4/24/2012

LG LHB953 1000-Watt Blu-ray Disc Home Theater In a Box Review

LG LHB953 1000-Watt Blu-ray Disc Home Theater In a Box
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This system is great. What I was most concerned with in buying this system was the convergence of the Web, television and music in our family room. This system seemed to meet all my requirements on paper and I was satisfied when I received the box.
Setup was simple and everything you need is in the box except for one thing: it needs to be near your router so that you can network it. My router is upstairs so I got around that through powerline networking which allows you to send your network through your power outlets. Works like a charm.
The bottom line is that I get my Netflix movies directly through the BluRay player...no waiting for the mailman for most movies. I also get FM radio and Pandora as well as my cable TV.
Great product. I recommend it.

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LG's NetCast Interface lets you easily access a vast array of internet content. This model comes with two tower speakers.

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Clarion NX409 6.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Clarion NX409 6.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
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I debated buying this NX409 but couldn't resist the price/feature list. While it's loaded with about every feature you could want not all of them work or don't work the way they should.
Navigation:
The GPS doesn't update fast enough so that the vehicle position indicator is not correctly displayed on the map relative to the cross streets especially at speed. The turn by turn voice guidance sometimes says to turn right when you actually are turning left. Many of the POI's are not accurate both for location on the map and also that some don't exist. If you can get beyond the robotic tone and poor text to speech pronunciation...the voice guidance also truncates some road names. Two of the features listed in the GPS menu don't work at all (like the alert tone option when you are approaching your turn). This may be a software bug as they won't even stay selected.
Sirius Radio:
Mostly works well except way too often you'll power the unit up and all the presets you spent time getting just the way you want are gone. That gets old after about the 5th time.
Ipod:
I plugged in my Shuffle to the USB port and it says "unrecognized file format". So I thought I'd check that it's on the list of supported Ipods on the Clarion site. Click on Ipod compatability list and gee..."page not found". At least there's some synergy between their products and the web site.
Other:
The Bluetooth BLT 370 option is a waste of money. Way too often when you start the car it will lock up the radio with a "phone in use" displayed( even when there is no cell phone within a mile of the vehicle)...you then have to shut off the ignition and open the door to get it to power down then restart the car. It sync's up with the phone great but everyone says I sound like I'm calling from the Mariana trench.
The clock setting can only be set manually. When you select your correct time zone and DST to sync the time using the GPS it's off by two hours.
Last but not least Clarion's support both on the web site and by phone is a waste of time.
On a positive note the quality of the audio is very good as is the DVD display.

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Get there fast, and get there entertained with Clarion's NX409. Featuring built-in GPS navigation, a 6.5-inch touchscreen control, iPod direct control, and plenty more, it's the perfect hub for your mobile entertainment needs.

QVGA Color LCD Monitor The 6.5-inch touchscreen QVGA monitor is fully motorized, and offers a great picture whether you're using the GPS navigation or stopping to enjoy some video.
Enjoy Your Favorite Media Take in your favorite music and movies from DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-DA, HDCD, or CD-R/RW. You can also enjoy MP3 and WMA digital audio files from a data disc or USB thumb drive, for hours of music and ID3-TAG display of track information.
iPod Direct Control via USB Just connect the USB cable that's included with your iPod to the source unit's USB input to control your iPod. Using an optional CCA723 cable will even let you watch iPod Video on the screen. The same USB terminal can also be used to connect a USB memory device with digital music files stored on it.
AM/FM Radio Sometimes you just want to listen to the radio. Store your favorite radio stations on the 18 FM and six AM presets.
Front and Rear AV Input NX409 is equipped with AV inputs on the front as well as the rear, making it twice as easy to plug-in a portable audio device or portable satellite radio for instantaneous enjoyment.
24-bit D/A Converter for Superb Sound Reproduction Fully enjoy the sonic impact of DVD movie soundtracks or music videos. 24-bit technology actually oversamples the digital signal, providing excellent results that just weren't possible with older 16-bit systems.
Built-in Navigation System Nothing to add--it's all there from the get go. Count on GPS accuracy, an efficient navigation engine, and intuitive 2D/3D map screens to guide you to your destination. Navigation data is pre-stored on the internal flash memory for quick access and response.
2 GB flash memory map storage
Map Coverage: US 50 States and Canada
12 Million built-in POIs
TTS (Text to Speach) for Street Announcements

