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The next Austin meet? (1 Viewer)

John A. Gordon

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Feb 26, 2001
Messages
215
Location
Earth
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JohnG
Congrats! I know the feeling of a new baby. My daughter was just born last month, though she was a little more than half the weight of Anika. All is well and everyone healthy. Enjoy.
 

Humphrey

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
234

Greg,

You need to check out Austin 2004 HDTV Thread! over on AVS. It should be more aptly named the "Time Warner gripe and moan and debugging thread" as 80-90% of the posts has to do with TW and the equipment. I'm no fan of them, their equipment fails too often. Specifically you might find that your port is non-functional as most units TW supplies don't even have functional DVI outputs. It may need a update 'to be coming later'. Really, I'd check there before laying the bucks out for an expensive DVI cable. I've also seen some people say that TW would supply the DVI cable but you'll have to request it. Everthing here in Austin except Fox is easily rec'd with a small $40 antenna if you have a built-in HD Tuner unless you are looking for some specific premium HD channels. G'luck.
 

Gomez

Agent
Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
29
Ok sorry for the rookie question, still new to the Home Theatre market. My question is: Is DVI better than component when it comes to HD material? I've been using component cables for my HD box and I believe I have a DVI input on my l300u but can the picture really be that much clearer on HD material? enough to notice? I'm also using a neutral density filter on my PJ so it's pretty tweaked as is.

Thoughts? again sorry for the rookie question but I want the best pic possible, especially if I'm going to swap out my HD box for a HD/DVR box.

Thanks.
 

John Prator

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
152
Gomez said:
"1 sheet of MDF (which can make 2 screens) from Home Depot, wood glue and blackout fabric from Jo-ann's fabric and you'll have yourself a kick a$$ screen. Total price including all the cuts made
 

John Prator

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
152
As for our "paint problem", looks like we have it under control. We have been using a 4" wide rigid putty knife and it is working very well! We all ready have half the wall done, we will be re-priming and re-painting this weekend!:D I wanted to Thank You all for your advice and help!:emoji_thumbsup: Hopefully I can have Ya'll over soon to check out our HT!
Thank You,
John
 

Scott Oliver

Screenwriter
Joined
Aug 30, 2000
Messages
1,159
Congrats Nils on the girl!

Nils or anyone else, do you guys know of a good but cheap multi-regional DVD player? I would primarily be used in my bedroom, so the further under $100 the better. Myself, I have no idea who even makes multi-regional players, so any help would be appreciated.

Hank, since you are now a Diana Krall fan, thought you might want to know that Best Buy is selling her new release for $10. I just bought it and have listened to the first four songs, and it just might be one of her best efforts to date. The backing band also looks like it might be her best assembled team as well.

As for the meet, I am trying to stay mum and out of the planning, but I have to add an observation. Is this meet a good time to do another HT tour? Since John's HT doesn't look like it will be ready in time for the meet. Chad will not be available to add his home to the tour. And another HT space that has had a pretty big overhaul and would be good to see again (Greg Risley's) is also way down south. To me the HT tour might want to postpone to a date, when these three HT's in particular are ready and available.
 

Nils Luehrmann

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2001
Messages
3,513
Scott,

I am in a similar boat. My wife has been bugging me for a while now to get a cheap extra DVD player for the bedroom (guess she wasn't impressed watching DVDs on my laptop). I figured I might as well get a region free player while I'm at it.

The player I have heard the most about is the CyberHome CH-DVD 300. The fact that it is available at Radio Shack, Sears, and Wal-Mart for about $50 and as low as $30 on sale is undoubtedly why it is often talked about.

Another player that has perked my interest is the Sungale DVD8500 (OEM by Amoisonic in China):
  • NTSC Region Free w/PAL-NTSC Converter
  • Progressive Scan
  • Component/S-video/Composite Outputs
  • Optical and Coaxial Digital Audio Outputs, RCA Analog Audio Output
  • 2 Mic inputs for Karaoke functionality
Compatible with: DVD, SVCD, VCD, CD MP3, HDCD, KODAK Picture CD, WMA, CD-R & CD-RW

It also has a handy button on the remote that will toggle between progressive and interlaced for the component video output.

Patrick Sun (Admin for HTF) bought one on sale for $30 at MicroCenter and seemed quite pleased with it.

