vrs99's stats
- Review count200
- Helpfulness votes1,288
- First reviewOctober 30, 2013
- Last reviewNovember 3, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
- Review comment count8
- Helpfulness votes6
- First review commentDecember 29, 2013
- Last review commentJuly 18, 2017
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count45
- Helpfulness votes47
- First answerDecember 31, 2013
- Last answerJanuary 17, 2022
- Featured answers0
- Best answers1
Arlo Pro 2 keeps an eye on your home while you're away, in brilliant 1080p HD quality. Put the 100% wire-free, weather-resistant camera anywhere, indoors or out. Then, power it with the included rechargeable battery or plugged it in (when indoors) to access activity zones and 24/7 Continuous Video Recording upgrades. Use 2-way audio or remotely sound a 100+ device siren while catching every moment with night vision and advanced motion detection. You'll even get motion and sound-activated alerts and 7 days of free cloud video recordings. Arlo Pro 2 works with Amazon Alexa to make your smart home security even more simple and effective.
Customer Rating
5
Lights, Action, Camera!
on November 12, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
Rolling out this review only days after receiving my Arlo Pro 2, it is such a Brilliant System I had to post my first impressions!
What first impressed me was the absolute simplicity in setting up the system and getting it on-line and running.
Arlo arrived on Thursday afternoon just after a couple of men had driven down my very long driveway, which is highly unusual for us as we are far from the road and the house is not visible to traffic. Noticed them looking into my garage and my equipment. Issue, we were leaving the next day for the weekend.
Decided to get Arlo on-line before we left. Astonishingly within less than hour I had setup the system, mounting cameras in my home as well as in our detached garage. App was in my phone, Arlo was running, and I had a good grip on the system operation. One thing I loved was I first added the Arlo base to my main network, but then switched the connection to my Mesh network on a different sub-net. Cannot recall the last time any network device was so easy in changing networks. No issues, smooth sailing.
After so many new devices coming to market that can only be accessed and managed by mobile apps only, it is refreshing to see a company do their job and include computer internet access. Kudos for going the distance in programming. Managing the system and monitoring by either mobile, tablet or computer is excellent.
Arlo is amazingly flexible and meets many, many needs and requirements. Home, business, child, etc. monitoring and security are what Arlo is all about, it delivers.
Will not go deep into all the spec’s or into the Wide Range of Capabilities of this Brilliant System, it is the best I have seen, it is the most well thought-out and implemented system. NetGear put quality into Arlo and it shows.
Customarily I do not get enthusiastic over tech equipment (IT guy for decades), but Arlo rings the bell. If you want a solid system for your security take a good close look at Arlo.
Would like to mention the audio, for it was fun when my friend came over to feed the fish. Got an alert that there was motion in my home so popped up the camera and saw my friend. They were Very Alarmed when I spoke to them through the camera. “This is the police, stand still!”
On a closing note, it was “Peace of Mind” the first morning when I turned on my computer, called up Arlo and saw all my stuff was where it belongs. Thanks Arlo.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
5of 7voted this as helpful.
Save precious kitchen prep time with this Philips Viva multi-chopper. Its two functions provide coarse and fine chopping, and its automatic speed selection adjusts its performance to the type of ingredient. This 500W Philips Viva multi-chopper lets you achieve chef-quality results for coarsely chopped ingredients thanks to its ChopDrop technology.
Customer Rating
5
CHOP CHOP, Smooth Easy Vegi Dicing - Really!
on October 19, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
Simply put:
Super Easy Vegetable Chopping
Fast – Will Dice up an Onion in Seconds with No Tears
Quick Easy Cleanup
That is, it in a Nutshell, it is exactly what I have always wanted to see in a vegetable chopper (one of my pet peeves when I cook is all the time spent slicing and dicing). Have used numerous choppers in the past, none that I tried are still in my kitchen. This one has a spot on the counter.
If you want to chop and dice quickly with easy cleaning I suggest you give it twirl.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
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Deliver dynamic reports, lectures and proposals with this Epson business projector. Its XGA resolution and 3,300 lumens of color and white brightness provide optimal clarity for text and graph presentations, and it has HDMI, USB and RCA ports to support various media sources. This Epson business projector produces an image size of up to 300 inches to suit large venues.
Customer Rating
5
Brilliant Projector
on October 6, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
Straight out of the box discovered that it is as simple as it gets to setup a new projector, you can literally be up and running in minutes. That said, I do recommend reading the Quick Setup instructions first.
Before using the projector, I was quite sure it is a solid model as our school district has similar Epson projectors throughout all the classrooms in the district. And that is a lot of classrooms with years of operation.
What I like is that the projector is easy to use and it works flawlessly, projects an exceptional image, has a wide range of input ports, simple focus and a very good cooling system. While the system is easy to operate it is highly flexible with advanced features, such as having the ability to be operated from a mobile device wireless connection (requires an optional wireless module).
Connections include HDMI, USB-A, USB-B, VGA, and component (see picture below). HDMI works great. Resolution is 1024x768 with vivid colors. Supports PC Free presentations with the use of USB devices which you can add special effects to from the options menu. The VS350 is a brilliant choice for presentations with flexible choice of input and control.
If the projector is added to a network it gives you the ability to hold interactive meetings by projecting user’s computer screens over the network, have not tested this yet but is a cool feature for offices, etc. Additionally, if it is joined to the network you can monitor and control the projector remotely on the network.
If you are looking for a serious business projector with a long track record I would recommend taking a good look at the VS350.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
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Motivate yourself with great music by using these in-ear Jaybird FREEDOM 2 Bluetooth headphones. They provide up to eight hours of playback thanks to the included charging clip, and their Jaybird app lets you adjust the audio settings. These Jaybird FREEDOM 2 Bluetooth headphones easily switch to under-ear mode for answering calls.
