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RalphieB
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- Review count50
- Helpfulness votes26
- First reviewDecember 11, 2018
- Last reviewJuly 19, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
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- Helpfulness votes0
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- Answer count2
- Helpfulness votes1
- First answerDecember 2, 2019
- Last answerJanuary 30, 2023
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![John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum [Includes Digital Copy] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray] [2019]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/78220d44-b1d0-4eb7-afbf-4aab376b9035.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
4K UHD demo material here...
on December 15, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
Verified Purchase:Yes
Despite being the 3rd film in the series, this one manages to bring just as much frenetic action as its two predecessors, and I am still enjoying watching Reeves play this character. In addition to that, much like the other two John Wick films, this one is an audio-visual treat - certainly worthy of being called demo material for anyone looking to show off their 4K TV or projector!
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Have your eggs the way you like best without the guesswork. Cooked hard boiled or soft boiled, poached eggs or scrambled, you can now easily do it all with the Chefman Electric Egg Cooker. Decide on how you prefer your eggs, pour water into the heating plate, place the desired tray and eggs, cover, and your eggs are cooking with the push of a button. Use the piercing pin with the included measuring cup to prevent shells from cracking. Make more eggs faster, using less energy than boiling water. Created with you in mind, this Egg Cooker will change your hectic mornings and serve your family a healthy meal. Your eggs can be garnished to your liking, too. You will find easy and clear instructions in the user guide on how to use your Egg Cooker and how to customize the settings so your eggs will be made perfectly. No need to wait for the eggs to cool to move them after cooking - with the tray lifting tool, you can have your breakfast with hot, freshly cooked eggs. Moving hot eggs has never been this easy! The power button with an indicator light buzzes when eggs are ready. Removable egg tray lets you boil up to 6 eggs at a time and remove the eggs right away to cool them under running water after cooking, while the separate poaching tray is perfect for easy poached eggs. As easy to clean and store as it is to use, the cooking trays and measuring cup are top rack dishwasher-safe. cETL approved with advanced safety technology, long lasting durability, and 1-year limited assurance provided by Chefman. 360 Watts/120 Volts ~ RJ24-V2
Customer Rating
5
A handy uni-tasker - worth it when discounted!
on July 3, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
Verified Purchase:Yes
I like hard-boiled eggs, but before I bought this, I didn't make them very often. Boiling eggs seems like a simple enough task, but I couldn't seem to get them to come out consistently using the traditional method.
One day, I happened to see this pop up as a "deal of the day" item. And I also had a $5 reward zone code burning a hole in my pocket, which effectively turned this into a $5 item. I routinely waste $5 on much dumber things than this, so I figured it was worth a shot at that price.
As it turns out, this thing works great, and I use it a lot! Allegedly you can also use it to soft or medium-boil eggs, or even poach them. I haven't tried that yet. But I can say that it consistently produces batches of 6 nice, firm (but not rubbery) hard-boiled eggs for me. And it doesn't take any more time to clean up afterward than a pan of water does... most of the parts just need a quick rinse; the hot-plate occasionally needs a swipe of vinegar (especially if albumen has leaked out of any of the eggs), and that's about it. I also like that it's compact and easy to store.
One day, I happened to see this pop up as a "deal of the day" item. And I also had a $5 reward zone code burning a hole in my pocket, which effectively turned this into a $5 item. I routinely waste $5 on much dumber things than this, so I figured it was worth a shot at that price.
As it turns out, this thing works great, and I use it a lot! Allegedly you can also use it to soft or medium-boil eggs, or even poach them. I haven't tried that yet. But I can say that it consistently produces batches of 6 nice, firm (but not rubbery) hard-boiled eggs for me. And it doesn't take any more time to clean up afterward than a pan of water does... most of the parts just need a quick rinse; the hot-plate occasionally needs a swipe of vinegar (especially if albumen has leaked out of any of the eggs), and that's about it. I also like that it's compact and easy to store.
Bonus - I think it could pull double-duty as a sci-fi movie prop; to me it looks like an incubator from the medical bay of an alien spacecraft (especially when it's all heated up and emitting steam).
Length of ownership: 73
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5
Value
5
Ease of Use
5
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Enjoy 4K and HDR movies with this LG Ultra HD Blu-ray player. It supports CD, DVD and various audio and video formats for versatile entertainment. It's 4K upscaling capability provides enhanced display for lower-resolution videos. The USB port of this LG Ultra HD Blu-ray player lets you play content from an external storage device.
