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JaxonH
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- Review count3
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- First reviewMay 22, 2014
- Last reviewNovember 13, 2016
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- Average rating4
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JaxonH's Reviews
Watch movies with extra enjoyment on this Hisense 4K TV with HDR. Its 55-inch screen draws you in, and its self-lighting screen pixels are individually controlled to optimize color contrast. This internet-enabled Hisense 4K TV lets you binge your favorite television shows, and the Energy Star rating helps you keep utility bills in check.
Customer Rating
5
$500 TV Rivals $1,000 Top Brand Models
on November 13, 2016
Posted by: JaxonH
from Watertown, WI
I was a little skeptical of buying a brand I wasn't familiar with. But then I looked at the features and mostly positive reviews and decided for $500, why not. After I bought it, my brother tells me this is the one he'd been eyeing at the store- said it had a picture better than all the Samsungs and Sonys with quantum dots and all that... even looked almost as good as OLED. I wondered how this was possible, but I had to admit the picture did look excellent.
Apparently this Hisense uses a VA panel which allows for super dark blacks, which is partly how it achieves such an amazing picture. VA panels have their drawbacks- you sacrifice viewing angle (which is why reviews cite picture degradation when viewed from an angle) but if you're sitting directly in front of this TV, it looks absolutely amazing. I never have a whole group of people watching with me anyways, and certainly never from an angle. But it is something to note- if you plan to have people watching from 30-45 degree angles (or more), check it out in a store first and see if you're ok with how it looks. I am no videophile and even I can see the degradation from sharp angles (tends to start losing a little color as you pivot to the side) but, if you plan to watch it straight on, take advantage of this VA panel that gives you near-OLED level blacks without the baggage of OLED (like temporary image retention and larger input lag).
The HDR... need to talk about that. So ok, the TV interprets HDR10 format, which is what most HDR sources use. You update the TV via wifi and it gets patched in. But just know that the official Ultra HD Premium logo for "true HDR" requires 1000 nits peak brightness while this TV only hits around 440 (which is still good mind you- 1,000 is just an insane number and because this TV has such incredibly dark blacks the contrast ratio is really good) and the new wide color gamut, which uses rec2020 color spectrum while this TV still uses the traditional rec709. Honest opinion though, if you're an average Joe user like me, the wide color gamut isn't really a big deal. This TV does indeed use a 10 bit panel though, not 8-bit. So while you won't get HDR that takes it to such extremes like a $1200 Samsung, you do get a moderate taste of it, all in a $500 package which is basically unheard of. I've tried the HDR on my PS4 and it's definitely noticeable. I mean, the colors pop more and you can see detail in areas otherwise too bright and washed out... even if it's a toned down HDR it still makes it look noticeably better. And honestly, after all the horror stories of HDR making games look worse from being too dark and bright in areas, I rather appreciate a more toned down effect that enhances rather than taking center stage.
As for other features... the local dimming doesn't have that many zones. But still, any local dimming at all is appreciated. I watched Civil War last night and the black bars on top and bottom, they looked so black it matched the black border of the TV itself. It was crazy. When the TV is on but has no signal, you can't even tell it's on. Which is just incredible. There are 4 HDMI ports, but only 3 and 4 are HDMI 2.0 which support 4K @60Hz. I only need one for my PS4. And next year when Scorpio releases it will get the other one. All normal HDMI like Wii U and Switch can use HDMI 1 and 2 with a splitter.
All in all, I'm very satisfied with this TV. For $500 you won't find a better deal. The blacks on this TV are incredible, and without the $2,000 OLED price tag. The 4K image is crisp and clear- even Netflix looks sharper than 1080p BluRay. You can see the pores on people's faces like you're standing right there. I'm just blown away, and even my brother, after coming to check it out yesterday, has decided to go buy one of these. Will update if I experience any issues. But usually if a TV has issues it's right out of the box in my experience
My Best Buy number: 2852290660
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+105points
114of 123voted this as helpful.
Players, start your engines. It's time to once again get on the racing circuit and compete against characters from the Mushroom Kingdom that you know and love. For the first time on the Nintendo Wii U console, you get to experience the racing action that has been a fan favorite for years, with a few added features to keep things interesting. So buckle up, push the pedal to the floor and get ready to turn this classic racing experience upside down.With new racing circuits, new gameplay features and a stunning new look, Mario Kart 8 certainly lives up to the legacy. The new anti-gravity feature will have you suddenly finding yourself racing on walls in a haunted mansion or upside-down over Princess Peach's castle — not to worry, the wheels on your kart will automatically rotate and shift into antigravity gear for an awesome racing element that allows mind-blowing new circuit designs. The previous games in the Mario Kart franchise introduced some amazing features, so they're back for more in Mario Kart 8. You can still see who's got what it takes in 12-player online competitive play. Hang gliders and motorbikes are back, as well as underwater racing and mid-air tricks, while Waluigi and Toadette rejoin the cast of characters. As the icing on the cake, the crisp, high-definition graphics and 60-frames-per-second frame rate of your Nintendo Wii U ensure a visually stunning and vibrant gameplay experience that you won't soon forget.
