RalphHenry's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes448
- First reviewMay 28, 2015
- Last reviewMay 13, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.9
- Review comment count24
- Helpfulness votes28
- First review commentMay 28, 2015
- Last review commentJune 30, 2017
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count61
- Helpfulness votes164
- First answerJune 30, 2015
- Last answerNovember 3, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers10
Get seriously clean floors without the effort thanks to this Roomba robot vacuum. It automatically navigates across your carpet or vinyl while avoiding hazards and keeping track of its location all the while picking up dirt, debris and mess. Automatic recharging keeps this Roomba robot vacuum powered so that it's ready to go.
Customer Rating
5
Relentless Cleaning Robot
on July 25, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This was one of the most fun products I've ever used and it is also very functional. I'd like to relay my observations that may help others to use this product successfully. It is simple to set up - you download the Roomba app and follow the prompts. It connects to your WiFi but only the 2.4 GHZ speed which everyone has, I also have 5 GHZ so that's one update I'd like for this product. It is amazing in that it will go under a table or under a couch (even through the skirt) and will find its way out - I wonder when I last cleaned under the couch so that's a great feature. Get's corners really well and has the smarts to detect an edge and will clean along that edge. It also will detect if more dirt in a particular spot and will wheel in a circle to make sure the dirt is picked up. You do need to remove clutter like toys and shoes but it will go around them; however it is best to not have a cluttered area. It comes with one 'virtual wall barrier'. You will need at least two so that you can ensure you can force Roomba to do a single room and most rooms have two entrances - you can block Roomba with a board if you like. The 'virtual wall barrier' has two modes a) a straight line and b) a radius. The radius is useful so you can leave a dog dish in a corner and Roomba will avoid it. You may want to remove chairs to speed up his random cleaning, however if you leave table chairs in place, I was pleased to see that Roomba spun around and cleaned the pet hair and dust from around the leg completely - nice. You can set a cleaning schedule if you're better organized than me. What I found useful was to have Roomba clean a single room and it will return to the home base if it has enough charge left and the dust bin is not full. But it doesn't matter if it does not get back to home base because you will have to clean the dust bin and wipe Roomba's sides and top and bottom (like a baby I guess) , so then you can place him in front of his base and hit the home dock button or just place him on the dock. I found 60-80 minutes of cleaning can be done without a recharge. If you have a plant stand with slanted edges, Roomba will climb up a bit, but will not get stuck and will continue. I made sure it had room to get around a plant stand so that it cleaned everything. I never did see Roomba get stuck. Roomba is quieter than a vacuum but along with the spinning side brush and spinning cleaning rollers underneath, it does have a vacuum - great. I did take Roomba upstairs and closed all the doors and he did the hallway. You can then put him in another room and let him at that dust. I have found that by doing one room at a time with Roomba, I'm cleaning much better and the house shows it. Roomba won't have enough charge to do your entire downstairs in one cycle. Going from carpet to hardwood is no problem at all - I was amazed at the ability of Roomba to negotiate obstacles. I did notice that our dining and kitchen chairs both have a 12" leg spacing. Roomba is 13.5 inches. Not a cleaning problem as he will go around the chairs but if Roomba can get between things it certainly will improve his cleaning longevity. Having said that I would not want to compromise the current design points and find that Roomba gets stuck. I would recommend this device especially for busy people since it does keep things very clean while you are doing other things, just plan it out to do part of your house at a time and you will be delighted as my wife and I were.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Upgrade your listening experience with these JBL Everest wireless headphones. The Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream music from compatible devices, and the ergonomic design fits the unique contours of your ears. Its built-in battery on these JBL Everest wireless headphones provides 20 hours of playing time with only 2 hours of microUSB charging.
