Archive from 07-02-2000
Wild Bill ( 63.21.91.96 ) at 2:31 PM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
ID4
BAGMAN: My putting has deserted me. I played last week and had 15 feet for birdie on #1, 12 feet for eagle on #2 and 8 feet for birdie on #3. I parred all three holes. I never hit so many good shots for so little result in my life.
Curtis ( 63.203.71.52 ) at 12:15 PM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
The Patriot
Cajun Mike: If you want adventure see The Perfect Storm but be sure to take dramamine 1st. Our local reviewer says "...this thing is so realistic, visceral and punishing that you'll be clutching your armrests as you consider new uses for your popcorn container!"
If you want to see kids stuff, stay home and watch Rocky & Bullwinkle reruns 
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.27 ) at 11:56 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Outlaw!
Gar: What are you thinking....Kenwood.....buy the Outlaw! $599.00 plus shipping.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.27 ) at 11:48 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
The Patriot
Tony C: Im trying to figure out what I want to see this weekend. Ebert loves the new George Clooney Sea Movie. He also gave a very favorable review to Rocky and Bullwinkle. Here's the page with all of his reviews. I generally trust Ebert although I do miss Siskel. http://www.suntimes.com/index/ebert1.html
Curtis ( 63.203.71.52 ) at 11:45 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Joe aka Iguana Master: Hey Joe, where you goin' with that camera in your hand? DV stills can come out quite nicely. It depends upon your purpose. If you want to email stuff or put something up on a PC screen, they all work well. If you want to print high quality stuff then look for models with enhanced still modes (I know the Canon's have this). Most will also allow you to shoot a still along with about 6 seconds of audio, though I rarely use this feature because it's far easier to pick up the perfect frame when it's capturing 30 frames per second.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.27 ) at 11:43 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
DISH 6000 HDTV
Darian: Im ready to upgrade my dish network. I have the 4000 that does not have an optical output. I do not believe my Sony 35XBR48 is HDTV ready...correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways. What channels on dish are being broadcast in 5.1?
Curtis ( 63.203.71.52 ) at 11:41 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Deville DTS model
Watching Wimbledon I saw an add for the above. No, there's not any surround sound but it does have nightvision.
Rich ( 205.188.197.47 ) at 11:31 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Wild Bill, I'm doing fine, Thanx for the well wishess!! 
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:29 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Congratulations!
JBC: Don't know why the question mark got in there.
Congratulations.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:26 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
The Patriot
Saw it last night.
Take Braveheart, Last of The Mohicans, and Rob Roy. Set them in the American Revolution, and you have The Patriot. So, yes, it's a pretty good movie. It's long and and takes you on an emotion rolercoster. worth seeing.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 10:15 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
I promised...
Shit Shit shit! I just got the DiSH 6000 HD reciever up and operational. Had to point a dish at 61.5 to get HD. Last night I saw Truman and Stargate SG-1 in HI DEF 5.1 Glory. I wanted to give you guys some inital thoughts. I promised to go to DC today. So I have to get goiong. If anyone has any specific questions about the unit please ask them and name the thread DISH 6000 HDTV. I will write it up asap.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 9:56 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Congratulations!
JBC: Best of luck on your wedding day?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 9:55 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Mini DV camcorder
Joe & RickMTB:
I have the Sony Mini DCR-PC1. I just started using it and I'm getting lots of guys walk up to me and ask about it.
Yes, Joe, you can take still pictures and transfer them to your hard drive or other disc using a i-link interface. (which I don't own). The camera itself is really pretty cool. I wasn't into the mini tape at first, but I'm really likeing the camera. The lithium Ion battery is also small and therefore only allows for about 45 min. of shooting. I need another.
JJ ( 12.79.74.197 ) at 9:47 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Happy Birthday BC!
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 205.188.192.167 ) at 8:18 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Good morning all,
I am waiting for the builder. I started this morning with a smile Probabaley won't get anything to smile about after the tile trip.
Curtis, can I was a DV mini cam to take still pictures? I am really really going to buy this weekend. Top budget $1000
BAGMAN ( 208.131.247.98 ) at 7:59 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
ID4
Wild Bill: I'm in total agreement with you on this one. Give me a healthy dose of mindless entertainment anytime,excluding anything with Jim Cary (sp?). His brand of humor and entertainment leaves me cold. How's the golf game?
Wild Bill ( 63.20.240.133 ) at 5:39 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Rich: Hey Rich, it's good to see you posting again. I hope all is well with you and your health has improved. Don't be such a stranger!
Rich ( 205.188.197.168 ) at 3:49 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Xtra Big Al, i picked up a Compaq Notebook from the Shack, model# 1200XL111, AMD-K62 @500mhz, 64ram, 6gigHD, 6xdvdrom, 56K modem, 13.3 TFT Active Matrix screen. it's Koool
Rich ( 205.188.197.168 ) at 3:42 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
KDP, we need to get together, at my place, bring all your gadgets
Rich5600@aol.com
Rich ( 205.188.197.168 ) at 3:38 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Kenwood is Koool
Gar, LOL!! allright so it's not exactly Proceed but i think a Kenwood reciever can easily handle any game room including mine
Curtis ( 63.203.69.6 ) at 3:00 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
ST Voyager Enemy!
Kieran: My kids were asking me why I was laughing beer from my nose tonight while watching Star Trek Voyager. It was when the captain announced the enemy species known as "The Kieran"
Curtis ( 63.203.69.6 ) at 2:58 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Wrong type of digital camera
RickMTB: Tread lightly when you break the news to her that she got the wrong thing. In my experience women get very upset when they select the wrong technology, especially for an extra special gift. YMMV.
RickMTB ( 24.4.254.96 ) at 12:14 AM EST Saturday, July 1, 2000
Wrong type of digital camera
I feel sorta guilty. My wife knew I was interested in a
digital camcorder (specifically a mini DV) and bless her she
went to Costco to get one for me for my birthday. She bought a
really nice Sony digital camera, the Yashica one (FD91) that
you can put a computer floppy in and make MPEG movies. She
mistook that feature for being a camcorder. I hated to tell her
that it wasn't a camcorder. It is a super nice digital camera,
and I know she spent way more on it than she ever spent on a gift
for me. I almost was going to keep quiet and simply accept it
(it really is a nice digital camera), but I would really need
as nice of a digital camera, and I know she would wonder why it
wasn't making movies that play in the VCR...
Gar ( 169.207.194.81 ) at 11:56 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Hey is Kenwood any good anymore? I was thinking of buying a Kenwood Receiver with DD/DTS, for a game room Receiver.
JJ ( 12.79.74.6 ) at 8:55 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Rechargable Batteries
Cytotech: Yeah, its the vibrate that he likes. and bouncing, of course. and sometimes, that's not enough. You need to be watching and talking to him too. He'll tolerate the swing sometimes, but it not in the same league as the bouncy...
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 205.188.192.159 ) at 8:51 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Digitial Camera
Well in the morning the builder is suppose to be here between 9 & 10. He should have final prints.
The main tub has been ordered along with 2 tolites and the tub/shower for the extra bath. The master shower willbe tiled tomatch the decking around the tub, wiht a half glass wall and glass door combo. We stillhave to pick out vanitys.
The Kithchen designer has been working for a week and I will see him after the 4th. It will take three weeks after I decide to reciev the kithcen stuff. There is a manufacturer in my community, which I am using.
we have decide that before we can break ground we must have some before nad during pictures. Best Buy has no intres for 18 months. Looks like after talking about it for a year the Camera will get bought on Saturday.
We still have to decide on Siding and Shingles.
The games have begun
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 8:40 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Rechargable Batteries
JJ: Wowza! Must be a lotta bouncin' going on! I understand, though. For our daughter, that bouncy seat was 10 times the entertainer that the swing was. What a joke. My daughter hated the swing after 3 or 4 minutes.
Also, I'm working Monday. Gotta save the time off for the new baby in October.
JJ ( 12.79.76.167 ) at 7:41 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Rechargable Batteries
Now I know why everybody doesn't use them. They Suck. Have to change the battery in my son's bouncer seat almost every day. Brand alkalines went nearly week.
JJ ( 12.79.76.167 ) at 7:39 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
I'm working monday...
Curtis ( 63.203.69.6 ) at 7:11 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Rats!
Wild Bill: Show me a home where the Wild H2O buffalo roam and I'll show you one messy house.
The problem with HD it that it's highly addictive - you always want more. DirecTV's HD channel (199) today is running freebie concerts by Stone Temple Pilots and Peter Frampton live in Detroit (don't laugh, it's an amazing AV production). Galaxy Quest follows at 9pm PST.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:30 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
room Keypads
Joe aka Iguana Master: No problem, just get an IR sensor. Install it anywhere you want and use the remote.
I'll be off till Wednesday. Kinda work for two days and then off to Toronto for five days.
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.22 ) at 5:53 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Air Force One
NeoSonic: There's also the scene where the president's daughter yells, "Dad!" that's supposed to cause some distortion. Haven't checked out either scene on my system yet though.
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 205.188.192.181 ) at 5:15 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
room Keypads
Anyone have input on keypads for each room. I would like the one in the bathroom to have remote capabiity. I don't want to get out of the tub to turn up the volume.
Joe aka Iguana Master ( 205.188.192.181 ) at 5:10 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Afternoon all :,
I have the next 9 days off
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 3:39 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
trav1: I was looking at the MSRP last night for just the towers and controler but I can't remember exactly what it was. The second sign of old age. About $6000 sticks in my mind. While that's steep, remember that both towers have built in 300 watt subwoofers. The controller is remote controlled and allows you to increase the sub volume and to switch the rear ambient drivers off and on. Theoretically off for music and on for movies. The complete system is really amazing. Since the towers, center and surrounds all use the same drivers, the system sounds seamless as the sound moves around the room. There's so much presence and ambience in the room that I've listened to them in that's it's hard to describe. Amazing clariy and detail.
Wild Bill ( 63.20.240.128 ) at 3:36 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
ID4
BAGMAN: You knkow, everyone dumps on this movie. I picked it up this week and my son and I watched about the 1st half last night. I forgot what a FUN movie this is. Who cares that the acting isn't quite up to snuff and that there are serious holes that can be poked in the story? An excellent transfer, tons of action, very agressive use of the surrounds and LFE out the ying-yang. JMHO, but I'll take it over a boring ass movie like The Color Purple or Out Of Africa any day. Give me mindless fun. Yee-haw!!
Wild Bill ( 63.20.240.128 ) at 3:32 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Rats!
Curtis: True, there is quite a bit of programming out there but it needs to increase dramatically. Just how many times can you watch water buffalo rutting on the Discovery Channel? LOL!!
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 3:28 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Gasgeek: What is the retail price on just the vt-3 towers....No one around seems to know a price for them, only the system price....
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 1:54 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
RGB,Gasgeek: Nah, I won't be kissing the Blarney Stone this time around... I've been to Ireland enough times that all the classic tourist stuff is old hat. We go to more out-of the way places usually, and experience the culture more. 5 of my Dad's siblings still live in Ireland. What we're doing is renting 8 "country cottages" (Ireland's version of a vacation condo/home) for the week on the coast in Southern County Cork. Each family will have one, and they're all adjacent. So we stay there, and go on day trips and stuff to various places throughout the week. And of course get raging drunk each night. We ARE Irish, afterall!
I haven't heard from HDLouie in ages, either. I wonder if he even knows about this site?
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 1:39 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Gasgeek: I sent an e-mail off to HDLouie after seeing his bio was still up. Let's see if he shows up here, and if his e-mail address is still good.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:19 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Kieran: What a great trip. Ya know the definition of a "Redneck" is someone who attends family reunions to pick up women.
RGB: I haven't seen or heard anything of or from HD Louie since shortly after your HT meet. He posted occassionally, but I don't recall any contact from him on here since our two or three "Exoduses" across the the vast desert of the internet to find our new home.
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 1:08 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Kieran: Oh yeah... And kiss that Blarney Stone for me!
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 1:08 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Kieran: Sounds like a great trip. Hope you have a happy and safe journey!
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 1:07 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
HD Louie! Are you around?
Gasgeek: Has anyone heard from HD Louie? He showed at the HT meet I had a while back, and I'm sure he'd attend yours as well. But I havn't seen any posts from him here.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 1:03 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Gasgeek: Sounds like a plan. The week in Ireland is a family reunion. My Dad is the oldest of 8, and all but one of his siblings is married with children. Our family is the smallest with 2 kids, the largest has 7. Last time we all got together (in '95) there were 47 of us, and the furthest relative from me was a first cousin! The second week in France will be just my immediate family. I've never been there, my sister was there in '95, and my parents haven't been there since they were my age (late 20's.)
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 1:00 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Kieran: Hey dude! What it is? Sounds like a good trip. Sorry you have to work on Monday. RGB is cool for the end of August at my place. We'll go to the stereo store, drool and then go to my place and sample.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 12:54 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
GHOST TOWN
I'm here too... Only until noon, though. Then I'm gone for the weekend. Unfortunately I have to work on Monday, though!
Oh well. As of 7/7/00 I'm gone for two weeks to Ireland and France. Anybody else have to work this Monday?
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 12:44 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Chris L: Talk about a ghost town. Everyone but us must be taking an extra long weekend. Actually I got on vacation for a week at the end of the day. Don't know what to tell you about the Primestar stuff. What's the going price of scrap metal these days? 
Chris L. ( 205.188.200.136 ) at 12:07 PM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Anyone know what I can do with a couple of old Primestar receivers? Seems I remember a thread about this not too long ago.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 11:03 AM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Good Mornin' Everyone. It's a slow day in the hood.
If anyone is interested in a great Music DVD then you should pick up Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature." While I have never been a huge fan of their music, this DVD is extremely well done. It's the PBS show with a great audio mix (recorded with DVD in mind). They have always been known for their production values and quality and this is no exception. After all, Ken Kreisel of M&K made the first set of S-1's for Becker and Fagen to do some mix down. It's got DD5.1, dts and stereo tracks. I took it to my dealers and we watched it on his big theater system with the new NHT VT-3 speakers system and EAD Signature, EAD Powermaster and an Elite DV-09 and a Runco FP.
All I can say is stunning. There are the usual surround mix anomolies like horns and vocals in the surrounds, but everything is crystal clear. The drums and horn sounds are first rate. The store guys are going out today to get a copy for demo purposes.
BAGMAN ( 208.131.247.102 ) at 7:52 AM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
Air Force One
trav1: No distortion here either.
Morning everyone, Got Sleepy Hollow and ID4 in the mail the other day. Watched The Green Mile last weekend,what a good movie!
KPD ( 207.180.0.8 ) at 7:46 AM EST Friday, June 30, 2000
A blast from the past
AVB:
Curtis ( 63.203.69.169 ) at 11:17 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
RGB: There's plenty of real HD programming out there right now. HBO HD brings in several movies daily, Showtime HD less often. PBS has shown some amazing work, notably the Sahara broadcast. The Discovery HD channel is expected to be live soon and has jaw dropping stuff, if your into nature/ animals/ natural wonders.
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 10:45 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Geez, was that english I was writing.....Bad, bad, bad....
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 10:43 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Air Force One
Wild Bill: Thanks for replying. Not one else seemed to mention anything about it at all. I notice it several times in that movie in particular, and also in several others now that I am looking for it....
NeoSonic ( 4.3.227.78 ) at 10:24 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Air Force One
Wild Bill: That's the scene I heard that people thought was a problem for their systems. Personally, I think Gary Oldman managed to overdo it(love 'em anyway) and the distortion is on the originals.
Not to mention it REALLY gets across his...um...unhappiness. 
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.1 ) at 10:11 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Air Force One
trav1: Sorry it took me so long to check out the passage you asked about (and what's everyone else's excuse?). I found no unusual distortion in that passage. Others made comments about distortion in this movie when it came out. I believe the passage that was referred to was when Gary Oldman's character came into the hold where the prisoners were being held and screamed at them.
AVB ( 64.41.32.58 ) at 9:32 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
A blast from the past
3/13/99 Me: Still smarting from losing the third biggest divx retailer? All of 23 stores tells you how well this fiasco is doing if that is your third largest partner. Put it to sleep now and take the loss.
CC:...Divx does not necessarily fit the buying and viewing habits of every
consumer. For those who prefer to own movies and see all the detailed
information about the movies or even for those who choose these
features for some movies, we highly recommend purchasing the basic DVD
version of the movie. For those movies you do not wish to spend
$15-$30 on because you are not sure you will like them, for those
consumers who do not have DVD rentals available locally or cannot
estimate when they will be able to watch movies, Divx is available.
We firmly believe Divx can co-exist with basic DVD. In general,
anything that helps the proliferation of knowledge about and sales of
digital technology is a good thing. We, as a business, want to see
DVD succeed.....
I think it did very well without the divx leach.
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.111 ) at 8:17 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
OT Post :Cordless Phones
I just bought a Sony 900Mhz digital cordless phone from 800.com (model #SPP-ID910) for about $65. It has all the features I wanted (caller ID, call waiting) but has one VERY annoying problem. When I talk to someone I'm hearing myself through the earpiece almost at the same volume I'm hearing the person I'm talking to. Also, my voice seems to be causing the earpiece to distort. If I lower the volume to a comfortable level I can't hear the person I'm talking to.
This phone was rated pretty highly by other consumers.
The kicker is...my roomate has a 900Mhz digital phone made by Vtech and I can just barely hear myself through it while I can clearly hear the person I'm talking to. THIS phone was not rated as highly by other users.
I see nothing in the manual that gives me the option of turning down the mouthpiece volume.
Anyone have any recommendations for a cordless in that price range or slightly higher that doesn't have this "feature"?
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 7:20 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
RGB: Kewl!! I'm outta here! Later!
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 6:58 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
HT Meet
Gasgeek: Sounds like a plan! Late August it is... And don't forget to bring your lotion with you this weekend.
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 5:59 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Hey, it's the SoCal HT boys. I haven't planned anything for the HT get together because Kieran had mentioned that he wouldn't be available until August the last time we discussed it. We have been pretty busy so far this summer anyway. My sister-in-law and her three kids are on the way today for a fun filled week at the beach with Uncle Rick. Disneyland and Sea World are in the mix too.
I will be gone the second two weeks of August, but we can tentatively plan around the last weekend of August if you want to pencil it in. I should have a new sub by then and probably new surrounds too. The scenery should be real nice around then too.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 5:52 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Chirp, chirp, chirp...
CHIRP!
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 4:06 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
Curtis: Now if we only had REAL material to watch and not demos.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.168 ) at 3:32 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
Kieran: Hockey and baseball are amazing in HD. Probably something to do with seeing a very fast moving object in a wider field of view. You can count the # of missing teeth on the hockey demo on DirecTV's channel 199 demo. The rotation of a 90+ mph fastball is clearly visable on another demo a friend showed me once. Then again you can also make out all detail of spitting chewing tobacco.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.168 ) at 3:18 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
RGB: I'm not certain what network has the next Superbowl. There will be lots of pressure from advertisers and their agencies to show it in HD because they want their moneys worth and know that every HDTV in the country (esp. sports bars) will be tuned into it.
