Linksys WES610N

Product Description

Connect multiple home theater devices to your wireless network with the power and smooth performance of Dual-Band N. The Linksys WES610N provides fast wireless connectivity for up to four Ethernet-enabled HDTVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, or other Wi-Fi devices. With transfer rates up to 300 Mbps, you’ll enjoy a powerful networking experience for streaming video, sharing photos, or gaming online. Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders at bay with the latest in WPA2 security to help keep your network protected. Get superior wireless performance with Dual-Band N (operates in either the 2.4 or 5 GHz radio bands) designed to avoid interference from competing networks and devices. Leverage the less crowded 5 GHz band for bandwidth sensitive media applications so you can maximize throughput and enjoy smoother media streaming and gaming. Bring the ultimate entertainment experience to your home with high performance HD/3D quality wireless. The Linksys WES610N is ideal for connecting your home theater. Link HDTVs, media players, game consoles, and more to your router and Internet connection. QoS traffic prioritization technology delivers time-sensitive traffic efficiently so you can enjoy smooth video, music streaming, and gaming performance. The Wi-Fi Protected SetupTM button on your router and bridge is designed to get you setup easily and more securely. Once the wireless connection to your router has been established, simply plug any wired Ethernet device to the bridge and enjoy instant wireless connectivity. Built with leading 802.11n wireless technology, the Linksys WET610N offers superior performance and range. Multiple MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antennas help create a strong, stable link to your router for reliable connectivity of your home theater devices.

Features

• High speed connection (up to 300 Mbps) for fast transfer rates
• Superior range with multiple antennas
• Four Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) ports to connect wired devices
• Dual-Band designed to avoid interference and maximize throughput
• Ideal for easy wireless connectivity
• Ideal for connecting multiple home theater or office devices
• Ideal for gaming online head-to-head
• Ideal for streaming HD video and music

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

Everything OK, August 21, 2011 – By Ernesto Kruger (Quito, Ecuador)

Everything is ok, the delivery time very good, the product nice….I recommend to seller. The product is a good for use in TV that dont have internet

ZVOX 555 Sound System

Product Description

Only 3.5″ high, the ZVOX 555 home theater system can be placed beneath your flat-panel TV so you can have surround sound without adding a lot of clutter to your room. It requires no external speakers, subwoofer or speaker wires. The ZVOX 555 reproduces TV shows, music and movie soundtracks with lifelike accuracy, including crystal-clear vocals and thunderous bass. And the ZVOX PhaseCue virtual surround system delivers remarkable three-dimensional sound. The entire sound bar system, including speakers, amplifier, virtual surround technology and powered subwoofer, fits into the super-slim cabinet. With only one connecting cord and a one-page owner’s manual, it is truly “plug and play.” The cabinet is robustly constructed using fully-braced MDF (medium density fiberboard), not molded plastic. Beautiful hand-lacquered high-gloss ebony end panels create a stylish look.

Features

• Dimensions; 28 “w x 14 1/2 “d x 3 3/8 “h
• Weight: 20 pounds. With box and packing: 23 pounds.
• Amplifier: The 555 uses a high-efficiency 70 watt Class D digital amplifier.
• Rear inputs: (2) analog stereo inputs, (1) optical (To slink) digital input, (1) coaxial digital input.
• Front input: (1) 3.5mm stereo front panel input.

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Customer Reviews

Excellent speaker system, if Home Theater sound not required, August 27, 2011 – By cbuckh32

This is an excellent speaker solution, suitable for small-to-medium sized flat screen TV’s. This product purchase has only been in use a little over 2 weeks, but this is the second ZVOX speaker unit that I have purchased. The ZVOX 555 has new, additional features not available on the older models. The most significant improvement is the LED (?) display that shows the volume level and other speaker settings in response to user input with the remote control. There are also differences in sound processing options. See the Mfr’s web site for additional information on features and product comparison details.

ZVOX makes no claim on this product being equivalent to Home Theater sound systems. What the ZVOX555 does do is provide a speaker system with Mfr-independent (non-proprietary) audio input connections, sound output superior to built-in flat-screen TV speakers, and a 3 – 1/2 inch riser for your existing TV set up. I happened to have been looking for a way to build a riser on my oak TV stands so this latter benefit was a positive for me. This speaker eliminates the need to spend more money on a Home Theater system with their all-too common proprietary audio input connections, their extra satellite speakers and associated wiring.

