Saturday, January 24, 2009

Samsung LN46A550 46" LCD HDTV + $200 NFL Gear GC $1049.94 Free Shipping

Samsung LN46A550, Find Best Samsung LN46A550, Read Review from here.

Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

Amazon has the 46" Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV for a low $1049.94 shipped free (tax in KS, KY, ND and WA). Get a $200 gift certificate after mail-in rebate (expires 1/31) good for NFL gear on NFLShop.com. Hurry, Amazon's price's change frequently! Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV in Best Price at Amazon.com Click here

Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV : Detailed Info, Features.


Editorial Reviews


Manufacturer's Description--March 24, 2008

Samsung's 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics. Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.
Key Features
* New -- 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 15,000:1 on 2007 models (15,000 on 32-inch and 37-inch models)
* New -- Fast 5ms response time: down from 8ms on 2007 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal

Features

  • Full HD 1080p Resolution
  • Wide Color Enhancer
  • 3 HDMI Inputs
  • USB 2.0
  • HDMI-CDC
Customer Reviews

Incredible Value and Performance
The Samsung LN46A550 was at the top of our list for quite some time while we researched the quality and value of Flat Panel LCDs that were in the 42 - 46 inch range. While other TVs may have done slightly better in terms of price, the quality of Samsung televisions have surpassed even Sony in recent years as they consistently rank as one of the top brands. This TV is no different.

We were not in need of all the bells and whistles that are advertised on the later models of the Samsungs, such as the 120Hz refresh rate. This feature may smooth out intense sports action but as the human eye can only process a 60Hz refresh rate, the 120Hz will often tire your eyes out after viewing too long (this is why looking at an LCD monitor for a computer too long tires your eyes out).

As for its performance, we could not be happier. The Dark Night on Blu-ray played via a PS3 hooked up with HDMI 6FT / 2M Super High Resolution Male to Male Cable by Eforcity looked absolutely stunning. The 1080p resolution on this TV is incredible. People may complain about artifacts and pixelation while watching TV but that issue (which I have experienced) is not the TV itself. The fact that it can play Blu-ray movies at full 1080p resolution flawlessly indicates that the problem lies with the video source. The free HD channels I get as a Time Warner subscriber in NYC look amazing, but they do get a bit pixely sometimes during intense camera movement and action. This is also added to by the fact that even channels that are supposedly broadcasting in HD are using compression techniques that lower the quality on the subscriber's end. Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about it but wait for HD to become the standard. Everything still looks great and I do not regret this purchase in the slightest. Even the sound quality surprised me (it may not be 5.1 surround but it was better than I expected after reading people's reviews here).

Excellent TV
This TV is great, Ive had it for a month and a half with no problems whatsoever. The color/tone was perfect straight out of the box for me. It is also extremely quiet and doesnt give off any heat (I have it in a very small room and the temperature in there and the rest of the house is the same). I also really like the matte finish of the screen. This tv sits directly across the room from a window where the glare was tterrible with a normal tv but it is significantly reduced with this one. That is one way this tv is actually better than the A650, which has a glossy reflective screen.

I use it for over-the-air HD tv which looks great (if you have a strong signal on your antenna) and blu-ray movies, but the thing i use it for most is my Playstation 3. These two were made for eachother! The games look stunning even though most of them are only 720p. This TV doesnt have the 120Hz refresh rate like the A650 (which Ive seen because my parents have the A650). The 120hz refresh rate is nice for nature programs, animated movies, and sports but I actually do not like it for live action movies and tv shows. I feel like it looks like you're on the film set, which sounds good, but it really makes it look fake to me for some reason. Videogames currently only output at 60Hz so the 120Hz refresh rate makes no difference for them.

Overall I am extremely happy with this TV and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a nice HDtv, especially if your budget is a little tight.

Great hdtv
Great tv for a reasonable price. Excellent picture quality. We have a surround sound system and it truly is like being at the movies.



Visit Our Store Samsung LCD HDTV (All Series) Click Here

Friday, December 19, 2008

Fisher Price Elmo Live Rocks the Toy Market!

Fisher Price Elmo Live throws kisses, gives hugs and tells you he loves you! In today's impersonal world, this is a refreshing wholesome toy for your child. Elmo Live encourages behaviors that will promote the good qualities in your child.

Let Fisher Price Elmo Live be the kind of friend who is a good influence on your child, the kind of "friend" to occupy your child while you are busy about the house. This takes the worry out of that "alone" time your child might be spending with television or some other electronic impersonal toy. Animation gives Elmo Live a life-like personality that is almost like having the neighbor's little boy over to play. This promotes and encourages interpersonal interaction, which is vitally important for toddlers and children before school age.

Fisher Price Elmo Live makes a good companion, a teacher, a friend who will help little ones learn to share and express feelings in a natural way. Being a toy, there will be no resistance to the signs of love and affection. Elmo is bubbling over with it just waiting to share with any child who needs some positive reinforcement. Other animated or electronic toys may not be as fun and live-like as Elmo Live so this is definitely a toy for any child to bring a smile to his face and joy to the heart.

Big, bright red and fuzzy, Fisher Price Elmo Live represents all things soft and gentle. Unlike toys that promote violence and toys that are just machines, Elmo Live gives you the confidence that your child will have a gentle experience from a life-like character. Play time will become friend time with this toy. Elmo is so real, children will want to have conversations with him which continues to develop good interpersonal skills in young children.

The makers of Elmo Live created a dynamic breakthrough in the toy industry that will revolutionize the way toys are perceived. More like a robot than an electronic battery operated toy, Fisher Price Elmo Live is the key to the future in space age toy development. The term toy is insufficient somehow. Companion more aptly describes this lovable character. Aside from his lovable character, his talents, Elmo is polite. He can take a joke and laugh, too. What more could one ask for in a playmate?

Fisher Price Elmo Live rocks the toy market with his singing and dancing talent. Musical ability adds to the charm of this new toy character that compliments the traits of a well rounded playmate for your child. While sharing the acts of affection so important in a child's growth, Elmo will enliven the day with his singing. Watching your child sings along with Elmo Live will make you happy.


Friday, November 21, 2008

Movie Review - Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

It's been way too long for Indiana Jones to whiplash his way back to the silver screen and only Spielberg could bring alive the persona of Indiana Jones, hat, boots, bull whip and all. For the uninitiated let me first give a small history lesson. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, two of the hottest talents of the seventies decided to come together to make a movie which at the time was promoted as "the return of high adventure". The movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was directed by Spielberg & produced by Lucas, and went on to be one of the highest grosser of all time. Set in the time of 2nd World War, the pulsating story of the search for the Ark of the Covenant moved from US to Nepal and climaxed in Egypt.

It was followed by the not so good "Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Doom". Amrish Puri made a forgettable Hollywood debut but the romance of Indy's adventures remained alive. The third "Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade" is my second favorite because it had the unflappable Sean Connery who plays Indy's father. The search of the Holy Grail is one of my all time favorite yarns.
The common thread in all the above movies was the swash buckling, devil may care Indy Jones who got into and out of the most impossible situations with charm and panache. He plays a professor of archaeology who goes after the most difficult searches for old and forgotten relics, fights the bad guys, gets the girl and always has a happy ending.

The latest offering is all of the above but hey, Indy is twenty years older and yet hasn't seem to have lost his appetite of jumping over unjumpables and avoiding the million bullets that chase him. But then he has an illustrious contemporary in our own Rajnikant who can do all of this and more.
The movie is set in the mid fifties when US saw a commie behind every pole and the obsession of UFOs was coming of age. However Spielberg's obsession with aliens continues to be unrelenting as ever. So this time we have a sword brandishing Kate Blanchett, a protégé of Stalin, who with a little help of stoic faced hoodlums manages to get hold of Indy to guide them to the high security warehouse where the US Govt. stores all its rare, unexplainable artifacts. Those who have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark would remember the last scene where the Ark is being wheeled into this warehouse to its new and anonymous residence. The desired object this time is, well what else, a crystal skull which is the key to untold knowledge and unlimited power. Indy scores in round one and escapes, only to resume the chase later in the time honored tradition of the perennial adventurer.

Accompanying him this time is a John Dean look-alike teenager with an attitude. As it turns out he is Indy's son and from whom? Surprise, surprise, its Karen Allen, the vivacious, hard drinking, kick ass girl friend from the first edition of the series. Like Indy she has aged but the passion remains alive. It was great watching her all over again.

The end is predictable. The special effects from Lucas's factory Industrial Light & Magic are awesome, especially the aliens sequence at the end. And Indy decides to settle down with his old lady love and the new found progeny. I loved his reply when asked by Karen if there were other women in his life and why he didn't marry them. The man says"Yes there were some but all of them had the same problem. None of them was you". Here's a toast to old love and fairy tale endings. Cheers !

Book Review - Red Sky Morning by Andrew J Rafkin

Fast Moving True Life Non Stop Adventure

Andrew Rafkin has a tremendous respect for the ocean and a love for sports fishing. In his new book "Red Sky Morning" Rafkin relives the summer he turned 17 in this coming of age fast moving true to life adventure story of life on a commercial tuna fishing expedition.

Andrew relates his story in a first person narrative. A gifted story teller, Andy drew me into the story taking me back to my own teen years, as a younger Andy relates the adventure from his viewpoint. Interwoven throughout the story are interludes with Rosa, Lauren, Nicole, and Erin. These liaisons add an element of romance to Andy's 17th summer. The climax of the story is set two years later in a sports fishing incident that turned a dream opportunity into a recurring nightmare.

Rich in information on the back ground of sports fishing and the history of commercial fishing Andrew takes the reader From Monterey to San Diego on the West Coast all along the East Coast from Florida to Massachusetts. He describes the Western Ace as a "Navy seagoing tug that was converted to a modern day purse seiner. She was 176 feet long and cruised at 11 to 12 knots...she had the capacity of 800 tons of fish."

I experienced a kinship with the fourteen members of the crew as Andy described their reaction to the delays in port, the thrill of the catch, the tropical rain storms, the hurricane force winds, and the crashing waves battering against the ship. I learned that the life of a commercial fisherman is death-defying and is the most dangerous of all professions with more fatalities per year than any other vocation.

I was especially touched as Andy told of the importance of the summer as a bonding experience with his father. "...one of the best things was the time I spend, with my father, who, prior to this summer, I only saw a few days between fishing trips. Spending the whole summer with him gave me the opportunity to get to know him in his domain...I gained a tremendous amount of respect for my father, and came to understand what an awesome amount of responsibility he had being captain."

"Red Sky Morning" is a compelling seafaring adventure story that will be enjoyed by sports fishermen, by anyone who loves the ocean, and those who own or have dreams of owning their own catamaran, yacht, or boat.

Outskirts Press, 978-1432719425

As review by Richard R. Blake for Midwest Book Review

Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Book Store Owner