Customer Rating
4
Nice basic UHD player
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have a UBK90 for my main home theater, and after amassing a decent collection of UHD discs, I decided to get a player for another room.
That TV doesn't have Dolby Vision capability, so the UBK80's HDR10 only isn't a big deal. And I rarely use the smart features on players (TVs and stream boxes do it better), so no loss there. I really just needed something to play UHD discs and Blu-Rays... and for that, this player excels as well as it's big brother. And at recent sale pricing, it can be had for less than almost any other player on the market!
This player is doing exactly what I wanted it to do, and I haven't found a disc it won't play (including Blu-Rays that my old Sony BDP-N460 was unable to load/play).
That TV doesn't have Dolby Vision capability, so the UBK80's HDR10 only isn't a big deal. And I rarely use the smart features on players (TVs and stream boxes do it better), so no loss there. I really just needed something to play UHD discs and Blu-Rays... and for that, this player excels as well as it's big brother. And at recent sale pricing, it can be had for less than almost any other player on the market!
This player is doing exactly what I wanted it to do, and I haven't found a disc it won't play (including Blu-Rays that my old Sony BDP-N460 was unable to load/play).
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Stream shows and movies with this 32-inch Samsung Smart TV. It supports Full HD for sharp images and vivid colors, and the built-in Wi-Fi provides easy access to your favorite online content providers. The USB port on this Samsung Smart TV lets you watch videos or listen to music from a USB flash drive.
Customer Rating
5
Great kitchen TV
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
Not too long after my great Living Room TV Replacement Saga, it was time to replace the kitchen TV. And again, I narrowed it all the way down to 2 TVs (a Samsung and LG again) before ultimately having to try both of them out to make a final decision.
In this case, the Samsung won. Both TVs had wide viewing angles (both being IPS panels), but the Samsung was actually a little better than the LG. Color/contrast/brightness, as well as smart features, were comparable, too.
In the end, what killed the LG for me was the 720p resolution. By conventional wisdom, I didn't expect 720p to be a problem... the seats at our island are all far enough away that at a 32" size, 1080p should be indistinguishable from 720p. But what I found was I don't just look at the TV from those seats.. this TV is mostly used for news/weather (typical kitchen TV stuff) and I often find myself watching while standing fairly close to the TV. And it was here that the Samsungs 1080p became a real advantage... enough so that I was willing to pay a bit more for the Samsung and return the LG.
In this case, the Samsung won. Both TVs had wide viewing angles (both being IPS panels), but the Samsung was actually a little better than the LG. Color/contrast/brightness, as well as smart features, were comparable, too.
In the end, what killed the LG for me was the 720p resolution. By conventional wisdom, I didn't expect 720p to be a problem... the seats at our island are all far enough away that at a 32" size, 1080p should be indistinguishable from 720p. But what I found was I don't just look at the TV from those seats.. this TV is mostly used for news/weather (typical kitchen TV stuff) and I often find myself watching while standing fairly close to the TV. And it was here that the Samsungs 1080p became a real advantage... enough so that I was willing to pay a bit more for the Samsung and return the LG.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Watch movies and TV come alive with this 32-inch LG Smart TV. It has Full HD resolution and enhanced colors for crisp, vibrant visuals, and it has two HDMI outputs for connecting A/V devices easily. This LG Smart TV includes an intuitive interface for streaming media and other content with the touch of a button.
Customer Rating
4
Nice TV, but 720p was a deal-breaker in my applica
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
Not too long after my great Living Room TV Replacement Saga, it was time to replace the kitchen TV. And again, I narrowed it all the way down to 2 TVs (a Samsung and LG again) before ultimately having to try both of them out to make a final decision.
In this case, the Samsung won. Both TVs had wide viewing angles (both being IPS panels), but the Samsung was actually a little better than this LG. Color/contrast/brightness, as well as smart features, were comparable, too.
In the end, what killed this LG for me was the 720p resolution. By conventional wisdom, I didn't expect 720p to be a problem... the seats at our island are all far enough away that at a 32" size, 1080p should be indistinguishable from 720p. But what I found was I don't just look at the TV from those seats.. this TV is mostly used for news/weather (typical kitchen TV stuff) and I often find myself watching while standing fairly close to the TV. And it was here that the Samsungs 1080p became a real advantage... enough so that I was willing to pay a bit more for the Samsung and return this LG.