Here are some pics:




BTW: I am also close to pulling the trigger on a Momitsu v880 DVD player which is also a region free progressive scan player, but includes 720P output via DVI (and costs about $250).
 

Steve Stogel

Supporting Actor
Joined
Jul 19, 2000
Messages
600
Nils, I for one think you should go ahead and pull the trigger on the Momitsu (and then bring it by the house so I can see how it compares to an HTPC for CRT PJs :)).

As far as the Cyberhome is concerned, I picked up CH-DVD500 quite a while ago (has to be about a year or better) for about $70, IIRC, from Best Buy. It was right when more and more players were coming out with Progressive Scan, and it was a feature I wanted to have just in case. I believe the 300 is basically just like the 500 I bought but smaller (looked like it when I saw one at RatShack), and I can vouch for the 500 that I got.

The Cyberhome served me well this past year, which is better luck than I had with a cheap Apex I bought before that one and this really cheap one from Frye's (Coby brand, about $30, I believe). My Coby has just been a little buggy, but Todd got one, too, and his is already out of commission.

So I guess I'm recommending the Cyberhome or THE MOMITSU. Get whichever you think will work best **coughcough**Momo**coughcough** :D

Steve

P.S. As nice as the Momitsu is for us CRTers (since it's DVI-I, which can be converted to a VGA out with a cheap adapter and, hence, can go into the CRTs via RGBHV), I believe it's actually as popular as it is over at AVS because how flexible it is with its resolutions. I believe you can customize your resolutions considerably and, for you digital PJ folks, get 1:1 mapping and a very, very nice picture.

The CRT vs. Dig. PJ shootout over at AVS had the Momo feeding the Sharp 12K with a perfect 1:1 mapping, and the Sharp apparently looked fantastic with it.
 

Scott Oliver

Screenwriter
Joined
Aug 30, 2000
Messages
1,159
Yeah I am on order from the wife as well to get an all region player for the bedroom so we can watch DVD's in there without having to move the other one, and she can bring DVD's home from Brazil.

Now why she won't just let me buy a front projector for the living room instead, so we wouldn't have to move the TV back and forth, I don't know? Guess that is just women's logic.;)

Oh and do any of you know how to check if my Sony S7000 has the ability to be switched into region free mode? I saw a thread somewhere mention this ability via a switch inside the chassis on early generation S7000's.
 

Nils Luehrmann

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2001
Messages
3,513
One thing to consider is that the 2004 Showcase of Homes starts tomorrow and runs through May 16th. Unlike the last couple years, this one looks to be worth the trip (for those not close to Lakeway).

This year they will have eight custom homes open for display at the new development, Flintrock Falls, which is part of the expansion of The Hills Country Club. The last time they had that many homes was three or so years ago when it was held at Costa Bella.

While the homes are perhaps slightly more modest than the average $3 million dollar homes in Costa Bella, they are still quite impressive and will likely boast some very nice HT/Multimedia rooms worth examination.

My advice is that if you all decide to go on May 8th, get there before they open up (11am) such as to avoid the large crowds and thus make demoing the HT rooms far more enjoyable. Also bring along some favorite demo material. I have found that if you ask nicely and the crowds are small, the installers will gladly allow you to play around with their system - especially if they feel you know what you are doing. At the very least, they will most likely be willing to play any DVD you bring, as long as it is appropriate material (no R-rated stuff).

While on occasion the owners and technicians from these HT custom installation companies will make appearances, often they just hire temporary reps - and in that case, don't expect the reps to be very knowledgeable. They are really there only to make sure the equipment isn't mishandled and to pass out cards and brochures. If an owner or tech is there, don't be shy - for the most part they love to talk shop.
 

Scott Oliver

Screenwriter
Joined
Aug 30, 2000
Messages
1,159


Yeah Bose rules!:)

Hey btw can someone come over here and beat the crap out of me and take my credit cards? I am buying way too much vinyl and need to be reprimanded. For my defense, at least some it was dirt cheap down in Brazil.

Oh I also ordered a Echobuster Double Buster today for my back wall. Does anyone think if I tell Maria it was DIY project like the ceiling treatment, she will believe me?