Another nice design feature is that the ZVOX555 can be ‘programmed’ to work with or is compatible with other remotes. For example, my FIOS remote is set up to control the volume level.

I now have two (2) ZVOX products (550HSD and 555). They work well aesthetically, with a 42″ Plasma and 37 LED TV’s placed on top of them.

Very happy customer, July 29, 2011 – By Old Man

After ordering and trying a ZVOX 550, I reluctantly had to return it because the control factors (volume, quality, connection) were nowhere near as good as the sound. The whole concept of placing your TV on the sound source to reduce clutter was very hard to part with. I bought another system I soon learned to hate, so when the 555 became available, I dumped my current sound system in a trash bin. Every claim in your ad has been verified, and yes, the dialog emphasis has made a big difference in the ability to understand words. Being old and cheap, it hurt to throw away a sound system with a big name to say nothing of the money involved, but I’ve been happy every day since.

I rarely write love letters to companies. Yours has been a pleasure to deal with, so if you would like to use this note in advertising, feel free.

Incoming search:

Panasonic VIERA TC-P55ST30 55-Inch 3D Plasma HDTV

Product Description

Panasonic VIERA TC-P55ST30 55-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV – Step into the 3D World. The VIERA ST30 Series Full HD 3D Plasmas create an all new viewing experience by putting you inside the action and creating a new world of TV viewing realism.

Features

• Revolutionary VIERA Full HD 3D Technology delivers award-winning realism that immerses you in the image
• Infinite Black 2 panel delivers deep blacks and minimizes reflection for bright, vivid images
• VIERA Connect WiFi ready – Enjoy a world of movies, sports, and other online apps plus free Skype video calls on your VIERA HDTV
• VIERA Image Viewer with 3D Playback (Movie & Photo Capable)

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

The best picture quality you can get for under $1500, May 21, 2011 – By Eric Bergmann

If you’re looking for a 55 inch TV and don’t want to spend a fortune, this is the TV to get. The ST30 will give you the best picture quality out there for the price, and beats LCD/LED sets thousands more in price (as do most plasma sets).

When you first open the box, you will have to set up the set by attaching the stand to it. This isn’t difficult but if you have a larger set, you may want to get someone to help you with the lifting. The stand is basically two metal posts that the TV sits on top of, and then you bolt them in through the back. I wouldn’t want to take the chance of dropping my set while trying to line the posts up so they fit in the TV’s slots.

Once that’s done, the rest is a snap to set up. Going through the menu for initial setup takes literally seconds. As with any plasma set, you may be inclined to use a break-in technique to age the phosphors before beginning regular viewing. The ST30 has an SD card slot in the side, so it’s very easy to run slides on it for break-in purposes. This is the method I chose to use and I couldn’t be happier with the picture.

The apps work well also, mostly I only use the Netflix one. I haven’t noticed any lag.

The sound is about what you would expect from TV speakers. If you’re getting this for a serious home theater, it sort of goes without saying that you will not be using the TV’s speakers. I currently am using the built-in speakers however, because I spent all my money on the TV! Seriously though, they’re fine for normal viewing and the sound quality is actually a lot better than other TV’s I’ve had.

If you’ve done research on the ST30, you may have stumbled upon some news about the “fluctuating brightness” issue on this set. Previous Panasonics had rising blacks, and the 2011 sets have fluctuating brightness. The issue appears to be much worse on the GT30 than the ST. On my ST30, I have only seen it a handful of times and it’s never distracting. What the issue is is basically the TV adjusting scene brightness mid-scene. You can see the issue when an especially dark shot transitions to a lighter one. Sometimes the TV will initially display the bright scene, and then you will see the brightness increase or decrease ever so slightly. I suggest taking a look at some of the in-store models to see if you can notice it. Like I said, I have barely seen any cases of it after a month of viewing. Others have reported that the issue is so bad on their set that they had to return it. The last I heard, this is inherent to the driving mechanism in the TV and likely won’t be able to be corrected through a firmware or other update. The 2011 Samsungs also exhibit similar behavior.

