Share Jack's profile
Jack
Jack's stats
- Review count87
- Helpfulness votes216
- First reviewJune 3, 2015
- Last reviewDecember 11, 2023
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
- Review comment count4
- Helpfulness votes1
- First review commentJune 14, 2015
- Last review commentNovember 19, 2015
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count10
- Helpfulness votes5
- First answerJune 14, 2015
- Last answerApril 19, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones, featuring a completely redesigned and optimized acoustic system, an angled ultra-high-resolution carbon drive unit, deliver detailed, rich audio performance with incredible clarity. With its proprietary active noise cancellation, the headphones are designed to block out unwanted external noise, ensuring clear, crisp playback of your favorite tracks. With the redesigned microphone arrangement with 2 external adjustable mics, the wireless headphones ensure exceptional call quality. Easy set up offered through the iOS/Android compatible Bowers & Wilkins Music App that allows you to control he sound and noise cancellation, enable voice control right from your phone. Offers 30 hours battery life from a 2-hour charge, plus quick charge support delivering 7 hours playback from a 15-minute charge. Comes with all round improvements to headband that ensure comfort across differing head-shapes, coupled with lightweight aluminum and fine leathers for a superior fit and finish.
Posted by: Jack
The Px8 is the very best wireless headphone Bowers and Wilkins has on offer, and it delivers. After using these for almost a month now, I’ve come to realize why, while being quite expensive, are worth having and why these have become my daily driver.
Starting from the build quality and fit/finish, immediately these feel well made and luxurious. The aluminum body/frame is rigid yet light, and not so stiff as to put extra pressure on my head. And to add more comfort, the extra supple Nappa leather that clads the earcups and the top headband is just heavenly. The form factor is also non too obtrusive - like a lot of the other high-end over the ear headphones out there these do not feel too large and obnoxious. However, this particular color trim, the “royal burgundy” adds quite a bit of flair which can be a hit or miss based on individual taste profile - the burgundy cladding and the eye-catching golden frame will stand out in the crowd. For people who like low-key, maybe the black color option will lend a more subtlety.
As mentioned, the Nappa leather and the aluminum construction make these extremely comfortable. Even though this is not the lightest one out there, the weight distribution is spot-on, and helped me get into extra long sessions with music listening.
Overall feature set is as expected - nothing standing out. LDAC is not supported and the best Bluetooth codec support is limited to aptX HD, which is adequate for most people. For iPhone users, as usual, AAC is the highest it can achieve. Pairing is easy, especially with the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which I believe is optional. It supports Google Fast Pair, so when I turned it on, a notification popped up immediately. Also this supports multi-point (read “dual”) connectivity, so I could connect to both my phone and my laptop, and switch between without much issue. When I was moving between 2 phones, the switchover was a bit more “graceful”, whereas between Android and PC it sometimes took a number of tries. As for the app I used mostly to control the active noise canceling. There are very few settings that can be changed in the app, and the EQ is very very basic - just bass and treble. I typically use other EQ apps to get things done, so for me personally it didn’t matter.
But with all these, the question comes, how do these perform the job at hand i.e. how do these sound. Now audio is a very subjective matter, and I am no pro audio enthusiast. I do enjoy listening to a wide range of music and have a bunch of headphones, IEMs, and am still inclined towards a wired setup with a decent amp when I get the chance. But when I started using the Px8, it immediately felt good. It is by no means a neutral or transparent pair of headphones. However, it is well balanced. Nothing screams out in the low or high end - it’s bassy, not overboosted or muddy. The sub-bass felt a bit recessed than some other similarly priced headphones, but not muted. The mids were good and well pronounced without being overpowering. And the high notes are well produced - clear yet not jarring. I have a few other headphones that do these better than the Px8, but not all at the same time as this pair. Out of the box, I spent less time EQing, and more time enjoying music which always scores high points for me. So, in essence, it’s not for technical listening like a studio monitor or a reference set, and nor is it for bass-heads. I felt the music to be intimate, closer to me without having a very narrow soundstage. At least for me, it hit just the right spots, and felt well rounded.
As for call quality, it is not the best in terms of outside noise pickup. It did a decent job while I was on a call in a moderately busy street, and though the other person mentioned my voice is clear, some car noise was also transmitted. In terms of active noise cancellation, all I can say is that it is in the upper tier, but not the best. I felt the ANC augmented by music listening experience, rather than being the central feature. It is usable in most of the environments I typically venture to (sidewalks, cafes), and the environment pass-through feature works equally well. Unfortunately I was not able to use it in an airplane.
In summary, I am extremely happy with the Px8. It demands a hefty price tag, but at least for my use case, it delivers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Be ready when the big screen beckons. Bring the action with The Freestyle Gen 2 with Gaming Hub, a smart theater you can take to-go. It brings you the best experience at any size, so you can make motion picture magic in minutes
Posted by: Jack
The Freestyle 2nd generation, as the name suggests, is the 2nd iteration of Samsung’s foray into the “portable” projector market, and in most of the cases they have nailed it. However, during my extensive use during the ICC Cricket World Cup and the exhilarating Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix held last month, I also faced some bugs/quirks. In summary here’s a rundown of what I observed:
Pros:
Excellent design and easy to use
Great build. The fit and finish feels like this was indeed designed to be moved around. The exterior has a smooth yet grippy feel, and the metal base is sturdy
Comes with a “lens” cover to keep the optics protected when not in use
USB-C power port makes it very versatile. Even though the included 65W USB-C wall adapter is needed to get the best brightness, I was able to use it with my 45W phone charger, albeit with a lower brightness
Micro-HDMI port provides support for external video source
Easy to setup
Most of the popular apps come preloaded (Netflix, YouTube, etc.)
Samsung’s Tizen-based OS is pretty well developed, and is quite fast compared to a lot of smart TVs. The app store is quite robust as well, however not as well rounded as Android TV
The remote is innovative and is rechargeable as well as being solar powered. Most of the time no charging was needed as long as I kept it facing down during the time when I was not using it. When in a pinch, the USB-C port made getting it working again easy
The auto-focus and auto-keystone performed amazingly. After changing the orientation or moving to different wall/screen, the Freestyle was able to get back into action in under a minute
Video image quality was pretty good, and with a good background watching movies and sports was so much enjoyable
Since the base made it easy to rotate the unit 180-degrees, I frequently used it while cozied up on my bed, with the video playing on the ceiling. This made watching the late night cricket matches very very easy and comfortable to watch
The versatility of the projector was amazing. It did well on projector screens, regular walls, orange-peeled white wall and ceiling - basically any light-colored surface I threw at it. And I must say, getting a 100” video playing in the room is a pretty interesting experience
The built-in speaker did a decent job, and the ability to pair to external Bluetooth speakers and headphones is a handy feature. When using external speakers there was a little bit of lag, but not that much noticeable
The Freestyle comes preloaded with Gaming Hub, which includes Xbox Game Pass of which I’m a subscriber. After pairing my Xbox controller via Bluetooth, getting games up and running via Cloud Gaming was no challenge. Overall the gaming experience was OK. For casual gaming I had a good time, but whenever I was doing some immersive RPG or FPS, I went back to my 4k TV since I missed the Dolby Vision and the 120 Hz refresh rate which this projector does not support. It also supports GeForce Now and Amazon Luna among other gaming platforms, natively
The Samsung Smart Things is supported, which makes setting up even more easy, especially since I was already in the Samsung ecosystem
Excellent design and easy to use
Great build. The fit and finish feels like this was indeed designed to be moved around. The exterior has a smooth yet grippy feel, and the metal base is sturdy
Comes with a “lens” cover to keep the optics protected when not in use
USB-C power port makes it very versatile. Even though the included 65W USB-C wall adapter is needed to get the best brightness, I was able to use it with my 45W phone charger, albeit with a lower brightness
Micro-HDMI port provides support for external video source
Easy to setup
Most of the popular apps come preloaded (Netflix, YouTube, etc.)