Customer Rating
5
Great Sound, Comfort and Stays Put
on July 8, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
I wanted 3 things from a wireless headset. First is great sound and these headphones were outstanding. I've owned others where the sounds is either muffled or tinny, these phones have a smooth and complete sound from bass to treble. Second, the head phones must be comfortable; or you just couldn't wear them very long. I found these headphones had all the right adjustments to allow you to find a very comfortable feel against my ears. I get headaches easily so I was elated that these headphones didn't cause a headache for me, when worn for hours either exercising or sitting at the computer. Most people won't get headaches so that may not be a factor for you but it was key for me. That brings me to the third requirement for me and that is that they stay put if I'm exercising a little and/or moving around my little man-cave doing hobbies. These headphones don't slip down such that you have to keep adjusting them every few minutes - this was wonderful for me. The controls are intuitive, with the normal play FF, REW and pause, you can also hit the 'S' button and sync with another headset to hear the same music - I don't always see that option. You also can easily connect with Bluetooth - most devices have got Bluetooth down pat now. The quality of construction is first rate. You do have a microphone so you can make calls on the cell phone and use the headphones as your speaker and microphone; calls were very clear and this is a really useful feature. A small thing but helpful, is that inside each ear cup it is marked right or left so you don't have to keep looking for the symbols elsewhere. You can also connect them wired if the battery goes discharged, and the cable with microphone is provided. There is also a charging cable and everything fits in a very solid carry case. The headphones also worked fine with iTunes on my PC. Well thought-out design, great materials and they work superbly, well worth the money.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Kick your listening experience up to a whole new level with wireless JLab Audio Epic Bluetooth earbuds. The 10-hour battery life lets you enjoy your music all day, and crystal clear radical sound creates a smooth, precise and memorable listening experience. Get the most out of your music, phone calls and audio books with JLab Audio Epic Bluetooth earbuds.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable and Super Sound
on June 30, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
I have never had earbuds I liked until these. Sound is number-1 and it was terrific: crisp, bass, mid-range and treble all super. (I noticed a review that said the sound was bad - there had to be something wrong, either the source or how the ear tips fit the ear, because the sound is outstanding). Comfort is number-2, I tried the ear tips already installed and they were perfect for me. You do get 7 additional pairs of ear tips, so you should find a good fit for yourself. Now the packaging for the ear tips was strange. Half of the tips were embedded in the cardboard placard and the other half were in a plastic bag inside the carrying case. You also get some clips to shorten the wire if needed, I did not need. Note I wear them with the wire (that connects the two earbuds) behind my neck - which you have to. The controls are intuitive and you get a voice that tells you hello when powering on and goodbye when powering off; also the voice tells you when in pairing mode. I paired to my PC and also my phone easily. Fit and finish including the storage case and charge cord are top notch. You do have to read the information on controls which is simple enough, but like any of these, you will be using the controls by touch as you won't see the buttons once you are wearing these earbuds. I was blown away by the sound and comfort and as I say I have tried several before to wear in bed actually and they were not comfortable like this product.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Create an intelligent home network with this all in one Samsung mesh WiFi Router and Smart Home Hub. Not only does it deliver an optimized Wi-Fi signal to every corner of your home, it also works as a SmartThings Hub, connecting compatible cameras, lights, voice assistants, and more to create your smart home. Now you can manage your Wi-Fi and all your smart devices from the palm of your hand with this Samsung Mesh WiFi Router and Smart Home Hub.
Customer Rating
5
Intuitive Function and Nice Design
on June 28, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
Installed easily. Many opportunities for adding Samsung (and other accepted brands) home connect devices. These devices range from electrical outlets, dimmers, cameras, thermostats, vacuums, refrigerators, garage door openers, washers and more. You need to download the Samsung Connect app first to your Smart Phone - you do 'not' need a Samsung brand cell phone; then it is a very simple process to connect the Samsung Home Connect Pro to your home router via an ethernet port. You can even add additional Smart Hubs to ensure that your WiFi signal is optimized through your entire house and garage. I would say it's certain that in the future all homes will have smart connectivity in every device you can think of. Also as more devices are added to a 'home network' folks will begin to add/need more wireless hubs to spread out the load of data traffic - most people are not there yet.
In addition to the Connect Home Pro hub, I did install a Smart Things Outlet model F-Out-US-2. It installs easily. You do need to have the outlet plugged in within about 10-15 feet of the router when you first program it. Later you can put the outlet anywhere in your house. You can turn the outlet on/off from your Smart Phone, you can also easily program RULES that will turn devices on or other actions using the Smart Connect app. I programmed the outlet to turn on at a specified time in one RULE and to turn off at a specified time in another RULE, and it worked great.
I did find that the software is simple and appears to be solid. Support is also first-rate as I did do a couple chats to clear up a few minor things in setting up RULES. I will say that your best bet is to not use the Samsung main web site, but you need to go to the Samsung Smart Things web page and support page (includes direct chat with Smart Thing support) at: https://support.smartthings.com/hc/en-us
I would also recommend that you go through the information which is very nicely formatted and you'll gain a lot of knowledge via their FAQ's, Guide to Smart Things etc. There are many intelligent devices and brands, I give Samsung high marks for having a complete support structure and information that helps to know what devices will work with their products. It is a competitive arena so that's good for us consumers. When I did initiate a 'chat' I got immediate and great help. My overall impression is very high on Samsung and my next device will be a Samsung wireless security camera. By the way, another consideration is interference with other existing wireless and wired devices. In case others care to know: the Connect Home Pro for me was connected to a NetGear Nighthawk router ethernet port. I also have a Netgear wireless router (for Arlo cameras) already installed on another port off the Nighthawk. I had no interference of IP addresses or any other problems. Actually Arlo wireless cameras do connect through the Samsung Home Connect Pro hub, but I didn't do that, but it was that both hubs could co-exist.