Posted by: JaxonH
from Watertown, WI
Age:25-34
Gender:Male
I've been playing Mario Kart since before Mario Kart was a thing. I've owned every single one of the 7 previous entries at one time or another, and I can tell you right here and now, that this is the best Mario Kart game in MANY YEARS, definitely since the N64 and one could argue is the greatest entry of all time. Let me explain why I feel the way that I do.
For one, the gameplay is finally balanced to the point it's no longer a bashfest during races. There are now 12 racers instead of the traditional 8, so you'd logically think that would mean more items flying around, but that's not the case. Nintendo has eliminated the "item bullpen" so that players can now ONLY have one item in hand at any given time. This was how the original Mario Kart was balanced, and now, in the 8th iteration, we see a return to form. It's still crazy enough to be fun, but no so extreme that it ruins it for skill-based competition.
Second, the game looks gorgeous. This is the first time Mario Kart has ever been seen in full high definition, and it doesn't disappoint. Idk what else to say- it looks great. The framerate is locked at 60fps (unless playing 3/4 player split screen- then it's locked at 30fps), so it's all very smooth play from start to finish.
Third, let's get to the video replay integration. The game automatically stores recent races in the Mario Kart TV hub, allowing you to view, edit and upload to Miiverse and You Tube at any time. You can also view highlight reels after every race, as well as edit them by dictating which characters to focus on, what type of action, what kind of sound effects, and how long it should be. You can then post the video directly to the Mario Kart 8 community in Miiverse, as well as Youtube (requires a Google Plus Account). The Miiverse uploads will be displayed as embedded YouTube videos with the option of viewing in normal or high quality.
Fourth, the characters, bikes, and customizations are terrific. The entirety of the Koopalings cast makes their first appearance, and adds quite a bit of spice to the roster. I find myself playing with Iggy, Roy and Ludwig almost every race, with a Bower kite as my glider parachute. They're colorul, they're fun, and they're one of THE greatest roster additions to Mario Kart I've ever seen. Just surprised it took 8 games to finally include them! Better late than never, I suppose.
Fifth, the controller options are many. No matter how you like to kart, this game has you covered. Like traditional analogues but want the benefit of having a map off-screen to check? Gamepad has you covered. Want to play off-TV while in another room or while watching something else on TV? Gamepad has you covered. Want to feel immersed in the race with motion? Again, gamepad has you covered. Alternatively, you can use a Wiimote and pop it in a Wii Wheel. Like the lightweight feel of a normal controller? Pro Controller it is, then. Used to the standard Wii controls without motion? That's cool- just use a Wiimote and Nunchuk. Oh, you like normal controllers but don't own a Pro Controller? Not to worry- you can still use the Classic Controller Pro plugged into a Wiimote. What can I say- I LOVE the diverse controller options!
Most importantly, the game is fun. And I do mean FUN. The tracks are spectacular with anti-gravity (not to mention just PACKED with detail), there's new mechanics like anti-gravity boosts, proper drifting for bikes and ATVs, stunt boosts make a return, and the drifting mechanics can vary widely depending on character, bike and wheels. The game is perfectly balanced in every way, and the courses are well designed with shortcuts and branching pathways.
All in all, this is the finest Mario Kart game I've played since I was a young teenager. The ONLY reason I would perhaps not rate this over Mario Kart 64, is how impactful and innovative that game was for it's time. Compared side by side though, it's not even a competition. Mario Kart 8 wins hands down and blindfolded. It's just superior in every way. In every respect.
Mario Kart 8 is not only good enough that I recommend buying the game (if you own a Wii U, there is ZERO reason to not have this game in your system right now), it's good enough that I daresay it's worth buying a Wii U for all on it's own. Well why is that, you ask? It's not that this is the first great Wii U game, because it's not (Pikmin 3, Super Mario 3D World, Wonderful 101, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Wii Sports Club, etc...) It's just that this is the first great Wii U game that has indefinite replay value. I'll be playing this game for YEARS to come. YEARS. I may even still be playing it when the next generation of consoles come around. Such is the longevity of Mario Kart. Buy this game.
My Best Buy number: 2852290660
What's great about it: balanced item use, challenging yet welcoming, infinite replay through online, direct YouTube uploads
What's not so great: battle mode is now on courses instead of arenas (pretty much the only negative I can think of)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Nintendo Wii U
(985)
inFAMOUS Second Son - PlayStation Hits Standard Edition - PlayStation 4
(1,750)
Mario Golf: World Tour - Nintendo 3DS
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
All of the shooting mayhem, revenge quests and berserk action from Borderlands 2 returns on the PS Vita, in which players also receive six add-on packs for hours upon hours of addictive gameplay. With this PS Vita version of Borderlands 2, nothing stands in your way of enjoying explosive, over-the-top, awesome gameplay wherever you are.Loaded with six packs of additional content, Borderlands 2 for the PS Vita delivers the main game, as well as the Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage and Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate's Booty add-on campaigns, Ultimate Vault Hunters Upgrade Pack 1, Collector's Edition Pack and Mechromancer and Psycho character classes. Choose to play as any of the six character classes as you explore Pandora in thrilling shoot-and-loot adventures. Lock and load for explosive battles while on the go with this PS Vita version of the popular game. Battle it out while on the move, then open up your save file on your PlayStation 3 to continue the adventure at home with the Cross Save function. So, prepare yourself for hours of epic shooter revenge and redemption campaigning — you've got your work cut out for you.
