Review Horizon

I was waiting for this camera for a really long time and now is here. Also heavily discounted only a month since its launch date, you can find the Panasonic Lumix ZS20, a 20x optical zoom monster taking 14 MP shots, 3D and GPS as well for only $285 shipped at Amazon. Much better low light sensitivity has been reported, with a new redesigned sensor. Just got mine and will post a review in the next several days.

Check after the break for the full Panasonic Lumix ZS20 description.

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1.Introduction

Several months ago, I bought a brand new Epson PowerLite 3010e 3D 1080p projector, and since I got the “e” version featuring WirelessHD (wireless HDMI) the package didn’t contain any glasses by Epson. Since the Epson glasses are quite hard to find, I had to look around and find some compatible glasses. Not, that was a chore at the time, but the first compatible glasses I found were the Panasonic 3rd gen TY-EW3D3MU (also sold as twin pack under the designation TY-EW3D3MPK2), glasses that are compatible with the universal standard M-3DI and are among the very few listed on Epson’s website as compatible. I purchased four pairs from Amazon and used them over the last three months connected to my Epson 3010e. I decided to review them to help any readers make an informed decision. Read More…

1.Introduction

Several months ago, when I knew I will make the transition from TV to a projector, I also started to look around for a projector screen. After researching online and visiting store demo rooms, I found on Amazon this FAVI HD-120 16:9 120 inch Electric Projector Screen that was selling for quite a decent price as large electric projectors go, around $257 at the time of writing. More important, Amazon had free shipping which is quite amazing considering the size of the unit. I never heard of FAVI before, but I decided to give it a try and see how it performs. The result of the last three months of use paired with my Epson PowerLite 3010e 3D projector (full review) are detailed in this Favi HD-120 review. Read More…

1. Introduction

I was thinking for a while to make the transition to 3D, but I held back due to less than satisfactory equipment and experience. Like many, I went around the show rooms and tested various 3D TV sets, only to be disappointed by the viewing experience. While 2D TV is absolutely fine on most TV sizes, to watch 3D you need in my opinion a certain perspective, otherwise it feels like you are watching an aquarium. I wanted to feel like I am being immersed in the 3D scene, and I soon realized there is no way I can achieve my goal with a regular size TV set, so I started looking to some reasonably priced 3D full HD capable projector. Reasonably priced would been the entire setup around $2000, or $2500 at most. After a couple of months of researching (and about the same time spent in convincing my wife that we “need” yet another electronic toy), I bought Epson’s new PowerLite Home Cinema 3010 (3010e version) from Amazon (no taxes in California and they have the lowest price by far), 4 pairs of Panasonic 3D 3rd generation glasses (yes, they are compatible)  and a 120 inches FAVI motorized screen. I put everything together and the impressions will be fully detailed in this Epson 3010 review. Read More…

A new year, a new top 10 list that tries to offer a comprehensive view of the top 10 best media streamers for 2012.

If 2011 was a year in which the media streamer boxes sales experienced a consolidation and media streamers like WD TV Live, Boxee Box or Apple TV exploded in sales, 2012 is a year when beside commoditization of the boxes at prices under $100, the manufacturers will fight quite hard to ensure access to content. From new technologies designed to put a media streamer in every TV sold in 2012 – see the Roku streamer USB stick that should add streaming content to every HDMI-MHL compatible TV on the market to new Google TV boxes from new manufacturers, everything is gearing up toward a complete online experience from your big screen TV. We are here to help you make an informed decision, whether you are trying to stream local / networked content or you just need to access as many web services as possible.

As in 2011, In terms of pure streaming, Roku deserves to be again on the first place due to its excellent implementation of web clients and the support for all important premium clients such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, etc. HBO GO and many other additional channels fond their way to Roku Boxes and their prices are Read More…

Kindle Fire was one of the most eagerly awaited gadgets for this year and Amazon certainly created a lot of noise around it, raising the expectations through the roof. While using the term iPad killer is really inappropriate after so many wannabees, most of the analysts expected Amazon to release a tablet significantly cheaper than iPad but capable to offer the same kind of synergy between various media services, eBooks and applications, Amazon being one of the very few companies that can rival Apple in such offerings.

Amazon Kindle Fire was released just a few days ago and the question hot on everybody’s lips is how and if it can compare with iPad, with other Android tablets and with the Nook Tablet, its main competitor. Nobody really doubts of Amazon capability of selling millions of Kindle Fires, but to be Read More…

If you are interested in a dirt cheap Surveillance DVR (Digital Video Recorder), the lowest price I have ever seen is this Night Owl NONB-4DVR 4 x BNC Compact H.264 Digital Video Recorder with Smart Phone Access at Newegg. They have it right now for only $69 but it doesn’t include the hard drive. In my opinion this is actually a good thing since you can get a SATA drive for really cheap nowadays.

Obviously, at this price you can’t expect HD quality, but for $69 you can’t really go too wrong. Just remember! It doesn’t come with a hard-drive so you’ll have to get a SATA one separately. Has a mouse, remote control and you can connect it to your TV for instant 4 in 1 camera viewing. I got one myself so expect a review quite soon. there is tax in California, of course so expect it for $75.06 shipped.

Yesterday I had the pleasant surprise to find a package in front of my door – the new Roku 2 3100X has arrived. I unpacked it immediately so I can put it to the test – here is the Roku 2 XS review summing my impressions. I also own the previous Roku (review here)  box for more than a year, so I knew what to expect. I knew the software would be similar, so I was mainly interested in the new box responsivity and of course, the new gaming platform Roku just launched.
A bit of history on the side – Roku was the first company to release a dedicated streaming box and they are now at the 3rd generation. While weak for local content, they have arguably the lagest selection of streaming choices with content from Netflix to Vimeo and UFC to FoxNews. Private channels can be added as well to support Plex, YouTube, PlayOn, etc.

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If you haven’t heard of Roku up to this point, they hold the title for the first dedicated Netflix capable media streamer in the world. As weird as it might sound, back in the day not every media streamer was Netflix capable . Now, of course we live in different times, and Netflix is the largest movie streaming company in the world so Netflix streaming clients can be found everywhere, from stand-alone media streamer boxes to connected Blu-ray players and connected TVs, smartphones, tablets, you name it.

Roku obviously didn’t stop with Netflix, their boxes have the most streaming channels available in any media streamer box (see here our Roku review). The new version of this loaded box found its way to FCC and is currently in beta testing, so that means you’ll soon be able to find it in stores. FCC website lists three new models - 3000X, 3050X, and 3100X. Hardware wise, the new boxes are even smaller than the current version (44.65mm x 44.65mm) and built around a Broadcom 2835 SOC. The good news, they now feature a MicroSD Read More…

Introduction

I wanted to buy a photo frame for my parents in law with the following characteristics: reasonably cheap, large good quality screen, easy to use and, very important, capable to accept 220V power input because they are living in Europe. I wasn’t interested in any fancy features, no video / music, just basic photo slideshow and eventually remote control. I shopped around for a while and I found a product that met all my requirements – the ViewSonic VFD1027w-11 10.2″ 1024 x 600 Digital Photo Frame. I bought it, tested it and here is the review. Read More…