Archive from 06-02-2002

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Gar ( 207.1.1.176 ) at 9:15 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
A New World Record

Winston aka The Spleen: No, I ordered one from Pioneer. It was free, no need to copy me one, but thanks it was appreciated. As for the Pioneer unit I might sell it might keep it still torn. I can rip CDs off my computer with easy and in 1/3 the time, so still wondering if I really need this unit. I haven't hooked it up through my Anthem unit yet, I would love to see what type of a recording I get if I run my Sony ES CD Player through my Dacs of the Anthem 192 bit to the Pioneer. I might try this first before I really decide to sell it.
Wild Bill ( 12.78.120.205 ) at 8:45 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Stranded vs Solid

Joe: I'm not a fan of Kimber or Tributaries. Both are "voiced" and Kimber tends to be bright (shrill to me). Gar suggested Cardas a while back. They are excellent cables and are priced fairly reasonably. I think you meant Analysis Plus cables. A friend swears by them. I personally just want a good solid cable with great connectors that *looks* expensive.

If you decide to go balanced you will find that there are no inexpensive balanced cables. They tend to be expensive.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 7:09 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Stranded vs Solid

RickMTB: Maybe "the hose" cables were MIT... just shows you that at the time wires were considered a science if they came out of the Massuchusetts Institute of Technology...
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 7:08 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Stranded vs Solid

Joe: My speaker cables are called Distech 312, and they are a stranded where each strand (of either silver or OF copper, I forgot what was sexier at the time) is individually insulated and different strands ahev different gauges... why? Mystery of the universe I suppose. A friend gave me a deal on a set (selling me a set for less than $100 a pair, throwing in a Aurial Symphonics interconnect). His reasoning at the time... "I can't let you use Monster Cable on those speakers..."

ANyway, now I have these fat and in my wife's eyes fat ugly cables snaking out behind my speakers. Every time she vacuums she complains. I know at the time there was a set of cables (VanderHull perhaps?) that was called "the hose"... I should have gotten that and really fixed her wagon.

Moral of the story... buy the most affordable speaker leads you can... worry more about the WAF than the science...
AVB ( 64.41.32.130 ) at 6:04 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Stranded vs Solid

Joe: Stranded are more flexible. Usually with a stranded cable you will get a larger equivelent gage then with a solid cable too. There is no electrical rason to choose one over the other. Such oddities as skin effect and transmissin leakage don't occur at the low frequencies audio uses. Noe if we were talking gigahertz it would be a different story.
Joe ( 64.12.105.152 ) at 5:48 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Music Topic

I have been rediscovering some of my older CDs. One that I picked up several years ago was Joan Osbourne, Relish. I have really taken a liking to this disc all over again.

I have heard anything by her in a few years, anyone else have a newer disc by her?
Joe ( 64.12.105.152 ) at 5:46 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002

No one around today?
Joe ( 205.188.200.184 ) at 5:00 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Stranded vs Solid

So since I am talkative. I have been reading about cables. I see there are different thoughts on which conductors to use. I noticed most of the stores around here are using Anaysis Cables. I believe that is because theya re a local merchant. The companey is based outside of Flint 15 miles or so.

I am a little confussed on why a person would want to use stranded or solid core interconnects. I read some of the claims, but of course each manufactures are the best. I was thinking of going to balanced to run between the Anthem and the Rotel, but have decieded not to. I have a gut feeling I would not hear a differance.

I am looking at Audioquest Diamondback. I have some AQ now and find them to be a well constructed cable. Then I started looking at Kimber and Tributiers. I see alot of postings about Better Cables, but am not going to spend that much.

So maybe someone here can explain the differnace between Solids and stranded?
Joe ( 205.188.200.184 ) at 4:51 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Winston

Gar:
Joe ( 205.188.200.184 ) at 4:46 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Rotel

I am still very pleased with this amp. I am home alone now so the volume has no restrictions. I am listening to the dvd Bruce Springsteen Live in NYC. It sounds really nice. The old Polks are sucking up that power and smiling.

I use to wonder if a seperates would really make that much of a differance, no turning back now
Joe ( 205.188.200.184 ) at 4:42 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002

Afternoon all, I went to a new store today. It had a RCA Selium 65", Toshiba 43" ( or close) and some Zentiht tubes. They also had a Toshiba Plasma and a Hitachi LCOS shooting onto a Da-lite 119" 16:9 screen They were all displaying HDTV. The source was HDNEt and Directtv.

I was not to impressed with the direct view sets so I skipped right past them. The Toshiba RPTV was just to small to look at and the picture was fading in and out. The owner said it was because it was a first generation decoder.

THe 65" RCA was not to bad. I watched some Peter Framton off HDNET. I also watched some Castaway both in HD and DirectTV. It was a nice picture, but I could see myself. Those screen protectors are a waste.

The LCOS was not very impressaive at all. The pixels were easy to see and the writing from the menu was jagged. I watched Castaway, Dish advertisment and Atlantis on DVD. I do not know if it was set up right or not, but I would not spend money on it.

Now to the Plasma display. It was last years 42" Toshiba. I have seen plasma several times before. Each time I see them the picture gets better looking. They have really improved from the first time 3 or 4 years back at the Toronto Hi-Fi Show.

I could see one of these in a few more years being the display of choice. If they continue to come down in price and go up in quality. I have yet to see a DLP set-up so I am still open minded.

I understand there are some problems with the Plasmas, but what are they again?
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.68.86 ) at 4:39 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
A New World Record

Gar: You've had the Elite recorder how long... six days? A new world record for you!

Does this mean you don't want me to copy the manual for you next week?
LouV ( 68.36.15.176 ) at 3:55 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
HT Expo

Hey guys.. just wondering if anyone's going to the ht show at NYC. Can anyone just walk in or do I need to get tickets before hand. I was thinking about going on sunday.
Gar ( 208.166.200.250 ) at 3:39 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Winston

If you know of anyone that wants a Pioneer Recorder let me know I might sell the 19RW Elite Player/Recorder. I find I mostly do all of my recording on the computer where it is much faster.
Gar ( 208.166.200.250 ) at 3:33 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002

Winston aka The Spleen: I agree, but if you take a well recorded DVD and a well recorded LD, there pretty darn close. The Star Wars LD and the new Episode I DVD are almost identical, but the LD video transfer is a tad better. Compare LDs and DVDs in a few more years and it might be even more interesting.
Gar ( 208.166.200.250 ) at 3:31 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Gar

Joe: Score, that was a shelacking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never seen the Avalanche ever play that bad.
Gar ( 208.166.200.250 ) at 3:30 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Joy In Houston

Derb: I looked at that Sub a few weeks ago, cool looking and sounding.
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 2:05 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Joy In Houston

Derb: Congrats!!!!!
Derb ( 64.152.253.141 ) at 12:24 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Joy In Houston

Picked up my new sub last night. Martin-Logan Decent. I have no clue how to set this thing up. It now sits between the two main loudspeakers. Watched Pearl Harbor last night, well it does what I was missing, and that is shake my booty and everything else in the room. The impact of explosions is fantastic, I had alot of fun with it. Now it comes down to tweaking everything, I hate this part.
Derb ( 64.152.253.141 ) at 12:18 PM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Extended Warranties

I have never bought extended warranties on any product. I always deal direcly with the manufacture when something goes wrong. Adcom fixed both amps after ten years, Toshiba reimbused parts not labor to fix a seven year old tv. Sony replaced a 2 year old cordless phone. A well written letter expressing your concerns goes a long way, I have found. The last thing a good manufacture wants is a bad reputation being passed around. The only downside is it may take several months to get anyplace.
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.39 ) at 11:51 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
SeenHear E-mail

Curtis: Took me a minute but I got it!
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.39 ) at 11:49 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Dark City LD

BTW, if anyone has a copy of the Dark City LD that they want to sell or swap for LDs/DVDs, please let me know.... (Joe?)

.....also, I have a dozen or so DVDs that I would like to trade (even swap - one DVD for one DVD). If anyone wants a list of titles let me know, and send your list of trades.

E-mail: dduval@worldnet.att.net
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.39 ) at 11:45 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002

Morning everyone!

Gar, Joe, Curtis, AVB, Kieran, Robert: Thanx for your comments re: LD vs DVD sound. Some good discussion here and food for thought. Laserdisc (Iike vinyl) may be obsolete, but that doesn't mean that it is inferior in all ways to new technology - if nothing else you can skip past the FBI warning! As long as there is content on LD not available on DVD, keep spinning those big discs!
AVB ( 64.41.32.60 ) at 8:06 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
CLD 99/97

Winston aka The Spleen: While I've had both, I've never had them at the same time. My 97 is better then my 704 compaired side by side. You do know that there was onother 2 models sold in Japan that are thought to be even above the 99 but I've never seen them.
AVB ( 64.41.32.60 ) at 8:02 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Extended Warranties...

Cajun_Mike: In general, extended warrenties are not a good deal although I'm sure all of us have had one thing or another die just after the warrenty period. In my case it was an amp that shorted out a week after the 3 year warrenty ended. The problem is you don't know what item will die so if you cover everything you'll spend more then any repair or replacement cost.

One of the best ways to hedge the odds in your favor is to buy factory reconditioned items because the first point of failure has been found already. Statisticly reconditioned items will last longer then one brand new out of the box.
Joe ( 198.208.6.35 ) at 7:24 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Gar

Did you catch that score lastnight
Joe ( 198.208.6.35 ) at 7:23 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Robert

Robert: I was thinking in a year or so, which would be the upgrade path in my room. If I look at the woodworking involved to switch the wall, Plasma would be the easy route. It only get tough when it comes to the coin. However a HD ready RPTV or a FP is still a considable investment


A nice 55" 16:9 Plasma would fit with 10 hours of woodworking
Curtis ( 12.234.154.211 ) at 2:24 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Extended Warranties...

