Sony LF-B10 LocationFree Base Station Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Sony LocationFree LF-B10 base station works great! The setup was very simple. With this new version Sony hosts a Dynamic DNS service that works transparently to the user. In about 30 minutes I had it working with both my computer and my PSP. I use it to control my TiVo Series 3. The only flaw is that the package only allows for one computer to connect to the base station. Additional clients need to be purchased. This limitation was not clear to me prior to purchasing.

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Sony's LF-B10 LocationFree Base Station connects easily to your home network and can stream live television and other video content, with excellent picture quality, through a home network or across the Internet to remote devices. Featuring NetAV streaming and the ability to connect to Sony PSP, Windows, Mac OS X computers, TVs and Windows Mobile cellular phones.Unit Dimensions(WxHxD) -1.81 x 7.4 x 5.04 inches (46 x 189 x 128 mm)

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VIZIO VBR200W Full HD Blu-ray Player with VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great player, very happy.
PRO's:
1. Very easy to set up - plug it in and it works
2. Pandora is awesome! I had to go with a wired connection as the wifi would drop out now and then (I have the same problem with my Apple TV so it's not the unit) but once I went wired it was perfect. I have ATT Uverse and they gave me for free the ethernet plug ins that turn your interior electric cable into a wired connection. Also, when you stream Pandora you do not have commercials like you do on the computer.
3. Netflix streaming is pretty cool, though the image quality is about as good as an analog TV station. But it's free "all you can eat" movies so who's to complain?
4. The sound is incredible on movies. It sends the signal in PCM format to my Pioneer VSX 1019 and the sound is so powerful I actually had to put the amp on Auto Level Control because the explosions and such were so lifelike. Even my wife, who could care less, commented that the sound was a major improvement from my DVD player.
5. Picture quality is Blu Ray - you set the player to HDMI Auto and it automatically gives you the best picture quality and aspect ratio based on the disc. You can also pick your own resolution.
6. Interface on the screen is pretty easy - when it turns on you can choose between Pandora, VUDU, Nexflix, or Disc (as well as setup, etc). Intuitive interface.
CON's
1. Batteries were dead!
2. No HDMI cable as advertised on Amazon, but the box states you only get regular cables so it's an Amazon issue.
3. Logitech Harmony universal remote doesn't recognize this unit yet so you will need the included remote to navigate. Harmony does the basics but is missing a critical "go back" button so once you are in an app (ie Pandora) you cannot return to the main menu without the main remote. I'm sure this will be fixed by Logitech.
CONCLUSION: I love it!


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Delivering the highest resolution 1080p High Definition video playback, the VIZIO VBR200W Blu-ray Disc player also provides HD 7.1 channel audio in lossless high-resolution Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. It's packaged in a sleek design with an illuminated touch panel that disappears when the player is off and it includes an easy-to-use, intuitive remote control.


In addition to extraordinary picture quality, the VBR200W keeps you entertained with the included VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA) feature. You can connect this VIZIO Blu-ray player to the Internet via the built-in Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) or Ethernet port. Once connected, you'll be able to access BD-LIVE online content from various movie studios, stream movies and TV shows via Netflix and VUDU, and listen to streaming music from Pandora.

Your current collection of DVDs can join in on the fun too, as the VBR200W is compatible and will upconvert DVDs to a higher resolution that better fits your screen. It does not come with an HDMI cable; it only has a composite cable (red, white, yellow). It's also compatible with recordable DVDs and MP3 CDs and its USB port allows viewing of photos or videos as well as listening to music through the television by using a thumb drive.

Specifications

Supported Resolutions:
Blu-ray Disc resolutions of 1080p (HDMI) / 1080i / 720p / 480i / 480p (HDMI / Component Out)
DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW selectable resolutions of 1080p (HDMI) / 1080i / 720p / 480i / 480p (HDMI / Component Out)

Audio: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, WMA support; 7.1 Digital Audio via HDMI
Dolby: Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus / Dolby Digital TrueHD
DTS: DTS Digital Surround / DTS HD Advanced Digital Out
BD Live: BD Live 2.0, BD Live 1.1
Content Partners: Netflix, Pandora, Vudu
Networking: 802.11n, Ethernet (10/100Mbps)
Ports: USB 2.0, HDMI 1.3, Component Video, Composite Video, stereo audio, optical digital audio, coaxial digital audio, Ethernet
Media Support: Media playback through USB port for JPG and MP3
OSD Language Options: English, Spanish, French

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Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been looking at Slingbox for awhile now but was afraid to purchase the first generation product for fear of a tough installation. I am a business travel who finally decided to purchase a Slingbox now that the second generation product has been released. To say the least, I am not disappointed. I have (regular) basic/expanded cable with a coax cable protruding from the wall and a WiFi DSL setup. Installation was easy EXCEPT I had a problem installing the software onto my laptop using their CD-Rom Disc (Which is why I give this product 4 stars instead of 5). The CD does not contain the software download, instead it guides your PC to obtain the download over the internet. My laptop would download up to 90% of the software and then hang. I ended up having to retreive the download directly from the Slingbox Website (no big deal). Once installed, the software automatically configured my router so I could use my slingbox from the outside (from the road anywhere there is a high-speed internet connection). The picture is pretty good when I use slingbox from within my house. On the road away from home, the picture is considerably more distorted. In order to get a better picture, I need to shrink my screen. I watch my local news on the road and plan to watch my local sport teams. I love this product and it helps me make the most of my cable which I pay too much for! If you are a non-techie like me, BUY IT! Do not be afraid of the installation, it was easy.

