grimmace's stats
- Review count142
- Helpfulness votes284
- First reviewSeptember 18, 2007
- Last reviewMay 6, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentJune 8, 2016
- Last review commentJune 8, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
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- First questionNone
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- Answer count16
- Helpfulness votes16
- First answerMarch 3, 2010
- Last answerJanuary 12, 2022
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- Best answers1
Enjoy an immersive audio experience with this Sony portable wireless speaker. Its Live Sound mode optimizes the direction of the music for a three-dimensional party sound, and its Extra Bass technology, built-in effects and flashing lights enhance the atmosphere. This Sony portable wireless speaker's battery provides up to 24 hours of playback for reliable all-day use.
Customer Rating
5
Good portable speaker
on March 25, 2018
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
For a mid-sized portable speaker, the XB41 has a rich tone and sounds good. The extra bass comes through and helps the sound. It comes with an AC power plug, but also accepts USB power. Since it is larger, it can also be used to charge other devices like a phone. The USB power output is regular. The external material on the device is nice and textured making it easier to grab and hold on too.
Setup by BT or NFC is easy, and then you're ready to play from any device. With the two available apps, control over all of the lights, sound, and feedback are possible. The Sony apps were easy to use on Android.
You can setup the device through the apps to control sounds and lighting, like drums, scratching or strobing, to be made by tapping or waving different parts of the device or the phone connected to it. Whether you find that great or annoying will depend on the atmosphere I guess. The device can also be used with party chain to have multiple Sony speakers play the same music.
The device is IP67 rated. It only has one panel that comes off to access ports, and it fits snugly to keep water and dirt out. Overall it's lightweight at just over 3lbs, but after a couple of songs you'd feel the weight if you are holding or tapping it. The lights and extra command taps can be turned off. The main thing is, it sounds great, and you can fine tune that through the app to better meet your tastes. A battery big enough to charge your other devices and play for 24 hours is a nice feature too.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best Buy Keep an eye on what matters most with this wireless SimpliSafe security system. It provides full-time professional monitoring of your home's surroundings, and it detects intruders with advanced sensors to keep your family safe. This SimpliSafe security system continues working for 24 hours when the power fails for added protection.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to setup and run yourself
on March 14, 2018
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
The Simplisafe Shield system is a good starting point for a home if you have lots of windows, doors etc. Overall the setup was pretty easy and the alarm system is responsive. The devices all come with tape adhesive on them. I wouldn’t trust a sensor to just tape. Thankfully, all of the devices have the option for screws, and a bunch are included in the kit to use. The base unit has 4 rechargeable batteries in it for power outage coverage.
Setup can all be done over the web or through a phone app. My unit wouldn’t register that way and I had to call support. It wasn’t too bad getting in contact with them. They were able to connect my unit and everything worked fine after that. Easy to deal with. Once found, all of the devices in the kit automatically appear in your account. The motion sensors can account for pets by being installed upside side down from their normal position. On the keypad or online, you can completely customize device names and how they function.
I set the base unit up in the center of the house. Devices on floors above and below connected with no issues. In testing alongside my current alarm system, the Simplisafe reacted and reported its status slightly quicker. No interference with my network or other wireless devices.
The device connects by the cell phone network and can also connect by WiFi. One warning on the WiFi connection. The device at this time, March 2018, can only connect to WiFi networks with names, SSID, of 13 characters or less. Passwords can be longer. Hopefully they will expand the WiFi SSID it can except the amount of characters in wireless standards. I setup a different WiFi network for it, I wasn’t changing all my devices just for this in what is hopefully a temporary situation.
There are more sensors on the website. Smoke, glass breakage, water detection, freeze detection etc. So, expanding and customizing the system to your needs is easy. They have CO detectors and outdoor cameras coming soon too.
The best thing about it and over a big name company I current have is:
- it cost no more (probably cheaper) than a system by a big name and has all the same features.
- I’m cutting my monitoring bill in half with the same features.
- Lower cost to modify, replace any units that die, or add new ones. You can replace the units yourself. No waiting for tech with the super secret master code only the company has and wasting a day waiting for them to come to fix or replace something, and possibly paying for the visit.
- The batteries are all off the shelf and standard, no special shapes or voltages, you can get them anywhere.
- Cellular network connection is included.
I am going to expand my Simplisafe system to meet my needs, and then dump my current alarm company.
- it cost no more (probably cheaper) than a system by a big name and has all the same features.
- I’m cutting my monitoring bill in half with the same features.
- Lower cost to modify, replace any units that die, or add new ones. You can replace the units yourself. No waiting for tech with the super secret master code only the company has and wasting a day waiting for them to come to fix or replace something, and possibly paying for the visit.
- The batteries are all off the shelf and standard, no special shapes or voltages, you can get them anywhere.
- Cellular network connection is included.
