Got questions? We've got answers. Here's all the information you'll need to make your shopping experience easier, from helpful buying guides to details on dispatch and returns.

Camcorders

Today's camcorders are a thousand times removed from the big, clunky VHS machines of a decade ago. Modern camcorders are slim, compact machines with powerful zoom, image stabilisation, special effects, and bright view screens.

Read our camcorder buying guide and camcorder glossary
 

DAB

DAB or Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology that offers interference-free near CD-quality sound, a greater choice of stations that are easier to tune as well as data information such as song title and artist that is displayed on a DAB radio digital display.

Read our DAB guide
 

Digital Audio Players

There are many things to consider when choosing a digital audio player, from the audio formats it plays to its expansion options and the software it uses. Understanding the importance of these features is key now that there are so many players on the market at ever more affordable prices. This buying guide will help you make an informed choice when it comes to purchasing your digital audio player.

Read our digital audio player buying guide
 

Digital Cameras

Digital cameras have revitalised photography as a hobby. Because digital cameras record images on reusable memory cards instead of film, there are no developing costs, so you can take as many pictures as you want and only print the ones you like.

Read our digital camera buying guide
 

DivX

DivX is often affectionately referred to as "the MP3 of video", and like MP3 its purpose is to produce high-quality files that are as small as possible. Using clever data compression techniques, DivX files manage to squeeze some of the highest quality digital video available into a format that can allow in excess of 100 minutes of material to be fitted on a single CD-ROM.

Read our DivX guide
 

Driving with Mobile Phones Legislation

Did you know it is now an offence in the UK to use a hand-held mobile phone or handheld communication device such as a PDA while driving? You could face a hefty fine if caught. You could also be prosecuted if you use a mobile phone hands-free while driving and it is deemed that you do not have proper control of your vehicle.

Read our driving with mobile phones article
 

DVD Players

What the CD did for listening to music, the DVD is doing for watching movies. DVD video quality is twice as good as VHS tape and what's more, you can get different versions of a film on a single disc as well as extras such as deleted scenes.

                 Read our DVD player buying guide
 

DVD Recorders

If you're already hooked on DVD, why not upgrade your old VCR for a DVD Recorder? All DVD Recorders play pre-recorded DVDs and audio CDs and are capable of recording on to blank discs, which will not deteriorate in quality over time.

                Read our DVD Recorder buying guide
 

Graphical Calculators

Graphical calculators (GCs) were specifically designed for mathematics and science education as programmable hand-held devices for producing graphs, charts and diagrams. This type of technology helps students to visualise key mathematical concepts instantly, thus gaining a better understanding and ability to apply what they are learning.

Read our graphical calculator buying guide
 

Handhelds and PDAs

Need information on the go? Keep yourself informed, organised and entertained with a handheld computer, also called a personal digital assistant (PDA). Handhelds are mobile computers that manage your calendar, contact information and to-do lists. Some provide a digital camera and voice recorder; others let you surf the Internet and receive e-mail when hooked up to a compatible mobile phone.

Read our handhelds and PDAs buying guide
 

Home Networking

If you have more than one PC in your home and you find yourself arguing with your family or housemates over who gets to surf the Internet first, then perhaps its time to connect them all together with a network. Whether you have a 56 Kbps modem, or a super-fast broadband connection, a network enables all the computers in the home to surf the Internet at the same time as well as share files, data, printers, and even play multi-player games online or across the network.

Read our home networking guide
 

LCD TV

Ever since the invention of the television in the late 1920s, size has always been an issue. Even today, in a world obsessed by miniaturisation, traditional TVs are massive beasts, brooding bulkily in the corner of our living rooms. Thankfully, the rapid development of colour LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology over the past few years has finally brought super-slim flat-screen TVs to life as a practical alternative to traditional models.

Read our LCD TV buying guide
 

Large Screen TV

Is your viewing experience in need of some enhancement? Are you tired of squinting at your tiny telly? Perhaps you’re thinking it’s time to invest in a large screen TV, but are put off by the huge amount of choice on offer, and not sure how much you want to spend.