Samsung’s Tizen-based OS is pretty well developed, and is quite fast compared to a lot of smart TVs. The app store is quite robust as well, however not as well rounded as Android TV
The remote is innovative and is rechargeable as well as being solar powered. Most of the time no charging was needed as long as I kept it facing down during the time when I was not using it. When in a pinch, the USB-C port made getting it working again easy
The auto-focus and auto-keystone performed amazingly. After changing the orientation or moving to different wall/screen, the Freestyle was able to get back into action in under a minute
Video image quality was pretty good, and with a good background watching movies and sports was so much enjoyable
Since the base made it easy to rotate the unit 180-degrees, I frequently used it while cozied up on my bed, with the video playing on the ceiling. This made watching the late night cricket matches very very easy and comfortable to watch
The versatility of the projector was amazing. It did well on projector screens, regular walls, orange-peeled white wall and ceiling - basically any light-colored surface I threw at it. And I must say, getting a 100” video playing in the room is a pretty interesting experience
The built-in speaker did a decent job, and the ability to pair to external Bluetooth speakers and headphones is a handy feature. When using external speakers there was a little bit of lag, but not that much noticeable
The Freestyle comes preloaded with Gaming Hub, which includes Xbox Game Pass of which I’m a subscriber. After pairing my Xbox controller via Bluetooth, getting games up and running via Cloud Gaming was no challenge. Overall the gaming experience was OK. For casual gaming I had a good time, but whenever I was doing some immersive RPG or FPS, I went back to my 4k TV since I missed the Dolby Vision and the 120 Hz refresh rate which this projector does not support. It also supports GeForce Now and Amazon Luna among other gaming platforms, natively
The Samsung Smart Things is supported, which makes setting up even more easy, especially since I was already in the Samsung ecosystem
Cons:
The settings menu is not the most intuitive nor very easy to navigate. While the initial setup was a breeze, after that I had to dig a lot to get everything exactly how I liked it. Especially I think there should an easy way to quickly change the brightness
Sometimes it took a bit of time to start it up before operation can be performed
Samsung TV Plus, which offers some free live TV channels, became an annoyance after a while. It’ll start automatically in some random channel, with full audio blasting through the speaker. Even though I toggled some settings so that nothing should play when the projector boots up, it nonetheless went to a channel from time to time. And there’s no way to get rid of the TV Plus app
The projector brightness is not the best out there. In a well-lit room, it struggled a bit, especially if the projection surface was not smooth and entirely white
Resolution was limited to 1080p, so even with a “giant” sized image, in some cases it was not very crisp
Refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz, so not the most ideal display for FPS-style games
Micro-HDMI cable is not widely available, a standard HDMI port and an additional USB-C with HDMI/Displayport support would have been better
Even though Samsung touts easy screen mirroring from PCs, it was not very easy. And the manual/website/interface does not do a great job in explaining all the ways. Windows screen projection worked inconsistently
Even though the speakers were good, it was not very loud - especially in a crowded room
In a quiet environment, especially when it was set at my bedside table for late night cricket matches, the whirring/fan noise of the projector became a bit distracting
On a number of occasions, when watching for a long time (2/3 hours), the projector will restart suddenly (and annoyingly go to some random TV plus channel). After this it took a few minutes to regain control and get back into the game
The projector is not completely “portable” out of the box, since there’s not built-in battery. Rather a battery base needs to be bought separately. For the system to work a power supply with USB-C is needed
The settings menu is not the most intuitive nor very easy to navigate. While the initial setup was a breeze, after that I had to dig a lot to get everything exactly how I liked it. Especially I think there should an easy way to quickly change the brightness
Sometimes it took a bit of time to start it up before operation can be performed
Samsung TV Plus, which offers some free live TV channels, became an annoyance after a while. It’ll start automatically in some random channel, with full audio blasting through the speaker. Even though I toggled some settings so that nothing should play when the projector boots up, it nonetheless went to a channel from time to time. And there’s no way to get rid of the TV Plus app
The projector brightness is not the best out there. In a well-lit room, it struggled a bit, especially if the projection surface was not smooth and entirely white
Resolution was limited to 1080p, so even with a “giant” sized image, in some cases it was not very crisp
Refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz, so not the most ideal display for FPS-style games
Micro-HDMI cable is not widely available, a standard HDMI port and an additional USB-C with HDMI/Displayport support would have been better
Even though Samsung touts easy screen mirroring from PCs, it was not very easy. And the manual/website/interface does not do a great job in explaining all the ways. Windows screen projection worked inconsistently
Even though the speakers were good, it was not very loud - especially in a crowded room
In a quiet environment, especially when it was set at my bedside table for late night cricket matches, the whirring/fan noise of the projector became a bit distracting
On a number of occasions, when watching for a long time (2/3 hours), the projector will restart suddenly (and annoyingly go to some random TV plus channel). After this it took a few minutes to regain control and get back into the game
The projector is not completely “portable” out of the box, since there’s not built-in battery. Rather a battery base needs to be bought separately. For the system to work a power supply with USB-C is needed
All in all, the Samssung Freestyle Gen 2 projector opened up a new way to watch stuff for me. I enjoyed it very much during the recent Cricket world cup, and the F1 live streams. It has taken up a large part of my daily TV viewing, and would highly recommend it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Welcome to the beautifully imperfect world of Polaroid photography with the Polaroid Now Generation 2 camera. The classic, iconic analog instant camera comes with autofocus, a self-timer, and double exposure. All in a classic design, and now made with 40% recycled materials. Compatible with Polaroid i-Type & 600 film in the original Polaroid instant film format.
Customer Rating
4
Expensive (and cumbersome) way to capture moments
on November 15, 2023
Posted by: Jack
The Polaroid Now Gen 2 camera is, well, polarizing. It is at the same time cool, retro, stylish and at the same time cumbersome, inconvenient and difficult. In essence, this is not a photography tool,rather it’s an experience; it sits in a world of its own. After playing around with it for the last couple of weeks, here’s some aspects that I like and don’t like.
Likes:
The overall experience is unique, and at least to me very fun. It makes taking each and every photo an event, and a memorable one. It’s never dull, and creates opportunities to be creative
Everything works like a charm. I’ve yet to get any jammed paper, or other weird issue. Less buttons and options = less chance of things getting wrong
Camera is well built and does not need “babying” like other cameras. Lens seems well protected, the body is made out of durable plastic
Different types of paper/films are available, ranging from normal color or black-and-white, to fancy framed and special edition ones
Supports both Polaroid i-type and the old-school 600 films
Flash gives off an old school vibe which I like
There’s a timer in the front with an indicator light that helps to take selfies - again in the old-school way!
