, a Panasonic plasma, based on black levels, color accuracy, and overall performance for the price. This television also features Panasonic’s VieraCast that supports Amazon VOD and features YouTube, weather, and news applets, but I don’t use it for any of that. I haven’t even hooked it up to the network, as I don’t want to spend the money on an additional wireless adapter, or run ethernet cable throughout the house.

The set performs very well, but I have noticed a slight buzz when it is quiet in the house and the set is on. It’s similar to the buzz from a flourescent lightbulb, but it’s barely audible when you have the speakers on at regular volume. I don’t use the built-in TV speakers, as I use my home theater for movie and television watching.

Pananonic TC-P54G25 & new AV setup

Pioneer VSX-1020-K AV Receiver

I originally had an Onkyo 750-watt 6.1 surround sound AV receiver that still worked great, but sadly, it wasn’t future-proof. Key missing item: no HDMI ports. Who knew back in 2003?

To accomodate our new HD viewing needs, (and so we could watch content that complied with HDCP, we purchased a new Pioneer AV receiver that would work with my original Onkyo 6.1 speakers. The VSX-1020-K is Pioneer’s mid-to-higher-end audio/video receiver of 2010. Connected through HDMI, all of my devices (TiVo, TV, PS3) all pipe directly through the Pioneer for audio, and we use the receiver to switch inputs to watch TV or movies.

• Connections for HD video, HD audio, wireless and analog components.
• Up to 7.1 channel configuration plus two zones.
• 1080p video conversion and upscaling, support for 3D video and more
• iPhone / iPod port and ability to play music straight to the receiver.

The receiver performs very well, and I would say there is a marked improvement over my Onkyo receiver. There is also an ethernet jack and an option for a Bluetooth adapter to input streaming audio (NetRadio) directly to the speaker, but I don’t use this feature. I’m happy with the iPhone/iPod port on the front. I upgraded my surround sound in 2011 to a full 7.1 setup, so now I’m fully loaded.

Pioneer VSX-1020K

80 GB Sony PlayStation 3

My first console system since the 8-bit NES in the late 1980′s, so I’ve come a long way. Cell processor, wireless controllers, 802.11b/g wireless networking, Blu-ray, DVD upconversion, and the ability to watch streaming movies and other content, using the native Netflix & Vudu apps. It’s also beautiful to behold. We use the PlayStation primarily for watching movies through Netflix, but I play games when I have the time. A huge benefit is that, since we only own a handful of Blu-ray discs, it does an excellent job at upscaling DVD 480p video.

Sony Playstation 3

Logitech Harmony One and PS3 Adapter

With all the home theater equipment in our houses, the number of remote controls increase as well. With our new Panasonic plasma, the new Pioneer AV receiver, the Tivo DVR, and the PS3, to watch a movie or show requires 2-3 remotes at any time. Nonsense, I say. It took a few months, but we upgraded to a Logitech Harmony One universal remote control to control all of our devices. To control the PS3, we also needed the Logitech Harmony PS3 Adapter. The device is configured using a web-based configuration screen, then the config downloaded via USB cable.

Logitech Harmony One

Harmony One in the cradle and the PS3 adapter

Tivo Premiere Series 4 DVR

After owning two Series 2 DVRs, and then learning to despise the Verizon FiOS STB/DVR over the course of 15 months, we upgraded to the Tivo Premiere Series 4 DVR. The Tivo Series 4 has double the storage capacity, is more internet-friendly, and a somewhat better user interface. It’s currently on our network via the Tivo 802.11n wireless adapter. While I like the Series 4 in theory, Tivo has not worked out all the kinks yet. There are a number of UI screens not yet converted to HD, and the interface overall is sluggish (one of the processor cores remain disabled due to “stability reasons.”) Still, it’s been promised that these will be addressed in ongoing software updates. I am not holding out much hope on updates to resolve these glaring problems, as it’s been over 12 months since the initial release, and Tivo Inc. has been mum. Not a good sign. I’m not sure if I would recommend the Tivo Premiere to other people, but time will tell.