Cajun_Mike: Toshiba includes forms to fill out/ mail in with all of their better displays. It's a part of the documentation that ships wit? the display along with the owners manual.

What's great about this is that you are buying a policy directly from the manufacturer - or if they use a 3rd party S.O., that party. You may or may not know that the extended warranties sold by retail stores are a pure profit biz. This is why they push them on consumers so aggressively. I never, ever buy them yet can understand your situation.

With the Tosh E.W. you don't have to signup or pay anything for a full year (the factory parts + labor warr.). Do not let day 366 pass or you lose the option of extending for 1 to 5 extra years. All is in-house, full parts and labor.

BTW you should have seen the manager of the store where I bought my Parasound pre/pro try to convince me that the factory 10 year warranty was not enough! Like this will be the centerpiece of my HT in the year 2013?
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 1:23 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Email

AVB: Again.
Kieran ( 209.204.144.50 ) at 12:41 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
PC games

Robert: Hmmm... interesting. Well then whatever hardware my room mate has for his surround system on his computer does a pretty good job of making the surrounds discreet, from a 2ch source.
Robert ( 12.218.4.18 ) at 12:17 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
PC games

Kieran: No, EAX is just environmental audio, not a logic 7 DPLII substitute. The idea that you can hear stuff on the other side of the wall or breathing behind you to add realism to the game.
Robert ( 12.218.4.18 ) at 12:14 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002

Winston aka The Spleen: Hindsight being what it is, I know a few at Pioneer that also agree that the 97 is superior to the 99!
Robert ( 12.218.4.18 ) at 12:10 AM EST Saturday, June 1, 2002
Robert

Joe: That response is spot on. That was the mantra about 3 years ago, of course that was the five year plan then. the $100/inch is accurate. Without trying to sound like a homer, I've seen the plasma facilities and the biz plan, do expect Pioneer to be the overall leader in the technology. There may be others at retail that will be stronger, but Pioneer is poised to be among the best. The resources that have ben committed to plasma is enormous. Virtually no resources are being used for PTV, why do you think the gap between an Elite and a regular branded units is slimmer than it ever was.
Gar ( 207.1.1.190 ) at 11:47 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Extended Warranties...

Cajun_Mike: I am telling you 3 years of non-stop porn will ruin any TV.
Cajun_Mike ( 216.78.183.43 ) at 11:11 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Extended Warranties...

How much is too much and how is the best way to purchase them? Can warranties be purchased from someone other than the dealer where you bought the television? I definitely want to buy a four or five year extended warranty that covers the picture tube plus in-home service and pickup after this fiasco.
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 11:09 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Email

AVB: Once more.
AVB ( 64.41.32.171 ) at 10:55 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Email

Ron H: Back to ya.
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 10:49 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Email

AVB: You have mail.
Scott "popcorn" ( 207.193.33.228 ) at 10:49 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis: I think the corporate death of Be should be enough to sour Gassee... While he might have been an a$$h*le, he did have a hell of a vision. The world shouldn't be set back just because of personal problems. BeOS, is, still the most superior OS from a technology standpoint, and I have to admit that I'm a bit dubious to the OpenBeOS project (not sure an open-source project can pull off what Be, Inc. did), but if they can, they surely will add all the latest "updates" that have come since, and BeOS will again be a force to be reckoned with. If the community CAN pull it off, the surge that Linux got will look like a "good day", since BeOS is much better at being a user OS than a hacker OS.

To keep on-topic, I just got a Delta 6" jointer today. Will probably use it to make some speaker cabinets..
AVB ( 64.41.32.238 ) at 10:36 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Email

Curtis: Back at 'cha.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 10:22 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
DSS splitter

AVB: Very sorry for the delay. Email (the snotmail account) coming your way.
Joe ( 205.188.192.168 ) at 10:07 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Evening all.
Joe ( 205.188.192.168 ) at 10:07 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Evening all.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 9:42 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
EAD Demodulator: LD vs. DVD Dolby Digital

Winston aka The Spleen:"...I just call 'em as I see (hear) 'em..."

Aha, you have discovered the true nature of my many email address handles. Get it?
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 9:30 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

Ron H: I forgot to add "As I see it"
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 9:29 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

Kieran: The bigest problem is that the capital od Pakistan is only 150 miles from the India border. Even a minor conflict copuld place India troops near the capital of Pakistan. Needless to say if that should happen Nukes will be used!!!!!
Gar ( 207.1.1.104 ) at 9:06 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

Kieran: Actually Religion has allot to do with the situation with India and Pakistan. I call on these type of doctors all day long and there both giving me there side of the story, but they always say religion has a important role in what is going on. Lets not forget Pakistan has allot to do with the Muslim problems that are happening now and in the past and future. Allot of terrorist training camps where there and still are there..
Tony C ( 63.42.204.72 ) at 8:52 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

Kieran: I'm not sure that's entirely true. Kashmire is mostly Muslim. I think that plays a big part in it.
Tony C ( 63.42.204.72 ) at 8:50 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
DSS splitter

AVB: before I saw your post, I found one at Smarthome.com. Made by Monster.
It said 2Ghz. Not knowing any better, I just figured that 2Ghz was better than 1Ghz.
Thanks.
trav ( 4.34.146.57 ) at 8:26 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
EAD Demodulator: LD vs. DVD Dolby Digital

Kieran: The DD LD of top gun in my opinion is way too bass heavy. I was not the only one to think this when it was rereleased on laserdisc? Do any of you who own this have the same conclusion?
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 7:53 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Errr... that should read Hindi, not Hundi.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 7:48 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

Tony C: No argument that it's a very volatile situation.
Musharraf said Friday that Pakistan will not initiate a conflict, but "I think you need to get assurances from the Indian side."

"All I can do is to give my own assurance that we will try to avoid conflict. It will be my utmost endeavor to avoid conflict," he said.
Sounds like Pakistan has at least some sort of no-first-strike policy.

As for the religion aspect... Granted Pakistan is Muslim, while India (primarily) Hundi. However the dispute over Kashmir is geopolitical, not religious, according to most of the stories and backround bits I've read.
AVB ( 64.41.32.121 ) at 7:43 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
DSS splitter

Tony C: First, I made a mistake, you need a 2 ghz bandwidth. RatShack does have them. Look here: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F002%5F002%5F018%5F000&product%5Fid=16%2D2578
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 7:42 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
EAD Demodulator: LD vs. DVD Dolby Digital

Tony C: The sound track of Top Gun on VHS sounds better than the DVD. That's not a valid comparison IMO, because the DVD of Top Gun has the worst sound track EVER. I do not believe that it is the same mix as was on the LD, or the VHS for that matter.
Tony C ( 63.42.204.54 ) at 7:41 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

Kieran: THe reason Pakistan was formed as a nation back in 1947 (I think) was because it wanted to be a wholey Muslim state. As you know India's main relegion is Hindu.

Gandi was successful in ridding India of British rule, but he couldn't stop the hatred between the two religions/regions.

Sting wrote that song about the bomb, saying something like "if the Russians love their children too." meaning that there would not be a first strike fron either side if they care for future generations. What we've learned recently is that some religions do not mind their children dying. India has a No-First-Strike policy. Pakistan does not.
It's a very volitle situation.
Tony C ( 63.42.204.54 ) at 7:35 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
DSS splitter

AVB, Gar, Robert: I checke Best Buy and Radio Shack. Both don't carry a splitter that has the DC by-pass (1Ghz). Any ideas where else I can look?
Tony C ( 63.42.204.54 ) at 7:34 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
EAD Demodulator: LD vs. DVD Dolby Digital

Kieran: I can easily say that the comparison I made on my two machines, Top Gun sounded better on LD, as did The Jackle.
However, I liked the video quality better on DVD.
Cajun_Mike ( 216.78.183.43 ) at 7:32 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
new Sony DVD player lineup...

Here's the info on the new sony DVD players that make their debut this summer. http://popularmechanics.com/technology/television/2002/3/sony_video_lineup/
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 7:31 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pakistan/India

It's a crazy situation, all right. However, Gar, I don't think religion has as much to do with this conflict as it does with the Israeli/Palistinian conflict.

What I'm wondering is what Pakistan thinks they will gain by having a blackout in Muzaffarabad. Hello? what, do they think India is going to by flying B-17 raids or something?
Cajun_Mike ( 216.78.183.43 ) at 7:28 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
New DVD Player too...

if I'm going to shell out for a new digital TV that's HDTV ready I'm going to need a new progressive scan DVD player. Sony has a new unit the DVP-NS755V that will be out next month. Plays SACD,DVD,CD,CDR,CDRW,MP3 with an unbeleivable list price of 299.95. Crutchfield is taking pre-orders already.. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-cYcb491dYc6/ProdView.asp?s=0&g=54400&id=morephotos&pi=2&i=158DVP755V&display=XL
Cajun_Mike ( 216.78.183.43 ) at 6:46 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Sony XBR Heading To A Landfill Near You

Curtis: I spoke with Wally and he has a Princeton 36 inch TV that he ordered for someone but they didnt want it. Wants 2,300 for it. He's going to check prices on the other sets I'm looking at and will get back with me on Monday.
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:25 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
42 minutes

Joe: Wings fan!!! What!!! I love Brett Hull and Chelios played for the Badgers, but I am a Avalanche fan. Go Forsberg!!!! And Reinphrect, another recent UW Madison Hockey player long with Curtis Joseph etc.... Beer and food and HOCKEY!!
Joe ( 152.163.204.176 ) at 6:25 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Robert

I was in a local dealer yesterday and we were discussing RPTVs. He made the comment that Pioneer was phasing out there RPTV line. They are looking at 2 years to phase out. He also was saying that Pioneer was looking at conquering the Plasma market. They are looking at $100/inch displays. Any comments?
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:23 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Joe if you click on the resources map that gives you the number of troops they have along with weapons etc......
Joe ( 152.163.204.176 ) at 6:21 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
42 minutes

If you are any kind of sports fan game 7 is on tonight. Of course I am a Wings fan so I am sure they will win. I have my Becks beer and a Digiorno pizza ready to go
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:21 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

As I said before never mix religion and politics.... Look at these two nations and the middle east. Crazy MFs.......
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:20 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/05/31/kashmir.attack/index.html
Joe ( 152.163.204.176 ) at 6:18 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Yikes

Gar: Yes they may be that stupid.
Joe ( 152.163.204.176 ) at 6:18 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Winston

I did some comparison between DVD & LDs. I found that the picture was usally darker on the LDs. I do have several concert LD's that I think sound better then some of the concert DVDs. However the most recent concert dvds are sounding really good.

