 BHNtechXpertBHN StaffPremium,VIP join:2006-02-16 Saint Petersburg, FL kudos:86 | Tell us about your tech toys.... I'm working on this years Ho Ho Hope List (aka Gary's holidays must have tech list) but before it gets posted I want to get an idea of what you guys have already. Please use this thread to tell us all about your tech toys and why you like and dislike each.
I could start it out if you want but lets get a couple of you in there first and I'll add mine in a bit  |
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 wgraham join:2012-04-16 Winter Springs, FL | I'm a big fan of my CableCARD setup. Running a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime through my desktop/server with a Xbox360 acting as my MCE downstairs. Never run out of DVR space and the Windows Media Center software is excellent.
I do wish I could get two-way communication out of my setup (PPV, VOD) but I realize that without AllVid or CableCARD 2.0 it's not feasible. |
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 BHNtechXpertBHN StaffPremium,VIP join:2006-02-16 Saint Petersburg, FL kudos:86 | said by wgraham:I'm a big fan of my CableCARD setup. Running a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime through my desktop/server with a Xbox360 acting as my MCE downstairs. Never run out of DVR space and the Windows Media Center software is excellent.
I do wish I could get two-way communication out of my setup (PPV, VOD) but I realize that without AllVid or CableCARD 2.0 it's not feasible. Any other tech toys in the house? Don't forget TV's (Make/Model) and mobile devices... -- ~All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident. - Arthur Schopenhauer ~
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 wgraham join:2012-04-16 Winter Springs, FL | LG LCD TV, not a "Smart TV" or anything. IPad (2, one for work), Nokia Lumia 900, Lenovo work laptop, HP touchsmart tm2t running Win8, this wonderful RT-N56U router (thanks for the recommendation), my Frankenstein desktop (Win7). |
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 BHNtechXpertBHN StaffPremium,VIP join:2006-02-16 Saint Petersburg, FL kudos:86 | said by wgraham:LG LCD TV, not a "Smart TV" or anything. IPad (2, one for work), Nokia Lumia 900, Lenovo work laptop, HP touchsmart tm2t running Win8, this wonderful RT-N56U router (thanks for the recommendation), my Frankenstein desktop (Win7). So on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being totally geeked out) how would you rate your tech device prowess? -- ~All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident. - Arthur Schopenhauer ~
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 wgraham join:2012-04-16 Winter Springs, FL | 12. |
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 DanG1974 join:2005-06-26 Saint Petersburg, FL | reply to BHNtechXpert Last week I upgraded my 32" Panasonic 720p HDTV to a 50" Samsung 1080p HDTV. I now have a much better viewing experience.
I have never used the remote control that Bright House includes with their DVR. I've been using Logitech Harmony remotes for years. Earlier this year I upgraded my 880 to the 1100 model. I can't imagine not ever using a Harmony. I use it to control my TV, DVR, Blu-ray player, receiver, USB hard drive, and iPod. |
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 Nayan join:2012-08-15 Melbourne, FL kudos:1 Reviews:
·Bright House
| reply to BHNtechXpert Let's see, I have A Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, Xbox 360, PS3, 40-inch Sony Bravia HDTV, 32 inch Vizio TV, IPod Touch (3rd gen and 4 gen) and too many computers to list . Out of all my toys I use my tablet and Touch the most. |
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 tlgPremium join:2001-08-23 Melbourne, FL | reply to BHNtechXpert Family: 2 Roku boxes Connected BRay player Linux XBMC media server HDMI to 42" LG Plasma Wii HP Laserjet HP Photosmart pro
Me: Win7 desktop Macbook pro (8 Gig RAM, 250G SSD) iPad (1st Gen w/ 3G) Nexus 7 16G Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 (International version) Original Google Chromebook
Wife: 2nd gen Macbook air Kindal Fire HD HTC OneX
Daughter: iPad (1st gen w / 3G) iPhone 4 17" Macbook pro (orig core duo) w / 128G SSD.