Overall, even with the fluctuating brightness issue, this is hands down the best TV you can get for under $1500. I couldn’t be happier with mine, and when it’s time for another set I will likely get another Panasonic plasma. I was hesitant about going plasma at first, but the picture quality blows my LCD out of the water.

Rolled the dice and won!, May 4, 2011 – By Terd Ferguson (Parts unknown.)

After hours of reading reviews and multiple trips to Sears and Best Buy I decided on this TV. I choose this Panasonic over Samsung mainly because the customer service reviews for each company, everyone had major complaints about Samsung and glowing reviews for Panasonic. I was really concerned about ordering something as fragile as a TV over the internet, but Amazon has such an outstanding return policy, not to mention I saved over three Benjamins by buying it here. The whole deal was perfect, great price, delivered on time in perfect shape and the TV itself has an outstanding picture. Last night we were watching the NBA playoffs and it was like sitting courtside, it could not have looked any better. When I first got the TV I was skeptical about the picture but then I figured out that the quality was affected by the signal received, if you have a good broadcast signal you will have a great picture with this tv. We just switched from Direct TV to The Dish Network and for some reason some of the HD shows look a lot better than others. One thing I will say is that the default setting for the brightness is really dim. It may have something to do with the break in procedure, but after the first 200 hrs. and you can make some adjustments, you can get the picture to look really great. Also, the remote is really user friendly and top quality. Lastly, if you do buy a Pansonic, buy the extended warranty directly from Panasonic and not Best Buy and you will save about 50% and have actual Panasonic techs working on it and not Geeks.

Very pleased with this TV!, April 30, 2011 – By Strummer (KY)

I got this TV from Amazon about 3 weeks ago, and I am extremely pleased with it. My unit has not had any issues with blobs, pixel breakup, or any other issues. The blacks are absolutely black, which creates excellent contrast. I haven’t customized the picture (yet); I just run it on vivid and normal temp. It is in a south facing room; no issues with glare. No discernible buzzing heard. Basically works as advertised!

Set up was very easy; took about 3 minutes to get through the initial menu; I delayed the internet connection (a dongle is included)at first but later installed that with no problem. (it helps to read the manual online prior to delivery!) I currently have it on the included stand. It was delivered (from Amazon) via CEVA; they notified me 2 days prior to the scheduled delivery and actually delivered it a day early. There was only one delivery guy; he offered to get another helper but it would have been later in the day, so I helped him bring it in. He opened it; he helped me attach the stand and lift it to TV stand (not so much heavy as it is kinda big to handle), and waited until I got it hooked up and turned it on. I hadn’t ordered anything this big from Amazon before; but I will do so in the future!

Regular HDTV cable is great; bluray DVDs are absolutely fantastic. I haven’t really noted any motion blur. I don’t use the TV’s sound as I pipe it through the home theater set up all the time. The internet connections work flawlessly, although I have only used Netflix and YouTube so far. I got a couple of the short 3D DVDs; other than the DVDs being pretty lame (no great movies yet) the 3D works very well. I get a little breakup on 3D; but I have since read the DVDs I bought are problematic for that, although I think I will hang the unit on the wall to get it a little higher for a better feed for the glasses synch. I had to play with it a little bit to get the 3D, but turned out my issues was with my Sony bluray player (this is my 1st 3D)

I was a little concerned that I hadn’t actually seen the TV before buying it, as it wasn’t in stores yet, but I had been looking at last year’s Vieras, so I thought it would be OK. It is – and I am very glad I purchased it – no regrets whatsoever.

I highly recommend this TV!

TomTom VIA 1405TM Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description

TomTom VIA 1405TM Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates. Travel the US, Canada and Mexico with ease and style. This innovative navigator boasts a super-slim design, classic finish, new, intuitive user interface and a 4.3 touchscreen. Always the smartest, fastest route with IQ Routes. Despite posted speed limits, traffic traveling along a road at 8 a.m. moves at a different pace than it does at 2 p.m. Actual traffic speed is affected by rush hour, traffic light changes, pedestrian traffic, day of the week, and more. Only TomTom offers exclusive technology that evaluates routes based on actual traffic speeds, rather than posted speed limits, and will recommend the fastest route for the time of the day. (Feature is available in the US and Canada only.) Switch on and go right out of the box. Get the TomTom 1405 GPS Navigator from Brookstone then enter the address on the screen and start driving!