I am going to expand my Simplisafe system to meet my needs, and then dump my current alarm company.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Big machine suction power*. But with cord-free versatility. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute cord-free vacuum has a 40% bigger bin than the previous V8 Absolute and up to 40 minutes of fade-free power with the Soft roller cleaner head (in Suction mode I). The new torque drive cleaner head removes more dust from carpets. The soft roller cleaner head removes fine dust and large debris from hard floors. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute cord-free vacuum quickly transforms to a handheld for quick cleanups, spot cleaning and cleaning difficult places.*Suction tested to ASTM F558 at the flexible inlet.BR>
Customer Rating
5
Dyson keeps improving
on February 23, 2018
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
I currently have a Dyson stick V6 and the upgrade to a V10 is nice step up. They are some differences in the configuration now, but the benefits are more power, capacity, and duration.
The unit comes with a bunch of accessories, 3 powered brush type devices, and the rest are just suction. The extension pole carries power to the accessory if needed. The powered soft pad one worked great on my hardwood floors. Picked up pet hair to debris with no problems and no scratches. The other powered cleaning tools are for carpet, one is full length and the other about half the size for tight areas. All work well, the ones will balls roll easily and the whole unit can be laid almost flat to get under furniture. On stairs whether with powered or suction only accessories the device had great suction and cleaned well.
The canister is bigger than the V6 (40% or more I think from the brochure) and they did it by changing the way it empties. On the V6 and V8, you hit a lever and the bottom releases. The intake is to the front of the device. Now, the release is to the front of the device too. So, you have to take off any attachments in order to empty the bin. Not a big deal overall. The release is easy, and canister moves forward and then the hinge is pushed releasing the door to let the dirt out. It’s a cleaner operation than on the V6. The dirt doesn’t stay in the container as much.
The battery is a little bigger on the V10, but it goes to 60 minutes. A lot better than the 15 minutes on the V6. The power stayed consistent for long runs with multiple canister emptying. It still has a filter, it’s on the top rear now and with a small twist pops right off. Needs to be cleaned once a month per the instructions. One of the best parts of the setup was the fact that the V10 wall charging unit uses the same distance on the screw holes as the V6, so no drilling new holes. Just remove the old and put in the new. The V10 also has a multi LED charge indicator. The unit is light, didn’t feel heavier than the V6, but with the canister on the front of the head unit and with an attachment the balance is a different in your hand, but that is something to just get used too.
Dyson wants this to be the only vacuum you need. For a smaller house or apartment, I think it could do it. For a larger house, I’m glad I have the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Allergy vacuum. The main reason is the canister size. Although the V10 is powerful, the canister is still small compared to an upright. Stopping to empty it would be a pain trying to do a whole floor or more. The powered accessories are a plus over the upright, but with pets, the V10 canister still fills up fast. The upright is more powerful too, but different tools for different jobs. For a portable cordless vacuum, the V10 does it all.
I included a picture of the V6 (yellow) and V10 (blue plastic is the filter that twists off) next to each other and the V10 opened. The bottom half of the V10 canister is about the max fill line.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Cut The Cord with AirTV Player. Stream movies, TV, music and other content using a wide range of apps, including Netflix, SlingTV, Google Play and many more from the Google Play Store all with AirTV Player. AirTV’s streaming platform integrates local over-the-air (OTA) programming with your streaming services. The AirTV Adapter and an OTA antenna provide local channels like ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, without a monthly cable bill.
Customer Rating
5
Great for combining OTA and Streaming TV.
on February 14, 2018
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
This product is great for cable TV cutters. With just a decent internet connection you can stream Sling TV (cable channels) Netflix, and Google products in one device. The package comes with an HDMI cable, but if hard wiring to the internet, you'll have to provide your own ethernet cable. Setup is pretty simple, you don’t have to connect with your google account if you don’t want too. The walk through is good and gets you going quickly. The remote has a nice feature, if you lose/misplace it, a button on the main device will cause it to beep so you can find it.
One nice option is the device can find channels by OTA or through the cable line if your cable provider pumps unencrypted local channels through. My OTA antenna is a medium sized outdoor model. The device found all the local channels without a problem, I did two scans to make sure. When finding channels though the cable line, it automaticity ignored the weak channels unlike my built in TV tuners, so I didn’t have to remove 50 channels to only see the ones I want. Once found, you can continue to Sling TV, or scan again if needed. Whether OTA or through the cable line, the picture was nice and clear.
The integration with Sling TV is seamless. The local channels are just added to the TV grid as all the other channels. You can just scroll through and they show up. By providing your zip code during setup, you can also get some more information added to the grid. Through Sling TV, you can select all channels or just local ones. The remote has buttons specifically for Sling TV, Netflix, and Google. All the other buttons are normal control buttons. It feels good in the hand.