In this case, the Samsung won. Both TVs had wide viewing angles (both being IPS panels), but the Samsung was actually a little better than this LG. Color/contrast/brightness, as well as smart features, were comparable, too.
In the end, what killed this LG for me was the 720p resolution. By conventional wisdom, I didn't expect 720p to be a problem... the seats at our island are all far enough away that at a 32" size, 1080p should be indistinguishable from 720p. But what I found was I don't just look at the TV from those seats.. this TV is mostly used for news/weather (typical kitchen TV stuff) and I often find myself watching while standing fairly close to the TV. And it was here that the Samsungs 1080p became a real advantage... enough so that I was willing to pay a bit more for the Samsung and return this LG.
Mobile Submission: True
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Watch weekend sporting events in stunning 4K clarity on this 49-inch LG TV. Its webOS 3.5 interface brings together popular streaming services for enjoying your favorite shows and movies, and the three HDMI inputs let you connect speakers and accessories. This LG TV offers accurate colors that look vibrant and lifelike.
Customer Rating
4
Nice picture and features for the price
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
When my old 720p plasma above the corner fireplace died, I went through quite a process trying to pick a replacement. Eventually I ended up buying a Samsung TV that is a pretty close competitor to this model... I liked that TV a lot, but it had a VA panel and it turned out that the viewing angle compromises inherent to that were just too much to handle (even just a little move off-center caused notable degradation of contrast/brightness/color, becoming severe when viewed from several seats in my living room)... that TV just was not a good choice for a corner installation.
I eventually landed on this LG TV - it had many features similar to what I liked in the Samsung, and was even a little lower priced at the same size. This TV has an IPS panel, and as expected for that technology, dark-room straight-on picture quality is not quite as good as the VA Samsung was; however, it is still quite good. The big difference is viewing angle - this TV does suffer a little bit of contrast/brightness shift at extreme angles (say over 45 degrees or so), but colors hold up very well. As a result, the picture looks good from almost every spot in the room, or even when viewed from the adjoining room. Even at extreme angles, it remains watchable.
Ultimately, you pretty much have to go OLED for a true plasma replacement... but for a living room/over the fireplace/non-critical viewing application, I couldn't justify the $ for an OLED. I think an IPS LCD like this gets you reasonably close, at a much more favorable price point.
I eventually landed on this LG TV - it had many features similar to what I liked in the Samsung, and was even a little lower priced at the same size. This TV has an IPS panel, and as expected for that technology, dark-room straight-on picture quality is not quite as good as the VA Samsung was; however, it is still quite good. The big difference is viewing angle - this TV does suffer a little bit of contrast/brightness shift at extreme angles (say over 45 degrees or so), but colors hold up very well. As a result, the picture looks good from almost every spot in the room, or even when viewed from the adjoining room. Even at extreme angles, it remains watchable.
Ultimately, you pretty much have to go OLED for a true plasma replacement... but for a living room/over the fireplace/non-critical viewing application, I couldn't justify the $ for an OLED. I think an IPS LCD like this gets you reasonably close, at a much more favorable price point.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Indulge in Ultra HD viewing with this 50-inch Samsung smart HDTV. Its UHD upscaling capability enhances the picture quality of content with lower resolutions. Enjoy online entertainment with the built-in apps and full web browser of this Samsung smart HDTV.
Customer Rating
4
Great TV, but only when viewed head-on
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
I've had pretty good experiences with Samsung TVs, so when the old 720p plasma over the corner fireplace died, I decided to give this TV a try.
This model (well, an extremely similar one) garnered good reviews and the price was fair, so I went for it.
Setup was easy/familiar, and after a bit of calibration, the picture looked great. Then, I sat in a chair along an edge of the room, and the picture became totally unwatchable... dim, low contrast, shifted colors. That was a little disappointing. Then, I moved back to the couch, which is more centered in front of the TV. In the middle seat, the image was great, outstanding actually! But even shifting to the left or right seat of the couch was, at my viewing distance, enough to cause a very noticeable color/brightness/contrast degradation (albeit not as bad as from the chair).
