Share OldNAchy's profile
OldNAchy
OldNAchy's stats
- Review count12
- Helpfulness votes269
- First reviewJanuary 22, 2011
- Last reviewDecember 4, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.6
- Review comment count16
- Helpfulness votes15
- First review commentOctober 28, 2012
- Last review commentAugust 26, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes8
- First answerJanuary 24, 2010
- Last answerFebruary 2, 2017
- Featured answers0
- Best answers2
MSI Laptop: Load up your favorite games on this MSI Dominator gaming laptop, and play assured with the reliable performance of Intel Core i-7 processors. This game-centric computer features 16GB DDR4 and 128GB SSD for supporting even multi-layered game titles. Nvidia GeForce graphics on this MSI Dominator gaming laptop deliver real-life action each time you play.
Customer Rating
4
Lots Of Setup Work But Worth It
on December 4, 2016
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I purchased this laptop to replace an older MSI 17.3 laptop. I use this laptop for normal processing as well as video capture and editing and the occasional gaming. With my experience with MSI products I knew what I was getting and there were no real surprises. There are good and not so good things about this model:
The good:
o With Windows loaded on the 256gb pcie SSD, startup is very fast.
o After some fixing, the video is very nice.
o The laptop runs fairly cool. With heavy processing the CPU and GPU fans kick in to keep temperatures reasonable.
o The wireless adapter connects flawlessly to my home network and stays connected all day, even when the laptop is idle for lengthy periods of time (one change to driver properties that I will describe below.)
o MSI provides a number of applications that allow for control/adjustment of video, audio, devices, diagnostics, tuning, etc. I do not consider these bloat ware but nice to haves to adjust and control the laptop.
o The NVIDIA 1060 GPU is truly dedicated in this laptop. The Intel 6700HQ processor has an integrated graphics chip which has been disabled in this laptop model. This is a good thing. If not disabled, then Windows determines which GPU to use and that can lead to confusion on the part of the user and issues on the part of the laptop.
The Not So Good:
o The laptop is heavy almost 10 lbs., but I knew this.
o The dark color lends itself to visible fingerprints, but I knew this.
o The MSI supplied applications HAVE to be updated (more on this below) and not via the supplied DVD, but online. The webcam for example defaults to off and will not show up on the Device Manage list. The System Control Manager (SCM) application is required to turn it on, but will not work unless updated after Windows 10 Anniversary (1607) is installed, but I knew this.
o After updating to the latest NVIDIA driver, a “dithering” effect is apparent in the screen display and a work around is required to eliminate it. Didn’t know about this one but the work around works, no pun intended. This will be described below.
What I don’t know is how good the battery is. I use it exclusively plugged in.
Now for the required updates:
1. Plug in the power adapter when you first power up the laptop. This will help charge the battery to 100%. The initial set up will take quite a while so the battery will definitely be charged when you are done.
2. When windows boots up there will be 2 popup windows, one to register the laptop and one to create a burn recovery disk. Leave these alone until after step 3 is performed.
3. After the initial setup and Windows boots up, go into Control Panel Power Options and set up how you want power to be handled. I recommend selecting never for shutdown and sleep when the laptop is plugged in as well as 100% brightness. Go to display and setup a screen saver. There will be “idle” times during this setup and update process. Also, if you use the laptop plugged in most or all of the time like me, this is invaluable.
4. Register the laptop – and create an MSI account if you don’t already have one. This will extend the warranty by 3 months. You will need a .pnf (pic) file of your receipt. This particular process can be a real pain so be patient. If you don’t feel like doing this right away, then select later and close window.
5. Create the Burn Recovery Disk. Highly recommended!!! A 16gb USB 3.0 removable disk is the best medium in my opinion. This recovery medium is the only way to get back to factory default.
6. Go into settings/Update and Recovery and execute all updates. Once of these should be the 1607 features update which is Windows Anniversary. Be patient, this will take a while. If any of the updates (prior to Anniversary) hangs (percentage not increasing over a good period of time) then that update will have to be implemented directly thru the Windows catalogue. Search on the “KB” reference and you should be able to find it.
7. After all updates, including Windows Anniversary complete then it is time to do the MSI updates. Go to MSI.com, select products, then GT Series under Gaming Laptops, then GeForce GTX 1060 under GPU SKU, then GT72VR Dominator, then Support (scroll down) and the Download tab will appear. I recommend downloading all the following and unzipping all the following before proceeding with the updates which will be listed in order. Note Winzip (or 7zip?) is required since all these packages are zipped. You can use the evaluation version of Winzip for this but will need to purchase it for future updates or other zipped downloads. The update order is listed in sequence below:
The good:
o With Windows loaded on the 256gb pcie SSD, startup is very fast.
o After some fixing, the video is very nice.
o The laptop runs fairly cool. With heavy processing the CPU and GPU fans kick in to keep temperatures reasonable.
o The wireless adapter connects flawlessly to my home network and stays connected all day, even when the laptop is idle for lengthy periods of time (one change to driver properties that I will describe below.)
o MSI provides a number of applications that allow for control/adjustment of video, audio, devices, diagnostics, tuning, etc. I do not consider these bloat ware but nice to haves to adjust and control the laptop.
o The NVIDIA 1060 GPU is truly dedicated in this laptop. The Intel 6700HQ processor has an integrated graphics chip which has been disabled in this laptop model. This is a good thing. If not disabled, then Windows determines which GPU to use and that can lead to confusion on the part of the user and issues on the part of the laptop.
The Not So Good:
o The laptop is heavy almost 10 lbs., but I knew this.
o The dark color lends itself to visible fingerprints, but I knew this.
o The MSI supplied applications HAVE to be updated (more on this below) and not via the supplied DVD, but online. The webcam for example defaults to off and will not show up on the Device Manage list. The System Control Manager (SCM) application is required to turn it on, but will not work unless updated after Windows 10 Anniversary (1607) is installed, but I knew this.
o After updating to the latest NVIDIA driver, a “dithering” effect is apparent in the screen display and a work around is required to eliminate it. Didn’t know about this one but the work around works, no pun intended. This will be described below.