Features

• Get over 1 million more miles of mapped roads in the US
• Outsmart delays with Free Lifetime Traffic Updates, without advertising
• Stay up-to-date on road changes with Free Lifetime Map Updates
• Navigate with ease using premium maps of the US, Canada & Mexico
• Travel in style with the new, slim design and integrated Fold and Go EasyPort Mount

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

Bottom Line GPS, May 19, 2011 – By V. Cummings “victorc1978″ (Saginaw, MI)

I got this to replace my five year old GPS. The first thing I noticed was this device was super slim, and very light. The screen is also very bright, and the volume of the device is excellent (I can still hear it and listen to the radio). The lifetime map updates SAVE lots of money, some models send you a CD and charge you for it. The update process on the GPS is SLOW.. make no questions about it. The updates are done through your computer and a software that is always running on your PC letting you know when there are updates available. This particular device lacks a SIM card slot for you to add your music to the device; not a big deal for me but it is for others. Other than the slow updating process, the GPS is a good value for the money.

WoW! the Best That GPS Can Provide!, May 17, 2011 – By Marie “ZQuilts” (Friday Harbor, WA, United States)

I am perhaps the least likely person to consider using a TomTom but I do takes trips and thought it would be a good tool to have on hand but I was a bit concerned about how easy this would be to use. It’s SO easy! The interface is easy to use and takes no ‘tech’ skill. Your are walked through the set up easily and the device works perfectly – easy to use touch screen and intuitive controls make driving to a destination easy and far less worrisome.

I love the fact that this version offers LifeTime Maps – making the updates automatic. Traffic updates are provided and they seem to be very accurate – now that’s a handy feature! I like that you can choose a voice that pleases your hear to hear – though most have an automated twang to them anyway… they are effective. Route planning is a breeze with unit – easy to follow and scenic or fast! Great options provided.

The only thing I now wonder is why I waited so long to give a TomTom a try.

Bright and Intuitive, May 9, 2011 – By Martin A Hogan “Marty From SF” (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules))

This unit replaced my TomTom ONE Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator as it has updated maps and I liked the larger screen. In addition, it adheres right to my windshield, unlike the previous one. I used a `bean bag’ holder for that. The screen seems to be brighter and the font sizes are larger and easier to read. Uploading the map information and all the settings took a little over two hours. The voice settings are more numerous with language choices, voice settings and an option to turn off `voice guidance’, which can be a nuisance sometimes.

I would recommend you set up your `safety setting’, `volume’, `status bar settings’ etc. before you get in your car. Before you drive, set up your ‘plan route’ and other requirements before getting on your way. Once driving, it’s very easy to simply tap the screen to change your viewpoint (2D or 3D), but be cautious while driving to do any of these.

This unit contains many more extras than my previous one, including alarms for just about anything. You can set an alarm to go off if you are speeding or approaching a traffic light safety camera. You can also turn on/off the vocal commands or alarms. The screen will display your location with street names your speed against the posted speed, length of travel (both miles traveled and the miles to go), the current time and the number of minutes to get to your destination. All of the functions on this unit are amazingly intuitive. If you go into a tunnel, the Tom Tom picks right back up where it left off.

There are some states where it is illegal to mount a navigational device on the windshield, California being one of them. However, you can temporarily mount it or use a `bean bag’ holder, as I do. It’s also a good idea to have it plugged in often, as the batteries do not last an extremely long time. This version of the Tom Tom is by far the easiest and sophisticated one so far.

