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- Review count178
- Helpfulness votes611
- First reviewFebruary 26, 2016
- Last reviewSeptember 13, 2025
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- Average rating4.3
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- Answer count24
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- First answerFebruary 26, 2016
- Last answerDecember 23, 2021
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Great for older kids with a large, over-ear design, the JBuddies Pro offer the ultimate focus for home or school. With all day comfort and a volume regulator to keep young ears safe, these headphones are perfect for sensitve and growing kids ears.
Customer Rating
4
Good Value with a Solid Build
on June 3, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I like JLab products because they are a good value especially when you are outfitting kids. These headphones have a nicely padded headband that is easy to adjust up or down. The earcups are soft and molded for smaller ears so they don’t slip off easily. The cable that goes from the headband to each earcup is a rubberized ribbon cable which is much sturdier than many headphones which just use a thin single wire. The main cable is a braided nylon cable and I like it much better than the typical thin rubberized cable you get on headphones in this price range. Overall the build quality is quite impressive for the price. Inside the earcup there is a volume limiter switch which is easy enough to find but not easy to identify whether its on or off so I made sure the limit switch was on by listening to them myself. With the pc volume on high I noticed quite a difference when I turned the limiter switch on. There is also a track control built into the main cable but its lacking a volume control which I think might have been more useful. The only downside with these headphones is the length of the primary cable which seems about a foot shorter than the other headphones I have bought for the kids.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Soundcore by Anker Mini 3 Pro is a perfect pocket portable bluetooth speaker! Get 360~ of ear-dazzling audio squeezed into something smaller than a coffee cup. With a 15-hour battery life on a single charge and IPX7 waterproof, who says beach and pool parties can't get as wild as you want? It's your sound, your rules, so connect the Mini 3 to the Soundcore app to turn it on, off, adjust the volume, change the sound profile, and much more. A USB-C charging port is included for fast-charging with the latest technologies and Bluetooth 5.0 can keep your audio experience crystal clear with a strong connection.
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
For such a small speaker this versatile Bluetooth speaker has a lot to like. Combined with the Soundcore app and Party cast this speaker offers more options and outperforms most other speakers in its class. The new light ring in this Pro model adds another level of fun to Bluetooth portable speakers.
Pros:
- Good sound quality for a speaker this size. The speaker output is via the top so the sound is top heavy versus other speakers that are side or bottom firing.
-Light Ring adds fun to the music
- Soundcore App offers total control and flexibility. One of the better Bluetooth speaker apps out there.
- Water proof and very portable with a carry strap
- Ability to Party Cast to 100 other speakers and it does Party Cast to other Soundcore models
- Good speaker phone and microphone audio quality
- Good sound quality for a speaker this size. The speaker output is via the top so the sound is top heavy versus other speakers that are side or bottom firing.
-Light Ring adds fun to the music
- Soundcore App offers total control and flexibility. One of the better Bluetooth speaker apps out there.
- Water proof and very portable with a carry strap
- Ability to Party Cast to 100 other speakers and it does Party Cast to other Soundcore models
- Good speaker phone and microphone audio quality
Cons:
- Buttons on the side are hard to find. The control buttons are rubberized black icons on a black background which makes it tough to find them intuitively or in low light.
Speaker: The speaker looks and feels solid. It has some weight but its round sides makes it easy to grasp . It’s too big to fit in a jean’s pocket but drops easily into the cargo pockets on my cargo pants. I’ve carried it around the house while doing projects. Using this speaker I can keep my phone safely tucked away from the action and set out the speaker so I can enjoy an audible book or music while I work. Since its water proof its the go-to speaker for a beach or pool day. It’s a great solution for adding music to the patio when the kids want to dance. The speaker provides good sound dispersion and provides a fair amount of bass with the bass boost on for a speaker this size. Because the speaker is top firing these are great to set on a table or even on the ground. The controls are on the sides towards the bottom and it is the only issue I have with this speaker. The power, volume down, multifunction, volume up and Bluetooth buttons are rubberized mechanical buttons that have icons molded over the button. They are extremely difficult to locate in low lighting and not the easiest to find even though the power button does have a small led light next to it. The rubberized coating is good for water proofing but it makes it more difficult to locate the buttons. This can really a problem if you are using the speaker as a speaker phone because the multipurpose button is the answer button. The audio quality and microphone quality are quite good as a speaker phone. The advertised battery life is 15 hours but I think the actual number of hours depends on the user and the use of the light ring, The speaker has a light ring that really make this speaker stand out. There are multiple light functions in the app to choose from and you can actually pick the colors to use in the rings. I also have a Soundcore Flare 2 and its fairly easy to have it and this Mini 3 Pro party cast together playing the same music.
- Buttons on the side are hard to find. The control buttons are rubberized black icons on a black background which makes it tough to find them intuitively or in low light.
Speaker: The speaker looks and feels solid. It has some weight but its round sides makes it easy to grasp . It’s too big to fit in a jean’s pocket but drops easily into the cargo pockets on my cargo pants. I’ve carried it around the house while doing projects. Using this speaker I can keep my phone safely tucked away from the action and set out the speaker so I can enjoy an audible book or music while I work. Since its water proof its the go-to speaker for a beach or pool day. It’s a great solution for adding music to the patio when the kids want to dance. The speaker provides good sound dispersion and provides a fair amount of bass with the bass boost on for a speaker this size. Because the speaker is top firing these are great to set on a table or even on the ground. The controls are on the sides towards the bottom and it is the only issue I have with this speaker. The power, volume down, multifunction, volume up and Bluetooth buttons are rubberized mechanical buttons that have icons molded over the button. They are extremely difficult to locate in low lighting and not the easiest to find even though the power button does have a small led light next to it. The rubberized coating is good for water proofing but it makes it more difficult to locate the buttons. This can really a problem if you are using the speaker as a speaker phone because the multipurpose button is the answer button. The audio quality and microphone quality are quite good as a speaker phone. The advertised battery life is 15 hours but I think the actual number of hours depends on the user and the use of the light ring, The speaker has a light ring that really make this speaker stand out. There are multiple light functions in the app to choose from and you can actually pick the colors to use in the rings. I also have a Soundcore Flare 2 and its fairly easy to have it and this Mini 3 Pro party cast together playing the same music.
