27 Sep
Blog

Blink Indoor Review: Can’t Handle the Great Indoors

Flashing indoor on the table

"Despite its name, the Blink Indoor just doesn't cut it to handle the interior of the home."

  • Battery life of up to two years

  • Live playback limited to 30 seconds

  • A wired power source is optional

  • Very simple motion detection trigger

At the beginning of this year, the surveillance camera manufacturer Blink released the Blink Mini to expand its portfolio. This is certainly a step in a new direction as it was the company's first indoor camera following the success of its Blink XT outdoor cameras.

Now we're getting another indoor camera with the aptly named Blink Indoor, which looks very similar to its sibling – the Blink Outdoor. Compared to the Mini, the Blink Indoor is priced higher at $ 80 and is billed as a wireless solution. When the Blink Mini sells for $ 35, are you ready to pay the premium?

Lots of similarities

Place the Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor cameras side by side and it will be difficult to tell them apart. From their square plastic design to being powered by two AA lithium batteries, they have a lot in common. The only difference, however, is that the back cover on the Blink Indoor does not have the same weatherproof cover. And, oh yes, the indoor is available in white while the outdoor is available in black. You can also use the Blink outdoor camera indoors if you want. However, you cannot use the indoor camera outdoors as it is not weatherproof.

Flashing indoor on the counterJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

On the technical side, it's exactly like the Blink Outdoor, which in itself is similar to the previous Blink XT2 camera. It offers 1080p video recording, up to 30 frames per second, infrared night vision, and the same 110 degree field of view. The narrow field of view is still limited compared to the 140 degree range of the Ring Indoor Cam. However, if you want to monitor the entrances in the house, it is enough if you collect important information.

Since the Blink Outdoor has the same specs, its performance is no different. The 1080p video it produces is passable and clear enough to see scenes, but fine details are difficult to see. It suffers from its dynamic range and often blows out the highlights. Night vision holds up with its range of around 25 feet, but it's rather soft.

Limitations with live view

Due to its battery life, the Blink Indoor has a relatively brief live view when accessing the camera directly through the app – and that's a problem. If you access the live view, you will receive a smidgen over 30 seconds before the disconnection. I thought there was an option to customize, but there isn't. Once that 30 second mark is reached, a button will appear on the screen asking if you want to continue. Of course, you can press it after every 30 second mark, but that's a pain.

Interestingly, you can actually firmly connect the Blink Indoor to a power source because there is an exposed micro-USB port on the back. However, even with constant power supply, the live view is still limited to around 30 seconds. There are also controls for the sensitivity of the motion detection as well as the ability to set up motion zones to reduce false alarms. Speaking of which, it lacks advanced peer detection like person or pet detection, which will help reduce false positives.

Less of an indoor camera

As mentioned earlier, the Blink Mini was released as the company's first indoor camera solution earlier this year. However, the Blink Indoor Camera behaves more like an outdoor camera than an indoor camera, especially when it includes the same wall bracket as the Blink Outdoor. Because of this, when you put it on a table or countertop, you cannot articulate it for different angles.

Flash inside the cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Let's talk about the battery life. It's neat that the battery can last up to two years, but the app does a terrible job of showing you the remaining battery life. Instead of a percentage or a bar, the app only shows a vague "OK" after almost a week. Of course, battery life mainly depends on how often it is triggered. There is the option of plugging it into a power source, but making it more difficult that no cable is offered in the box.

Our opinion

There is only a $ 20 difference between Blink Outdoor and Indoor, with the main difference being the weatherproof construction of the former. At $ 80, the Blink Indoor is a tough sell as it has limited real-time streaming of video and lacks the advanced features of its contemporaries.

How long it will take?

The all-plastic construction makes it light, but still feels solid to withstand small drops. If it is defective, it is backed by a 1 year limited warranty.

Is there a better alternative?

While video quality is no different, given its $ 35 cost, the cheaper Blink Mini is a better buy. You're sure to save money and don't have to worry about live streaming restrictions.

Alternatively, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt is an excellent offer. With tons of features, including 360-degree coverage. The Ring Indoor Cam is also a good choice at $ 60. It offers person recognition to reduce false alarms and integration into the ring ecosystem.

Should you buy it?

No. It lacks the need to turn it into a functional indoor camera and it is more expensive than much more powerful counterparts.

Editor's recommendations




27 Sep
Blog

A Weighted Vest for Beginners

A weighted vest for beginners - assessments, strength and conditioning, VO2 max, endurance, plyometry, sprint training, explosive strength, weight vest, post menopause

Franco Columbu, who was Arnold Schwarzenegger's best friend, a stand-alone bodybuilder champion, and a competitor in strongman and powerlifting events, had his own views on adding weight to bodyweight exercises and famously said, "Never add weights to your move – UPS. "

The thought was this: if you can do multiple sets of 8 to 12 repetitions of a chin-up with different grips and perfect form, then you had to do this, and adding weight was a distraction from the end goal and not necessarily helpful.

However, there is research into the use of weighted vests (WV) in training, and the recommendations indicate that some thought is required to include WVs in training protocols, but in some cases they produce results.

Regarding the effects of sprinting with and without a weight vest on speed and repetitive sprinting ability in male soccer players, the researchers found no conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of WV training, but recommended it be considered as an additional addition to normal training due to improvements the ability to sprint repeatedly.

However, in The Effect of Extra-Load Conditioning on Muscle Performance in Athletes, the researchers found that the WV experimental group improved their jump heights on squat jumps with and without additional loads. their jumping heights in drop jumps and their mechanical performance in 15 second jumps.

On the other hand, researchers at Weighted Vest Exercise Improces Indices of Fall Risk in older women found that postmenopausal women benefited from lower body resistance exercises that increased resistance through the use of a WV.

So I'm not going to advocate or deny the value of a weight vest. When it comes to athletic or athletic achievement, there are so many reasons to shy away from making any definitive statements because the fitness percent is not like the rest of us. So there is no point in comparing yourself.

And based on research on older populations, WV training is certainly useful, so there is likely a middle ground usage criterion that can be applied to most trainees.

The weighted Zelus beginner vest

A weighted vest for beginners - assessments, strength and conditioning, VO2 max, endurance, plyometry, sprint training, explosive strength, weight vest, post menopause

That brings me well to the Zelus WV I got to review for Breaking Muscle. The product used here is the 12 pound version that we called the beginner. However, because the vest is available in lighter weight configurations, this may not be the case for you.

Judging from the research, you could be post menopause, starting at 4 pounds and that could be hard enough to start you off. 12 lb might not sound like a lot, but you can feel the weight no matter how fit or strong you are.

The picture at the top of the article shows how this vest compares to a heavy vest weighing 80 lb WV. There is a world of difference and not just weight. Zelus & # 39; WV is comfortable and suitable for quick movements. It wraps around your back and shoulder, fits well and stays tight. It is definitely a great choice if you plan to use it for a long period of time.

I would prefer to carry a set of dumbbells if I want to do a loaded carry over a long hike or use a heavier vest that is much heavier, but if it was a sprint or a jog, Zelus & # 39; WV a no brain. Again, it depends on whether you believe a weight vest will help or hinder sprinting.

