Jason Dunn
03-06-2008, 09:00 PM
<img border="0" alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1204830240.usr1.png" /><br /><br />Although the basic theme of this site has stayed the same over the years, when we launched with a new name and a new template a couple of months ago, I figured it was time for a grand re-launch contest as a way of thanking long-time readers, and of course bringing in new readers.<br /><br />The contests will be simple: every week-day I'll be highlighting one of the prizes we're giving away, and you'll have to post a comment in the thread answering my question (likely related to the item and what you'd like to do with it, or what your favourite feature is). One random winner will be selected when the contests are all closed, which will be in early April. There may be some geographical restrictions on some of the contests (due to shipping costs), so pay attention to the individual contest description to make sure you qualify.<br /><br />Now, let's get to the list of prizes! Thanks to a great group of <em>very</em> generous sponsors whom I'm grateful to, I have the thrill of being able to give away just under $6500 USD worth of prizes (and there may be one more coming). Here's what we're lining up to give away over the next few weeks:<br /><br /><font size="4"><em><strong>GRAND PRIZES</strong></em></font><br /><strong><a href="http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=50" target="_blank">Orb Audio Mod1 PLUS 5.1 surround sound system:</a></strong> These small speakers pack a lot of punch, and look good doing it. I have a set I'm currently reviewing, and they're absolutely <em>fantastic</em>. This kit includes a two-speaker centre channel, four single-speaker surround channels, cabling, and an eight-inch sub-woofer (one kit, $999 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=14869"><strong>Canon Vixia HV20 HD Camcorder:</strong></a> Courtesy of the Windows Vista team at Microsoft, this Certified for Windows Vista device was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/31439/canon-s-hv20-a-high-definition-vista-certified-delight.html">reviewed by yours truly</a> late last year, and it's a truly fantastic HD camera (one camera, $999 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fotofusion.com/extreme/ext_overview.shtml" target="_blank"><strong>LumaPix FotoFusion Extreme:</strong></a> Make jaw-dropping photo collages and layouts in just a few clicks with this amazing software (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/31340/gorgeous-photo-layouts-with-lumapix-s-fotofusion-v4.html">reviewed here</a>). The Extreme version also comes with a huge assortment of templates, photo frames, and photo effects, giving you instant results (five copies, $299 USD MSRP value each).<br /><strong><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=15262">Canon Powershot 850 IS Digital Camera</a>:</strong> Also courtesy of the Windows Vista team at Microsoft, this Certified for Windows Vista device is an 8 megapixel point and shoot camera with image stabilization (one camera, $299 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><font size="4"><em><strong>HARDWARE</strong></em></font><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Studio+MovieBox+Ultimate+version+11.htm"><strong>Pinnacle MovieBox Ultimate:</strong></a> Video capture hardware? Check. Powerful video editing software? Check. AVCHD editing? Check. BIAS SoundSoap audio noise cleaning? Check. Scorefitter for making musical scores for your videos? Check. It's all here - truly, an ultimate toolkit (one unit, $149.99 USD MSRP value)<br /><br /><a href="http://audioengineusa.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=82&osCsid=980016afa03e7fe717ea13694a0373cf" target="_blank"><strong>AudioEngine AW1 Wireless Adaptor:</strong></a> This brand new and clever gadget allows you to pump wireless audio from various audio sources to your speakers (one unit, $149 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Dazzle/Dazzle+Video+Archiving/Dazzle+Video+Creator+Platinum.htm" target="_blank"><strong>Pinnacle Dazzle Video Creator Platinum:</strong></a> This kit gives you the hardware and software you need to transfer those old VHS tapes, or nearly any other video source, to your PC for editing (one unit, $89.99 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/main~unit~Verizon_XV6700-569~area~accessories~item~LSP-MPP01.htm" target="_blank"><strong>PPC Techs Lil' Sync Mobile USB Power Pack:</strong></a> Every gadget needs power and this 4400 mA battery pack will charge almost any device that's capable of charging over USB (four units, $69.99 USD MSRP each).<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=2725&t_mode=des" target="_blank">Proporta USB Mobile Device Charger:</a></strong> This svelte, portable power pack holds 3400 mA of power, allowing you to recharge many sorts of devices on the go (three units, $44.95 USD MSRP value each).<MORE /><br /><br /><font size="4"><em><strong>SOFTWARE</strong></em></font><br /><a href="http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Studio+Ultimate+11.htm" target="_blank"><strong>Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate:</strong></a> Blending remarkable ease-of-use with an impressive list of features, Studio 11 Ultimate allows you to edit video, even HD video, and output it in a variety of ways (one copy, $129.99 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1184603817896"><strong>Corel DVD Copy 6 Plus:</strong></a> This potent tool can do almost anything with a DVD or video file, transcoding it to a huge variety of file formats and bit rates. Optimized for multi-core processors, it makes short work of all tasks (two copies, $49.99 USD MSRP value each).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/creator/suite/features_audio.html?rtrack=hpban11" target="_blank"><strong>Roxio Easy Media Creator Suite 10:</strong></a> Like a Swiss Army knife for digital media, this potent suite of software has all the tools you need to edit, share, create, and burn videos, photos, and music (five copies, $99.99 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1175714228558"><strong>Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus:</strong></a> A full-featured video editor, DVD authoring, burning program, this suite includes everything you need to work with HD videos and output them to DVD or specific device profiles (two copies, $99.99 USD MSRP value each).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/crunch/windows/overview.html" target="_blank"><strong>Roxio Crunch:</strong></a> A powerful video transcoding tool kit, this software is a perfect companion for your iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV (five copies, $39.99 USD MSRP value).<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1173965700866"><strong>Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus:</strong></a> A software tool focused specifically on DVD creation, DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus allows you to create high-definition DVDs, complete with 5.1 surround sound (two copies, $69.99 USD MSRP value each).<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1166553864565"><strong>InterVideo WinDVD 8 Platinum:</strong></a> Got a DVD? Then WinDVD8 Platinum can play it - along with support for H.264, VC1, HD MPEG2, WMV-HD, and many other video files formats (two copies, $69.99 USD MSRP value each).<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ntius.com/backup_now.asp"><strong>NTI Backup Now 5:</strong></a> Got data? Sure you do. Backing it up? Statistically, probably not. This backup tool will back up to CDs, DVDs, FTP servers, network drives, external hard drives - and much more (four copies, $49.99 USD MSRP value each).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/cyberstore/order_33_ENU.html" target="_blank"><strong>Cyberlink DVD Suite 6 Ultra:</strong></a> Ten powerful applications in one package allow you to edit high-definition movies, produce videos to Blu-ray discs, backup your data, and so much more (two copies, $129.95 USD MSRP value).<br /><br />Looks like a great list, doesn't? There are few things I like more than giving things away, so I hope everyone enjoys this contest as much as I will!