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Whether you’re about to head back or moving away for the first time, the beginning of the University year is always exciting. Here at ASKDirect we have all sorts of University Essentials to help you make the most out of your experience this year. From leisure-based products like MP3 Players and HD Ready LCD TVs to educative aides like Laptops and Voice Recorders, we have everything you need to keep up to date and continue with the best years of your life!

Digital Cameras

A Digital Camera is a highly important part of any student’s time at University, allowing you to capture and document everything you and your friends get up to so that you can share them on facebook and look back on them for years to come. The Samsung ES65 10.2 MP Compact Digital Camera and Fuji FinePix JV150 14MP Digital Camera are highly stylish and compact Digital Cameras that are easy to use, durable and – most of all – affordable.

Laptops & Hard Drives

The right Laptop set-up is vital at University so that you can store important files and research with ease. Our various Laptop and Printer Bundle Offers provide you with a selection of options to suit your specific requirements and preferences. The Lacie Starck Mobile Hard Drive 500GB also gives you a mammoth amount of space to store music and videos too.

HD Ready LCD TVs

Give yourself the optimum multimedia experience with an HD Ready LCD TV – ideal for nights in with movies. The JVC LT-19DA2BJ 19” HD Ready LCD TV and LG 22LD350 22” HD Ready LCD TV provide exceptional quality and value for money, with some of the best technology in the industry available to you for under £130! The LG 19LU7000 19” HD Ready LCD with Built In DVD Player means you don’t have to buy any separate attachments or systems – just slap your DVDs straight in and enjoy.

Speakers, MP3 Players & Alarm Clocks

Music is a big part of every student’s day-to-day life, and here at ASKDirect we have a number of products to help you get the most out of your personal soundtrack. The Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iPod Speaker lets you play your music out loud and in style, ideal for a bedroom or lounge area, or to be taken to the beach! The Sony Walkman NWZ-B153 4GB MP3 Player means your music can always be with you – specially designed to be easy-to-use and compact, the Sony Walkman NWZ B153 4GB MP3 Player offers excellent sound reproduction too. Getting out of bed in the morning for those ungodly early lectures is no easy feat, but with the Edifier iF200 Alarm Clock/Speaker for iPod, you can wake up to your favourite songs and get that zest you need to rise yourself and start the day.

Voice Recorders & eBook Readers

To help you out in lectures and seminars, the Sony ICD-UX200 2GB Digital Voice Recorder and Olympus VN-5500PC DNS 512MB Digital Voice Recorder are both lightweight and make recording speech a doddle. The Sony ICD-UX200 Digital Voice Recorder also allows you to play music, and the Olympus VN-5500PC DNS 512MB Digital Voice Recorder features speech recognition software. To study or read for leisure anything you own anywhere you go the Sony PRS-300 eBook Reader is an innovative new gadget that can store hundreds of books.

Make the most out of your studies and leisure time with ASKDirect. Our products are made with only the best build quality and technology available, so find the perfect University Essentials for you and let us help you optimise both work and play.

Wherever you’re going to get away this summer – whether it’s the other side of the world or your back garden – here at ASKDirect we have a wealth of holiday essentials to help you document your trip and keep yourself occupied during down time or rainy days. Utilising innovative technology, you can make the most out of your holiday and keep your equipment safe and protected at the same time.

Digital Cameras

We have a range of Digital Cameras with which you can take holiday pictures that you’ll look back on for years to come. The Panasonic LUMIX TZ10 features built-in GPS that allows you to geo-tag the exact time and place where your photos and videos were taken. The Panasonic DMC-FS10 is an affordable but high quality point and shoot camera that is available in a range of stylish colours. The Panasonic DMC-FT2, Pentax Optio W80 and Fuji FinePix XP10 are all durable Digital Cameras that can also be used underwater.

Camera Cases & Underwater Housings

We have a range of Underwater Housings and Camera Cases to keep your Digital Camera protected from the elements and easily stored away when not in use. Many Camera Case styles are available to suit your preferences and specific model of Camera. Underwater Housings allow you to safely use your Digital Camera underwater, which blows your creative options wide open.