Sirius SSP Direct Connection Ready Connect to a Sirius Satellite Radio receiver without any need for a interface box--and enjoy over 130 channels of music, news, talk shows, sports and traffic information with digital quality sound throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Rear Vision Camera RCA Input This RCA input enables you to smoothly connect a rear camera to display the area behind your vehicle. The increased view encourages and facilitates safer driving.
Room to Grow The NX409 starts you out with a 40W x 4 built-in amplifier, but with 3 sets of RCA outputs, you are free to add external power amplifiers to create a more powerful, sophisticated audio system.
You can also connect an OEM steering wheel remote, or add Sirius satellite radio.
Bluetooth Ready Used with the optional BLT370 Bluetooth transceiver, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of hands-free calling as well as audio streaming of music you have stored on your mobile phone.
Remote Control Included Control the action with the included wireless remote.
What's in the Box Clarion NX409, trim ring, wiring harness, remote control, installation hardware, owner's manual, installation guide.

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Denon DNC615 Pro Rack Mount CD Player with Digital Output Review

Denon DNC615 Pro Rack Mount CD Player with Digital Output
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A review on Amazon of another CD player, the Teac CD-P1250, said that it was the only single-disc CD player on the market. Nope, there's two. Well, one and a half anyway.
The Denon DN-C615 isn't exactly consumer gear, but it isn't exactly pro gear, either. It's got rack ears and pitch adjustment, and it's set up for a wired remote and output cascading, but the outputs are unbalanced RCA plus SPDIF. It has auto cuing and audible manual cuing within a track, but doesn't allow you to save cue points. So I think "semi-pro" is a pretty good description.
It's aimed at DJs, community radio stations, and sound reinforcement applications, and it wouldn't be out of place in a small studio for applications like sampling. And, what matters to my family, it drops right in to a home stereo system, so long as your cabinet can manage the rack ears (which don't look like they're removable except with a hacksaw).
The sound (even before break-in) is typical Denon: clear and airy, with both good definition and satisfactory thump in the bass, free of noticeable spurious harmonics. The controls and displays are easy to use and understand and don't have any immediately obvious ergonomic problems or bugs. It plays CD-Rs fine, both audio CD-Rs and MP3 CDs, and it allegedly plays CD-RWs, but I probably won't find out because CD-RWs and my computers don't get along.
MP3 files sound as good on the DN-C615 as I've ever heard them. You don't need to burn a special MP3 CD: it'll take plain data CDs with MP3 files on them and even lets you navigate through folders. But if you do give it a disc that's been burned as an MP3 CD, it'll run the playlist in order, which is a big improvement over my DVD player which plays MP3 files in some strange order I have yet to figure out. And I have to admit, seeing the song titles change as it plays is positively decadent.
The price is a little higher than I'd have liked, and unless you want to build a wired remote or have your chair real close to the player, you'll need a special remote (another US$40). But I do like the player so far.

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The Denon DN-C615 is a professional CD player housed in a single 2RU rack-mount chassis. The successor to the popular DN-600F, it includes CD-RW playback, shock memory, instant start and CD text support. Auto Cue to music ensures there are no blank spots at the beginning of the track to be played. A user adjustable menu has also been added so the unit can be custom tailored to a particular application. Designed for use in a wide range of applications such as schools, restaurants, aerobic studios and backup systems, the DN-C615 provides solid performance when quality sound is required. For background music applications, the DN-C615 supports MP3 decoding for hours of music playback.

Full CD Playback The DN-C615 plays back CDs, as well as CD-R/RWs discs. Select from several playback modes--single, continuous, random, or various repeat modes (single track/all tracks/program & random repeat).
Other playback features include Instant Start, display of CD TEXT data, and an auto cue feature that avoids those blank spots before tracks.
MP3 Playback Access hours of music on a single disc with MP3 playback, complete with folder and title search.
Direct Track Select Buttons Direct track access is provided through the 11-key keypad.
Program Play Enter up to 99 tracks for programmed playback.
Pitch Control Adjust playback speed +/- 12% with the variable pitch control.
Coaxial RCA Digital Output (SPDIF) A digital SPDIF port is located on the back panel for connecting to digital systems along with sync and cascade connectors for use with multiple DN-C615 units.
Shock-Proof Memory Avoid skips with approximately 10 seconds of shock-proof memory.
Analog Outputs The DN-C615 features a front-panel headphone out and a rear-panel RCA out.
Remote Port The external remote control port, mounted on the rear panel, is compatible with the optional Denon RC-620 wired remote control unit.
What's in the Box Denon DNC615, User's Manual