An overall fun plaything especially at events and gatherings
The overall experience is unique, and at least to me very fun. It makes taking each and every photo an event, and a memorable one. It’s never dull, and creates opportunities to be creative
Everything works like a charm. I’ve yet to get any jammed paper, or other weird issue. Less buttons and options = less chance of things getting wrong
Camera is well built and does not need “babying” like other cameras. Lens seems well protected, the body is made out of durable plastic
Different types of paper/films are available, ranging from normal color or black-and-white, to fancy framed and special edition ones
Supports both Polaroid i-type and the old-school 600 films
Flash gives off an old school vibe which I like
There’s a timer in the front with an indicator light that helps to take selfies - again in the old-school way!
An overall fun plaything especially at events and gatherings
Dislikes:
Some of the pros can be taken as cons for a lot of people - especially if the only camera you’ve ever used is a smartphone
Needs some thinking to “frame” and “setup” the photo
No autofocus, so distance needs to be optimum to reduce blurriness
Almost unusable without the flash and decent light
Flash is old-school i.e. has the red–eye effect
As you should already be aware - no post processing or saving of the image. This is a purely “print-once” camera. What you captures is what you get printed
As above, no memory, so no way to duplicate or retrieve a photo
Films are proprietary and quite expensive
Needs some experimentation with different types of film, so it becomes a more expensive venture
Film development takes some time, and needs to be handled properly (lied on it’s back in a dark place) - can be bothersome if you’ve not planned and are out and about
Some of the pros can be taken as cons for a lot of people - especially if the only camera you’ve ever used is a smartphone
Needs some thinking to “frame” and “setup” the photo
No autofocus, so distance needs to be optimum to reduce blurriness
Almost unusable without the flash and decent light
Flash is old-school i.e. has the red–eye effect
As you should already be aware - no post processing or saving of the image. This is a purely “print-once” camera. What you captures is what you get printed
As above, no memory, so no way to duplicate or retrieve a photo
Films are proprietary and quite expensive
Needs some experimentation with different types of film, so it becomes a more expensive venture
Film development takes some time, and needs to be handled properly (lied on it’s back in a dark place) - can be bothersome if you’ve not planned and are out and about
In essence, the Polaroid Now instant camera is a mixed bag. Unless you’re committed to put up with the chore or taking a once in a lifetime photo, and agree to spend some dough on the film, it may turn into a useless piece of toy. On the other hand, if you’re an aficionado and appreciate the art of taking good photos with not-so-fancy gear and don’t like digital wizardry, this may be something of a passion project. I personally love it, and have been using it to capture memorable moments of my family and my dogs. But most possibly, I’d give it a lot of thought before recommending it to anybody.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Enjoy your cookout with the fully connected Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker. With Ninja ProConnect, monitor and control the cooking of 2 different proteins, get real-time notifications to your phone, and even access recipes and cooking charts, all from the palm of your hand. Master Grill, BBQ Smoke, and Air Fry with 100% authentic smoky flavor you can taste.
Posted by: Jack
The Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Outdoor Grill is a perfect machine for someone new to the whole outdoor grilling/smoking game, and also a great addition to traditional gas/charcoal smokers and grills in general. Even though the weather has turned sour in the Pacific Northwest in the last few weeks, I was able to use it for some grilling and smoking parties to great satisfaction.
Pros:
Totally electric solution makes the unit small, easy to use and more importantly clean. Getting it up and running takes just a few minutes
The built in 2 thermometers makes cooking a breeze
App is very well organized and intuitive. Until I used the app to monitor a smoking job, I didn’t appreciate it much and thought of it more as a gimmick. Boy was I wrong. Now using my regular gas grill feels like using stone-age tools
Included grill-pan feels sturdy and very usable. Cleaning is quite easy due to the non-stick coating
Ninja Woodfire technology actually works. I used the included sample pallets (and got some other ones), and the flavor really did get into the mix. It won’t replace a traditional charcoal smoker by any means, but it comes pretty close. For newcomers this makes things so much convenient
Control for the different functions via the front panel (or the app) is easy to understand
Includes Air crisp, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate functions on top of grilling and smoking options, making it more versatile compared to traditional grills
A grill catcher with removable liner makes cleanup easier
Totally electric solution makes the unit small, easy to use and more importantly clean. Getting it up and running takes just a few minutes
The built in 2 thermometers makes cooking a breeze
App is very well organized and intuitive. Until I used the app to monitor a smoking job, I didn’t appreciate it much and thought of it more as a gimmick. Boy was I wrong. Now using my regular gas grill feels like using stone-age tools
Included grill-pan feels sturdy and very usable. Cleaning is quite easy due to the non-stick coating
Ninja Woodfire technology actually works. I used the included sample pallets (and got some other ones), and the flavor really did get into the mix. It won’t replace a traditional charcoal smoker by any means, but it comes pretty close. For newcomers this makes things so much convenient
Control for the different functions via the front panel (or the app) is easy to understand
Includes Air crisp, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate functions on top of grilling and smoking options, making it more versatile compared to traditional grills
A grill catcher with removable liner makes cleanup easier
Cons:
Even though this is the ‘XL’ version, the cooking surface is not the largest. Due to the way the unit closes (it has a fan and heater inside the lid), I had to plan ahead and had to make sure the meat does not touch anything. Grilling can be done with the lid open, but then the woodfire cooking option is unusable
Non-stick grilling pan means it is not the most durable/robust out there. I had to take some care on what tools I’m using (had to get wooden spatulas etc. so as not to scrape the surface)
The grill catcher can get full if you’re cooking large batches. Can get messy if not kept in check
Fan can feel a bit noisy
Even though this is the ‘XL’ version, the cooking surface is not the largest. Due to the way the unit closes (it has a fan and heater inside the lid), I had to plan ahead and had to make sure the meat does not touch anything. Grilling can be done with the lid open, but then the woodfire cooking option is unusable
Non-stick grilling pan means it is not the most durable/robust out there. I had to take some care on what tools I’m using (had to get wooden spatulas etc. so as not to scrape the surface)
The grill catcher can get full if you’re cooking large batches. Can get messy if not kept in check
Fan can feel a bit noisy
After grilling a bunch of burgers, sheekh kabobs, chicken breast, and chuck roasts, this has become my go to grill when I’m not entertaining a large crowd. It’s easy to use, setup, clean, etc. compared to my gas grill. And the app based control is a game changer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Protect and monitor your home from anywhere with the Tapo TC73 Pan/Tilt Camera. This indoor home security solution provides a seamless out-of-the box experience with easy installation and a 360° field of view of pets and people within the home. Experience 2K QHD Clear View, Smart Motion Tracking, AI Detection and much more directly from your smartphone through the Tapo App.
Posted by: Jack
TP-Link has been consistently spitting out quality products at an affordable price - I lost count how many Kasa smart plugs and switches I’ve bought over the years for both my own and my parent’s home. The Tapo TC73 WiFi camera is the first security camera I’ve used from TP-Link, and in short I’m impressed by the quality/features considering the price.