Tivo Premiere Series 4

TiVo 802.11n wireless adapter

Apple iPhone 4

• 960 x 640 (326ppi) high-resolution IPS display
• Quad-band HSDPA/HSUPA (7.2Mbps down/5.8Mbps up)
• better looking email
• better browsing experience
• 5 megapixel camera
• huge app library
• support and integration with my iTunes library
• 720p HD video recording

Apple iPhone 4

Apple iPod 16 GB Touch (1st generation)

This was a gift to replace my original 20 Gb Generation 3 iPod (my replacement also died). The Touch is pretty neat, I must say. I wasn’t initially impressed with it, but I grew attached to it when I experienced the benefits. The ability to access Facebook, check the weather, read websites, and listen to music while running on a treadmill at the gym. I currently use my Apple iPhone 4 now to listen to music as I carry that around all the time. Nowadays, I’ve repurposed the iPod Touch to listen to digital music when hooked up to my home audio receiver.

Apple iPod Touch 16Gb

Shure SE-210

Looking for a better portable music experience, I was on the hunt for something affordable. The Shure SE-210 in-ear headphones were a mix of quality and price. They take some getting used to, and you need to use the sleeves that best fit your ear canals, but they output your music with excellent clarity.

Shure SE210

Dell Dimension 8400

After four years of slugging it out with my previous 1.6 Ghz Dell Dimension, I purchased this computer in March 2005. I stuck with Dell, since I thought they made quality products. It’s getting long in the tooth, so I’ve got my eyes on a new desktop in 2011. In the meantime, here are the quick specs on the Dell:

• P4 3.6Ghz
• 3 GB RAM
• 250 GB hard drive
• 300 GB backup internal hard drive
• DVD-RW drive
• 256 Mb Geforce 6800 video card

Dell Dimension 8400

Dell Ultrasharp 1905FP LCD

In March 2005, along with my new PC, I upgraded to a 19″ LCD monitor. Having built-in USB 2.0 ports is just a plus. Next year in 2011, I want to upgrade to a 23 or 25″ LCD monitor.

Dell Ultrasharp

Logitech Z-5300

280 watts, THX-rated. These are great computer speakers. I’ve learned that there is no real discrete surround sound in PC gaming, but these are a nice-to-have anyway.

Logitech Z5300

HP LaserJet 1300n

Sick of inkjets that wear out in 3 months, we opted for a laser printer. Faster, stronger, better, and not as expensive as they used to be. We opted for the 1300n model, which came with a network card. Why? Because, being networked to the home LAN means anyone can plug into the network and independently print from anywhere in the house. She loves it. None of this Microsoft Windows Printer Sharing crap.

• Up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi resolution
• Up to 20 ppm print speed
• 16 MB standard memory, expandable to 80 MB
• First page in just 8 seconds
• USB and parallel interfaces, optional networking

Cisco Flip UltraHD

I received this as a Christmas gift for easier recording and uploading of home movies. While I do like the video/audio quality of the Panasonic PV-GS250, I have found it extremely difficult to transfer video to the home PC off the mini DV tapes. I’ve recorded a lot of video on the Flip, and have found the ability to upload and edit video through the built-in software interface to be very easy.

Cisco Flip UltraHD video camera

2003 Fuji Finest-AL

I didn’t learn how to ride a bike for many years, but then I learned by accident. I first got a BMX bike in 1985, and had a blast. Later, I graduated to a 10-speed bike in 6th grade, and I would bike everywhere.

After all these years, I really missed the feel of the wind in my face. In October 2002, I bought a new 2002 Fuji Finest -Al bike with a light aluminum frame. Originally, it came with entry-level Shimano Sora parts, as well as cheap toeclip pedals, and a uncomfortable saddle. Since 2002, I’ve upgraded it with Shimano 105 SPD-SL clipless pedals, a Vetta cyclocomputer, a Selle Royal Lookin Saddle, and replaced the original back wheel (due to parts fatigue), and even replaced the handlebar tape twice. In the future, I will have to decide between upgrading the rest of entry-level Sora components (the rear derailleur, the brakes, the crankset, etc.) to the better-quality mid-range Shimano 105 components, or purchasing an all new Cannondale or Trek that already has the 105s. I estimate that I’ve logged over a 1000 miles since 2002, and my Fuji served me well. I’m not quite ready to drop $2000 on a new road bike just yet.

Original 2003 Fuji Finest-AL

2008 Toyota Highlander Limited

I consider this a toy and a mechanism for conveyance. It has cool features that I’ve never had before, such as heated seats, AUX jack for my iPod, keyless ignition, remote start, 9 JBL speakers with subwoofer and 6-CD changer. I know lots of vehicles have these features, but I’ve never had them before, and I’m easy to impress.

2008 Highlander Limited