I would also recommend that you go through the information which is very nicely formatted and you'll gain a lot of knowledge via their FAQ's, Guide to Smart Things etc. There are many intelligent devices and brands, I give Samsung high marks for having a complete support structure and information that helps to know what devices will work with their products. It is a competitive arena so that's good for us consumers. When I did initiate a 'chat' I got immediate and great help. My overall impression is very high on Samsung and my next device will be a Samsung wireless security camera. By the way, another consideration is interference with other existing wireless and wired devices. In case others care to know: the Connect Home Pro for me was connected to a NetGear Nighthawk router ethernet port. I also have a Netgear wireless router (for Arlo cameras) already installed on another port off the Nighthawk. I had no interference of IP addresses or any other problems. Actually Arlo wireless cameras do connect through the Samsung Home Connect Pro hub, but I didn't do that, but it was that both hubs could co-exist.
I do certainly recommend the Samsung Connect Home Pro and associated devices.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+9points
12of 15voted this as helpful.
Start every morning off right with this DeLonghi Dedica coffee grinder. It has a 14-cup grind capacity to serve a crowd, and its 18 grind settings and light, normal and strong coffee choices provide the options you need to meet variable taste preferences. This DeLonghi Dedica coffee grinder has a removable upper burr to make cleaning easy.
Customer Rating
5
Solid Simple Powerful Design
on June 10, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This coffee grinder made our other grinder look like a toy. Not only was this coffee grinder more powerful, it also ground the coffee in a way that the grounds felt silky smooth. I made a latte and the difference in smoothness was so obvious you could actually 'feel' the smoothness of the coffee, and it tasted far better too. The manual is adequate to cover the simple operation. One nice feature but slightly confusing thing is that this grinder comes with an attachment that stows inside the base area. This attachment allows you to use the coffee grounds holder from another product which is also a great product called the DeLonghi Espresso Machine. You use the handled grounds holder in place of the grounds collection jar that comes with this machine. It's nice in that if you have both machines you would be able to use the handled grounds holder; and you simply can move the handled holder over to your espresso machine - beautiful. But at first it is not clear that you simply need the other machine to get the 'double-duty' handled grounds holder. The use of the machine is really easy to set your amount, fineness of grind and strength of brew. A beautiful LCD screen is easy to read. It is also a breeze to clean since you can remove the upper burr. It also comes with a cleaning tool. A safety feature will not allow you to grind coffee unless the jar holding the beans is properly seated. This is a solid and excellent device, well designed and looks beautiful too.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Meet your large household’s high-bandwidth requirements with this tri-band Linksys Max-Stream Wi-Fi router. It performs at up to 4 Gbps for high-speed Internet access, and its MU-MIMO technology lets everyone at home enjoy smooth, simultaneous gaming and media streaming on multiple devices. This Linksys Max-Stream Wi-Fi router has six adjustable external antennas for maximum area coverage
Customer Rating
5
Top Speeds and Simple Setup
on May 15, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
In a word "WOW", this tri-band router is super fast. I had an opportunity to try this one against a similar-priced Netgear product (Nighthawk X6) and bottom line is the Linksys AC4000 (or EA9300) was faster in every test. Also with 4 PC's and two cell phones plus an Arlo base unit running, the individual speeds were not reduced - more details later. Setup was very easy even though during the first setup it automagically downloaded the latest firmware/upgrades. There are many advanced settings if you want to use them similar to most routers, I liked the ability to set priorities as well as LINKSYS Skill in the Alexa app setting. Also Linksys website is well laid out and you can find details on firmware and set up instructions here: http://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=226169. You can also reference reboot and advanced instructions here: http://www.linksys.com/us/support-product?pid=01t34000003vwV0AAI. So I do value those support benefits as well as the function of the product. It is a fact that most if not all cable modem WiFi routers are just not very fast nor have great antennas. When a product like this one is inserted to support wireless you can expect your speeds to double or even triple as I found out.
