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Monday, October 31, 2016

Review: VictSing DisplayPort To HDMI Cable

Thanks to VictSing for providing the cable for review.

Today I'm reviewing the VictSing DisplayPort to HDMI Cable for £6.59. The cable is 6 feet long so it's adequate for most cases. This is both a pro and con, but the cable has a kind of "clip" that locks it in place. This clip makes it hard to remove from the monitor, especially if the monitor has an awkward position like my Dell 4k Monitor. That means I had to use two hands to remove the cable. However, the clip means that it is port is securely in place.

Quality wise, it seems sturdy and like all DisplayPort the picture is quite clear.
I made the mistake thinking that it is reversible but it is not. It connects to a DisplayPort computer and connects to an HDMI port in the monitor. IT WILL NOT WORK the other way around ie HDMI --> DisplayPort. For £6.59, it's an average cost for a cable.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Making the most of Amazon Prime


Amazon Prime is a £79 service from Amazon (students only pay £39 per year and get a free 6 month trial) that enables free one-day delivery as well as access to Amazon's streaming service.

However, if you opt to ship your item with the slower 3-5 day shipping Amazon GIVES you £1 for each time you do that. Therefore, it would be beneficial to split each item into individual transaction.

Let's take an example.  Let's say you have 5 Prime eligible items you want to purchase. The easy way is to add all to the basket and check out all at once.  If you opt for the slower standard delivery you will only get £1 in Amazon digital voucher (that can be used to redeem digital downloads).  The smart way is to add only one of the five items into the basket and then checkout.  Then once you check out, rinse and repeat with the other remaining items.  That way you will get £1 for each time you checkout bagging you £5.  That's a difference of £4.


The £1 can also be accumulated.  I've bought a £4 movie a month ago using the £1 vouchers I've earned.  Please note that the  £1 digital download offer expires though but I forgot how long after the purchase that happens.  So contact Amazon customer service if you want to know.

Here's another sneak trick.  If one of the items was purchased using Prime one day delivery, there is a very high chance that all the unshipped items will be packed together with that prime item even though you selected a slower shipping speed with the other items.  Amazon is very savvy at saving money so why waste postage and send out a nearly empty box when you can stuff the box with the other items also going to the same customer.  That means you will get the other 4 items at Prime speed while also bagging £4 in mp3 vouchers.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Review: VicTsing Mini Bluetooth Headset

Thanks to VicTsing for providing a Mini Bluetooth Headset for review.  The item costs £9.59 on  Amazon.

Pros:

  • Sound quality
  • Firmly held in ear
Cons:
  • Mono sound
  • Small button to pick up and end call
  • Ear bud not snug




Box content:

  • Headset
  • 2 spare ear piece's
  • Ear clip
  • Charging cable
  • Manual

First off we start with sound quality.  Though the VictSing bluetooth headset cannot compete with a Bose QC20i, the sound quality from the product is descent.  The music came out clear.  In addition, the product is easy to set up but for me it took quite a while to find the power button, which doubles as a start / stop button as well as a accept and reject button.  The button is at the top of the product and is quite small.  VictSing could have used the whole silver plate as a button, but they opt to use a small button on top.  Also, there is no way to adjust the volume from the headset.  However, I like the added plastic ear clip.  It works to hold the headset around my ear.

Would I recommend it?  I fault it with the less intuitive button placement.  Other than that, the sound was descent.  Other than that it is an OK headset.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Review: VicTsing 4k Action Cam

Disclaimer: This product was provided by VicTsing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Pros:
  • Light weight
  • Easy to use interface
  • Does as described
  • Stabilization of shots
  • Can use larger than 64 GB microSD Card mentioned

Cons:
  • Annoying prompt saying "video start."  But this can easily be turned off.
  • Not so great at night shots.
  • Can be a bit grainy and overexposed


Today I am reviewing the VicTsing 4k action camera, which cost £65.99.  The product directly compete with the GoPro Hero3 action cam, which cost £324.

Package Contents:
1x Camera (match box size)
2x Rechargeable batteries
1x Waterproof case
…. Lots and lots of accessories for different types to use, like helmet, motorbike, bicycle, etc.

It has a basic user interface which is quite easy to use when you get used to it.  According to the manual, the camera uses a Sony IMX117 Exmor R CMOS.  It also shoots UHD 4K(2880*2160) in 24fps, QHD 2K (2560*1440) in 30fps, and FHD 1080P in 60fp, etc all the way down to VGA.  The still picture resolution is touted to be 20 megapixels.

Here is a sample video of the Swansea University's 2016 Fresher Fair.  It was taken in 1080p 60 hertz.

VicTsing camera sample

GoPro Hero3 Sample - From YouTube

As you can see foreground objects are quite clear, but the background ones are a tad blurry.  Also, there is an annoying "video start" announcement captured on the start of the video.  However, this can easily be turned off under settings.  It is labeled as "voice prompt."

Furthermore, VicTsing had informed me that the largest micro SD card this camera can go is 64 GB.  Although VictSing said it wouldn't recognize larger sizes, but I was able to use up a 128 GB microSD card..  Also the camera enclosure is a little tricky to open up as you need to lift the hinge a little while pulling on the indicated tab.


Sample from my Xperia Z2 phone



Sample compilation comparing the VictSing Action cam and the Xperia Z5 Premium


Would I recommend to buy this product?  Maybe, if you're into action sports.  It is certainly cheaper than the GoPro Hero3 it is trying to compete with.

If you already have a phone with a good camera and just want to take casual videos, this would be an unnecessary purchase.

Review: VicTsing Universal Waterproof Case Underwater Pouch

Disclaimer: This product was provided by VicTsing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Today I'm reviewing the VicTsing® Universal Waterproof Case Underwater Pouch which cost £5.59.

The pouch

Pouch joints


The pouch certainly does the job of keeping the product dry.  I placed a paper towel in the case and it came out dry.  Unfortunately the material looks a bit flimsy and the bag is rather thin.  I was able to rip a small tear at the joint where the black plastic clamps joins the plastic bag.  That means it would be suitable for thin phones only, and not thick ones.  One benefit of this product is that it enables the phone to be used through the case.

All in all I think this is a nifty product and for what it's worth it's a better solution than placing the phone in a ziplock container.