Lesson learned - LCD TVs with VA panels are not a suitable replacement for a plasma TV, at least not in applications where the viewing angle advantages of plasma were important. I think in a room that is geared more toward head-on viewing of the TV, it would have been great, but it didn't work out for me.
I ended up returning this TV and replacing it with one from a different manufacturer, with an IPS panel instead of a VA. Straight-on viewing of that TV doesn't look as good as this TV, but it is much more forgiving when viewed off-axis.
This model (well, an extremely similar one) garnered good reviews and the price was fair, so I went for it.
Setup was easy/familiar, and after a bit of calibration, the picture looked great. Then, I sat in a chair along an edge of the room, and the picture became totally unwatchable... dim, low contrast, shifted colors. That was a little disappointing. Then, I moved back to the couch, which is more centered in front of the TV. In the middle seat, the image was great, outstanding actually! But even shifting to the left or right seat of the couch was, at my viewing distance, enough to cause a very noticeable color/brightness/contrast degradation (albeit not as bad as from the chair).
Lesson learned - LCD TVs with VA panels are not a suitable replacement for a plasma TV, at least not in applications where the viewing angle advantages of plasma were important. I think in a room that is geared more toward head-on viewing of the TV, it would have been great, but it didn't work out for me.
I ended up returning this TV and replacing it with one from a different manufacturer, with an IPS panel instead of a VA. Straight-on viewing of that TV doesn't look as good as this TV, but it is much more forgiving when viewed off-axis.
Mobile Submission: True
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus 5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is perfect for heavy, dense mixtures. It offers the capacity to make up to 9 dozen cookies in a single batch and 10 speeds to thoroughly mix, knead and whip ingredients quickly and easily. For even more versatility, use the power hub to turn your stand mixer into a culinary center, with over 10 optional hub powered attachments*, from food grinders to pasta makers and more. *sold separately.
Customer Rating
5
Best mixer I've owned
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
For years, my wife and I had cheaper mixers (e.g. Sunbeam). They generally worked OK, and the motors held up fine, but the stands always seemed to break on us.
They also weren't much to look at.
After seeing this Kitchenaid mixer go on sale, we decided it was time to step up to a nicer and better-built unit. We have not regretted the decision - this mixer has handled everything we've thrown at it, the stand and bowl clamping mechanism are rock-solid, and it looks great too! The included beater accessories are also well-made and work great.
If I had to find one thing to pick on, it's that the bowl capacity isn't huge... for bigger/double batches on some recipes, a little more capacity would be welcome. But apart from that, I'd highly recommend this mixer.
They also weren't much to look at.
After seeing this Kitchenaid mixer go on sale, we decided it was time to step up to a nicer and better-built unit. We have not regretted the decision - this mixer has handled everything we've thrown at it, the stand and bowl clamping mechanism are rock-solid, and it looks great too! The included beater accessories are also well-made and work great.
If I had to find one thing to pick on, it's that the bowl capacity isn't huge... for bigger/double batches on some recipes, a little more capacity would be welcome. But apart from that, I'd highly recommend this mixer.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Winner of over 160 Game of the Year awards.Plays on Xbox 360 and Xbox One with Backward Compatibility.Experience an epic journey across the dying West. When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to pick up his guns and hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends. Experience Marston~s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past and seek a new future for himself and his family. Red Dead Redemption Game of the Year Edition also features Undead Nightmare, the companion single-player story that turns the stunning world of Red Dead Redemption upside down as a mysterious plague transforms the West into an apocalyptic fight for survival against the zombie horde.
Customer Rating
4
A fun change of pace
on February 16, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
I've played a lot of video games over the years, but all the hype around Red Dead Redemption 2 made me realize I'd never played a game in a western setting. Rather than jump into the latest and greatest, I decided to test the waters with this game first. I haven't finished the game yet, but I'm already planning to buy the sequel based on how good this one is.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Fifth Element [SteelBook] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray] [Only @ Best Buy] [1997]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
Customer Rating
5
Now I can use the old Blu-Ray as a drink coaster
on January 26, 2019
Posted by: RalphieB
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
As I alluded to in my Blade Runner UHD review, I have owned this movie on many formats over the years. I really enjoy this movie and find it highly rewatchable, so I haven't minded re-buying it every 5 years or so... but I think that cycle may finally be at an end. This UHD disc is a PROPER release, definitive in terms of audio and video, pretty much at the limits of what the source material can provide... like having your very own lovingly-preserved 35mm print at home! I can't count how many times I've watched The Fifth Element, and yet I found myself spotting new little details I had never noticed before (e.g. the Diva isn't just blue, she's also SPARKLY - but don't look too close or you might see the seam where her latex headgear blends into her makeup/body paint). And as an added bonus, the steelbook packaging is super-cool, much better than the fairly lame cover art on past releases.
