Search results

  1. sivart

    More BS from the movie studios.

    I find it funny that the only time you will see this warning is if you are watching the original (pressed) DVD. Any ripped copies out there will have those stripped out.
  2. sivart

    Help with recording from my HDTV needed...

    If the Toshiba (DR320KU...couldn't find it online) doesn't have a built in tuner, you can't record from the "output" of your TV. Most TV's outputs are limited to the audio (to send to a stereo). I haven't see a modern TV with video out from the tuner.
  3. sivart

    I need a "good idea" for electrical connections (HT setup)

    Try something like this. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202548624&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=202548624&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D27X-_-202548624 Shouldn't require an electrician...does require cutting into...
  4. sivart

    Transporting large screen plasmas....

    I transported mine flat on the bed of my truck, but the trip was only about 10 miles, too. It has been 5 years and no problems. Because of the shape of the box, it was wanting to fall over in the bed when upright, so I would take the chance of the plasma flat versus falling over in the back...
  5. sivart

    old skool - internet on tv

    Don't rule out the HTPC at this point if you really want it. I have a Dell Studio 540s that blends in nicely with my other equipment. It is the small one seen in the photos here http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/dell-rolls-out-studio-desktop-studio-slim/ I use it to do full internet surfing...
  6. sivart

    Need suggestion for replacement TV from Best Buy

    I would second that on the Plasma. Longevity on a plasma? They are rated for the same number of hours as an LCD (regardless of backlight). I have a nearly 5 year old Vizio plasma (LG Panel inside) that is going strong and just as good as the day I bought it. The last I heard the Insignia...
  7. sivart

    question about attic antenna

    I have an antenna very similar to that in my attic. (actually two of them, one split to two locations) and it picks up all of my locals (about 20 miles from the tower) and all but one of the next nearest town (about 40-50 miles from the tower). The more distance channels have a tough time in...
  8. sivart

    Insignia or Samsung?

    From what a Best Buy manager told me is that Insignia's are made by Samsung. It is basically their QC reject panels, so they may have a worse contrast ratio or some other spec. Along with different features and firmware.
  9. sivart

    budget tv: $400

    I saw Fry's had a 42" 1080p LCD today (not sure of other specs) for $299. Worth checking out if you have a Fry's nearby. http://cdn.travidia.com/rop-sub/35703034
  10. sivart

    HTPC: recording HD TV for my mom

    1TB = 6 days of 24/7 HD programming. Wow, just dump a bunch of 3TB drives into an HTPC and go from there. ...or tell mom to get of the couch ;)
  11. sivart

    HTPC Resolution Question

    I know that with Windows 7 Media Center you can set a different resolution when it is running (versus your desktop). I haven't really used the music functionality of W7 MC, so I can't really comment there.
  12. sivart

    Recommend DVD recorder

    I'm not aware that any manufacturer in the US is making DVD recorders with hard drives any longer. (My Panny E80H is still going strong). If you can do without the hard drive, look at any major brand name. If you need the hard drive, eBay may be your best bet (or locally craigslist)
  13. sivart

    Do you "Update" your firmware

    Hey, you could be using the LG BH200 like I am. I have to add a USB stick to the front of the device to use any BD-Live features. It will play music and pictures from a USB drive, but no other special features. Of course the one thing it has going for it is that it will play DVD, Blu-ray and...
  14. sivart

    Do you "Update" your firmware

    As far as firmware goes, my motto is..."If it ain't broke, don't break it." I normally don't upgrade until something won't play or a feature I want to use won't work.
  15. sivart

    QUICK QUESTION: Are screens measured diagonally?

    There are also "diagonal classes" so a 52" Class TV, may actually only be 51.5" :)
  16. sivart

    Home Theater Color Scheme

    I went with green walls, brown carpet and dark red seating. More pics here
  17. sivart

    What do I need to get OTA HDTV on a old plasma w/o a coax input

    I've got an old LG ATSC tuner / DVD player just sitting in the closet :) I guess I should sell it. What the others have said should work. Just make sure to get an antenna that does both UHF and VHF. Just because the stations channel number is a UHF/VHF channel, it doesn't necessarily mean...
  18. sivart

    What's your normal volume setting for movies?

    My brother and I both have Onkyo receivers. His shows volume in a negative number and mine is a positive, so I don't see how the "volume level" means anything, unless you actually measure it. I don't have that ability. I listen at a volume that is comfortable for me :)
  19. sivart

    How the iPad 2 could cost you more than the Xoom

    My favorite quote of the article...and all too true.
  20. sivart

    Front projector question?