Never made this list before. Each of these connects to either the wired or wireless network in the house. Guess it kind of justifies the need for lightening service. -- twitter.com/tgaume |
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 pcdebbRIP dadkinsPremium join:2000-12-03 Brandon, FL kudos:5 | reply to BHNtechXpert iPad3, iPhone 4s, desktop, laptop, a wireless printer, a blue wii, two LED televisions (both cisco hd boxes, one is dvr), 5 fish tanks, a cat..... -- | map your city | |
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 BHNtechXpertBHN StaffPremium,VIP join:2006-02-16 Saint Petersburg, FL kudos:86 | reply to BHNtechXpert So the trend clearly is you guys are into your tech toys....I'm real curious now to see how this thread progresses. I'll be sharing mine later today. |
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 BHNtechXpertBHN StaffPremium,VIP join:2006-02-16 Saint Petersburg, FL kudos:86 3 edits | reply to BHNtechXpert Okay so here's my list 
my computer: Asus M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 Kingston HyperX 8GB DDR3 AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2 GHz CPU EVGA GeForce GTS450 Seagate Momentus XT 500 Hitachi Deskstar 3.5-Inch 2TB x 2 2 x LG W2340V - 23" Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD Monitor 2 x 19" LCD Monitors ------------------ 2 x Shuttle KPC48's Intel® Core2 Duo Processor E7600 2gb Memory 2 x Kingston 120gb SSD's ------------------ Shuttle SG41J4 XPC Intel® Core2 Duo Processor E7600 4gb Memory Kingston 120gb SSD ------------------- Synology DS209+II 2 x Hitachi 2TB Drives 1 x Western Digital 2TB Drive (external)
Synology DS212 2 x Seagate 2TB Drives 1 x Western Digital 2TB Drive (external)
My Network: 2 x Asus RTN56U Router Dlink DGL-4500 Router 4 x Netgear Gigabit 8 port switches 6 x Netgear Homenet Ethernet over Power adapters
Media Devices: Sony NSZ-GS7 DVD/Google TV Logitech Revue Google TV Roku 2 XD Streamer WDLIVE Plus Media Streamer + 2TB external WD drive TiVo Premier XL
Mobile Devices: Apple iPad Series 3 Kindle Fire Motorola Droid X
Televisions: Insignia 24" LCD 720 60hz Toshiba 26" LCD 1080 60hz Insignia 32" LCD 1080 120hz Vizio 32" LCD 1080 60Hz Vizio 47" LCD 1080 120hz 3D Internet Apps
Security: 4 x Foscam IP Cameras
Printing & Scanning: Samsung CLP325 Color Laser Samsung B&W Laser Brother B&W Laser Canon Flatbed Scanner Neat Receipts Scanner
-- ~All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident. - Arthur Schopenhauer ~
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 Steve MehsGun Control Is Using A Steady HandPremium join:2005-07-16 | reply to BHNtechXpert Well, I live in Time Warner territory, but since TW and BHN are so closely aligned and Im a Time Warner fanboy, I keep an eye on this forum here as well. And I just love showing off my crap. Im a pathetic 27 year old loser who lives at home with his mommy and is addicted to technology. My bedroom is my slice of heaven after a shitty day at work.
The TV Set Up
Time Warner Cable Digital Cable, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, Movie Pass, Sports Pass, HD Pass, Latino Tier, NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, Two Whole House HD DVRs.
DirecTV Premier, HD Xtra Pack, NFL Sunday Ticket Max, Two HD DVRs with Whole House Enabled.
Sony Bravia KDL-55NX810 55 3DTV (1080P, 240 Hz, LED) Sony STR-DA3700 ES A/V Receiver Sony BDP-S790 Blu Ray Disc Player Cisco Explorer 8642HDC HD DVR (500 GB) DirecTV HR34-700 HD DVR (1 TB) Sony PlayStation 3 w/Move (320 GB) Microsoft Xbox 360 w/Kinect (250 GB) Sony SCD-CE595 Five Disc Super Audio CD Changer Sony SA-VS310 5.1 Speaker Package w/2 Additional Speakers Sony 3D Glasses, 5 Pair Total (2 TDG-BR100s, 2 TDG-BR250s, 1 TDG-BR750) Cisco SE2800 8 Port Switch. APC H15 Power Center
The TV may be the centerpiece but its just basically a display. The A/V Receiver handles everything. Its connected to the TV via HDMI, and using the HDMI switching capabilities this is how I toggle between my five video sources, Time Warner, DirecTV, Blu Ray, PS3 and Xbox. The CD changer is connected via toslink. The receiver has an integrated Sirius XM tuner, which is active, and also streams content from Pandora, Slacker, YouTube and other internet sources. A 25 long run of Ethernet cable is run from my router through the basement and up through the floor to the A/V Receiver. The Receiver feeds the TV, Blu Ray Player and the Switch. The 8 Port Switch then gives internet connectivity to the two gaming consoles along with the DECA which provides network access to the DirecTV boxes. Everything in this set up is hardwired with CAT6. No wifi here. The TV and blu ray player run a multitude of apps including the ones I mentioned above that my Receiver has, along with many more. The four remaining speakers in my 7.1 set up are in the rear, by my bed.


