Nerd Rating

Tag: TV

  • Black Friday Fight List (Buyer’s Guide)

    Head Trauma Free Of Charge.

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, that technically starts on Saturday because Friday will be about cold early morning lines, running over the weak and seeing how that old lady with the Wii U can handle a punch.

    That’s right it’s Black Friday, which over the past few years, has begun to take over Thanksgiving as well to where most people have just enough time to finish their family time of thanks and goodwill then head out for battle. We here at Nerd Rating are here to help you on your journey into the deepest, darkest of holiday humanity with a buyer’s guide that will show you the best of the deals that most retailers are offering for TV’s, tablets, video games and more.

    Be sure and hit the links to compare to Amazon.com because the online retailer is matching or even beating a lot of the advertised prices out there.

    Televisions

    • [amazon_link id=”B006ZH0K7A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]LG 47″ LED 1080P 120Hz HDTV[/amazon_link]- $599.99 (K-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006Z9W6AW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]LG 50″ Plasma 1080P 600Hz HDTV[/amazon_link]- $549.99 (K-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B004OBZM8G” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Sharp Aquos 60″ 1080P 120Hz HDTV[/amazon_link]- $999.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0075Z2SMG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Toshiba 40″ LCD 1080P 60Hz HDTV[/amazon_link]- $179.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0073K64NM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Toshiba 50″ LED 1080P 60Hz HDTV[/amazon_link]- $399.99 (Best Buy)
    • Emerson 50″ LCD 1080P 60Hz HDTV- $298.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B009H8JOZS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Vizio 60″ LED 1080P 120Hz HDTV w/ Wi-Fi[/amazon_link]- $688.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • Westinghouse 50″ 1080P HDTV- $349.00 (Target)

    Tablets

    • [amazon_link id=”B0083PWAPW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7″ display w/ 16GB[/amazon_link] + $30 Best Buy gift card- $199.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0051VVOB2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon Kindle Fire 7″ display w/ 8GB[/amazon_link] + $30 Best Buy gift card- $159.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B007P4VOWC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7″ display w/ 8GB[/amazon_link] + $20 Best Buy giftcard- $179.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0047DVWLW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Apple iPad 2 16GB w/ Wi-Fi[/amazon_link] + $75 Wal-Mart gift card- $399.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”140053271X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch[/amazon_link]- $39.00 (Sears)

    Laptops

    • [amazon_link id=”B0085RUYHE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Compaq Presario, 2GB RAM, 320GB, 15.6″[/amazon_link]- $179.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0078HGTR6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]HP Laptop, 4GB RAM, 500GB, 15.6″[/amazon_link]- $349.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B005LF3S6C” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Toshiba Satellite, Intel i7 Processor, 8GB RAM, 750GB, 15.6″[/amazon_link]- $599.99 (Office Depot)

    Consoles

    • [amazon_link id=”B0096KEMUY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]XBox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle w/ Forza Motorsports, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[/amazon_link] and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2- $249.99 (Gamestop)
    • Playstation 3 250GB Console w/ Infamous 1&2, Uncharted 1&2 and one month of PS Plus- $199.99 (Gamestop, Wal-Mart, Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B002I0JZOC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Playstation Vita (White) Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation Bundle[/amazon_link]- $199.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006C4B9I0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nintendo 3DS (Fire Red) Bundle w/ Super Mario 3D Land[/amazon_link] and any choice of Nintendogs game- $169.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0009VXBAQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nintendo Wii Console[/amazon_link]- $89.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • XBox 360 4GB Console w/ Skylanders Giants Starter Kit- $149.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B002I0JZIS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Playstation Vita Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified Bundle[/amazon_link]- $199.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006C4B9I0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nintendo 3DS (Fire Red) Bundle w/ Super Mario 3D Land[/amazon_link]- $149.99 (Best Buy)
    • Playstation 250GB Console w/ Infamous 1&2, Uncharted 1&2 and free Air-Flow controller- $199.99 (Toys R Us)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0096KENEO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Xbox 360 4GB Console w/ Kinect, Kinect Adventures, Disneyland Adventures[/amazon_link] and free Air-Flow controller- $249.99 (Toys R Us)
    • [amazon_link id=”B002I0JZIS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Playstation Vita Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified Bundle[/amazon_link] w/ free Vita 10-in-1 Essentials Pack- $199.99 (Toys R Us)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0045F8QDE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nintendo Wii Console w/ Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort[/amazon_link] and Just Dance Kids 2- $119.00 (Target)
    • Playstation Vita w/ Lego Batman 2 game- $199.00 (Target)