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The first generation Slingbox was a big step forward for so-called "place shifting" technology, allowing you to view incoming TV signals on any TV computer in your home or on any Internet-connected PC around the world. Sling Media is now introducing the successors to this groundbreaking product. Now there are three Slingboxes to choose from, each with features that make it easier than ever to bring your TV and other media with you wherever you roam. Choose from the Slingbox Tuner, AV, and Pro models depending on your entertainment needs. Compare Slingbox models.
Slingbox Tuner The Slingbox Tuner is the perfect companion for your basic cable subscription. With the ability to watch and control your cable TV, the Slingbox Tuner ensures that you can enjoy your live TV entertainment anywhere you go. Turn every computer you use into a portable TV without the need to connect a coax cable! Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone (with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software), you can watch and control your basic cable TV (analog or digital, plus NTSC antenna) anywhere around your home or around the globe. With a Slingbox Tuner you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, or breaking news stories.
The Slingbox Tuner also includes the free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location, in or out of the home.
How it Works Slingbox Tuner is a small device that connects to your cable box to redirect the TV signal to the computer of your choice--providing high quality video, no matter the distance, so long as there is a high-speed Internet connection. This technology also allows you to access and control your TV from anywhere--and your TV doesn't even have to be on.
SlingMedia's patent pending SlingStream technology delivers the smoothest and best video quality possible. SlingStream delivers up to a 400 percent video quality improvement over the original Slingbox. SlingStream is powered by a programmable engine that is capable of running the latest video compression algorithms. SlingStream dynamically adjusts to changes in network conditions, video content, and Internet bandwidth.
At Home, At Work, or on the Go At home, Now you can watch TV in whatever room in the house you choose. Say goodbye to the days of having to watch your child's favorite DVD over and over again. Now you can watch your soaps in the laundry room. You can watch your fix-it shows in the garage. Or you can watch your cooking shows in the kitchen. You'll never get stuck having to watch shows you don't want to now that you're in charge of what's on, when it's on, and where it's on.
Now that you can access your TV wherever you have your computer, the clock won't be the only thing worth watching at work. You can watch your news and business channels to stay updated. You can catch the big game while tending to business. Or, you can watch your favorite shows during your downtime. In any event, work will never just be business as usual.
With the SlingBox you can travel to another country and actually understand the programs. You can visit the in-laws and not get stuck watching The Weather Channel. No matter where your journey takes you, one thing is certain: You'll never have to take up an extra seat to bring your TV with you.
Ready for Vista SlingPlayer software is compatible with Microsoft's Vista operating system. Vista-specific feature enhancements are expected to be available in early 2007.
What's in the Box Slingbox Tuner, SlingPlayer CD-ROM, AC adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz), ethernet cable, RF/coax cable, and quick start guide.

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Cisco-Linksys Media Center Extender with DVD Review

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(More customer reviews)My initial impression are (1) if all you want is a media center extender to do what it is intended to do, then this is definitely the purchase you should make; (2) do not expect anything other than just the media center function and dvd function, that's all your going to get; (3) if the video, music, or picture is not supported by windows media connect *** AND HAS THE CORRECT BITRATE*** it is not going to play; (4) even if your media center pc can playback a file doesn't necessarily mean the extender will play it back, all the processing of the file is done on the extender and the only codecs that get supported are those listed in windows media connect.
I was expecting better codec support from Linksys, but it looks as if Linksys only has their name on the product. It really should have Microsoft on it. You don't need a Vista PC for playback of the dvd function. For you people that like to encode video on your computer and are thinking about using an extender to view it, be careful which format you choose. If it not listed as a supported file by windows media connect you can best believe it is not going to play.
The wireless worked pretty well. I have wireless-n and video playback was great, but navigating through the menus with wireless was sluggish. A wired connection was more responsive but still a little sluggish. Startup time until you get to the main menu is between 30-40 seconds. The unit is absolute noiseless. Even the dvd drive is quiet during playback, fastforwarding and rewinding.
This purchase was not for me. Like i've said many times before, you'll only be satisfied if your files are supported in windows media connect formats. I could not get WMV files to playback, but I could get WMV9 files to playback. I tried a DivX file in a AVI extension and it played fine.

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Sharing your photos, music and movies on your computer with friends and family has been made easy by the DMA 2200 Media Center Extender from Linksys. The device allows you to view digital photos, movies and high definition programs on your TV, and listen to downloaded music on your home theater sound system. It even enables accessing digital content and Internet services from your Microsoft Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate Media Center PC and wirelessly stream it to your home entertainment system. Its single learning remote helps you to easily navigate menus. The media extender uses existing high-speed Wireless-N home network and includes built-in upscaling DVD player.