BTW which prized LDs are you looking for?
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:14 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Yikes

Are India and Pakistan really that flipping stupid? Looks like there going to be going to a full scale war.. I bet China is getting on edge, along with a few other countries.
Joe ( 152.163.204.176 ) at 6:12 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pioneer DVL-909 DVD/LD - Random Thoughts

Winston aka The Spleen: Thats why Bagman and myself are still using our DVL's. It's not because we are to cheap to buy new ones
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:11 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Sony XBR Heading To A Landfill Near You

Cajun_Mike: Sorry to hear that.....
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:10 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Robert: I figured that... Just thought it was ironic.
Gar ( 207.49.219.66 ) at 6:08 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Winston aka The Spleen: Compare apples to apples bud. The Pioneer units are using are top of the line. I disagree, I have the Star Wars Episode one Copy and the DVD version, the DVD version is slightly better. Also you have to remember DVDs are new and still haven't been perfected to a tee yet. LDs had there time but there a dying breed and falling fast, regaurdless if there "slightly" better. The 97/99/704 are all great players though, if I had more LDs I might own one of them.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 5:44 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
EAD Demodulator: LD vs. DVD Dolby Digital

Winston aka The Spleen:
Maybe it's system synergy, maybe it's the alignment of the stars.
It couldn't POSSIBLY be a placebo effect, of course...
Not trying to start any wars here, I just call 'em as I see (hear) 'em.... anyone else find that their LDs sound better on AC-3 than DVDs? I'd be interested to find out. You're not the first person I've heard say that. I don't have any LD's that I also have on DVD for comparison. The only LD's I own are 3x versions of the SW original trilogy (two never opened), the Indiana Jones trilogy, and Forest Gump, which I got for $5 from Curtis' favorite local dealer. Oh, and a damaged copy of the THX WOW disc... which only plays about 60% of the disc. I suppose I could rent Forrest Gump on DVD to do a comparison, but it's not that important to me, and my LD player, the CLD-504 -- a gift from Curtis, is not nearly up to the quality of my DVD player, the Sony DVP-S7700. So it wouldn't be a fair comparison anyway.
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.222 ) at 5:42 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
TGIF

I'm outta here until tomorrow. Have a great weekend everyone!
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.222 ) at 5:40 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Just a few more random comments to tie things up. (Sorry about the long posts, I'm buzzed on a Starbucks double latte). Regarding LD players, the Elite CLD-97 was released in 1992 and is generally regarded as the best of the LD players Pioneer released in the US. It weighs 38 lbs and has a massive die-cast chassis, internal copper RF shielding and extensive chassis dampening. There are 18 power regulation stages in the digital section and 12 in the analog section. It is known for its high resolution (some units have tested out at 440 horizontal lines of resolution) and low chroma noise. (You can most easily recognize chroma noise, or cross color noise, by freeze-framing a black and white CLD laserdisc.... you'll see red and green outlines throughout the picture. This is the timing delay error between color information). The CLD-97 excels in minimizing these errors.

Later Pioneer LD players, such as the venerable CLD-99/CLD-79/CLD-704 series (all basically alike) use extensive digital processing that gives a smoother picture than the CLD-97 in exchange for *slightly* more chroma noise and *slightly* less detail. The CLD-97's picture has a certain "raw" quality that some find pleasing in that it presents exactly what is encoded on the disc, without covering anything up. Others will certainly prefer the smoother look of the later series players, especially on marginal transfers. Having owned them all, my preference is for the CLD-97, with performance that is astonishing on the best transfers.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 5:32 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

I've heard that one of the multi-player maps of RtCW is a re-inactment of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. That might be interesting...
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 5:31 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Chris L.: Friends' reviews of RtCW's multi-player mode is what made Dan (my condo-mate) and I buy it. We're big fans of multi-player Unreal Tournament, so when a good friend said how amazing RtCW mulit was, we decided to go for it. Turns out we both like the single player mode as well! Actually, we haven't yet tried the multi player mode, as we only bought one copy of the game for demoing... now that we both like it so much, we'll buy a second copy. You can't log on with two copies of the same registration number for multi-player. Each client has to be individual. Cudos to iD for finally implementing what seemed to me for years to be the most obvious form of copy protection.
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.222 ) at 5:20 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
EAD Demodulator: LD vs. DVD Dolby Digital

Some thoughts on the EAD demodulator I got this week. I lucked out big time on this one, since I was able to get it from a local seller at a giveaway price ($100 - list is $699) and it also included a pair of hard-wired MIT digital interconnects and standard and optional large power supply. This is the same EAD that makes the Theatermaster Encore, Ovation etc. and their demod is almost impossible to find used (went out of production about three years ago). The guy who sold me mine told me he hardly ever used it as he got his EAD equipment just before the '97 launch of DVD and quickly made the change from LD. Judging by the looks of the unit I got, I believe him - looks all but unused to me.

The EAD demod needed about 24 hours to warm up to sound its best. Using the Pioneer DVL-909 as the source and my beloved Angstrom 100 as processor, the sound of this combination on LD/AC-3 proved far superior to DVD AC-3. I don't like to assign percentages to sound but I would have to say it sound about twice as good as DVD AC-3. I've listened to Dolby Digital though several different processors with built-in demodulators in my system including the Lexicon DC-1, Sony SDP-EP9ES, Pioneer SD99 Elite, Citation 5.0 to name a few and all of them sounded veiled or hazy on Dolby Digital compared to DVD. The EAD seems to be utterly transparent and sounds much smoother and more detailed than DVD. It's my understanding that LD has a somewhat higher AC-3 bit rate than DVD but I'm not sure if that completely accounts for the difference I'm hearing. Maybe it's system synergy, maybe it's the alignment of the stars. All I know is that the DVL/EAD/Angstrom combo sounds better on AC-3 than anything I have heard before. The downside is that the picture on LD still is not up to that of DVD, but even so, I'm kicking myself for selling off most of my prized DD laserdiscs to buy them on DVD.

Not trying to start any wars here, I just call 'em as I see (hear) 'em.... anyone else find that their LDs sound better on AC-3 than DVDs? I'd be interested to find out.
Cajun_Mike ( 206.124.219.239 ) at 5:20 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Sony XBR Heading To A Landfill Near You

Curtis: Thanks Curtis, I just left a message for Wally on his voice mail. The Sony's are not an option for me now because their cabinets are too wide for the slot in my cabinet. I have to choose between the Panasonic Tau CT-36HX41 and the Toshiba 36HF71. I am also interested slightly in the Hitachi Ultravision 36UDX105 but it does not have a flat screen.
Chris L. ( 24.49.157.220 ) at 5:00 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Kieran: I liked RTCW okay...didn't really play the single player much, but the multi-player is un-freaking-believable!! Very immersive team playing against the Nazis (or whichever side you choose).
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.222 ) at 4:59 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pioneer DVL-909 DVD/LD - Random Thoughts

Forgot to mention.... The DVL's DVD performance is also very good. Compared to my Toshiba SD-9000, the DVL has better color saturation but slightly less detail in 16:9 and downconverion modes. The noise reduction feature on the Toshiba is helpful on some DVDs and is a feature the DVL lacks. Loading time is a little slow on the DVL and getting to the menu is a two button process instead of the Toshiba's one button. If you're not looking for progressive outputs the DVL is still a strong contender among today's non-progressive players, especially when you consider that LD play is thrown in for free.
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.72.222 ) at 4:53 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Pioneer DVL-909 DVD/LD - Random Thoughts

Good afternoon all. For those that are interested, a few thoughts on the Pioneer DVL-909 LD/DVD player and EAD demodulator that I recently bought. The Pioneer has turned out to be somewhat of a surprise. I bought it because it has an AC-3 RF output (and got a great deal) but wasn't expecting that it would be much of an LD player. Couldn't have been more wrong. It's not as good as the CLD-97 as far as low chroma noise but equal to and in some ways much better than the CLD-704. The analog LD video on the 909 is processed in the digital domain by 10 bit dacs. As far as I can tell there seems to be a "noise threshold" that greatly affects performance. If the noise on an LD is bad (like many old pressing) the video dacs process the noise as though it were picture information - kind of like a line doubler on a TV - and the disc will look bad. But if the noise is above a certain level - and I've found that a good sampling of the discs in my 400+ collection are above that level - the disc will look terrific. Resolution is on par with the CLD-704, with lower cross color (chroma noisce) and much, much better color saturation. In fact, the DVL-909's color performance is the best I've yet seen from any Pioneer LD player in my experience. Yellows are absolutely pure, reds are clean and the hues on blues and greens exceed even that of DVD IMO. Clearly, using video dacs designed to process DVD (and the higher wavelength laser) has a very beneficial effect on analog LDs.

Soundwise, the DVL was also a surprise. The sound via internal dacs/analog out is only so-so. But both the coaxial PCM output and coaxial RF output sound terrific, with bags of air and detail but no edginess. Better than my Toshiba SD-9000 which is certainly no slouch in the sound department. The DVL is also surprisingly quiet in operation, ergonomically friendly and loaded to the gills when it comes to connectivity (component out, two S-video out, 2 coaxial video out, 2 DD/PCM out, one toslink DD out, one coaxial RF demod out).