    Games

    • [amazon_link id=”B007MM9E42″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Epic Mickey 2[/amazon_link]- $24.96 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0085L2T14″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]WWE 13[/amazon_link]- $25.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SX9VO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Borderlands 2[/amazon_link]- $25.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B007M6W38W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]NBA 2K13[/amazon_link]- $25.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B005C2D1YI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dishonored[/amazon_link]- $25.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006WQR3GA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]XCOM: Enemy Unknown[/amazon_link]- $25.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006VB2UNM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Madden NFL 13[/amazon_link]- $25.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0022TNO7S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Max Payne 3[/amazon_link]- $15.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SY8UK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Fable: The Journey[/amazon_link]- $15.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006JKARN0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Gran Turismo 5[/amazon_link]- $10.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B002I0J5UQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]L.A. Noire[/amazon_link]- $10.00 (Wal-Mart)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SYDEQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Forza Horizon[/amazon_link]- $39.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B008OQTU6C” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Battlefield 3: Premium Edition[/amazon_link]- $29.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SWZHS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Medal of Honor: Warfighter[/amazon_link]- $29.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SWTAQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Need For Speed: Most Wanted[/amazon_link]- $29.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SX00Y” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Little Big Planet Karting[/amazon_link]- $29.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0074LJ3CE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Mortal Kombat Vita[/amazon_link]- $14.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B007SRM5MO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Batman: Arkham City GOTY Edition[/amazon_link]- $19.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B006OI3CTS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance[/amazon_link]- $19.99 (Gamestop)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SXFKE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Assassin’s Creed 3[/amazon_link]- $34.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B00178630A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Diablo 3[/amazon_link]- $34.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B008277M0Y” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]FIFA Soccer 13[/amazon_link]- $34.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0056WJA30″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Darksiders 2[/amazon_link]- $29.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0085CA8NY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dead Island GOTY Edition[/amazon_link]- $7.99 (Best Buy)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0050SYX8W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Halo 4[/amazon_link] w/ $20 gift card- $59.99 (Target)
    • [amazon_link id=”B0086V5UF0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Just Dance 4[/amazon_link] w/ $10 gift card- $39.99 (Target)

     

     

     

  • Game Of Thrones Season 3 Premiere Date

    A Storm Of Swords Is Coming.

    A new banner is up for Season 3 of HBO’s Game of Thrones and it shows that the show will return on March 31, 2013.

    If you have read the books then there is no use in trying to sell how big this season is going to be. And for those of you that are just watching the show….you are in for some surprises.

    The new season will be based on the third book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Season 1 is on Blu-Ray now and Season 2 will be released early next year.

  • Take It Home Tuesday. October 30, 2012.

    Hitchcock, Satan’s Child And Will Ferrell?

    [amazon_link id=”B008MPQ0G8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Rosemary’s Baby[/amazon_link]

    One of the greatest horror/thriller movies of all time makes its way to Blu-Ray just in time for Halloween. The slow build and tension is what makes this movie so special and is something that is sorely lacking with today’s “horror” films. Take the time to watch and appreciate this classic if you haven’t yet.