What I don’t know is how good the battery is. I use it exclusively plugged in.
Now for the required updates:
1. Plug in the power adapter when you first power up the laptop. This will help charge the battery to 100%. The initial set up will take quite a while so the battery will definitely be charged when you are done.
2. When windows boots up there will be 2 popup windows, one to register the laptop and one to create a burn recovery disk. Leave these alone until after step 3 is performed.
3. After the initial setup and Windows boots up, go into Control Panel Power Options and set up how you want power to be handled. I recommend selecting never for shutdown and sleep when the laptop is plugged in as well as 100% brightness. Go to display and setup a screen saver. There will be “idle” times during this setup and update process. Also, if you use the laptop plugged in most or all of the time like me, this is invaluable.
4. Register the laptop – and create an MSI account if you don’t already have one. This will extend the warranty by 3 months. You will need a .pnf (pic) file of your receipt. This particular process can be a real pain so be patient. If you don’t feel like doing this right away, then select later and close window.
5. Create the Burn Recovery Disk. Highly recommended!!! A 16gb USB 3.0 removable disk is the best medium in my opinion. This recovery medium is the only way to get back to factory default.
6. Go into settings/Update and Recovery and execute all updates. Once of these should be the 1607 features update which is Windows Anniversary. Be patient, this will take a while. If any of the updates (prior to Anniversary) hangs (percentage not increasing over a good period of time) then that update will have to be implemented directly thru the Windows catalogue. Search on the “KB” reference and you should be able to find it.
7. After all updates, including Windows Anniversary complete then it is time to do the MSI updates. Go to MSI.com, select products, then GT Series under Gaming Laptops, then GeForce GTX 1060 under GPU SKU, then GT72VR Dominator, then Support (scroll down) and the Download tab will appear. I recommend downloading all the following and unzipping all the following before proceeding with the updates which will be listed in order. Note Winzip (or 7zip?) is required since all these packages are zipped. You can use the evaluation version of Winzip for this but will need to purchase it for future updates or other zipped downloads. The update order is listed in sequence below:
1. Bios. The installed Bios is not the latest. Follow instructions carefully for flashing the new BIOS.
2. This and the next few updates are under the Driver Tab. VGA (NVIDIA 375.03 driver package).
3. Audio driver:6.0.1.7960/Nahimic:2.3.10. Note: install the audio driver first then Nahimics
4. Card Reader.
5. Wireless LAN.
6. Touchpad. This one is interesting. Before doing this, go to Synaptics.com, search on touchpad driver support, select Touchpad Family, scroll down until you see TOUCHPAD DRIVER SUPPORT and click on explore. Select the first in the list – Windows 10 PS/2 & SMBUS Devices v19.0.19.1, download, unzip, and install. Then download Touchpad. This is required if you ever want to use a USB wireless mouse (like I do). The earlier version allows you to turn off the touchpad when a usb mouse is detected and the later version from MSI brings you up to date. However, if you download and install the MSI package without the former, you may not be able to turn off the touchpad.
7. Bluetooth.
8. USB 3.1.
9. Next to download are in the Utility tab. MSI Dragon Center.
10. MSI True Color.
11. Steel Series Engine 3.
12. Help Desk (optional).
13. System Control Manager (SCM).
The updates are for the bios, drivers, and utilities that were developed after the laptop was introduced to market and some are required to work with Windows Anniversary.
Now for the “little” issues:
1. There may be an issue between the wireless adapter and power management in Windows Anniversary that will result in the internet connection being lost and the adapter hanging. Shutting down and restarting will often correct the connection problem but sometimes a forced shutdown is necessary and this can happen occasionally during a large/long download. The work around is to select the wireless adapter in Device Manager, select Driver, select Power Management, then unchecking the box that allows the computer to turn off the adapter to save power. Not saying that the problem occurs with this model, but it does with other MSI laptops and it is always better to be safe than sorry.
2. The “dithering” video effect that happens with the latest NVIDIA driver can be overcome by doing the following as described by Aaron P. in his Amazon comment:
2. This and the next few updates are under the Driver Tab. VGA (NVIDIA 375.03 driver package).
3. Audio driver:6.0.1.7960/Nahimic:2.3.10. Note: install the audio driver first then Nahimics
4. Card Reader.
5. Wireless LAN.
6. Touchpad. This one is interesting. Before doing this, go to Synaptics.com, search on touchpad driver support, select Touchpad Family, scroll down until you see TOUCHPAD DRIVER SUPPORT and click on explore. Select the first in the list – Windows 10 PS/2 & SMBUS Devices v19.0.19.1, download, unzip, and install. Then download Touchpad. This is required if you ever want to use a USB wireless mouse (like I do). The earlier version allows you to turn off the touchpad when a usb mouse is detected and the later version from MSI brings you up to date. However, if you download and install the MSI package without the former, you may not be able to turn off the touchpad.
7. Bluetooth.
8. USB 3.1.
9. Next to download are in the Utility tab. MSI Dragon Center.
10. MSI True Color.
11. Steel Series Engine 3.
12. Help Desk (optional).
13. System Control Manager (SCM).
The updates are for the bios, drivers, and utilities that were developed after the laptop was introduced to market and some are required to work with Windows Anniversary.
Now for the “little” issues:
1. There may be an issue between the wireless adapter and power management in Windows Anniversary that will result in the internet connection being lost and the adapter hanging. Shutting down and restarting will often correct the connection problem but sometimes a forced shutdown is necessary and this can happen occasionally during a large/long download. The work around is to select the wireless adapter in Device Manager, select Driver, select Power Management, then unchecking the box that allows the computer to turn off the adapter to save power. Not saying that the problem occurs with this model, but it does with other MSI laptops and it is always better to be safe than sorry.
