Introducing myself. New members feel free to add on to this [Archive] - Tampa | Orlando | Bright House | FiOS| HDTV

DJJeffT

08-18-2003, 08:10 AM

Hello all:

Never really posted much at AVS, as I am still kinda getting started in the HD thing.

I have a Sony HD20 TV and use my Sony HD-100 Direct TV box for OTA and for the few available HD channels that D-TV offers.

Recently purchased a Silver Surfer for OTA (currently using rabbit ears) but have yet to hook it up.

I live in Lithia right near the towers so I get decent enough reception on the major stations when the weather is good. Gotta hook up that Silver Surfer soon.

I work for Clear Channel as a Operations Manager for WFLZ and WSSR.

Nice to see a local board here.

Jeff

FTBoomerIII

08-18-2003, 08:18 AM

I work for Clear Channel as a Operations Manager for WFLZ and WSSR.

Nice to see a local board here.

Jeff

Are you Jeffy F****r from the Glenn Beck show?

DJJeffT

08-18-2003, 08:29 AM

I work for Clear Channel as a Operations Manager for WFLZ and WSSR.

Nice to see a local board here.

Jeff

Are you Jeffy F****r from the Glenn Beck show?

Nope, don't work for WFLA. Jeffy actually produces AM Tampa Bay now.

Jeff (no e)

Jerry_Pease

08-18-2003, 11:58 AM

Hi Jerry Pease here, same Jerry Pease from AVS & Home Theater Talk formerly from Saint Petersburg now living in beautiful Parrish Florida.

Current setup is in flux. I am in the process of building out my dream theater. However, I do have all of my hardware. Unfortunately, some of it is boxed up ready to be opened to make things happen.

On the video side of things, I have Immersive Inc. HT720 HD2 Mustang Virtuoso projector, 110” Firehawk Deluxe Fixed Screen by Stewart Filmscreen. DVI sources, (DVD) Bravo D1 by VINC and Sony HD200 with a DirecTV HD subscription connected to a Winegard Sensar II GS2000A with a Channel Master rotor CM9521M.

On the audio side of things, processor B&K Ref 30 connected to a 7.1 fully active Linn AV 51xx series and a Sunfire Signature subwoofer.

On the soft-ware side of things I have (6) 090 Berkline leather theater chairs with auto-recline configured in 2 rows of three chairs.

Theater is almost built out, just 4 more columns to go, but unfortunately the acoustical treatments look like it is going to be awhile before it finally comes in. :cry:

jaymer

08-18-2003, 01:00 PM

The party has been moved to Parrish FL at Jerry's house :lol:
Nice equipment dude!

Jerry_Pease

08-18-2003, 02:12 PM

when i get done with the theater we can have a little party. believe me, i need it. after building a new house, moving, changing wall colors to suit my wife I need a damn party ;) (actually its the liquor that i need)

cheers,

Floyd

08-18-2003, 09:44 PM

Floyd here in N. Carrolwood. I have a Hitachi 57UWX and a Samsung TS-160.

My business is Satellite Video Systems of Tampa, and currently most of my work is commercial: hotels, restaurants, businesses. I've done a lot of big dish work, as well as down-links and VSAT work. You can ask me questions about distribution and amps and modulators and receivers and cables, diplexers, spectrum analzers, CCTV, ect.
After hooking up hundreds of video systems, I used to feel like an expert, but now, with component, firewire, ect, I give up.

For fun on the weekends, I go out in my bowrider.
I'm hopeing that this forum will auto-login so I don't have to remember that I had to use a 6-digit password.
(Hooray..........it automatically loged me back in the next day!)

weavermd

08-21-2003, 09:37 PM

Hello,
I am weavermd (same as on AVS). I have had my 55" Mitsubishi since 9/01 but only found out about AVS from the Trib article (which I also had some quotes in). I actually contacted Walt about the whole HD delimma here in Tampa and he began asking around and decided to write an article about the whole thing. Hopefully, we'll reap some benefits from that pub.

Anyway, I too (FTboomerIII) live in Original Carrollwood with a 55" Mitsubishi, BHN and no OTA (could we have a more similar setup?). I do not, however, have a DVR. In fact, I still have the old SA STB. But, since I am about to bail for the Direct TV lease plan, who cares.

AT LEAST 80% of my HD interest is sports related. Therefore, no CBS or ESPN-HD on BHN by first week in September then I am done with BHN, for a year anyway.

I am a physician here in Tampa, have Gator season tix, try to make a few Bucs games each year, and have half of my hard drive space taken up with downloaded Seinfeld episodes (over 70 of them). That pretty much sums me up.

FTboomer, we cannot be far from each other, huh? I am near the elementry school.