As far as testing results, I started with a bandwidth of 345 Mbs (not bad considering I am guaranteed 300 Mbs from Spectrum/Time Warner. My first test from an HP AIO PC using 5G right next to this router showed 345 Mbs compared to the Netgear router of 325 Mbs. Used Ookla speedtest for all testing. About 30 feet away was an old Gateway laptop with only 811.n ability. She went from 49 Mbs using her internal 2.4 GHz wireless card to 88 Mbs using the EA9300 and got 79 Mbs using the Netgear. I updated this old laptop with a Linksys Wusb6300 and at 5GHz I got 91 Mbs using the EA9300 and the Netgear was close at 89 MBs. A new AIO PC with AC wireless but in the basement (2 stories down from router) and over 120 feet away got 234 Mbs with the EA9300 and 190 Mbs with the Netgear using 5 GHz. Lastly a Dell 2/1 about 50 feet away got 214 Mbs and the Netgear got 192 Mbs. I've only shown the download times. The uploads didn't show much variance between the EA9300 and the Netgear.
So overall the EA9300 operated faster, but as many people know, the exact load while a test is made can vary; but every time the EA9300 won. Also I should say that I ran the tests with only one of routers in my home network and also with both routers in the network and the speed ratings were the same. The directions say to remove any attached router and I did - so that the address of the EA9300 was the expected http://192.168.1.1 But you can run both routers in the network and I found that the IP address will be dynamically altered for you - no problem (remember you do have to turn off the wireless in the cable modem).
My feeling is this is a very high quality product with great support site and great function. I have not used it a long time, but I am very happy with this router.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
We know pets makes messes. Whether it's tracked-in mud or bathroom accidents, BISSELL® ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Plus carpet cleaner handles those though pet messes with its exclusive Pet Pro Cleanup System. This system includes a CleanShot® pretreater to remove spots and stains; the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool to remove pet hair, stains and odors from upholstery, a trial-size of BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula, and an EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover to make maintaining the machine easy. When used in MAX Clean Mode, you get powerful cleaning that outcleans the leading rental*** and leaves carpet dry in about 30 minutes with Express Clean Mode.** All of this cleaning power comes in a lightweight and maneuverable machine with a low-profile foot that gets under furniture. But this machine doesn't just pick up after pets, it helps save them, too. BISSELL® proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation® and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.***Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula in MAX clean mode against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula.**Express Clean Mode (reference instruction in user guide). Tested on new carpet with protectant. Results may vary.
Customer Rating
5
Great Product 5+ Stars
on May 10, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
If you have pets or even if you don't this is the carpet cleaning machine to get. Whoever designed this was brilliant and practical. Number one is this machine does a superior job cleaning carpets. I've had many other carpet cleaners and not one came close to functionality, cleaning power and clean-up. Most cleaners use rotating heads and that's it. Here you have powerful suction, rotating brushes and of course the cleaning solution tank and dirty water tank. I'll try to go chronologically: It is easy to assemble and the documentation includes an assembly card and also a short manual that explains all the functions such as setup and cleaning. First you are advised to vacuum the carpets well, same as any cleaner. You fill the clean water tank and add some cleaning solution (Bissell includes 2 samples which is another nice touch). You will notice when you clean the carpets that the nap comes up due to the powerful suction, and when it is dry you have a clean carpet, clean smell and a kind of newness and puffiness to the carpet - we have pets and my wife also loved this machine. Cleaning is a breeze. The manual shows you how to remove the parts and clearly how to clean and reassemble - a small thin flexible tool for cleaning the nozzle (really wonderful tool) is included. You don't need to remove the rollers as this tool is also used to clean them. You also have very clear directions to replace the belt if needed in the future. One thing I did was to cut the flaps off the top of the box and put some of the packing in and I store the machine in the original box. I took some pictures of the machine taken apart for cleaning and also put away in the box. You also get a hose that attaches near the bottom above the brushes used to clean furniture and steps - how great is that. This is an excellent product and is well designed, the Bissell engineers did a fine job and thought this one out from cleaning the carpet to cleaning the machine itself which is also very important. Bissell also included a bag to hold all the attachments. Great.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Take your jams anywhere, rain or shine, with this LifeProof AQUAPHONICS speaker. Bluetooth connectivity provides wireless performance over up to eight devices, and this durable sound device conveniently attaches to a backpack or belt with the built-in carabiner. This LifeProof AQUAPHONICS speaker is waterproof and resistant to dirt and drops.
