Brand new meet thread - Austin (1 Viewer)

[James Phung]

(For some reason I don't see this post)

I only have LOTR:FOTR from that list. I also have the AVS Movie Demo DVD and LFE Demo DVD.

 

[Humphrey]

I have both Basic and the LOTR discs. No problem there.

 

[Jay.H]

James,
Who were you quoting I don't see the post from which the quote originated.

 

[James Phung]

It was from Jonathan DA, it came through the email if you subscribe to the thread. Not sure why it wasn't here, maybe he deleted it.

If someone could maybe provide a laptop or htpc, we can test out some HD movies also. HTPC with dual dvi output would be cool.

 

[Jonathan DA]

Now that's just odd, I wonder why my post showed up in email, but not on the web? Thanks for quoting it James. Any other scene suggestions?

My HTPC is out of commission at the moment. The storm last Friday fried a bunch of electrical things in the house including the PC. It's out till I get a check from the insurance company to replace it. Steve Stogel has an HTPC. Steve, where are you?

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Dark scene: last time we toured, Nils used a scene that I can't remember. Was it from a LOTR movie or a Star Wars movie? Anyway, it really showed up the differences between projectors' shadow detail ability.

Good idea to have two of each movie to lessen the disc shuffling.

I have "LOTR" and "Once Upon a Time in the West", so we need one more of each, plus two of "Basic" or whatever third movie the group wants to use. As I recall, "OUATITW" is good for other than panning comparisons. BTW, "Super Speedway" is really good to compare player and projector video processing. I have it also.

Okay, the 12th at 8:00PM it is. e-mail me if you need directions.

 

[James Phung]

Sounds good. So for now, I'm bringing the 4805 and the Oppo. I'll probably grab a few dvds in my collection just in case. I also have the HQV Benchmark dvd to test video processing along with DVE that I will also bring along. If we get an htpc set up, I can bring my external hd with some hd content on it.

 

[Jeff Meininger]

Hank: Nils was using Star Wars Episode II DVD for the dark scene. The scene has Obi Wan moving through shadows in a dark cave on the planet where Christopher Lee is. The specific frame has a partially-lit Kenobi in one half of the screen, and a characteristic rock formation on the cave wall on the other half. The rock formtaion is supposed to be visible, but the cave wall itself is supposed to be pretty dang near black.

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Jeff - thanks, I remember now, and I believe the comparison detail we looked for was whether the details (folds and wrinkles) of Kenobi's garment were visible or not.
Will you attend?

 

[mike_frontier]

Hey guys. Great to see things getting back up around the meets.

Sorry I have not been around. I took a 2nd job @ nights part time to save money to get some new hifi toys.

I am not sure if any of you are fans of the av123 speakers. But I just got the
Choc Rosewood RSC100 MKII Center Channel, 1 pair of the ELT PB/S - Powered Base/Stand w/ one pair of the ELT LRS. for the front L/R. It should be here anytime next week.

Since I still am working the 2nd job, but now off on the weekends. So I should be avaliable to play again. Hope all is well and see ya guys soon.

Take care, Mike

 

[mike_frontier]

Darn. I work. How about he 13th ? nah its ok, don't change just for me, but maybe next time I can make it as long as it follows on the weekend.

 

[Jeff Meininger]

Nope. I've got a wicked bad case of "overcomitted syndrome".

I'll read the reviews when it's all said and done, though.

 

[Jay.H]

If we decide to compare screens, I can bring my 92" Da-lite Model C Video Spectra pull-down (1.5 gain). The prospect of comparing screens is intriging to me. I spent a lot of time deciding on screen material. How would the screens be mounted? I'm sure you wouldn't want to punch holes in your wall.

At this time we have these components available for the meet:
Projectors: 3 (Humphrey-12SF, James-4805, Jay-AE700)
DVD players: 2 (Humphrey, James) [both Oppo]
Screens: 5 (James_1.1 gain, Jay_1.5 gain, Frederick_??? gain, Mark_~2.5 gain, Humphrey_~2.5 gain)

Disks:
PJ calibration: ???
HQV Benchmark DVD and DVE: (James)
LOTR: 2 (Hank, Humphrey)
OUATITW: 1 (Hank. ???)
Basic: 1 (Humphrey. ???)
Super Speedway: 1 (Hank, ???)

??? indicates a shortage or info that needs to be filled

We still need to settle on the scenes.
Is there anything else that is needed for this meet? Let me know how I can help.

 

[James Phung]

Seems things are winding down and we do need clarifications on some of the things Jay mentioned.