Vizio E260MV 26-Inch LCD TV

Product Description

Vizio E260MV 26″ Class Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV features Razor LED backlighting for brilliant color and contrast in a razor thin design. This sleek HDTV also delivers superior audio using SRS TruVolume and SRS TruSurround HD audio for advanced virtual surround sound and volume control, and has two HDMI ports so you can connect a Blu-ray player and other HD source to your HDTV. This HDTV also exceeds ENERGY STAR 4.1 guidelines to reduce energy consumption and has built-in ambient light sensing technology, which automatically adjusts backlight levels to the brightness of its surroundings. Also includes touch sensitive controls that light up when you tap the TV bezel.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Vizio
• Model: E260MV
• Dimensions: 17.14″ h x 26.04″ w x 2.88″ l, 13.97 pounds
• Display size: 26

Features

• Edge Lit Razor LED backlighting for brilliant color and contrast
• 1080p Full HD
• SRS TruVolume and SRS TruSurround HD audio
• Touch sensitive TV controls
• Two HDMI port

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

Excellent TV, May 22, 2011 – By Otter425

Purchase Experience: fine, smooth and painless as always.

Product Comments:

Size: fantastic – super thin, and light, which enables keeping shoved toward the back of its surface to keep the kids’ fingers away from the screen.

Picture: Excellent, very crisp (using HDMI cable). Easy enough to modify settings to get the right picture for your lighting conditions. My set is in a naturally-lit room and I have had no problem with the picture or colors as a result of the bright sunlight.

Sound: fine. If you just want to watch TV/movies, the built-in speakers are fine. They won’t make you go ga-ga, but if that’s what you want, you’ll already have (or soon hereafter acquire) a speaker system.

Heat: Here’s a really trick of the LED backlighting – it produces surprisingly little heat compared to a more traditional LCD. Most LCDs generate a fair amount of heat, but the LED LCD doesn’t generate nearly as much.

Dust: For whatever reason, the bevel seems to attract more dust than other LCDs in the house (TV and computer screens). Dust doesn’t collect so much on the screen as around it – odd, but easily dealt with and doesn’t affect the picture.

Bottom Line: Great TV, especially for the price.

Nice TV!, May 14, 2011 – By Steven Lee (Crescent City Ca)

So I purchased this TV to play my Xbox 360 on. It has a really clear picture but I’m kind of disappointed in the sound quality. Overall very happy with the TV.

Good Tv for the price, May 13, 2011 – By pal

Like the look and style of the tv, how shiny it is, overall its a god tv, if your looking for a tv for your room, this is perfect.

Linksys E3200 Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

Product Description

The Linksys E3200 offers superior wireless speed (up to 300 + 300 Mbps), optimal range, and simultaneous dual-band technology to create a powerful network designed for home entertainment. Simultaneous dual-band Wireless-N technology allows for smoother and faster HD/3D video streaming. A built-in USB port lets you add external storage and printers* to share files across your network. An enhanced MIMO antenna array offers superior range and reliability. Plus, included Cisco Connect software gets you set up in three easy steps and offers powerful tools for ongoing management of your network.

Features

• Enjoy the power of high-performance, simultaneous dual-band Wireless-N technology (802.11n) ideal for home entertainment
• Connect Internet-ready TVs, Blu-rays, game consoles and other devices at superior speeds up to 300 + 300 Mbps
• Double your network bandwidth with simultaneous dual bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) to help avoid interference, allowing for faster HD video streaming, file transfers and wireless gaming
• Connect an external storage device to the built-in USB port to share your files at home or on the Internet; connect a printer to share among the computers on your network
• Use four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for faster file sharing with other Gigabit-enabled devices, including computers, hard drives, and servers
• Connect an external storage device to the built-in USB port to share your files at home or on the Internet; connect a printer to share among the computers on your network
• Keep your network protected with customizable security settings, including WPA/WPA2 Personal and SPI firewall protection
• Leverage the exceptional coverage and reliability provided by an enhanced 2×3 MIMO antenna array
• Maintain high speeds across greater distances throughout your home with SpeedBoost technology

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

Great N Router, May 20, 2011 – By Troy Bell “TBBloom” (Bloomsburg, PA)

I just bought this router. This is my first N router. Linksys softwware easy to set up. In 5 minutes I was online. Great options to use if desired. Can do a ton of networking etc if you choose. Out of the box though easy to use.

I get grat signals in my house which is a bigger older home. Works great. No issues so far. It is also small and can fit almost anywhere. I highly recommend this if it fits your needs and you are a fan of linksys products.

