Recent content by Iver

Surprisingly, few movies have tackled the subject of life in the DDR. Judging by what I've seen released in the U.S., comedies outnumber dramas (there's a twist for ya). Of course, many of us have seen the very successful Good Bye Lenin. There's another set-in-East Germany comedy called...

Thanks guys. I should have clarified that I meant regular, blank VHS tapes to which sources such as news broadcasts (Frontline in particular) have been recorded. Any problem going from a home-recorded tape of a (presumably) not copy protected broadcast program to a DVD recorder (R or RW)? -- Iver

What problems, if any, will one encounter "taping" on a DVD recorder with a VHS deck tape as the input source?

Correction, the $650 Sony FS130 is a standard-def 4:3 TV with an ATSC/QAM tuner. Considering likely consumer demand for such a product, it wouldn't be surprising if Sony is putting this on the market to meet the impending minimums for ATSC-tuner equipped TV's.

To answer my own post, TPV mentioned Sony has announced a 32-inch CRT HD model named the 32FS130. This is strange as the xxFSxxx models previously were standard-rez NTSC models. Also strange is that announced list on 32FS130 is $650 but Sony says 30HS420 and 34HS420 will stay in line. No mention...

Best Buy currently has a 30-inch Magnavox HD monitor, no DVI or HDMI input (component is best), the MW5405, on sale for $600 (regularly $700). The set has an identical case to a similar Philips model. It was difficult to compare PQ as all the sets at this store (Broadway just above Houston)...

My number one candidate is the Sony KV-30HS420. I currently own a 27S46 and am happy with picture quality, especially the color accuracy. The current lineup of direct-view HD CRT's appear to continue the tradition of good picture quality and attention to features (the various picture-sizing...

Subject says it all. It's now well past the usual annual time for Sony to announce the latest yearly lineup of direct-view HD CRT's. In fact, they're usually on store shelves by this point, or at least the 2004's were at this time last year (KV-27HS420, KV-30HS420, etc.). Any Sony insiders...

After gettting fed up with my monthly Con Edison bloodletting, I have just two words for you'all: energy-saving lightbulbs. You can find them at dollar stores for, yep, a dollar. Ikea has a three-pack of 11-watt numbers (supposed to throw off equivalent of 60-watt incandescent, but I'd say it's...

I'll echo Jimi here. Pick up speaker wire at your local hardware store. For most run lengths Monster is far wider than necessary. Here's a handy chart put together by a McIntosh engineer on run lenghts/gauges: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm. A subwoofer is a great addition if...

If your wife is really convinced she'll be happy with the Bose and only the Bose, then that'd be your best option. If you just want the best value I'd check out the Tivoli. You can get it delivered from j&R.

You need to use the appropriate cable, as specified by the manufacturer of your source device. For an optical connection, use a Toslink cable, price will not affect performance of cable. For coaxial digital use a 75-Ohm RCA-plug-terminated cable. Other impedances of the same type cable will also...

I need a player with PAL/NTSC and region free capability, by hack if necessary, low price. Anybody had any luck with the Cyberhome DVD-300? It's for sale at my friendly neighborhood best bi for $37. Any suggestions on models, retailers in NYC, online retailers appreciated.

A Mr. Yetnikoff, former Columbia/CBS/Sony exec, recently spoke on WNYC-FM, plugging his new book on his adventures as a record exec, and suggested the following change in name from S - O - N - Y to Y - U - G- H. That said, and as messed up as some of their current actions may be, Sony has...