2,251,799,813,685,248 Configurations… And Counting

We’ve featured cameras like the Nikon D90 (which Gear Patrol uses for our photography), and undoubtedly you’ve heard of the Canon 5D Mark II, which both allow you to shoot high definition video.

That’s nice and all, but the mad scientists at RED want you to be humbled in the presence of the newly announced Scarlet and EPIC digital stills and motion camera system. A system that goes from a Digital SLR camera to a full-on professional motion picture rig in less time and for less money than you can find anywhere else.

Based around what RED calls the Mysterium-X and Mysterium Monstro (no, these are not “bed room games” invented by Patrick), you can capture 1-120 fps video in up-to 24 megapixel quality depending on your configuration. There’s even a 3-D capture configuration coming. What the hell? What the hell.

The Red Scarlet is available with an arsenal of RED’s own lenses ranging from 6.5mm to 300mm, or you can purchase a Scarlet capable of taking on Nikon or Canon SLR’s lenses instead. This, gents, is photography and videography taken to the next eschelon.

More photos of the configurations after the jump. [As Seen On Acquire]

Cost: Scarlet $2,500-$12000 | EPIC $28,000-$55,000

Also See: Vintage Canon AE-1 SLR Camera | GoPro Digital Hero 3 Sports Wrist Camera

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Hooks Up With Every Computer Imaginable, Disease Free.

One of the many down sides from the high definition video format war is that computer manufacturers (ahem Apple & Microsoft) have shown hesitancy in integrating the technology into their new line of machines.

Mercifully for the videophiles out there, the folks over at OWC announced the first ever “Quad Interface” external Blu-ray drive and burner: The OWC Mercury Pro Blu-Ray Drive.

Fancy lingo aside, this drive is compatible with every computer under the sun thanks to its ability to connect both Firewire 400 & 800, USB, and eSATA. So unless you use an etch-a-sketch for all your computing needs, this baby should have you covered.

Flexibility does come at a price though, (starting at $499, you can thank Sony for that licensing fee) so assess the purchase accordingly. Burning 50 gigs worth o’ data on one disc sure is sweet, but I’ll leave the question of practicality to you.

Cost: $499

Also See: Oppo 1080p Up-Converting DVD Player | Sentry Fireproof/Waterproof Data Storage Chest | Vizio XVT 1080p LCD HDTV

Giving Non-Movie Stars Much Deserved Fame, One Hour At A Time

While we may not be the first blog to feature Flip’s latest miniature video creation, we are certain that no other site has ever made it look so damn good. Or tested it as hard we did, for that matter.

Why? Because over the last month the camera came every where GP went and 9 hours of footage and 7 battery drains later we’ve concluded it rocks. Granted, taking footage during a wedding celebration with it did get a bit Cloverfield-y as time passed (especially as our sobriety degraded), and it wasn’t really viable for recording in the dark (think bachelor party).

In the end though, these are small quibbles about a product considering its purpose. The Flip Mino does a damn fine job of capturing life’s moments, for better or worse, in a video format of reasonable quality.

Its plug-and-play USB connection makes loading video on your computer a snap, while its compact design is sure to catch looks, especially with a blazing orange cog on it - or with any other customized design you’d like. Plus if you’ve ever seen girls at a bar with cameras, just imagine how they’d act around a video camera. Prepare for attack accordingly.

Editors Note: Word to the wise. YouTube + Flip = Trouble. Good trouble.

Cost: $179 | Customize

Live Green And Still Live Easy

As self a proclaimed technology addict it’s been hard justifying my desire for national sustainability considering that even while turned off my home theater has enough lights glowing to rival the Vegas strip. I jest not.

Then I stumbled across this simple yet ingenious device on Popular Mechanics. Aptly called the Conserve, consider it the lazy environmentalist’s best friend. That’s because unlike other surge protectors which require you to bend over and flip a switch to fully cut off power, this marvel does it by remote. Glorious glorious remotes. [insert mad scientist laughter] Better yet, it also features two always-on outlets which insure electronics that need constant juice like your DVR and wireless router can be powered at all times.