This device is for one TV and operates as a stand alone all in one OTA/streaming box. You get Sling TV, Netflix, and Google store apps. I had no problems streaming by ethernet, picture was always good, no delays or stuttering. If you want to stream to multiple devices see the other AirTV product. If you don’t already have a Chromestick, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV, this device should be great for you. The one interface makes it easier to navigate. Or, with one TV and you don’t want to switch sources to watch local vs streamed content. If you don’t have a streaming device already this device combines popular streaming services and OTA for a seamless experience. Just make sure it fits your needs.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Get absolute precision with this Logitech wireless mechanical gaming keyboard. Place it anywhere you like thanks to the long-lasting battery and the efficient Bluetooth connection, and enjoy the feel of a mechanical connection that provides the perfect resistance. The full-size layout ensures this Logitech wireless mechanical gaming keyboard makes your games easy to control.
Customer Rating
5
Solid Wireless Gaming Keyboard
on December 27, 2017
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
Overall a very solid keyboard. It has an 18 month battery life which is outstanding for any wireless device. Just plug in the lightspeed USB stick and the device is recognized immediately. You can also connect by Bluetooth (BT). The Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) immediately showed the keyboard and options available for it. You can change the G keys and modify keys on and off for gaming. The keyboard is big for wireless, but having a full size keyboard is nice, no bunching your fingers together, and with the large stands in the back, it has a nice slope for typing and place to rest your wrists. The keyboard has nice large buttons to control basic media functions. The keys are responsive and have a nice feel to them. I ran the keyboard with a Logitech G700s mouse that has the older unity wifi connector. Running the lightspeed at the same time did not cause any problems. Both the mouse and keyboard ran at the same time with no problems.
On the downside, it doesn’t have lights to indicate Scroll lock or Num lock, only Caps lock if it matters to you. For a gaming board, the keys are not backlit. It is wireless only, no USB slot to connect to if you wanted too. None of these are big issues, but worth noting.
It comes with batteries which is nice. Also, it comes with a phone/tablet stand (see picture), so you can view the Logitech Gaming App (ARX) reports (or other programs) on the device you want. The Logitech App is nice and easy to setup in the LGS program. Make sure your Logitech Gaming software is up to date, and check for new keyboard firmware on the Logitech site. Overall it is solid wireless keyboard.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Brighten your day and night with this Philips Being Hue ceiling light. The dimming function lets you set an ambience for different moods, and it works with the Philips Hue dimmer switch and mobile app for versatile control. The ZigBee technology of this 32W Philips Being Hue ceiling lamp provides smooth, efficient interoperability with multiple Hue lighting units.
Customer Rating
4
Good light, better if you have all the Hue parts
on December 5, 2017
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
Overall, it's a good lamp with a lot of functions if you have the Hue setup. Installation is not hard if you have installed a ceiling light before. The instructions included with lamp are not that great. Read the back of the installation instructions to front to get a better idea on taking apart. On the top of the light there are three clear plastic panels. Mine were loose and not secure. You tuck them under some slots, but they can come out easily if the light is jostled in installation. Also, my light did not come with any of the screw cap type wire joiners.
With the light installed just turn it on, and leave it on. With the app the Hue bridge picked up the light with no issue and I assigned it to a room. I was able to use the four preset light settings and had the full range of white colors, warm to daylight to a bluish white. No problems. With the light always getting power, you get access to the full features of a web enable light. Turn on and off with the sun, setup routines, etc etc. If you have other Hue accessories, you can control the light, make it motion activated, or work in conjunction with other Hue or web enabled products. It’s pretty flexible. If you are only going to have power to the light all the time and use the app or another accessory to control the light it’s great.
However, people are used to switches. So, if you turn the light off for 3-5 seconds it resets to the default color. If the app is on it won’t change the color back automatically. You have to change the color to something besides the last set color, and then back to the desired color. So, to keep the light always on, realistically, I need to put a guard over the switch, or remove the light switch and just have it hot all the time, because no one going to remember to leave that particular light switch on, and guests won’t know. I haven’t been to any houses with always on ceiling lights. After a power outage, it’ll revert to the default color until you interact with it again. The light is fine in the default setting, a warm white and it’s bright enough.
If you are already into the Hue system, this seems like it would be a good item. If not, after you buy a Hue bridge and make sure the light is always on, you’re at $250 for a basic looking ceiling light. There are plenty similar looking warm white LED ceiling lights for $30-40 that work just fine with a switch, and come with wire joiners. Or, buy a web enable light switch if you just want on and off.
For an extra $150 dollars over a normal LED ceiling light, I would at least expect the light to remember the last color setting I set to it without the need for an app or buying another controller to put it back the way I want. The light works fine and does what it says though. It may take time for you and members of your house to change the way you think about using a light. In my house it was, “Why should I have to get my phone/tablet and select an app to turn the light on or off? The switch is right there on the wall.” In order to provide the same functionality of a switch I’d have to spend even more for a controller, or motion detector. If Phillips really wants people all in, they should include some information on best ways to make sure the light always has power in a convention switch setup, or include a basic physical controller of some sort. Who has their phone on them every single second?
