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DVD camcorders used to cost a small fortune; this one's $170.

(Credit: CNET)

I'm not wild about DVD camcorders (for reasons I'll explain shortly), but there's something to be said for the convenience of capturing video on a disc you can pop into any set-top DVD player. If that sounds appealing, Circuit City has the Panasonic VDR-D210 mini-DVD camcorder on sale for $169.96 with free shipping (plus sales tax in most states).

Though an entry-level camcorder, the VDR-D210 offers some nice features, including a 32X optical zoom, optical image stabilization, a 2.7-inch wide LCD, and a reasonably compact design.

Not bad, right? Right--but be sure to read CNET's review of the VDR-D210 before you pull the trigger. As with all mini-DVD camcorders, you get limited recording time per disc, and there's no easy way to import your video to your PC for editing. But if you want to watch little Johnny's soccer game on the big screen the minute you get home, this is a fine solution. I can remember when DVD camcorders started at around $600, so $170 is a pretty smokin' deal.

Paint .NET offers much of the power of Adobe Photoshop and none of the price.

(Credit: Rick Brewster)

Why spend big bucks on graphics software when you can get many, if not most, of the same features from freeware? Here are three mui-expensive graphics apps and their free counterparts:

• Adobe Illustrator Available for Windows only, Creative Docs .NET (yeah, weird name) is a vector-based graphic design tool for creating illustrations, manuals, flow charts, icons, and the like. It offers advanced features like Bezier curves, styles, convert-to-curves, and curved-path text.
• Adobe Photoshop You've actually got two choices here: GIMP, which is available for all platforms, and Paint.NET, which is Windows-only. Both programs offer powerful, Photoshop-caliber image-editing tools, everything from layers to special effects.
• Corel Draw Want to sketch, draw, paint, etc? In addition to an assortment of "digital brushes" including chalks, charcoals, and pencils, Artweaver offers the usual array of image-editing tools: crop, gradient-fill, transparency, layers, and so on. It also supports (and, in fact, recommends) tablet PCs for a more realistic drawing/painting feel.

(Credit: Newegg)

Remember the Brother HL-2170W from a couple months ago? It's a small-footprint, small-office laser printer that offers both Ethernet and Wi-Fi network connectivity. (USB, too.) Now it's 20 bucks cheaper, selling for just $79.99 shipped from Newegg. (Make sure to use coupon code EMCAJCBBF to get 10 bucks off the listed price.) It's a new unit, not a refurb, and you don't have to deal with any rebates.

My original post has all the deets you need on this printer, which remains a favorite in the Cheapskate household. It's rare enough to find an Ethernet-equipped laser in this price range, but one with Wi-Fi as well? The HL-2170W stands alone.

Normally $79, the Epson CX7450 multifunction is on sale for $29.

(Credit: Target)

Head to your local Target to scoop up an Epson Stylus CX7450 multifunction printer for the impossibly good price of $29 (plus tax). It prints, copies, and scans in color, employs a smart ink system, and doesn't require you to wait on a rebate.

Compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, the CX7450 employs four separate ink cartridges (one each for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) and promises print speeds of up to 28 pages per minute. It includes a memory-card reader, a 120-sheet paper tray, and fairly basic scan/copy features. Alas, it lacks an LCD for previewing photos, but if you connect your camera (the CX7450 supports PictBridge), you can use its LCD to select pix for printing.

CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but it averaged four stars out of five from Target buyers and about the same over at Walmart (where it's currently selling for $79.88!). Note that you'll need to BYO USB cable, but for heaven's sake, don't buy it at Target: You can pick up a six-footer from Meritline for $2.99 shipped.

(Credit: Logitech)

If you decided to take advantage of Tuesday's mention of an Xbox 360 deal and plan to utilize the console's media-center features, you'll want a good remote to go with it. Look no further than the Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360, which eCost has on sale for $49.99 (plus shipping).

In case you're not familiar with the Harmony line of remotes, their claim to fame is browser-based programming, which makes for relatively easy setup of devices, activities, and so on. Plus, they have built-in onscreen help, which is great for visiting babysitters, grandparents, etc.

I've used several Harmony remotes over the years, and while they're not perfect, they're definitely the best of their breed.

This particular Harmony was designed with the Xbox 360 in mind, right down to the four controller-colored X, Y, A, and B buttons. You can use it to operate not only the 360's media-center functions, but also your entire home theater. CNET's review of the Harmony 360 has more details.

