Samsung DVD-1080P8 1080p Upconverting DVD Player
April 23, 2008
With the Samsung 1080P8 DVD player, everything old is new again. Experience your favorite movies in beautiful high definition.
This DVD player will upconvert your standard DVDs to 1080 high definition so you can enjoy an enhanced cinematic experience with superior sharpness, color and details.
Plays Standard DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW in any of the following formats: MP3, WMA, JPEG, MPEG-4, or DivX.
This is one of the best DVD players for the money right now. If you can’t afford a Blu-ray player then grab this one. It does a fantastic job upconverting old movies to 1080p resolution and brings you a crystal clear picture with super fast performance.
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Price: $79.99
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Get Ready for Blu-Ray 2.0
April 1, 2008
We waited for the Blu-Ray vs HD battle to be over for a long time. Now that Blu-ray has won, we find a new standard creeping in. Welcome Blu-Ray 2.0.
So whats the difference in 2.0 versus whats already out there? I mean, a Blu-Ray player is a Blu-Ray player right? Well, not exactly. You see Blu-ray has profiles which determine what features are available for playback.
Let me try to break it down for you.
From the first Blu-Ray player released until around November 2007, they were all profile 1.0 players. They offered no local storage, no Internet capabilities and a secondary video and audio decoder was optional.
Profile 1.1 aka “Bonus View” players are being sold now along side of the Profile 1.0 players. Profile 1.1 players allow for picture-in-picture content which allows you to browse other features while the main film is running. To do this they had to include local storage which is at minimum 256k. These added features mean that Profile 1.1 players also have a mandatory second video and audio decoder.
Profile 2.0 aka “BD-Live” players are set to be released this year. They include a local storage upgrade over Profile 1.1 players. This takes local storage from 256k to 1 gigabyte. Along with the added memory, Profile 2.0 players will have an ethernet port for Internet access. Once you are hooked up to the Internet, BD-Live will give you access to content such as online shopping and games.
Both Sony and Panasonic have already stated their plans to make BD-Live players. The Sony BDP-S550 will be priced at around $500, and Panasonic’s DMP-BD50 will be between $500 and $650. Both should be available this fall.
Sony KDL-52XBR5 52″ BRAVIA® XBR® 1080p LCD HDTV
March 3, 2008
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Model: KDL-52XBR5
Pr ice: $3,299.99
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Description
This 52″ LCD TV will make a wonderful addition to any home entertainment center. Not only is this TV beautiful with it’s piano black finish and it’s floating glass frame, but it shines above the rest with it’s 176 degree viewing angle. That means you have a much wider angle to see the picture clearly before it starts to fade. Most of these TV’s will start getting dark or dimm the more away from the center of the TV. Not the XBR5. As long as you can see the screen you can see the picture.
The XBR(R) line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporate all of Sony’s latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color) and provide the best in picture performance. Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation(TM) upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. Display Resolution - 1920 x 1080p (native) Tuner - ATSC, Clear QAM Video Processing - (BRAVIA Engine PRO) Noise Reduction Comb Filter - 3D Digital Comb Filter DRC MultiFunction Circuitry (DRC MF V2.5) Game Mode are just a few of the many features this TV has.
If you want the ultimate home entertainment experience then grab the Sony LCD TV 52 ” XBR5 Model today
Tech Specs
- Aspect Ratio - 16 - 9 / Screen Size - 52 inches measured diagonally
- Television Type - Flat Panel
- Closed Caption (CC)
- Native Resolution - 1080p
- Contrast Ratio; 2,000 - 1 (On-screen)
Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 42″ 1080p Plasma HDTV
January 14, 2008
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Model: TH-42PZ700U
List Price: $1,999.99
Price: $1,465.46
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Demands for a high definition television have never been higher than they are today. Thats why it is critical that you buy for longevity, manufacturer quality, and picture clarity. These three qualities are what you need to be most concerned about when purchasing your new HDTV.
