Showing posts with label best baby video monitor consumer reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best baby video monitor consumer reports. Show all posts

Sunday, November 2, 2014

InFocus Work Big IN32 DLP Projector- 5.2 lbs.

InFocus Work Big IN32 DLP Projector- 5.2 lbs.Picture-wise, this is a nice projector, however whoever designed the audio support was asleep at the wheel. Although there are multiple source inputs for a computer and a DVD/VCR, there is only one audio input. Why should you have to fiddle with adapters to cheat multiple audio inputs? In addition, to adjust the audio volume through the projector, you have to navigate through a couple sub-menus from an on screen display.

How many remotes have you seen without a volume control? Excuse me?

If Infocus was creating a component projector designed for use with external audio components or if they were just being cheap they could have had marketing cleverly say so from the beginning, but no just tout the bright image and stay silent about a major design flaw and why not? This model has to be a embarrassment and just another example of poor piece of sophisticated technology destined for the trash heap thanks to a business that has moved on to something else while leaving us holding the bag.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Manfrotto 595B Fig Rig Video Camera Stabilizer Support

Manfrotto 595B Fig Rig Video Camera Stabilizer SupportAs an independent and very low budget filmmaker, I needed a handheld rig that would allow for steady and smooth camera work, would be affordable, and would be versatile enough to use in several applications. I stumble across the Fig Rig while researching handheld rigs. I was very skeptical on how well the Fig Rig would work, considering it is a giant steering wheel. When I went to the photo store to purchase (on spec) the Fig Rig, I laughed out loud and exclaimed "what a piece of crap, this won't work." To my glee, it is friggin' phenomenal. It is lightweight and easy to use. Most importantly it is effective. You can actually run with this thing and produce a usable image comparable to and even better than lightweight Steadycams and FlowCams. Love it love it love it!

Oh by the way, I rigged a Panasonic AG-DVX100 to the rig. Took about 20 seconds to balance and off you go. Not sure how it would work with a heavier camera such as the Cannon XL-1.

I'm not a DP myself, but I bought it for our film after watching the horror film [REC]. We even talked with the DP of that film, Pablo Rosso, who recommended it. We're shooting with the Panasonic HVX200 just as they did, and while I just threw my Sony VX2000 on it to try it out, it was amazing!! Unbelievably lightwieght makes you almost wonder where that money is going but in the end, it's worth it.

The stability it provides, by having both arms extended, versus have your arms tucked in to your body, holding a shoulder cam is amazing. Even with the weight of the camera, it felt lighter than normal. Definately worth it, to have a cheaper "steadicam", and avoid the shaky-cam look.

Buy Manfrotto 595B Fig Rig Video Camera Stabilizer Support Now

I ultimately decided to go with the figrig over any type of stabalizing arm because of its ability to shoot sideways or upside down. Extremely easy to handle, and it didn't require any construction. It's delivered ready to go.

Read Best Reviews of Manfrotto 595B Fig Rig Video Camera Stabilizer Support Here

Like A few others, I had this on my wish list for what seems like a year.

It just seems a bit ridiculous buying an aluminum circle for 300 bucks. Once you purchase it, and take it out of the box,that feeling doesn't go away. The pieces while solid just feel cheap, and the plastic clips that come with the wheel just make you feel like you've been had.

As I shot my short however, it was definitely the go to device for covering any sweeps and dolly moves. It does the job. But you will definitely want to consider getting the zoom and focus remotes that you can clip on to the wheel itself since having to stop and refoucus definitely kills the shot. Also, if you try and go for any type of dynamic shot you will definitely need some kinda of external monitor. So out of the box, it does the job, especially if you have steady arms.

I myself found my shots not as amazing stable as it it would be, but it was far better than without it. Also, for me anyway, the wheel just isn't big enough as I realized I more stable holding my arms further apart. So my next purchase would probably be some kind of extended handles.

So in the end, if you plan to do alot of dolly shots, and dont want to fuss with the balancing act of a glidcam, then this will work. It just doesn't work "great" and the price, makes that great feel a bit less.

