4/11/2012

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 UB - LCD projector - 1600 ANSI lumens - 1920 x 1080 - widescreen - High Definition 1080p Review

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 UB - LCD projector - 1600 ANSI lumens - 1920 x 1080 - widescreen - High Definition 1080p
Average Reviews:

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I've only had it for a week or so but I absolutely love it so far. This replaces a Sanyo PLV-70 (2200 lumens; 720p). I don't have a dedicated home theater room so I deal with some ambient light. I was afraid that going down to 1600 lumens might be an issue but it has not. The 1080 UB is plenty bright.
I've read other reviews that have said the 1080 UB required significant picture adjustment out of the box. It seems to me that the brightest settings will require a decent amount of adjustment but I have not been using them. I have it set on Theater Black 1 (which I believe is 2 or 3 notches down from the brightest setting) and the picture was gorgeous out of the box.
I can definitely tell the difference between 720p and 1080p on my 120 inch screen (running Blu Ray disks from a PS3). The blacks and color richness from this projector are much better than my 5 year old Sanyo (which was plenty good). HD content via DirecTv also looks significantly better, which I assume is largely due to the much higher contrast of this projector and probably some better color capabilities as well.
This projector is also plenty quiet for me and it sits just a few feet away from me.
Overall, I am completely satisfied and very happy with this purchase so far.


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4/10/2012

Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 1080 Home Theater Projector Review

Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 1080 Home Theater Projector
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Pros
- Under $3000!
- VERY easy to set up.
- Well-designed, backlit remote.
- ZERO screen-door effect from real viewing distances.
- Relatively bright (even in theater mode).
- Excellent performance.
Cons
- Blacks could be a little deeper.
- No vertical stretch (only an issue if you're looking to do CIH).
- Menu navigation a little sluggish when using a universal remote.
Being the first 1080p projector under $3000, the Epson Home Cinema 1080 arrived with a lot of hype and anticipation. I bought into that hype, and as a result I was among the first to pick up one of these bad boys the day it came out. Prior to the Epson, I had owned two different 720p HD projectors- a Sanyo Z4 and a Panasonic AX-100U. The Sanyo produced a super-sharp, noise-free picture, but I found the visible pixelation too distracting at close viewing distances. The Panasonic doesn't have that problem as it utilizes Smoothscreen technology to reduce screen-door effect, but it also results in a noticeably softer image. The Epson, on the other hand, is capable of projecting a sharp AND pixel-free image (both undoubtedly thanks to the 2 million pixels afforded by 1080p). The Epson also performs surprisingly well out the box, and after a simple calibration I found that it can deliver even more vivid and accurate color. Black level is the one area where I feel this projector is lacking. For deep, DLP-like blacks you would have to shell out another grand or two for a higher-end model like the JVC RS-1. What I did though was paint my own screen, using a special DIY mix designed to boost contrast and improve black level performance, and voila! I'm looking at a beautiful picture with much darker and convincing blacks. Summing up, the Epson is a killer deal, and for under $3000 I honestly couldn't be happier. If you haven't experienced HD front-projection before, I would advise you to go with a 720p model first as prices are tumbling and you can pick up a pretty decent model for around $1000. If you're looking to jump from 720p to the next level, and you watch a lot of HD DVD, Blu-ray, or other high-res HD material, then this is the projector for you. Highly recommended!

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4/09/2012

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector Review

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector
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If you are looking to break into the 1080p projector territory, this is an excellent projector! I've had the chance to use my 6100 now for a few weeks, and it definitely doesn't disappoint. Image quality is fantastic, and the colors are great too (when configured correctly). I've been using mine with the HDMI output of a Harman Kardon AVR-254 7x50W 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver with HDMI 1.3a Repeater.
Pros:
* This sucker is BRIGHT. I am amazed at how nice it looks even with ambient light.
* Minimal screen door, as should be expected for a 1080p projector.
* The expanded color mode is beautiful, and works quite well.
* Contrast ratio is good, but don't believe the 18000:1. It is still remarkably good for a

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Experience home entertainment in a whole new way with the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6100. This affordable projector puts you in the middle of the action with blockbuster brightness and contrast. Whether you enjoy movies, games or sporting events, every image is sure to pop off the screen thanks to Epson's new D7 panel and an impressive 18,000:1 contrast ratio. It's easy with Epson's 3LCD, 3-chip optical engine and 1800 lumens of color/ white light output* Best of all, with the Epson exclusive Cinema Filter and OptiCinema lens by Fujinon, you're sure to experience movies like never before. (*Footnote: Light output varies depending on modes (color and white light output))

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4/08/2012

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 720p 3LCD Home Theater Projector Review

