explore42's stats
- Review count178
- Helpfulness votes611
- First reviewFebruary 26, 2016
- Last reviewSeptember 13, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
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- Answer count24
- Helpfulness votes239
- First answerFebruary 26, 2016
- Last answerDecember 23, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers8
Boost your home theater's audio capabilities with this Definitive Technology Studio Advance sound bar system. The 5.1 channel system offers virtual surround sound and supports 4K and HDR content for your enjoyment. This Definitive Technology Studio Advance sound bar system has Chromecast built in to let you stream music wirelessly and control the speakers with Google Assistant voice commands.
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I am a big fan of Definitive Technology, my home theatre is built around their BP9000 series speakers, but I have some real mixed emotions about this sound bar. Bottom line is that this sound bar will outperform any stock TV speaker however it’s a mixed bag when it comes to overall audio performance. The audio quality was very good for Music and acceptable for movies. If you are looking for a spatial sound stage or distinct 5.1 sound affects you may be disappointed. I played several 5.1 movies with mixed results. The thumps and bumps were loud and crisp in the movies but the sound stage was not spatial enough for me to say that this soundbar outperforms a 3.1 soundbar.
Quick Hits
- The installation was quick and simple with easy instructions to follow.
- Using the supplied HDMI cable and HDMI ARC ports allowed me to use my TV remote for control.
- The LED indicators on the sound bar are intuitive once you understand them. The LEDs will light up in blue or green color to differentiate between DTS and Dolby.
- I was able to play the various DTS and Dolby Digital audio formats (5.1 and 7.1)
- I connected my Blu Ray player to the soundbar and was able to play 4k HDR movies through it. The extra HDMI ports on the soundbar allow you to connect extra devices if you have limited HDMI ports on your TV. I had to use a high quality HDMI 2.2 cable for this to work.
- The Subwoofer is punchy and produces good bass especially in movie mode.
- Bluetooth and Spotify both worked great and were simple to set up.
- After hours of playing neither the soundbar or power supply produced an unreasonable amount of heat. Something to consider when placing the soundbar directly below that expensive TV.
Things to Consider
- The Dolby and DTS 5.1 audio has a limited sound stage. The soundbar does provide good front and center speaker audio but has limited success at mimicking rear speakers.
- The soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos.
- You can control the volume of the center speaker and the bass but there is no EQ available beyond the movie or music setting.
- The Subwoofer’s only light is on the back so you cannot see if its operational from the front! It doesn’t have the standard Def Tech lighted “D” on the front!
- Even though my Subwoofer is about 5 ft from the sound bar it seems to lose connection which is apparent with a short lack of bass. I have verified this by turning the sub around so I could see the light flicker when the bass dropped. Not sure if this is unique to my setup or not.
- Having to use Google for the installation may be a negative for some.
- The packaging is great however the subwoofer is down firing and has no protection over the cone. You have to be careful when unpacking the sub so that you don’t put pressure on the cone when you handle it.
Quick Hits
- The installation was quick and simple with easy instructions to follow.
- Using the supplied HDMI cable and HDMI ARC ports allowed me to use my TV remote for control.
- The LED indicators on the sound bar are intuitive once you understand them. The LEDs will light up in blue or green color to differentiate between DTS and Dolby.
- I was able to play the various DTS and Dolby Digital audio formats (5.1 and 7.1)
- I connected my Blu Ray player to the soundbar and was able to play 4k HDR movies through it. The extra HDMI ports on the soundbar allow you to connect extra devices if you have limited HDMI ports on your TV. I had to use a high quality HDMI 2.2 cable for this to work.
- The Subwoofer is punchy and produces good bass especially in movie mode.
- Bluetooth and Spotify both worked great and were simple to set up.
- After hours of playing neither the soundbar or power supply produced an unreasonable amount of heat. Something to consider when placing the soundbar directly below that expensive TV.
Things to Consider
- The Dolby and DTS 5.1 audio has a limited sound stage. The soundbar does provide good front and center speaker audio but has limited success at mimicking rear speakers.
- The soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos.
- You can control the volume of the center speaker and the bass but there is no EQ available beyond the movie or music setting.
- The Subwoofer’s only light is on the back so you cannot see if its operational from the front! It doesn’t have the standard Def Tech lighted “D” on the front!
- Even though my Subwoofer is about 5 ft from the sound bar it seems to lose connection which is apparent with a short lack of bass. I have verified this by turning the sub around so I could see the light flicker when the bass dropped. Not sure if this is unique to my setup or not.
- Having to use Google for the installation may be a negative for some.