Pros:
Super easy to connect and customize all the settings
The ‘Tapo’ app includes support for previous ‘Kasa’ products
Lots of AI based features, with controllable sensitivity. Most of the detection were spot on, except I found the dog bark detection registering a lot of false positives
Connectivity has been hassle free for the last month or so I have used with no drop or access issue, from both home WiFI and also from outside using mobile network
2k video quality is very good, and captures great detail
Has local storage option through a microSD card support (up to 512 GB), and recording can be either continuous or ‘incident’ snippets. This is not a typical feature I saw some other cameras in this price point
Cloud storage is optional, and does not limit much functionality
Very good low light performance
Can see pretty well, in a limited range, in entire darkness with the built-in IR light
Support Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit
Comes with basic mounting kit to place the camera on the wall or ceiling
Have patrol mode
Cons:
Even though it says it supports WiFi 6, it only connects to the 2.4 GHz network
Panning speed felt a slow at times
Design is average, like all the thousands of cheap cameras available
Super easy to connect and customize all the settings
The ‘Tapo’ app includes support for previous ‘Kasa’ products
Lots of AI based features, with controllable sensitivity. Most of the detection were spot on, except I found the dog bark detection registering a lot of false positives
Connectivity has been hassle free for the last month or so I have used with no drop or access issue, from both home WiFI and also from outside using mobile network
2k video quality is very good, and captures great detail
Has local storage option through a microSD card support (up to 512 GB), and recording can be either continuous or ‘incident’ snippets. This is not a typical feature I saw some other cameras in this price point
Cloud storage is optional, and does not limit much functionality
Very good low light performance
Can see pretty well, in a limited range, in entire darkness with the built-in IR light
Support Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit
Comes with basic mounting kit to place the camera on the wall or ceiling
Have patrol mode
Cons:
Even though it says it supports WiFi 6, it only connects to the 2.4 GHz network
Panning speed felt a slow at times
Design is average, like all the thousands of cheap cameras available
In summary, the Tapo camera provides great value for budget oriented buyers, without skimping much features.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Capture the raw exhilaration of any moment with striking image quality and unmatched flexibility, even when the lights dim. Osmo Action 4 empowers thrill-seekers to record it all, share the rush, and set the tone.
Posted by: Jack
The DJI Osmo Action 4 is the latest iteration of DJI’s popular line of action cameras. And after using it while hiking and doing some light outdoor fun activities with my dogs, I’m really glad I upgraded from my 4 year old action cam. If you are in the market for a no-nonsense dependable rugged camera, this should be one of the top choices. And having the “Adventure bundle” I believe is a must-have.
The design and build is what’s expected from DJI. The camera, frame, mounting accessories everything feels premium. As typical, the camera is waterproof up to 60ft (18m) without a case (which can be increased to a whooping 186ft (60m) using a separate case) so that suited me for all the diving activity I ever plan to do. The camera came with 3 batteries, a battery case (which also doubles as an USB power bank when in a pinch), 2 quick-release magnetic adapter mount, a curved adhesive base, a protective frame, and finally a 5-ft (1.5m) extension rod. Among them, I believe the extension rod, 2 batteries and the battery case are not included in the standard bundle. More importantly, these accessories are compatible with at least the Action 3 camera. As for me, this is my first DJI action cam (all my previous “heroic” activities are captured by the other one).
Since I upgraded from a fairly old camera, I found DJI Action 4 to be easy to get used to. Most of the things are well thought out and pretty intuitive. I love the magnetic mount system - it’s something that once I got used to I had difficulty getting back to my old gear (no more “thumb-screwing” whenever I needed to move the camera). And for vertical capture, the protective case comes with another magnetic mount position. At first I was a bit afraid how it’ll hold up over rough terrains when I was capturing some off road driving, but once I figured out how to make a secure latch/lock there was very little wobble. And even when it did vibrate a bit, the Rocksteady+ came into view (albeit sacrificing some FOV angle).
Next comes the batteries which charge up really really fast (when of course I had a fast charging brick at hand - unfortunately no charger is included, only a USB-C cable) - this is a game-changer for me. I was getting 2 hours+ when using Rocksteady+ with 4k30, and could charge up in a jiffy when I forgot to take my battery case (DJI claims 80% in 18 minutes, and I concur). Furthermore, DJI claims the camera is deep-freeze resistant - I haven’t been able to test that out yet, but hopefully it’ll hold up in the upcoming skiing season.
Next comes the camera designs - in particular the dual touchscreens. My previous camera had a monochrome LCD-type front display which was handy, but now with the full color touchscreen, a whole new way to shoot and interact with the video opened up. Gone are the days when I had to dismount the camera from its base to change some video settings. Now most of that I can do from either one of those touchscreens. Speaking of interactions, the menu and controls are well laid out - it was a new system for me but I was able to figure out most of the stuff after a few shoots (and for more in depth the DJI Mimo app has a lot of helpful tutorials, and finally you have YouTube 🙂).
From a video quality perspective, I think it’s at the same level as it’s competitor. DJI has a distinct “flavor” to it which I think is like an acquired taste. I saw the difference in color and exposure immediately when I looked at my first footage, but after a while, and with some customization I have found a good blend. I don’t do a lot of post-processing color correction, but for interested people there’s the 10-bit D-log M color mode that opens up a ton of possibilities. Be sure to check some example videos etc. from creators to check if that suits your taste.
Now for my gripes: the companion DJI Mimo app is not available in Google Play (at least when I’m writing this). I had to sideload the app by downloading an .apk file from the DJI webpage, which raised my eyebrows. I’m not sure what’s the story here, but that’s what I found (it’s available in the Apple App Store though). I was very skeptical, since it opens up a vulnerability in Android, and I consulted a number of forums to confirm. Once it’s installed and set up it has been smooth sailing.
The second issue is - this annoying notification that pops up to activate the camera with the Mimo app. And of course for the first day it was a major pain in the back, because the app could not be found in the Google Play Store. It left a sour taste in my mouth.
All in all, I’m really enjoying using the camera. I have already filmed a few hikes I’ve done, and mounted it on my St Berdoodle to capture some very funny videos in the Oregon coast. It stood up well and did its job with ease. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Watch over your little one at home on the 5-inch, 720p High-Definition LCD Parent Unit Display or remotely on your smartphone with the VTech 2 Camera RM5766-2HD Smart WiFi video baby monitor. View rooms from top to bottom with the 100-degree vertical tilt angle and from side to side with the 360-degree horizontal pan capability. Enhance your baby’s sleep environment with a sound & light profile recommended by experts. Magnify details with the industry’s best 30x times zoom on the mobile app or 24 times on the viewer up to eight times and monitor room temperature and humidity levels directly from the Parent Unit Display. Plus, see your baby as clear as day, even in ultralow light, thanks to the automatic infrared Night Vision. Free professional in-app advice and videos provided by the experts at help assist in sleep and the growth and development of your baby.