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Sling Media SlingCatcher SC100-100 Universal Media Player for TV Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been waiting for this product for 22 months, having seen the announcement and demo at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronic Show in January 2007. I have long been a fan of Sling Media and have used its products for close to three years. I have also recommended them to many friends and colleagues. I am a technologist and a "gadget freak" and seldom return products. Even less frequently I write reviews.
I received the SlingCatcher yesterday, after pre-ordering it on Amazon, and I could not have imagined, 24 hours ago, that I would now be packing it to return it. In a word, this product is a disaster. It is expensive for the features it offers (I paid $299 at Amazon, and I note that the product is already discounted two days later) and it is poorly implemented.
The installation was the only positive part of the experience. It was very simple to install (even simpler than a Slingbox) and recognized the network immediately. I have a wired, 1 Gigabit network available at the right location. The SlingCatcher does not have WiFi. The only peculiarity is that it took several minutes to download a software upgrade. Given that I have one of the first units to come off the boat, I wonder how many bugs were discovered during the trip from China to the USA. I should say that I did not experience any of the installation problems mentioned by other users.
The SlingCatcher lets you do three things (according to what's written on the box): watch video from the Internet; watch video from a Slingbox; and watch video from a PC. But be careful about making assumptions about what these descriptions mean!
Watch video from the Internet -- while you might think that this feature would allow you to browse the web and stream videos from it, it is not quite so. You have to have a computer on your network running a software program called "SlingProjector," which allows you to "project" whatever you can play on your computer onto the SlingCatcher (and your TV.)
I downloaded the SlingProjector software to my laptop (which I operate wirelessly) and to my home computer which sits on my 1Gig network (iMac running Windows because there is no SlingProjector software for the Mac OS yet!) I was able to go to the web from my laptop and stream software which in turn was streamed from my computer to the SlingCatcher and my TV. In order to stream a Hulu or Youtube video, the software lets you capture the portion of the screen where the video is being shown via a "cropping" feature. This works reasonably well, but the resulting quality is not that great. Part of it is a function of the quality of the incoming video, but I think that the fundamental problem is that as you stream the signal twice, you lose quality. In addition to that, you are showing the video on a large screen TV, and that is bound not to look as good as on the computer. So, expectations are high and quality is lower than it could be. Not a good outcome.
I then streamed videos from my home computer on the 1G network, with similar results. Note that in order to do that, you better have the SlingCatcher, your computer and your tv in the same room, otherwise you have to go back and forth all the time. I was watching a video and all of a sudden a computer message popped up right in the middle of the screen, which required going back to the home computer to click on the message.
But the worst part of the SlingProjector was that it did not work in some instances. I wanted to show a PowerPoint presentation on the tv screen, and in order to do that I did not use the "cropping" feature, but I put the SlingProjector in full screen mode. After opening the PowerPoint file, it was not possible to get the thing going from my laptop to the SlingCatcher. I managed to see a screen, but then the whole thing would freeze and I could not make it work even after restarting and resetting the box. After a while I gave up.
The second feature is the ability to connect to a SlingBox and watch on a TV what you would until now watch on your computer. That feature seems to work, though I found the menu system quite cumbersome. The quality also did not seem that great. I would have thought that having two hardware boxes talking to each other would allow Sling to optimize protocols and provide high quality and speed. Not so. Perhaps you can get better results with the HD box, which I do not have (it would have been the next purchase probably.)
Finally I thought I would get good results with the third, "slam dunk" feature, "Watch Video from your PC." Note that even this description is misleading. Watching video from your PC means implementing the Sling version of "Sneakernet" -- copy your files on a USB stick from your computer and walk it over and plug the stick into the SlingCatcher. But much to my surprise, this did not work at all. I tried both a USB stick with a few files, and then attaching a 500GB USB external hard disk full of media files. In the first case it found nothing, in the second case it told me that the files were unreadable. So much for the slam dunk feature.
So, I am disappointed at two levels. First, because the product is buggy and does not work as advertised. I knew what I was buying, because I have been reading about this for almost two years and despite the misleading descriptions, I knew enough not to be surprised. Even so, however, the product just does not work!
At another level, I am very disappointed in Sling. This was a huge opportunity to corner the market as the "media center" device of choice. For $300, why didn't the company include a web browser, so that I could go on the web directly and stream video from there as opposed to having to do it twice, with the additional inconvenience of having to use a computer in the middle? Was that not possible, given that the product is 2 years late and they charge $300? How much more would that cost? Some additional memory maybe?
Second, what's the deal with Sneakernet? Have we gone back 20 years? If you can read from a USB device (which you can't even make work) can't you allow me to read from devices on my network? I have several computers on the network as well as a NAS. My Playstation allows me to browse all these devices, retrieve and stream videos in HD, retrieve pictures and music and play it at high quality and flawlessly on my TV. If you can do it from a USB device, why can't you do it off the network? Even if it requires people to upgrade to a 1Gigabit network for HD video, it is still better than not having the feature at all.
In conclusion, I am very disappointed. The SingCatcher is under-featured and overpriced. Most importantly, it is a buggy product, which is incredible for something that's been in the works for over two years.