Customer Rating
5
Quality Build and Design
on May 9, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
The LifeProof - Aquaphonics AQ9 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is well designed and made to handle some tough situations that other speakers will not stand up to. I can see hiking with it and the sound quality is great although compared to the Wonderboom it has less bass. However the Wonderboom is round (cylinder) shaped and would not be as convenient to carry around. This speaker comes with a built in carabineer that can lock around a belt loop or hang from a backpack. The syncing process is typical of the new wave of Bluetooth devices and is very easy and intuitive. I paired it with my PC and could play YouTube or iTunes nicely. Of course it takes the place of your computer speakers. When I clicked on the speaker icon I could switch between the PC and this device and this little speaker was far better than the JBL speakers on my AIO. I also easily paired it to my Android cell phone and it was terrific with Google's PLAY Music. It has just the right amount of operation buttons including power on/off which is nicely accompanied by sounds. You can also raise and lower volume and pause or skip tracks. There seems to be a gap in online documents as there is no manual as promised in the one page sheet included but you don't need a manual. A very nice feature is a lock/unlock which disables the function buttons and this is nice so you can hike or stroll on the beach and not accidently change anything. I think this product is a winner and for those who don't want or need to wear headphones it sure makes the music come alive compared to a computer or cell phone speaker. It comes with a cable to charge via a USB charger or from the computer. Love it.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Enhance your on-the-go audio experience with this Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker, which is ideal for outdoor use. This speaker, which pairs wirelessly with a range of smart devices, plays music for up to 10 hours at a time. Use this waterproof Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker, which floats, in the pool or on the beach.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Bluetooth Speaker
on April 20, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom sounds great and is very well designed. The ergonomics are excellent and simple, this includes the controls and also how to set it up. The unit is about 4 inches high and 3.5 inches in diameter. It has rechargeable lithium ion batteries that you can charge via a USB connection on your personal computer. It comes with the charging cord. I prefer online manuals which I don't lose and you will need to go online to review the user manual. Just go here (http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/wonderboom/fireball/support) and you will find excellent installation instructions. I liked that I could pair it with up to 8 devices via Bluetooth which is automatic for the first device and then you do have a few steps to follow for any additional devices. I paired it with my phone and also with my Windows 10 PC easily. The real treat is the fantastic sound. Playing songs either from my phone or the PC resulted in remarkably strong and clear sounds that totally changed the listening experience. I do see that this brand has 4 different models of waterproof Bluetooth speakers and I do plan to buy one of the larger ones. Even though someone did a very intuitive design of the controls, it is a good idea to run through the functions at the link I mentioned above. For example if you hold the up/down volume controls (the PLUS and MINUS buttons) at the same time, you can get a quick sound effect that tells you if the charge is low, okay, or high. One nice feature is the loop at the top of the device which can be used to hang the unit on a hook or nail on your front porch for example. One feature that is very obvious is the 360 degree sound - nice. Warranty information is a bit sketchy, it just says to go look it up on the original product package which I threw out. The length of the warranty is also supposed to be found at www.logitech.com but I could not find it. Also this is a Logitech product but you can't register it at the Logitech support site, although they do have other wireless speakers. All told at this price point (under $100) this little speaker is rugged, has beautiful sound and is a great deal.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
2of 4voted this as helpful.
Enjoy immersive sound with these Bluetooth Sony EXTRA BASS over-ear headphones. The presets let you choose between arena, club, hall and outdoor stage sound, and the noise-canceling technology lets you block out the world while you listen to tunes. Listen wirelessly for up to 18 hours with these Sony EXTRA BASS over-ear headphones.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Quality and Function
on March 27, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
These Sony wireless headphones are really well designed. The ear covers are soft and they do block out outside noise - this is important to me so that I don't pinch my ears and I don't then get a headache - which some headphones cause. They are light and easily adjusted to fit your head. The sound is excellent and the on-board volume and bass adjustments are well positioned and useful. You can Bluetooth pair these headphones with multiple devices. Just be sure when you are trying to pair with a second device that you power on holding the on button about seven seconds not the normal two seconds. I did install Sony's CONNECT app on my android phone and this makes it easier to change bass settings and also allows you to select environments like Outdoor or Arena etc. These headphones are wireless but you can use the included 1/8" jack cable to connect wired if you wish, and it has a microphone so you can use it to attend classes on a PC where you listen and may also need to speak - nice. I found the online manual very useful, you can find it here: http://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/xb950b1/v1/en/contents/TP0001177777.html There are also forward, play, back buttons on the headphones. The price is low for this much dependable technology and I really found these headphones worthy of a strong recommendation.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Stream instant content easily with this LG BP550 Blu-ray player. To build a complete 3D home theater system, we recommend you purchase a 3D TV, 3D glasses designed for the TV, high-speed HDMI cable and an A/V receiver that is compatible with 3D products.
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5Great Blu-Ray DVD Player for the money
By JulieAS
After buying this product, I am both pleased yet a little disappointed! I needed another player to replace my 5 year old Sony 3-D player (also bought at BB) because it was no longer compatible with YouTube. Since my TV is an LG, I decided to buy an LG player.
The LG BP550 is smaller than my older Sony (another reason I chose it) and has fewer apps but I really didn't care about that as long as YouTube worked and that it also had Netflix and HuluPlus apps. Hooking it up and installing it was quick and easy and completing the system update was also a breeze! Already on sale, I saw it was also available as an Open-Box item so I thought I could save even more buying it at that option...NOT!
