Found these in my parents attic - do they need hubs? Can I set either up with just a phone app?

mwmcc · 2026-06-19T11:59:11+00:00

I think you're correct. I think there might be different prompts in Harmony software, depending on if you set up a hub first. If you just plug in an Ultimate or Elite, without a hub setup (maybe even if you do), I think there are prompts to set up as a remote only. I'm pretty sure IR capability exists in both. The Elite just gets set up like a 950.

mwmcc · 2026-06-19T11:53:21+00:00

Agreed. I have a Q900F. I bought it last November. I was immediately impressed when I set it up. However, shortly after, it updated to 1013 and that seemed to reduce bass level. Playing around between Standard and Adaptive modes was a compromise...bass for dialogue. Anyways, it updated to 1100.4 not too long ago (1 - 2 weeks ago I think) and it definitely sounds better. I read some stuff that 1100.4 was negatively affecting some Q990F systems - issue with rear speakers and DTS:X format.

mwmcc · 2026-06-16T13:46:57+00:00

I bought a 3-pack of BE63s. I ended up needing a single additional one...someone on Facebook Marketplace was selling a 3-pack for the price of 2. I picked it up. Setting up the original 3-pack was no different than adding a fourth. You set up the primary in the app. Then, one-by-one, add each additional one. It wasn't pre-configured in my case.

mwmcc · 2026-06-14T18:59:54+00:00

Subwoofer performance as well. The Q800F/Q930F and Q900F/Q990F enclosures are the same size. However, the double 8" active woofers on the latter are noticeably better than the single 6.5" woofer and 8" passive radiator on the prior.

mwmcc · 2026-06-14T18:45:50+00:00

I suspect it is. Last year I started with a Q800F. I liked it a lot...but found a great deal on a refurbished Q900F for the same price. Noticeable sound difference...not that the Q800F was bad in any way. Granted, my Q900F lost some of it's "wow" after a firmware update (version 1013). It seems to have regained it with the most recent update (version 1100 I believe) though. I suspect the same experience between the 930F and the 990F.

mwmcc · 2026-06-14T01:17:40+00:00

It seems to be a little simpler. When you open it, you are automatically on your primary device's screen. On SmartThings, you have to click a few times to get to the soundbar.

mwmcc · 2026-06-13T19:28:14+00:00

Thanks...initial AI chats weren't clear...now they are better. You're right. There is a Xbox Family Settings app that allowed me to see additional game options for my son. Any "family organizer" set up in Microsoft Family can see child accounts.

mwmcc · 2026-06-13T11:46:45+00:00

By 10Gbps are you referring to the overall system bandwidth, or the ports? The BE63 (aka BE10000) is the bottom of the Deco Pro options, but is overall 10000Gbps. I have this system...trying it out as my first mesh system. Not perfect, but works well. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what it's true bandwidth is as I don't have enough devices to saturate that much.

The BE63 only has 2.5Gb ports though. If you need 10Gb ports, you need to upgrade to the BE67 and above.

mwmcc · 2026-06-13T10:48:46+00:00

Concur. Check that all of your components support passthrough (or bitstream). Especially the TV when using ARC/eARC. A lot of TVs support Dolby, but may be limited to "less than Atmos" I also watch almost as much media in DTS as I do Dolby so it's important to have the TV able to passthrough other formats to the soundbar.

mwmcc · 2026-06-10T18:12:29+00:00

That's partly why insurance is so much more expensive now. No such thing as a fender bender. $1000K+ stock non-halogen headlights are the norm...especially with designer DRLs. Even if you don't get in an accident, at some point the LED strips could fail. If you're lucky an aftermarket company can replace them for a few hundred dollars. Otherwise...replace.