Very good but not sure what I expected, May 11, 2011 – By Christoph E. Mottes

This is a modified review I want to be clear about my experience: First, this router works great. The setup was fast and easy following the instructions. I do not perceive any defects. Second, I am a cable subscriber and I do not have the fastest available internet speeds. Third, when I saw the look and specs of this router, I decided to replace my previous router which was several years old, but functioned fine. I think the cost ($130) for the router is significant, and I suppose for that I went in with some expectations of improved speed and range.

SPEED: I do not perceive a difference but two important things to note – one I am only using a single, one-person internet connection, and two again I am limited by my cable speed. I have not tested multiple simultaneous wireless connections such as an Xbox, TV and multiple internet users. Given the multiple channels, I suspect if you have a family or are using this for multiple simultaneous connections you may notice a significant difference. Also, if you have a very fast cable connection and were previously limited by your router speed you may notice a significant difference. I think it is relevant though if you are a cable user like me, make sure your expectations are more in line with the cable speed being the limiting factor. Again, I did not notice any improvement in speed.

RANGE: I only saw a minor, modest difference. I have the router on the first floor of a townhouse. My laptop shows signal strength in bars, maximum of 5 bars. Old router – got 5 bars on ground floor, average 3 bars on 2nd floor. This new router – gets 5 bars on ground floor, average 3.5 bars on 2nd floor. That is exactly my experience. If other people get much better range I hope they document clearly.

In the end I gave 4 stars because for the cost and only modest improvement in range. Again, given the multiple channels, I suspect a bigger advantage would be seen using multiple wireless devices simultaneously. Perhaps if I ever have this situation I would amend to 5 stars.

Great Dual Band Router, May 9, 2011 – By A. Clark

Was a little more than I wanted to spend, but compared to the others, that were cheaper, there were only positive reviews. I must say that the setup was the easiest for any technical device that I have purchased in a long time. It has only been 3 days, but I have not had any issues with losing signal or anything like that. I would highly recommend this product if you want a great router and don’t want to spend an hour setting it up.

Product Description

Enjoy sharp, crisp video and images with the high-resolution Sony DVP-FX970 portable DVD player. The DVP-FX970 features a nine-inch (diag.) 180-degree swivel, flip screen for easy viewing from any angle and a 6-hour rechargeable battery.1 With the included car adaptor your DVD player is always ready to go no matter how long the trip.

Features

• 9-inch (diag.), high-resolution, widescreen LCD
• 6 -hour rechargeable battery
• 180-degree swivel, flip screen
• USB Port to enjoy movies, music and pictures on the go
• Touch key controls on bezel for easy, convenient operation

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

Great portable DVD player!, May 18, 2011 – By The Book Store (Long Beach, California)

Just got this DVD player from Amazon. Nice picture, great sound. This is a solid, well made, and sleek looking unit. Easy to use right out of the box. It has an easy to use function panel right under the screen. Just a light touch and you can change sound level, fast forward, etc. It also has a “sound” feature where you can change to various sound qualities such as “Dynamic sound,” “Standard,” “Dialog,” etc. When you change sound quality, adjust the sound level and you’ll be impressed. It sounds like you’re in the theatre. Amazing for such a little machine. Highly recommend this.

Excellent portable DVD Player, May 14, 2011 – By D. Ward

So far the reviews are all over the place on this new portable DVD player from Sony. One reviewer states theirs broke after a year and a half but obviously it isn’t this model that has only been out approx. one month. Others complain that it is cheap. Of course it feels cheap. It’s plastic just like most every thing else we receive in the U.S. when it comes to electronics. There isn’t much we can do about that and if some metal alloy was used the cost would be much higher so why complain about plastic? The unit works perfectly and the picture quality is quite nice for casual DVD viewing.

We place this in the back seat wedged in a crevice under the lip of our baby’s car seat during our frequent 10-12 hour trips. It keeps her content during the long travel. The remote works properly and I think this is a fine unit for the price being offered. There probably is little difference between the quality of this model compared to the previous generation. People act as if they have made some terrible mistake in purchasing this model because a few reviewers have had negative things to say about this player.