2. The “dithering” video effect that happens with the latest NVIDIA driver can be overcome by doing the following as described by Aaron P. in his Amazon comment:
“The screens do not recognize 8bit output color depth, 6 is the correct setting but the NVIDIA control panel by default sets it to 8 with no other option, and 75 MHz after the latest firmware upgrade. HERE IS THE FIX. The monitors actually function at a max of 100 mhz. In the NVIDIA control panel create a custom resolution, unblocking other resolution settings. Leave as 1920 X 1080 but change MHz to 100, hit test and it will come back successful and save the setting. it will automatically set itself to 6 BPC. The weird thing is if you now change it back to the original 75 MHz it now has 6 BPC as an option. Leave it on 100 MHz though as it makes all the videos and pictures look almost perfect. “
That is a lot of “stuff” to do and can seem overwhelming but the end result is worth it. Overall this is a really nice laptop and it helped that I got it on sale. I rated it 4 instead of 5 because of the level of work required to get it “right.” It took me about a day to complete all of the above, but as I said before, I knew what I was getting into.
One thing to note here is that most laptops these days regardless of manufacturer require a lot of set up and user support is generally weak (I got the 2-year Geek Squad deal). Regardless, I do recommend this one for anyone needing a heavy, fast processing full HD laptop.
My Best Buy number: 0750032337
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+17points
17of 17voted this as helpful.
Lie back and watch your favorite videos and TV shows with this LG 4K smart LED TV. The 43-inch IPS panel can display 4K videos in vibrant colors, while the smart function integrates an advanced Web OS 3.0 for Internet connectivity. This LG 4K smart LED TV has one USB port and three HDMI ports for peripherals.
Customer Rating
4
Amazing Picture, But..
on March 28, 2016
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I was looking for a tv this size to replace my failing bedroom tv. I came into the store intending to buy the 43" Sony 4K Smart tv (XBR43X830C), but decided on this one after comparing the pictures side by side in the store and noticing this one had a slightly better looking picture while costing $200 less than the Sony.
I would have rated this a 5 except for the disappointing non-intuitive setup.
The pros:
-- Good price.
-- Picture quality is outstanding -- when I finally figured how to calibrate it (more on that later). I was able to perform set up on this tv very near to my on the wall Samsung 4K Smart TV (UN60HU8550FXZA) and using similar calibration settings was able to duplicate the picture quality of the Samsung. Not bad considering the price difference ($600 vs $2400). The tv is receiving 2160P video input from my home theater receiver which upscales any signal to 4K. So my cable 1080I signal looks much better -- not quite true 4K but close -- definitely better than 1080P. The tv itself upscales to 4K but I did not test this because I really didn't need to.
-- There are a number of useful smart options -- Netflix, Hulu,Youtube, for example. Once I got familiar with navigation the functlons were easy to inititiate.
-- 4K native resolution is stunning. I tested this by selecting a test 4k resolution video on Youtube and was blown away.
-- Good price.
-- Picture quality is outstanding -- when I finally figured how to calibrate it (more on that later). I was able to perform set up on this tv very near to my on the wall Samsung 4K Smart TV (UN60HU8550FXZA) and using similar calibration settings was able to duplicate the picture quality of the Samsung. Not bad considering the price difference ($600 vs $2400). The tv is receiving 2160P video input from my home theater receiver which upscales any signal to 4K. So my cable 1080I signal looks much better -- not quite true 4K but close -- definitely better than 1080P. The tv itself upscales to 4K but I did not test this because I really didn't need to.
-- There are a number of useful smart options -- Netflix, Hulu,Youtube, for example. Once I got familiar with navigation the functlons were easy to inititiate.
-- 4K native resolution is stunning. I tested this by selecting a test 4k resolution video on Youtube and was blown away.
Cons:
-- The initial set up for this tv beyond language, location, and time is pretty bad.
-- For inputs, there is no clear choice for HDMI input. It appears that set up "pushes" one to the antenna input and digital channel set up. If one uses over the air broadcast, this is ok, but for those like me who use cable or satellite, then setting an HDMI (or even component) input is apparently not available in the initial set up. One can get an input list by pushing the "input" button on the remote to bring up a list or to push the Home button and scroll over to the HDMI symbol and select it, but these should not be necessary in initial set up.
-- Getting to picture settings is also not intuitive. Pushing the settings button brings up a vertical set of choices on the right side of the screen which includes Picture, but selecting that only allows for selecting one of the presets -- no way to adjust settings to calibrate to one's own preferences. However, if one selects All Settings at the bottom then selects Picture, individual picture settings become available. Believe me, I was almost ready to box up and return the tv when I found this. Glad I didn't.
-- The user guide -- both paper and online -- is very simplistic and almost useless.
The above is very disappointing for an LG tv. Earlier models of LG Smart tvs had and have a much more intuitive and easy to use set up process as well as a more useful user guide. It is as if the set up process took a major step backwards or even worse that one has to select a more expensive model to get a reasonably usable set up function.
Regardless, one should be able to overcome these shortcomings and setup and enjoy this tv at a very reasonable price and I do recommend it.
My Best Buy number: 0750032337
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+100points
114of 128voted this as helpful.
HP ENVY Desktop: With 16GB memory and Intel HD Graphics 530, this desktop offers vibrant, detailed images and smooth processing for editing photos and videos, watching movies and playing games. Connect up to 2 high-def monitors for an expanded viewing area.
Customer Rating
3
Good Value For The Price, Except...
on November 26, 2015
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I bought this to perform processor and graphics intense video editing in addition to normal internet, word processing, and spreadsheet processing. The desktop has a lot of processing power (I7-6700HQ processor), very good 6th generation integrated graphics, plenty of storage (2TB) with fast I/O (7200 rpm), and 8 usb ports - 4 3.0 and 4 2.0 among other things -- essentially everything I need at a very good price in comparison to others.
Set up was pretty simple (I've done this before). There wasn't a large amount of bloatware and what there was I was able to uninstall or delete. To avoid the never wake up problem, I simply set the power plan to never turn off or sleep, so that is not an issue with me.