HD Camcorder

Holiday videos will stick with you forever, and, with the Toshiba Camileo S10 HD Camcorder, making them has never been easier. Being pocket-sized, it’s ideal for any holiday getaway – easy to transport and protect. The recording quality is also top notch, so you can make High Definition videos of the things you and your friends and family see and experience.

eBook Reader

For the rainy days inside or the sunbathing beach days, the Sony PRS-300 eBook Reader can hold all of your holiday reading on one device. A specially developed e-Ink screen is easily viewed in bright sunlight, so you can take it anywhere you go.

So get the most out of your holiday season this year and stock up on ASKDirect’s Holiday Essentials – whilst stocks last.

LG have recently launched a brand new Home Entertainment Buyers Guide. This features a helpful chap called Steven who will help you find the right LG HD TV for you. He takes you step by step through the television selection process, asking you questions such as “What do you plan to watch on the TV? What features do you require? And he helps you to find the ideal screen size based on viewing distance, mounting option and room size for example. He’ll even give jargon-free, easy to understand explanations should you need help understanding a technology or feature for example.

Once you’ve completed the selection process, Steven will provide a number of recommended TVs that suit your needs, he’ll also suggest Blu-ray Players and Home Cinema System, giving you a fully tailored, complete entertainment package. Each recommend product also contains a link to that product on Ask Direct!

So if you’re looking for a new High Definition TV, check out the Home Entertainment Buyers Guide first, as Steven from LG can help find the right model for you!

The Home Entertainment Buyers Guide can be found at: http://www.isitetv.com/lgplatform/LGplatform-Ask-Electronics.htm

It’s been a while since we’ve sold an analogue television at Ask and this seems to be the case across the UK. Digital UK, the organisation overseeing the UK digital switchover reports that no analogue TVs were sold in the UK in May.

If you haven’t yet switched over to digital, now really is the time, as the Digital switchover process is already underway! Region by region, analogue TV signals are being switched off and by late 2012, most, if not all of the UK will only be able to receive digital TV signals.

Click here to see when your region switches over to digital 

Freeview

The easiest and cheapest way to get digital TV is via Freeview. Freeview is free digital television that can be received via a standard television aerial. Freeview offers many benefits over traditional analogue TV – Picture quality and reception is generally better, you have a wider range of channels (currently over 40) You can listen to a range of radio stations with crystal-clear reception and access a range of interactive options.

Every TV in our range comes with a built-in Freeview Digital Tuner, so you can simply connect the TV to an external aerial connection and receive Freeview straightaway and for free! Alternatively if you don’t want to get rid of your current analogue TV, you can simply connect a Digital Set Top Box such as our box from Philips, and watch Freeview on that particular TV!

Freeview HD – Freeview but with added HD Channels

Freeview HD, introduced earlier this year is like standard Freeview but offers additional high definition channels from BBC, ITV and Channel 4, so you can watch your favourite programmes, top sporting events and more in stunning HD. We offer a wide range of TVs with Freeview HD tuners built-in including the LG 42LE5900, Panasonic Viera TX-P42S20 and Sony Bravia KDL-40EX503.        

Click here to see our full range of Freeview HD TVs

Freesat HD

Freesat HD is another way to get digital television in the home. Freesat is free digital television accessed via a satellite dish. Freesat HD has a number of benfits over Freeview – There are 100 channels to choose from and a wider range of HD channels.

Freesat is ideal if you have a satellite dish but no longer subscribe to Sky for example - All you need to do is connect a TV with a Freesat Tuner or Freesat Set Top Box to your satellite connection and you’ll be able to receive Freesat TV!

Click here to see our full range of Freesat HD TVs

With the increasing number of ways to experience multimedia entertainment online and on your PC, the TV and Stereo are no longer the only ways to watch films and listen to music. Online video players and music streaming sites have opened the floodgates to a new age and new way of experiencing music and video. As more and more technology infiltrates our culture, we have a large range of competitively-priced PC Speaker Systems to help you turn your PC into the best entertainment centre in your house.

Logitech PC Speakers

A range of PC Speakers are available from Logitech, all full of features and offering excellent sound quality. Logitech Z-10 PC Speakers contain an LCD-display that provides track information, and touch-sensitive multimedia controls are included too. Easy to connect to the computer, Logitech Z-10 Speakers can make a huge difference to the way you experience internet video and music.

PC Speakers

Whatever you decide to watch on your PC, let ASK take care of making sure your PC Speakers offer you the very best in sound quality and functionality. The Altec Lansing BXR1220 offers a space-saving design that can connect to any system with a 3.5mm audio output. They’re also powered via USB, so you don’t need batteries or a power supply. The Edifier E3350 2.1 System provides an exceptional listening experience with a 2-way satellite speakers and a downward-firing subwoofer that is magnetically-shielded to prevent interference.