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Automatically go from hundreds of mystery folders to a visual view in the photo and video Organizer. See your best photos thanks to auto-curation. Effortlessly extract candid photos from your raw footage. Make photos and videos look amazing with automated photo editing and video creation options. And create and share beautiful printed artwork, new dynamic slideshows, photo and video collages, animated GIFs*, and full-length movies. Being creative is even easier with the Elements bundle.
Customer Rating
5
Adobe guides you making editing easy
on November 18, 2017
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
The combined power of the photo and video editors make this package able to meet the editing requirements most people will need. Although the package comes with Mac and PC discs, instructions to download the software are included. The photo and video editors are about 2.5GB each. Installation is straight forward. You will need to have an Adobe account.
The connection between the two pieces of software is called Organizer. Tell it where your files are it will start to organize them by places, faces, events, and Media type. With about 7500 photos and 100 home movies, it took about 3 hours for the software to complete most of the analysis on the files with a i7-4820K. The CPU was maxed out most of the time. It also used a lot of internet bandwidth to complete too. The benefit of the Organizer is you can select the photos or videos you want to edit and then it will open the editing software needed with the items already loaded. All of the beginning steps are taken care off, the editing software loads and you’re ready to edit. From photos to 4K video, organizer imported everything.
If you aren’t an advanced user, both the video and photo edits have guides. The Photo editor has guides for all options. The guides make editing pretty simple and straight forward. Just follow the steps and you can do advanced edits easily. If you are an advanced user, you can skip the tutorials and go right to the editing modes you want. For video editing, it’s the same type of setup. You can use guides and steps throughs, or go right to the options wanted.
The software has lots of options to connect to social media or other sharing sites. But, the best part is you don’t have too. You can keep everything on your local machine(s), and the cloud is not a requirement. For the cost, this is a great option, especial since there are no subscriptions or continuing costs to pay. For most people the editing abilities of this package will be fine to edit photos and videos. Adobe has made editing pretty easy with all of the guides and step by step instructions to make your photos and videos better.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Arlo Pro 2 keeps an eye on your home while you're away, in brilliant 1080p HD quality. Put the 100% wire-free, weather-resistant camera anywhere, indoors or out. Then, power it with the included rechargeable battery or plugged it in (when indoors) to access activity zones and 24/7 Continuous Video Recording upgrades. Use 2-way audio or remotely sound a 100+ device siren while catching every moment with night vision and advanced motion detection. You'll even get motion and sound-activated alerts and 7 days of free cloud video recordings. Arlo Pro 2 works with Amazon Alexa to make your smart home security even more simple and effective.
Customer Rating
5
Great Camera Security System
on November 11, 2017
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
The Arlo Pro 2 security system is a nice package. It comes with the base unit, two cameras, mounts, ethernet cable and a charger. For home users, with no extra money, you can have up to 5 cameras on the system and 7days/1GB of cloud storage with 3 months support. If you want 10 cameras it’s $99 a year and 15 cameras is $150 year, but they come with more video storage and unlimited support. Business user plans can have more cameras and storage. I stayed with basic.
Setup was quite easy. You have to install the Arlo app and it walks you through the process from there. If you have other recent Netgear products you can sign into your account. Plug the base station into an ethernet port and your off. The base unit does not do a static IP address, you can reserve an IP in your router if you want too. The batteries come pre-charged, so you can just plug them in and get running immediately. The package only comes with a quick start guide. I would recommend going online and reading the full manual as it goes over all of the features, camera placement etc for the system. After being walked through the setup process you are ready to use the system. First thing to do is install the latest firmware which takes a few minutes.
The motion sensing worked day or night with no issues, and you can adjust the sensitivity in the app. Same for the microphone, speaker, ED lights, night vision, image inverting, control the siren, and camera setup. You make operational modes as needed, but it comes with Motion Detection, disarmed, scheduled and Geofencing as default setups. This can also be done through the Arlo Website. The only issue the website has is it needs Adobe Flash. HTML 5 or nothing for me, Flash is out. The cameras can do a lot, you can speak to people through the cameras and record what’s being said. On the back of the base unit are 2 USB ports. I stuck in an 8GB USB 2.0 memory stick. Once in, it asks to format it and then uses it to record video, so you don’t have to use the cloud. You can also hook up the device to IFTTT and Alexia.
The delay from the camera to the phone is 2-3 seconds. Less on the setup and positioning mode. If the cameras stayed plugged in, you get more options like continuous recording. Unplugged the cameras are triggered by some event you set. The USB port on the cameras is covered by a plastic piece to protect it. The cameras snap together tightly, so no water or debris should get in. The picture quality is good in daylight. At night the cameras all preformed fine. The night vision kicks on and off seamlessly as I tested it throughout my house in different lighting conditions, and the range is good, with walls in the way. Unless I was on the other side of my house and outside, I had good connection. Once I walked back into range, the camera was picked back up with no issues.