Thats where Panasonic comes in. They are one of the top players in the industry with a proven track record.
One of Panasonics best sellers is the TH-42PZ700U 42″ Plasma HDTV. This is an exceptional TV backed by Panasonics quality standards. This TV is a hot seller on the market right now for a reason.
The TH-42PZ700U Combines style, elegance and top quality entertainment abilities to the table with it’s full 1920 x 1080, 1080p resolution. Also, the black levels are deep and the brightness is superb. The unit has 4096 shades of gradation and has up to a 5000:1 contrast ratio. Video noise reduction circuitry and a digital comb filter make sure the picture on screen is always optimal. The TH-42PZ700U will upconvert any signal you feed it and display it at 1080p.
On the back, the TH-42PZ700U features two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, two composite inputs, and two S-Video inputs. Hidden beneath panels in front is another composite and S-Video input, a component video input, and a slot for SD cards. Insert an SD card filled with photos and you can watch a slide show with the built-in Photo Viewer software.
Features
- 1920 x 1080 Resolution
- 4096 Shades of gradation
- 2 HDMI Inputs
- Built-in SD Card Memory Slot
- GalleryPlayer Capable
Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player
January 3, 2008
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Company: Samsung
Model: BD-P1400
List Price: $499.99
Price: $304.38
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Description
The Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray DVD player will make a great addition to your entertainment center. It delivers crisp, clear images while also allowing you to adjust sharpness and noise reduction settings to your preference.
The BD-P1400 also supports the new Dolby Digital Plus Audio format. Dolby Digital Plus is the next generation in audio so you know the BD-P1400 is on the cutting edge. It also supports uncompressed PCM Audio and Legacy dts 5.1 Dolby Digital.
The BD-P1400 up converts your standard DVD’s to 1080p resolution and plays Blu-ray DVD’s up to 1920×1080 resolution. You also have the option of selecting 60 and 24 frame per second and Dolby True HD and DTS HD.
Features
- plays Blu-ray high-definition discs (selectable output resolution: 1080p signals available through HDMI output only; 720p/1080i signals available through HDMI or component video)
- plays DVD-Video and DVD-R & DVD-RW
- plays CD, audio CD-R & CD-RW, and MP3 CDs
- selectable 720p/1080i/1080p video upconversion for DVD (upconverted video available through HDMI output only)
Samsung LNT4661F 46″ 1080p LCD HD TV Review and Price Comparison
December 17, 2007
If you are looking for a great LCD HDTV then the Samsung LNT4661F 46″ may be the best choice for you. This model, released in 2007, displays full 1080p resolution. It also features a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio which makes your black colors very rich.
The Samsung LNT4661F also includes features such as an 8ms response time, which gives your movies smooth motion, even in the busiest scenes. The LNT4661F also has hidden side speakers, an NTSC tuner, and 3 HDMI ports!
The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog video signals to improve overall performance and video quality. DNIe also improves contrast, white level, picture detail and includes digital noise reduction to help improve lower quality video inputs.
Connections
- HDMI (version 1.3): 3 (1 CEC cabaple)
- Component video: 2 (Y, Pb, Pr)
- S-Video input: 1 side/1 rear
- A/V inputs: 1 side/1 rear
- PC inout: 1
- Headphone Jack: 1
- USB 2.0: 1
If you are curious about the LNT4661F includes SRS TruSurround XT technology which gives you a virtual surround sound experience and a simulated 3D effect.
Conclusion
If you want a great LCD TV that will produce full 1080p resolution and includes amazing sound right from the TV speakers, then the Samsung LNT4661F is for you. This is one of the best selling TV’s this year and for good reason. It is feature rich and reliable and would be a great choice for an HDTV.