Having owned at one time or another three CLD-704s, a CLD-99, CLD-79, and (currently) a CLD-97, I can say that the DVL is equal to or better than all of them but the '97, which is still IMO the player to beat for low noise/high resolution. (Although the color on the DVL is better than the 97).
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 4:49 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Sony XBR Heading To A Landfill Near You

Cajun_Mike: Dude, there's a dealer near you who you want to talk to. My email is acting up so I'll just post it here

Wally Poole III
www.customaudioandvideo.com

He's an awesome guy In Covington, LA (985) 892-4500. I told him about your dilema and he thinks he can get you a sweet deal on a replacement diplay. Great guy and a huge SEC football fan - I think he's an LSU fanatic, or was it Tulane?! He said that he may have met you at his store and I told him to take good care of you.

Worth checking out at least.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 4:43 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Cheap HDTVs

Kieran: FYI the same model is currently available from Fry's for $1,499 and Costco (Mountain View at least) for $1,399. The great thing about Costco of course is if within 1 year you decide to return it, they will give you 100% refund in cash.

I HATE the screen material that Panny uses. Really bad hot spotting and the frenel pattern is very obvious.

When it comes to HT, display size does matter. I would pass on the 47" in favor of this one. Fry's still has the 55" Sharp HD ready RP for $1599 or $1,579. They bought a zillion of them and I wouldn't be surprised to see them lower this price some more. I'm doing this from memory & could be wrong about the exact screen size &/or manufacturer. You'll recall it's the model that I price-matched your Dad on my nearly new Tosh 57HX81 (why? I'll never know!!) ... it feels great to keep it in the family at least.
Cajun_Mike ( 209.124.248.32 ) at 3:06 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Sony XBR Heading To A Landfill Near You

confirmed picture tube problem on a 3.5 year old Sony XBR.

I guess I will spend my weekend wheeling and dealing for a new TV.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 2:59 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Robert: Was I right in assuming that EAX technology is similar to DPL2 or Logic7, in that it creates discrete surround channels from a 2.0 source?
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 2:54 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Cheap HDTVs

Check this out:
http://ww2.onecall.com/PID_12022.htm
$1399 for the 47" 16:9 Panasonic! Nice to see the prices coming down, and by the accounts on forums like hometheaterspot.com, the 47" Panny is a very decent TV.
Robert ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 2:37 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Kieran:
Surround sound is VERY active, too. It's not AC-3, but my room mate has a Creative Labs surround system with EAX surround sound (similar to DPL2, logic7, etc., I think) and its very cool. You really have to USE the sound to be effective sometimes, as you'll hear Nazi's talking in another room behind you, and that will cue you as to where to go next. Or you'll hear a creaking window swaying in the wind, or something... or a Zombie coming at you from behind...


BINGO!!!!
Robert ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 2:35 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Gar: The inserts were already printed,,thats why you saw the $299 PS2 price. Bummer, I was thinkg of selling my PS2,,no way now.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 2:26 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

woops... "Wolfenstein 3D" not "Wolfensteing"
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 2:24 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

RickMTB: Yes, "Wolfensteing 3D" by iD Games, was for all intents and purposes, the game that started the "first person shooter" craze. I believe it hit the market in... late 1991 or 1992 sometime. I got my first 486 based PC for Christmas of '92, and remember staying up ALL night playing "Wolfenstein 3D". It is definitely the grand-daddy of 3d-fps games.

Now... Does anyone remember the ORIGINAL "Castle Wolfenstein" video game for Commodore 64 and Atari PC's? THAT was a fun game, too!

Gar: Check out the wolfenstein home page... I think I remember reading that they were going to release it for XBox and/or PS2.
Gar ( 204.71.148.21 ) at 1:32 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PS2/Xbox

Anyone who has one of these check out the 007 game. Pretty darn good.
Gar ( 204.71.148.21 ) at 1:31 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Thanks for the heads up on Wolfenstein, I will have to check it out.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.124 ) at 1:30 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Kieran: Used to play Wolfenstein many years ago... I believe it pre-dated Doom and all of the other more graphic arcade games...
Gar ( 204.71.148.21 ) at 1:29 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Kieran: Yup, you where the one that told me that PS2 and Xbox where going to be cheaper. I was just reminding you Also ironically they roally screwed up in this weeks BB flyer and CC flyer. They both state a drop in the Xbox to $199 and still have the PS2 listed for $299. Also I bought a game console because it was much easier to look up to my FP instead of hauling my computer downstairs, also at the time I got into console games, PC games where running around $70 bucks a crack. Now since consoles have been hitting the market harder PC games have come down in price. There is still no beating a game console hooked up to a FP at 92" in DD 5.1 surround, I can never go back I have joined the Darkside..
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 12:24 PM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Gar: Yeah, I am aware that PS2 and XBox are both $199 now... VERRY tempting. In fact, I think I posted a link on this when they first announced the price drop. I will hold off for now, though. I've never owned a gaming console, and although the prospect of awesome first-person-shooters in 5.1 DD surround is extremely tempting, it's still hard to justify the expense. Especially when I have a great gaming machine already: my PC. What I'm more tempted to spend $199 on is an el-cheapo digital av receiver that has DPL-II decoding so I can play Wolfenstein, Jedi Knight2 (another SWEET new FPS game) and Unreal:Tournament in 5.1 surround.

Anyway, regarding Return to Castle Wolfenstein... they really scored with this game. The story is awesome, and the game play is freeking incredible. Not the kind of mad-dash-kill-em-all gameplay that most FPS games are like (e.g. Quake, Doom) but actually, more realistic. Granted, you can still carry way more weapons that would ever be possible in reality, but many of the weapons are real WWII era weapons... and like HALO, you have to reload your weapon when your clip empties (very frustrating when some of the baddies take more than one clip to put down.) The AI is incredible... I won't compare this game to HALO, as the story and play is totally different, but the AI I think it comparable. You end up doing a lot of sneaking around corners and sniping and being very stealthy. And, the graphics and surroundings are amazing. My room mate's computer can handle the ultimate resolution and detail, whereas mine I have to tone it down a bit. But it still looks incredible. Surround sound is VERY active, too. It's not AC-3, but my room mate has a Creative Labs surround system with EAX surround sound (similar to DPL2, logic7, etc., I think) and its very cool. You really have to USE the sound to be effective sometimes, as you'll hear Nazi's talking in another room behind you, and that will cue you as to where to go next. Or you'll hear a creaking window swaying in the wind, or something... or a Zombie coming at you from behind...
Gar ( 208.166.200.204 ) at 11:40 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Intl. CES on HDNET

Didn't know this was even on. Nice to see some of the actual products coming out. I guess HDNET will be airing it for awhile.
Gar ( 208.166.200.204 ) at 11:36 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Duane: mail on its way.........
Duane ( 192.128.167.68 ) at 11:33 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Gar: Never received your mail.I'll try sending you the info.
Ron H ( 208.195.242.212 ) at 11:32 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Harry Potter

Gar: The manufactures are making what is selling. To the best of my knowledge there is not a shortage of WideScreen TV's.
Gar ( 208.166.200.204 ) at 11:22 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Harry Potter

Ron H: That's why they need to sell more widescreen sets. Manufactuers should be making more of these and less 4:3 sets.
Gar ( 208.166.200.204 ) at 11:20 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Kieran: You had to go and post this! I used to play this all the time, the old version of course. I might buy it for the PC, and wait and see how it is on the Xbox etc... Also, just if you don't know already, the PS2 and Xbox are now $199
Ron H ( 208.195.242.212 ) at 11:00 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Harry Potter

Curtis: Unfortunetly those of use who want widescreen are in the minority. The average Joe really dislikes the black bars on their 4:3 tvs. Block buster is just supplying what the customer asks for.
Gar ( 208.166.200.204 ) at 10:47 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Spiderman Game

Tony C: I have the PS2, but don't have Spiderman on that. I have it for the Xbox and it says Dolby Digital. I just bought the HD pack(finally) for the Xbox so I can tell you sometime today if it is 5.1.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 10:15 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Harry Potter

Tony C: Go to any BallBuster store and look closely at the vast majority of their rental DVD's. You will be lucky if you find even a few widescreen/anamorphic titles - they only push pan & scan 4:3 garbage, period.

At 1st this seems humorous but upon further reflection I & many others believe that this huge chain is doing a terrible injustice to the acceptance of the 16:9 and wider formats that ARE the future of software/hardware.

This is reason enough for my family & friends to boycot BlockBuster 'til they get it right. In my area (at least) there are many equally inexpen$ive mom/pop rental shops that I prefer to take my biz to.

Not too many typos for me on 4 hours sleep/ no java yet at 7am, huh?!
Tony C ( 63.42.204.82 ) at 8:26 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Harry Potter

AVB: Actually I was very surprised at there being two versions (wide-screen & Pan/Scan) I guess there are really a lot of people, like my friend Dave, who hates black bars!
But what really amazed me was that the inventory at the stores was 50/50.
Not how I would have allocated it.

I have another friend with a 4:3 TV who uses the zoom feature to fill the screen. I tried to tell him that he's missing a lot of the movie.
He said that it's impossible. After all, the whole screen is filled.

Gotta love it.
Tony C ( 63.42.204.82 ) at 8:23 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Spiderman Game

Gar: It's the new Spiderman game for PS2. Guess I should have mentioned that...
AVB ( 64.41.32.75 ) at 6:10 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
CI

Curtis: Reply email on the hotmail account.
AVB ( 64.41.32.75 ) at 6:09 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Harry Potter

Tony C: My wife picked this up. Not bad but I'm dissapointed that it is only widescreen and not anamorphic.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 4:35 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Kieran: Oh pllllease chill out my friend and his sister I lost my old man years ago, so you needn't lecture me on the finer points of being a good son. By all means do what you want/need to do.

The problem with this written communication is that it totally lacks all of the body english, vocal intonation, & general eye winking that happens in the real world.