Let’s not over react and base our life’s decisions over something fairly simple just because someone on Amazon didn’t like it. It’s a plastic DVD player made for DVD viewing. It’s not a high tech device. It is what it is and when you read the overall reviews of most all portable DVD players the reviews always appear quite mixed. It isn’t meant to provide a movie theater or home theater viewing experience. Let’s just hope these units are reliable and we can get a year or two of reliable service from them.

Lorex LW2003PK2 Video Baby Monitor

Product Description

The LOREX LW2003PK2 LIVE snap is a completely portable video baby monitor with a slim, compact design and built-in ‘snapshot’ recording. The compact 2.4-inch LCD monitor and 2 compact cameras feature built-in rechargable lithium-ion batteries for true portability around your home. Take the system with you when you visit relatives, friends, or go on vacation. Capture unforgettable moments instantly with touch-button snapshot recording to the built-in microSD card recorder. Snap and save up to 4000 pictures on the included microSD card. “Talk with Baby” feature lets you talk and listen to your baby when you are not in the same room. See at all times, even in darkness with Automatic Night Vision. 100% digital technology ensures the signal is secure and interference-free. The LIVE snap grows with your family as it is expandable up to 4 cameras, allowing you to view up to 4 rooms at the same time.

Features

• 2 Compact, rechargeable cameras and video monitor
• Snap, store, and share with microSD recording
• 2-way audio communication
• See at all times with automatic night vision
• Secure, interference-free, long-range digital signal

>> Click here for more detail and price

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Customer Reviews

Good coverage, great portability, but not “snapshot” camera, October 5, 2010 – By JOEKC “JKC” (Kansas City)

First, I absolutely recommend this monitor. I’ve listed some specific strengths and weaknesses below.

What I liked:

1. Good range. In my two story house I got decent coverage throughout. The signal was a little weak when I stretched it to its furthest possible range, but I never lost the picture.

2. On the small screen the picture is crisp, with good color. You will never have to wonder what you’re seeing. Look carefully at the image on the video I took of the outdoors and you’ll see a crisp blue autumn sky with colorful foliage.

3. I think the portability is a key feature. The monitor can be removed from its base and slipped into a pocket as you move around your house. Very nice!

4. You can add cameras, all of which show up on the monitor. You can then select which camera you want to “zoom” to on the screen. Hopefully you won’t be monitoring four babies at once, but the capability is there.

What I would like to see improved:

1. Customer service! I always try to test this during a review, since it tends to be the “Achilles Heel” of modern commerce. I first let the customer service rep (Asian, but very understandable) know I was writing a review and had a specific problem I needed solved (see below). It became clear immediately that the rep was not familiar with the product. After about 20 minutes he admitted he could not solve my problem, but he promised I would receive a return call or email within a couple of hours. After ten days I have heard nothing. Unacceptable!

2. The monitor is promoted as a camera which can take snapshots of your baby, and the advertisements feature beautifully lit photos of babies. This is bogus. The camera has a whopping .3 megapixels. This is perfectly fine for the small monitor screen, but trying to use it as a camera to photograph your baby will result in a blurry, pixelated photo if you try to even print it 4×6. It puzzles me that Lorex even included a microSD card and adapter for you to transfer your pictures to a computer. You wouldn’t really try to photograph your beautiful baby with a .3 MP camera, would you? Which brings me to another point . . .

3. The reason I called customer service was the image from the camera when I took a snapshot was not only rotated (easily fixed) but reversed. For instance, any printing would look backwards. I’m not sure if this is peculiar to the sample I received, but it’s annoying to be sure. Yes you can fix this in a photo editor, but you shouldn’t have to. I have no idea what’s going on, and neither did customer service. The image is fine on the monitor screen, and the problem only shows up when you transfer a picture, which you are unlikely to do anyway given the poor resolution.

So let’s sum up: I really like the Lorex Baby Monitor and I would definitely buy it. I take off one star for the failure of customer service to respond to my problem and the misleading pictures which imply the monitor can be used to take good quality pictures. If you purchase it with the idea that you are only monitoring your baby (pets, etc) and not capturing lifetime memories, you’ll be very happy.