If you want to let abc/Disney know how you feel about this boneheaded decision, a thread on their site has been started here http://boards.go.com/cgi/abc/request.dll?MESSAGE&room=a_ABC_GENERAL_CO&id=8201
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 2:51 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
Curtis: That really sucks! 
Perhaps when it comes time, they may find an alterante method. Does this mean that the Superbowl won't be broadcast in HD either?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 2:48 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
Curtis: Well, I'm not much of a fooz-ball fan, but that SUCKS. Even I can see that NFL broadcasts are one of the PRIME things to showcase HDTV, what with all the detail that can be shown: markings on the field, names on jerseys, "was his foot inside the line?" etc. To me NBA wouldn't benefit as much as NFL from HDTV, but MLB and NHL might.
Like I said, I'm not much of a "watching sports on TV" type of guy, but I know that it is a huge market, and if HDTV folks really want this format to get off the ground, they need to exploit pro sports for HDTV.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.168 ) at 2:42 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Rats!
It's official. No high definition Monday night football this season
"Football fans won't be able to enjoy new Monday Night Football commentator Dennis Miller in
720-line progressive resolution and Dolby Digital sound, since ABC won't be broadcasting MNF
in HDTV this fall. According to Preston Davis, ABC President of Broadcast Operations and
Engineering, ABC decided late Tuesday to call off talks with The Ackerley Group about renting
its 720P truck, which ABC used last year when it was owned by hi-def sponsor Panasonic.
Since there aren't any other 720p trucks in existence, says Davis, "at this point, it does not
look like we will be doing MNF in HDTV." He adds that ABC will increase the number of movies
it broadcasts in HDTV. The network is also considering some HDTV primetime series for the
fall, which may be subsidized by consumer electronics manufacturers. "
Curtis ( 63.203.70.168 ) at 2:27 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Computer DVD Drives
Tony C: A friend has a recordable DVD drive on the lastest/ fastest Mac desktop. The downside is that the media is very expensive & I believe he said recording time is very limited - something like 30 minutes per disc.
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.220.24 ) at 2:08 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Geo.: I'm using the Radio Shack 12 gauge monster cable with 24k gold banana plugs. Everything's fine.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 1:33 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Cajun Mike: I got an MCM Electronics sale catalog yesterday and they have their 12ga. Speaker King OFC wire on sale for $.40/ft. for 100 ft. and $.36 for 250 ft.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 1:12 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Pentium 4
Holy mega-flops, BATMAN!
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2567716880-8e0
And, bye, bye, Deep Blue:
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2567718649-e1d
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 1:07 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
RGB: No Gasgeek hasn't said anything further about an HT gathering...
I'm not available until the 29th of July though.
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.200.216 ) at 1:04 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
NJMike: I love them. Im just waiting anxiously for PSB to begin shipping the 10s bipole surrounds. They say mid to late July. After I get those I'm going to bring in a HSU TN1220HO sub. The PSB Image 5T's are great in two channel stereo. I have them toed in a little bit..about 5-10 degrees towards my listening area. I swear they image very well. I cannot pinpoint voices at all. The 9C center has not flinched at anything I've thrown at it...of course Im not in full hometheater yet. Im just trying to figure out whether or not I should order the surrounds in white or black. They will mount on my rear wall that is yellow. All my crown molding and baseboards are white. I'm leaning to white but I'm not certain.
NJMike ( 204.183.91.5 ) at 12:46 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Cajun - How do you like those PSBs?
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.200.216 ) at 12:44 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
JJ: Maybe that Episode 1 special addition is JarJar free.
NJMike ( 204.183.91.5 ) at 12:33 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Wild Bill & Kieran - I'm actually thinking about laminating the 1/4" aluminum shelves to 1/2" mdf, kinda like an mdf-alum-mdf sandwich. The rack doesn't seem resonant, but it only holds 2 componenets and cds right now. The future may see me using both racks for all equipment, and the inert and non-resonant nature of mdf is desirable.
NJMike ( 204.183.91.5 ) at 12:23 PM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Wild Bill & Keiran - I built a version of the flexy last year, before I noticed the popularity of these racks on HTF. My 5/8" nickle-finish threaded rod is 40", my shelves, however, are 1/4" milled aluminum, 20"x18" each. I had a steel fabricator make 10 shelves for me, $40 each (didn't cost me dime, though). I got most of my supplies from an industrial supply company, kinda like Grainger. I use a fiber-rubber-like washer because I too could not find any neoprene washers. I use one rack for my whole house audio gear right now, but haven't put the other one together yet. Wild Bill - I just finished building a sonosub and it friggin rocks. Its not 100% finished (exterior), and I'm already planning the next versions. I'll eventually run two sonosubs to really pressurize the room, but just the one makes me jump off my couch now and at only 100w to each VC. Cost about $250. (I already had an amp)
Wild Bill ( 63.23.3.205 ) at 11:32 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Computer DVD Drives
cai: While they are not region restricted, many computer DVD drives are set so that the ergion can only be changed 5 times. After the 5th change you are stuck with your 5th choice. I personally don't see the benefit of playing another regions DVDs so it is not an issue for me.
Wild Bill ( 63.23.3.205 ) at 11:30 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Racks
Scott "popcorn": Good idea but if the allthread if spray painted it really is attractive. To me, neoprene and wood don't make the best combination in a rack.
JJ ( 12.79.74.18 ) at 10:22 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Kieran: "It's hard for me to remember if I'm still shooting Episode I, the special edition, the DVD or Episode II," writes Lucas, a man who's obviously got a lot on his mind.
'Shooting' for the Special Edition, or DVD? what's that about?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:15 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Computer DVD Drives
Are recordable drives available for DVD?
What are the limitations?
Geo. ( 216.172.206.28 ) at 9:32 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Computer DVD Drives
cai: I've read that too, though I can't tell you where.
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 9:27 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Computer DVD Drives
Are computer DVD drives able to play DVDs from all regions or are our USA sold drives only able to play region 1 DVDs? I think I read somewhere that computer DVD drives are not region restricted.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.224 ) at 1:17 AM EST Thursday, June 29, 2000
Racks
How about using neoprene "tubes" to cover the hardware? I dunno, just a thought.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 9:42 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Kieran: Got it, thanks.
Done taping. It'll go out tomorrow.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 8:27 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Tony,
Here's the site I found those .wav files at, if you want to try to get them...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Hills/6698/topgun.html
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 8:23 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Live and Die
Tony C: Thanks DUDE! Wang Chung... wow what a flash back...
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 8:23 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Click my name again
Tony C: Hmmm... I don't know what the problem is... Anyway, those two links are .wav files of the quote:
"Good morning gentlemen, the temerature is 110 degrees"
"Holy shit! It's Viper!"
"Great, he's probably saying, 'Holy Shit it's Maverick and Goose'"
"Yeah, I'm sure he's saying that..."
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:04 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Click my name again
Kieran: I clicked and I clicked. The Yahoo page says it's unavailable.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 7:59 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Phanthom Menace LD
Kieran: I started recording Live And Die. I forgot about that great Wang Chung soundtrack!!
"Goose, find Viper, he's out there somewhere"
"Don't leave Hollywood Mav, we got his wing"
"Hollywood's ok, I want Viper"
"Stay with Hollywood Mav, we're his cover"
"Don't you leave me Maverick"
"Hollywood, you're looking good. I'm going after Viper"
"God Damn you Maverick"
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 7:59 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Click my name again
And the other half of that quote...
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 7:52 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Click my name
Tony C, here's a lil' som'n for ya...
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 7:07 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Phanthom Menace LD
Tony C: Yes, okay, I agree then. I thought you were talking about the AC-3 version of Top Gun, which really, REALLY stinks. In Pro-Logic, yes, it's still decent.
To this day, when my rowing partner and I come to the starting line for a race, just before the starter says "you are aligned," I say to him,
"You up for this one, Maverick?" to which he replies, over his shoulder,
"Just a walk in the park, Kyzanski."
Then the starter calls, "Are you ready? ROW!" and we procede to kick some butt.
I'm a BIG Top Gun freak...
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 6:59 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Wild Bill: Instead of the expensive neoprene washers what I did was use those garden hose rain-bird washers you stuff in the hose at the nozzles. Seem to work great and heck, I bought three packs of them for $1.00......
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:49 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Phanthom Menace LD
Kieran: For many Pro-Logic years, my favorite showoff discs were the THX Wow disc and side to of the Top Gun LD.
"Welcome Gentlemen, the temperature is 110 degrees"
"Holy Shit, It's Viper"
"Yeah, He's probably saying, 'Holy shit, it's Maveric and Goose'.
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 6:44 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Kieran: Have you heard from Gasgeek on if and when he's still having his HT meet?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 6:40 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Phanthom Menace LD
Tony C: What part of Top Gun do you like? I got the DVD, and from what I understand, it's basically a direct transfer of the LD. I think the 5.1 mix on Top Gun is the biggest flop in the world. Talk about a movie that could have been THE reference sound track to show off AC-3... and it SUCKS! (IMHO of course.) That's the ONLY movie in my collection where I actually prefer the DPL track to the 5.1 track. I was SOOOO disappointed when I got that DVD. >:(
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:00 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Phanthom Menace LD
Since Lucas was mentioned below, I thought I would give you guys my quick reveiw of the LD. First, it was a thrill just to see the Lex light up the THX 5.1 EX. I forgot that the movie itself bored me the first time I saw it. Yes, it pretty much bored me the second time. But I got it for the EX. And it was worth it. The suround effects were very cool and the rear signal certainly added to the overal ambiance. Great LFE.
Tonight, I'm going to tweak the system a little by punching up the rears a little more. Pod race? Yeah, it will be the new showoff piece. It's great that Side Two starts with the Pod Race. Just like putting in Side 2 of Top Gun!
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 5:42 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Curtis: Wow, sounds like fun - NOT. Hope your place in a few months will be somewhat more permament for you. And I thought it was hard getting a 55" upstairs!
Curtis ( 63.203.69.4 ) at 5:38 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RGB: Oh yeah, well settled in for >3 months now. I can't complain but I'm sure I will be in a few weeks when I need to move again! The good news is that the new house is only 2 blocks away - then again, moving is moving. Getting the TW65 down the stairs should be interesting. "Look out below!"
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.195 ) at 5:32 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Wild Bill: Agreed on the power tools. I went to Home Depot a couple weeks ago to get a new cordless drill. I had a cheap WalMart model and it kept dying on me at the most inappropriate times. So I got me a Dewalt! This thing is great! I kinda felt funny spending over $170 for a drill but this thing is just awesome. Next week I'm picking up a Dewalt circular saw so I can build a new deck on the back of the house.
Earlier this summer I bought a new barbeque grill.
My Dad summed it up best when he was here visiting last weekend. "My...aren't we just so domesticated now?"
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 5:12 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Curtis: Hey there, how's things with you? Got your new place and settled in yet?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 5:01 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
JJ: What's to make of it? So they started filming, big deal. Nothing in there really represents any news breakthroughs, as far as I'm concerned. Not even Lucas' quote about the dvd. I am excited to hear more about the production and story and all, though. I just hope Hayden Christiansen can act. He's got such a major role, that he can easily make or break these movies. Personally, from the pictures I've seen, I don't really like his look. We'll see though.
Anyone notice that Ray Parks is in the X-Men movie as "Frog"? Might be cool...
Joe ( 152.163.195.177 ) at 4:45 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Today I went and looked at tiles. This will take a few trips to pick out. I had no ideal there was so many shades and colors to pick from.
I also checked out smarthome that seems like a cool web site, thanks Tony.
JJ ( 12.79.92.238 ) at 4:33 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
a little tid-bit here. I don't know what to make of it. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/eo/20000628/en/_quot_star_wars_episode_ii_quot_starts_shooting_7.html
Curtis ( 63.203.69.4 ) at 4:32 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RGB: I thought I remembered those colors from somewhere. How are you man?
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.236.48 ) at 4:31 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
DVD Carousel
My first upgrade will be to a DVD carousel. Denon, Toshiba 4205 or possibly this one. What do you guys think?
Sherwood Newcastle Introduces DVD/CD Player With Built-in Processors for 6.1 Audio
Video/Audio Player Eliminates Need for Separate Audio Decoders and Allows Seamless Upgrade Path for ATSC and DSS Source System Additions
CES--Las Vegas, NV--January 5, 2000 For its first video complement to its home component offerings, Sherwood America introduces the Newcastle V-756 DVD/CD processor and player. Equipped with extensive audio decoding capability and two rear-panel digital inputs, the V-756 can process and decode Dolby Digital, DTS and MPEG-2 material including Dolby Digital 6.1 Extended Surround and DTS-ES 6.1 directly during DVD playback or indirectly when such material is received from a direct broadcast satellite transmission or HDTV broadcast. The ability to access this advanced audio decoding from external sources provides a complete and versatile option for effortless system upgrades
The audio prowess of the V-756 does not stop with its ability to decode 6.1 channel material, it uses 24-bit 96 kHz DAC's for all channels and also has built-in decoding capability for Circle Surround and Dolby Virtual Surround. Of course, Circle Surround and Dolby Virtual Surround can be applied to DVD's played in the V-756 or to programs routed through its rear panel digital inputs.
With 6.1 channel analog audio outputs, the V-756 easily adapts current 5.1 systems with the addition of a powered rear center speaker for DTS and Dolby Digital Extended Surround sound. This new surround format maximizes audio effects from behind and over the listener with the addition of a center rear speaker to the traditional surround sound system. Extended Surround reproduces back surround information via a rear center speaker, while side speakers reproduce left and right surround information. The additional surround channel and properly placed speakers enable a film's sound designer to create true "fly-over" and "fly-around" effects that are smoother and much more accurately placed, either directly behind or directly beside the listener. Recent theatrical releases encoded with 6.1 Surround Sound include "The World Is Not Enough," "The Bone Collector," "The Haunting," "End of Days" and "Toy Story II." DVDs that are encoded with this new format will play normally with current systems and provide the extra surround channel when played over systems properly equipped for 6.1 Extended Surround.
The unit's digital audio inputs and video inputs with switching functions not only accommodate additional video sources, but also offer seamless expansion capability as well. "Many consumers would like to add digital satellite or a HDTV tuner to their system, but lack the input capacity in their current receiver or preamplifier. We accommodate these new entertainment sources and add the digital audio processing they need," commented Jeff Hipps, senior vice president of marketing and product planning, Sherwood America, Inc.
The V-756 has impressive video credentials as well. Video is processed by C-Cube's advanced Ziva-3 processor and by a 27 MHz/10Bit DAC for over 500 lines of resolution. Other video features include: Component video output; programming by title, chapter and track; 5-step forward picture search; 4-step reverse picture search, 4-mode repeat; 2x and 4x Zoom, 3-Scene Memory and Front Panel Jog/Shuttle Dial. The V-756 is even compatible with Sherwood's Digi-Link III component control protocol. The V-756 will begin shipping in March at a suggested retail price of $799.95.
With the Newcastle V-756, Sherwood enters one of the fastest growing segments of the consumer electronics market. Projections estimate DVD player sales will exceed $1 billion in 2000. Pending final encoding standards, the player/processor will be produced with all DVD Audio capability and can be easily updated for consumers by local service providers or third-party providers.
Sherwood Newcastle is a high-performance brand name in the field of audio and audio/video. Sherwood Newcastle is a division of Sherwood America, Inc., now part of Haitai Electronics, one of the world's leading multimedia, auto sound, and home electronics companies.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 4:29 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RACKS
Wild Bill: LOL! Of course, that's NOT what I meant! But feel free to read into as you will... 
BTW, I just thought of a way to thread the nuts down faster... I think it will work, but not sure. With very long allthread, it will require two people, or a rig to hold the nut to be installed: Thread two nuts onto the very end of the allthread, and jam them to gether by tightening one into the other. Then, place a socket around the outer-most one, so you can drive that socket with your power drill. Then start a nut threading down the other end of the allthread rod. Turn the drill on, and hold onto the nut, as the drill spins the allthread inside the nut you're holding (you may want to use a wrench to hold it). What do you think? It should work, no?
Wild Bill ( 63.38.153.116 ) at 4:17 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RACKS
Kieran: There is no PVC that has a large enough inside diameter to go over MY hardware either. LOL!!
Wild Bill ( 63.38.153.116 ) at 4:14 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks...and more!!
Kieran: Yeah, what's the diameter of a 20" cylinder. I don't have one yet so I can't measure it.
Wild Bill ( 63.38.153.116 ) at 4:13 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Kieran: Nuts! Of course I meant nuts. The washers just slid down. I threaded the nuts down by hand. It was the most time consuming part of the process. I used 5/8" allthread. I felt it was large enough.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 4:12 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RACKS
Tony C: I thought about puting PVC around my hardware, but they didn't make a PVC that had a large enough inside diameter, unless it was the HUGE kind. Actually I'm sure they make it, but Home Depot didn't have any.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 3:58 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks...and more!!
Kieran: woops, that diameter value should be SQUARED
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 3:52 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RACKS
I built kind of a flexy rack for CDs long before there was a flexi-rack.
But what I did was cut PVC piping to fit over the allthread and painted it with that faux stone paint. You don't see any thread at all and it looks pretty cool.
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 3:49 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
I'm fine thanks, but still waiting on getting the bikes back.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 3:47 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks...and more!!
Wild Bill: Volume of a cylinder = ((3.1416 * diameter)*height)/4. Any other questions?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 3:44 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Wild Bill: I couldn't find any pre-made washers (neoprene or cardboard or otherwise) to fit the 3/4" allthread, so I made some from grey felt. It's nice that they protect the wood, and they allow a little bit of "squeeze" when tightening the nuts. But in retrospect, I'd choose something more rigid than felt. When moving the shelves (if you ever decide to adjust the shelf spacing which I did once while installing the components) the grey felt washers would sometimes get stuck inbetween the threads and the wood, binding up the whole thing. Not a big deal, but it could have been avoided by using posterboard or something similar to cut washers out of.
What size allthread did you use, 3/4" or 5/8"? The washers thread on perfectly and no paint is stripped or lost.
Don't you mean the NUT's thread on perfectly? I thought about painting my hardware black, but thought the paint would gum up while threading the nuts down. As it was, Home Depot had some nasty bar-code decals stuck on the allthread, which was a bear to get off, and left a gummy residue.
How did you thread the nuts down 6' of allthread? I bet your hands got tired! I tried making a belt-drive to thread them down using my drill and a heavy rubber-band. It worked for a little while, but then the rubber band broke, plus it was hard to keep the rubber band on the nut.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.11 ) at 3:42 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks...and more!!
Kieran: Next I think I'm going to build a DIY Sonotube subwoofer. These are said to have incredible output for the money that is spent building them. I'll probably need some help with the math from some of you guys on this project. My math skills run more to the financial side of things. I'm not very good at calculating volume of a cylinder and things like that.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.124 ) at 3:31 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Bike injuries?
