Chuck's stats
- Review count115
- Helpfulness votes404
- First reviewOctober 27, 2012
- Last reviewApril 26, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
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- Answer count4
- Helpfulness votes4
- First answerJanuary 2, 2015
- Last answerNovember 7, 2020
- Featured answers0
- Best answers2
Stay active with this Suunto Spartan Trainer watch. It has 24/7 activity tracking with a heart rate monitor to keep track of goals and target zones, and its sport-specific training modes help you get the most from your workout. The integrated GPS on this Suunto Spartan Trainer watch lets you trace your steps.
Customer Rating
4
NIce looking watch, tons of features
on February 28, 2018
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
The Suunto Spartan Trainer HR is a very nice looking watch that has enough features to satisfy even hardcore users. The watch is large enough to allow you to easily view stats when you're training, but it's not so large as to make the watch look gaudy if you want to wear it for more than just training. I also like that I can change the face. Although there aren't a ton of faces, it does allow you several options, and I assume they can add more if they choose to. I've actually been wearing this watch as my main watch for a few weeks, and it's extremely comfortable. It seems rugged enough, but I will probably invest in a cover for the face since most of my watches have scratches on the face where I've slammed them into a corner when reaching for something.
The watch interface is fairly intuitive (a slight learning curve if you hate reading manuals), and navigating through the interface is very easy using the five buttons. I personally like the buttons instead of having to rely on a touch screen. The screen is quite easy to read, but if it's too dim, just hit a button to momentarily activate the back-light. I've been fairly busy since I got this watch, so I haven't used every feature it offers, but I have taken several 5+ mile runs and the GPS tracking is almost spot on. You can create your own routes if you want, and one interesting feature is the ability to mark points of interest, which would be really nice on long outings. I was initially disappointed in the heartrate accuracy, but it improves greatly once you 'break a sweat'. I do wish the HR monitoring was more accurate when not training. One other thing I've noticed is that the 'step tracker' can be fairly inaccurate. For instance, while working at my desk for a few hours, I was surprised to see I had managed over 500 steps. I guess it has something to do with wrist movement, so I'm hoping this is fixed in a firmware update. I've been getting about 6 days of battery life which will most likely drop when I have more time to bike, but I'm sure the battery life will be more than adequate.
Overall I'm quite pleased with the watch. It looks good, feels great, and does a good job of tracking what I'm interested in.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance your listening experience with these Plantronics headphones. They wirelessly connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device to eliminate the hassle of traditional corded models, and they work with Siri, Cortana and other virtual assistants for convenient control. A single charge lasts up to 18 hours, so you can listen to your Plantronics headphones worry-free all day long.
Customer Rating
4
Nice on ear headphones
on January 29, 2018
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
The Plantronics Backbeat FIT 505 headphones are quite good; they are lightweight, comfortable to wear for hours (especially for being on-ear), they sound great, and they look nice.
As with most new BT devices, pairing these with my phone was effortless. They were fully charged right out of the box, so I decided to try them out while I was installing some hard-wood flooring. I'm not a huge fan of on-the-ear headphones, but these are quite comfortable; the headband is adjustable as you'd expect, and the ear-cups have plenty of rotational play, so even when I was installing flooring (walking, turning, kneeling, bending over, moving items) the headphones stayed in place... and they were extremely comfortable. I listened to talk radio as well as music, and I was pleased with the sound reproduction for both. The only thing that bothered me was that the noise isolation didn't seem to be that good (at least not what I've experienced from other headphones). When my air compressor would kick on (about 20 ft away), no amount of volume made any difference; whatever I was listening to just got drowned out. Granted, an air compressor is fairly loud, but I noticed the same problem when outside in windy conditions... although not as bad. However, when just using these around the house, the amount of noise isolation they provide seems fine... they keep out external noises such as the TV or phone conversations.