I'm naughty, very naughty!:b
 

Gomez

Agent
Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
29
Did someone say vinyl? where are you buying your vinyl from? what do you vinyl folks collect? I mysel collect vinyl but that's b/c I'm a dj and well that's what we dj's use. Lately I've been producing my own tracks and I've been digging for vinyl ALOT! for sample purposes of course.

what are some good spots for vinyl here in Austin besides:
Cheapos, Waterloo, Antones and Pirahna records?

any advise would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. any input on my DVI question?

Thanks

Gomez
 

Scott Oliver

Screenwriter
Joined
Aug 30, 2000
Messages
1,159
If you are a DJ and probably into dance hip-hop or techno, I would check out Alien Records on 5th, Thirty-Three Degrees on Guadalupe, and a store I can't remember the name of at the intersection of I believe Mary and South 1st.

Where is Pirahna records is that the new one up in Round Rock? I haven't been there. There is also a place on North Loop a bit west of Fonda San Miguel's that is pretty new as well, actually I believe it might be a good source for DJ's as well.
 

Hank Frankenberg

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 13, 1998
Messages
2,573
Greg: I've posted once and sent you two e-mails regarding your question to me about a cable need. Have you received none of my communications? BTW, we've been evaluating some small PJ's and I took one home and made up a DVI cable by taking some good coax and twisting three with several pieces of heatshrink to keep the twist intact, then soldered RCA's on one end and a sub-mini 9-pin on the other to plug into a sub-mini-to-DVI connector adapter. It worked fine and cost about $25 for the 25-foot length.

Nils, I'm looking for a large quantity of DVD players for a giveaway promotion and read a couple of Sungale reviews. Call me.

NOW, as Colin wrote: back to the topic at hand. I agree that it might be good to postpone the HT tour since at least 3 of the HT's we'd definitely like to see will be unavailable. Any other input? Alternative topics for the meet? Not much time left, but how about measuring/planning/building acoustic treatments at Colin's?
Just a suggestion.
 

John Prator

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
152
Scott said: "As for the meet, I am trying to stay mum and out of the planning, but I have to add an observation. Is this meet a good time to do another HT tour? Since John's HT doesn't look like it will be ready in time for the meet."

Hank said:" NOW, as Colin wrote: back to the topic at hand. I agree that it might be good to postpone the HT tour since at least 3 of the HT's we'd definitely like to see will be unavailable."

Am I the John that Scott is refering to?? Whoa man, you guys actually want to see my HT?? Now I'm worried. I am doing a few things differently than most people do, I'm sure it's not up to par as all of your HT's! One thing I have done or will do is not hide my equipment, it will be up front and center stage. This may be "Unsat" for some of you but I love my gear, don't want to hide it. I love seeing those tubes glow in the dark! Anyway, all of you are more than welcome anytime.
 

Gomez

Agent
Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
29
Thanks for the vinyl info Scott, as for Aliens, I don't go their anymore, they never have anything good or new so if I want new Drum and Bass then I'll just order online from the UK. Nowadays I'm digging for older stuff, 70's and earlier. Pirahna records is in Round Rock off of 79 near Gattiland, they have a nice selection but their prices are a little high in comparison to some of the other places around town.

The HT meet is supposed to be next weekend correct? if it's still happening, what time will it start and which house will it start at. I don't mind showing my HT as well I just need advance notice, time, how many people? etc...I have limited seating in the HT room but it opens up to my breakfast area so there's seating there. The HT has 4 chairs total, 2 HT chairs on the platform and 2 HT recliners in front of those.
 

Scott Oliver

Screenwriter
Joined
Aug 30, 2000
Messages
1,159
John you said you had ML Odyssey's, Sunfire TGIII, Mesa Baron tube amp and much more. Are you kidding? Of course I (We) would want to see your home theater, in fact you might have a hard time getting ME to leave.:)
 

Scott Oliver

Screenwriter
Joined
Aug 30, 2000
Messages
1,159
On the meet, someone needs to just step-up to the plate as the organizer, lay out an agenda and tell us where and when we need to be places. Don't worry about stubbing peoples toes, because at this point the picture looks bleak as to whether this thing is even happening. All I know for sure at this point is that I am ending up at Hank's for fajitas and poker, beyond that nothing is certain.

BTW, Hank mark me down as the provider of Guacamole for the fajita dinner. I just made a very tasty batch the other day and feel the need to duplicate my efforts.
 

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