I need help deciding what woman to date; there are 4 in contention. I won't go into details unless asked. (pleae ask)
Kieran ( 209.204.144.50 ) at 3:46 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Curtis: "Kieran and his sis/ future bro-in-law just blew me off for a freebie luxury house..."

Oh now that's not fair, Curtis. Seriously you make my sister and me sound like A**holes for not joining you! I was truly bummed that we couldn't make it, but you know when you've got 5 tickets at $100 each to take your folks to the opera for Father's day... well, sorry but that's the way it goes. Besides, even if we were only having a backyard BBQ for Dad's day, I'd be hard pressed to miss it. I missed nearly every Dad's day of the 90's, and now that I live 10 minutes from him, I like to spend his day with him.

Sheesh.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 3:36 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Robert: Try keeping up with an average of 25 to 40 incoming biz emails per hour - then tell me I don't need a vacation!

Kieran and his sis/ future bro-in-law just blew me off for a freebie luxury house at north shore Lake Tahoe for Fathers DAy weekend! Any of you who can make it till we hit the limit of 8 people (beds) areinvited out west. 1st come 1st served.

The house includes 1st class catered gourmet food for 8 people x 3 days INCLUDING ALL BOOZE/CIGARS!!- in case you need incentive! Sushi to BBQ, it's all on the house. Why? This is the vacation place owned by the caterers to the baddest-ass $ilicon Valley venture capitialsts. My housemate was offered it 1st and decided to give it to me as a Fathers Dat gift.

Come on boys - wahat will it take to get you to one of the most beautiful spots on the planet for free/ in style? Lurking women are welcome too.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 2:56 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
Email reply

AVB: The LAST one I would expect to be reliable, @hotmail came through. Let me know where we stand pls.
Kieran ( 209.204.144.50 ) at 1:25 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
PC games

Any gamers here play "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" yet? Supposedly it's coming out on XBox and PS2 soon, too. I've got it on my PC, and it is AWESOME. Not your typical first person shooter. Check out the free demo downloads at the game's home page.
Robert ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 12:54 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Got to love the computer industry, I logged off work at 7, came back at 11:30 to find 10 emails.
Robert ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 12:53 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Ron H: yea yea yea
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 12:42 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002
digital photo tools

Scott "popcorn": Hey if you say so I trust your judgement. It may surprise you to know that I was one of Be OS biggest/loudest (who, me?) cheerleaders long before they unvieled Be OS 1.0. They are HQ'd not 10 minutes by bike up the road in Menlo, I've been a fan for the longest time (I'm a Mac user, right? Jean-Louis, the assh*ole Be CEO with the ego the size of freakin' France has more of my past dollars than I care to admit to, try >$20K- as the former "protector of the jewels for ages @ Apple", read; "we will NEVER EVER license the Mac OS to ANYONE EVER)

Be SHOULD be allowed to die if only to make Jean-Louis miserable!!!

Off soapbox now.
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.116 ) at 12:06 AM EST Friday, May 31, 2002

Scott: Those 2 guys must be hard workers! JK
Scott "popcorn" ( 207.193.33.61 ) at 11:59 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis:
Be is SO dead.
I would suggest you get your facts straight before you post blatently. The BeOS community is hard at work on OpenBeOS, the "replacement" for BeOS. I hear they are coming along quickly too.
Gar ( 207.1.1.117 ) at 11:57 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Almost forgot!

The highlight of the day for me was watching a F-16 fighter jet dump its fuel tanks into Lake Mendota today. Happen right as I was driving on local county road right in front of me. From what it sounds like, he was loosing power and needed to dump the weight in order to gain control of plane. About 500 gallons of Jet fuel got dumped into lake but since it was so hot today most of it evaporated. Smart pilot I say!

http://www.captimes.com/news/local/26407.php
Gar ( 207.1.1.117 ) at 11:46 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Spiderman Game

Tony C: What game is it? Is it for the Xbox, if so I have that game. Very cool on a big screen. 007 is another one. The best game I have ever played was at the Mall of America in MN. Done by Sega, it was a Star Wars game and it felt as if you where really flying the different space ships. I can't remember then name but by far the best. I will check on Spiderman tonight. Also Ditto on Harry Potter, I need to finish watching it. Only time I get to watch movie now is when everyone else is asleep.
Tony C ( 205.188.193.187 ) at 11:14 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Harry Potter

Whatched Harry P tonight. Good movie and great effects both audio and visual. There were several times when I had to look behind me.
Fun movie, check it out.
Tony C ( 205.188.193.187 ) at 11:13 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Spiderman Game

Any of you have the Spiderman game?
My son called to tell me that the audio options are Stereo, Mono and Dolby Pro Logic II.
I told him that as far as I know, nothing is recorded in DLP II, but it only enhances anything in 2.0 or regular DPL.
Wondering if anyone of you has seen the same.
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 10:22 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Curtis: Have you installed that Sharp yet???
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 10:17 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
HT Carpet

Check out this link.

http://www.astroindustriesinc.com/VideoStore/VideoStore.html
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 9:49 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Robert: Fire up that business computer. You have mail.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.83.164.49 ) at 9:42 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

RickMTB: What's the skinny on the Panasonic Tau? I looked at it at C.C. last night briefly
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 8:28 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Cajun_Mike: Get a Toshiba or perhaps a Panasonic Tau...
AVB ( 64.41.32.130 ) at 7:47 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Email reply

Curtis: OK, Ive sent the same email to 3 of your addresses. You should get something now.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.83.164.49 ) at 7:41 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

What are the best places on the web to find discussion about direct view TVs? Please give me some links. I would really like to find information on what's due to come out this summer. I see Crutchfield is the first to post the new Sony TV's with their butt ugly cabinets that are four inches wider than the ones they are replacing. If I'm going to buy a Sony I better by the ones that are available now because the new 36 inch is in a 40 1/2 inch cabinet.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 7:06 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Email reply

Curtis: No wonder Mac users don't need to worry about security breeches... they can barely figure out how to send emails from their own systems, let alone hack into someone elses...
Gasgeek ( 4.21.3.3 ) at 7:00 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis: Sorry Man! I never used a Mac so I didn't realize the keys were in different places. I hate when that happens!!!!
Gar ( 204.71.148.40 ) at 6:18 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
DSS question

Tony C:Channel Master makes such a device your looking for.
Gar ( 204.71.148.40 ) at 6:18 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Duane

Sent an e-mail to you, I need your Address so I can send you a check.
Gar ( 204.71.148.40 ) at 6:11 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Curtis: typing is not my forte'
Curtis ( 12.234.154.211 ) at 6:03 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

great ... SB you're. I'm beginning to type like Gar.
Curtis ( 12.234.154.211 ) at 6:02 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Email reply

AVB: Hey man, your the computer geek here, I'm just another dumb artist on a Mac Who knows how some messages got through while others didn't.

I simply hit the reply button (Office 2000 Pro, if that matters) from your incoming message.

Attention all spammers; here comes a 4th addy for me;

seenhear@mac.com

I know you'll dislike that domain! You're in luck ... all of the following free addys are available.

AVB@mac.com
TheAVB@mac.com
I_Have_More_Watts_ Than _ALL_of_East_LA@mac.com

Can you see my sleep deprivation yet? Doing biz with Japanese & Aussies firms means doing biz in the wee hours.
Curtis ( 12.234.154.211 ) at 5:54 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
digital photo tools

Gasgeek: !! You're killing me & of course you are right. ! I sprayed coffee all over my screen as soon as I hit the Post/Refresh button.

I don't suppose I can blame it on a brand new keyboard? It's a Apple branded one but maybe I got one of Ricks' B&O Danish ones? He's just jealous.

Hey Poppy - I'll give you a free sgi CPU & loads of software for it if you can put a speel chukcer in this place. No wait, I already did that so you owe me
Joe ( 152.163.194.191 ) at 5:09 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Afternoon all

Spent a few more dollars today. I ordered a Paradigm X-20 Crossover. I will use this between the pre-amp and power amp to control the TT's.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 4:39 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Email reply

AVB, Curtis: Maybe you two should tri Yahoo IM. Just a suggestion.
AVB ( 64.41.33.217 ) at 4:19 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Email reply

Curtis: Nothing on this end. I wonder how I got your first message? Send me a test if you can. Did you get my address in the email or should I try to send that again?
Gasgeek ( 4.21.3.3 ) at 3:18 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis: Hey bud. Have you been drug tested lately. Probably sleep depravation now that I think of it. We do need that spell check.
Curtis ( 12.234.154.164 ) at 2:08 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: "...Yea, prolly because nobody cares to nosy into the few Mac people out there..."

One reason I'm movong everything over to my new Mac running 100% native OS X apps is because email viruses are rarely pointed at Macs. Prolly 'cause the kids writing the viruses do them on thei Macs.

