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With the holiday season fast approaching, there’s nothing that warms the heart like giving a gift with no expectation of anything in return. It’s with that spirit that we pass along Dylan’s incredibly important question:

“I’ve been nagging myself to get into digital photography and with Christmas coming soon I’ve decided to get a DSLR so I can dive in. I’m leaning heavily toward the Sony Alpha 350. I’ve always been a big Sony fan but I can back off of that if someone gives me good reason to try Nikon, Canon, etc. I would like to hang around the price range of the Alpha 350; ultimately, I’m looking for a good camera for a newcomer to the scene but I don’t want to have to upgrade soon.”

We hear ya Dylan, and our dutiful readers do too. (Right? Right.) After giving this one a response, feel free to send in your own inquiry to ask at engadget dawt com.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ask Engadget: Best DSLR for a committed amateur? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

This week’s episode of Ask Engadget takes things back into the living room — or the bedroom, or wherever you have a TV — and looks at the selection of HTPCs below the $3,000 range. And c’mon, who’s not into getting a bargain this day and age?

“My query is related to a what is commonly referred to as a Home Media PC. Recently I have gone through the wringer searching online for an HTPC which has the possibility of being upgraded when the time comes. I need it to do all the usual PC things (but on a 46-inch HDTV) and would also like to play RTS games, edit music / video and not go broke in the process. Looking online, most pre-fab vendors are charging upwards of $4,000 to $6,000 for potent media PCs — what are my options for getting one between $2,000 and $3,000 (or less)?”

We know, the bulk of you are just moments away from blurting out “DIY!one1!,” and while that’s obviously a perfectly reasonable response, feel free to share of pre-built machines that just might fit the bill here. Later, you can beam in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com, but only if you feel led. No pressure.

Ask Engadget: Best HTPC under $3,000? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ask Engadget, Laptops

With the world seemingly focusing all of its heated attention onto the world of teeny, tiny netbooks, Seamus is turning his eye elsewhere. Have a look at his very important inquiry below:

“I’m a college student who’s not concerned with owning the next smallest thing in laptops. I don’t have as much time for video games anymore, but wouldn’t mind being able to play them on occasion. However, I love experimenting with bits of movie editing, Photoshop, and recording drum tracks. Is it too much to ask to be able to do these things, at least decently, on a laptop? Looking to spend under $2k if possible, and battery life isn’t all that important.”

We’d say it’s very possible, the question is: which machine is best for the challenge? That’s where you come in — after giving your input, send in a question of your own at ask at engadget dawt com.

Ask Engadget: Best laptop for multimedia editing? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ask Engadget, Digital Cameras

Any avid concert goer will confess — security can be a royal pain in the arse when trying to sneak your point-and-shoot in for a few Facebook-bound memories. ‘Tis a shame a few morons who can’t deactivate their flash has to ruin it for everyone else, but rather than ramble on, we’ll let Latrell take it from here:

“I’m tired of security confiscating my point-and-shoot at concerts. I’m just looking to snap a few good shots without the flash, but it seems they always find my camera on the way in. What’s the slimmest, most discrete camera out there that can still muster decent images. I’m not looking to buy a new cellphone with a robust camera, either. Help a man a need, please.”

We can say from personal experience that we feel this guy’s pain, and after you’ve done your part to make a viable suggestion, you can send in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

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Filed under: Ask Engadget, Displays

Tim from Australia sent in a question via our super-sophisticated submission method (that’d be e-mailing one in to ask at engadget dawt com) regarding e-readers, and given that Sony just pushed out a new one of its own, we found this one particularly timely:

“I’m starting a PhD next year and I’m looking to get an e-book reader so I can read PDFs of journal articles on the bus. It would have to be readable in direct sunlight and have a display large enough to read pages of about 400 to 500 words. Stylishness would also be nice. I don’t know the going rate for decent e-readers but I’d be prepared to spend up to $500.”

So, intellects — what’s the best piece of kit to snag for visually inhaling those scholarly articles in PDF form? Will it handle the occasional FCC user manual, too? Because that’s really important, you know.

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Filed under: Ask Engadget, Portable Audio

It’s true — hunting down a waterproof MP3 player is a cinch, but finding a decent pair of waterproof headphones to accompany said player can prove challenging. Have a look at Melinda’s question, and after you’re done providing your best advice, send over an inquiry of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

“I am an almost-daily lap swimmer, but lately I have been suffering from “lap boredom.” I’ve been looking into the latest ways to take my MP3 player into the pool with me, and I need a set of waterproof headphones in order to do so. I’ve found waterproof earphones like H2O Audio and Aquatunes priced between $30 and $100, but I’ve also read many negative reviews. Before I spend this much money on waterproof ‘phones, I want to know what I am getting. What brand / model do you recommend?”

Climb on out of the kiddie pool and toss in your advice, swimmers. What ‘buds do you use to listen to music while submerged?

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Filed under: Ask Engadget, Cellphones, Peripherals, Portable Audio

So you’ve got an awesome set of earbuds, but you’re looking for a pair just as astounding with an in-line microphone for chatting it up. Thanks to the growing popularity of such a request, there are a few options on the market. Question is, which is supreme?

“I have this new music phone (it’s a flush-jacked iPhone 3G) and I’m thinking about getting a new set of phones. I’ve used some high quality headphones before, but I’m currently using Apple’s included headset because of the mic / remote. I’ve been looking at the Shure MPA kits, but what do you readers recommended?”

Thanks for the inquiry, dandaman. Let’s hear what you’ve got, readers! Afterwards, feel free to send in a puzzler of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

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Filed under: Ask Engadget, Digital Cameras

We know, we know — a camera is only as good as the images it produces, but this week’s Ask Engadget question revolves around an oft overlooked video function. (Psst… feel free to shoot over your own inquiry to ask at engadget dawt com, but only after you check out Jonathan’s question below.)

“What’s a good camera that takes great quality video for at least 30 minutes (yes, I know I’d have to buy an extra memory card)? So many of the cameras I’ve messed with have a limit on how much you can record in one session, even if you have enough storage space. Thanks!”

Here recently, a few cameras have surfaced with 720p video capabilities, and there’s a plethora of options if VGA is good enough. What camera is best for snagging those candid videos that inevitably end up on YouTube / Facebook / etc.? Don’t lead the man astray, now.

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