Posted by: Jack
The VTech Baby Monitor has been a good all-around setup to keep constant watch on our little boy. It replaced my makeshift systems using normal pan/tilt cameras and provided me with some proper baby monitoring features. After using it for a couple of weeks here’re the things I observed:
Pros:
The biggest feature I appreciated is, when I was in my I didn’t need to rely on my WiFi and internet connection to see the video stream. The 5” display can be used locally. Moreover, the 2 cameras can have different connectivity, which I thing increase privacy/security
The 2 camera units came paired with the display/parent unit and it worked right out of the box. For busy new parents already going through a number of challenges at the beginning of child rearing, this is a subtle but really thoughtful way of design by VTech
There’s a companion app (MyVTech Baby Plus) that helps with setting up, configuring and most importantly updating the unit. But the great thing is it’s not needed - basically I was able to use the cameras out of the box without even downloading the app
The display is crisp and clear. And compared to some similar units I have seen, it is quite large
Motion detection and especially notification is almost instantaneous - and that’s true for both the parent unit and while using the app. That’s not true for a lot of the other offerings. Especially when I was using a regular camera as a baby monitor I was getting notification with a lot of lag from time to time, by the VTech handles this gracefully
There’s a temperature sensor built in, and based on my test with some non-contact thermometers, I found the reading quite consistent. This will never replace a true medical thermometer, but it’s a handy feature to know if the baby is getting too hot or too cold
The app video quality can be chosen between both 720p (HD) and 1080p (Full HD), and I found both to be useful
Split and petrol mode helped me to use both the cameras in a optimized manner
The camera units have built in speaker which can be used to play music or just talk
All the menus are designed well and can be figured out intuitively
Night light is there with some lighting options that can create a soothing atmosphere when needed
VTech will alert via email if they see a new login into the account. This is on top of 2-factor authentication which is a great security feature
No issues with battery and range (tested in a 2400 sq ft two storey house)
The biggest feature I appreciated is, when I was in my I didn’t need to rely on my WiFi and internet connection to see the video stream. The 5” display can be used locally. Moreover, the 2 cameras can have different connectivity, which I thing increase privacy/security
The 2 camera units came paired with the display/parent unit and it worked right out of the box. For busy new parents already going through a number of challenges at the beginning of child rearing, this is a subtle but really thoughtful way of design by VTech
There’s a companion app (MyVTech Baby Plus) that helps with setting up, configuring and most importantly updating the unit. But the great thing is it’s not needed - basically I was able to use the cameras out of the box without even downloading the app
The display is crisp and clear. And compared to some similar units I have seen, it is quite large
Motion detection and especially notification is almost instantaneous - and that’s true for both the parent unit and while using the app. That’s not true for a lot of the other offerings. Especially when I was using a regular camera as a baby monitor I was getting notification with a lot of lag from time to time, by the VTech handles this gracefully
There’s a temperature sensor built in, and based on my test with some non-contact thermometers, I found the reading quite consistent. This will never replace a true medical thermometer, but it’s a handy feature to know if the baby is getting too hot or too cold
The app video quality can be chosen between both 720p (HD) and 1080p (Full HD), and I found both to be useful
Split and petrol mode helped me to use both the cameras in a optimized manner
The camera units have built in speaker which can be used to play music or just talk
All the menus are designed well and can be figured out intuitively
Night light is there with some lighting options that can create a soothing atmosphere when needed
VTech will alert via email if they see a new login into the account. This is on top of 2-factor authentication which is a great security feature
No issues with battery and range (tested in a 2400 sq ft two storey house)
Cons:
Power adapters not marked. Monitor needs 2A while the cameras need 1.5A, no needed some patient reading to figure out
Uses 2.4GHz when used online (no support for 5 GHz WiFi)
No sound alert for noise, only LED indicator switching among green, amber and red based on noise level. You can continuously hear the audio from the camera if you want
No remote turn off feature for cameras
Even with high motion sensitivity when the baby flipped or moved slightly, the motion alert didn't trigger
Infrared night vision is weak. Either there’s a weak infrared light source or maybe there’s none, since when I used an external infrared light the sensing greatly improved.
Power adapters not marked. Monitor needs 2A while the cameras need 1.5A, no needed some patient reading to figure out
Uses 2.4GHz when used online (no support for 5 GHz WiFi)
No sound alert for noise, only LED indicator switching among green, amber and red based on noise level. You can continuously hear the audio from the camera if you want
No remote turn off feature for cameras
Even with high motion sensitivity when the baby flipped or moved slightly, the motion alert didn't trigger
Infrared night vision is weak. Either there’s a weak infrared light source or maybe there’s none, since when I used an external infrared light the sensing greatly improved.
All in all I think this is a good combo system to have. It’s less frustrating compared to makeshift setups, or even some other monitor systems which I greatly appreciated being a new parent.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Meet the ultra-powerful, wet & dry MessMaster vacuum and mini Shop Vac. Powered by No Loss of Suction Technology, it handles life’s un-vacuumable messes, from DIY disasters to kid chaos. When you’re done, MessMaster can rinse itself, cleaning the dust bin with just a cup of water. You even have the option to line the dust bin with a plastic bag to keep the mess contained for easy disposal.
Posted by: Jack
The Shark Messmaster is a unique vacuum that offers the power and versatility of a wet/dry vacuum, combining the portability of a small unit. After using it for the last couple of weeks, I now wonder how I was able to contain the never-ending train of mess created by my two dogs all these years.
The first thing I want to get out of the way is; the “portable” part of the MessMaster is a bit misleading - it’s portable in the sense that it’s small and light enough that can be carried around the house even by a child, and not in the sense that it’s is “plug-free” or battery powered (I was we get there someday though). And the second, even though it is a wet/dry vacuum, it won’t necessarily replace a real large traditional wet/dry vacuum i.e. this is no “shop vac”.
With those out of the way, the performance and usability of the MessMaster is truly astonishing. So even though I said it’s not cordless, it’s actually a good thing that it’s corded - this allows the vacuum to have really high suction power. It trumps all battery powered vacuums I have, and is even better at picking up debris than Shark's own full-size upright one that has been my main weapon for the last few years. It’s not quiet (and I never expected it to be), but not too loud as to give me a headache when I’m using it at close proximity. The multiple accessory/heads given (which includes a squeeze for the wet stuff) are well made and can be stored conveniently in the provided holder. It does not have a roller head for carpets, but again this is not a regular carpet vacuum, rather a nice way to fight messes and spills in the home. As such, I use it more as a remedy for “accidents” than as a regular cleaner. The container can only hold ~around 1 gallon or dirt/dust (but only ~half-gallon of liquid), so this is obviously not for work-related cleanup.
Where it overshadows the regular vacuum is it is able to work with both dry and wet messes, and it does so elegantly compared to a regular shop vac. I didn’t have to change the filter or any bags when I was switching from picking up spilled kibbles and cereals to sucking up the spilled coffee from the floor. Moreover, the dirt container can accommodate a variety of bags that help cleaning the vacuum itself super easy. And the cherry on the cake is the easy-peasy way the MessMaster can self-clean - with just water (or water and vinegar when the mess is more intimidating). As such, it makes keeping the vacuum nice and tidy very convenient - I’d rinse it after almost every task, and after a few weeks I typically do a deep clean. And here the MessMaster again proves that the Shark team took their sweet time developing this - most of the things can be cleaned in a dishwasher - which I found to be amazing.
The build and ergonomics is spot on. Very rarely I found Shark products to be made flimsily, and the MessMaster didn’t disappoint. The hose and the power cord can be wrapped around the unit very easily, and as I already mentioned, all the accessories have a stowage space.