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4/23/2012

Soundcast ICT-111 iCast Wireless Audio Transmitter for iPod Review

Soundcast ICT-111 iCast Wireless Audio Transmitter for iPod
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When I first heard of the system, a reviewer summed it up by saying "it just works". I couldn't agree more. I purchased the transmitter Soundcast ICT-111 iCast Transmitter and receiver Soundcast ICR-112 iCast Receiver. From opening the box to listing to wireless music in less than 3 minutes. Drop dead simple.
In the past I have tired multiple FM transmitters for my Nano. All have static, drops and distance issues. I feared the same here. I was happily surprised. Not a single problem.
I live in a high rise building in a downtown location. When I switch on my laptop wireless I see lots and lots of connection points. So I was worried about interference with my Soundcast. My receiver is setup in a different room and there is a metal stud wall in-between. After a full month of use, I am happy to report not one crackle, bleep or dropped connection. It just works.
The receiver has a nice feature of being able to stop/play, go forward or backward in a playlist. This also works flawlessly.
This is a well engineered device and it just works.


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There are plenty of iPod docks on the market, but how many work withoutwires? Enter the iCast iPod dock, which incorporates 2.4 GHz Frequency HoppingSpread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to send your iPod's audio signal to your homestereo from a distance. The iCast transmitter comes with several approved,interchangeable iPod inserts, making it possible to accommodate any "dockable" iPod.Setup is simple: Just plug the transmitter and ICR-112 receiver (sold separately) intonearby wall outlets, run a cable between the receiver and your stereo's auxiliary or tapeinput, and place your iPod in the iCast dock. Within seconds, you'll have completeaccess to all your iPod playlists, with no long wires to unroll or programming to master.Plus, you can easily operate all the tracking and menu controls even while the iPod istransmitting a signal. And as with all good docking stations, the iCast charges your iPodwhile you listen.
The real star of the iCast system, however, is the wireless FHSS technology. For years,wireless solutions have been plagued with outside interference from other productsusing the crowded 2.4 GHz band. The Soundcast engineering team, by contrast, refinedthe iCast's wireless technology to the point where neither the microwave nor thecordless phone will affect the quality of the listening experience. No buzzes, nodropouts, and no distortion--just pure, clean sound.
And users aren't restricted to playing their iPod through a single stereo system, as theiCast transmitter can operate up to two receivers at once. Want to play your favoritetunes in the living room and the bedroom at the same time? No problem. Other detailsinclude a full wireless line-of-sight range of 350 feet (150 feet through walls and doors),support for all music formats, and a sleek white housing. The iCast transmitter measures6.8 by 2 by 3.5 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box iCast transmitter, six iPod inserts, AC/DC adapter, 3.5 mm mini-to-mini cable, 3.5 mini-to- RCA cable, user's manual.

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SM7B Dynamic Microphone Review

SM7B Dynamic Microphone
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It's a great multifuncional microphone that will allowe you to record in the studio and also in live performances. I sing in a rock band and there's no trouble at all with feedback, even though this is suppose to be a condenser mic.


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Bose Lifestyle 38 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel - white Review

Bose Lifestyle 38 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel - white
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While the sound quality is good, this $3k system is definitely not up to the hype due to poor UI and Usability designs by Bose. I would not have bothered if I was buying even $1500 system but for 3k it is not really worth. While everyone talks about how great this system is, let me talk about some major drawbacks of this system that no one talks about:
1) It does not display Track/album info for custom CDs (for e.g. the ones you ripped off from online music stores) and MP3 CDs! Yes, thats true! How can anyone browse through 100+ songs from an MP3 CD and select the song that they want without seeing any track/album display on the TV Screen? I am extreamly upset with Bose lacking "common sense" here! Come on Bose, even my old $100 cheap DVD system can display this info on the screen! If you let the users play mp3 CDs didn't it occur to you that they would perhaps would like to choose the song they want to listen to?
2) It does not let you store MP3 CDs.
3) It does not let you transfer music from your PC.
4) It does not import the Title/Album info for the custom CDs that you burn with music that you have downloaded. It just names all the tracks and album info for the this type of CD with '-No Label-' title! You have to spend days to Edit (BTW editing is horrible too) all this info to make it right (if you have patience at all). If you end up storing more then one custom CDs, they all look the same when you browse through music library! So, there is no way to distinguish between them and hence you are really screwed! If you were to edit the title of a song/album, there is no way to listen to the song (to make sure it is the right song) while editing it! While listening, you can't edit the title! How stupid!
5) Browsing through music library is a pain. If you have 200 CDs, there is no way to skip to a particular CD in a second. for e.g if you want to go to 100th CD, you have to cick 100 times to get to it in the list! Same thing goes for Artist, Album and track selection.
6) The playlist feature is not really good. You are stuck with UMusic and a very basic playlist option.
7) Editing feature is not really intutive. There is no way you can key in letters using the Remote controls number pad (such as the ones you have with Cellphones. Each number will have 3 letters assigned to it etc...) There is no way to play and doublecheck the song while editing the title for a song/album. So, imagine yourself editing a bunch of songs with no preview!
Well the bottomline is that this pricy system is lacking so many basic features showing how Bose did not do a good job of focussing on usability. It is not just about the sound, the system should be functional too! I hope Bose realizes this soon! In any case Bose just lost their image as far as I am concerned!