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Sling Media Slingbox AV (SB240-100) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been considering the Slingbox for quite some time. I decided to go ahead and buy one when Sling Media came out with this new model.
Installation was an absolute breeze. It was so easy I was shocked! I was watching DirecTV/TIVO on my PC within 5 minutes of opening the box. I have broadband internet which is quite fast. Full screen viewing on my 20" 16:10 screen is somewhat grainy and blurry, but definitely viewable. I prefer to use about 1/3 of my screen for the viewer (SplingPlayer) and the other 2/3 for other applications. Nice sharp picture quality with this set-up! Surfing the web while watching TV is no problem. Web pages still load quickly and video is still sharp/smooth. Haven't tried to download a large file while viewing yet.
SlingPlayer is great! Choose full screen, left/right side, or adjust as you see fit. When you choose left or right side your internet browser (or whatever application you are running) will snap into place to cover the rest of your screen automatically. Very nice user interface and many skins to choose from.
No matter where you are, as long as you have an internet connection, you can watch your TV. I have Tivo which makes this device shine! I can watch my directv, watch anything that is recorded on TIVO, order pay-per-view, set up a program to record. Basically you can do anything that you can normally do with your DVR. The on screen remote control even looks identical to the real remote.
How is it different from the original Slingbox? I can't speak from actual experience since I don't own the original, but as far as the specs go there are some pros and cons.
The original Slingbox had a coax input. So you can hook up directly to analog cable or antennae. You can't do this with the SlingBox AV, but you can with the new SlingBox Tuner. The SlingBox Pro will do both analog and digital (and component HDTV).
The pros... The new SlingBox AV claims to have:
* SlingStream technology delivers up to a 400 percent video quality improvement over the original Slingbox
And the new SlingPlayer v1.4 for the Slingbox Tuner/AV/Pro provides:
* Improved video quality on the LAN: up to 4x the resolution of the previous SlingPlayer and over 200% speed improvement.*
* Adjust the SlingStream LAN video quality to match your particular computer and network conditions.
* Improved Setup Wizard: new screens are streamlined and easier to use.
* Improved Setup Wizard: direct access to customer support via real time chat. Relax and let our tech supports set up your router for you!
* AutoUpdate feature added to the Setup process ensuring users always install the latest software for their Slingbox.
* Users can rapidly cycle between Fullscreen (4:3), Widescreen (16:9), Letterbox, Windowbox and Pillarbox window modes to find the best fit for their video content.
* Full-screen improvements: If you put SlingPlayer in maximized mode it will stay there.
* Show/Hide player controls with one-click toggle. Just click once on the main player window to remove the controls when you aren't using them.
* Audio Visualizations added to Audio-Only mode. WinAmp AVS support means that users can add their own visualizations.
* Physical remote controls: SlingPlayer now works with remotes that support Microsoft Application keys. Now you can sit back and click on a real remote control to control SlingPlayer.
* SlingPlayer has a whole new look with the RedLine skin--just one more way to change the SlingPlayer to suit your tastes. With SlingCentral and other user contributed skins there are over 30 different skins available and more coming every month.
I won't miss the analog coax connection, I don't need it. If you need analog coax only then buy the SlingBox tuner. If you need both coax and digital devices then buy the SlingBox Pro (which will also give you component HDTV, but no HDMI).

On a final note, this unit is tiny. Much smaller than the original. It's about 1.5"(H) x 3.5"(D) x6.5 (W). Your gonna here some people call this thing ugly in appearance. It's not really that bad and it's so small that it can easily be hidden behind your other components or just pushed toward the back.
I'm a gadget freak and this is the coolest thing I've purchased in a long time!! Just buy one! This would make an awesome gift for anyone interested in computers and TV.

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The first generation Slingbox was a big step forward for so-called "place shifting" technology, a device that allowed you to view incoming TV signals on any TV computer in your home, or on any Internet-connected PC around the world. Sling Media is now introducing the successors to this groundbreaking product. Now there are three Slingboxes to choose from, each with features that make it easier than ever to bring your TV and other media with you wherever you roam. Choose from the Slingbox Tuner, AV, and Pro models depending on your entertainment needs. Compare Slingbox models.
Slingbox AV The Slingbox AV is the perfect companion for your DVR, digital cable, or satellite receiver. With the ability to watch and control your favorite TV source, the Slingbox AV ensures that you can enjoy your TV entertainment--anywhere you go. Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone (with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software), you can watch and control your home TV, DVR, digital cable box, or satellite receiver anywhere around your home or around the globe. With a Slingbox AV you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, breaking news stories, digital video recordings, or video on demand.
The Slingbox AV also includes the free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location, in or out of the home.
How it Works Slingbox AV is a small device that connects to your cable box to redirect the TV signal to the computer of your choice--providing high quality video, no matter the distance, so long as there is a high-speed Internet connection. This technology also allows you to access and control your TV from anywhere--and your TV doesn't even have to be on.
SlingMedia's patent pending SlingStream technology delivers the smoothest and best video quality possible. SlingStream delivers up to a 400 percent video quality improvement over the original Slingbox. SlingStream is powered by a programmable engine that is capable of running the latest video compression algorithms. SlingStream dynamically adjusts to changes in network conditions, video content, and Internet bandwidth.
At Home, At Work, or on the Go At home, Now you can watch TV in whatever room in the house you choose. Say goodbye to the days of having to watch your child's favorite DVD over and over again. Now you can watch your soaps in the laundry room. You can watch your fix-it shows in the garage. Or you can watch your cooking shows in the kitchen. You'll never get stuck having to watch shows you don't want to now that you're in charge of what's on, when it's on, and where it's on.
Now that you can access your TV wherever you have your computer, the clock won't be the only thing worth watching at work. You can watch your news and business channels to stay updated. You can catch the big game while tending to business. Or, you can watch your favorite shows during your downtime. In any event, work will never just be business as usual.
With the SlingBox you can travel to another country and actually understand the programs. You can visit the in-laws and not get stuck watching The Weather Channel. No matter where your journey takes you, one thing is certain: You'll never have to take up an extra seat to bring your TV with you.
Ready for Vista SlingPlayer software is compatible with Microsoft's Vista operating system. Vista-specific enhancements are expected to be available in early 2007.
What's in the Box Slingbox AV, SlingPlayer CD-ROM, AC adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz), ethernet cable, composite AV cable, S-video cable, remote control IR cable, quick start guide.

