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MiketheD
MiketheD's stats
- Review count38
- Helpfulness votes205
- First reviewFebruary 27, 2009
- Last reviewAugust 6, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
- Review comment count14
- Helpfulness votes55
- First review commentJuly 11, 2010
- Last review commentNovember 27, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count3
- Helpfulness votes3
- First answerJuly 23, 2014
- Last answerMay 6, 2017
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
![Sherlock: Season Three [2 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/bfeffd6b-0213-4cbd-b65f-a3dd851bae99.jpg)
This intense release from the acclaimed British detective series Sherlock includes all three feature-length episodes from the show's third season, following the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's titular hyper-observant detective as set in modern day London.
Customer Rating
5
Addictive!
on February 21, 2014
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
My wife and I accidently watched the first episode of season 1 a few years ago. We were so hooked that we bought the series and watched the rest of the season that weekend. Each season is only three episodes but at least they are 1 1/2 hours long. I would recommend starting at the beginning to watch the relationships between Sherlock, Watson and Lestrade develop as I think that process is important to the series. Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix, but we bought them on Blu-ray anyway as they are worth having in your collection. Highly recommended!
What's great about it: Dialogue and Plot twists
What's not so great: There are not more episodes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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This 8" subwoofer delivers increased bass response with low distortion and a built-in Class D amplifier for 350 watts of power.
Customer Rating
4
Bang, or boom, for the buck.
on June 30, 2013
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
Friend has a small HT system and the sub in sat/sub system died. Saw this and was familiar with larger Klipsch subs. Result was far superior to the sub that came with the speaker system (Boston Acoustics MCS-130). Really good "oomph" factor in movies. Not really used for a lot of music listening so can't comment on that. But for movies, a good buy at a good price.
What's great about it: deep, undistorted bass for small or moderate sized HT system.
What's not so great: could be a little tighter.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
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0points
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Enjoy viewing media on the screen of your Apple iPad mini or iPad mini 3 with this ZAGG InvisibleShield, which offers high-definition clarity and features scratch-resistant, military-grade material for reliable defense against damage while on the go.
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
Went to the ZAGG site for instructions. Followed to the letter. When I removed the shield it was curved apparently from the way it was stored at the store or in transit to the store. Sprayed both sides as instructed but the curve was too strap - it would not attach to the screen no matter how much I held it. I have installed other shields on other devices and never had this kind of issue. Stay away.
What's great about it: nothing
What's not so great: comes with defects - at least mine did
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Hear your calls, even as noise levels change, thanks to the proprietary technologies in the Bose® Bluetooth® headset Series 2. In addition, a noise-rejecting microphone system lets callers hear you, even when you?re calling from a windy or noisy environment. The flexible StayHear® tip provides comfort and stability, while A2DP streaming delivers audio content. Includes StayHear tips in three sizes, a USB cable, wall charger and case. Available in right- and left-side versions.
Customer Rating
5
You do get what you pay for!
on November 12, 2011
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
Was a bit sceptical but needed a BT headset. Have tried many: Jabra, BlueAnt, Jawbone, Plantronics, Motorola - you name it. All had their good points, but the voice quality was always not up to par for me. Read a few articles and reviews on the Bose (v. 2) and the consistent praise was about voice quaity. Decided to give it a shot (could return to BB if not happy). The voice quality was simply unbelievable. My wife could not tell that I was on a headset. I also found it to be one of the easier to use units yet. Main button and volume controls easy to distinguish while wearing. Power switch underneath. One touch of the button and Voice Dial on my iPhone 4 pops up. Will not be bringing back to BB. Highly recommended.
What's great about it: Voice quality and ease of use.
What's not so great: Price!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5
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+28points
28of 28voted this as helpful.
