An A/V receiver with the WOW factor

Advantages: Looks great, sounds awesome, feels awesome
Disadvantages: Detailed set up can be tricky - just as well it comes idiot proof!

...Ok then, so I'm a lucky boy.... On my last birthday my wife decided that she wanted to treat me to a home cinema system so off we went to our local Richer Sounds store (they are VERY cheap and VERY helpful - recommended everyone pays them a visit!) with cash in hand an wangled a deal. I got this Marantz A/V Receiver , A Yamaha surround sound speaker package and a Panasonic DVD recorder for the princly sum of £350 - a bit of a discount from the £900 RRP! I'll be reviewing each product in turn so check out my other reviews if you want a full system checkup! So into the review of the A/V Receiver: 1) The Theory I wanted a reciever that not only looked good, but that also provided the output and poer to match. I've long been a fan of the Marantz range as they not only look and feel good to use, they also have the reputation...

Durahm.Dazzler 24.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of Marantz SR 4400 A/V Receiver

Xbox 360 network Adapter

Advantages: Cute,Compact,Attachable
Disadvantages: Weak signal,Very expensive

...Microsoft and their proprietary products are poor performance,and too expensive.This adapter detects the same network my pc adapter detects but only 1 bar of signal.My pc adapter has 5 bars on the network.The xbox adapter must not have an omni antenna and the gain is probably 1dbi.I tried to opened this crap and put a higher gain antenna but the connector is a sub micro connector specially made for microsoft to screw us.I still could have rigged a better antenna,but i accidentally lost an ic chip trying to pry this thing apart,now there goes 70 bucks,never again. Fortunately i discovered linksys sells a universal game adapter (part number WGA54G),the adpater is also pc compatible,why isnt the xbox adapter pc compatible?Anyway,the linksys has an omni antenna and yes its removable to get a better omni.The signal is 5 to 15 times...

JohnRedcorn 28.11.2008 · Read review
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Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter

Xbox 360 network adapter, to buy or not?

Advantages: makes connecting to live wireless
Disadvantages: very high price

...i bought this for £50 second hand, and i found it very easy to use and it connected to my modem in minutes, but i know not everyone connects it as easy as i did, infact i couldnt connect it to my old router when i first got an xbox 360, so then i went for the ethernet cable method which is ideal if the router is in the same room as the xbox 360 because its much cheaper, gauranteed to work and normally makes connection better, but in my case i had a 30m ethernet cable running down my stairs which is not ideal! therefore when i bought my xbox 360 back i wanted to get it sorted with the network adapter. THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE ADAPTER: its a easy method of connecting up to xbox live if it will connect to the router its small and as a nice slot at the back of the xbox 360 theres a light which is green if its working and red if its...

jwl89 29.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter

Surround Sound with Attitude

Advantages: Does exactly what it says on the box !
Disadvantages: So far, none ! Although even I find that difficult to believe

...I started off my surround sound adventure with an older Marantz, but the call of DVD Audio proved to be too strong once I had actually heard (and felt) it. I take great pride in my HC system, and it has taken several years to get it right. Some earlier components did not match sonically with others, and it took about 4 years of juggling to get the setup I now have. This currently comprises the following, and this is the system as reviewed : The Denon 1803 AV receiver Pioneer 656A DVD player Thompson 32" WS 100Hz TV Sony VHS recorder Sky TV Speakers : Fronts : Acoustic Energy Aegis EVO3's Rears : KEF Coda 7's Centre : Tannoy MXC Sub : Yamaha YST-SW320 All speaker cabling is bi-wired where possible, with as chunky a cable as my house furnishings will allow ! Interconnects are generally optical where possible, or QED...

g8ina 06.05.2004 · Read review
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Review of Denon AVR-1803 AV Receiver

Belkin wireless G USB Network Adaptor

Advantages: Cheap
Disadvantages: Not enough information on software or packaging.

...I recently bought a Belkin wireless adaptor when I went into a house share and needed to have the internet. I use the internet but I know little about the technical side of things. I paid £19.99 for the adaptor in PC world who only had Belkin at the time which I thought was not expensive. However installing it was a nightmare. The 3 easy steps on the box seemed so easy; Install the software, plug the adaptor into a USB PORT - start networking! If only it was that simple. Every time my computer searched for a network it crashed. I phoned the Belkin company who took me step by step through the technical part and still we could not get internet. Eventually the Belkin assistant told my for some reason my computer was not recognising the new network. Being increasingly frustrated I considered taking the adaptor back for a refund...