Online software like Spotify and iPlayer, and websites like Last.fm are increasing in popularity all the time. Providing an excellent way to enjoy music and video for free, make the most of it with an awesome PC Speaker System from ASK.

Graduation season is approaching, and hundreds of students across the country are finishing off their dissertations and exams in preparation for the world of work and the rest of their lives. What better way to congratulate them – or yourself – than with an innovative new Laptop or Digital Camera? We have a vast selection in stock here at ASKDirect, so there’s sure to be something for every taste and requirement.

Digital Cameras

All sorts of Digital Cameras are available to choose from, from Compact Digital Cameras to Panasonic Lumix Cameras. A wide range of technological features are included in the range of Digital Cameras we offer, including super zoom, interchangeable lenses, image stabilisation, face detection and much more. Sony Digital Cameras are available at very competitive prices and come in a variety of styles and designs. It might be best if you get your hands on one of our Digital Cameras before the graduation ceremony and capture the memories perfectly.

Notebook Computers

Our range of Laptops includes the popular and convenient Notebook Computers. In particular, Toshiba Notebooks offer an excellent way to experience entertainment, gaming and other software in High Definition. Toshiba Satellite Laptops come in a range of sizes, so you can go as small or as big as you like, depending on your individual requirements. You can also, with these Notebook Computers, use up a lot more space on their extended hard drives.

Browse ASKDirect’s extensive store of Laptops, Digital Cameras and more to find the best reward for the years of study that have preceded the graduate – even if that’s you!

There’s simply no better way to enjoy the World Cup this year – other than actually being there – than watching the games in High Definition. The crystal clear picture will make sure you don’t miss anything, and our wide range of HD Televisions means there’s a set-up for everyone, whatever your requirements or interests. Get closer to the action, from the comfort of your own home.

LG LH2000

The LH2000 from LG is available in a series of different sizes, from the 19” 19LH2000 up to the 42LH2000. This HD Ready TV provides a High Definition experience like no other. With the LH2000, you get an energy-saving LCD TV at an affordable price. The variety of sizes available means you can use it in any room in the house and can easily work it into any pre-existing décor.

LCD TVs

LCD TVs such as the Philips 42PFL5604H have benefits over standard televisions in that they are lighter and only a few centimetres deep. Superb colour and contrast also ensures that your LCD TV will detect the subtlest shades and create a true-to-life picture, making you feel like you’re actually at the stadium in South Africa! As well as all the emphasis on visuals, the sound is also taken to a new level with an integrated subwoofer that doesn’t detract from the look of the TV.

Plasma TVs

One advantage that Plasma TVs such as the Samsung PS50B430 have is seriously impressive picture quality – four times as detailed as standard definition. You’ll even be able to differentiate between different shades of black. Such accurate colour depiction is not only a feast for the eyes but means you’ll be able to easily pick up on everything that’s going on on-pitch.

Offering an entertainment experience that is practically as good as the real thing, there’s no other way to watch the World Cup this year. Can’t afford plane tickets to South Africa? Get closer to the action than ever before with an HD Television.

We’re on the cusp of summer holiday season, and it’s time to update or sort out your camera equipment to ensure you’re prepared for creating more photo albums to add to your back catalogue of memories. We have a huge selection of Digital Cameras and Digital Camcorders that will ensure you get the best functionality, quality of picture and footage, and prices possible.

Canon Digital Cameras

One of our most reputed Digital Camera manufacturers is Canon, and they produce a series of models for you to choose from. Canon Digital Cameras and Canon Digital Camcorders are characterised by their compact design, recording capabilities – capable of producing excellent pictures even in low light, and their environmentally-friendly production. An outstanding range of Canon SLR Lenses are also available, for adaptable high quality performance.

Panasonic Digital Cameras

Products produced by Panasonic have been given many industry awards, and they continue to produce some of the most groundbreaking cameras and camcorders on the digital market. The Panasonic HDC-TM55 allows you to capture detailed Full HD Video with 35x Intelligent Zoom, as well as boasting an array of special features, such as 8GB built-in memory and iA (Intelligent Auto) with Face Recognition technology, which automatically optimises the camera’s settings to suit the scene you’re shooting in.

