Product Description

Academy Award-winning writer/director James Cameron, the maker of Titanic and the creator of the Terminator series, has been crafting Avatar for over four years. The film follows the story of an ex-marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on a distant planet filled with exotic life forms. As an avatar, a human consciousness in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. The Art of Avatar, the companion book to this epic 3-D action adventure, explores the developmental and conceptual art used by the creative team to create the original world of Avatar.

With over 100 exclusive full-color images including sketches, matte paintings, drawings, and film stills, The Art of Avatar reveals the process behind the creation of set designs for the imaginative vistas, unique landscapes, aerial battle scenes, bioluminescent nights, and fantastical creatures. Interviews with art directors, visual effects designers, animators, costume designers, and creature makers bring insight into this creative process. The Art of Avatar brings readers behind the scenes of this unprecedented moviegoing experience.

About the Author

Lisa Fitzpatrick has been a writer and editor for over 15 years. She has created illustrated books for a wide variety of films and television shows including Kung Fu Panda, 24, Star Wars, Shrek, Madagascar, and The X-Files, as well as anniversary editions for Sony Pictures Imageworks and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She lives in San Francisco.

Peter Jackson is a three-time Academy Award-winning director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Jon Landau is an Academy Award-winning producer and former executive vice president at Twentieth Century Fox, and is currently a partner in James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Have you ever eaten at a fancy restaurant? A massive plate arrives, with a tiny morsel of exquisitely-prepared food, sitting in a puddle of sauce. The Art of Avatar is similar. It's a lavishly-made tie-in for James Cameron's fantasy film. The brief bits of text mention that this film required an army of concept artists over a decade to create. Looking at the beautiful paintings within, one can appreciate that artistry. The problem is that this large hardcover book is so thin! It's barely one-hundred pages long, and feels like fifty.

It is a nice addition to one's "Art of" collection, but there are so many rival books that offer better value. The Art of Halo, a stylistically-similar book, is one example. Recent offerings by Design Studio Press might also appeal to the reader.

Link To Buy This Product The Art of Avatar: James Cameron's Epic Adventure

Product Features

* The intelligent NXT Lego brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display, 4 input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link; batteries not included

* Three interactive servo motors; four sensors (Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the all-new Color Sensor)

* Color Sensor has triple functionality: Distinguishes colors and light settings, and functions as a lamp

* Easy-to-use software (PC and Mac) with icon-based drag-and-drop programming and 16 fun building and programming challenges; building instructions for 4 new amazing robots

* 612 pieces

Amazon.com Review

Take LEGO to the next level with MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0. Combining the versatility of the LEGO building system with a microcomputer brick and intuitive programming software, this building kit enables you to construct robots that see, speak, feel, and move. Designed for ages 10 and up, the 2.0 robotics tool set features everything you need to create and program your first robot in approximately one hour. After that, you can create an endless lineup of robots that do what you want--if you can dream it, you can build it.

Build, Program, Go

Creating a MINDSTORMS robot is challenging -- but not too difficult -- with an illustrated step-by-step booklet and software showing the way. The booklet gives you instructions for building a basic "Quick Start" robot only, which is an easy introduction to the MINDSTORMS experience. This robot took our two adult testers about 30 minutes to build and 30 minutes to program. After that, they spent a lot of time just playing with their creation and testing its abilities.

Once you master the basics of MINDSTORMS, you'll need to use the included software to get instructions for more advanced creations. You can also use the MINDSTORMS web site to find instructions for many other robots, or you can create robots on your own. No matter what you choose to create, the principles are the same: just build the robot using the LEGO elements in the kit, and program it on your computer using the software. Then watch your robot come alive.

What's in the Box

NXT programmable LEGO Brick, Ultrasonic Sensor, Color Sensor, two Touch Sensors, three Interactive Servo Motors, USB cable, 7x6-wire cables, building instructions for four robots, user guide, software, test pad, and 619 LEGO pieces.

Product Description

New! Upgraded and Stronger than ever!

LEGO Mindstorms NXT is back and better than ever: new models, more customizable programming and all-new technologies! Mindstorms NXT 2.0 combines the versality of the LEGO building system with all-new technologies, an intelligent microcomputer brick and intuitive drag-and-drop programming software. The new 2.0 toolkit features everything you need to create your first robot in 30 minutes and then thousands of other robotics inventions that do what you want!

The intelligent NXT LEGO brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display, 4 input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link

Link to Buy LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)

Technical Details

* Storage Capacity - 8GB
* Technology - Secure Digital High-Capacity(SDHC)
* Manufacturer Warranty - 2 Years
* - Compatible with all SDHC-labeled host devices (not compatible with standard SD)
* - Easy to use, plug-and-play operation

Store More Photos
With most point and shoot digital cameras quickly climbing the megapixel ladder, 6,8, and even 10 megapixel ratings are beginning to be commonplace. With Transcend SDHC cards, you can keep up with the larger files these high resolution cameras produce. With 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB capacities, you can store more photos without having to delete old photos on the card before you have the chance to save them to a PC or print them out.