I'll try not to ramble too much about the movie itself... it really resonates with me, but may not be for everyone. It is kind of tough to categorize... futuristic sci-fi action comedy, I guess? Some may be put off by the humor, which is occasionally flat-out goofy... but for me it all just somehow works. There is some great dialogue, and the action and (most of) the effects are very solid. The story is archetypical "hero must prevent the end of the world" stuff, but the way it is presented manages to make it feel fresh. And the casting/performances are perfect. For me, the movie would be worth watching for any of Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, or Chris Tucker's individual performances alone (not to mention the young and very lovely Milla Jovovich), but when you put them all together in one movie, it really becomes something special. Even the minor characters, played by folks like Brion James, Tricky, Tommy Lister, and Lee Evans all just feel perfectly cast.
In summary - this is a UHD release I would highly recommend.
I'll try not to ramble too much about the movie itself... it really resonates with me, but may not be for everyone. It is kind of tough to categorize... futuristic sci-fi action comedy, I guess? Some may be put off by the humor, which is occasionally flat-out goofy... but for me it all just somehow works. There is some great dialogue, and the action and (most of) the effects are very solid. The story is archetypical "hero must prevent the end of the world" stuff, but the way it is presented manages to make it feel fresh. And the casting/performances are perfect. For me, the movie would be worth watching for any of Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, or Chris Tucker's individual performances alone (not to mention the young and very lovely Milla Jovovich), but when you put them all together in one movie, it really becomes something special. Even the minor characters, played by folks like Brion James, Tricky, Tommy Lister, and Lee Evans all just feel perfectly cast.
In summary - this is a UHD release I would highly recommend.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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For those looking for the best in the latest television technologies, the U8H should be a top contender. The most exciting 2022 upgrade is Mini-LED. With Mini-LEDs that are 50x smaller than traditional LED lights, local dimming and contrast control reproduce incredible black and white levels within the same scene like never before in the series. The U8H is now compatible with the Wifi 6e router protocol. Streaming from the wide selection of Google TV apps is now easier and smoother when connected to a dedicated router channel that won~t be competing with other connected devices on the same router. For gamers, the U8H now comes equipped with Dolby Vision Gaming and FreeSync Premium Pro for enhanced gaming picture contrast and even smoother, tear-free motion. And lastly, the U8H now comes with a 2-year warranty and is available in a 75~ screen size. 2021 was a huge year for the Hisense U8H series and with so many upgrades, 2022 looks to be just as promising.
What is the height in inches (excluding black bars) of a film with a 2.39.1 aspect ratio on this 65 inch Hisense U8H Series model?
This 65" model's specifications show an actual screen/image size of 64.5" diagonal. The screen has a native aspect ratio of 16:9, so the maximum full image width and height are 56.2 inches and 31.6 inches, respectively.
When playing a Cinemascope/2.39:1 film in its original aspect ratio, the image will take up the full width of 56.2 inches, but the height will be reduced to 23.5 inches (diagonal size is about 60.9 inches).
www.screen-size.info has a nice calculator for checking out scenarios like this. There are others out there too, but this one lets you freely input your aspect ratio instead of having to choose from a pre-defined list.
When playing a Cinemascope/2.39:1 film in its original aspect ratio, the image will take up the full width of 56.2 inches, but the height will be reduced to 23.5 inches (diagonal size is about 60.9 inches).
www.screen-size.info has a nice calculator for checking out scenarios like this. There are others out there too, but this one lets you freely input your aspect ratio instead of having to choose from a pre-defined list.
3 years, 4 months ago
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RalphieB
Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS Running Watch: Make the most of your workout with this watch, which uses a wrist-based Elevate heart rate monitor to calculate your VO2 max and help you predict race times for various distances. Track your activity levels and receive a nudge when you have been sitting for too long, and monitor your steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled and sleep quality and quantity for an overall picture of your physical fitness.