It is marketed as a CrossFit friendly product. There are certainly plenty of people out there who enjoy adding WVs to traditional WODs like Murph. You may also want to wear a weight vest to do your shopping and if you do it will be a great solution for you and is likely to go unnoticed just as a fashion statement.

What I am really saying is that this is a pretty nice addition to the WV company owner. It's a good design. It fits well. I haven't had a chance to use it in over a year so I can't tell you how reliable it will be, but I can't see anything to suggest it isn't well done.

I didn't really care about the detachable zippered pocket that you can use to store your phone, keys and other things. But to be honest, it's irrelevant to the product. When I want to take my wallet and $ 700 cell phone to the gym or on a sweaty run, no one has invented a bag that hits the mark, at least not in my experience.

On the positive side, I have the vest near my desk and can do a few push-ups with the computer on every time I get off the computer. I'm home right now, but I could keep one in my desk drawer at work which is kind of cool.

Zelus weight vest
characteristics Comfortable material, two storage pockets, adjustable straps, reflective strips, mesh pocket on the back, detachable zip pockets on the front for personal items and a phone
Weight

20 lbs / 16 lbs / 12 lbs / 8 lbs / 6 lbs / 4 lbs
price $ 36.99 (Amazon)
26 Sep
Blog

Yamaha SR-C20A Review: Clear Sound In a Compact Package

Yamaha C20A soundbar

"The SR-C20A is the bar that Yamaha wanted, but it lacks the low-end sound."

  • Compact, stylish design

  • Easy adjustment

  • Exceptionally clear sound

This year we've seen a lot of sound bars that made it big. The LG SN11RG was a cinema giant, and the Samsung HW-Q800T was a big, powerful device in itself. However, some selected bars went in the opposite direction, such as the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157. These little bars still charge full size pricing, with both retailing for $ 300.

Yamaha is breaking that mold with its $ 180 SR-C20A. The C20A is wider than the competing soundbars, but not much taller and significantly cheaper. The compact bar is designed to produce a big sound in the smallest of spaces, which has led Yamaha to promote it as a soundbar that extends beyond the living room.

design

The Yamaha experts told me that while they were working on their latest line of soundbars, they obtained information from current Yamaha soundbar owners. According to Yamaha, they found that many owners of these bars were not using them as part of a traditional living room theater setup. Instead, Yamaha bars were found all over the home, from the bedroom to the office, and often placed in narrow spaces that were sometimes unsuitable for larger bars.

Yamaha C20A soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

With that information, Yamaha made the C20A, which is a little over 23 inches wide by approximately 2.5 inches and weighs only 3.9 pounds. In comparison, the company's SR-B20A is 35 inches long and 7.1 pounds, with the older YAS-109 having similar dimensions. However, this isn't the smallest bar out there. Both the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157 are only 17 inches wide, with the latter weighing just 2.8 pounds.

While the C20A looks petite and undersized with a 65-inch television – or perhaps a 100-inch projection screen – its remarkably compact footprint offers the bar a great deal of versatility in terms of uses. Since the bar is getting the same sleek redesign as the larger B20A, I have to say I'm a fan of the way it's built.

Since the bar is getting the same sleek redesign as the larger B20A, I have to say I'm a fan of the way it's built.

Under the hood of the C20A are two drivers for the front left and right channels, a built-in subwoofer driver, and two passive coolers. The goal here, Yamaha told me, was to put the greatest possible sound in the smallest possible bar. I'll break it down completely later, but if you think there is no way there is no way to build such a small soundbar without making audio concessions, you wouldn't be wrong.

configuration

WLAN cannot be configured with the C20A and a wireless subwoofer cannot be supplied. The device is very simple. It contains a remote control supplied as well as an optical cable to connect the bar to your display. Because of this simplicity, there are no hidden complications or problems with setting up. Most all-in-one bars offer this simplicity, so this is nothing new. However, instantly improving your TV's sound in less than five minutes is always a nice benefit.

Yamaha C20A soundbar with remote controlNick Woodard / Digital Trends

As a not entirely critical but very helpful additional step in the setup process, I would recommend downloading the Yamaha Soundbar Remote App. The physical remote works just fine and the remote app generally has no other functionality. However, there is a volume control that will tell you exactly how loud your bar is. It's also easier to tell when to use the soundbar's ClearVoice and bass enhancement features.

links

The C20A has an interesting number of connections. It only has one HDMI-ARC port, and I have conflicting thoughts about it. Since this bar was built to be compatible with several different setups, I can understand why it doesn't have the extra ports that could be beneficial for a theater soundbar.

If part of the utility of this bar includes integration with a gaming station, as Yamaha suggests, an additional HDMI port would be just as necessary, if not more, than if the C20A was primarily intended for a living room. The Panasonic SoundSlayer, which unlike the Yamaha, outwardly calls itself a gaming soundbar, has a corresponding HDMI input and output to better support combat stations, although it is priced at $ 300.

Yamaha C20A soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

In addition to the HDMI connection, there are two digital optical inputs, an analog audio connection and a USB input, which are only intended for firmware updates. In particular, the C20A lacks the subwoofer output found in the larger Yamaha B20A. This means that you don't have the option of adding a separate powered sub and that the output of the beam itself gets stuck.

The B20A has a bluetooth multipoint that allows you to connect to two different devices at the same time.

The B20A has bluetooth multipoint so you can connect to two devices at the same time. For example, this could mean two different phones that multiple members of the same household can use to play their own music. Or it could be your phone and an Amazon Alexa device, giving your Dot, Flex, or other Echo device the ability to broadcast through the C20A's far more powerful drivers. I've reported that I'd prefer the Yamaha YAS-109's built-in Alexa compatibility, but I don't think Alexa over Bluetooth is a bad way to go.

Sound quality

In order to properly characterize the sound of the C20A, I think it is important to consider the environment for which it was designed. In contrast to the DTS Virtual: X-capable B20A, it was not specially developed as a home theater solution. There's no rule that says you can't incorporate the C20A into your living room, and I imagine some people will just do it because of its minimalist aesthetic. In all of the press materials provided by the company, however, Yamaha is not afraid to emphasize that the C20A is a bar that can go beyond normal living space.

Yamaha C20A soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I actually agree with the marketing and outside of the living room I think the audio profile of the C20A makes the most sense. It produces a very clear sound and is ideal for acoustically oriented music. Basically, I really enjoyed hearing the C20A when a song didn't need a substantial bass backbone to sound like it should.

I think it works in a smaller space like a bedroom too, where Yamaha's ClearVoice technology can help you hear every clever line from New Girl, even at a lower volume. The company also markets the C20A as small enough to slide under a monitor, enhancing gaming audio. The gaming preset of the C20A provided a more intense sound experience during the game.

When a song didn't need a solid bass backbone to sound like it should, I really enjoyed hearing the C20A.

In these applications – in a bedroom, as part of a gaming setup, or in a smaller room where you want to hear more detailed music – I think the C20A is excellent.

However, if you expect the C20A to effectively fill a living room, the limitations of this bar show up.

