Samsung recently launched 3 HD digital camcorders of the HMX-S series: HMX-S10, HMX-S15 and HMX-S16 HD.

The Samsung HMX-S15 (32 GB) and S16 (64 GB) are the world’s first full HD digital camcorder with Wi-Fi. The HMX-S10 is similar to the above except it lacks the wireless feature and has no built-in memory.

The Wi-Fi and DLNA features makes it possible to transfer videos and photos wirelessly to wireless-enabled TVs and PCs.

You can instantly view your home movies on your TV or PC if they have the proper connectivity.

We had the opportunity to test the Samsung HMX-S15 camcorder. How good a HD camcorder is it?

Review Of Samsung HMX-S15

As we stated previously, the only difference between the HMX-S15 and HMX-S16 is the amount of internal memory they have.

The HMX-S15 has 32 GB while the HMX-S16 has 64 GB. Both use Solid State Drive, which is quiet, fast and long lasting compared to traditional hard drives.

The Samsung HMX-S15 offers great features which can awe a first time user.

Most of us would probably go for the auto mode. But as we become more familiar with the camcorder, we may want to experiment and try all the possible options.

The camcorder has a 3.5″ WVGA Touch LCD screen, which displays all the information you need. Most of the settings and control are done through the LCD screen.

There’s a remote control which is useful for taking shot of yourself. The LCD screen can be rotated to the front so that you can see yourself when you are shooting.

The zoom function can be controlled on the camcorder, on the LCD panel or through the remote control. We personally like to do it through the remote control as it is smoother.

The manual control allows you to adjust the exposure and shutter speeds. You can also focus manually. We however did not try using them.

With the Samsung HMX-S15 you can also take pictures while you are shooting the video. You simply press the photo button while the camcorder is shooting.

If you want to take pictures only, you switch to the photo mode. We took several pictures at 10 megapixels. They were great.

Our tests show the image quality of the video to be very good. It’s definitely high definition images.

You can choose between different resolution formats, from 480/60p (SD) to 1080/60i (Extreme Fine) and the higher the resolution, the better the picture.

The differences between the different formats are not that obvious unless you compare between the 2 extremes.

The Schneider Kreuznach lenses are known for its precision and quality optics. The Samsung’s camcorder has a 15X optical zoom.

We had some difficulty in maintaining a stable image when we use it at the highest zoom. It’s great for shooting nature but you would need a tripod.

The Samsung HMX has an optical image stabilizer, the Smart OIS, which proves to work well in diminishing shakiness and hand movements.

Is its BSI CMOS imaging sensor more sensitive than conventional sensors as claimed?

Yes it is. We could shoot at low light with good results. Just a few bulbs on are enough to get pretty good pictures.

You can use the Samsung HMX-S15 to shoot in slow motion (300 or 600 fps). However the image size is reduced to 192×112 or 368×208 pixels.

We tested both speeds and would have liked it better if the images remain the same size and were in high definition.

We did not test the time-lapse recording feature which allows you to record images at a pre-selected interval and view them all in one single movie file. It is a great feature if you want to take nature shots.

Although the Samsung camcorder has a Wind Cut feature, the wind noise is still evident depending on wind intensity. We recommend using the lowest level setting for sound recording to minimize it.

Samsung’s Intelli Studio 2.0 software is built into the HMX camcorders, allowing you to playback, edit footage, and share your video clips using any computer with a USB port. You are therefore not dependent on a PC with video editing software.

Conclusion

If you want an easy-to-use high definition camcorder with lot of features and the possibility to do manual adjustments, the Samsung HMX-S15 would a good choice.

The WiFi feature makes it more attractive and convenient to use as there would be no need to physically connect devices.

You can transfer your video clips wirelessly to your PC, upload them on YouTube or Facebook or view them on a HDTV with wireless connectivity.

The question is, do you want that feature?

If you want to enjoy home theater system sound with the least complication in set up, an audiobar might be the best solution.

It is similar to the Plug & Play concept. Just connect the TV audio output to the audiobar, plug in the power and you have instant surround sound within a few minutes.

We tested the Samsung HW-C450 AudioBar Home Theater System.

How does it fare? Most importantly, how good is the sound?

Samsung HW-C450 AudioBar Home Theater System Review

The Samsung HW-C450 AudioBar Home Theater System consists of an audiobar and a subwoofer with a total rated output power of 280 W (audiobar: 80 W per channel and subwoofer: 120 W).

The audiobar is a 2-channel system with a total of 6 speakers (3 at each side) on its bar.

It is about 37″ long and weighs only 5 lb. It can be mounted on the wall (wall mount included) or simply placed on the TV table.

Mounting it on the wall under the HDTV makes your entertainment system looks very elegant and saves you floor space.

The subwoofer has no wiring to the audiobar. They are connected at 5.8 GHz wirelessly. That means you can place your subwoofer at the back of the living room or anywhere you want as long as it is within transmission range.

Easy Set Up

The set up was relatively fast. The instruction manual is simple and clear.

We connected the TV audio output to the input of the audiobar. There are 1 analog and 2 optical connections on the audiobar.

We tried both and we could not tell the differences in the sound quality.

Both the audiobar and the subwoofer require power connection. The wireless linking between the subwoofer and the audiobar was very simple to perform.

There is a USB connection for firmware update.

The audiobar has touch controls. You can choose between 7 sound modes: Original or Pass, Music, News, Sports, Drama, Game and Cinema.

Most of the time you would be using the remote control. The bass level can be adjusted.

There are some nice features like the Smart Volume function which maintains the volume to a reasonable constant level.

At night you can use the DRC function to enjoy Dolby Digital sound at low volume.

The Sync function allows you to synchronize the audio with the video output.

Sound Performance

When we first heard the sound from Samsung HW-C450 AudioBar we were pleasantly surprised at the power and intensity.

It was quite loud and you definitely feel you are watching a movie in a theater. It does a pretty amazing job for the price and for its size.

Because it is so easy to setup (1 minute if you are used to it) it becomes a highly mobile home theater system which you can take along with you.

If you move a lot or if you want to watch a movie at a friend’s place who has no surround sound, you simply take the audiobar and the subwoofer with you.

Recommendation

If you want a simple sound system but with powerful surround sound, the Samsung HW-C450 AudioBar is perfect for you.

You don’t need to waste time connecting the multiple speakers and have wires all over the floor.

You will enjoy great movie sound with it.

Sony’s Dash, a Wi-Fi touch screen device that brings Real-Time Internet Content, is on sale for about $199.

It has a 500Mhz processor with 32kB I/D L2 cache and 256 MB, 667MHz DDR2 DRAM.

Dash features a 7-inch color touch screen with Wi-Fi connection.

There are over 1,000 free applications for news, calendars, weather, sports, and social networking.

Dash also provides TV episodes, music and films through its Bravia Internet Video and from providers such as CBS, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora and Slacker.

With Dash, a playlist of your own personalized internet world is constantly refreshed and pushed to you, reducing the need to search for your favorite content or to log onto your favorite sites.

Dash can multitask to a certain degree. For example, you can use it to follow a recipe online and listen to music at the same time.

Will Sony Dash be able to challenge iPad? Most probably not, since it is aimed more at home users.

The price however makes it quite affordable. It would make a great gift for any person.

If you are interested in the Sony Dash, click on it.

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If you want to connect two HDMI TVs to an HDMI source like a DVD player, you would need a splitter.

There are many different kinds of HDMI splitters. Some are very basic in nature and cost very little. They simply split the signals into two outputs.

The result is that the signals are weak and might not be picked up by the televisions or the image quality suffers greatly.

We received a Sewell Dual 1×2 HDMI splitter for review. We were interested to know how well it performs.

Testing Of Sewell Dual 1×2 HDMI Splitter

The Sewell Dual 1×2 splitter supports v1.3b HDMI signals and up to 1080 pixels.

We connected the Sewell splitter to 2 HDMI TVs. One is a 23″ LCD Samsung TV (P2370HD) and the other one is a 50″ Plasma LG TV (LG 50PG30).

Both have HDMI inputs and are High-Definition.

The DVD player was a Sony DVD Recorder RDR GX350. We use the King Kong DVD as it has high visual contrast.

The player was connected to the Sewell dual HDMI splitter with a 6 feet long cable and from there another 6 feet cable was connected to the Samsung TV and a 15 feet cable connected to the LG TV.

We watched both displays simultaneously and although the images were not similar they were excellent. There was no graininess or interference.

The Sewell splitter has a power source. It uses a 5V 1A adapter. If we switched off the power source, there was no picture on either TV.

We disconnected one TV so that the other one received the full signal. There was no apparent difference in the picture.

That means, the split signals were very strong and were as good as the original.

Our Conclusion

The Sewell Dual 1×2 HDMI splitter performs very well and it’s impossible to say that the image came from a split signal. There is no apparent loss in quality.

If you are looking for an HDMI splitter, the Sewell Dual 1×2 HDMI Splitter is a good choice.

Sewell Direct carries also a 1×4 HDMI splitter.

Recommendation

For price comparisons for HDMI Splitters

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3D TV are the next big things in household entertainment but before you get too excited about it, there are some issues you might want to know first before jumping into it.

Samsung has issued a health warning for 3D TV watching, recommending that pregnant women, the elderly, sufferers of serious medical conditions and those who are sleep deprived or under the influence of alcohol should avoid watching 3D TV.

Some viewers may experience an epileptic seizure or stroke when exposed to certain flashing images or lights contained in certain television pictures or video games.

Viewing 3D television may also cause motion sickness, perceptual after effects, disorientation, eye strain and decreased postural stability.

If your eyes show signs of fatigue or dryness, immediately discontinue use of the 3D function.

If you sit too close to the screen for an extended period of time your eyesight may also become damaged.

The recommended viewing distance is three times the screen height or more.

Viewers should try to watch the screen as much as possible at eye’s level, not from above or from under.

If you wear 3D glasses for an extended period of time, you may experience fatigue or have a headache.

It is recommended that users take frequent breaks to lessen the potential of these effects.

If you experience any of these symptoms while watching 3D TV you should stop watching in 3D and consult a doctor.

1. Altered vision;
2. Lightheadedness;
3. Dizziness;
4. Involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching;
5. Confusion;
6. Nausea;
7. Convulsions;
8. Cramps; and/ or
9. Disorientation.

Children and teenagers may be more likely than adults to experience these symptoms.

Parents should monitor their children and find out how they feel.

If you suffer from, or have a family history of epilepsy or strokes, it is best to consult with a medical specialist before watching 3D TV.

But even those without a personal or family history of epilepsy or stroke may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause photosensitive epileptic seizures.

You can buy a 3D TV but you do not need to watch it in 3D mode continuously.

Just be aware that many people may be allergic to it.