Other Gadgets (general gadgets) - Page 25

pony_trekker · 10-08-2004, 08:01 AM

The most appealing feature of bluetooth is the ability to sync your phone with your car -- just carry the phone into the car and make and receive calls through your car's audio system.

Flanders · 10-12-2004, 11:25 AM

The other board is dead. Anyone familliar with Axiom Audio speakers? Thinking about a pair of m22tis. (medium size front channels)

www.axiomaudio.com

Alex_de_Large · 10-12-2004, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flanders
The other board is dead. Anyone familliar with Axiom Audio speakers? Thinking about a pair of m22tis. (medium size front channels)

www.axiomaudio.com

Never heard them live. Axiom seem to be doing a TON of advertising on the internet, though. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who has them.

NotFromHere · 10-12-2004, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flanders
The other board is dead. Anyone familliar with Axiom Audio speakers? Thinking about a pair of m22tis. (medium size front channels)

www.axiomaudio.com

Never heard them. But with aluminum drivers, I can only imagine that they're screachy as hell. (As are most Canadian electronics) 2 rather detailed reviews support that assumption, but overall no really glaringly bad reviews.

I guess they're OK for the money.http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...rs-9-2002.html http://www.audioholics.com/productre...faceoff3_g.php

Alex_de_Large · 10-12-2004, 07:02 PM

So I got sick of my Motorola v600, and recently picked up a Nokia 6230. So far, it's a badass phone. Physically, it's tiny and light. it runs Nokia's Series 40 UI (if you've used a Nokia phone before, you'll know how to use this one). Bluetooth works great for headsets, data transfer, and as an internet conenction tethered to both my Dell notebook and my Powerbook. Data speeds using EDGE rip compared to GPRS. RF is terrific in my mostly GSM 850 mhz area, though I haven't traveled to fringe coverage areas to really give it a workout.

What clinched it for me, though was that it has an onboard FM radio and MP3 player, with a MMC slot that accomodates up to 1GB cards. A stereo headset comes standard (at least it did with my Cingular-branded handset). Using a card reader, i threw a bunch of music on the included 32 MB MMC card and pressed play: it works like any other solid-state MP3 player. The headphones are good quality, not boomy but also not shrill. Bottom line, I now carry only one device on my 20 minute walk to work, and can listen to news, etc. or to music. Like BT headsets, this is one of those "how did I live without this?" gadgets.

Anne Elk · 10-15-2004, 07:04 PM

Anyone ever heard of these devices getting fried by radar or X-ray machines? Both of mine are now fried.

The music MP3 player (Rio Sport) worked on the plane Thursday night, but was dead on Tuesday.

The audio book player (Creative Nomad MuVo) died on Tuesday during the drive up from NY to Beantown. It was working, I changed the battery at the Mass Pike toll plaza, turned it on and it made a pop noise and shut down.

Both devices went through two x-ray machines at the airport (NY and London) and there was a Mass State Trooper pointing his radar gun at me just after the Pike tollbooth.

I've tried several new batteries in both, neither will turn on. The Nomad jump drive is not read by my computer at work. Haven't tried linking the Rio to the PC via the cable yet.

Alex_de_Large · 10-18-2004, 03:31 PM

I bought a new BT headset to compliment my Nokia 6230 handset (see my review above).

While having a handset and headset by the same maker isn't imperative, it allows you to carry only one charger when traveling, which is a nice plus.

My initial impressions are very positive. The package included the headset, 4 different-sized ear loops, a small bag/carrying case, a manual, and a card with the BT passcode. Build construction seems excellent, way better than my Moto HS810: it feels like less of a toy. Pairing with my 6230 was pain-free.

Some have reported comfort issues with the hdw-3's predecessor, the hdw-2 (they're basically the same design, with different internals). I am using the largest ear hook and it feels very comfortable yet secure but, again, I have not had the chance to wear it for an extended period yet.

I have placed and received a couple of calls, without any problem. Incoming and outgoing audio sounded fine, and a couple of people I spoke with could not tell I was on a headset. I have not had it long enough to assess the battery life.

I will report back after a few days' use.

Alex_de_Large · 10-18-2004, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anne Elk
Anyone ever heard of these devices getting fried by radar or X-ray machines? Both of mine are now fried.

The music MP3 player (Rio Sport) worked on the plane Thursday night, but was dead on Tuesday.

The audio book player (Creative Nomad MuVo) died on Tuesday during the drive up from NY to Beantown. It was working, I changed the battery at the Mass Pike toll plaza, turned it on and it made a pop noise and shut down.

Both devices went through two x-ray machines at the airport (NY and London) and there was a Mass State Trooper pointing his radar gun at me just after the Pike tollbooth.

I've tried several new batteries in both, neither will turn on. The Nomad jump drive is not read by my computer at work. Haven't tried linking the Rio to the PC via the cable yet.

Wow, that blows. Any changes in status? I've never heard of anything like this.

mmm3587 · 10-20-2004, 01:26 PM

I am looking for an inexpensive flat-panel TV in the under 27" range. One for a bedroom and one for an office. I will mount them on the wall, and they need to be able to accept a coaxial input. I would like them to be no more than around $1000 each. Size is better than high resolution of a bunch of features. I think 22" is probably about the right size. I prefer LCD.

Since I will mostly watch TV on them, I don't really care about widescreen. It might be nice to have EDTV for an occasional DVD, but HDTV is probably out; there's no sensible and inexpensive way to get an HD signal from the DirecTivo HD to these units. Even ED might be overkill; I am likely to watch DVD originating from my main system and ditributed as described below.

Right now, I am distributing video to my tvs in these rooms via a $20 coverter box which converts the DirecTivo HD RCA cable output to coaxial (no coaxial output on the DirecTivo HD) and runs it through the original coaxial wiring to the wiring hub, which is then distributed to the other rooms. There are signal amplifiers both right after the signal is converted to the coax, and right after it comes out of the wiring hub. It looks great. This is all kind of cobbled together and, perhaps, a little bit ghetto, but it works really well, and I haven't spent a lot of money. If I can pull off the wall-mounted flat screens, I will probably clean the rest of the system up a little.

I am not looking for premium display quality; I get that on the main screen through the HD plasma. Here, I am looking for good enough for the price. I just can't find many flat panels that aren't HD.

NotFromHere · 10-20-2004, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmm3587
I just can't find many flat panels that aren't HD.

I'm not sure that what you want exists. When the public wants a flat screen, it generally wants HD. That said, Buy.com has a 27" Olevia HD ready for $1264.24.
I have not heard of the brand so Caveat Emptor.
You can get a 20" for $599. But the 27" are running around $2000.

http://www.buy.com/prod/Olevia

Alex_de_Large · 10-20-2004, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I'm not sure that what you want exists. When the public wants a flat screen, it generally wants HD. That said, Buy.com has a 27" Olevia HD ready for $1264.24.
I have not heard of the brand so Caveat Emptor.
You can get a 20" for $599. But the 27" are running around $2000.

http://www.buy.com/prod/Olevia

We bought our Samsung LCD HDTV from B&H . I found that they had the best prices of just about anyone, and have very reasonable shipping. I would definitely check them out.

ETA: I just knew this thread would drag NFH out of the woodwork...

NotFromHere · 10-20-2004, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
We bought our Samsung LCD HDTV from B&H . I found that they had the best prices of just about anyone, and have very reasonable shipping. I would definitely check them out.

ETA: I just knew this thread would drag NFH out of the woodwork...

Can I help it if I can't help it?
How's Comcast treating you?

Alex_de_Large · 10-20-2004, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Can I help it if I can't help it?
How's Comcast treating you?

Surprisingly well, actually. Their HD DVR works as promised, and they have a decent amount of HD content. So far, so good...

NotFromHere · 10-20-2004, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Surprisingly well, actually. Their HD DVR works as promised, and they have a decent amount of HD content. So far, so good...

I still think they're blood sucking bastards for charging me more for broadband because I didn't get their stupid cable for the televisions in the house.

That said - dude the NFL package in HD is the BEST!!
Well except for last week. And the week before that. It's not so good when the games suck, but OMG the picture quality is so good. Also interesting to note that different stadiums use different gear, so you can actually see the picture quality differences when you channel surf.

Alex_de_Large · 10-20-2004, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I still think they're blood sucking bastards for charging me more for broadband because I didn't get their stupid cable for the televisions in the house.

That said - dude the NFL package in HD is the BEST!!
Well except for last week. And the week before that. It's not so good when the games suck, but OMG the picture quality is so good. Also interesting to note that different stadiums use different gear, so you can actually see the picture quality differences when you channel surf.

Fox, ABC, CBS and ESPN show their respective regular weekly games in HD, which is close enough for now. Plus, I think that NFL Sunday Ticket would lead to some serious conflict chez deLarge.