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 720p 3LCD Home Theater Projector
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I bought this PJ elsewhere (not at Amazon) for $1149. This is my third digital PJ and the best unit so far. I started out about 12 years ago with the old heavy CRT beast. CRT is a rapidly dying breed and the pix quality has improved with digital PJ's they are no longer worth the hassle (IMO).
The new Epson is much brighter then my old Panny PTL 500u (800 lums)which I'm replacing. Sharper cleaner pix with more detail in black areas as well as brighter areas. Blacks are very good with HD and good quality SD sources but not with so so quality SD (most cable channels). HD and full bandwidth off air SD look great! Blacks are as good as some low end DLP (under $2000)units with the dark chip 3. You won't get the inky like blacks but will not be a distraction from movie either.
If you need to offset from center this is the unit for you. You can set the lens shift one full pix up or down and about the same side to side. You will need to sit about 1.2x screen size back to avoid seeing the pixel structure better know as SDE. I have a 100" screen and pixels began to disappear about 10 to 11 feet back (102" to 132")thus the 1.2x.
Epson has great reputation for quality products and gives you a 2 year warranty if needed. I loved my Panny but with Panasonics ax100U issues I just can't go with the Panny this time. I hope the 200u has been fixed but I'm not going to gamble with $1300 plus.
If you are like me and can see DLP rainbows then I highly recommend this unit. The only somewhat negative about this unit is the fan can be heard when not in low power cinema mode but does not disturb viewing experience. In low power (cinema modes) unless unit is right by your ear you probably never know it's on. The high power mode is a little less noisy then a computer fan to give you some idea. If you have forced air heat (I do) then the air rushing from the ducts will make more noise then this PJ in high power mode. Could use a second HDMI input.
The picture quality and brightness is superb and you'll be very happy with the quality of this unit. You may also want to look at the Sanyo Plv z5 for it has good reviews but is much dimmer then this unit. In a light controlled room that should not be an issue. Reviews by the so called experts put this unit near the top of the LCD pack and Epson customer service is by far better then Panasonic. Sanyo I have never had to deal with so can't say .
This is one of the better 720p PJ's on the market at present and you'll be happy with the PQ of this unit.

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The PowerLite Home 720p delivers1600 lumens 1280X720resolution.Contrast ratio 10000:1 (in Dynamic mode).Aspect ratio 16:9 Native (4:3 resize)

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4/07/2012

Epson PowerLite 1735W Multimedia Projector (V11H270020) Review

Epson PowerLite 1735W Multimedia Projector (V11H270020)
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The PowerLite 1735W is terrific portable presentation tool. I researched comparable DLP-based projectors before buying this one. The PowerLite's picture quality is excellent for such a small projector, and the "3LCD" technology works very well for playing videos (comparable DLP projectors have trouble with rapid light/dark changes).
Tired of mediocre - and loud - projectors at conference & hotel venues, I have been pleased with the very low fan noise when set to "low" brightness - and the output is still a bright ~2000 lumens.
Pros:
* Bright, even when set to "low"
* Quiet when set to "low" brightness
* Compact & light weight
* Very easy to set-up with VGA input
* Works well for projecting flash videos (or DVDs)
* Very long lamp life (4000 hours on "low" brightness)
* Can set-up for custom logo (professional look)
* Can set-up for password lock-out (inhibit theft)
* High-resolution native WXGA (1280 x 800) projection
* S-Video input
Cons:
* Pricey
* Noticeable fan noise when set to maximum brightness
* XGA (1024 x 768) projection is not native (dithered)
* Only works with PowerPoint "presenter mode" (notes on laptop screen) when using VGA. Presenter mode does *NOT* work when connected via WiFi or USB (will only project the same output as the main laptop screen).
* No component, HDMI or DisplayPort inputs (but nothing in this class does)
* Security lock-out requires the remote control. If you lose the remote, you're toast until you get a replacement.
* Speaker output is no better than typical laptop. Only suitable for a small conference table.
The DLP-based projectors are slightly smaller, but for me the combined features of the PowerLite 1735W make it a superior tool for professional use. If you don't need the WiFi or USB input (and I don't), consider the PowerLite 1730W Epson PowerLite 1730W 3000 Lumens WXGA Projector and save ~$100. If size and weight aren't important, there are lots of far less expensive alternatives.

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The ultimate mobile projector. Stunning widescreen performance. Wireless and networking connectivity. Innovative easy-to-use features for ultra-quick setup and smooth transitions between presenters. No need for bulky VGA cable.