All in all, I think this product is worth a look if you're looking for a set of on-the-ear headphones; they're very comfortable, sound good and they're not very expensive.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
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Train with technology and maximize your run with this ProSense GPS running watch. Featuring built-in GPS, this lightweight watch logs your route, tracks your pace and even measures your stride length to chart your progress. CardioSense on-wrist heart rate monitoring helps keep your run heart healthy, while smart notifications on this ProSense GPS running watch alert you to calls and messages.
Customer Rating
3
Nice watch, but beware the app
on December 24, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
This watch tracks quite a lot, but as a complete package (because of the app), it's a bit of a disappointment. For running/walking the watch is great; it tracks distance, time, speed, calories, etc, it's light-weight, the band is open which easily helps get rid of sweat, and the GPS accuracy is great (although acquisition takes a bit of time to complete at times). I am a bit put off by the charging cord which is a large clip instead of the basic universal USB that I expected. I'm not sure why Epson went with this type of connection, unless they wanted to make the watch as water proof/resistant as possible. However, if they were going for water-proof angle for swimming, then I would assume you could add swimming to the activity modes tracked by the watch. This is where my biggest complaint comes in; the android app is all but useless. Supposedly you can set the watch settings via the app and even add activities that aren't present by default. I'm not sure if this watch model supports swimming or biking because each time I have tried to add activities, the app freezes. I have a Samsung S8, so any app that completely freezes is a huge disappointment for me. Yes, the web-based application allows you to track your sessions using all kinds of breakdowns, but if the watch is supposed to allow 'fine tuning' via the app, then the app should work. I have tried to find fixes for the app online, but it seems as if the app either works for people or it doesn't. I write software, that doesn't make sense to me.
Overall, I would recommend the watch for running/walking, but again, the app appears to be hit or miss. I'm giving the watch 4 stars, but the app gets 1... I'll round the overall to 3 stars in the hopes Epson fixes the app.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Arlo Pro 2 keeps an eye on your home while you're away, in brilliant 1080p HD quality. Put the 100% wire-free, weather-resistant camera anywhere, indoors or out. Then, power it with the included rechargeable battery or plugged it in (when indoors) to access activity zones and 24/7 Continuous Video Recording upgrades. Use 2-way audio or remotely sound a 100+ device siren while catching every moment with night vision and advanced motion detection. You'll even get motion and sound-activated alerts and 7 days of free cloud video recordings. Arlo Pro 2 works with Amazon Alexa to make your smart home security even more simple and effective.
Customer Rating
5
Nice video security
on November 29, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
This is the first wireless security system I've tried, so i don't have anything to compare it to, but I must say that I'm impressed by this one. The first thing that surprised me was how fast it was to unbox the system and get it up and running; I had the base station set up, both cameras synced, and the app installed with 10 minutes. Hanging the cameras took a bit longer, but even that was relatively simple and there's even a feature in the app that helps you aim the camera in real-time without having to view video. Since I had planned on using both cameras inside my house, I intended to have them both plugged in, so I was disappointed to see that there was only one power adapter and cord for the two cameras. I did have some spare adapters and cords that would've worked, but since I was going out of town for a few weeks, I decided to leave one of the cameras on battery power just to test the battery life. I didn't bother with setting up a schedule for the system, I just armed it when I left town and waited to see what happened. I had read that this system sometimes exhibited lag when recording video after motion was detected, but I didn't experience that at all (perhaps the lag was in an earlier version). Anytime I was alerted to motion (caused by my friend I had coming by to check on things and occasionally one of my two cats) the cameras seemed to catch every bit of action. The cats did sometimes trip the motion detectors a bit too often, but I believe when I have time, I can get rid of most of that with the sensitivity settings and possibly slightly repositioning the cameras. The clarity of the video, even when the cameras were using night vision, was incredible. I also loved the ability to watch live video feeds from both cameras at the same time if i wanted. The two-way audio is a very useful feature; I actually used it once to ask my friend that was checking on my house to re-aim one of the cameras. The ability to see the battery charge from the app is also useful, but in my case it wasn't really needed since after 2 weeks of being armed, the battery in the unplugged camera still had more than half power. As far as video recording goes, I currently have the basic subscription, which is free and only allows 1GB of cloud storage for up to 7 days. This subscription only supports 5 cameras, so if I want to get 5 additional cameras to completely cover both inside and outside of the house, I'll not only have to buy the cameras, but I'll also have to cough up an additional $99/year to get coverage for up to 10 cameras. The jury's still out on that, but I will definitely buy a few additional cameras to add to the current coverage.
