Archive from 05-22-2000
Rich ( 205.188.197.21 ) at 3:49 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Wayne, my wife, sister, mother, and aunt left today for a one week cruise to Bermuda, can u imagine what this house is gonna look like next sunday when she walks in 
i had to ask her what button do i push to run the dishwasher lol. well looks like we'll be eating take out for a week :)!! the only thing that sucks is no sex till she gets home 
Rich ( 205.188.197.21 ) at 3:40 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Wayne LOL
Wayne ( 63.252.65.243 ) at 3:35 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Went to see Dinosaur. Kool movie, I went expecting animaton (Disney style), but it was more graphic rendering ala Jurrasic Park.
Wayne ( 63.252.65.243 ) at 3:32 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Jason Crews: Wow, you're a blast from the past! Still in TX? I still have my Energys!
Wayne ( 63.252.65.243 ) at 3:31 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Rich: Glad to hear you doing good! I didn't think you needed electro shocks to your heart, you have the Mirage 400, that baby should thump your heart in great condition!
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 2:57 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
PowerPRO 20/30
AKA, AVB, Others: Not to whip a dead horse but... how subtle were the improvements in sound from the PowerPRO. As you know, I am very seriously thinking about picking one up but want some idea as to the improvement in both audio or video.
The question really is... am I better going with the PowerPRO30, purchasing a Crestron (which I admit, is nothing but a toy as the Pronto does it all), or stashing the cash and using it as a seed for my FP and scaler when I move in the next year or so?
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 2:54 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
VCR Review
Well, I was so tired from cahsing my 22 month old nephew around the park this morning that I spent the last two hours playing with the new VCR. The 3800 is less costly than the 3600 becasue it has fewer features as noted in a post from a couple of days ago -- RECLINK, and a few others.
While these features have no use to me future JVC VCR buyers should note that the X800 has fewer features than the X600. ALl and all I am very please -- especially given the price I got it and the cables for. I recorded the hockey game from a digital cable TV channel alst night on BOTH ny ProScan VCR and the JVC S-VHS. The JVC is noticeably better!!
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 2:50 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Joe aka Iguana Master: The latest Pronot firmware and version of ProntoEdit are at http://www.pronto.svcs.com/pc/pronto-download.html Hope that helps
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 2:49 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Ron H: keep up the good work. I will be arriving later tomorrow and expect to see a completed room ready to go....
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 152.163.205.31 ) at 2:38 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Pronto Question
Where di I download the latest firmware?
BAGMAN ( 208.131.247.72 ) at 2:26 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
used dvds
Just picked up The Messenger,Three Kings, and End of Days all used for $14. and change each. I like the idea of buying them this way. Anybody else done this? For that kind of money if they stink it is no big deal.
Afternoon All
Ron H: I'm sure it has been covered but how big is your screen going to be?
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 152.163.205.31 ) at 2:19 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Pronto Question
I
downloaded a file from remote central. The configurtion is close to what I need to update mine. I am getting a Corrupt message when loading from the PC to the Pronto. Any thoughts on this?
Ron H ( 63.22.204.244 ) at 2:06 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Ron H
Joe aka Iguana Master: The ceiling is 8 feet high. The DLP will be a ceiling mount. Well it is back to the dry wall.
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 152.163.194.197 ) at 2:02 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Ron H
I see your room is coming along. What is the hieght of your cieling? Are you going to mount the DLP on the cieling or on the backwall?
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 209.180.139.195 ) at 12:24 PM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Howdy!
Good morning all!
Ron H ( 63.22.186.216 ) at 11:43 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Curtis: The sheetrock will be up before the day is over.
Ron H ( 63.22.186.216 ) at 11:42 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
JBC: LOL
Curtis ( 63.203.68.163 ) at 11:33 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
er make that a CAMcorder ... cancorders belong in the kitchen
Curtis ( 63.203.68.163 ) at 11:32 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Laptop
Rich: The Sony Vaio's are sweet. I just used a F390 for about 6 months (15" XGA screen) & it was most impressive. Full screen, full motion video for both DVD & DV video playback. I actually used it as a cancorder monitor at pro tennis matches. Attracted the babes like flies 
Curtis ( 63.203.68.163 ) at 11:28 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Laptop
Jason Crews: I have to agree with Pop that Win CE sucks (why do you think they named it wince?) You don't want to know how many PDA's I have owned over the years & how much $$ went down the drain. My current is the best bang for the buck by far, a HandSpring Visor from the 2 founders who created the original Palm Pilot. It's fully Palm OS compatable with a big difference ... and expansion module slot. Check out the digital camera module I recently got here ... www.eyemodule.com I'm beta testing a GPS & a MP3 player module as well. The Visor itself should be in Best Buys stores by now or direct online at www.handspring.com
Curtis ( 63.203.68.163 ) at 11:19 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Ron H: Work's getting in the way of play again? I Hate when that happens. Here's what I would do. Sheetrock goes up very quickly. Install it without messing with the joints just so you'll have real walls. Then you can concentrate on mounting the FP in time for the Indy 500. This is easy for me to say because I'm a bachelor ... YMMV.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 7:25 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Good morning gang....
Went to see Gladiator last night. Great flick. This will make a great DVD. That said, it is worth going to the movies to see it now. Russell Crow was superb as Maximus!
WildBill, CAI: I should clarify a few things:
a) I am looking more for listening than dancing;
b) I have no preference between CD or DVD; and
c) Some vocals would be OK.
Ron H: Sounds fantastic. I am purchasing a ticket as we speak!
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 63.225.205.192 ) at 4:34 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
AES SE-811
The more I listen to the AES SE-811 amps the more I like them. Single-ended triodes are amazing sounding amps. The SE-811 makes my Audion Sterling sound veiled in comparison. My initial impression may have been hasty in decsribing what I was hearing. After getting more of a handle on the sound of this amp I would describe its sound as breath taking. The ease at which the music flows is impressive. The bass output is tight, deep and tuneful with all the impact intact. Every nuance of the music is revealed in a fashion that makes you realize why music can be so fun to listen to. I find myself wanting to listen more. My wife and I were sitting and listening to music. My wife turns to me and says, "What now?" I immediately laugh out loud because I knew she was saying, "Okay, these amps make music and I love the way they sound. So what do you want to do now about them." The more we sat and listen the more the downside of the heat became less of a problem. I think I am finally coming to realize what my RM50si speakers are capable of reproducing. I am truely excited by how these amps reproduce music.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 63.225.205.192 ) at 4:17 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Eyes Wide Shut
Watched Eyes Wide Shut tonight or is it last night. Interesting movie. Someone described this movie as a chic flic. Not what I would call a chic flic. The music is outstanding in this movie. Not sure I would say this is a keeper type film. At least a good or great rental. Some friends loaned my wife and I the DVD to watch.
Rich ( 205.188.193.51 ) at 2:15 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
THX!!!!!
is where it's at!!
Rich ( 205.188.193.51 ) at 2:06 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Laptop
Jason Crews, i really like those blueish purplish Sony's, they just look soo Koool!! the one i'm thinking about is an all in one notebook, very thin and light, model # F430 Pent111 450mhz 64ram 14.1 screen 4xdvd 56k 6.4gig win98se ect. $2199...
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.53.131 ) at 2:03 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Rich: nothing but the latest and greatest for us THX Ultra dudes. 
Rich ( 205.188.193.51 ) at 1:56 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Scott Pop, Thanx for the URL, that is real cutting edge tech!
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.53.131 ) at 1:40 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Laptop
Jason Crews: ...or QNX
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.53.131 ) at 1:40 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Laptop
Jason Crews: *cringe* Come now.. Win CE??? Try something with PalmOS or BeIA or Linux!!!
Jason Crews ( 208.190.110.202 ) at 12:39 AM EST Sunday, May 21, 2000
Laptop
Rich: Tell me about it man! The Dell I want to get is like $3800. I only paid $4000 for my '94 Mazda 626 two years ago! Really hard to justify that even when I work in the comp. industry. I think im goning to settle on a win CE device and run Citrix Terminal Client Wired/Wireless on it. Just like having a NT Workstation in the palm of your hand.
Ron H ( 63.22.204.195 ) at 11:44 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
I just could not wait any longer. I pulled out the FP grabbed one of my Sat receivers and hooked them up. Even though I was just playing it on grey wall board without the Scaler hooked up I know for sure I am going to be very very happy with this set up. I can't wait till I get the screen and scaller which will arrive next week.
KPD ( 207.180.0.8 ) at 11:27 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Happy B'day
Johnbr:: Hope you had a good one bud!
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 63.225.204.119 ) at 10:23 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
New Auto
JJ: Congrats on the new car.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 10:05 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
Wild Bill: It depends on whether he wants listening music or dancing music, hard percussion or softer instrumental. There are a lot of newer and older artists like the Gypsy Kings, Hilton Ruiz, Nestor Torres, Orquesta de la Luz, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Ray Barreto, Cal Tjader etc. that are mellower than others. It all depends on what kind of music he likes.
Then again, is he looking for DVDs.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.91.147 ) at 9:26 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
cai: What about The Buena Vista Social Club DVD? I've heard it is excellent but I don't know if it is strictly instrumental.
Gar ( 169.207.194.243 ) at 9:21 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Niles Power Conditioners
Anyone know if there is anyone online carrying Niles Power conditioners for sale? Thanks!
