benjitek
benjitek's Stats
- Review Count13
- Helpfulness Votes223
- First ReviewNovember 15, 2012
- Last ReviewMay 29, 2016
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating3.5
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count8
- Helpfulness Votes21
- First Review CommentNovember 21, 2012
- Last Review CommentMay 29, 2016
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count7
- Helpfulness Votes7
- First AnswerJune 20, 2014
- Last AnswerOctober 21, 2015
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers1
Jaybird - Freedom F5 Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Carbon
Free yourself from the tangle of wires on your morning run with these Jaybird Freedom wireless earbuds. Bluetooth capabilities connect easily to your phone or other compatible device, and the sweat-proof design offers comfortable wear even on long flights. These Jaybird Freedom wireless earbuds feature a metal inline remote for dependable use.
Great Bluetooth Headphones
Customer Rating
4.0
This review replaces a previous 3-star review that unfortunately I can't edit or delete.
Initially when I tried to wear these wrapped over-the-ear the volume control module flopped around on the right side, and the left side's cable kept moving in front of my ear. Another reader posted a suggestion that I use the included attachable cord adjusters to shorten the overall length. I'd already tried, but the reader included a video link with instructions on how to do it properly. I tried again and got it right. Now I'm in Bluetooth headphone heaven :-)
The sound is excellent once tweaked with the companion app. I hadn't realized when I purchased these that I could have them connected to my AppleTV >and< iPhone simultaneously -- now I hear alert sounds or incoming call notifications from my iPhone while watching TV. Wow.
Excellent headphones, but they're overpriced. For $150, I'd give them 5 stars, knocked off a star because of the $200 price tag.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
+7points
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Apple TV – 32GB (4th Generation) - Black
The new Apple TV delivers an all-new experience with Touch andSiri, powerful new hardware, and great content, games, and more on the App Store. The Touch surface on the new Siri Remote offers innovative ways to interact with your TV, creating a connected experience with a screen that's across the room. With Siri, finding something to watch is as easy as just asking. And with apps, Apple TV allows you to customize your TV for personal and shared experiences in the living room.
My Precious :-)
Customer Rating
5.0
I spent a week each with the disappointing Amazon FireTV2 and the very nice Roku-4, and bought the new AppleTV. The AppleTV doesn’t do 4K, which isn’t an issue for me as my 1080p TV is less than a year old, and will be my only TV for at least another few years.
When I first plugged the HDMI cable in and turned on the AppleTV, the screen invited me to step closer and hold my iPhone near the box to bypass WiFi and Apple services setup… goosebumps… I witnessed both sorcery and witchcraft as the box connected to my network without my help.
The process of getting from box to Home Screen was much faster with the AppleTV than it was with either the FireTV2 or Roku-4. Even though the other 2 are also freshly launched products, they instantly began to seem outdated.
The Home Screen itself is stunning. The remote that navigates through the screens is like a magic wand once you begin using the touchpad, integrating into the viewing experience like no other, and, it’s rechargeable. While it’s amazingly thin, I wish it were at least twice as thick. After about an hour of use, my wrist started to cramp up and I had to switch to the other hand — and after another hour, that one was sore as well. In real use, I won’t be using it nearly as much, but if Candy Crush appears in the AppStore, my wrists are in trouble. The granular and intuitive media control provided by the remote’s touchpad is amazing. Lasting a month or longer on a charge is a nice perk.
Siri’s voice control enhances the viewing experience many times over. Being able to say things like ’skip ahead 12 minutes’ or ‘what did she just say’ have set the bar for a streaming media box. I look forward to a future update when I’ll be able to add things to my iOS Reminders lists and reference stuff from my Calendar and Contacts.
I’ve been using Netflix, Hulu, Showtime, and YouTube. All have that same gorgeous user interface, and they all work flawlessly. Press the touchpad on any of them and they launch instantly, select something to watch and it seems to begin instantaneously — I’ve yet to perceive a buffering wait-time. I use Plex extensively, and while the Plex media player app was absent from the AppStore on launch day — it has been submitted and is pending approval. If, like me, you just can’t wait — there is a very nice 3rd party Plex player available, called SimpleX, for $2.99 in the AppStore. If you have an iPhone or other iOS device, the Plex app has native AirPlay support and is another option that I tried — it works well and it’s free.
