len_mullen

Got three DVR+ DVRs from Channel Master this morning. $175 plus free shipping with the addition of Pandora, YouTube and other new features was pretty irresistible. It's a great deal for OTA'ers who balk at TiVo prices and commitments.

I went in Wal-mart last night. I was driving past the store a little before 7:00pm and things were busy. I decided to take a peek since there was no line at the door. There was no line because the front doors were locked and everyone was coming in through a side entrance. The line was entering the store twenty at a time as people departed twenty at a time. The gatekeeper assured me that anyone in line before 7:00 would get the guaranteed items, so I made my way into the store. He lied. I walked around and saw people already queued up for the 8:00pm items. They marked the queues with balloons. The whole event was pretty well organized though a little too busy for me, so I left empty handed.

Please post your zip code and both good and bad carriers. This would be a really good crowd source project.

We lost power yesterday. I have a generator. On a whim, I plugged in my ONT and guess what -- we have internet. This morning, I started going through my email and found a note from Best Buy saying their door busters were live online, so I hopped in and purchased the Sony - Smart 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (Model: BDPS5200/SKU: 3416003) for $59.99. I got this for my brother whose BD player crapped out just last week. If you are in the hunt for a BD player or even a streamer, you should take a look at this. My favorite thing that distinguishes this from a Roku or Fire TV is that it has an inactivity time. If I fall asleep watching a movie, the player shuts off after the movie and my tv shuts off when the player shuts off. Here is a review of a similar model which I own and love... https://freetvforme.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/sony-bdp-s5100-review/ Detailed specs here. Review of this model here. This is the same price via Amazon and Sony.com. I chose to purchase from BB via ShopDiscover for the cash back (5% + 5%).

I'm sure you will get this before Christmas. They know why you are ordering this week.

You can compare the components, but that is a lot of work and not particularly helpful if you do not understand how the components impact performance. There is no 'best' laptop. By definition, the laptop is a compromise. If you get a faster cpu or gpu or a larger screen, battery life goes down and price goes up. The best laptop for gaming is a desktop. A $100 gpu will perform better than most mobile gpus. You can run things fast and hot because there is no constraint on the power available to heat things up and cool things down. If you want a laptop, the first step is to determine required specs. You do this by making a list of the recommended specs for each application you want to run. The highest spec in the list for each characteristic (memory, cpu, gpu) except for disk or storage which is the sum of all requirements. Then it's simply a matter of comparing the specs of a laptop to your list. If you are mostly interested in running one app well (minecraft), google the word minecraft plus the model of the laptop. Chance are someone has posed the question, "Can this laptop run this app," and someone who has tried has responded. Generally, if you want to play games on a laptop, you are going to have to get a laptop with discrete graphics. For those, google the graphics chip plus minecraft to see how things go. For basic gaming, A8/A10 based configurations do better because they have better integrated GPUs.

I think that the general consensus is that a laptop with dedicated graphics is the best bet. Here are some recommendations and explanations... http://www.toplaptopreview.com/good-and-best-laptops-for-minecraft/ As for brand, I think a $300 Lenovo is more like a $300 HP than a $700 Lenovo. The most expensive laptop I have purchased was an HP -- had it serviced twice under warranty. I get a lot of Acers. I had one of these serviced twice under warranty. Specs, aesthetics, and price matter more than brand.

I had my kid install minecraft on a similar laptop except that the i5 is gen 3. He says it runs fine. We also installed it on a t100 and that ran pretty well too. The graphics were lower resolution, but the game did not hang up. Of course, his desktop has a $400 video card and he recommends that above the rest. Also, our worlds are not very built up and that makes things worse. I think this will work just fine for you. He says things bog down when you get in weather.

Is this computer to be used in a single location with power or as a portable. I ask because a lot of people prefer a portable laptop to a desktop these days. With these, I like big screens and don't worry about battery life. What is her preference for screen size? Does she want a touch screen? Does she want to stick with Windows 7 or learn Windows 8? There will be no problems with a windows 7 and a windows 8 client on the same network.

very high quality shirts. thank you.

Here's some help... - make a list of the things you want to do on this computer - make a list of app the apps that will do those things - note the recommended requirements for each of these apps these are the minimum specs you need to look for in a new computer come back with those specs and we can chat about which of the BF laptops meet your needs for the least amount of money.

It would depend on how well your existing DVD player upconverts. Chances are the DVD player does not upconvert at all, and you will see a difference in that case. I love this one at Best Buy for $59 on BF. Review by me here of the unit it replaced. Great picture, terrific upconverting, lots of native apps plus Opera App Store, and nice playback of USB attached disks. Best of all, most people will be chasing the door buster, so you have a great shot at getting one of these.

Right now. Get one at Staples and use the 20% off bag promo. $80.

You're welcome. Hope it works out. Let your ears decide on the sound system. A lot of people are fine with 10 speakers. A sound bar just complicates things.

The Channel Master DVR+ will be on sale for $175 from 6-11 AM pacific BF and CM. There is a limit of three per account.

http://weeklyads.walmart.com/mobile/walmartusa-circular/flyer_item/50619528?grid_view=true&locale=en-US&store_code=5253&type=1 10.1" touchscreen1.83GHz Intel Atom Z3735G Quad-Core processor32GB of storage memoryMicrosoft Windows 8.1 OSWebcams, WiFi and Bluetooth

Totally worth it. Cheaper and more fun than a gym membership!

Feel free to hijack my haiku thread!

Can't wait for Brad ANY LONGER for this! A haiku is a poem consisting of three lines. The first and last line have five syllables and the second line has seven. The first and third lines are juxtaposed ideas with the middle line serving as a bridge between the two. Flyers Found Online Reveal Gifts That Total Nine Hide Under My Pine Sledding Through The Snow To The Tinsel Town I Go Bargains Wait For Me

You should definitely download and print out a manual for each of her devices. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-915-000143-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B003IZFCFW The BEST way to fool proof a multi device configuration is to buy a Harmony 300 remote ($40 shipped amazon) and program all buttons for all devices for what will make most sense for her. For instance, pressing the DVD button would switch the input to the DVD, but pressing TV, Cable, or VCR button would all set the input to the DVR. Regardless of what input is selected, make all the common buttons (volume) control the appropriate device (TV). Make the buttons you do not want her to touch do nothing (program channel up and down to show info). With the setup you described, the only thing that would change based on input selection would be the VCR/DVD/DVR controls (pause/ff/etc.). It's a little bit of work, but when she calls, all you have to ask is whether the devices are powered on then have her select the appropriate device. I have slowly been doing this with my remotes and WAF has gone through the roof.

The only problem we have had is when my mother in law changes the input on the tv by accident them presses buttons until she gives up. It's amazing how much can be changed when you cannot see the screen as you press buttons. That went on for about a month. No problems since.

There is spanish language support... Hope that helps.

Sounds like my in laws. I recommend the Channel Master DVR+. It is a very intuitive DVR with a nice electronic program guide. The DVR+ does not call home at all, so no internet of phone connection is required. It costs $250 and you will need to add a usb disk, but they are teasing discounts later in the month. Dell is offering a Samsung 32" LED (UN32EH4003FXZA) for $197.99. It has one component OR one composite and two HDMI ports. Best Buy reviews are plentiful and positive... I would caution you that HD TVs are shorter and wider than their SD counterparts, so, if the 32" number is based on the size of the existing set, she may want to jump up to a bigger set. Target has a VIZIO 39" Class 1080p 60Hz Full-Array LED TV (D390-B0) for $219.99. This TV has one composite OR component input plus two HDMIs. I do not think you should worry about 1080p at 32-39 inches.

Her TV is hooked up to an antenna? How big a screen is she looking for? What is your budget? Will she want to plug in other devices (a streamer, dvd player, vcr)? If so, how are they connected (composite, component, hdmi)?

ATTN MINECRAFT AFICIONADOS: There is a Minecraft wiki which lists these requirements... There is also a page which lists user's experiences with specific computers... http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Hardware_performance If you are considering a specific model, google the model name plus minecraft of search for that on YouTube. A lot of people post videos of their computer playing Minecraft. This will help you decide if something closer to minimum will work for you or if you need a machine that exceeds recommended requirements. Today, Best Buy is selling a $350 Toshiba satellite that seems to be suitable... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-15-6-laptop-amd-a8-series-4gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-jet-black/8541017.p?id=1219345074266&skuId=8541017&u1=ebs2d-1d4767d1416043266465sbe&sourceName=forums&sourceId=1403778 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbzD3PYuLcg (different model with similar specs) http://www.mobil-edge.com/toshiba-satellite-c55d-b5214/ Finally, there is a free demo of Minecraft. Create an account, visit the store that sells the computer you are considering (or one with similar specs) and play the demo.