In summary, I’m extremely happy with the MessMaster. It has made my daily cleaning less strenuous. And the price seemed fair compared to the versatility it provides. Almost a must have if you’re dealing (like me) with everyday spills and messes by furry friends or children. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Stay on top of your game with impressively powerful, noise cancelling AZ80 wireless earbuds with reference-quality sound. Discover legendary recorded music as you've never heard it before with Technics' highest-resolution audio, giving you the feel of the arena, an exclusive club, or in-studio magic; hear all the incredible details, from the warm timbre of a singer's voice to the thrill of the beat drop. Like you, these bluetooth earbuds work as hard as they play, with state-of-the-art noise cancellation so you can focus on your critical business. A must-have for high-priority business calls, AZ80 earbuds ensure you voice comes through seamlessly on every call, with enhanced JustMyVoice technology using 8 MEMS microphones and an advanced noise-reducing algorithm to minimize outside interference. Now you can connect to more than two devices at the same time – Technics’ Multipoint technology allows you to connect to three Bluetooth devices simultaneously, keeping you connected to your computer, tablet and phone at once and giving you the ability to multitask with flow, whether you're on a plane or on the golf green. Charge wirelessly (Qi compatible) to keep your workspace and bedside table neat; supports wireless hi-res audio using state-of-the-art Bluetooth with LDAC compatibility. Noise cancellation, EQ, and more are customizable through the Technics audio app so you can always have sound just as you want it.
Posted by: Jack
Even though the AZ80 is not its first foray into the true wireless earbud market, the Panasonic Technics is not the first brand that comes to mind. Even though a lot of people know about the “iconic” Technics turntables that are still loved by DJs for quite a long time, regular people hardly know that Technics also sells audio gear for daily use (and also that Panasonics owns the Technics brand). And while that may be the case, after using the Panasonic Technics AZ90 earbuds for more than a few weeks now, all I can say is I’m so glad I picked it up. TL;DR: they are now my go to earbuds for regular use.
The price point the AZ80 targets is in the “premium” range, and there are a lot of incumbents who have been delivering very good products for the last few years. And unlike me, most people prefer the ubiquitous white stems by the unnamed fruit company. Panasonic chose a hard battle to fight and instead of taking a shortcut like being super cheap and providing an OK or average experience, they delivered a very well rounded package. All the features that are provided and all the controls that I was able to fiddle with made sense and gave a hearty experience.
The build and finish is very good and when I picked it, I felt right away that this is a premium product. The black case, which also doubles as a charger, has a top lid with a brushed metallic finish, with an adornment of golden Technics logo. When opened up, the earbuds are presented, locked in position with a decent amount of magnetic force. Again, the golden technics logo is engraved on a touch-surface that has a CD-like circular texture. Being a popular turntable maker, it’s a nice touch from Technics to remind us of the bygone era of CDs. Multiple pogo pins stick out from the case and take care of charging when the earbuds are snapped back in the cradle with a satisfying click. The case can be charged via the USB-C port (a short USB-C to USB-C cable is provided in the box), and also supports Qi wireless charging. For notifications/status, 2 LEDs, one of which can be seen even when the case is closed, lights up in green and red.
The earbuds themselves are not the smallest I have seen. The in ear type nozzles are sized just right, but the rest sticks out a bit on the ear concha. Again this is the lightest unit out there, but after getting used to it in a day, I didn’t really notice the size or the weight in any manner. These do not come with fins, but for most activities (including moderate running/jogging), rarely did they fall off my ear, especially after I got the right fit. And what a load of options Technics provide in the box - even though all are silicone ear tips, there are 7 pairs of them to choose from.
After getting my fit figured out (which was also helped by a measurement option via the Technics Audio Connect companion app), I went through my favorite playlist on Spotify. And boy oh boy was I pleased. I’m not an audiophile by any means, but I like to enjoy my music. And even I’d always prefer my open-back planar magnetic headphones given the chance, for on the go wireless solution, the AZ80 trumped almost all my previous true wireless earbuds. The sound is crisp, clear, with a decent soundstage (given its form-factor), and overall well balanced. I listen to a lot of metal, rock, while also lounging back to classical ones when I’m relaxing, and by tweaking the EQs, I was able to get a perfect balance for my taste. I didn’t find the bass to be muddy, or the high-end to be too harsh - the AZ80 brings clarity, at least to my ears, for most genres. Again music and sound is such a subjective matter that one’s man trash is another man’s gold (in the very extreme case), but after letting my family and some friends have a listen almost all commented that it sounded good to their ears.
After getting my fit figured out (which was also helped by a measurement option via the Technics Audio Connect companion app), I went through my favorite playlist on Spotify. And boy oh boy was I pleased. I’m not an audiophile by any means, but I like to enjoy my music. And even I’d always prefer my open-back planar magnetic headphones given the chance, for on the go wireless solution, the AZ80 trumped almost all my previous true wireless earbuds. The sound is crisp, clear, with a decent soundstage (given its form-factor), and overall well balanced. I listen to a lot of metal, rock, while also lounging back to classical ones when I’m relaxing, and by tweaking the EQs, I was able to get a perfect balance for my taste. I didn’t find the bass to be muddy, or the high-end to be too harsh - the AZ80 brings clarity, at least to my ears, for most genres. Again music and sound is such a subjective matter that one’s man trash is another man’s gold (in the very extreme case), but after letting my family and some friends have a listen almost all commented that it sounded good to their ears.
My weeklong endeavor continued thanks to the claimed 7 hours battery life of the earbuds, along with “up to” 24 hours total by using the charge case. With multipoint (2 device) and LDAC enabled, along with ANC set on I was able to get around 6 days of usage before the case gave in. Strangely, when the case got to 0% charge, the earbuds were also depleted very very quickly (even though they were off). Typically charging up the case, from empty to full, took around 3 hours.
The controls, both on the earbuds touch surfaces and the companion app, provide a lot of flexibility. There are numerous things that can be done by tapping the surfaces in different ways, which I needed some getting used to. But once I got the hang of it (and tweaked it a bit the app since they are customizable), I rarely had to go back to the app. Speaking of the app, it is versatile and packs a lot of features - and that is both its strength and weakness. If you like tinkering, the app provides a lot of customization options, while for other people it can be slightly overwhelming. I hope Technics can work on balancing that out in future updates.
ANC and multipoint are some of the premium features that are offered in the AZ80. There are different modes of ANC with different strength that can be set to one’s preference, along with ambient and attention mode transparency modes for sound passthrough when needed. I don’t think the ANC and transparency performance is the best out there, but they are very very usable. It was able to deaden the drone of fans and other humming/buzzing noises from my vicinity quite well, as well as drown out the road noise in a car trip. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to try them out in an airplane setting yet so that’s still an open item to check. In terms of multipoint connectivity, Technics I think leads others at the moment. I was able to connect, and “use” the earbuds with 3 devices (2 Android devices and a Windows laptop) with minimum fuss, even though I had to let go of LDAC and settle for AAC. Most of the time, I was using the 2 device multipoint, which gave LDAC (though in “best effort” mode), and I only disabled that when I was trying to use the best quality LDAC bitrate when listening to the HD tracks from my smartphone. The switching between devices was event-free which is rarely the case with my past earbuds. Being a remote worker, this feature suited me very well indeed.