These are new remotes, not refurbs, and you don't have to deal with any rebates. Definitely worth a look if you're an Xbox 360 owner.

(Credit: CompUSA)

I admit it: That headline is a bit misleading. But let me 'splain. Not many people know that the Xbox 360 can double as a media-center extender, meaning it can stream to your TV all the videos, photos, music, and whatnot stored on your PC. To my thinking, it's superior to all the standalone extender products because a) It's cheaper; and b) It's an Xbox! (As you might have heard, they're not bad with the games.)

All of which brings us to my bit of headline trickery: CompUSA has refurbished Xbox 360 Core systems on sale for $169.99 (plus $15-ish for shipping). Now, the Core model is the baseline Xbox, meaning it has no hard drive for game storage and comes with a wired controller instead of the famed wireless one. Xbox zealots typically scoff themselves silly at the mere thought of buying a Core. But look at it another way: For $170, you're getting a killer deal on a media-center extender, with one of the world's best gaming consoles thrown in. (You can always add a hard drive, wireless controllers, etc. later on if you're so inclined.)

What do you think? Does my take make sense, or am I cuckoo for recommending a Core system? I'm more into media-center stuff than I am gaming, so if you're anything like me (and if you are: get help), this really is smart buy.

(Credit: Buy.com)

I'm hoping this is the start of a trend. Last week we had a 22-inch Soyo LCD monitor for $179.99 shipped, no rebates required. On Monday, Buy.com has a 22-inch AOC Envision LCD monitor for $179.99 shipped, and it's even better: Unlike the Soyo, it supports HDCP. That means if you plug it into a PC equipped with a Blu-ray drive, you'll have no trouble watching movies.

In other respects, the AOC stacks up nicely. It has a native resolution of 1,680 by 1,050 (not quite 1,080p, but more than sufficient for a monitor of this size), a 5ms response time, a 170-degree viewing angle, and built-in speakers. In addition to its HDCP-lovin' DVI interface, it offers a regular old VGA input.

In short, it's slightly more killer than last week's killer LCD, at least in the spec department. CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but does have more specs and an overview. If you already own this model, hit the Comments and let everyone know if it's a winner.

(Credit: KWorld)

Hey, remember the KWorld PlusTV ATSC 340U? (With a name like that, how could you forget?) It's a TV tuner that plugs into a USB port and pulls down over-the-air HD signals or unencrypted QAM signals (which are delivered via cable). The last time I posted it, Newegg was selling it for $14.99 after rebate, plus six bucks for shipping. Well, now you can get it for $14.99 after rebate, plus zero bucks for shipping!

This would make a killer second tuner for anyone already running, say, Windows Media Center with an analog tuner. The PlusTV is strictly digital, meaning if you plug in a cable-TV cable, you'll receive only QAM stations. (If you're not up to speed on QAM, check the Wikipedia entry.) What's more, Windows Media Center should be able to detect the tuner if you use an antenna (a small one is included), but it definitely won't if you go the QAM route (that's a WMC limitation). Fortunately, KWorld bundles Arcsoft's surprisingly decent TotalMedia software, which provides full DVR capabilities--and QAM support.

I've been watching the Olympics in full HD glory using a tuner very much like this one. If you don't mind waiting on a $20 rebate (PDF) (good through Aug. 29), you won't find a better price on an HD tuner for your PC.

(Credit: Dell)

I'll never buy another printer that requires a cable. Wireless printing, that's the ticket. Fortunately, you don't have to pay a premium for this enviable capability, as evidenced by Dell's V305w--an all-in-one model currently on sale for $79.

Shipping is free (make sure to choose three-to-five day delivery at checkout), though you'll probably have to pony up a few bucks for sales tax.

The Wi-Fi-enabled V305w features a 100-sheet input tray, borderless photo printing up to 8.5 inches by 14 inches, and media-card slots for printing photos without your PC. (Alas, there's no preview LCD.)

Dell promises 25 pages per minute for black printing, 18 ppm for color, and 17 ppm for copying--impressive speeds given the entry-level nature of this model. You'll pay around $19 for replacement blank black cartridges and $25 for color.

The V305w works only with Windows systems, and it can be plugged into a USB port if necessary. (It even comes with a cable, which is weird). CNET has yet to review this model, but check out the gushing user reviews at Dell's site.