Customer Rating
5
BAM! 8 Hours of Music on the Go - Incredible Tunes
on October 6, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
The Jaybird x3 sport earbuds pack impressive sound yet sleek enough to go anywhere. These impressive earbuds fit firmly in your ears with interchangeable parts to fit your style, as noted in Jaybird’s material “They Just Fit”.
The Jaybird earbuds are made to be on the go, with an extra battery pack that gives you four extra hours of playtime (that’s eight hours in total) to keep you running.
Two Highlights; The build which uses “Double Hydrophopic Nano” coating to protect against moisture, rain, snow, mud and sweat. Use the Jaybird App to tweak the amplified speakers to your taste, good stuff.
The Jaybird also have the best sound out of all the ones I have. Overall these are the best earbuds that I have ever used.
I know they are exceptional as my son tried them and will not give them back!
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Pull out this Shark DuoClean Slim upright vacuum for jobs large and small. The included dusting brush and crevice and upholstery tools make it a powerhouse for cleaning furniture and out-of-the-way corners. This Shark DuoClean Slim upright vacuum is lightweight, making it easy to transport up flights of stairs on cleaning day.
Customer Rating
5
First-Class Slim Vacuum Cleaner
on September 22, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
Unboxing and setup, was an absolute breeze. Typically, I will refer to the quick setup or manual but with the Shark it was a simple task of connecting a few components as they came out of the box. Literally within minutes the Shark was ready to roll.
First impressions, the handle is a first-rate design allowing several comfortable positions to operate the vacuum. It is a compact design which works well for our use and storage. Design and look are brilliant, simply stated, it looks great.
The included Attachments offer a good selection of cleaning tools, and the company offers additional attachments if needed. There is an accessory holder for two attachments.
Cleaning; we had just vacuumed our living room a few days prior to when we used the Shark the first time. Impressively within minutes it had collected a significant amount of debris in the see-through canister. Two thumbs up on the power and cleaning capabilities. It gets the job done easily.
The vacuum had two modes besides upright, one is Above the Floor mode where you disconnect the handle to reach areas above the floor. There is additionally Lift Away mode where you disconnect the vacuum “pod” away from the floor nozzle, handy for reaching difficult to get at areas. The unit also switches easily from carpet to hardware.
It is a well-thought-out design which looks handsome in your home, does a great job cleaning and easy cleanup and storage.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Take control of your oral health with this Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush. The microchip-containing brush head sends brushing data directly to your phone to ensure that each tooth in your mouth is getting proper care. This Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush even tells you when to change heads to keep your brush performing its best.
Customer Rating
5
Greatest Cleaning System Ever
on September 13, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
This is my third Sonicare Toothbrush, the Technology and Design in the 9300 DiamondClean Smart System is beyond what I would have imagined in a toothbrush.
When taking the 9300 Toothbrush System from the box for the first time it was obviously a tremendous leap forward in brushing technology. The appearance of the handle and feel of the handle is inviting, you can see right away that is a top of the line appliance.
The accessories that come with the brush as well are thoroughly thought out, one of my favorite is the Charger with the Clear Glass Holder/Base, the charger holder/base looks as any drinking glass you would find in the kitchen. Why my enthusiasm for the base, that is quite simply being a clear glass you know when you need to clean the charger base. Plus, it looks wonderful sitting on the counter, designer even.
Carrying case is a leap ahead from my older plastic holder cases, it as well has the designer appeal and the handle and two brush heads fit easily and snug. Great for the traveler.
Personally, I am a Gadget Person and have a home full of them to prove the point. Was a bit taken back and amused to find when I first set my 9300 DiamondClean up that I had to Update the Firmware in the toothbrush! Have updated everything from mainframe computer systems to kid’s gadgets, but never imagined the day I would be upgrading the programming of a toothbrush.
Was at first “smiling” at the idea of having my toothbrush communicate (Bluetooth) with my cell phone. First thought was it was another IoT that had gone too far, question being why would I want my toothbrush to talk to my phone app.
Have come up with two exacting reasons why after using the system, first being it is highly accurate detecting every tooth you have brushed and the duration. If like me you will simply find that you can develop a better brushing routine that will reward you with healthier teeth and gums by following the App’s Directions, really it works.
Second answer is that if you have children, who love anything computer will jump at the chance to brush their teeth while watching their progress on the phone’s app. It is a Great Guide and will likewise benefit your Children’s Health for many Decades to come.
One of my favorite aspects to this system is that I find myself stopping by more frequently for a quick touch up brushing during the day.
The system is loaded with advanced tech and provides a broad spectrum of health care for your teeth and gums. Changing from different cleaning modes, Clean, White, Gum Health, and Deep Clean is a simple selection on the handle as you brush.
Now for my favorite aspect of this Brushing System, I have simply never had any toothbrush clean my teeth so thoroughly. You realize that after the brush and it feels Wonderful.
Now for my favorite aspect of this Brushing System, I have simply never had any toothbrush clean my teeth so thoroughly. You realize that after the brush and it feels Wonderful.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+23points
27of 31voted this as helpful.
Hear everything happening in the game with this Logitech gaming headset. Low distortion and an acoustic port behind the driver combine to produce precise, realistic sound, and downloadable software lets you customize audio for each game. Play in comfort with the ultra-soft microfiber ear pads of this Logitech gaming headset.
Customer Rating
4
Solid Performers
on August 8, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
The Logitech G-433 Gaming Headphones are rocking with 7.1 Surround Sound and 40mm headphone drivers. Their sleek design and carrying case make them perfect for the traveling gamer. Their 7.1 surround sound and 40mm drivers delivers out of this world sound with very good noise reduction. The headphones can work with anything from PCs and gaming consoles to smartphones. If you don’t like the sound you can tune it up with Logitech Gaming Software. The headphones come with cloth and microfiber ear-pads so if you don’t like the cloth pads you can switch them out with microfiber. Overall the Logitech G-433 Gaming Headphones are great headphones for the traveling gamer.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Grill and brown food to tasty perfection all-year-round with virtually no smoke thanks to the Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill. Advanced infrared technology and special reflectors guide heat to the grid for delicious, evenly grilled food. The drip tray underneath remains cool so there is up to 80% less smoke and minimal splattering when cooking.
Customer Rating
5
Lights - Action - Dinner!
on July 31, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
When I first saw the Grill on-line pictures it looked Big, which was a bit of a concern for us due to counter space and storing. Turns out the grill is not overly large and fits our needs to a T. Sits nicely on the kitchen counter and found space in my utility shelve for storage.
Cleaning. It could not be more simple and easy, grease from meats drops into a removable tray. The infrared lights do not point toward the tray so the grease is not cooked further, you do not end up with hard baked grease. Simply spray warm water onto the tray to wash away some of the cleanup, then we swiped the pan with a sponge and everything came out in one swipe. NO Scrubbing. Kudos, could not be easier.
The grill as well is simple to clean after cooking, not hard baked on particles. The grill appears to be have been made for our sink as the raised feet underneath the grill made for keeping the grill steady in the cooker fit exactly within our sink. Makes for, again a simple cleanup.
First meal. We went for Brats and sliced grilled vegies. The Brats and grilled vegies came out spectacularly, could not have been more delicious. Lovely grill marks on the Brats and perfectly grilled bell peppers, mushrooms and onions. Yummy, thumbs up all around the kitchen table.
First meal. We went for Brats and sliced grilled vegies. The Brats and grilled vegies came out spectacularly, could not have been more delicious. Lovely grill marks on the Brats and perfectly grilled bell peppers, mushrooms and onions. Yummy, thumbs up all around the kitchen table.
Second meal. Went with 1” Pork Loin Steaks to see how the grill handled the thick steaks. The experience would lead me to go with a less thick cut next round due to how the infrared works. The infrared fires more directly at the bottom of the steaks rather than sides. We ended up holding up the steaks a bit to get the sides fully cooked, not a big deal, but will cook thinner cuts in the future which should work well.
Was the Pork Good? Absolutely delicious.
Very little smoke was produced from the brats, just a wisp. The Pork Loin Steaks did produce more smoke as I expected, it is not smokeless, but it is from our observation less than cooking in a skittle on the stove. Reason for that is the grease falling under the cooking area into pan below and not being cooked further.
The grill can hold two large steaks with a cooking time of approximately 15 minutes. Believe you could cook about six hamburgers, as for Brats load up the grill!
Big Pluses:
Convenience of indoor grilling, similar to a gas grill for flavor
Quick, easy meal without messing up the kitchen
Easy, fast clean up (love it)
Infrared Cooking – cool stuff
And not last but least – wonderfully cooked food, your taste buds will thank you
Convenience of indoor grilling, similar to a gas grill for flavor
Quick, easy meal without messing up the kitchen
Easy, fast clean up (love it)
Infrared Cooking – cool stuff
And not last but least – wonderfully cooked food, your taste buds will thank you
Do pay heed to the instruction on not staring into the infrared lamps, it is not comfortable. That being said, you still have to look into the grill area to cook and cannot avoid the lamps completely. Not a big issue.
Like grilling, easy clean up and tasty eats? Than you will enjoy the Grill.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+16points
21of 26voted this as helpful.
Enjoy music wirelessly with these Everest Bluetooth in-ear headphones. A built-in microphone with echo cancellation lets you make clear, hands-free calls, and ergonomic ear tips in three sizes ensure a comfortable fit. The built-in battery on these Everest Bluetooth in-ear headphones provides up to 8 hours of listening between charges.
Customer Rating
5
Great Sound - Comfortable no Hassle Headphones
on July 13, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
The JBL Everest 110 Wireless Earbuds has outstanding sound with a 5.8mm headphone driver. The earbuds come with many different sizes of buds and cushion fins. With Bluetooth compatibility, the JBL Everest 110 has long range connection to your mobile device without the restricting wires. With a built-in dynamic microphone, you can easily take calls wherever you go. Overall the JBL Everest 110 Wireless Earbuds are a great bang for your buck.
Big plus, they sound great.
Big plus, they sound great.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
HP OMEN by HP Laptop: Power through the virtual landscape with this versatile HP Omen 15-inch laptop. Ideal for gaming, this machine packs a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX video card for superior graphics performance. The 1TB hard drive inside this HP Omen 15-inch laptop provides plenty for space for gaming profiles and other multimedia files.
Customer Rating
5
Zoom Zoom Zoom – Game On
on July 12, 2017
Posted by: vrs99
from TN
This machine looks like it is going fast sitting on the desktop. The exhaust system vents on the back edges of the laptop brings to mind the tailpipes a supercar might be sporting. When it is cranking through benchmarking the cooling system and exhaust ports are doing a job, pushing volumes of hot air away from the machine.
The HP Omen is the most bang for the buck that I have ever seen in a laptop, this box is loaded with edgy technology. Not going through a list of specs, those are easy enough to find, what is impressive is that all techs are up to date, not last year’s stuff. Too many times have seen corners cut to save a dollar. Not here. Not one USB 2.0 in sight, which is surprising seeing that we just built beast of a desktop a month ago with the latest Z270 Kaby Lake i7 7700K, USB 2.0 ports still in use on an advanced motherboard. Kudos to HP.
Take a close look at the specs, you will find 802.11ac with a solid 866.7 Mbps connection. “Dual Force functionality splits traffic across two data streams, sending gaming traffic over the fastest connection available (typically wired), and all other traffic over WiFi.”
Other ports of interest (not a complete listing check the spec sheet):
1 USB 3.1 Type C
3 USB 3.1
Mini DisplayPort
3 USB 3.1
Mini DisplayPort
What I love is the fact you can purchase a HDD Omen model and then add your M.2 NVMe drive of choice, that is cool. If you are not yet familiar with M.2 NVMe you should take a look. In a word (or more) they are fast, about seven times that of a standard SSD.