Numerous tech reviewers have given considerable attention to Amazon Instant Video not being available for the new AppleTV. I subscribe to Amazon Prime and very occasionally watch something from the Prime Video library. While an ATV app would be great, the Amazon Instant Video app on my iPhone supports AirPlay and does a mind-meld with the AppleTV. I was even able to use the ‘what did she just say’ voice command and watch as the video rewound 15 seconds and temporarily turned on subtitles.
From the UI to the touchpad remote control, the AppleTV makes the FireTV2 and the Roku-4 seem like abacuses in comparison. If 4K viewing were a consideration, I’d go with a Roku-4 for 4K media and use the AppleTV for everything else.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
+60points
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Roku - 4 Streaming Media Player - Black
Roku 4 Streaming Media Player: Thousands of entertainment options are at your fingertips with this Roku 4 streaming media player. Access free and subscription channels like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now and Amazon Prime for instant streaming of your favorite TV shows and movies, and search quickly and easily using the voice search function.
Very Nice
Customer Rating
4.0
Tried the Amazon FireTV2, returned it yesterday and got my Roku-4 today. Don’t currently have a 4K TV, so I can’t speak to anything regarding that. The Roku-4 looks great on my 1080 TV.
My previous, and only, streaming box was a Roku-3. My primary reasons for getting one was for wireless audio and Plex. To a lesser extent, Amazon Video, Netflix, Hulu, Showtime, USTVnow, and SlingTV. Everything worked well on my Roku-3 except for the wireless audio. The audio track constantly would begin stuttering, become impossible to decipher and the only solution was to take the batteries out of the remote to reboot it. Roku support sent 2 replacement remotes, but nothing changed. Ultimately they told me this was due to the Roku-3 utilizing WiFi for audio and the 2.4GHz band often being so crowded as to cause interference. The Roku product support forum has numerous posts from users experiencing the same issue. This would usually occur about 3 times per hour.
So far with the Roku-4, I’ve listened to video wirelessly for an hour each with Plex, Amazon, and Netflix. No stuttering at all — a consistent and clear wireless-audio experience. I’m assuming that’s due to audio now going over a less crowded 5GHz WiFi band. At first I thought the sound was lacking bass, but after switching the earbud tips out to the next larger size, that was resolved. Was hoping as the Roku-4 has Bluetooth, I’d have the option of listening that way. There’s no setting for it, and a quick support chat later, I found out it’s not an option now, nor is it planned for a future firmware update.
I ran into an identical issue with the Roku-4 that I experienced with the FireTV2 regarding 5GHz connectivity. The hours of support calls I spent with the FTV2 saved me a lot of time with the R4. Most dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz routers are preconfigured to automatically select the clearest available 5GHz channel. It’s a known issue with the FTV2 that if the router is set to automatic and providing a channel numbered 100 or higher, the box wouldn’t see it and only show the 2.4GHz SSID in the list of connections. Amazon support instructed me to turn auto-select off and manually set the channel to 36, 40, 44, or 48. Same thing happened with my Roku-4. During initial setup, it only displayed my 2.4GHz band SSID. The same fix for the FTV2 worked for the R4.
I much prefer that Amazon Video is now tucked away in an app, and not dominating what displays on the home screen. Overall, the Roku-4 is pretty much identical in use for me as the Roku-3, except the wireless audio now appears to work flawlessly. If it had Bluetooth audio, I’d consider it a 5-Star product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
+36points
36out of 36found this review helpful.
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Jaybird - X2 Wireless Earbud Headphones - Midnight
Enjoy your favorite music while you bike or hit the gym with these Jaybird X2 wireless headphones, which feature a Bluetooth interface for wireless streaming and SignalPlus technology for clear, smooth playback. Comply ear tips offer a comfortable fit.
No MultiPoint :-(
Customer Rating
3.0
As far as the audio quality goes, the X2's are great. Good balance of bass and clarity with a solid connection to the device sending the audio.
That little cap with the 'plastic-thread' covering the charging port is breakage waiting to happen -- very fragile.
