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  1. ScottHH

    36" 4:3 hd set vs 34" 16;9 hd set?

    Ricky, I would think you are getting this when watching 2:35 to 1 movies: the dvd or dvd player is producing the inner bars while the TV is producing the outer bars. If you watch a DVD encoded to 16:9 (1.78 to 1) you should only get one set of bars (if you are getting two sets with this...
  2. ScottHH

    36" 4:3 hd set vs 34" 16;9 hd set?

    The 36" 4:3 gives you a 33" diagonal letterboxed 16:9 image. The 34" 16:9 gives you a 27.8" diagonal pillarboxed 4:3 image. If you watch much SD content I wouldn't make the switch. If you don't watch much SD and the letterbox doesn't bother you, I wouldn't make the switch either. If the...
  3. ScottHH

    Buying a Wine Refrigerator

    You can spend tons of money on a wine cooler. But as you noted, it's really just a refrigerator that is set at about 55 degrees or so. Anything is going to be way better than 103 on the wine. If you spend more, you can get a nicer outside finish, or a two zone cooling system. A better unit...
  4. ScottHH

    Quick LCD RPTV question

    I too really like my KDF-60WF655, and agree that the viewing angle is quite wide. According to the manual, it's 125-130 degrees. Note, however, that the vertical viewing area is not as wide, it's 55-60 degrees. So I can't watch the TV while lying on the floor (it doesn't bother me, but I figured...
  5. ScottHH

    Site News - TV-DVD Piracy

    This is not ambiguous: "The FBI Warning" "Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison...
  6. ScottHH

    Canon S2 IS is out :)

    Keep in mind that the S2 uses SD cards instead of the CF cards used in the S1. So you'll have to replace your memory card(s). Also the sensor is slightly smaller on the S2 and it has more resolution vs. the S1. This suggests the potential for higher noise, especially at higher ISO's. Some of...
  7. ScottHH

    6th Grader Finds Calculator Glitch

    Why are 6th graders allowed to use calculators during exams in the first place? Although I usually do my math with a calculator or Excel these days, it's nice to know that I understand what's happening. Fundamentals are important. In hometheater we use math to compare 4:3 and 16:9 displays...
  8. ScottHH

    Large computer monitors

    I can't tell you if you would prefer a 4:3 or a 16:9 display. With a widescreen display you could work with two applications displayed side by side (if that does anything for you). I agree with Ajay, you should make sure that your video card suppports the resolution of the monitor you are...
  9. ScottHH

    Edit DVD+RW on PC that was created by Set-top recorder?

    It's an RW, so you can erase the disk and write again. You are going to need to copy the show onto your PC. Then, as Robert pointed out, you are going to need to "use a video editing package to remove the commecials". And then you can burn it back to the original disk if you'd like...
  10. ScottHH

    excel question

    Here's the easiest way I could come up with: 1. Grab your column of 200 country names and copy. 2. Scroll to the bottom of the column and hit paste (ctrl-v). 3. Scroll to the bottom and paste 18 more times. 4. Then grab the entire column and sort ascending.
  11. ScottHH

    Sony LCD 55WF655

    Paul, I have the 60WF655, which I purchased after seeing my buddy's 55WF655. I am extremely happy with the TV. My father subsequently purchased the 42WE655 (which I haven't seen yet). So I recommend this TV. Sony has the manual available online if you wish to look at it. You can...
  12. ScottHH

    Confusion about network ethernet length

    I think he's saying you could run a cable up 90m, and then have 5m horizontal runs on both the bottom and the top. I wouldn't worry about it. I have run 100 ft. of cat-5 cable in a basement. I've also run up from the basement through the first and second floors, across the attic into a second...
  13. ScottHH

    a little logical/probability/math problem for you

    Andrew, 1/1 = 100%, if something has a 100% chance of happening, that IS a guarantee. If something has a greater than 1/2 (i.e. 501/1000) then it is "probably" going to happen. If something has a 999/1000 chance it most probably is going to happen, but it isn't a guarantee. When I listed...
  14. ScottHH

    a little logical/probability/math problem for you

    Andrew, Working with your 4 ball random refreshing condition, your math is incorrect. You need to multiply, not add your probabilities. In three trials, what is the chance of NOT getting a black ball: It is .75 x .75 x .75, or 42.1875% By definition, we now know that the chance of GETTING...
  15. ScottHH

    Hook Up Questions

    FYI: Coaxial and optical audio are both digital. Digital audio allows you to transmit the information for discrete surround sound. Stereo RCA's transmit two audio channels. Your HDTV has stereo speakers, not 5.1 speakers, so there is no need to feed a 5.1 audio signal to the TV. An HDTV...
  16. ScottHH

    NYC vs. SF? Opinions needed.