Advertised as 'Open-Box Excellent Condition' I ordered it on May 13th and it arrived on the 15th - without the remote! Maybe I shouldn't have assumed that an item labeled as "Returned, used as display model in store, or opened due to packaging damage but remains in like-new condition" meant or means that all accessories, cables, manuals, remotes, etc. are included.
Fortunately, my TV remote was able to do some of the basic stuff for installing and some playback features but that's it. So I make a call to BB and learn that the 4-yr Protection Plan I paid for would not cover this missing remote and was then advised to call LG for a 'free' replacement.
Customer service at LG then directed me to call their authorized parts dealer for my time zone. Of course, they were closed on Saturday and Sunday!
I called the parts dealer today (18th) and was told to contact the retailer since I'd "recently purchased the item and it should be returnable/replaceable under warranty". I explained that I had been informed that it was not and that I was told to call them by both BB and LG!
Subsequently, I was given the part number and price for a replacement remote!
Well it looks as if buying Open-Box didn't save me much, if anything, after all since the replacement remote has to be paid for out of my pocket!
I may be better off returning this player and buying a NEW one instead!
I may be better off returning this player and buying a NEW one instead!
However, I must say that I do like the player for what features I have been able to access while using my TV remote! I look forward to obtaining the full benefits and features when using the actual remote control for the BP550!
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Remote Replacement
May 28, 2015
It's not ideal but if you are missing a remote and/or lose or break it, you can easily download a smartphone app to run it. You could also program a multi device remote like the Harmony 650 which I did. So nowadays a missing remote is not a show stopper but I agree it should have not been missing.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5Great box - poor fonts
By Jasonrn
I purchased this with great excitement. I mostly do everyday things, with an evergrowing photo collection. I bought Adobe creative cloud and was ready to go. Fired it up and was shocked at how bad the text looks. I have tried many different settings. I don't know if it is a scaling thing? I love everything else about the unit. Photos look great. I dont game.
The text issue is varies. Some apps, it looks fine... others - terrible. Also, some apps don't scale well at all on the 4K screen.
May return the unit and get a laptop I can plug a second monitor in for my photo work.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Fix for fonts didn't install
November 3, 2015
The expert pointed to a download and it did not install. I'm glad since I think you just need to go to settings and find the 'cleartype text' setting and run through it to make fonts great. Also I see many of the apps will fix drivers and so forth so there is a learning curve now to see how to run these machines.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Tips For Better Text on AIO 700
November 4, 2015
I've played with the font's and you may also want to scale text or make it bold for example if you use Windows Live (you can do that within Display Settings). The other tip is that the text is very clear but small so you may find that enlarging text by hitting Ctrl and + (together) once or twice will make some things easier to read. You hit Ctrl and - together to reduce. I didn't use those commands as often on other machines, but it is beautiful to use at times on this machine. By the way videos are wonderful if you use something like Amazon Prime video etc WOW
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Lenovo Fix for AIO 700 24ISH
November 5, 2015
Jason, I did think ClearType helped a little but the scaling and putting 'bold' on helped more. I did see the fix that Lenovo posted. First I flashed the BIOS which they also posted as of 9/10/15. However when I tried their special fix for the font scaling it is an .rar file and I had to load WinZip (free version for now) but it did unpack it. However I never saw it run successfully as it always returned an error code. I am going to call Lenovo on that but the text looks pretty good so maybe it actually ran. I'll post an update on that. By the way the support at Lenovo is abysmal.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5Disappointed
By Brandon
It worked for a few hours right out of the box. Then I noticed the screen flashing and the graphics cards crashing. After a reset it freezes after 5 minutes of use. Not sure if it's the pc itself or driver issues with Windows 10, either way it's not worth the trouble. If they can fix these issues then it is absolutely worth the price.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Try Driver Updates & Flash BIOS
November 5, 2015
If you still have it and if it will stay up long enough, I'd say go to Lenovo's web site and download the newest BIOS, it's easy to update BIOS now. Then go into Device Manager and update both Display drivers. If you bought an open box, I'd also try to reload the whole machine to the factory settings (or BestBuy should do that for you). But if you go to the apps, the app called Lenovo Rescue System will do it for you pretty easily. Then do the stuff I mentioned above.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Checked on Font Scaling Fix
November 5, 2015
I couldn't get the download from Lenovo's website to install. I downloaded and unpacked the fix, but it returned an error code when I ran it. I spent 40 minutes with Lenovo 1st and 2nd level support. They pretty much had no info on this fix. They didn't open a problem ticket 8005969635. Also their website said you should post a request online to have them call you back, but their process was broken in that area also. Full disclosure: even without this fix, the screen looks awesome to me.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Successful Adjustments for FONTS