The sound is still clear, to be fair, and it gets loud for the package it comes in. But as much as Yamaha has tried to pack bass in the tightest of spaces with passive radiators, the C20A just can't fill the low end of the frequency range enough to provide a great movie viewing experience. As a Marvel nut, I tried the original Avengers (2012) with the C20A. The most challenging scenes, from Bruce Banner slamming his fists against a table to intimidate Natasha Romanoff (and the audience), to the epic Iron Man versus Thor clash in the woods, lacked the power that normally drives them.

While the remote's bass expansion button makes a difference, the C20A is too low on bass to correct things completely. That doesn't mean that I think less about this bar. It effectively serves its mission of being smaller, and it sounds great in small spaces. But I can't help but believe it's in some strange soundbar limbo. For a small soundbar, it is significantly cheaper than the US $ 300 Panasonic SoundSlayer or the US $ 300 Zvox AV157. However, each of these soundbars has been designed to achieve specific goals. The SoundSlayer has positioned itself as a game-specific solution, and Zvox has mainly designed its bar to make dialog easier to hear.

The C20A didn't choose a lane of its own to stay on and instead does several things well instead of doing one thing great. While that's not necessarily a bad way to go, the main thing that sets this soundbar apart from the better-sounding B20A is its size. Unless you really need something that small and are paying an extra $ 20 for enhanced bass, DTS Virtual: X and a subwoofer out seems like a natural way to go.

Our opinion

The SR-C20A is the soundbar Yamaha designed it for – a compact bar that fits into tons of nooks and crannies of a modern home – and it deserves praise for it. At the same time, it comes at the expense of the low-end range needed as a compelling solution for movies, while the costs and features too closely mimic their more powerful cousins.

Are there any better alternatives?

For $ 200, the Yamaha SR-B20A is a better option for larger spaces, but it doesn't offer the luxury of compact versatility that the C20A prides itself on. Off-brand, Vizio's V-Series 2.1 bar costs the identical $ 180 and comes with a wireless subwoofer that will almost certainly solve any problems you've had with the C20A. With a compact size and clear audio. along with a better balance for music. What matters to you, you must be willing to spend $ 300 on the Zvox AV157 which is a significant price increase.

How long it will take?

The SR-C20A is light enough to throw around, but I wouldn't recommend doing so. It feels like a sturdy product though, with connections that aren't exactly state of the art, but don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Should you buy it?

That is a difficult question. If you need clear sound and strong vocals in a smaller space in your house, the C20A is a solid, somewhat expensive option. However, if you're hoping to find an all-in-one bar for movies and TV in your cavernous living room, I'd spend the extra buck on the B20A.

Editor's recommendations




26 Sep
Blog

TV Reviews | Digital Trends

Looking for your next TV? We'll cover you. Below are all of our latest reviews with top recommendations based on hands-on experience and in-depth reviews. If you're not ready to buy, start your research with a collection of insightful and helpful buying tips with factual explanations of the latest TV technology terms and what they mean to you. Once your new TV has landed in your home, you will find helpful installation guides to get the most out of your new TV.

26 Sep
Blog

Zvox Accuvoice AV157 Review: TV Dialog Loud And Clear

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers

Zvox Accuvoice AV157 review

"It's not pretty, but the AV157 shows all of the dialogue you have been missing."

  • Small footprint

  • Easy connections and setup

  • Super clear and adjustable dialogue

  • Expensive for a small speaker

  • No wireless connections for music

We have been adding speakers to our home televisions for years. First two speakers for stereo sound, then four, then five and so on. Some of us have full 7.2.4 systems with Dolby Atmos that imitate the cinema experience at home. With the number of soundbars growing, our options for bigger, better sound are more numerous than ever. But when we wrap ourselves up more, do we actually hear what's important? When actors, news anchors, or respondents speak, do we hear what they are saying?

Judging by the huge surge in the use of closed captioning for everything from Netflix to YouTube to Facebook videos, the answer is no – and it's not because we're going numb.

It turns out that more speakers do not lead to a more understandable dialogue. In fact, it seems to be harder to hear, especially if the producers of the movie or show didn't pay close attention to the quality of their audio mix, or if there is a lot of bass.

Therefore, it makes sense that Zvox, a company that has focused heavily on improving the clarity of TV sound, has carved out a niche for itself in making soundbar-like speakers with the goal of listening to speech too facilitate.

The latest product is the $ 300 Zvox Accuvoice AV157 TV speaker, which includes 12 levels of Zvox speech enhancement technology.

Is it the TV dialogue enhancer you've been waiting for? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The AV157 is delivered in an easily recyclable box. Depending on the recycling facilities you live in, some poly bags with cords and a polythene sleeve for the speaker may need to be thrown in the trash. Otherwise the packaging is quite environmentally friendly.

The packaging contains the loudspeaker, a remote control, batteries, three types of audio cables (optical, 3.5 mm analog and cinch up to 3.5 mm), a power supply unit and a very clear quick start guide.

design

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/zvox-accuvoice-av157-tv-speaker-5- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/zvox-accuvoice-av157-tv-speaker-1- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/zvox-accuvoice-av157-tv-speaker-3- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The AV157 is available in three colors: black, a gray-pewter color called titanium, and "Espresso" which, as the name suggests, is medium brown. Whichever you choose, the color only affects the appearance of the speaker cabinet – the front metal grille is always black.

The housing surface is made of shiny, structured plastic. While perfectly solid and well built, the overall appearance doesn't convey much in terms of high-end quality. It doesn't look like you're expecting a $ 300 speaker – in fact, it couldn't look more general.

The advantage of the sleek Jane facade is that the AV157 is easy to ignore, whether you place it on a surface in front of your TV or mount it on the wall (two threaded holes on the back allow this) very much that additional speakers should be heard and not seen.

It's about the size and shape of a large center-channel speaker (for those familiar with 5.1 setups), which means it's tiny compared to even the smallest soundbars.

At 17 inches wide and just under three inches tall, it's much narrower than the $ 400 Sonos Beam, which is already pretty small at just 27 inches. It is just as wide as the Panasonic Soundlayer and only one centimeter larger.

There are no physical buttons on the speaker and apart from a small Zvox logo, nothing disturbs the design of just one speaker.

Even the large, easy-to-read digital display showing volume, input and sound mode is hidden behind the grille and only activates for a few seconds, so you can see the results of your remote control commands before you switch off again.

On the back you will find the few connection options: an optical connection, a 3.5 mm analog input and a headphone and / or subwoofer output. For some reason, the Zvox product page for the AV157 shows the 3.5mm analog input as compatible with an optical miniplug cable, but I can tell you for sure that this is not correct.

Connecting the AV157 to your TV couldn't be easier.

With these inputs, in combination with the cables provided, you can connect the AV157 to practically any source, as long as that source is not only intended for HDMI. While this is rare, there are some TVs that are gradually phasing out support for analog and optical outputs in favor of HDMI ARC and eARC. So it is best to check the outputs on your TV.

The supplied infrared remote control is just as inconspicuous in design: Just a small, robust, rubberized plate with large, easy-to-read labels and easy-to-press buttons. Thanks to the rubber membrane that covers the buttons, the remote control should be able to withstand encounters with the occasional spilled drink far better than regular remote controls.

