CIARA O'BRIENrounds up this week's gadgets

Crosley Revolution

$149.95

Audiophiles will tell you that you can’t beat vinyl when it comes to the quality of recorded music, that digital music is cold and soulless in comparison. Digital files though can be far more convenient, leaving music fans in a bit of a quandary.

The Crosley Revolution turntable could provide a compromise. Not only is it compact in size, but it’s also battery-powered so it can go wherever you do – inside and out of the home. The two-speed turntable plays both seven inch and 12in records, and has a USB connection for transferring audio to digital files, should you feel the need to, with a software suite for easy ripping and editing. It comes with dual headphone jacks, stereo speakers and a carrying case to make it even more convenient. Who said vinyl wasn’t portable?

http://www.crosleyradio.com/

Sony HXR-MC50E

The new Sony camcorder is one for serious enthusiasts or professional videographers. Built using all the technology and expertise gained from Sony’s professional camcorder range, the ultra compact form packs in a wide angle 29.8mm lens, Steadyshot and an Exmor R CMOS sensor for shooting in low light. It all adds up to excellent picture quality. It will be on sale in stores here from July next.

Add in a high-capacity battery and an ECM Shotgun microphone and you have a device that can be used by everyone from students and freelance journalists to producers at corporate events. While the HXR-MC50E may be intended for professional use, though, the entry level video camera has been designed to replicate the simplicity that is present in traditional consumer camcorders.

http://www.sony.ie

Tunebug

$69.95

Mobile music doesn’t have to be poor quality. Imagine if you could make any surface into a speaker big and powerful enough to blast out your iPod’s music at a level that kept you happy, while still remaining portable. Tunebug Vibe does exactly that.

The compact device can be used in conjunction with your mobile phone, digital music player and laptop – in fact, anything with a 3.5mm jack – cranking up the volume by using the flat surface the Tunebug is resting on. The official explanation is that sound waves pass through the surfaces that the Tunebug rests on. The resulting sound quality is pretty decent, much better than expected. It even looks good too, with laser-etched logos and brushed metal casing.

It weighs in at 150g and charges over USB. Time to ditch the tinny speakers for something with a little more power.

http://www.tunebug.com/