Main Computer Set Up
HP Pavilion 5000T Desktop (Intel Core 2 Quad Processor @ 2.83 GHz, 8 GB DDR 2 RAM, 750 GB Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM) HP 2310M 23 Monitor (1080P, LCD) HP Wireless Keyboard & HP Wireless Optical Mouse HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus Multifunction Printer Sony SRS-DB500 Active Speaker 2.1 System (300 Watts) Sony Xperia S Tablet (32 GB On Board + 32 GB SD Card, Android 4.03) Sony Walkman Z MP3 Player (32 GB, Android 2.34) Sony Smartwatch (Android 2.1) HTC Evo 4G LTE Smartphone (Sprint, Android 4.04) HTC Evo View 4G Tablet (Sprint, Android 3.2) Motorola Corded Phone with DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset Linksys EA4500 Dual band Router (A,B,G,N) Ubee DDW3611 DOCSIS 3 Cable Modem (In Bridge Mode) Arris Touchstone TM502 Digital Phone Modem Sprint Airave APC XS-1500 Back UPS
The cable modem, powered by Time Warner Cables Ultimate Internet at 50Mb Down and 5Mb Up, feeds the Linksys router which passes internet connectivity to my two desktop computers, my home entertainment gear and also connected to the Sprint Airave. I live in a rural area with poor cellular reception so the Airave is needed to have reliable cell reception. The only components in my network to use wifi are my printer, and of course the tablets, phone and MP3 Player. Everything else is hardwired with CAT6. Its a rare occurrence to find a Time Warner install with a DOCSIS 3/MTA combo modem, so until I can get my hands on one, I need two separate modems, one for data and one for voice. The PC is getting a little on the old side. I custom ordered it direct from HP in the Spring of 2008. I maxed it out and the thing is still running strong. 15 in 1 Card reader, DVD-ROM drive, Blu Ray Burner/HD DVD Drive, Intel Quad Core, this thing has rocked my world for a while now. Everything but the audio system and printer is plugged into the UPS.

My laptop is not pictured. That would be an HP Envy 17 3D - Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit SP1 - Intel Core i7 Processor @ 2.30 GHz (2820QM, Quad Core) - 16 GB RAM, DDR 3 1333 MHz - 750 GB Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM - 1 GB ATI Radeon HD 6850M Video Card - Beats Audio - CD/DVD Burner/BD Drive - 5 In 1 Card Reader - Three USB 2.0 Ports, One USB 3.0 Port - HP Backlit Keyboard & HP Wireless Optical Mouse - HP 17.3 LED 3D Full HD 1080p 16:9 Display
At retail value, at the time of purchase, if you include the laptop, you are looking at over $20K worth of toys. And I'm extremely proud to say, not a single Apple product! -- For the future of our nation, we must unite and vote out the terrorist known as Hussein Obama. Come November 6 2012 we must remove the socialist pig out of office and get our country back on the RIGHT track. |
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 Nayan join:2012-08-15 Melbourne, FL kudos:1 | Okay Steve, it's time to move out of mom's house so I can have your room . Nice setup! |
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 BHNtechXpertBHN StaffPremium,VIP join:2006-02-16 Saint Petersburg, FL kudos:86 | said by Nayan:Okay Steve, it's time to move out of mom's house so I can have your room . Nice setup! LOL |
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 Reviews:
·Time Warner Cable
1 edit | reply to BHNtechXpert
I am also in Time Warner territory, so I hope you guys don't mind me posting here as well.