Soundcore App: This has to be one of the best apps for portable speakers. Its simple to understand and it offers great control over the speaker and light ring. The app has three main pages; Equalizer, Home and Light settings. The home page allows you to power off the speaker, check the battery level, play or pause the music and set the volume. The equalizer page has four preset equalizer settings as well as a custom preset that lets you fully customize the equalizer. You can also turn on the bass boost which really does make an impact on the sound quality. The light page has 5 preset lighting patterns. Within some of the patterns you can choose which colors to use which makes the light rings totally customizable to your taste.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Record and view impressive 4K video with this innovative recorder, providing superior clarity when it comes to your security. Customize your experience with a smarter security solution thanks to Smart Motion Detection, which sends notifications when motion from a person or vehicle is detected or when a familiar face is recognized ~ all directly through the Lorex Home~ App. With the Virtual Fence option, extended property monitoring beyond what the cameras motion detection can provide and receive notifications when the Fence line or Area has been crossed. With convenient smart home compatibility and voice control, remote viewing, and Smart Motion Detection, this recorder gives you next-level security to fit your everyday needs.
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
The primary reason to purchase this system vs another brand is the speed with which the Lorex Mobile Home App opens and displays the actual video. I have used other brand’s wired and wireless outdoor cameras and I would get so frustrated because by the time the app would actually display the video on my iphone the delivery guy was in the next zip code! I have timed other apps versus the Lorex Home App on my iphone using my home wi-fi network and the Lorex Home App will consistently show the camera video within 4 seconds of launching the app. This is at least twice as fast as other wired systems I have used and nearly 3 to 4 times faster than all of the wireless cameras I have used. But this Lorex system certainly has some short comings due to the lack of flexibility in camera resolution and frame rate, there is no audio recording by the cameras and it’s difficult to set up email notifications. If you can get past these this is a decent Security Camera system that is quick to respond in the Lorex Home App and it has no monthly fees.
While this system uses 4k cameras that resolution is at a slow 7 frames per second so the video can be choppy especially if there are fast moving items in the video. Also that 4k resolution is only available when viewing the video on a 4k monitor directly attached to the DVR. What you see on your phone, tablet or pc is the sub-stream video at a far lower resolution. The actual default resolution sent to the mobile device is 704x480 with a max resolution of 960x480. They do this to limit the bandwidth required to use remote devices. Its quite a difference from the 4k resolution of 3840x2160 which is the mainstream video that is stored on the DVR. Because the mobile device’s screen is small the image is still quite sharp even at the lower resolutions. To actually gain all the benefit of the 4k cameras you need to be looking at a 4k monitor attached to the DVR via an hdmi cable. Sadly I found no way to lower the resolution on the Lorex cameras so that I could increase the frame rate. The cameras that come with this system actually support up to 15 frames per second per Lorex’s tech specs but the software in the DVR limits you to 7 frames per second no matter what resolution you select.
What I liked about this system:
- Speed, it’s the fastest from notification to viewing video of any camera or system I have tested
- No monthly subscription fees
- 4k video quality is really clear and the viewing angle is wide with minimal distortion. The night vision was clear but not the most colorful under normal night lighting.
- The Smart Motion Sensing worked well and setting up the motion detection zones was simple.
- There is a home and away setting as well as an “alarm all/disarm all” type setting in the Lorex Home App
- The system supports face recognition on two cameras
- The system supports a virtual fence setting which allows you to refine your alert zones for example you can put a virtual fence around your pool that will alert you if anyone crosses the fence and enters the pool.
- The ability to access the video locally on the DVR or remotely using a pc, tablet or phone is plus. You can access the DVR from a PC using Microsoft’s Edge browser and the DVR’s IP address.
- The setup was fairly straight forward as long as you stay with the default settings.
- The Lorex Mobile Home App is very stable, quick to launch, easy to use and navigate.
- Speed, it’s the fastest from notification to viewing video of any camera or system I have tested
- No monthly subscription fees
- 4k video quality is really clear and the viewing angle is wide with minimal distortion. The night vision was clear but not the most colorful under normal night lighting.
- The Smart Motion Sensing worked well and setting up the motion detection zones was simple.
- There is a home and away setting as well as an “alarm all/disarm all” type setting in the Lorex Home App
- The system supports face recognition on two cameras
- The system supports a virtual fence setting which allows you to refine your alert zones for example you can put a virtual fence around your pool that will alert you if anyone crosses the fence and enters the pool.
- The ability to access the video locally on the DVR or remotely using a pc, tablet or phone is plus. You can access the DVR from a PC using Microsoft’s Edge browser and the DVR’s IP address.
- The setup was fairly straight forward as long as you stay with the default settings.
- The Lorex Mobile Home App is very stable, quick to launch, easy to use and navigate.
What I disliked about this system:
- To get email notifications you have to register your system with Lorex and then set up a DDNS. Doing this can be technically challenging. This is the only company that I am aware of that makes you go through this to get email notifications. Luckily the Lorex Home App does provide notifications to your mobile device without having to set up anything special but these are notifications and not emails.