While you can pair up to 8 devices with the headphones, only 1 can be connected at a time -- no Bluetooth Multipoint. With Multipoint, more than 1 of the paired devices can be connected, although only 1 at a time can receive audio.
One example of the benefit of Multipoint: say you're listening to a TV show via Bluetooth on your FireTV, and your smartphone is also connected to the headphones. There's an incoming call, the headphones alert you and you accept the call; the television show pauses automatically and when you finish the call pressing play on the headphones resumes the TV show.
Multipoint has been available for years, consumers have come to expect it -- especially in a $200 (after tax) headphone that went to market in 2015.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
-2points
1out of 4found this review helpful.
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Amazon - Fire TV (2015 Model) - Black
Amazon Fire TV (2015 Model): With Amazon Fire TV, you can access thousands of movies and TV shows instantly. Find favorites quickly or access weather and sports updates using the Alexa voice search function. Ultra HD support and a dedicated graphics engine deliver stunning clarity for your favorite entertainment.
Almost...
Customer Rating
2.0
It's somewhat of a step up from the Roku 3 I was previously using, but not as much as I was expecting. I think it's a couple firmware updates away from being better than it is now.
Spent the good part of the day trying to figure out why I could only connect to my dual-band router at 2.4GHz and not 5GHz. 1.5 hours on the phone with Verizon FiOS tech support was unsuccessful as other devices connected at 5GHz without issue. Was about to pack it up and return it until I called Amazon tech support. Turns out it's a known-issue that the FireTV has difficulty with 5GHz networks that are set to auto channel selection and are utilizing channel numbers above 100.
The tech support person said I should change the channel to 36, 44, or 48 instead of automatic, and, it worked.
Bluetooth audio and video are out of sync with Showtime, Netflix, Sling, Plex and Hulu. It's fine through speakers, but video lags slightly behind the audio using Bluetooth. Audio and video are in perfect sync with Bluetooth and Amazon Prime Video which makes me think it'll be fixed at some point, as Amazon provided video demonstrates it can work well in that regard.
Gotta say I prefer the platform agnostic UI of Roku, with Amazon-world tucked away in an app. The FireTV navigation pane represents mostly Amazon products with no option to modify it. Roku's UI is more about the media, less about the provider. Voice search works well if you want only to be presented with Amazon's viewing options, for some reason I thought search was universal, but only movies and TV shows available through Amazon show up. Bummer :-(
The FireTV-2 is OK, less than I was expecting and with other good options around the corner, I'm beginning to doubt my choice...
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
+60points
71out of 82found this review helpful.
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Speck - SeeThru Glossy Case for 13" Apple® MacBook® Pro with Retina - Clear
This Speck SeeThru Glossy SPK-A2412 case's hard polycarbonate-plastic shell delivers reliable protection against scratches and scuffs, making it easy to keep your 13" MacBook Pro with Retina safe during use, transport and storage.
Get the Black One
Customer Rating
5.0
I ordered the clear one for in-store pickup, it was trashed -- someone's return. Turned out for the best, as it was all scratched up -- it's that shiny, glossy kind of clear case that can become scratched from a gentle breeze. While Best Buy has it listed as 'satin-clear', it's 'regular' clear -- Speck doesn't offer Clear with a Satin finish for this case.
I asked for a new one, turns out that was the last in stock. They had other colors, all a bit vibrant and all glossy. Then I saw the black one, the only one with the soft touch Satin finish. Thought I was settling, that I wouldn't see the logo. Wrong -- it's translucent, looks great on my MacBook, the lighted Apple logo looks like part of the case. Fits like a glove.
If I were rating the clear case, I'd give it 3 stars -- but the black one is strong 5 star product :-)
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Roku - 3 Streaming Player - Black
Discover new content and rediscover old favorites with this Roku 3 streaming player, which offers more than 2,000 channels and includes access to Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO and more. A motion-control remote lets you enjoy fun-filled games with ease.