Since the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 are the same size, all of the Arlo Pro accessories work for the Arlo 2, mounts, batteries etc are all available. The package comes with magnetic mounts, if the camera will be in an area where you’re not worried about theft they are good options. If not, the cameras have a screw hole in the back to mount to other devices.
Overall what made these package is the app and HD cameras, it guides you through the process and has the system up and running quickly. The picture quality is great. It’s intuitive overall and easy to use. The system comes with a charger and mounts, all you need for a basic setup, and with a USB stick and under 5 cameras, you can do local storage for free. The temperature range for the cameras is listed as -4° to 113° F (-20° C to 45° C). By default, it starts with the motion detection setting on, so your phone will get bombarded with alerts if you start testing it immediately. But, that’s easy to change.
Setup was quite easy. You have to install the Arlo app and it walks you through the process from there. If you have other recent Netgear products you can sign into your account. Plug the base station into an ethernet port and your off. The base unit does not do a static IP address, you can reserve an IP in your router if you want too. The batteries come pre-charged, so you can just plug them in and get running immediately. The package only comes with a quick start guide. I would recommend going online and reading the full manual as it goes over all of the features, camera placement etc for the system. After being walked through the setup process you are ready to use the system. First thing to do is install the latest firmware which takes a few minutes.
The motion sensing worked day or night with no issues, and you can adjust the sensitivity in the app. Same for the microphone, speaker, ED lights, night vision, image inverting, control the siren, and camera setup. You make operational modes as needed, but it comes with Motion Detection, disarmed, scheduled and Geofencing as default setups. This can also be done through the Arlo Website. The only issue the website has is it needs Adobe Flash. HTML 5 or nothing for me, Flash is out. The cameras can do a lot, you can speak to people through the cameras and record what’s being said. On the back of the base unit are 2 USB ports. I stuck in an 8GB USB 2.0 memory stick. Once in, it asks to format it and then uses it to record video, so you don’t have to use the cloud. You can also hook up the device to IFTTT and Alexia.
The delay from the camera to the phone is 2-3 seconds. Less on the setup and positioning mode. If the cameras stayed plugged in, you get more options like continuous recording. Unplugged the cameras are triggered by some event you set. The USB port on the cameras is covered by a plastic piece to protect it. The cameras snap together tightly, so no water or debris should get in. The picture quality is good in daylight. At night the cameras all preformed fine. The night vision kicks on and off seamlessly as I tested it throughout my house in different lighting conditions, and the range is good, with walls in the way. Unless I was on the other side of my house and outside, I had good connection. Once I walked back into range, the camera was picked back up with no issues.
Since the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 are the same size, all of the Arlo Pro accessories work for the Arlo 2, mounts, batteries etc are all available. The package comes with magnetic mounts, if the camera will be in an area where you’re not worried about theft they are good options. If not, the cameras have a screw hole in the back to mount to other devices.
Overall what made these package is the app and HD cameras, it guides you through the process and has the system up and running quickly. The picture quality is great. It’s intuitive overall and easy to use. The system comes with a charger and mounts, all you need for a basic setup, and with a USB stick and under 5 cameras, you can do local storage for free. The temperature range for the cameras is listed as -4° to 113° F (-20° C to 45° C). By default, it starts with the motion detection setting on, so your phone will get bombarded with alerts if you start testing it immediately. But, that’s easy to change.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy all of your favorite shows in Ultra HD with this 55-inch Hisense smart ULED TV. Its built-in apps let you access popular on-demand programs, and its HDR technology brings out the dynamic, stunning quality of 4K content. Link multiple media sources to the four HDMI and three USB ports of this Hisense smart ULED TV.
Customer Rating
5
Great 4K picture
on October 13, 2017
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
The Hisense 55H9D Plus is a great 4K TV. It’s not very heavy for a 55” TV, so lots of mounting options. It’s got lots of features for connecting your 4K devices. It has four HDMI ports, two 4K@60 and 2 4K@30. It still has analog ports for your older devices. The bezel is small overall, not shiny, and a neutral color so it’ll match most rooms. Unpacking is simple, the top of the package comes off with just 4 releases towards the bottom of the box. I set mine up to be wall mounted. The bottom back has a part that sticks out a little. So, you’ll need some spacers, or a compact mount that won’t interfere with the bottom of the TV for mounting. It comes with a stand in two parts, one for each side, and screws that looks okay if that’s all you need.