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Sling SlingLink Turbo - Bridge - 4-port switch - HomePlug 1.0 - desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Slingbox and SlingLink Turbo really work well to allow me to watch my TV from anywhere. I needed a wireless connection from the TV to the modem in another room and the bridge makes that possible. It is not the easiest set up I have ever done, but the people who answered the phone at Sling were very polite. It took three calls to find someone who could answer my questions in a way I could understand.
My only complaint now is that the virtual remote for TIVO is not fully functional. There are two buttons (TV Input and DVD) that do not work. When I asked the Sling personnel about it (two calls), their response was 'I guess that does not work.' I asked if it might be fixed in the future or if my call information would be forwarded to someone. The response I got was close to a 'You've got to be kidding.'
I do think the product is well worth the price if, like me, you have cable in only one room of your house and would like to watch TV in the other rooms.

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The SlingLink Turbo from Sling Media brings network connectivity to any electrical wall outlet, making it ideal for your living room. With four switched ports, it connects your Slingbox, game console, DVR, computer or anything with an Ethernet jack and is compatible with almost any home router.You can just plug the SlingLink Turbo into a wall near your router, and plug in the other one wherever you have your Slingbox installed, and voila! The bridge delivers high-speed Internet to your devices through existing electrical wiring from anywhere in the house! With the SlingLink Turbo you can break free from addded long wires and complex connections and experience easy connectivity.

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VIZIO SV472XVT 47-Inch Class XVT Series TRULED 240Hz sps LED LCD VIZIO Internet Apps HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had my Vizio SV472XVT TV for around 2 months so far (I bought it directly from Vizio in a special deal they had pre-release). I can't say enough good things about it.
First, the LED backlit screen produces an excellent picture. I would go so far as to say it's on PAR with any Samsung or Sony that I've seen. Blu-ray movies and PS3 games look perfect.
The collection of "widgets" is amazing. Netflix Streaming, Amazon-on-Demand, Vudu, Pandora, Rhapsody, Twitter, Facebook, eBay, Flickr, various Yahoo widgets, the list goes on. Some games like Sudoku and Texas Hold'em, which are neat, but would be better if you could watch TV while playing them. They have even added widgets since I bought the TV. That was actually an unusual experience seeing my TV doing an automatic firmwear update. My TV is connected to the internet through my wireless G router and a cable internet connection and streaming video quality is excellent. I've taken to watching a lot of Netflix HD streaming (there's a good amount of TV shows that stream in HD. The movie selection isn't as great), but I've also watched streamed HD video from Amazon on Demand and Vudu (HDX on Vudu which is 1080p). I haven't had a single video quality problem streaming from any of these sources.
The bluetooth remote is a bit of a love/hate relationship though.
The Loves:
1. Having a full qwerty keyboard is awesome, especially while searching through the widgets, or posting to twitter or facebook through the TV.
2. The bluetooth connectivity is great. I don't have to point it at the TV to change the volume or turn it on. It unfortunately still needs to be pointed at the cable box. That's something I can live with.
3. It was very easy to setup.
The Hates:
1. I was hoping a bluetooth remote to be able to communicate with my PS3, unfortunately I'm still using a PS3 controller when watching blu-rays.
2. It's just not very comfortable. It's square and there was no thought to ergonomics. And the shiny finish is a fingerprint magnet.
3. It doesn't have all the buttons that I would like from my cable remote. Page Up/Down and Day +- are the main ones. The absence of Page Up/Down can be a drag and at times leaves me reaching for the cable remote, the Day +- isn't as much of a loss.
All-in-all, it was absolutely worth the price and I would buy it again. Although, I would consider the 55-inch as well.

