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ELBatron
 
 
 
ELBatron's stats
 
  • Review count
    15
  • Helpfulness votes
    51
  • First review
    November 24, 2015
  • Last review
    December 30, 2019
  • Featured reviews
    0
  • Average rating
    3.9
 
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ELBatron's Reviews
1 2 >>
 
The Philips Hue HDMI Sync box adds premium surround lighting to your home theater by syncing your Hue smart lights with movies, music and video games. Watch, listen and play with more wonder and excitement as your lights dance, flash, dim and brighten with your screen. Requires Hue color capable lights and a Hue Bridge (sold separately).
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Immersive add on, bonus enjoyment
on December 30, 2019
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe
I enjoy the hue lights around my screens, but having the Sync Box to control the ambiance is incredible. I've viewed the other apps that can "sync" the lights to specific play lists or movies and the Sync Box is a better single TV implementation. The ability to also be an HDMI switcher for 4 devices helps if you do not have one already or have limited TV inputs. I was also pleased to find out it does allow use of the ARC from TV to surround sound if this is used. However, if you stream directly to a smart tv, the Sync Box will not utilize these light changes as the signal is not carried across an HDMI input.
The latest software update for the box is a must, and really makes it more reliable than previous versions. It includes 4 intensities for lighting, a brightness control overall, and 3 modes (Video/Music/Game). It also has settings to allow HDMI input switching and auto-power when sensed. This update made the app useful for original setup and initial tweaks but then became a 'set and forget' experience for everyday.
I tested this across a variety of inputs (Cable/BluRay/Game Console) and all had different environment outcomes but equal immersion.
The cable input (go-to for lazing about) was straight forward. Regardless of channel change or picture type the box was responsive and adjusted colors accordingly. For this input I changed the intensity to a more subtle setting (next to lowest setting).
BluRay was pretty straight forward, although I increased the intensity slightly for more experience to the movies watched. The box will sense if you have black bars in your video format, but still uses the lighting positions to add ambiance.
Gaming console was my favorite test by far. I used the highest intensity allowed. In FPS the lights would increase red as your screen does for health. It would pick up on brightness of screens in winter wonderlands adding a snow-blind effect, or dim for dark dungeon video.
Admittedly, I have moved the surrounding lights more than once to get the best desired effect for me. I'm using the Hue Play light bars, currently one on each side of the screen facing outward towards the surrounding wall. During setup the app will ask which "Entertainment Area" the Sync Box should utilize and also verify which lights are included/placed/and responsive.
Setup took about 15 minutes or less, and the standard Hue necessities are required (bridge, lights, wifi). The controller app does work with current iOS, but not with older like iPad 2 (iOS 9.x).
The reason I only provided 4 stars is due to cost. The Hue ecosystem is already an investment. This is simply an add-on to that environment but is only for 1 screen or location. To move the Sync Box to a different screen for viewing would require running through the setup again each time it is moved.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Get fresh breath and healthy gums with this Philips Sonicare ExpertClean electric toothbrush. The built-in sensor controls applied pressure to help avoid gum inflammation and soreness, while the soft, flexible bristles reach deep between teeth for up to 10 times better plaque removal. This Philips Sonicare ExpertClean electric toothbrush has three intensity modes to fit your personal preference.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great brush, better dental health
on October 23, 2019
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe
This toothbrush works great, and helps you form better brushing habits. My teeth feel more clean than previous brushing alone (electric disposable brush).
The feature of a timer to help brush a dental zone takes some getting used to, it is only a slight momentary change in vibration. Compared to previous brushing habits, I was brushing longer than the recommended 2 minutes but without any sense of how long in each area.
There is also a change in vibration if you are using too much pressure, which takes time to recognize. This helps when you are using a bad angle of brushing, or just manhandling a toothbrush with no regard.
I was concerned about a rechargeable brush, as battery life tends to decay in such devices. However after 3 weeks I'm still on the initial charge with no performance degradation as the battery discharges. I expect if the battery/charging is maintained the brush handle should last. The first full charge is a recommended 24 hours, and battery life is shown on the handle by 3 dots.
The device comes with the handle, charger, 2 brush heads (1 cleaning, 1 gum care) and a travel/storage case. The charger is small, slightly larger than the base of the brush handle and uses standard outlet power. The charger also does not fit in the storage case, only the handle and 2 brush heads. Be sure to charge before travel, or pack the charger and necessary adapters for any international power.
Philips also has an app that can connect to the brush handle via Bluetooth. The app will give you a week-in-review showing days that brushing involved too much pressure or skipped for a session. It will also show you "remaining sessions" for your current brush head. The brush heads are about 90 days of brushing 2x/day. You can order replacement heads or reach out for a dental consultation as well. The app is free, the review is free, but consults or replacements cost are in-app purchases.
The cons I have about this device are more personal. The charger could use a USB type input instead of a direct power outlet type cord. This would make it more portable. The brush shuts off after 2 minutes (6 dental zone changes, 20s per zone). If you miss the cue to change zones, the brush will shut off before you're done. It is recommended to brush your tongue, but do not include that as a dental zone.
Overall however, it seems to be a fantastic toothbrush and is helping form better brushing habits. I actually look forward to the next dentist visit to verify any differences.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Record and view impressive 4K video with this powerful recorder, providing Ultra HD resolution with superior detail and definition. This recorder also features advanced person/vehicle motion detection available on up to four channels, so you only receive alerts important to you. Smart Search allows you to filter motion events by area, time/date and person/vehicle, saving time when reviewing footage. With convenient voice control and smart home compatibility, 4K resolution, and advanced motion detection, this recorder covers all the bases.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great starter package, expandable for planning
on June 17, 2019
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe
This is a WIRED camera package. That being said, plan camera placement and wiring paths before hand. The kit includes 4 cameras which are HD but can downplay to standard to save NVR space. I've attached both from the same camera to compare the difference in definition. These come with 60' wiring adapters that will run both camera/control feed and the power input. The field of view is wide, about 110 degrees.
The NVR is easy to setup, includes a mouse (USB), an HDMI cable for a monitor, and its power supply. It can also output VGA. The initial setup is very point and click allowing each camera to be seen for actual image. You can adjust the area on each camera for motion alerts, in case you have one pointed at a busy street.
The NVR also has an additional capacity for 4 more cameras, totaling 8. The additional 4 would need to be purchased separately, but use the standard BNC connection.
The only downside I've seen so far is there is no pc application for control. Control is either directly on NVR, through a phone app, or web-browser based. The phone app is intuitive, easy to control or change settings. Cameras can be viewed and alerts/notifications can be set. Geo-fencing can be enabled on the phone app so notifications are disabled within your home. This setting will burn your phone battery up however, as location services must always be on. I've used this app the most (iPhone), and have enjoyed the ability to enable a warning light on each camera, or there is a siren deterrent built-in to each. The siren isn't deafening, but is noticeable.
Personally I had been planning to install a camera system, and wanted a wired kit. This is a great system to start with, and I like that I can add more cameras if desired.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+3points
13of 23voted this as helpful.
 