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 9:17 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
JBC:: I think that you may be thinking about older recordings. If that is the case think of old Perez Prado - mambo, Xavier Cugat - general, Edmundo Ross - general, Stan Getz or Joao Gilberto or Astrud Gilberto or Laurindo Almeida - Brazilian music, Juan Garcia Esquivel - general. I am sure you can find Perez Prado, the Gilbertos and Cugat on CDs. For the others I have only vinyl.
This is a very, very partial list of possibilities. The fact that you are looking for instrumentals makes it a bit more difficult to find choices. I am sure that if you go to the Latin music section of a decent record shop, you will find a good selection of orchestras.
JJ ( 12.79.76.196 ) at 8:12 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
New Auto
Finally got a new car. Maxima GLE, traction control, heated seats sunroof, the works. nice car. Grey lustre, light grey leather interior. matches my son's Stroller perfectly.
What cemented the deal: Premium Bose stereo! jk
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 63.225.203.235 ) at 5:13 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Ron H: I would love to see some pictures of your finished room. I bet it looks great. I may be contacting you when I start my next house.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 63.225.203.235 ) at 5:11 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
I just got done listening to a Louis Armstrong CD-R. This CD was burned for me by someone I know. It is based directly off master tapes that the person has access to. Playing this CD using the SE-811 amps I have to tell you guys were talking one of the best recording I have ever heard of Louis Armstrong on CD. It sounded like it was not recorded 40-50 years. The realism of the instruments was amazing for such a old recording. Kind of says a lot about how good master tapes are and how bad some of the nth generation CDs are.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 63.225.203.235 ) at 5:05 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
JBC: If you can find it I would suggest Esteban (Dystar Productions). His Enter The Heart CD is pretty good. Another suggestion would be to check out Gypsy Passion - New Flamenco (Narada Collection).
Ron H ( 63.27.245.100 ) at 4:55 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
JBC::I hear ya about the vacation. Unfortunetly one of our strongest competetors is having some real problems. we have taken advandage of that fact and business has taken a very large jump. With the damn low unemployment it is very hard to find production workers so we are constantly running a short crew and working out the pains caused by a very fast growth.
I guess I am saying is that this is not the right time to take a vacation.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.53.131 ) at 4:54 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Rich: maybe you should wait a bit on a laptop... there's a new chip out, called the Crusoe that runs very cool and therefore is very efficient... it uses a type of microcode, so it's possible to emulate different processors (x86, PPC, etc)... I *think* the URL is www.transmeta.com
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 4:15 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
WildBill: Thanks for the info....CAI, Any thoughts?
Wild Bill ( 63.21.91.205 ) at 4:13 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
JBC:: I think CAI may be the man to answer that one!!
JBC: ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 4:02 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Tony C Previous post was addressed to you as well....
JBC: ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 4:01 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Music Suggestions
, AKA, Others: Look for suggestions in the area of "Latin instrumental" for lack of a better word. You know... fast paced, rhytmic, etc...
Rich ( 152.163.197.188 ) at 3:35 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Jason Crews, Great to see u in here!! i trade my gear at "Tweeter" it's an A/V franchise, unfortunatly they don't carry PC's ect just HT gear. i wish they did cuz i want to buy a laptop with decent specs (pent111, dvd,ect) without laying out 3 grand.
Rich ( 152.163.197.188 ) at 3:30 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Scott Pop, how's it goin!! i just sold my 5yr old 35" Tosh console for $425 bucks
Rich ( 152.163.197.188 ) at 3:26 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
johnbr, Happy Birthday!!! when u get to be an old buzzard like me u wont like birthday's too much anymore
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.86.95 ) at 3:24 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Rich: Yer THX Ultra KOOOL 
Rich ( 152.163.197.188 ) at 3:22 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Thanx To All!! u Guys r the Koooolest! i mean i'm talkin Ultra Koool
johnbr ( 24.112.61.241 ) at 3:21 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Thanks MAN
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 209.180.140.97 ) at 2:54 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
johnbr: Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 209.180.140.97 ) at 2:54 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
johnbr:
JBC: Sounds like you got a great deal on the VCR.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 209.180.140.97 ) at 2:47 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Good morning all! Well it is in Phoenix anyways.
My impression when I was doing the demo'ing of the PowerPRO-20 in my system was subtle. Subtle enough to warant its use as it seemed to lower the noise floor. It is a matter of synergy and different parts of the country has different quality of power. Some parts of the country have dirtier power then others. That is why home demos are a must.
I just realized that I can bi-amp my subwoofer. I have two channels of my Cinepro 3K6SE that are not being used.
Got the AES SE-811 mono-block tube amps in on Thursday. After setup and some burn-in I have to say that those single-ended triode amps produce a very clear, clean and focused sound. My wifes comment is that they sound pretty. Another thing that I liked about the amp is that it is super super quiet. No discernable hum or hiss even when my ear is pressed up against the speaker. When I sit down to listen to music, I find that with the SE-811 amps I don't get drawn into the music the way I do with my Audion Sterling single-ended tube amp. I would say that the SE-811 does have possibilities but it has one big drawbacks that my wife and I can't overcome. The amount of heat that this amp produces is amazing. It actually overheats the room to the point that you can not even walk into the room without sweating. Yes, tube amps produce heat but the 811-3 tube is an exteremly high voltage tube which puts out a lot of light and heat. In comparison, my Audion Sterling tube amp does not produce anywhere near enough heat to overheat the same room. Talk about a boiler room with 3 or 4 pairs of that SE-811 mono-block amp. This means that an 845 based tube amp will probably not work for me because it is an even higher volage tube then the 811-3. My RM50si speakers are amazing in the fact that they are easy enough to drive to allow me to use low powered single-ended triode tube amps. Kind of like getting closer to the music. Still waiting on some Mullard 33 mono-block amps. These suckers produce a whopping 3.5 watts. It should be interesting to see if I can drive my speakers with ultra-low powered SET tube amps.
Gasgeek: e-mail coming your way.
Rich: Good hear all is well and that your tests went well. Hate to loose a realy Koool THX guy like you.
BYork: Welcome to the wonderful world of DTS. If I get the chance I try to buy the DTS version over of Dolby Digital.
Tony C: I was also surprised to see Dustin Hoffman in The Messenger.
JBC: ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 2:11 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Good afternnon gents...
the JVC 3600 has been returned, but not for lack of performance or usability. The story is as follows -- I got the 3600 for approximately US$110 arguing that it had been replaced by the 3800. I returned to a different store within the same chain to "return" the unit. The pimply faced 16 year old behind the return counter said, before I had a chance to open my mouth, " guess that you are bumbed having bought the 3600 when the 3800 is out -- how about I give you a 3800 for the same $$$, you take it home, try it for a month and then let me know?" My fiance, god love her, complained about the time spent driving back and forth and such... the sixteen year then said.. OK.. take the US$50 of S-video cables as a freebie. That said... I now ahve and will keep the 3800 plus the S-video cables for which have an MSRP of US$300 and which cost me US$110.
Ron H, there is an easy solution to your "timing proble," -- it is called a vacation. Were you a true HT Addict, you would take a week off to a) complete construction, mount and fine tune the DLP/Scaler and connect all your electronics. I am truly disappointed in your less than complete committment!!
Rich That is the best news I have heard all week!
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 1:50 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
New Bond Flic, and no more Q!
Gar: Believe me Gar, Department of Energy and its contractors' employees DO NOT look anything like that actress, Denise Richards. I work there and I know. About workers acting and talking dumb, well, what can I tell you. Not all can be bright lights like me. Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
Regarding Q, he died in an automobile accident a few some months ago. Very sad indeed.
Gar ( 169.207.193.159 ) at 12:44 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
I almost forgot, Q is gone! Damn, won't see him in any new films.
Gar ( 169.207.193.159 ) at 12:42 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
New Bond Flic, and no more Q!
mcb: I agree with you, Sophie Marcau(sp) was very good, but the other
girl(Can't think of her name) SUCKED! She was over acting, and how many Nuclear Physisists do you know that look like that and act and speak in a very dumb manner(Much like my typing ) To me she did a very good job of wrecking this flick.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 12:35 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Trip to Next Year's CES Show
TO ALL Thanks Curtis. It does not sound like it is going to be easy.
Does anyone else have any other suggestions as to how I can get tickets to the show? Thanks.
Jason Crews ( 208.190.110.202 ) at 12:16 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Trading in Hardware
Rich: Where do you do all of this hardware trading-in? Some of my equipment is getting stale and would love to trade it in if I could get a fair credit for it.
Jason Crews ( 208.190.110.202 ) at 12:12 PM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
New Bond flic
mcb: I would have to agree with you. I saw it in the theater and thought the same thing.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.218 ) at 11:55 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
900 mhz
Tony C: You may recall that I posted a few weeks ago that I picked up a pair of 900Mhz wireless speakers @ Rat Shack for about 20% of list. I was assured that other 900Mhz devices (esp. cordless phones) wouldn't interfere with them. That turned out to be a true statement. What they didn't tell me was that 2.4Ghz devices totally screw up all reception! I own a 2.4 panasonic phone (that my daughter is always on) that I can control the use of. Not much I can do about at least 2 neighbors who have the same phones... Somewhere my dad is laughing at me snickering "you get what you pay for!"