With TruSpace® digital processing circuitry, this multimedia speaker system delivers 5.1 multichannel audio from just 2 speakers and the compact Acoustimass® module, providing an immersive movie-watching or game-playing experience on your computer.2px 17px;margin:
Customer Rating
5
pricey but good
on June 12, 2011
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
Was looking for a good speaker system to put on my wife's computer. She had a set fo small Logitechs but she loves music and I wanted to get the best system I could for her. Had previously gotten the Klipsch system and very good but a little muddy in my opinion. Decided to give the Bose Companion 5's a shot. In short, she is ecstatic. Setup was a breeze (USB). Speakers are very stylish. Good bass punch. Great separation. However, the best feature is the clarity of the upper mid and high range. She has had complaints about not being able to really hear the upper range with some of the systems, but these are crystal clear. Easy controls, great sound - just wish the proce was a little less, but you are paying for the Bose name to an extent. Very pleased with the purchase.
What's great about it: separation and upper range.
What's not so great: price.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
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+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
Introducing iPad. It's the best way to experience the Web, e-mail, photos, and video. All on a big, beautiful Multi-Touch screen. With just the touch of a finger.
Customer Rating
5
Great product for limited market
on March 5, 2011
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
Bought this for one reason and one reason only - the ability to view downloaded/email documents/attachments easily. Technically the device is excellent: great screen, easy to use, fast, etc. Many here say that the unit does no more than their iPhones and other devices. Essentially correct in my view. I do not use it for music, movies, etc. However, the ability to instantly view in a very readable format documents that are sent to me without having to boot my laptop and run WORD, Adobe, etc is a real boost to my productivity. For those of us with that need, this is a Godsend. Highly recommended for those people. For others, a neat toy to be sure but not an essential purchase.
What's great about it: instant access to documents
What's not so great: price
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+17points
17of 17voted this as helpful.
Print photos and documents in brilliant color using this ink cartridge. HP Verified Online Supplies Reseller ›
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
I wanted to like this printer. Print quality is excellent. Scanner, fax and wireless. Windows 7 64 bit and no printing issues. However, I almost immediately began experiencing printer freeze-ups and wireless disconnects. Using an excellent N router (Netgear 3700) and have tried just about everything (firmware update, newest printer drivers, dedicated Mac address, etc). No joy. Thought it might be a bad unit, but the net is replete with this being a major issue with this series of printers from HP. If you plan a hard wire setup go for it. If you need a wireless connection I'd think twice.
What's great about it: Excellent print quality and great feature set.
What's not so great: Wireless keeps disconnecting - well documented problem.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
5
Speed
5
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+6points
6of 6voted this as helpful.
Create an efficient computing system with this Antec Nine Hundred 15900 case, which features 9 convertible drive bays for versatile installation and 4 TriCool fans to keep components properly cooled.
Customer Rating
5
Great case with 1 major drawback
on February 27, 2009
Posted by: MiketheD
from Lafayette, LA.
This is simply the best looking case I have ever owned. Sleek appearance. Lots of blue LED fans. Not tool-less but not too bad to install. Solid when all is done. The major pain about this case is the 3.5 adapter. It took forever to get my floppy drive/card reader installed flush. Had to use a drill to make new holes so that adapter would align properly with the holes in the case. Was really concerned that if they were not drilled properly I would lose the adapter. Came out perfect, but beware as I have seen at least one other review here that commented on the same issue.
What's great about it: Solid look and feel. Great cooling. Lots of room.
What's not so great: The 3.5 adapter is a pain to install.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
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0points
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This Sony 4K HDR TV boasts 4K technology for vibrant hues. Its X940D series features a bold 75-inch screen and slim design. Wires remain hidden, and the unit is easily wall mounted. This television has a 4K Processor X1 and 4K X-Reality PRO for crisp video. This Sony 4K HDR TV is easy to control via voice commands.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Pretty good TV with weaknesses
By AnnaK
This is overall a pretty good television. It have very good picture quality in terms of color and and overall brightness in normal content. HDR content can reach very high brightness level, which is good. Although the brightness is not as high as the complementary 2016 Samsung SUHD televisions, I have yet to notice a difference at such high brightness levels.
However, this brings up a big weakness: black levels. Many other customer reviews claim that this television has very good black levels, but I have not found this to be the case. Perhaps they watch the television in bright areas, but I watch in a home theater setting, with close to zero ambient light. Sony used a full-array backlight to power this television, but its algorithm is very conservative in turning off zones. The pro of this is that blooming is near absent in most content. The con is that the black levels are far from good for a television of this caliber. Even turning up local dimming did not alleviate the problem. I am very disappointed by this aspect of the television, especially since this is a full-array backlit television. With dark room viewing, I actually found that the Vizio-P series is better.