Browse our store to find the perfect Digital Camera or Digital Camcorder for you. You’re in safe hands; all of our products are designed to adapt to your needs and make sure that you capture all of life’s best moments, without glare or blurriness and with the best picture possible.

There are many things you can use your new – or neglected! – Digital Camera for, and you can also take advantage of the digital technology in your hands, to perfect and enhance your photographs and photography experience. With such potential at your fingertips, where do you start? There’s a world out there to explore and capture, so let us help you get started.

Samsung Compact Cameras

An enormous benefit of using Digital Cameras in the field is that you can take numerous pictures and review them on the LCD display screen. Compact Digital Cameras also make transport and operation easier. The Samsung ST45 has many beneficial functions; including DIS (Dual Image Stabilisation) to prevent blurriness, a Smart Album that organises photos chronologically and by colour and theme, and Auto Scene Recognition to match one of the camera’s optimised 11 pre-settings to the environment around you. Blink Detection and Smile Detection can even help you take the best possible pictures of your friends and relatives.

Digital Cameras & Techniques

Taking photos of the same thing from a number of different angles allows you to pick the best ones later, and, if your subject is variable – ie, a person – you can do the same with emotion and positioning. Many things can be accomplished with the finished article as well; you could sell your photos, send them as part of a personalised gift, create relics of remembrance via photo albums, edit them and create works of art, or get them made into t-shirts.

Canon Digital Compact Cameras

With the diversity, functionality and outstanding image quality of Digital Compact Cameras like the Canon IXUS 200, you can take your photography anywhere you like. Whether you want to make a hobby of photographing wildlife or have been entrusted with the task of one-off photographing a friend’s wedding, Digital Compact Cameras will serve you well. You could also try your hand at fashion photography, photo journalism or art.

Being able to effectively and efficiently snap and capture moments in time from the world around you begets limitless creativity. Find the Digital Camera for you and use it well!

High Definition has become more and more prevalent in recent years, and many people are considering switching from their Standard Definition Sets. LCD TVs, LED TVs and Plasma TVs – all available from ASK – are HD Ready, meaning they can produce High Definition images via a range of HD Sources. There are a number of benefits that HDTV can offer.

1. Better Picture & Sound

Obviously, the main reason that people switch to High Definition is that the picture is much better and features True to Life colour. This is because of an increase in resolution. The difference between Standard and High Definition is quite big. You might think that the picture is adequate in SD, but you’ll never go back when you see what High Definition is capable of. The LG 19LH2000 LCD TV is an affordable way to view HDTV. More pixels mean more colour and more detail, and the audio is also enhanced, providing an all-round cinematic experience.

2. Films, Sports & Games

Certain action films, sports and computer games take place contain lots of fast-moving shots in sequence. Progressive High Definition – as featured on the Philips 42PFL5604H 1080p LCD TV – draws the number of frames per second in a more efficient fashion, providing smooth motion and preventing the picture from becoming unclear. With High Definition, you’re up close with the action and can feel a little more like you’re actually there in the film, match or battleground.

3. Large Screen Viewing

Because of the larger resolution, High Definition Televisions such as the Samsung PS50B430 Plasma TV can also be much larger, allowing you to have friends over to watch movies the way they were supposed to be viewed or play computer games as a group. The size of a High Definition screen can increase without sacrificing picture quality, simply because there are more pixels available to keep the picture looking crisp as it gets bigger.

4. Increase in Popularity

Another reason to switch to High Definition is that there are an increasing number of HD Sources becoming available to the public. Blu-Ray Players, HD TV Channels and HD Games Consoles are already prevalent but will soon become the norm. The lack of HD Sources at the advent of HDTV did make the new technology seem limited, but today there is so much to choose from that there’s bound to be something for everybody – from Nature Documentaries to Football Matches, and from Call of Duty to the latest episode of Lost.

5. Environmentally Friendly

High Definition Televisions like the Samsung UE40B8000XW 1080p LED TV are great for the environment, as they contain no mercury or lead, which reduces the impact that recycling or disposing of them will have no the environment in the future. On top of this, their LED back-lighting technology is designed to consume power efficiently, making Samsung LED TVs an all-round environmentally friendly package.

For all of these reasons and more, High Definition is becoming more and more popular. Switching from Standard Definition to a greater entertainment experience has many benefits, both leisurely and logistically. Take a look through our massive range of HD Televisions today and find one that’s right for you!