Don’t think that these nifty features come at the price of basic requirements. On the contrary the Conserve’s wide design ensures that even clunky power adapters can plug in without blocking adjacent outlets. Plus it’s 1000 joules and $100,000 connected equipment warranty provides peace of mind along with premium protection.

However, if doing your part for the planet isn’t reason enough to spend $50 bucks to replace your current strip, I should also mention it can save you cash and eventually pay for itself. After using the Conserve with my home theater for a month, my apartment power bill dropped by 5%. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but multiply that out for a year and that’s enough scratch to give our resident sports guru Patrick those hair extensions he’s always wanted.

Editors Note: Maximize convenience by installing the included remote wall mount next to your current light switches. That way you’ll be sure to turn off the Conserve when you hit the lights.

Cost: $49

47 Inches Of Football Watching Splendor

Gear Patrol already established that it’s football season and asked whether you follow NFL or College football. We showed you that subscribing to DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket will advance your football consumption to dangerous awesome levels and winning a Titlecraft Fantasy Football Trophy is one of the best rewards for your virtual gridiron.

But we have yet to discuss the most important part of the in-home football experience. Your massive wall-hugging liquid crystal high definition television. The centerpiece of any football viewing endeavor. GP’s decided to equip our office (perks!) with the Vizio XVT we told you about two months ago.

[Click Image To Enlarge]

Well, the XVT is finally on the market and we’ve thown down our 1400 bucks for the 47 inch VIZIO SV470XVT. Our retinas are eagerly awaiting an assault of retina burning 6,500:1 contrast ratio and ridiculously smooth 120hz refresh and 5ms response rates. Are we showing off? Yes, but it’s for your benefit.

Why? Because, if you haven’t noticed, that flat panel you’ve got hanging on your wall is probably like ours - it’s slow. Ever notice how images kind of ghost when things are moving quickly, like football for instance. That’s called the refresh rate and the new Vizio XVT LCD runs at 120hz, twice that of most flat panel televisions, using a technology called Smooth Motion Video Processing. All we care is that fast-action movies and sports never looked so buttery smooth. Best of all the new lowered price will fit in any mans ‘football budget’. We wouldn’t want you watching football on something subpar now would we?

Cost: $1399 @ Sams Club, Costco | $1899 @ Circuit City

Virtual Signing Bonus For The Armchair Quarterback

Must… see… more… football…

If there was ever a reason for you to wish you had a clear view of the Southern skies*, it’s DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket. A literal cornucopia of NFL football viewing, Sunday Ticket offers you more options than Donovan McNabb.

The basic package ($289) allows you to watch every NFL game every Sunday of the NFL regular season. No longer are you restricted to just your markets games. You’ll get enhanced viewing experiences like real-time scoreboards of all the day’s actions, Game and Player statistics (team and individual) and our favorite: Player Tracker.

Football Stats Euphoria - NFL Sunday Ticket Player Tracker

Player Tracker allows fans and fantasy football fanatics to track their favorite players, offering the statistics of up to two teams of nine players each, and receive real-time onscreen alerts.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. For $99 more, you can upgrade yourself to the Superfan tier that gets you:

• Supercast - the entire weekly lineup of live games available via web-stream to their PC or laptop computer every Sunday
• Red Zone Channel –provides up-to-the-minute highlights, combined with live-action of critical plays and moments from game broadcasts.
• Game Mix – Allows fans to view eight game broadcasts on one screen.
• Short Cuts –features edited versions of NFL game broadcasts, allowing fans to watch an entire game in 30 minutes or less.
• NFL Sunday Ticket Mobile - receive in-progress highlights from games on demand via their mobile phones.

You even get the option to choose a remote for your own team.

No peripheral left logoless.

What this means to you: Over the top? We didn’t think so either. As a matter of fact, we’ve already signed on for our second season.

Cost: NFL Sunday Ticket $289 + Superfan $99 @ DirecTV

* - Random info: In case you didn’t already know, DirecTV satellite dishes have to be pointed to the Southwest or Southeast skies depending on your location.