FTBoomerIII

08-21-2003, 09:47 PM

Probably only a few hundred yards (as the crow flies) away.

passedpawn

08-22-2003, 08:04 PM

Passedpawn, checking in. I'm in northern Clearwater, almost Palm Harbor. I'm busy tricking out my 65" Mits (almost nightly). My wife came home the other night while I had the screen off... ouch.

Same passedpawn on AVS.

You guys with the front projectors are so lucky. Man, if I had a basement I'd take the plunge.

I'm a design engineer for a medical electronics co., soon to be the same at a different co. I do a lot of outside consulting (design), too, if you guys want to invent something.

FTBoomerIII

08-22-2003, 08:33 PM

What kind of "tricking out" are you doing on your Mits? I have a 55311, what can I do?

Hey Jaymer, looks like we need a "Tips, Tricks & Mods" section.

passedpawn

08-22-2003, 08:44 PM

What kind of "tricking out" are you doing on your Mits?
Normal Avia stuff, plus all the geometry stuff you can do with the "secret" service codes, plus manual focus of lenses, electrostatic focus, and general cleaning of mirrors and stuff. I have little attenuators that I built (from other's instructions) tied to the component inputs to correct the red push that my model of the Mits is famous for. Stuff like that.

Tweaks on www.hometheaterspot.com are the best, most well-tested. $25 membership gets you to that section of the forums.

jaymer

08-23-2003, 12:43 AM

i agree - www.hometheaterspot.com is the bomb for tweaks and service codes for all the TVs out there. no need to recreate any of that here.

impalanut

08-23-2003, 05:26 PM

Impalanut (also on avs forum)

Im in south Clearwater, almost Largo

Set up:
Marquee 9500lc and Pioneer 643 hd (for daytime)
B&K Ref 50 with B&K 200.7 amp
Zenith HD520 stb with big old antennas in the attic
Onix Rocket 7.1 with Revel B15 sub
Brick wall protection
home made retractable screen currently broken and looking for a good
alternative that doesn't break the bank(anyone who knows of a
good electric hoist that will lift 300 lbs easily let me know)
Waiting for Asimilator, if it's more than another two months I will be
looking for another scaler and a DVD player.
Gregg Loewen tune ups in progress, will be back for part two in
November after the avs cruise

Hop

08-23-2003, 09:01 PM

Hi all,

I'm Hop and just found the AVS board recently... and then naturally came over here. I worked in TV for a number of years (Channel 9 in Orlando, Hughes TV Network, CBS Golf) and appreciate a great video image. HD is awesome! I've lived in Clearwater for most of my life except for a few years in Orlando and Gainesville.

My equipment:
Toshiba 65" HD theatre projection monitor
ZenithHDR230 terrestrial receiver with 80 Gig HDD
Onkyo 600W. 5.1 channel DTS/Dolby Digital amp
Radio Shack antenna currently sitting on my front porch until I can get some time when it's not raining to put it up on a mast.
BHN PACE box that's currently not working in HD

passedpawn

08-23-2003, 11:23 PM

Hi all,

I'm Hop
Welcome, Hop!

alexis822

08-24-2003, 05:18 PM

:lol: Hi, I am Chris and I live in Zephyrhills. I work for Time Customer Service.

Here is a list of my equipment:

Sony KP-57WV700 (57" HD TV)
Hughes E-86 (Directv Receiver)
Sony Sat A-4 (Directv Receiver)
Sony STR-V444ES (Receiver)
Sony DVP-NS755V (Dvd/Cd Player)
Sony RM-AV3000 (Remote Control)
Infinity & Boston Speakers (Speakers)

jaymer

08-24-2003, 06:45 PM

Chris,
welcome aboard!
Was hoping you were with Time WARNER Customer Service when I first read that...

btw, could you please edit your post and identify those pieces of equipment you have - I (and maybe many others) have no idea which is a receiver, stb, dvd, etc just by the model #s. thx

This is the right thread for you to list off that nice equipment you may have... but please identify it by more than just a model #.
Like "ABV-1000 set top box"
Some don't know their HS10 from their HS20. :lol:
I remember when I first started in the HTPC section of AVSForum and I didn't have a clue what anyone was talking about when someone would list out what they had. It was a real pain, so lets do all we can to make it simple for everyone.

alexis822

08-24-2003, 07:01 PM

Hey Sorry about that guys!!!!

Nope, not Time Warner Cable, Time Customer Service we do the mailings of bills and renewals for alot of the big magazines.

Glad to be here!!

OccamMD

08-25-2003, 10:40 AM

Hey,

I'm Ray, same OccamMD as on AVS. I am an embedded controls hardware/software designer from north Lutz (Pasco county), self-employed. I have been tinkering with the HD HTPC for a year and a half, learning and waiting for the right time to buy the final system (HTPC build & projector). Hopefully CEDIA will throw some light (pun intended) on my choice for the projector, then off we go to finish and finalize (do you ever finalize a hobby?). Then it is off to the audio, I am building my own 7 channel B-class FET amp, just need a little more time, and finally the X-10.