It did what I needed it to do for the most part, its just really hard to recommend it at that price. 150.00 would have been much more fair. especially since you can recreate the device yourself from hardware parts for under 100 dollars.

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Wow...what can I say? The Fig Rig is awesome. I've had mine for about 6 years and use it every time I am shooting handheld.

Really adds a pro handheld look to your footage. Allows you to shoot high, low and everything in between. Attach lights, mics, lens controllers, etc. around the periphery of the unit. Mount a quick release plate on the bottom and snap the whole unit into your tripod quickly. The smaller your camera the better, as this unit can be fatiguing on your lower back if you have a lot of weight on the rig. Just so versatile though. Pretty much requires that your camera or camcorder have a nice LCD screen as this unit is not great for viewfinder work. Definitely for run and gun ENG, indie filmmaking or live action type of work. Couldn't live without mine. Thank you Mike Figgis!

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Acer S5201M 3D Ready DLP Projector - 1080p - HDTV - 4:3

Acer S5201M 3D Ready DLP Projector - 1080p - HDTV - 4:3This is an XGA native resolution projector, 1024x768. It can handle Full HD input and downscale it to the native resolution.

Another site lists it as among the Top 5 Classroom Projectors and Top 4 Interactive Projectors (it has interactive software using a smart pointer/pen that detects cursor position and clicks, thus making full use of the short-throw capability of the projector).

Illumination is about 3000 lumens claimed, 2600 actual, again aided by the short-throw distance.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Panasonic PV-GS32 MiniDV Digital Camcorder 2.5" LCD, 28x Optical & 1000x Digital Zoom

Panasonic PV-GS32 MiniDV Digital Camcorder 2.5' LCD, 28x Optical & 1000x Digital ZoomI needed a camcorder and waited until the last minute to buy one. But this camcorder came highly recommended (at least by the Costco salesman) so I bought it over the JVC. It worked wonderfully on my trip to the Disney parks as well as the Disney cruise that followed.

I am very pleased with my choice of camcorders. Also the feature that allows you to switch to still photos saved me a lot of time switching to a separate camera. I was able to film, take photos and then immediately after I was able to view both.

And the distance this camera can zoom is incredible. We seemed to be miles from docking at the Bahamas and I was able to zoom in and see people walking along the beachfront.

The title says it all: Light, Small, Incredible Zoom, Easy Menus describes this camera.

I don't know why there is only one review so far in 2008 when I am writing this to make two reviews on it.

I bought this camera and was able to set it up and take pictures without even reading the manual. It takes good videos. The still mode requires adequate light. The digital zoom requires a tripod.

I might give it 5 stars if it came with a firewire cable or if the still shots were better or if I had experience with other camcorders so as to have a basis for comparison. I haven't found any negatives yet at this price level.

I also like the easy to use mode dial on the back of the camera. I can use the neck strap, put my right hand in the hand strap and rest it that way, control the on/off switch with my index finger, the mode dial and the start/stop button with my thumb all without even looking at the camera; it's very intuitiveand comfortable.

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Moultrie Gamespy 4 Megapixel Digital Infrared Mtm Game Camera, 8.25x5.75x11

Moultrie Gamespy 4 Megapixel Digital Infrared Mtm Game Camera, 8.25x5.75x11The battery life on this is extremly short. I have delay set to 1 minute and yet the batteries (D) are dead within 5 days.

The mounting strap on this product is cheap. It broke within 1 day.

Pictures in low light situations are not clear, early morning, night and dusk. I bought it for the Game-Spy system that I never used because of the poor quality of this camera.

I do not like this product very because of the slow trigger speed shuts off during the night and day even though it is on the on position batteries get too hot pictures are not clear at night

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bought this camera to replace another !!i wasn,t very happy with it slow trgger speed ,blury night pictures , short battery life.....I wouldn,t recomend this camera to a friend

Read Best Reviews of Moultrie Gamespy 4 Megapixel Digital Infrared Mtm Game Camera, 8.25x5.75x11 Here

Have had 2 of these cameras and cannot say much good about them. Both lasted just out of the warranty period and died. As stated by others, the battery life was extremely short so I was using external batteries which helped but its really not a quality product. Honestly, I've had 7 Moultrie products and none of them , cameras or feeders have lasted over 2 years without something going wrong.Digital timers went out of feeders and cameras have all died in short order (100, 200's, I-40 and I-45's )and now they're all in the trash. Found the Bushnell's to be much better and I could purchase an extended warranty which took it to 3 years since they come with a two year warranty a much better deal !

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Good service & quality.. On time and as advertised.

Will continue to buy online due in part to the quality products & service.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black

Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - BlackI've been in the film/video production business for about 30 years. Twenty of those were spent at one of the oldest production companies in the country. I routinely would direct shoots with crews using high-end cameras sitting on Sachtler tripods. And I've also used Sachtler's myself on shoots. In my opinion, there is simply no better tripod on the market. Recently I went out on my own and, of course, getting a good tripod was a priority. I searched far and wide to find something comparable to a Sachtler but at a more reasonable price. This Manfrotto combo fit the bill. At less than half the price of a comparable Sachtler, this tripod/fluid head combo is a pretty good deal though it is not a Sachtler. I bought it to hold my Canon 7D, mattebox, and motorized slider rig... It would be overkill if you simply need a fluid head for your DSLR or small camcorder.

Pros:

Fluid head is wonderfully smooth and adjustable.

Looks amazing! A++++ for styling. (The red accents match my Philip Bloom Pocket Dolly)

Quick and easy lever locks on the legs.

Tension on the leg locks can be adjusted with an allen wrench (a very important feature).

Lighted level (why didn't I think of that?).

Easy ball head leveling.

Large camera plate with spare screws AND a place to store them on the tripod.

Ability to add accessories to the tripod like a monitor arm.

Removable pads on spiked feet.

Cons:

The spreader like Sachtler spreaders doesn't always collapse as easily as it might.

Black painted aluminum will scratch over time.

No pouch for parts or a screwdriver in the tripod case.

Weight? Not an issue for me, but it's not quite as light as carbon fiber (nor as expensive).

Formidable. This is not a wimpy DSLR tripod. And yet, it is not a monster either.

Manfrotto obviously went for the gold with this combo especially the fluid head and they succeeded. If you can't afford a Sachtler, this is a good alternative.

Video production is what I do. And I am around a ton of different tripods, heads...good and bad. By far I would recommend this set up for DSLR shoots when on a budget, and without spending thousands of dollars. The new bridging technology is pretty cool. And the 3/8'' adapter on the side of the head is killer for attaching your articulating arms for your zoom/ monitor. The head is smooth and has a lot of settings to play with. The legs are all right, they are definitely sturdy but at the same time a little on the heavy side. But you get what you pay for. Nothing too heavy though.

I am around sachtlers tripods and really expensive heads. I would recommend this tripod to anyone looking for a great piece of equipment. I am very pleased with it. And I am happy to have it apart of my kit.

Buy Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black Now

this Tripod is perfect large and stable, I use a teleprompter on it and its rock solid, No regrets at all, the price was right too.

Read Best Reviews of Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black Here

As expected, Manfrotto has built a high-quality, reasonably priced tripod with fluid head. I've only been using this for a few weeks, but it has exceeded my expectations. If you take the time to learn the controls and what everything is for, you'll definitely appreciate this product. The tripod is very sturdy. The leg extensions are easy to use, and can be extended with one hand if needed (although I always suggest using two hands to prevent from dropping your gear!). It has a bubble level which can be lit by the push of a button and the included battery. The feet articulate so you can create a level base for your camera on the most uneven of surfaces. My only gripe with it is that you should be able to lock down the center of the mid-section support so all of the legs move evenly, but even so you get used to it. With the two-stage legs, there are plenty of places to mount accessory brackets to hold your monitors and sound equipment.

The fluid head is smooth and easy to use. It does take time getting used to! No one should expect to pull this thing out of the box and be a pro, there is a learning curve. You've got to learn how to set your counter-balance and drag to efficiently operate this thing. The counter-balance and drag settings work well, although the panning drag adjustment is in an awkward place that makes it difficult to adjust (it's underneath the tripod head, so you've got to have small fingers to make fast adjustments). I've got it loaded up with a 5dmk3, RedRock Micro Cinema kit w/cage and follow focus, and anything from a 18mm to a heavy 70-200mmL lens. Although this thing is rated for around 17lbs, I've had over 20lbs on it without any hesitation from the head. I feel safe with $15k+ of gear loaded on this thing.

All in all, I highly recommend this piece of gear. Ours is being used in a high-end commercial photography/cinematography studio, and so far we are very confident in it's abilities to keep up with our demands.

Want Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black Discount?

I've been using this tripod for over a year, on dozens of shoots, corporate video web promos and indie film. It is one of the things I just don't worry about. It is easy to adjust. I love the leveling head with illuminated bubble. It has a great, sturdy bag. It is a bit on the heavy side. For pan and tilt, I have been adjusting them on the more resistant side, and very happy with the results.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Opteka VLB-3 Video Light/Microphone Dual Cold Shoe Y-shaped Splitter Bracket (Includes Sony AIS Ada

Opteka VLB-3 Video Light/Microphone Dual Cold Shoe Y-shaped Splitter BracketThe bracket is made of metal and very sturdy. The shoe adapter is plastic and doesn't tighten down very well it strips if you over tighten, which I found out is very easy to do and makes the bracket useless.

I happen to have a metal cold shoe adapter (HDE 1/4"20 Tripod Screw to Hot Shoe Adapter) and added a wing-nut on top and it works great. This basically makes it the same cost as the more expensive Cool-lux Light & Sound Bracket, Camcorder Dual Mount Bracket for Video Lights & Microphones which looks like it already comes with a metal shoe adapter.

I have a 160 LED light and Rode mic attached, the same as manufacturer picture implies (but mounted the other with Rod mic on the higher bracket since the other way blocks some of the light). Considering the weight it holds the plastic shoe adapter might have snapped anyway.

I own a small camera so I had in mind to put a light and a microphone, when I tried to tide the plastic thing went loose, I had to put some Teflon to make sure doesn't fall.

If wasn't for that I would recommend this product.

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The bottom hot shoe on this is just too big to fit on any camera that I have. It does come with a sony adaptor, but I have never used it since I do not have a sony camera. I had to file down the edges on the hot shoe so it would fit on top of my camera. I am surprised at such low quality from Opteka

Read Best Reviews of Opteka VLB-3 Video Light/Microphone Dual Cold Shoe Y-shaped Splitter Bracket (Includes Sony AIS Ada Here

So this right out of the box wouldn't even stay tightened. It would just re-run through the threads.

I had to ninja this item which I bought simultaneously together.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005005EEM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

So now, with that it finally stays. There are versions that are full metal, and just know this won't even hold its own weight on your hotshoe, let alone a light, Rode VideoMic or anything beyond.

If you get this and ninja it or a better version, grab this too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CNPK3M/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i00

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A very cheap product. Does not come with hotshoe adapter for Sony alpha series like promised and when mine arrived one of the metal brackets was completely bent shut, making it useless. Obviously a company not focused on quality. Obviously not going with opteka ever again.

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Monday, April 21, 2014

7" Articulated Magic Arm with Single Rod Clamp - 15mm (4 1/4"thread) for Dslr Rig Support System

7' Articulated Magic Arm with Single Rod Clamp - 15mm for Dslr Rig Support SystemJust received this arm and tried to use it on a shoot today with the Lilliput 7" 5D field video monitor. The swivel joints all lock tight with the knob. However. the threaded post into the 15mm rod clamp, is impossible to get tight enough. The weight of the monitor keeps causing it to loosen, allowing the monitor to swing like a barn door. I'm going to try some Loctite on the threads, but if that doesn't work, I'll probably have to get a stronger arm. If I had something lighter to mount, I'd probably give it four or five stars, but with the 7" monitor it just doesn't quite do the job.

ADDED Feb 8, 2013:

I ordered a Cowboy Studio super clamp and have attached the monitor to the tripod on several days of shooting. This works great. It is pretty east to position the arm so the weight is pushing down against the 1/4" threads to keep it from loosening. Also the whole setup is much more sturdy on the tripod. For moving around I adjust the monitor arm & monitor to hang straight down with the monitor facing toward the folded legs. This works pretty well for re-positioning the camera without removing everything. Since mounting the arm to the tripod, I could bump it to four stars.

ADDED Feb 11, 2013:

I just received a double 15mm adapter-it goes onto both rails and has the 1/4" threads for mounting the magic arm. This is much more stable that the original single 15mm clamp. I still haven't had to do any actual hand-held production, but with the Loc-Tite on the threads, this seems a lot more stable in just testing it out in the office. I'm not sure why this part is currently not available-hopefully they will get more in stock, as it is really useful. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GWFN8E/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Full Hd 1080p Car DVR Cam Recorder Camcorder Vehicle Dashboard Camera F900lhd

Full Hd 1080p Car DVR Cam Recorder Camcorder Vehicle Dashboard Camera F900lhd
  • Full Hd 1080p Car DVR Cam Recorder Camcorder Vehicle Dashboard Camera F900lhd
  • Contents Included?
  • 1 x HD Car DVR1 x Car Charger 1 x Holder
  • 1 x AV Cable1 x USB Cable1 x HDMI Cable
  • 1 x Pouch1 x User Manual

Pros:

* Good assemble quality

* Separate good battery.

* Good multi-language documentation and menus

* Good file rotation without pauses between files

Cons:

* MJpeg video format. 2mb/s video in Full HD. This gives 4.5 hours for 32Gb SDCard.

* Mediocre video quality. Plate numbers can be only seen from few meters. Dunno if it's because of camera or video compression

* No record autostart on power on. The camera starts, but not into recording mode.

I've uploaded day and night video examples to my (tivv00) youtube channel.

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It had icons and not much else. The instructions did not fully match the device either; ie putting in the battery was different then the instructions said.

Read Best Reviews of Full Hd 1080p Car DVR Cam Recorder Camcorder Vehicle Dashboard Camera F900lhd Here

Clams to be 1080 hd but that's not true movies are not hd , not clear like hd an the camra for still pic. (jpg) are super blur and n zoom it gets worse, I'm not happ with this cam all pic & movies are low resoloution. I purchased it because it clamed to be Hd, if you looking for a Hd Cam this is not it al so it don't record some times when it set to loop, an most of the time when you hit the record button, it says to insert the sd card , some times you can hit a second time an it will start to record, most of the time I have to pull the sd card out an reinsert it,, over all it's easy to set up an operate, the windshield mount not good for big trucks (most truck windshields are al most strait up an down) not enough clearance for the cam to clear windshield , I would not recommend this cam and I looking for another one, also theres a lot of fake f900LHD out there checked this one out seems to be a fake, suspose to record in mpg format but AVI instead, over all it's not what they claim to be, and I'm going to send it back

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The booklet that came with this was in English but was POORLY written. You really could not use the booklet to program the recorder. The recorder itself has instructions in Chinese. I am sure there was a place to go to change it to English just could not find it.

Not to happy with it, works but not user friendly. I am still trying to figure it out and have had much experience with digital cameras (first September 1998). Not pricey, but far from exceptional also, watch out for hidden shipping fees, like they did with me.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Epson PowerLite S1+ Multimedia LCD Video Projector

Epson PowerLite S1+ Multimedia LCD Video ProjectorWhen searching for a projector I had the following criteria which the Epson S1+ met.

Low Cost Best price I found Amazon 749.00

Low Noise Epson S1+ is 33dB

Minimum 800x600 Resolution

Native 4:3 Aspect Ratio

High ANSI Lumens Epson S1+ is 1400

Decent Contrast Ratio Epson S1+ is 400:1

Low Cost Bulb replacement ($150-$200)

For the cost, there was no other projector on the market that could compete. I did not want the lower end DLP projectors, due to rainbow effects that can happen. I also wanted a projector that would be cost effective after the initial purchase. The S1+ bulbs can be found for $150.00 to $200.00, compared to $350-$400 for competitors. BTW: This unit will be used in a small church for Sunday services and cost was a big factor when investing and researching bulb replacement costs.

How does it work?

We get a great image for our church service with full house lights on, this projector is brilliant. Very, low noise. Most of the time it is used with PowerPoint presentations, but it also does a great job with DVD projection.

Image Size?

This unit projects a BIG image from a short distance, if you need a large picture, but do not have the space...this may be the projector for you.

Quality?

I am really impressed with the fit, finish and quality of the Epson projector and will be purchasing the Powerlite Home 10+ for my home theater.

How does it compare?

I have an Infocus X2 and and NEC VT470 projector and I would take the Epson S1+ over either one of these any day.

-Yes, since this is an LCD projector it has several limitations, including the screen door affect and is also has limited resolution at 800X600. Although many people kick up a fuss about both of these traits, neither really matters. If you sit close enough to see the screen door affect or the individual pixels for that matter, then you probably won't be able to see the whole screen because you are sitting less than one foot away from it.

I bought my S1+ about 2 months ago and use it everyday. It has taken a beating when I take it friend's houses, parties, ECT. But has shown no signs of the abuse. When it is set up anywhere from 30" to 60" it looks the same as plasma or a large projector, except it is better because it does not have the glare of a normal TV. Since it's purchase I have also set up a 14-foot screen made of poster board in my garage (it will project nicely almost anywhere on almost any surface), which looks awesome and beats almost any other theater that I've ever been in.

When I first started looking through projectors I wanted something that should accept any interface that I threw at it. When I came across the S1+ I was intimidated because I didn't know how well it would project video games such as Halo2 for XBOX. After it's purchase I was relieved to find that I could have my computer, XBOX and PS2 all hooked up to the projector at the same time and switch between them using the remote control that came with it. All of them are awesome, especially with surround sound and games like DOOM3. Even when split into 4 screens for Halo, it's still quality. Also this is a pretty bright projector, I can have my windows open with several lights on and still easily the screen as if it was a TV.

This costs less then a plasma or a projection TV and can be made much smaller or larger then either. When they say 30"-300" they mean it. It will consume any wall you put in front of it.

Last, it is the easiest thing to transport I have ever seen. For a LAN party I throw my projector, surround sound system and my XBOX into my backpack, jump on my motorcycle and am off in just a few minutes.

If you are new to projectors or are just looking for a large HD TV at a good price, then this is the one that I recommend.

I am not sure how long the bulb last (some people say they die quickly), mine is just passing 500 hours, but they only cost $175, which is significantly less then most other projectors (around $350).

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Before getting into how this projector works, I need to preface by saying that I am on my second projector and third bulb in 2.5 months. I teach school, and need the projector about 4 times/day at 15-20 minutes per use. Perhaps I should have considered a machine capable running consistently during a demanding duty cycle, but solid state electronics are usually not phased by this (and the bulbs, priced as they are, should not be either.)

When this projector works, it works well. It has a nice, bright image and good clarity/detail. It is quiet, runs cool, is light, and fairly portable. Compared to others on the market, the value per dollar is excellent. I seem to have had machines with teething problems though.

My first projector, purchased new mid-January of 2005, exhibited all the symptoms of a bad bulb within 2 weeks, and 20 hours on the clock. I called Epson tech. service, was walked through some diagnostics, and was told that a new projector would be out quickly. I received my "new" projector (actually a refurb. unit with more hours on the bulb than mine had) the next morning. Great turnaround, but to get a refurbished unit for my two-week new one, especially with the bulb hours as they were was no bargain. I called customer service to voice my opinion on this and they agreed that I was due compensation I was promised a new bulb but never received it. I am still fighting for one.

The second projector worked for another 2 weeks, then operation became intermittant for a few hours, then the unit stopped working completely.

After another over the phone diagnosis, the rep. told me the bulb was bad, but that bulbs were out of stock -same story I had received earlier. As of this writing, I am still waiting.

I don't know if this problem is endemic to this machine, but mine is certainly no gem. Maybe I need a heavy-duty model. I've always followed directions for cool down, haven't abused it, but continue to suffer the same problem on what is becoming a consistent basis. If I was rich, this wouldn't be problem, I'd just trade up. I give this machine a "C", and I give Epson's Customer Service Dept. a "C-". Next time, initial cost will not be such a huge issue in my purchase decision.

Read Best Reviews of Epson PowerLite S1+ Multimedia LCD Video Projector Here

Just purchased this (check online for rebates) for a budget home theater setup. We are using this projector on an 80" screen in a very dark basement. While you can certainly get better contrast and brightness from other projectors, I challenge anyone to find a better value for this price point. I was not really expecting much from the projector when we purchased it and thought that this may be a good device for the kids to watch movies / play games on. But are finding that we are watching many more movies on this great projector. Low upfront costs and low bulb replacement costs make this a good choice if you are just getting into a front projection system.

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I bought this little projector mostly to attend on-line classes with, and to have a way to play games when my brain was full (which is very often;)). I also wanted a way to watch TV without having a big & ugly TV in my home office. A projector seemed the best solution, so I gave it a go.

The Epson has generous connectivity options, which allowed me to hook it up to numerous video sources simultaneously, and then switch between them all (yeah!). I have it as S-Video from my cable system's DVD R/W recorder, computer / component video from my main computer, and the 3-RCA video/audio (composite) connectors from my x-box.

In fact, the Epson sits right on top of my x-box, making for a highly cool, highly compact gaming unit with awesome capability. It takes a few minutes to transition from gaming in a fishbowl to playing in a life-size environment & getting accustomed to so much motion. Screen is plenty bright, though some of the darker interior scenes from the likes of Halo-1 are best played with the lights down (my screen is about 6 X 8 feet, 1.83 X 2.44m).

The device has fittings for ceiling mounts, but I'm more inclined to the portability of the included carrying case, if anything.

Switching between the video channels is either by hand-held remote or via the little control panel situated on top of the Epson. There is a second remote that is for operating your computer's mouse for presentations, including page up/down & L/R clicking, and it works great on xp pro with the included IR (InfraRed) USB receiver. Sounds complicated but installation was all of plugging the little IR cable/module into a USB port & then playing with the neat-o mouse remote. This is great for remotely fast-forwarding through commercials when playing DVDs through a computer. The projector has IR receivers fore and aft, BTW.

The main remote controls the video input selection, speaker volume (including mute), on-screen menu (very easy to use, with lots of selections for picky people), freeze video, a handy one-button color mode (Theater, Presentation, etc), Aspect ratio (2 settings), and ZOOM.

Video quality largely depends on the type of video input you apply to the Epson, with composite at the low end, s-video in the middle, and computer / component as highest picture clarity. The differences between these input types are about an order of magnitude, everything else being equal. By all means opt for computer / component input! Its like night and day as far as video quality goes.

Presentation fonts come through crystal clear, as do digital images, and watching a cable program or DVD on the unit is great fun (especially through the computer / component video port, where the picture is crystal clear). Although not what you would build a breathtaking home theater system around the Epson is nevertheless a practical, fun, truly plug & play projector that will connect to just about anything and go.

5-stars, among the entry-level projectors.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Dayton Audio HR14HS2 6.6ft 2M High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Supports 3D and Audio Return

Dayton Audio HR14HS2 6.6ft 2M High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Supports 3D and Audio ReturnI have used Dayton HDMI cables for years. Just resently upgraded to 3D TV and had to upgrade my cables. Had no issue's at all with these cables and I would say they work and fit better than the 100$ cables you find elsewhere.

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