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Garrett S.

Garrett S.

Joined on 10/24/03

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 21
Most Favorable Review

decent amped antenna

TERK HDTVa Amplified Directional Indoor HDTV Antenna
TERK HDTVa Amplified Directional Indoor HDTV Antenna

Pros: Easy to setup and connect to my HTPC.

Cons: The quality of the cabling isn't that great.

Overall Review: I am not able to get blue or violet signals but did get yellow, green, and red from inside my place with only a little interference. Make sure to really press hard on the detachable antenna element to be sure it seats properly.

Most Critical Review

too simple

VANTEC MRK-102FD-SL EZ Swap Removeable Hard drive rack with LCD display
VANTEC MRK-102FD-SL EZ Swap Removeable Hard drive rack with LCD display

Pros: Easy enough to use. LCD display seems pretty accurate.

Cons: Not hot-swappable. Requires more depth when installing into its 5.25" slot on your PC. Lack of jumper instructions for some drives.

Overall Review: I use these cheap things to store hard drives in for archival. I should have looked around for something hot-swappable and a manufacturer I could buy just the trays/cartidges for instead of the entire unit.

12/14/2005

not for everyone

SiliconDust HDHR3-CC HDHomeRun PRIME 3-Tuner US CableTV with CableCARD Stream Premium Channels and Cut the Cord
SiliconDust HDHR3-CC HDHomeRun PRIME 3-Tuner US CableTV with CableCARD Stream Premium Channels and Cut the Cord

Pros: Supports digital CableCard service from most cable providers. The Prime itself is easy to set up. Integrates easily with Windows Media Center 7. Networked so it can be shared with any networked HTPC. All three tuners can be easily run via a good gigabit network.

Cons: Getting your cable provider to help you get your service set up correctly to work with the Prime can be a nightmare. Beware the frequent beta firmware updates; once you get your Prime set up and working well you shouldn't bother with the latest firmware (if it isn't broke...). Check SD's forums before you buy for instructions on your specific cable provider. Some are not supported and some have very specific steps to get things working.

Overall Review: The most important I can give is to research your cable provider on the SD forums for the Prime to verify it works and the possible hassle you'll have getting them set up right. I pre-ordered mine as soon as it went live on NewEgg. Despite delays and a lot of whining from some people this device was well worth it. I have had the previous HDHR dual-tuner for OTA digital content for Windows Media Center and then a Ceton tuner. While the Ceton supports one more channel it confines it to a single PC. I would much rather have those tuners shared across my three HTPCs rather than have to buy tuners (and monthly CableCard service!) for each. Some early firmware had some issues but they've been resolved for me. I have Time Warner Cable and require a tuning adapter with my CableCard service but the Prime works with the adapter. I have been running issue-free for over two of the three months I've had it!

11/29/2011

nice product from IcyDock

ICY DOCK MB559US-1SMB Aluminum body w/ partial plastic 3.5" Mirror Black SATA I/II/III USB 2.0 & eSATA External Enclosure
ICY DOCK MB559US-1SMB Aluminum body w/ partial plastic 3.5" Mirror Black SATA I/II/III USB 2.0 & eSATA External Enclosure

Pros: Easy to install drives, easy to connect, and easy to get up and going with this drive.

Cons: While the shiny case may look cool it loves to attract fingerprints. I think an anodized aluminum case would make it look a little better, reduce its weight, and maybe help it dissipate heat.

Overall Review: The additional inserts cost $20 for what amounts to a few grams of metal and plastic. Be nice to see these at half that or less.

Tyan S5396

Dynatron H46G 77mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
Dynatron H46G 77mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Pros: Quieter than the stock aluminum HSFs for the 5410. Slightly better cooling even at the reduced noise levels.

Cons: Not 100% copper.

Overall Review: These were replacements for stock Intel HSF on 5410s. They mount up using the stock Harpertown backplate so you don't need to use the supplied backing. With the latest BIOS revisions running the PWM fans they rarely spool up. They also seem to have better response than the Intel PWM fans.

Tyan S5396

CORSAIR 2GB ECC Fully Buffered DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Server Memory Model CM72FB2048-667/SD G
CORSAIR 2GB ECC Fully Buffered DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Server Memory Model CM72FB2048-667/SD G

Pros: I run four of these sticks in a Tyan S5396 and they operate just fine.

Cons: The usual FB-DIMM heat issues kept me from considering running eight of these.