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- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes125
- First reviewJuly 26, 2016
- Last reviewMay 29, 2017
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SteveinOmaha's Reviews
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
Customer Rating
3
Great Hardware but Horrendous Software, App & Setu
on May 29, 2017
Posted by: SteveinOmaha
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have so many mixed feelings about this. I don't like to nor do I often give negative reviews, and I was initially blown away by the wonderful performance. When it works, it is absolutely stellar, a five-star plus product. I have never had a router that, with one satellite, achieved such high throughput speeds and strong internet connectivity, WHEN it worked. I bought the two-unit RBR50 router + RBS50 satellite kit at Best Buy. My home is not very big, maybe 1300 sq. ft per levels on two levels (includes garage), so this was probably more than I needed, though I didn't want to skimp as routers have traditionally promised far more than they delivered. I have to say, this DOES deliver on its claims, when it functions properly. Too bad that it doesn't, far too often.
I also purchased a separate wall satellite (RBW30) online, which I initially added but have decided not to use, after I moved the RBS50 satellite around and ended up putting it in my family room in the basement with the main router on the main floor in the bedroom at one end of the house near the modem. I have ethernet devices (NAS units, printers, smart TV, etc) plugged into both units, and my Mac Mini is connected to the basement satellite via ethernet. All other PC's are connected wirelessly, and seems like connectivity even upstairs is excellent. You can go to the satellite's web page and see which units are connected to it, and looks like my iMac and Windows PC in the dining room both connect to the basement satellite, and my iMac is getting 300+ Mb/s wirelessly, which is fantastic. I have never been able to get that speed on this computer before with any setup short of ethernet.
I think I FINALLY have a stable configuration, but it took me three days of endless resets and frustration to get there. The app is poorly designed and weak on options, and the web page/software to install and configure on the computer is not much better. Change anything on the router's config page, and you risk losing a satellite and/or internet connectivity. I enabled Mu-MIMO to get better connections with some of my mobile devices (neither iPhone would connect to the router consistently), and while it seemed to solve that, it slowed down the PC's in the dining room to half their original speed. I unchecked the MIMO box, lost internet connectivity, and again had to perform a full reset. Seems that Netgear is planning to "fix" the Mu-MIMO and beam forming issues in a future firmware release, and that the boxes were left unchecked intentionally.
I had endless headaches in getting the base unit AND the router to install - often it wouldn't find the satellites, even the one that came with it, and often it would find one or the other, but usually not both. I would then get it up and running, and would suddenly lose internet connectivity even though my internal network functioned. Or, my basement satellite had a magenta ring on it, even though my Mini attached to it via ethernet was showing 300+ Mb/s (my service is 300 Mb/s), and I could connect to the NAS units attached to it. Or, I could connect to the wall unit I initially placed in the living room, but not the basement satellite, or vice versa. I reset all three devices and tried letting the setup program find all three (often didn't), I set up the router first and then added the satellites individually later, I tried just the RBR50 base unit + wall plus, BRB50 + RBS50 satellite, no matter I couldn't maintain connectivity and couldn't stop satellites from dropping out.
I found that even changing my SSID name and password led to everything dropping out. Couldn't connect to the Orbi via my phone app, even though mu phone's wi-fi showed being connected. Eventually did a complete reset, leaving EVERYTHING in its default form, including the router's password and SSID, eliminated the wall unit, and so far everything seems stable. I did lots of troubleshooting, including verifying there was no IP address conflict, changing DNS servers, changing the setup program's MAC ID to use the computer's instead of the router's (per Netgear suggestion), and none of that fixed the issues. I went around the house and changed all of my devices' configuration to be able to join the new network, and I have >60 devices attached, in total.
I should also note that rebooting the router led to loss of connectivity with both the internet and the satellite. Fortunately I have it connected to a UPS, so shouldn't have to worry about whether or not it will reset properly with a power loss.
I guess I was spoiled in that I came from an Airport Extreme + Extreme extender setup, and had NO issues with dropped connections, stability, configuration, consistency in speeds, or anything else. You could do about anything to it and not break it, including rebooting either unit - they just worked. The Orbi has better overall coverage and speeds, but seems it's at a big price and after a lot of headaches. I still have a few days to decide whether to keep this or not, and that will all depend on how stable it remains.
Maybe I got a lemon, but I am not inexperienced with networking and was surprised and frustrated with this. I have had several Netgear products and have used them without issue. Oh, and I have a Netgear CM600 24x8 modem that I just bought in the past year, so that shouldn't be it. Netgear seriously seems to work on the horrible app and all the bugs, and at this point, despite the awesome hardware and brilliant performance when working, I can't recommend it.
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
This Sony 48-inch LED HD smart TV provides entertainment versatility. Select your favorite Internet apps with Wi-Fi connectivity and arrange icons on screen for easy remote-control selection. Crisp images and bold colors enhance enjoyment. The included wall bracket mount, cord and power adaptor let you set up this Sony 48-inch LED HD smart TV quickly.
Posted by: SteveinOmaha
Verified Purchase:Yes
I was a little apprehensive about this TV, because it didn't perform as well in some of the product reviews as some of the others I'd looked at. I purchased an LG 4K TV online, and am not thrilled with the picture quality. I wanted a second TV as well, so I went to the store this time instead of buying online, so I could compare pictures in person. If you're not familiar with a brand, I strongly recommend doing that.
This one is not a 4K TV, but as a phenomenal picture - very sharp and clear with great color profile. Sony and Samsung both have very similar picture quality, and in my opinion are the two best brands on the market.