Hope you are all doing well,
Ray

ProntoProgramming

08-25-2003, 03:03 PM

Hi all,

My name is Glenn and I found this site through the Trib article. I am a freelance remote (Pronto and other touch screen remotes) programmer.

My equipment:

Sony KP-51HW40 HDTV
RCA DTC-100 DirecTV/OTA HDTV Receiver
Sony Playstation 2
Nintendo Gamecube

Of course is is all being controlled by Pronto Pro TSU6000.

Talk to you guys soon,

Glenn Sheridan
Pronto Programming
prontoprograming@aol.com

hsuthard

08-26-2003, 11:21 AM

Hello!
I'm a relative newcomer to the HD world, but absolutely love it. This is our current setup:

RCA MM36100 HD Monitor TV
RCA DTC-100 HD Receiver/Sat
Philips TiVO (hacked to 90 hours, and ethernet access)
Yamaha RX-V590 Receiver
Two huge Radio Shack antennas on the roof
We have cable, but not HD through them.
Ditto DirecTV. All HD is OTA.
Currently, I'm working on setting up my Palm Zire71 to control the whole shebang. It's coming along fairly nicely!

We live in a heavily wooded area, and are having lots of problems with reception on both the satellite and antennas. I'd like to relocate them on our roof somewhere, but my husband isn't as highly motivated to do it himself. Can anyone recommend a good installation guy to help work out the kinks in reception? I haven't seen any HD all summer, since the sycamore tree beside our antennas has turned green and clouded the view to Riverview!

Anyway, what a wonderful web site! I'm thankful to have a place to turn to quickly and easily. Now that Buffy is over and done, I'm not sure how much tv we'll be watching, but there's always football (and the Wiggles).

Thanks, Holly.

OccamMD

08-26-2003, 11:57 AM

You may want to try a ChannelMaster instead of the RS antenna's. You can get them at Lowe's. They seem to have much better gain.

rgreenpc

08-26-2003, 04:41 PM

Bucoholic

08-26-2003, 11:29 PM

Hey all Bucoholic here.

I have a few posts on AVSForums under the same name.

I am first a Bucs fan and second and HD enthusiast. I have:
Sony KP-61HS10 (61" TV)
Onkyo TX-SR600 DTS/DD 5.1 (Receiver)
Niles & Infinity Speakers
XBOX
SA 3100HD (Decoder)

MyHD MDP-120 (HD Decoder for Computer)
Sony DRU-500a (Dvd Burner)
Radio Shack 15-1870 (IR Learning Indoor Antenna)
P4 2.4 Ghz
2 gig 400 mhz ram
380 gig of HD space 8mb cache

I'm a self taught computer person. I like 3D, HTML, Video Editing, Making DVD's and Macromedia Flash MX.

MTAS

08-28-2003, 09:49 AM

Hi all from Richard in Plant City

My Setup:
PT53WX53 - Panasonic 16:9
Kenwood 407 - AV Reciever ( to be replaced with a Sony STRD695 today )
Tivo hacked to 80 hours slaved to a dish 301 ( for Time Shfting )
Dish 6000U with 8vsb tuner for HD input

Anyone in my area with any antenna suggestions?

Hi Richard, I'm in PC as well, but using BHN for everything so sorry I can't help with your antenna question. Your set up sounds nice 8)

jhoak

08-29-2003, 10:20 AM

Greetings Programs...

jhoak coming at you from beautiful Babson Park. Don't know where that is??? That's OK... I'm not too sure myself sometimes.

I'm about 45 miles from Tampa and about 55 miles from Orlando. My house sits atop what passes for a hill here in Florida. That means I get the best of both DMAs in terms of TV reception. At last count I was getting 15 digital TV channels out of the 18 or 19 that are "local" to me.

At some point in the future I'll sit down and compose a post with some additional info about the DTV reception here. Who knows I might even get off my lazy butt and take some pictures.

Below is the "master" list of the current system. Like most it's pretty much in a state of "flux". Current projects include 2 additional Adire HE10.1s and a HE8.1 to replace the JBL surrounds and center. A TOTAL redo of the antenna farm. The trees on my lot have grown up into the path of the antennas since they were installed. As long as it's calm everything works fine, but let it get windy and the signal level jumps all over everywhere. Now if it will just STOP raining every day I'll be able to get to the roof and get it done.