That being said, the X940D is excellent at upscaling non-HD content (ages better than that of the P-series), and motion handling is good, though the brightness has to be reduced to reduce motion blur (though this may be ubiquitous with LED-backlight TVs). However, a glaring problem is that the motion handling is buggy when streaming content. During content with fast motion, blocks form on the screen. I have not noticed this with blu-rays, so I assume the issue is with software, not hardware, allowing for a firmware update-based solution.
The TV has some flashlighting (uneven backlighting) when turning off local dimming and playing back a black screen, but I rarely notice this when watching actual content.
Overall, the X940D is a good televison with great color, brightness, upscaling, motion handling, and disappointing contrast levels. It is, in my opinion, the best 75 inch television that you can get for the $6000 price tag for daytime viewing and upscaling. I have yet to see the newly released 75 inch KS9000, so I can't compare to that.
I have also had some big problems in trying to get those 4 free movies that should have been redeemable due to promotion that was present during the time I purchased the television. I put in my email and made an account for the Sony Ultra service and still have not received the code for the movies. I have contacted Sony customer service at least four times. They claimed to send two 'official' requests, but I have yet to receive the codes.
However, this brings up a big weakness: black levels. Many other customer reviews claim that this television has very good black levels, but I have not found this to be the case. Perhaps they watch the television in bright areas, but I watch in a home theater setting, with close to zero ambient light. Sony used a full-array backlight to power this television, but its algorithm is very conservative in turning off zones. The pro of this is that blooming is near absent in most content. The con is that the black levels are far from good for a television of this caliber. Even turning up local dimming did not alleviate the problem. I am very disappointed by this aspect of the television, especially since this is a full-array backlit television. With dark room viewing, I actually found that the Vizio-P series is better.
That being said, the X940D is excellent at upscaling non-HD content (ages better than that of the P-series), and motion handling is good, though the brightness has to be reduced to reduce motion blur (though this may be ubiquitous with LED-backlight TVs). However, a glaring problem is that the motion handling is buggy when streaming content. During content with fast motion, blocks form on the screen. I have not noticed this with blu-rays, so I assume the issue is with software, not hardware, allowing for a firmware update-based solution.
The TV has some flashlighting (uneven backlighting) when turning off local dimming and playing back a black screen, but I rarely notice this when watching actual content.
Overall, the X940D is a good televison with great color, brightness, upscaling, motion handling, and disappointing contrast levels. It is, in my opinion, the best 75 inch television that you can get for the $6000 price tag for daytime viewing and upscaling. I have yet to see the newly released 75 inch KS9000, so I can't compare to that.
I have also had some big problems in trying to get those 4 free movies that should have been redeemable due to promotion that was present during the time I purchased the television. I put in my email and made an account for the Sony Ultra service and still have not received the code for the movies. I have contacted Sony customer service at least four times. They claimed to send two 'official' requests, but I have yet to receive the codes.
MiketheD
Lafayette, LA.
surprised at the contrast perception.
July 16, 2016
Hi. I don't necessarily agree with your perceptions of this unit's ability to handle black levels and contrast. My experience has been vastly different, and particularly so given that I have directly compared it with the Sharp Elite Pro-70XFD, a set with universally excellent reviews and praise for its black levels. 4k.com reviewed the 940D and had favorable results as well:
"Replicating black truthfully and with near perfect darkness onscreen has been a challenge only LG and Panasonic have been able to successfully take on to date and only with their OLED models. Sony’s X930/40D however comes pretty close. Thanks to new LED backlight technology, the Slim Backlight Drive, which uses a grid-array edge-mounted system rather than a back-lighting system that distributes the back-lighting source precisely to each different region of the screen. As content plays, the screen is able to recognize high contrast areas and dynamically adjust the backlight, highlighting blacks and making other colors comparatively more vivid, a process called ‘local dimming’, but taken to a relatively new degree of precision and light isolation. The larger 75 inch X940D features a slight and somewhat more precise and powerful variation on this backlighting technology with its full array LED backlight, which improves even further on Slim Backlight Drive."