- No audio recording built into the cameras
- As mentioned above the cameras are defaulted to 4k at 7 fps and the software will not allow you to configure a different resolution with a higher frame rate.
- Lorex’s user manual covers the “what” the configuration options are but provides very little information on what the settings actually do, why you would want to use them and what impact they have on the system performance.
- The use of BNC cables and analog cameras are becoming outdated in the digital world
- To get email notifications you have to register your system with Lorex and then set up a DDNS. Doing this can be technically challenging. This is the only company that I am aware of that makes you go through this to get email notifications. Luckily the Lorex Home App does provide notifications to your mobile device without having to set up anything special but these are notifications and not emails.
- No audio recording built into the cameras
- As mentioned above the cameras are defaulted to 4k at 7 fps and the software will not allow you to configure a different resolution with a higher frame rate.
- Lorex’s user manual covers the “what” the configuration options are but provides very little information on what the settings actually do, why you would want to use them and what impact they have on the system performance.
- The use of BNC cables and analog cameras are becoming outdated in the digital world
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Say Hello to Cleaner, Fresher Indoor Air~24/7.Monitor and clean your air 24/7 with the Filtrete~ 310 Sq. Ft. Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms from the most trusted HVAC filter brand in America*. These easy-to-use connected devices automatically improve the quality of the air you breathe, taking action when air quality issues arise at home. The devices also integrate seamlessly with the Filtrete~ Smart App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other smart home products.With so much bad stuff in our indoor air, why not choose an air purifier and filter to help keep your home~s air cleaner and fresher?Included with each Filtrete~ Smart Air Purifier is a True HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of airborne particles**, such as allergens, dust, lint, mold spores, bacteria, viruses and pet dander. Plus, every filter is electrostatically engineered to pull in and trap microscopic airborne particles. Many of those particles are 1000x smaller than you can see.Give yourself some peace of mind with a sleek Filtrete~ Smart Air Purifier that automatically monitors, reacts and purifies air in large rooms.
Customer Rating
4
Good Filter but can be Noisy and no Scheduling
on May 8, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
This Filtrete Air Purifier does a good job cleaning the air without taking up a lot of space. The overall design, controls and smart capabilities make this a well-rounded Air Purifier. The downsides to this Air Purifier is that it is noisy at the higher speeds and although it has a timer it does not have a scheduling feature. I would like to set up a schedule where the filter runs at a higher speed at specific times throughout the day. One thing to note is that the purifier takes air in from the sides and blows it out through the top so both sides and the top need to be in open areas.
Overall Thoughts: The rounded design is good looking and its small footprint allow you to put it in a less conspicuous spot. The Filtrete is constructed with mostly plastic parts which keep it light and manageable. The built-in handles make it easy to move around. The plus side of the plastic walls is there isn’t any additional rumble caused by vibrating metal parts when the fan is running on high. The purifier has three filters, two slide-out pre-filters which are basically screens and then one large HEPA filter which is accessed via a rear door. The pre-filters can be cleaned and reused however the HEPA filter is supposed to be replaced every six months. There are two open grills on the side of the unit which allows the air to be pulled through the pre filters and then the blower forces the air through the HEPA filter and out the top of the unit. As stated above you need to keep the sides open as well as be mindful of the air flow out of the top of the unit. Also because the top grill is directly above the HEPA filter you want to make sure nothing falls down through the grill and into the unit.
Operation: The controls are intuitive and easy to use. They even included a color-coded light that gives you an indication of the air quality without having to think about the numbers. The fan has four speeds, there is a timer, a filter reminder, an on/off switch, a wi-fi indicator, an indicator light control and the air quality number. If you set the fan to auto it will automatically increase the fan speed based upon the air quality. This is a nice feature but it can catch you off guard because the fan goes from near quiet to roaring without you doing anything. The Filtrete has a timer which allows you to set a count down type of timer but it does not have any scheduling capabilities. I would like to have been able to set a schedule so that the filter would run at a higher speed at specific times of the day without my interaction to help the overall circulation and filtration of the air in the room. The indicator light control lets you set the intensity (High, Medium, Off) of the control lights which is important for use in a bedroom. Again, this is something I would like to have had in a scheduling feature so that the lights go off during the night but back on during the day. The Filtrete app is simple to set up, you key in the unit’s code and set up your wifi using your mobile device. The app does give you slightly more information on the air quality, it includes PM 1, PM 2.5 and PM 10 along with the temperature. It also allows you to access the same controls that are on the units control panel. There are Alerts and Tips pages in the app that will give you alerts about your air quality and tips on air quality control. Both Alexa and Google Assistant can be used to interact with the filter if you would like to use a voice assistant.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best Buy The SwannForce~ has crime-fighting features other security systems dream about. Heat and motion-based activity triggers red and blue flashing lights, bright spotlights and loud sirens to intimidate intruders and prevent crime from happening. Activity can trigger push notifications to let you know what~s happening and recording to ensure you have video evidence when you need it. Imagine being able to see faces, tattoos, and license plates with state-of-the-art 4K Ultra HD video and powerful digital zoom to actively watch over entrances, yards, driveways, parking lots, shop floors, storerooms, and customer service areas. With the Swann Security app, you can even watch live or playback video on your smartphone from anywhere in the world. In fact, you can view any of the cameras on your smart TV, and speak to see hands-free via Hey Google or via Alexa devices. Know what~s happening at any hour with powerful infrared night vision and the ability to see color video at night. Swann~s True Detect~ heat and motion detection senses people and cars for more reliable monitoring and fewer false alarms. Mount the cameras inside or outdoors as their weatherproof design is built to withstand rain, snow and heat, all year round. With the SwannForce~ System you~ll get free local recording for up to 180 days+ onto the massive 2TB hard drive with no subscription fees ever and the option to backup video to your Dropbox account. That~s the SwannForce DVR Security System ~ the ultimate crime fighting solution from Swann.