Our Home: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Networking: -Asus RT-N56U (Bought after your recommendation, thanks!) -Ubee DDW3611 DOCSIS 3 Cable Modem (Bridge Mode) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- VoIP Device: -Ooma Telo (Very happy with the service) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Televisions: -50" Sharp LCD 1080P TV 60Hz (Good Picture) -40" WestingHouse LCD 1080P TV 60Hz -8' or 9' Projector Screen with a Panasonic 720P Projector and surround sound system -32" Sony TV (Pretty old) -26" Toshiba TV (Old) -32" Samsung LCD 720P TV 60Hz (Mine, looking to upgrade in November to a 42" LED 120Hz TV. Looking around if anyone has any suggestions!) [None of these are Smart TV's] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Computers: -Macbook Pro (Mine, considering an SSD and RAM upgrade) -Macbook Pro -Macbook -Macbook ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Media Players and Gaming Devices: -Xbox 360 (Love this thing) -Playstation 3 (Not a huge fan of the XMB interface, used primarily as a Blu-Ray and Netflix machine for the projector) -Wii -Samsung Blu-Ray Player (Internet Enabled) -4 Time Warner Samsung Boxes with the Whole House DVR ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Printers: -Brother 7840W Wireless Laser Printer (Black and White) -Brother 7820N Ethernet Laser Printer (Black and White) -Epson Wireless Color Printer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mobile Devices: -iPhone 4 -Droid X -Blackberry 9650 -iPad ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other: -Wireless Thermostats (Considering getting security cameras) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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 DanG1974 join:2005-06-26 Saint Petersburg, FL | reply to BHNtechXpert I didn't know we were supposed to be so detailed. Wish you would've mentioned this in your first post.
TV/Media
Samsung 50" 1080p 240Hz Slim LED Smart HDTV (UN50ES6100) Logitech Harmony 1100 Remote LG Wi-Fi Blu-ray player Cisco 8742HDC DVR Pioneer 5.1 A/V Receiver (VSX-820) 80GB iPod Classic (connected to receiver which then displays info on TV) Pansonic Viera 32" 720p LCD HDTV (bedroom) Magnavox DVD player that plays Divx (bedroom) Panasonic 3DO Video Game Console (bedroom)
Computer
Dell Inspiron i620-2435bk Desktop PC - 2nd generation Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz, 6GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Samsung S22B150N 22" Class Widescreen LED Backlit Monitor - 1920 x 1080, 16:9, Mega Infinity Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 600:1 Native Netgear Wireless N Router Netgear Cable Modem 3 External Hard Drives (1TB, 500GB, and 200GB) Altec Lansing 2.1 Speaker Set-up Google Chromebook Beta
Phone
Droid X Global |
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 Steve MehsGun Control Is Using A Steady HandPremium join:2005-07-16 | reply to Nayan said by Nayan:Okay Steve, it's time to move out of mom's house so I can have your room . Nice setup! LOL, fine but 1) You have to deal with my mom⦠good luck! And 2) I get to keep my Jambox, cell phone and my ESPN banner 
This was unexpected, I go to a Time Warner Store today to get a remote replaced and just for the hell of it asked if they had combo MTA/D3 cable modems yet, they lady said, yeah and asked if I wanted a UBee or an Arris. So I picked up an Arris TG852G combo unit. Woohoo, one less device and one less split in my cable line. I’ve already replaced the four way splitter with the old three way. I certainly wasn’t expecting that today.
My latest tech obsession is my Big Jambox from Jawbone. I got it on eBay last week, brand new, it was slightly cheaper than the $300 list price, I believe I paid $270, which is still overpriced IMO, but man this thing is great. Basically I’ve been streaming my music collection along with Sirius XM from my tablet nonstop. Great range too. My only qualm is Beats Audio just released a competitor called the âPill’ and in the few reviews I’ve read, the Beats Pill produces better audio quality and is better at higher volumes than the Jawbone Jambox. Oh well.
I forgot about the rest of the house. Nothing really to write home about. In the living room we have a Sony Grand Wega 55” Rear Projection LCD HDTV circa 2007. All that is connected to that is the other Cisco 8642 DVR for TWC and a DirecTV HR24 HD DVR. That old computer setup on the chinsy desk to the right of my TV set up is the one my mother uses. I cannot trust her to have the computer outside of my direct supervision hence why it resides in my bedroom. Ever since the fifth time I found a note taped to the refrigerator door when I got home from work, when I worked night shift, saying âComputer and/or Printer does not work’, I had to revoke her computer privileges. Now everything is password protected and requires me to be there to type it in. Just yesterday I discovered she has a Facebook account. Guess what website just got added to my list of blocked URLs at router level? I guess they don’t call them Parental Controls for nothing.  -- For the future of our nation, we must unite and vote out the terrorist known as Hussein Obama. Come November 6 2012 we must remove the socialist pig out of office and get our country back on the RIGHT track. |
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 | said by Steve Mehs:Just yesterday I discovered she has a Facebook account. Guess what website just got added to my list of blocked URLs at router level? I guess they don’t call them Parental Controls for nothing.  LMAO!!!!!!!!! -- Semper Fi |
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 | you guys make me look bad lol |
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