Panasonic PT-AX200U 720p 3LCD Home Theater Projector
I bought this to replace both my computer monitor and my TV, which it has done flawlessly. I've owned this projector for 9 months, 1400hrs on the bulb. The first one I received had one dead red pixel, so I had to send it back, which was a hassle. But it was under warranty, so no big deal. I just hated to have to send it back because halfway into a 720P movie I'd instantly fallen in love with it!
Since I received the replacement, (no dead pixels!), I've had it on for about 5 hours a day. And I can't stop myself. You can't get away from it. It's addictively good image quality. I use it with my PC 95% of the time, 5% Wii/360. I've used it once with TV (Superbowl) in standard definition, an I will say that standard definition really doesn't do it justice. Online services & a Blu-Ray player through my PC provide me with all the HD movies and TV I need. The age of the media center PC is beginning people, join in.
At roughly 1000 hours the bulb began flickering occasionally. It still does, but it's only noticeable when the screen is white (like when you are typing an Amazon review). And actually it hasn't done it since I began this review. It's a very intermittent issue, and not at all a deal breaker for me.
Pros:
-Super easy setup, very adjustable once it is setup.
-Resolution is amazing considering the throw size.
-2 HDMI inputs is a plus.
-720P movies look theater quality.
-Have never seen video games look this good.
Cons:
-It has a VGA input for older low-res video cards. Dumb. Why no DVI input? I had to buy a DVI to HDMI cable.
-Only one component input. Dumb. I had to buy a switch for my Wii/360 inputs.
-Bulb flickers. Oh well though, if you're going to buy a projector, you really need to figure buying a bulb every year or two into your purchase, which I did.**
-Will steal hours of your life away that you will never get back! (But hey, at least you spent them with the best projector around for the price).
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
119IN Diagonal Accuscreens HDtv Manual Wall Ceiling 59X104.5IN
119IN Diagonal Accuscreens HDtv Manual Wall Ceiling 59X104.5IN
I bought this based on its $99 price and reviews here on Amazon. I did read other folks had issues with broken end caps upon arrival.
I found out why. The end caps that hold the hooks are EXTREMELY fragile. I pulled it out of its well packed box and the one end landed on my carpeted floor at a hight of about 4-6 inches and the endcap and hook broke off.
It was my fault, but it shouldn't have broken that easily. However, it prompted me to not rely on the hook it came with. I took metal picture hanging wire and wrapped it around the ends and then wrapped it around my hooks on the wall. I followed it up with zip ties. I did it in such a way that all you see is the thin wire wrapped around once.
This was my first projection with my Optima HD66 and the picture is terrific.
The return roll up is a bit tough to work. It works about as good as those old window shades that you had to keep pulling down further to finally go up. The room I have it in, I don't plan on rolling it back up. So if you want to open and close it on the regular, just be aware of this. It is possible that b/c it is new, it will get better, but I haven't had it long enough to report.
Baring the cheap end caps, and hard to roll up, I am still very happy with the screen. No wrinkles, picks up the image well. So I gave it 4 stars just due to the above stated. Great economical screen for your first projection.
I bought this based on its $99 price and reviews here on Amazon. I did read other folks had issues with broken end caps upon arrival.
I found out why. The end caps that hold the hooks are EXTREMELY fragile. I pulled it out of its well packed box and the one end landed on my carpeted floor at a hight of about 4-6 inches and the endcap and hook broke off.
It was my fault, but it shouldn't have broken that easily. However, it prompted me to not rely on the hook it came with. I took metal picture hanging wire and wrapped it around the ends and then wrapped it around my hooks on the wall. I followed it up with zip ties. I did it in such a way that all you see is the thin wire wrapped around once.
This was my first projection with my Optima HD66 and the picture is terrific.
The return roll up is a bit tough to work. It works about as good as those old window shades that you had to keep pulling down further to finally go up. The room I have it in, I don't plan on rolling it back up. So if you want to open and close it on the regular, just be aware of this. It is possible that b/c it is new, it will get better, but I haven't had it long enough to report.
Baring the cheap end caps, and hard to roll up, I am still very happy with the screen. No wrinkles, picks up the image well. So I gave it 4 stars just due to the above stated. Great economical screen for your first projection.
Optoma EW330 Ultraportable WXGA 2200 lumen Multimedia DLP projector
Optoma EW330 Ultraportable WXGA 2200 lumen Multimedia DLP projector
This Optima projector is a super bit of kit for presentations, which is what I use it for. It's small and light so is easy to carry around with a laptop, and the resolution is really sharp. Also, it shuts down in seconds which my old HP unit used to take ages to cool down before shutting down. All in all, a super projector for a 'road warrior' like me.
I didn't expect this product to provide the clarity or the brightness that it did. I was pleasantly surprised. So light to carry, so small in size, it produces image beautifully.
Samsung DVD-VR375 1080p Up-Converting VHS Combo DVD Recorder
Samsung DVD-VR375 1080p Up-Converting VHS Combo DVD Recorder
I bought this primarily to preserve home movies I have of my family, mainly my brother who passed away last year. I spent most of my time this past weekend copying VHS to DVD for myself, mom and my younger brother. I have watched one of the DVD's and the quality is much better than the video it came from. It was also so easy I could not believe it. Just a few steps and I was on my way to copying a large video library. If you have home movies you want to preserve this is perfect and was so easy. Even for someone who usually cannot work the electronics without help. I would recommend this for any parent who does not want to lose those precious memories of their children.