    [amazon_link id=”B008DCAG9M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection[/amazon_link]

    The definitive collection of one of the greatest directors of all time. 15 movies including Psycho, North by Northwest, Rear Window, The Birds and more. Each film comes with its own set of special features including alternate endings and production diaries.

    [amazon_link id=”B009CW55XY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Campaign[/amazon_link]

    Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis team up for this comedy about an incumbent congressman who runs against a less than likely candidate in North Carolina. I saw the movie in theaters and while it is not as memorable as Talladega Nights, Anchorman or The Hangover it has a few moments and is worth a rent.

    [amazon_link id=”B009GYS73S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Chuck: The Complete Series[/amazon_link]

    I never finished watching Chuck’s run. I am only two seasons in but I will get there eventually. I give props to NBC for letting the series finish out its five season run considering the show never garnered good ratings. Sometimes network do listen to fans. If you haven’t watch Chuck you are in for as treat and could do a lot worse on TV today.

     

     

  • G4 Cancels X-Play And Attack Of The Show

    Shows Canned In Wake Of Networks Re-Branding.

    Sad news today that G4 has cancelled both Attack of the Show and X-Play with the network changing brands next year from a tech channel to a more GQ-inspired men’s channel. Cause apparently men don’t play video games.

    Both shows will have farewell runs with the final episodes airing in December with old hosts returning and best-of content being shown.

    X-Play started in 2003 and has aired more than 1,300 episodes. Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb hosted the show for the majority of the time until Sessler left G4 earlier this year. Attack of the Show began in 2005 as a replacement for the show The Screen Savers. The show had its own share of hosts come and go with Kevin Pereira being the mainstay before he left to work in production earlier this year.

    We here will miss both shows greatly as they were a big part of geek culture for almost a decade.

     

  • Take It Home Tuesday. October 16, 2012.

    Merry Christmas From Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor.

    [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHWM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Madagascar 3[/amazon_link]

    I have only watched the first one of this series and chuckled a few times but not enough to go back for seconds or now thirds. I’m pretty sure if you are a parent of a young child you will be getting this and will able to recite it after a week. I am sorry in advance.

    [amazon_link id=”B008NB0SBY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Santa Clause Trilogy[/amazon_link]

    Halloween is almost here which means Christmas is just around the corner which also means SAANTAAAA!! All three of Disney’s The Santa Clause movies come to Blu-Ray for the first time for everyone’s viewing pleasure. Well the first two at least.

    [amazon_link id=”B007L6VR6M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Moonrise Kingdom[/amazon_link]

    To say Wes Anderson is a unique filmmaker is an understatement. Rushmore, The Life Aquatic and The Royal Tenenbaums are some of the quirkiest movies I have ever seen. I have not seen Moonrise Kingdom yet but one can only venture to guess that it is nowhere near normal. Plus, I blame Wes Anderson for not having Ghostbusters 3. When Bill Murray keeps getting constant work in Anderson’s movies he has not need for the paycheck to make GB3 happen.

    [amazon_link id=”B008RNYMH4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]That’s My Boy[/amazon_link]

    It’s Adam Sandler ten years past funny and Andy Samberg not doing an SNL Digital Short with Justin Timberlake. Watch at your own risk.

    [amazon_link id=”B008VPF3LW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Chernobyl Diaries[/amazon_link]

    Yet another found footage movie. This one follows a group of people as they investigate the remains of the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl and weird stuff begins to happen. Shaky camerawork and screaming follows.

    [amazon_link id=”B008B4MMSK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Alcatraz: The Complete Series[/amazon_link]

    I was about six episodes into this series last year when they announced its cancellation so I stopped watching so I would not become too attached to the story. I liked what was going on with disappearing inmates from the 60’s coming back to present day and wished it could have finished out what it had planned. You could do worse when it comes to TV.

