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  1. John Karpiscak

    DVD-R vs. DVD+R: What's better

    That's all? Compatablity? Hum . . . . Good to know if I take DVDs to a friend's house
  2. John Karpiscak

    DVD-R vs. DVD+R: What's better

    Hi all: never mind the rest of the WWW, what do you think? I've got a new Phillips DVD+R recorder upstairs and a JVC combo VCR/ DVD-R professional deck in the home theater. No problem in playing finalized disks on either deck or my computers. Given like signal inputs, which format is...
  3. John Karpiscak

    So who still has a VCR in their entertainment center?

    I still do. I've got it between the DirecTV/TIVO and the DVD recorder so that I can transcribe all those video tapes to DVD (as well as make up for the periodic inadequacies of TIVO). S-Video connections only. jk3
  4. John Karpiscak

    Uninterruptable Power Supplies

    It's either too much plugged in (and running) or not enough battery. I was scoping out a rackmounted 2kVa APCsystem that would give me a runtime of up to 8 minutes. The question is is it worth the cost with respect to expected battery life and cost to purchase, or do I simply rely on my...
  5. John Karpiscak

    Uninterruptable Power Supplies

    All: Thanks you for your comments so far. I do in fact have a power conditioner for my system. I've had a Panamax (new/eBay) for over a year in fact. The problem I have is that with all the constrcution in a 1 mile radius of the house, the power 'blinks' several times a day, usually in the...
  6. John Karpiscak

    Uninterruptable Power Supplies

    Anyone have experiences with UPSs and Home Theater? I'm looking to add a rackmount UPS to my system in the 1.5- 2kVa range. Any traps or bad brands I should be aware of? Thanks, John K www.y2kfam.com/theater.htm
  7. John Karpiscak

    Converting home movies (VHS) to DVD

    I just started using Pinnacle Studio 9. Nice for $79.00. Does everything I need. I'm considering the follwing as as an add on: 1. Buying a DVD recorder that takes DVD-RWs. 2. Transferring and editing the data on my PC (freeing up the DVD-RW to record again). 3. Burning a DVD-R in final...
  8. John Karpiscak

    Alternative to Satellite Radio

    Rather than XM or Sirius to the house, how about using your cable model or DSL connection to pump streaming audio into your theater? Example: I listen to Classic FM from London via the Link Removed It streams though my DSL connection to my clunky old Win 98 computer (via wireless link), to...
  9. John Karpiscak

    Buying a Mitsubishi widescreen - should I get the built in HD or not?

    Honestly, I doubt if a built in HD reveiever will help you unless you live in an area where HD signals are stong and plentiful and you think you need to drop DirecTV in the future. I get all my HD from DirecTV. Watched the Superbowl in HD on CBS-E. Good stuff. You'll like the Mitsubishi 65...
  10. John Karpiscak

    Are there Fiber Y-Couplers for Home Use?

    Greetings all and Merry Christmas! I've recently purchased a Phillips PAL/NTSC DVD player that works great on all the DVDs I've bought from the UK. I'm limited to RCA jacks out for audio because ALL my optical inputs are taken up. Question: Is there a device (Y-coupler/ splitter/...
  11. John Karpiscak

    HT walls (concrete)

    You could consider using construction adhesive to attach acoustic panels (store bought or home made) right to the ceiling. You might also consider leaving a 3-4" channel (hidden by the ceiling) down the middle for cabling the ceiling/ rear of the room also. I think that's abut the best I can...
  12. John Karpiscak

    Aesthetically pleasing acoustic improvements?

    Thanks guys, that's some great ideas! The reason I asked this is I've got 2 walls in my home theater to finish, both are home exterior walls. Starting with a bare concrete block wall, my original idea was to: 1. cover it with insulation (heat loss considerations), 2. frame it out...
  13. John Karpiscak

    Aesthetically pleasing acoustic improvements?

    Hi! Where did you find the instructions for the DIY panels? I'm getting closer to purchasing the acoustic wall fabrics and want to creat my own panels. I just want to take advantage of others experiences. Thanks! jk3
  14. John Karpiscak

    Verdict? Posters on walls inside HT

    I've got a few posters on my walls as well. They are non-glare (so no relections off the screen) and set behind the viewer beyond peripheral sight. I try to have nothing reflective visible in direct or perpheral sight. Idea: You could put your posters along the entryway to your theater...
  15. John Karpiscak

    Theater finally started

    Dan: Good luck wth your theater. Mine's still under construction too (dealing with a leaky basement and low ceilings). Rather than tie up the messageboard with a lot of stuff, you can take advantage of my experiences (for what they are worth), at my home theater site...
  16. John Karpiscak

    Star Trek Next Gen Seats Available?

    I'm in the process of selecting seats for my home theater. We'd like the seats to look like the Captain's chair from Star Trek: the Next Generation. Q: Anyone know if someone makes them (or something similar) and if they have a website? The default will be some high-tech-looking chairs...
  17. John Karpiscak

    HD Antennas

    Well folks I hooked up the antenna boosted the signal and almost got a signal. On a scale of 0-100, I scored an 08 in signal strength for VHF, UHF didn't show up at all. Not so good. I'll need to get a better antenna and a booster it seems; thoughts on what would make a good 'deep fringe'...
  18. John Karpiscak

    HD Antennas

    Thank you all for your info. Being a budget-minded guy, I'll try the existing antenna, do a signal strength check and then start to get the more esoteric antennas if there's a problem. Thanks for the link too! Regards, John K www.y2kfam.com
  19. John Karpiscak

    HD Antennas

    Hi all: This may sound like a stupid question but can a standard rooftop VHF/UHF antenna be used to receive HD signals without too much signal strength loss or do I need to buy a dedicated HD terrestrial antenna? I live 52 miles SSW of DC and (living in a valley) strain to get a signal on...
  20. John Karpiscak

    what is the quality of HBO HD

    I suspect it's as good, but I get HBO HD on DirecTV (satellite). One of 2 HD channels available on that system. The on screen display on my monitor indicates 1080i. The movies are definately better and little videotape I've seen (such as NFL highlights), is indicative of HD quality (like HDNet)...
  21. John Karpiscak

    Tips for Istalling In-Wall Speakers?

    That sub really makes a difference whether watching HDTV or a DVD. Thanks again all! jk3
  22. John Karpiscak

    Question about video outs?!

    My thoughts: Some manufacturers have there owners manuals on line. Look at those first before you buy- and look at stores that sell these things, ask questions and then buy them over the internet. Persoanlly, I like Harman Kardon- I also like inexpensive. I purchased a H/K AVR 320 for $350...
  23. John Karpiscak

    What Is Impedance Switch all about?!

    Hi. Yeah, to prevent damage to your receiver, set the selector to 8 ohm and leave it. Some speakers (foreign speakers I believe), are 4 ohm, but most of the ones here in the USA are 8. Like the man said, set it and forget it. Regards, jk3 www.y2kfam.com
  24. John Karpiscak

    Tips for Istalling In-Wall Speakers?

    Guys: Thanks for the tips. I also did some checking on line and found out what I suspected: the in-walls are setting up counter-vibrations that dampen out the low end bass from the speakers. Last night I started experimenting using an extra subwoofer (from a computer system) and turned the...
  25. John Karpiscak

    Tips for Istalling In-Wall Speakers?

    Hi everyone. I've just installed four Jamo 883 In-wall speakers and have begun audio testing in an unfinished room. No subwoofer or center channel just yet- next month. The high and mid range seem to be well but I'm missing a lot of Bass. The speakers are placed between 2x4 studs with only...
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