The 5.1-Channel System

Hitachi 43UWX10B 43” RPTV, Outlaw 950 Pre/Pro, Marantz MM9000 5x150 amp, Behringer BFD-Pro EQ for sub, Yamaha DVD-S2300 DVD, DVD-A, CD, SACD player, Panasonic DMR-E50K DVD-R/W player / recorder, Hughes GXCEBOT DirecTiVo, Toshiba DST-3000 HDTV - DTV IRD, JVC HR-S4800U S-VHS VCR, Rega P2 TT w/Shure M97XE MM cartridge, Creek OBH-8 phono preamp, Turtle Beach AudioTron, DIY Adire Audio HE10.1 mains, JBL S36 surrounds, JBL S-Center, DIY Infinite Baffle subwoofer w/2 PE 15” IB drivers, PE 250W plate amp driving IB subwoofer

The “Whole House” 2-Channel system

Pioneer A-35R integrated amp, Niles SPS-4, Turtle Beach AudioTron, Radio Shack “In-Wall” speakers (bedroom 1), JBL SC series “In-Wall” speakers (kitchen), Polk Audio R10 speakers (office)

The Extras:

Panamax Max-5300 w/additional Panamax accessories, Philips Pronto TSU2000 remote Monster 400 series interconnects (audio), IXOS 1713 Silver interconnects (component), AR Pro II series interconnects component), Radio Shack (Gold Series) interconnects (audio & video)Tributaries SP2 12ga speaker wires (mains), Home Depot 12 gauge speaker wire (surrounds) Rooms-To-Go large entertainment center (light oak), A whole bunch of VibraPods under the speakers and various equipment.

The Antenna Farm:

ChannelMaster GainMaster oval dish w/3 LNB (101,110 & 119), Channel Master CM4248 (x2), Winegard YA1713 (x2), DTV stack @ ~38’, Radio Shack omni-directional FM antenna @ ~28’ JVI 35-TR5822 switch, Radio Shack diplexers, about 6 miles of RG6

Max_Gator

09-02-2003, 01:31 PM

Hi

I'm John. Max_Gator is my Gator forum name that I use on all forums. Obviously I'm a big Gator fan. Wife and I go to all the games - and the Bucs games too.

Just got into the HD stuff when my house in Westchase was struck by lightning. AVS forum and the Tampa thread have been invaluable.

Current setup is quite modest compared to most of you (kinda like my knowledge level on HT :lol: )

Mits WT42411 RPTV- being returned
Samsung HLN4365W DLP - coming (from cyber discount warehouse - anyone know them?)
Yamaha RX-V730 Receiver
Klipsch speakers (Boston on the Patio)
Samsung Sir-T151 (being exchanged for a 351)
Silver Sensor (being exchanged for a Stealthtenna)
Sony VCR - my wife uses it!
Toshiba DVD Player - run of the mill and the only survivor from my prior setup.
Pace 550 BHN Cable Box

I'm an attorney in Tampa.

Thanks for all the work in setting this forum up Jaymer. I think it is a great compliment to AVS forum.

OccamMD

09-03-2003, 11:44 AM

Hey John,

You'll love the Samsung, my friend has one and it is outstanding. Hopefully no rainbows for you.

Are you able to get all the locals with the settop antenna?

Max_Gator

09-03-2003, 02:24 PM

Great to hear about eh DLP - - - no rainbows for me.

Right now with the Silver Sensor I can pick up all (I think) the major stations OTA. I was surprised to get those from riverview AND cbs with the antenna pointed to riverview. I'm going with the stealth in the hope of getting stronger signals. I'm sure the signals would be better if I had the antenna in the attic anyway!

SilentJay

09-04-2003, 12:47 AM

SilentJay here in Carrollwood. Currently getting HDTV via BHN and OTA with a MyHD card in my HTPC hooked to a silver sensor and rabbit ears.

I'm contemplating the switch to D*, but I want to wait for the HD TiVos or whatever HD recorders BHN has in the pipe. And when is D* going to stop requiring a phone connection for 2+ receivers? We got rid of our land lines over a year ago. The only calls we got were from telemarketers. I thought about E*, but their DVR just doesn't compare to a TiVo.

My penny pinching equipment collection:
- Panny 47" RPTV
- Series 2 60 hour TiVo
- SA 3100 (should I upgrade to the PACE box?)
- Pioneer 912K receiver
- Polk RM6700 satellites and PSW303 subwoofer
- HTPC (Cel 1GHz, 512 MB RAM, Geforce2 MX 32MB, MyHD, digital sound card, Pioneer slot-loading DVD, 80 GB Maxtor, WindowsXP)
- Audio Authority 9A60 VGA to component transcoder
- XBox

dprice

09-04-2003, 07:30 PM

Don in Riverview. I've got the relatively low budget home theater going...