Posted by: JaxonH
from Watertown, WI
Age:25-34
Gender:Male
Ok so here's the deal. I pre ordered Borderlands 2 months before it released. Having bought my Vita back at launch, I paid my dues and went a good two years with minimal top-shelf releases. This game was going to change that. This game was going to be the defining release for the PS Vita. I was wrong.
The game itself is not the problem. The game is great. Fantastic. Utterly amazing I dare say. It's the shoddy port job and poor use of touchscreen to compensate for the lack of buttons. It may sound trivial, but it's not.
For starters, there are no zL or zR shoulder buttons on the Vita. Normally, that's not a problem. But with a game like Borderlands 2 that requires excessive actions and commands, it becomes a problem. The game maps zL and zR to the left and right halves of the rear touchpad. The problem is, they didn't make the area of contact to be small windows of the touchpad. We're talking the WHOLE THING registers as a command. And since the touch pad effectively takes up the entire back space of the Vita, you really have nowhere for your fingers to sit. Which means you'll need to stiffen your fingers in an outward position constantly in order to NOT make contact with the rear touchpad. I'm constantly brushing my fingers against it on accident, making my character scream as she flings her knife in an unintended melee attack.
But there's more. The developers also mapped 2 actions to the left and right bottom corners of the screen itself. The problem is, the analogues are so close to the screen, that my thumbs are frequently making contact with it and triggering the action, usually resulting in me throwing a grenade in a confined space and killing myself. The fact the analoges are so tiny and slippery doesn't help. It's not that my thumbs are even slipping off the analogues, it's just that the sticks are so tiny that my thumb bulks out on all sides, so a sideward tilt comes millimeters from the screen. In the heat of battle, you WILL accidentally touch the corner of the screen and trigger the action. This is the exact same problem Killzone had. Granted, at least Killzone didn't have the rear touchpad issues. At least with Killzone, accidentally throwing grenades was the only issue. Anyways, they could have given a small buffer on the edge of the screen before the window of contact to register the action and avoid this problem, BUT... they didn't. Just like they didn't limit the contact area for action commands on the rear touch pad. Poor design all around.
But wait, there's still more. I will admit, Borderlands 2 looks great on the Vita. It's impressive seeing the game running on a handheld and I will definitely give props where props are due. But that's no excuse for the game stuttering everytime I engage in combat. Framerate drops SEVERLY, to the point the screen will freeze and catch back up real fast. This happens almost every time you turn quickly, or are in motion while other characters are on screen. VERY. ANNOYING.
Then we have the texture pop-in. Even on the main menu, it will take at least 10 seconds for textures to load, resulting in an awkward character model without eyes and other obvious missing features. On top of that, there is also the issue of online only allowing for two players instead of four. This game was meant to be played in hunting party fashion. A two player limit is forgivable, but serves as yet another strike against an already inferior version.
The flaws are too severe and too numerous to ignore. I could let the texture pop-in and even the horrible framerate slide if the controls worked properly. But the touchpad is an offense to Vita owners from all walks of life. And it is NOT a suitable alternative to shoulder buttons. I think it's possible to at least serve as a viable substitute if developers were to limit the area of contact to the middle sections more, but in this instance they have transgressed to the uttermost. And the touchscreen actions being incidentally triggered by poor analog placement is unacceptable.
I love my Vita, I really do. And despite all these shortcomings in Borderlands 2, I am managing to mitigate the issues just from playing it long enough. But they're still there, and they're still a HUGE damper on the experience. You should be having fun with video games, not raging out of frustration from poor design choices on behalf of both the hardware AND software. Perhaps one day we'll get a proper FPS experience on the Vita that works flawlessly, but I regret to inform you that Borderlands 2 is not it. Not only that, but it's quite the offender. I RARELY level complaints against video games. Usually I'm satisfied regardless of the trivial issues gamers bring up. But this CANNOT BE IGNORED> and if I'm frustrated with these issues, then you KNOW it's a substantial complaint.
With all that said, the game is playable and can be enjoyed. But know what you're getting into when you buy. Don't say you weren't warned ahead of time.
My Best Buy number: 2852290660
What's great about it: Addictive RPG elements, challenging combat, intricate leveling and stats
What's not so great: Poor touch screen/pad implementation, framerate drops, texture pop-ins
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Nintendo Wii U
(985)
inFAMOUS Second Son - PlayStation Hits Standard Edition - PlayStation 4
(1,750)
Fire Emblem: Awakening - Nintendo 3DS
(268)Share this review:
-1point
3of 7voted this as helpful.
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