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4/06/2012

Epson PowerLite S1 Multimedia Video Projector Review

Epson PowerLite S1 Multimedia Video Projector
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Looking at the S1 in respect to using it for home theatre -
* it provides a brighter picture than most Home Theatre Projectors at 1200 Lumens
* the picture is very clear
* the colours are accurate and vibrant
* the contrast is average. DLP PJ's like the Infocus X1 have better contrast but u risk seeing rainbow effects with cheap DLP PJ's
* It has a short throw lens so 10 feet gets approx 100 inch diagonal screen so it can suit small rooms down to say 9 x 9 feet
* It doesnt have a genuine zoom feature so placement in a room is limited
* It is SVGA resolution but with the .5 size pixels (instead of .7 on most SVGA PJ's) screen door/pixelation is much reduced. I have it in my 12' by 11' bedroom at a diagonal screen size of approx 95' and it looks supurb.
* Fan sound is about average. It exhausts the air out the front so can be mounted close to a wall
* It doesnt have manual individual colour adjustments. The 5 preset viewing modes will be fine for most, coupled with the ability to adjust contrast/brightness.
* Try to position the PJ at right angles to the screen in order to avoid using keystone correction. The picture looks slightly better if u dont use keystone correction with this PJ.
* The PJ itself is very inexpensive and the replacement lamps are the cheapest i have ever seen. Would be good if the lamp could go more than 2000 hours but since they are so cheap its not so much of an issue.
* Many S1's are sold/have been sold so it should be easy to get replacement items such as lamps in the future.
* Doesnt have a individual component video connection. U have to use the RGB port so if u have a pc u have to share this port. Would have been good to have a seperate component video port.
There are several entry level PJ's which are providing performance at a level previously only found on PJ's much more expensive. At similar to the EPSON S1 price point you could look at Infocus X1, Hitachi CPS210, Sanyo Z1 amongst others.
In Summary Epson S1 - Bright, very clear picture, excellent colours, short throw, cheap globes
Im very happy with the S1. The most important issue above all is the picture and this PJ's picture is crystal clear, bright and vibrant.
Regards Talisman

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Early Adopters Pick: July 2003. The S1 from Epson is a price-busting portable projector that delivers brilliant, full-featured SVGA performance, under $1,000.
With a footprint of just 14.6 by 10.4 inches, the S1 sets up on nearly any convenient surface and weighs just 7 pounds, making transportation painless. An SVGA native resolution of 800 x 600 ensures that projected images retain their clarity even at great distances, while 24-bit color support of over 16.7 million colors results in accurate, true-to-life images. A monitor out capability lets you display images on both the projected screen and on a monitor simultaneously, while compatibility with both PC and Mac operating systems ensures that your presentations a snap to set up, no matter where you are. The 400:1 contrast ratio provides sharp detail, and 1,200 ANSI lumens of brightness results in projections that are easy to see from anywhere in the room. The 132 W UHE lamp provides over 2,000 hours of lamp life, while the internal power supply consumes 180 watts during normal operation and just 5 watts in stand-by mode.
The S1 has a variable aspect ratio of either 4:3 or 16:9 and an adjustable projection screen size of 30 to 300 inches. The digital zoom/manual focus lens has an F-number of 1.4 and an f-number range of 16.6mm, which combine with digital keystone correction of plus or minus 15 degrees to help achieve accurate, in-focus projections across the entirety of the image. The S1 supports NTSC, NTSC4.43, PAL, M-PAL, N-PAL, PAL60, SECAM, and HDTV formats, the latter including 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. Mini DIN, RCA, and mini D-sub signal inputs and an RS232C control input are provided. The internal fan emits less than 33 dB of noise during normal operation, while the internal 1-watt mono speaker provides a clear, intelligible internal audio output. The remote operates at a distance of up to 19.7 feet and provides control over a wide range of projector functions. The S1 also comes backed with a two-year limited warranty.
What's in the BoxProjector, power cable, computer cable, projector remote control with lithium battery, presentation remote control, soft carrying case, air filter, CD-ROM, Quick Setup Sheet