Read our Large Screen TV buying guide
 

Memory Stick

Massive expandability and storage capacity in a unit that's smaller than a stick of chewing gum. The Memory Stick^® Digital Data Storage System is your passport to convenience and high-performance output, connecting you to the full spectrum of Sony computers and audio/video products.

Read our Memory Stick feature
 

Network MiniDisc Walkman

The MiniDisc format has always offered high-quality audio recording and playback in a portable unit, but bringing together the power of MiniDisc with the versatility of MP3 digital audio, Sony's new Net MD technology could redefine the way we listen to music while on the move. Sony's new Net MD players can record from various sources, accept multiple Internet audio formats, such as MP3 and WMA files, and feature flexible editing tools.

Read our Net MD buying guide
 

Printers

A printer is one of the key peripherals for your computer. You're not using your PC to its full potential if you can't print. Significant technological advances have produced very affordable ink-jet printers that deliver top quality colour prints. This guide will help you understand what you need to consider before you buy.

Read our printer buying guide
 

Scanners

Even though the electronic-information age is upon us, we still live in a world filled with paper documents. A scanner provides the essential link between hard-copy information and your computer. With a scanner, you can scan photos for websites or e-mails and translate paper documents into word-processing files. Our guide will help you decide which scanner is right for your needs.

Read our scanner buying guide
 

Smart Displays

Microsoft Windows-powered Smart Displays are the best way to extend the power of your Windows XP Pro-based PC to any room in your home.* Surf the Web from the sofa, check e-mail while you're lying in bed, download recipes in the kitchen, or share digital pictures on the patio. Smart Displays let you connect wirelessly to your Windows XP Pro-based PC, giving you access to the information, applications, and services you enjoy most, any place and any time you need them. Plus, with an optional docking station, your Smart Display can be used as the primary desktop monitor for your home computing system.

Read our Smart Displays guide
 

Sony ATRAC CD Walkmans

No matter what some people say, size is important. And it doesn't get much more important than when you're talking about CD capacity. If you prefer CDs but you're fed up with lugging them about, then a Sony ATRAC CD Walkman is the ideal travel accessory. It can play standard audio CDs as well as CD-Rs encoded in ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus and even MP3. A standard audio CD holds around 74 minutes of audio, however ATRAC technology allows you to "burn" up to 490 tracks, that's about 30 CDs, on to a standard 80-minute CD-R.

Read our ATRAC CD Walkman guide
 

Sony S2 Sports--Extreme Music for Extreme Sports

Imagine the spine-tingling feeling of the wind screaming past your ears, adrenaline racing through your body, music pumping in your veins. This is the extreme life where Sony's new S2 Sports line of portable audio products fits perfectly. This gear is designed to perform anywhere; the S2 Sports CD players, cassette players, NetMD player/recorders and radios are built to take a pounding.

Read our S2 Sports feature
 

Video Editing

You may think that editing home videos using a standard desktop PC would be a bit of a bind. The truth is that it's really very easy and, above all, not that expensive to get great results. Whether you want to send video e-mails, stream grandad falling out of his chair on the Internet or go the whole hog and create a digital masterpiece on DVD, it's all possible with a bit of time, some creative juices and the right hardware and software. Find out what you need and where to get it in this introduction to desktop video editing.

Read our video-editing buying guide
 

WebCams

Intrigued by the idea of video conferencing, but not sure where to start? Want to put together some video clips to send to distant relatives? Are you looking to take some digital photographs, without spending a fortune on a digital camera? A WebCam could be just what you are looking for.

Read our WebCam buying guide
 

Windows Mobile 2003

Windows Mobile brings to you the proven power and familiarity of Microsoft applications. With powerful Pocket versions of Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, and MSN Messenger, you'll have the tools you need to balance your personal and professional life.

Read our Windows Mobile 2003 feature
 

Wireless-G

Wireless-G is the new 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster than the widely deployed 802.11b products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hot spots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, 54 g wireless devices also work with existing 11 Mbps 802.11b equipment.

Read our Wireless-G feature
 

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