Monster Cable PowerCenter HTS 2000 MKII by Monster Cable
|
List Price: Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
(Click here)
Digital camera reviews of Monster Cable PowerCenter HTS 2000 MKII
Digital camera Review: A bit bulky, yet useful & reasonably priced
Summary: 4 Stars
First time, when I bought it, it did sound like an expensive surge protector, but after using it for about 2 months, I think it was worth buying it and paying the money.
You need it if you have:
- HDTV & watch HD channels.
- Phone & internet/wireless router are in same room as TV Center.
- Lots of connection cables for your entertainment center.
Likes:
- Color coded power sockets and matching labels.
- Cable & phone connection goes through the power center to remove any degradation of signal due to interference.
- Noticeable improve in the HD quality. The effect on analog channels is very low and not observable.
Dislike:
- Size. It is big & bulky. you need to place strategically to hide it.
- Price. Not easy to spend so much on a power center. But other options from Monster are expensive and other brands lack reliability & reputation.
I don't know, whether it improves the sound quality of the sound system, since I haven't got one yet.
Digital camera Review: A silver bullet for interference issues?
Summary: 5 Stars
My short review...
I'll start by saying I am NOT a Monster Cable fan. I think for the most part they sell overpriced cables and interconnects to unsuspecting consumers and laugh all the way to the bank.
However, in this case, I had just bought a new HD TV, and found that I could now see substantial interference on analog cable channels, as well as minor interference from any input.
After consulting several experts, I was told that I could have 1 of 3 things going on, and most likely a combination of at least 2 of them... 1.) Cable line ground-loop interference 2.) Power line ground-loop interference 3.) General RF interference.
Looking around at different power conditioners and cable-line isolators brought my to this Monster Cable product. I purchased it keeping in mind Amazon's excellent customer service on returns.
I was more than ready to be skeptical.
I hooked everything up, ran the cable line through it, and powered on. The difference in the video interference problem was pretty profound. I'd say there was a 95% improvement, and I can only see the interference now if I'm looking for it.
Supposedly this product was really designed to help my audio system (and the video cleaning was an addition), but I have not had time to give my setup an in-depth listen since installing the PowerCenter. To be fair, I've never had a complaint about my audio, as "crackles" and interferences occur very, very rarely.
But at least on the video end, this produce works as claimed, and has definitely improved the picture on my big-screen HD TV.
Digital camera Review: Actually fixed my sound problems!
Summary: 4 Stars
Like other reviewers here, I also normally hate Monster. I've gotten into shouting arguments with stupid employees at electronics stores about why you don't need a gold-plated HDMI cable for your HDTV (if you don't need a gold-plated $100 computer monitor cable why do you need a gold-plated $100 HDMI cable?). However, this product actually worked wonderfully for me.
I had been having tremendous problems with my surround system. Sound would flicker, especially when I used it through my cable box. After installing this Monster power system, all problems have gone away. Additionally, I've replaced a spaghetti pile of 3 surge protectors with this single unit, so the underneath of my entertainment system looks a lot nicer too.
I have not yet hooked up my cable through this as it seems to be working fine already. On a related note the "free $27 value!" included cables are so short as to be nearly useless, so don't plan on using them for much (unless your power unit is under 1 ft from your system).
All in all, this probably could be half as expensive as it is, but it works extremely well (and I would have ended up spending $70 on new optical cables to try to fix this problem anyway), so I'm happy with it.
Digital camera Review: Appears to work fine.
Summary: 4 Stars
I'd love to say great things about this product, but due to no lightning strikes on my home or frequent brownouts/blackouts it's kinda hard to tell how its working. I am using this strip to power a 1080p 42" LCD TV, XBOX360 w/ HDDVD player, Cable Modem, and router. The picture on my TV is very clean and I see no interference. The only thing is, I am seeing the same results with my 720p 32" LCD TV with a high-end surge protector I purchased from Wal-Mart that's not made my Monster. The difference in price: $100. I can say Monster does use a different kind of surge protection that, in theory, would be alot more beneficial for my devices. And it has an audible warning when the surge protection is no longer good, which most protectors do not have. It also prevents power from moving through the device when the surge protection is worn out, which almost all other surge protectors do not have. I would definitely get another to protect my investment just on its specifications, alone.Digital camera Review: Discontinued
Summary: 3 Stars
Unit failed to provided power at any of outlets after 1yr of usage and still under warranty. No reported anomalies in electrical power or storms had taken place (Tucson AZ). Monster replaced with similar unit model (downgraded) which offered less power ports, no current LED display, and price considerably less than desired model. Monster reported original model discontinued. Good business practice would have provided customer with price difference since customer spent the additional cost to get extra functions for initial unit.