Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Posted by Hemz at 6:17 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pyle PPRC-X05 Professional Dual XLR to Dual RCA Cable (5 Feet) Review
Let's be honest folks. It's a cable. Wire with connectors on the ends. It works, the price is great. Buy it, plug it in and groove to the music. Simple.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:24 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 15, 2009
AudioQuest Y splitter - one RCA male to two RCA female 6" (15.24cm) cable Review
I bought one of these along with a splitters from Monster because I needed two of them quickly, and only one (of each brand) was in stock. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the AudioQuest. It has big, beefy connectors that grip well without being hard to remove. It also has nice fabric sleeving over the wires.
I was so surprised at the quality that I went back later and bought another one to replace the Monster version.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:03 PM 0 comments
Friday, August 14, 2009
MONSTER THX AI-YF NF Standard 2 Male To 1 Female Thx-Certified Rca Y-Adapters Review
No doubt about it. Monster makes some quality products. These are no exception. The only problem is Monster products are also very expensive. These aren't.
Inexpensive quality--that's a no-brainer.
I've managed to revamp my very old bookshelf system ('98 I believe) with all of the original speakers and built-in subs using only this cord, a subwoofer output cord (another inexpensive Monster product), and a new receiver. The sound is phenomenal!
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:27 PM 0 comments
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
AudioQuest Y splitter - one RCA female to two RCA male 6" (15.24cm) cable Review
This is typical of AudioQuest products; so if you want to make sure there are no "weakest links" in your audio use this; subwoofers, etc. If you have high-end interconnects, this is what you need. Monster typically includes a Y-cable with its subwoofer cables, but AudioQuest does not.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:37 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
RCA CRF940 RF Modulator & Video Switcher with Gold-Plated Connectors Review
Very disatisfied. Non working product. My kids threw away the box and receipt that came with the product or else I would have returned it. The worst 30 - 40 dollars I have spent in a long time. I almost chose not to order anymore from Amazon after this bad experience!!! Not recommended at all - after all it did not work. I gave it 1 star because it did not give me the option to give it a negative 5 stars!!!!!!!1
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:02 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 10, 2009
RCA Indoor/outdoor Amplified Tv Antenna Review
Good reception for the price. This is not a one-person installation - I managed to whack myself on the head several times (the hinge holding the two sides together is very flexible) trying to find the right location to get the best signal. Of the several antennas I have tried (all RCA) this one was definitely the best overall.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:22 PM 0 comments
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Monster Cable THX I100-16 RCA Audio Interconnect Cable Review
Works perfectly - just like my $3 generic audio cables. Don't pay extra for Monster's marketing.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:09 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Rca VH606 Digitaal Rg6 Coaxial Cable - 6 Foot Length Review
Works well as advertised. Although the specs are not detailed enough. Did some research and all I could find is that this coax cable has a copper center conductor. Hope this helps.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:12 PM 0 comments
Friday, August 7, 2009
RCA VH48 Splitters (3-way) Review
After installing this splitter I had problems with my TV(HDTV)reception. I ended up having my cable company come for a service call. The splitter was the culprit, not allowing good signal through... this was, in fairness, an "inexpensive" splitter and I should have known better. But for installations where quality signal matters such as with HDTV I would not recommend this splitter.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:16 PM 0 comments
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Belkin PureAV Miniplug to RCA Y Audio Cable (7 Feet) Review
If you are interested in having your Mac Mini be an HTPC (home theater PC), then these cables are pretty much the best option out there for getting sound. The Mac Mini is very limited when it comes to connectivity to a home theater. One of the missed opportunities Apple made in creating the Mac Mini was coming to realize the potential of the Mini as an HTPC. HDMI connectivity would have been the best and easiest means as a form of connecting the Mini to a receiver. Instead, you either have to buy a separate video cable, as well as a separate audio cable.
This is where the Belkin cables come into play. I have the Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH receiver. To connect the Mac Mini to the receiver, I connect the Mac Mini to an HDMI port using a DVI/HDMI cable. That covers the video end, now for the audio, I have to connect the Belkin Cables into a stereo audio port. I use the DVD port for this. The rest involves going into my receivers menu and assuring that the correct audio signal is connected to the right video port.