I bought this primarily to preserve home movies I have of my family, mainly my brother who passed away last year. I spent most of my time this past weekend copying VHS to DVD for myself, mom and my younger brother. I have watched one of the DVD's and the quality is much better than the video it came from. It was also so easy I could not believe it. Just a few steps and I was on my way to copying a large video library. If you have home movies you want to preserve this is perfect and was so easy. Even for someone who usually cannot work the electronics without help. I would recommend this for any parent who does not want to lose those precious memories of their children.
Terk TV44 Amplified Clip-on Outdoor TV Antenna for Dual LNB Satellite Dishes
Terk TV44 Amplified Clip-on Outdoor TV Antenna for Dual LNB Satellite Dishes
After reading several reviews for this product, I was concerned about the reception I would receive once it was installed. I'm happy to say, however, that I can now receive all of my local HD channels, and the picture is outstanding (analog channels aren't so great). Add to this the convenience of not having to go into my attic to run cables, and not having to attach any new equipment to my roof, and I'm one happy camper. The kicker is, after taking back the other antenna and all of the additional equipment I bought before coming across this antenna, I ended up saving about $80!
After reading several reviews for this product, I was concerned about the reception I would receive once it was installed. I'm happy to say, however, that I can now receive all of my local HD channels, and the picture is outstanding (analog channels aren't so great). Add to this the convenience of not having to go into my attic to run cables, and not having to attach any new equipment to my roof, and I'm one happy camper. The kicker is, after taking back the other antenna and all of the additional equipment I bought before coming across this antenna, I ended up saving about $80!
106IN Diagonal Accuscreens HDtv Manual Wall Ceiling 52X92IN
106IN Diagonal Accuscreens HDtv Manual Wall Ceiling 52X92IN
for the price you cant go wrong, I almost didnt buy this screen because the rating wasnt very great, but thats because there are a few people who are leaving nasty reviews about sellers they bought from (ink cartridges????) which unfairly makes this screen look bad. the only thing i would complain about is when im rolling up the screen, it stops with about 8inches to go. not a big deal. and also when you first get it, be prepared to deal with the horrible smell that i guess all screens give off the first week or two. other than that, it has a great picture and i couldnt be happier.
for the price you cant go wrong, I almost didnt buy this screen because the rating wasnt very great, but thats because there are a few people who are leaving nasty reviews about sellers they bought from (ink cartridges????) which unfairly makes this screen look bad. the only thing i would complain about is when im rolling up the screen, it stops with about 8inches to go. not a big deal. and also when you first get it, be prepared to deal with the horrible smell that i guess all screens give off the first week or two. other than that, it has a great picture and i couldnt be happier.
GPX BT780B 7 Inch LCD Portable TV/DVD/AM/FM Boombox
GPX BT780B 7 Inch LCD Portable TV/DVD/AM/FM Boombox
I give this product 5 stars because it is perfect for what I want to use it for. Other people may want to use the product in a different manner, so the 5 stars are subjective.
If you are looking for a portable digital TV and especially if you want it for emergency situations, this is the one.
The main feature that attracted me to this unit is the ability to run the unit on C batteries. All other portable digital TV units I have seen run off of rechargeable batteries. This is fine if you want to go camping or take on vacation. However it is useless for an emergency TV. You charge the battery and store the TV with your other emergency items. 3-6 months later when the ice storm or spring severe thunderstorm knocks the power out,what do you have? A digital TV with a rechargeable battery that is run down and no way to recharge it. Not with this unit. Shove in the 8 C cells and turn on the local weather.
This unit also picks up digital stations well. I have tried a couple of other portable digital tv units and experienced poor results. I could only pick up one out of four local stations with a lot of digitizing, no sub carriers at all, and it had to be in a specific place in a specific room of the house.
This GPX unit will pick up one station in addition to it's two sub carriers anywhere in the house. In several places I can also get two other channels and their combined 5 sub carriers. I believe this is due to the magnetic mount antenna that comes with the unit. It has been my experience with mag mount ham and CB antennas that the metal you stick the magnet on helps ground the antenna which is necessary for the antenna to work efficiently.
The sound will not approach a BOSE wave radio, but it is good for the price. If you want a TV that you can use when the power goes out, I highly recommend this unit.
I give this product 5 stars because it is perfect for what I want to use it for. Other people may want to use the product in a different manner, so the 5 stars are subjective.
If you are looking for a portable digital TV and especially if you want it for emergency situations, this is the one.
The main feature that attracted me to this unit is the ability to run the unit on C batteries. All other portable digital TV units I have seen run off of rechargeable batteries. This is fine if you want to go camping or take on vacation. However it is useless for an emergency TV. You charge the battery and store the TV with your other emergency items. 3-6 months later when the ice storm or spring severe thunderstorm knocks the power out,what do you have? A digital TV with a rechargeable battery that is run down and no way to recharge it. Not with this unit. Shove in the 8 C cells and turn on the local weather.
This unit also picks up digital stations well. I have tried a couple of other portable digital tv units and experienced poor results. I could only pick up one out of four local stations with a lot of digitizing, no sub carriers at all, and it had to be in a specific place in a specific room of the house.
This GPX unit will pick up one station in addition to it's two sub carriers anywhere in the house. In several places I can also get two other channels and their combined 5 sub carriers. I believe this is due to the magnetic mount antenna that comes with the unit. It has been my experience with mag mount ham and CB antennas that the metal you stick the magnet on helps ground the antenna which is necessary for the antenna to work efficiently.
The sound will not approach a BOSE wave radio, but it is good for the price. If you want a TV that you can use when the power goes out, I highly recommend this unit.
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