It would be nice if the remote control buttons were backlit, but the high contrast of the bright white labels against the black of the membrane is still legible in all rooms except the darkest.

Setup and connections

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Connecting the AV157 to your TV couldn't be easier. Simply select the appropriate cable (I recommend the optical cable for best results), plug the ends of the cable into the appropriate ports on your TV and speaker, plug in the power adapter, and you're done.

You should never have to guess what volume level you are at, and the large, bright display means you will never be in doubt.

There's no bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, and no apps. This can limit the functionality of the AV157, but there is something to be said for technology that works the moment you plug it in.

That's not to say you can't play music through the AV157 – you can. However, you will have to plug your music source into one of the available inputs, which might be fine in the iPod era, but it's a bit boring these days.

A clever solution is to connect the AV157 to an Amazon Echo device using the 3.5 mm jack as an external speaker. As long as your favorite streaming music service is supported by Alexa, you're good to go – no remote control required. In addition, many of the popular music streaming apps are supported by the many smart TV operating systems. Navigating through music on your TV might sound strange, but it works.

user friendliness

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The included remote control is a breeze. Key presses generate immediate reactions.

I'm a big fan of the four digit alphanumeric display. You should never have to guess what volume level you are at or, with the AV157, what speech enhancement mode and level you are at. The large, bright display means you will never be in doubt. Adjusting the brightness of the display would be a nice perk, especially if you're using the AV157 in very bright or dark rooms, but it's never left on long enough for it to matter.

For example, you can use the AV157 with your existing remote control to increase / decrease the volume and mute it, but not all functions are available. For this reason, you should keep the factory remote control close at hand.

As good as the remote control is for basic functions, the deeper settings of the speaker could be easier to use.

Although the labels are easy to read and the buttons easy to press, some of the features (like switching between Accuvoice and Supervoice modes) require a long press of a button instead of each mode having its own discrete button.

This is especially true of the mysterious Other Settings button, which gives you access to three different settings: bass, treble, and output levels. However, you need to go through each setting and increase / decrease the settings with the volume.

With complex devices like A / V receivers, I get that – there are hundreds of settings and you can only have that many buttons. But the AV157 doesn't do that much and there seems to be plenty of room on the remote for a few more buttons.

Even so, for most people, these settings will be of the "set and forget" sort. While I'd prefer easier access to them, it's by no means a deal breaker.

Sound quality

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The main job of the Accuvoice AV157 may be clearer dialogue, but it's a surprisingly good all-round speaker for all types of TV audio with a bigger, bolder sound than its tiny frame suggests.

Zvox's promise of “room-filling 3D sound” may be a little optimistic – especially when comparing the AV157 to what an inexpensive soundbar with a wireless subwoofer can offer – but there's no doubt that you'll get the Pump up bass levels and use the third stage There's more than enough power and range in surround sound mode to enjoy Hollywood blockbusters like the Marvel & # 39; s Avengers movies.

It is enough to just use the six standard levels of Accuvoice enhancement to make speech easier to hear.

It can also get remarkably loud if you so choose. Near the top of the volume range, the bass begins to decrease, causing a slight knock inside the case. However, this is to be expected with a speaker of this size.

More importantly, however, you have tremendous control over the ability to hear dialogue.

It is enough to just use the six standard levels of Accuvoice enhancement to make speech easier to hear. The moment you activate AC 1 – the first stage – the music, sound effects and virtually all other non-speech audio will drop noticeably as the dialogue jumps forward.

The result is so strong and creates a huge increase in volume. You can even reach for the remote control to decrease the volume after entering Accuvoice mode.

connected: How Zvox's Accuvoice technology makes it easier to hear voices

Each successive level increases this effect further until the voices have reached an almost painfully bright clarity. Put the AV157 in Supervoice mode and the effect is even more noticeable. As someone who fortunately doesn't have significant hearing loss, I can't testify how well these modes work for someone who has hearing problems, but it's hard to imagine how voices could get clearer. By the time you reach Supervoice Level 6, the dialogue is so sharp and bright that you can barely focus on anything else.

Incredibly, this happens with little distortion – and only with the highest boost values.

It takes getting used to, and it's worth noting that there's no free lunch here: to make the dialogue clearer, the AV157 highlights all of the other parts of the soundtrack.

As an experiment, I ran the AV157 through the optical port on my TV and my 5.1.2 home theater system through the HDMI ARC output at the same time to see if I could eat my cake. It kind of worked, but I couldn't keep it up due to a small but noticeable delay between the two sets of speakers.

The music on the AV157 is surprisingly good. I tested it with Tidal on an Apple TV 4K fed into my TV via HDMI. What really amazed me is that the room-filling 3D sound that Zvox promises is much clearer with music than with film or TV soundtracks.

As you can imagine with a speech enhancement speaker, the vocals are extremely clear even in the surround sound entry-level mode. The AV157 can't quite compete with the Sonos Beam for music – it lacks the beam's warmth and resonant bass – but most genres sound very good.

You just have to be careful with some bass heavy tracks. Post Malone and Swae Lee's Sunflower is a good example of a song that, even at moderate volume, outperforms the AV157's ability to reproduce bass, with more of the aforementioned knocking effect.

Our opinion

The Zvox Accuvoice AV157 is a great way to get much better sound from your TV through a very small speaker. But where it really stands out is the voice enhancement – something you just can't get out of a regular soundbar at any cost.

Is there a better alternative?

If speech enhancement is not critical, there are plenty of great sound bars out there that can be used to enhance your TV sound. And if a small speaker is important to you, $ 400 Sonos Beam is a great place to start.

However, if you want better dialogue, the only real competition to the AV157 is one of the other Zvox TV speakers, like the one $ 250 AV155 or the tiny $ 170 AV100 Mini. Each improves speech intelligibility, but only the AV157 has all twelve levels of the combined Accuvoice and Supervoice modes.

How long it will take?

The Zvox warranty is only one year, but I suspect that if something goes wrong with the AV157, something will happen very quickly. Otherwise, this speaker should give you many years of use. No battery needs to be replaced. If the power adapter ever fails, it's an affordable accessory. Even if the remote stops working, Zvox only charges $ 15 for a replacement.

Should you buy it?

Yes. For those who find it increasingly difficult to understand what is being said on TV shows and movies, the AV157 is the best way to improve intelligibility without resorting to subtitles.

Editor's recommendations




25 Sep
Blog

Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 Review: 1440p Gaming Done Right

Lenovo Legion y27q 20 review y20q 10

"The Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 offers fluid, ultra-fast gaming in an elegant design."

  • Simple, lightweight design

  • 165Hz refresh rate

  • Excellent ergonomics

  • Decent value for 1440p

  • 1 ms response time

  • No speakers

  • Bad contrast

  • Frustrating controls

It's an ideal time to upgrade to higher resolution games, but you will likely need a new game monitor. That doubles when you've updated your PC's graphics card, whether it's a lower-priced RTX 20 series or one of the new 30 series cards.

The Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 offers a resolution of 1440p and a refresh rate of 165 Hz and is in every way an upgrade of your old 1080p monitor. It is quickly becoming a crowded space, however, and $ 430 isn't the cheapest price out there. Does the Legion Y27q-20 have the picture quality and gaming performance to secure it?

design

While nothing special, the Legion Y27q-20 is not devoid of embellishments, including Lenovo's signature circular cheese grater design on the back of the case. Oddly enough, it's not dissimilar to Apple's Mac Pro or Pro Display XDR. For a gaming peripheral, it's rather sleek and not as bulky as some Acer Predator or Asus ROG monitors.

But don't get too excited. Like most gaming monitors, the Legion Y27q is mostly made of plastic and has a large lower bezel. The HP Omen 27 gaming monitor has more class in my book, but the Legion undercuts the price of this monitor considerably. Fortunately, the stand is made of metal, which offers a lot of stability.

The Legion Y27q's screen, base, and stand are individually wrapped, but I got them assembled in seconds thanks to the monitor's simple VESA mount. The entire package weighs just 14.7 pounds, which makes it even easier to set up. The Acer Nitro XZ272U is lighter at just 11 pounds, but the Y27q isn't far away.

After setting it up, I was delighted to discover how adjustable the Legion Y27q is. With tilt, turn, height and swivel adjustment, you are sure to find something that meets your needs. Switching from landscape to portrait is a notable addition that gaming monitors like the Predator XB273U and Dell S-Series monitors lack.

Ports

The connections are on the back and face down. You won't find any surprises here – just a DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. These are older port standards, but for a 1440p gaming monitor, they're all you need.

The Legion Y27q-20 even has additional USB connectivity to sweeten business. On the back, you'll find a USB-B 3.1 upstream port and a USB-A port, while two USB-A ports flank the side. You will also find a headphone / microphone jack here. These are nice additions to an otherwise fairly simple gaming monitor that turns into a USB hub.

The monitor is supplied with power via the rectangular “Trim Yellow” power connector from Lenovo next to a relatively small external power supply module.

Unfortunately, Lenovo didn't think the Legion Y27q-20 needed speakers. Lenovo sells a separate model with a cone-shaped speaker in the base, but it's missing here. That's a shame. I still think most monitors should include speakers, even if they're not the largest in the world. Yes, most people use headphones or external speakers, but for the rare occasional time you want them, they're missing.

Buttons and Menus

The on-screen menu is accessed using the six buttons just below the control panel. There are no fancy joysticks or buttons behind the screen.

Once you are in the menu, you can adjust settings like brightness and contrast as well as switch between different game settings and color profiles. Lenovo offers genre-specific profiles for first-person shooters, strategy games, and more. You can also switch to "Extreme" mode, which takes you from three milliseconds to one.

Navigating the menu with the buttons is a frustrating experience.

The problem? Navigating the menu with the buttons is a frustrating experience.

For starters, the button furthest to the right is the power button, but it feels identical to the other buttons. Accidentally turning off your monitor during a game is no fun. This can happen if you reach for brightness controls while gaming in a darker environment, especially because the monitor lacks adaptive brightness.

The symbiology used on the buttons and in the menu is also confusing. What looks like a back button is actually a select button that is disoriented while navigating the menu. It would have been a good idea to do some additional user testing on these.

Game performance

The Legion Y27q-20 uses a 27-inch panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution. Playing games at 1440p is great. It's not quite 4K, but it's also not nearly as demanding when you have more of a mid-range system. The RTX 2070 Super I tested it with push games like Battlefield V and Fortnite well over 100 frames per second, even at maximum settings.

Thanks to the refresh rate of 165 Hz, the gameplay feels incredibly smooth. Sure, there are 240Hz, 300Hz, or even 360Hz monitors out there – but unless you want to be a professional gamer (and maybe even then) 165Hz should work fine. This is especially true if you are playing in 1440p.

This is not true G-Sync.

Nvidia G-Sync stickers are placed all over the Legion Y27q-20, but it's not a real implementation. Instead of a physical G-Sync module, it is certified by a solution that Nvidia calls "G-Sync Compatible". Essentially, this means it's a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) monitor that Nvidia checked for flickering, ghosting, and tearing. This is not true G-Sync.

And yet the gaming experience on the Legion Y27q-20 is super fluid. As soon as you jump into the Nvidia control panel and change the refresh rate to 165 Hz, you'll immediately notice the smooth animations, even of your cursor, as you move it across the screen. Next, you want to enable the Extreme setting to achieve the specified response time of one millisecond.

Response time is about how quickly the pixels on your monitor can change color. There is no agreed measure of response time, so the difference between 1 ms and 3 ms can be inconsistent depending on the monitor. However, with the Legion Y27q-20, you can tell the subtle difference in responsiveness when you switch between the two settings.

picture quality

Thanks to the IPS display (In-Plane Switching), the Legion Y27q-20 can also be used for activities outside of the game. It's pretty bright with a maximum of 415 nits, and the color saturation isn't bad either. With 99% of sRGB and 77% of AdobeRGB, the Legion Y27q is as colorful as you can expect from a gaming monitor.

Many inexpensive or medium-sized gaming monitors opt for VA panels (vertical orientation) or TN panels (twisted nematic). These screens tend to have worse viewing angles, so I am pleased that Lenovo has chosen IPS.

However, it wasn't perfect. The contrast was low at only 650: 1, which was affected by the flat black values. The images look a bit washed out next to other displays. For comparison: the Acer Nitro XZ27 has a size of 1,060: 1, which leads to much richer images and colors.

The Legion Y27q is a hit or miss in terms of image quality.

The second problem was color accuracy. With an average Delta-E of 3.07, the color accuracy is surprisingly poor for 202o. The Nitro XZ272U, for example, has an average of 1.23. Again, this isn't the biggest issue for gamers, but there's no reason a $ 430 monitor should be so poorly calibrated.

I tried calibrating the screen myself to see if I could improve some of these numbers with my Spyder5Elite. The gamma has been corrected from 2.1 to 2.2 and the color accuracy has been reduced to 1.85. Both are positive improvements in image quality, which shows that this panel could have used an additional factory calibration. However, contrast and black levels were not helped.

The Legion Y27q is a hit or miss in terms of image quality. It's not a screen that you want to perform precise color grading or watch movies all the time.

Our opinion

With RTX 30 series graphics just around the corner, gaming monitors like the Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 will soon become important. There are some cheaper options that result in higher resolutions and refresh rates, but the Legion Y27q-20's looks and responsiveness make it a solid option for a monitor upgrade.

Are there alternatives?

The Acer Nitro XZ272U is only $ 330, though it's also a 27-inch 165Hz gaming monitor. It uses a VA panel and has a response time of 4 ms instead of 1 ms. It even has a curved screen.

Another option is the Asus TUF VG27 gaming monitor, which is available for $ 479. Finally, the $ 400 Dell S2719DGF is another great option. It has a 1ms response time and 155Hz refresh rate, but uses a cheaper TP panel.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 should last around five years. The standard warranty is three years, but with the refresh rate of 165 Hz and the resolution of 1440p you are equipped for PC games longer.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Legion Y27q-20 combines features, design and performance in one affordable package.

Editor's recommendations




25 Sep
Blog

How to Keep Yourself Upright During a Squat

We all know that when we do a barbell squat, we shouldn't look like we're bowing to worship the gym floor. However, that's a lot of what you see in gyms.