Curtis ( 63.203.69.218 ) at 11:34 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
cai: Your schedule sounds like fun. I have attended WCES twice & come to think of it the tix were covered by my employer (we were in the speech recognition biz & needed to see what others were showing, yeah right!). Since the show is put on by CEMA it's my understanding that member manufacturers recieve x number of passes that they can freely distribute. Retail CEMA electronis dealers are also allowed a limited # of tix. I suggest you befriend one of those kind of outfits. If memory serves, I think the CEMA issued passes get you into all exhibits at all locations for all 3 days. The expensive stuff is the seminars. Alexis Park is where all the ultra high-end 2 channel audio stuff is. I went around there with a friend just to see how much money one could drop on a stereo system!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:23 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
900 mhz
For the longest time I've been thinking that I would run cables from the 2nd audio out from the Yamaha receiver in the family room to the AUX input of my Deneon receiver in my office. But it would take so much work to do that. I was wondering what you guys thought about getting a 900 mhz transmitter. I could transmit the signal from the family room to the office. Do you think that would work?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:20 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
New Bond flic
mcb: Totally. I won't be buying this one. Personally, I think the two babes in this flick were boring. and the movie did drag at times.
Last night, I watched The Messenger I kept thinking of Fifth Element.
(same actress). But the movie was pretty good. I was surprised to see Dustin Hoffman. I didn't know he was in it.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 9:46 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Curtis: I have started my CES trip planning and would like to know from you exactly how you get the tickets to the show. Do you go to the different hotels, Alexis Park, LV Hilton, Convention Center, etc. and have to wait in line at each one of them for a pass? Once you get a pass is it for one day only? Does one have to bring any kind of ID that shows something without which a pass will not be issued? This last questions pertains to showing affiliation with an HT company or store.
I may be coming with the family to Arizona right after Christmas. They will leave on the 3rd of January and I would linger until the CES show opens on the 6th. As you can see if I am not going to have any chance of seeing it I rather not incur the expense waiting around.
I think it was Michael AKA who suggested that I write to Jeff Joseph to ask for tickets. I sent him an e-mail two days ago, but I have had no answer. I consider that alternative as good thinking but a bit chancy. He may give me a negative answer too late for me to cancel.
Let me know in detail what your experience has been. Thanks.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 9:33 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
mcb: I have only seen the movie once, since I got it last week, and I agree with you that the daughter actress put on a very wooden performance. The scientist actress was a joke. Good body, nice lips, but come on, dismantling nuclear weapons? NOT!! I thought the story had enough twists and turns to keep me interested and I also noticed that the characters were better developed than in some of the more recent movies. In short, I liked it. I will be watching it again soon to focus better on the plot and actors. I had to worry about the bedroom scenes because my two children were watching it with me.
mcb ( 207.1.5.109 ) at 7:24 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
My wife and I watched the new BOND movie last night on DVD. Great LFE, great F/X, and little to no story continuity. It dragged big time.
In our opinion, it's the girls that now determine the success or failure of the BOND movies. With their added significance and much appreciated role(s), they need to surpass the previous T&A requirements by also bringing acting ability. We felt the Goldeneye duo was excellent. They were terrific actresses. This new BOND duo are lifeless actresses, and the many scenes they were in lacked pizazz as a result.
Anyone else see it this way?
mcb ( 207.1.5.109 ) at 7:06 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Rich, great news. Getting off the table is the best. While on the table, priorities are easier to assemble. I had open heart surgery myself: 94 stitches and some wonderful stories about what I did to the other five guys ;-). Someday, we'll meet in Beantown. I am very happy to read your update!!!
Rich ( 152.163.201.64 ) at 4:07 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Gar, i think the only HT upgrade that i may do over the next few months is trade my very Koool 5700 for a new 5800 gotta see the specs on the 5800 before i decide cuz my 5700 is the Koooooooolest LOL
Gar ( 169.207.193.40 ) at 2:45 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Niles Power Conditioners
Anyone know where I can buy these online? Buller Buller, anyone anyone?
Thanks for any help
Gar
Gar ( 169.207.193.40 ) at 2:40 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Rich hey PAL! I used to give those test in College.... Stress test and MaxVO2 test. Whats up in the HT market?
Rich ( 152.163.201.64 ) at 2:22 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
yet another med post... :(
Curtis, your friend is probably right... i'm not sure if they're the same, i'll be on a treadmill.
Rich ( 152.163.201.64 ) at 2:18 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
rigy=right jeez... my typing still sucks big time
Rich ( 152.163.201.64 ) at 2:16 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Big Al, i think you're righy cuz she was kinda cute
BYork ( 216.67.98.183 ) at 1:51 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
KIeran -
The only DTS source material I had until Galaxy Quest was DTS demo disc 2. A full movie soundtrack really opened my eyes to how good DTS can really be.
(I bought the Proceed AVP, so have had DTS-capability all along)
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.126 ) at 1:38 AM EST Saturday, May 20, 2000
Rich; You know you're getting old when a nurse gets your heart to beat regularly! Take it easy pal, and no worries!
GAR ( 208.176.45.103 ) at 11:10 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
Curtis: By then Curtis some rich bastard from Silicon Valley will own the whole state of California, so I guess he will be a renter!
GAR ( 208.176.45.103 ) at 11:06 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Thanks Cai, do you have any idea what the brickwall units run?
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 11:06 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
Wild Bill: Really? Hotlanta?? That's incredible but nothing would surprise me about real estate these days. I'm sure you know that the median price for a house in Santa Clara, CA county is now >$500,000. What are our kids supposed to do when they're ready?
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 9:57 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Surge/Line Conditioners.
Gar: Try: http://www.transtector.com/index2.htm
http://brickwall.com/index.html#specs and http://www.panamax.com/ .
Wild Bill ( 63.21.91.116 ) at 9:56 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
Curtis: Moving to Atlanta may be inexpen$ive if the move is from your area. From other areas of the country severe sticker shock may occur. It's a hopping real estate market.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.91.116 ) at 9:54 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
David: I hate to give you bad news but if the Atlanta real estate market is as hot as I suspect it is you will need all that equity and then some to get a home that is even remotely comparable to what you have now and/or want to have.
Gar ( 169.207.194.185 ) at 9:54 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Ok found what I been looking for. Anyone know where I can find NILEs Products online. They have some surge protectors, just need now to know if there too expensive. Actually I am looking for a company that might sell them online.
Gar ( 169.207.194.185 ) at 9:33 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Surge/Line Conditioners.
cai: My Amp is only hooked up directly into the Wall outlet. The Sim
Amp I have has a built in switch for power losses or electrical surges. As for the other gear, I am looking for something inexpensive. Anywhere online to find those unit you spoke of? Thannks.
David ( 199.174.130.161 ) at 8:32 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Moving???
Cytotech: yeah, I heard about the problems there... My dad was there, you know. lots of doc's leaving...
johnbr ( 24.112.61.241 ) at 8:15 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
David: Yes I had a good day I never work on my birthday.I went to see the new movie dinosaurs and made my great Lasagne.
JohnO ( 208.198.36.167 ) at 8:08 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Kieran: Mine was the computer kind. Neither are any fun.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 7:41 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Moving???
David: Man! That sucks! For me at least. Quite a ways to travel to "borrow" DVD's! Who knows...we might be moving back to Birmingham soon. The doctors at the clinic are doing goofy things. There might not be a clinic left soon...
Rich ( 152.163.207.66 ) at 7:01 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Med Post
Kieran, What a shame... i wish her the Very Best.
Rich ( 152.163.207.66 ) at 6:58 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Med Post
Gar, the 2 medications are: Cartia XT 100MG, lowers heart rate, and Vioxx, to remove fluid around Heart.
Rich ( 152.163.207.66 ) at 6:55 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Thanx Guys!!!!!!!
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 6:43 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
medical post
Rich: That's great news Rich. Is the stress EKG the same thing as a running EKG? A friend is a heart specialist & swears that under as much physical/ mental stress as possible is the only sure way to know what shapre your heart is in. Not trying to scare you at all, just reminding myself & all of you that you really have to do serious excercise to stay healthy. Best of luck with everything & don't be a stranger (like me for months at a time!)
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 6:39 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
David: my former company recently relocated from $illycon Valley to Atlanta. I talked to the CEO the other day, he loves it. Housing is so much more affordable. He also said it just seems so much more consusive to doing business because there's the semi-ladi back charming southern thing going on with most of the people as opposed to everyone being obsessed with making zillion$ and having no life outside of work. I'm sure he researched the hell out of everything & would be happy to share anything he learned with me - therefor you.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 6:35 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Surge/Line Conditioners.
Gar: Be careful when you select a Tripp Lite or any of those surge protectors that are mainly geared towards computers and its peripherals. If you have a powerful amplifier you may overwhelm the Tripp Lite and restrict the power to all of your HT units. Look at the Transtector, Panamax, and Brick Wall units.
Gar ( 169.207.192.39 ) at 6:00 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Surge/Line Conditioners.
Can anyone recommend a good place to pick up a Tripe Lite or something under $200 bucks with no bells and whistles? Thanks. I have tried many of these units and I am just looking for protection and something that isn't too flashy.(like no lights)
Gar ( 169.207.192.39 ) at 5:58 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
medical post
Rich: Rich you bastard! hehehe JK! I hope all is well! What medication do they have you on? ACE inhibitors, Beta Blockers, Statin Medicine? One newer medicines in the Cardiac realm is ARBS, Diovan. It works as a blocker, preventing Hypertension form taking over in simple terms. One Major thing is they have little if any side effects. Take care Bud, at the rate my Wife is ragging, I might be on one myself soon. hahahahaha
Gar ( 169.207.192.39 ) at 5:54 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
David: You better stay in the house when you get down there. Atlanta is know for very very hot good looking women. Also make sure you have a place with good Air Conditioning, but then again a good HT room in most cases will be in a cool basement.
David ( 199.174.130.161 ) at 5:48 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
johnbr: Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great one... at least it's on a Friday!