November 5, 2015
Lots of people had problems with the fonts on this 4K hi-def screen. Lenovo support was useless but Geek Squad fixed me right up via remote connection. It might be something others know, but judging by the reviews most people including me just didn't really understand. There are lots of modifications to DISPLAY parameters but what most people should do if they are using this screen for apps like Windows Live is to change the screen resolution to 1920x1080 and change the scaling to 125%. Now everything is beautiful. If you do want to watch a movie in high def, then put it back to 3840x2160 and set scaling to 200%. What is confusing is that there is a choice for 2560x1600 but this is not the same ratio as the screen size so you get bars on each side which you probably don't want - I should have seen this but the Geek Squad enlightened me. Now as to the patch from Lenovo for font scaling, you probably don't need it nor would it do much I am sure. So kudos to the Geek Squad and thanks. It is an awesome machine and in fact even the lower resolution is more than any other PC I have ever had.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Thanks for Posting Info on Font Patch from Lenovo
November 6, 2015
JasoninNJ, thanks for posting your comment that installing the Lenovo patch to help font scaling toasted the machine. I won't try again to install it. As I mentioned I don't think it is needed. There will be more ultra HD computer screens and I'm guessing they will add automated switching to show videos in HD but do the rest of your PC work with the lower resolution which is excellent when viewing text.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Text Display Improvement
November 16, 2015
After playing with various settings I have some hopefully helpful feedback. First of all don't use the 3840x2160 unless you are streaming video, it makes text bad. Also don't use 2560x1600 since it is not a multiple of the 3840x2160 i.e. you'll get bars on both sides of the screen. Do use the 1920x1080 which is also hi-def and fits this screen dimensions properly. Now if you want text a little bigger then go to 'set custom scaling level' and use 110% or 115%; this makes nice readable text. Now here's a quirk I see lots of people having and not just on this PC or brand for Windows 10. You may see occasional video card errors and once in a while the machine may not IPL (just power off and try again it will come up). I think the problem is the video card doesn't get back fast enough to the CPU, and the video card crashes but does recover. Not a problem unless you are playing PC high powered games. So I don't recommend this machine for games, but video streaming and apps like Corel Photoshop are great. Now what you can do to minimize or eliminate the video card crashes (remember it happens on lots of machines with Windows 10, so there will be a fix soon I think). Anyway go to Control Panel and search for 'visual effects', then click on adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. Then select 'Custom' and click the box next to 'smooth edges of screen fonts'. If you optimize for 'best appearance' entirely or for let 'windows choose'... that's when the video card may not keep up I think. If you optimize for 'best'performance' the text looks horrible. Anyway the 'custom' settings work for me to give me nice text and no crashes. This is a stretch but I think the engineers knew there could be a problem, that's why they tried to put in the super high powered video cards, but not good enough for now, I do think this will get fixed by Windows 10 OS soon. This machine for it's price is tremendous and I think worth this minor glitch.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Lenovo IdeaCentre All-In-One Computer: With Wireless-AC networking, this all-in-one computer makes it easy to browse Web sites, access social media and check your e-mail. The 23.8" capacitive multitouch screen lets you navigate features using all 10 fingers and presents your favorite films in 4K UHD resolution. The revolutionary Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera lets you scan 3D objects, use gestures to control your PC or play games and more.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Highest Quality and Top Features
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This AIO has superior resolution to others. Some reviews spoke about a text problem, however you can improve the text via going to settings, display, advanced and 'cleartype text' and follow the steps. Also has 3D display capability which is good for future needs for me. Sound is nice with Jensen speakers. Touch screen is great. WIFI is super and has both 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges with Wireless AC. Very quiet fan. Lenovo support has regressed but is do-able I asked a simple question and the tech had no idea, also the website seems broken in the support area; glad I got Geek Squad. But this AIO is one great machine. price is very reasonable for what you get. Love it.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Good News to Add
December 8, 2015
I wanted to update my review to indicate that a frequent display driver error that said "...Intel Video adapter stopped working but recovered...", has stopped occurring after about 1 week ago when a pretty big Windows 10 update came out. It was never a killer for me since I don't play games but when I googled it, I did see that it was fairly common on many PC's - that's good since it appears Microsoft fixed it. Note there are two video adapters in this machine but the Nvidia one was not failing.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
RalphHenry's Questions
RalphHenry has not submitted any questions.
Ditch the headphone cable with these Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds. With up to five hours of use per charge and an included charging case for mid-day boosts, these earbuds are ideal for daily use. These Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds feature a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and easy voice commands.