So we do corrective exercises that focus on building strength and stability for the muscles and patterns that are supposed to prevent this from happening.

These are usually simple single-joint exercises, performed on only one side of the body at a time. But sometimes and mostly we can develop what we need by simply spending more time in the positions we want to improve.

If you want to know all about the principles behind it, check out my online course, which starts in a couple of weeks.

Addressing posture and position in the crouched position

Moving through positions is what the 1.25 squat does best.

It will get you through positions that are often more difficult to hold.

More time practicing the lower squat positions means we have more opportunities to do sensory learning – feeling the muscles that contribute to a movement where and when they should.

The continuous controlled motion from the bottom of your squat to a quarter of the standing position to the base causes you to maintain the kind of balance and posture that a great squat creates.

It's better than just doing more reps, as it's difficult to lower into the second squat without sitting back on top as you normally would. It helps you feel every change in the pressure of your feet and the tilt of your torso.

The advantages of the 1.25 squat

Some exercises are just variations for advanced lifters who need a fresh kick to get stronger.

It does, but it's great for inexperienced squatters too.

It can be a targeted movement exercise for anyone trying to get their squat pattern fluid and strong. And it can be a way for someone who already has an ingrained good squat to strengthen their quads and glutes while working on the ability to maintain adequate tension at a depth in their squat.

The 1.25 squat not only strengthens and trains the coordination of the muscles that perform the movement.

It provides a condition that naturally trains the stabilizing muscles of the trunk. Muscles such as the abdominal muscles, the obliques, the transverse abdomen and the erectors stiffen the spine.

Posture collapses and squats fall apart because these muscles are out of control during the hardest part of the movement (Turn back from bottom to stand up again).

With this exercise, you will train this tension ability better, as you will spend most of the time in this part of the movement.

Here's how to prop up, lower, and hit your squat

Stand under the barbell and step out like a normal squat. Inhale and focus on creating proper braces. You need it to be rigid for this extended repetition.

Lower yourself into your crouch and once you have reached your depth come a quarter of the way to full standing. Remember to come 3-5 inches across in parallel.

How to stay upright during a squat - fitness, fitness, squats, posture, corrective exercises, online training, transverse abdominal, quads, coordination, abs, front squats, glutes, upper back, obliques, sensory awareness, core stability

How to stay upright during a squat - fitness, fitness, squats, posture, corrective exercises, online training, transverse abdominal, quads, coordination, abs, front squats, glutes, upper back, obliques, sensory awareness, core stability

Immediately go back to the bottom of your crouch and then stand up from there. This is a repetition.

How to stay upright during a squat - fitness, fitness, squats, posture, corrective exercises, online training, transverse abdominal, quads, coordination, abs, front squats, glutes, upper back, obliques, sensory awareness, core stability

Make sure that you do not take a break at any point.

  • Once you get to the depth, you come up.
  • Once you feel like you are 3 to 5 inches above the parallel, go back down immediately.
  • The second time you reach the floor of your crouch, stand up all the way without hesitation.

Do no more than five repetitions on this exercise and be careful with how much weight you use.

The focus is on the quality of movement, posture, tension and the feeling that the muscles are working well in a coordinated effort.

Don't worry if you're too high or not high enough on the quarter repetition. If you get in and out of the squat twice, you are doing the exercise correctly.

Change it

The goal of this exercise is to make sure the right muscles are working where they should and to increase stability in the motion that you often lose them in.

The muscles of the upper back help create the structure and posture you need for a solid squat. A front squat of 1.25 can therefore be a significant variation for this purpose.

When doing front squats, you need to maintain tension in the upper back and prevent the chest from falling forward. If you don't, throw the rod on the floor in front of you.

Rotating 1.25 front squats with rear squats improves posture and muscle coordination for a strong squat.

Challenge your squat technique with breaks

This exercise can be quite difficult even if you have a lot of experience.

However, once you've trained with them, try adding breaks.

Breaks force even more control to maintain tension in these positions as you spend even more time down below.

Taking a break from a count at the bottom of the crouch after climbing a quarter of the way up, and then the second time at the bottom too, allows you to challenge yourself and develop for some time.

25 Sep
Blog

Apple iPad 2020 (10.2-inch, 8th Gen) Review: Great for $329

Apple iPad 8th generation 2020 rating space gray 11

"When you need a tablet at a reasonable price, the iPad should be your first choice."

  • Exceptional software with long support

  • Great battery life

  • Colorful and clear display

  • Connects to a robust Apple ecosystem

  • 32 GB of basic memory is not enough

  • Single tinny speaker

  • Still flash, not USB-C

In the technology world, “iPad” is just as general a word as “Kleenex”. As Apple's iPad product range was expanded to include the Air and Pro models, a basic iPad was retained to anchor the group. It's just the iPad. No year, no generation, no name. It's for people who go online or go to a store and say, "I want to buy an iPad today." You can have one for just $ 329.

This is Apple's 2020 iPad – the 8th generation for those who count. It's the perfect tablet for people who just want a computing device.

Hardware, display and design

Apple introduced a brand new design with the iPad Pro line and brought this design along with a beautiful new color palette to the new iPad Air. It hasn't yet achieved the economies of scale that are supposed to be included in Apple's cheap iPad – this looks and feels the same as the last few iPads. What is there to say that hasn't been repeated in years? Apple has perfected this design.

The aluminum plate has a perfectly flat back, pleasantly curved sides and a small bevel that fits perfectly on the front glass. There is no such thing as thriving. It's simply a portal to iPadOS 14. It's an appliance no different from your toaster or Keurig.

The 10.2-inch display is a step down from the iPad Air, but not in its 2160 x 1620 resolution, which produces the same density as the Air. However, you will find that this is not a laminated display. There is a visible gap between the screen and the glass cover that is different from the iPad Air, iPad Pro and any modern smartphone.

Despite this shortcoming, the screen's colors and clarity are superb, and you will only see the gap at certain viewing angles. The maximum brightness is stated as 500 nits, which is sufficient – although I have always set the brightness to 100% outdoors. The lack of lamination can cause problems outdoors, which are more reflective in daylight than most tablets.

If you don't spend a lot of time outdoors, you'll love this display.

I don't really have anything against the old-school iPad's circular Touch ID sensor for functionality, but it feels dated compared to other alternatives like a built-in fingerprint sensor or the sensor built into the side of the iPad Air on the power button. I bet this will be the last iPad with the Touch ID button.

And I hope when the switch is made the screen bezels will shrink too because they look weird. Bezels are useful for holding the tablet without touching the screen, but they don't have to be that big.

The iPad sits comfortably at 1.08 pounds and the weight is well distributed. However, you will be reminded of the age of this design again as it is heavier than the iPad Air and iPad Pro, both of which offer dramatically more features and larger displays. Regardless, it's easy to hold up the tablet with one hand in portrait mode or with two hands while watching a long video.

However, when it comes to audio, video falls short. There is only one speaker on one side, which can be easily covered by your hand and is quite thin. The back is also slippery. If you'd like to help them for an expanded display or input, you'll need Apple's tri-fold Smart Cover – that will bring you back a cool $ 50.