The setup wizard is straight forward. Networking was a simple setup, it’ll do it automatically, or you can set the IP address manually. I used a LAN connection and it immediately found an update to install. It also has wireless if needed. Options are available for all your needs. Sound through the built-in speakers is average, but all small TV speakers aren’t great. It sounded like any other TV speakers for a TV in this class. In hooking it up to a home theater the TV identified the receiver through the HDMI cable. CEC integration was simple to setup and the devices talked to each other. HDMI 2 has the ARC channel and it passes audio from, PCM to DD to receivers. There are 7 different pictures modes from a bright to a darker picture or custom. Depending on what you are viewing, one should meet your needs. I used Vivid, sports, and theater for viewing the most. Sometimes with non 4K sources there would be some slight tearing, but changing to a better picture palette would fix the problem. The built in Apps worked fine, with the most popular ones having a button on the remote.
When a 4K source with HDR is used, the picture is really amazing. The detail is another leap in in clarity over 1080p. Amazon, You Tube, and Netflix provided a good 4K source to view. The TV comes with other 4K exclusive apps too. Whether through Fire TV, or directly through the TV the 4K picture was superb. When using the TV for apps, there was no lag or buffering in the picture. Even from an angle the picture looks good. The TV is also Bluetooth enabled, and connecting headphones to the TV is easy, so you can listen without disturbing others.
The TV easily picked up digital channels over the cable easily. Unlike a lot of TVs, once it finds all the local channels, it was pretty easy to run through the found channels and remove the ones not wanted. 720 and 1080 broadcasts looked good. Lower than 720 resolutions show their limitations on a 4K TV, but are decent. But, it’s the source that’s the issue, not the TV.
A quick start guide is included, but the full manual is online. Other ports include one USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports. The remote has a good layout and is solid. It is not backlit. The TV has lots of features and was easy to setup and use. The picture is really superb. I use a Logitech Harmony remote, and loaded all of the buttons into the harmony system for the TV. The harmony remote controlled it fine.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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3of 5voted this as helpful.
Expand your workspace or gaming experience with this 27-inch Acer widescreen monitor. An antiglare LED backlit screen provides easy viewing from any angle and even in direct light situations, and 1920 x 1080 resolution delivers on graphics. This Acer widescreen monitor features an ultra-slim design that doesn't take up a lot of space.
Customer Rating
5
Nice efficient monitor
on October 11, 2017
Posted by: grimmace
from MD
This monitor has nice picture in normal mode but as Acer has stated, it also has an energy efficient mode. Colors looked sharp, and at 27", you have a lot of screen for 1080p. The low bezel means the monitor does not take up more space than needed. I replaced an older 24" monitor with this one and due to the low bezel an additional 1.5" of length and 1" of height got a 3" bigger screen size. The bezel on the top and sides is barely there.
Setup was really easy. The monitor is light weight and comes with a VESA pattern on the back. The stand it comes with comes in two parts. Each part connects with only one screw, one on the back of the screen and one on the stand. So, you just push the pieces together, and then push and turn the screw in, no loose screws to worry about. The monitor has 1 each VGA, DVI, and HDMI connector. This model does not have speakers. The power and screen control buttons are on the bottom right of the screen and easy to use.
The old monitor I had was also energy efficient, but it's about 3 years old. Going to savings mode, the old monitor gave everything a yellowish hue as the screen dimmed, and cut power 10 watts to 17.5 watts. I didn’t use it savings mode due to the color change. The Acer monitor also cut its power by 10 watts in savings mode to 16 watts, but the colors stayed true. The picture was not as bright, but the colors still looked great. The 16 watts was with a few windows and a web browser open on the screen at once. I was using the HDMI connection from a video card.
The monitor was easy to setup and operate and regardless of the mode, the colors stayed true. A nice picture on a bigger screen that can save money.
Setup was really easy. The monitor is light weight and comes with a VESA pattern on the back. The stand it comes with comes in two parts. Each part connects with only one screw, one on the back of the screen and one on the stand. So, you just push the pieces together, and then push and turn the screw in, no loose screws to worry about. The monitor has 1 each VGA, DVI, and HDMI connector. This model does not have speakers. The power and screen control buttons are on the bottom right of the screen and easy to use.
The old monitor I had was also energy efficient, but it's about 3 years old. Going to savings mode, the old monitor gave everything a yellowish hue as the screen dimmed, and cut power 10 watts to 17.5 watts. I didn’t use it savings mode due to the color change. The Acer monitor also cut its power by 10 watts in savings mode to 16 watts, but the colors stayed true. The picture was not as bright, but the colors still looked great. The 16 watts was with a few windows and a web browser open on the screen at once. I was using the HDMI connection from a video card.
The monitor was easy to setup and operate and regardless of the mode, the colors stayed true. A nice picture on a bigger screen that can save money.
My Best Buy number: 2022178798
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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grimmace's Review Comments
Your household is busy streaming media, working online, and playing games every day. This Linksys Wi-Fi Router will expand your network coverage, send signals directly to your devices, and deliver a lag-free connection, even when you’re all online at the same time.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Just average router for now
By grimmace
from MD
This is a high end router from Linksys. Hooking it up was easy, and starting it was not a problem.
Positives-
8 ports – lots of ports to plug directly into the router.