If we compare screens also, I'm going to need help transporting my da lite model b pulldown if it's needed.

If we compare dvd players, I can also bring along some cheapie players along with the oppo. I have a sony 575 and a philips 727. I've also got the cheap ADS HDTV Upconverter II video scaler that I can bring and throw into the mix if anyone's interested in a scaler.

For DVDs, I'm going to bring Star Wars:AOTC to test out that dark scene, along with fifth element ultimate edition (since screen shots from this are ever so popular for some reason), The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, LOTR:FOTR EE, House of Flying Daggers R3, and the AVS Movie Demo DVD to name a few. Any other suggestions would be welcome.

I'm going to go ahead and send out my contact info to Hank and Jay.

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Okay, it is COMMITMENT time. Here's the list:
Mark - maybe
Humphrey - ?
Jay - ?
James - Yes
Jonathan - ?
Rich - ?
Frederick - ?
Mark dropped off his DaLite instant theater fairly high-gain screen last night, along with a business PJ and a 30-foot component-to-RGB cable with an RGB to DVI connector.

I have told Nils about this shindig twice on the phone and he hasn't either committed or rejected, so we'll see. Someone please volunteer to bring a second disc of:
Once Upon a Time in the West
Basic
Super Speedway
Do we really want to calibrate the PJ's? If so, I have the original "Video Essentials"

I was thinking about having a surprise: this week I asked execs from Screen Innovations to come to 3M and tell us about their business model. We have sold screens forever in the education market and have a line of electronic projectors (not for HT), and we have some very unique IP-protected projection prototypes and may get into selling screens in a bigger way. I thought about asking for some demo screens for Friday night, but it's a bit short notice and for the hassle, it appears our turnout might be a bit light, so I will keep it in mind for the future. S.I. has an interesting approach: screen quality as good as S.F. at DL or lower pricing.

Back on topic, we need a variety of DVD players. One low-price model only, please. Can someone bring a mid-price machine? Does anyone have a higher-end PJ to bring? Doesn't have to be a Denon 5910, but what's the highest-end machine in our group?

Hey, I'm trying to kick this thing up a notch, guys! Bring wives/girlfriends if you want - we're not boring geeks, we're, ahh...uhh...cool...funny...uh...good guys - YES! That's it - we're good guys who are into the MAGIC of that American art form, THE MOVIES!

 

[Humphrey]

I'll be there. Need directions. Please IM them to me Hank. I'll bring my Oppo, my copy of Basic. Do I need to bring the 12SF?

 

[Rich_Ave]

Hank,

I'm planning to be there tomorrow, however, I'm probably the only person in Austin who hasn't been to your place, so I'd appreciate a PM with directions or an address. I can bring a very low end DVD player (Denon 900) if you still need one. I'm also available to come over early to help set up if you need it. Please let me know if I can help. Thanks.

Rich

 

[Scott Oliver]

I've got some esoteric powercords we could use!:b

Talk about some improved color saturation.

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Humphrey and Rich, I'll PM you.
Scott: nip it in the bud, Mr. esoteric snake oil man

Okay, here's the count:
Mark - maybe
Humphrey - Yes
Jay - Yes
James - Yes
Jonathan - ?
Rich - Yes
Frederick - ?
Nils - still no word

Regarding gear: we need another screen, but can't attach a pull-down to the wall - may have to get creative. Hopefully we'll have a range of DVD players - bring 'em on.

 

[Jay.H]

I'm in. And it looks like Scott is a new addition to the list. I am supplying my AE700 PJ.

Since it appears that we will be looking at PJs and DVD players, I do not plan to bring my screen. It would be great if Frederick would bring his insta-theater screen as it may be identical to Mark's and would enable side by side full screen comparison.

I don't see how to get a fair PJ comparison without calibrating, but maybe I'm missing something.

List update:
Hank - Host [venue, chips, dip, sodas]
Mark - maybe [business PJ, screen, cabling]
Humphrey - Yes [Oppo DVDP, DVI & DVI-HDMI(2?) cables, 'Basic' DVD, 12SF PJ?]
Jay - Yes [AE700 PJ]
James - Yes [4805 PJ, DVI cable, Oppo DVDP, cheapie DVDPs, assorted disks]
Jonathan - ?
Rich - Yes [Denon 900 DVDP]
Frederick - ? [2nd Da-lite screen?]
Scott -Yes

Since one of the three PJs is business class, I propose Humphrey should bring the 12SF to add a 4th.
Are there any other cabling needs (i.e. component, RGB)?

I can come early to help with set up. Just say the word.