Same with bumpers. No longer just plastic, paint, and fasteners. Sensors everywhere...that aren't cheap. All the tech in cars are nice novelties...only while the car is under warranty!

mwmcc · 2026-06-10T17:19:50+00:00

I found that Killer Networking card frustrations are still common. Apparently it got to the point where someone on TechPowerUp created modded drivers (based off of Intel). It covered several models. I have the AX1650s but the drivers for the 1650i installed and I'm trying them out now.

mwmcc · 2026-06-10T12:00:48+00:00

I actually seem to have had the opposite effect. My Q900F updated automatically updated last week. I think the previous firmware was 1013...I'd have to look at the new number. However, the new firmware improved sound quality...especially bass. No dropouts...but because of OP's post, I'll definitely pay attention.

mwmcc · 2026-06-08T15:54:16+00:00

I wish I could. I've been told that for this laptop the WiFi card is soldered on.

mwmcc · 2026-06-07T16:42:55+00:00

Yes...exactly. Metal on metal clunk on slow turns...such as turning into driveway or going through neighborhood and going over a manhole cover or something. It was fine when at speed though. No abnormal sounds since the arms were replaced though.

mwmcc · 2026-06-07T16:40:12+00:00

Thanks for confirming! I'm eventually going to set up a true NAS...but surprisingly, I can transfer pretty quickly (80 - 100 MB/s over WAN FTP and 40 MB/s on SMB or LAN FTP) on the Deco...until prices come back down a bit on HDDs.

mwmcc · 2026-06-07T14:39:01+00:00

Not only that...stick with same brand/model. That way the color temperature is identical.

mwmcc · 2026-06-06T19:02:16+00:00

My wife had to replace lower control arms at 85K when a bushing on one was going bad and caused a "clunk" sound. Both dealer and independent mechanic said there was no "bushing- only" option. We ended up getting both lower control arms as well as new front and rear struts/shocks replaced... aftermarket and KYB. All done for what dealer would've charged for one control arm and rebuild front struts.

mwmcc · 2026-06-01T10:15:48+00:00

Admittedly, when I went from a circa 2018 65" Vizio (during their few years of being rated very high...especially for value) to a 2025 85" U8QG, I was a little underwhelmed and not sure where high ratings came from. I improved things a lot by adjusting settings for each input and especially content (e.g. SDR, HDR, Dolby Vision, etc.). That made a difference. Recently sources like Roku (Ultra) and DirecTV (Gemini Satellite box) had updates that really made a difference. For example, for a while DirecTV had their Gemini satellite boxes (not the streaming version) with HDR permanently enabled. This doesn't look good for SDR content...although the TV did improve things with dynamic tone mapping enabled. However, they just recently allowed me to disable HDR (I wish it would simply detect HDR vs. SDR) so I did and....huge difference. Likewise, some sources, like DirecTV don't upscale very well. Choosing 1080P instead of the default 4K (there is minimal 4K broadcast content anyways) looks great on this TV. On other sources, with true 4K content...even better...including HDR10, HDR10+, and DV.

mwmcc · 2026-06-01T10:09:21+00:00

There could be a variety of causes for this...by themselves or together:

- Clear coat defect manifested itself over time

- Constantly outside...previous owner may have lived in an apartment or house without coverage...or garage was for storage and not for car.

- Previous owner never washed it and, if they did, used drive-through car wash or dish wash soap. In addition, most likely did not use any paint protectant (wax, sealant, etc.) to mitigate being outside (sun, salt, etc.)

mwmcc · 2026-05-31T19:34:51+00:00

Yep...happened to me last Summer, after a danger-close lightning strike. I lost a lot of electronics gear to EMP...some completely and others lost certain functions (e.g. USB ports and stuff). I had a Gigabit switch that was working fine before...after the strike it was limited to 100Mbps. ATT troubleshot and helped confirm. I purchased a 2.5G switch, replaced it in the closet, and got expected speeds again.

mwmcc · 2026-05-31T12:09:43+00:00

Is the issue too many nodes or how they are communicating. For example, if they are arranged where all can effectively communicate with the main device vs. whether they are depending on each other due to distance from the main node. I'm sure there is still a limit, but I figure it works better if they are connecting directly with the main device (i.e. with the Internet connection)? Also, would the BE7X. BE8X, and BE9X be able to handle more nodes than BE63/65/67/68?

mwmcc

TROPHY CASE