Software, features and battery life

iOS 14 is the biggest change to iPhone software in years, but the same can't be said for iPadOS 14. The iPad benefits the most from moving to iOS 14, as notifications and warnings don't cover the entire screen and there's a new Spotlight -Search interface. That being said, it's effectively iPadOS 13.

Perhaps the biggest new feature is Scribble, which lets you use Apple Pencil to recognize handwriting to text through the user interface. This of course requires a $ 99 accessory and is a whole different discussion.

Unfortunately, iOS 14's app library isn't here, so you can no longer manually manage the pages of apps and folders, which now seems archaic. You also have nowhere to move widgets anywhere on the home screen, which I consider a massive oversight. However, you can pin the widget area to the left third of the main home screen in landscape orientation.

Multitasking remains complicated – there's a lot of power here, but it's hard to spot and seemingly impossible to master. There's an awkward dance of gestures to bring up apps, use the split screen, and trigger floating windows with no hints of detectability – all you have to do is try things out.

iPadOS 14 seems simple, but it hides a steep learning curve for multitasking.

Apple probably knows that the typical basic iPad customer will multitask far less than those who buy an Air or Pro. However, don't let that stop you from making the most of it.

With the A12 Bionic processor and plenty of screen, there is a lot you can do when you dig into the depths of gesture controls for multitasking. And the iPad never skips a beat – with two or three apps at the same time, even with other apps in the background, it never misses a step. The iPad is clearly packed with specs to handle the high features and capabilities of an upcoming iPadOS 17, not 14.

The only place not ready for the future is storage. The base of 32 GB is simply not enough. After a few days, I had already used 23 GB – but luckily I ordered a 128 GB model. I suggest everyone do the same. It's just a shame Apple is hollowing you out for another $ 100 or 30% more to get it.

As expected, the battery life is fantastic. The 32 watt hour cell offers a long service life. Apple advertises its usual "10 hours of surfing the Internet or watching videos", which of course is by no means representative of the use of iPads. I used it a few hours a day for a full work week, keeping up with a mix of any kind of light load from social media apps, email, and messaging, and YouTube and podcasts – and I didn't have to charge anything Once. The iPad is especially good at sitting idle for hours (or days) without using a noticeable amount of power. If you're not actively using it, the iPad won't go blank.

Unfortunately, along with the relics of design and the Touch ID sensor, the iPad continues to use Lightning for charging. Let's hope this is the last iPad to use the old port and that it will connect to every other iPad (and MacBook as well as Android phone) on USB-C. It's just so much better. At least the charger in the box is now USB-C on the wall side.

The iPad has a rear camera, but it might as well not. The 8 megapixel sensor is useful for taking photos of receipts or sending an explanatory message to a friend, but that's about it. The 1.2 megapixel front camera handles video calling tasks in the app of your choice (up to 720p). The quality is roughly equivalent to that of a laptop, but lags behind a modern telephone. The ease with which you can make a FaceTime call with loved ones is more important in many ways than the quality of the camera itself.

Our opinion

The 8th generation iPad isn't exciting, but it's an exceptional tablet for $ 329. Easy to learn and use, iPadOS 14 can be extremely powerful for multitasking and light productivity work if you spend time learning. The battery life is exceptional and the display is great for the money. The hardware looks and feels old, but it's incredibly effective – and most importantly, it's built to last a long time, both physically and in terms of internal specs.

To say that the iPad costs $ 329 is a misnomer, however. For that money, you only get 32GB of storage, which is not enough. You have to spend $ 429 to get 128GB. Ouch. Basically, you need a smart cover that every iPad needs. That's $ 50 more. So it's really a total package of $ 479.

But even at $ 429, it's impossible to find a better tablet experience. Yes, if you need a keyboard to turn an iPad into a work device, consider buying a Chromebook instead of a keyboard accessory for $ 159. If you are on a budget as a tablet, nothing better than the iPad can be done.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 is cheaper and of a similar size. But iPadOS is completely superior to Android on tablets, and the app selection is so far ahead that it deserves no comparison. The Tab A 10.1 is only a better choice if you are on a very tight budget and don't need the tablet other than just to surf and watch media.

If you need your iPad for work or school, there is a good argument why you shouldn't buy an iPad. Once you get the higher storage option and the Apple keyboard, you are well within the realm of buying a laptop. A Lenovo Chromebook Duet or an Asus Chromebook Flip are better choices, but then you have to miss out on the iPad app ecosystem.

How long it will take?

Apple has an exceptional track record of updating the software on its tablets. For example, iPadOS 14 will be available from 2017 through the 5th generation iPad. You are expected to receive at least three annual software updates for this iPad, and it is clear that there is enough internal hardware to run it.

The Lightning charging port and Touch ID sensor with a physical home button are areas that feel old faster. However, these are only a minimal part of the experience compared to being able to keep using the latest software and apps for years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you don't have the budget for an iPad Air and just need a basic tablet as a secondary device for casual use, there is no better choice than the iPad. Just be aware of the potential budget scare when looking to buy the 128GB model and a smart cover for it.

Editor's recommendations




25 Sep
Blog

How to Keep Yourself Upright During a Squat

We all know that when we do a barbell squat, we shouldn't look like we're bowing to worship the gym floor. However, that's a lot of what you see in gyms.

So we do corrective exercises that focus on building strength and stability for the muscles and patterns that are supposed to prevent this from happening.

These are usually simple single-joint exercises, performed on only one side of the body at a time. But sometimes and mostly we can develop what we need by simply spending more time in the positions we want to improve.

If you want to know all about the principles behind it, check out my online course, which starts in a couple of weeks.

Addressing posture and position in the crouched position

Moving through positions is what the 1.25 squat does best.

It will get you through positions that are often more difficult to hold.

More time practicing the lower squat positions means we have more opportunities to do sensory learning – feeling the muscles that contribute to a movement where and when they should.

The continuous controlled motion from the bottom of your squat to a quarter of the standing position to the base causes you to maintain the kind of balance and posture that a great squat creates.

It's better than just doing more reps, as it's difficult to lower into the second squat without sitting back on top as you normally would. It helps you feel every change in the pressure of your feet and the tilt of your torso.

The advantages of the 1.25 squat

Some exercises are just variations for advanced lifters who need a fresh kick to get stronger.

It does, but it's great for inexperienced squatters too.

It can be a targeted movement exercise for anyone trying to get their squat pattern fluid and strong. And it can be a way for someone who already has an ingrained good squat to strengthen their quads and glutes while working on the ability to maintain adequate tension at a depth in their squat.

The 1.25 squat not only strengthens and trains the coordination of the muscles that perform the movement.

It provides a condition that naturally trains the stabilizing muscles of the trunk. Muscles such as the abdominal muscles, the obliques, the transverse abdomen and the erectors stiffen the spine.

Posture collapses and squats fall apart because these muscles are out of control during the hardest part of the movement (Turn back from bottom to stand up again).

With this exercise, you will train this tension ability better, as you will spend most of the time in this part of the movement.

Here's how to prop up, lower, and hit your squat

Stand under the barbell and step out like a normal squat. Inhale and focus on creating proper braces. You need it to be rigid for this extended repetition.

