Recent content by Richard Knight

Er, I should probably clarify a bit more. I wasn't commenting on the digital->analog conversions, wherever they may or may not be, but rather on the nature of "digital cable" versus normal cable, and how Cable companies use it to the fullest. Richard

Hey guys, Just my little observation: While Bob's slant on Digital Cable has a lot of points I would beg to differ about, he is right about discerning between digital audio and digital cable. The general behaviour of most of the cable companies in north america has been to take higher...

Wow. Its like looking at Vader's Super Star Destroyer. A screen that flat and that big is the very definition of "home theater". Richard

Hmm, hopefully some of the other guys here have some suggestions to fit a US style pricetag. Taking a quick look at the A&B Sound in the NE, there seems to be quite a lot to offer for the ~$750 CDN / $500 USD range, but it really depends on how "much" you want. I'm apartment bound, so going...

In general, S-Video just provides a noticeable difference in clarity and color. In some cases, you can notice specific things. For checking the difference between composite and S-Video, use the following two titles: Final Fantasy IX: With Composite, run around the world map for a little...

As a day one adopter, I'll come right out and say it: DVD playback on the PS2 sucks. With or without the new drivers. I can't speak in terms of quality - the image looks fine on my 27" Hitachi (S-Video), but disc compatibility is where I'd like to just buy as standalone unit. Of the 40...

Personally, I can't imagine it sounding very good. The remote-control sized speakers would be the first warning sign... Richard

Not very likely - but perhaps worth a test for some. I've got the sneaking suspicion that there is probably some hardware involved in setting the DVD region, which would probably prove very useful to Microsoft for defining XBox Game regions as well. Richard

Well, I can only speak from personal experience, but I pretty much went through the same situation as you are in now. The problem with going to a good HTF approved setup is that your ears might not be trained to notice the difference yet - I certainly appreciate my Soundstage 80 sub now, but...

Thats too bad if Halo doesn't play in 16:9, because FPS titles are the number one best use for that mode. The closer to a proper field of vision, the better, with first person shooters. Richard

The interact cable works great for me, also seems fine on my N64 and SNES. Richard

As a VR-509 owner for the last 3 weeks.... I recommend setting it to Dolby Pro Logic II Movie mode for game systems. Since DPLII doesn't autodetect, you might as well leave it on, as it gives at least a marginal sound upgrade anyways. With most of the Gamecube lineup supporting at least DPL...

FWIW, Most Electronics Boutique outlets also have the european version of Shenmue 2 listed - it seems they are going to try and sell them over here in packages with one of those cheat/region expander discs. Richard

I'll give that a try in the next couple of days, Jim. There is a significant chance of RF interference, although it would still reflect more on the quality of the controller than the other, PC devices (which work fine). Still, I'll post info on the controller in a home setting ASAP. Richard

We've been testing a Mad Catz Dual Force 2 wireless controller for quite awhile now at the office. The wireless aspect is nice, but the response times are sluggish, occasionally resulting in late turns or cancelled jump charges in SSX. The bottom of the controller is also pretty poorly...