Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V

by. UnderBreex

Did you ever want a camera to take with into your courageous adventures? Then the Sony HDR-AS30V Action Cam can fulfill your expectations with a cheap price tag (comparisons are now loading).

This compact POV (Point of View) camera includes:

-Sony HDR-AS30V camera

-Waterproof case

-USB to micro USB cable

-Rechargeable battery pack

-Adhesive mounts (3)

            -Flat mount

                -Curved mount (helmets)

                -Top mount (to attach the camera onto other accessories)

-Guide and warranty

It features a waterproof housing that can be taken to 5.0m/16ft underwater compared to the older housing that could go 60m/197ft. Why downgrade it? People wouldn't normally go as far down under, as the housing provided. However, by downgrading to a more limited depth, they improved to a stereo sound quality instead. This means the pleasant sound of the water, noise, or conversations can be recorded more clearly inside the housing. This new case is thinner, lighter, and features external buttons to ease the controlling of the camera without taking the case apart. You can also see its display clearly, which is more user-friendly and easier to read.

This Action Cam is also capable of taking 11.9 megapixel and interval images, steady shots and high quality videos at two different angles: 120 &170. The steady shot videos, unfortunately, cut the size of the actual sight of the frame. The video quality settings are:

-480 x 30 VGA
-720 x 120 Super Slow Motion
-720 x 60 Slow Motion
-720 x 30 Standard
-1080 x 30 High Quality
-1080 x 60 PS

You need a Micro SD Card or M2 Card (Sony's memory card) as an extra purchase, to fully operate your device and record all of your favorite memories. A 32 GB Micro SD Card is highly recommended, so you don't run out of space quickly. I haven't been able to fill-up mine yet.

Moving onto some new features like the upgraded Wi-Fi capability. The Wi-Fi is now accompanied by NFC for fast pairing with NFC-enabled smart phones. This allows your phone to function as a remote and LCD screen for the camera with the PlayMemories Mobile/Home app (available only on iOS, Android, Mac, and PC). It also serves to play your previous recorded footage or pictures, edit, and upload them. A totally new feature is the built-in GPS. While using this feature, it captures GPS data displaying location, speed, distance, time, and date onto your videos.

This camera is highly compared to the Go-Pro Hero3/Hero3+ Black Edition or Hero3+ because it shares similar specs. However, the Sony Action Cam is actually a $100 cheaper placing Sony’s AC at $299, compared to Go-Pro’s at $399. Even when I bought it, adding a couple of accessories like: the suction cup, a floatie, and the tax, it didn't add up to the lonely Go-Pro’s high price. They both share almost the same video and image quality. Nevertheless, when exposed into different lighting and situations it's where they both give a different result. In addition, the Go-Pro is a little harder to operate with its small buttons and almost unreadable display.

Having in mind that I originally wanted a Go-Pro, I’ve fulfilled my expectations by finally owning this camera, which I now utilize to film and photograph my adventures and take the pleasure of saving money.

Lastly, in my very honest opinion, I give a 4.5/5 to the Sony Action Cam.

PS Gold Wireless Stereo Headset Review

by. UnderBreex

  I was looking for a PlayStation 4 at the Sony Store. Since I need a new power brick for my Xbox 360, I don’t currently have a console for gaming. I was hanging around the shop and talking with two good friends of mine, hoping that there’d be a store employee available. After a few minutes, a young man asks if he could help me, so of course I ask for a PS4. The store rep returns from the storage room about five minutes later, and told me that the store had sold the last one the previous day, and no one knew when the store would be getting new units. And that was Japan’s fault, since the next day was the console release in that country. Gee, thanks Japan.

  We were somewhat disappointed because the three of us wanted to spend that weekend enjoying the new console and to top it off I’ve been sick. After hanging around the store for a while, chatting and looking at basically all their merchandise, the employee asked me if I wanted to buy some accessories for the PS4 until they restock the console. I didn’t see the harm in that, so the employee told me that the new PS Gold Wireless Stereo Headsets had arrived that day. I gladly took it, and after using it for a bit, I can give my personal verdict on how they fare.

  This new headset is priced at $99 at Sony stores and most other retailers. The box includes the headset, a mini-USB cable charger, a wireless adaptor, a 3.5mm headphone jack cable, and a carrying pouch. The first thing I noticed with these headphones was the quality of the plastics and the fabric around the body of the ear cups. Considering the fact that I wear glasses and use pretty big earplugs, I thought they were very comfortable, and the headband doesn’t mess up my hair too much.

  Then I tried putting the headphones in the accompanying carrying pouch. Most modern headsets can bend to fit carrying cases. In this case, these headphones give cause for concern that they might break when bent. You do get used to it after several attempts, though. They also have faceplates that you can use replace the default ones, or to customize your headphones. The left ear cup has every button that you'd need to fit your needs, such as to toggle sound and chat, the microphone, the power and audio switches, a toggle for virtual surround sound (VSS), volume adjusting buttons, a mute button, the mini-USB connector, the audio input jack, and a status indicator light.

  I tested the sound quality on a few platforms (PS3, PS Vita, smartphones, PC, and Mac). The sound was tested with inFamous, Grand Theft Auto, Tearaway, and a dubstep song (for the heavy bass). The quality with each scenario is excellent compared to other, sometimes more expensive, headsets on the market. It’s easy to hear every detail clearly, and the headset gives you a real perception of what's around you. Unfortunately, the sound bleeds at higher volumes, so others around you can also hear your music. The quality of the microphone could be better, but it’s definitely average.

In the end, I give this headset a 9/10.

Pros:

- Good quality for the price

- Excellent materials that don’t get in the way

- High quality sound

- Can be used with multiple devices

- Customizable

Cons:

- Microphone could be better

- Feels like it can break when collapsing to put in case