Technology & Gadgets

Archive for October, 2009

Just browse through the web to find the LCD TV available in the market. I saw Sony Bravia 52-inch which is very big and sufficient enough to create a ‘cinema mode’ in my own house.I read 1 good comment about it from one buyer as he wrote;

First off, this 52 in beauty was a little bit thinner than my previous set. The number of connections for external devices was also great. 4 HDMI connectors and even several different inputs for additional devices. This works great for someone like me. I have a X360, PS3, and Wii, along with my cable box and there’s still plenty of other connectors for other devices. I can even hook up a PC for anything else. Not only is this TV functional but operationally well designed as well. For PS3 owners, you’ll notice that the main menu will resemble the XMB interface just like a PS3/PSP. Most features are easy to find and also customizable. There are plenty of features to excite advanced users, but it’s still simple enough that most novices should be able to figure the main functions out. My only real issue was having problems connecting this TV to the internet. Unfortunately, my network was not DLNA compatible so I have not had the chance to try the advanced features like internet video and widgets. I’m hoping to find a work around soon. I wouldn’t really penalize this TV for this because those features are just icing on the cake. Even without them, the TV still has plenty of options and functionality for the geeks to enjoy.

Now, for the main part. The video playback is absolutely gorgeous. I have the HDDVD addon for my X360 and my PS3’s BluRay also and the playback is just amazing. I have One Six Right, a flight documentary and it looks absolutely amazing. You can see the little details in the parts of the aircraft, see the indivitual rivets on the bodies and really appreciate the beauty of the landscape as the some of the planes make some quick manuevers around the screen. The colors are just amazing. From watching sunrises to the camera panning around a particular environment. One really important part of this TV was how the games looked. I’m a big gamer so I was impressed with the playback because it’s just very eye pleasing especially with the 240Hz refresh rate. Ninja Gaiden II look amazing, considering how much activity and motion is going on in the screen. To the detail in the bumpmapping and textures in the characters and environment. I will say that I did see a few splotches that appear to be darkness irregularities in the screen where some areas look brighter and some darks but this really only happens when the screen is blank. You never notice it on regular playback. I’ve seen plenty of TV’s in the past several months and this has to be one best displays for the LCD market. My father’s Sony Bravia 40V2500 and my previous Toshiba HD TV’s are definitely not slouches, they were really good TV’s for the price and even now, they still look great, but you can definitely see how these XBR TV’s are a cut above the rest. It’s like almost looking out a window. They make the eye candy in games and movies that much sweeter.

My final thoughts on this product is that this is definitely one of the best sets that I’ve see with the current round of tech that we have for TV’s. The 2099 price tag is well worth it not only for all that this TV can do feature wise, but most of all, the picture quality, it top notch. As of now, this is as good as LCD gets.

The nüvi 780 adds enhanced MSN direct content to the multi-destination routing and “Where Am I?” features and gorgeous widescreen display of other nüvi  700s to create a superior navigation device for business as well as casual drivers. As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of an integrated high-sensitivity receiver, a slim, pocket-sized design with a gorgeous display, an easy, intuitive interface, and detailed NAVTEQ maps for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest.

As it was about a year in the market, several feedback on pro’s and con’s from users can be summarize as;

Pros -

- Navigates very well. Allows avoiding tollways, highways, and other.

- Large screen is definitely a positive aspect.

- Touch screen navigation is easy to use and works well.

- Reads Audible books very well. Voice is very understandable. If you stop, and restart the book later it will sometime lose its place, so be sure to set a bookmark.

- MSN stock prices are accurate. Gasoline prices are reasonably up-to-date and accurate. Sometimes a day or two old but within pennies per gallon.

Cons -

- Does not come with case. (Come on Garmin!)

- FM transmitter is weak, lots of static.

- MP3 player is very rudimentary, no fast forward, or reverse. Just skip to next track or previous track.

- Must be connected to auto power cable to get MSN features. So no news, stocks, or traffic until you get to the car. Or bring in the cable and suction mount and drag around the house. (As if)

- MSN Direct News is a joke – a headline and a very short description.

- Separate cable with antenna required for MSN direct.

This device does very well what is was designed for. It navigates like a champ. If you want to play music or video get the Apple iPod Touch. Haven’t used the bluetooth so can’t comment.