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4/05/2012

InFocus LP540 Multimedia Video Projector 1700 Lumens Review

InFocus LP540 Multimedia Video Projector 1700 Lumens
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Pros:
For months I struggled to determine which type of projector would best suite my needs. I was looking for a relatively high lumen projector that could be used both for projecting video in an art gallery setting (ambient light) as well as to watch movies at home (little or no ambient light). The DLP vs LCD question was my first obstacle. After reading endless articles and endlessly searching the Internet for any helpful information, I had come to believe that a high lumen DLP was the way to go.
I am fortunate to live in the vicinity of B&H Photo and Video in New York City and went in to the store to see their various projectors in action. Originally I had my eyes on the Optoma EP739 DLP projector, but when I saw the image projected from the InFocus LP-540 I had to rethink my whole strategy. B&H has over a dozen projectors being demonstrated and above and to the left of the projection area is a large plasma screen TV used for image comparison. The InFocus was the only projector on view to match the color quality of the nearby plasma screen. This was surprising to me since most of the projectors on view are home theater projectors, and I expected they would have better color than a projector designed for business applications. All of the DLP projectors looked washed out in comparison.
Now I know what you might be thinking "of course an LCD has better color that a DLP", this is pretty much a known fact if you have done your homework. But what I should mention is that not only was the color better, but the image itself was much sharper. Again, this is an expected difference between DLP and LCD, but the difference was striking.
The articles I read warned that LCD projectors usually deliver a sharper image than DLP projectors, but the technologies use of pixels instead of color wheels make them prone to a "chicken wire" effect. The InFocus shines in this respect. The so called "Chicken Wire" effect was obvious on the other LCD projectors at B&H like a nearby Epson LCD. In this respect the image produced from the LP-540 was as good as any of the DLPs on hand.
Cons:
The only issue that I have with the InFocus LP-540 is that it has a low contrast ratio (400:1). I knew that I was making this trade off when I chose a LCD over a DLP projector. Considering I wanted high lumens and excellent color saturation for around $1100 I had to make this sacrifice. I found that there is no perfect product on the market for under $1500 that offers high lumens (1500-2500), a high contrast ratio, and the kind of color saturation that a good LCD projector can produce.
Since I have purchased the LP-540, I have watched dozens of movies on it. It has performed very well with the exception of movies that are shot under low light, like horror movies (it in no way makes them unwatchable). If you plan on using this projector exclusively for home theater there are better choices out there than the LP-540 (the Sanyo PLV-Z4 had the best image of any projector at B&H. It offers amazing color saturation and a contrast ratio of 7000:1), but if you need a more versatile projector the InFocus LP-540 a solid all around performer.

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4/04/2012

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6500UB 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector Review

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6500UB 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector
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After many years of wishing and slowly peicing togther the parts for a home theater I have finally achieved this lofty goal. This is my first projector so bare in mind my relative experience. A few things to note. I use this projector solely for movie watching and usually at night in a completely dark room. I am not using a blu-ray player but an HDMI equipped Sony DVD player with "upscaling" on a 106" screen.

This machine is AMAZING. The picture quality is first class! Being as this is the format Blu-ray is designed for I was a bit worried about the regular dvd quality. However I can happily say even with a regular player a well made DVD(well made as in the Studio actually went in there and really digitally mastered and maxed out the DVD capability) the image quality is superb. At 720P with a A-class DVD transfer such as a Lord of the Rings, Wall-E or Kingdom of Heaven, u will happily enjoy every crevice and wrinkle of you favorite actors face, knick knack and chink in metal and the little hairs on the fabric of their blanket or cloak. With lush vivid colors and crisp fluid action and movement with no jaggies. Again this will vary depending on the DVD itself. Some DVDs(usually older and or obscure movies) the studio in question just didn't give a damn and basically just transferred a VHS image onto a DVD. In those cases you will notice the lack of razor sharp clarity we've grown accustomed to but in such cases it pretty much feels like an old movie theater anyway and generally doesn't detract from the experience. In the rare case I will come across a DVD(usually one of my kids cheap noggin cartoons) so poorly transfered u will even have some jaggies. Again this is the DVD not the projector. It should also be said that the DVD transfer issue is a problem in both formats. There are many Blu-Ray dvds in which a given studio simply took the old print and through it on Blu Ray. I recently read a review on Terminator 1, where the guy had the regular DVD and the Blu ray and the quality was indestinguishable for this very reason so be careful. Format is not necessarily indicative of image quality.
The calibration options are especially in-depth and allow for a broad range of variation depending on your viewing environment and personal preference. I read and observed that the default color range ran a little warm and was able to easily and quickly cool it down to obtain a slightly more balanced hue. I should also note that this is a rather nit-picky thing and other people might find the default hue fine. The vertical and horizontal lens-shift also offer great versatility. I personally don't find manual focus and zoom bothersome, so these features are more then adequate and up to the job for me.
Fan noise is negligible. The projector is a rather meager 6 feet above the top of the couch and when there's silence in the movie there's silence in the room. Boot up speed is also quick taking no more then 30 seconds to a minute tops. (just enough time for the screen to roll down and grab a snack).
The only flaw I could point out is lack of apsect ratio. All the images are projected in widescreen format. Now the Aspect ratio CAN be changed(there's even a button on the controller) but apparently not when using the HDMI feed. If your confused its ok, so am I. I have to say that this problem may be my fault and not the projectors and since except for some of my older movies which were shot in the older 4:3 format all of my movies are widescreen anyway. And I haven't carved out the time to call the support line to try and sort it out. So the combo of a few factors including my own potential ignorance, my own laziness and limited hindrance by said problem, all should be noted and taken into account in respect to this issue. For this and the fact that it is my first projector I give only 4 out of a possible 5. But really for me it's perfect.
Hmmm that's about it. This things rocks and I'm in cinema heaven.