Watch sports and movies on this 55-inch Hisense H8F Android smart TV. The Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range adds vivid color, brightness and contrast to every image, and the built-in Google Assistant provides control of this TV with voice commands. This Hisense H8F Android smart TV has Motion Rate 240, decreasing eye-strain and creating smooth motion.
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Good for 1080 but not 4k
on April 29, 2019
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe
It's a decent size screen, and displays 1080 well. The 4k seems to bleed colors. I've tried adjusting the color schemes after watching a show, during a show, and in between. The red becomes more dominant than expected, changing flesh tones during 4k streaming.
Also concerning was the bezel/backing. I have it wall mounted, and after affixing the mounts the backing would visibly lift from the unit while holding the mounts. It doesn't seem to affect anything, but is certainly concerning while lifting to mount on the wall. This is my 3rd 4k screen, and the other 2 brands seem higher quality.
However, if you are dedicated to an android lifestyle and no 4k then this tv works well. It has android built-in and is easy to attach to an account for apps and streaming.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-22points
1of 24voted this as helpful.
 
Create tasty smoothies and frozen drinks with this Ninja smart screen blender. Its powerful 1000W motor base and 72-oz. Total Crushing pitcher transform ice and fresh ingredients into frozen treats, and four Auto-iQ programs offer preset preparations. This Ninja smart screen blender has a manual mode that sets exact specifications for customized recipes.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Easy to use, Solid power blender
on January 15, 2019
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe
The most noticeable thing is the blades are SHARP. Sliced right through the scrub pad while trying to clean the first time. The included book of recipes isn't bad, but all are designed around vegetarian meals. Each made a great starting point, but needed some improvisation for my personal diet (carnivore).
The blender itself is powerful, going through anything I put in it without any hesitation. The touchscreen is easy to use and intuitive, and easy to clean by just wiping off. The tower/blades/lid all come apart easy for hand washing, or they can be cleaned in a dishwasher. The lock on the lid is solid, I didn't feel a need to stand over it holding the lid on to prevent the blender Vesuvius that so many others incur. The built-in pour spout also makes it easy to deliver the blended goods straight to glasses or whatever vessel is intended.
Overall, I'm glad to have picked it up and look forward to many blended drinks, shakes, soups, and ice creams (a nice bonus feature).
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Optimize your viewing experience on this 23-inch Dell LCD monitor. Its Full HD IPS screen lets you see content from almost any angle. Easily connect a laptop or a PC to the VGA and HDMI ports on this Dell LCD monitor.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Decent business or spare monitor for price
on October 27, 2018
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe, KS
It's a decent picture, and responsive, but nothing to really set it apart from other monitors in the same class. I have it setup on a spare machine I use for KVM/testing, and it works well enough as a part-time use.
Pros:
It does have an audio out for the HDMI connection to speakers
Easy to assemble/setup
Thin bezel with crisp 1080 picture
Cons:
Only connections are VGA/HDMI, no DVI
Audio in port for VGA use, but no internal speakers
No height adjustment or horizontal angle, only vertical tilt
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is a super-portable wireless speaker built for adventure. It rocks balanced 360° sound, deep bass, and is seriously waterproof, drop proof. Plus, BOOM 3 features the all-new Magic Button, for one-touch music controls. And it’s wrapped in a stunning, two-tone, high-performance fabric. The ultimate go-anywhere speaker.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Little speaker, BIG sound
on October 13, 2018
Posted by: ELBatron
from Olathe, KS
Admittedly I did not think much of this upon receipt, picture attached shows size and all included in box. It was easy to pair to bluetooth phone (iPhone) and instantly start streaming. The sound on this is where it stands out. The volume buttons on the front are obvious to control, and at full volume I can hear whatever is streaming clearly through out an entire house.
The only con is the lack of a wall charger, but any wall charger you already have should work. I was able to use a basic iphone wall charger to fully charge the speaker within a couple hours.