David ( 199.174.130.161 ) at 5:46 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
Tony C: Now I need to convince my wife that the equity we get from selling our home needs to go into a new HT room!
johnbr ( 24.112.61.241 ) at 5:37 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
THANKS JBC
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 5:28 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
medical post
Rich: I thought you were going to tell us that you refused to have non-THX certified hardware inside your body! LOL!
Anyway, congrats on the good news, buddy. Anytime you can beat the odds and surprise the doctors, it's a good thing!
I have a friend who has had serious heart problems since she was born. She's 30, and now has those difibrulator paddles implanted on her heart, and a monitor that she carries with her that constantly monitors her heart beat. Not fun. The good part of her story is that the Dr's said when she was born, that she probably wouldn't live to reach puberty. The sad part is, her condition is slowly getting worse the last several years. While she amazed her doctors through her teens, and lived a pretty normal life through high school and college, her late 20's have been a struggle at times. I think she's had four open heart surgeries since she was born. And, her condition is such a type that she can't get on a waiting list for a transplant.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 5:25 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Rich: Congratulations Dude!! Way to go. Just make sure to keep an eye on yourself and don't ignore any unusual symptoms. My EKG showed only slight irregularities. Two weeks later I had a bypass because of a 99% blockage.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 5:23 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Winston: I hear a "Dirty Martini" calling me in the distance. Been using some custom jalapeno and garlic stuffed olives. Goooood Cracker Aunt Bee, Good Cracker!!!! The 1020's are coming along just fine thank you. More on that later.
David ( 199.174.130.161 ) at 5:23 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
medical post
Rich: Great news!
Rich ( 152.163.207.46 ) at 4:44 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
medical post
Hey Guys! it's been a while... well the good news is i went to the hosp last week to have a scope inserted in my heart (to view from inside) and also electric paddles to shock back to normal rythm. While i was laying on the hosp bed in day surgery waiting for all this to happen a nurse did an EKG and said wow it looks normal. she called a doc and showed it to him and he said it looks good, he then called the surgen that was assained to perform the 2 procedures for me and after examining the EKG he looked at me and said "get dressed"! i said No Shocks! he said No Shocks! Koool!! Early next month i have to go for a stress echo, if i pass it i should be good to go
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 4:43 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
David: bummer man.
There certainly are worse places than Atlanta. Hope it all works out for you.
David ( 199.174.130.161 ) at 4:40 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
relocation
I just got word that my employer wants to move me to Atlanta. If I don't want to go, I gotta find a new job... my current one is being dropped!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 4:29 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
JohnO: Qre you talking about a biological virus or computer virus? I'm suffering from a bio virus... What have you got?
Ron H ( 63.22.204.82 ) at 4:16 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Speaker Placement
JBC: You are correct about the Tripoles on the sides. In was forced to do so due to space limits. I could not fit the MLs on the side floor or wall.
I hope the DLP will be up next weekend, but it may be a long shot. I need the wallboards put up this weekend, floated, painted and then the trim put up before I mount the projector. I haven't even considered the time it will take to move and rewire my system.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 3:53 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Cute Story
Curtis: Yes! I remmember that scene in Ruthless People!
That's exactly what it was like. Me and my friend just looked at each other and smiled. Hey, I got off cheap too.
JohnO ( 140.183.114.30 ) at 3:24 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Another day, another virus. This is getting old.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 3:18 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Scott: Thanks, I will give it a whirl...
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 2:46 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Kieran: You should ask Gasgeek to fix you one his famous "dirty martinis"... good for degreasing engines and killing brain cells.... if that doesn't cure your cold nothing will! : )
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 2:44 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
disturbing/disgusting films
Good call on the John Waters film.... I saw one John Waters film in the theater... might have been "Female Trouble" (?).... the scene with the skid marks was so gross I had to leave....
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 2:41 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Gasgeek: Life is the desert is good! Temps have been unseasonably cool the last few days, although it is supposed to climb back up to our normal of 200 degrees next week! 
How are the 1020's working out for you? Must be nice owning interconnects that cost more than the gross national income of all of Serbia!
Was it just the terbaccy I was smoking or do you remember different end credits for Apoclypse Now than what is on the video? I recall seeing a Napalm strike superimposed over Martin Sheen's face in the 70mm road show version and outtakes from the film in the 35mm version that played later the same year... 'course it WAS the 70's and I seem to remember a LOT of things that I'm not sure really happened......!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 2:34 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Gasgeek: No problem, I was going to back out, too... since this cold has really taken hold of me. I might even bug out of work early... This sucks! It's the middle of May and I've got a COLD! 
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 2:28 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Darian: Thanks dude!
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.87.130 ) at 2:05 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
JBC: It sounds like the problem is in your cookie... Like the cookie is not getting updated. When you post/refresh, your name is taken from the name field, not from the cookie. If the name field is blank, (such as reloading the forum or coming into the forum) it tries to retrieve the name from the cookie. (this also controls whether the "last visit time" gets updated) So, if you want to, check in your cookie file (with the browser closed) for the "htoc-forum-name" cookie and see what it says... feel free to remove the : if you find one (which I think you will)
Gar ( 169.207.192.186 ) at 1:46 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
AVB: What are you disagreeing about? I said the PowerPro worked and also the PS Audio. But where I live the Power is pretty darn clean, so the results of improvement where minimal in my system, compared to what you have to pay for one of these units. Just a good old or new Surge protector to keep the equipment from frying in these nice ThunderStorms we are having and thats about it. But I have tried several(7)to date, line conditioners, power Wedges...... etc....... with minimal results, the best thing I could say would be to run a deticated line for HT or Audio and that should be more than enough in most cases.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 1:46 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Pronto Owners Macro for XBR 300 / HS
Video 5
Menu
Up
Right
Up
Up
Enter
Up
Menu
Don't forget the .2 second delays
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 1:42 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Gasgeek: Its not an Elite. You have to manually select the 16:9 mode wich is only active on video 5. There is only one HD input... video 5. The convergance is way the hell off out of the box.
Post ISF HOLY DETAIL!
Color purity and gray scale tracking are very good. I bought this TV to bridge the gap to the next big thing. I get to watch a very good 4:3 set with no stretching or squishing. When I put on a DVD via the component ins I get a great picture. I can easily switch over to 16:9 with a Pronto Macro. One button to change aspect ratio. PLUS IT WAS CHEAP TO GET A ESSENTIALY SCALED DOWN XBR 300!
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 1:39 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
who was I gonna give my spare DSL modem to?
Ok you know who you are but my old memory can't. I want to say it was RGB for some free DSL deal. My last pacbell DSL install only took 3 1/2 days! In fact I now have 2 extra DSL modems if anyone else is interested.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 1:35 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Gasgeek: Ouch! Yeah I saw that $10K price.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 1:33 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Cute Story
Tony C: Remember the 1986 flick Ruthless People? You story reminds me of Judge Reinhold when he was working his day job at a stereo store. A young hippy-type couple are shopping for speakers, the woman id very pregnant & Reinhold is trying to sell them the least expensive speakers possible because they are obviously broke. The woman listens intently while her guy is clearly bored with the whole pitch for the modest speakers. At his point he sees these monsterous refrigerator speakers& says "wow dude, how much for these bad boys (or words to that effect). Reinhold simply gives up being the nice guy & goes bananas over the big speakers with him. He says "and if you can't afford them man, just f*&kin' FINANCE them!" Kids will always go for sheer size over quality or bang for the buck, IMHO.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:29 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Kieran: Unfortunately, I will not be available tomorrow, but would love to spend a Saturday afternoon at the store with you in the near future. I think we should get RGB and make it an HT affair. Go to my place afterward for auditions and BBQ. HD Louie too if he's still around.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 1:26 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
DTS
BYork: Congrats, and welcome to the world of DTS! I didn't realize that you had yet to buy or rent any DTS software! How long has your system been dts capable? Personally, I think DTS is truly superior for movie soundtracks. Heck, I think it's superior to DD for all-music discs to (be they cd's or dvd's.) I don't think it's superior to a really good PCM stereo track for music, though.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:18 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Darian: I thought so. Your thoughts please. My buddy wants to get the 53" and I don't have much to give him. Why the Sony over the Tosh? ect.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 1:17 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Gasgeek: Yes I have the SOny KP61HS10 wich has just been ISFed.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:13 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Curtis: Going back to ancient history now. I believe someone mentioned it late in the game, but I didn't get involved in the most disturbing movie thing, but I remember going to see "Apocolypse Now" with my best friend when it first came out. We really had no idea what it was about other than it was a Viet Nam war movie. I remember walking about with about two hundred other stunned and silent viewers. My buddy and I didn't even say anything on the drive home for about 15 minutes. I remember finally muttering something like "I'm not sure what we just saw!"
Another movie that I was surprised didn't get mentioned was John Water's P Pink Flamingos." That was one sick sucker. There was another one with The Cook and a bunch of other things in the title that ended up being about sex, betrayal and eventually they cooked some guy and ate him. A real art piece. Winston, with your sick back ground, I'm sure you'll remember it. 
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:06 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Curtis: Did you see the $10 Grand price on the stock Philips version of the 64" HD I listed below. Wellll Doggies!!!!
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:05 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Winston: More glow in the desert from the Dune Dude! How be's it? I finally got the 1020's all in and in place. Whew!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 12:52 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Cute Story
My oldest son turns 21 next week. He told his mother that for his birthday, he wanted new speakers. He lives in a Frat house and has one year left. I was kind of proud that he was interested in dad's hobby, but I told my wife that new speakers would be fairly expensive and that it would be more appropriate as a gratuation gift. Well he's turning 21 and I told her that I would take him to my friends shop to look around.