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Designed to change the way you think about movies, music, and even your CD collection, the Bose Lifestyle 38 DVD home entertainment system digitally stores and organizes up to 200 hours of music (around 200 to 300 CDs, depending on the timing of the discs). The system also lets you enjoy your movies on standard or high-definition-ready televisions in scintillating progressive-scan video. Meanwhile, the system's Jewel Cube speaker arrays and low-frequency-producing Acoustimass module fill your room with rich, full-bodied sound.The stylish, 2-tone silver/black media center features an integrated DVD/CD player and AM/FM tuner. You get Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround processing for lifelike surround effects from your favorite movies, as well as Bose Videostage 5 processing for turning mono and stereo sources into surround programs. The DVD/CD player plays your DVD-Video movies (NTSC or PAL, depending on your TV), DVD-R/RW homemade discs, and CD-based music, including MP3 files written to recordable CD-R or CD-RW.Among the Lifestyle 38's innovative features is its ADAPTiQ audio calibration system, which analyzes your room and adjusts the system's sound for optimal performance in the spots you like to listen from, and the uMusic intelligent playback system.The uMusic system uses proprietary Bose technology to turn the media center into a virtual DJ capable of playing a continuous stream of the music you most enjoy and--even cooler--adapting to your preferences, even as they change. You can instruct system to play what you want, when you want it. Giving instructions requires only that you react to your stored music as it plays. Pressing "Encore" tells the system to search for music with characteristics that closely match what's playing, narrowing its field of choices in response to your command.Pressing the - (negative) rating tells the system to move on because this particular track is not right for this time of day, this activity, or for the person listening. Submitting a + (positive) rating has the opposite effect: the system learns that you particularly like the track playing. Not every track you like requires a + rating, but you can always give special songs this nudge. Over time the system adjusts the type of music it plays when your preset is selected. And you don't need to worry that any response you make now will be etched in concrete: you may easily override your established preferences at any time.When you load your collection into the media center (copying takes about 5 minutes per disc), the system searches an internal and regularly updatable database to assign artist and track names, genre, and other details, which you can edit or update as you wish.The Lifestyle 38 features award-winning Jewel Cube speaker arrays, which measure just 4.5 inches high, for dramatically lifelike sound. These are the smallest and most powerful speaker arrays Bose makes, producing sound you'd expect from speakers much larger. The Acoustimass module (essentially a subwoofer) produces resounding low notes that bring action sequences to life and add fullness to music. Place the Acoustimass module out of sight, so all sound seems to come from the Jewel Cube speaker arrays.Other features include AM/FM tuning with 40 preset stations (20 FM, 20 AM), a sleep timer (10 to 90 minutes), and console input jacks for connecting other source components (such as a VCR, DSS, CD changer, or tape deck).Connections include digital and analog audio inputs and outputs for a range of ancillary components, with a choice of composite-video, S-video, or--with an optional-use cable that connects to both the composite- and S-video outputs--480i/480p component-video outputs, depending on your television.A feature called Bose link allows connections for compatible Bose products in as many as 14 additional rooms using optional hookup gear.What's in the Box Media center, 5 speakers, 1 Acoustimass module, FM/AM antennas, all requisite cabling, a remote control with batteries, a user's manual, a quick-setup guide, AC power cords, 2 system discs, an optional-use IR emitter cable, an ADAPTiQ audio calibration system headset, and warranty information.Note: This system is designed to store the audio tracks of regular CDs only. It will not store MP3 tracks or the contents of DVDs.

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