Samsung ST77 Review and First Look

Samsung ST77 point & shoot camera

For people, who want to capture that moment, a digital camera is the way to go.  Sure, we have cameras on our cellphone.  But it is a bit better from a device that is truly for the purpose of capturing that moment.

Samsung ST77 box side angle view

I have to admit, the photos taken by this camera is a bit blurred at times or has a lot of noise.  It could be, I just didn't set it right.

But for the price, it's a bit OK, but wish it could have been better.  It has a nice specs on paper:

• HD video
• 5x optical zoom
• 16.1 megapixel
• Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
• Smart Filter 2.0
• F2.5 Bright Lens 
• Live Panorama
• Lithium Ion rechargeable battery

For the price of Php6,990(about $162), you get a slim digital camera with Lithium Ion rechargeable battery with 4GB micro SD card, wrist strap, micro USB cable for charging and transfer of pictures and a black camera case with Samsung logo.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

The camera could be placed on your pocket easily, it is light, easy to carry around and comes in different colors.

USB connection on the side

On the side of the camera there is a micro USB to connect with a computer to directly transfer files.

At the back, you have your usual LCD screen with menu, mode, review, function, and adjustment buttons. There are multiple present scene selections, features such as frames, deform/funny faces and picture within a picture.

All in all a great camera, with ample light on the photo subject even when the environment is a bit dark.  Best bet is to use flash on dark places, unless you want that dark effect.  Automatic ISO is good.  A bit better than previous cameras on capturing images in poor light conditions.  

There are other better cameras out there.  But if you are in a budget, want a lithium battery powered camera, you only point & shoot anyway and like your camera to be colorful.  Then this is the camera for you.

Again the pros:

• Good automatic ISO for night and dark shots
• Nice pictures on well lighted areas
• Light weight, can be placed in the pocket
• Comes with camera case, wrist strap and SD expansion memory card
• Very accessible Service Center in Metro Manila for Warranty availment
• Lithium Battery for longer battery life.
• Presets and software features are good enough, much like other cameras of its class.

The cons:

• Picture blurred at times
• Workmanship on the device could be a bit better. Unaligned at some point.
• Flash is only effective for a few feet. (like most point & shot cameras)

Bought this camera at Pixel Pro in SM Megamall Cyber Zone.

According to them, the warranty can be only be availed at the Samsung service center at the following address: Ground Floor Bonaventure Plaza, Ortigas Ave., Geenhills San Juan. Phone number: 580-5777

CD-R King Headset Design Copied Behringer HPM1000 Multi-Purpose Headphone

CD-R King HeadSet in black (Imitation) and
Behringer HPM1000 Headphone in silver

I mentioned before, that I have a headset same design as the Behringer HPM1000.

The external design is the same on both, and that is where their similarity ends. They have different colors, their purpose is also a bit different (one is a headset, the other is a headphone [no microphone]) and the sound quality isn't the same either (Behringer original is better).

The Funny thing is; the foam on the headband is softer on the imitation than the real deal.

I said before on my blog about Behringer HPM1000 [here], the imitation broke after just a month of rugged use.  As I am posting this it blog, it has been two months from my first review and the headset is still functioning.  The Behringer original is still functioning after 2 months, even with my very rugged everyday use. 

The Behringer HPM1000 is one tough headset, due to the fact I dropped it more than several times and it still functions.  I even accidentally pull the cord, most of the time, putting a strain between the headset connection on the left ear portion.  So far, the device is working without loosing sound or giving poor quality on either ear.

Due to it's cheap price, good sound quality and great durability.  I will definitely buy the same headset brand and model, as a replacement pair, if ever, my current one clunks out.

Again, I bought my pair from  In-Tune music store in Robinsons Galleria. They have other branches, they have one in SM Megamall, as far as I know.

CD-R King Wireless-N Universal Repeater CW-150MBPS-R

Wireless-N Universal Repeater CW-150MBPS-R
(front)

I wanted to improve my router's range but was not able to successfully do so with the CD-R King Wireless-N Universal Repeater, model: CW-150MBPS-R.  Now, this gives you the impression of a simple set-up that will link you to an existing router and will have you surfing the net in matter of minutes.

That was not the case with me and this universal repeater, I was tinkering with it from 9pm until midnight and early morning and I still wasn't able to get it to work with my buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH.

Now, not to give a bad image to this repeater, it worked when we tested it on the CD-R King store.  It is just not compatible with my router.  It works if you plug the Ethernet connection to the router.  But what good will it be, if the location you want is very far and you don't want to see any cable running along the hallway?

Wireless-N Universal Repeater CW-150MBPS-R
(back)

So there you go, this repeater works. It just doesn't work with the buffalo brand model WZR-HP-G300NH.  It may work with other routers.  So if you plan to buy this repeater, maybe you should bring your router with you to the CD-R King Store to really test if they are compatible.  If the technician there isn't busy, they can help you configure it and you can use it immediately when you get home.

There was still plenty of stocks left, last time I was there in CD-R King Farmer's Plaza Cubao Branch in Araneta Center, Quezon City, Philippines.  They are on the ground floor, near EDSA middle entrance, should you decide to check out that branch when you are in the Cubao, Q.C. area.

Product website link: http://www.cdrking.com/?mod=products&type=view&sid=11330&main=50