On the way there, (a long drive) I told him how to shop for speakers and that for him, I would look at the Klipsh or Energys my buddy sells.
We get there and we talk. My friend steers him right to a pair of nice Klipsh towers. Unobtrusive and they sounded pretty good. But my son spots a pair of MTX 4 Way speaker. A 12" a mid a dome tweater and a horn. "Let's hear those", he says.
They were a floor model on sale for $275 for the pair. He puts on his rap CD, loves the kick in the low end and says he likes those best.
For half of what I expected to pay, he's extatic. We got free stands and it all cost $258.00
I remmember being 21. Those would have looked good to me too.
AVB ( 208.132.249.130 ) at 12:44 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
Geo.: ...and standing on my head too.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 12:35 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Mothing = Nothing
Curtis ( 63.203.69.213 ) at 12:35 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Public Service Announcement
Winston aka the Spleen: Interesting search site, thanks. The acid test is to locate the LD title Koyaanisqatsi. Mothing. There is one on eBay but it's already at $150 with 5 days to go.
Geo. ( 138.27.4.16 ) at 12:25 PM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
AVB: Yeah, but can you hear the hiss while wearing a blindfold?
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 11:45 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Public Service Announcement
If anyone is looking for hard-to-find laserdiscs or DVDs, and doesn't want to pay inflated e-bay prices, try this site:
http://www.rtr.com/~jeff/
This search engine is linked to more than 300 different sites and is a great way to find rare discs at good prices.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 11:34 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Blinking lights...
Curtis: I know what you mean about those flashing lights.... the tube amp that is use to drive my main L-R speakers is a VAC PA80/80 that has been factory upgraded to PA100/100 specs+ (you can see a picture of it at www.vac-amps.com/page0008.html). There are 4 leds on the front of the amp that are indicate that each output tube is at the correct bias level when they all glow an even green... and when you crank up the volume they flash in time to the music, changing from green to amber to a bright fiery orange as the volume cranks up... look awesome in a darkened room!!! : )
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 11:29 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Morning all!
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 10:35 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Johnbr: Happy birthday....
AVB ( 208.132.249.130 ) at 10:17 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
cai: I have to disagree about the change in my system being subjective. No PowerPro in the system and there is hiss heard from the speakers at the -25db level on my TA-9000. With the PowerPro in the system there is no hiss PERIOD at any volume level. This is not subjective.
Maybe because I only paid half price for my unit it would work even better if I bought a new one at full list. hahaha.
AVB ( 208.132.249.130 ) at 10:11 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioning
JBC: I won't say directly proportional but the more users, industry and transformers will all dirty up the line. This is more common in metropolitian areas.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 9:53 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Marantz/Philips 64" HD TV
I stopped by The Good Guys last night to take a look at the Sony 53HS10 for my buddy. They had one of the Philips 64"HD TVs on display. Looked pretty good. The bad news is it was $9999. No telling how much the hot rod Marantz version will be.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 9:52 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Curtis: The Bonnie Raitt "Road Tested" concert has been one of my favorites for years. I got my hands on the original CD before it was released. I tracked down and mail ordered the Laser Disc version in Florida after it had been out of print for a year and a half. (Two channel but incredibly well recorded) That LD was the only regret that I had about trading my laser disc player. I even made about four VHS copies before I included it in my trade with Winston for my Elite CLD-79 LD player. It's been listed on some of the DVD sites for future release for about 6 months now but it appears that it won't be on DVD until 1-2000, but it's supposed to be released in DD 5.1.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 9:47 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Scott: I have made one observation regarding the "dynamic" changes that are occurinng in the name field. WHile using IE4, please note:
a) If I use the Post/Refresh buttons then the ":" does not reapper.
b) If I use the Reload button then the ":" does reappear.
Any ideas?
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 9:43 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
AVB: So, are you saying that the need for line conditioning / surge protection is directly proportional to one's proximity to a major metropolotan area? At the risk of asking a dumb question --- why?
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 9:41 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
AVB:
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 8:55 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
Gar & Curtis: I agree with your assessment. I think that in most cases the purported degree of sound or video improvement is conmensurate with the cost of the equipment and it is highly subjective. Something akin to the way my car's engine runs better after I wash my car. Or perhaps the improved mileage per gallon because the drag coefficient was reduced when I got rid of the dirt.
I would recommend the Norhtern VA crowd to get surge protection since I have seen more than my share of nasty lightning storms in our area. I have the Panamax 1500 and so far nothing has been fried, even though the other day I got a very nasty strike nearby.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 8:43 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Speaker Placement
Ron H: My recollection is a little different than Tony C's as I believe that your sides and rears are going to be M&K 150's. If that is correct, download the manual from the M&K site as there are specific instructions regarding their placement -- which, as an aside, differs whether you are going to use them as directs, bipoles or tripoles.
FWIW, I compared the positioning recommended in the M&K manual with the requirements in the lexicon manual and they are the same so.... go down load the M&K manual.
What is the estimated date that the DLP will be up?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:34 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Speaker Placement
Ron H: Doh! The Martin/Logans - correct?
I would put the rears higher. Maybe space them about two feet from either corner.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:32 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Speaker Placement
Ron H: Sides and rears. Dipole or direct?
AVB ( 64.41.32.23 ) at 6:15 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
Curtis: I have to agree and disagree with some of what Gar said. The Cinepro/Furman Balanced conditioners will remove any line noise you may have along with acting as a huge power reserve for short term peaks. They are not cheap but for those of use with normal to dirty power coming in they work wonders. The PS audio models are far too expensive for the output ability they, run way too hot but do also work in cleaning up the noise. The RGP units while acting as a smaller current storage unit then the Cinepro/Furman also have filtering that seems to affect the upper audio frequencies from what I have read about them.
If you are near a metropolitian area I can't say enough good things about my PowerPro 20.
Gar ( 169.207.192.1 ) at 1:36 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
Curtis: Curtis I agree! I tried a friends PowerPro and I also tried a PS Audio. Both are about the size of a good Amp and cost more. I didn't hear that much improvement, but then again we have pretty darn good Power up here in the North Woods as you would call it! hahahaha. Not getting much sleep either or time with the HT or Audio gear, new baby boy is keeping very busy, just glad the little guy made it through these surgeries and the ICU. Hell, I think his bill can pay for a small theater, over 300K so far but worth every penny!!!
BYork ( 216.67.103.176 ) at 1:23 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
All -
WHOA! Just had my first taste of a DTS soundtrack. I have to say I'm REALLY glad my setup can decode it. MAJOR difference in terms of dynamics and openness. (My Galaxy Quest DTS disc arrived yesterday!)
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 1:11 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
Gar: I think that most quality gear includes good/ stable power supplies, so the need to condition anything is probably moot. Surge protection for those living in areas where severe electrical storms happen is a must though.
Gar ( 169.207.192.1 ) at 12:52 AM EST Friday, May 19, 2000
Power conditioners and Hype!
Well I have tried many and personally, unless you have real crappy power going to your home, there not needed. However the PowerPro and the PS Audio units did a better job than most. The PS Audio unit however runs way too hot. For what you get for the money, I say PASS! Also the Richard Gray unit seemed to do something to the sound to mellow it out, but not too much.
Ron H ( 63.27.245.112 ) at 10:58 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Speaker Placement
I will have my side speakers about 6 feet high and opposite my sitting position on the couch. Where would you suggest the rears be located? Higher than the sides? Closer together than the sides or spread wide as possible. They not only be used for DD EX but also Lexicons Logic 7.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.87.36 ) at 10:12 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Geo.: Yep, you're correct... I just dug out my center channel instructions. I guess I just got the wrong impression from it when I read it before... So, how do you know the gains are equal? I'd guess you could run pink noise through one amp first, set the level, run through the other amp and set the level the same, and then set the overall level with both amps on (using the preamp's control).
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.87.36 ) at 10:05 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Kieran: *AHEM*
Geo. ( 216.172.206.72 ) at 9:12 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Passive bi-amping provides a dramatic improvement in clarity, openness and detail-less gain- much better bass solidity and definition. The presentation of music is simply more intelligible and transparent. It says so right in the Paradigm manual. We'll see.
Scott "popcorn": You don't have to have equal power if bi-amping but you have to have identical gain to all channels.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 9:11 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
any Hammond B-3 fans out there?
Curtis: I love Jimmy Smith. One of my favorites is the album w/ George Benson.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 7:54 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
any Hammond B-3 fans out there?
another great recording (if you're into blues) is the 2nd track of Mighty Sam McClain's "Give it up for Love" CD, track 2 has one of the sweetest B-3 solos since Jimmy Smith. Check it out.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 7:51 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
oops. disc 2/ track 6 "Feeling of Falling". It was probably just mixed in way too strong, yet it is fun to watch the entire screen of the tw65 doing the shakes.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 7:48 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Kieran: LOL!
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 7:47 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
This was great. I was just semi-blasting the DTS Bonnie Rait CD "Road Tested". Disc 2/ track has one of the most powerful LFE music tracks I have ever heard. My next door neighbor came over saying that she could see my windows shaking & wanted to be sure I was ok. I guess it's time to move the big Velo away from the window wall.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 7:44 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Curtis: Hmmm... by the time I get them turning red (the women, not the logos) they are at painful volume levels! 
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.87.36 ) at 7:42 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
bi-amping paradigm's
Geo.: You might read your instructions on the Paradigms... seems like my instructions for the Mini Mk3's say not to use two different wattage rated amps for the tweeter and woofer... I think it has something to do with the internal crossover. I could be wrong, because my instructions are buried someplace...