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VIZIO'S 47" TruLED HDTV LCD continues to break the mold of traditional HDTVs, delivering the latest technologies for superior picture quality and sound. This direct type, backlit HDTV is comprised of 640 LEDs divided into 80 control blocks, utilizing Smart Dimming technology to intelligently control these blocks, turning them on and completely off based on the content you're watching. This cutting edge technology stops light leakage enabling you to achieve REAL 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio for rich, dark scenes delivering an experience that will blow you away.

Rounding this out are features such as full 1080p high definition resolution for crystal clear images, 240Hz Smooth Motion for fluid transitions and SRS audio technologies for amazing sound. And using the latest wireless technology, you can easily connect to the Internet and stream movies and TV shows using the Netflix and Amazon widgets, listen to your favorite music via Rhapsody and get the latest news, sports and weather through Yahoo. Finally, the included universal Bluetooth remote, with slide out QWERTY keypad, makes sending a Tweet or changing your status on Facebook a breeze. The Extreme VIZIO Technology series epitomizes what HDTV should be.

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NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Live (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Traditionally known for their routers and network devices, Netgear offically entered the growing home media player market this September with the Digital Entertainer Live. After owning the superb but ethernet-less Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player, I was looking for a device that could play all the 720p/1080i/p MKV videos directly off my D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure - NAS server and D-Link DNS-321. I didn't want to have to copy files off the network onto USB hard drives then walk them over to my media player just to play them on my TV. After testing this device for several hours, I am disappointed and can say that the EVA2000 is definitely not ready for prime time.
First is the question of what resolution this device actually supports. It is not listed here on Amazon, in Netgear's press release, or on the product specifications page, and no mention is made on the box except the phrase "HD TV media player". Netgear is perhaps deliberately vague on this point. If by "HD", they mean being able to connect to an HDTV, then that is true. If they mean "HD" as in 720p/1080p, then it is not true.
Despite having HDMI out, this device does not output at 1080p at all. It also doesn't play 720p files as far as I can tell. Every one of the hi-res MKV's I tested off my external hard drive failed (18 random movie files @720p and 1080i, H.264 encodes), producing an "unable to display video of this resolution" error. Similarly, the AVI's and WMV's at 720p that I tested also failed. As far as I am able to determine, it can play only up to 480p. I tried a 720x400 .MKV that did play, so Matroska support is working, but I was unable to fast-forward or rewind the file. Other low resolution .AVI files, .MP4's played without an issue.
The device did not recognize any MKV's off my NAS through UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). MKV files on my other server, running Twonky (DLNA software) did show up, however, they could not play since they were 720p.
Next is the lack of subtitle support, or non-Western character sets. The supported system languages are German, English, and French. No Unicode support means filenames and folders will be illegible, showing up as empty squares instead (see picture in gallery).
For internet TV, this product works as described. YouTube and other streaming videos work flawlessly. You can watch videos from all over the world. There are literally hundreds of free internet channels listed, divided by world region. I tested a few CCTV channels (China), Aljezeera English, an Indian channel, Odoroku.tv (Japan), C-SPAN, some Spanish channels, as well as some random others. Almost all of them worked without a hitch, after a brief period of buffering (length depends on network conditions). A few sites couldn't be reached, or failed to buffer and kicked me back to the channels menu. Again, because these are free sites streamed from the web, picture quality is very low, though watchable and a nice option for those who don't want to watch them on their computers. You can bookmark them for fast retrieval. I found the variety of sites listed here to be a pleasant surprise. They represent a wide range of interests and are from all over the world. (These are all free sites you can access from your computer also.)
The picture quality is usually terrible, however, since most internet videos are low-res videos (320x240) that are heavily compressed. When blown up 5x or more to fullscreen on your HDTV, the compression artifacts will be much more apparent and you'll see a lot of macroblocking and pixelation. On a smaller, non-LCD TV, this might be acceptable.
Because you'll be spending a lot of time pushing buttons to navigate around, due to no keyboard or mouse, I've included a series of screenshots to give you a better idea of how the interface works. Remote control response time can be sluggish, so you'll be seeing the revolving dial a lot. Worse is that you can't hit "Back" on the remote to cancel a read command. You have to wait until it finishes trying to read the file or network. During web streamed videos, I couldn't fast-forward. Searching for videos was easy through the onscreen keyboard, but overall I found the interface clunky and not all that attractive, made worse by that spinning dial that popped up with almost every command I pushed.
Lastly, is the lack of an optical output. For wireless, you will need to buy the dedicated Netgear wireless kit. A third party USB wireless dongle (AirLink 101 AWLL6070 150Mbps 802.11n Wireless LAN USB 2.0 Adapter) I tried did not work.
To sum up, this product fails to meet expectations and went back to Amazon Returns after 2 days. It is NOT capable of hi-def playback. It only plays back standard def video. If you enjoy watching blocky internet streams on your TV and don't care about hi-def, then maybe this device would be of value. There is no way to select stream quality from the sites that offer HD streams.
At $150, with no gigabit Ethernet, no optical out, and no hi-def, this product does not compete favorably against other devices already on the market or soon to be released, like the WD TV Live ($120), which adds network support to the already solid and popular WDTV; or the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+HD ($135) and ASUS O!Play - TV HD Media Player ($99), which, like the WDTV Live, is networked and plays 1080p.