Customer Rating
4
Great System with a not so great Mobile App
on April 19, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
After installing and using the Swann Enforcer system I have found the overall system performs fairly well but there are some shortcomings especially in the mobile app. Below I have tried to list out everything that I really liked about this set up as well as the items that I felt were problematic. This system uses analog cameras and bnc cables – old school cctv, the downside is they aren’t as flexible as most of the newer digital wireless cameras or even ethernet based wired camera systems (NVRs) but on the plus side this system is far less expensive. One thing to keep in mind when looking at these 4k camera systems is that the resolution you see on your phone app is not 4k. What you see on your phone is the substream video at a far lower resolution. The actual default resolution sent to the mobile device is 362x240 with a max resolution of 704x480. Quite a difference from the 4k resolution of 3840x2160 which is the mainstream video that is stored on the DVR. Because the mobile device’s screens are small the image is still quite sharp even at the lower resolutions. To actually gain all the benefit of the 4k cameras you need to be looking at 4k monitor attached to the DVR via an hdmi cable. Also when recording in 4k the frames per second fps drop to 8 which means the image can be very choppy when viewing anything that is moving fast. If you lower the camera resolution to HD 1980x1080 you can then record at 15 fps so it’s a trade off of resolution vs frames per second. Luckily Swann gives you the ability to vary each camera’s resolution and frames per second so you can configure the cameras to meet your requirements.
What I liked about the system:
- Swann provides good documentation on getting the system initialized and its relatively straight forward. If you don’t feel comfortable installing the cameras and system Swann also provides information on how to contact professionals to do the installation.
- The information provided for configuring the cameras within the DVR application is fairly comprehensive and the downloaded manual offers even more details. I highly recommend looking at the manual and checking out on line videos for additional help.
- The 4k video images are clear and there are options to help enhance the image quality.
- The Motion detection worked well and setting up the motion detection zones were easy.
- Setting up alerts and email notifications was simple and they work really well.
- The Enforcer alarm and blinking lights definitely draw attention when set off.
- The night vision is bright and clear but not very colorful under normal night lighting.
- The mobile app was easy to use but its slow opening and buggy as explained below.
- Swann uses “modes” which allow you to set up different configurations for home, night and away.
- The camera head can be rotated and angled on the mount to meet nearly any type of installation.
- No additional cost since the video is recorded and saved locally on the hard drive.
- Swann provides good documentation on getting the system initialized and its relatively straight forward. If you don’t feel comfortable installing the cameras and system Swann also provides information on how to contact professionals to do the installation.
- The information provided for configuring the cameras within the DVR application is fairly comprehensive and the downloaded manual offers even more details. I highly recommend looking at the manual and checking out on line videos for additional help.
- The 4k video images are clear and there are options to help enhance the image quality.
- The Motion detection worked well and setting up the motion detection zones were easy.
- Setting up alerts and email notifications was simple and they work really well.
- The Enforcer alarm and blinking lights definitely draw attention when set off.
- The night vision is bright and clear but not very colorful under normal night lighting.
- The mobile app was easy to use but its slow opening and buggy as explained below.
- Swann uses “modes” which allow you to set up different configurations for home, night and away.
- The camera head can be rotated and angled on the mount to meet nearly any type of installation.
- No additional cost since the video is recorded and saved locally on the hard drive.
What I don’t like about the system:
- The mobile app takes a long time to fully load. First you get the Swann home page and spinning wheel, then you get an image of a DVR and the spinning wheel, then you get camera icons and the spinning wheel then eventually you get your camera images. The app usually takes between 15 to 30 seconds to display images. This is using an Iphone 12 pro on my home wi-fi network using the default substream of 360x240 resolution. Comparatively another wired system I own takes 5 seconds consistently to load. Both my wireless doorbell and wireless outside camera take about 15 seconds to activate and load images so the Swann app is the slowest.
- The mobile app doesn’t work correctly on all settings. Using the app I configured a camera’s motion detection and hit save. When I went back to check the setting I found that it is back to the default setting with no explanation as to why. Because of this issue I do all my configuration directly in the DVR.
- The mobile app doesn’t include all the options that are available in the main DVR configuration page nor does it match or mimic DVR configuration screens.
- The cameras have a small viewing angle of 90 degrees. Many of todays newer cameras have a 130 degree or more viewing angle which means they see a wider view of what is in front of it.
- These cameras use BNC type cables with Siamese power taps and they can be a pain to run through the house. The cables provided are approved for in wall use so you cannot expose the cable or connections to the outside environment.
- The supplied wired mouse is cheap and limits the distance you can sit from the controller.
- There is not a pc app that works with this model. I tried to get the Swann Home Safe View app to work on my windows pc but it does not recognize the DVR. When I checked the Swan support page it does not show the DVR8-5680X as being compatible with the Home Safe View app.
- The mounting hardware and the screws to lock the camera head to the mount are cheap and you can strip out the heads without much force.
- There is not an all camera Alarm On/Off setting in the Mobile App. There are times when I would like to be able to Arm or Unarm all the cameras at once with a single button without having to use one the three mode settings. It does have a Do Not Disturb but that is not the same as being able to arm/unarm all the cameras with a single button.
- The cameras do not have microphones so they do not record any audio.
- The mobile app takes a long time to fully load. First you get the Swann home page and spinning wheel, then you get an image of a DVR and the spinning wheel, then you get camera icons and the spinning wheel then eventually you get your camera images. The app usually takes between 15 to 30 seconds to display images. This is using an Iphone 12 pro on my home wi-fi network using the default substream of 360x240 resolution. Comparatively another wired system I own takes 5 seconds consistently to load. Both my wireless doorbell and wireless outside camera take about 15 seconds to activate and load images so the Swann app is the slowest.
- The mobile app doesn’t work correctly on all settings. Using the app I configured a camera’s motion detection and hit save. When I went back to check the setting I found that it is back to the default setting with no explanation as to why. Because of this issue I do all my configuration directly in the DVR.
- The mobile app doesn’t include all the options that are available in the main DVR configuration page nor does it match or mimic DVR configuration screens.
- The cameras have a small viewing angle of 90 degrees. Many of todays newer cameras have a 130 degree or more viewing angle which means they see a wider view of what is in front of it.
- These cameras use BNC type cables with Siamese power taps and they can be a pain to run through the house. The cables provided are approved for in wall use so you cannot expose the cable or connections to the outside environment.
- The supplied wired mouse is cheap and limits the distance you can sit from the controller.
- There is not a pc app that works with this model. I tried to get the Swann Home Safe View app to work on my windows pc but it does not recognize the DVR. When I checked the Swan support page it does not show the DVR8-5680X as being compatible with the Home Safe View app.
- The mounting hardware and the screws to lock the camera head to the mount are cheap and you can strip out the heads without much force.
- There is not an all camera Alarm On/Off setting in the Mobile App. There are times when I would like to be able to Arm or Unarm all the cameras at once with a single button without having to use one the three mode settings. It does have a Do Not Disturb but that is not the same as being able to arm/unarm all the cameras with a single button.
- The cameras do not have microphones so they do not record any audio.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Whether you~re streaming your favorite show, watching movies, or listening to your favorite music ~ do it all from one device. Take movie night to the next level and with full HD, built-in wifi and fast, high-definition streaming. Get started in seconds with an included HDMI cable for seamless setup.
Customer Rating
3
Great Disc Player but Outdated Steamer
on April 7, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I would only recommend this player if you are looking to play CD, DVD or non-4k Blu-ray disc . If you own a 4k TV or 4k Blu-ray disc then you definitely want to pass on this model. Also the streaming capability is very limited due to the lack of common apps – no Amazon, Spotify, Hulu, Discovery, Disney or many other popular apps that you can find on the vast majority of streaming devices today. Because of this I would not recommend this player for streaming purposes.
Setup And Streaming: Getting the player operational was fairly straight forward. Once I connected the hdmi cable and powered it up I was able to connect it to my wireless network without issue. This is where the disappointment started because the home screen has very few of the popular streaming apps and there is no way to add ones that are missing. I also noticed that the app selection process was slow and tedious, its definitely not in the same class as even the lower cost Roku or Amazon sticks available today. The remote control’s size and functionality were good and it worked well with the player.
Playing: This is where this player really shined. The DVD and Blu-ray load times were very fast. I was able to play music CDs that were purchased as well as created on my pc. I was able to play every type of DVD including home videos I created on DVDs using my pc. The player did a reasonably good job upscaling the DVDs to HD but it was definitely obvious that it was being upscaled due to the clarity of the resolution. I was also able to play Blu-ray content and the HD resolution was fantastic. The clarity and colors were great and typical of what you would expect from a Sony device. The player has a USB port on the front of the unit and I was able to play music, display photos and play videos from a USB drive. The only downside of this player is that there are no controls (play, stop, fast forward, rewind, pause) on the front of the player so you are totally reliant on the remote control. If you ever lose the remote any universal remote should work but its definitely an inconvenience to not have the standard function buttons on the front of the player.
Pros:
- Played every CD, DVD and non-4k Blu-ray disc that I tried.
- Played music files, photos and video files using the USB port
- Compact design and small footprint
- Fast at loading DVD and Blu-ray disc
- Supports wi-fi as well as hard wired ethernet connections
- Played every CD, DVD and non-4k Blu-ray disc that I tried.
- Played music files, photos and video files using the USB port
- Compact design and small footprint
- Fast at loading DVD and Blu-ray disc
- Supports wi-fi as well as hard wired ethernet connections
Cons:
- Doesn’t support many popular apps and there is no way to add them
- No front panel control buttons (Play, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Pause)
- Doesn’t upscale to 4k or support 4k content
- Streaming functions were tedious and slow
- Doesn’t support many popular apps and there is no way to add them
- No front panel control buttons (Play, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Pause)
- Doesn’t upscale to 4k or support 4k content
- Streaming functions were tedious and slow
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+24points
24of 24voted this as helpful.
