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  1. Stephen Hopkins

    Google Chromecast with Google TV

    I ordered one from Best Buy on launch day and received it by that Saturday. It seems like a solid little device and I'm enjoying the new launcher more than anything else (on some other devices as well). There are, unfortunately, from a Home Theater perspective, some major apps with major...
  2. Stephen Hopkins

    Hardware Review Silver Ticket WVS 125″ 2.35:1 Acoustically Transparent Screen Review

    The WVS and WAB materials are only available in the Standard Fixed Frame (as reviewed) and Thin Fixed Frame. It looks like Elite makes a few acoustically transparent retractable models, including the Spectrum Electric AUHD line.
  3. Stephen Hopkins

    Monolith THX-LCR In-Wall THX-ULTRA by Monoprice Speaker Review

    Yes, 3 conventional L/C/R speakers were tested, both behind an AT screen with grilles off and with grilles on and no screen for music listening.
  4. Stephen Hopkins

    BenQ Announces 4K HDR 3,000 Lumens Projector for 'Bright Environments'

    So I'm guessing a few members here might be really interested in this... BenQ is taking submissions for someone to review their latest projector: the TK800! They ask that you submit pictures of your room as the TK800 is intended for use in living rooms / media rooms where light will be present...
  5. Stephen Hopkins

    Hardware Review Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote & Apps Review

    I've had some similar frustrations with hard buttons failing over time on various models.You are correct that Harmony Hub would allow you to install the app on two separate devices and stay in-sync with one another. That said, I personally think the Smart Control package with its additional...
  6. Stephen Hopkins

    Hardware Review Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote & Apps Review

    It does control Bluetooth (only PS3 and Wii), but I wasn't able to test that feature.
  7. Stephen Hopkins

    Hardware Review Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote & Apps Review

    Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote & Mobile Device Interface I’ve been a Logitech Harmony user for quite a while. For the last 7 years I’ve touted the ease of setup and use of the Harmony line to my friends, family, and anyone who would listen on most A/V related forums. My stance the whole...
  8. Stephen Hopkins

    FS: Sonance HomeTech THX LCR In-Wall Speakers (3) - $125

    These sold locally about a week ago. Thanks for your interest.
  9. Stephen Hopkins

    FS: Sonance HomeTech THX LCR In-Wall Speakers (3) - $125

    I have a local offer for $115... if I can't get $125+shipping, I'll take the local offer. Thanks.
  10. Stephen Hopkins

    FS: Samsung BD-UP5000 BluRay/HD-DVD Duo Player - HQV REON - $350

    Sorry, it sold about 2 months ago. Thanks for your interest.
  11. Stephen Hopkins

    WTB: Bravo D1 or Oppo DVD player

    There are some 981HDs for sale over at the AVS forum classified section... not super cheap prices however. The new Toshiba XDE scaling player might be another worth looking at, as well as BluRay players from EOutlet Canada if you don't mind a killer deal on a refurb.
  12. Stephen Hopkins

    WTB: Bravo D1 or Oppo DVD player

    The 4805 should be able to handle HDCP over DVI, so I would go with an Oppo or other solution and stay away from the Bravo.
  13. Stephen Hopkins

    WTB: Bravo D1 or Oppo DVD player

    Unless you have a very specific application (Panasonic L300U projector or other non-HDCP DVI display) I would discourage against the Bravo D1 or D2. They are known for premature drive failures and these days their performance can easily be surpassed for less money. If you can find a deal on an...
  14. Stephen Hopkins

    FS: Sonance HomeTech THX LCR In-Wall Speakers (3) - $125

    Bump. I know my price isn't out-of line, I guess I just need to wait until someone that needs these sees them.
  15. Stephen Hopkins

    Switch to Blu-ray or upgrade DVD player?

    Here's where I guess I should have been more clear... I don't think the scaling of an upconverting player is going to be the magic bullet... what very well may be is the replacement of a D-A conversion (by an extremely subpar player, mind you) and subsequent A-D conversion by his display with a...
  16. Stephen Hopkins

    Switch to Blu-ray or upgrade DVD player?

    I was making some assumptions about calibration, but I was assuming at least a minimal proper calibration using a tool like DVE HD Basics or similar, something that has been performed on all of my displays. I also mentioned that depth of color, not sharpness, is what I usually notice when...
  17. Stephen Hopkins

    Switch to Blu-ray or upgrade DVD player?

    My point is that people continually throw out catch-all responses without knowing details. There are plenty of situations where a BD player may be overkill... being someone with BD and HD players in multiple rooms on multiple different size sets, I can tell you that the graph I posted does a...
  18. Stephen Hopkins

    Switch to Blu-ray or upgrade DVD player?

    It amazes me how many people make broad "obviously you should" do this or that without details about the OP's setup or situation.... details that make it impossible to know if the benefit of BD is worthwhile in his setup. Saying another SD-DVD player gets him nowhere is probably about as far...
  19. Stephen Hopkins

    Help me Pick a New Pair of Paradigm Fronts - Studio 40's????

    I would say the Monitor 7s would be of more benefit if/when you do 2ch music listening without a subwoofer, as well as possibly allowing you to use a lower crossover setting and take some midbass strain of of your subwoofer. I'd probably let your movie/music balance be the deciding factor, along...
  20. Stephen Hopkins

    Help me Pick a New Pair of Paradigm Fronts - Studio 40's????

    Current as in the Titans you have now, or current as in the Monitor V5 Titans you would see today in a Paradigm showroom? They are completely different animals...
  21. Stephen Hopkins

    Switch to Blu-ray or upgrade DVD player?

    If you shop around and are ok with refurbished, BD players like the Samsung P1500 can be had as low as $135 shipped (PM me if you'd like a link). That said, if you're not ready to make the plunge, a decent upconverting DVD player wouldn't be a horrible investment and could always be used in...
  22. Stephen Hopkins

    Anyone familiar with TSC speakers?

    The Speaker Company is an ID speaker marketing/sales channel owned by D&M Holdings... the owner of A/V brands like Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, Boston, and many others. Their ID presence is fairly new and they most likely aren't leveraging their parent company's name to insulate the parent company...
  23. Stephen Hopkins

    Cable(s) assitance for 2.1 HT setup

    I'll second Monoprice and skip the Y, there's no need unless your AVR is sending too weak a line-level signal to engage the sub's auto-on circuitry.
  24. Stephen Hopkins

    Help me Pick a New Pair of Paradigm Fronts - Studio 40's????

    There could very well be some deals on the older versions of the Monitors... I'd say 7s or 9s are a good place to start... even 3s or 5s are surprisingly efficient if you're looking for a large bookshelf.
  25. Stephen Hopkins

    When did Kimber Heros get so expensive???

    I guess when they figured out people would pay for them regardless of the fact that IT'S JUST COPPER...
  26. Stephen Hopkins

    vsx-1018 pioneer reciever

    What does the front display say (MultiCh, DTS, Dolby Digital)? Do you have your BD player set to its bitstream output? If your front display says MultiCH, then you probably have your BD player set to PCM, meaning it is decoding (or trying to decode) itself and sending the decoded content to...
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