    [amazon_link id=”B008XBCJ34″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Avatar: 3D Version[/amazon_link]

    Finally all the Avatar nuts can stop paying 300 bucks on Ebay for the few copies of Avatar in 3D floating out there. Yeah that’s been happening. Panasonic had a deal for the last few years that the only way you could receive the 3D version of the movie was to buy a 3D television and get the movie in the mail. Now it is being made to the public when no one really cares anymore.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The Walking Dead Premieres Sunday. Here’s How To Be Prepared.

    Let’s All Get Ready For The Rise Of The Governor.

    The long wait is almost over. Season 3 of AMC’s The Walking Dead will premiere Sunday night and we can not wait just like you. This season is actually the one that should really be special especially if you are caught up on the comics and know what is to come mainly because the show is beginning to steer farther away from the source material so there is a great feeling of “I think I know what’s coming, but do I really?”.

    To get ready for the big show we here at Nerd Rating want to give you a “Walking Dead Preparedness Kit”. Everything a fan will need to get caught up on Rick Grimes and his not so merry group of survivors.

    Viva Atlanta!!

    [amazon_link id=”B005CA4SQK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Season 1[/amazon_link] and [amazon_link id=”B005LAJ23A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Season 2[/amazon_link] Blu-Ray

    A no brainer for the best place to start watching or relive your favorite moments from the first two seasons of the show. You may be hard pressed to finish them all by Sunday but we have faith in you!

    [amazon_link id=”1607060760″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Compendium One[/amazon_link] & [amazon_link id=”1607065967″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Two[/amazon_link]

    Over 2,100 pages of Robert Kirkman’s zombie epic spread across two massive paperback volumes. Compendium One collects issues 1-48 while Volume Two has issues 49-96 which will get you only about six issues behind the monthly comic.

    [amazon_link id=”B007WW434I” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Action Figures[/amazon_link]

    Play your own version of The Walking Dead with the official toy line by McFarlane Toys. There are two separate sets out there depending on which characters you love more, the comics or the television show. Series One of the comic figures includes Rick, Michonne and two variations of zombies, Series One of the show figures have Rick, Daryl and two zombies as well. Series Two of the show has just been announced and will have Shane (shown above), Rick, the zombie in the well and the screwdriver in the eye zombie from Season 2.

    Zombie Survival Kit

    What better way to get ready for the new season of The Walking Dead than actually getting ready for the coming zombie apocalypse! This handy drawstring bag gives you everything you would need for a good head start when everything goes to hell in a hand basket. I mean at first $80 may seem steep but can you really put a price on safety? And did I mention the awesome tomahawk that comes with it?!

    Funny The Walking Dead Shirts

    Yes, zombies have become a fad and you see a lot of people with The Walking Dead shirts and zombie shirts in general but let’s face it, it’s better than seeing all of those Team Edward and Team Jacob shirts. So let’s fight against that evil with an evil we can support and love and be proud of.

    Everyone enjoy the Season 3 premiere of The Walking Dead on Sunday night unless you have Dish Network.

    In that case I hope you have friends.

  • Watch The Nintendo TVii Announcement Trailer

    Changing The Way You Interact With Your Television.

    Take a look at the trailer for Nintendo TVii that was announced today during the Wii U event. It is more than simply just adding your Netflix or Hulu services to your Wii U. It makes those services as well as your live TV an interactive experience using the gamepad. To me it was the one good surprise about the show today and makes me think of the future possiblities of interactive entertainment with the controller.

    http://youtu.be/08O0G9CjcI8

  • Wii U Releases On November 18. Nintendo TVii Announced.

    A Pricey Situation?

    As expected Nintendo has announced that the Wii U will be released on November 18 and just like the Japanese counterpart it will come available in two bundles.

    For $299.99 you will get the basic set which has a white Wii U console, gamepad, HDMI cable, sensor bar and 8GB hard drive. The deluxe set is a $50 bump up in price to $349.99 and comes with a black Wii U, gamepad, HDMI cable, docks for the console and controller, sensor bar, AC adapters, 32GB hard drive and will come packed with NintendoLand.

