How does Samsung's Dualview TL225 camera stack up?

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on September 9, 2009 in

Samsung DualView TL225

Samsung's 12-megapixel DualView TL225 and its sibling, the TL220, are hitting stores this week, and both offer a feature you won't find on any other digital camera - a self portrait LCD on the front.

Even the most grizzled tech reviewer is excited about this feature, since it's, you know, actually useful. The 1.5-inch front LCD screen has a number of uses besides self-portraits, it will display a countdown when you use the self-timer. Everyone in the crowd will know when to smile and it can play animations to get your toddler's attention so you don't have to dance around and make funny noises.

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Building a home theater? Start with the receiver

Electronics
By Christine Frietchen on September 9, 2009 in

Onkyo TXSR607
A home theater receiver is the anchor of a surround-sound home theater setup. The best receivers can exploit the capabilities of HDMI, simplifying cabling and delivering all of the benefits of the latest high-definition audio formats. The highly regarded Onkyo TX-SR607 can do that and more, and it is an outstanding value. Read about more options in our home theater receiver update. Read more

Appliance rebates coming this fall

Home & Garden
By Christine Frietchen on September 8, 2009 in

Washing machine
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Projection TVs: Only Mitsubishi is left

Electronics
By Christine Frietchen on September 8, 2009 in

65-inch Mitsubishi TV

Only one manufacturer still makes them, but projection TVs still offer the most screen size for the buck.

The popularity of flat-panel plasma and LCD TVs has essentially relegated large-screen rear-projection TVs to the pages of TV history. In fact, only Mitsubishi still manufactures projection TVs at all.  But if you want a really big television, you can get a giant 72- or 82-inch Mitsubishi projection TV for less then $4,000. LCD and plasma TVs aren't even available in sizes this big, and even if they were, they'd sell for a lot more. Our projection TV update compares Mitsubishi projection TVs and weighs pros and cons of projection televisions in general.

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Polar heart-rate monitors are best overall

Fitness & Sports
By Christine Frietchen on September 7, 2009 in

Polar FT60
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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.

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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

Sneaker warranty: deal or scam?

Fitness & Sports
By Molly McLaughlin on September 5, 2009 in

sneakers

Editor's note: Sports Authority has discontinued their sneaker warranty program because it wasn't turning a profit. We discuss this as well as their other warranty programs in a follow-up blog post. 

We've all been offered extended warranties on electronics products whether it be cell phones, HDTVs or digital cameras, but what about sneakers?

On a recent trip to Sports Authority, as I was trying on a pair of walking sneakers, the salesperson offered me their so-called footwear plan. He explained that for a small fee, I could purchase an extended coverage plan for my sneaks that would cover scuffs and other wear or tear for one year. Within that time frame, I could simply return my less than perfect footwear to the store and trade them in for a new pair. If the new pair is the same price, there's no additional cost; if they're more expensive, I'd have to pay the difference. I didn't end up making a purchase that day, but my interest piqued, I decided to dig deeper and see what this sneaker warranty was all about.

According to the brochure, the warranty covers "defects in materials and workmanship" including "normal wear and tear" such as "sole separation, seam rips and separation, fabric discoloration or color bleeding and broken fasteners (eyelet)." Prices range from $4.99 to $15.99, depending on the price of the sneakers, for a year of coverage, which starts at the end of Sports Authority's 30-day return policy. Read more

Bumpits: Practical or a punchline?

Health & Beauty
By Christine Frietchen on September 4, 2009 in

Bumpits

Are Bumpits the next Snuggie?

We wrote our review of Bumpits a couple of months ago, but something is in the air. Real beauty magazines seem to be embracing the Bumpits (for those who aren't watching enough TV, Bumpits are half-moon-shaped combs that give you a "big hair" look). And from early reactions of chintzy horror, a slow acceptance seems to be taking hold.

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