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Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out? - Page 30

post #871 of 975
3/24/06 at 12:04am
Also, I am looking for a job in Austin. I have a BS in Electrical Engineering from UT Austin (3.7 GPA), love anything A/V, and have a good undergraduate work history (two co-op terms at AMD). I also have a rudimentary understanding of Japanese and am not opposed to travel.

If you have anything you think I might be interested in, let me know! Thanks!
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post #872 of 975
3/24/06 at 6:22am
Quote:
I recently modded my xbox and I wish I had done it sooner. I must say you guys should definitely see what can be done with XBMC because it's quite cool.
Who in their right mind would give Face/Off a 7.1 rating!

James, that looks really interesting. I would definitely like to see it operating in person. Any chance of a demo some time soon?



Quote:
Does anybody own a SLAPPA CD case? I am thinking about getting one but apprehensive since I can't see/touch one in person. Thanks!
Mark, I don't, but I did come across one of the more entertaining reviews on the web:




Live Digitally's Slappa CD/DVD Case Review

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post #873 of 975
3/24/06 at 6:23pm
Nils,
Thanks for the interest. I should be going to the meet tomorrow and we can talk about it then.
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post #874 of 975
3/24/06 at 8:25pm
Need information:

Need directions for saturday meet. My email is DOWN so please call me at 750-2751

Bob
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post #875 of 975
4/10/06 at 8:52am
Speaking of helping an Austinite brother out....

I'm looking to buy a laptop for as inexpensively as possible. Looling for something in the 1.5Mhz range, 512+ RAM, Wireless internet. I was hoping one of our Dell bretheren would have some connections on some older laptops.

Is my best bet for an "older" new(ish) laptop Dell's factory outlet? Seems they have some decent deals (Inspiron 1300/B130 laptops Celeron 1.4 w/ 512 RAM and a couple of Pentium M 1.7s for about $500ish), and I'm not opposed to refurbs or previously ordered computers. They also have some Inspiron 6000s in the mid-$500s that are Pent.M 1700s w/ 512 RAM. I may lean towards the 6000s as they just look better unless someone can give me some info as to why not to go with that model.

So, anywho, if any of you Dellites can get better deals than on the Outlet page and are willing to hook a brother up, please let me know.

SS
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post #876 of 975
4/12/06 at 8:35am
Bumpsidaisy. I know this thread has died down a bit, but I figured it's the right spot for this post. Little help.

SS
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post #877 of 975
4/13/06 at 4:11pm
Steve, if you haven't already purchased, here are a few tips (sorry this isn't more specific):

1. Find the notebook with the longest battery life
2. Get a gig of RAM. If the refurbs don't have it standard, get it aftermarket. RAM is more important than CPU speed.
3. Do you need a dedicated graphics card? The lower priced notebooks have integrated graphics which is battery friendly but not powerful enough to use for any kind of games or 3D apps.
4. I haven't used many of the newer Inspirons, but I use a Latitude D600 for work, and it's a workhorse, never had a problem. The Inspiron 600m is basically the same computer.

Oh, I almost forget, the best way to get a deal is surf fatwallet.com. Dell will post special coupon codes on the coupon sites that give pretty big discounts for very short periods of time. If you can get in on a deal, you'll save a bundle.
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post #878 of 975
4/13/06 at 6:02pm
You can also find additional coupons off of ebay, maybe spend a dollar or 2 for a $25-35 off coupon.
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post #879 of 975
4/14/06 at 7:55am
I stumbled across the following site and thought you all would get a kick out of it:

Lasik@Home

As it happens I am thinking about having laser eye correction surgery and would appreciate any insights (couldn't resist), suggestions, and recommendations.

I started a thread specifically for this topic in the general forum area so please post there if you have anything to add or just give me a call.

Considering Vision Corrective Surgery

Thanks!
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post #880 of 975
4/18/06 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all!!! How's things been?

Sorry I have not be active lately. I had allot of things going on lately. Helping my wife's mom with financial needs (out in mexico) had me slow down allot on spending.

But I just wanted to say I am here and planning to do some overhaul on my theater setup.

Just recently I sold my PJ. I kind of had to b/c our dining area looked messy b/c of my computer equipt.

So I relocated my PC stuff to the theater room. So now, I really don't have a 100% theater room anymore. Its basically a Media/theaterroom

I had to cut my theater room short. Basically I had to move up my theater seats foward 4 1/2 feet. So now my screen view from the new seating position is a little over 8'

My PJ ceiling mount is 13' back from the screen. so I am thinking that a PJ is not the choice.

So I got to looking and was thinking about a Samsung 50" DLP 5087W.
Since we plan to use this unit more of an all day viewing. I think this probably be the more likely choice. I am not sure if there is a PJ that can give me great picture and only sitting 8' away from the screen, or is there?

So help me fellas. What's the best choice to go with?



Hey also anyone here ride motorcycles? I just got one and be cool to ride with other forum members

Laters
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post #881 of 975
4/21/06 at 6:45am
Mike,

the Panasonic AE900 could work with your existing mount location and your shorter seating distance. Its smoothscreen technology is great at eliminating screeen door, and it has a 2.0x zoom lens for max flexibility. It has a great picture too, and is only $1500 after rebate right now.
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post #882 of 975
4/29/06 at 8:10am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Who needs a good 5x1 HDMI switch on the cheap?

I accidentally ended up buying two from Monoprice.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...ormat=2&style=

Shipped cost is $143.71. Rather than deal with the hassle of returning it, I thought I'd try to sell it for say $120.