Oops, that was supposed to go to RGB
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.124 ) at 3:30 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Bike injuries?
Kieran: Bike injuries? Gee, I hope you have recovered. Perhaps more important, I hope the bike is OK (just kidding, though I often worry more my bike than myself after a crash).
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.11 ) at 3:22 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Kieran: Did you use neopryne washers in addition to the regular washers? I couldn't locate 5/8" neopryne and the smaller sizes seemed to be costly so I skipped that part of the design.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.11 ) at 3:20 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RGB: Welcome back. I must have missed something because I did not realize that you were injured. I hope everything is well with you.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.11 ) at 3:20 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Kieran: Lowe's (and Home Depot I presume) sells brass finish spray paint. I used it for the allthread and the nuts and washers. The washers thread on perfectly and no paint is stripped or lost. I wanted a light finish so I used Fruitwood and only applied one coat. The Birch plywood holds one coat well so no additional applications were necessary. I did use Birch laminate around the edges of the plywood to get a furniture quality look. The shelves are 24" wide and 18" deep. If I had to do it over again I'd make them a little deeper. My Marantz SR-19 is17 1/2" deep and with connections it is more like 20" deep. I used 5/8" rubber feet for the base. I thought about casters but it's on carpet and the rubber feet work well and do not detract from the looks. They also help to create a sturdy base. My flexy is the 3 rod design. I thought about using 4 but decided to go with 3. It is sturdier than I initially thought it would be. I also put a 12" back onto the flexy that goes down the middle 12" of the back of the rack. I made cutouts for wires and no wires are visible from the front of the rack. I have 9 components mounted and wired so you imagine how many wires would have been visible if I hadn't come up with a solution. I also have about 8" inches between each shelf. Every component except the SR-19 has plenty of breathing room. The SR-19 runs extremely cool even when driven hard and I've had no problems despite the fact that there is only about 1" of clearance above the receiver. The drill press really saved the day when I drilled the shelves. I used one shelf as a template and the rest fell into place perfectly. It is a very useful tool. I finished the top of the rack by adding (at CAI and my wife's suggestions) a shelf at the very top of the rack. Overall I'm quite pleased and I have thought about building some racks and marketing them locally. It only took a few hours to make and a flexy rack could be sold at an extremely attractive price and I could still make a nice profit.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 3:17 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
RGB: Seriously, how's the recovery coming from the bike injuries? Are you and the bike all fixed up yet?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 3:00 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Hey! it's a newcomer! Welcome!
RGB: Welcome to the HTOC... hope you like our little website! It's always good to have somebody new join our group!
RGB ( 216.168.69.80 ) at 2:41 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Hey guys (and gals?): What's new on the HT front?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 2:01 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Wild Bill: What did you paint the hardware with? Some brass stuff? Explain. Mine is pretty plain... bare hardware, and finished, but unstained wood (clearcoat). I routed the corners of the wood, which is just light laminate pine. In retrospect, I would have bought better wood, as the pine is way to soft and porous. It soaked up 4 coats of clearcoat like a SPONGE! I wanted solid wood though, because I didn't want to deal with putting moulding on the edges of plywood to hide the plys. I WISH I had had a drill press! I don't even have a bubble level on my hand drill, so I had to TOTALLY eye-ball it when trying to drill the 3/4" holes for the allthread. Some came out not exactly perfect, so I had to work them a bit by running the allthread back and forth several times, effectively boring out the hole from the inside.
Did you go with four legs or 3? The original "FLEXY" design calls for only 3 legs (two corners and the middle of the opposite side) but I thought it looked too funy so I went with the more traditional 4 legs. Do you have casters or pegs or what for feet? I bought casters, as the main reason I built the flexy was to improve accessibility to my components, so I wanted to be able to spin the rack around to get to the back side.
6' tall, huh? WOW. How wide/deep is it? I used 36" allthread rods, so mine is uh... 3 ft tall! Actually it's about 3'3" tall, since it's on casters. My local Home Depot didn't have any allthread longer than 36", so that's what I got. It turned out perfect for my system though... five shelves, with about 8" between each shelf. Each shelf is 18"x24" cut from two 18" x 6' pine laminate 3/4" thick planks.
Wild Bill ( 63.20.247.21 ) at 1:43 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Kieran: Oh yeah, I got to buy some tools also when I built the flexy. I got a drill press and a new saw. Gotta love those projects that require new power tools. LOL!
Wild Bill ( 63.20.247.21 ) at 1:41 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Kieran: I built a flexy rack also. JohnO and CAI have seen it. It is 6' tall, has 9 shelves, is made of 3/4" Birch plywood finished with a fruitwood stain and the allthread and hardware are painted with a brass finish. Pretty spiffy if I do say so myself! As soon as I figure out how to do digital stills on MY Sony DV camcorder I'll do the same as you and post photos.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 1:27 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Scott "popcorn": Ever consider building a "flexy" rack? I just finished mine, and it's really pretty cool! If I can figure out how to take a digital still picture with our Sony DV camcorder, I'll post a pic of it. They're really easy to build, and fairly inexpensive. I spent about $70 on materials for mine... not counting the tools I bought (like a router... not necessary, but I wanted one anyway.) If you're interested, let me know and I'll give you more details! Mine is 5 shelves high, and right now the top shelf is empty.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 1:23 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Live and Die In LA
Tony C: so do you!
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.224 ) at 1:11 PM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
AVB: nah... I only have two shelves in my rack... (ok, ok, I need more!) I have the subwoofer on the bottom of the rack (just sitting), the LD player sitting on that, the turntable sitting on that (yeah, yeah, don't smite me... I need a couple more shelves and besides, I don't use those much)... next, the first shelf, with the DVD player, then the CD changer on top of that, followed by the VCR on top of that. then the second shelf, with the receiver on it. Up a couple of rack spaces I have my DTS decoder rack mounted. I would say that I can get by with two more shelves (unless you want the lovely fitted faces)... You wouldn't need to get any more shelves than you would for any other type of unit...
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:52 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Live and Die In LA
Kieran: you have mail.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 11:34 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Live and Die In LA
Tony C: I'd love a copy! If it's not too much trouble, that is. Let me know what the cost of the tape and shipping is, and I'll gladly send it to you!
Email me at here and we'll exchange info.
JBC ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 10:33 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Good morning gang...
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:55 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Wiring
Joe A Michigan boy insisting on American cars...what a shock!
But your post to Curtis almost made me spit my coffee!!
But this post is to tell you to check out SMARTHOME.COM. When you get on line, ask them to send you a catalog. It's a little easier to get through. But you will see everything from racks to key pads, to wire to distribution panels. Even if you end up buying somewhere else, you get a great idea of what's out there. The catalog is called Home Automation Systems.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 8:51 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
JOE: cnichol@erols.com
Whats up?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:48 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Live and Die In LA
Kieran: I have a copy on LD. I think it's 4:3. I'll make a VHS for you if you want. One of the best car chases in movie history.
AVB ( 64.41.32.201 ) at 8:24 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Racks
Scott "popcorn": I do use racks but they are the 19" screw in professional type. Unless you have a lot of 19" wide equipment you'll be buying a bunch of shelves.
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 7:14 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
New STuff
Tony C: I rented Out Of Sight and was disappointed. If it is not too late return it and rent it. If you really like it and the price is still right, then buy it. Bland plot and blander Jennifer Lopez.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.186 ) at 3:04 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Joe: actually, if you want to bypass the fiber, you could go for four RG-59/RG-6, and two Cat-5... then you could have TV RF on one coax, composite video on another, two coax suitable for either stereo audio or digital audio, and one network, one phone, or two network connections. Just take a look and see what's available before you decide.
As for shelving, personally I like racks (like AVB I think)... Middle Atlantic Products (do a search for them) makes a lot of racking equipment, shelves, and even pull-out racks. You might want to give them a looksie too.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.186 ) at 2:57 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
Lets talk wiring
Joe: I would run at least one, and maybe minimum of two runs of the "bundled cable" (2 RG-59, 2 cat-5, 2 fiber optic) in EACH room. You want to make your run from the room to whereever you're putting your utilites (probably the basement) You can't "daisy chain" these runs... Anyway, you'll get a patch panel that mounts on the wall in your utility room, and using this patch panel, you can use short cables to configure how your wiring is hooked up to each room. Want a computer networked in the kitchen? just run a CAT 5 cable from the patch panel to your hub (located near the patch panel) Want telephone someplace? just use one of the CAT-5 jacks... They're compatible. You can also custom-configure if you want to... For example, in a room where you want s-video, just combine the two RG-59's to one S-video plug. (and on the patch panel too)...
You should really go to a store that carries this type of stuff, and I don't mean Home Depot or anything... I think Leviton makes the stuff. Check it out. You'll DROOL at all the customization you can do with it... but RUN THE WIRES! You'll curse more later if you don't run cables now than any cursing you'll do by buying and running the cables now. If you don't want to install all the wall plates now, just run the cable and either put in a box with a blank panel, or loop the cable in the wall and document where the cable ends are located, so you can cut a hole, pull the cable out, add a box, and put a wall plate on.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.186 ) at 2:43 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
JBC: Don't forget to also change your e-mail address on the change password page... Changing your e-mail address there allows us to send your password if you forget it, and is also the address used for mass-mailings.
Curtis ( 63.203.68.25 ) at 2:10 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Kieran: I thought that 10,000 mile trips were a tad long! Yes the Cummins turbo is the most reliable engine available for these trucks. The only thing I could never get past was the horrible noise from the things and Chrysler's refusal to isolate it from the cab.
Joe: I really believe in buying American (my dad was a design engineer member of the American Auto Engineers Ass'n for many years as was his brother). Funny thing is that they knew all the corners that were always cut and both of them ended up buying European/ Japanese even though it killed them to do this. Hopefully things have changed but it remains firmly etched in my memory.
Trucks are for boys anyway
Kieran ( 134.139.23.79 ) at 1:49 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
er... make that more like 6 or 7 thousand mile round trips...
Kieran ( 134.139.23.79 ) at 1:47 AM EST Wednesday, June 28, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Curtis: Sorry to hear about your bad experiences with the Duallies. My coach for UCI crew bought a '96 ('95 maybe?) Ram with the Cummins turbo v6. He bought it used, about 1 year old. Now, you want to hear about tough work for a truck? He raises money for the crew by driving our boat trailer (and this is not your ski-boat trailer type... this is 60 ft long, and 15 ft high, and holds up to about 10 racing eights or more smaller boats) all across the country several times per year, delivering boats to various colleges and clubs all over North America. This is a HEAVY load at times, and he's going for 10,000 mile round trips at a time. That truck has stood the torture test and survived: it's still going strong after 3 or 4 years of that kind of abuse. Granted the truck is very well taken care of, but not in any way different from what every body SHOULD do for their trucks/cars. Before that, he used a Suburban to tow the boat trailer around, and that thing was in the shop for 1-2 weeks after every trip. Plus the Cummins V6 kicks butt over the Chevy small block v8, for towing anyway.
Chysler had some bad troubles with automatic transmissions in the mid-90's IIRC. But, I thought the new trans. was debuted in '98 or '99. What ever year it was, it's been getting rave reviews among the hardcore Dodge truck owners, who were the most critical of the old auto trans. Personally, I think of auto trannys like I (now) think of hard drives: there are two types, those that have died, and those that are going to. That's why I ALWAYS buy a manual transmission, even though I live and drive in the LA area. (there's a movie I'd like to see on DVD: To Live and Die in LA. Can't be found ANYWHERE on ANY format!) Manual tran's mostly only require a new clutch every 80k - 120k miles. And they're MUCH more fun to drive! My g/f's got an auto in her Durango, I've got the 5spd in my Dakota. Every time I drive her Durango, I get frustrated (damn thing won't shift when I want it to!)
Speaking of "To Live and Die in LA" if any body owns the LD of that (or even a VHS of it) I'd LOVE to get a copy on tape, especially if it's widescreen!
Ron H ( 207.221.161.4 ) at 11:00 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
"B stock available on the Outlaw Audio 750 165 x 5 amplifier
($899) and 1050 6.1 channel receiver ($499). Only a few of these are left
so call us as soon as you can."
If anyone is interested I will send the info on where to buy.
Joe ( 205.188.192.178 ) at 10:39 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
AVB, I will have acess to the rear of the components from the laundry room.
JohnO: I have been reading since I posted, what you say makes sense. I will be a little unethical and call my electrical-electronics vendor tommorrow.
David ( 156.153.255.126 ) at 10:20 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
This was in the Atlanta classifieds...
HOME THEATRE SYSTEM Ultimate. Revox Plasma TV, Lexicon MC-1, 2 HK citation amps, HDTV sat, DVD, Tivo, Piega spkrs, Jamo Thx sub, used 5mos. Pd-$45K Sell-$28K. 770-844-9039
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.101 ) at 9:46 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
One glance at the "recall" page in Consumer reports, and you won't question which is better. American vehicles have 10 recalls to every 1 import. Some are kinda scary, like "steering wheel may come off", or "engine may catch fire". Seems like most are for 4x4s, but not all, and all recalls are for 2 year old or newer cars, not '80s vehicles.
JohnO ( 208.198.36.210 ) at 9:08 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Lets talk wiring
Joe: 2 RG6 runs are useful, general purpose, satellite/video/subwoofer stuff. CAT5 is fine for a computer network or a phone line, the fiber-optic is unused at this time and will probably remain so for the near future. CAT5E, the new standard in CAT5, will do 350mb communication, for a house there is no need for more (don't buy the fiber). You need speaker wire runs, stuff that is rated for in-wall use. Probably a big spool of 12 guage will fill the bill. You pay a premium to get that all-in-one cable, even if it was what you needed you don't need everything going to every drop. Rear surrounds are not going to need anything but the speaker wire, for instance. If it were me I would buy a spool of RG6, a spool of CAT5 and a spool of 12 guage and have enough left over for another house.
AVB ( 64.41.32.5 ) at 8:54 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Speakers in the Bathrooms?
Joe: Use "indoor/outdoor" speakers for high humidity areas. Regular indoor styles for the rest of the house.
AVB ( 64.41.32.5 ) at 8:53 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
In Wall
Joe: If you have access to the rear of your equipment then 2 20" wide shelves will work better then a single 38" or 42". If you won't have rear access then I would say 2 24" wide shelves so you can spin the gear around to get at the rear panels. JMHO
AVB ( 64.41.32.5 ) at 8:50 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Whole house Audio
Joe: NAD and Parasound make 12 channel amps for distribution purposes. You'll need to put Lpads in each room for volume control.
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:38 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Any guess on how much beer gets drank over this project
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:37 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
In Wall
How wide should I make my wall for my components? I was thinking 38" or would 42" be better?
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:36 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Curtis
In the Autoworld we get paid on Thursdays, Wednesday for direct deposit. Of course we are all to wasted to get to work on Mondays or Fridays, but we drag in and build cars for computer geeks and bay area residents.
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:33 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Did I use all my question up today
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:32 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Speakers in the Bathrooms?
Any special kind to buy for the humidity?
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:31 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Transducers
Darian drop me a line.
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:31 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Whole house Audio
I plan on having several zones. The Masterbath, Masterbedroom, Kithcen and Lundry room? So what do I buy a Distubution amp? How does it hook into my system? Do I need keypads in each room? What kind ( brand name ) should I look at? Who has good deals?
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:28 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Lets talk wiring
Ok, I need tostart buying material.
Do I really need a cable that has Cat-5 2 fiber optics and 2 RG-6 wires in one cable?
Can I get buy with a cheaper wire run?
What is the at least I should put in?
How much does this stuff cost?
Where should I run all the wire to?
The back of my HT closet?
The basement?
Joe ( 152.163.197.54 ) at 8:19 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
American Autos
No question Buy American
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.226.162 ) at 8:10 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Curtis: If I didnt need the height from floor to roof inside, I would have gone with the new F-150 crew cab with the short box. That's an awesome truck. But that's ok. My name is on the waiting list at my local Ford dealer for the 2001 Thunderbird Hard top convertible!
I made the last payment on my boat last month, my van is a company vehicle and I have no credit card debt. 35k for the Thunderbird is in the cards. I just hope they ditch those rims that I've seen on the early photos.
JBC ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 7:56 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Tony C: For now my e-mail address remains unchaged. I will do "personal" mailings, "mass" mailings and update my bio as soon as it changes.
JJ ( 12.79.76.75 ) at 7:54 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
I second Wild Bill on Out of Sight. Not a keeper.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 7:45 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
JBC: will you still be at the same email address?
JBC ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 7:39 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
All: The blood pressure is rising. Today was the "tough" day from the staffing perspective. Tomorrow and Thursday will be interesting...
JBC: ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 7:35 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
David i hate to disagree but the M&K SS-150THX tripoles are very flexible (i.e. direct radating, dipole, tripole) so they should sound good wherever placed, albeit not necessarily in the desired mode!!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 7:28 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
New STuff
Wild Bill: Out Of Site? Really? I have a friend who said it was a must have. I'll rent it and check it out first. Thanks for the warning.
Geo. ( 216.172.206.172 ) at 7:27 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: I think they're very similar in size, mid-way between the short minis-the Caravan and Mazda- and the longer ones-the Honda and Grand Caravan. There's about 5 inches in length difference between the Quest and the Honda/Grand Caravan.
Curtis ( 63.203.68.95 ) at 7:27 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Kieran: I have to inject my recent Dodge truck experiences here. I have driven 2 one ton dually V-10 Ram pickups ( a 97 and a 99) that a friend owns and sometimes pulls horses with them. The towing is very limited. The torque of the engine has destroyed 3 auto transmittions so far, 2 on the older one and 1 on the new one. The fit and finish are sub-par and the new one has developed several mysterious rattles. The bright red paint is already showing signs of orange peel. The interior fabric is cheap and thin. The other American duallies in this class hold up much better, a draw between Fords & Chevys.
So a friend bought a fully decked out Durango in Darth Vader black with the largest engine available. He loves it and only bitches about the mileage. He got one of the 1st available and paid through the nose. He could have picked up an X5 for that amount today. Don't flame me guys. I think American cars/trucks are vastly improved over the stuff put out from the 70's to 80's. Somehow I suspect you still want to steer clear of anything built on a Friday or Monday.
Wild Bill ( 63.36.239.112 ) at 5:57 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
New STuff
Tony C: You bought Out Of Sight? Clooney/Lopez? If you haven't opened it, take it back!! It is down there in The Thin Red Line league in my book. YMMV, but I thought it was hideous.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 5:15 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
DVD prices
DVD prices at Costco are really great.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 5:14 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
New STuff
Went shopping today.
DVDs: Fight Club, ID4, Out OF Sight (dts), F/X, Duece Biggelo, Man On The Moon and Jeff Buckley Live in Chicago.
Got some new CDs as well. Some old some new.
AND, (ta da) the LD of Star Wars Phantom Menance. That one I'll be watching with the boys tonight. I called home and got them all excited. Warned them about the Japanese subtitles and they're cool with it.
reports back tomorrow.
