All posts by: Carl Laron

Sony PSP Go debuts to catcalls, price cuts

Electronics
By Carl Laron on October 8, 2009 in

Sony PSP Go

The Sony PSP Go (*Est. $250) hand-held gaming console has only been out for a little over a week, but initial reviews and sales reports can't be making the folks at Sony very happy. The best comments say that the PSP Go is sleek and sexy, but almost invariably, reviewers drop the other shoe and say that the PSP Go is also overpriced and underwhelming. Ben Kuchera's review at ArsTechnica.com is harsher than most, but he doesn't really stray all that far from the pack when he opines, "When your older, cheaper hardware is better and more able than your new offering, you need to fire some designers."

Read more

Which electronics makers are the greenest?

Electronics
By Carl Laron on October 1, 2009 in

Greenest electronics makers named

Consumers naturally want to know what products are the best performers and the best values, but surveys and experts tell us that more and more also want to know which products and companies are the best at protecting the environment. While the organization is certainly controversial, Greenpeace has just released the latest version of its Guide to Greener Electronics, which names top performers, notable improvers and laggards in reducing the use of toxic chemicals, promoting recycling and combating climate change.

Read more

Sound bars look great, sound good

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 28, 2009 in

Yamaha YSP-4000

Reviews say that sound bars are the easiest way to get better sound without going whole hog and buying a five-piece (or more) home-theater speaker system. It's true that you can't really get the full surround-sound effect with a sound bar, but a one-piece sound bar is a lot easier to install, and most look sleek next to a flat panel TV.

In our research, we did find that some sound bars do a much better job than others in delivering a satisfying home theater experience. For the lowdown on the very best choices, check out our newly-updated sound bar report.

Read more

Nintendo Wii price cut coming Sunday

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 24, 2009 in

Nintendo Wii

Though it's been hotly rumored for several days, Nintendo has officially confirmed that as of Sunday, the price of its popular Wii game console will be cut to $200. The $50 price reduction re-establishes the Wii, our pick for the best family-friendly gaming, as one of the least expensive video-game consoles available. Only the Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade sells for as little, and the lack of a hard-drive in that entry-level game console makes it a poor value in most experts' eyes.

Read more

Sony PS3 loses its Blu-ray crown

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 17, 2009 in

Sony PS3 Slim

Reviewers have begun to weigh in on the Sony PS3 Slim's prowess as a Blu-ray player. While the new $299 price has helped re-establish the console as a great value -- especially for those interested in its game-playing abilities -- performance tests reveal some shortcomings. To be sure, tons of pluses remain, and the PS3 Slim remains a very capable Blu-ray spinner. However, if your only interest is in playing back Blu-ray discs, we think that some standalone players deserve serious consideration as well.

 

Reviewers have begun to weigh in on the Sony PS3 Slim's prowess as a Blu-ray player. While the new $299 price has helped re-establish the console as a great value -- especially for those interested in its game-playing abilities -- performance tests reveal some shortcomings. To be sure, tons of pluses remain, and the PS3 Slim remains a very capable Blu-ray spinner. However, if your only interest is in playing back Blu-ray discs, we think that some standalone players deserve serious consideration as well.

Read more

DECT cordless phones top reviews

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 11, 2009 in

Panasonic KX-TG1032S

Cordless phones used to have a tough time fighting through the electronic wall of noise generated by computers, routers, garage-door openers, cell phones and the like -- even microwave ovens. DECT phones, on the other hand, use a dedicated frequency band that's all its own to cut through the din and deliver  interference-free cordless call quality. Prices have dropped, too, so that DECT phones are no more expensive than other types.

Read more

Samsung Blu-ray players get YouTube

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 10, 2009 in

Samsung BD-P1600

Owners of current Samsung Blu-ray players, including the BD-P1600, BD-P3600 and BD-P4600, got a pre-Labor-Day present from the company in the form of a firmware update that adds YouTube streaming video. The players already support streaming content from Netflix and Pandora Internet radio, and streaming video from Blockbuster is also promised by the end of the year.

Read more

Toshiba turns blu

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 6, 2009 in

Toshiba BDX2000 Blu-ray player

Though everyone figured it would happen sooner or later, Toshiba has formally announced that it will be introducing a Blu-ray player in time for the holidays.

Dubbed the Toshiba BDX2000, the player will debut in November at an MSRP of just under $250, though street prices will almost certainly be lower. While we won't know about any deal makers or breakers such as load speed, stability and video processing prowess until the BDX2000 hits the streets -- and reviewers' test benches -- a quick look at the announced features reveals a competent though not trend-setting Blu-ray disc player that's more or less priced and equipped competitively with "entry level" players from other major consumer electronics makers.

Read more

Sony, Blu-ray go 3D

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 6, 2009 in

Watching 3D at home

In a previous posting, we posited that the idea of 3D HDTV was fascinating, but unless the stars in the universe lined up just right, it would likely be just that for the foreseeable future -- a fascinating idea.

Still, some pretty significant home theater players are looking to 3D as the next "must have" technology. On Tuesday, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) announced that it plans to include 3D technology in future Blu-ray Disc releases. The standard is yet to be established, but the BDA says that the format will deliver at least 1080p resolution to each eye and that that discs will include 2D versions that will be playable on all existing standard Blu-ray players. No timetable for when the new discs will be available has been announced. Read more

Stores using bright lights to befuddle TV buyers

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 5, 2009 in

Bright store lights can mislead TV buyers

If you've read our reports on LCD TVs and plasma TVs, you know that one of the keys to great picture quality is deep black levels. That's especially true if, like most, you watch television under relatively dim lighting.

But according to HDGuru.com, some retailers are throwing their customers a deliberate curve ball by cranking up store lighting to way beyond reasonable levels, making it hard to accurately judge picture quality on the showroom floor. The site backs up its claims with some light meter measurements in stores and homes, and the differences are startling -- with some stores having lighting levels that are as much as 50 times brighter at the extremes. Read more

Back to top