Now for the reason why I rated this down to a 3. The wireless keyboard was dead on arrival and the wireless mouse had a lot of lag when moving across the screen. For a high performance laptop like this, to have that happen implies a lack of quality control and testing in at least those two critical parts. I just happen to have a usb back lit keyboard and an extra Logitech wireless mouse -- which works great by the way -- so I was able to do the set up and decided not to box up the desktop and return it for another (also concerned I would wind up with the same problem).
Other than that everything, so far, is fine. Unfortunately BB does not allow editing of reviews, so if I find anything else wrong in the future then I will use the comment section in this review to report it. I take some comfort in the fact that my elite plus membership allows for a 45 day return period.
I marked this as yes I would recommend to a friend, but I would definitely detail the caveats.
My Best Buy number: 0750032337
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+28points
37of 46voted this as helpful.
Store up to 5TB of media on this Seagate Backup Plus STDT5000100 external hard drive, which features Protect, Save and Share features that enable simple integration with social networking sites and provide comprehensive data management.
Customer Rating
2
Very Slow At File History Backup
on October 19, 2015
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I purchased this drive primarily for backing up my desktop data. I decided to use the Windows 10 File History app for this instead of the proprietary software. It took over 10 hours to perform the initial backup of 500 gb. By comparison a 220 gb initial backup on my laptop with my older Toshiba 2TB drive took 2 hours. The laptop processor, memory, and hard drive specs are comparable to the desktop so it was a mystery to me why the desktop back should take more than twice as long as it should to perform the backup and definitely set off alarm bells.
I went back to BB and exchanged the drive for the WD My Book 6TB drive. I reran the initial File History backup in less than 4 hours. The proprietary WD backup took 1 hour so I am definitely glad I made the exchange.
Get the WD drive.
My Best Buy number: 0750032337
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
HP ENVY Laptop: With a 17.3" Full HD touch screen, this efficient laptop makes it easy to browse Web sites and swipe through programs. House your growing media collection and documents on the spacious 1TB hard drive, and type in dim lighting using the backlit keyboard.
Customer Rating
2
Under Powered For My Needs
on August 24, 2015
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I was deeply disappointed in this laptop. I purchased it to replace an older HP laptop with an
Intel I7- 4710HQ processor that I used for video editing, mainly simple voice overs of recorded game play videos. Upgrading to Window 10 on the older laptop was problematic -- a Windows 10 version of my editing software did not work because of audio file problems, hence the purchase of the new one.
Intel I7- 4710HQ processor that I used for video editing, mainly simple voice overs of recorded game play videos. Upgrading to Window 10 on the older laptop was problematic -- a Windows 10 version of my editing software did not work because of audio file problems, hence the purchase of the new one.
Even though the clock speed of the I7-5500IU processor on this model was just .1 ghz less than the 4710HQ processor on the older one and was documented as more than meeting minimum requirements, the video editing software kept failing with the irritating Windows 10 "...stopped working" message. It could be because the 5500IU processor and graphics processor installed are under powered or because of Windows 10 or the video editing software needs more horsepower than documented or a combination of all three, but the bottom line is that heavy processing just does not seem to work on this laptop. As a comparison, I reinstalled Windows 8.1 and the previous (8.1) version of my video editing software on my older laptop, loaded up the video I was trying to edit and everything worked fine!!
The other thing I noticed in the limited time that I used the laptop was that the wireless adapter range was not as good as the one on my older laptop.
This is truly unfortunate because the fit and feel of the laptop and its keyboard is great. The price point is also good for the advertised functionality, but be warned if you want to do heavy processing or heavy gaming, look elsewhere and spend the extra $. If HP comes out with a model that has more horsepower -- like an I7-5700HQ processor -- then I will take another look, but for now I have returned this laptop and will be using my older laptop with 8.1 reinstalled for some time.
My Best Buy number: 0750032337
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+9points
23of 37voted this as helpful.
Samsung 28" S271HL U28E590D 4K UHD Monitor: See all of your photo's details during editing. Video game levels look amazing. The large screen allows you to have multiple windows open at once to get more work done.
Customer Rating
3
Great Resolution, but...
on October 3, 2014
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
Pros:
Great resolution. I am using the displayport connection with a 760 GTX video card and am getting max resolution. I haven't tried gaming, split screens, or gaming yet, so no opinion on those functions. With the large screen size I am able to increase icon and text size. With the 4K resolution the monitor is easy on the eyes, even up close.
Great resolution. I am using the displayport connection with a 760 GTX video card and am getting max resolution. I haven't tried gaming, split screens, or gaming yet, so no opinion on those functions. With the large screen size I am able to increase icon and text size. With the 4K resolution the monitor is easy on the eyes, even up close.
Cons:
This is NOT a plug and play monitor. Before connecting you must first load the appropriate driver for the connection you want -- displayport or HDMI. You cannot load both drivers. Obviously that means another monitor must be used. If you are purchasing this with a new desktop at BB, insist that the Geek Squad do this for you as part of the purchase. Note that the quick install guide does not mention this -- or much else. A major negative for me!
This is NOT a plug and play monitor. Before connecting you must first load the appropriate driver for the connection you want -- displayport or HDMI. You cannot load both drivers. Obviously that means another monitor must be used. If you are purchasing this with a new desktop at BB, insist that the Geek Squad do this for you as part of the purchase. Note that the quick install guide does not mention this -- or much else. A major negative for me!
The stand has no height adjustment. -- capabilities that should be included in a monitor costing this much and this large. For one that has no vertical or horizontal space issues this is not much of an problem, but for one who needs to increase or decrease height, this is a major shortcoming. I actually removed the stand and propped the monitor up against vertical supports on my computer desk. As an example of bad engineering and/or instruction the remove stand instructions, straight from the user guide are: "While holding the stand neck with one hand, pound the other fisted hand down on the stand base in the direction of the arrow." There is supposedly a tilt capability but it did appear to work for me.
Monitor controls are via a thumb wheel found on the rear lower right of the monitor. Bad engineering there. One needs to make more room to be able to get to and use the control. There is an app that allows one to set up the resolution and split the screen and such, but to simply power on and power off the monitor, one has to use the thumb wheel.