Overall, I'm very happy with this security system. It's very easy to set up and does exactly what it's supposed to, and it does it well. The cameras are relatively small and unobtrusive, the video is crystal clear (even with night vision), and the two-way audio allows you to listen in and/or speak to the location where the camera is. The app is well designed, giving you access to everything you need, and it's very stable; I've had no problems with it since I installed it on my phone over 2 weeks ago. I would definitely recommend this system to anyone wanting a nice video security system.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-2points
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Clean fur, dust and dander quickly with this Hoover REACT cordless pet vacuum. Integrated sensors automatically adjust the level of suction and the brush roll speed to handle different floor types. This Hoover REACT cordless pet vacuum uses a long-lasting lithium battery, so you can clean the whole room without a recharge.
Customer Rating
4
Good product... could be MUCH better
on November 13, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
The Hoover React Whole Home Cordless Pet Stick Vacuum is a good product, but it could be so much better with some simple design changes.
Right out of the box, the vacuum looks a bit overwhelming; there seem to be way too many pieces. However, after a quick look at the manual, assembly is fairly straight forward and quick, and then it becomes apparent that there's actually a place for all of the attachments and pieces. The packaging states that the battery is shipped uncharged, but mine was fully charged, so after assembly, I tried it out on my living room low pile area rug. The vacuum is lightweight which is nice, and it does have nice power, but when I pulled the vacuum back towards me, it would occasionally 'bounce' like the brush was grabbing the rug and trying to pull the unit forward. I'm not sure if this was because of the style of the rug or the fact that the Floorsense feature on the vacuum seemed to be constantly changing the speed of the brush even though the unit never left the rug. I attempted to contact Hoover about this, but after 10-15 minutes of listening to a message telling me my call was important, I hung up. I then revisited the manual hoping to find some information on the problem I was having, and I discovered there was an app I could install that would allow me to customize the Floorsense feature. The app had bad reviews, but I thought I'd try it anyway... I was unimpressed to say the least. I tried everything I could think of, and the app never even saw the vacuum. Again, I tried calling Hoover, but again, after about 10 minutes, I hung up. If you're going to have phone support, don't make your customers wait! Needless to say, my first impression of this vacuum was not good. However, after a week of use, its convenience does a decent job of making up for its idiosyncrasies. I have 2 indoor cats, and this vacuum does a great job of 'de-furring' the carpets, rugs and furniture. The multitude of attachments allows you to find the right tool for the job at hand. Add to that the fact that the battery life allows the cleaning of 1-2 rooms without recharging, and the vacuum does have some bright spots.
There are still some things that bother me about this unit. First, the vacuum is not free standing, and I'm not sure why since it would be fairly easy to do by allowing the main tube to lean slightly over the brush head and then have a hook on the lower front of the tube for the head of the unit to sit. I also don't like how difficult it is to remove and replace the attachments; I had hoped this would get easier with use, but so far taking the power head off or removing the main tube from the brush head takes some wiggling. One major design flaw in this respect, I believe, is the lack of a foot activated clip to release the tube from the brush head; it's annoying to have to bend over and fiddle with a thumb release when there are other examples of vacuums with foot releases. Also, the clip that allows two attachments to be held on the vacuum tends to slip and loosen while vacuuming. Again, this is such a simple fix, I'm not sure how Hoover allowed it out the door; just put some grooves in the tube and let the clip snap into them. The last thing is the power button itself. I'm not sure why they didn't just make it a simple on/off trigger instead of making you pull it twice for continuous power. Maybe it's good to have the option, but I always pull it twice.