What is interesting is that with the HDD the system boots up in 9 seconds, that is fully populated with my programs/anti-virus and all my files. Impressive. Being spoiled by SSD’s I must tip my hat to HP; this machine runs tremendously smooth with the 7200 RPM Hitachi HDD.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (4 GB GDDR5 dedicated memory) discrete GPU ran through the Unigine Heaven Benchmark smoothly turning good numbers while the cooling system kept the GPU at a respectable 68 degrees. Notable, that with all the heavy iron under the hood the system manages the temp easily.
Ran my favorite game, Civilization VI through its paces today set on the highest graphic settings and it ran like a champ.
Looks, it has the looks, brushed aluminum case with an excellent finish. Nice touches all-around.
Know it is a way cool machine as my kid, the gamer in the house is explaining all the great and subtle reasons why it would be better for him to hang onto the machine. Yeah right!
What I am getting use to is the keyboard offset, a bit to the left to make room for the full size numeric pad, which is a nice touch. Keyboard is fine and well suited for heavy accurate work, or gaming for that matter.
Want a blistering rig in your hands at an excellent price point, one that can kick it at games and can be easily expanded, check out The Omen.
My Best Buy number: 2002595546
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+21points
23of 25voted this as helpful.
vrs99's Review Comments
p>HP Split 13-g110dx Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: With the power of a laptop as well as the portability of a tablet, this split convertible HD touch-screen laptop provides the best of both worlds to work or play wherever you go.Learn more about the New Windows ›
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good value with limitation
By CSatTX
from Houston, TX
I am writing this review using the Split X2. Bought it on Black Friday. This is a tablet and a laptop combined. With a i5 CPU, 13 inch screen, and the price, this is a very good value. For a laptop, the weight (4.4 lbs) is OK, not great.
The only con on this item is it is non-expandable. First, the memory is only 4GB and soldered. It cannot go to 8GB. Second, there is supposed to be a HD space in the keyboard unit like the other X2 models. For some reason this particular model does not have that feature.
So if you can live with 4GB memory and 128GB SSD, this is an excellent machine. I am running Lightroom and MS Office on this machine and performance could have been better.
vrs99
Drive expansion
December 29, 2013
The X2 does accept a 500GB drive in the keyboard.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
p>HP Split 13-g110dx Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: With the power of a laptop as well as the portability of a tablet, this split convertible HD touch-screen laptop provides the best of both worlds to work or play wherever you go.Learn more about the New Windows ›
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 54 convience of tablet and power of a real computer
By nearlynormal
from springfield, IL
4 out of 5. Works as advertised. The screen works as a nice sized tablet. It could certainly use aUSB port onthe screen. If you aren't carrying the keyboard and want to show some photos from a flash drive you're out of luck.
vrs99
TN
Adding flash storage
December 31, 2013
It is true the tablet does not have a USB port to throw some pictures into. But you can insert a micro SDHC card into the top/tablet. You can currently get 64 GB Micro SDHC card class 10 which will fit nicely and increase the tablets storage by 50%.
Personally I store almost 11,000 high resolution picture files which requires 29 GB of storage. So I am guessing that 64 GB would suit the average user.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Utilizing 4 high-performance antennas and power amplifiers, this Linksys Smart Wi-Fi WRT1900AC dual-band Wireless-AC router offers optimal wireless strength and signal coverage, so you can easily connect devices throughout your home or office.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Rock Solid
By vrs99
from TN
Replaced my Linksys EA 6700 router with the WRT1900ac on my home network. The EA 6700 is a good router but it is not in the same class as the WRT1900ac.
The signal is outstanding, solid and fast throughout the whole house and outside too boot.
Setup is smooth and easy, especially if you are familiar with latest versions of the Linksys software. The router has plenty of features and added a few more since the last router versions.
Has the best Network Map I have seen, informative and quickly shows where your bandwidth is being used.
If you need/want a powerful router that is flexible and expandable (according to Linksys) in the future take a hard look at the WRT1900ac.
vrs99
TN
Plan on using eSATA? MUST READ - be Forewarned
September 3, 2014
One of my main decisions in purchasing the WRT1900ac was to attach my NetGear NAS on the eSATA port for easier access across my network.
No such luck.
Spent time with Linksys tech and neither my eSATA NAS from NetGear nor my external eSATA drive will work with the WRT1900ac.
Linksys does have a compatibility chart - somewhere - but not in their spec listings of what works with their router.
If you want to use eSATA do your homework and see if your device is compatible.
Tough Luck if your device is not on the list.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Upgrade your laptop's storage with this Samsung 850 PRO MZ-7KE512BW internal SATA III solid state drive, which offers a generous 512GB capacity for digital data. SED (Self-Encrypting Drive) technology controls access to private information.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Crashed and Burned after 44 Days - Good Luck
By vrs99
Fast SSD - and Extra Fast to Crash in just 44 days. Of course it was on a Friday evening and cannot speak to Samsung until Monday. Cannot Chat with them as they do not offer Chat for SSD's.
Luckily it crashed two weeks after the 30 day return period to Best Buy. Guess it is a good thing they offer 10 year warranty? But have heard they will return a refurbished unit, which will not be good on 44 day old product. Must be living on the bleeding edge, should have stuck with the Toshiba, which I can't see a real life difference in speed.
vrs99
TN
After a Day of Wrestling with the SSD
July 11, 2015
After pulling every rabbit out of my hat I finally got the SSD going again. Have to completely reload OS, etc. starting at Windows 8. Not fun.
But I am "somewhat" happy that I was able to get the drive working. Not sure what happen to the drive, but have some suspicion of a setting in Magician (software system for the 850 Pro) which boosts speed?