The Roomba 600 series robot vacuum is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter. It learns your cleaning habits and then offers up custom cleaning schedules~taking on daily dirt, dust, and debris from carpets and hard floors. It even has an edge-sweeping brush to get into corners and along edges. Google Assistant and Alexa compatibility let you start a cleaning session with just your voice, or simply use the iRobot Home App. When your area~s pollen count is high or during pet shedding season, the Roomba 600 series robot vacuum can even suggest extra cleanings ~to help keep your floors clean every day of the year. *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
The iRobot Roomba 694 is not the fanciest or smartest Roomba vacuum available but it does an adequate job vacuuming. It has most of the typical iRobot features like the Roomba avoidance sensors, 3 stage vacuuming, it can be controlled and scheduled using the iRobot Home app via wi-fi, its compatible with all flooring types and it can interface with Alexa and Google home. While this unit is missing some of the more advanced features found on the more expensive models it is capable of doing the standard vacuum chores around the house. It uses random cleaning patterns vs a mapped out cleaning pattern. The plus here is that you don’t have vacuum marks left in your carpet where the vacuum has run week after week. The downside is that this vacuum is more apt to run into things and because of its random nature there is no guarantee it will vacuum the entire area before the battery is depleted. If you have an older Roomba like I do you will be surprised to find that the dustbin is smaller and the filter is curved vs the old style rectangle. Due to the smaller bin size you definitely want to empty the dustbin after every use especially if you have pets. The dustbin filter, the corner brush and the rollers are easily accessible and easy to replace when worn out. So far I am able to get about 80 minutes of carpet vacuuming between charges. Unlike the more expensive models this Roomba will randomly vacuum until its battery is low and then it returns to the base unit. It does not go back out once recharged to cover any areas that were not vacuumed in the first round. Overall I like this vacuum but it is more prone to get stuck because of its random pattern of vacuuming and it is definitely noisier than previous models which I have owned.
Pros:
- Typical iRobot Roomba quality
- Works on hardwood as well as carpet
- Easy to access brushes and easy to empty the dustbin
- Works with iRobot virtual Wall Barriers
- Compatible with iRobot Home app via wi-fi
- Compatible with Google Home and Alexa
Pros:
- Typical iRobot Roomba quality
- Works on hardwood as well as carpet
- Easy to access brushes and easy to empty the dustbin
- Works with iRobot virtual Wall Barriers
- Compatible with iRobot Home app via wi-fi
- Compatible with Google Home and Alexa
Cons:
- This Roomba is louder than previous models
- No Virtual Barriers are included
- Random pattern of vacuuming is more prone to miss areas
- Can have a difficult time docking
- Small dustbin with an oddly hinged dustbin door
- Not compatible with older iRobot filters
- This Roomba is louder than previous models
- No Virtual Barriers are included
- Random pattern of vacuuming is more prone to miss areas
- Can have a difficult time docking
- Small dustbin with an oddly hinged dustbin door
- Not compatible with older iRobot filters
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1of 2voted this as helpful.
Whether you prefer pods or drip, choose how you brew with the Mr. Coffee Pod + 10-Cup Space-Saving Combo Brewer. This programmable coffee maker lets you to brew a single cup using a pod, or up to 10 cups of drip coffee into a carafe. The pod holder attachment makes this coffee maker more versatile: you can brew 2 ways, and save countertop space. This coffee making machine is designed with a Strong Brew Selector, as well as an advanced water filtration system to help improve coffee flavor. This drip coffee maker also features a stainless steel thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. When brewing a carafe, if you need a cup before brewing is finished, use the Grab-a-Cup feature. Also includes removable reservoir, and a reusable single-serve filter.
Customer Rating
4
Dual Purpose Space Saver
on March 25, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
Finally, a Coffee maker that can brew a pot of coffee as well as brew a cup from a pod. My wife is in love with this coffee maker because we just freed up a fair amount of counterspace. Even though this coffee maker is slimmer in size it has all the same features and brews just as good a cup of coffee as the Mr. Coffee maker it was replacing. We also think this brews pods as good if not better than the other pod brewers that it is replacing. The strong brew selector and the Select-a-Cup feature both worked like just like our older Mr. Coffee maker so we didn’t lose anything in this upgrade. The water reservoir can be filled by removing the lid and pouring water in to fill it or you can remove the entire reservoir and fill it at the sink and then mount it back in the coffee maker – both are easy and convenient to do. One nice feature about the water reservoir is that it comes with a replaceable water filter. I have a love hate relationship with the carafe. It definitely keeps the coffee warm for a long time but because of its shape and lid opening it can be difficult at times to manage. To pour coffee you need to push a button near the handle to open the pour spout but because the carafe is so rounded you have to raise the carafe higher than a normal pitcher to get the coffee to pour. When the carafe is full it can be heavy and when its near empty you really have to angle it to get the last cup out. All considering we are very happy with this coffee maker.
Pros:
- Doesn’t take up a lot of space on the counter and replaces two larger units!
- Brews up to 10 cups of coffee with an easy to fill reservoir
- Brews pods as good if not better than the original
- Because of the way the pod holder mounts in the coffee maker it is very easy to clean
- Built in water filter which is easy to access and easy to replace
- Carafe keeps the coffee hot for a long time, no coffee maker left on all day
- Easy to select number of cups you want to brew up to 10
Pros:
- Doesn’t take up a lot of space on the counter and replaces two larger units!
- Brews up to 10 cups of coffee with an easy to fill reservoir
- Brews pods as good if not better than the original
- Because of the way the pod holder mounts in the coffee maker it is very easy to clean
- Built in water filter which is easy to access and easy to replace
- Carafe keeps the coffee hot for a long time, no coffee maker left on all day
- Easy to select number of cups you want to brew up to 10
Cons:
- The carafe can be heavy when full and because it is solid its not possible to see how much coffee is in the pot.
- The carafe has a small lid opening so its difficult to clean
- The lid on the carafe is button operated and it’s a slow pour.
- The carafe can be heavy when full and because it is solid its not possible to see how much coffee is in the pot.
- The carafe has a small lid opening so its difficult to clean
- The lid on the carafe is button operated and it’s a slow pour.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
The new Dell 24" Curved Gaming Monitor is equipped with a 4ms Response Time - 165Hz - AMD FreeSync™ Premium Technology featuring Vertical Alignment, Anti-glare with 3H hardness, and 1500R Curvature. Adjustable height and LED screen, this 24" monitor is equipped for ultimate game play.