Panasonic 56 4x3 HD-RPTV
SA 3100 box from BHN...no OTA or sat
Replay DVR hacked to 80 hours (no fees!)
Pioneer 5.1 DD that needs a serious power upgrade
20-30 year old JBL speakers (L100, 4311B, 4312)
JBL B460 sub...no amp yet for this monster
Sony CD-DVD-SACD player
Homemade RG6 coax interconnects for most stuff
only ~1300 ft of RG6-QS, CAT5, and 12 gage speaker wire installed during construction...2.5 days of DIY fun!
mostly home-built 6 x 12 entertainment center (oak of course)
semi-auto electric/propane HERMs/RIMs 10 gallon brewing rig
two kegs of homebrew on tap at almost all times...

Don

tnc9999

09-13-2003, 02:36 AM

Hello to all on this great website!

I'm Tom in St. Petersberg and I (like some others here) am a relative newcomer to the Home Theater/HDTV world. I'm and Electrical Engineer and I work in Software/Firmware development at Jabil Circuit.

I'm kinda suprised at myself for taking this long to get involved in this hobby because I'm such a techie at heart. I'm a HAM radio operator and I've got a 60 foot tower in my backyard (does this mean I COULD pull in Orlando if I try hard enough :roll: ???). I'm also a musician and have spent the better part of the last 8 years converting my garage and one spare bedroom into a full featured 32 track recording studio. Somehow, I just never got into the Home Theater thing until just a couple of months ago.

I'm trying to catch up fast however. Here's my equiptment list:

Hitachi HIT57F500 57" HDTV
Sony DA7ES A/V Receiver
Sony NS755V DVD Player
Panny DMRE80H DVDR
Polk RM6700 Surround Speakers with Velodyne CHT12 Sub
PACE 550 HD Set Top Box (BHN of course)

Soon to add:
Zenith HDV420 OTA HDTV receiver and a TBD outdoor antenna system

My HDPC setup consists of:
2.8 Gig P4 running on MSI NEO2 FISR 865 chipset Mobo
Sony DRU510A DVD Recorder
Samsung SD816 16X DVD Player
ATI 9800 Pro Video Card with Remote Wonder TV Tuner/Capture Card
2 Western Digital 120 gig HDs running in a RAID 0 Array

Ahhh! Another bottomless money pit hobby!!

ozric100

09-13-2003, 10:56 AM

OK lets see -

Main HT setup

1. Philips 55pp9352 (replaced by store - they delivered me a demo unit and I would not accept it....) 24 hrs on the set right now.
2. Onkyo TX DS-595 - works for now. on the upgrade list
3. JBL North Ridge package N-Center and 4 N24's (pre Bose law suite)
4. JBL PB-10 sub - wanted to up to a 12 but now it sounds better in the grove made by my entertainment center and corner walls-
5. JBL N28's for music (pre law suite) not hooked up due to WAF
6. APEX HD2500 - PS DVD - Free with TV - not too bad
7. Samsung N-501 (nuon DVD, plays games too) www.nuon-dome.com
8. Pronto TSU-2000 - controls everything in my house
9 . Philips SA 60hr Tivo- upgraded to 140hr (single WD 120) Can only us HQ or Best now, others settings look like bad on the Big Screen.
10. 1 VCR's not hooked up yet - maybe never will be
11. S A BHN STB - waiting on my PACE HD-550
12. Radio Shack SPL meter analog - for setting up speakers - makes a HUGE difference

Next toy I am saving for a Brite View scaler/doubler from Zinwell(350.00). I am going to use this on my Tivo/DVD output.

rcmckissick

10-09-2003, 05:39 PM

Hello,
I am Bob, living the past 18 years in southern Cal.....bummed to leave now that "Arnold" is going to fix the state...:o) Originally for D.C., thus my nickname will be "Redskin"....go skins....Buc's will kick our ass this weekend...but it's nice to dream.

I only have one of those 55" Mit 16x9 Diamonds...going to plasma very soon...hours from now...denon 3800 receiver...bose speakers. I know so little about this stuff...but thank God for you guys.

LonghornXP

10-10-2003, 09:30 PM

Hey your next speaker purchase you make you have to try out some B&W speakers. I love these speakers. They kick Bose speakers right in the a**. Granted I spent several grand on my B&W setup but nothing compares to these suckers.

DavidHead

10-31-2003, 06:51 AM

passedpawn

10-31-2003, 11:56 PM

Hi All,

I'm David Head from Pinellas Park. I just found this site and love it! I'm relatively new to the HDTV scene (about two months) and get my HD signal via BHN.

Main System:

Onkyo TX-DS696 receiver
Denon DVD-2900 SACD/DVD-A/DVD video player
Pioneer CLD-D604 laserdisc player
Mitsubishi WT-42311 42" Widescreen HDTV
Pace DC-550 HD cable box
Axiom M60ti
Axiom VP150
Axiom QS8
SVS 20-39 PCi subwoofer

Greg Loewen will be visiting me on November 12th.