Price Comparison
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Best Price |
Buy It |
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$1,509.98 | Buy It Now |
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$1,499.99 | Buy It Now |
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$2,399.99 | Buy It Now |
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$1,648.00 |
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$1,499.98 |
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Toshiba HD-A3 1080i HD DVD Player HDA3 Review and Price Guide
November 21, 2007
The Toshiba HD-A3 high definition DVD player is an inexpensive way to enjoy the clarity of HD movies at home without breaking your bank account.
Yes, it only goes up to 1080i resolution. Well, if you have a 1080i TV then you are all set. Even so, your budget may not allow for a 1080p DVD player. If you are set on 1080p resolution don’t go for the Toshiba HD-A30 1080p DVD player. The quality in 1080p is so poor you would be better off buying the HD-A3 and having some change left over.
This is a perfect entry level high definition DVD player. If you have been wanting to get into the HD DVD’s then this will be a great start. Plus, with the exception of the HD-A30, Toshiba always makes great DVD players. I still own two Toshiba DVD players. I think the quality of parts and assembly is top notch and that makes for a great appliance even years down the road.
Price Comparison
The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Buying a High Definition TV
November 16, 2007
Buying a high-definition TV is complicated. You may hear many technical terms and it can get confusing. Even so, you need to make sure you understand what you are buying before you buy it right? Because if you don’t, you will end up disappointed, frustrated or with a bad case of buyers remorse. And of course, you don’t want that. You just want a nice TV!
So, let me show you the common mistakes buyers make when purchasing a high-definition TV so that you will not make the same mistakes.
1.) Which Picture Looks The Best
This is the most common mistake people make. They go to the store, find the TV with the best picture and purchase it. Plain and simple. Well, it’s usually not so simple when they get home and they find out that it does not have enough connections to hook up all of their entertainment devices. Or is not compatible with what they have.
Soon, they are either going through the hassle of taking the TV back or buying new equipment so that it will work with their new TV. That is a unplanned expense that could be avoided with a little research. This leads me to my next mistake.
2.) DVD, VHS, PS3, GBA, PVR
All of these devices listed above are something that will hook up to your TV. Knowing how many devices you will need to connect to your TV and how they will need to be connected is key. Make sure you identify what connection type the device uses.
Here is a helpful example:
If you have a cable with a yellow end on it then you have what is commonly called composite or RCA connections. This is pretty much on every device on the planet I think. DVD players, PVR’s, VHS players, etc.
If you have 3 wires green, blue, red then you have what is called component video. This is found on DVD players and PVR’s mostly.
If you have a cable that comes in your house from the cable company, that type of wire connection it is also called a coax connection. It is also found on DVD players, VHS and PVR’s.
If you have a connection with 24 pins in it you probably have a DVI connection. This is mostly found in 1080i HD Receivers, TV’s and DVD players. 
If you have a connection that looks like a USB port but bigger then you have a HDMI connection. This is the most common high definition connection seen on most current devices.
Don’t forget, not only should you document how many connections you will need your TV to accept but you will also need to write down which type of connections your new TV will need.
3.) Letting a Salesperson Decide for You
Many people trust the opinion of a salesperson when making large purchases. You would assume the would know more than you. I mean, they sell the things right? Actually, if you think about it, with the many different models and brands that they have to keep up with, how could they really be an expert in anything? Plus, they usually make a commission off of your sale. Most of them don’t even care if you like it or not, they just want to make the sale.
Then you get it home, and find, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Or maybe they are trying to clear out old stock and sold you last years model.
Research is key. Trusting a salesperson with your purchase could burn you in the long run. A few moment invested online searching through reviews and consumer reports could save you from making a huge mistake.
4.) Don’t Buy a No-Name Brand TV
Just because it is cheap does not mean you are getting a good deal. In fact the rule of thumb is you get what you pay for usually. Now, I’m not saying that a good deal can’t be found, thats part of what comparison shopping is all about. But, if you have never heard of the company before there is probably good reason.
Your sales person may try to tell you that they are all manufactured in the same plant and that they just rename them. Sometimes this is true. Sometimes it is not.