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 7:35 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Winston aka the Spleen: I thought the kewlist thing about the Actives was the illuminated green P logo when they're on! Always get a date's attention. By the time I crank them into turning red (the logos, not the women) you are at painful volume levels.
AVB ( 64.41.32.27 ) at 7:29 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
bi-amping paradigm's
Geo.: The tweeters can't handle as much power as the woofers anyway. You'll actuall be increasing the total headroom although not by very much. To hear a difference due to increased head room you need to go up by about 3db for each half. IOW, 200wpc for the woofers and the 50 should work fairly well for the tweeters/mids but 100 wouldn't hurt. You'll notice a difference in very loud things like explosions or big kick drums, anytime your system would normally use up all the power it previously had.
Geo. ( 138.27.4.16 ) at 7:05 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Winston aka the Spleen: In all likelihood, I won't hear any difference. We'll see.
Ron H ( 63.39.60.123 ) at 6:57 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Wild Bill:
Thanks
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 6:53 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Forgot to mention, the kewl thing about Curtis' Active Paradigms is the fact that the bi-amping setup uses an active crossover.... big difference over passive crossovers.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 6:51 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Geo: Well if you already have the amps you definitely should try biamping and see for yourself if it improves your system.... who knows, it might work fantastic for you!
Geo. ( 138.27.4.16 ) at 6:48 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
bi-amping paradigm's
Curtis: The Paradigms have two sets of binding posts on each speaker connected by a jumper. My understanding is that by removing the jumper and connecting separate amp channels to each set of binding posts, you do bypass the internal crossovers, or, at least, go through the tweeters' high pass filters and the woofers' low pass filters. I could be wrong. In the Paradigm manuals, they talk about bi-amping in this way, though without a real technical explanation of just what it accomplishes. My only concern was sending lower power to the tweeters than the woofers (50wpc vs. 100wpc).
Geo. ( 138.27.4.16 ) at 6:42 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Biamping Paradigms
Winston aka the Spleen: Well, you know, from what I've read of others' experiences, I'm not sure there's any real advantage. I think Tony C just bi-amped his NHT's and said that any difference was all but imperceptible. I just happen to have two unused 50w channels on my supplemental amp and all it would require is removing the jumpers from the binding posts and running one additional pair of speaker wires to each speaker. Really more just out of curiosity than any great expectations.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 6:33 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Biamping Paradigms
Geo: I hate to rain on your parade but I have tried biamping 3 different pairs of Paradigms including the Monitor 9's and...... it was (for me) a complete waste of time. Passive bi-amping gives you a mere 3 db increase in volume, and the differences in bass control and clarity were practically imperceptable.
FWIW I tried both horizontal and vertical biamping.... even with completely isolated amps the reduction in crosstalk between the left and right channels was meaningless in a home theater context.
Personally I would MUCH rather invest the money in one great amp than two so-so amps in order to bi-amp... YMMV. If you need some line-level splitters let me know, I've got some that I was going to get rid of cheap!
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 6:26 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Curtis: Thanks again for the disc my friend - I will post a review on it after I put it through its paces. And no more disturbing links... I promise!
fingers crossed... heh heh!
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 5:59 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Marantz 64" 16:9
Geo.: I checked w/ all 3 of my local Marantz dealers & none of them have heard a price yet. The distributor is saying late spring (isn't that where we are now?) delivery. All of these guys are licking their chops over this thing. 9" CRT's exist only on the mega-bucks FP's. Plugging in a PC to the SVGA in would be a great way to work on an Excel spreadsheet too. $7-8K sounds about right to me, though sometimes Marantz will pleasantly surprise people at product intro time.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 5:49 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
bi-amping paradigm's
Geo.: Please correct me if I'm wrong here. Is the whole point of bi/tri/whatever-ampling to bypass the speaker's internal crossover & feed each driver it's own clean power?
Geo. ( 138.27.4.16 ) at 5:39 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Marantz 64" 16:9
Kieran: I'm with you on the amp/speaker thing. Don't you think that anyone buying a TV like that will already have a system for the sound?
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 5:38 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
No info on the Sony HS HDTV RPTV's? come on guys!!!!
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 5:37 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Kieran: The inclusion of a 5 channel amp in a tv goes hand in hand with the same thinking of those who put a DD decoder in a $2500 DVD player. ?????
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 5:36 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Curtis: The 55 and 60 are probably derivitives of the current analog models. I believe the current MSRP on the 60 is about 4 grand. I'm guessing that the 64" is going to be in the 7-8K range. Have you heard any differently?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 5:24 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Marantz 64" 16:9
That's a sweet TV all right... but why the hell do they include a damn 5 channle audio amplifier inside the TV??? That just unecessarily jacks up the price (and weight) of the thing. A tuner and the monitor is all that should be included, IMHO.
Geo. ( 198.26.132.99 ) at 5:07 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
bi-amping paradigm's
Curtis: Thanks, it seemed OK to me considering that the low freq drivers should be more power hungry than the highs. BTW, that Marantz 6400looks great. Any idea how much?
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 5:06 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Tony C: Thanks Tony C. I will look for it today.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 5:03 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Marantz 64" RP
... another nice feature to this set is they toss in an RC5000, not bad if you were in the market for a Pronto/charging base anyway.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 5:01 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
bi-amping paradigm's
Geo.: That sounds perfect when you consider that the internal amps on my paradigm actives are 2 seperate amps; 110w to the lo/mids & 50 w to the tweeters. The selling point of these speakers is to let the speaker designers build what they consider to be the right amps (within the usual budgetary constraints). Just to be sure I would put a call in to the factory for their opinion. They have always been great whenever I have called.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 4:50 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Gasgeek: You're quite right about the new Marantz 64" 16:9 HD ready RP. Check out the specs http://www.marantzamerica.com/hd6400w.htm 9" guns, RGB, multiple componet ins, set to a real D6500 color temp at the factory ... I would be tempted if I had the cash/ need & space this motha would take up. My dealer confirms the two other new RP's - 55" & 60" with a street price of $2,699/ $2,999. He didn't have specs nor do they appear on the Marantz site. At those prices they must be 4:3 non-line doubled sets, right?
Curtis ( 63.203.69.26 ) at 4:46 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Winston aka the Spleen: Hey you earned it man. Now PLEASE stop sending us all links to disturbing photos! My local high-endish dealer (Classe, Runco, Meridien etc.) carries the Marantz line of RP's. I too was quite impressed with the picture on last years 53"er to the point that I nearly bought it. The TW65 won out due to 16:9 & HD ready. There's a rave review of the 53" Marantz from SGHT here http://www.marantzamerica.com/revpv547.htm
Geo. ( 138.27.4.16 ) at 4:28 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Hi all: I'm thinking of bi-amping my Paradigm Monitor 7's. Does anyone see a problem with sending 100wpc to the low frequency drivers and 50wpc to the high frequency drivers. I now have 100wpc going to the speakers, but I have two 50w channels available on my amp.
Wild Bill ( 63.38.153.147 ) at 4:22 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Ron H : Welcome to the world of FPTV. It'll make you eyes 
bug out!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 4:00 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Gasgeek: I'll let you know how I'm feeling tomorrow. I'm supposed to go whitewater boating Memorial Day weekend, and I don't want this tidbit of a cold to turn into a full cold that lasts a week. Plus, if I am sick, I wouldn't want to expose you! I think it might just be lack of sleep over the last few days, though. My final exam was last night for a graduate course I'm taking, and I'd been burning the midnight oil studying for it for the last 4 days. Fortunately, I think it payed off. Hopefully a few nights of good sleep will turn this bug around.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 4:00 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Where can I get some info on the Sony HS series RPTV's? The digital ready's. I can't find anything on their website. Darian, isn't that what you got? A friend of mine wants to get one but I can't give him any info.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 3:56 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
NJMike: Check out http://www.soundpros.com/ they have the 777ES for $1195. A good friend of mine just ordered some Energy speakers from him, and received GREAT service. They also have pretty good reviews online at www.audioreview.com if you want to check them out there.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 3:48 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Kieran: That might work out nicely. Let me check with my wife and see what the boss's plans are for Saturday. I think we're supposed to go out for dinner, but the afternoon should be free. I was going to suggest we go to the store when I host the HTOC meet and then back to my place, but that doesn't mean we can't do it now, too.
NJMike ( 204.183.91.5 ) at 3:34 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Is there any place that still sells & has the Sony 777ES in stock?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 3:29 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
cai:
Go to smarthome.com
YOu need an X10 Powerflash module. Part #4060
Then you wire that to your magenetic contacts to it. You need "Normally Closed" contacts, model #7113. Or you can go with the Garage Door one -model 7455. Then set the code the same as you X10 contoled outlet. Easy.
David ( 156.153.255.126 ) at 2:47 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
HTPC
cai: Thanks, cai...
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 2:42 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
HTPC
David: Try this site http://www.avsforum.com/ it is one of the better ones I have found. It has a section dedicated solely to HTPC.
David ( 156.153.255.126 ) at 2:37 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
HTPC
Hey Guys, SGHT had an article about HTPC's in this months rag. I remember some of you guys talking about it in the past... is there a good web site about HTPC anywhere? Any other articles? I want to learn more about it...
Thanks,
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.176 ) at 2:29 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
JBC: You have mail!
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 2:16 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Highly disturbing....