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Play your movies, music and photo collections stored on USB storage devices and computers right on your TV. Enjoy YouTube and other Internet video LIVE.n vao voas the loghsl geo Loreum ebspom thleo lakdyog alkdoeon vao voas the loghsl geo Play movies, video, music and photos stored on USB drives, computers or NAS Enjoy YouTube on your TV, without a computer Watch pay-per-view new release movies on-demand without a subscription Watch Live Internet TV from around the world via VuNow (1-year service included) Browse and play popular movies and shows from Hulu, Netflix, Amazon VOD, CBS, CNN, and ESPN and more using PlayOn on your PC. (free trial in box) Search for Internet video using key words Works with older TVs and new HDTVs Easy to use remote control Wirelessly connect to the Internet by using the Digital Entertainer Live Wireless USB Adapter

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Sling Media Slingbox PRO (SB200-100) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Slingbox Pro does an excellent job of streaming video from multiple sources (Tivo's, cable boxes, or satellite tuners, for example) to any internet-connected computer, anywhere in the world. If you have access to a fast internet connection, you'll be amazed at the quality of the picture and the sound.
Two issues:
1) The primary, defining feature of the PRO verison of the Slingbox is its ability to "sling" high-definition video across the internet to your laptop. It's unfortunate that the folks at Sling Media:
- saw fit to design the box to use a proprietary cable instead of the industry-standard HDMI cable that all HD component owners know and use, and
- failed to include their proprietary cable in the box with the Pro. When I buy a product for its PRO features, I shouldn't have to go back out and scavenge for a rare, $50.00 cable in order to use those features. This was a terrible oversight.
2) Be aware that you will not be able to use the Slingbox unless you:
- can plug it directly into your home network router, or
- purchase a $50-$90 wireless Ethernet "bridge," or
- purchase Slingbox's bizarre and expensive hardware solution for connecting the Slingbox to your router over your electrical wiring.
A PRO-level, premium product should be able to see and use a wireless home network connection, right out of the box; a trip back to the store to buy more hardware shouldn't be necessary.
The core product is great, and works better than advertised ... but this PRO package lacks what any pro would expect to find in the box. Be aware that, in addition to the Slingbox Pro, you'll need to buy:
- a home network router (if you don't already have one),
- a wireless G network bridge or the Slingbox networking product (if you don't have your router near your television), and
- a proprietary video cable (if you want to "sling" HD programming).

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The first generation Slingbox was a big step forward for so-called "place shifting" technology, a device that allowed you to view incoming TV signals on any TV computer in your home, or on any Internet-connected PC around the world. Sling Media is now introducing the successors to this groundbreaking product. Now there are three Slingboxes to choose from, each with features that make it easier than ever to bring your TV and other media with you wherever you roam. Choose from the Slingbox Tuner, AV, and Pro models depending on your entertainment needs. Compare Slingbox models.
Slingbox Pro The Slingbox Pro ensures that you can watch all of your favorite home theater entertainment anywhere you go, with the ability to watch and control up to three standard definition and one high definition video (via component connection) devices. Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone (with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software), you can watch and control your home TV, DVR, basic cable, digital cable box, or satellite receiver anywhere around your home or around the globe. With a Slingbox Pro you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, breaking news stories, digital video recordings, or video on demand.
The Slingbox Pro also includes the free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location, in or out of the home.
How it Works Slingbox Pro is a small device that connects to your cable box to redirect the TV signal to the computer of your choice--providing high quality video, no matter the distance, so long as there is a high-speed Internet connection. This technology also allows you to access and control your TV from anywhere--and your TV doesn't even have to be on.
SlingMedia's patent pending SlingStream technology delivers the smoothest and best video quality possible. SlingStream delivers up to a 400 percent video quality improvement over the original Slingbox. SlingStream is powered by a programmable engine that is capable of running the latest video compression algorithms. SlingStream dynamically adjusts to changes in network conditions, video content, and Internet bandwidth.
At Home, At Work, or on the Go At home, Now you can watch TV in whatever room in the house you choose. Say goodbye to the days of having to watch your child's favorite DVD over and over again. Now you can watch your soaps in the laundry room. You can watch your fix-it shows in the garage. Or you can watch your cooking shows in the kitchen. You'll never get stuck having to watch shows you don't want to now that you're in charge of what's on, when it's on, and where it's on.
Now that you can access your TV wherever you have your computer, the clock won't be the only thing worth watching at work. You can watch your news and business channels to stay updated. You can catch the big game while tending to business. Or, you can watch your favorite shows during your downtime. In any event, work will never just be business as usual.
With the SlingBox you can travel to another country and actually understand the programs. You can visit the in-laws and not get stuck watching The Weather Channel.
Ready for Vista SlingPlayer software is compatible with the Windows Vista operating system. Future Vista-specific enhancements are expected in early 2007.
What's in the Box Slingbox Pro, SlingPlayer CD-ROM, AC adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz), ethernet cable, stereo audio cable, RF/coax cable, composite AV cable, S-video cable, remote control IR cable, and quick start guide.

