The Smorgasbord

Is the Samsung BD-P3600 better than the Playstation 3?

Do you need a Blu-Ray player, but don’t want or need the gaming aspect of the Playstation 3? The Samsung BD-P3600 one of the highest rated non-PS3 Blu-Ray players on the market. The features on this player are a laundry list of what you will need to never leave your couch again (or so the marketing people say). According to cNET (the holy grail of tech reviews) “The Samsung BD-P3600 is a huge leap ahead for standalone Blu-Ray players with blazing-fast operational speed, tons of features and excellent image quality.” Well let’s see if this player reaches its potential, or lags back like the rest of standalone Blu-Ray players we’ve seen in the past.

The player claims to boast a new innovative Video Quality Enhancement (QVE) feature that further improves the picture quality by adjusting brightness, flickering and other visual “noise”. While this sounds like an awesome feature it really only goes so far to improve video quality. This feature is clearly targeting videophiles but most videophiles have manually tweaked their settings anyways. We’re talking about guys so geeked about their home entertainment that they’ll spend $120 on a single oxygen free gold plated HDMI cord. This is not a mark down, but a heads up.

Besides the QVE vido enhancement this player really shines when you see all the options for viewing your media. First it has your Blu-Ray player, of which the benchmarks of the loading times met or came close to the industry leader, PS3. Next, it has a Netflix instant streaming player, which in term of performance works only slightly as well PS3’s Netflix player (but at least it’s there). It also has a Pandora Internet radio player but it feels tacked on and load times are on the slow side. Finally, the player offers the ability to stream content from your PC or laptop. Once again the feature seems tacked on, and not as full featured as it could be. It seems like it is only there so Samsung can say “look what we did!”

I really wanted to like this player. It seems like for everything it does right, it does two things wrong. If you are in the market for a Blu-Ray player or you are looking to upgrade, get a Playstation 3. Its really easy and it offers all the features of this player and much more, but it does it all much better.

Samsung BD-P3600 DVD Blu Ray Disc Player wifi Netflix
	USD 220.00 (1 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-20 00:33:22

SAMSUNG BD-P3600 Region Code Free DVD Blu Ray Player
	USD 459.99 (0 Bid) End time: 2010-03-18 17:09:52

Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-Ray, Netflix, Network 1080p player
	USD 167.50 (15 Bids) End time: 2010-03-19 19:40:43

Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-Ray Player + Internet Enabled
	USD 99.96 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-20 04:02:55

If you’re shopping for a “Dual Band Wireless Router”, I hope my review will help you. I decided that it was time for our family to break down and finally get a Wireless N router for the same of speed, but I had some questions to research first. Before putting out the bucks – I really wanted to make sure we got not only the most reliable product, but the fastest router we could find (our house is stacked from floor to rafters with wireless gadgets, lol!).

Can you get Dual Band Wireless N, both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time from one router? Is a dual band router twice as fast? Let’s find out!

Just about everyone who has multiple computers in their home have a wireless router. Most of those people bought theirs on a recommendation from [insert big box store here]. For most people these routers do their job and don’t give there “operator” any problems until it clunks out and you buy a new one. Well why not get educated on the new guy in the router game, IEEE 802.11n-2009, also known by its common name, “Wireless N”. The best way to take advantage of this technology are dual band routers as two is always better than one, right?

First off, if you go by CNET reviews (and I always do), no dual band wireless N router currently has above a 3 out of 5 rating, which if you’re not familiar with their system is only ‘good’. Okay, now that is out of the way, I rarely go with new technology or recommend it to others until it is completely fool-proof. I think that it just may be getting there now. Here are my recommendations of the best Dual-Band Wireless N routers.

Airport Extreme Review

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n ($175, although you could get it cheaper) – Don’t call me crazy until you have read all the features this little Apple that could offers. It has all the features of comparable features of routers of this type, but offer the ease that apple offers with all their products. If you run a mixed mac and pc network this router is perfect, if you however run all windows machines then you can find something a little cheaper with all the same features (it just may not be as fast). Believe it or not, you can use this Apple product as a router – even if you have no Apple computers in your house (it works just fine with Windows). This is a “true dual band” wireless N router, meaning it won’t make you choose between 2.5 and 5 GHz – you can actually use both. It will support printers and network storage, but it’s pick about USB external hard drives. It only supports 50 clients, which is more than enough for most households, just be forewarned there is a limit. Bottom line, I think most Windows users (advanced ones) will want more features).