Curtis: E-mail heading your way!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 2:01 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Gasgeek: I would like to join you some time to go "hang out" at your dealer's (Brian?) store, as you sometimes do. What are you doing Saturday? I don't have any plans, and the g/f is gone most of the day. I'm feeling like I might be coming down with a cold though, so if I don't shake it, I may decide to spend the day resting.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 1:50 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Ron H: Congrats...
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 12:39 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Kieran, Gasgeek: I guessed that maybe the Marantz was a rebadged Phillips by the remote - looked just like a Phillips/Magnavox remote.
I am definitely going with a high scan set to take advantage DTV programming and so I can use an outboard line doubler if necessary.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 12:25 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Winston, Kieran: The Marantz RPTV line is a reworked Phillips. They take the Phillips and redo it right. I can't tell you exactly what they do but it is a definite improvement over the stock unit. I have never mentioned them before but my dealer carries them. They are right in there with the Pioneer Elites and Sony XBR analog RPTV's as far as picture quality. Kieran, Brian has a 60" on display now if you want to see it. They run about the same as the old XBR line price wise. There were some drawbacks with last years models like no component and other minor things. This years has component. Marantz is releasing a 64" 16x9 with 9" guns this summer that will be HDTV ready but I'm sure it will increase the cost comparatively.
Ron H ( 63.24.138.90 ) at 12:16 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
The Dream Vision DL500 just arrived at my office. Now I really need to get into high gear on the HT room.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 12:12 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Tony C: They aren't as deep as the 3.3's, but they are a large speaker.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 12:11 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
The RPTV saga continues....
Winston aka the Spleen: Wow... I didn't know Marantz had any RPTV's... I wonder if it's built by some other company and re-badged as a Marantz... some other company like Philips maybe? I've heard good things about Philips sets, but never really checked them out. Their monster big 16:9 set (don't remember the exact size) RPTV is REALLY HUGE. I didn't see it turned on though!
Whether you settle on 16:9 or 4:3 (subliminal messages via facial expressions!) You definitely need to get a high-scan (i.e. HD-ready) set at the minimum. There's no way anybody in our hobby should be buying a new set these days that ISN'T HD scan capable.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 12:10 PM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Trav1: Sorry about the late replay but I left work right after my last post and didn't check at home last night. You are correct about the two built in 500 watt subs in the VT-3. They were completely adequate for the theater room that I have heard them in. The MSRP for all five speakers is around $8300 but most NHT dealers will deal unless they are the lone dealer in an area. The VT-3 has a separate controller that turns off the dipole speaker in the mains for music only use.
FYI, My understanding is that NHT has a licensing agreement with and is using Sunfire technology in their regular subs. They have had some serious reliability problems with their sub one and sub twos. A lot of them are shipping inoperative. Supposedly they have worked out the problems before they released the VT-3. My dealer used to sell a lot of the original 3 NHT subs, but now recommends Velo for use with the smaller NHT speakers.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 11:42 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
The RPTV saga continues....
Kieran, Curtis: Stopped by a custom theater installer last nite to look at a Marantz 53 inch RPTV (dam' but I can't remember the model number this morning). It is a 4:3 set that comes factory-calibrated to D6500 kelvin. The detail on this set was better than anything I have seen so far... the dealer put on the resolution chart from Video Essential and it looked as it went clear out to 500 lines. Amazing. Fantastic black level, due in part to the fact that the set does not use scan velocity modulation.
The downside (besides the 4:3 screen) is that the RPTV does not have an onboard line doubler or progressive input - so an outboard unit like the DVDO won't work with it. Heck of a nice RPTV though!
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 11:40 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Tony C: When you have a chance, can you get me the part number for those units you mentioned. I have a spare x-10 wall outlet that I could use for that purpose. Thanks.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 11:31 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Curtis: I just stopped in to see what's happening while I have my first cup of coffee and... WOO-HOO! I can't believe I won! This is too kewl... thank you!!!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:49 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
cai: I use X-10 for that very same thing. The garage door uses a magnetic sensor, wired to a box (forget what they call it). The sensor/box sends an X-10 signal to an X-10 switched wall outlet in my bedroom. There is a night light pugged into the outlet. When the light is on, the door is open.
mcb ( 209.222.216.4 ) at 9:26 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
cai: You could get a pit bull You'll still need to remember to check the garage each day: this time for body parts. Hell, you could sell the doors. You sure won't need them anymore.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 8:24 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Morning gang...
Glenee ( 129.15.204.207 ) at 8:08 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Same chat box !
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 7:47 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
TO ALL: I can not recall if it was in this forum that people were talking about sensors for garage doors. That is, a transmitter that will trigger an alarm or light a lamp if the garage door is left open at night. All suggestions will be appreciated. I know, save my dollars and check the doors every night. This hasn't worked lately, time for more drastic steps.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.53.71 ) at 3:35 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Curtis: sad, sad, sad... Maybe I should bag manure in some really KOOOL looking stainless steel woven bags and sell them for thousands of dollars... I wonder if I could get MS's advertising department to market it for me...
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 2:10 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Scott "popcorn": Patience men, living on the bleeding edge is always too expensive early on. The sad part is that they'll sell zillions of thiem around these parts. Far too many people with more money than brains. I visited a BBQ speciality store tonight that had a $2K tiny outdoor refrigerator on display (stainless steel of course). I laughed saying that you can buy a very nice full-sized REAL frig for that amount. I was told they sell dozens per week - because it looks cool.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.53.71 ) at 1:31 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
BIG AL: $#¡t p¡$$ fudge!!! that's WAY expensive... what the hell are they thinking??? You can get a DLP FP that does the same thing for the same price!!! I wonder how long the bulb life will be in those sets... "They not crazy... They NUTS!" (Short Round, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom)
Gar ( 169.207.193.120 ) at 1:15 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Big Al: Still way to fricking expensive. But sounds promising!
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.42 ) at 1:00 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
Panasonic DLPRP to ship 3rd quarter. PT-52DL10, capable of displaying 720p, 16:9, $10,000. Hitachi DLPRP to ship this fall, 65DMX01W, 720p, 16:9, $10,000, also a digital camcorder with a DVD-RAM storage disc, 1.5 Gig for up to 2 hours of video.
Ron H ( 63.22.186.219 ) at 12:56 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
reversed cable
Tony C: LOL
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.42 ) at 12:49 AM EST Thursday, May 18, 2000
KPD; Belated happy B-Day!
Wild Bill; Thanks for the heads up, but not enough power.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:27 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
DVDs
I watched "The World Is Not Enough" tonight. I will not be buying this one either. It looked cool, it sounded cool, but several times during the movie I wondered when it would stop.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:25 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
reversed cable
Ron H: I knew you would do it from the first post.
I would have too. 'cause we're all nuts here.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 10:45 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
most disturbing film
I was a little surprized that more war films didn't get mentioned. Does anyone care to squirm through the sniper scene again in Full Metal Jacket? "If you can get through this one thing, the rest of your life will be a piece of cake" ... then again my memory could be going. 7 was up there as well with a most disturbing ending. Strange Days was also a little too real with the premise of being able to fully experience someone elses senses via a discman looking thing. If you really bought into Apocolypse Now, then it was a little frightening to get into Brando's head at the end. Did anyone else catch this in it's original 70mm, Dolby stereo presentation, without any credits at all? You were handed a book with the credits at the door.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 10:36 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Ron H: Have a good night sleep....
Ron H ( 63.30.220.223 ) at 10:18 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
I made the crawl and reversed the cable. Now I will be able to sleep.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 9:48 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
... duh, reach me here seenhear@pacbell.net
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 9:47 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
most disturbing film
... Winston aka the Spleen! I saw this movie in the original theatrical release and must agree with evry bit of what he said. Just damned disturbing. Email me your snailmail address & I'll pop the Avia disc in the mail to you. All of you guys came up with great ones & it was a tough call.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 9:29 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
AKA, KieranTony C: Thanks for the suggestions. I have seen The Professional and like you thought it was great. I went to pick up the Messenger but it was not there -- not all bad news as that makes it a tomorrow night project!
Ron H: Good luck in re-directing the wire. I sure hope that it is worth all the effort!
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.87 ) at 9:24 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
most disturbing film
Curtis: Me??
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 9:22 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
most disturbing film
Chris L.: Well the old clock on the wall says that the contest is over. And the winner is ...
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 9:20 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Moving right along....
Kieran: You may be right about his budget, however if you read my post again you'll notice that I was talking about DLPRP's - not FP's. There are other advantages to them vs. CRT-based RP's as well. The downside is that you're going to have to replace expensive bulbs once in a while.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 9:02 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Moving right along....
Curtis: I think that one of the new DLP projectors will be out of Winston's price range.
Not to speak for you Winston, but you did just say that the TW56x81 is out of your range, therefore I think a $6k DLP projector (plus a screen for it, and all the other necessary accessories) would be out of that range, too.
However, DLP does look like a VERY promising technology! Can't wait for the price to come down! (and my income to go up)
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 8:45 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
most disturbing film
Chris L.: yeah, I was thinking Winston should win based almost solely on effort alone! You guys have about 15 minutes to beat him
Curtis ( 63.203.69.183 ) at 8:39 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Moving right along....
Winston aka the Spleen: You may want to take a look at www.hdtvinsider.com (a free newsletter by Gary Merson of WideScreen Review. One of his recent writings is about DLP & another technology 16:9 series of RP's that have a huge advantage over all others. No need to ever converge, align individual guns because everything emits from a single gun. Thes sets are being kept quiet yet are expected for summer release. His latest newsletter is full-o-HD future programming info.
AVB ( 64.41.32.143 ) at 8:24 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
"Intolerance" is not just the title of a movie...