I can say that I have seem some reviews commenting on this as an issue with the 930D but not the larger model (940D).
Also, I had no trouble at all redeeming the 4 movie offer.
I guess its possible that you had a set with issues, or that my subjective perception is off and colored by my desire for the set to perform as I think it does and in concert with the reviews I have read. Regardless, I hope you find a set that you can enjoy, as I am enjoying the 940D.
+4points
5of 6voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Ultra HD Smart Blu-ray Player: This HDR-compatible, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player offers 4x the resolution of a standard Blu-ray player. The built-in UHD upscaling technology enhances the picture quality from standard Blu-ray discs and DVDs, and built-in Wi-Fi allows you to stream 4K movies and shows from your favorite services.Learn more about 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray ›
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5good product,but pricey
By thumper
from calumet city,il
great product so far.learning more about it every time i use it.
MiketheD
Lafayette, LA.
not really pricey when compared to 4k players?
July 26, 2016
While it is more expensive than standard Blu ray or DVD players, for a 4k player I disagree. The upcoming Xbox One S will be available for a bit less, I think, but the Panasonic DMP-UB900 coming out in September 2016 will reportedly go for $700.
+5points
10of 15voted this comment as helpful.
Create gorgeous hairstyles quickly with this high-velocity Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. The rapid air flow and a temperature gauge that monitors the heat level 20 times per second ensure efficient drying without overheating tresses. The motor of this Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is in the handle for better balance and reduced arm fatigue during use.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Time Saver
By Nannypen
from Pensacola, FL
I love this hair dryer. I use some heat protectant and a dab of oil before drying and in less than 8 minutes my hair is straight enough that I don't need to use my flat iron. I have a lot of fine hair and don't dry on high as I get tangles. With a little practice you'll get the settings right for your hair. The only con for me is the price, but it's a Dyson so expect the best.
MiketheD
Lafayette, LA.
$400.00 for a hair dryer???
October 8, 2016
Title says it all. I am not adverse spending money for good electronics, but I see nothing so far anywhere that would justify paying this amount of money for a hair dryer. Wife is on board with this observation as well. What are we missing?
-2points
3of 8voted this comment as helpful.
Enjoy your favorite shows on this Samsung 40-inch 4K Smart TV. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth display, even during complex action scenes, and the 2160p resolution lets you see the smallest details. Multiple ports make it easy to connect gaming systems and media players to this Samsung 40-inch 4K Smart TV.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5No sound output
By Travis
I'm rating it 2 stars because picture is only half the reason I purchased this TV. I wanted a TV for the bedroom. I like to watch TV late at night when everyone is sleeping. This TV does not have the option to output external sound. I can't believe Samsung would build anything that could not use external sound. No bluetooth or anything. You can't even put headphones on it. Best Buy shouldn't even sell a TV that can't use external sound. I'm going to return this TV.
MiketheD
Lafayette, LA.
optical out
November 27, 2016
This set has an optical out. I am using it connected to a ZVOX.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
MiketheD's Questions
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MiketheD's Answers
Listen to music wherever you want with this Pioneer wireless audio receiver. It connects via wireless technology to music services such as Pandora and Spotify. Any mobile device connect to program the receiver, which uses the Google Cast app. This Pioneer audio wireless receiver delivers quality sound with 400W of power. Includes HDMI 4K Ultra HD and 3D pass-through technologies for compatibility with 3D TVs, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles and 4K Ultra HD TVs.
How do I find the amperage of a receiver? What brands tend to have higher amperage? Isn't higher amperage what produces better audio clarity and depth? Why isn't it listed in audio equipment specifications any more?
That is a great question. Used to be (in the "good old days") that receivers, amps, etc. had a pretty standard power rating system (X watts into 8 ohms all channels driven). Today, harder to gather from the ads and you really do have to go to the manufacturer's site to look at the specific specs. From the Pioneer site for my bedroom receiver (Pioneer LX101) the site gives these reports:
140 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.9 %, 1ch Driven FTC)
80 W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven FTC)
When you see an amplifier wattage rating of 100 watts-per-channel at 1 KHz with one channel driven, the real-world wattage output when all 5 or 7 channels are operating at the same time across all frequencies will be lower, possibly as much as 30 or 40% lower.