Overall, I'm kind of mixed on this vacuum. I really would love to talk to a Hoover CSR, but until I have 30 minutes to waste, I'm not going to even try. This vacuum is convenient, and it does clean very well, but it could be made SO much better with just some very simple changes. I would like to give this vacuum 3.5 stars, but since I can't I'm going to give it 4 since I do think it's better than 3. Although it might seem like I've picked this product apart, I would still recommend it just on the basis that it does a great job at cleaning.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
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Enjoy clear audio without distraction while wearing these Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless earbuds. They have a sweat-resistant coating and lightweight design that's comfortable to wear and stays in place as you exercise or lounge. These Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless earbuds come with interchangeable tips in different sizes, providing a secure, noise-blocking fit.
Customer Rating
5
Extremely comfortable with great sound
on November 13, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
The Backbeat FIT 305 headphones are very nice. They are lightweight, the ear-tips are EXTREMELY comfortable, and they sound great. Right out of the box, these even leave you with a good first impression; the cloth covered cord is a nice addition that gives the headphones a quality look and feel.
These headphones came fully charged, so all I had to do was pair them with my phone which was quick and simple. There are additional ear-tips that can be used, but the ones that came installed were perfect for my ears. The ear-tips are super soft, but instead of being round, they're oval. The fit, at least for me, was incredible, and subsequently the noise isolation was superb. I wore them for 2-3 hours while I was doing yard work (raking/blowing leaves, moving downed branches, trimming bushes/trees) and not once did these headphones feel like they were going to move, let alone fall out! The clip that's included on the cord allows you to clip the cord to your clothing and greatly minimized the typical 'rubbing' noise I expected from the cord hitting my jacket. The typical 3-button controls are a nice change from some of the similar headphones I have because they're easily distinguishable from each other and spaced a bit farther apart, so it's fairly easy to find the button you're looking for. As far as the sound goes, I was more than pleased; talk radio was crisp and music was rich and clear. I also took a call during the first use and the sound on that was perfectly clear on my end as well as the caller's. The only thing that I didn't like is that I couldn't figure out how to pair to another device after the headphones were powered on (I'm not sure you can even do that); you have to turn the headphones off and then back on to pair. Not a show stopper, just something I noticed. These headphones are supposed to offer about 6 hours of use on a full charge, but mine still stated the battery level was high after well over 2 hours of use.
Overall, these headphones are a no-brainer. They offer extreme comfort and fit, very nice noise isolation and great sound. What else do they need to do? I would definitely recommend these.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Save precious kitchen prep time with this Philips Viva multi-chopper. Its two functions provide coarse and fine chopping, and its automatic speed selection adjusts its performance to the type of ingredient. This 500W Philips Viva multi-chopper lets you achieve chef-quality results for coarsely chopped ingredients thanks to its ChopDrop technology.
Customer Rating
5
A simple idea that has amazing results
on October 29, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
This is a very simple, yet convenient chopper, and it performs incredibly well. All of the electric choppers I've used in the past tended to pulverize a certain amount of whatever was being chopped, but this chopper avoids this by suspending the food in a basket with holes in the bottom, then as the pieces reach a certain size, they fall through the holes into a blade-free collection bowl. It's a simple idea that leads to amazing results.
Unpacking the chopper and performing the initial cleaning took about 10 minutes. Initially, I tried the unit on some green, red, and yellow peppers that I wanted to add to hamburger. After pre-slicing three peppers so they would fit in the basket, the unit chopped them in under 30 seconds. Not only was the chopper fast, but the pieces were all relatively the same size. The uniformity of size was probably helped by my 'pulse' chopping, but that was simple since the motor is activated by just pressing down on the top of the chopper. In addition to the blade you use for chopping with the basket, there is a blade that can be used without the basket for chopping things into smaller pieces or even puree. After each use, cleaning the unit was quick and easy.