Winston aka the Spleen: Why don't you ask? It is not intolerance but NO tolerance. Faggot, like gay, has had many meanings over the last few hundred years. Under the don't ask, don't tell Clinton crap the word has almost reverted to one of the original meanings of a bunch of sticks. Now those types are called stick people in many parts of the armed forces. (Or at least the places I've been)
Deviant or abnormal behavior has always been around but that does not mean it has to be accepted, tolerated or condoned. If you are a Darwinian you can see they have no place in the continuation of the species.
If you want to continue this we can do it by email as it isn't really correct material for this forum.
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.248 ) at 8:15 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
wrong direction
Ron H: No thanks needed. No matter how bad you screw up...there's always someone who's gonna do it worse.
trav1 ( 4.34.146.78 ) at 8:14 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Gasgeek: Would you say you could do without a seperate powered sub? It appears that those VT-3 towers have built in 500 watt amps powering the two 10" subs? The price I was quoted was $6k a pair just for the towers. For that much I would hope that I could at least hear the things long before I ever shelled out the money for them.
Geo. ( 216.172.206.35 ) at 8:13 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
"Intolerance" is not just the title of a movie...
Winston aka the Spleen: Well, you know, at his age they tend to get a little cantankerous and crotchety.
AVB ( 64.41.32.143 ) at 8:13 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Just another Greek Tragedy....
Geo.: Yep, I'm a PC kinda guy. That is Personal Computer eh?
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 8:13 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Thank you all for your suggestions. I looked up the units from Creek and Parasound and they both look like they could do the job. I will keep them in mind when I decide to purchase.
mic ( 172.156.184.195 ) at 8:12 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
PC CD-R
I've been think'n of buy'n a cheap phono with a builtin preamp aprox $100 to record my old records. My Sound-card only has analog in, within the software you can change the values of the recoding from worst 8,000hz 8bits mono 7/KBsthru a few choices to CD: 44,100hz 16 bits stereo 172/KBs upto 48,000hz 16 bits stereo 188/KBs.
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.248 ) at 8:10 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
most disturbing film
Curtis: IRT determining a winner: It seems like a no win situation. All the posts I've read have had some good reasons why they think their movie is the most disturbing. But I think, IMHO, that Winston has really put in the most effort here. Pics, graphic descriptions, and he had me looking for the video on all the online stores so I could see it myself. :)Again...JMHO.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 8:08 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
mcb: You have it absolutely correct. My records are as old as yours and in some cases older. They hold mostly sentimental value, but in some cases music that I really would like to hear again or at least have the option to do it.
mic ( 172.156.184.195 ) at 8:03 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
VT-3 TowersVT-3 Towers
System Type: 4-way + 2-way acoustic suspension Drivers: Two 10" side-loaded subwoofers, two 6.25" lower midranges, 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" rear-firing midrange, 1" rear-firing soft-dome tweeter (upper drivers video shielded)
Frequency Response: 21 Hz-26 kHz
Sensitivity: 87 dB @ 2.83 V/M
Impedance: 6 ohms Recommended Amp. Power: 30-300 watts/channel
Input Connectors: 2 pairs gold-plated, 5-way binding posts; 8-pin mini-D.I.N. Dimensions; 48" H x 8" W x 22.25" D
Weight: 120 lbs./ea.
Finish: Italian black satin laminate
mcb ( 207.1.5.57 ) at 7:50 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
cai: I kind of figured it involved vintage vinyl. It's a tough call.
I have around 60 albums that we spin every so often (college music which we chose not to buy on CD). The sound is so bad that I usually shut it off pretty fast. Our turntable is the pits as is the stereo system, presently.
I do have one very sweet album by CREAM that never made it to CD. It's white with vegetables floating about. One of my brothers has it on loan so I cannot remember the name. I found it in Harvard Square some time in the late '70s. That album would almost justify a phono set-up
A little YES, FLOYD, DOORS, STONES, LYNNARD SKYNNARD, DEAD, BAD CO., BOSTON, J. GIELS, TOM PETTY, and others always gets the blood flowing and a few special memories ...
---------------
Who'd like to share a few special concerts they attended?
Back in the late 70's and early 80's I saw THE DEAD, BOB MARLEY, SPRINGSTEEN, THE ALMOND BROTHERS, JAMES TAYLOR, SANTANA, FLEETWOOD MAC, THE EAGLES, CAROL KING, THE POINTER SISTERS , and BOZ SCAGGS to name a few.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 7:22 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Gasgeek: Nice to see you here pal!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 7:08 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
NHTs
Gasgeek: Am I right about the size?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 7:07 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
speakers
trav1, mic: I would really like to hear about the VT3s as well.
I got a great deal on the VT2s because the new speaker was coming out, but I can still upgrade at full value if I want. I think they are as deep at the 3.3? 31" deep. That may make them too big for my room.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 7:04 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Trav 1: The VT-3's are awesome although you need a big room to really make them shine. I've listened to them several times now with the EAD Signature, EAD PM 2000 and also with the new ADA Rhapsody Pre/Pro. Very impressive speaker system. Very dynamic and clean. Using the same drivers in the center and surround make them appear seamless during surround transitions.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 7:03 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Kieran: I like the Toshiba RPTVs a lot... especially the TW56x81... but it's too big and more than I want to spend right now. I do plan to look at the Mits. I took a look at the Hitachi UltraVision series last weekend which are only available in 4:3 format. Incredible resolution on those sets! They also have a pseudo-anamorphic squeeze mode to get more (but not all) out of anamorphic DVDs. I heard that they weren't selling well and there may be a lot of room to bargain on them.
I'm planning to take a look at the new 40" widescreen Toshiba this weekend.
cai ( 24.28.217.38 ) at 7:02 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Wild Bill & JOhnO: "Walkabout", the very interesting movie we saw at John's house when WB brought his computer, is being shown today on Bravo at 8:00 PM. I wonder how much they will cut.
trav1 ( 4.34.146.78 ) at 6:58 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
speakers
mic: Let us know what you think of the VT-3's....Interested myself, but no one around here has or will have them in stock to listen to....
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 129.239.3.55 ) at 6:51 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
DVD Recommendations
Kieran: LOL!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:48 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
DVD Recommendations
JBC: Have to agree with AKA on The Professional. Great movie. Jean Reno is excellent.... and you get to see Queen Amidala at age 10 (or around there) !!! LOL!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:45 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Moving right along....
Winston aka the Spleen: Hmmm... maybe I'm partial, but I just really like the look of Toshiba RPTVs, and they are generally slightly more affordable than their competition. I have not seriously looked at Philips. RGB likes his Mitsubishi, and I like it too. But I still kinda prefer the picture of a Tosh. The TW56X81 is one model I'd seriously consider if its in your budget.
I hear that to get true HD resolution (i.e. for the monitor to be ABLE to resolve all the information given it) with an RPTV, you need 9" crt's. I don't know if there are any sets out right now with 9" crt's though, and if there are, I bet they are REALLY expensive.
You said you wished there was a 16:9 set w/ a 46" screen and black instead of grey bars.... Again, the Mits 46" fits that bill perfectly. A bonus of going with a smaller screen, like the 46" or the Tosh 40" is that the relative brightness is higher... e.g. the 40" Tosh has the same guns driving it as the bigger screens, like their 65" and 56" models.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 129.239.3.55 ) at 6:41 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
DVD Recommendations
JBC: Have you seen The Professional? If not, I suggest you rent or buy it.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 129.239.3.55 ) at 6:35 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Tony C: No amp today or tomorrow I will probably not be able to receive it until Friday.
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal" ( 129.239.3.55 ) at 6:33 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
DVD Recommendations
Tony C: The Messenger is out on DVD as I own it on DVD. I was also thinking of picking up the latest Bond film as well. I also have on preorder Sleepy Hollow.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 6:30 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Moving right along....
Curtis, Kieran: I thought about your widescreen RPTV advice and passed on the 4:3 Toshiba... at least for the time being. I think I will do some more looking at 16:9 sets before I make my decision. If you have any sets that you think I should consider, let me know, and I'll take a look at 'em!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:28 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Movies
JBC: Three Kinds = Three Kings.
Michael AKA: So no amp today?
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 6:25 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
"Intolerance" is not just the title of a movie...
Geo: Yeah, I saw the "F" word remark.... what up with that?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:24 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
DVD Recommendations
JBC:: Three Kinds was OK. I did not buy it.
The movie could have been so much better.
I'm thinking of picking up the new James Bond for tonight.
If it's out, I may go with AKA's suggestion of The Messenger.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:20 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Dido
Michael AKA "the Home Theater/Home Building Animal": No, I don't. I'm assuming that it's a Japanese import? I'm pretty sure that No Angel is her first release in the states.
Ron H ( 63.22.204.165 ) at 6:19 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
JBC:
I believe it will not make a difference. I also know I will stay awake at night wondering if that is really true, so I will be crawling through the depths of hell to make the change.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 6:05 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
grammar
ugh... that should be "maybe" not "mabey" and "scenes WAS" not "scenes were" and "alleged" not "aleged"....
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 6:03 PM EST Wednesday, May 17, 2000
The Messenger
JBC: The Messenger was a GREAT movie, if you like "period" movies. All the medieval costumes, armor, weapons, battles, tools, buildings, etc., were EXCELLENT. The battles were some of the best on film, since Braveheart and Rob Roy (mabey even better, albeit shorter). The script apparently is fairly accurate to the story of Joan of Arc. The dvd has extra materials, wherein they explain that the script for the court scene