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Only at Best BuyUpdate your portable technology kit with this HP Omen 17-inch laptop. Ideal for gaming, this machine combines a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 12GB of DDR4 RAM for ultra-fast performance on the go. An island-style backlit keyboard equipped with dedicated macro keys makes this HP Omen 17-inch laptop easy to use in the dark.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Hp omen gaming laptop
By Martinezjorge7
I recently bought the 16 omen laptop and I was able to return mine and be able to upgrade the the newest one it has a better graphic card and an new design with a better cooling vent with a 1 tb hard drive
vrs99
TN
NO DVD
July 12, 2017
There is no DVD built, you would have to use external.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
HP OMEN by HP Laptop: Power through the virtual landscape with this versatile HP Omen 15-inch laptop. Ideal for gaming, this machine packs a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX video card for superior graphics performance. The 1TB hard drive inside this HP Omen 15-inch laptop provides plenty for space for gaming profiles and other multimedia files.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Excellent laptop, but not the best value
By Xephyroth
from Colorado Springs, CO
This HP Omen is the 3rd gaming laptop I've ever owned, and it's undoubtedly the best one I've had the pleasure of using. However, this product isn't perfect out of the box.
FIRST IMPRESSION / UNBOXING:
Out of the box, the first thing that I noticed is that this laptop has impressive build quality. The sand-blasted brushing brings a pleasant aesthetic while also bringing solid weight and durability. It's not incredibly flashy, so it doesn't scream "gamer" like a lot of other laptops, but it definitely brings a touch of the "gamer" aesthetic without being overzealous. The notebook is also much thinner than I expected, as I've been used to much thicker gaming laptops, but I suppose the lack of an optical drive attributes to that. The power brick is fairly small and compact for a machine that's capable of entry/mid-level gaming.
Out of the box, the first thing that I noticed is that this laptop has impressive build quality. The sand-blasted brushing brings a pleasant aesthetic while also bringing solid weight and durability. It's not incredibly flashy, so it doesn't scream "gamer" like a lot of other laptops, but it definitely brings a touch of the "gamer" aesthetic without being overzealous. The notebook is also much thinner than I expected, as I've been used to much thicker gaming laptops, but I suppose the lack of an optical drive attributes to that. The power brick is fairly small and compact for a machine that's capable of entry/mid-level gaming.
DISPLAY:
Turning the display on, the 1080p IPS matte display is nice and bright, and viewing angles are decent without too much color shifting. Bezels aren't too large, and it's not something I noticed until just now while writing this review. While I'm used to Quad-HD and 4K resolutions, I was not displeased with this display in any fashion. The webcam is above the display and can record at 720p/30fps. Not the best, but not the worst webcam I've seen.
Turning the display on, the 1080p IPS matte display is nice and bright, and viewing angles are decent without too much color shifting. Bezels aren't too large, and it's not something I noticed until just now while writing this review. While I'm used to Quad-HD and 4K resolutions, I was not displeased with this display in any fashion. The webcam is above the display and can record at 720p/30fps. Not the best, but not the worst webcam I've seen.
KEYBOARD:
Typing on the keyboard is pleasant with the chiclet-style keys. It didn't take me too long to get used to the keyboard, having come from mechanical keyboards and MacBook Pro keyboards. The addition of the num-pad is certainly nice, as well. The keyboard is backlit red (as you'd expect with the Omen), but settings are very simplistic compared to other gaming laptops. The backlighting has 3 states: fully on, WASD on, or fully off. No, there are no fancy effects, and I wouldn't expect any at this price. I do find it a little bit surprising that you can't dim the backlighting, but I rarely dim the backlight on my keyboards, anyway, so it'd be a useless feature for me.
Typing on the keyboard is pleasant with the chiclet-style keys. It didn't take me too long to get used to the keyboard, having come from mechanical keyboards and MacBook Pro keyboards. The addition of the num-pad is certainly nice, as well. The keyboard is backlit red (as you'd expect with the Omen), but settings are very simplistic compared to other gaming laptops. The backlighting has 3 states: fully on, WASD on, or fully off. No, there are no fancy effects, and I wouldn't expect any at this price. I do find it a little bit surprising that you can't dim the backlighting, but I rarely dim the backlight on my keyboards, anyway, so it'd be a useless feature for me.
TRACKPAD:
Out of the box, the trackpad sensitivity was incredibly low for my personal taste. After making some adjustments to the Touchpad Settings in Windows 10, I found a sensitivity that worked well for me. The touchpad does not physically click, but there are left/right trackpad buttons. Initially, I did find the buttons to be awkwardly placed, but I actually got used to them fairly quickly. While the touchpad isn't the best I've ever used, it is pretty good, in my opinion. 2 and 3 finger gestures work, as well.
Out of the box, the trackpad sensitivity was incredibly low for my personal taste. After making some adjustments to the Touchpad Settings in Windows 10, I found a sensitivity that worked well for me. The touchpad does not physically click, but there are left/right trackpad buttons. Initially, I did find the buttons to be awkwardly placed, but I actually got used to them fairly quickly. While the touchpad isn't the best I've ever used, it is pretty good, in my opinion. 2 and 3 finger gestures work, as well.
SOUND:
The Bang & Olufsen speakers surprised me. They have good volume and a pleasant sound signature. However, they're bottom-firing, so when you put the laptop on your lap, the frequencies dampen and you lose a bit of treble/mid-range impact. Keep in mind, this is with the "B & O Play Experience" toggled on from the "Omen Audio" application. You'll definitely want to leave that on if you're using the speakers, or else the bass will disappear and will sound really anemic. I did notice some clipping at max volume when bass-heavy music was involved. Headphone jack works well as you'd expect, but doesn't promise anything fancy, so don't bother trying to drive headphones with high impedance. The built-in microphone array is good for video/voice chat session, but don't expect it to compete with a USB desktop microphone in terms of sound quality. For all casual purposes, it does just fine.