    I have lived in NY, but not SF. I have a number of friends who have lived in SF, and some who now live in SF. I have always had an amazing time when I've visited SF. If you love March and October in NY, the weather in SF is ideal. Buy some fleece for SF proper--I bought my favorite one while...
  17. ScottHH

    best place to buy bulk Dual Layer DVDR?

    Dual layer blanks are easy enough to find, but they are pricey. They are about $4 each if you buy 25. Ritek RiData Dual Layer DVD+R (DL DVD+R, Double Layer DVD+R) Blank Media 2.4X 8.5GB in Cake Box (DRD+85-RDUSA-CB25), 25 Pack are available at both Meritline and Newegg Since 100 RIDATA...
  18. ScottHH

    Canon EOS Rebel XT vs Nikon Coolpix 8800

    I think Dad should decide if he wants an SLR (in which case you are buying into either the Canon or Nikon system) or a digital camera, such as the Coolpix. I don't see how you can compare these two cameras. The Rebel XT is a digital SLR. Nikon's digital SLR is the D70 (about to be the...
  19. ScottHH

    Any suggestions for improving OTA HDTV reception

    "It can't be mounted outside because of the home owner association rules." You probably won't make any friends, but the home owner's association is not legally allowed to prevent you from installing a dish or an antenna: "On August 5, 1996, the Commission adopted the Rule, which prohibits...
  20. ScottHH

    Deciphering Nutrition Data on Microwave Popcorn

    This is the most confusing nutritional label I've ever seen. And I think it's because they give you the info on 1 cup popped, which is only a small portion of a serving. We know the following: The bag yields 14.5 cups of popped corn We have nutritional information for 1 cup of popped corn...
  21. ScottHH

    Will Blu-Ray make all of our receivers obsolete?

    Ryan, If you use the optical or coaxial digital connection between the DVD player and your receiver, the receiver is doing the decoding. If your DVD player has 5.1 analog outs, and you connect them to the 5.1 analog inputs on your receiver (if it has them), the DVD player is doing the...
  22. ScottHH

    SD signals on HD TVs

    Compared to the HD feed, the SD is never going to look good. On really big HDTVs, you have the additional problem of blowing up the SD feed way beyond its reasonable limits as well. I'm assuming you are looking at a 16:9 LCD. A 42" widescreen will give you a 34" pillar-boxed 4:3 image A...
  23. ScottHH

    Where to find historical finanacial statements?

    Here are 5 ideas for you: Disney's website has annual reports going back to 1995, with financial data going back to 1993. You can search the EDGAR database at www.sec.gov They have Disney 10k's going back to the one for the year ending September 30, 1996, which has full financial...
  24. ScottHH

    Right Rear Surround Not Working.

    Test the speaker by switching the speaker with a different one (you could swap your two rear surrounds). I would also test the speaker cables, and any other wiring that is involved (also by swapping it out). You might want to use test tones from Avia, or even the THX set up sounds from a...
  25. ScottHH

    NBA Basketball 2004-2005 thread

    Brandon, The SD broadcasts on ESPN-HD are in 4:3 with the pillar bars (they're upconverted, but they are from SD source material). The HD broadcasts on ESPN-HD are in 16:9. The ESPN-HD schedule shows you what's in HD (and widescreen). Notice the chunks of time missing in the schedule. In...
  26. ScottHH

    KP57WS520 or WS-65315 ?

    Kevin_Breeze, Digital means the signal is sent digitally instead of analog. All high definition (HD) is digital, but standard definition (SD) can be sent both via an analog or a digital signal. The SD digital channels do look marginally better than the low number SD channels with...
  27. ScottHH

    website for local ota hd info?

    titantv A "TV Guide" type website. I like it much more than TV Guide, and you can ask it to show you only HD. antenna web This is really for choosing an antenna, but it will list all the digital stations you might be able to receive.
  28. ScottHH

    Help me understand the difference between these Sony TVs please.

    'what do I need'? All of the Sony tube's you are looking at have a 1080i display. They are all capable of displaying a hi-def picture. If you are receiving your hi-def off-the-air you need a tuner to receive the signal, it is the 8-VSB tuner. If you are receiving your hi-def via cable...
  29. ScottHH

    Help me understand the difference between these Sony TVs please.

    >Does the availability of "free HD" depend on your market >and cable provider? It must. Yes it does. If you are near broadcast stations you can pick up HD with a cheap indoor antenna. If you are further, you would need a larger amplified antenna. You can research this further at antenna web...
  30. ScottHH

    My next cordless phone system - You may want to look at this

    Quick update: I've had the Uniden Tru8885-2 for 2 months now, and I was very happy with the system. In the past week or so the handsets have intermittently said "out of range" when I tried to answer the phone (even when sitting 2 feet from the base station). I called customer service, and...
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