Cannot live without this monitor-everything we need all in one!, November 22, 2010 – By stayathomemami “mami” (Sunny Florida)

LOVE this monitor. I have two boys ages 6 and 5 that share a room. They were misbehaving at night and had to be separated to different rooms. I told my husband I wished a baby monitor was made that I can see my boys, talk to my boys and they could talk back to me. This is an answer to my prayers! There is night vision on this unit as well. I am thinking about getting an add on camera for my baby. You can add on 3 additional cameras if you want. It is a must have for children of all ages that you need to keep a closer eye on. Amazon has this priced lower than ANYONE else so don’t hesitate..buy today!

Update-had a problem with the charger and the manufacturer replaced the whole unit right away! We still love this after several months and just bought the add on camera for another room! LOVE THIS!!

ASUS N53SV-XE1 15.6-Inch Laptop

Product Description

Turn up the volume on the ASUS N53SV-XE1 15.6-inch notebook and prepare to be impressed. Featuring ASUS SonicMaster technology-co-developed by world-renowned audio experts at Bang and Olufsen ICEpower-and a unique top-mounted speaker design, this multimedia powerhouse combines hardware and audio for an unsurpassed, ear-pleasing experience. Boasting new NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M graphics, the N53SV excels when performing graphic-intensive tasks like video editing, DirectX 11-enabled gaming, and graphic rendering. And with ASUS VideoMagic 3-in-1 software package, you get image-enhancing programs like PowerDVD 9 with True Theatre that instantly scales DVD-quality to Full 1080p HD with smoother frame rates so you can enjoy videos and movies in the quality they deserve. Powered by the Intel Core i7-2630QM quad-core processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, the N53SV delivers the multitasking muscle and smart performance that senses the tasks at hand and dynamically boosts the processor for a stutter-free experience. Specially built into the ASUS N53SV-XE1, the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine extends battery life via the ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid utility. The ASUS N53SV-XE1 also comes with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 that charges USB 3.0-enabled devices quickly and transfer files from USB storage devices to your notebook up to 10 times faster than previous generation USB 2.0 speeds.The N53SV features a 2.0 megapixel webcam with security lens cover, ASUS Splendid technology, multi-touch trackpad, Express Gate, new wave keyboard, and a brushed aluminum design.

Features

• Intel Core i7-2630QM Quad-Core Processor 2.0 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz; 500GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
• 4GB of DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 4 slots, 16GB Max; Nvidia GT540M Graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM; Super-Multi Optical Disk Drive
• 1 USB 3.0 port; 2 USB 2.0 Ports; Bluetooth; 5-in-1 card reader (SD,MMC,MS,MS-Pro,MS-Duo); Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn
• 15.6-Inch HD (1366×768) LED Display; HDMI Port; VGA Port; 2.0MP Webcam; Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System
• ASUS 1 Year Standard Warranty and 1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty Included

Onkyo TX-NR809 THX Receiver

Product Description

With its advanced processing and fabulous array of connections, the Onkyo TX-NR809 is ready to lift the roof off. Eight HDMI inputs handle all your high-def content, from master-quality audio to up scaled 4K video. Home network capability lets you bring streaming internet radio and PC audio to your living room. And the drop-down front panel conceals a plethora of one-touch audio controls and A/V inputs. Video -whether standard or high definition- gets the royal treatment from a high-quality HQV Vida processor and independent ISF calibration for each source. Advanced audio options include bi-amping, 7.2 multichannel pre-outs, and distributed multi-zone audio. As you’d expect from a receiver near the top of Onkyo’s mid-range line-up, construction is first-rate. A massive transformer, symmetrical L/R channels, separate power and pre-amp blocks, and a highly rigid chassis provide the bedrock for a superlative audio performance. Built with the serious home theater fan in mind, the Onkyo TX-NR809 offers a class-leading mix of power, features, and performance.

Features

• 135 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz?20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC) 145 W/Ch (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7%, 2 channels driven, FTC) 160 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
• 8 HDMI Inputs and 2 Outputs with support for 3D and Audio Return Channel
• THX Select2 Plus and isf Certification
• Network Capability
• Direct Digital Connection of iPod/iPhone via Front & Rear USB Ports

Other Receiver product:

• Onkyo TX-NR709
• Denon AVR3312CI
• Denon AVR2112CI