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The Epson Home Cinema 6500UB takes Home Theater entertainment to a whole new level, featuring a rich, vibrant color and details that's sure to win a rare reviews from friends and family alike. With 1600 lumens and the deep, dark blacks, crystal clear detail of Epson 3LCD technology, this mega star will make your home the hottest ticket in town. Experience movies, games and sporting events like you never have before. As stylish as it is entertaining, it is the perfect performer, adapting well to virtually any scene, whether you mount it on a ceiling, shelf or table. Designed by the world leader in home theater projectors, the Home Cinema 6500UB is your choice for amazing home entertainment that all are sure to enjoy.Contrast Ratio (in Dynamic Color Mode) -Up to 75,000 - 1 Color Processing -Full 12-bit Terminal Inputs -2 HDMI 1.3a, 1 RCA(Composite), 1x3 RCA (Component), 1 Mini DIN (S-video), 1 D-Sub 15 pin (AnalogRGB), 1 D-Sub 9pin (RS-232c)Dimensions (W x D x H) -17.7 x 15.5 x 5.4 (excluding feet)Weight -16.5 lbs Manufacturer's 2 Year Limited Warranty, 90 days Limited Lamp warranty

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4/03/2012

LG Flatron L1951S-SN Liteview 19" LCD Monitor (Silver) Review

LG Flatron L1951S-SN Liteview 19 LCD Monitor (Silver)
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This is my first flat-screen LCD monitor, so maybe the images and type aren't supposed to be as crystal-clear as my old NEC Multi-Sync CRT monitor. Or maybe it's because everything's enlarged to 19 inches.
Also, the Auto-Brightness setting button seems a little limited. The eight choices are either too bright for me or too dark (and that was AFTER following the calibrataing instructions). Makes me miss the old-fashioned manual turning-wheel dial.
However, the price was right and it will do.

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LG Electronics (L1951S-SN) 19" 1280x1024 Lightview LCD

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4/02/2012

PowerLite S6 Multimedia Projector (V11H283420) Review

PowerLite S6 Multimedia Projector (V11H283420)
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We have been using Epson PowerLite S5 for a while now, and it seems to be pretty good. We buy the new version S6 because it has USB support; however, the technical description did not bother point out the the USB display is for Window only while we use Mac. The product is still good, but we wish it has the support for Mac also.

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4/01/2012

Sony BDP-S301 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player BD/DVD/CD Playback Review

Sony BDP-S301 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player BD/DVD/CD Playback
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I gotta admit it: when it comes to electronics, I'm about as brand-loyal to Toshiba as they come. Nevertheless, for me, the whole history of the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD wars has unfolded on the software battlefield. Sony has simply come up with a better DVD. By the time HD-DVD catches up, we'll all either own two fine DVD players, or one that can play both formats. After haunting a few electronics showrooms, and seeing and hearing the decks in my price range, this latest Sony player just became a no-brainer.

If you're wondering what's the difference between this and the BDP-S300, so am I. The operating manual that came with my S301 listed both model numbers on the cover. I got mine at a price $50 cheaper than I could have got the earlier model, and I didn't pay shipping. That's the only reason I have one and not the other.

Blu-ray Discs are awesome in every way. I use an optical 5.1 connection, and even though there are better connections in newer systems, the sound quality is still noticeably deeper and more dimensional than standard DVD's, due to the greater bandwidth available on the discs. Colors are far more stable, especially with Blu-ray Discs, but also with standard DVD's. My taste in films doesn't run perfectly parallel to the titles currently available on Blu-ray, so the rest of my comments really pertain to the quality of this deck as a player of standard DVD's.

I have found the transition blip between layers on DL-9 discs to be almost imperceptible. The bit encoding rate of "up to 40 Mbps" is probably the single most important spec this player has to offer. That is slightly higher than the Toshiba decks in this price range, though I doubt few people have eyes good enough to appreciate the difference. The point is, you are going to see a picture that contains every bit of information encoded on whatever disc you're watching, with gradations of color and depth of detail that make the disc the weakest link--and that's a good thing.

The fan motor on the S301 is whisper-soft, another factor that gives this deck superiority over its Toshiba counterpart.

All of that said, it should be noted that Sony is going for complete vertical integration, with all the studios (save Universal) behind Blu-ray, and with this and the S300 designed to work optimally with a Bravia monitor and audio system. They want world domination, and I guess we'll just have to trust the marketplace to sort things out. But for now, this is about as good a player as you'll find in this price range, and it works adequately with systems not designed by Sony.

"Adequately" is about as high a complement as I can pay it, though. Each disc has a certain amount of futzing around that is necessary to get the aspect ratio and video specs right. In other words, this doesn't just magically read the disc you put in and know where the settings should be. It does have a very handy video control center that allows for six picture settings, three preset to "standard," "theatre," and "light room," and three that allow you to make custom presets. By the time you've gone through a few discs and tweaked the color, white and black balance, etc., you'll find yourself flipping through the six available settings and finding one that suits each disc you're watching.

All of this extra "trouble," I should add, in reality arises from the far greater picture fidelity you will be seeing.

Some minor annoyances: 1) although this plays music CD-R's, it won't recognize data CD-R's. So, for example, if you have your jpegs stored on CD-R's, prepare to move them to DVD-R's, if you want to use this player as a slide viewer; 2) note the dimensions of the unit, especially the depth, which becomes about 16.5 inches once you've connected everything up--my player is hanging out about 2" from my other components; 3) there is no true "fast-forward," only a multi-speed "scan" feature that, even on the slowest speed skips over frames of significant action you may be trying to spot; 4) there is no "off" button on the unit itself, which, if you don't want to hunt down the remote, will shut itself off after about 25 minutes; 5) the "on" button on the unit doubles as "open" and "close," which is fine, I guess, but it takes exactly 32 seconds between the time you turn the power on and when the "Blu-ray" insignia appears on your screen. Once it is powered up, though, I found the loading times to be reasonable.

Finally, I would want to mention the aspect ratio issue, namely that it sometimes has to be changed manually, by changing the resolution. Some of this may be due to the fact that I am connecting to my monitor using an HDMI-to-DVI cable, but I rather doubt it. I suspect Sony simply did its best to make a good player, but loading it with electronics that would enable it to decode a wide variety of commercial discs would have made it prohibitively expensive.

Funny thing, though. It reads Universal Studios discs perfectly and without any tweaking necessary. Kind of makes you wonder if they weren't putting in a little more effort to win over the one Blu-ray hold-out.

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3/31/2012

Epson Powerlite 1705C Wireless Multimedia Projector- 3.7 lbs Review

Epson Powerlite 1705C Wireless Multimedia Projector- 3.7 lbs
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The Epson 1705c projector does not work wirelessly with Leopard (MacOs10.5) on the Mac, but it does using Tiger. The unit works with a wired connection of course. Fortunately, I have a MacBook with Tiger (and an Intel Mac with Leopard). The projector is very light, but quite bright. It is supposed to show video at 30 fps, which it probably does, but quicktime projected from the Mac was jerky. I have only had this for a couple of hours so I will learn more. Wireless projection of powerpoint was very good. So far, I am pleased.
Later, Boris Balley, artists, gave an 1.5 hr powerpoint presentation of his work. He had three 1MB images per slide projected wirelessly from a Mac using Tiger as the operating system. It was flawless. March 2008: Now Epson has an update for Leopard on the Intel Mac that works wirelessly. It is great.
James Baird
Professor, Brown U.

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Item #: EPSV11H231020. PowerLite 1705C Multimedia Projector Wireless capability, compatible with 802.11a/b/g-compliant devices. During pauses, A/V Mute Slide feature covers lens, mutes audio, powers down the lamp. Display Resolution: XGA (1204 x 768). Brightness: 2200 ANSI lumens. Contrast Ratio: 400:1. Customers also search for: EPSON;Multimedia Projector;PowerLite 1705C, 010343858237

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3/30/2012

OMNIMOUNT OL125FT 23-Inchto45-Inch OmniLite Tilt Flat Panel Mount Review

OMNIMOUNT OL125FT 23-Inchto45-Inch OmniLite Tilt Flat Panel Mount
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Omnimount OL125FT bracket was used to wall mount a 40" Sony Bravia KDL-40EX400 LCD television. The television weighs about 30 lbs. Sony recommends you use their SUWL500 bracket, which is outrageously expensive...over $200! The Omnimount bracket is a suitable affordable alternative.
The bracket is heavy duty and supplied with four 2-1/2" long lag screws intended to screw into wall studs. The package also comes with an assortment of screw sizes and spacers for attaching the bracket to the back of the television. I used four of the supplied screws, with some washers I added so that the screws did not penetrate too far into the television body.
The bracket can be set to a limited number of fixed angles so that the TV angles correctly to your line of sight.
Directions provided with the package are pictorial only and quite minimal. Took some trial and error to figure out how the locking bar was to be installed (keeps tv from being lifted off the wall mount). Reviewing directions on the manufacturer's website was helpful.

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3/29/2012

Konica Minolta Dimage X1 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Anti Shake Zoom (Cradle Included) Review

Konica Minolta Dimage X1 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Anti Shake Zoom (Cradle Included)
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I've had this camera for about three weeks now so this is not a complete review. This is a replacement for the Canon S100 Digital Elph which I had for almost five years. That broke and I got the Konica Minolta here in Asia before it was released in the US.
There are several shortcomings with the Konica Minolta:
1) Flash is limited to about 6 feet or so. TERRIBLE!
2) Lowlight picture taking is quite poor. The lense has difficulty focusing and there is no manual adjust. AGAIN, TERRIBLE.
3) There is a big lag time between shots due to long processing time. YOU WILL MISS LOTS OF PICTURES!
4) LCD has very large pixels which makes it difficult to see details.
5) The camera is pretty large and bulky.
6) Shutter speed is limited to 1/250 sec.
7) No manual controls.
There are good things:
1) Battery lasts about 90 minutes of continual use.
2) Macro photography is pretty good - UNDER PERFECT CONDITIONS.
3) Controls are very intuitive - it is SIMPLE to use.
4) The Anti Shake technology is effective.
5) The video is good.
6) Despite the sheer heft and size it is a sleek design, but only the back of the camera.
7) Overall picture quality is ok under PERFECT conditions.
I needed a camera quickly. If you are not in a hurry, it may pay to shop around.
UPDATE - I have sent four emails and left three voicemails to KM over a one month period and have yet to hear back from this company. DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK!!!
If I could, I would re-rate this camera as one star since zero is not an option.
UPDATE #2-
1) You will miss lots of pictures due to the long processing time. You'll attempt to take a shot but by the time the camera actually records the image from the time you press the button it's SEVERAL seconds later. I can't tell you how frustrating this is. I can't believe they put out a camera like this. It's really unbelievable.
2) My old Canon took much better pictures than this. Pics are extremely "noisy" and forget low-light pictures. Get the 1 GB card, because you'll need to take about 20 shots to make sure you get one that turns out. Again, unbelievable.
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY

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MD) CL) AA) DIMAGE X1 DIGITAL CAMERA

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3/28/2012

Sapphire Radeon HD 5450 - 1 GB DDR2 HDMI/DVI-I/VGA PCI-Express Graphics Card 100292L Review

Sapphire Radeon HD 5450 - 1 GB DDR2 HDMI/DVI-I/VGA PCI-Express Graphics Card 100292L
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I'm not one for long reviews.
My computer runs Windows 7 64bit. I use media center for all my DVR needs, and I output to an HD front projector in my home theater room.
This card replaced my GeForce 7600, which was very old but still ran pretty well. The main reason I bought the Sapphire 5450 was because AMD/ATi finally put out a nice card that would pass HD audio through HDMI to the source. I was using optical SP/DIF before. The card does everything I am used to at good speeds. It's not much good for gaming, but I'm not a gamer so I don't care.
Great price for a great HTPC card. I recommend it.

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3/27/2012

Speck Active Sport Armband Case with Velcro Fastener for iPod nano 2G (Black) Review

Speck Active Sport Armband Case with Velcro Fastener for iPod nano 2G (Black)
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I bought this armband case to replace a previous one that was really annoying me. The advantages of the Speck case over the previous one, which I bought at Wal-Mart for about $10 are as follows:
--The velcro goes all the way around the armband, instead of in patches, which allows for unlimited adjustability.
--The neoprene case allows for much easier insertion/removal from the case than the previous case, which was tight rubber and difficult to get my iPod in and out of it.
--The clear plastic window over the touchpad wheel on the iPod is sensitive enough to allow for easy navigation, whereas the previous product had a rubber covering overthe wheel, which made it difficult to navigate, particularly during workouts.
Overall, I highly recommend this product, because it just perfectly performs the functions it specifies.

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Active Sport Armband Lite is the custom neoprene armband perfect for running on a treadmill or a trail. The light-weight, adjustable armband fits arms 8-inches to 23-inches around and when your workout is done, detach the case from the strap for instant portability.