    Nintendo is giving you a good amount for the deluxe set but it is still about $50 overpriced to me. I was expecting a $249/$299 combo.

    Yes, It Is Really Called TVii

    Now don’t let the name fool you, this actually is a pretty cool service. The Wii U will allow you to view all your content from your Netflix, Hulu Plus or Amazon Prime services not just on your console but on the gamepad as well. You will also be able to watch live TV and set your DVR timers from the Wii U.

    The show Modern Family was shown and as the show played on the TV  you were able to see bullet points of what was happening on the show and could mark favorite parts of the show, put emoticons on them to show how they made you feel and even tweet or connect to Facebook the parts of the show you liked. This is a good show of just how different the Wii U gamepad can be when it is used for things besides games.

    Even sports were given the Wii U treatment with highlights shown from last year’s Alabama/LSU game (Roll Tide) and live scores were shown on the gamepad as well as what looked like stats and even campus locations shown on maps.

     What About The Games?

    Nintendo had a pretty good lineup of games to show but it wasn’t a whole lot different from what was shown at their multiple E3 press conferences.

    They did have the announcements that Bayonetta 2 would be coming as a Wii U exclusive and Activision showed off some playable footage of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 which showed off how you can do multiplayer using the gamepad as a seperate screen. This actually excited me about the future of online multiplayer in games on the system because it gets rid of the need for splitting the television screen in two.

    It seems like as of today that Super Mario Bros. U and NintendoLand are the only launch day titles known right now. Nintendo said that more will be announced closer to November 18 but that doesn’t instill confindence for day one purchasers. Anyone that has bought a Nintendo system knows of the dreaded term “launch window” title. And that was thrown around a lot today.

    So What’s The Verdict?

    The event today left me honestly exactly 50/50 about the Wii U. As a Nintendo fanboy it is hard for me to resist a day one purchase but there are still some wants that need to be fulfilled.

    What I liked:

    • The gamepad really looks like it could be a true innovation if used properly.
    • Nintendo TVii, despite the stupid name, was a really cool service that I could actually see myself using.
    • The game lineup looks good even with the “launch window” phrase.
    • I can’t believe I actually want to play Lego Undercover

    What I didn’t like:

    • The price. If I get one it will be the deluxe set and $349 is still $50 over what I was expecting to pay on the high end.
    • That dang “launch window”. We know that with Nintendo that can become a very long wait.
    • The feeling that Nintendo themselves still are not sold on if the Wii U is the next step in gaming.
    • I did not hear how much an extra gamepad would cost. Which most likely means expensive.

    Did today’s event convince you one way or the other on a Wii U? What about the price point? Let us know what you think and stay here for more Wii U updates as they come.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Get Ready To Say So Long To G4.

    Looks like Adam Sessler and Kevin Pereira were the smart rats and jumped off a sinking ship early.

    Rumors abound that G4, which has been on since 2002, will be “re-branded” early next year and morph into a GQ-style men’s channel and that may include a name change. This may come as a shock to some people but it really shouldn’t when you think about the channel only produced two real video game/tech based shows (Attack of the Show and X-Play). Now whether these show will survive the changeover is not clear. If one was to make it I would guess it would be Attack of the Show since it is more of a pop culture show than strictly video games like X-Play.

    No word has been given on if the channel would still give special coverage to shows like E3, PAX or Comic Con.

    But what about my need for Morgan Webb and Ninja Warrior?

  • Rick Plays “Mine’s Bigger” In The New Walking Dead Poster.

    Here is the final poster for the upcoming third season of AMC’s The Walking Dead. While last year’s poster got fans excited to see Rick running towards Herschel’s farm, this offering is giving fans a shot of Rick in front of the prison which many people (me included) have been waiting on since the series started. And if you are not caught up on The Walking Dead comics or just watch the show exclusively then you really have no idea how appropriate the tagline for this season is.

    Season 3 of The Walking Dead premieres October 14. Just in case you didn’t read the poster.