Unix rules, Be is SO dead. They shoulda taken Apples zillion$ way back when it was on the table. CEO got exactly what he deserved - biggest jerk (okay Jobs is worse) I ever met.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 2:05 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Gasgeek: I thought that line was interesting, too. I agree with it. My room mate and I are currently in a I.M. debate over it though...
Curtis ( 12.234.154.164 ) at 2:02 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
Email reply

AVB: Yes, I did get and reply to your email the night before last. Outlook sent items says it went out w/o problems. Doublecheck your inbox pls or let's try a 3rf addy for mr (are all your mass spammers paying close attention?!) seenhear@hotmail.com

I'm not ignoring you at all. I have actually been stuck in maratron meetings for > the past 36 hours. Sleep seems optional to my clients, but I have to pay for all of these expen$ive toys without knocking off the local 7-11
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 1:43 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

BC: I was wondering the same thing... but you never know how biz agreements like this can be hammered out with the fine print.
BC ( 166.50.65.3 ) at 1:32 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

If creative has a 60% share, than how is it Lucas retains the right to have the last word? hummmmmm

quote: It is said that under the new agreement between LucasFilm and Creative, that the former will retain the right to veto any representatives of the new company and any new technologies it develops. This affectively means that LucasFilm have the final say on the personnel heading up the new LucasFilm/Creative enterprise and any subsequent licensing arrangements.
Gasgeek ( 4.21.3.3 ) at 1:22 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Robert: Gotta Love this line:

If the news of a merger with Creative is true, and we have no reason to believe otherwise, consumers will undoubtedly further devalue the (THX) brand
????? ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 1:01 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Robert: Don't ask I don't know
????? ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 1:00 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

test
Robert ( 12.218.10.235 ) at 12:59 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=499199
Tony C ( 208.209.205.117 ) at 12:46 PM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
DSS question

Gar: Thanks. I don’t need to have different channels on at the same time. Nor do I need cable and dish on the same line.
What I want to do is split the signal from the dish into two receivers. I have a multiswitch but it’s up on the dish and I don’t feel like running another cable to the basement.
I just want to spit it right at the receiver and have it go into two different receivers.
I tried to use an A/B switch backwards, but that doesn't seem to work.
I would only use one receiver at a time. In other words, if I spit it, I would only have one one receiver on. Chances of both being used at the same time are very slim.
Gar ( 207.1.1.64 ) at 8:39 AM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
DSS question

Tony C: Should be able to, did you want to use cable and the dish on the same line? If so you will need a Diplexer. Channel Master I believe also makes a device that might help.
AVB ( 64.41.32.204 ) at 8:30 AM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
DSS question

Tony C: Yes you can if you get a special splitter that has DC pass-thru and a min 1 ghz bandwidth.
mic ( 166.68.134.175 ) at 8:21 AM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
XBR

Cajun_Mike: my set the same as yours, purchased around the same time, died about 6 months ago, I didn't see anything like you did, it just would turn on one day. It was a blown chip on one of the boards, lucky for me I bought the extended 5 yr in home plan. It took them 2 tries to fix it. The first time it worked for a day, the second time, so far so good. The guy's that worked on it, opened it up took out all the boards, left the tube and the case and left. They fixed the boards at the shop and came back in pluged them back in. Good luck.
Tony C ( 63.42.204.174 ) at 8:12 AM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002
DSS question

I can't split the feed from the dish, can I...
Joe ( 198.208.6.35 ) at 7:40 AM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

DId we all see the Colorado Detriot game lastnight? Friday nights gaame should be real good.
Joe ( 198.208.6.35 ) at 7:39 AM EST Thursday, May 30, 2002

Morning all.

I think I will stay with the parasound and the kenwood. That will give me 7 channels. I can use 6 for the whole house audio and 1 for the TT's. I will need to get a triggering device for the 2 channel kenwood. I will use that one for the speakers in the living room.
Gar ( 204.71.148.149 ) at 11:18 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Wild Bill: I agree with you. I just heard the new HK Amp and was impressed because most of the stuff they have produced as far as Amps go where not all that good in the past few years. There new Receivers I like along with this Amp I heard. It was the larger one out of the two.
Wild Bill ( 12.78.135.228 ) at 10:30 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Gar: I just wanted to give Joe some other options. A multi-channel amp that bridges is not a good thing when mutiple pairs of speakers will be driven in a multi-room configuration from bridged channels. You get better performance driving multiple speaker pairs with unbridged channels than with bridged.
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 10:03 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

diplicate=duplicate. I guess a little tired. I just got in from New Mexico.
Ron H ( 24.167.69.240 ) at 10:02 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
RonH

RickMTB: Back at you. Ignore the diplicate.
Gar ( 204.71.148.35 ) at 9:55 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Cajun, hopefully your set can be fixed. If it can't it is a toss up. I like the Toshibas for the money, but still like the XBR line a tad better. Plus they have the power button on top of there sets which helps me with a 2 year old
Gar ( 204.71.148.35 ) at 9:53 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

hmmm ditto and ditto
Gar ( 204.71.148.35 ) at 9:36 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Wild Bill: I have played with them and for the money there not bad for the money. Your right about them not being as configurable as you say. Friend bought one of these units and it sounds pretty good. Niles has been always good.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.83.165.81 ) at 9:35 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Toshiba

Gar: The Toshiba 36HF71 has a low price of 1,299.00 online whereas the best price for the Sony KV-36HS20 is 1,630.00. The 36XBR450 Has a best price of 1,767.00. If I'm going to spend 1,630 I might as well antee up for the XBR version at 1,767.00. If my XBR's picture tube is indded fried I'm going to have a hard time justifying the additional cash for the Sony over the Toshiba.
Wild Bill ( 12.78.122.44 ) at 9:22 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Joe: Got your message. Sorry I missed you. I had an install today and I have 4 meetings tomorrow. I'm not impressed with the HK multi-channel amps. They're not robust IMHO and not as configurable as I'd like to see. Look at the Niles SI-1230 or something like a Speakercraft BB835. Global inputs as well as individual channel inputs, stereo or mono switchable for any channel, etc. The other route is to get a really stable two channel amp and use a speaker selector. You can get a speaker selector with volume control or use volume controls in different rooms. If you want to use keypads then the two channel amp idea is out. You'll have to use a multi-channel amp such as the Niles or Speakercraft I mentioned. I've done a ton of research on these kind of amps and these two are hard to beat for what they do and how well they do it.
Gar ( 204.71.148.122 ) at 7:28 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Joe: there is a guy selling a couple of Chiro Amps cheap. $350 for the 2 channel Amp and $350 for the 3 channel. All run 140wpc. These are great Amps especially at that price.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 7:23 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
RonH

Another email coming your way!
Gar ( 204.71.148.122 ) at 6:42 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Doh!! Forgot a few.

Also:
Bridge mode 2: 4 x 100wpc
Gar ( 204.71.148.122 ) at 6:41 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

There upper end model allows you do do allot of different configurations.

8 x 45wpc
2 x 100wpc plus 4 x 45wpc
Gar ( 204.71.148.122 ) at 6:36 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Duane

E-mail back at ya!
Gar ( 204.71.148.122 ) at 6:35 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Joe: Take a look at these units for Multi-Zone...... You can find them cheaper on the net, J&R and Onecall have them etc...

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/default.asp?status=C&cat=AMP&market=HOM
Gar ( 204.71.148.122 ) at 6:32 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Toshiba

Kieran: Yes and no. Good picture, not fond of there tuner. Could be just the luck of the draw. But I have triend several other of there direct view sets with same results.
Gasgeek ( 4.21.3.3 ) at 6:16 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Joe: Drop back and punt!!!!
Joe ( 64.12.107.33 ) at 6:05 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Gar I got the HCA-885. My intention was 4 channels for whole house audio, 2 zones. One zone would be Bed/bath and one zone would be kitchen/laundry room. The 5th channel would be used for Tactile Transducers.

However today, just this afternoon I hear " I want the living room to have speakers also" I could take several routes now. I could split the income Zone signal to the fifthe channel and combine it. Then I could hook up the speakers and it would probabley sound like shit. I could use the stereo amp I have for the front room and still split the incoming zone signal.

I could use some kind of speaker combiner and that would probabley sound like shit also.

I could ask if anyone here has a soulution??????????
Kieran ( 192.25.142.22 ) at 5:47 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Cajun_Mike: Toshiba all the way... not the best hands down, but hands down the best bang for the buck!
Gar ( 204.71.148.109 ) at 5:06 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Cajun_Mike: I still think it what Duane was talking about. The power supply or cap problem. It was rare to see a Sony older than 10 years come into our store with a bad tube.
Gar ( 204.71.148.109 ) at 5:04 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Joe: What Parasound did you get?
Gar ( 204.71.148.109 ) at 5:04 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: hehehe, I new I missed your sense of humor..... Sold in Ikea stores hhahahahah... Hey I own a old Bang & Olufson CD Player that is still kicking with the cool popout tray.
Joe ( 64.12.105.169 ) at 5:02 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Afternoon all, The Parasound amp arrived today on my doorstep. Ebay it's like not even spending money
Cajun_Mike ( 204.252.238.2 ) at 4:49 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

I've spoke with two repair shops in Lafayette, One in Baton Rouge and one in New Orleans. All of them still said Sony was the best TV. I may end up going with the Sony HDTV ready 36 inch but I wont if its hundreds of dollars more than I can get the Toshiba for.
Cajun_Mike ( 204.252.238.2 ) at 4:40 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Kieran: I'm only looking at direct views because of my hometheater cabinet. I plan on removing the cabinet and selling it in a few years when the prices of DLP front projectors drop enough.

