Other Gadgets (general gadgets)

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Anyone recent do any research they care to share on HDTV-ready rear projection televisions in the 50-55 inch range?

I need to upgrade my current Sony 53" [non HDTV] and I am currently doing feature comparisons.

[And no, don't be snarky and suggest going for the plasma - ain't ever gonna happen until I actually own the wall you have to cut open to install the wiring]

My buddies, who went to CES this year, tell me that Samsung is making a very nice DLP. I was told that the picture ROCKS. Samsung makes 2 versions of their sets. 1 version you'll find in Best Buy, the nicer cabinetry will be found in higher end video stores.

Sony's new LCD is also very nice however, I, personally, do not like the cabinetry that the set comes in. Great picture, cheesy cabinet.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by dc_chef
I'm considering getting a plasma tv, probably lower end, around the 42" range. What are features that I should look for/consider? One thing that I would like is to be able to use digital cable, but to avoid using being tied to the digital converter box and its remote. I think that some newer tvs allow you to use their remotes for digital cable; is there a feature that allows this option? Any reasonably priced brands out there? Remember, I'm not looking for something that is top of the line, just a basic flat screen system.

As examples, how would you compare:

This Gateway: http://products.gateway.com/products...=plsmtv&seg=hm

with this Gateway:

http://products.gateway.com/products...m42ubtv&seg=hm

with this Daewoo:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....007&cmp=%20%20

with this Akai:

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&b=g&WT.mc_t=I

Dear cheffy,
Why would you want a low end plasma? Remember that you can't watch standard 4x3 shows on a plasma due to burn in. Don't let people tell you that the "refresh" button will take care of the burn in as it will only do that for awhile. Over time, you will still experience burn in. Viewing 4x3 programming in the stretch mode merely cuts off the top and bottom of your picture so you're actually losing about 1/4 of your overall picture.
Daewoo makes as good electronics as they do cars.
Akai, does not make plasma screens - find out who the OEM is.
Gateway - same as Akai. Not an OEM.

Low end plasma picture suffers from digitization on fast movement and cheap color filters. If you're going to use it to watch regular network TV, don't do it. If you're going to watch just DVD's, maybe consider an LCD or DLP. Unless they're all cartoons, again, because fast movement will show obvious digitization and ghosting.

[SlaveNoMore]

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Well, if you're spending several thou on a set, what's a couple hundred on getting a drywaller in to fix it up when you leave?

Are you kidding?

Rule of thumb - dont, ever, ever, ever spend money on apartment walls.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
These days, the only three remotes I use are my Tivo remote, my DVD player remote, and my reciever's remote.

Translation: I bought the low-end Waterdancer.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Are you kidding?

Rule of thumb - dont, ever, ever, ever spend money on apartment walls.

Exception: Don't let the threat of a withheld security deposit prevent you from making your apartment livable through reversible non-structural modifications.

[SlaveNoMore]

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Exception: Don't let the threat of a withheld security deposit prevent you from making your apartment livable through reversible non-structural modifications.

Does this mean you are volunteering to tape the new sheet rock? Otherwise, humbug!!

[robustpuppy]

I'm considering buying a room air cleaner and wonder whether anybody has an Ionic Breeze and if so, whether it works. I like the fact that there are no filters to replace, but for almost $400, it had better actually work.

Although I have mild allergies, that's not what I want the thing for -- with two dogs and a cat, I'm looking for freshness.

I also wonder whether the any air cleaner would do anything to reduce paint fumes. I painted my bedroom this weekend and the VOC's are getting to me.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
I'm considering buying a room air cleaner and wonder whether anybody has an Ionic Breeze and if so, whether it works. I like the fact that there are no filters to replace, but for almost $400, it had better actually work.

Although I have mild allergies, that's not what I want the thing for -- with two dogs and a cat, I'm looking for freshness.

I also wonder whether the any air cleaner would do anything to reduce paint fumes. I painted my bedroom this weekend and the VOC's are getting to me.

Read reviews here.epinions.com

Apparently the biggest con is the smell of ozone since the unit works based on electrostatic principles. That said, one reviewer says you can't use candles in the house and others complain of reliability. Electrostatic unit will not really help with paint fumes.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
I'm considering buying a room air cleaner and wonder whether anybody has an Ionic Breeze and if so, whether it works. I like the fact that there are no filters to replace, but for almost $400, it had better actually work.

Although I have mild allergies, that's not what I want the thing for -- with two dogs and a cat, I'm looking for freshness.

I also wonder whether the any air cleaner would do anything to reduce paint fumes. I painted my bedroom this weekend and the VOC's are getting to me.

Consumer reports did a write up on air purifiers a couple years back. My recollection is that their conclusion was dont' waste your money, and that you were better off using a better-quality furnace filter, for $8, instead. Of course, if you're in an apt. without your own HVAC unit, well, dunno.

Consumer Reports' October '03 report basically said that, on the plus side, the "Ionic Breeze" is very quiet, but on the negative side, that's because it isn't doing anything. Ranked next-to-last in single-room air purifiers.

Basically, since it (and some similar competing models) has no fan, it doesn't move enough air through the filter to make any real difference in your air quality.

Their quick-pick:

QUICK PICKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Room air cleaners that are very effective with moderate operating costs:
19 Friedrich $500
21 Whirlpool $270
The Friedrich (19), an electrostatic precipitator, was among the best at removing dust and smoke. We found that its $72 auxiliary odor filter adds nothing to performance and may not need to be replaced annually. However, its collector plates do need periodic cleaning, and it may generate ozone and make a crackling noise. The Whirlpool (21), a HEPA filter, has fairly low upkeep costs for this type.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Consumer reports did a write up on air purifiers a couple years back. My recollection is that their conclusion was dont' waste your money, and that you were better off using a better-quality furnace filter, for $8, instead. Of course, if you're in an apt. without your own HVAC unit, well, dunno.

I will second this recommendation, and it's certainly worth a shot before springing for a $400 piece of clutter. The one's I buy are a little more though - like $12. They seem to really work though. DIsadvantage - they don't clear out localized scents very quickly, so if you cook fish, the kitchen may smell overnight.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by baltassoc
I will second this recommendation, and it's certainly worth a shot before springing for a $400 piece of clutter. The one's I buy are a little more though - like $12. They seem to really work though. DIsadvantage - they don't clear out localized scents very quickly, so if you cook fish, the kitchen may smell overnight.

True, the HVAC has to run. So they also aren't so good in spring/fall.

As for pricing, they vary. The ones at home depot seem to run 8-12. Interestingly, the HVAC repair/cleaning guy said that the highest end (the 3M 1250 filter) was "too tight" and hampered the efficienciy of the furnance, but that ht e1000 model was fine.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Does this mean you are volunteering to tape the new sheet rock? Otherwise, humbug!!

You can do a lot with spackel (or however it's spelled) and some careful sanding and painting. I've put up speakers in most of the places I've rented, and it's always been worth it to do the three hours of work on the back end to fix all the holes.

[SlaveNoMore]

Originally posted by mmm3587
You can do a lot with spackel (or however it's spelled) and some careful sanding and painting. I've put up speakers in most of the places I've rented, and it's always been worth it to do the three hours of work on the back end to fix all the holes.

Spackelling the holes one drills when hanging speakers, frames, etc. is one thing.

Burger, however, is suggesting ripping open the entire wall for the installation and wiring of the Plasma set.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore


Burger, however, is suggesting ripping open the entire wall for the installation and wiring of the Plasma set.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding exactly what installation requires. But I would think you could cut two holes--one to go behind the TV and another right below it at floor level. TV (and cables) go into big hole behind tv. they come out the bottom where you can run them to the stereo. Fairly easy to patch afterwards, especially if you save the pieces of drywall you cut out.

But, yeah, if you want to hide the cables all around the room, well, fuck that idea.