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3/26/2012

Acer Computer AOA110-1722 Aspire One 8.9-Inch Notebook PC Review

Acer Computer AOA110-1722 Aspire One 8.9-Inch Notebook PC
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UPDATE 08/29/2008: Received my new Acer Aspire One today. Wow, one day shipping from J&R rocks! The blue AAO with Win XP looks just like the Linux version: there is the SD "Storage Expansion" slot on the left side and a multi-format card reader on the right, 3 USB ports, etc. It boots up pretty fast and runs the so familiar WIN XP OS. I liked the Linux graphics, but to be honest, as a Windows user, I felt lost. So far, I haven't had any problems with the wireless (knock on wood) that I have experienced when I used the Linux version. Yes, you can hear the fan, as some of the reviewers have mentioned, BUT, it is not nearly as annoying as they claim. I can live with that. The Hard Drive is listed as 120GB, however, it shows up as 105 GB. The windows XP version comes with a 60-day trial of MS Office 2007 and McAfee Security Suite. Curiously, it also comes with InterVideo WinDVD, although, as you are aware, there is no DVD drive. Other programs included are: MS Works, Adober Reader 8, IE, MSN, Windows Media Player, Windows Messenger, Windows Movie Maker, Acer eRecovery Manager. I installed Firefox without a glitch. So far, I am very pleased with the laptop. It's not a $2,000 Sony or Mac, but it's a great value. It does what it is supposed to do. I am glad I returned the Linux and ordered the Windows. It works better for my needs.
UPDATE 8/28/2008: So, Amazon dropped the price on Acer Aspire One with Linux OS. However, the Win XP version continues to be overpriced compared to other online retailers. I've decided to order the blue Win XP machine directly from J&R for $369.99 and will get an additional 15% off via Live Search Cashback (total price after cashback excluding shipping: $314.41). I decided to go back to the familiar XP configuration simply because I believe that learning Linux will involve too much effort to justify the cost. In addition, the Linux version of Acer Aspire One appears to have more wireless bugs than Windows. We'll see how the Win XP netbook performs.
UPDATE 8/25/2008. So far I haven't seen any price reductions by online retailers. I think they are waiting to purge their inventory. Best Buy, however, does have the blue Acer Aspire One with 1gb Ram, 120 gb HD and Win XP Home for $349.99. So far they are the first ones to jump on the Acer price drop bandwagon.
UPDATE 8/20/08. Acer just (4 hrs ago) made the announcement on Market Watch that it will slash the prices for Acer Aspire One to $349 for Win XP and $329 for Linux. I miss my Acer One and will order one again as soon as retailers update their prices. I thought it was a great deal for $379 but for $50 less it's an absolute bargain. I do hope that I won't have anymore wireless problems with this one.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: I had purchased this laptop from J&R in blue with Linux and it was in my hands the very next day. I really liked Acer Aspire One from the moment I pulled it out of the box. It's very compact, light, elegant, boots in no time (20 sec). I am a first-time Linux user and was actually pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use. I followed the instructions from one of the Amazon reviews here to unlock the full OS and was able to add Skype (Fedora version) without a problem. OpenOffice is very straightforward and easy to use, email setup was a breeze. I plugged it into my cable modem and loved the very fast web page loading times. All in all, it's a great little laptop alternative, the screen is easy to read, the keyboard size is adequate for error-free typing, the trackpad took some getting used to but it was fine within a couple of hours.
Now to the negatives:
-the surface is very prone to fingerprint smudges
-the screen is very glossy and reflective, but the brightness compensated for the fact that I could always see my reflection on the screen
-the left and right mouse buttons are oddly positioned on either side of the keyboard, so that takes some getting used to
-now last but not least - wireless connectivity problems. I've had the Acer Aspire One for over a week and have tried every single approach out there to get the wireless connection on it. the wireless networks would show up on the connection manager, but when I would attempt to connect to a particular network I would get an error message saying connection was terminated. One of the networks I tried to connect to was my own home wireless network which successfully worked for all of my other laptops. I tried the WEP protocol - no success, I changed the router settings to WPA - tried to connect - no success, I changed it to the open network - no success although I am sure my neighbors appreciated the open net access they could steal from me in the interim. I've searched the web for a solution and found out that this wireless problem seems to be an issue for a number of Acer Aspire One users out there. Some were able to fix it by running Live Update on a wired connection (I did it, but it didn't fix the problem), some played with sleep modes, reboots, etc. None of that worked for me. I tried to look up this issue on the Acer website, but their customer support is not very user friendly. So, I gave up, called customer service for an RMA# and am returning the Acer Aspire One today. I wish it had worked as I liked it so much, but it's no use to me without wireless connections and I believe that if I purchase a brand new item, it has to be fully operational straight out of the box. So, goodbye my dear sapphire blue Acer Aspire One, you will be missed, I hope your maker solves the wireless problem and I will buy you again when that happens. I would recommend this product without reservation if only the wireless problem is resolved.


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