Last night I looked at the 32 inch Hitach Ultravision HDTV and I was impressed with it. I just wish it had a flat screen. Right now I'm leaning towards the Toshiba 36 inch HDTV ready if it is indeed the picture tube. I just found two guys to help me get it out of my cabinet and bring it over to the repair shop.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.22 ) at 4:35 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Cajun: I haven't used them much, nor know much about their reliability, but I really like the picture quality on Hitachi's Ultravision RP HDTV's. Very sharp.
BIG AL ( 148.77.32.21 ) at 4:22 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Cajun; My Sony would flash red or white then go black with a tiny white dot in the center, that slowly disappeared.
BIG AL ( 148.77.32.21 ) at 4:19 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Cajun; I forgot to chime in on that one. I'm with Duane. I had a Sony 27" that blew a power supply every 1.5 years after it hit 3 years old. After 2 power supplies I sold it. The new owner knew the problem and chanced it anyway. He put 2 more in. I've heard Hitachi is hell for repair out of warranty. The 3 repair guys I talked to won't touch them.
Cajun_Mike ( 204.252.238.2 ) at 4:18 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
XBR

Duane: The guy where I bought the set says he thinks it's the power supply. The place that does all their repair work says he's wrong and that it's the picture tube. Those guys are in New Orleans. Here locally they say it's the tube and the service center in Baton Rouge says it's likely the tube. The local guy doesn't know when he will be able to come get my TV because his back is hurting. This just sucks all the way around. I would love for it to be the power supply but when I describe exactly what it does they say it's the tube and they say the fact that my ES receiver went on the blink at the same time is coincidence. I'm beginning to have my doubts about these people.... However, we won't know what the deal is by talking about it over the phone. Someone has to open the thing up and I dont want some repair guy saying it's the tube and it's not just so he can get ahold of my TV, drop a 100 part in it and either keep it for himself or sell it to someone.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 3:55 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Gar: "kinda cool" in a spacy/kooky kinda a way. Its as if Bang & Olufson came out with their own line of computers, sold in Ikea stores...
Gar ( 207.1.1.18 ) at 3:47 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Scott "popcorn": Actually with all th software out there, this is the most stable version and fastest version of windows that I have ever used. I wouldn't mind trying a new Mac, I think there kinda cool.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 3:43 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

... so that's why direct rear speakers sound best?
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 3:29 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Scott "popcorn": Potenzas RE950s are made in Japan... far away from any Firestone plant...
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 3:28 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Scott "popcorn": BeOS? Is that the operating system on Gameboy Advances?
Scott "popcorn" ( 64.218.216.117 ) at 3:27 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: Ten years ago, I vowed I would never touch a Mac. But they now are the better choice.

My condolences on the Bridgestones... After the Firestone recall, I didn't think anyone would buy Bridgestone/Firestone again...
Scott "popcorn" ( 64.218.216.117 ) at 3:26 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Gar: Don't use it?
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 3:26 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Scott "popcorn": Yea, prolly because nobody cares to nosy into the few Mac people out there (just to find out what brand of granola they eat and Discovery channel shows they watch). 'Course, I don't use XP yet, so I reckon I am safe
Scott "popcorn" ( 64.218.216.117 ) at 3:26 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: I'm pretty sure you can find such a tool on Bebits.com for BeOS
Gar ( 207.1.1.18 ) at 3:24 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Scott "popcorn": There is a way to defeat that you know. XP privacy that is.....
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 3:23 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: The IRC Red Storms I currently ride are 110psi... thats a pretty low pressure for a road bike tire (and most racing tires go well above that). Looking at just the most popular tires: Continental Grand Prix 3000 130psi, Hutchinson Comps 125psi, Panaracer Stradius 150psi, Michelin Pro Race 110psi, Ritchey WCS Race 130psi, and Vittoria Open Corsa CX a listed 180 psi (must be like riding a steel hoop). I will probably back the Vredestein down a tad to something like 135psi, partly with hope it softens the ride a bit more and partly because I don't know if my floor pump can get to 140psi. But some believe the higher pressures avoid flats more.

BTW, my rims are Rolf Vectors... black, minimal spokes, pretty bulletproof (at least I haven't had to true them in a year so far).
Scott "popcorn" ( 64.218.216.117 ) at 3:21 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: Yeah, and XP PCs are for people who don't want ANY privacy...
Gar ( 207.1.1.18 ) at 3:12 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
OT - Rant

Well it looks like Gar might be looking for a new job if this keeps up. According to the AMA guidelines, which are changing 1st of July. I can't even take a doctor to dinner or golfing anymore. Geez talk about regulation! I feel like we are treated like the Tobacco industry, the main difference we help people. Peter Jennings is running a segment tonight on Pharmaceutical companies again, and they never or rarely give both sides of the story. Speaking to a guy who used to be on the other side of the fence working for the FDA and having a Public Health Degree. Maybe they should go after the food companies next since there the main problem with all the bad crap they put in there food I am in a place where I can't even see doctors(rarely) and now there taking away my last hope(Programs and golf outings.) Argh! So much for doing business.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.22 ) at 2:46 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: 140 PSI??????????? Damn... I ride at 110 on my Michelins... don't know what model/size. What rims are you on? I'm riding Mavic OpenPro rims.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 2:44 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: Road tires. I went back and forth between getting the 700-23 versus 700-25 tire size because I am pretty big, I have a bad baclk, and the roads out here are pretty rough. I ended up getting the slightly faster 700-23 size. The Vredesteins are pretty popular right now, described as being very "tubular" like in their ride... pretty soft, roll very fast. Sorta heavy, but so am I. Pump up to 140psi, so they roll fast. I opted for the Fortezzas versus the Tri-Fortezzas. They wil replace some IRC Red Storms that were slow (700-25) and had a few cuts that were getting large enough to cause leaks.
JJ ( 209.208.201.146 ) at 2:13 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: from the www.download.com that *my* browser brings me to
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-10103745.html?tag=lst-0-8
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-10103730.html?tag=lst-0-7
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-10111644.html?tag=lst-0-3
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-10104634.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-9083102.html?tag=lst-0-18
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-8982723.html?tag=lst-0-21
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-8932286.html?tag=lst-0-23
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-8712808.html?tag=lst-0-6
http://download.com.com/3000-2192-6963185.html?tag=lst-0-5
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 2:07 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: Are those MTB tires or roadie ones? (the Vredsteins)
AVB ( 64.41.32.100 ) at 2:03 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Email reply

Curtis: Do you have an answer for my last email?
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 2:03 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: No worries... I use google all the time... I just had to get new tires for my car and researched the heck until getting Bridgestones (Potenza RE950). Same thing with new tires for the bike (Vredsteins Fortezzas)...
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 1:53 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

RickMTB: Thanks dude... I shoulda tried google. I went to www.download.com and searched there, but didn't find anything good.
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 1:51 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis: I'll never doubt you again! I didn't even ask my sister, just sent her the url so she could see the pictures, and she writes back, "Did you know that Photoshop can automate that whole thumbnail process? ..." So, since both of you say it's so, I guess it's so.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 1:44 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: Just did a quick search using www.google.com on batch, thumbnails, convert and here are a few to look at: www.cerious.com has a sharewar program called ThumbPlus; www.ulead.com has a batch converter; www.insyse.com has one called imagENGine; and www.acdsystems.com has one called ACDsee. Heck, even pansy Mac users can try one from www.amug.com called QuickNailer.

Again, using www.google.com (the old www.dejanews.com) can get you all sorts of cool info. And not afiliated with any company or product contained in this message. Your mileage may vary. And I don't even play a photographer on TV...
Duane ( 192.128.167.68 ) at 1:36 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
XBR

Cajun: I sure as hell don't want to stear you wrong,but Sony's are notorious for having the very problem you're explaining.I would not believe the tube is bad.It's not that old.My feeling it's probably somewhere in the power suplly/transformer area.If you took surges,it could be as simple as a blown cap .Most likely,since this has happened before,it's the power supply.That can be the cause of your description.Getting someone honest enough to admit is another story.Power supplies would be most likely around $200-300 with bench labor running at $60/hr.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 1:33 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis: Oh, and one more conversation starter... "Macs are for pansies..."
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 1:33 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Curtis: I have PhotoShop... or, at least my room mate does, so I have access to it... it's not installed on my computer, though. Anyway, I didn't think it would do a batch opperation like that. Are you sure? I'm not talking about re-sizing photos one at a time... What I mean is, give it a list of say, 100 photo image files, and have it convert them all to 60 x 80 thumbnails or so. I can do the one-at-a-time thing with just about any photo editing software.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 1:23 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Kieran: Piece of cake. Adobe PhotoShop 7 for Mac OS X. Does exactly what you're asking in no time.

Oh wait a minute, I forgot you're a PC guy Same thing is possible w/ PS on Windoze platform. This is only the full-blown version, not the LE edition that comes free with a $69 scanner. You're welcome to use my system for this.
Curtis ( 12.234.135.107 ) at 1:16 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Adcom

Duane: seenhear@attbi.com
Kieran ( 192.25.142.23 ) at 1:12 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
digital photo tools

Hey all...

Does anyone know of a tool that will take a bunch of digital images and create thumbnail images from them? I just did a web page from my rafting trip this weekend (here if anyone is interested). There are 50 or so images, and it took me for EVER to convert them all to quick-loading thumbnails (which are hyperlinked to the full res images). I just think as common as it is to do photo pages like this, there's got to be a batch tool that will run and shrink a bunch of .jpg files for you. Anyone heard of such a thing? I just used MS Photoeditor, which while easy, was still tedious.
Duane ( 192.128.167.68 ) at 12:55 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Adcom

Curtis:What's your email address again?
Duane ( 192.128.167.68 ) at 12:51 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Gasser:Took delivery of an EAD Poweramster yesterday.Just 5x100w per channel,but very clean and robust sounding.With all channels now avail,I was able to run the AUTO calibration cycle.Pretty damn close.What that did was to reset what I had previously,And now the DD sountracks have the appropriate level.Have no clue what was changed.May have to read the manual a 4th time to find out.Bought Harry Potter for the granddaughters.Of course had to "screen" it to make sure it's ok for them,haha.Very good movie with a very active soundtrack.
The Powermaster 500 doesn't have the "slam" of the Krell.At this point,not sure if I'm willing to sell it.Will spend more time tweaking the bass.
Duane ( 192.128.167.68 ) at 12:41 PM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Gar: Mail your way.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 11:48 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

BIG AL: I hate when that happens. Worse, when my mother-in-law picked out a romance film with Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie to watch... talk about wishing you could hide while grandma started up the porno...
AVB ( 64.41.32.153 ) at 11:43 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
bass mgmt

BC: I can't speak for the Rotel but a number of processors only allow a pass-thru for SACD/DVDA. Since the input is 6 channel analog I would think that whatever is hooked up to the LFE input would go to the sub.
BIG AL ( 148.77.32.21 ) at 11:06 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Gar; yep! I thought it was funny too. The wife however....... Of course she doesn't have that fine sense of humor that I have.
BIG AL ( 148.77.32.21 ) at 11:02 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002

RickMTB; Cruz's breast would've made interesting conversation anyway. "Well you're the one that picked the porn dear!"
BC ( 166.50.65.3 ) at 10:57 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
bass mgmt

AVB: humm, so if the multi inputs can be set with, say, a 80hz crossover point, but there is no bass mgmt, then where do the freq. below the cutoff point go?
Gar ( 207.49.219.65 ) at 10:25 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
bass mgmt

BC: You would think Cross over settings would have sometype of bass management. Maybe you got some Tech who didn't know what he was talking about. That would be great if it had bass management.
AVB ( 64.41.33.143 ) at 10:17 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
bass mgmt

BC: A crossover is not usually considered bass management. Management would include the ability to send freqs to the fronts (large no sub) the LFE only, LFE and fronts etc etc. Most SACD players have a set 80 or 100HZ crossover built in but no other ability to manage bass. Perhaps Rotel means that it can take the 80 or 100hz output of the player without the ability to change it.
AVB ( 64.41.33.143 ) at 10:13 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
bass mgmt

BC:
BC ( 166.50.65.3 ) at 9:44 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
bass mgmt

Maybe you guys can help clear something up for me. I was inquiring with Rotel about bass mgmt. for DVD audio on their 1066 pre/pro and here is what they said:

"There is no bass management for the multi-channel input for DVD A or SACD. There are, however, independent crossover settings for the multi-channel inputs separate from the other processing formats within the processor."