The monitor has no VESA mount capability so it cannot be wall mounted or mounted on a universal monitor stand.
Conclusions:
Set up and placement functionality of this monitor is not well thought out and lacking in capabilities at best. The lack of clear instructions make set up problematic. Since wall placement is impossible, one needs a "wide open" area in which to use the monitor.
Given these restraints, even with the great resolution, this monitor is priced way too high for its capabilities. I may change my mind, but I am seriously considering returning this and getting a well reviewed 1080P monitor with better overall functionality and at half the price.
My Best Buy number: 0750032337
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+10points
29of 48voted this as helpful.
Keep your speaker cables out of sight with this cord cover kit.
Customer Rating
3
Hides and manages speaker and other cables well
on November 4, 2012
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
Bought the CMK50 package to:
-- hide cabling from my wall mounted TV
-- manage and hide speaker cables across my mantle and down to the floor.
-- hide cabling from my wall mounted TV
-- manage and hide speaker cables across my mantle and down to the floor.
The lengths work just barely for the TV cables -- power extension cable, HDMI cable, and Digital Optical cable; very tight fit.
The lengths work fine for my speaker cables -- front high right, front right, center, and front left. The only caveat with these is that because of the snap over cover design, I had to cut lengths for the mantle to get the center speaker and left front speaker wires into the "system."
The major downside to this product is that the two sided tape on the lengths actually work too well. If you have to remove a length that has been taped to a wall, it will pull paint and possibly wall board surface off the wall with it requiring a plaster patch and paint job! This is why I rated this down to average. I would recommend this product with the above reservations.
What's great about it: Easy to use, does what it is supposed to do
What's not so great: Two sided tape will rip up wall if you have to remove a length
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
4
Performance
3
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Learn more about Magnolia Premium Installation With dual cast basket and planar low-frequency radiators and nonresonant monocoque cabinets, this center-channel speaker delivers cinema quality sound in a small package. Magnetic shielding ensures protection from video interference when the speaker is placed near a TV.
Customer Rating
5
Improvement Was Obvious
on November 2, 2012
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
Bought this speaker to upgrade the center channel, a Polk Audio 6752, in my home theater setup. Althought the physical footprint is small (a requirement for me), the improvement in center channel quality was dramatic! Dialogue was crisp, natural, and clear. Major improvements also were obvious in music and gaming sounds. Note that the Polk Audio speaker is a quality speaker (I will use it on a smaller bedroom system), but the ProCenter 1000 is much better, fills a large room, and is well worth its reasonable price.
What's great about it: Great sound, clear dialogue
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Only @ Best BuyTurn 1 HDMI source into 2 with this Rocketfish~ RF-G1182 splitter that delivers 1080p content, 3D capability, and 5.1/7.1 surround sound to most HDMI components. The included AC adapter ensures reliable power.
Customer Rating
4
Does Exactly What It is Supposed to Do
on October 31, 2012
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I have an LG 55LM7600 3D Smart TV mounted over my fireplace for main viewing and a 24" 1080P Toshiba set for gaming. HDMI input from my Cable #COX# Whole House DVR, XBOX360, and 3D Bluray player are routed thru my home theater receiver -- Denon 3D AVR1913 -- to its HDMI out port. In the past, I used an 8 ft HDMI cable to switch ouput between a larger TV to my 24" Toshiba by physically switching the cable from one TV to the other. With the new LG set installed on the wall this was not possible. Cable switching would have to occur at the HDMI output of the receiver, an option I did not like.
This HDMI splitter was purchased to solve that problem. The install was simple. The HDMI out from the receiver is routed to the HDMI in of the splitter with a short HDMI cable. HDMI out 1 is to my LG TV via the installed 12 ft HDMI cable. HDMI out 2 is to my Toshiba 24" TV via the 8 ft HDMI cable. Everything works fine, although as other reviewers noted, there is a slight delay in the picture displaying on each TV. Things that I noticed in use of the splitter:
It obviously has to be powered on. I did not like the idea of it being on when not in use -- I solved this problem by plugging in the splitter to an available power outlet on my cable box and setting the outlet to provide power only when the box was on.
The splitter can be used:
-- with only one HDMI out hooked up and outputting to a TV.
-- with both outputs hooked up, but only one hooked up and outputting to a TV.
-- With both outputs hooked up and outputting to TV's.
-- with a 3D source going to one TV, with the other TV off, or the other TV not supporting the signal.
-- with both outputs hooked up, but only one hooked up and outputting to a TV.
-- With both outputs hooked up and outputting to TV's.
-- with a 3D source going to one TV, with the other TV off, or the other TV not supporting the signal.
I have used the splitter with my Cable DVR, XBOX, and 3D Bluray player #2D and 3D# with no problems at all. Still need to test the Bluray player with a regular DVD, but do not expect a problem. Note that the Bluray player is outputting in HDCP format, all outputs are going thru my receiver and I have had absolutely no problems.
The only reason I have rated this as a 4 vs. a 5, is that the cost is high IMO. More reasonable at Amazon, but still a little high.
I decided to buy at BB only because I had a gift card and some RZ certificates to bring down the price.
What's great about it: Easy Setup, Works as Advertised
What's not so great: Cost
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5
Performance
5
Share this review:
+21points
22of 23voted this as helpful.
Only @ Best BuyGive your speaker wires a secure connection with these speaker wire banana plugs.
Customer Rating
4
Makes speaker connections easier
on October 3, 2012
Posted by: OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
These plugs do the job and aren't too difficult to use. Just be aware you will need a flat head screw driver with a very small head to loosen and tighten the two little set screws in each one. Just insert the stripped speaker wire and tighten the set screws (back first, front second# then adjust the color coded sleeve. Note that the sleeve moves back and forth a bit when plugging in to the receive. I recommend using a needle nosed plier to remove the plug.
I purchased these plugs because BB did not have enough of the Monster plugs in stock for what I needed #2 systems). If the Monster plugs are available and still on sale, get those, otherwise these will do just fine.