Chosen 20.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter Network adapter

Pioneer DV-600AV quality for good price

Advantages: High quality video, supports many formats
Disadvantages: Confusing labels on remote controller

...Pioneer DV-600AV was interesting for me because it has possibility to play DVD-Audio and SACD and it has got integrated decoder with analog output for 5.1. Extra interesting is the quality of sound which some DVD players are having bad quality. Quality of sound was pretty good with nice serve of acustic which i wasnt able to heat on my older players. I/O Back side includes HDMI, component Video, S-video, audio 5.1, scart, optic and koaxial output.On the front panel is placed conector USB 1.1 for USB devices. There should be more conectors, but on the other hand we shall be glad that none of the important connectors is missing. Extern USB devices are not supported as manufacturer has written. In the real it is working with no problems:) I tried from flash disk Kingston Data traveller II. It is possible to play mp3 with variate...

hauran 17.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Pioneer DV-600AV

Cartoon Network.co.uk

Advantages: Fun and entertaining for children
Disadvantages: None

...NOTE: I am writing this review on Cartoon Network's website. I used to check out Cartoon Network's website when I was a lot younger. I checked it out again recently and I have to say, it has lost its enjoyment value. This website would be a great way of entertaining your kids and keeping them entertained for a long time at that. It is full of great, fun games that your kids are bound to enjoy. The games are all based on the cartoons that are shown on the TV channel. The website is so easy to navigate around too, so even the youngest of kids, that have little computer experience, will have no problem playing and enjoying these fantastic games. Some of these games can not only be fun but also very educational which is a huge bonus, as it helps the kids learn whilst doing something they really enjoy. Overall, I think that Cartoon...

BenC93 10.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Cartoon Network

A great piece of kit

Advantages: A Very solidly Built piece of Equipment
Disadvantages: A bit dated now

..., Music, Virtual surround Back (gives the impression of extra speakers), Loudness, Midnight Loudness (which is quite nifty - you get effective surround sound for movies at low volume levels - so you don't annoy the neighbours/wake the kids up) etc etc. I'm not a technical expert all I know is that the sound it produces is awesome. You can tell the difference between the different surround modes. Incidentally the Receiver is a 6.1 system. (that means there are 6 satellite speakers)- its' one of the better sorts of surround sound system. I haven't got a subwoofer so mine is set up as a 5.1 The Tuner (Radio) - FM and AM, the usual features, automatic and manual tuning, 30 station presets, Radio Data systems (allows you to search for FM stations broadcasting certain sorts of info/programs). It also has the EON (Enhanced Other Network) function...

RichPrice 12.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Pioneer VSX-D512 A/V Receiver

Little wireless receiver

Advantages: Good connectivity
Disadvantages: none significant

...or Ethernet connection. We found best to have the main PC connected by cable to Ethernet port and Laptops at other locations with wireless receiver. Signal is good even on a different floor in the house. The little Aerial has an internal integrated antenna- which is not very stable in standing straight- but received equally well when it was lying flat. Even has a cover for protection. It could be plugged straight to USB port or with the 1 metre wire. Manufacturer says put it top of desktop for best reception - well ok with a PC but cannot do that for a Laptop though! I found it much better that a networking card- as with a card there were frequent disconnections from the internet. We chose to buy this as The Wireless G USB Network Adapter easily connects your USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to your wireless network for Internet...

greatmum1 25.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of Belkin Wireless High Speed Mode USB Adapter Network adapter

A-F's Underground Network reviewed.

Advantages: Powerfull, fast, Lyrics.
Disadvantages: Similarity of songs.

...songs it do the main job, its fast, loud and sounds amazingly with the rest of the instruments. You can hear that the boys from A-F used lot?s of techniques, and have bring new things to their sound, making themselves even more original than they were before. Lyrics are really good, again they are from heart of people who resist the tyranny, who are tired of being slaves, who want more from life than tv channels etc. Underground Network is one of the best Punk albums I?ve ever heard, the only minus might be that the songs sounds little bit too similar, but what do you want from a Punk band? If you like to listen to punk, or want to get know more about it, if you already listen to punk and needs some music to keep you going in fight against tyranny this album is your best shot!...

amen666 08.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Underground Network - Anti-Flag