5 Stars... Easily
Customer Rating
5.0
Amazing product. For around the cost of 1 month of a medium tier cable subscription there are a lot of viewing choices. Being able to plug headphones into the remote is icing on the cake :-)
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
0points
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SodaStream - Mango Energy Sodamix
Receive a helpful boost with this SodaStream 1420153010 energy sodamix that provides 72mg of caffeine per serving to keep you feeling energized. The delicious mango flavor offers a refreshing taste.
Made by Scientists ;-)
Customer Rating
2.0
I thought I had mistakenly purchased the diet version, as this has a chemical sweetener type aftertaste. In fact, all of the non-diet samples that came with my SodaStream had the same aftertaste.
Not a deal-breaker as I purchased the SodaStream primarily to drink sparkling water, something it makes very well :-)
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
0points
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SodaStream - Energy Sodamix
Enjoy a refreshing beverage with this sodamix that makes up to 12L of soda for a tasty treat.
Tastest Like Diet...
Customer Rating
2.0
I didn't realize my SodaStream came with a sample pack which included this flavor, wish I had. I thought I had mistakenly purchased the diet version, as this has a chemical sweetener type aftertaste. In fact, all of the non-diet samples had the same aftertaste.
Not a deal-breaker as I purchased the SodaStream primarily to drink sparkling water -- and it makes that very well :-)
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
0points
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Speck - CandyShell Grip Case for Apple® iPhone® 6 Plus and 6s Plus - Black/Gray
Compatible with Apple iPhone 6 Plus or 6s Plus, this dual-layer Speck CandyShell Grip SPK-A3179 case features a military-grade drop-tested design, with polycarbonate and TPE materials, to reliably safeguard your device against damage.
Bulky
Customer Rating
3.0
The case is fine, however, I've liked it better on my previous (smaller) iPhones. The Grip does a great job at protecting against drops, but to do so adds a bit more bulk than I was expecting. I've been using the Incipio NGP case, which has protected well in a couple of pavement drops without quite as much bulk. If you have larger hands, this one should work well for you.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0530240228
0points
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benjitek's Questions
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benjitek's Answers
Roku - 3 Streaming Player - Black
Discover new content and rediscover old favorites with this Roku 3 streaming player, which offers more than 2,000 channels and includes access to Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO and more. A motion-control remote lets you enjoy fun-filled games with ease.
How do you know latest versions of each roku when purchasing
So many to choose from...I definitely want the MOST current
Google is a great resource, so is the Roku website :-)
8 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA
Jaybird - X2 Wireless Earbud Headphones - Midnight
Enjoy your favorite music while you bike or hit the gym with these Jaybird X2 wireless headphones, which feature a Bluetooth interface for wireless streaming and SignalPlus technology for clear, smooth playback. Comply ear tips offer a comfortable fit.
Can you have multiple device connected. ie: laptop playing music but phone so that if it rings you can answer it
Can you have multiple device connected. ie: laptop playing music but phone so that if it rings you can answer it
No, not quite.
What you describe is called 'Bluetooth Multipoint'. The Jaybird X2's let you pair up to 8 devices, but only 1 can be connected at a time.
Multipoint has been available for years, consumers have come to expect it -- especially in a $200 (after tax) headphone that went to market in 2015. The only reason I can think of why Jaybird left it out the X2's would be battery life. Multipoint would considerably reduce the 8-hours they've been rated for.
What you describe is called 'Bluetooth Multipoint'. The Jaybird X2's let you pair up to 8 devices, but only 1 can be connected at a time.
Multipoint has been available for years, consumers have come to expect it -- especially in a $200 (after tax) headphone that went to market in 2015. The only reason I can think of why Jaybird left it out the X2's would be battery life. Multipoint would considerably reduce the 8-hours they've been rated for.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA
Amazon - Fire TV (2015 Model) - Black
Amazon Fire TV (2015 Model): With Amazon Fire TV, you can access thousands of movies and TV shows instantly. Find favorites quickly or access weather and sports updates using the Alexa voice search function. Ultra HD support and a dedicated graphics engine deliver stunning clarity for your favorite entertainment.
Can I stream video content from my laptop? If yes, which formats?
Take a look at Plex -- it'll stream pretty much any format of video to your FireTV. The app is free.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA
Plantronics - Voyager Edge Bluetooth Headset with Charging Case - Black
Plantronics Voyager Edge Bluetooth Headset: Make crystal-clear calls in any environment with the powerful noise-cancellation features of this Bluetooth headset. Pair it with an HD Voice-enabled smartphone to enjoy full wideband audio support. The convenient and portable charging case will keep you up to speed with all your incoming calls throughout the day.
car charger
On the box it is written that this comes with a car charger , but I did not receive one. I bought this yesterday. Is there supposed to be a car charger or not?
Thanks
Thanks
The one Best Buy sells is a version made just for Best Buy. If you purchase from other online sources, or the Plantronics web site you do get a car charger, however, you don't get the wall adapter that comes with the Best Buy version.
Sounds like yours was the Best Buy version packed in the wrong box, as my box had Best Buy Edition info printed on it and did not list a car charger.
Sounds like yours was the Best Buy version packed in the wrong box, as my box had Best Buy Edition info printed on it and did not list a car charger.
9 years ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA
Plantronics - Voyager Edge Bluetooth Headset with Charging Case - Black
Plantronics Voyager Edge Bluetooth Headset: Make crystal-clear calls in any environment with the powerful noise-cancellation features of this Bluetooth headset. Pair it with an HD Voice-enabled smartphone to enjoy full wideband audio support. The convenient and portable charging case will keep you up to speed with all your incoming calls throughout the day.
Can edge be used as microphone for dragon dictation
Can edge be used as a microphone for dragon dictation?
I depends on the Bluetooth capabilities of your PC. I have a Microsoft Surface Pro 2 and it pairs perfectly with it using both a headphone and headset profile -- so in my case, it would work with Dragon dictation.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA
Plantronics - Voyager Legend Bluetooth Headset - Black
Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth Headset: Stay in touch with family, friends and work when you rely on the convenience and comfort of this stylish headset. Its lightweight design and ability to pair with 2 phones at once will keep you up to date on all your incoming calls. Multi-microphones, stainless steel windscreens and moisture protection let you experience clear audio everywhere you go.
What about the radiation factor? is the head set made out of plasctic so it does not produce radiation to the brain?
I just Googled the topic, now I kinda wish I hadn't ;-)
I was surprised to find a couple things:
--Bluetooth does emit the same radiation as a cellphone, however, it's at least 100 times less. A couple things to consider though. If you're not on a call and you leave your headset in, you're getting 'pulsed' with radiation -- less than if on a call, but the headset does stay active. Also, if you have your phone in your pocket you're exposing your internal organs in that area while you're zapping your head with the headset. Cellphones emit the same level of radiation regardless of whether you're using a Bluetooth headset for calling. Bluetooth 4.x emits extremely low levels of radiation while in 'standby' compared to earlier Bluetooth versions.
There are limited studies on the health effects of cellphone radiation, and virtually no studies on the health effects of Bluetooth.
I was surprised to find a couple things:
--Bluetooth does emit the same radiation as a cellphone, however, it's at least 100 times less. A couple things to consider though. If you're not on a call and you leave your headset in, you're getting 'pulsed' with radiation -- less than if on a call, but the headset does stay active. Also, if you have your phone in your pocket you're exposing your internal organs in that area while you're zapping your head with the headset. Cellphones emit the same level of radiation regardless of whether you're using a Bluetooth headset for calling. Bluetooth 4.x emits extremely low levels of radiation while in 'standby' compared to earlier Bluetooth versions.
There are limited studies on the health effects of cellphone radiation, and virtually no studies on the health effects of Bluetooth.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA
Samsung - 48" Class (47-5/8" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - Smart - HDTV
Samsung UN48H6350AFXZA LED HDTV: With a quad-core processor and built-in Wi-Fi, this Samsung TV allows you to wirelessly stream movies, TV shows and music. The 1080p display and Wide Color Enhancer Plus provides a high-quality picture.
can you change aspect ratio on netflix and dvd movies, does it have vudu and amazon app
Yes, you can change the aspect ratio. It does have Amazon & Vudu, they work quite well. It does not however have the Verizon FIOS app, which I really wish it did ;-)
9 years, 10 months ago
by
Posted by:
benjitek
from
Seattle, WA