The Bang & Olufsen speakers surprised me. They have good volume and a pleasant sound signature. However, they're bottom-firing, so when you put the laptop on your lap, the frequencies dampen and you lose a bit of treble/mid-range impact. Keep in mind, this is with the "B & O Play Experience" toggled on from the "Omen Audio" application. You'll definitely want to leave that on if you're using the speakers, or else the bass will disappear and will sound really anemic. I did notice some clipping at max volume when bass-heavy music was involved. Headphone jack works well as you'd expect, but doesn't promise anything fancy, so don't bother trying to drive headphones with high impedance. The built-in microphone array is good for video/voice chat session, but don't expect it to compete with a USB desktop microphone in terms of sound quality. For all casual purposes, it does just fine.
PERFORMANCE:
This laptop comes with a 4-core / 8-thread Intel Core i7 processor. For most basic tasks, this is actually overkill. But for gamers, this is great, as more games are utilizing more threads. The GTX 1050 can play any older game at very high settings, and can still play many modern titles at medium / high settings at 1080p. 8GB of RAM is enough for most people, but individuals who multi-task with a lot of resource-intensive chrome tabs and extensions may find themselves wanting more. While the 1TB hard drive is rated for 7200RPM, I still find it unacceptable to not have the operating system installed on a Solid State Drive (SSD) for a machine at this price point. You will not be unlocking the full potential of this machine while your OS runs on a slow drive like this. Thankfully, the upgrade process is fairly simple. After consulting the service manual found on HP's support website, I unscrewed the 10 screws from the bottom of the laptop and removed the bottom panel by starting with the side closest to the display hinge. From there, you'll have access to the SATA drive bay, the M.2 SSD slot (unoccupied, but does support NVMe drives), and 2 RAM slots (with only 1 occupied). I suspect that each RAM slot supports up to 8GB, but I could not find any confirmation in any of the documents available on HP's support website.
This laptop comes with a 4-core / 8-thread Intel Core i7 processor. For most basic tasks, this is actually overkill. But for gamers, this is great, as more games are utilizing more threads. The GTX 1050 can play any older game at very high settings, and can still play many modern titles at medium / high settings at 1080p. 8GB of RAM is enough for most people, but individuals who multi-task with a lot of resource-intensive chrome tabs and extensions may find themselves wanting more. While the 1TB hard drive is rated for 7200RPM, I still find it unacceptable to not have the operating system installed on a Solid State Drive (SSD) for a machine at this price point. You will not be unlocking the full potential of this machine while your OS runs on a slow drive like this. Thankfully, the upgrade process is fairly simple. After consulting the service manual found on HP's support website, I unscrewed the 10 screws from the bottom of the laptop and removed the bottom panel by starting with the side closest to the display hinge. From there, you'll have access to the SATA drive bay, the M.2 SSD slot (unoccupied, but does support NVMe drives), and 2 RAM slots (with only 1 occupied). I suspect that each RAM slot supports up to 8GB, but I could not find any confirmation in any of the documents available on HP's support website.
I happened to have an unused SATA-based SSD, so I swapped that with the 1TB HDD and used the software that came with my SSD to transfer the OS from the HDD to the SSD. After this process, my HP Omen was substantially faster with booting the OS and running applications—a night & day difference.
BATTERY:
I haven't tested the battery life to an enormous extent, but enabling a battery estimation feature in the BIOS allows Windows 10 to report the estimated time (not just %) on battery. Depending on your brightness, power profile and workload, HP estimates 9 hours of mixed usage, and almost 7 hours of video playback. So far, I think that claim is accurate.
I haven't tested the battery life to an enormous extent, but enabling a battery estimation feature in the BIOS allows Windows 10 to report the estimated time (not just %) on battery. Depending on your brightness, power profile and workload, HP estimates 9 hours of mixed usage, and almost 7 hours of video playback. So far, I think that claim is accurate.
I/O:
The HP Omen doesn't support Thunderbolt 3, but all the USB ports support USB 3.1 (1 Type-C, 3 Type-A. There's also a gigabit ethernet jack, HDMI (HDCP 2.2, 4k@60Hz), and Mini DisplayPort. It also supports a full-size SD card which can be fully inserted into the laptop without sticking out. As mentioned before, it also sports a headphone and microphone jack.
The HP Omen doesn't support Thunderbolt 3, but all the USB ports support USB 3.1 (1 Type-C, 3 Type-A. There's also a gigabit ethernet jack, HDMI (HDCP 2.2, 4k@60Hz), and Mini DisplayPort. It also supports a full-size SD card which can be fully inserted into the laptop without sticking out. As mentioned before, it also sports a headphone and microphone jack.
CONCLUSION:
The HP Omen is a great laptop. It provides great features while also having room for a few upgrade. However, I do feel that an SSD should be included at this price—even a cheaper SATA-based M.2 or 2.5" drive would be fine. For a performance-oriented machine like this, skimping on the SSD is a poor decision on HP's part—especially at this price-point. I have seen competitor's laptops with the i7-7700HQ, GTX 1060, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD go on sale for cheaper. So in that regard, I do feel the HP Omen isn't providing as good a value, but it is objectively a good laptop—perhaps, just not as good a value when compared to other options around the same price.
The HP Omen is a great laptop. It provides great features while also having room for a few upgrade. However, I do feel that an SSD should be included at this price—even a cheaper SATA-based M.2 or 2.5" drive would be fine. For a performance-oriented machine like this, skimping on the SSD is a poor decision on HP's part—especially at this price-point. I have seen competitor's laptops with the i7-7700HQ, GTX 1060, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD go on sale for cheaper. So in that regard, I do feel the HP Omen isn't providing as good a value, but it is objectively a good laptop—perhaps, just not as good a value when compared to other options around the same price.
vrs99
TN
Support Manual web site?
July 14, 2017
Do you have the link to the HP Support Site that has the Support Manual?
