Tips
"Hancock" coming to Sony Bravia TVs before Blu-ray, DVD, or cable
In what could be a glimpse of the future, Sony announced last week that it would offer its hoped-for summer blockbuster, Hancock, as an Internet download to Web-enabled Sony Bravia TVs before distributing it on cable, satellite, DVD, or Blu-ray discs. The company hasn't revealed some important details, such as whether the download will be high-definition or even DVD-quality. Nor has it disclosed whether Hancock will be a rental with a limited viewing time, like a pay-per-view movie, or a purchase that viewers can record and keep. One factor that greatly limits the impact of this announcement, and the potential audience, is the fact that Sony TVs don't offer built-in Web access, but require consumers to shell out an additional $300 for the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link add-on. Most of the other major TV brands with Web-enabled TVs?including Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, and LG Electronics?don?t require any additional gear to download Web content. However, while TVs from these rivals can access news, sports, and entertainment content from a variety of providers, none yet have access to full-length feature-film downloads. Sony Electronics has the unusual luxury of having a major Hollywood studio, Sony Pictures, as a sister company, giving it access to blockbuster movies. But it's still too early to see whether any other movie studios will support such a service, or even if Sony Pictures is willing to upset its traditional video-distribution partners?and the hefty revenue streams they provide?on an ongoing basis, especially since delivering more HD video-on-demand content is a key cable and satellite strategy.
Q&A: How can we get a new part of our pressure-treated-wood deck too match the existing part?
We need to replace a section of our pressure-treated deck, and I'm concerned the old wood and new planks won't look good together. How can we get the two sections to match? Once you lay down the new deck, a thorough cleaning of the old section should help to even out any shade differences between the lumber. ? With a stiff-bristle brush attached to a long handle, apply a cleaning solution across the entire deck. Use a store-bought product or make your own by carefully adding 1 quart of bleach to a large bucket filled with 3 quarts of water. The cleaning solution will remove built-up dirt while the bleach solution will help rid the deck of mold and mildew. ? Use a pressure washer as an alternative to or in addition to a cleaner for dirt removal. Check out our advice for choosing a pressure washer and watch our video on using this equipment safely (above right). ? Using the wide spray pattern on the pressure washer, begin with the nozzle 2 feet away from the surface and move closer as needed but no closer than 6 inches to avoid damaging the wood fibers. If you don't have a pressure washer, use a garden hose with a sprayer attachment. You could leave your deck unfinished, as the passage of time will finish the job of evening out the appearance between the two sections. But in your particular case, staining the deck will improve its appearance and unify the two sections visually. Plus, since your deck likely contains wood infused with chromated copper arsenate, staining it will have another payout. CCA, intended to make lumber resistant to insects and rot, contains known carcinogens. The penetrating stain will prevent water from saturating the wood and help to prevent arsenic from leaching out of your older lumber. Our recent report on deck stains found some excellent solid (opaque) and penetrating stains to consider. After you buy the best stain for your deck (Ratings are available to subscribers), here's how to apply it. ? Let the deck dry out for a few days after you wash it before staining it, then follow the instructions printed on the can of stain. Typically, instructions recommend brushing deck boards one at a time following the grain. Be careful to not allow any pools of stain to form. ? If you use a roller, follow up with a brush to work in the treatment between the planks. ? Apply as many coats as the manufacturer recommends and wait for the indicated time between coats. Some finishes, including Sikkens Cetol SRD 1708902 semitransparent stain, $27 per gallon, can provide one-coat protection. A final point to consider. The wood preservative ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) can corrode some low-quality fasteners. If the planks you'll install are treated with ACQ, you might need to upgrade the fasteners you'll use. Essential information: You'll find more information on deck materials, deck stains, and other outdoor-living essentials on our decks and deck stains product page. And don't forget to clean under your deck.