Maybe I am confusing a simple crossover with bass mgmt but I didn't really think there was a difference. Rotel says there is no bass mgmt on the 1066 but that there are independent crossover settings. Wouldn't having crossover settings be a form of bass mgmt?
cai ( 205.254.147.8 ) at 9:27 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
High End Shop Article

Wild Bill, JohnO, Darian, and the rest of the NOVA crowd: Today's Washington Times has an article on section 2's front page, about DVD audio and high end video installations. It is featuring a company from Laurel, Md and Soundworks from Kensington, Md. I found it interesting and perhaps of more relevance to those of you that do installations.
AVB ( 64.41.32.172 ) at 5:46 AM EST Wednesday, May 29, 2002
RP on line

Cajun_Mike: I can't say I know that model exactly but I do like some of the hitachi's I've seen. I'm not really in the market with the FP installed so I don't keep up as much.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 11:14 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
RP on line

AVB: what do you think of the Hitachi HDTV Ultravision set? I was impressed with the 32 inch version I played with at Circuit Shitty... It was next to a Sony WEga 32 and it more than held its own.. The 36UDX105
AVB ( 64.41.32.39 ) at 11:08 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
RP on line

Cajun_Mike: I bought an RP online years ago in '92 and didn't have any problem. The $375 shipping few was tough to take though. It still cane out much cheaper then I could get locally and there was a factory warrenty in case anything happened. I didn't have any problems.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 10:54 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Gar: Well, as far as the picture tube goes? I'm going to see what a ton of phone calls is going to do for me. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and I'm going to be doing some sqeauking tomorrow. I'm calling Sony, I'm going to find out who the local territory rep is. I'm going to call his regional manager and I'm going to tell them about how my whole house is filled with Sony and how disappointed I am in this problem. The I will proceed to go down the line and name every Sony product that is here and in my office... If it's the picture tube I'm going to push for a sweetheart deal on the part or an allowance towards the purchase of a new one. The tube has a two year warranty and it started doing this at the beginning of the third year. I might just be wasting my time but I'm going to give it my best.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:52 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Got to fly, chat with you later!
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:52 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Cajun_Mike: I hear you , when my Sony LCD fries out I will buy a DLP unit. By then they will have cheaper 2 or 3 chip units. And hopefully Plasmas will be less.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:51 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Cajun_Mike: It is most likely just a digital feed. A true HD feed you will be blown away buy the clarity of the picture. As Curtis would say there is no comparisons. Once you watch true HDTV it is very hard to go back.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 10:50 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Gar: I'm not interested in an RPTV.. when I yank that big furniture cabinet out in a few years it's going to be for a DLP front projector and screen. I'm just sitting back and watching the prices fall.... which isnt fast enough. ;(
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 10:48 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Gar: You know what I'm just realizing.. All the Sets that were hdtv ready were playing hdtv recorded programming. CBS stuff, the super bowl, some tournament with Tiger Woods giving his uppercut fist. Now, what is the quality of that recording that best buy was using and what was playing it? do they have a dvd demo disc or something? How much of the original quality of a HDTV broadcast can you retain with a recording and what do you use to record it? Hard disc technology? If there is a Toshiba non HDTV flat screen set sitting next to a Toshiba HDTV set and they are both being fed with a DVD movie or dish network signal how big of a difference is there then?
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:47 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Cajun_Mike: See if any of the repair shops will give you money for parts. Also stop back in there store in a few weeks and see if the bastards try to resell your set. I have seen this happen before. Your one of the few people I ever heard of this happening to a XBR this early, usually they last 10 years or more before they fry.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:45 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Cajun_Mike: Choke the chicken and buy a RP.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:44 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

You might get a great deal online, but there going to nail your ass to the wall with shipping.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 10:43 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Gar: I talked to three sony authorized repair dealers here in Louisiana. All of them pointed to it being the picture tube. The price of the picture tube for that set is 900 bucks plus labor. The local shop is going to come pick it up but they didnt tell me when. I'm aggravated as hell. I cant stand having to watch the 27 inch Hitachi in my bedroom. I have new DVD's I cant watch, DAMN! Got Harry Potter today...can't do anything with it.. I am not going to buy a TV until I know for sure it's the picture tube.. I'm just getting my ducks in-a-row if it is.
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 10:41 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Has anyone purchased a TV online? I read a lot of posts on the hometheater forum about people choosing not too due to being scared about breakage during shipment. The great thing is that if Sears carries what you are looking for you can bring them a printout from the cheapest online retailer and they will match the price. Unfortunately I don't think sears carries too much of the Toshiba line... or at least not on their website.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:41 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Cajun, check and see if Toshiba improved there channel changing. Meaning the Toshiba 36" I have puts up a great pic and is HDTV ready but it is one of the slowest sets I have ever had changing channels.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:39 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Cajun_Mike: What the hell? Your XBR is fried or did you try to get it really repaired. Sounds like your jumping the gun, I would see if it is possible to repair that puppy isn't that old. You been watching the porn channel 24-7, no wonder why you fried your tube!!
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 10:37 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Cytotech: I was only there to see the gear. No intentions of buying anything there. I then went directly across the street to Best Buy, looked at the Toshiba and then walked out with the new Rush CD... good stuff by the way.
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:35 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Happy B-Day!!!

Cytotech:
Gar ( 207.1.1.187 ) at 10:35 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Bad Gar!

RickMTB:Bad Gar? hahahaha I like it when my wife puts up the toilet seats when she finished. Wait, I think I am fricking dreaming.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 10:05 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Cytotech: Veggie tales... my kids love 'em.
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 10:04 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Bad Gar!

Winston aka The Spleen: "Bad Gar. Bad, baaaad Gar." Anyone up for a discussion on religion? How about politics? Political religions? Religious politicians? Howsabout toilet seats, up or down?
Cytotech ( 67.24.162.102 ) at 10:02 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Cajun_Mike: "Circuit City," Ewwwww!!!! What are you thinking!
Cytotech ( 67.24.162.102 ) at 10:01 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Thanks for all the birthday wishes guys. Picked up a few goodies tonight...
Harry Potter(Just gotta check this one out, see what all the hubbub is about)
The Others(sounds creepy, right up my alley)
and 2 Veggie Tales DVD's(for the sick li'l one, of course!).
Anyway, here's hoping the digital camera I want drops in price soon.
Wild Bill ( 12.78.120.164 ) at 9:53 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Wild bill

Joe: Back at ya.
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.66.144 ) at 9:49 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Bad Gar!

Gar: "Tubes lack the dynamics of modern solid state gear."

Please add to this list: All cables sound the same. And all amps that measure the same sound the same.

Also, George Lucas was right, Jar-Jar Binks really isn't an annoying little SOB.
Winston aka The Spleen ( 12.83.66.144 ) at 9:41 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
E-mail

Tony C: ROTFLMAO!!!
Cajun_Mike ( 65.81.242.237 ) at 9:41 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
TV Shopping...

Well, I went to Circuit city and Best Buy.. Looked at the Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Hitachi and Panasonic Tau..... It looks like I am going to be spending more for a 36 inch than I wanted because I have to have the HDTV capable set. Big difference in my eyes.. Anyways.. The best one I saw was the Toshiba 36HF71.. Best Buy wanted 1800 bucks... panwebi electronics online wants 1,299 plus shipping... The best price on the Sony 36 Wega non hidef was 1,099.00. I think I can spend a few hundred dollars more and get a Hidef capable set.. As soon as I get the word that it is indeed my picture tube I'll be pulling the trigger... After seeing those hidef sets I'm almost wanting the picture tube to be fried.... that's a whacked out thought!
AVB ( 64.41.33.58 ) at 9:15 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

RickMTB: Everybody knows that the 1-5% distortion and constant degradation of tubes is better. Where have you been? hahahaha
AVB ( 64.41.33.58 ) at 9:13 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Key Digital Leeza

I just closed the deal on the Leeza. Not the best I've ever had but not bad. $6200 video processor and an SDI modified DVD player ($800) for $2500 delivered. Current model 2 months old with warrenty. I need to pat myself on the back.
AVB ( 64.41.33.58 ) at 9:06 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Had to share this

Tony C: Perceived hell.....I give classes
RickMTB ( 66.25.38.103 ) at 8:58 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Gar: "Tubes lack the dynamics of modern solid state gear."

Gee, we haven't had a good discussion like this since the myth of THX was finally debunked, once and for all...
Gar ( 204.71.148.97 ) at 8:26 PM EST Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Winston aka The Spleen: What's a tube? hehehehehe.
Joe ( 205.