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Logitech Revue Companion Box with Google TV and Keyboard Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)Logitech Revue Companion Box with Google TV and Keyboard Controller
While I think the price point should have been closer to $200, I am overall very satisfied with Google TV, using the Logitech Revue box and keyboard. I am an Android phone user as well and the OS used in Google TV is very similar. The set up was easy and intuitive. One note: You do need an HDTV, high-speed internet (wired or wireless), and a cable box with HDMI cable inputs to take full advantage of all Google TV has to offer. And while the box comes with 1 HDMI cable, you will need at least one more. I am not completely sold on using the keyboard to control the DVR, although it is possible. There is a free Harmony app for Android phones (iPhone coming soon, I believe) that is an added bonus.
I won't be getting rid of my laptop, but will be using it a whole lot less! If you use the internet for games, Facebook, searching, shopping, photos, videos, etc., then having quick access to that using the full Google Chrome browser while in your living room, is a no-brainer. I enjoy the integration of my DVR content with internet searching, if I search for "Desperate Housewives" it shows me not only my recordings on the DVR, upcoming shows in the guide, as well as related websites and other references. Neat. I like the Pandora application so I can listen to music through my stereo, surf the web, and watch the local news in picture-in-picture, all at once.
I look forward to having more application options (Google is aggressively pursuing developers to create apps for Google TV like they do for the Android Marketplace). I think a very basic app they should have included out of the box is Weather.com to quickly pull up the local forecast. When an app market is available and as other enhancements are added (updates over the internet), this will soon become the perfect product, until then, it's very fun and I'm glad to have it!

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Logitech Revue with Google TV turns any TV into a smart TV. It brings together TV, the full web, apps, movies and more and puts control of it all at your fingertips.

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Sling Media SlingLink Turbo Powerline Kit ( SL200-100 ) Review

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(More customer reviews)In a large (brand new 5-bedroom, 3500 sq ft house) it works pretty well. NOTE: my specific objective was to support a SlingBox (original) with cable Internet elsewhere in the house.
I've used SlingBox and SlingLink Turbo in two different configurations:
1. SlingBox connected directly to my router; SlingLink supporting other wired + wireless computers elsewhere in the house via a wireless router.
2. SlingLink connected the Internet and SlingLink broadcasting to SlingLink supporting my SlingBox and XBOX 360 as "slave" devices.
The first configuration is better (obviously) because SlingBox can "broadcast" up to a full 2.5Mbps over a LAN connection. The second configuration is better for everyday use since I get maximum Internet bandwidth on computers.
Findings:
1. Internet speed test dropped from 18-19Mbps down / 2.5Mbps up (Comcast w/ SpeedBoost) to 2100Mbps down / 800Kbps up.
2. SlingBox over SlingLink drops to 1.2Mbps (video quality is a bit choppy vs. perfectly smooth otherwise). I've had it spike to 1.6Mbps over the LAN.
3. Additionally SlingBox over the open Internet (original intended use) maxes out at 600kbps, which is a hair below what it was without SlingLink in the middle.
4. The only real "issue" with SlingLink is probably due to home wiring (i.e. on a semi-related note I had to re-wire every cable jack and replace the primary splitter that my electrical contractor originally installed because the cheap original hardware was so bad that ).
5. Newer SlingBoxes (AV/PRO/SOLO) may be more tolerant of "spotty" Ethernet connections, considering they have newer H.264 compression chips.
All in all I'm happy. Wireline Ethernet isn't perfect and would probably work a lot better in a condominium or smaller house. A larger house would/could justify multiple cable modems.


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The SlingLink Turbo brings network connectivity to any electrical wall outlet, making it ideal for the modern living room with blisteringly fast speeds up to 85 Mbps. With four switched ports, it connects your Slingbox, game console, DVR, computer or anything with an Ethernet jack to your home network. Now you can run high-speed Internet through your existing electrical wiring with a simple plug-and-play connection. Plus, SlingLink Turbo is compatible with any home router.

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SlingLink TURBO W1 Ethernet over Power Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had my home network on Slinglinks for a couple of years. Slingbox, Slingcatcher on my bedroom TV (don't have to pay the satellite company extra), wired internet in the garage where the wireless won't reach, as well as TV on an old laptop from the Slingbox, all very easy to set up. Sling makes stuff that just works, always easy to set up, and you don't have to be an IT geek to do it. I purchased this new Slinglink because I dropped one on a hard floor from about 4 feet while re-arranging some TV/DVD equipment, and it wouldn't work afterward. Yes, I tried smacking it again - no dice. But it was a good thing, because the new Slinglink Turbo is faster, and this was the connection to my Slingbox - eliminated the occasional stutter I had seen on my Slingcatcher-linked TV.
If you are interested in powerline networking in your home, go with Sling equipment.

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If you're like most people, you don't have an Ethernet jack right next to your television. The SlingLink TURBO brings network connectivity to any electrical wall outlet. It can connect your compatible DISH receiver, Slingbox, game console, DVR, computer or anything with an Ethernet jack. And it's compatible with any wired internet router. Most DISH Network receivers have SlingLink technology built in, so you only need one SlingLink plugged into the wall near your router to connect your receiver to the internet. For your computer or other devices you will need a second SlingLink pluggeed in wherever you need network access.

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