    Most modern (I.e. less than 10 years old) projectors should have a setting for rear projection. How old is your projector?
  21. sivart

    HDTV/Converter Box

    Free OTA HDTV is great. Even looks better than some cable systems compressed feeds. I haven't had cable (or pay TV) in 5 years and I don't miss a thing. (I do have an HTPC to use as a DVR for the 3 shows I watch each week)
  22. sivart

    Minimizing speaker wire exposure

    Put it under the carpet that you lay in that room to get rid of the acoustic nightmare :)
  23. sivart

    Bluray launch time

    My blu-ray player takes about 30 seconds before you can open the tray (old LG HD-DVD / Blu-ray combo device). However, my projector takes about 30 seconds to turn on and show an image, so I can live with it :) My brother has a 1 year old Samsung that is pretty fast at loading discs. After all...
  24. sivart

    Hooking up subwoofer to TV

    Plus, with the optical out, you still need a device to decode it. The analog outs are probably full range stereo which you wouldn't want to feed to a subwoofer anyway. Look for a cheap all-in-one with a decent sub. Nothing says you have to use the front speakers
  25. sivart

    3D TVs terrible

    Yes, 2D :twisted:
  26. sivart

    i thought all blu-ray movies came with an HD soundtrack

    I'm leary of the 2.0 to 5.1 conversion. I prefer listening in the theatrical release format myself. I.e. Texas Chainsaw Massacre just sounds fake when the attempted to create the 5.1 sound. At least on those they give me the options. Options are always good as long as it doesn't hurt picture...
  27. sivart

    HTPC remote/keyboard

    I haven't seen one like that, but some CE companies are releasing QWERTY keyboards on their remotes to control their equipment. I just use a combination of the following: Windows 7 Media Center Media Browser Harmony Remote Control Zinc (http://www.zinc.tv/) I hardly ever use the QWERTY...
  28. sivart

    This look about right for this TV settings. Or should I tweak it more?

    Just like every car is tuned slightly differently (even across the same model), a TV will need its own calibration. Also, your eyes may not be tuned the same way a reviewer's eyes. If they used a calibration disc, you are relying on their eyes and not professional equipment (nothing wrong with...
  29. sivart

    Are all LED TVs this bad with ghosting/smearing?

    This :cool: My Plasma (cheap Vizio circa 2007) shows very little image retention (even when running the PC for an hour or so) and no burn it at all. As far as glare, the only time I have a problem is when the blinds are open and the sun is shining in directly on the screen. Then again...
  30. sivart

    New home theater setup in a new place

    Constant Image Height theater with a dedicated video processor. Would be great for the room size and budget.
  31. sivart

    What to do with a 5th gen iPod classic?

    5th Gen = Classic...what does that make my 2nd Gen 4GB? :eek:
  32. sivart

    burner soft with spanning

    Why discs? You could spend $50-$80 on a program or $90 on a 2TB external drive. Use FBackup (free) and your backups are quicker to create and really quick to update. Just curious...
  33. sivart

    Video Editing

    I like (non-free) VideoRedo. It allows you to edit without any re-encoding..unless of course you want to change the video format.
  34. sivart

    I dont understand the extreme brand loyalty

    I don't have brand loyalty, but strong disloyalty :) Either because I have had bad experiences with multiple products from the same brand or don't agree with the way they run their business. Or a combination of both (cough...Sony...cough)
  35. sivart

    Is Android vs iPhone Fanboism bigger than XBox360 vs PS3 fanboism?

    No thanks...don't really care. It is really more of an open-source, closed-source argument anyway.
  36. sivart

    Thinking about buying a home theater projector

    I prefer the more natural look of DLP to LCD. Have only seen the rainbow effect once on an all white screen with a cartoon object. Also, no filters to clean with DLP. Mine is 4+ years old with about 1300 hours on the original bulb.
  37. sivart

    Ruh-roh. All those Samsung Galaxy Tabs actually sold to distributors, not consumers

    You don't NEED a smart phone or a laptop either :awe:
  38. sivart

    LED-LCD HDVT: Vizio as a brand?

    I was thinking this too when I bought mine. Called Amex and their "extended warranty" starts at the same time as my Costco extended warranty (i.e when the manufacturers warranty ends). Maybe things have changed since 2007?
  39. sivart

    Pioneer Elites making a comeback!!

    Quattrons seem like a bunch of hype...we'll have to do some "eyes on" testing of these before making a decision if they are worth it.
  40. sivart

    LED-LCD HDVT: Vizio as a brand?

    Last I checked Costco doubled or extended the manufacturers warranty by 1 year, whichever is lesser. So, that would be a 2 year warranty on most Vizio TV's. (at least that is what mine (circa 2007) had applied)