Pros:
1. Great remote - I think Sony's are the best designed and most intuitive. Responsive to commands.
2. Great menu/set up screens - among the best
3. Outstanding, clear, vibrant, sharp picture
4. Good sound quality
5. Ethernet connection works well to access my network - have not tried the wireless, yet.
1. Great remote - I think Sony's are the best designed and most intuitive. Responsive to commands.
2. Great menu/set up screens - among the best
3. Outstanding, clear, vibrant, sharp picture
4. Good sound quality
5. Ethernet connection works well to access my network - have not tried the wireless, yet.
Cons:
1. This thing FLEXES heavily when you pick it up or carry it. Another reviewer commented on this. The strangest thing I have seen in a TV. Very wobbly frame and feels fragile.
2. Poor selection of apps. NO AMAZON. I have not found a way to add/install apps. Does include Netflix, and even has a large, dedicated Netflix button on there remote - but I can't imagine a late-model TV not having Amazon Video. I fortunately have an extra Fire TV stick I can use.
1. This thing FLEXES heavily when you pick it up or carry it. Another reviewer commented on this. The strangest thing I have seen in a TV. Very wobbly frame and feels fragile.
2. Poor selection of apps. NO AMAZON. I have not found a way to add/install apps. Does include Netflix, and even has a large, dedicated Netflix button on there remote - but I can't imagine a late-model TV not having Amazon Video. I fortunately have an extra Fire TV stick I can use.
Overall, great value. Disappointed in the App selection - my Samsung is much better in that regard. However, the picture is the most important for me, and Sony has never let me down - so I am glad I purchased this.
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+13points
18of 23voted this as helpful.
Lie back and watch your favorite videos and TV shows with this LG 4K smart LED TV. The 43-inch IPS panel can display 4K videos in vibrant colors, while the smart function integrates an advanced Web OS 3.0 for Internet connectivity. This LG 4K smart LED TV has one USB port and three HDMI ports for peripherals.
Customer Rating
3
Great Price, Mediocre Screen
on July 26, 2016
Posted by: SteveinOmaha
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased this online. I have always owned Sony and Samsung TV's. The price on this was great, considering it's a 4K TV, so I am tempering my review a bit with that in mind. The reviews on this were quite good (I always read reviews), but I didn't check this out in the store to see how I liked the picture. I probably should have. 43" TV's are not easy to find anymore, and this one was the perfect size. I really wanted to like it.
Assembling this TV was easy, just two screws per leg and a Philips screwdriver required to attach the feet, but note this TV takes up a wide stance (28 or 30") and so ensure your table or stand is wide enough to accommodate it. Was very light, and easy to lift and carry.
The good is that this has a pretty responsive remote, good app interface, and you can connect to the net via ethernet (my choice) or wirelessly. I had no connection issues with my ethernet connection, and Amazon and Netflix both loaded and performed well, though I did have to install several updates upon first use. Sound quality is decent (I don't play any TV I have that loudly), and settings are reasonably easy to access.
The bad - I found the picture to be lacking sharpness and have a yellowish tinge to it. I played with the settings all day and just could not get it to my liking. I have a 40" Samsung and a 48" Sony, and both have excellent pictures with perfect color saturation and great blacks. I just couldn't replicate that on this TV, and the backlight and sharpness settings on the LG don't correspond to what they are on the Samsung, as an example. Motion is very noticeably fuzzy and the "Motion 120" just doesn't perform as well as I expected. I should note that my Samsung and Sony were similar in price to this one (all bought within the past year), though the Samsung and Sony are not 4K TV's - but they have much better pictures.
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+19points
23of 27voted this as helpful.
This multidirectional Mohu Leaf 30 MH-110583 indoor antenna is compatible with select HDTVs and enables 1080p output. The reversible, paintable design lets you customize the look of the antenna to complement your décor.
Customer Rating
5
Best Indoor Antenna I've Used - Ever
on July 26, 2016
Posted by: SteveinOmaha
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have tried every antenna in the book. I dumped cable TV a few years ago (still have cable internet), and made the choice to only receive broadcast TV. I just love these Mohu's and really don't look at any other indoor variety anymore.
I have two of these Mohu's and just ordered two more. I get more channels with both of these on two bedroom TV's than I do with my two attic antennas that cost me several hundred dollars to have installed. I live in a city about 10-25 miles from most of the local broadcast towers, but they are in different directions, and so I have struggled getting all of them at once with stationary antennas.
The amplified version has a USB power plug, so you can plug it directly into your TV for power, if it has a USB port. If not, there is an included USB power adapter so you can plug it into an outlet. The amplifier itself is very small and thin, and integrates/fits well between the coax cable to the TV and the antenna.
The antenna has a black side and a white side, and appears to get the same reception with either side against the wall, though it is somewhat directional in terms of which wall you place it on. There are four push-pins included and the antenna has two holes in the top corners so you don't have to pierce it.
If you're <25 miles or so from the transmitters, the non-amplified version will work just fine. I have one 50-mile amplified and a 30-mile non-amplified, and see little difference in performance in my area (Omaha, NE). In fact, if your signal strength is strong, the amp might present a problem with signal overload. There is no material difference between the 30 and 50-mile antennas other than that the 50-mile has an amp included, and the 30-mile does not. The amp, however, is a separate unit (not permanently attached to the antenna) and you do not have to use it with the antenna.
Great design and yes, great performance. I have yet to see a better-performing indoor antenna.
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
My Best Buy number: 3515214757
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+79points
84of 89voted this as helpful.
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