Interface and setup are easy
Dual band worked fine
Multiple VPN ports can be designated
8 ports – lots of ports to plug directly into the router.
Interface and setup are easy
Dual band worked fine
Multiple VPN ports can be designated
Neutral-
The have icons to attach to your network devices. They have the Wemo series of products and some other generic icons, but not much else if it matters to people.
The have icons to attach to your network devices. They have the Wemo series of products and some other generic icons, but not much else if it matters to people.
Negative-
No aggregate ports
No bandwidth monitor (couldn’t find it in the regular Linksys screen location or any other pages)
Have to use an app to connect with mobile devices
Keeps trying to get you sign up for Linksys smart-fi
Requires adobe flash for the speed test. Flash is going away.
Wireless range was not as great as other similar range routers.
No aggregate ports
No bandwidth monitor (couldn’t find it in the regular Linksys screen location or any other pages)
Have to use an app to connect with mobile devices
Keeps trying to get you sign up for Linksys smart-fi
Requires adobe flash for the speed test. Flash is going away.
Wireless range was not as great as other similar range routers.
All of the comments are from the original firmware shipped with the router. The issue is, for a top end router with the matching price, it needs to have features others in the range do. Firmware upgrades should be able to fix many of these issues I think, but they should be there from the start. So, average overall since it has room to improve and should.
grimmace
Baltimore, MD
Range update.
June 8, 2016
I did play with the position of the antennas, The link you provided has very basic information. I tried the antennas at all angles, mostly 45 and 90. The range was still not as great as other routers in this price range.
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grimmace's Questions
grimmace has not submitted any questions.
Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO with Heatsink for next-level computing. With a PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ interface, get up to 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe® 3.0¹ while remaining compatible with PCIe® 3.0. ¹Results are based on a comparison with Samsung PCIe® 3.0 NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs.
Anyone know if the heatsink is easily removable in case I want to use it in a gaming laptop? I am not sure this will fit my laptop 2nd bay, Asus ROG m16 SSD slot. Thanks!
I tried to get it off. It has 5 small screws. I tried all of my small head. Philips, star, hex, etc, I couldn't anything that fit right to remove the screws. It's a big heat sink. If on a MB or laptop that has a heat sink built in to a cover it's not going to fit. If it doesn't have a heatsink cover built in it might fit, but measure or something first. It's a really big heat sink.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
grimmace
Introducing G303 Shroud Edition—the remaster of our iconic mouse. Featuring LIGHTSPEED, it delivers ultra-low latency and reliable performance. Helping Shroud and you take aim. With HERO 25K Sensor, Shroud’s G303 is built for precision and speed, without sacrificing energy. G303 Shroud Edition weighs 75 grams, made for low-sensitivity DPI and faster aiming. Designed in collaboration with Shroud, the new G303 perfectly matches his specs and includes our latest pro-grade technology.
Does this mouse have a battery included? Is the battery replaceable?
The mouse has in internal battery charged by a USB-C cable. You'd have to take the mouse apart to access it.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
grimmace
Explore a new world of personalized home theater audio. The SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker uses Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer technology to envelop you in the rich audio of your favorite shows and movies, while being unobtrusive to others in your home.
Do these have 3.5mm jack or do they only connect via bluetooth?
Coffeehouse Versatility meets Pod Convenience with the Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System. Included 12-cup, double-walled thermal carafe is perfect for both hot and over-ice beverages, with an ergonomic handle and spout allow for easy control of pouring. Tackle grounds and pods with 9 grounds brew sizes from small cup to full carafe, and 4 pod brew sizes from 6 to 12 ounces. Brews a coffee pod faster than a leading Keurig coffee maker upon startup. With Thermal Flavor Extraction DUO technology, perfect flavor for grounds and pods is delivered with even saturation and precise temperature control for ultra-flavorful coffee. Separate from the coffee system is a dedicated hot water line. Using a separate line eliminates flavor contamination and delivers clean water. 2 temperature settings, hot and boil, allow you to make tea, hot cocoa, instant soups, and oatmeal. Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks. Use the built-in, fold-away frother to transform hot or cold milk/milk-alternatives into silky-smooth froth in seconds. Top your Specialty brew with frothed milk for a coffeehouse-style drink. The frother is also removable for easy cleaning. Choose from one of four different brew styles; classic or rich for a traditional hot cup of coffee, over ice for an iced coffee that's never diluted, or specialty to make a cappuccino or latte. Clean function, dishwasher-safe parts, removable Ninja pod adaptor and frother allow you to easily deep clean your unit.
Must I use the pods for single cup?