Remember you don’t have to make a purchase right that second. Take a pen and paper with you to the store. Write down the models and brands that you liked which also had enough hookups for your current devices, and go home and research them. Find the best one out of the bunch and get that one.
Plus, you may find a better deal online anyway. I mean, you have already seen the TV so you can comparison shop online. However, use caution. Only buy from a retailer that you have heard of like Best Buy or Circuit City. If something went wrong with your TV you don’t want to try and return it or get it fixed through Joe’s TV Shack.
5.) Poor Budgeting for Peripherals
It’s just like the “batteries not included” label on an flashlight package. It does not come with everything you need to get going right out of the box and neither does your TV.
You may need DVI or HDMI cables for your devices. You would not think cables could be very expensive but start pricing them now. They will add up very quickly. Especially high quality cables.
You may also need a TV stand or wall mount. You may want better sound to expand your high-definition experience and want to purchase a home theater system. Also, if you want to have your cable or satellite signal in high definition then you will need to add additonal costs per month to your cable bill. Whatever you need plan ahead. If not you could soon be spending way more than you initially bargained for just to get your TV and devices functional again.
I hope this has been informative and has helped you. Please contact us with any feedback you may have.
iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Review and Lowest Price
November 15, 2007
The iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210 is a cool little robot that adjusts to any floor surface in your home. Just imagine never having to worry about vacuuming the floor again! Let’s face it, most people don’t like vacuuming. It’s a chore. We would much rather be doing something else like watching TV, surfing the net, watching the paint peel on something, etc.
So, you hear about this little robot and think you can make your vacuuming worries disappear? Not exactly. In fact, it may be more work than you think.
It is not a mindless device that you never have to touch. You have to interact with this robot. It doesn’t empty the trash bin itself, it doesn’t start itself, it doesn’t charge itself unless you buy the drive-on home base feature, and it will sometimes need it’s brushes cleaned.
It is a hands free vacuuming machine that gives you time to do other things. It does pick up dirt just like a regular old vacuum cleaner, and it will be a nice addition to your home.
Some of the features include dirt detection and convenient infra-red cliff sensors, adjusts to any floor surface, 2-hour continuous cleaning, edge-cleaning side brush, virtual wall for confining to designated area, rechargeable APS battery, and comes with a 1 year warranty. I almost forgot to mention. It also comes with a 3-hour charger, 2 virtual walls, 2 air filters, and remote control.
Conclusion
This is a neat way to vacuum your floors. However, don’t expect to never have to hassle with this thing. The same maintenance applies with this as does with any vacuum cleaner. Other than that you literally don’t have to be home to have your floors cleaned. It really will free up your time and is especially nice for the elderly and those who are disabled. This is a great device that gives you back more of your time or, if you are not physically able to push a vacuum cleaner, will lend the helping hand you need. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. Highly recommended.
Price Comparison
| $129 - $207 | $249.99 | $279.99 | $299.99 |
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones Review and Lowest Price
November 13, 2007
Are you in the market for headphones? Well, do I have a treat for you. I’ve used a few sets of headphones in my day but nothing compares to the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones. Why? Because the features are insane!
The QuietPoint active noise-cancelling effectively reduces environmental noise by up to 85% with or without audio. That means the majority of outside noise is gone with these headphones. You may hear someone if they are playing a trumpet next to your ear but it will be muffled and sound more like a whisper with these headphones.
The STH-ANC7 headphones have superior audio quality with 40mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems in each earpiece. That means you get deeper bass, extended treble and higher fidelity. Plus, they offer fully integrated active noise-cancelling technology.
If you want to get into the music and out of reality for a little while pick these awesome headphones up. It’s like going to a spa, unless you are listening to heavy metal. Then it’s like being at the spa with a heavy medal band playing live in the room! Seriously, these are some of the best headphones on the market and if you are serious about sound quality then grab these headphones.
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