I think I'll save the ID4 and watch it with JBC when I'm in Toronto.
That's if he's still alive..............
Carlos ( 149.39.3.161 ) at 4:43 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Ron H : Naa, Cajun. I clicked the wrong button.
Ron H ( 207.223.70.59 ) at 4:39 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Carlos: Are you talking to yourself?? LOL
Welcome back.
Carlos ( 149.39.3.161 ) at 4:33 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Carlos: What did you buy?
Carlos ( 149.39.3.161 ) at 4:32 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Cajun Mike: No way!
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.219 ) at 4:31 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Carlos: Where in the heck have you been. Check out my updated bio. I purchased some things..
Carlos ( 149.39.3.161 ) at 4:27 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
BTW, Hi all! It's been awhile.
Carlos ( 149.39.3.161 ) at 4:27 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Gar: Sorry I missed you this weekend. Call me at work tomorrow. Leave me a number where I can call you.
Ron H ( 207.223.70.59 ) at 4:21 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: There is a 4 to six month backorder on the PTs right now. My wife said she wanted one andI pulled a lot of strings and called in a few favors to get one in a 30 day period. I should take delivery in less than 3 weeks.
Some people are buying them and then reselling for a profit. Go figure paying above list just so you can be one of the first. I would only do that for HT stuff. LOL
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 4:20 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: The engines available for the Durango are 5.9L, 5.2L, and a 4.7L. All are V8's. My girlfriend has the 5.2L, and it moves out pretty well indeed. Both the 5.2 and 5.9 are old designs though. While that's good in the "tried and true" sense, it means performance and economy are sacrificed a little bit. Both are 1960's era push-rod V8 engine blocks. While I love the sound and feel of the 5.2 in my g/f's Durango, I like my 4.7L Dakota a lot, too. The 4.7L is a COMPLETELY new engine design, and while it's not as good as they COULD HAVE MADE IT (they chose SOHC instead of DOHC!) it is an incredible engine. It's got more power, more torque, and better fuel economy (barely) than the 5.2L. However, the 5.2 is a little smoother. The torque curve on the 5.2 is a nice smooth, round curve, while the torque curve on the 4.7 is a little jagged, for lack of a better term. But it still drives very nicely, and like I said, it's quicker than the 5.2. However, I think the 4.7L is only available in the 4x4 Durango, although they might change that for the 2001 model year. The 4.7L v8 was originally designed for (and debuted in) the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and made it's way into the 4x4 Dakota and 4x4 Durango for 2000.
{end disorganized stream of thoughts...}
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.124 ) at 3:00 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Ron H : I think its a pretty good alternative, but I think it can only seat five, no? I saw one in the parking lot over here at Compaq... they sure look cool (or is that kool, with THX?).
Wild Bill ( 63.23.3.39 ) at 2:48 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: While my Durango does "suck" at the pumps it is one great vehicle. We got the big engine (5.9L) and the gas mileage is pathetic. Otherwise it is top notch. You can also get a 4.6L V-8 or a 5.2L V-8.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 1:47 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Cool pictures (OT)
Check these out:
http://www.geocities.com/kierancoghlan/pictures/GlacierTrail2.jpg
(720 KB)
http://www.geocities.com/kierancoghlan/pictures/NevadaFalls.jpg
(1.03 MB)
http://www.geocities.com/kierancoghlan/pictures/Sequoia1.jpg
(620 KB)
My boss took these last week while on vacation in Yosemite. He used his
digital camera, with the "stitch" utility to create panoramic shots.
Pretty cool! If you look carefully, you can see where the digital
stitching took place; the picture is a little fuzzy along the "seam". Check out the NevadaFalls pic... see if you can tell how many shots make up that picture (it's not hard, but neat that there are so many shots together). In that picture, you start looking in one direction on the trail, and end looking down the other direction of the trail.
The panoramic effect is best if you can download these, then view them
so that they take up just less than the full height of the window, then
scroll across the width... it's like you're there, just turning your
head to take in the scenery! (The Sequoia is the opposite, since it's a
vertically tall picture, instead of wide and short.)
Ron H ( 207.223.70.189 ) at 1:39 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: How about a PT Cruiser?
Ron H ( 207.223.70.189 ) at 1:38 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Speakers
David: ther also is a new less expensive Tripole from M&K. It is the Surround-55. As for the 150's matching the 750 sound wise you should be fine. If I remember correctly the 750's employ the same tweeters and drivers as the 150 main speakers.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.124 ) at 1:35 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Kieran: I think the Chrysler vans are great vans. And I think the 300M is a great car. But there are still issues with QC comparing many American cars to Japanese... I looked seriously at the Olds Intrigue when I bought my Maxima, and there is no way the Intrigue compares build-quality with the Max (or Accord, or Camry, let alone Acura, Lexus, or Infinity). Heck, I am renting an Intrigue now, and the interior rattles and exterior gaps don't compare with anything comparable from Japan. Getting back to the specific comment that started all this, I am concerned about the Pontiac's build quality versus that of the Odyssey and Sienna.
And my only hesitation on the Durango would be that in two-wheel drive format its an expensive (and gas-unfriendly) stationwagon.
Ron H ( 207.223.70.189 ) at 1:28 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
JBC: You have mail.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.219 ) at 1:28 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: I purchased a 2000 Odyessey in November. I love it. I researched the vehicles thoroughly. The current crop of Chrylser vans cannot compete with the Honda on any level. The closest is the Ford Windstar and it is a distant second. It has a noisy engine, large amounts of windnoise, a v6 engine that was originally in the Ford Contour and several other snaffu's. Go to your Honda dealer and put down a deposit. I highly recommend the Granite Green.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.124 ) at 1:25 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Geo.: Thanks for the input on the Quest (Villager). I have had great experience with Nissan, but it seems to me the Quest is kinda small (as small or smaller than the Sienna).
Curtis ( 63.203.68.95 ) at 1:00 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: Hey, after the big profits from the sale of your CA house you can afford a vehicle that gets 8 blocks per gallon! I think some Texas Longhorns over the grill would be perfect for you
JJ ( 12.79.75.109 ) at 12:09 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
I can't comment on Vans, mini- or otherwise, but I can on auto buying in general. Yes the Americans have gotten much better. But they still have reliability concerns, at least compared to many asian/european counterparts. They also don't retain their value well (again comparatively). Residual value is one of the three main factors in lease calculations. So if you are thinking of leasing as opposed to buying, the Americans don't fare as well.
David ( 156.153.255.134 ) at 12:06 PM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Speakers
Ron H : Hmmm. I did go into this thinking that I wanted di/tripoles for my surrounds, but was tempted by the price and review on the M&K 750 system, which doesn't have di/tri surrounds. I wonder how the tripole surrounds from the s-150THX system would match with the 750's L/C/R package?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 11:56 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: American build concerns? This isn't the 80's anymore, Rick. Check out what Chrysler has got going with their latest Caravan incarnations. Very nice indeed. Some good friends of mine just bought a Grand Caravan, don't remember what the exact model was, but it is an extended version; it's slightly longer. Has leather, sliding doors on both sides, wood trim inside, I was really impressed!
Personally, while I agree 100% about "American build quality" concerns for cars built 10-20 years ago, my oppinion of Japanese vs. American has almost completely flip-flopped lately. All the AFFORDABLE Japanese cars (i.e. not Lexus, Acura, Infinity) that I've seen lately, while the quality hasn't gotten worse, it's not gotten better, and they just feel like plastic & tin boxes compared to their American counterparts IMHO. My parents drive a Mercury Villager minivan (Nissan Quest) and while it's a great car (going strong 10 years old) I really liked the NEW caravan a lot better, and the Quest hasn't changed really at all since it's debut 10 years ago.
If you do decide to become a gas company's best friend, the Durango is REALLY cool. My girlfriend bought one last fall, right around when I bought my Dakota. I've driven LOTs of Suburbans and Tahoes, and the Durango is SO much easier to manuver around town. And, while it is smaller than the full-sized SUV's, it's WAY more roomy than the Explorer, 4-Runner, Blazer, et al. I feel the same way about the Dakota... it's the Goldilocks of Trucks: not too big, not too small... JUST RIIIGHT!
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 11:46 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: I've got a '99 Nissan Quest which I bought after having a "93 for 6 years. I've been very happy with both. The Quest has less hp than either the Odyssey or the Sienna, but has a great torque curve with max torque at 2800rpm, right in the range of acceleration from a standing stop. Also, 200 lb/ft of torque. Size-wise, it's in between the shorter Chryslers and the longer Odyssey. It's about 195 inches long. Very flexible seating. Never a reliability problem with either, knock wood. A vehicle is about as personal a choice as speakers, but the Quest is one to consider.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.196 ) at 11:06 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Ron H : Do Suburbans come with the oil well to keep them on the road?
Ron H ( 207.221.162.95 ) at 10:55 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
RickMTB: you need to buy a Texas Cadillac. A Suburban.
Ron H ( 207.221.162.95 ) at 10:54 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Speakers
David: I do not see where Tripoles would be a problem due to room size. They have the ability to have the output front the front and sides controlled individualy.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.196 ) at 9:55 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
OT: van recommendations
Sorry for the OT, but you guys are a great source of car info, so... I need to buy a vehicle out here in Housto. Original idea was to get an Expedition or Durango, but the gas prices and lack of mountains seem to suggest something a little more practical. So far I am thinking Honda Odyssey (hard to find), Toyota Sienna (kinda small), and Pontiac Montana (American build concerns). Any advice?
David ( 156.153.255.134 ) at 9:50 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Speakers
Ron H & JBC: Do you guys feel the same about tripole surrounds in a small room? I read that placement is very difficult in a smaller HT room. The review of the M&K 750THX Select system in HT mag (Feb 2000) said "Dipolar design is indeed superior; however, it doesn't allow for proper placement in small room applications." What are your thoughts?
Geo. ( 209.54.113.99 ) at 9:19 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Wild Bill: You think he's going to live to the end of the week!!??? HA!
Ron H ( 207.221.161.50 ) at 8:32 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Watched a little of ID4 last night. It looks to be a first rate transfer and has tons of overpowering low bass.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.91.226 ) at 8:31 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Good morning all!! Does anyone want to take bets on what JBC's blood pressure will be by the end of the week?
Robert ( 32.101.119.188 ) at 2:08 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
VSX27TX for Sale
Anybody interested in a VS27TX dirt cheap? $850 includes shipping.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.86.184 ) at 12:59 AM EST Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
Tony C: I've had it fixed twice already... First time a new board, $120. second time it was a "going over the board", $70. I'll live with the green until it has to be used for the HT again... right now I have the HT hooked up to the 31" in my parent's family room. Looks MUCH better... and has S-video in to boot!
Geo. ( 216.172.206.96 ) at 10:32 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Dipole Heaven or Surround Hell
Tony C: I've got Paradigm Atoms at the sides with a Def Tech PF-15 sub.
Geo. ( 216.172.206.96 ) at 10:31 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Dipole Heaven or Surround Hell
Chris L.: When HT mag did comparison tests of dipoles vs. monopoles in an EX setup, the listeners preferred monopole side surrounds and dipole back surrounds. My own experience with monopole side and back surrounds was that the sound was too localized in the back surrounds. That's why I decided to try dipole back surrounds. Since my earlier post, I've mounted and hooked up the dipoles. I've only listened to a few scenes from a few discs, but my initial impression is that the dipoles totally eliminate the localization in the rear. So far I'm really pleased with the dipoles. I haven't tried any music yet, that will have to come later in the week. So far, though, I think I'm going to lide this setup.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 9:34 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Dipole Heaven or Surround Hell
Geo.: What are you using for sides?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 9:30 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
Scott "popcorn":
I had a TV turn green on my once. I took it in and it was an easy fix. Not expensive. Have you called around to repair shops?
Joe ( 205.188.195.59 ) at 9:25 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
evening all
JJ ( 12.79.74.57 ) at 8:32 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
oop. AudioSurvey is it now.
JJ ( 12.79.74.57 ) at 8:31 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
ooh. maybe not.
JJ ( 12.79.74.57 ) at 8:28 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
thanks Guys. Audiosurvey was the one I was looking for. They've obviously moved and upgraded since I last visited.
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 8:24 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
JJ: This is the one to which I think you were referring: http://www.visi.com/~nau/
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 8:09 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
JJ: Try this one also http://WWW.DEALTIME.COM/
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 8:04 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
JJ: Try http://www.audiosurvey.com/ Maybe you can read this one.
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 8:03 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
JJ: Try http://www.audiosurvey.com/
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.173 ) at 7:49 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
some = someONE
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.173 ) at 7:46 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Dipole Heaven or Surround Hell
Geo.: Didn't some suggest using dipoles for the sides and directs for the rears? I'm so confused. :|
JJ ( 12.79.74.57 ) at 7:15 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Curtis: thanks, I'll check that one out. the one I was thinking of used to be on visi something or other
Curtis ( 63.203.70.194 ) at 7:09 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
JJ: I've been using this one lately
http://www.gomez.com/
JJ ( 12.79.74.57 ) at 7:02 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
hey. what's the url for the site with the consumer ratings for on-line merchants?
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 5:50 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Dipole Heaven or Surround Hell
Got the Paradigm dipoles I bought on e-Bay today. I'll set them up after work and will, for the first time, hear dipoles in my home system. These will be mounted on the rear wall and used as back surrounds in the THX EX system. Wish me luck.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.194 ) at 5:21 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
DVD Player Recommendation
Kieran: Yes, mine has the switches for defeating macrovision and region codes. It should hold its value well for a piece of electronics.
JJ ( 12.79.75.157 ) at 5:17 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Darian: oh yeah. thanks.
Darian ( 216.164.224.237 ) at 5:09 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
HS10. Are the HiScan TV sets this year. 61 inches and 53 inches. Hidef ready with awesome DVD picture and anamorphic squeeze mode for around $3000. That is a 53" TV!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 4:52 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
DVD Player Recommendation
Curtis: Is your S7000 one of the ones with the famous "switches"? If so, you've got a very valuable player on your hands when you decide to upgrade...
JJ ( 12.79.75.157 ) at 4:50 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
DVD Player Recommendation
Darian: what's an HS10? FP?
JJ ( 12.79.75.157 ) at 4:47 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
thanks guys. The Sony S-360 is on his short list. So was a panasonic. Maybe I'll steer him away from that.
Keep 'em comin' guys.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.194 ) at 4:43 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
DVD Player Recommendation
JJ: I suggested Panasonic DVD players to 4 friends. Every one of them had major problems within a few months. Their standard 90 day warranty is inexcusable and reason enough to stay away from them. Feeling personally responsible for the problems, I lugged each of them to the local Panasonic Service Center and got to know the manager well enough for him to say "ok, we'll cover the whole repair" the last time I walked in.
Stick with a major brand with a real warranty. My S7000 Sony (early production vintage) has never had a single hickup. I'm not a big fan of multi-disc players because I have seen people (kids usually) jam one too many discs in causing major headaches.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 4:42 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
DVD Player Recommendation
JJ: Sony S-360. Good performance Component outs and a good price. Far less finiky than the Toshiba's Digital audio out. DVD menus fly by and track acess is very good. Picture via componet out is first rate for interlaced. MAybe a HS10 shoulod be added to his shopping list.
JJ ( 12.79.76.48 ) at 3:43 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
DVD Player Recommendation
A friend wants to get a DVD Player. He's looking at $250 range. He has a Sony 27", which will eventually be upgraded. He has a DPL Receiver, No dd-ready. That will upgraded at some time too.
JJ ( 12.79.76.48 ) at 3:39 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
I think I hear crickets.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.86.184 ) at 1:24 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
RickMTB: Best Buy has an RCA 27" I have been looking at while debating about replacing my green Zenith... It has an S-video input, Guide+, and it's pretty nice... All for $329 I think... I've pretty much decided to save my money and suffer with the green until I can get a BIGGER TV, or front projector.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 1:16 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
RickMTB: Actually, it wasn't open box, as in returned, it was a dispay model! And it wasn't burned in, either! (not that I can tell).
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 1:15 PM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
RickMTB: Before I started in the HT craze, I bought a 27" stereo Magnavox, open box from Fry's (gasp) and it's still going strong. That tv is going on four years old. Not that 4 years is a long time for a tv, but for an open box Magnavox from FRY's, I'd say it's pretty good. It cost me about $250 or $300, IIRC, and has an S-Video input to boot!
:PP
You can tell that the power supply for it is pretty week, though, because no matter how far down you put the settings, you can't get the vertical lines on the "needle pulses and steps" pattern on AVIA to straighten out! But overall, It's a great 27" set for the money.
Ron H ( 63.24.138.36 ) at 11:19 AM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
JBC: Hey JBC. I was talking to one of your neighbors last week. Rosy has a Sony 10HT and just loves it.
JBC ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 9:58 AM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Good morning gentlemen...
AVB ( 64.41.32.156 ) at 9:51 AM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
RickMTB: Look for "open box" buys at Wards or BestBuy. Usually a great deal. I'd stay away from the GE brand.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.151 ) at 9:35 AM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Low-cost TV recommendations?
I want to get a cheap 25" or 27" TV for the game room which will be used by my kids to play VCR videos and watch kids programming. I'd like it to be stereo, and be easy to connect with a VCR. I know this is at the other end of the scale, but any recommendations or brands to steer away from?
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 1:42 AM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Darian: That panzy ass 100 watter is gone out of the system entirely. Replaced it with a parasound 2205a. That amp could pretty much heat the home in winter, not to mention the 3 aragons... Just watch the old power meter outside spin with them all running..... But on the issue of the distortion, now it seems I can pick it out on several movies....Man I wish I were deaf....
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 12:42 AM EST Monday, June 26, 2000
Trav1. You know what it is don't you??? Its that panzy ass 100 watt per channel EAD.!!!
Actually some DVDs in DD do have some distortion in the recording. Try using the HF-EQ setting on your TheaterMaster to tame it.
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 10:57 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Curtis: Its on track 30 about 20-30 seconds into it when the daughter of the president yells "Dad!" I swear there is distortion in the center channel no matter what volume I have. I have noticed this before with several other movies as well. Just curious if it is something on my end causing the trouble....Just tell your son to focus...:) Thats tough to do though for anyone when enthralled in a movie!
Curtis ( 63.203.70.36 ) at 10:41 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Cajun Mike: Don't hold your breath for those titles on DVD. American Beauty was on HD DirecTV 2 nights ago and looked fantastic.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.36 ) at 10:39 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
trav1: You'll need to furnish me with chapter info for that passage. My S7000 only reports timing by chapter/ time within each chapter. My son was more than willing to watch the entire movie to find the spot you're asking about though. Wanna bet he would be on the ending credits before admitting that he forgot what he was looking for?
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.219.196 ) at 10:32 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Next DVD's I want are all the ones that are unavailable. A Indiana Jones Box Set. Star Wars box set, Godfather box set and American Beauty (which is coming soon). What's Coppolas problem?
