Recent content by GregoryM

I have the 711, which I use primarily for 5.1 surround for movies. My speakers are Polk 7300's which is a matched set of satellite/center/powered subwoofer speakers. When playing cd's in stereo or listening to cable digital music they sound fine to me, and much better than the boom box in my...

I can't argue with the Grand Canyon being first on the list. It is a truly awe inspiring experience. However, as a theme park enthusiast (my family uses a different word) I have to say, Disneyworld as third? Disneyworld isn't even the best resort in Orlando (that would the Universal Resort)...

The one that irritates me the most is The Karate Kid. It's available only as a 4:3 pan and scan (though filmed in 1.85, I don't believe it's open matte; the pans are noticable and the film always seems "zoomed in" rather than the "zoomed out" effect created by an open matte), but the sequels (I...

It is possible for a 5.1 encoded disc to monaural. I import a lot of kung fu movies from Hong Kong. Most are produced by one of two dvd distributors, Universe Laser or Mega Star. Every Universe Laser disc is encoded with a 5.1 soundtrack; it's just the default format for all their dvd releases...

One scientist has made an unsupported claim, and according to the article linked, others have been unable to duplicate the results. Sounds like another "cold fusion in a beaker".

Just finished viewing the Special Edition version on my 56" Panasonic 16 X 9 played with a JVC progressive scan xv-s502. I watched, as usual, in a darkened room with the screen backlit from my usual viewing distance of about 8 feet. I did notice the artifacts referenced above, but only when...

Trace: Thanks for the info. I knew about the darker skin for the villians complaint, and that one wasn't aimed just at Alladin. Ursula is the only darked skinned humanoid in The Little Mermaid, Scar has darker fur than Mufasa or Simba in The Lion King, The Mongols are darker than the Chinese in...

Of course all of the usual ones: pan and scan, layer changes placed with a stopwatch rather than artistically, forced anything (FBI/Interpol warnings, previews, etc.). But by far my biggest pet peeve is any autostart "feature". No dvd should ever start playing the movie until I select play movie...

Silent movies usually come with a score, often in a full orchestral presentation. They need a good stereo reciever and music speakers as much as a movie with a dolby 5.1 track.

The quality of the source material and the care taken during dvd production can make a big difference. The first time I watched the Bridge on the River Kwai dvd, I was hugely disappointed with the picture quality when the movie first started up--the colors were washed out, it was too soft, and...

The list has been updated. I'll be out of town tomorrow, but I'll leave nominations open for now. In addition, everyone can have one more nomination and second, at least until we get up to 36. At that point, we'll start by picking just one Star Trek and one Law and Order, then start brackets...

Elizabeth: If you look at my last post, you'll see that that requirement has been dropped. Single season shows are now allowed.