No modern-day dad wants a tie for Father's Day. He wants gadgets that plug in, light up and make noise.
Defining moment
Give your father more reasons to stay at home by getting him a high-definition DVD player. Toshiba, which co-developed the HD-DVD format with NEC, has released its compact, second-generation DVD player - the HD-E1. This model supports 720p and 1080i video modes, which help provide images with more detail and clarity. (The numbers 720 and 1080 signify lines of vertical resolution; the letters 'p' and 'i' stand for, respectively, 'progressive scan' and 'interlaced'.) Output options include high-definition multimedia interface 1.2, component video, S-video and composite video. The player supports the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD surround-audio standards. It also has an ethernet port for internet connectivity, which is important for HD discs' online features. An attractive feature of the HD-E1 is its ability to upgrade your existing 576i standard-definition DVDs to 1080i resolution. The HD-E1 costs HK$3,980, which makes it the least expensive HD-capable DVD player on the market.
One-stop shop
Keep your father busy in his home office with an all-in-one device from Hewlett-Packard. The Photosmart C6180 combines high-quality colour print, scan, fax and copy functions in a single desktop unit. Its networking capabilities include wireless 802.11g, ethernet, Universal Serial Bus and an optional Bluetooth adapter. The C6180, a thermal inkjet printer, can print resolutions up to 4800 x 1200 dots per inch and scan up to 4800dpi. It will work with both PCs and Macs. It also has built-in slots for a range of storage devices: CompactFlash, IBM Microdrive, Memory Stick, SD card and xD-Picture cards. That means you can insert a memory card from your digital camera into the device, select photos you want via its 2.4-inch colour screen and make prints without the need for a computer. It measures 450mm x 385mm x 247mm and costs HK$2,988.
Perfect harmony