Have been looking and must be in the wrong place - Thanks
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
HP OMEN by HP Laptop: Power through the virtual landscape with this versatile HP Omen 15-inch laptop. Ideal for gaming, this machine packs a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX video card for superior graphics performance. The 1TB hard drive inside this HP Omen 15-inch laptop provides plenty for space for gaming profiles and other multimedia files.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Zoom Zoom Zoom – Game On
By vrs99
from TN
This machine looks like it is going fast sitting on the desktop. The exhaust system vents on the back edges of the laptop brings to mind the tailpipes a supercar might be sporting. When it is cranking through benchmarking the cooling system and exhaust ports are doing a job, pushing volumes of hot air away from the machine.
The HP Omen is the most bang for the buck that I have ever seen in a laptop, this box is loaded with edgy technology. Not going through a list of specs, those are easy enough to find, what is impressive is that all techs are up to date, not last year’s stuff. Too many times have seen corners cut to save a dollar. Not here. Not one USB 2.0 in sight, which is surprising seeing that we just built beast of a desktop a month ago with the latest Z270 Kaby Lake i7 7700K, USB 2.0 ports still in use on an advanced motherboard. Kudos to HP.
Take a close look at the specs, you will find 802.11ac with a solid 866.7 Mbps connection. “Dual Force functionality splits traffic across two data streams, sending gaming traffic over the fastest connection available (typically wired), and all other traffic over WiFi.”
Other ports of interest (not a complete listing check the spec sheet):
1 USB 3.1 Type C
3 USB 3.1
Mini DisplayPort
3 USB 3.1
Mini DisplayPort
What I love is the fact you can purchase a HDD Omen model and then add your M.2 NVMe drive of choice, that is cool. If you are not yet familiar with M.2 NVMe you should take a look. In a word (or more) they are fast, about seven times that of a standard SSD.
What is interesting is that with the HDD the system boots up in 9 seconds, that is fully populated with my programs/anti-virus and all my files. Impressive. Being spoiled by SSD’s I must tip my hat to HP; this machine runs tremendously smooth with the 7200 RPM Hitachi HDD.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (4 GB GDDR5 dedicated memory) discrete GPU ran through the Unigine Heaven Benchmark smoothly turning good numbers while the cooling system kept the GPU at a respectable 68 degrees. Notable, that with all the heavy iron under the hood the system manages the temp easily.
Ran my favorite game, Civilization VI through its paces today set on the highest graphic settings and it ran like a champ.
Looks, it has the looks, brushed aluminum case with an excellent finish. Nice touches all-around.
Know it is a way cool machine as my kid, the gamer in the house is explaining all the great and subtle reasons why it would be better for him to hang onto the machine. Yeah right!
What I am getting use to is the keyboard offset, a bit to the left to make room for the full size numeric pad, which is a nice touch. Keyboard is fine and well suited for heavy accurate work, or gaming for that matter.
Want a blistering rig in your hands at an excellent price point, one that can kick it at games and can be easily expanded, check out The Omen.
vrs99
TN
Maintenance and Service - Upgrade Manual
July 15, 2017
If you purchase the Omen and wish to upgrade memory or add M.2 SSD you can find the manual here:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05533785
+3points
3of 3voted this comment as helpful.
HP OMEN by HP Laptop: Power through the virtual landscape with this versatile HP Omen 15-inch laptop. Ideal for gaming, this machine packs a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX video card for superior graphics performance. The 1TB hard drive inside this HP Omen 15-inch laptop provides plenty for space for gaming profiles and other multimedia files.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Zoom Zoom Zoom – Game On
By vrs99
from TN
This machine looks like it is going fast sitting on the desktop. The exhaust system vents on the back edges of the laptop brings to mind the tailpipes a supercar might be sporting. When it is cranking through benchmarking the cooling system and exhaust ports are doing a job, pushing volumes of hot air away from the machine.
The HP Omen is the most bang for the buck that I have ever seen in a laptop, this box is loaded with edgy technology. Not going through a list of specs, those are easy enough to find, what is impressive is that all techs are up to date, not last year’s stuff. Too many times have seen corners cut to save a dollar. Not here. Not one USB 2.0 in sight, which is surprising seeing that we just built beast of a desktop a month ago with the latest Z270 Kaby Lake i7 7700K, USB 2.0 ports still in use on an advanced motherboard. Kudos to HP.
Take a close look at the specs, you will find 802.11ac with a solid 866.7 Mbps connection. “Dual Force functionality splits traffic across two data streams, sending gaming traffic over the fastest connection available (typically wired), and all other traffic over WiFi.”
Other ports of interest (not a complete listing check the spec sheet):
1 USB 3.1 Type C
3 USB 3.1
Mini DisplayPort
3 USB 3.1
Mini DisplayPort
What I love is the fact you can purchase a HDD Omen model and then add your M.2 NVMe drive of choice, that is cool. If you are not yet familiar with M.2 NVMe you should take a look. In a word (or more) they are fast, about seven times that of a standard SSD.
What is interesting is that with the HDD the system boots up in 9 seconds, that is fully populated with my programs/anti-virus and all my files. Impressive. Being spoiled by SSD’s I must tip my hat to HP; this machine runs tremendously smooth with the 7200 RPM Hitachi HDD.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (4 GB GDDR5 dedicated memory) discrete GPU ran through the Unigine Heaven Benchmark smoothly turning good numbers while the cooling system kept the GPU at a respectable 68 degrees. Notable, that with all the heavy iron under the hood the system manages the temp easily.
Ran my favorite game, Civilization VI through its paces today set on the highest graphic settings and it ran like a champ.
Looks, it has the looks, brushed aluminum case with an excellent finish. Nice touches all-around.
Know it is a way cool machine as my kid, the gamer in the house is explaining all the great and subtle reasons why it would be better for him to hang onto the machine. Yeah right!
What I am getting use to is the keyboard offset, a bit to the left to make room for the full size numeric pad, which is a nice touch. Keyboard is fine and well suited for heavy accurate work, or gaming for that matter.