Apple Airport Extreme wireless router
	USD 125.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-23 05:17:25

Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11n MB053LL/A Wireless Router
	USD 56.00 (6 Bids) End time: 2010-03-18 05:13:06

Apple AirPort Extreme MB053LL/A Wireless Router
	USD 50.00 (1 Bid) End time: 2010-03-18 05:52:27

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station Wireless WiFi Router
	USD 29.95 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-18 14:28:12

Linksys WRT400N Review

Linksys WRT400N ($120-149.99 just look around) – In our home we have almost exclusively used Linksys routers since we got our first high speed internet connection many years ago. They have always been easy to use and maintain and have that weird little purple-blue look to them. Well the WRT400N sports a new design but works as well as you would a expect a Linksys should. This router has true dual band support, but no Gigabit or USB support. The 5 GHz speed is a bit lacking.

NEW Linksys WRT400N 4-Port Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
	USD 114.99 (9 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-21 01:31:00

Linksys Wireless N Dual-Band Router MDL#WRT400N V 2.0
	USD 66.55 (14 Bids) End time: 2010-03-18 02:00:05

Linksys WRT400N 4-Port Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
	USD 51.00 (12 Bids) End time: 2010-03-18 15:41:38

Linksys Simultaneous Dual N Band Router MDL#WRT400N V2
	USD 66.00 (7 Bids) End time: 2010-03-19 02:00:39

Linksys WRT610N Review

Linksys WRT610N ($160.99-199.99 again look around) – This one is the next model up from the previous Linksys. The routers only major complaint is that the warranty is too short. Sounds like a good problem to have, meaning at least the complaints were performance related. The router offers a single mode, mix mode and simultaneous mode for sending the signal out. It support both 2.5 GHz and 5.0 GHz at the same time. You can attach storage devices to it, and on this one the mixed-mode throughput could be better. Other than that, it may be the best of the bunch, especially if you have external storage you want to make wireless.

Linksys WRT610N wireless router
	USD 100.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-19 23:18:45

Linksys WRT610N Wireless Router
	USD / 101.01 (8 Bids) End time: 2010-03-19 23:31:03

Linksys WRT610N Wireless Router RealDualBand Cheap NAS
	USD 109.99 (1 Bid) End time: 2010-03-20 02:51:28

Linksys WRT610N Wireless Router RealDualBand Cheap NAS
	USD 109.99 (0 Bid) End time: 2010-03-20 02:52:07

I know most of these routers are more expensive than most routers you will find at Wal-Mart but as they say, you gotta pay for quality. One final note if your computer, laptop or wireless capable device is only wireless G compliant you have a few choices. First you could just stick with what you have as your new wireless N router does accept all incoming signals. Next you could buy wireless n adapters which are usb enabled, work as they should and are relatively expensive. The final choice is yours, the consumer.

Need a Blu-Ray player, but don’t want or need the gaming aspect of the Playstation 3? The Samsung BD-P3600 one of the highest rated non-PS3 Blu-Ray players on the market. The features on this player are a laundry list of what you will need to never leave your couch again. According to CNET (the holy grail of tech reviews) “The Samsung BD-P3600 is a huge leap ahead for standalone Blu-Ray players with blazing-fast operational speed, tons of features and excellent image quality.” Well let’s see if this player reaches its potential, or lags back like the rest of standalone players.

The player claims to boast a new innovative Video Quality Enhancement (QVE) feature that further improves the picture quality by adjusting brightness, flickering and other visual “noise”. While this sounds like an awesome feature it really only goes so far to improve video quality. This feature is clearly targeting videophiles but most videophiles have manually tweaked their settings anyways. This is not a mark down, but a heads up.

Besides the QVE this player really shines when you see all the options for viewing your media. First it has your Blu-Ray player, which benchmarks of the loading times met or came close to the industry leader, PS3. Next, it has a Netflix instant streaming player, which in term of performance works only slightly as well PS3’s Netflix player. It also has a Pandora player but it feels tacked on and load times are on the slow side. Finally, the player offers the ability to stream content from your pc. Once again the feature seems tacked on and is only there so Samsung can say “look what we did!”

I really wanted to like this player. It seems like for everything it does right, it does two things wrong. If you are in the market for a Blu-Ray player or you are looking to upgrade, get a ps3. Its really easy and it offers all the features of this player and much more, but it does it all much better.

Final Rating is a 6.5/10

The Logitech diNovo Mini is a living room entertainment PC mini keyboard for those of us that have home theater PC’s, living room computers that we use on the big screen, etc. The backlight works great, and it has a 30 foot range, and it’s perfect for typing while lounging on the couch!

You’re connecting your PC to your TV. You’re downloading movies and watching them on your big screen. Take control of your PC entertainment with the only palm-sized, cordless mini-keyboard optimized for the way you get your entertainment. Convenience and Style, Palm-sized mini-keyboard with backlighting: Fits in your hand. Backlighting makes text entry effortless, even in low light. Compact: Perfect size for your coffee table. (more…)

You might be able to find a good deal on a diNovo on eBay as well, here’s a few auctions ending soon:

US $83.00 (19 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 20:00:04 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $71.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 20:05:48 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $8.45 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 23:34:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8.45 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $143.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 19:57:52 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $143.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $58.50 (6 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-19-2010 8:06:15 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

There’s been a lot said about Windows Vista, but even though many people don’t like all the different version choices many hail the Premium and Media Center versions of Vista for it’s capabilities. Linksys builds on that by creating a third part product, a “wireless media center” that you can access in your home from your Vista PC. Linksys was very smart by building the ability to have streaming movies, music, photos, and even 1080i upscaling to DVD quality by using the PVR features. It’s Wireless N (very fast!), and can send content to your surround sound and HDTV. If cable weren’t enough, since this is connected to the Internet – it can even access, stream, and download movies and TV from the web!

Access movies, your music library, family photos and HDTV programming from your Media Center PC and stream it all to your living room TV or home theater. New Linksys Media Center Extenders give you access to the entertainment content on your Microsoft Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate PC to enjoy in the comfort of your living room. Pause or rewind live TV, record sporting events or episodes of your favorite TV shows and save them for later viewing. Quickly naviga (more…)

You might be able to catch a good deal on eBay for a Linksys Wireless Media Center:

US $153.75 (11 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 20:00:32 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 14:43:46 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 14:45:07 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 14:52:34 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $99.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-21-2010 8:48:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $99.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

If you get a wireless Skype phone chances are you’ll ditch your landline for VOIP (if you haven’t already). A lot of people have switched over to Vonage already, and it appears that the idiot proof gadget the “magic jack” has sold millions as well. Skype started years back and you had to hook up a headset with microphone to use it. It caught on in droves because you could “call” anyone anywhere in the world using the service for FREE (as long as they also had a “skype” account). The ability to call anyone anywhere in the world for free was quite the incentive to sign up. Then Vonage came along and made it easy to just plugin a tiny box to your router and use a regular phone to make calls over the web unlimited for just $24.95 a month.

Now it appears that Skype has kind of caught up, because you can now buy a wireless skype phone – so not only do you not need the headset, but the phone works automatically over the Internet just like your land line! They’re pretty reasonable too, I’ve seen them for as little as $30-50. Skype has been growing in popularity, but in the last year it’s probably exploded due to the constant promotion of “Oprah” – every time she interviews guests now outside of the studio they’re shown on video “Skyping” in.

Here’s some wireless skype phones in auctions ending soon:

US $9.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 18:31:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $54.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:55:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $54.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $125.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:59:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $125.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $63.43 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 23:21:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $63.43 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $119.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 23:48:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $119.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $60.05 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 2:26:51 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $44.39 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 3:03:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $44.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $9.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 8:31:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

I heard about the Linux Game Console “EVO” quite a long time ago – and I guess I forgot about it. Looks like it’s finally ready for shipping on April 17th for $380. Seems like a lot doesn’t it? I mean compared to a PS3 or XBox 360 it seems like the price is pretty much the same.

So what do you get for $380 on a linux console gaming system? Here’s what I read on a recent post from Linux Devices:

• an Athlon 2.4Ghz 64X2 processor
• 2GB of RAM
• ATI HD 3200 graphics processor
• supports up to 1080i or 1080p for HD Hi-Def gaming
• DVI and HDMI outputs
• 120 GB Hard drive
• CD/DVD ROM
• Biometric scanner
• Two 10/100 ethernet jacks
• Six USB ports
• Mirrors Evolution linux (based on Fedora)
• Video on Demand
• Nearly unlimited storage through cloud computing

Here’s a video commercial I found on YouTube from December 2008:

With those specs, it seems to blow traditional main stream gaming consoles away – doesn’t it? Well after I watched the video I went to the EVO Smart Console web site to get the lastest info. The web site boasts a DVR to pause and record live TV, video on demand, and streaming of TV, photos, or music to any web enabled device. The web site says you can get “extras”, such as a logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, biometric fingerprint scanner, 10GB of online cloud storage, and play HD video games.

Then I click for “more specs” on the EVO web site to find that you can get the EVO smart console with all the “extras” for $599, but the big shocker was that you could get loaded with Windows Vista Home for $799!! WTF!? I guess the almightly dollar reigns supreme showing that (to stay viable) even people working 5 long hard years on a Linux gaming systems offer a Windows PC version in the end! It does list a “DVD burner” in both of these versions. I click one more time to find a smart console “HD” option for $699 that includes an SD card reader and wireless network, in addition to an HD tuner so you can record in Hi-Def with the DVR. You even get “Windows emulation plug and play software” to play PC games in HD. The EVO Game Store is now online as well.

I have to hand it to them, the EVO has come a long way in 5 years – but is it really competition to the XBox 360 and Playstation 3? It certainly doesn’t have game studios with million dollar budgets behind it. And really – it’s not a gaming console at as is it? It’s a fully fledged Linux PC in a small form factor box. The fact that it has windows emulation software to play PC games and makes it so. I think it’s a great idea, but maybe it should be marketed as the “Linux Living Room PC” or something like that.

This heated vest is just right for winter outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and more! My wife and I have been using an electric blanket for the last few years in our bed – and I don’t know how we ever did without it! I’ve been snowmobiling plenty of times where I was just chilled to the damn bone! These heated vests run on lithium ion batteries no bigger than a pack of cigarettes and can keep you warm 4-12 hours! This is a great time of year to pick something like this up too – because you always get better deals at the end of the season! It might be a litle low-tech actually, but I love it!

US $29.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:02:53 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:16:13 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $121.49 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:27:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $121.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $34.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 8:11:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $34.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 10:58:02 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $75.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 14:02:39 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $70.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 14:06:46 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $125.11 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 16:15:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $125.11 Buy it now | Add to watch list

I’m always surfing eBay for weird gadgets and I came across these USB HD Receiver / Tuners that seem pretty cool. Most of them are under $50, and I knew that you could get TV tuners on a USB stick, but I hadn’t seen Hi Def ones before. I think to be able to watch, and in some cases record in HD quality from a USB key shows just how compact and small technology has become. They even come with little portable antennas (awww, how cute!). This would make a great gift for somebody that travels a lot for sure, it might make waiting in the airpot much more bearable!

Check out some of the ones I found:

US $1.50 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:35:22 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $14.98 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 20:19:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $28.36 (3 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 21:00:04 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $9.14 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 6:33:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.14 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 7:22:03 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 7:57:49 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 8:22:22 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $13.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 8:22:45 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

The new version of the Amazon Kindle 2 is out, so I thought I would give it a review. This time around they’re really taken the time to refine the device and create something very functional, elegant, lightweight, and cool. This first thing you’ll notice is how darn thin it is. It’s only as think as most magazines. Also it doesn’t weigh much more than a standard paperback (10 ounces). The screen is more legible and battery life has been extended by 25%. It has 2GB of internal memory, and uses Sprints 3G network for connectivity (no cost for this beyond the device). One of the really cool things about the Kindle 2 is that is has PDF document conversion – you can email documents to the device and they will be converted to PDF for you to read. You can even listen to music and podcasts on the eReader. Kindle 2 only weighs a little over a pound and a half.

Here’s a video review of the Kindle 2:

There are all kinds of deals for Kindle in auctions ending now – check some of these out:

US $240.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 17:45:01 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $212.60 (5 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 17:45:26 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $12.49 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 18:20:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $12.49 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:02:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $6.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:10:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $6.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $5.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:32:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $6.59 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $50.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:32:36 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

US $12.49 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 19:44:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

You can also check out the price of a New Kindle 2 on Amazon now: