V-8 power + 4-cylinder efficiency = BMW Advanced Diesel

• Starting at $51,200 MSRP
• 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine
• 265 horsepower
• xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive
• 26 mpg hwy*
• More information

The good: First-rate performance; solid, well-constructed body with nice viewfinder; video capture capability; great photo quality.

The bad: Middling kit lens; poor HDMI output implementation.

The bottom line: Like the D80 before it, the Nikon D90 delivers an excellent dSLR for the money.

Product Features

• 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• D-Movie Mode; Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

The good: The Sony Ericsson W760a has an attractive, easy-to-use design with a well-stocked, music-friendly feature set. It also offers broad world phone support, an accelerometer, and reliable performance.

The bad: The Sony Ericsson W760a’s menus are slightly sluggish, and some of its navigation controls were crowded. Also, it lacks a camera flash, and we’re concerned about the long-term durability of its keypad buttons.

The bottom line: The Sony Ericsson W760a is the best Sony Ericsson Walkman phone we’ve seen, by far. It corrects one of Sony Ericsson’s usual design pitfalls while offering a generous feature set and satisfying performance. We can suggest a few tweaks that should make it a winner.

The good: Accurate color after calibration; energy efficient; numerous picture controls; understated, numerous inputs including five HDMI; understated, no-nonsense styling.

The bad: Uneven backlight uniformity produces banding; delivers lighter blacks than some LCDs; poor off-angle viewing characteristics; lacks dejudder video processing.

The bottom line: The Sharp LC-46D85U’s picture quality issues will give many potential buyers pause, but its dejudder-free 120Hz refresh rate might find some fans.

Price range: $1,174.92 – $1,999.99

Sharp LC-46D85U Technical Details

• 46-Inch Full HD 1080p HDTV LCD-TV with 120Hz Fine Motion Enhanced
• 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• 5 HDMI inputs (v1.3 with Deep Color)
• PC Input
• RS-232C Input for control

Shop and Compare

Organize
Manage your photos in one place, and find photos you forgot you had

Edit
Eliminate scratches & blemishes, fix red-eye, crop and more

Create
Turn photos into movies, collages, slideshows and more

Share
Upload seamlessly to Picasa Web Albums to share with friends, family & the world

Download Picasa

Another video showing you what’s new in Picasa 3.

Picasa 3 feature overview

• Sync your Picasa 3 and Picasa Web Albums edits
• Retouch your images
• Preview image files with Picasa Photo Viewer
• Create and edit movies
• Capture your screen
• Add text or watermarks to your photos
• Print captions
• Upload easily to Picasa Web Albums
• Control your Picasa Web Albums settings
• Manage folders on your computer
• Get more information about your photos
• Want to learn more about Picasa 3? Check out the improvements Google has made to existing features.

The good: Relatively inexpensive; reproduces deep black levels and realistic shadow detail; accurate grayscale after calibration; extensive picture controls including custom color temperature settings; solid video processing; plenty of connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input; well-thought-out design.

The bad: Some false contouring; inaccurate primary color of green; no aspect ratio or noise reduction control with HD sources.

The bottom line: Vizio’s best effort yet, the VP505XVT 50-inch plasma aces that delicate balance between picture quality and value.

Vizio 50 inch Plasma HDTV – VP50 Technical Details

• 50 Inch Plasma with 10bit resolution
• 178 Degrees Horizontal and Vertical Viewing
• 10 bit, 231 billion colors
• 15,000:1 Contrast Ratio
• 16 x 9 Wide Screen Aspect Ratio

Shop and Compare

Set in a modern day survival-horror universe, the co-operative gameplay of Left 4 Dead (L4D) casts four “Survivors” in an epic struggle against hordes of swarming zombies and terrifying “Boss Infected” mutants. Developed by Turtle Rock Studios and Valve, creators of the Counter-Strike and Half-Life games, the latest AI technology allows for multiplayer games of one to eight players.

A new and highly virulent strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population with frightening speed. The pandemic’s victims become grotesquely disfigured widely violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. As one of the “lucky” few apparently immune to the sickness, you, unfortunately, are also trapped in a city crawling with thousands of the bloodthirsty Infected. Alone, you’re dead. But together with a handful of fellow survivors, you might just fight your way to safety.

Players can play as a Survivor or as one of four types of Boss Infected, each of whom possess a unique mutant ability, such as a 50-foot tongue lasso or a giant belly full of explosive methane gas. The gameplay of L4D is set across four massive campaigns. The zombie population of each mission is choreographed by an AI Director that monitors the human players’ actions and creates a unique and dramatic experience for them on the fly.

Gamespot Left 4 Dead Video Review

Related

• Left 4 Dead Guide (Xbox 360)
• Left 4 Dead Review (Xbox 360 / Teamxbox)
• Left 4 Dead Review (Gamespot)
• Left 4 Dead Gamesite

Shop and Compare

The good: Solid 720p video, particularly for a camcorder this size; ultraslim yet functional design; easy to use; one-touch video uploading to YouTube, AOL, and MySpace; integrated lithium ion rechargeable battery; FlipShare software is compatible with both Macs and Windows machines.

The bad: Somewhat pricey; no SD/MMC card expansion slot; rechargeable battery isn’t removable or replaceable; can’t output HD to HDTVs.

The bottom line: While it has its flaws and is a bit expensive, the ultrasimple Flip Video MinoHD produces impressive video for a camcorder of its size.

Specifications: Video input type: Camcorder; Media type: Flash card

Price range: $229.00 – $232.99

• Holds 60 minutes of HD-quality video (1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second; 16:9 widescreen) on 4 GB of built-in memory
• Weighs only 3.3 ounces; Super-slim, super-sleek design, fits into your pocket or purse
• Features one-touch recording and digital zoom
• Flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch built-in FlipShare software
• FlipShare software lets you save and organize your videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, email your videos, and upload them

Shop and Compare

The good: The 2008 BMW M3′s roster of performance tech is amazing, from the double-VANOS system, to control fuel flow, to its engine, to the sport adjustable suspension, to regenerative braking to power its electronics. In the cabin, we like the integrated traffic reporting in the navigation system, the iPod adapter, and the Bluetooth cell phone system.

The bad: Beyond some interface issues with the iDrive system, we found very little that could be considered bad about the M3.

The bottom line: The 2008 BMW M3 is a tame lion. It’s easy to handle among traffic and urban driving, while ferocious on the track or out in the hills. Its cabin electronics are among the best available.

Specifications: Body style: Coupe; Trim levels: M3; Available Engine: Gas See full specs

Some Reviews From Around The Web

• 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Full Test

• M3 Coupe : Model Overview – BMW North America

The good: Beautiful design highlighted by thinnest LCD panel on the market; solid picture quality with relatively deep black levels and accurate color; 120Hz refresh rate features dejudder processing.

The bad: Expensive; very dark areas of picture tend toward blue; some artifacts in dejudder mode; sparse inputs on monitor; poorly integrated optional AV Center.

The bottom line: A high price and a quirky, optional AV Center lessen the appeal, but the stunning design of the ultrathin Hitachi UT37X902 will draw buyers who want the ultimate in flat-panel chic.

Specifications: Product type: LCD flat panel display; Diagonal size: 37 in; Resolution: 1920 x 1080; 

Price range: $1,899.98

Key Features

• 120Hz with Motion Interpolation
• 360° High Gloss Finish
• Crystal Frame (Black Sapphire)
• EEFL High Efficiency Back Light
• Full HD1080
• In Plane Switching Pro (IPS-Pro)
• PictureMaster™ HD VI and V
• Reel120™ Film De-Judder
• Ultra Quiet-fanless ventilation
• UltraThin 1.5″ (1.38″ min)
• 3D Digital Color Management
• Audio Video Center with ATSC/NTSC/QAM Tuning
• Automatic 2:3 Film Enhancement
• Dot by Dot Aspect Mode
• Flexible Black Insertion for Superior Clarity
• Game Mode
• Multiple Language On Screen Display
• Picture Modes (Dynamic, Natural, Cinema)
• Ultra Wide 178° Viewing Angle IPS Liquid Crystal Display