Customer Rating
5
Full Featured Gaming Monitor
on March 19, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
Getting a monitor that gives you a great FHD panel with a high refresh rate for a reasonable amount of money has just gotten easier. This Dell monitor once I got it fully set up really amazed me. The overall display quality, build, stand flexibility and ease of set up makes this monitor a real winner. Naturally one of Dell’s larger curved monitors will give you a more immersive feel but if you don’t have the space or the money this is a great alternative.
Features: The display is VA panel which supports FHD 1920 x 1080 with a refresh rate up to 165hz. It has up to a 178 degree viewing angle and a 3000:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks. The response times are 1ms in MPRT mode, 4ms Gray to Gray (GtG) in Super Fast mode and 8ms GtG in Fast mode. There are two HDMI ports, a Display Port and a Headphone/audio out jack. The monitor has the typical Dell stand which gives you total control over the display height and angle. I think this is more important with a curved screen than a flat screen. To get the full immersive feel you need to have the monitor at eye level so that your eyes are aligned with the middle of the screen. Since this is a 24” monitor I set mine up so that I was sitting about 1.2 ft away for playing games, that is the minimum recommended distance for a 16 x 9, 24” FHD display. When doing anything else I would move back to about 24 inches from the screen. If you sit close your games are going to become far more intensive. The display has a very thin side bezel so all the control buttons are on the right rear of the panel. There is one main joy stick menu button and four function buttons. These are the buttons you need to access the set-up menu but more importantly you use them for selecting input source, short cuts and game presets. So when choosing where to put the monitor its important to make sure you can get your hand around the right side of the display. The other option is load Dell’s Display Manager (DDM) app for windows and control everything via the app.
Setup: After I put the monitor together on its stand and cabled it I went through the basic set up items. My gaming laptop can do up to 144 hz at FHD so I configured Windows for 1080 at 144hz and set the monitor’s response time settings to MPRT – note that MPRT only works with 144hz and 165hz refresh rates. Next I checked out the monitors performance using the Eizo monitor test and TestUFO. The panel was perfect with no pixel issues and the colors and gray scales were uniform across the panel. Playing with the TestUFO I was able to see how much the 144 hz refresh improved over a standard 60hz rate. I repeated this same process with my desktop which support FHD 1080 at the 165hz refresh rate. Again the monitor looked and performed great. There are five preset game settings and 3 customizable presets as well. The preconfigured presets are Standard, FSP First-Person Shooter, MOBA Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, RPG Role-Playing Games and Sports. These are definitely something you are going to want to play around with and if you don’t like them you can create up to three more presets to meet your taste.
Bottom Line: What I really like about this monitor is that the colors are vivid and blacks are reasonably black. Some of my games seemed to run better under MPRT and others seemed to look better using the Super Fast response time. I’m not sure how much of this was personal preference vs measurable performance but I played with the settings until I found what I liked. I would recommend making sure your game’s refresh rate is set correctly because I found several of mine defaulted to 60 fps and I had to manually change it. I also found that because it’s a curved monitor the in-game camera angles can change the immersive feel. Viewing the game from inside the car was much more immersive than having the camera show a bird’s eye view from behind. You need to try the various options because what worked on a flat screen may not give you the maximum benefit of this curved monitor. Lastly because this is a VA monitor its good for general use as well. Getting used to the curved screen while doing spreadsheets and documents does take a little getting used to but once you do it becomes a non-issue.
Bottom Line: What I really like about this monitor is that the colors are vivid and blacks are reasonably black. Some of my games seemed to run better under MPRT and others seemed to look better using the Super Fast response time. I’m not sure how much of this was personal preference vs measurable performance but I played with the settings until I found what I liked. I would recommend making sure your game’s refresh rate is set correctly because I found several of mine defaulted to 60 fps and I had to manually change it. I also found that because it’s a curved monitor the in-game camera angles can change the immersive feel. Viewing the game from inside the car was much more immersive than having the camera show a bird’s eye view from behind. You need to try the various options because what worked on a flat screen may not give you the maximum benefit of this curved monitor. Lastly because this is a VA monitor its good for general use as well. Getting used to the curved screen while doing spreadsheets and documents does take a little getting used to but once you do it becomes a non-issue.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
5of 8voted this as helpful.
The Sonance Mag Series 2.1-channel outdoor rock speaker system is a $1,300 value.~ Bundle includes (2) MAGMR6 satellite rock speakers and (1) MAGMR10W rock woofer. ~ Elevate your outdoor soundscape with the Sonance MAGROCKS2.1 Outdoor Rock Speaker System, a premium 2.1-channel setup designed to disappear into natural surroundings while delivering crystal-clear audio. This weather-resistant outdoor speaker system includes two 6.5" satellite rock speakers and a powerful 10" rock woofer, offering high-fidelity performance across patios, gardens, and open-air spaces. With its rugged fiberglass-reinforced enclosures and realistic stone-like finish, the MAGROCKS2.1 system blends seamlessly into landscaping while withstanding UV rays, heat, rain, snow, and poolside splashes. Whether you're entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet evening outside, this discreet outdoor sound system fills your space with rich, dynamic sound, featuring clear highs, smooth mids, and immersive low frequencies. Built for seamless compatibility with leading platforms like Sonos, Bluesound, and Denon HEOS, the MAGROCKS2.1 is simple to install and scales effortlessly with your outdoor audio system. From casual backyard listening to rich, all-encompassing outdoor audio, Sonance delivers performance you can hear but not see.
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
My previous outdoor speakers were mounted on my deck and provided good sound quality but most of it went to the neighbors due to where I had to mount them. These Sonance Magrocks allow me to place the speakers lower and closer to where we want the music to be heard. The addition of the woofer definitely is an improvement in the sound quality.