Want a blistering rig in your hands at an excellent price point, one that can kick it at games and can be easily expanded, check out The Omen.
vrs99
TN
Adding M.2 SSD
July 18, 2017
Added a M.2 SSD to the Omen and nuked all the partitions on the HDD and added it back to the system. Day and Night performance. That is one aspect I like about this model is that it does not come with an installed M.2 drive, you can pick your own SSD ads capacity.
Screams with the new M.2 and have an additionally terabyte of storage on the HDD, whcih I use to sync my files to frequently before syncing with the NAS.
Great machine.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
vrs99's Questions
vrs99 has not submitted any questions.
Train like a pro with this 44mm Fossil Carlyle HR smartwatch. Bluetooth functionality enables syncing with your smartphone, while the internal storage lets you work out with your favorite tunes. This swimproof Fossil Carlyle HR smartwatch features GPS to track your activity outdoors, and the heart monitor keeps tabs on your cardiac rate.
Can you make and receive phone calls on this watch?
Set up a gaming station with this LG 24-inch Full HD monitor. AMD Radeon FreeSync technology eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, letting you play AAA titles smoothly, while the IPS display with a wide viewing angle delivers bright, vivid visuals from almost any direction. This LG 24-inch Full HD monitor has an antiglare coating for minimizing reflections.
How do you adjust the viewing angle on this monitor. Assembled according to directions it simply sits upright. The descriptions say it can be viewed by multiple angles, but I don't see where you can do it.
"178° horizontal and vertical viewing angles
Allow you to view the screen from a wide range of angles."
This refers to the ability to see the screen clearly from wider angles from side to side and above if you wish.
Hope this helps.
Allow you to view the screen from a wide range of angles."
This refers to the ability to see the screen clearly from wider angles from side to side and above if you wish.
Hope this helps.
5 years ago
by
vrs99
Capture up to 1440p video with this Nextbase 522GW dash camera. Alexa enables hands-free control through voice commands, and Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi technologies sync with compatible smartphones for quick access to important footage. This Nextbase 522GW dash camera has ports for connecting compatible camera modules for easy expansion.
This specs states that it has GPS. Does it record GPS location and speed on the viewed camera footage? There is a GPS powered mount that is available for these types of cameras. Are these extra mounts needed to record GPS and speed on the footage?
It records GPS, speed, date & time by default on the video. All of which can be turned off selectively.
5 years, 4 months ago
by
vrs99
Safeguard your home with this Arlo security camera system. Its 4K resolution provides maximum clarity so you don't miss a single detail, and a siren is integrated so you can fend off intruders either remotely or while at home. This Arlo security camera system is weather-resistant, so it's functional rain or shine.
Can you pair Arlo pro 2 cameras with this system as well? We have 2 arlo pro 2 cameras we would like to utilize on the new system if possible.
Yes they work fine, have two connected to the new hub.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
vrs99
Make sure your wireless connection reaches every room in your home with this ASUS ROG Rapture gaming router. Speeds of up to 11000 Mbps deliver interruption-free connectivity throughout intense games and binge-watching sessions. Built-in network security defends against potential breaches, and the 4X capacity makes this ASUS ROG Rapture gaming router ideal for households running multiple devices.
is this router for streaming
Certainly. Fastest router I have ever had my hands on....
5 years, 8 months ago
by
vrs99
Make sure your wireless connection reaches every room in your home with this ASUS ROG Rapture gaming router. Speeds of up to 11000 Mbps deliver interruption-free connectivity throughout intense games and binge-watching sessions. Built-in network security defends against potential breaches, and the 4X capacity makes this ASUS ROG Rapture gaming router ideal for households running multiple devices.
Is this router really complicated to setup cause if everything you can do and change and mess with?
It has a 5 page Quick Setup Guide, that is quite easy to follow. If you get it up and running you can save your settings under the Administration before you start having Fun and experimenting! The nif you blow it up you can always reload your saved settings.
They have a Full manual which guides your through the whole system if do want to get into the router deeply.
ASUS is also easy to contact, they tend to answer their phones quickly and know what they are doing. They will actually walk you through the complete setup. Their support phone numbers are also very easy to find on their web-site.
Happy Hunting
They have a Full manual which guides your through the whole system if do want to get into the router deeply.
ASUS is also easy to contact, they tend to answer their phones quickly and know what they are doing. They will actually walk you through the complete setup. Their support phone numbers are also very easy to find on their web-site.
Happy Hunting
5 years, 8 months ago
by
vrs99
Take your smart home to the next level with this ASUS router. Boosted Wi-Fi speeds and intelligent signals streaming directly to each of your devices will keep your busy wireless network running smoothly, just the way you want.
Will this work with a bonded dsl line?
Should work fine like any router, just plug into your DSL router.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
vrs99
Enjoy room-filling audio in any living space with this LG Hi-Fi shelf system. Its two 150W speakers produce loud, detailed sound, and it streams music via Bluetooth when you pair it with an Android device. This LG Hi-Fi shelf system has an EQ function that optimizes the audio based on the music you're listening to.
Is This A Wireless Speaker ?
Enjoy room-filling audio in any living space with this LG Hi-Fi shelf system. Its two 150W speakers produce loud, detailed sound, and it streams music via Bluetooth when you pair it with an Android device. This LG Hi-Fi shelf system has an EQ function that optimizes the audio based on the music you're listening to.
I want to run audio from my DirecTV Genie mini using digital coax to this system. Does this system have digital coax input? I’m surprised this isn’t listed in the specs.
Enjoy room-filling audio in any living space with this LG Hi-Fi shelf system. Its two 150W speakers produce loud, detailed sound, and it streams music via Bluetooth when you pair it with an Android device. This LG Hi-Fi shelf system has an EQ function that optimizes the audio based on the music you're listening to.
Can this be connected to tv
Yes to a LG Sound Sync/Bluetooth. easily.
Suspect it will connect to any current version of Bluetooth enabled TVs.
If not Best Buy has generous return policy.
Suspect it will connect to any current version of Bluetooth enabled TVs.
If not Best Buy has generous return policy.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
vrs99