Can you pair one with one phone and another if another phone so that two people can share one set?
No. The right bud is a master, i.e. it connects and is paired to your source. The left bud connects to the right bud, it does not connect to the source.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Ditch the headphone cable with these Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds. With up to five hours of use per charge and an included charging case for mid-day boosts, these earbuds are ideal for daily use. These Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds feature a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and easy voice commands.
Can you use one ear piece by itself without affecting sound quality?
That is a subjective question, for me personally the answer is no. However you can use it with just the right bud running if you must keep one ear free. The way these work the right bud is the master and the left bud won't work at all without the right bud paired to your source. Also in case you think you could use the left ear bud and keep your right ear free, that won't work because the left earbud has to be about 8 inches or less from the right earbud or it turns doesn't connect.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Ditch the headphone cable with these Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds. With up to five hours of use per charge and an included charging case for mid-day boosts, these earbuds are ideal for daily use. These Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds feature a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and easy voice commands.
Can you pair one with one phone and another if another phone so that two people can share one set?
Listen to your TV or music wirelessly without disturbing others.
Can you have 2 sets of headphones working on the same tv ?
Yes. On your TV will be a right and left audio RCA output jacks. Connect one of these to each jack: Male-to-Female RCA Y-Adapter (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-male-to-female-rca-y-adapter-black/4371028.p?skuId=4371028). Now connect your RCA cables that came with each headphone as you now have 4 jacks to plug into and connect them to each sending/charging unit. Now both headphones will get the audio signal from the TV.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Clean those hard-to-reach places in your home with this Shark cordless vacuum. Its bristle brush deep-cleans any carpet, and the additional soft-roll brush pulls in larger particles from wood floors while polishing them. The rechargeable, high-capacity Li-Ion battery keeps this Ninja cordless vacuum's DuoClean Technology ready for tough cleaning chores.
I need a lightweight vacuum for medical reasons which would you recommend? Also one that is powerful!
I have tried several and this is the best one. You will love the Shark - ION™ P50 Powered-Lift Away IC162 Cordless Upright Vacuum.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Grill, bake, roast or broil with this Delonghi Livenza 0.5 cu. ft. digital compact convection oven. This compact oven saves space while providing enough capacity to save the hassle, heat and cost of using your full-size oven. This Delonghi Livenza 0.5 cu. ft. digital compact convection oven has toasting _and warming functions for maximum flexibility.
What is the wattage on it has to be 1000 or less b4 I can use it
Take gaming up a notch with this Logitech gaming mouse. The LIGHTSPEED wireless technology provides a 1ms report rate and optimized connectivity to prevent lag, and six programmable buttons let you create a custom experience. This Logitech gaming mouse uses an ergonomic design and advanced button tensioning for comfortable, effortless gameplay.
Is this a good mouse to use for blender software?
I would say 'no'. I would recommend a gaming specific mouse and look for one that fits the size of your hand. That being said, this is a subjective area. However for gaming I liked the Fnatic Flick2 it is a little smaller than the Fnatic Clutch 2. Both are similar in Lift Off Distance and DPI settings. Again you may like it for Blender SW etc.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Optimize your viewing experience on this 23-inch Dell LCD monitor. Its Full HD IPS screen lets you see content from almost any angle. Easily connect a laptop or a PC to the VGA and HDMI ports on this Dell LCD monitor.
I tried hooking up my macbook pro (which only has a usb-c port) to the monitor via hdmi and a hdmi adapter. However, the monitor keeps telling me there is no hdmi signal from my device. How do I fix this? The adapter works on other monitors (also Dells).
If you open the menus on the monitor (hit the buttons underneath on the right hand side). There is a selection for input, maybe that will fix you up. It may not realize it is HDMI, but if you tell it that is the input I think it should work for you.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Optimize your viewing experience on this 23-inch Dell LCD monitor. Its Full HD IPS screen lets you see content from almost any angle. Easily connect a laptop or a PC to the VGA and HDMI ports on this Dell LCD monitor.
Does this monitor have an AUX port on the back for headphones?
Enjoy Full HD viewing with this 25-inch HP micro-edge display. It has one VGA and two HDMI inputs for versatile, high-definition connectivity, and its edge-to-edge panel lets you opt for a clean-looking multi-monitor setup. Play video games smoothly thanks to the AMD FreeSync technology of this thin HP micro-edge display.
There was no vga cable in the box. I purchased two monitors and neither had the bag cord. The description says the VGA is included but only HDMI cord was in the box
I didn't get one either, I think the description is in error. I was able to utilize HDMI. An older VGA cable will work, but maybe BestBuy will give you a VGA cable, you will have to ask them.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
RalphHenry