There is a free app that can be downloaded for better control and features. I have used it a couple times, but prefer the tactile controls on the speaker. Upon power up/down it makes sounds and once paired to a device there is another sound. The top button can play/pause/skip music, or cycle through playlists you already have.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
The Back-UPS battery backup offers guaranteed power and surge protection for wireless networks, computers, gaming consoles and other electronics in your home or business. Models supply battery backup during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, as well as provide protection from damaging surges and spikes. They're available in 'tower' or 'floor' styles, and together with a variety of standard features, they are the perfect choice to protect your data and keep you connected
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Intro UPS for Home
on September 23, 2018
Posted by: ELBatron
Single battery, small footprint UPS. The time chart on box is accurate. I have 3 devices on the battery ports, which cuts the usable battery time to 10 minutes. The devices are a desktop, internet router, and switch between the two.
This would be a great product for a home with constant power blips as it at least regulates the voltage. The USB port for charging a small device off battery is nice. With nothing else plugged into the battery this could be used to charge a phone several times during an extended power outage.
Although it is designed for regulation and uninterrupted power, it would almost be better as an accessory for this purpose of storm/season prep.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Handle storage demands with this Western Digital SATA solid-state drive. Its 560MB/s read speed and 530MB/s write speed are suitable for intensive applications, and its 2.5-inch form factor fits most desktops and laptops. The solid-state drive has no moving parts, making the drive resistant to shock to protect your data. Includes the WD SSD Dashboard to keep track of the drive's status.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Basic no frills SSD
on September 23, 2018
Posted by: ELBatron
Used this to upgrade a 10+year old laptop, it does the job but nothing special. It replaced a Samsung 840 Evo, so the only upgrade was storage capacity. Usable space is actually ~466GB. It can be used in any modern sata interface, but there are no accessories in the box. It is designed only for laptop drive replacement and does not come with a 3.5" tray adapter plate or any cables.
IOPS ranged from ~1000 (write) to 3600(read)
Latency was 4.12ms
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
A new saga begins for one of the most acclaimed video game franchises in history. After narrowly escaping an attack on their village, JD Fenix and his friends, Kait and Del, must rescue the ones they love and discover the source of a monstrous new enemy.Ultimate Edition includes early access for Gears of War 4, allowing you to play four days before the game's standard release date, base game, a collectible SteelBook® and Season Pass*.Season Pass includes the exclusive Vintage VIP Pack, permanent access to 24 additional DLC maps (two per month per year) for private play, access to an exclusive Developer Playlist where new maps, modes and features can be tested prior to broad release and six Gear Packs.*For a limited time, Gears of War 4 includes the entire Xbox 360 Gears of War collection for use on Xbox One! Includes Xbox 360 titles Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3 and Gears of War: Judgment.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
A bit of gears 2 with some gears 3 perks
on December 1, 2016
Posted by: ELBatron
Verified Purchase:Yes
It was an enjoyable game to play through, and the story moved campaign well. The ending was a little lack-luster, and reminiscent of gears 2. The final battle wasn't incredibly difficult even on veteran.
The new horde dynamic seems to have changed drastically. Instead of the gears 3/horde 2.0 where individuals have cash and can share by choice, this is more a pool for the team. Great if you have your squad with you to share, but on random it takes some effort not to have some knob just spend it all. There is also a new skills progression in horde (terrible IMHO) which doesn't level as fast as general xp does. Sure it's easy to level the soldier, but sniper or engineer take grinding or pay2play for the skills. Even though I got the season pass, I'm still against the pay2play dynamic for any game leveling.
Haven't dove too much in the general multiplayer since the beta. No opinion on it yet.
Regardless, gears is still my favorite xbox franchise and a go to for some friends to jump in and play. This game sets up for another sequel if not a trilogy to start fresh.
My Best Buy number: 2181580883
My Best Buy number: 2181580883
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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