A better indicator is to base the measurement when two channels are driven, and use 20Hz to 20kHz tones as opposed to 1KHz. However, that still doesn't fully take into account the amplifier's power output capability when all channels are driven.
Compare the specifics with other products and find the common denominator. That's the best way for me to make a determination of receiver/amp power.
I am no expert by a long shot, but it is more than amperage that goes into the issue of sound quality. The effect of amplifier power is demonstrated by this excerpt I found online:
Sound levels are measured in Decibels (db). Our ears detect differences in volume level in a non-linear fashion. Ears become less sensitive to sound as it increases. Decibels are a logarithmic scale of relative loudness. A difference of approximately 1 db a minimum perceptible change in volume, 3 db is a moderate change in volume, and about 10 db is an approximate perceived doubling of volume.
To give you an idea of how this relates to real-world situations the following examples are listed:
0 db is the threshold of hearing
Whisper: 15-25 dB
Background noise: about 35 dB
Normal home or office background: 40-60 dB
Normal speaking voice: 65-70 dB
Orchestral climax: 105 dB
Live Rock music: 120 dB+
Pain Threshold: 130 dB
Jet aircraft: 140-180 dB
Other features such as THD (total harmonic distortion) can go into the equation, although on most modern equipment I think the THD is so low as to be negligible.
Hope that helps! Good luck.
140 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.9 %, 1ch Driven FTC)
80 W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven FTC)
When you see an amplifier wattage rating of 100 watts-per-channel at 1 KHz with one channel driven, the real-world wattage output when all 5 or 7 channels are operating at the same time across all frequencies will be lower, possibly as much as 30 or 40% lower.
A better indicator is to base the measurement when two channels are driven, and use 20Hz to 20kHz tones as opposed to 1KHz. However, that still doesn't fully take into account the amplifier's power output capability when all channels are driven.
Compare the specifics with other products and find the common denominator. That's the best way for me to make a determination of receiver/amp power.
I am no expert by a long shot, but it is more than amperage that goes into the issue of sound quality. The effect of amplifier power is demonstrated by this excerpt I found online:
Sound levels are measured in Decibels (db). Our ears detect differences in volume level in a non-linear fashion. Ears become less sensitive to sound as it increases. Decibels are a logarithmic scale of relative loudness. A difference of approximately 1 db a minimum perceptible change in volume, 3 db is a moderate change in volume, and about 10 db is an approximate perceived doubling of volume.
To give you an idea of how this relates to real-world situations the following examples are listed:
0 db is the threshold of hearing
Whisper: 15-25 dB
Background noise: about 35 dB
Normal home or office background: 40-60 dB
Normal speaking voice: 65-70 dB
Orchestral climax: 105 dB
Live Rock music: 120 dB+
Pain Threshold: 130 dB
Jet aircraft: 140-180 dB
Other features such as THD (total harmonic distortion) can go into the equation, although on most modern equipment I think the THD is so low as to be negligible.
Hope that helps! Good luck.
7 years ago
by
MiketheD
Enjoy dramatic sound for your TV shows with the Bose® Solo TV sound system, featuring speaker array technology for deep, rich sound and digital signal processing that enhances detail in dialogue, sound effects and music.
Lose audio
Have my Bose solo hooked up to optical out on TV . Good quality but ever so often I lose audio and only way to get back is either to channel up or down.. Any idea how to correct.
I do not have an answer, just an observation. I got a Bose Solo for someone and had the same problems with another brand of TV. Got a ZVOX 555 the next time the need arose (less expensive) and IMHO better sound for a cheaper price.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
MiketheD
Lafayette, LA.
Samsung UN50HU8550FXZA LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Step up to a new world of picture resolution with this Samsung Ultra HD TV. Display 4K content at 4x the resolution of Full HD, plus upscale all of your current TV shows and movies in amazing detail. You can also download the newest software and features, so you'll never get left behind as new 4K TV standards and smart technologies arrive.
Does this tv have amazon instant video?
Yes.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
MiketheD
Lafayette, LA.