Pros: Good Build Quality, Visually Appealing, Overall Good Sound Quality
Cons: Spring Loaded Connector!
Build Quality: These speakers are solid and definitely carry some weight. The overall rock appearance helps the speakers become less noticeable in the yard. The bottom of the speaker where they are sealed was heavily caulked and because it is on the bottom none of it shows. They used clear caulk which I think will be easy to monitor and replace should it ever fail. The satellite speakers have a 1” tweeter and a 6 ½ “ mid-range/woofer. The woofer has a 10” woofer and utilizes a 150 hz low pass filter to derive its sound. Combined the speakers provide a 35 to 20khz response. The satellite speakers have a 6 foot wire permanently attached and these connect to the woofer. The woofer then attaches to your amplifier and uses high pass filters to supply the music to the satellites. The connector panel on the bottom of the woofer uses spring loaded connectors! I would have thought that speakers this expensive would have had banana connectors / 5 way binding post . I am not a fan of spring loaded connectors and would replace them if I could.
Setup: Because these speakers require a separate amplifier there is no requirement for electric near the speakers which is a plus if you are installing them around a pool like I am. There are three speakers, two satellites providing the left and right channels and a single woofer that sits in the center. You need to purchase and run outdoor speaker wire from your amplifier to the woofer. Then you connect the wiring that is already attached to each satellite to the woofer. There is a plate that covers the wiring connector underneath the woofer to keep things somewhat sealed from the outside.
Cons: Spring Loaded Connector!
Build Quality: These speakers are solid and definitely carry some weight. The overall rock appearance helps the speakers become less noticeable in the yard. The bottom of the speaker where they are sealed was heavily caulked and because it is on the bottom none of it shows. They used clear caulk which I think will be easy to monitor and replace should it ever fail. The satellite speakers have a 1” tweeter and a 6 ½ “ mid-range/woofer. The woofer has a 10” woofer and utilizes a 150 hz low pass filter to derive its sound. Combined the speakers provide a 35 to 20khz response. The satellite speakers have a 6 foot wire permanently attached and these connect to the woofer. The woofer then attaches to your amplifier and uses high pass filters to supply the music to the satellites. The connector panel on the bottom of the woofer uses spring loaded connectors! I would have thought that speakers this expensive would have had banana connectors / 5 way binding post . I am not a fan of spring loaded connectors and would replace them if I could.
Setup: Because these speakers require a separate amplifier there is no requirement for electric near the speakers which is a plus if you are installing them around a pool like I am. There are three speakers, two satellites providing the left and right channels and a single woofer that sits in the center. You need to purchase and run outdoor speaker wire from your amplifier to the woofer. Then you connect the wiring that is already attached to each satellite to the woofer. There is a plate that covers the wiring connector underneath the woofer to keep things somewhat sealed from the outside.
Performance: I hooked the speakers up to a Yamaha receiver that provides 140 watts of power. The satellite speakers provide good mids and highs with clarity. I tried various favorite songs and they performed well without showing any distortion even at the higher volume levels. Because the Woofer plays the bass for both the left and right speaker it needs to be located in the center and not too far from either satellite. I noticed that when you move the satellites too far away from the woofer you start to notice the sound originating from the woofer which is not what you want to hear. When they are properly spaced per the installation specs, 6 to 12 feet apart the woofer seems to disappear and the sounds all seem to originate out of the satellites. I would highly recommend considering this when figuring out where to place the speakers. Originally I wanted to put the satellites at the ends of our wall with the woofer in the center but the sound quality suffered so I opted to move the speakers closer to the woofer. Second choice was in the small flower garden that is waiting for spring as shown in the photos.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1of 3voted this as helpful.
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Enjoy true high-definition surround sound from your home theater with this Definitive Technology speaker. With powerful left/right speaker dispersion and balanced surround sound, this speaker immerses you in an enjoyable audio experience. Sized to fit unobtrusively into home theater systems, this Definitive Technology speaker includes iconic design elements that enhance the visual aesthetic of your system.
Can I use them as atmos speaker setup
These are surround speakers. For full atmos sound you need speakers that bounce the sound off the ceiling. Def tech makes speakers specifically to do this. They attach on top of the tower speakers.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
explore42
This Danby Designer DDW1899BLS-1 built-in dishwasher's water-softener system helps eliminate select water-based minerals in locations where hard water is an issue. The 7 wash cycles provide versatile options to suit a wide range of cleaning needs.
Air Dry and Turn off Manually?
Can you confirm or clarify please. It says no heated dry so that means they have to air dry? One person said you have to manually hit button to turn off at end of cycle. Is this true?
Good question but not sure how to answer this. Its kind of magic because it uses some type of evaporation process. My old dishwasher had a heated dry and an air dry. If you used the air dry the dishes were still wet at the end of the cycle. With this unit the dishes are fully dry without using a heater element. The manual explains the technology but bottom line is works fine for me and uses less electric.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
explore42
Clean every inch of every dish. This Samsung appliance washes away heavy foods without the need for you to pre-rinse. Plus, the quiet operation mean you won’t be interrupted by loud noises while the dishwasher is running.
Is this hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Contractor needs to know: Is this hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Mine is hard wired. I would suspect it is whatever the installer chooses to do.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
explore42
Whirlpool Gold 24" Tall Tub Built-In Dishwasher: Ensure a deep and sanitized clean with this high-powered dishwasher. Its soil-sensing technology, along with a unique silverware spray mechanism, produces exceptionally clean dishes for a generous amount of family and guests.
Rotating spray arm?
Wondering if this dishwasher has a rotating spray arm that sits under the class rack? There are no photos that show the interior.