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Lately, I've been riding the Sony train! It is because I've generally had good experiences with their products: from cameras to VAIO laptops to headphones to Playstations*.
Anyway, when new products are ready to drop, generally retail stores start clearing out the old to make way for the new. I don't mind using last year's model, especially if I'm saving a few bucks.
So here are some Sony-related products that I've personally picked up and used and my thoughts on them.
Anyway, when new products are ready to drop, generally retail stores start clearing out the old to make way for the new. I don't mind using last year's model, especially if I'm saving a few bucks.
So here are some Sony-related products that I've personally picked up and used and my thoughts on them.
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SRS-BTX300
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SONY SRS-BTX300
Ignore that catchy descriptive name, I would rename this as simply Sony Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Normal retail price is $199 (recently Sony had a price drop to $149), but I picked up this item for $90. I thought this was a great deal. If I had extra cash, I would buy two of these.
Wireless is really the future of this type of niche speaker products. This is because with the old "docking" style, it will only work if the plugs are compatible. When Apple changed their old 30-pin connectors with the new Lightning Ports, overnight they made all the docking speakers obsolete! So owning a wireless speaker is the way to go... plus this opens up to Android and other devices that uses the Bluetooth standards.
Pairing the Bluetooth Speaker was intuitive, you just hold down the pair button until it rapidly blink. Once you connect with your device, it will continue to connect. It only connects one device at a time, so if you want to pair another device, you have to press that pair button again to pair with another device, etc. So setup was very easy.
Pros: If you have a Bluetooth device, you can pair it up with this speakers for some "serious" sound. I paired it up with my iPad and it's awesome. YouTube and general audio sounds fantastic. No complaints in the sound department. As a special bonus, it can also be used without plugging in, as it comes with an internal rechargeable battery. I did not test for its endurance because I am usually at home and nearby an outlet... but I've read that it will play over eight hours on a full charge.
Also, other perks: it has NFD-enabled and an audio jack for old-fashion auxiliary input and a carrying protective case (completely useless, but hey, it's free). There is also a USB outlet, so you can also charge your device if you have the right cords.
Cons: This thing is heavier than it looks. Sony promote this as a portable speaker, but its size (lengthwise it's about two iPad minis) and weight tells a different story. You cannot operate the speaker until you open the kickstand, which, if you've read reviews online, is the biggest complaint about this speaker. The kickstand is such a crucial part of the design (it won't work without it), that I'm afraid that it will break. Why not just design the speaker to sit upright without the stand?
Ignore that catchy descriptive name, I would rename this as simply Sony Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Normal retail price is $199 (recently Sony had a price drop to $149), but I picked up this item for $90. I thought this was a great deal. If I had extra cash, I would buy two of these.
Wireless is really the future of this type of niche speaker products. This is because with the old "docking" style, it will only work if the plugs are compatible. When Apple changed their old 30-pin connectors with the new Lightning Ports, overnight they made all the docking speakers obsolete! So owning a wireless speaker is the way to go... plus this opens up to Android and other devices that uses the Bluetooth standards.
Pairing the Bluetooth Speaker was intuitive, you just hold down the pair button until it rapidly blink. Once you connect with your device, it will continue to connect. It only connects one device at a time, so if you want to pair another device, you have to press that pair button again to pair with another device, etc. So setup was very easy.
Pros: If you have a Bluetooth device, you can pair it up with this speakers for some "serious" sound. I paired it up with my iPad and it's awesome. YouTube and general audio sounds fantastic. No complaints in the sound department. As a special bonus, it can also be used without plugging in, as it comes with an internal rechargeable battery. I did not test for its endurance because I am usually at home and nearby an outlet... but I've read that it will play over eight hours on a full charge.
Also, other perks: it has NFD-enabled and an audio jack for old-fashion auxiliary input and a carrying protective case (completely useless, but hey, it's free). There is also a USB outlet, so you can also charge your device if you have the right cords.
Cons: This thing is heavier than it looks. Sony promote this as a portable speaker, but its size (lengthwise it's about two iPad minis) and weight tells a different story. You cannot operate the speaker until you open the kickstand, which, if you've read reviews online, is the biggest complaint about this speaker. The kickstand is such a crucial part of the design (it won't work without it), that I'm afraid that it will break. Why not just design the speaker to sit upright without the stand?
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CECH-ZED1U-PB-R
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SONY CECH-ZED1U-PB-R
When the Sony 3D Display was released in 2011, it sold for an outrageous $599. Of course, that included a pair of 3D Active Glasses, an HDMI cord, and a video game. When it didn't sell, Sony quickly discontinued this product.
The display is currently being sold as a refurbished (sans the game, the glasses, and the cable) for only $119 at Microcenter in Minnesota. I bought the monitor for $139 and was happy with that price.
Pros: 3D-class 24-inch monitor for less than $150 is a deal. Although they list this as refurb, I think it's brand new (I believe they "unbundle" the glasses and game and by law can't sell it as "new"). Picture quality is outstanding at 1080p compare to similar-priced monitors. Two HDMI, analog ports, and good speakers (for its price).
Cons: No remote controller. This is also "Active 3D" technology, which means the glasses you get at the movie theaters won't work (as they use the cheaper "Passive 3D" technology.)
Let's be clear about this 3D monitor, you are not buying this TV set to use as a 3D (unless you want to shell out an additional $100 for a pair of Sony glasses). If you are going to buy into the 3D world, you need to go with Passive 3D. The only advantage to Active 3D is that you get full resolution.
Anyway, I've ordered one Sony 3D glasses, but it won't arrive until this Friday. I will let you know how the 3D works.
UPDATE: The 3D glasses arrived on time and I've just tested it out on Piranha 3D and it looked great. Colors are accurate, but video looks darker than normal. The only problem is that you need to charge the glasses as it requires power to operate...
When the Sony 3D Display was released in 2011, it sold for an outrageous $599. Of course, that included a pair of 3D Active Glasses, an HDMI cord, and a video game. When it didn't sell, Sony quickly discontinued this product.
The display is currently being sold as a refurbished (sans the game, the glasses, and the cable) for only $119 at Microcenter in Minnesota. I bought the monitor for $139 and was happy with that price.
Pros: 3D-class 24-inch monitor for less than $150 is a deal. Although they list this as refurb, I think it's brand new (I believe they "unbundle" the glasses and game and by law can't sell it as "new"). Picture quality is outstanding at 1080p compare to similar-priced monitors. Two HDMI, analog ports, and good speakers (for its price).
Cons: No remote controller. This is also "Active 3D" technology, which means the glasses you get at the movie theaters won't work (as they use the cheaper "Passive 3D" technology.)
Let's be clear about this 3D monitor, you are not buying this TV set to use as a 3D (unless you want to shell out an additional $100 for a pair of Sony glasses). If you are going to buy into the 3D world, you need to go with Passive 3D. The only advantage to Active 3D is that you get full resolution.
Anyway, I've ordered one Sony 3D glasses, but it won't arrive until this Friday. I will let you know how the 3D works.
UPDATE: The 3D glasses arrived on time and I've just tested it out on Piranha 3D and it looked great. Colors are accurate, but video looks darker than normal. The only problem is that you need to charge the glasses as it requires power to operate...
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Playstation Plus
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PLAYSTATION PLUS
I recently joined Playstation Plus. Dollar for dollar, this annual $50 service is worth it. Every month you're given a total of six games (two for the Vita, two for the PS3, and two for the PS4). Sure, the games aren't the latest, but it's free. To get the most out of the program, I'm really contemplating on buying a Vita, and I'm sure that's exactly what Sony wants. Unfortunately, at this time, I have no interest or room to carry yet another device. But who knows, if I can get the portable gaming at a discount and/or clearance ....
Anyway, if you never got around to buying Dead Space 3, it's free this month. I've already beaten the game when I borrowed it a few years ago, but I'm spending more time with it now that I own it via Playstation Plus.
With the PS4, the two games are Towerfall Ascension and Strider, not exactly triple A titles, but can't complain since there are literally no games on the PS4 system. With just the four free games, I feel like the Plus service is already paying for itself.
The crux of the Playstation Plus program is that you have to remain a member of the service to continue to play these games. I think it's fair, I just hope that they don't raise the price.
* Sure, my original PS3 Fat died after six years, but it had a good run, considering that I used that thing for all my media consumption day in and day out. Unlike my original Xbox 360 that died less than a year in service.
I recently joined Playstation Plus. Dollar for dollar, this annual $50 service is worth it. Every month you're given a total of six games (two for the Vita, two for the PS3, and two for the PS4). Sure, the games aren't the latest, but it's free. To get the most out of the program, I'm really contemplating on buying a Vita, and I'm sure that's exactly what Sony wants. Unfortunately, at this time, I have no interest or room to carry yet another device. But who knows, if I can get the portable gaming at a discount and/or clearance ....
Anyway, if you never got around to buying Dead Space 3, it's free this month. I've already beaten the game when I borrowed it a few years ago, but I'm spending more time with it now that I own it via Playstation Plus.
With the PS4, the two games are Towerfall Ascension and Strider, not exactly triple A titles, but can't complain since there are literally no games on the PS4 system. With just the four free games, I feel like the Plus service is already paying for itself.
The crux of the Playstation Plus program is that you have to remain a member of the service to continue to play these games. I think it's fair, I just hope that they don't raise the price.
* Sure, my original PS3 Fat died after six years, but it had a good run, considering that I used that thing for all my media consumption day in and day out. Unlike my original Xbox 360 that died less than a year in service.
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