All in all, I think this chopper is great; it's fast, simple to use, doesn't over chop, and cleans up in a snap. If you're looking for a chopper, try this one.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy up to 10 hours of wireless audio with these Sony noise-canceling headphones. They produce rich sound by playing at audio frequencies of 3-40,000Hz and have a closed-back design that blocks outside noise for a better listening experience. These Sony noise-canceling headphones sit comfortably behind the neck and work with or without the 1m wire.
Customer Rating
5
Great sound, unreal noise cancellation
on October 25, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
These headphones are quite phenomenal in my opinion. They look good, sound great, and the noise cancellation is incredible to say the least.
I had never had headphones attached to a neckband, so I was concerned I would find these annoying, but the neckband is light and cushioned, so after a few minutes, I didn't even notice it. One nice thing about the neckband is that the controls are much easier to access since they're a bit more spread out, unlike other BT earbuds I have. Sony includes extra ear tips (foam and silicon), but the ones that were already affixed were fine for me. Also, the cords don't retract, which I thought was a bit odd, but the cords aren't overly long, and they do allow you to turn your head without feeling like you're going to pull one of the ear buds out. The fixed cords aren't a big deal, and I suppose that's just one less thing that can break.
I had the headphones out of the box and connected to my phone in minutes and immediately I wanted to test the noise cancellation. I have several over-the-ear headphones with noise cancellation, so I thought these would pale in comparison, but I was dead wrong; the noise cancellation on these headphones is absolutely incredible. In addition, you can install an app from Sony that allows you to customize the amount of noise cancellation along with other features such as an equalizer, and something Sony calls Ambient Sound Control, which when turned on tries to sense what you're doing and automatically adjust the noise cancellation for you (so you won't walk/jog into traffic). The only thing that might surpass the the incredible noise cancellation, is the sound from these headphones; it is superb, with deep basses and crisp highs, with every note clear and distortion free.
One thing that did bug me about the headphones isn't really anything to do with the headphones themselves, but the fact that Sony decided to include a soft zippered bag for storage instead of a hard case. I really don't understand this, especially since the headphones are $300. I mean come on Sony... you're Sony... go the extra mile.
Overall, these headphones are very nice; they are extremely comfortable, the sound is excellent, and the noise cancellation is unreal. I would not hesitate to recommend these to anyone.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make the most of your morning routine with this Philips Norelco wet/dry shaver. Providing a powerful shave in the shower or out, this electric shaver delivers a full hour's shaving on one 60-minute charge. The MultiPrecision Blade system on this Philips Norelco wet/dry shaver cuts long and short hairs with fewer passes.
Customer Rating
4
Good wet/dry shaver
on October 19, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
This is a nice 3-headed shaver that doubles as a basic trimmer. It's nicely balanced and fairly light compared to other electric shavers I've had in the past. Out of the box, my shaver's battery was completely dead so I had to charge it for an hour before I could use it. I don't shave every day, and when I first tried this shaver, I hadn't shaved in three days, so I didn't even bother with the normal speed setting on the shaver and went straight to turbo mode. To be honest, I'm not even sure why there is a 'normal' speed mode since I don't know why anyone would want to shave using slower blade speed. Anyway, the first thing I noticed was how quiet the shaver was; I was able to listen to the TV in another room without even having to strain to hear it. I didn't rush the shave since I was shaving quite a bit more than stubble, and I was really impressed with the results on the majority of my face. My cheeks, upper lip and lower neck were very smooth. However along my jaw line I had to spend more time than I thought I'd have to, and it still wasn't as smooth as the rest of my face. I think this was mostly due to the size of the shaver head. I wound up hitting this area with a simple disposable razor to clean it up, so it wasn't that big of a deal for me. I finished up by popping the shaver head off and replacing it with the trimmer attachment to trim my sideburns. Overall, I'm pleased with this shaver and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Pour wine without removing the cork by using the Coravin Model Two wine system. The durable needle pierces the cork so you can pour, and then the cork reseals when the needle is removed to preserve the remaining wine. This Coravin Model Two wine system comes with two capsules that let you pour up to 30 glasses of wine.
Customer Rating
4
Great idea, great product
on October 19, 2017
Posted by: Chuck
from DC
The Coravin Model Two Wine System is a neat product, allowing you to pour a glass of wine without exposing the rest of the bottle to air. I was excited to try it because it would allow the tasting of multiple bottles of wine without having to worry about how long each would last after opening.
The product is visually appealing with a dark graphite finish and silver accents. It would look great standing on the kitchen counter or server, but unfortunately this model does not come with a stand. Instead, a small storage bag is included so you can keep the unit and extra argon capsules together in a drawer. I checked the Coravin site, and some bundles come with stands, so I'm not sure why this one doesn't, especially if you're paying $300 for the product.
The system is easy to use, although a few of the instructions are a bit vague. Inserting the initial argon capsule and getting the unit ready to use was straight forward and quick. The spring loaded clip holds the unit very securely to the bottle, so at no point did I feel like it was going to fall off or even move while I was pushing the needle through the cork. I did have a bit of trouble knowing at what angle to hold the bottle, and how long to depress the gas dispensing trigger, when pouring a glass of wine, but I managed to figure that out. I realized after the fact that there are videos on the company website that show how to properly use the system. It was nice to know that the bottle I just poured from was still sealed. However, on a different note, I also used the product to pour from a bottle that had a synthetic stopper, and after about 5 minutes of being back in the wine rack, I noticed it was leaking. This isn't a problem with the product itself, but it should be noted that this system will not work with synthetic corks because they will not reseal as natural corks do. I was unaware of this beforehand.
Overall, I think this is a very cool product. It's quite elegant looking, which makes the absence of an included stand very disappointing (and yes, that's why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5). That being said, the product is quite easy to use and simple to clean, so if you're an avid wine drinker or just someone who enjoys an occasional glass or two a few times a week, this product is definitely worth a look.
My Best Buy number: 0784233878
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Chuck's Answers
Safe and convenient fast wireless charging up to 15W.* Our fastest wireless charging pad unclutters your bedroom, office, or living room while simplifying charging—just lay your phone onto the pad and go. Qi certification ensures standard compatibility and provides peace of mind.
Is the cable permanently attached to the wireless charger or can it be detached?
The cable is just a USB-USBC cable, and it does detach
3 years, 6 months ago
by
Chuck
Safe and convenient fast wireless charging up to 15W.* Our fastest wireless charging pad unclutters your bedroom, office, or living room while simplifying charging—just lay your phone onto the pad and go. Qi certification ensures standard compatibility and provides peace of mind.
Will this charge if the phone is in its protective case?
my phone charges just fine with a protective case
3 years, 6 months ago
by
Chuck
Enjoy up to 10 hours of wireless audio with these Sony noise-canceling headphones. They produce rich sound by playing at audio frequencies of 3-40,000Hz and have a closed-back design that blocks outside noise for a better listening experience. These Sony noise-canceling headphones sit comfortably behind the neck and work with or without the 1m wire.
Do the ear buds retract or adjust in any way
They do NOT retract. There is a groove along the edge of each side of the neckband that you can push the cords into for storage or to reduce the amount of loose cord when wearing, but the cords aren't overly long, so I don't even bother with it when I'm wearing them.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
Chuck
VIZIO E-Series E480I-B2 LED HDTV: Easily stream movies, shows and more with this VIZIO E-Series HDTV's VIZIO Internet Apps Plus and built-in Wi-Fi. The 1080p display and Full-Array LED backlighting deliver crisp, clear images and optimal performance.