Lower yourself into your crouch and once you have reached your depth come a quarter of the way to full standing. Remember to come 3-5 inches across in parallel.

How to stay upright during a squat - fitness, fitness, squats, posture, corrective exercises, online training, transverse abdominal, quads, coordination, abs, front squats, glutes, upper back, obliques, sensory awareness, core stability

How to stay upright during a squat - fitness, fitness, squats, posture, corrective exercises, online training, transverse abdominal, quads, coordination, abs, front squats, glutes, upper back, obliques, sensory awareness, core stability

Immediately go back to the bottom of your crouch and then stand up from there. This is a repetition.

How to stay upright during a squat - fitness, fitness, squats, posture, corrective exercises, online training, transverse abdominal, quads, coordination, abs, front squats, glutes, upper back, obliques, sensory awareness, core stability

Make sure that you do not take a break at any point.

  • Once you get to the depth, you come up.
  • Once you feel like you are 3 to 5 inches above the parallel, go back down immediately.
  • The second time you reach the floor of your crouch, stand up all the way without hesitation.

Do no more than five repetitions on this exercise and be careful with how much weight you use.

The focus is on the quality of movement, posture, tension and the feeling that the muscles are working well in a coordinated effort.

Don't worry if you're too high or not high enough on the quarter repetition. If you get in and out of the squat twice, you are doing the exercise correctly.

Change it

The goal of this exercise is to make sure the right muscles are working where they should and to increase stability in the motion that you often lose them in.

The muscles of the upper back help create the structure and posture you need for a solid squat. A front squat of 1.25 can therefore be a significant variation for this purpose.

When doing front squats, you need to maintain tension in the upper back and prevent the chest from falling forward. If you don't, throw the rod on the floor in front of you.

Rotating 1.25 front squats with rear squats improves posture and muscle coordination for a strong squat.

Challenge your squat technique with breaks

This exercise can be quite difficult even if you have a lot of experience.

However, once you've trained with them, try adding breaks.

Breaks force even more control to maintain tension in these positions as you spend even more time down below.

Taking a break from a count at the bottom of the crouch after climbing a quarter of the way up, and then the second time at the bottom too, allows you to challenge yourself and develop for some time.

25 Sep
Blog

Blink Outdoor Review: A Whole Bunch of Nothing New

Blink outdoor

Blink outdoor surveillance camera

"The follow up disappoints with few new features to differentiate it."

  • Loud internal speaker

  • Battery life for two years

  • Narrow field of view

  • Soft video footage

  • Muted color rendering

  • Missing specifications compared to its predecessor

The Blink XT has been a fan favorite for many reasons and has also made many of our top security camera lists. This security camera is simple, durable and works great outdoors. It is therefore an ideal camera if you want to take a look at it outside of your home.

Now we have a new Blink outdoor camera that has many of the same features as its siblings – including 1080p video, two-year battery life, and weatherproof construction. With so many similarities, is it really worth upgrading?

Specifications so similar that it's hard to tell apart

Usually there is a noticeable difference between old and new, but that's hard to see with the Blink outdoor camera. It looks the same, albeit a little thinner, than its predecessor, but the same square design remains a distinctive design language for Blink. The camera lens is now right in the center of the camera compared to the offset placement configuration found on the previous Blink XT2. After all, it has the same weatherproof design as before – complete with a mounting attachment for walls.

Flashing outside of the cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Aside from the design and specs, there is very little to separate the two models. In fact, the Blink Outdoor has the same camera specs as before. It offers 1080p video recording at up to 30 FPS, infrared night vision and a 110-degree field of view. With an outdoor camera, the field of view is narrow, as most cameras hover 130 degrees on average. Covering an isolated room shouldn't be a problem, but clearly covering the entire front yard with one device is not something you want to try.

In all honesty, it's frustrating that there isn't even the slightest difference between this one and its predecessor. Given that the Blink XT2 was announced in 2019, you'd think the new model would offer a heading feature.

Cloud and local storage options

What made Blink's previous outdoor cameras appealing was their free cloud storage. For new owners, however, this is off the table. Existing users will still get this with any devices they add. However, new accounts created after April 15th will not have an option for free cloud storage. Instead, they have to subscribe to a Blink subscription that starts at $ 3 per month per device or $ 10 per month for unlimited cameras in a single location.

Flashing outdoor cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Fortunately, there is a local storage option that allows you to save your clips to a USB flash drive using the new Blink Sync Module 2. The beauty of this is that the recorded footage will continue to be saved until it is full, and then erasing the old one can make room for new clips. This is a wonderful option to minimize your monthly out of pocket expenses.

Not innovative enough

Setting up the Blink outdoor camera is a breeze. Therefore it must be connected to the blink synchronization module 2. Once set up, you can adjust some settings in the Blink mobile app. It's a pure matter, in all honesty, without the glitz and depth of other cameras. There are options for adjusting motion detection sensitivity, clip length, retrigger time and setting up motion zones. However, it lacks some of the advanced features of similarly priced cameras.

For starters, I would have loved to see an offline mode or the ability to set up time-lapse photography, similar to the Wyze Cam Outdoor.

The quality of the camera is passable, but has some noticeable artifacts that sometimes detract from the quality, although it tends to resolve shortly afterwards. While I can still see most of the things in the picture, it lacks the sharpness and fine detail quality of its contemporaries – with colors that appear a bit dumb.

In the dark, night vision is activated to illuminate a range of about 25 feet in front of the camera in pitch black light. It's a little softer here too, but I can still spot the occasional deer running through my back yard.

There is bi-directional audio support if you need to interact with someone or something. However, the internal speaker is surprisingly loud and powerful – so it can be used for more than just talking.

Blink's new camera is just too similar to the previous one.

Finally, there is the two-year battery life it is designed for with its two lithium batteries, just like the Blink XT2. So far, it's hard to say what the battery life is like, mainly because you don't get a percentage display in the app. Instead, everything I see so far from its use is an "OK" that is as vague as it comes. I just wish it was more than that. However, there is a micro-USB port hidden behind a plastic cover on the back that provides power to the camera.

Our opinion

The Blink outdoor camera costs $ 100 for a kit that includes the camera and sync module, while each additional camera costs $ 90. Blink's new camera is just too similar to the previous one, which makes it a memorable option when you have so many others that can afford a lot more for roughly the same price.

Is there a better alternative?

To be honest, you can save yourself the cash and still get the Blink XT2 for $ 65. This is a decent savings when you know the similarities. If you're looking for something affordable, the Wyze Cam Outdoor continues to deliver impressive performance, extensive features, and offline recording capabilities. Alternatively, the Arlo Pro 3 is a champion with its wide field of view, crisp video quality, and sharp night vision.

How long it will take?

The all-plastic construction makes it light, but still feels solid to withstand small drops. It's also rated with an operating range of minus 4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can withstand the great outdoors year round in most locations.

In the event of a defect, there is a one-year limited warranty to cover it.

Should you buy it?

No, there aren't enough changes and improvements to warrant a purchase over the previous Blink XT2.

Editor's recommendations




«‹209210211212213›»