Read our annual kitchen-remodeling special
Combine expert advice on the best appliances and materials with the real-life remodeling experiences of thousands of homeowners and what do you get? The annual Consumer Reports kitchen guide, part of our August 2008 issue. Our engineers spent months sizing up refrigerators, running dishwashers, staining countertops, and punishing flooring. Some products impressed, while others fell flat. Use our kitchen-planning guide to find expert advice on the appliances and materials that will make your project?whether a face-lift or a full-scale remodel?a success and help you stick to your budget. Here's what new for 2008: Secrets of a successful remodel Where to get the best deals on appliances Cabinet upgrades Countertops buying guide Flooring review Cooking appliances review Dishwashers review Refrigerators review
Samsung Instinct: A budget iPhone alternative
Since it's little more than a week before the upgraded iPhone hits stores, it's hard not to measure the Samsung Instinct, a new Sprint-Nextel phone with multimedia features and a touch screen, against Apple's second-generation multimedia, touch-screen smartphone. (Click on the images for closer looks at the Instinct.) Some comparisons are impossible until we actually get the iPhone 3G. In initial tests, though, the Instinct appears to be an impressive performer. It costs less than the 3G?$130 vs. $199, with a two-year contract?and it has some features, like voice activation, that we expect even the new iPhone won't have. It's a little narrower, and thus more palm-friendly. However, it lacks iPhone features like WiFi access and the ability to handle Office-type documents. It's also offered by a carrier that's fared worse in our recent cellphone service Ratings (available to subscribers) than even AT&T, the exclusive iPhone carrier, which has been middling in subscriber satisfaction. As we reported earlier this year, the Instinct has an iPhone-like 3.2-in. (diag.) touch-screen display with a virtual QWERTY keyboard. In our labs, the display was responsive and easy to read under most lighting conditions and the virtual keys proved to be well-spaced and, with the aid of vibration feedback, easy to hit with minimal errors.
Forum and Function: Readers' solutions to summertime problems
If you find yourself in a bind around the house this holiday weekend?or maybe you just have some spare time?you might want to take a look at the wealth of user-generated information on our forums. You'll find suggested solutions to some summer-specific household issues?or at least get some sympathy from fellow readers. Summer comfort: Make your air conditioner more dependable and efficient Curing noisy air conditioners Using an air conditioner with a fan Does fan speed affect efficiency? Outdoor pleasures: Here's what's fueling discussions about grills, an essential summer tool Who makes the best gas grill? Should you refill or exchange your liquid-propane tanks? Natural gas vs. propane: Which fuel is better? Appliances woes: Higher temperatures take a toll on many appliances. Here are solutions to a few recurring problems Dryers: What to do about condensation Curing a smelly washer Replacing a refrigerator: Which French-door model is best? And finally, if summer activities have taken a toll on your physique, our best mattresses for bad backs thread might provide some relief.?Gian Trotta
Death of 22-month-old prompts recall of boat-shaped beds
Two styles of boat-shaped youth beds with built-in toy chests have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission after the death of a 22-month-old California boy who strangled when the lid of the toy chest fell on the back of his neck entrapping him on the edge of the chest. The LaJolla boat bed (pictured), in which the boy was killed, and the Caribbean twin trundle bed were sold at Costco, Costco.com and furniture retail stores from January 2006 through May of this year for between $700 and $1,400. The recall involves 9,350 beds. In the recall notice, the CPSC said the beds, which were made for Bayside Furnishings of San Diego and manufactured in China, posed a hazard because the lid supports fail to prevent the lid from closing too quickly. The already assembled toy chests are designed in the shape of a ship or boat?s ?bow? and attached to the beds as a foot board. The LaJolla boat bed toy chest has a hardwood top and white wood base with a blue stripe. The Pirates boat bed toy chest has a hardwood top, wheel shape and brown wood base with decorative carvings. The CPSC cautions parents to immediately stop children from using the toy chests and to contact Bayside for instructions on receiving a free repair kit with replacement lid supports by calling (877) 494-2536 anytime, or by visiting the firm?s Web site at www.baysidefurnishings.com to register online for the free repair kit. The CPSC was alerted to the hazard by the Placer County Child Death Review Team. At Consumer Reports, we strongly caution parents about toy chests with hinged lids knowing the hazards they pose. Not only can children become entrapped by the lid but they can suffocate in the chest if they crawl inside and become trapped. If you have a toy chest, or any chest, with a freely falling hinged lid, the safest thing you can do is remove the lid entirely. To learn more, read our Guide to Childproofing and Safety.
Nikon Coolpix S600: Is it as quick as Nikon says, or did we all just get punk'd?