Store More of Everything
The larger capacities of SDHC cards make them more versatile than ever. Use them in all your mobile devices that support the SDHC standard. All that is required is an SDHC compatible slot or reader. SDHC is an extension of the original SD standard that enables capacities greater than 2 GB. It uses the same physical form factor as SD, but SDHC cards only work in SDHC compatible devices. Standard SD cards work in both SD and SDHC devices (backward compatible).

Features

* Fully compatible with SD 2.0 Standards
* SDHC Class 6 compliant
* Compatible with all SDHC-labeled host devices (not compatible with standard SD)
* Easy to use, plug-and-play operation
* Built-in Error Correcting Code (ECC) to detect and correct transfer errors
* Complies with Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) portable device requirements
* Supports Content Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM)
* Allows In System Programming (ISP) for updating firmware
* Supports auto-standby, power-off and sleep modes
* Mechanical write-protection switch
* RoHS compliant
* Lifetime Warranty

Product Description
SDHC (SD High-Capacity) is the new generation of SD cards (Version 2.0). Formatted in FAT32, SDHC cards reach a maximum capacity of 32GB and can fulfill the high-capacity demand of the new SDHC devices such as Casio Exilim Z1000/Z600/S600 cameras, Panasonic DMC-L1 camera, and HP printer A/B. Now you can enjoy a high-quality digital life and store all of your MP3 music files, high-resolution pictures, and video clips in your SDHC card.

Buy This Product Transcend 8 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS8GSDHC6

Product Features
Edition: 120 GB

HDMI + Bravia Sync functionality that provides both 1080p output resolution, and instant in-synch connectivity between your PS3 and other Sony HDMI enabled products without the use of multiple remote controls.
A new 33% slimmer, 36% lighter PlayStation 3 entertainment system that is also more energy efficient.
Includes a Dualshock 3 wireless controller and a built-in 120GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos.
Built-in Wi-Fi for connectivity anywhere and multiple media format compatibility, including Blu-ray for crystal clear video on High-Definition TVs, CD-ROM, DVD, and others.
Free membership and access to all the events, as well as game, movie, TV and other media content available on the PlayStation Network (PSN).

Amazon.com Product Description
The fourth generation of hardware released for the PlayStation 3 entertainment platform, the PlayStation 3 120GB system is the next stage in the evolution of Sony's console gaming powerhouse. Loaded with a mix of multimedia features and functions available on earlier PlayStation 3 models, as well as a series of new advancements and refinements, the PlayStation 3 120GB system is destined to push the envelope in the realm of Next-Generation entertainment.

What's in The Box:

* New slimmer and lighter PS3 system with a 120 GB HDD, Internet-ready built-in Wi-Fi, 2 USB ports and HDMI + Bravia Synch output for 1080p resolution and connectivity between other Sony HDMI products.
* Dualshock 3 wireless controller.
* AC power cord, AV cable and USB cable.
* Free PlayStation Network membership.


Product Description
With the PlayStation 3 120GB system, you get free PlayStation Network membership, built-in Wi-Fi and 120GB of hard disk drive storage for games, music, videos and photos. And every PS3™ system comes with a built-in Blu-ray player to give you pristine picture quality and the best high-definition viewing experience available. Whether it’s gaming, Blu-ray movies, music or online services, experience it all with the PlayStation 3 system.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
I already owned a original 60GB model that had PS2 backward compatibility. I was planning on getting another BD player for my bedroom. I was considering the new Samsung players when this was announced. It's cheaper and it plays games plus it has a HDD. It was a no-brainer for me. The PlayStation 3 is far and away the best console or for that matter Blu-Ray player you can currently get for its price range. There are many advantages to the 360 and the Samsung BD players, however if I had to have one without the others, my honest and objective recommendation is the new PS3.

Like I've said it's a great bargain for a great system, but it is not without its shortcomings.

-No PS2 Backward compatibility. (important to me but not everyone)
-No Netflix (360 has Netflix and so do the Samsung BD players) (also, important to me but not everyone)
-Backup Utility is awkward (nobody uses FAT32 format anymore and it's actually a process to even format a HDD that way) (You can do it with Swissknife though)
-Online play isn't as good as 360's(but it IS free and is being improved even as I type this...)
-No mic jack on controller (Bluetooth Headsets are not as easy, so people don't bother. The result is a lot less people are not talking in multi player games. A plus side to this is that you don't have to listen to a bunch of 13 year olds screaming the N-word and insulting your mom).

I hope I didn't complain too much about the system it really is a great machine and the best deal out there.

Buy PlayStation 3 120 GB