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.219.196 ) at 10:27 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
CD Universe has some excellent prices. I ordered the Matrix, Eagles DTS, Green Mile and Shawshank for 61.00 including shipping. Target typically has the best prices on DVDs here in town and that order would have been well over a hundred bucks there. Thanks again for the heads up AVB
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 9:54 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Anyone had a chance to check out that problem in Air Force one yet?
Ron H ( 63.27.245.84 ) at 6:33 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
JBC: My understanding is that you are not able to bypass the internal processor.
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 6:23 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
AVB: I wish I could retire. Problem is that I have this little thing called a wedding, a honeymoon, etc. to pay for. At least the ring is all paid up.
Curtis: Sure is going to be one hell of a week. I will post me new e-mail addy once I know it late this week or early next week. I hope that they setup some kind of redirect
Ron H: Why can the SOny not be hooked up to a processor?
Tony C: Yes, I will be employed by the new owner. Questions is whether I want to be. Still have some terms to iron out.
Joe: Congrats. Here is to debt and a new HT room!
AVB ( 64.41.32.143 ) at 5:45 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Htnut room
Joe aka iguana master: The $175K was just a number I made up for the addition and everything that went inside. I don't think I'm that far off either.
Gar ( 205.156.192.21 ) at 5:28 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Lord of the Rings
JJ: very interested in a well writen trilogy, now if they can only make it as good as the books. Huge fan of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and frankly don't care what other people think of it, I have always been a fan
Joe aka iguana master ( 205.188.198.49 ) at 4:23 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Well I have ben reading some of the past post. Were did the $175K price come from on HTnut theater?
Ron, a little slip on what to put in huh.
We signed the papers on Friday for the loan. Looks like I am about 8 weeks now from my HT room. It willprobabley take me the whole winter to finish it but oh well.
simm ( 209.138.58.162 ) at 2:11 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
I don't know who might be interested but I picked up ID4 at Wal-mart last night for $22.88. They had about 30 or so copies out. I am in NC but it might be worthwhile to check your local stores if you don't already have pre-ordered. I watched it this morning and I have to say the picture and sound was top notch. This is the only way I have seen it other than VHS as I don't have an LD player.
robert ( 64.38.86.11 ) at 12:48 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Tony C
Tony, I don't have email access until Mon afternoon, They are replacing our server this weekend,and I get my new computer A new IBM w/ PIII 600 and 192 MB RAM and I'm not expecting them to be done on time,,,never is. I'll call you Mon morning.
mcb ( 207.1.5.74 ) at 12:29 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
LD Arrival
AVB: Glad to hear they are safe and sound. I didn't get the E-Mail. I don't
know whwy although Yahoo has had recent trouble. I am disappointed to hear that the outer box was damaged. It was perfect at the time of shipping. I had just grabbed it at the local liquor store the morning I shipped.
Enjoy!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 12:03 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
JBC: Now that is one stressfull week. Hope you get a chance to relax afterwards. Will you be employed by the new owner?
David ( 199.174.149.216 ) at 12:02 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Speakers
Thanks to all for the great feedback on the speakers.
Cytotech, are you going to buy my Jamo's when I upgrade?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 12:01 PM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Robert: Yippee! Same here, envelope goes out Monday, send an email with details.
Ron H ( 63.27.104.226 ) at 11:57 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
JBC:: I may end up getting a HD Sat receiver. The combo Dream Vision/QuadScan will be about the same cost as the Sony to me. The Dream Vision/QuadScan does a better job on Sat and full Screen DVDs but the Sony offers HD and does a better job on 16:9. It is sort of a toss up.
I should be recieving the to be released, in two weeks, new model QuadScan. Bob is going to give it to me for the same price as the current model. I just will trade it out. I am interested in seeing what it can do. I may be able to use it to un-streatch 16:9 DVDs thus using all the 4:3 dlp mirrors and not have a loss in resolution. I also plan to do a demo with the Dream Vision hooked up to a HD source at that time.
The Sonys biggest weekness is its inability to be hooked up to a processor.So as you can tell I am leaning toward the Sony but if the new Quadscan does what I hope it will then I may stay with the DV and wait for the next generation of projectors. Thank God Bob@Avalon is so accomodating.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.36 ) at 11:54 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
JBC: Yikes! Good luck with it all and be sure to let us know how everything goes. One week from now you'll either be totally relaxed or in the hospital.
AVB ( 64.41.32.230 ) at 11:44 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Now what?
JBC:: So what are your plans after you sell....retiring?
AVB ( 64.41.32.230 ) at 11:43 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
LD Arrival
mcb: The discs arrived fine, I'm glad you packed them well because the outer box had seen beter days. Thanks. I sent you an email when they arrived, didn't you get it?
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 11:31 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Curtis: It is a little worse than that. On Tuesday I am announcing the sale to my staff (about 100 employees), on Wednesday is my office staff (with a number of the guys hidding in the long grass to get even with me), on Thursday is the rehersal dinner, on Friday is the closing of the sale, on Saturday.... Believe it or not -- I am one stressed out dude!!
mcb ( 207.1.5.74 ) at 11:29 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
LD Arrival
AVB: I have been away so I missed the last week of posts. Did the laserdiscs arrive in perfect shape? Might anyone know if AVB posted this? Thanks.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.36 ) at 11:14 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
JBC:: Thoses are a couple of major life events. Good luck with both and don't get confused to the point where you end up selling your fiancee and marrying the buyer. Beware of wedding rehersal dinners - they can cause hangovers that make bachelor parties look tame.
Joe aka iguana master ( 205.188.192.174 ) at 11:13 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Morning all,
Whats new?
JBC: ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 11:01 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Ron H: Have you seen the ads for Sony's combined DSS/TiVo? I think is is what you were waiting for. Also, are you really going to trade-in your DreamVision for a Sony HT-10? What are the cost and p
JBC: ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 10:59 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Good morning folks. With the wedding 7 days away and the closing on the sale of my business 5 days away I have had little HT time -- although I have done a little lurking.
David: As Ron H noted I recently installed the M&K S-150 L/C/R, the SS-150 tripoles and the MX-35o sub. ALl, but the sub, are wall mounted (I even now have pics which I will post soon). In a word -- love them! I think you will too.
JJ ( 12.79.93.119 ) at 9:03 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Lord of the Rings
Kieran: there already is a teaser available. $350mil for the trilogy is planned.
the names I recognize: Ian McKellen; Gandalf, Sean Astin; Samwise Gamgee, Viggo Mortensen; Aragorn, Christopher Lee; Saruman, Cate Blanchett; Galadriel, Liv Tyler; Arwen Evenstar, Ian Holm; Bilbo Baggins, Sean Bean; Boromir, John Rhys-Davies; Gimli (that I gotta see), Elijah Wood; Frodo Baggins
Kieran ( 134.139.23.182 ) at 2:41 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Lord of the Rings
JJ: I'm very interested, and can't wait. It's supposed to be THE epic trilogy of the decade. Apparently it's a HUGE production, and they are sparing few, if any, expenses. Should be good. I read the site ages ago, before the cast was set. Any notables that have been cast in major roles yet? I'm really interested in who they get to play Gandalf.
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.90 ) at 1:38 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
Somebody asked about DVD mega-changers, and I couldn't remember the company. I found it, so here goes. Onkyo Corp. is now a group of 3 companies. The Integra Research brand aimed at high-end audio offers a trio of THX-Ultra components. A $4000 A/V processor, $5000 amp, and $3000 progressive out DVD. The Integra brand is more main stream, and will offer a THX-Ultra $3200 7 channel receiver, a THX Select $1299 6 channel receiver, $600 5 channel receiver, a multi-channel amp that will increase the 5 and 6 channel receivers to 7, and 3 DVD changers. The $1200 301 DVD changer is compatible with Escient's PowerPlay CD/DVD disc management controller. PowerPlay uses an internet connection to autobuild a database of information on stored DVDs and CDs.
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.90 ) at 1:24 AM EST Sunday, June 25, 2000
TonyC; I'm not a "center of attraction" kinda guy.
Robert ( 32.101.147.98 ) at 11:11 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Tony C
Guess what I got today? I don't have email access, but I do have your address. It will go out FEDEX or UPS to the office on monday.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 10:41 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Ahhh... better.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 10:41 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
That should be UPGRADE!!!
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 10:41 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
David, if you're considering an upgrade, consider an UPGRADE!!!!
I would definitely put these on my list to audition:
M&K S-150 and S-150P(powered speakers)
Martin Logan Aerius(or shoot your whole wad on some SL3's or Prodigy's!)
PSB
Dynaudio
hmmm.... I'm sure I'm leaving tons out, but those would be on my short list... given the funds.
Also some Definitive Technology's might be a nice audition.
Ron H ( 63.27.243.212 ) at 10:22 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
David: For movies the 150's are some of the best out there. For music they are good to very good. These are the same speakers that were used to mix SWPM. When you listen to them in a proper set up you will be in a large sound bubble. As the sound moves from one speaker to another it is seemless. The 150s SS Tripoles are one of the most versitle surround speakers ever made. You can have tripoles, dipoles and any combination with various outputs between the dipole and direct radiator. I currently am using the 150 Tripoles for my sides to go with my MLs. Go to the M&K site there is quite a bit of info there. IIIn the library you will find the manuals for all their speakers. They also offer lots of different subs. The 350 vis the best for performance vs cost.
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 9:57 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Lord of the Rings
AVB: Put me down for #6 also.
trav1 ( 4.34.141.88 ) at 8:27 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Center channel distortion
All: Maybe some of you can help me out. When listening to many many movies it seems like I encounter some distortion during peak sequences in action flicks. If I remember right I think that I read something about a guy who also heard this, even in his mega tens of thousand $ system. The reply to him was yes, some movies have this in it, such as starship troopers and many others. I am wondering if any others have encountered such a problem. One that I can cue up would be in the dvd of Air Force one at the 1:36:30 or so part where the daughter of the president yells "Dad!" The Dad yell is clearly not clear.....Perhaps several of you could cue this part up and listen closely, am I on the only one?
JJ ( 12.79.75.15 ) at 8:24 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Lord of the Rings
Wayne: No it is different. They are filming the trilogy all at once. to be released Christmas 2001, 2002, 2003. principal photography is happening right now. I'm currently reading the trilogy. I'm at least interested in the movies, if not more. As I read, I am considering the cinematic possibilities, so to speak. I beleive the production is sanctioned by Tolkien's estate. www.lordoftherings.net
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.207.154 ) at 8:22 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
David, do yourself a favor and demo the PSB Image line.
Wayne ( 209.255.22.250 ) at 7:53 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Lord of the Rings
JJ: Being a big fan of the Hobbit as well as the The Lord of the Ring Trilogy, I'm some what interested. Is it the same as what's out in video (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and The Return of the King)?
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.86.199 ) at 7:36 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
David: M&K's sound very good (at least the S-125's I heard), but are a bit pricey, which is why I went with Paradigms, which don't sound *quite* as good as M&K... However, the M&K surrounds worth having start at $1000/pr (I don't go for monopole speaker), and Paradigm makes a GREAT line of ADP series dipole surrounds... Highly recommended if you don't want to pay the admission fee for M&K's.
David ( 199.174.133.19 ) at 6:25 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
Ron H: Here's the scoop. We are moving soon, and will have to leave the in-ceiling speakers that I am using as surrounds with our old house. I originally was going to buy some new Jamo's to match my front speakers, but now am considering using this as an opportunity to upgrade my speaker system. I started with M&K due to reputation, and a brief review I saw. However, I don't know much about them, so I wanted to get impressions fromm the group. I know that speakers are a very "personal-preference" type of decision... I guess I am looking for any "gotcha's", thoughts, recommended alternatives, etc...
Ron H ( 63.39.60.219 ) at 5:45 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
David: I had the 150's for a while and JBC has a complete 150 system that was installed in the past few months. What would you like to know? I also a while back spent some time listening to the 750's. I felt they were very good. Somewhat similar in sound to the 150's.
David ( 199.174.133.19 ) at 5:45 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
geez... I need to learn how to spell...
David ( 199.174.133.19 ) at 5:40 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Speakers
Does anyone have or has anyone auditioned the M&K 750 THX Select or M&K S-150 THX speaker systems? Opininons? Value? etc.?
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.130 ) at 5:19 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
ID4
Oops. Make that yesterday. Even better.
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.57 ) at 5:04 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
ID4
Tony C.: I take that back...it shipped today!
Chris L. ( 198.144.140.57 ) at 5:01 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
ID4
Tony C: ID4 is set to hit the shelves next tuesday 6/27. Seems strange that my order from Buy.com hasn't shipped yet.
Ron H ( 63.27.104.70 ) at 2:42 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Video Essentials?
Cajun Mike: I have both but ojnly use the Avia now.
Curtis ( 63.203.69.90 ) at 12:08 PM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Video Essentials?
Cajun Mike: For the audio setup it's a toss up between VE and Avia. I prefer Avia by far for video setup in my case because it includes more useable geometry and convergence test patterns. This is critical for setting up FP's and RP's. Probably not as big a deal for a direct view. Besides, Avia comes with 3 different color filters while VE only has one
Curtis ( 63.203.69.90 ) at 11:59 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Darian: A native American boy asked his mother where his name came from. She told him that it was always the custom of their people to name a child after an important event that happened at the time of conception.
"We saw a beautiful wild horse when your brother, Running Horse, was created. Your sister, Falling Leaf, was conceived in the fall. I hope this explains your beatuiful name ... Leaky Rubber!"
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:40 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Strange Gig
Last night we did this gig at a bar. Only 8 - 12. But when I walked in at about 7:15 there was this couple seated on stools, at a counter next to my side of the stage. Maybe both in their mid 30s. She, was built and not ashamed to show off her costly boob job. Since I started setting up these two are going at it. After we're into the first set, it gets better, or maybe worse. Her hand is sliding up his shorts, his hand is going up her skirt, and all the while, she's looking at ME. Like she wants to make sure I'm watching. Hell, everyone in the whole place was watching! What a show. There was applause (from appreciation) from a lot of people when they left.
Now I have to ask.
BIG AL, was that you? (JK)
The other thing about last night....lots of hot babes. Older than 25.
And a lot of old guys, older than 45, some older than 55 dancing with these honeys. Right on, old dudes!
It's not just a job....it's an adventure.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:27 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
ID4
So when does ID4 hit the street?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:26 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
AVB: Thanks for the revised Python bit. It was fun reading for a Saturday morning.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.226.240 ) at 11:25 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
PSA
AVB: Thanks for the heads up. I'm putting together an order with them now.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 11:24 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Darian: LOL!!
It only takes one.
Oh, and Happy belated Birthday.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.226.240 ) at 11:23 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Video Essentials?
Which is better these days? Video Essentials or the Avia disc for Calibrating my system?
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 11:07 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Birthday
Thank you all for the Birthday wishes. I got an IOU for an iScan. But the girlfriend impressed me with a rare import version of Brian Setzer "Rockin' By Myself". This was only released in Japan and most of the label is in Japanese. What does she see in me?
Its a great live alblum. Can't wait to get his new one in July.
Last night I fired up the amp n bridged mode. The Upgraded Ovation PLus Strung to the 3K6seIII via Tara Labs Master Generation II XLRs. The Cinepro is pumping out 1200 watts a channel. This is how a live recording was ment to be heard! Even messed with the Matrix setting for the first time in a year. Playing it on my computer while I type ain't even close.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 10:29 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
First and foremost... I am not a bastard! My parents were married for 8 years before I came along. Now late me make something clear. When I entered the dating world, my mom told me something...
"You know that no form of birth control is 100% effective. Your father broke a condom, once."
I happen to be an only child.
AVB ( 64.41.32.221 ) at 10:10 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Lord of the Rings
JJ: 6th line or item #5, either way.
JJ ( 12.79.77.228 ) at 10:03 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
you mean #5?
AVB ( 64.41.32.221 ) at 9:55 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Lord of the Rings
JJ: #6
JJ ( 12.79.77.228 ) at 9:40 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Lord of the Rings
Anybody
Curious
Interested
Excited
Can't Wait
Don't give a ...
about this upcoming movie trilogy?
AVB ( 64.41.32.221 ) at 8:37 AM EST Saturday, June 24, 2000
Another PSA
Any of the east coast folks that are interested in a set of serious tower speakers there is a pair of VMPS ST III /R on ebay with no reserve. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=361491844
The bid is only $500 for a $6K set of speakers. If you have the room these deserve a listen.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 11:40 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Damn! Beat me to it!
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 11:40 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
DTS question
Cajun Mike: Nope. DVD's only.
johnbr ( 24.112.61.241 ) at 11:39 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
DTS question
Cajun Mike: There is no region B.S on compact discs.So have FUN.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.73 ) at 11:17 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
DTS question
Does that Region 1, 2, 3 B.S. apply to compact discs that would be played on a DVD player? The U.K. version of "The Mavericks" Trampoline DTS compact disc has an extra track that does not appear on the U.S. version. I've ordered books from amazon.comUK before and Im thinking about ordering this CD.
AVB ( 64.41.32.206 ) at 8:03 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
PSA
CDUNIVERSE (www.cduniverse.com) has 40% off all instock DVDs plus a $5 coupon (code PRICE2) shipping is very cheap at under $5 for 2 items.
RichardS ( 199.84.157.6 ) at 7:05 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Darian: Happy Birthday!!
johnbr ( 24.112.61.241 ) at 6:49 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Happy birthday Darian
mic ( 172.134.170.72 ) at 6:45 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
JAWS DVD
checkout www.buyjawsdvd.com $13.99 + shipping = 16.??
Wild Bill ( 63.23.3.221 ) at 6:13 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Ron H: Yeah, that was it, you...hacker!! LOL!!
Ron H ( 63.22.210.147 ) at 5:55 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Ron H ( 63.22.210.147 ) at 5:54 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Wild Bill: It must have been my post on Sony vs Dream Vision. ;-).
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 5:04 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Curtis: Good question.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 5:04 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Cajun Mike: I pretty much figured that. I don't shed any tears over the death penalty either.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.154 ) at 5:00 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Geo.: Ok, who's the guilty party from here?
This is part of the message posted on AVS "... This outage was
caused by a post on another site that sent a lot of people looking for information on this forum. THAT POST HAS BEEN
REMOVED. Thanks! "
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.84 ) at 4:26 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Geo.: haha...You can call me many things...but liberal isnt one of them. Im not a card carrying member of the NRA but I'm Right Wing on most issues.
JohnO ( 140.183.114.30 ) at 3:50 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Wild Bill: These e-mail viruses are getting out of hand. Probably wrong to call the last 3 "e-mail" viruses, more like Microsoft Exchange/Outlook viruses, my wife runs Groupwise at work and has been completely unaffected. The latest viruses need Microsoft products (and I think IRC) to replicate.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 3:48 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Wild Bill: I guess as more and more people get more and more sophisticated with computers, there will be more bad guys who can do things like viruses.