Just how fast is the Nikon subcompact Coolpix S600? According to the company's magazine ad featuring Ashton Kutcher, one of Hollywood's slick young actors, the S600 is the "fastest starting camera of its kind." (Mr. Kutcher can also be seen snapping away with a Nikon at www.ashtonscoolpix.com, along with Nikon's claims that the $300, 10-megapixel S600 takes "0.7 seconds from start-up to shoot.") Of course there's fine print (aha!) below the claim warning that the S600's speed dominance is only "among compact digital cameras with 28mm zoom lens and optical vibration reduction as of 1/29/08." (The image at right is a digital version of one of Nikon's official print ad featuring Mr. Kutcher and the CoolPix S600 and S550 cameras. Click on the image to see a larger version of the ad which includes the disclaimer. We circled it in red so you can spot the fine print.) Seeing those restrictions in fine print made us ask: Are Nikon and Kutcher messin' with our heads, like the actor does to his victims on the Candid Camera-style MTV show Punk'd. Or are he and the camera company on the level?
How to test drive a car
With the July 4th weekend upon us, consumers may be hitting the dealerships to take advantage of the holiday savings, possibly looking to downsize to a more fuel-efficient model. Given the economy and related challenges in the automotive industry, there are a number of deals to be found, though precious few on the most thrifty vehicles. Check out the best new deals for the latest incentives on Consumer Reports recommended cars, plus learn about the recently extended Chrysler $2.99 gas promotion and our comparison of their overall owner costs with other similar models. Time to test drive When looking to buy a car, one of the most important steps is the test drive. Even though our reviews can tell you what particular pros and cons a certain model has, you just don?t know how the car will fit you without taking the car out for a spin. This is much more than a casual cruise. Some of the most important aspects to consider are ride comfort, performance, acceleration, braking, handling, quietness, and visibility. But, also consider the detail elements that matter most to you, such as rear seat comfort, room for child seats, or cargo space access. Ultimately, you want to ensure the vehicles? overall performance and character matches both your wants and needs, as it will hopefully be your travel companion for years to come. To aid in comparing models, it helps to drive any vehicles you're considering all on the same day while your impressions are still fresh. Making notes immediately after each drive can help with the inevitable tough decision. Spend as much time as possible behind the wheel?30 minutes, if possible?and drive it over different types of road surfaces and in various driving conditions. Plus, plan your own driving route before you visit the dealership or seller, rather than rely on a salesperson or the seller to tell you where to drive. Their route may hide or minimize problems with the vehicle. Keep the radio off so you can listen to the car?s noise level and try to do your test drive during the daytime and not in the rain. Finally, don?t feel rushed to buy on the same day. If you need to drive the car again on another day, you should?after all, it?s your money. For a primer on how to test drive, watch the accompanying video. For more information on buying a car, including a more-detailed explanation of how to test drive, see our new and used car buying guides. Check out our forum to discuss car buying with other consumers. ?Liza Barth
Emergency-preparedness plans for your pets
I've got fond memories of childhood and adult trips to Big Sur. This amazing area along the California coast is one of my favorite places in the world, so I've been paying particular attention to the wildfires raging there in recent days. The section below about pet evacutation in this New York Times news story on the Big Sur wildfires reminded me of an article we ran about emergency preparedness: "Yellow smoke and ash mixed in the air as a procession of possession-laden cars, trucks and vans streamed north out of town. Horses, goats, cats and dogs were also being trucked out by animal welfare workers, as helicopters ferried back and forth to the ocean, drawing out water to dump on smoldering hillsides east of town." If you own pets, read "Don't Leave Home Without Them," which includes information about preparing for and dealing with emergencies?a few basic steps can help you safely evacuate yourself and your pets. When an emergency does occur, take these bare necessities for your pet with you: Harnesses, carriers, crates, and cages. Harnesses are better than collars for safety and security. Each pet should have its own crate, cage, or carrier. Be sure to include comfortable bedding, such as old blankets, and any toys to help your pet feel more secure. ID, contact information, and medical records. All pets should have ID tags with emergency-contact information in case you become separated. Write the same information in indelible marker on the pet carrier. Include feeding and medical information, as well as a description of any pertinent behavioral issues. Keep a copy of records and identification photos of your pet with you at all times. Food, water, and medicine. Pack three to seven days' worth of nonperishable food and water for your pet, as well as a week's supply of any necessary medicine. Take separate bowls for food and water. Sanitation. Pack paper towels, liquid dish soap, a small bottle of household bleach, and a package of garbage bags. This will keep an already difficult situation from getting any messier Essential information: See our Storm & Emergency Guide for detailed information on dealing with disasters. Also read "Vacation Travel for Dogs," and if you're flying with your pet(s) this summer, watch the video (right).
Fourth of July: Be safe, avoid fireworks injuries
Our Safety bloggers have posted some important reminders from the Consumer Products Safety Commission on how to avoid fireworks injuries this holiday weekend: Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Make sure fireworks are legal in your...