I also have an XBOX in my kids room and a Sony SACD/DVD player in the bedroom system.

David
Welcome. Anyone with a laserdisc is a bona fide AV junkie. Have you tried hooking your XBOX to your TV and audio system? The HD titles (only a few) are nothing special, but the sound makes the games really 3D. My son and I played through most of HALO on my 65" widescreen. The screen made it really neat (although the game does not have a 16x9 mode), but the surround audio was killer!

DavidHead

11-01-2003, 10:08 AM

Welcome. Anyone with a laserdisc is a bona fide AV junkie. Have you tried hooking your XBOX to your TV and audio system? The HD titles (only a few) are nothing special, but the sound makes the games really 3D. My son and I played through most of HALO on my 65" widescreen. The screen made it really neat (although the game does not have a 16x9 mode), but the surround audio was killer!

Thanks! The laserdisc player is almost retired now that Indiana Jones is out and Young Sherlock Holmes will be here in December. The Indiana Jones discs are in in frames hanging on the wall now! I've heard rumors that the original Star Wars trilogy will be released next year and those are the last ones I'm waiting for.

I used to have the XBOX in the main system and the surround was great. Halo was incredible and so was Project Gotham Racing. The XBOX is in my teenage kids room now with their own audio setup.

Bschneider

11-01-2003, 12:35 PM

The rumors I have heard regarding Stars Wars on DVD were 2008 at the latest, after Star Wars episode 3 is finished. Apparently, Mr. Star Wars still isn't happy with episodes 4-6 and wants to work on the films more.

I'll be more than happy to retire my LaserDisc Player also when they come out on DVD. Its a shame to have a LaserDisc for just 3 movies!

bdraw

11-01-2003, 02:29 PM

I have episodes 4,5,and 6 on DVD.
I bought them off ebay.

The quality is less most of my DVD's but still much better than VHS/VCD

I don't know where they came from, I assumed that they were transfered from Laser disc.

Is LD as good of quality as DVD?

How much data did they hold?

DavidHead

11-02-2003, 12:52 PM

The rumors I have heard regarding Stars Wars on DVD were 2008 at the latest, after Star Wars episode 3 is finished. Apparently, Mr. Star Wars still isn't happy with episodes 4-6 and wants to work on the films more.

Yes, that has been the word for a while, but the 9/17 and 10/13 editions of The Rumor Mill (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html) at The Digital Bits indicate they might come out next year:

We have more evidence for you that the Star Wars Trilogy is coming to DVD in 2004. First of all, IGN Games has posted a story about the Rogue Squadron trilogy of games (previously exclusive to Nintendo) coming to the Xbox platform in 2004. Word is this is being timed to coincide with the release of the original films to DVD. Also, the Yakface.com website (which is dedicated to Star Wars memorabilia collecting) has learned that Lucasfilm is inviting its many corporate partners to an event at the Presidio (in San Francisco) on November 5th. The invitations read: "Lord Vader is planning a major assault. He summons you to share his top secret battle plans." With Episode III still nearly two years away from theaters, it's entirely possible that this meeting is intended to announce the DVD release plan to retailers for next year. Thanks to everyone who sent these stories in.

I guess we'll know in a few days...

Is LD as good of quality as DVD?

Laserdiscs are not enhanced for a widescreen TV, but some letterbox versions have VERY good quality. If your TV has a good scaler or if you have an external scaler like an iScan Pro (http://www.dvdo.com/pro/pro_isp.html) it can look pretty good.

DavidHead

11-07-2003, 08:08 AM

Yesterday's (11/6) Digital Bits Rumor Mill (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html) has the update on Star Wars:

Well, we've finally heard from our sources on that meeting that Lucasfilm held yesterday at the Presidio with their retail partners. Here's the skinny, and you guys are gonna love it... Star Wars: Episodes IV, V & VI are coming to DVD in September of 2004. The animated series of Clone Wars shorts appearing soon on the Cartoon Network will also be released on DVD, possibly before the end of this year. The teaser campaign for Episode III will begin in January of 2005, leading up to the May theatrical release. Finally... Episode III will hit DVD in November of 2005. This is going to be all over the Net soon, and you can already read more about it at Ain't it Cool News. Keep in mind that none of this is official until Lucasfilm publically announces it... but this is certainly, at long last, the real deal.