Wild Bill ( 63.23.3.126 ) at 3:22 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Geo.: If I had to guess I'd say that they may have taken a virus hit. We had another nasty one that hit our e-mail system on Tuesday or Wednesday. These things just don't seem to go away.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 3:14 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Wild Bill: I just saw that. Wonder what the problem is.
Wild Bill ( 63.23.3.126 ) at 3:13 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVScience
Something has hit AVScience. The have a message up that they can't handle the number of requests they are receiving and have had to shut the forum down temporarily.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 2:40 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Curtis: I remember that. When Theisman started college it was pronounced "thees-man." Only witty, urbane, intellectual, liberal sophisticates like, oh, Cajun (sorry about that Mike) will really appreciate Miller in the booth. Of course, don't forget that Ohlmeyer still thinks O.J. is innocent.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.154 ) at 2:30 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Geo.: Agreed that Miller's audience is largely in NYC, where ABC obviously still thinks the center of the universe is.
Even his HBO stuff is all written for him as was all SNL material, though he has some snappy come-backs in interviews. At least they didn't put Joe Theisman in the booth. Remember when he changed the pronounciation of his name in college to rhyme with Heisman? He knows the game as a player but is irritating to listen to for more than 5 minutes.
Gar ( 205.156.192.21 ) at 2:18 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
BIG AL: Good to hear the DC game console is working out for you! Thanks again on your end.
Gar ( 205.156.192.21 ) at 2:08 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Hey Guys in New York, at training class, Yikes!!! Had a fun flight here, our plane hit a Deer on the runway on the way out here! Talk about a hitting the breaks on the runway. DOH!!!
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 2:02 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Ron H : Dennis Miller is definitely an acquired taste. I've never been able to get past his smarminess and snideness. Frankly, I don't think that the typical MNF audience is Dennis Miller'a audience. He appeals to too small a segment of society. I think it will backfire. If you ask me, I think Howard Cosell is a better commentator dead than Miller will be alive.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.84 ) at 1:48 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Happy Birthday Darian
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.84 ) at 1:46 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Curtis: Well, I grew up as a child with Howard Cossell. MNF has been on the decline ever since. Gifford was horrible. I think they would have done well to ditch Al Michaels also. Should have went with one of the ESPN guys to do play by play. I also think they would have been better served to go with Bob Griese over Fouts. There's no one better than Griese at breaking down a game....but, I think he may have been a bit dry for what they are trying to accomplish. Fouts isnt exactly bubbly. Dennis Miller only curses because he can on HBO. Lets not forget the many years on Saturday Night Live. He can do his high brow humor without using the F-word. I dont know how many liberals are here, but I think Limbaugh would have done a great job. I know that they did many tests and experiments with Limbaugh, Miller and others. Obviously Miller won out. Has anyone read any comments from Al Michaels? I also wonder if Miller's brand of humor will go over the heads of many. He's very dry and you have to have a quick wit to get some of his analogies.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 1:43 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Darian: Happy Birthday you little bastard!
Ron H ( 63.20.12.66 ) at 1:40 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Curtis: I will not be watching Monday night football any more. I am so disapointed and disgusted with their choice. They think their ratings are low now just wait till the newness of this wears off.
JohnO ( 140.183.114.30 ) at 1:37 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Happy Birthday Darian!!!!
Actually my mother told me I was the reconciliation baby. (didn't work)
Curtis ( 63.203.70.154 ) at 1:26 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Dennis Miller in the MNF booth
Did y'all catch this one? Dennis Miller will be in the broadcast booth with Al Michaels and Dan Fouts. After watching his HBO show a few times you have to wonder how he's going to keep his mouth clean for hours on end at live events. This is almost a strange as bringing in Rush Limbaugh, who may be invited to do some guest spots. Anything for ratings I suppose.
How about continuing HD broadcasts, you idiots?!
Curtis ( 63.203.70.154 ) at 12:56 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Geo.: LOL! That's pretty much it.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 12:39 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Curtis: So, in other words, all of the June babies are little bastards? The offspring of teenage camp counselors having one last fling before returning for their senior years? Is that what you're saying, Curtis? ARE YOU JUNE BABIES GOING TO STAND FOR CURTIS CALLING YOU ALL LITTLE BATARDS? STRING HIM UP!!!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 12:27 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Curtis: What's a "September Goodbye"?
Curtis ( 63.203.70.154 ) at 12:23 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Darian: Well if it ain't yet another June baby! Have the best one ever.
In case people are wondering why so many people are born at this time of the year, it's easy. Turn the clock back 9 months to all those September goodbyes
Curtis ( 63.203.70.154 ) at 12:20 PM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Returning Your Dreamvision
Ron H : HD programming is happening in greater volume than you think. Be patient and enjoy what's out there today.
Ron H ( 63.20.181.23 ) at 11:59 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Returning Your Dreamvision
Wild Bill: The main reason I would change is the quality of the HD picture of the Sony. Standard satellite actually looks better on the Dream Vision. 16:9 DVDs look better on the Sony. Full screen DVDs look better on the Dream Vision. If the back order on the Sonys is as bad as I have heard I may just keep the Dream Vision/QuadScan combo and wait it out for the next generation.
I also have been assured that if I stay with the QuadScan they will repace my current unit with the new redisgned unit to be released in the next month or so. The picture was decent enough on the Sony that I can get by without a scaler to start with. If everyone would get off their duff and start making more HD programing available I would be in a state of bliss.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 11:56 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVB's Flying Circuits
AVB- That was definitely one of my favorites... forgot about that one!
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 11:46 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARIAN.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.239 ) at 11:10 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Ron H: BTW, I think that all HTs should come equipped with a vacujack.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.239 ) at 11:09 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Returning Your Dreamvision
Ron H: I won't say it but I'm thinking it!
You will also need a scaler with the Sony projector. An HTPC would work better because you'd be able to exactly match the resolution of the Sony LCD panels (1366 X 768 I believe).
JBC: ( 216.94.28.170 ) at 11:05 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Darian: Happy birthday buddy. Have a great day....
Good morning to everyone else...
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.239 ) at 11:05 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
DTS Demo #4
Cajun Mike: Yep, I do. JohnO and David (among others) also have it.
Wild Bill ( 63.21.88.239 ) at 11:04 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARIAN!!!
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.219.145 ) at 11:01 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Does anyone own the DTS demo disc #4?
Cajun Mike ( 206.124.219.145 ) at 10:52 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
YES, already have UPGRADE FEVER
I've had the Toshiba 2108 DVD player for over a year and half and I can see now that I want a 5 disc DVD carousel. I have an old Sony carousel CD player that's 10 years old. It's skips at high volumes and it does not have an optical out. Has anyone studied the 5 disc DVD players closely? What about the Denon? Sherwood Newcastle has a nice looking new unit with a built-in circle surround decoder. My Sony 777es does not have 5 channel stereo and that would be a nice addition with the Sherwood. Also, will the next generation of DVD players have the DTS Discreet EX decoders built in? Do you need additional mono-block amps for it or does it matrix your current 5 channel amps?...CRAP
AVB ( 64.41.32.41 ) at 9:07 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
I did save this one.
I sent this one to numerous mag, forums, CC financial groups and of course, CC itself. Ahhh, the good old days.
A customer enters a CC store.
Customer: 'Ello, I wish to register a complaint.
(The salesman does not respond.)
C: 'Ello, Miss?
Salesman: What do you mean "miss"?
C: (pause) I'm sorry, I have a cold. I wish to make a complaint!
S: We're closin' for lunch.
C: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this divx player what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.
O: Oh yes, the, uh, the RCA 5240...What's,uh...What's wrong with it?
C: I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. 'E's dead, that's what's wrong with it!
O: No, no, 'e's uh,...it's resting.
C: Look, matey, I know a dead fornmat when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.
O: No no it's not dead, it's, it's restin'! Remarkable player, the RCA 5240, isn't it, ay? Beautiful color!
C: The color don't enter into it. It's stone dead.
O: Nononono, no, no! 'E's resting!
C: All right then, if it's restin', I'll wake it up! (shouting at the player) 'Ello, Mister divx player! I've got a lovely fresh disc for you if you show...(owner hits the player)
O: There, it moved!
C: No, it didn't, that was you hitting the player!
O: I never!!
C: Yes, you did!
O: I never, never did anything...
C: (yelling and hitting the player repeatedly) 'ELLO divx!!!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o'clock alarm call! (Takes player out of the box and thumps it on the counter. Throws it up in the air and watches it plummet to the floor.)
C: Now that's what I call a dead format.
O: No, no.....No, 'e's stunned!
C: STUNNED?!?
O: Yeah! You stunned it, just as it was wakin' up! divx players stun easily, major.
C: Um...now look...now look, mate, I've definitely 'ad enough of this. That format is definitely deceased, and when I purchased it not 'alf an hour ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it bein' tired and shagged out following a prolonged ad campaigne.
O: Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for December of 1998.
C: PININ' for DECEMBER?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that?, look, why did it fall flat on its back the moment I got it home?
O: The RCA 5240 prefers keepin' on it's back! Remarkable player, id'nit, squire? Lovely colors when it works!
C: Look, I took the liberty of examining that player when I got it home, and I discovered the only reason that it hadn't sold before in the first place was that it had no support outside this store!.
(pause)
O: Well, o'course it has support! If it didn't why would we be selling them? Or sat through all those sales classes? We sell lots of them VOOM! Feeweeweewee! Out the door!
C: "VOOM"?!? Mate, this player wouldn't "voom" if you put four million volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised! O: No no! 'E's pining!
C: 'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This player is no more! It has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the display 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is divx circuits processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-FORMAT!!
(pause)
O: Well, I'd better replace it, then. (he takes a quick peek behind the counter)
O: Sorry squire, I've had a look 'round the back of the shop, and uh, we're right out of real DVD players.
C: I see. I see, I get the picture.
O: I got a Zenith.
(pause)
C: Pray, does it do widescreen?
O: Nnnnot really.
C: WELL IT'S HARDLY A BLOODY REPLACEMENT, IS IT?!!???!!?
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 8:38 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Happy Birthday!
Here's hoping you get some nice HT goodies today, Darian!
Ron H ( 63.20.181.120 ) at 8:33 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Good morning all. I will try to check my typing closer today. LOL.
Darian: Happy Birthday Guy!!!!
AVB ( 64.41.32.41 ) at 7:52 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
compiled quotes
Kieran: I did all of those off the top of my head and didn't save them for posterity. I think I could remember some though.
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 7:06 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
FELIZ CUMPLEAńOS DARIAN Y CURTIS!!
BAGMAN ( 208.131.247.212 ) at 6:44 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
DVDs
Tony C: ID4 does come out next week. I ordered mine this last Mon.
Happy B'Day: late,Curtis and on time Darian.
Big Al: Understood and knew that about the surround x-overs. I thought it ironic that with all the Nova's flexibility that I thought a standard 80 sounded the best. I was wrong though,after playing around a bit with different x-overs and slopes I've settled on sending the surrounds a full signal with a low pass to the sub. Now we are rocking and rumbling.
Ron H: Doesn't the drawer closing hurt?
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 3:20 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
compiled quotes
AVB, Kieran: If AVB will provide them, I can put them in the Extras section too...
Kieran ( 134.139.23.208 ) at 1:19 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Happy Birthday Darian!!
Damn, we have a LOT of June babies!!!!!
Have a great day, Darian.
Kieran ( 134.139.23.208 ) at 1:14 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
all you = all your
Kieran ( 134.139.23.208 ) at 1:14 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
compiled quotes
AVB: what I'd love to see, if you have them all written down somewhere, are all you anti-divx euphamisms (spelling?) that you used to include with EVERY post back in the divx days! I used to get a good laugh out of those!
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.62 ) at 12:55 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Scott "pop"; I need an Elvis smiley!!!
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.62 ) at 12:53 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
AVB, Yes! Somebody should do a comparison on which works better to absorb reflections. A velvet Elvis, velvet poker dogs, or a velvet bullfighter. I believe a velvet Elvis, in his later, bulkier years, might be the best. Maybe I should contact Home Theater Mag.! Uhhuh..huh thankyouverymuch...
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.62 ) at 12:47 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Spent the whole day sitting around at the courthouse, waiting for my attourney. I HAD to be there by 9 AM, but he ambled in about 3 PM. I hate attourneys! The insurance company's lawyer kept walking by, and smiling at me. GRRRRRRRRRRR!
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.62 ) at 12:44 AM EST Friday, June 23, 2000
Gar; Finally got to try out the DC, works great, thanks! Got the second package yesterday, but haven't gotten the chance to try them out. I can't wait! I think we tend to forget that graphics and power don't mean success for a game console. The DC is great, but if some equally great games don't appear soon, it's doomed. The DC has been out since '98, and only has a couple "great" games.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 11:15 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Memorable Quote
Ron H: You're too much, man.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.140 ) at 10:36 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
How quickly we forgetHow quickly we forget
AVB: How true. I have steered dozens of people away from them for ages now. What a sweet day that was last year. As I recall you were on reserve duty and all we could think about was how to get the message to you.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 10:32 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Dang... I can't even use my own language Try the Extras section
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 10:31 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Memorable Quotes are temporarily up... In the www.htoc.net/ExtrasSet.htmlExtras section... Look in the left frame for a link
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 10:24 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Curtis: I'm already working on it... "HTOC Memorable Quotations". I'm debating about how to add a link to the original post so there's no debates about being "out of context"... but I'll put up a temporary page in the Extras section... And I don't plan to go back and find previous memorable quotes... we'll just start now.
AVB ( 64.41.32.215 ) at 10:15 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
How quickly we forgetHow quickly we forget
I'm just as guilty as the rest of you. I forgot to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of divx dying. I still don't shop at CC.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.140 ) at 10:11 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Ron H: We'll have to compile an all-time best typos section here!
Out of curiosity what HD material did you watch on the other persons RCA unit? (I just want to put my unit in and have it play flawlessly without anyone having to mess around with it:-))
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 10:09 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
HTOC Forum Memorable quotes...
Congrats, Ron H! You're the first person to make the Memorable quotes Hall of Fame...
"I want to put a dick in, push a button on the Pronto that says Play DVD and then sit back."
Great one Ron!!!
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.81 ) at 10:01 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
At least you didn't say, "Put MY disc in.." LOL!
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.81 ) at 9:57 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Ron H: LOL! That was one of the best ones yet!
AVB ( 64.41.32.215 ) at 9:44 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Don't forget the dogs playing poker too!
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.73 ) at 9:27 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
RonH; Maybe a few velvet Elvis paintings will tone down those reflections?
Geo. ( 209.54.113.213 ) at 8:55 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
AVB: Ron wants to DO porno on the big screen!
AVB ( 64.41.32.215 ) at 8:47 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
I think Ron wants to watch porno on the big screen.
JJ ( 12.79.77.189 ) at 8:43 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
I'm big on sophomoric humor I guess.
JJ ( 12.79.77.189 ) at 8:42 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
I'm giggling.
Ron H ( 63.22.187.219 ) at 8:23 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
LOL: I want to put a dick in=I want to put a disc in.
I guess that would work great also.
Ron H ( 63.22.187.219 ) at 8:20 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
RickMTB/Curtis: Thanks for the responses. The looks of the treatments are not a large concern as this is a dedicated room. When thinking about treatments bear in mind that the MLs are a dipole type speaker.
A member on another forum had me over today to check out his Sony HT10 projector. I can say that my Dream Vision is going back. You had to be closer than 6 feet to see any pixels. Blacks are not as good as a tube but good enough. We watched some HD from a RCA sat unit and my jaw just dropped to the floor simply incredible looking. So 3-D looking and the colors were amazing.
The machine is also vey quiet. I mean very quiet. You can hardly hear the fans. It is bright enough that you can add more light to the room than you you would ever really want and still see a decent picture.
We watched some DVDs on a progressive Toshiba player. The picture was very good also. The combination of the Dream Vision with a QuadScan scaler is close in quality to the Sony and maybe even a little more film like. What the Dream vision does give up is the plug and play convience of the Sony, the Dream vision at my seat haS a sound level of 54dbs, and having to us a scaler and some of the problems associated with it.
I sometimes have to wonder when some say this piece of equipment will do a great job but you need to buy a scaler, build a hush box, add a HTPC or a special lens to squeeze the picture. My life is too short to nhave to deal with that stuff. I want my video set up to be as transparent as my audio.
I want to put a dick in, push a button on the Pronto that says Play DVD and then sit back. then if I decide I want to watch the Sat I push a button that says WATCH SAT and again sit back and enjoy. I do not want to to do the continued tweeking or adjusting that some setups need.
YMMV
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:07 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Wall Treatments
Ron Easier to find than I thought.
www.avscience.com/acousticpannel.htm
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:05 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Wall Treatments
Ron H : How long have you had the M$Ks?
Could they use a little more break in time?
I have here somewhere directions of how to make your own fabric wall treatments. It looked very easy to do. I'll see if I can find it. The url is sure to be printed on it. This way you can match the colors of your room.
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 8:02 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Htnut
AVB: You're right. Plus there was that room where you saw the back of the equipement. I couldn't quite tell where that was.
RickMTB: I think it was you who mentioned a room that looked like a barn. You should look at this guys. It kind of has a barn shaped cieling.
Ron H: So when are we getting pictures of your big project?
Wild Bill ( 63.38.153.182 ) at 7:56 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Ron H : Maybe JohnO has some thoughts on your bright room. He had to tame his room a bit.
AVB ( 64.41.32.227 ) at 7:34 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Htnut
Kieran: You have to look at the whole thing, bar, pool room, bathroom AND an HT room with 9 seats. I'd say that is huge when all added up. A good pool room has to be at least 16' wide and 20' long by itself (6' clearance on all sides) so you don't hit the wall with your stick. I can't fit 9 seats in my room and it is pretty good size.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 7:25 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Htnut
AVB: I was wondering the same thing... However, I'm pretty sure it is an attic of some sort, because he says several times that it's "two flights of stairs down" to the main floor, and in one place I think he refers to it as "the third floor". It's hard to tell, but I think the pictures are deceiving; it's not really that HUGE of a room, it's just WAY decked-out!
AVB ( 64.41.32.227 ) at 7:19 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Denon 3700 DVD
Anyone have this player? I'm thinking of changing some equipment, selling my Parasound CD player/transport and HDCD DAC along with the Pioneer DV-05 and going for "all in one". Comments, good, bad or otherwise? Also if anybody is interested in the above equipment drop me a line.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.198 ) at 5:31 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Ron H : You could experiment with wall hangings (rugs or curtains) which will be inexpensive and less "audio nut" looking. Some people use Sonex squares but pretty soon it looks like a sound room. There are these wood shutter contraptions that are supposed to modify the room acoustics (RPG Diffusors) but they are pretty expensive.
AVB ( 64.41.33.99 ) at 5:07 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Htnut
Kieran: If that is the attic, how big is the house? 10,000 sq ft?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.137 ) at 5:03 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Htnut
AVB: I agree, but I think it wasn't an addition, but a remodeling of the attic area, thus the canted walls.