No. Just put in the amount of grounds needed, and select a one cup server size. It will brew just that.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
grimmace
Forged to obliterate games, empower creativity and inspire envy from anyone who makes eye contact with it, the Triton 500 SE has all the tools to tackle any task in today’s performance-hungry world. Slim, stylish and infused with the latest 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor and cutting-edge GeForce RTX™ 3060 laptop graphics, this awesome machine serves up what you demand in a cutting-edge PC. Fast, realistic and with AI-enhanced technology, it features a CPU that ensures epic streaming, photo editing and 3D rendering capabilities, while its powerful GPU revolutionizes the immersive gaming experience via high frame rates that drive incredible realism! Get smooth gameplay at refresh rates up to 165Hz on the 16" WQXGA IPS Display — while a 3-Zone RGB backlit keyboard and stellar audio round out a gaming experience that’s second to none
On the 2nd M.2 slot (for expansion), how do I access it? Where is it? Where is the schematic of the laptop? What type of driver do I need for the screws? Please confirm the primary M.2 contains the operating system and is rated at Gen 4 speeds.
Yo have to remove the motherboard and flip it over. The memory and 2nd M.2 slot are there.The M.2 slot has a screw in it already. Cover screws are hex and internal Philips. I found no schematics. The M.2 that comes with it is a OEM Samsung and has the OS on it. I added the 2nd M.2 and upped the memory to 32GB. See a better explanation on the process in the review I did for it.
2 years, 9 months ago
by
grimmace
Upgrade your home theater with this JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system. The powerful 820W output offers an immersive movie and music experience, while Bluetooth, Airplay 2 and Chromecast connectivity lets you stream audio smoothly. This JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system has detachable speakers with rechargeable batteries for flexible placement, and Dolby Atmos technology delivers quality surround sound.
I currently stream directly from my LG OLED. Is it possible to do this and still have the audio synced? If not how do I accomplish this without another box of some sorts?
From the manual.
Audio sync
With the audio sync function, you can synchronize audio and
video to make sure that no delay is heard from your video content.
1. On the remote control, press and hold for more than three
seconds and then, press +.
2. Within five seconds, press + or - on the remote control to
adjust the audio delay and match with video.
→ The audio sync timing is displayed.
NOTES:
− If no action is taken within five seconds, you will exit the audio sync
mode.
Audio sync
With the audio sync function, you can synchronize audio and
video to make sure that no delay is heard from your video content.
1. On the remote control, press and hold for more than three
seconds and then, press +.
2. Within five seconds, press + or - on the remote control to
adjust the audio delay and match with video.
→ The audio sync timing is displayed.
NOTES:
− If no action is taken within five seconds, you will exit the audio sync
mode.
3 years, 10 months ago
by
grimmace
Upgrade your home theater with this JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system. The powerful 820W output offers an immersive movie and music experience, while Bluetooth, Airplay 2 and Chromecast connectivity lets you stream audio smoothly. This JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system has detachable speakers with rechargeable batteries for flexible placement, and Dolby Atmos technology delivers quality surround sound.
I connected jbl 9.1 soundbar with my tv through hdmi arc and playing atoms content through Netflix but on soundbar it’s showing Dolby surround not atoms. How to get atoms ??
Your TV has to have an eARC HDMI port for Atmos or DTS:X formats to be passed. So, an HDMI 2.1 port. Without that you won't get Atmos from a TV. If you have a steaming device you can connect to the HDMI port on the soundbar, you'll get Atmos through it.
3 years, 10 months ago
by
grimmace
Warm and cook food with this 18-inch vinyl black Galanz retro countertop microwave oven. The power-level knob and five-item one-touch menu offer easy operation, while the defrost programs provide hassle-free reheating. This 0.7 cu. ft. Galanz retro countertop microwave oven has a classic design that brings a nostalgic flair to your kitchen, and the turntable enables even cooking.
None of your microwaves show a wattage. How are we supposed to know?
On the microwave page under specifications and electrical specifications, it says 700 watts and has a power consumption of 1100 watts.. Same as most .7 cu ft microwaves.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
grimmace
Upgrade your sound entertainment experience with this Yamaha sound bar. The robust construction ensures longevity even with rugged use, while built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies provide convenient wireless connectivity. This Yamaha sound bar (winner of the 2020 CNET Editor’s Choice Award) has a compact design for easy placement, built-in Alexa technology for hands-free operation and four woofers for immersive sound reproduction.
Can the subwoofer be hard wired on the new YAS 209?
No, it's wireless, only connection is a power cable
4 years, 7 months ago
by
grimmace
Get peace and quiet anywhere with these Sony truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. An advanced HD noise-cancelling processor blocks distracting background noise so you can focus in noisy environments, and Bluetooth connectivity ensures easy use with smartphones and other devices. These Sony truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds include a convenient charging case that offers up to 24 hours of use per charge.
Does the Sony 1000XM3 InEar have it's own volume control? I need to amplify my listening, while my wife listens to the normal TV volume. I have a pair of the Sony 1000XM# over the Ear Head Phones and of course they DO have volume control. Thanks.
No. Volume is controlled by the device outputting sound. There is no volume control on the earbuds.
4 years, 9 months ago
by
grimmace