Any takers?
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post #883 of 975
4/29/06 at 9:49am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Do you know if this will be compatable with HDMI 1.3?
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post #884 of 975
4/29/06 at 9:43pm

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

I'm not sure, Nils. I don't think that the HDMI 1.3 spec has been finalized.

On an unrelated note, I'm also toying with the idea of moving my projector back 5 or 6 feet. If I do that I'll need to get a longer HDMI and component cables. If anyone needs 30' HDMI and component cables, shoot me a PM.
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post #885 of 975
4/30/06 at 8:07am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

I don't believe the switch itself is required to be version compatible. It should pass information regardless of the firmware on the sending or receiving devices. Could be wrong though.

Chad, I do need an HDMI cable, but I'm not sure 30 ft is long enough. I'll have to check. If you still have it after I've had a chance to check the attic, I'll PM you.
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post #886 of 975
5/3/06 at 10:21am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Doc, you could order a new one from Chad's supplier, HF Soundwerks. ;-)
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post #887 of 975
5/9/06 at 9:16pm

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

OK peeps, I need some help from the AE900 owners in the gang. The price has dropped on the AE900 to a new low of $1415 shipped. The Infocus IN76 is still going for around $2200 shipped. I'm trying to decide if the IN76 is worth a $785 premium, or if I should just get the AE900 now and put the savings into an upgrade account for a 1080p unit in a couple of years. So here are my questions:

1) Do you observe any vertical banding in your unit?
2) Do you have any panel misalignment in your unit?
3) How satisfied are you with the absolute black levels? Do dark movies annoy you?

Thanks for the help. I hate/love these decisions.
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post #888 of 975
5/10/06 at 2:51am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

I definitely didn't see 50% difference b/w the two at your place. Though if I were you I would keep the CRT til it's totally dead.

BTW did you check you Nausicaa yet? And why the heck haven't you signed up for Hank's poker night?
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post #889 of 975
5/10/06 at 6:44am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

It's not so much a matter of a 50% premium equaling 50% performance improvement; it's more a matter of will there be a problem in an LCD projector that will drive me nuts, e.g. VB or misconvergence?

The best I can do for Hank's poker night right is a definite maybe. Have a lot of work to do for Mirus and not sure we can make it.
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post #890 of 975
5/10/06 at 7:57am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

$1,400 for a great hassle free display appears a better deal than $2,200 for a marginally better one considering that no matter which one you choose, you'll likely be upgrading it in a few years with a 1080p projector. Keep the extra $800 in your portfolio and let it grow a little. Then use it to lighten the cost of upgrading down the road.
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post #891 of 975
5/10/06 at 7:59am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Jonathan, I've been meaning to have a movie night soon. You can check out my AE900 on my Severtson HC Gray screen w/ and w/out a filter on it. I haven't noticed any misconvergence or VB. With my new projector/screen combo, the absolute black levels are night-and-day (haha!) better than my old L300u.

You can buy the projector for slightly more at costco.com and take advantage of Costco's stellar return policy. Just keep the receipt, and if you don't like it for any reason, return it for your full out-of-pocket cost. There is no time limit.
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post #892 of 975
5/10/06 at 1:53pm

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

The IN76 is $2700 from Costco online also. But is the $500 premium worth it with the Costco return policy?
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post #893 of 975
5/11/06 at 9:45am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Doc: come on for fajitas and poker, man - and bring Ice Queen. Don't be a fuddy-duddy ;-) Need some labor to help with Mirus as an incentive? I can cut, route, glue and clamp, apply veneer, whatever.

Off-topic: Wild Card just called from Dallas. He has a product on WOOT today and would like to hear you guys' opinions about it at Saturday's get-together, so please take a look: http://www.woot.com
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post #894 of 975
5/11/06 at 9:21pm

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Chad, thanks for the offer. A movie night at your place is always a good idea, irrespective of projector shopping .

Hank, I'll try to make it, but no promises.
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post #895 of 975
5/11/06 at 9:26pm

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

James, I was talking about the AE900 at Costco online. About $100 more than the other sites + shipping/tax.
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post #896 of 975
5/12/06 at 10:06am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Jonathan (and everyone else), here's a concert notice for you guys - longer than the last one anyway:
Sunday evening, the Austin Symphonic Band will perform our annual Mothers Day concert. We'll repeat some of the pieces from our extremely successful indoor concert two weeks ago. Hope you can make it (the price is right)
http://www.asband.org
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post #897 of 975
5/20/06 at 8:03am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Just a reminder for those that might be interested:

Best Buy just opened their first Magnolia store in Austin this week. It is located at their Bee Cave location at the corner of 71 and Bee Cave Rd (very close to Greg’s Golf USA shop).

Bill Urschel called to remind me last week, and from his early preview, he seemed quite impressed. Coming from Bill who has some fairly lofty standards I would expect it may be worth the trip even for those located far away.

If anyone is interested in meeting there over the weekend, give me a call and maybe I can try and join you.
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post #898 of 975
5/20/06 at 10:33am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

I was a little underwhelmed. I just dropped my pick-up off to get a new radio installed. The store itself is very nice, Magnolia Theater is just a small front corner of the store. They had some nicer bookshelf speakers and a few of the smaller Martin Logans. They had free Krispy Kreams this morning.
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post #899 of 975
5/20/06 at 10:33am

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

double post. sorry
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post #900 of 975
5/20/06 at 1:22pm

Re: Hey Austin Texas Buddies? Can anyone help me out?

Thanks for the warning Greg. If that's the case I think I'll pass, not only because you found it under whelming but I really dislike Krispy Creams. Then again, I don't like donuts in general so what do I know.
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