AVB ( 64.41.33.99 ) at 4:50 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Htnut
Kieran: Nothing that any of us couldn't do if we had an extra $175K laying around. Jeez, the addition for that is as big as my house.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 4:45 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Tony C: Wow... HTnut's theater has to be the most involved HT project I've seen so far! Incredible!
Curtis ( 63.203.70.140 ) at 4:44 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Ron H : By "them" do you mean the speakers or the walls themselves? I would look into some sort of acoustic fabric treatment to put on top of the existing walls. A friend is a recording engineer who knows all about this stuff. I'll get some ideas and pass them along.
Ron H ( 63.20.181.102 ) at 4:12 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
about cieling tile typ material = ceiling type material
Ron H ( 63.20.181.102 ) at 4:12 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
I have came to the conclusion that my MLs sound very very bright in my HT room. It looks like I may need to go for some wall treatments. I am guessing putting something behind them will do the trick. Any thoughts and any suggestions on materials to use? I had thought about cieling tile typ material on the wall where the screen is. Will that do the job?
Ron H ( 63.20.181.102 ) at 3:32 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Tony C:That is something!!!
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 3:29 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Joke of the day...
Bouncey sent me this one in E-mail...
A little boy and girl at school were having lunch in the shelter shed.
"Tommy," she said, "I'm not eating any more chicken sandwiches."
"Why?" he asked.
"Cause I'm starting to grow feathers down here," she said, pointing to the bottom of her tummy.
"I don't believe you," he said, "you'll have to show me."
Behind the shed they went, where the inspection took place.
"Gee, you're right," he said. "I've been eating a lot of chicken also, perhaps I'm getting feathers too."
"Well, I'd better have a look," she said.
After a lengthy examination, she looked up and said, "Oh, I think it's too late for you, you've got the neck and giblets too."
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 2:11 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
You guys want to see a really cool HT, go to www.htnut.com
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 2:03 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Curtis: Belated b-day wishes.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.140 ) at 1:57 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Thanks for the input...
Darian: I would email the seller and ask if he'll sell you one direct, outside the auction format. He states that he has a steady supply so I don't see why he wouldn't go for this.
Winston aka the Spleen ( 206.165.142.131 ) at 1:50 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Pure Digital DVD Output.....?
There's an item on Wired news about a British company that is selling modified DVD players that output pure digital signals.... supposed to be film quality (?) ... anyone know what this is about?
Here's the link:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,37059,00.html
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.158 ) at 1:50 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Paging NeoBeano... er, NeoSonic... to the admin forum... Paging NeoSonic to the admin forum...
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 1:36 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
DVDs
Does ID4 come out next week?
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 1:36 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Thanks for the input...
Curtis: Thanks for the help. Problem is I don't want to wait around for 8 days of bidding. I need to get a present and I wanted this to be it. Any other ideas in that price range?
JJ ( 12.79.74.136 ) at 1:22 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Sound City
... is also a B&M here in NJ. They ahve apretty nice set-up.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.226.244 ) at 12:30 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Sony 777
Kieran: you have to call all these places. Oades took the Sony Es logo down because Sony threatened to pull the line from them. They do not allow dealers to post heavily discounted prices on the net. They aren't supposed to sell over the net either. However, you making a phone call makes it a different transaction.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.140 ) at 12:24 PM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Thanks for the input...
Darian: A guy on eBay has been selling new, in box iScans for quite a while now. Final prices usually end up around $400. Look here
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=363018993
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 11:38 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Sony 777
Cajun Mike: I don't see the Sony 777 anywhere on the SoundCity site... do they carry it?
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 11:32 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Thanks for the input...
Double time... someone tell me who has the best deal on iScan and I will pick one up.
Trigger... Stop by the shack today or tomorrow. Maybe treat myself to a little something there! hehehe
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.226.244 ) at 11:32 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Sony 777
Kieran: Sound City is an onine store. http://www.soundcity.com
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 11:27 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Sony 777
Cajun Mike: Just so I know what I'm talking about, who is Sound City? Are they an online store, and do they have a website? $980 is a pretty good price!
AVB ( 64.41.32.203 ) at 11:22 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Paging.
JJ: My answer in on the Admin forum.
JohnO ( 140.183.114.30 ) at 10:52 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Gaming
JJ: Did some several years ago. I tried Everquest 6 months ago, liked it but didn't have time.
JJ ( 12.79.77.178 ) at 9:22 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Gaming
Any yous guys do any online gaming? Not Quake and stuff. but cards, etc
JJ ( 12.79.77.178 ) at 9:20 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Paging.
Paging AVB to the Admin Forum. AVB to admin forum
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 8:40 AM EST Thursday, June 22, 2000
Chirp........chirp.......chirp
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.103 ) at 11:04 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Curtis; Happy Birthday!
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.89 ) at 10:55 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Everything is hook up!
It sounds great. I cannot wait for the PSB Image 10S bipole surrounds to be available next month. I've been watching the Roy Orbsion DTS Black and White nights disc and it's fabulous. There's a mode on the Sony where it's using the front three speakers. I need to get some optical cable to run my dvd and dish the way I want. I wonder how long PSB speakers take to break in.
P.S. The Sony remote is not that bad. But what makes it stink is that it shuts down after 10 seconds.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.89 ) at 10:53 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Sony 777
Kieran: I got the unit for around 980.00 through sound seller. They gave me a total package price but that's how much I'm estimating. Tell them you were quoted 980 including shipping by Sound City and see if they will match it.
Curtis ( 63.202.181.104 ) at 10:32 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Speed test
Cytotech: Oh that? I guess Bill didn't like the radar gun. Been using Navigator lately so didn't even notice.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 10:24 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Speed test
Curtis: No IE 5 support? Bah!
Curtis ( 63.202.181.104 ) at 10:16 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Speed test
JT: NetMedic is my favorite. Check it out here...
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10059-100-1577331.html?tag=st.dl.10001_103_1.lst.td
JT ( 24.92.136.126 ) at 9:50 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Speed test
Does anyone have the address for the utility that tests your connection speed?
simm ( 209.138.146.4 ) at 8:10 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Guns of Navarone
Kieran: If still intersted in trading let me know what you are offering. If you want you can email me. simm1@mindspring.com.
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.165 ) at 7:20 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
JBC: Still working on them. I've been concentrating more on decorating the HT room. I decided to lose all the cranberry red and cobalt blue decorations the roomy had going and do more earthy colors. Add some pillows and candles and whatnot to make the room feel more comfortable and not so HERE'S THE COUCH AND THERE'S THE TV type of thing.
OTOH...I just got a raise at work not too long ago and should be able to bring the M&Ks home by the end of July! Then I can start working on the HDTV.
How are you enjoying your new system anyway?
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.165 ) at 7:14 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Reel Movie Trivia Challenge?
Soooo...did we lose all the winnings we had saved up or what? I had a little over $20.
BYork ( 64.20.40.252 ) at 7:08 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Happy Birthday, Curtis!
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 7:02 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Chris L. How are you doing on getting those 150's?
Chris L. ( 198.144.141.165 ) at 6:55 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CURTIS!!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:53 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Sony 777
RickMTB: Woops, it's there, but doesn't say "free shipping" sorry. Only some items (like the Take5+ES-8 package for $595) are with "free shipping." The 2095 is fourth from the top of the "receivers" category on the "Home Specials" page. I can give you a 3rd party vouch for this company. A very good friend just ordered set of 5 Energy speakers (the e:XL-16's + some center I don't remember). He received the speakers the DAY AFTER he ordered them! (granted that was shipping from San Diego to Irvine, but still...) I don't know if he double boxed the speakers, but they arrived in fine condition, and my friend is very happy. Call the guy up, I've spoken with him. He's very straight forward, and will talk to you about HT or whatever and answer any questions you have.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:47 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Sony 777
RickMTB: Yes, I know the 777 is $1195 at Soundpros, I was wondering what Cajun paid at SoundSeller.com. Anyway, to find the Yammie 2095 I was talking about, look under "specials". It's $995, and I think that's with free shipping, too!
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.140 ) at 6:19 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Sony 777
Kieran: Maybe I zigged when I should have zagged, but that link you posted tells me the 777es is $1195 at Sound Pros... Funny, I can't find the 2095 you say they are selling for $995 (seems a great price IMO).
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.140 ) at 6:16 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
More on speaker wire
RickMTB: ARGH!!! Just went through the home inspection where I was able to be really nosy about how the new house was set up. Turns out they ran the speaker wires to a box on the WRONG side of the room. In other words, I will have to re-run the speaker wires anyway. Drats!
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 6:09 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CURTIS!
Cajun: Ain't new stuff fun!
JBC: ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 4:47 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Happy birthday Curtis...
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 4:30 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Sony 777
Cajun, How much did you pay for the 777 at Sound Seller? The web site I found, www.soundseller.com didn't have any prices (you have to call). A friend of mine is in the market for a receiver in the $700 - $1000 range. He so far is considering the Denon 2800, the Yamaha 995, and the Yamaha 2095. The 2095 he can get from www.soundpros.com for $995 and the Yamaha 995 he can get for $725. I've never listened to Sony ES receivers much, but the reviews and features that the 777 has make it sound like it might be right for him.
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.88.209 ) at 3:29 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Curtis: Hmmm.. I wonder what kind of cassette tape this was...
Curtis ( 63.202.181.104 ) at 2:50 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Thanks for the b-day wishes guys. A ladyfriend gave me a boom box with a cassette player because she had made a tape for me a few weeks ago only to discover that in my entire equipment rack I have no cassette deck!
Navin R. Cajun ( 206.124.220.116 ) at 2:39 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
I'm somebody now
Ron H : Double boxed and packaged very well. Kudos to Sound Seller....They gave me the best price, they said everything was in stock, shipped when they said they would and gave me the UPS tracking number to follow it's progress. I will most definitely buy from them again.
Ron H ( 63.20.12.135 ) at 2:32 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
I'm somebody now
Navin R. Cajun: Congrats
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 1:24 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Curtis: Happy birthday, oldtimer!
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 12:03 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Birthday Boy!
Happy B-Day, Curtis-Dude! (In my best Otto the bus driver voice) Hope you have some good ol' fashioned fun! Tell you boss I said you can take the rest of the day off. 
Navin R. Cajun ( 209.124.223.161 ) at 12:03 PM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
I'm somebody now
THE NEW HOMETHEATER EQUIPMENT'S HERE, THE NEW HOMETHEATER EQUIPMENT'S HERE
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 11:57 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
AVB: Don't worry about sending those test emails... Thanks anyway.
JJ ( 12.79.77.2 ) at 11:51 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Speaker Wire
Curtis: re: line level. yea. I'm jealous.
Happy Birthday Bud.
Wild Bill ( 205.188.200.22 ) at 11:27 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Happy Birthday, Curtis!!
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.161 ) at 11:06 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Happy Birthday Curtis
Btw, my UPS shipment will be arriving within the hour. Nothing like a UPS man that's always within a 1/2 hour on-time every morning.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.223.161 ) at 11:05 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Ron H: It's all making me sick. 7.1, dts discreet EX, 12.1, prologic II. All I have to say is, SHOW ME THE SOFTWARE!
Glenee ( 129.15.204.207 ) at 10:41 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CURTIS
Gasgeek ( 204.48.23.145 ) at 9:37 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CURTIS!! MAY THE HT GODS BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE FROM ADDITIONAL FORMAT CHANGES ON THIS SPECIAL DAY!
Ron H ( 63.20.181.247 ) at 9:12 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Curtis:
Ron H ( 63.20.181.247 ) at 9:02 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Curtis: Happy Birthday you old dog.
RichardS ( 199.84.157.8 ) at 8:55 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Curtis: Happy Birthday!!! May Diana show up at your door to serenade you
RichardS ( 199.84.157.8 ) at 8:54 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Dolby Prologic II
RonH: Just what we need, another excuse to buy more equipment. Geez!
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.168 ) at 8:44 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Yo! Birthday Boy!
Have a GREAT day, Curtis!
Ron H ( 63.22.187.88 ) at 4:01 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Just what we need: "In the age of discrete 5.1-channel Dolby® Digital and DTS® Digital Surround™, one would tend to believe that the days of Dolby Surround and matrix multi-channel audio are numbered. If this is your point of view, you'd better reconsider. Dolby Laboratories has just introduced the next wave of matrix decoding, and it's bigger and better than ever."
"Known as Dolby Surround Pro Logic II, this isn't merely an improvement in steering logic over its predecessor. This new scheme can do what Pro Logic® was able to do, and much more. It is a 6:2:6 matrix encode-decode system, meaning that up to six channels (front left-center-right and surround left-center-right) can be combined into two and subsequently processed to recover the original six channels. It's a grand, timely update to the well-established matrix surround domain that will bridge the gap between discrete and matrix multi-channel audio."
For more info: http://www.widescreenreview.com/todaynews/052100.html
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.87.62 ) at 12:30 AM EST Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Kieran: Dang... When I was typing that post I thought it was grammar, but decided to use grammer since that's what JJ used... gotta get to work on that code... (actually, I might clean up the forum code some and use the same code but with command-line options for the different forums, rather than having three files containing the exact same code with about 4 lines changed...)
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.103 ) at 10:11 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Cajun Mike; There are cheaper places to get wire than the Shack. I always thought it interesting that 12 ga, and 8 ga bulk are both $.99 a foot. How many feet do you need?
BIG AL ( 204.248.58.103 ) at 10:04 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Darian; I'd have to know the I.D x O.D. size of the DC adapter plug. We sell a 6 foot male to female adapt-a-plug extension for $3.99 (#273-1641). Snip off the male end, get the right size adapter plug, plug it in the female side, then crimp or solder on a phono plug to the snipped off end, and VOILA!
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 8:52 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
simm: I checked my inventory and the only things that I could find to swap were a couple of chick flicks. Sorry to have held you up. I think Kieran has some to swap.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.128 ) at 6:48 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Speaker Wire
JJ: What the heck is "speaker wire". I run the fancy line level stuff that came with my active speakers.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 6:39 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Brokedown Palace
Kieran: I haven't checked out that disc, and I don't even have a widescreen set, but....
From what I understand, several dvd's have anamorphic menus, and letterboxed feature. Dumb, I know.
Cytotech ( 24.4.252.169 ) at 6:37 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Kieran: Smarta$$!!! hehe
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:29 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Brokedown Palace
Rented this movie and watched it last night. It was decent as movies go, but the DVD really tripped me up. As far as I can tell, and PLEASE somebody check me on this (if you can) the DVD menus are anamorphic 16x9, while the movie itself is 4:3 letterbox (looked like 2.35:1 ratio). I couldn't believe my eyes, but I flipped back and forth several times and damn if that's not what I saw. The movie is definitely 4:3 LBX, no doubt there. But I could be mistaken about the menus. However, I really don't think I am... I switched back and forth between "TheaterWide" (LBX "zoom") and "FULL" (anamorphic stretch) modes on my Toshiba TW40H80, while on the DVD menus, and I swear that things looked "right" aspect-ratio wise, when it was in "FULL" mode. Has anyone else seen this DVD yet?
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.196 ) at 6:19 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
More on speaker wire
The house I just bought (boy, that sounds good!) was "pre-wired for surround sound". Don't know exactly what they meant, other than I saw two plates up on a wall near where I will mount my surrounds. I am guessing they ran wire between those plates and another plate behind their entertainment center. I am just happy I won't have to run wire... I don't even care what gauge or brand of wire they used (I will deal with terminating the wires).
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:18 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Scott "popcorn" & JJ: First things first... you both need a spell checker more than a grammar (not grammER) checker!
Scott "popcorn" ( 38.193.87.62 ) at 6:15 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
JJ: You gotta do your own grammer checking! I'll write a spell checker, but you're on your own for grammer!
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 5:44 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: Only if you want to pay $.99 per foot.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.233.15 ) at 5:35 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
ups track
called sound seller...he gave me the ups tracking number and all my stuff will be arriving tomorrow. Three days from Wisconsin to Louisiana....not shabby.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.233.15 ) at 4:27 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
I went to radio shack. They had spools of 14 and 16 gauge. They have 12 gauge in big spools in Radio shack boxes that they cut to length. I saw two types of banana plugs. One where the cable plugs in from behind and another where it goes in from the top in the middle with a screw that grabs it. Should I go with the cut to length Radio Shack 12 gauge wire?
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.233.15 ) at 4:27 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
I went to radio shack. They had spools of 14 and 16 gauge. They have 12 gauge in big spools in Radio shack boxes that they cut to length. I saw two types of banana plugs. One where the cable plugs in from behind and another where it goes in from the top in the middle with a screw that grabs it. Should I go with the cut to length Radio Shack 12 gauge wire?
JJ ( 12.79.76.174 ) at 4:20 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
where is that grammer checker anyway??
JJ ( 12.79.76.174 ) at 4:19 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
none taken. it more of a little project to keep me busy, than any thing else. Do I think it make any difference in my system? nah. but it was fun (sort of), and I think they look cool. btw, I paid 34˘ a foot. and it is tripled up to make low enough gauge.
Robert ( 32.102.10.123 ) at 4:14 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Speaker Wire
No offense, If you are going to use Cat-5 for speaker wire (even if it is $.09 a foot), I'll gladly use my contacts to buy 1000ft spools of Monster or UL 12/2 or UL 12 or 16/4 for you all to divy up. I've done it before, that's how my friends got their houses pre-wired. To think I was the only one who got ripped off that time when I had a contractor charge $350 to run 15 ft of UL 14/4 through framed interior walls...NEVER AGAIN.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 4:08 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Speaker Wire
JJ: Well, that's only because some of us are so tolerant of the gaping a-holes who run speaker wire different from us. hahaha
JJ ( 12.79.76.174 ) at 3:59 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Speaker Wire
Imagine that. A civilized Wire poll.
Ron H ( 63.20.181.15 ) at 3:51 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: I run 12 guage all the way around with banana to banana.
AVB ( 64.41.33.75 ) at 3:48 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: Length and power will have some thing to do with the gage you select. I run 10 gage in the front (1200 watts 20' runs) and 12 in the rear (500 watts 30' runs). If you have under 50' then 14 gage will do up to about 100-125 watts or so, longer runs or more power then move up to 12 gage. JMHO
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 2:59 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: I use 12ga. all the way around. I've read that 14 is OK up to about a 50ft. run. You can't go wrong using a thicker wire, though.
Ron H ( 63.20.181.212 ) at 2:24 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: The rears should be a larger guage due to the length being longer. I see no reason that it would matter if the speaker cables are all the same length. The speed of electricity moving through the cable makes the length point mute.
JJ ( 12.79.76.174 ) at 2:13 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: I made cables for my fronts using plenum category-5 cables. if you like blue...
JohnO ( 140.183.114.30 ) at 2:05 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: I used 12 guage everywhere.