In the end, I think the Technics AZ80 is one of the best true-wireless earbuds currently available, and a definite consideration. It’s a truly underrated product and I’m glad I was able to get it. It’s my daily driver for the foreseeable future.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX is designed for 10x longer filter life, saving you $300 or more in filter replacement costs over 5 years*. It captures 99.98% of airborne particles like allergens*, dust, and dander (based on IEST-RP-CC007.3, 0.1-0.2 microns). It covers up to 1400 sq. ft. for powerful, multi-room purification. Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against odors throughout your home, releasing a fresh scent into your air for 2x better odor reduction vs. filtration alone, Based on ASTM E544 vs. HP300 with filter and carbon only, after 30 minutes. *Allergen refers to non-living matter. *Vs. cost of replacing filters on a competitor unit over 5-year period in 300 square foot space.
Customer Rating
4
No filter replacement, works great at large spaces
on August 23, 2023
Posted by: Jack
In the last couple of years, due to the recurring wildfires nearby and poor air quality, we were desperately looking for a competent air purifier that can take care of our large living space, but we were unable to get a decent one. Instead we had to make do with multiple smaller ones which ended up taking a lot of space and created a lot of inconvenience. Thus the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max was a welcome addition to our home and replaced almost all our purifier units.
The unit is a medium sized cylinder, standing just under 2 feet. There’s a display on the front that shows the air quality in the surroundings (and can also show the PM count if chosen), and a touch-based control panel on the top. The control is simple and intuitive, and allows control of the fan speed, timer, and some basic functionality.
The air inlets are on the side, while the top part also doubles as the outlet. There are 2 filter systems in the unit - 2 outside “mesh” type permanent filters that traps larger pollutants like hair and debris, and then there’s the cylindrical main filter that actually does the major work. And that main filter is the unique feature of this air purifier unit. Branded “NeverChange”, this filter is claimed by Shark to last up to 5 years. Now that begs the question why call it “NeverChange”, but to put in perspective, all the other air purifiers I have in my home need a filter change every 6-8 months, and they are not cheap by any means. And that equals a lot of money spent every year to keep them working. This is exactly where Shark has stepped up the game, and that alone is a driving factor to get this purifier over others.
The main filter can capture up to 99.98% airborne particles and exceeds HEPA standards, at least based on Shark’s internal testing, but I’m always in the lookout to get independent testing data (which is annoyingly quite hard to come by). I sincerely hope Shark gives that out in the future. But given Sharks track record, give them the benefit of the doubt.
Apart from filtering, the unit is very user friendly and almost a “set and forget” type appliance. The auto mode constantly monitors the air quality and churns up the fan speed as needed, and more importantly, can turn it off completely to conserve both power and filter lifespan. Furthermore, the display can be dimmed so at night it doesn’t create an eyesore (and for me works like a night light).
The build quality of the air purifier is decent - it’s not built like a tank, but does seem to be well put together. The only issue I had was that the bottom panel that holds the main filter needs to be screwed on properly - once I was trying to move the unit when that part popped off and the filter fell out. I hope Shark improves the locking mechanism in future iterations to make it more foolproof. On top of all these, there’s an odor-neutralizing functionality that uses consumable cartridges that can freshen up the area.
The build quality of the air purifier is decent - it’s not built like a tank, but does seem to be well put together. The only issue I had was that the bottom panel that holds the main filter needs to be screwed on properly - once I was trying to move the unit when that part popped off and the filter fell out. I hope Shark improves the locking mechanism in future iterations to make it more foolproof. On top of all these, there’s an odor-neutralizing functionality that uses consumable cartridges that can freshen up the area.
As for performance, I could only do comparisons with my existing units, and I can say for certain that it performed almost as well as units double its price. I could see that it was able to detect smoke and odor from my “Asian” cooking - it pumped up the fan when I was frying some things and forgot to turn on the cooker-hood, and after a while I felt that most of the odor was gone. I have two dogs and dog hair is common in our house. It seems the unit was able to capture most of that (apparent when I took out the outside filters). All the filters need to be cleaned regularly to ensure peak performance, but taking them out and vacuuming them is very easy to do.
It’s hard for me to declare this is the best air purifier out there without a lot of data. But for the price, Shark has created a very good competitor. The removal of constant filter change is the star, and the design and operation is very good.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Jack's Review Comments
VIZIO E-Series E40-C2 LED Smart HDTV: This VIZIO Smart TV can fill your living room or bedroom with stunning visuals and your favorite movies, shows and apps in one place. You can stream media right from the TV, or use your smartphone, tablet or computer to project onto the big screen in up to 1080p quality.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Constant buzzing noise
By Jack
Bought the TV because for the best features in the price point ($314.99+tax). Looks great, and picture quality is quite good. However, there's a constant buzzing sound whenever the display is on. Tried to troubleshoot, and contacted Vizio. They said they can send a replacement, but with an older model (E420i-B2). Instead, exchanged it for a new one at Best Buy. The buzzing sound is a lot less now, and will observe and update review if it persists. Would have been a great value.
Jack
Raleigh, NC
June 14, 2015
Update: 06/14/15
I liked the TV so much that I exchanged it for a 3rd time. However, that annoying humming sound is still present whenever the backlight setting tweaked. Best Buy couldn't do anything about it, and Vizio did not provide any suitable solution (again offering the older model as replacement).
Thus, sadly I returned it and got a Samsung (UN40J6200) which was on sale for $50 more. No humming/buzzing nonsense, and picture is pretty good. The set, however, is not as sleek as the Vizio (a lot thicker bezel, and depth is bigger too). Hope this will workout finally.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
VIZIO E-Series E40-C2 LED Smart HDTV: This VIZIO Smart TV can fill your living room or bedroom with stunning visuals and your favorite movies, shows and apps in one place. You can stream media right from the TV, or use your smartphone, tablet or computer to project onto the big screen in up to 1080p quality.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Constant buzzing noise
By Jack
Bought the TV because for the best features in the price point ($314.99+tax). Looks great, and picture quality is quite good. However, there's a constant buzzing sound whenever the display is on. Tried to troubleshoot, and contacted Vizio. They said they can send a replacement, but with an older model (E420i-B2). Instead, exchanged it for a new one at Best Buy. The buzzing sound is a lot less now, and will observe and update review if it persists. Would have been a great value.
Jack
Raleigh, NC
June 15, 2015
Actually, it was my first guess too. But I tried a number of scenarios, and in all cases what I observed was that the buzzing is somehow correlated to the backlight (like the noise changes when the screen is all dark or all white). Also, all three exhibited the problem when I took them back to the Best Buy Geek Squad counter. The fact that both Vizio and Best Buy tech support asked me to exchange the sets without even mentioning any troubleshooting steps worried me that maybe there's no easy solution.
Somehow, I got my hands on three defective units. Bad luck I guess.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung 40" Class UN40J6200AFXZA LED Smart HDTV: With a Full HD viewing experience and easy access to your favorite media and entertainment, you'll love this Smart TV. Enjoy the rich color and quality resolution as you shop online, watch streaming videos or update social media from your TV screen.