There are thousands of ways you can use Notebook Computers to help you through your everyday life. A smart and speedy way to surf the internet or make your work mobile; they are fast becoming a staple of the modern technological diet. Asides from browsing the web, watching DVDs and sending e-mails though, there are many uses for your Notebook Computer that you may not have considered.

1. Online Video

Notebook Computers allow you to watch and stream videos online, and, with a decent display, they can look outstanding. The Toshiba Satellite L550-1CW Notebook has a 17.3” widescreen HD display that is guaranteed to provide high quality multimedia entertainment. With a fast Wi-Fi connection too, streaming videos without interruption shouldn’t be any problem at all.

2. Video Calls

Utilising hardware like webcams and software like Skype, you can make video calls with your friends and family, no matter where they are in the world. Some Notebook Computers, such as the Toshiba Satellite L500-1XJ Notebook, even have high quality webcams and microphones readily built-in, making it even easier to get started and experience real-time video chats. On top of this, these built-in webcams can be used for a quick and secure Windows login, with Face Recognition technology.

3. Gaming

Enhanced Graphics Cards and Memory, and a fast Wi-Fi Connection mean that, not only can you play games on your Notebook Computer with ease, but you can network and play online with your friends as well. Obviously, this requires a large amount of memory, and the Notebook Computer – especially the Toshiba Qosmio X300-15U Notebook – is designed to handle it. Gameplay won’t be interrupted, and the quality of the picture will remain at a high standard.

4. Video, Photo & Music Editing

A combination of an exceptionally fast processor with a large amount of memory means that programmes required for Video, Photo and Music Editing will run efficiently on your Notebook Computer – the Toshiba A500-1GL Notebook, for example, meets these requirements. This means you can get involved in your work without having to worry about files taking too much time to load or previews skipping and stopping. The Samsung R730-JA02UK Notebook is particularly suited to photo editing with its crystal clear image quality and large 17.3” HD Display with LED-Backlighting.

5. Work & Maintenance

Another use for the Notebook Computer is that you can perform tedious maintenance and performance tasks anywhere. Since they require you to leave the computer on for an extended period of time, you can do this whilst you are on the train or out to lunch, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice your own time. Other work-related or administrative tasks – such as defragmenting your hard drive or updating your iPod – can also be fitted in, in the same fashion, saving you time.

For all these reasons and more, Notebook Computers are extremely useful pieces of technology. Compact, fast and versatile; they’re ideal companions to the modern lifestyle.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your laptop this year, there is an extensive range of Toshiba Notebooks now available from AskDirect. Toshiba produces high performance and style at affordable prices. Whatever features you’re after, you’re sure to find a model that suits you. We have everything from netbooks to multimedia laptops, across many ranges.

Toshiba A500

The A500-1GL can be used for a number of applications. These include High Definition entertainment and gaming, as well as compatibility with the latest software. An LED Backlit 16” display is provided, offering – when combined with a GeForce GT 330M Graphics Card – energy-efficient and outstanding picture quality. On top of this, its size and design make it practical and stylish.

Toshiba Netbooks

Included with the NB300-108 is a webcam and fast wireless connectivity. The massive 250GB Hard Drive is made all the more desirable for the fact that it is protected by an HDD 3D Impact Sensor. Other features include a massive 11 hour battery life, an LED 10.1” Display and a full-size keyboard and touchpad that make typing and using the notebook a comfortable, easy experience.

Toshiba L500 Notebooks

The L500-1XC and L500 1XJ notebooks have a lot of the features that make Toshiba Notebooks desirable – LED screen, large hard drive and long-range wireless internet connectivity. They also include software such as Eco Mode and Health Monitor, which conserve and maintain effective use of battery power and allow you to keep track of the health and performance of your notebook, respectively.

Multimedia & Gaming

The P500 and X500 ranges are ideal for Multimedia and Gaming because of their large widescreen displays, HD viewing and high-performing graphic cards and processors. You won’t find better visuals than those offered by the Toshiba Notebook ranges. High Definition is a modern luxury, and the aforementioned notebooks utilise it to its full potential. The L550 also boasts a large 17.3” display.

Toshiba Notebooks take entertainment and work to the next level, offering an extremely user-friendly experience. Everything is enhanced for your enjoyment and functional to suit in with your lifestyle and routine.