RickMTB ( 207.18.199.140 ) at 1:54 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: No... I use Distech 312 for my mains (expensive multistrand where each strand is insulated separately) and Monster superflat for the rears. I use cheap generic Monster for the center.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.238.44 ) at 12:32 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
So, find a spool of 10 or 12 gauge wire and then buy the Radio shack or RCA 24k gold banana plugs and go banana to banana?
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.238.44 ) at 12:25 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
mic: Do you guys use the same gauge wire for your rear surrounds? I've noticed that a smaller diameter is used in most applications. I know that it's important that the length of the wire is supposed to be identical for your front mains and center channel but why isn't it important for the rear surrounds?
I'm going to have to go from my receiver, out the back of my cabinet, into the wall, up the wall, through the ceiling and back down the rear wall to the surrounds. I had my house pre-wired when it was built. The guy used tons of wire that was pink in color. I dont know what gauge this is but it's running to every room in the house and my back patio.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 12:11 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
simm: Guns of Navarrone
Kieran: I got The Guns of Navarone for father's day and it is first rate.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 12:10 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Risque joke of the day.
A little boy walks into the drugstore and earnestly tells the druggist, "I'd like a pack of ribbed condoms." The druggist chuckles and says, "Little boy, do you even know what condoms are for?" The little boy says, very seriously, "They're for the prevention of disease." Well, the druggist is very impressed at this and he asks the boy, "Do you know what the ribs are for?" And the little boy answers, "Well, I'm not sure what the ribs do," as the druggist smiles, "but the hair on the back of that goat stands straight up when I use them."
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 12:05 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
simm: Guns of Navarrone
Simm: If cai doesn't have anything you want to trade for, let me know I REALLY want that movie! I have 4 or 5 discs I'd be willing to trade, including "Truman Show" "Excalibur" "Deliverance" and a couple others I can't think of.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 12:04 PM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
E-Bay Question
Curtis: If I hear you and JohnO correctly, it's too early to go medieval on the guy's ass, right. Actually, the serial numbers would be nice, but I'm still waiting for a response to my request for shipping confirmation, or confirmation that we're still on track.
Ron H ( 63.20.181.98 ) at 11:38 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
DVD
Tony C: DVD Release: 2000-10-10
Curtis ( 63.203.70.128 ) at 11:27 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
E-Bay Question
Geo.: Most people who aren't used to packing and shipping largish items end up taking a while to deliver. I have had delays but no seller has ever flaked out on me. Perhaps you could ask the seller to furnish you with the serial numbers to give you that warm fuzzy feeling.
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 11:27 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
E-Bay Question
JohnO: Thank you. Since this is my first one, I'm really not sure what to think. On the one hand, time is passing with no speakers, on the other hand, I have to realize that this is probably not the highest priority in this guy's life. Anyone else have any thoughts?
JohnO ( 140.183.114.30 ) at 10:47 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
E-Bay Question
Geo.: I have been through about 10 auctions, both as seller and buyer. Some people respond within minutes, others take 3 days between each e-mail communication, which streches into weeks. I would be inclined to give him another day.
Geo. ( 209.54.113.236 ) at 10:14 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
E-Bay Question
Good morning all: You may remember that on 6/10 I won an auction on e-bay for some speakers. I paid the bid immediately using their Billpoint credit card system and I e-mailed the seller. I heard from the seller on the following Tuesday saying that he had changed his e-mail and had neglected to tell Billpoint and didn't know payment had been made. He apologized for his late response. He asked for my shipping information, which I sent him and said he would send shipping confirmation on Friday (6/16). I didn't hear from him on Friday, so on Sunday I e-mailed him asking for shipping confirmation and, as of this morning, I have not heard back from him. It is now 10 days since he received payment for the speakers and I have no confirmation that they have been shipped. Is this within normal time frames? Is this unusually slow? This is my first experience with e-bay and I'm just not sure whether to start to suspect that this guy is a flake, or what. He had all positive feedback on e-bay, so I'm not sure what to think. I'm suspecting that the guy might not have the speakers he sold me and is trying to get some. Am I jumping the gun in getting pissed?
Tony C ( 208.209.205.66 ) at 10:00 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
DVD
Ron H: when?
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 9:58 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
12 Volt Trigger
Big Al: Any ideas on the shack part for a 12 volt trigger??? Phono like connector and DC like connector?
AVB ( 64.41.32.182 ) at 9:57 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Now that is interesting. Sorry.
Darian ( 207.172.11.148 ) at 9:56 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Double time...
So everyone agrees that the iScan is the way to go for my system? Its really nice having descret codes for everything in my system. Makes setting up a Universal remote easier. Maybe I will borrow a Pioneer 434 when it comes out.
Now I need to start looking around for an iScan dealer.
Thanks guys.
AVBAVBAVB ( 64.41.32.182 ) at 9:56 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Rebuild
10 hours to reload NT and all my stuff on a new drive but I'm back in action now. Amazing how much crap you find you don't need on a new install, I must have an extra 3 gig of space now.
mic ( 166.68.134.165 ) at 8:04 AM EST Tuesday, June 20, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: The Home Depot by me has 12ga speaker wire in bulk 250' for $63.00 by American Shielded wire. Very soft & flexible, a great buy in my book. It is located in a different section of the store from the RCA stuff, over by the per foot rack.
Ron H ( 63.27.245.59 ) at 11:17 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Should read to be released on DVD
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.236.4 ) at 11:05 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
JBC: In the krix line I demo'd the Equinox and the Lyrix. The dealer did not have the KDX in stock. I really like those speakers but they needed alot of power for them to open up. The M&K was the 150 tHx system powered by the Denon 4800. This system was at the shop close to my house. I thought it sounded good but preferred the PSB's. I had also decided that I wanted to go with full range and floor standing mains.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.236.4 ) at 11:02 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
IRC anyone?
I've been sitting in the #home-theater chatroom on IRC while I surf the net. Someone, anyone, anyone, bueller, bueller.....
JBC ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 10:51 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Cajun: Once again, congrats on the PSB's. Just out of curiosity:
a) Which M&K did you hear and what about them did you not like?
b) Which Krix did you hear and what about them did you not like?
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 10:40 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
simm: I will be in touch tomorrow evening and let you know what I have to offer as trade. I wouldn't mind having that movie.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.236.4 ) at 10:05 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
speaker wire
Wild Bill: I guess I'll go check out Radio Shack tomorrow on the speaker wire.
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.236.4 ) at 10:02 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
JBC:: Everyone here knows how long I waited and during that time I was able to demo as much product as what was available. I never got to hear the Monitor audio, Dynaudio, Totem, ProAC and Tannoy. but I did get to hear Paradigm, NHT, Krix, B&W, M&K, Definitive, Mirage, Energy. The ones I missed did not have dealers anywhere within reasonable driving distance. I could not believe the sound of the PSB Image series. I made two different trips and spent two hours the second time. I just hope PSB hurries up with the bipole surrounds next month. Those include two 5 1/4 drivers and two aluminum tweeters in each.
Wild Bill ( 63.36.12.89 ) at 9:48 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
speaker wire
Cajun Mike: I tend to agree with PSB about speaker wire but, as always, YMMV. Congrats on your purchase!! You should get years of listening enjoyment before the upgrade bug bites. Yeah, right!
Ron H ( 63.22.187.214 ) at 9:14 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
For What Its Worth: Universal has just announced Jurassic Park and The Lost World on nd interviews with the cast and crew, deleted scenes, and more. Available for Preorder NOW!
Cajun Mike ( 204.252.236.4 ) at 9:11 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
speaker wire
Guys, I have never concerned myself with reading discussion or articles on speaker wire, etc. What do you guys recommend? I went to Home Depot and they had spools of RCA 16 gauge wire with all the accessores to connect them. Banana, etc. I sent PSB an email and they said they dont think I'll receive any benefit from bi-wiring the Image series with the Sony 777.
JBC: ( 209.167.238.130 ) at 8:49 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Cajun: Congrats on the PSB speakers. I owned various combinations and permutations for over ten years and was really pleased with them. You have chosen wisely.
simm ( 209.138.190.65 ) at 8:27 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
I picked up "The Guns of Navarone" on DVD this weekend but it's not really my kind of movie. Anyone interested in making a trade?
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 7:50 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Nancy Marchand passed away
Curtis: They always have, Curtis. What is different now is that it is people we know who are dropping like flies.
Curtis ( 63.203.70.128 ) at 7:41 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Nancy Marchand passed away
Nancy Marchand aka Livia Soprano died today of lung cancer. She did a pretty convincing job of playing the tough, bitter yet very smart mob mom. You old timers will remember her as Mrs. Pynchon in the old Lou Grant show.
People are dropping like flies.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 6:53 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
cai: Andrew Gremmell? Are you kidding? Wow! What a small world...
I've never heard of him.
Gotcha! Yeah, sorry, I don't know him. Do you know what he does, or what program he works on? If he's heritage McDonnell Douglas, he most likely works on a program I'm familiar with, and might know people that I know.
It seems that the server IS still receiving mail, as I just had a friend of mine email me at that account. But, USA.NET is for some reason unable to forward anything to it. The friend who sent the email DID however say that he could NOT ping that IP, even though it was still accepting email. So, it seems I need to get hold of USA.NET tech support and lay into them. Not looking forward to that... they don't even publish a phone number, so I'm sure they won't be very quick to respond.
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 6:22 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
Kieran: His name is Andrew Gemmell. We used to work together in New Jersey. I use netscape mail service which does not forward mail unless one pays a yearly fee. I access it from work and like your USA net mail, this service moves at the speed of light trying to escape from a black hole.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:07 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
cai: Yes, I work for Boeing. (see my bio! ) I started in August of '96, for McDonnell Douglas in Huntington Beach. Now I work in Seal Beach, just 4 miles up the road from there (cut my commute in half!) Who's your friend?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 6:02 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
cai: I've been having my email forwarded by USA.NET to username@wwwug.lgb.cal.boeing.com for almost two years now, without a hitch. ('username' being my UNIX account username which I'd prefer not to publish on ANY public forum, even this one, for spam reasons.) Now, USA.NET says it can't find the host. Except that once out of every 4 or 5 tries, an email goes through, although in the last few hours that frequency has gone to almost zero. We've had a firewall up for over three years now, too, which hasn't posed a problem. I do have another work related email address, but I don't want my personal email forwarded to it. We are encouraged to keep our personal email seperate.
What was nice about this (now problematic) server, is it was a POP3 server, so I could use Netscape mail, and didn't have to log onto USA.NET to check my email, which is 99% of the time slow as Minnesota Molasses in December.
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 6:00 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
Kieran: Do you work for Boeing? I have a friend who works at Boeing, old McDonnell Douglas, in Orange County.
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 5:53 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
cai: It seems from your next post that you work for Boeing
cai ( 24.163.101.138 ) at 5:50 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
Kieran: Instead of forwarding it to the IP address have you tried to forward it to your name, i.e. kieran@work.com? You could check with your IT people about firewall issues, although I doubt that forwarded mail would be affected by this. I tried ping 129.200.228.21 and I got a message destination host unreachable. Your firewall may be sending a false IP address as a protection mechanism. They do work that way sometimes.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.140 ) at 5:48 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
AVB: Yeah, it's correct. Thanks for trying. I was afraid you'd get a response like that. Try any of the following aliases for it, if you don't mind: wwwug.lgb.cal.boeing.com ; eccug.lgb.cal.boeing.com ; cadmail.lgb.cal.boeing.com .
AVB ( 64.41.33.209 ) at 5:30 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
Kieran: All I get is a time out for that IP. You sure it is correct?
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 5:07 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Network help
Hey there everybody... I need a hand from somebody who has 'nslookup' or 'ping' or 'finger' etc. capability on their computer. Would you try to see what you can find out about this ip address: 129.200.228.21 ? It's supposed to be my POP3 mail server here at work, to which I have USA.NET forwarding my email. However USA.NET can't seem to find it, and hasn't been forwarding my email to it lately. If you can see the server, let me know here. Thanks!
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.212 ) at 4:31 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Kieran: Yes, I'm sure because I was asking him if it would be wise to wait on the inexpensive pre/pro or just go with the receiver. This was before I decided to go with the Sony. He said the pre/pro will be indentical to the receiver except it will have the one amp for 6.1, component video switching and one other feature that I cant remember.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 4:25 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Cajun: I heard the same thing as Geo.... are you sure that they guy at Outlaw wasn't talking about the ~$1000 pre/pro?
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 4:21 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Cajun Mike: That's interesting. They had sent an e-mail out announcing its cancellation. That's when I started looking elsewhere, ending up with the Denon.
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 3:14 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Double time...
Darian: I agree with Wild Bill in that you should use your money to double-time those volleyball girlfriends of yours.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.212 ) at 3:13 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Speaker wire
What do I do for speaker wire? Radio Shack Gold? Check out this guys custom cables. http://www.bus.ucf.edu/cwhite/theater/kustomkables.htm
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.212 ) at 3:12 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Geo.: I talked to the guy at Outlaw on the phone not quite two weeks ago and he says that the pre/pro version of the 1050 receiver is on its way.
cai ( 205.254.147.21 ) at 3:10 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Double time...
Wild Bill:
Curtis ( 63.203.70.128 ) at 3:10 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Double time...
Darian: I have to agree with Wild Bill that ther's no reason to drop $2,700 on any DVD player. He could put together a couple of killer HTPC's for less than that.
As for the iScan, I have been very pleased with the 1st generation product that I have had for over a year now - especially when you factor the cost in. It performs best when doing 3:2 pulldown (film sources) and is useless for cleaning up something like a video game signal because that was never a design goal. You may be aware that DVDO was recently purchased by a chip maker named Silicon Image of Sunnyvale, CA. Check the www.dvdo.com site for details. Here's a sniffet ...
"...We fully intend to utilize our new
advantage as part of Silicon Image as we work to have our chip technology designed into
each and every display, television, and DVD player on the planet ..."
Geo. ( 209.180.126.253 ) at 2:18 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Cajun Mike: I think Outlaw has cancelled that cheaper pre/pro. Originally, the receiver was schduled for release in March with the pre/pro to come at the end of April. The receiver has been delayed for a number of reasons and, I think, sometime in May Outlaw announced the cancellation of the cheaper pre/pro. Have they changed that?
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.212 ) at 1:02 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Sony STR-DA777ES
Ron H : I'm not sure. I just cut and pasted what TerryC had posted on the forum. I emailed him and asked him for the URL to the report or if he would fax me the entire report if it isn't online.
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.212 ) at 12:41 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Kieran: Outlaw will be releasing a pre/pro version of the receiver in about a month. It will retail for around 550.00. It will include a one channel amp inside for 6.1. Outlaw also gives the consumer a discount of 50 bucks when they purchase their amp and receiver/pre/pro. They will debut a flagship pre/pro in the late fall. I hear it will sell for around a grand.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.139 ) at 12:30 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Gar: I'm pretty sure that Outlaw has plans for a "high-end" pre/pro to be released after the receiver. I can't recall right now, but I think I heard that it will be priced HIGHER than the receiver, so it probably will be (had BETTER be) quite nice indeed.
Kieran ( 12.13.238.141 ) at 12:18 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Outlaw Receiver?
Wild Bill: I'd take a true 65 watts over an inflated 100 (as most manufacturers are prone to do) any day of the week.
I agree, however RickMTB was refering to the Yamaha 2095 and 995 receivers when he said he'd like to see a more powerful unit from Outlaw. Yamaha is one company whose receiver power ratings are NOT inflated. I read an article once that compared several big brand receivers' power ratings, using a common measurement for each one. Yamaha was by far the most conservative in rating their receiver's power, often times having rated values LOWER than what the reviewers tested their units to be. Brands like Kenwood, Sony, Technics, and a few others didn't fare as well.
Ron H ( 63.20.181.89 ) at 12:09 PM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Sony STR-DA777ES
Cajun Mike: The Marantz Pre/Pro is the absolute best unit regarding stereo mode. It is even ranked higher then a Proceed AVP"
Boy this will tick some people off. Where are the rating numbers for the AVP?
Cajun Mike ( 209.124.228.212 ) at 11:50 AM EST Monday, June 19, 2000
Sony STR-DA777ES
TerryC from the hometheaterforum posted this awhile back. I'm hoping to get the actual story or a link to it somewhere online. Here's what the German HIFI mag discovered in their tests of the Sony vs. several other recievers and pre/pro combinations.
Sony hands down, after owning a non adjustable Bass Management receiver(Yamaha RX-V2095) and goint to the Sony 777esI will never, ever, ever go back to a receiver without this valuable feature. I own Studio 100's for mains.
Here is a clip from "O font" at another website that has some info from a German Audio magazine that has compared a few units and ranks their results on Theater and Stereo:
"There has been a quite interesting review from this unit in the home cinema magazine in Germany. Now to begin, the following units have been tested: Parasound AVC 100/HCA 1205 A, Rotel RSP 985/ RMB 1095,Marantz AV 9000/MM 9000,
Sony 777ES, Denon 4800, Yamaha RX-V1, Onkyo TX-DS 989.
As you will may have noted, there are some Pre/Pro's with amps and receivers in this comparison. You may think this is not fair, but belive me the results where astonishing.
For the Sound quality, these where spread to a stereo and a surround test with max points available for stereo 30 points and surround 40 points.
The ranking (first surround than stereo)
Parasound: 33/21
Rotel: 32/22
Marantz: 32/26 (!)
Sony: 30/24
Denon: 29/23
Yamaha: 34/21
Onkyo:34/23
With the Pre/pro the result is with the external amp. But be careful: The best external amp in sound quality was the Rotel. If you combine a Rotel RMB 1095 with a Onkyo 989 these two will sound better than only using the internal amps of the Onkyo.
Where are the week units here? It was said that the Parasound AVC 1800 and the Rotel 985 are no big deal. Much to expensive for what you get in change regarding sound quality. You will find better for less elsewhere. Not recommended.
The Marantz Pre/Pro is the absolute best unit regarding stereo mode. It is even ranked higher then a Proceed AVP witch can be found in the score list too. If your first concern is stereo and you like to have some surround also, this is the unit to buy. Same thing for the Sony 777ES, the second place for stereo mode, great deal looking at the price of the unit.
The best allround unit with top surround sound and good stereo performance: the Onkyo 989. This unit is really outstanding, with the most up to date features available. One weak point here also: the BM.
But that's not all. While the Pre section in the Sony, Denon, Yamaha and Onkyo are all top designs the weak point is often the internal amps, witch are not much importance for surround but when you need enormous power in critical situation. Just by adding a powerful Stereo amp to your Receiver you will be able to increase not only sound quality in stereo mode but also in surround mode because the internal power plant of your receiver will have to work for 2 channel less.
This was done in the Home cinema review and looking at the Rotel RMB 1095 to be combined with a Denon or Sony the advantage of a Yamaha or Onkyo with no external power amps will melt to nothing. Even these will increase in sound quality with external amps."
Interesting results eh? The sony is rated the best receiver for stereo in this group by this mag. And it was compared to some serious dollar equipment.
Shows just how good of a performer the 777es is and how much value one gets for about $1000.