- The packaging is great however the subwoofer is down firing and has no protection over the cone. You have to be careful when unpacking the sub so that you don’t put pressure on the cone when you handle it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Only at Best BuyRecord important life events with this Canon VIXIA camcorder. The high-capacity battery supports up to 4.5 hours of continuous operation to capture every detail, and it's resistant to water, shock and dust for durable use in rugged outdoor environments. Full HD, dynamic zoom and image stabilization features add to the high-quality performance of this Canon VIXIA camcorder.
Customer Rating
5
Versatile Camcorder for Someone on the Go
on July 31, 2019
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
Over all I am happy with the camera and its performance. If you are looking for a good camcorder that can go anywhere, provide decent images and is simple to operate this is the one to get. I chose the blue version and it really stands out due to its blue metallic body.
This camera is actually a cross between a full-sized camcorder and an action cam. It gives you the portability and weatherproof capabilities of an action cam and the optical zoom capabilities and side LCD monitor of a full size camcorder. The camcorder build feels rock solid and fits nicely in your hand. Its about half the size of my other camcorders so it’s easy to pack and go on all the family activities. It has many advanced features but also works just fine on auto for those who just want a simple point and shoot camcorder that is outdoors friendly. I like being outdoors and in the past I have had cameras ruined by sand and water. Because this camcorder is weather proof it is good to go whether you are headed to the beach or the trail.
Things I really liked:
• It’s Weather proof so it can go anywhere you go and still record good video.
• It has a nice sized LCD monitor and yet its small enough to fit in my hiking short’s pocket.
• The 40x optical zoom allows you to get up close when far away. It also has digital zoom capabilities but I found that it has limited use unless you are using a tripod.
• The image stabilization works up to about 20 x with reasonable image quality
• The camcorder has Macro capabilities like my SLR so I can get up close images
• The camcorder feels natural in your hand is easy to operate
• The lens assembly is threaded so you can add filters and lens protectors if you like.
• The side LCD monitor can be rotated so you can see the monitor while recording yourself for v-logging purposes.
• The facial recognition and auto focus worked well in and out of the water. See the photos.
Things that made me pause
• The menu system isn’t the most intuitive luckily there is a good manual on line.
• There are a lot of icons on the menu screen that indicate various functions. It took me some time to understand what they were and their functions.
• No external microphone connection
• No mini HDMI adapter or cable. If you want to play your videos on your TV you will need to purchase the cable or pull the memory card out of the unit.
• To charge the battery or access the hdmi port you have to open the “water tight” seal on the back compartment. I am not sure how reliable that seal will be over time.
• To take a photo when recording video you have to press the camera icon on the side LCD monitor. This means you have to change your focus to find the icon and use your other hand to press the screen to take the shot.
• The sound quality of just ok.
This camera is so close to being the perfect travel companion but It misses the mark in two areas. It doesn’t support 4k which is a debatable issue. I have other 4k camcorders but due to battery consumption and file size I will often shoot at a lower resolution. The highest resolution this camera supports is 1080 which is still good quality video for the typical user. The second issue is that the battery is not replaceable so when the battery runs out you have to either plug it in or use the usb cable and charge it using a power brick while on the go. Note that to power the camera you have to open the water sealed compartment so you need to be careful if you are charging it in the open.
I attached a couple of photos. The one photo is under the water in my pool and as you can see the focus and image quality are quite good. Another photo shows the camera as it is coming out of the water. The lens is still half in the water. This shows that the autofocus has already locked in above the water line because the flowers in the back ground are clear. The last photo is an up close shot of a flower. The autofocus really did a good job with that photo.
This camera is actually a cross between a full-sized camcorder and an action cam. It gives you the portability and weatherproof capabilities of an action cam and the optical zoom capabilities and side LCD monitor of a full size camcorder. The camcorder build feels rock solid and fits nicely in your hand. Its about half the size of my other camcorders so it’s easy to pack and go on all the family activities. It has many advanced features but also works just fine on auto for those who just want a simple point and shoot camcorder that is outdoors friendly. I like being outdoors and in the past I have had cameras ruined by sand and water. Because this camcorder is weather proof it is good to go whether you are headed to the beach or the trail.
Things I really liked:
• It’s Weather proof so it can go anywhere you go and still record good video.
• It has a nice sized LCD monitor and yet its small enough to fit in my hiking short’s pocket.
• The 40x optical zoom allows you to get up close when far away. It also has digital zoom capabilities but I found that it has limited use unless you are using a tripod.
• The image stabilization works up to about 20 x with reasonable image quality
• The camcorder has Macro capabilities like my SLR so I can get up close images
• The camcorder feels natural in your hand is easy to operate
• The lens assembly is threaded so you can add filters and lens protectors if you like.
• The side LCD monitor can be rotated so you can see the monitor while recording yourself for v-logging purposes.
• The facial recognition and auto focus worked well in and out of the water. See the photos.
Things that made me pause
• The menu system isn’t the most intuitive luckily there is a good manual on line.
• There are a lot of icons on the menu screen that indicate various functions. It took me some time to understand what they were and their functions.
• No external microphone connection
• No mini HDMI adapter or cable. If you want to play your videos on your TV you will need to purchase the cable or pull the memory card out of the unit.
• To charge the battery or access the hdmi port you have to open the “water tight” seal on the back compartment. I am not sure how reliable that seal will be over time.
• To take a photo when recording video you have to press the camera icon on the side LCD monitor. This means you have to change your focus to find the icon and use your other hand to press the screen to take the shot.
• The sound quality of just ok.
This camera is so close to being the perfect travel companion but It misses the mark in two areas. It doesn’t support 4k which is a debatable issue. I have other 4k camcorders but due to battery consumption and file size I will often shoot at a lower resolution. The highest resolution this camera supports is 1080 which is still good quality video for the typical user. The second issue is that the battery is not replaceable so when the battery runs out you have to either plug it in or use the usb cable and charge it using a power brick while on the go. Note that to power the camera you have to open the water sealed compartment so you need to be careful if you are charging it in the open.
I attached a couple of photos. The one photo is under the water in my pool and as you can see the focus and image quality are quite good. Another photo shows the camera as it is coming out of the water. The lens is still half in the water. This shows that the autofocus has already locked in above the water line because the flowers in the back ground are clear. The last photo is an up close shot of a flower. The autofocus really did a good job with that photo.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
2of 4voted this as helpful.
Winning in business means working smarter. This HP Color LaserJet Pro M479fdw printer is designed to let you focus your time where it's most effective - growing your business and staying ahead of the competition.Prints up to 27 ISO ppm*, up to 27 ISO ppm* in color
Customer Rating
5
Color Laser that Delivers
on July 16, 2019
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
If you are considering a Color Laser this HP M479fdw should be on your list. It took me very little time to get this printer up and running on our wireless network. The wireless configuration is simple and the connectivity so far has been very reliable which is a major plus. One of the reasons I really like this printer is because it supports both 2.4 and 5 Ghz WiFi. If you have invested in a higher throughput 5ghz wireless router this printer can take advantage of it. Because this printer is replacing an existing HP printer I was able to add this printer to the Windows 10 laptops and desktops using the HP printer software already on the systems. I did have to load the HP app on the Android phones however the IPADs printed natively once the printer was found. Now anyone can print from any device they happen to be using at the time. The printer does all the standard functions like document feeding, double sided printing and copying, document scanning, and faxing quite well and is good or better than other like models that I have used. The speed that this printer wakes up, provides the print job and then goes back to sleep is impressive. It is a feature rich device and although I have not tried all the features yet those that I have tried have met expectation.
Pros:
• Reliable wireless network connectivity including 5ghz compatible
• Easy to setup and use especially if you have used HP printers before
• Prints reliably from every device anywhere on the network. We use IPADs, laptops, PCs and Android phones
• Quality print and copy image both in black in white as well as color
• Noise level while printing is typical, slightly quieter than an Inkjet nearby.
• The printer does not seem to generate much heat during use, a plus for a small office.
• The paper path is easily accessible should you ever have a paper jam.
Things to Consider
• The documentation that comes with the printer can be a little cryptic. If you want better instructions there are manuals and videos on HP.com that cover everything.
• The second paper tray is more like a by-pass door that allows you to do one off print jobs without having to remove your normal paper tray. It is not big enough to be considered a second paper tray.
• This printer is tall especially when you raise the document loader.
Pros:
• Reliable wireless network connectivity including 5ghz compatible
• Easy to setup and use especially if you have used HP printers before
• Prints reliably from every device anywhere on the network. We use IPADs, laptops, PCs and Android phones
• Quality print and copy image both in black in white as well as color
• Noise level while printing is typical, slightly quieter than an Inkjet nearby.
• The printer does not seem to generate much heat during use, a plus for a small office.
• The paper path is easily accessible should you ever have a paper jam.
Things to Consider
• The documentation that comes with the printer can be a little cryptic. If you want better instructions there are manuals and videos on HP.com that cover everything.
• The second paper tray is more like a by-pass door that allows you to do one off print jobs without having to remove your normal paper tray. It is not big enough to be considered a second paper tray.