StevenA

11-07-2003, 12:06 PM

Hi. I'm Steve from Upper Tampa Bay (between Town & Country and Oldsmar). I don't currently have an HDTV setup, but I'm looking to get in. I currently have a 25 year old RCA tv that's on its last legs, and standard cable from BHN. I've been looking longingly at the new Sony 42" Grand Wega III rear projection LCDs, and might decide to give myself a nice Channukah present this year. I'm thinking of combining it with a homemade HTPC system, either by upgrading a spare computer (is a 700 mHz Celeron powerful enough for this use?) or building one from scratch. There are computer fairs at the Florida State Fairgrounds every couple of months (next one is Nov. 15-16) and you can get barebones computers that are really inexpensive (for example, last time I was there I saw a 1 gHz barebones system with motherboard, power supply and case for $97, you add memory and a hard drive). For OTA reception. I'd rather try an inside antenna first. I have an old Radio Shack double-bowtie antenna, and if that doesn't work well I'll try a Silver Sensor. I'll put up a rooftop antenna if I have to, but I'd rather not, mainly for the aesthetics.

I have two gripes with the stores that sell HDTV. 1) The sales people are not well informed. At Best Buy I had two sales people tell me that they did not have any Sony Grand Wega IIIs and weren't expecting them until Christmas. We were standing right in front of one when they told me that. 2) The salespeople, especially at CC, keep trying to steer you toward buying a D* TV satellite package, even after you tell them you're not interested. I'm mostly interested in OTA. I might consider upgrading my BHN service to digital tier if and when they get ESPN-HD, but that's about it.

lynchmob

11-13-2003, 07:48 AM

I have my XBOX hooked up to my surround sound also. Ghost recon is incredible in surround.I also suggest the HD pack, although most games are in 480p....its just a matter of time before they go 1080!

JCHDTV

11-26-2003, 08:55 AM

Hello all! I go by JC
I also am JCSony at The Spot. I am an IT Manager and enjoy tinkering with electronics. My starting system is:

Samsung 61" DLP (awesome!)
Sony SAT-HD200 HD reciever (DirecTV, OTA HD)
Bose Lifestyle 35
Terk 55 Hd antennae
lots of monster cable!!

This is a pretty cool site, you learn a lot from other failures and triumphs so it really makes you more comfortable experimenting with thousands of dollars worth of equipment!

Vaidy

12-09-2003, 02:12 PM

Hi! I am newbie here. My name is Vaidy and I live in Westchase.

I recently bought a Sony 42" WEGA LCD TV from CC and just moved my outdoor antenna up the roof last weekend. I was looking up info on HDTV OTA lineup and came across this wonderful site and forum! Here's a brief summary of the equipment I have at home:

HD Monitor SON KF42WE610 (42" LCD Projection)
Toshiba Progressive Scan DVD (almost a year old)
Technics Tuner Amp with Surround Sound (old .. over 8 years old..works great!)
Bose front speakers & Sony Center & Rear speakers

I have been in computer software for way too long (18 years), from right out of college!

Let me also use this post to say hello to Max_Gator, who I see is also in Westchase! Max_Gator, I'd love to ask you how clear is your HDTV signal. I don't have a HDTV tuner yet (wanted to check out performances) and moved my outdoor RS omnidirectional antenna just to improve OTA analog reception. (Indoor was too bad.) I'm still having problems! Please PM me if you can.

mgd2win

01-07-2004, 05:09 PM

Well been on here a few weeks so I thought I would list my toys

Video

TV - New Hitachi 50V500 (50" LCD Projection) love the pic :D and options but lamp went out after 2 weeks :( and they are back-ordered until end of Jan :evil: . So CC gave me a new Panasonic 50" as a loner (the Pana does not compare to the Hitachi) I am thinking about switching to the Sony KF50WE610 if they every get in at CC, BB or Sound Advice instead of going back to the Hitachi --- any thoughts ???

DVD - Panasonic DMR-E60S

Box - Hughes HTL-HD DirecTV/ATSC recv. (still not sure on this, might switch to the Samsung)

Antenna's Attic Mounted - CM3016 (Riverview Sites) works great even pick up CBS off the back side but I am still putting up a CM4308 this weekend with a "Join Tenna"

Audio

Yamaha RX-V2300 A/V receiver
Klipsch reference Series Front & Center
JBL Pro III Studio Monitors Rear
Velodyn VA 12501 Sub-Woofer (LOVE THIS)

GadgetGirl

03-05-2004, 12:41 PM

mgd2win,

I was surprised to read that you aren't happy with the Pan 50" LCD Projection. I found it easy to use and the colors very vibrant. Out of the box the brightness needed to be turned down, but other than that it needed little calibration (using Avia). Didn't have the Hitachi nearby to compare, but the Sony was right next to it and looked equal to me. Also, found the Panasonic easy to use.

jdiehl

04-04-2004, 12:11 PM

Found this forum from avsforum.com. I've been posting over there for a little over 3yrs and headed up the local "St. Louis" thread since they added the local hdtv info section of their forums and looked for a similar Tampa thread. It seems you guys took it a step further and have your own website and forum (very cool).