Overall
5 out of 5
5 out of 5Excellent TV for the price
By Jack
from Raleigh, NC
I got this TV from Best Buy a few days back, after getting very disappointed with a Vizio E40-C2 (had it replaced 3 times, but a humming/buzzing sound is always there driving me nuts).
Initial thoughts: The picture is pretty good. The design is not minimalistic as the Vizio, and its a quite thick TV. The only complain is out of the box, the picture looked terrible due to very poorly done calibration. Had to spend a lot of time to get a well-balanced picture.
Smart hub is OK, and a bit better than what Vizio had to offer.
A fair bit of googling indicates that it uses a native 120Hz panel made by Samsung themselves. The picture is also more legible in a bright room compared to the Vizio E40-C2.
Jack
Raleigh, NC
June 26, 2015
After using the TV for more than a week, all I can say is the TV is performing just the way I wanted. The only drawback I found is that the Samsung Smart Hub software used is an older version (2014), not the new 2015 'Tizen' based one. The apps are also very slow. So if Smart features are important to you, make sure you look into this carefully before buying. I don't mind because I only use the major apps (Netflix/Amazon), and the sluggishness does not bother me.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
VIZIO E-Series E40-C2 LED Smart HDTV: This VIZIO Smart TV can fill your living room or bedroom with stunning visuals and your favorite movies, shows and apps in one place. You can stream media right from the TV, or use your smartphone, tablet or computer to project onto the big screen in up to 1080p quality.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Constant buzzing noise
By Jack
Bought the TV because for the best features in the price point ($314.99+tax). Looks great, and picture quality is quite good. However, there's a constant buzzing sound whenever the display is on. Tried to troubleshoot, and contacted Vizio. They said they can send a replacement, but with an older model (E420i-B2). Instead, exchanged it for a new one at Best Buy. The buzzing sound is a lot less now, and will observe and update review if it persists. Would have been a great value.
Jack
Raleigh, NC
November 19, 2015
@MiketheD:
I don't think it's related to my room or anything, as the Geek Squad person also heard the buzzing sound and thus suggested to try another TV
I don't think it's related to my room or anything, as the Geek Squad person also heard the buzzing sound and thus suggested to try another TV
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Jack's Questions
Jack has not submitted any questions.
Jack's Answers
Enjoy a smooth gaming experience with this 27-inch ASUS Full HD monitor. The Shadow Boost feature increases clarity in dark scenes, and the ultrafast response times minimize blurring and streaking for seamless gameplay. This ASUS Full HD monitor has an ergonomic design that allows tilting, swiveling and pivoting as needed.
Is the monitor free sync or g-sync?
The monitor supports G-sync. Check the Asus website: https://www.asus.com/us/Displays-Desktops/Monitors/TUF-Gaming/TUF-GAMING-VG279QR/
2 years, 11 months ago
by
Jack
Get a new take on security, with the latest indoor 1080p FHD Wi-Fi security camera. Small and lightweight in design, this camera gives users the flexibility of multiple placement options along with a simple set-up and installation process. See more and know more with an ultra-wide 135° diagonal field of view and night vision capabilities. Pan and tilt to cover larger areas so you don’t miss out on the most important details. Be aware when you’re not there with person detection technology, which will notify you when a person is detected.
Is this camera good for streaming/ use with Zoom? It says "Security" camera but I do not want a security camera. I want a camera that can work with Zoom and stream live with remote control app over wifi.
This is not a camera compatible with "Zoom" the online meeting service. Rather it has digital zoom to magnify the video.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Jack
Pair your workout with these black Jaybird Vista wireless headphones. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 6 hours of listening time, while the waterproof, sweatproof design helps prevent fluid damage. These Jaybird Vista wireless headphones have ear hooks and three pairs of soft interchangeable eartips for a secure fit and added comfort during extended periods of use.
Are they really sweatproof?
It survived when I took it for a run. Also survived a trip to the washer
4 years, 7 months ago
by
Jack
Pair your workout with these black Jaybird Vista wireless headphones. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 6 hours of listening time, while the waterproof, sweatproof design helps prevent fluid damage. These Jaybird Vista wireless headphones have ear hooks and three pairs of soft interchangeable eartips for a secure fit and added comfort during extended periods of use.
How do you control the volume
There's no dedicated volume control button, so you have to rely on your phone/device volume controller
4 years, 7 months ago
by
Jack
mophie powerstation mini: Built to keep your smartphone full of power throughout the day to help it keep up with your busy lifestyle, this charger fits right in your pocket, and has a protective metal outer band.
Voltage input? 100-240V ?
It's charged from a stranded 5V USB supply (PC USB port or other standard USB charger) so the AC voltage level is irrelevant.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
Jack
Hear yourself in the studio with these Audio-Technica ATH-M50x AUD ATHM50X monitor headphones, which feature 45mm large-aperture drivers for faithful sound replication. The 90° swiveling earcups allow comfortable 1-ear monitoring.
How well does this work plugged in to a desktop computer?
I have a Mac Mini that is use for music mixing. Will these work with the headphone port, or will the sound be too quiet?
I use it with my laptop (Lenovo Ideapad) audio out, and it works fine. You may opt for a dac/amp if you want better performance.
8 years ago
by
Jack
Hear yourself in the studio with these Audio-Technica ATH-M50x AUD ATHM50X monitor headphones, which feature 45mm large-aperture drivers for faithful sound replication. The 90° swiveling earcups allow comfortable 1-ear monitoring.
Can these be worn while I walk or jog?
I KNOW these are advertised as studio headphones. But could they be worn while a person walks or jogs?
I use them while walking, but maybe I'll refrain from using them while jogging/running. The size of these headphones are not "small", so I'd feel very awkward while jogging with them.
8 years ago
by
Jack
Samsung 40" Class UN40J6200AFXZA LED Smart HDTV: With a Full HD viewing experience and easy access to your favorite media and entertainment, you'll love this Smart TV. Enjoy the rich color and quality resolution as you shop online, watch streaming videos or update social media from your TV screen.
Does this tv have a digital tuner built in?
Yes, it does have a built-in digital tuner.
8 years, 10 months ago
by
Jack
Raleigh, NC
VIZIO E-Series E40-C2 LED Smart HDTV: This VIZIO Smart TV can fill your living room or bedroom with stunning visuals and your favorite movies, shows and apps in one place. You can stream media right from the TV, or use your smartphone, tablet or computer to project onto the big screen in up to 1080p quality.
Does the Vizio E40-C2 have an Ethernet port?
Yes, it has a standard Ethernet port
8 years, 10 months ago
by
Jack
Raleigh, NC
VIZIO E-Series E40-C2 LED Smart HDTV: This VIZIO Smart TV can fill your living room or bedroom with stunning visuals and your favorite movies, shows and apps in one place. You can stream media right from the TV, or use your smartphone, tablet or computer to project onto the big screen in up to 1080p quality.
Does the TV stand only fit in one position?
Does the TV stand only fit in one position? Or can the two pieces of the stand be moved inward towards the center of the TV and fit into other positions of the base, so that the TV can rest on a table that isn't as wide as the TV itself?
No, the stand only fits in one position.
8 years, 10 months ago
by
Jack