In a message dated 5/4/2005 6:00:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
 writes:

What  device are you using - your "toy"?




Hi all,
 Many thanks to those who responded to my query about mp3's and the  
conversion from cd's, etc. I neglected to mention the "toy", which seems may  have 
something to do with what and how I can convert music files. What I got (an  
early 50th birthday gift from my wife) is a Samsung Sport Digital Camcorder with  
built-in Digital still camera and 10x optical/100x digital zoom! It is a tiny  
unit, and also includes a built-in digital voice recorder and mp3 player. 
Also  has some a semi-remote web-cam attachment, and all sorts of cables and 
chargers,  etc. The camera itself is about the size of a very small pack of 
cigarettes or  smaller, with a fold-out video screen, built-in flash for stills, and 
comes in a  small padded case which straps to your belt or carabiners 
(included) to  just about anything. It is illustrated on page 4 of last weekends Best 
Buy  insert from the paper, and I bought it at Best Buy, on sale.
So far in a few tests, I have been able to digi-scope both still and videos  
of a hummer in my backyard, with good results. I think the voice recorder will 
 work for taking notes in the field, and would love to be able to have all 
the  Stokes Cd on the mp3 player for field use. It came with headphones for that 
 purpose. It is an amazing device, perfect to take the place of all those 
bulky  items we like to carry in the field, and is just plain cool! And on top of 
all  this, the instruction manual is very well written and easy to 
understand, and  the unit is really simple to learn to use, and rather simple to 
operate. Except  for the part about downloading mp3's  P:-(
 
So thanks to all who have responded so far, and I will collate the  responses 
and see what works, if anything, and let you all know. FYI, Sony and  Sharp 
make similar units, all selling for about the same price, though each has  its 
own differences etc. Sharper Image carries both the Sharp and Sony units,  but 
Best Buy did not. It is very new technology, and even the Samsung company  
doesn't yet carry the extended life battery for my unit. The only problem so far 
 is the battery doesn't last long, but is rechargeable. Every place I have  
brought it in my search for the extended life battery, the sales guys  
(techno-junkies) have drooled over it, but none carries the battery. Still  looking. 
The battery which comes with it lasts about an hour or less, with all  the 
zooming, etc. A 3 hour battery will soon be available.
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD