595657 sharp soundbaSharp Soundbar HTSB200

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 7 Dec 2009
Something that has been improving the TV sound for a number of years, this one I saw in the early summer when I requested it and several other items at a Sharp presentation, this is the first of their items to arrive.

596939 verbatim audio cube bluetootVerbatim Audio Cube

Published in Entertainment by petew on 1 Dec 2009
Verbatim take advantage of bluetooth media players to ditch the wires!
This is a rather nice 2.1speaker system. 2.1 means two satellite speakers and a sub woofer. The speakers could be used with a PC or perhaps more likely as an output from a device such as an iPod or MP3 with a 3.5mm socket.

594359 seagate freeagent theatre FreeAgent Theatre

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 14 Nov 2009
While viewing digital content on your computer monitor is fine for certain activities, for a more enjoyable experience you might prefer to use your television screen.

594603 ravensburger labyrinth dual boTwo Ravensburger Items

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 8 Nov 2009
With Christmas no longer a distance away, time for serious thought. Here first a game suitable for either two players or solo. Second another of Ravensburger’s great jigsaws maybe a gift for someone on their own to enjoy.
Having recently looked at a LG offering that had Ethernet options, I now see the latest Sony offering the BDP-S360 that also allows Ethernet to play a part. However first and foremost it is a rather nice full featured Blu-ray player.

592769 griffin roadtrip with smartscan apple ipod fm transmitteMusic on the Move

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 20 Oct 2009
As a personal mobile device, it makes sense to use your iPod for your in-car music entertainment when making a road trip.

592437 rovio ultra advanced WiFi roboRovio Mobile Webcam

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 14 Oct 2009
Did the idea for this unit come from a number of recent films; it certainly looks like something from several popular films. So you have in effect a webcam that can roam around to give you content from different places.

591725 plantronics headsetHeadphones and Headset

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 5 Oct 2009
First a quality Bluetooth headset from Plantronics and second, also from Plantronics, a set of stereo headphones - also using Bluetooth connectivity. Two items with different backgrounds the first to give you clear voice communication and the second for clear audio.
With all the Blu-ray drives I have reviewed somewhere I have mentioned that Blu-ray is not only about picture quality but Dolby sound as well. Here not only do you get the Blu-ray player but also a rather nice set of speakers.

589944 iwantone 6 in one solar project kiSolar Kit and Helicopter

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 20 Sep 2009
Again looking towards Christmas two items to give as ideal presents, the first for someone with an urge to learn and the second for some who just wants to play, but even playing with this helicopter uses and improves dexterity skills.

590291 lg ht32s dvd 2.1 audio video home cinemLG HT32S Home Cinema System

Published in Entertainment by petew on 14 Sep 2009
Although billed as a home cinema system this cool looking product from LG offers a range of multimedia functions.

589940 rubiks 360 degree puzzlChristmas Is Coming

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 13 Sep 2009
Brace yourself – ready or not – Christmas is not that far away. Here two items for the kids and no doubt the best way to cope is a little at a time. First a tradition Jigsaw from Ravensburger and second a new twist on the Rubik’s Cube.
Fed up with earphones that under perform? Want to reclaim your music? s-Jays earphones offer amazing quality and performance for a wide variety of uses.
First a wireless device great for the energetic that enables them to hear music or phone calls while indulging in exercise. Second a small speaker to enable your iPod, MP3 player or phones content to be heard by all.
I always enjoy reviewing a Blu-ray player, one because I do not own one but do have several Blu-ray discs including several that will not play in a PC with a Blu-ray player, even experts do not know why and two its an excuse to watch Blu-ray movies.

588806 terratec grabby vhs analogue tape digitiseTerratec Grabby

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 3 Sep 2009
Maybe, like me, when you were a young child you were told not to be grabby when treats came around. Now Terratec wants you to ignore this advice as you use the company’s product to convert your analogue VHS tapes into digital content stored on your hard disk or optical media. Appropriately enough this product is entitled Grabby.
I have reviewed many DAB/FM units and a few DAB/FM/CD but so far none from Sony. As you would expect it is a quality unit and as you should also expect it is by no means cheap, but then quality never is.

589025 memorex sing stand apple ipoMemorex Sing Stand

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 31 Aug 2009
If your singing is better than ‘hair brush’ standard then this item from Memorex could get you used to a Microphone so that when you progress you do not make the eating/licking the microphone mistake on your first gigs.

589044 atomic floyd twist jax headphones stereTwistJax from Atomic Floyd

Published in Entertainment by petew on 28 Aug 2009
Our ears are as individual as the rest of us and with TwistJax Atomic Floyd aims to provide a perfect fit for all, combined of course with superb sound.

589021 digital vision gigo usb flash video recordeDigital Vision Gigo

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 24 Aug 2009
As I am sure everyone knows the Digital Changeover is coming (in fact it has already arrived in some places), so to keep perfectly good Analogue TV’s working set top boxes were made to translate the signals, then the PVR (to replace the video recorder), then the PVR had Freeview built in. Now something slightly different.
Having just spent time updating my sister’s television set up, and getting different pieces of kit to work in harmony, in preparation for the digital switch-over, I just wish I had waited a little longer until this next product came along.
Never mind toys for the boys – keep them kids occupied whatever the weather. I've been having a look at some of the great toys out there for the kids this summer. Bearing in mind our lovely weather I've included a good selection of active toys for indoors as well as the great outdoors.
This unit has a built in Freeview box so anyone with only an Analog TV can now move on and since it can play (and record) DVD’s as well as record either to the HDD or direct to DVD you have the best of both in a single unit.
Some great toys from ECOutlet the online store for eco-friendly items. We checked out some fab environmentally friendly toys.

584938 tvonics mdr250 digital set top boFreeview from TVonics

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 8 Aug 2009
As “D-Day” (that’s the switch over from analogue to digital television) approaches for certain parts of the country, it is perhaps the appropriate time to look at a digital set-top box.

584872 verbatim usb portable speakers 4909A Pair of Speaker Systems

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 4 Aug 2009
As we tend to use our computers when listening to music, some thought should be given to the kit that provides the audio output.

584877 kensington liquid fm deluxe ipod fm transmitteKensington Liquid FM Deluxe

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 30 Jul 2009
Joining the ever-expanding range of iPod add-on devices is Kensington’s latest FM device for working with your car radio.

583802 Dane Elec Music Touch mp3 mp4 playeDane-Elec MP3/MP4 Player

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 24 Jul 2009
Not just another MP3 player but this touchscreen controlled unit is also an MP4 unit as well. This means that not only can you listen to your music you can also watch movies.

579867 gear4 airzone fm ipod fm transmitteAirZone FM Follow Me

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 23 Jul 2009
Gear4 takes a different approach with its product that connects an iPod to your car radio.