What's great about it: Not too difficult to set up
What's not so great: Plastic cover moves
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
4
Performance
4
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Enhance your home theater system with this Pioneer SP-C22 center-channel speaker that features dual 4" polypropylene woofers and a 1" soft dome tweeter to deliver a wide range of sounds. The curved cabinet design minimizes vibration.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Good center spkr to compliment my 5.1 surround
By aas88keyz
from Mesa, AZ
Good size speaker with good strong and clear sound. Fits nicely on the shelf under my flat screen. I prefer quality and balance when it comes to sound. Though I like visual effects in movies what makes it for me is how the sound in the movies brings it together. I like the sound effects from movies but I always find myself turning the volume up during quiet dialogue and then all the sudden I am blown out of my chair with all the dynamics of music and explosions and try frantically to turn the volume back down so I don't disturb the neighbors. I got this center speaker to give me more of a balance between all the sound elements hoping that it would bring in more of the dialogue. I haven't found that balance yet but keep trying. I am sure it is not the speakers fault but it was the reason I bought it in the first place. Again, by itself it can be a very loud and crystal clear but hasn't found it's place in my own home theater system.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Boost center output?
October 28, 2012
To get better dialogue did you boost your center speaker output? The idea there is that by boosting the center channel you can lower overall volume. I used automatic calibration on my home theatre receiver, but found I had to boost the center channel manually to get good dialogue. I am using a different speaker, but concept is the same.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
LG 65LA9650 4K Ultra HD TV: Bring movie night home. This expansive screen delivers Ultra HD entertainment with 4x the resolution of Full HD. Plus, theater-like 3D and a wide array of Web features make it a versatile entertainment hub.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Not worth it just yet.
By Nobe
I seen the 4K picture in store and it looked awesome. But when I got the TV home and seen the screen in regular 1080 resolution I regretted it immediately. My friend bought the Samsung 65" 1080P 240hz the same day for $2500 cheaper and his picture and features are a lot better in my mind. I actually think my TV I replaced with this (samsung 58" plasma) had a better picture also. Disappointed!
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Calibrate It!!
April 18, 2014
As already noted initial settings for TVs are for store display so of course they look great in the store. When you set up a TV for home viewing picture settings must be reset for home use and the settings will vary depending on your viewing distance, how bright the viewing area is, etc. This TV should have its own calibration wizard - Picture Wizard II which really helps with calibration. Go thru the wizard to get the picture close to what you want and then tweak the settings to get it to exactly what you want. Or try the calibration disk suggested by Wishkid.
The TV does upscale from 1080 to 4k by the way. I have the 55LA9560 and after using the Picture Wizard II to calibrate it and a little further tweaking I was blown away by the picture!! I can definitely tell the difference between 1080 and 1080 upscaled to 4K!. Do a little homework and a little work and you will get the picture you want.
+1point
2of 3voted this comment as helpful.
Logitech Wireless Wave Combo MK550. A mouse-and-keyboard combo that gives you a comfort curve without a learning curve. The keyboard~s Wave design with Constant Curve layout guides hands into just the right position and conforms naturally to your fingers, helping you type with ease and confidence in a familiar layout. The laser mouse is a joy to hold and use.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Great combo for the price
By JB819
from Johnson City, TN
I have arthritis in both hands and have had difficulty with standard keyboards. I have been able to use this keyboard with fewer problems than normal. Also, the wireless mouse that came with this combo has performed flawlessly.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Why the one star?
March 13, 2015
Why the one star if this product is that good for you?
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Store up to 5TB of media on this Seagate Backup Plus STDT5000100 external hard drive, which features Protect, Save and Share features that enable simple integration with social networking sites and provide comprehensive data management.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Easy to install
By Neskew
We had no problem hooking it up, we were using in within a minute if taking it out of the box.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Why the low rating?
October 18, 2015
Why was this given a low rating of 1 when it appears you are very happy with the drive?
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 Tablet: Photos and videos come to life on this tablet's expansive Super AMOLED touch screen, which features adaptive display technology for clear visibility. Navigate apps and features easily with dual quad-core processors, and integrate your other Samsung devices with SideSync and Quick Connect.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5What is there not to like.
By ROCKCLIMB101
This is the best TV I have ever had. Easy setup and also easy to use.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
2 Questions
December 6, 2015
1. Why are you posting a tv review in the Galaxy Tab S2 page.
2. If the tv (or whatever you are reviewing) is so great, why did it get a one star rating?
+8points
8of 8voted this comment as helpful.
Office Home & Student 2016 is made to help you achieve more with time-saving features, a new modern look, and built-in collaboration tools.Plus, you can save your documents in the cloud with OneDrive and access them from anywhere.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5Great for a family with kids in school
By Irishlads3
This product worked perfect for our family needs with children in school.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Why The Low Rating Then?
December 11, 2015
Title says it all. If this product is perfect for your family needs then why a 2 star rating?
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Sony XBR43X830C LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Update your living room with the sharp detail, crisp motion, and lifelike color of 4K TV. The built-in Wi-Fi lets you surf the Web and discover new programs while using your compatible phone or tablet as a remote control.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Great picture and sound
By ALEX
The Sony TV has a bright picture and better sound than my previous TV. It is easy to use.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Doesn't Make Sense!!
March 25, 2016
If you like the tv so much why did you rate it down to a 1? This lowers the overall rating for this model and is a disservice to those who use the ratings as part of their research.
+3points
3of 3voted this comment as helpful.
Lie back and watch your favorite videos and TV shows with this LG 4K smart LED TV. The 43-inch IPS panel can display 4K videos in vibrant colors, while the smart function integrates an advanced Web OS 3.0 for Internet connectivity. This LG 4K smart LED TV has one USB port and three HDMI ports for peripherals.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Amazing Picture, But..
By OldNAchy
from Fairfax, VA
I was looking for a tv this size to replace my failing bedroom tv. I came into the store intending to buy the 43" Sony 4K Smart tv (XBR43X830C), but decided on this one after comparing the pictures side by side in the store and noticing this one had a slightly better looking picture while costing $200 less than the Sony.
I would have rated this a 5 except for the disappointing non-intuitive setup.
The pros:
-- Good price.
-- Picture quality is outstanding -- when I finally figured how to calibrate it (more on that later). I was able to perform set up on this tv very near to my on the wall Samsung 4K Smart TV (UN60HU8550FXZA) and using similar calibration settings was able to duplicate the picture quality of the Samsung. Not bad considering the price difference ($600 vs $2400). The tv is receiving 2160P video input from my home theater receiver which upscales any signal to 4K. So my cable 1080I signal looks much better -- not quite true 4K but close -- definitely better than 1080P. The tv itself upscales to 4K but I did not test this because I really didn't need to.
-- There are a number of useful smart options -- Netflix, Hulu,Youtube, for example. Once I got familiar with navigation the functlons were easy to inititiate.
-- 4K native resolution is stunning. I tested this by selecting a test 4k resolution video on Youtube and was blown away.
-- Good price.
-- Picture quality is outstanding -- when I finally figured how to calibrate it (more on that later). I was able to perform set up on this tv very near to my on the wall Samsung 4K Smart TV (UN60HU8550FXZA) and using similar calibration settings was able to duplicate the picture quality of the Samsung. Not bad considering the price difference ($600 vs $2400). The tv is receiving 2160P video input from my home theater receiver which upscales any signal to 4K. So my cable 1080I signal looks much better -- not quite true 4K but close -- definitely better than 1080P. The tv itself upscales to 4K but I did not test this because I really didn't need to.
-- There are a number of useful smart options -- Netflix, Hulu,Youtube, for example. Once I got familiar with navigation the functlons were easy to inititiate.
-- 4K native resolution is stunning. I tested this by selecting a test 4k resolution video on Youtube and was blown away.
Cons:
-- The initial set up for this tv beyond language, location, and time is pretty bad.
-- For inputs, there is no clear choice for HDMI input. It appears that set up "pushes" one to the antenna input and digital channel set up. If one uses over the air broadcast, this is ok, but for those like me who use cable or satellite, then setting an HDMI (or even component) input is apparently not available in the initial set up. One can get an input list by pushing the "input" button on the remote to bring up a list or to push the Home button and scroll over to the HDMI symbol and select it, but these should not be necessary in initial set up.
-- Getting to picture settings is also not intuitive. Pushing the settings button brings up a vertical set of choices on the right side of the screen which includes Picture, but selecting that only allows for selecting one of the presets -- no way to adjust settings to calibrate to one's own preferences. However, if one selects All Settings at the bottom then selects Picture, individual picture settings become available. Believe me, I was almost ready to box up and return the tv when I found this. Glad I didn't.
-- The user guide -- both paper and online -- is very simplistic and almost useless.
The above is very disappointing for an LG tv. Earlier models of LG Smart tvs had and have a much more intuitive and easy to use set up process as well as a more useful user guide. It is as if the set up process took a major step backwards or even worse that one has to select a more expensive model to get a reasonably usable set up function.
Regardless, one should be able to overcome these shortcomings and setup and enjoy this tv at a very reasonable price and I do recommend it.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
My Calibrations
May 13, 2016
Smart Picture Mode -- Off
Picture Mode Settings -- APS (User)
-- Backlight 92
-- Contrast 92
-- Brightness 61
-- Sharpness 21
-- Color 58
-- Tint 0
-- Color Temperature C20
Advanced Conrols
-- Dynamic Contrast -- Medium
-- Dynamic Color -- Medium
-- Preferred Color Gamut -- Extended
-- Super Resolution -- Medium
-- Gamma -- Medium
Picture Options
-- Noise Reduction -- Low
-- Mpeg Noise Reduction -- Low
-- Black Level -- Low
-- Real Cinema -- On (cannot change)
-- Motion Eye Care -- High
-- TruMotion -- On
Picture Mode Settings -- APS (User)
-- Backlight 92
-- Contrast 92
-- Brightness 61
-- Sharpness 21
-- Color 58
-- Tint 0
-- Color Temperature C20
Advanced Conrols
-- Dynamic Contrast -- Medium
-- Dynamic Color -- Medium
-- Preferred Color Gamut -- Extended
-- Super Resolution -- Medium
-- Gamma -- Medium
Picture Options
-- Noise Reduction -- Low
-- Mpeg Noise Reduction -- Low
-- Black Level -- Low
-- Real Cinema -- On (cannot change)
-- Motion Eye Care -- High
-- TruMotion -- On
I just watch mainly cable TV with these settings and let my Home Audio receiver upscale the picture to 4K, but these settings work very well for me. Hope this helps.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Channel your inner gamer with the Xbox One S. An impressively sleek reduction in size belies the fact it supports HDR visuals and impressive 4K resolution for outstanding detail in the latest games. Bluetooth technology bundled with the Xbox wireless controller means you can use this device on both your Xbox One S and your Windows 10 PC.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Most excellent
By Einstein
This thing is smaller than the old one and 4K. Cannot wait.
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
What?
August 26, 2016
You don't have it yet? How can you give a 5 star review for something you haven't purchased and used? Sorry but this is a totally worthless review.
-2points
0of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Channel your inner gamer with the Xbox One S. An impressively sleek reduction in size belies the fact it supports HDR visuals and impressive 4K resolution for outstanding detail in the latest games. Bluetooth technology bundled with the Xbox wireless controller means you can use this device on both your Xbox One S and your Windows 10 PC.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Incredible
By RedlineI07I
from Spring Hill, KS
At $299 this is an INCREDIBLE deal! even if it just play 4k videos it would be on price par with all the others out there. and since this does 4k video, plays games, browse the internet, listen to music and a TON of other things (all inside an xbox one that is almost HALF the size) is even MORE incredible still! wow!
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Great. Another worthless review
August 26, 2016
Please wait until you actually own and use a product before reviewing it. Sorry but this review is worthless. Sure, all the functions this have sound great, but already there are issues with 4K and HDR.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
OldNAchy's Questions
OldNAchy has not submitted any questions.
iBuyPower Desktop: Play hard with this iBUYPOWER gaming PC. With a 3.4GHz Intel i7 quad-core processor, 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce 3GB graphics card, this machine can handle the most demanding adventures. This iBUYPOWER gaming PC has a 1TB SATA III hard drive and 120GB solid-state drive to provide ample file storage.
How many core processors does this have?
The I7-6700 has 4 physical cores and 8 virtual cores (2 per physical). Lots of horsepower.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
OldNAchy
iBuyPower Desktop: Play hard with this iBUYPOWER gaming PC. With a 3.4GHz Intel i7 quad-core processor, 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce 3GB graphics card, this machine can handle the most demanding adventures. This iBUYPOWER gaming PC has a 1TB SATA III hard drive and 120GB solid-state drive to provide ample file storage.
Does it have enough room or is it able to add an elgato hd 60 pro?
There are 2 PCIE-1 slots so the hd 60 pro should work. I have used one of the slots to install a wireless card with no issues.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
OldNAchy
iBuyPower Desktop: Play hard with this iBUYPOWER gaming PC. With a 3.4GHz Intel i7 quad-core processor, 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce 3GB graphics card, this machine can handle the most demanding adventures. This iBUYPOWER gaming PC has a 1TB SATA III hard drive and 120GB solid-state drive to provide ample file storage.
Is the O.S. Installed on the SSD? or the Hard Drive? Is the graphics card a reference card or an after market? Is the ram running in dual channel or quad?
WIndows is installed on the SSD. 4 channel. Can double memory size. Can't answer about graphics card, but I did buy and install a reference 6gb 1060 card with no problems.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
OldNAchy
iBuyPower Desktop: Play hard with this iBUYPOWER gaming PC. With a 3.4GHz Intel i7 quad-core processor, 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce 3GB graphics card, this machine can handle the most demanding adventures. This iBUYPOWER gaming PC has a 1TB SATA III hard drive and 120GB solid-state drive to provide ample file storage.
I wanted to use this for not so much gaming but for video editing, capable for it or not
This should have the processing and memory horsepower to do most video editing. I use Corel Video X9 Pro to do voice overs and render at full HD (1920x1080) for my gaming videos with no issues. Note that you can buy and install 2 more 8gb memory sticks (check website for compatible) to double memory to 32gb.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
OldNAchy
HP ENVY Desktop: With 16GB memory and Intel HD Graphics 530, this desktop offers vibrant, detailed images and smooth processing for editing photos and videos, watching movies and playing games. Connect up to 2 high-def monitors for an expanded viewing area.
Does this computer have a strong wireless connection?
Because of the configuration of my apartment and the location of my router, I will have to run my desktop via WiFi. I want to make sure that the machine will run fast and smoothly that way.
For me it does, although I don't need to use it. It has a top of the line wireless ac dual band adapter, backwards compatible to the n, b, a, and g standards. The key to your situation is also how strong the wireless signal is in your router.
10 years, 10 months ago
by
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Store up to 5TB of media on this Seagate Backup Plus STDT5000100 external hard drive, which features Protect, Save and Share features that enable simple integration with social networking sites and provide comprehensive data management.
Compatible with Windows 10?
Yes. I have one connected via a usb 3.0 port on my windows 10 desktop. Note that I did not like its backup software, so I set the security to auto validate with my desktop and use Windows 10 File History for backup. So far, so good.
10 years, 10 months ago
by
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Only @ Best BuyTurn 1 HDMI source into 2 with this Rocketfish~ RF-G1182 splitter that delivers 1080p content, 3D capability, and 5.1/7.1 surround sound to most HDMI components. The included AC adapter ensures reliable power.
Splitter and PS4 w/ El Gato
I am trying to hook up my HDMI splitter to my El Gato Gaming Capture Card. It shows no picture just flashes on and off. I have everything hooked up correctly and still get nothing. Help?
The PS4, like its predecessors was designed to output video in HDCP format thru HDMI. In this format, the Elgato cannot accept or record gameplay video. Your description of the problem sounds like HDCP is being output. Sony announced a patch to allow users to turn off HDCP output. Has this been downloaded yet? If so, then you need to change settings to turn off HDCP. If the patch is not available yet, you will have to wait until it is before being able to record. I would also research how to bypass HDCP.
12 years, 5 months ago
by
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Do you all buy back laptops like you do cell phones?
I recently sold my phone back to you all for a store gift card. I'm wondering do you offer the same deal for laptops?
Depends on the laptop. If you are thinking about the MacBook Pro listed in your question you can trade it in for a gift card worth up to $300 -- information provided by the Trade-In Center in Services. In general, go to Trade-In Center in Services, select the appropriate category and look up your model to see if there is trade in value.
12 years, 11 months ago
by
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
Anything other than Windows 8?
I tried Windows 8, learning curve too steep. Can I get a good laptop that still has Windows 7?
Yes. Go on BestBuy.com and search using the keywords:
WIndows 7 laptop. There is a pretty good selection out there.
For example:
Toshiba - Ultrabook 14.4" Laptop - 6GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive + 32GB Solid State Drive - Midnight Silver Aluminum .
WIndows 7 laptop. There is a pretty good selection out there.
For example:
Toshiba - Ultrabook 14.4" Laptop - 6GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive + 32GB Solid State Drive - Midnight Silver Aluminum .
13 years, 5 months ago
by
OldNAchy
Fairfax, VA
which xbox should i buy
To get most out your experience, I suggest the XBOX 360 Elite model. The Arcade model although cheaper, is somewhat limited in functionality and buying accessories to get the same functionalities as the Elite would actually cost more than just buying the Elite. Suggest you talk to in store Geek Squad or associate to determine what else needs to be bought to accomodate your gaming needs (network adapter, cables, XBOX Live subscription, rechargeable batteries, etc.) Good Luck and happy gaming.
16 years, 7 months ago
by
OldNAchy
Washington D.C.