Anyway, I'm moving from St. Louis to Tampa in late May and will be poking around here for some info/advice on HDTV as it relates to the Tampa area.

Here's my current setup in my home up here (this link won't last long, as my ISP service will be cut off on 4/22 when we close on our current house up here and disconnect the cable service):

http://webpages.charter.net/jondiehl/ht

I sold my 65" HDTV and furniture to the buyers of my home and will be looking to get all new stuff when I get down there (will need some recommendations on good home theater stores). I'm still undecided if I want to go rear projection again or maybe opt for a front projection in a bonus room upstairs.

Still unsure where I'll be living, I'll be coming down to do my house hunting over the next couple of weekends. I've been talking to a realtor about the Valrico/Brandon/Lithia/Fishhawk area, as well as the New Tampa/Cross Creek area. I imagine both parts of town have broadband cable available, OTA digital TV available, and hopefully HD Cable service as well.

HD Cable in St. Louis pretty much sucks, just last quarter Charter finally rolled out their HD cable service (HDNet/ESPN/HBO/SHO/FOX/CBS/NBC). However, they left out ABC, PBS, WB, UPN and Discovery HD which was very disappointing (thankfully I can get the other local digitals OTA where I live). Charter has a monopoly here on cable TV service, so their rates are high and they are always slow to move on technology. Soon they are promising DVR upgrades to their digital cable boxes, but most of the community over at AVS are not holding their breath.

That's about it for now, just wanted to register here and get one post in and will probably be lurking for the first month or so until I get up to speed on the area.

Jon

GadgetGirl

04-09-2004, 10:52 PM

I am gadgetgirl in TNC. In February we bought a 50" Panasonic LCD Projection and then a couple months ago bought a Zenith STB and a Magnavox antenna. Getting great reception (except no WB, will do more tweeking, which means my hubby has to go into our attic, he he). Friend lent me the Avia calibration CD, got the picture just the way I wanted it and then my bonehead for a brother-in-law for some reason reset it back to factory defaults. Two hours down the drain. Anyway love HD shows, its the only way to watch TV.

TheBeak

04-27-2004, 10:21 PM

Hi from the new guy :) I go by Rich Kraus over at HTT where some of you may know me from

glad to have a tampa bay local forum....

current in use equipent:

Mits 46805 HDRPTV (first gen mits widescreen, 1999 model)
Marantz AV 9000 pre/pro
Adire audio Kit281 mains, Kit81 center channel PICS (http://www.richkraus.com/kit281/)
Marantz ma-500 amps X 5
Panny cp 72 DVD changer
APC smart 1000 UPS (florida power being what it is)
Bright house HDTV box

Equipment in closet:

yamaha RX-V795a
ashly pqx 571 parametric EQ
NHT MA1 sub amp
some X10 stuff
bunch of cables

the marantz stuff, adire speakers, and the EQ are to be re-used HERE (http://www.richkraus.com/ht/), while the mits and the rest of the stuff are going into a 5.1 rig for "regular" TV watching in the new living room.

westcott75

05-07-2004, 04:42 PM

I'm Greg. I live in the Riverview area. I currently have BHN HD. I just got rid of Echostar and will have VOOM installed on May 11. I currently have a Philips 30" widescreen HDTV with a RCA surround system. It's not much yet, but it's a start. My main viewing habits revolve around Hockey, but I'll watch almost anything in HD.

NamesJay

05-09-2004, 01:30 AM

I just dove into the world of home theater and high definition recently. I've had my HDTV up for three days now and it's hard to change the channel from the BHN HD content :D

Here is my system:

-- Sony 51" Widescreen HDTV Monitor (KP51WS510)

-- Infinity 6-Piece Home Theater Speaker Package (INI HTS20)

-- Onkyo 6.1-Channel Dolby Digital EX/DTS-ES Surround Receiver (TXSR501)

-- Sony 5-Disc Progressive-Scan DVD Changer (DVP-NC665P)

-- BHN HD Cable Box

I might transfer my service to ZOOM, but I have to see if that's a feasible option since I live in an apartment building.

Glad to see a Tampa Bay forum!

bdraw

05-09-2004, 11:45 AM

I might transfer my service to ZOOM, but I have to see if that's a feasible option since I live in an apartment building.

Glad to see a Tampa Bay forum!

Welcome
It is good to have another member, that is a nice setup you have there.

Don't forget that it is illegal for your apartment to prevent you from installing a Dish on your balcony, some apartments will even let you have them installed on the roof, just to prevent you from installing it on your balcony. To me this is ideal. Have a antenna installed also so you can get your locals.

Also you should try to make it to a happy hour this week they are always fun.