• This printer is tall especially when you raise the document loader.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Record extra high-definition road footage with this 3.7-megapixel Garmin dash cam. Its voice command recognition provides easy operation, and it alerts you with lane departure and forward collision warnings for driving safety. This GPS-enabled Garmin dash cam includes an 8GB microSD card and lets you capture clear details in HD, Full HD or Quad HD.
Customer Rating
5
Great Dash Cam
on November 13, 2017
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
Verified Purchase:Yes
The mount and set up with this Dash cam is simple. In no time at all it looked like a factory install. The alarms for lane and crash avoidance is reasonably accurate and not annoying. Overall a great buy.
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Step up to high-speed USB 3.0 and transfer your videos, photos and files up to ten times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives. SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive takes the wait out of moving, sharing or backing up big files~now you can transfer a full-length movie from your laptop to your flash drive in less than a minute. Password protection lets you keep your private files private, while still being able to share generously with family and friends. And, with a sleek, sturdy SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive in your pocket, you won~t need an internet connection to access those photos and videos any place or any time you want. For more than 25 years, SanDisk has been known for quality and reliability all around the world.
Customer Rating
5
Big and Fast
on March 17, 2017
Posted by: explore42
Verified Purchase:Yes
I got this to help transfer my music and help me back up my computers. I can fit everything on one drive and if anything fails I have this small usb drive that takes care of everything.
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Denon - AVR 11.2-Ch. Network-Ready 4K Ultra HD and 3D Pass-Through A/V Home Theater Receiver - Black
Stream music directly from your media device with this Denon high-end AV receiver. Eight built-in HDMI ports let you connect a variety of devices, and the 11 amplified channels let you set up this receiver to run components in multiple rooms. This Denon high-end AV receiver comes with built-in streaming services. Includes HDMI 4K Ultra HD and 3D pass-through technologies for compatibility with 3D TVs, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles and 4K Ultra HD TVs.
Customer Rating
5
Great Receiver
on March 17, 2017
Posted by: explore42
Verified Purchase:Yes
I wanted a new receiver that supported Dolby Atmos to boost my home theatre to a 7.4.1. There are very few receivers out there that have 11 amps built in and the Denon offers the best bang for the buck. I used the auto set up with Audyssey and after tweeking a few things I am extremely happy with the overall playback. Ive read and seen on youtube where people have complained about hum - I have very sensitive hearing and I get no hum out of my system at any volume. I am guessing it was fixed in one of the firmware upgrades. Also I noted another reviewer complaining about the video upscaling which doesn't make much sense. I don't know why he didn't use the hdmi pass through if he didn't like the Denon's upscaling. Bottom line is I am extremely happy thus far with the Denon.
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+12points
12of 12voted this as helpful.
Efficiently clean your home with this Hoover UH30600 HEPA upright vacuum that features 3-channel WindTunnel MAX technology to lift and remove dirt from carpets. Seven floor settings accommodate a variety of floor types.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect size with lots of handles
on November 14, 2016
Posted by: explore42
Verified Purchase:Yes
I had an old Hoover that finally died. I loved it because it had several hand grips that allowed me to use it on the steps. Several of the new vacuums today do not have grips but like this so I was thrilled when I found this one from Hoover. So far its worked well, no problem with the tools mounting to the unit and its easy to use on the steps because of all the hand grips.
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
This LG TrueSteam LDT9965BD 24" built-in dishwasher features a TrueSteam generator to easily remove soils and provide gentle cleaning. The EasyRack Plus system enables simple adjustments to accommodate cookware of various sizes.
Customer Rating
4
Super Quiet lots of features and a few issues
on February 26, 2016
Posted by: explore42
Verified Purchase:Yes
My wife wanted Black Stainless so that limited the choices of dishwashers we could choose from. Everyone I talked to said the LG was better than Samsung so we bought this model. It is extremely quiet and does a good job cleaning the dishes. The downside is that the controls are on the upper part of the door so when you close it the display is no longer visible under the counter top. You have 4 little leds on the front to tell you what the dishwasher cycle is but that's it. My biggest gripe is the quality of the racks and spacing. The upper rack has two wider rows around three smaller rows. Bottom line is that unless you have small glasses these rows become somewhat useless. The bottom rack has tons of adjustability but the because of the way the base is made the plates automatically roll into the valleys of the rack. Because the valleys are too close it doesn't matter how you adjust the fingers the plates hit each other on the side. These are Standard size plates nothing special. Bottom line is my old Whirlpool dishwasher held more dishes but it was four times as noisy and didn't clean the dishes as well. So if you don't mind running the dishwasher a little more often due to the capacity this is a great dishwasher.
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
My Best Buy number: 3783960400
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
7of 9voted 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.