Because these are RCA plugs, don't expect 5.1 audio sounds. You're going to get stereo, and only stereo. However, this can be countered by using your receiver's preset stereo settings. I use Ext. Stereo to give me illustrious sound from my rear channels. It's not true 5.1 audio, but it mimics it good enough.
All in all, they're just simple cables. However for their price and build quality, which isn't that bad, I would have to suggest these as the best option for people who desire using their Mac Mini as an HTPC.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:55 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
RCA EZ207 Small Wonder Digital Camcorder (White) Review
With the EZ207 Small Wonder camcorder by RCA, there is no easier way to share and save the moments worth remembering. The simple point-and-shoot capabilities make it easy to aim and record without having to push several different buttons. The 1GB of internal memory allows you to view up to 30-minutes of high quality or two-hours of web quality footage. Clearly view your personal videos on the large 1.5-inch LCD display or view videos on the TV by connecting the camcorder using the included AV cable. Other features include an expansion slot for extra memory, direct YouTube uploading, and simple computer downloading via the USB arm. Whether a scenic vacation destination, a child¿s basketball game or just a simple backyard barbeque with your family, this easy-to-use digital camcorder is ready whenever and wherever.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:44 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cables To Go - 13042 - 25ft Velocity RCA Audio Extension Cable Review
I used these cables to extend my surround sound system. They work really good and I've not had any problems with them after several months of use.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:37 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 3, 2009
Cables To Go - 27993 - 25ft S-Video & 3.5mm Stereo Audio To 3 RCA Adapter Cable Review
Purchased these to be able to watch online TV shows (on Hulu.com, Joost.com, major networks and local channels, etc.) from my computer on my good, old analog tv, when we could no longer afford cable. Works great! Picture is very good, sound is, too. Not perfect, but very good and FREE tv! We had to figure out the correct settings on our computer, initially, but after that, it's smooth sailing! Lots of free tv, when WE want to watch it! This is better than cable tv! Fewer commercials, too! Cables are heavy, very sturdy, seem to be of good quality, better than expected, 25ft. length is nice; plugs are sturdy and strong. Very happy! Have paid for themselves by not needing cable tv. Would purchase again!
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:27 PM 0 comments
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Cables To Go - 40615 - 12ft Velocity 3.5mm Stereo Male to Dual RCA Male Y-Cable (Blue) Review
The title says it all -- a very fair price ($13 at the time I bought it) for a very good length cord. This is a better deal than you can find most places. It does everything you need it to, and although the gauge is relatively thin, it works fine, and I don't notice any sound quality loss or distortion at all. Pleased.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:47 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 1, 2009
6FT Rca Audio Video Cable Value Series Review
Value Series RCA Audio/Video Cables are the right choice for connecting your VCR, DVD, TV and other audio/video equipment to your TV or receiver. These low-cost cables are of high quality giving you crisp, clear sound and video for less. The coax conductor's copper braid shield helps reduce unwanted noise and distortion. The connectors are color-coded for easy installation and identification and provide excellent strain relief.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:04 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 31, 2009
RCA ANT1450 Multi-Directional Digital Flat Amplified Home Theater Antenna (White) Review
When it comes to reviewing a TV antenna, SO much depends on geographical location. I live in New England about 40 miles north of Boston. The TV for this antenna is located on the third floor of a typical NE row house. I had been using a very basic pair of RCA rabbit ears, and was getting decent reception via my Insignia converter box. But I started looking for a new antenna because (a) it seemed that any change in the weather affected reception and (b) one of the connections on the UHF loop was broken. Another consideration was that when I had to reposition the rabbit ears to get best reception, the ears wound up in a traffic area. (And let's face it, rabbit ears just look cheesy.)
Most of the stations in my area are between 20 and 30 miles away. So I was looking to try an amplified antenna. I was intrigued when I saw the RCA ANT1450. I bought it, thinking I could always return it if it didn't work.
I was very pleasantly surprised when I hooked it up. It took me a few tries to figure out the best place to put it, but one of the nice things about the Insignia box is the signal strength meter. It turns out that the ANT1450 wanted to be located in a different place than the rabbit ears (about 3 feet away). I was also surprised to find that the ANT1450 really did work best when laid flat (horizontal), and definitely not on a metal surface. The ANT1450 now picks up the same number of channels as the rabbit ears, but with consistently better signal strength. I have the amplifier connected, but don't know if it's completely necessary.
And I really like not having those ugly rabbit ears any more!
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:32 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Cables Unlimited AUD-1380-06 6 Feet RCA Component Video/Audio Cable Review
Cables Unlimited AUD-1380-06 6 Feet RCA Component Video/Audio Cable
They work just as good as ones from a walk in store and 4 times the price. I ordered with the Amazon free shipping and they were on my front door step in about 23 house. I'm very pleased.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:16 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
RCA RP5430 AM/FM Clock Radio with 1.4-Inch Display and Auto Time Set Review
I took a chance and bought this, even after reading some of the other negative reviews. I take great care of my electronics, so I thought maybe I wouldn't have any problems. Multiple parts of the LCD display have burnt out over a little more than a year's time. At first, I just ignored it, but now it's beyond frustrating. I called RCA (and it's very hard to find a phone number for them), and they have terrible customer service. They are not willing to help me at all because it's been over a year since I purchased the clock.
Buyer beware.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:13 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cables Unlimited Stereo 3.5mm To 2 RCA Cable (25 feet, Black) AUD-1200-25 Review
It's a practical solution to the simplest of problems. But finding a 25' version of this cable is not very easy to find. Being able to place my Sirius radio receiver close to the antennae source and still able to connect it to my AV receiver across the room was the completion of my entertainment center.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:17 PM 0 comments
Monday, July 27, 2009
Cables Unlimited AUD-2350 VGA to S-Video or RCA Adapter Review
You cannot simply adapt the wire to go from composite or s-video to vga, or vice-versa. The video is encoded differently. In composite, all of the brightness and color information is on a single wire. VGA splits that information up into different channels. You need to transcode the video in order for the conversion to work. Transcoders generally cost >$100.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:33 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 26, 2009
RCA ANT1050 Digital Flat Passive Ultra-Slim-Profile Antenna with Enhanced Reception (Black) Review
The 1050 is only a bit less effective when compared to the ANT 1500. On the same TV, alternating between the two antennas produced almost the same result. The difference is one channel about 30 miles away which the ANT 1500 can get but not the ANT 1050. But, definitely better than rabbit ears. I am satisfied with the product and use it on a 2nd TV.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:27 PM 0 comments
Saturday, July 25, 2009
RCA ANT1400M Multi-Directional Digital Flat Passive HDTV Antenna (White) Review
I purchased this antenna to replace a set a rabbit-ears I had connected to an LCD-flat-panel TV. Wall mounting this antenna was a simple task, and the reception of HD/digital signals was just as good as or better than with the rabbit-ears. I'm not sure how it works, but there is truly no adjustment necessary! I originally tried hiding the antenna directly behind the TV, which is connected to a wall by a swivel-arm, but this affected the reception. I would recommend hanging the antenna closer the ceiling, or wherever the least possible interference might be. This antenna will not correct problematic reception in areas of your home where reception is severely compromised. You will need to purchase an external antenna to correct issues associated with physical obstructions or building materials which may shield weaker signals.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 7:06 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 24, 2009
PH62089 Stereo Mini-Male to 2 RCA-Male - 6 Feet Review
This is just a garden variety adapter to connect a mp3 player to the aux input on a home stereo system. It does what it is designed to do.
Look locally for this item first because the shipping will make the total cost a little steep.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:55 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Basic Indoor Antenna Review
I was lost when I was shopping for an antenna and there were so many to choose from. I ended up buying this one because I read about it from someone's positive review. I have tried another (amplified) antenna in the past and it was big and bulky...but this little passive antenna can get just as many channels. I got all the major networks now (need to adjust antenna to get certain channels). I highly recommend this little antenna.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:11 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
6' Sva To Rca Adapter Review
Awesome! Works just like it said! I went all over town with people at Best Buy, Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, Microcenter telling me there was no such thing and trying to sell me expensive cables. But this works great! I am extremely happy!
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:25 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Cables Unlimited AUD-1205-06 6-Feet Pro A/V Series 6-Feet 3.5mm to RCA Stereo Audio Cable Review
There's not all that much you can say... it's a well built cable with a decent thickness, seems very well shielded and results in no interference. You can't beat the price.
I combined this with a 3.5mm extension cable and can now connect my laptop to my stereo.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:24 PM 0 comments
Monday, July 20, 2009
RCA ANT1500 Large Multi-Directional Digital Flat Passive Antenna (White) Review
This unit performed every bit as advertised on the RCA web-site. I recieve more than double the stations than I did without it. The number of stations recieved will greatlly depend on what is available in a particular area,obstructions,transmission quality, etc. The placement location is critical for best reception. I had to move it around some in order to get better reception. This unit will work fine for receiving transmissions up to a max of 30-40 miles. For greater distance, investigation of another unit would be required. I live in an urban area with a lot of obstruction, aircraft traffic, etc. and still get good reception. The reception quality is as good as any digital signal from a satellite system (which I used to have). Investigation still has to be done to pick the proper antenna for the situation. This is an excellant unit for my application.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:32 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 19, 2009
RCA L46WD250 46-Inch LCD Scenium Flat HDTV Review
last for about 9 months, and then blows a fuse in the converter box. rca knows about the problem. can be used as a monitor only now. what a piece of junk by thompson electronics, aka: rca. Dont buy. Samsung or LG or Sony.
jim
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:31 PM 0 comments
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Cables To Go 4-Feet RCA Stereo to Dock Connector Cable for iPod Review
I ordered two of these for use in two locations. Upon arrival neither worked with an old iPod nano (3rd gen) or and iPhone 3G. Completely a waste of money if your are looking for an out of the box solution.
Fortunately with a bit of internet searching, I was able to find the electrical pin-outs for the connectors and modify them to work for my devices. But the purchases were not what I orginally hoped.
[...]
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Posted by Hemz at 6:44 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 17, 2009
RCA ANT1450BM Multi-Directional Digital Flat Amplified HDTV Antenna (Black) Review
Right out the box, it gave wonderful reception. I am using it without the booster. I really love the design . A small little square sitting flat and you can't notice that it is there. I live in NY, in an apartment building. It picked up a wide selection of over the air channels. Also it is connected to a HDTV.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 7:07 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 16, 2009
RCA ANT1550 Large Multi-Directional Digital Flat Amplified Antenna (White) Review
I have always been dedicated to taking my TV off the air waves, and in the old analog world I was able to accomplish that with rabbit ears of various types. I began the new digital experience with the rabbit ears and found them to be a bit lacking in dealing with the weather conditions here in the north east. So I purchased a smaller version of this RCA multi-directional flat amplified antenna. In the meantime I had moved from a house on a hill where we had a clear shot to Boston TV transmitters to a condo behind a couple of hills where I am not allowed to have an outside antenna. This new antenna provides a beautiful picture on our new HDTV when the weather permits. Unfortunately this June that has not been often. I end up changing its position when I change stations from the low numbers to the high numbers. I will turn it off at night with great reception on a station and when I turn it on in the morning I have to change its position. I am not sure what to do next. Perhaps I shall build a remote controlled platform to allow me to change its attitude without bringing the capacitive influence of my body into play.
As some of the other reviewers said in reviews I read here before purchase it is not the end all. I think that may be a specialized antenna which will have to be buried out of sight in the attic of the condo. If you have patience it is a good buy.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:22 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
RCA ANT1450B Multi-Directional Digital Flat Amplified Home Theater Antenna (Black) Review
Have had this antenna for about a month now and find that it makes little difference, particularly with the amplifier inline and powered. We are using it with a Westinghouse SK26H730S TV. No visible difference in indicated signal. Maybe defective? Just bad location? Don't know. Programs are still intermittently breaking up. At least before DTV we could tolerate less than perfect broadcast reception and still follow the program. Those days are gone. Live in central metro area. Really hate the idea of cable or satellite tv. Sounds like other have had good experience with this, it hasn't been the magic bullet here.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:27 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
RCA ANT1450M Multi-Directional Digital Flat Amplified HDTV Antenna (White) Review
This thing took a whole lot of tweaking in order to pick up channels clearly -- and even then it doesn't pick up as many channels as my Terk HDTVa on the TV in the other room.
The claim of being "multi-directional" proved completely false for me, as I had to adjust it to a precise angle in order to get decent signal strength on the channels I wanted (and in doing so, lost a couple of channels that came in clearly when the antenna was in another position, so I had to sacrifice those channels in order to get the more important channels). The difference was literally about a one-degree swivel adjustment (out of 360 degrees total) between getting the signals and not getting the signals.
Mounting the antenna on the wall doesn't work because the antenna would be facing a direction that picks up next to nothing. So I have to have the antenna sitting at an awkward but very precise angle on top of my TV set.
Having done that, it works OK. But it's not the least bit inconspicuous. A nice big mousepad-sized piece of plastic standing upright at a weird angle on top of my TV set; what a lovely sight. Oh well. So much for "multidirectional."
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:45 PM 0 comments
Monday, July 13, 2009
Belkin F8V235-12 12-Foot Y Audio Cable Review
I have yet to find any fault with the quality, performance or reliability of any of the Belkin cables I have used or purchased. In 15 years of professional and personal use, ZERO failure so far.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:36 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 12, 2009
RCA Jet 4 GB Sports MP3 Player with Video, Music, FM Radio, and Sports Features (Black) Review
I did a little research prior to selecting this MP3 player. I knew I did not want an ipod, and I knew I wanted enough memory to play on long plane rides, the gym, whatever. So far, I've been very happy. The accompanying software is easy to use, as is the device itself. I've had no trouble at all adding music and using the radio function. I was able to upload music from my own PC, and I was able to use the software to burn selected tracks directly from a CD to the MP3 player. I've not used the audiobooks function or any of the fitness functions--so I can't speak to that. I have not evaluated the length of the battery life, since I've only used it intermittently so far. I did find the user manual easy to read--except for the audiobook function.
So far, I have only two complaints. First, the user manual recommends that you discharge the device fully before recharging--and it only charges when plugged into the PC. So, make absolutely certain that you know exactly what music you want on the device for that cycle of battery life, since it would appear that plugging in prematurely can shorten your battery life over time. I find it extremely annoying because I want to update my music selection frequently. Second, it allows for the creation of only one playlist, a favorites list. My preference would be that I could create playlists as it suits me. In all other respects, the device performs well. I would recommend it to anyone.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:09 PM 0 comments
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Maxell 3.5-mm-to-RCA A/V Splitter with 3.5-mm Cable Review
I got this to connect the iphone to the speaker system. Unfortunately, it does not work with the iphone. The connectors are not deep enough to fit it, and the sound kept coming out of the phone only. To confirm I wasnt doing the wrong this, I put the another connector and things worked correctly.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 5:16 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 10, 2009
RCA EZ200 Small Wonder Digital Camcorder with 60 Minutes Recording and 1GB Included Memory Review
It is both easy to use and very compact, so easy a child could operate. Besides being great for video it takes pretty nice still photos. With the fold out display monitor you can easily take pictures of yourself and a friend without being behind the camera.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 7:13 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Cables To Go - 40645 - 3.5mm Stereo Male To 2X RCA Female Adapter Review
Good adapter. Some TV's, like my Westinghouse HDTV, can't use RCA (red and white wires) for audio when using a VGA connection. I have a XBOX 360 and I have component cables. I wanted to get the VGA cable because they WILL give me 1080p when I'm playing a HD-DVD. Component cables are fine, just that it will give everybody a 1080i picture when playing HD-DVD's, but not games though, they provide 1080p for games but not HD-DVD's for some reason.
Well, after numerous calls to Westinghouse and Microsoft about why I can't get audio using the VGA and RCA cables, I did my own research online, and luckily I came across this. Some HDTV's only will allow sound through VGA connection using the "MiniJack" input. REMEMBER THAT GUYS/GALS. It's hard to write a review on a small product, but it get's the job done.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:22 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Cables To Go - 27992 - 12ft Value Series S-Video + Audio to 3 RCA Cable (Black) Review
Purchased this 12' for a niece with a laptop after my success with the 25'. Use it to watch Hulu (and others) full TV shows from my laptop to my analog TV. After initial setup, fullscreened shows look fine. Some are a touch "soft" (although not enough to make it unwatchable), but closed captioning is clear and legible. Economical solution to high cable TV prices.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:49 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
RCA EZ409HD Small Wonder HD Camcorder (Black) Review
With the EZ409HD Small Wonder high-definition camcorder by RCA, there is no easier way to share and save the moments worth remembering. The simple point-and-shoot capabilities make it easy to aim and record without having to push several buttons. It features 256MB of internal memory and includes a 2GB memory card for 30-minute HD recording and six-hours WebQ mode recording. Use the Micro SD card slot expansion that can expand the memory up to 16GB. Recording time with a 16GB card is capable of 8-hours HD recording, 19-hours of high quality recording and 49-hours of WebQ mode recording. View your videos on the large two-inch color display and record yourself with your friends and family using the flip-out lens. When you are finished recording, simply connect the camcorder to your TV with an HDMI or AV cable for simple viewing. Other features include direct YouTube uploading, simple computer downloading via the USB arm, and landscape/close-up mode. Enjoy the slim and compact design of the camcorder allowing you to easily carry it in your pocket or purse. The EZ409HD includes an AV cable, USB extender, Lithium-ion battery pack with charger, wrist strap and carry pouch.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, July 6, 2009
Belkin PureAV RCA Audio Cable 6 ft Review
What can I say? These RCA Audio cables work as stated and the price is right. They are also well built and the right length for my needs. They come with the Belkin warrenty if needed.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:47 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Belkin PureAV RCA Audio Cable 3 ft Review
Not much to say here: the construction of the cable is excellent -- I used these cables for a car audio project and I really needed confidence that the cables will not give way in a tight spots and will be immune to vehicle noise and temperature conditions.
I'm not disappointed -- I can't tell any loss of audio fidelity. The molding is excellent and the connectors fit exactly.
Also, kudos to Belkin for using easy to open shrink wrap. So many products these days require (ahem!) industrial grade equipment to cut open.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:02 PM 0 comments
Saturday, July 4, 2009
RCA Opal 4 GB Video MP3 player with 1.8-inch Display, FM Radio, and Voice Recording (Blue) Review
We bought 3 of these RCA MP3 players on black Friday from WalMart when they had them (the 8GB ones) on sale for $49. I gave the first to my oldest son (17 years old) for his birthday. He used it a few times and the screen stopped lighting up. We did all the suggested troubleshooting to no avail and had to mail it in to Audiovox for repair (WalMart would not take it back after more than 15 days). The second MP3 player worked for a total of 6 weeks when it went into the initializing mode and froze. We tried to update the firmware as RCA suggests as a fix for this extremely common problem with these. Well the MP3 player is not recopnized as even being connected to any computer we have tried. SO... that one is being mailed in for repair. We have just started using the 3rd one we bought but I am sure it will break like the other two and like the very many we see have broken for others. This is a little ridiculous! A product should last more than a few weeks. Once the warranty period is over, I guess we will be looking for new MP3 players as I am sure this will break again very soon!
Oh and whatever you do, do NOT lose your receipt. RCA will not do any warranty work without it and you will need warranty work I am sure!
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 7:12 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 3, 2009
RCA EZ209HD Small Wonder HD Camcorder (Black) Review
This little camcorder is a GEM! I really am amazed at how good it is. Very light weight, great battery life (like 3 hours) , and excellent video quality.
When I took this guy out of the box, I read the quick start guide that came with it and quickly learned several things.
1. It needs to be charged before use (even though when I turned it on, it was at 75%).
2. The power on/off switch is a sliding switch on the right side of it. It's kind of springy, and you just slide it down and release it.
3. It has three resolution modes, and you need to just switch it to HD (720P!) and not look back. (Left side of camcorder).
After it was fully charged, I plugged it into my PC and Windows detected it, and asked me if I wanted to install the Memory Manager software. I said yes. It installed Memory Manager and immediately told me there was a new version. Cool! RCA made some improvements or something, so I let it update it. After it installed it again, it told me that the camcorder it self also had an update. Wow! I let it update the camcorder. It was very simple!
I have been playing with the Memory Manager software and it is very slick! It lets me edit and cut videos into a larger (or smaller) video and save them. I can even splice different resolution of videos together. I can also use it to create a smaller size video to email to friends, or upload to Youtube! This thing is SWEET!
I did find out that you HAVE to install the RCA software... Apparently, it installs a "special" video codec, and without it, you are not going to see the videos. Once you install the RCA software, you can also use Windows Media Player to view the videos! Again, WOW!
I bought an 8 GB micro SD card for mine. I get like 4 hours of HD video.
OH yeah, it also is a 8 MP camera!!! You have to be patient at first when you learn how to use it. You press the camera button once, and it puts it in camera mode. Press it again and it takes a photo. Just hold it still, as there is a shutter delay. Photo quality is awesome. To go back to video mode, you press the big red record button. Real simple to use!
A+ RCA! Great job!!!
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:16 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 2, 2009
RCA EZ205 Small Wonder Digital Camcorder with 2 Hour Recording and 1GB Included Memory Review
I agree with most of the pros and cons already covered by other reviews. Top of mind for me are good for the price and compact but not the best quality especially on audio pick up and lighting.
Could be a decent value - however the big ding for me that I haven't seen mentioned is RCA's customer service. We paid $74.71 for the camera including shipping then unfortunately dropped it the very first day. The cost for repair ($74 flat fee for this model) plus shipping was going to cost 20% more that what I paid for a new one????
They should just say there is no warranty whatsoever. Why would anyone in their right mind have it repaired with terms like that?
My other bit of advice is two fold. Be very carefully with the camera because any knock could be fatal and do not purchase as a substitute for a youngish child as it will be broken pronto. I hesitated to purchase a grown up camera for my daughter but every camcorder made for kids had horrible reviews and many recommended spending a few extra bucks to get something much better (e.g. RCA Small Wonder). I rationalized that she'd managed to care of her Nintendo DS pretty well for more than a year so it was worth a shot. I lost that gamble.
Now the lens is totally smashed (from one drop) but surprisingly seems to still be taking somewhat decent photos and video considering. Appreciatively the vendor through Amazon was willing to take a return for a 15% restocking fee but we decided to let our daughter keep her $75 mistake as is. On the bright side we won't be hounding her as much to be careful now and when she uses it she'll be reminded to listen to mom and dad next time and take better care of her stuff. If that lessons sticks for life it will have been a cheap one in the grand scheme.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:27 PM 0 comments
Belkin Audio Y Cable Splitter 1-Mini Plug/2-RCA Plugs (6ft) Review
The left input works fine, going from my Dell to my Sony stereo system. The right input doesn't work at all. So, it's going back. :-( I can't believe this is rocket science or anything, so I'm going to order another one after this one gets credited. However, I will probably order a longer cable. 6 feet doesn't go far at all.
Update: the problem wasn't with the cable after all. My error. I wish I could change the star rating, but I did want to clarify that the product is not defective.
Buy it here now!
Posted by Hemz at 6:53 AM 0 comments