Your Home Theater

Angelspit · Unread postby **Angelspit** » 19 Jan 2009, 20:36

But... but... it's so tiny.

Borsuc · Unread postby **Borsuc** » 19 Jan 2009, 20:56

Kalah wrote:or play two games at once

I'm sure that's very easy

You use the TV as monitor when you're on the PC or do you only use the laptop?

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 19 Jan 2009, 23:16

The PC tower is linked to the plasma TV. I can zap between TV shows and X3:reunion, or between the movie I've got in the DVD blu-ray machine and the Top Gear episode I've got on the PC hard drive. Everything is interlinked; DVDs (normal and blu-ray), the stereo, the PC. And then on the side, the laptop, which is my only access to the wireless internet.

I feel a bit like Mr. Universe here... No, not that one. That one.

Borsuc · Unread postby **Borsuc** » 20 Jan 2009, 00:42

That's somewhat weird I always pictured a PC with a monitor to work/do stuff on it apart from watching movies of course.

Also how do you keep the keyboard & mouse, I don't see a desk?

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 20 Jan 2009, 01:50

Mouse on the table, keyboard on my lap, just like I said.

Borsuc · Unread postby **Borsuc** » 20 Jan 2009, 18:49

I know, but when using the PC? I thought only when watching movies

Now I get it, although personally, I don't like to have my laptop or keyboard on my lap

Angelspit · Unread postby **Angelspit** » 20 Jan 2009, 18:50

So, Kalah, is Blu-ray really worth it?

PhoenixReborn · Unread postby **PhoenixReborn** » 20 Jan 2009, 18:57

I stick with VHS.

Borsuc · Unread postby **Borsuc** » 20 Jan 2009, 20:41

PhoenixReborn wrote:I stick with VHS.

Problem is that it isn't digital. It wears out in time and it can't be copied without loss.

Angelspit · Unread postby **Angelspit** » 20 Jan 2009, 20:50

Yeah, I can understand why some people stick to vinyl or refrain from going HD, but DVD is such a major improvement over VHS and it's inexpensive nowadays.

Milla aka. the Slayer · Unread postby **Milla aka. the Slayer** » 20 Jan 2009, 20:54

I can watch Blu-ray too. Sometimes it impresses me, sometimes it doesn't...it's a bit frustrating! I want to label the goddam thing! Grr.

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 20 Jan 2009, 21:33

I watched "Wyatt Earp" on blu-ray, and found the nature graphics quite excellent. I imagine David Attenborough's works will look tremendous, while other (less graphic) films will have little use for it. I shall watch "Master & Commander" later and give you feedback. The transitions from dark, blue ocean and sky to natural features should provide me with an excellent opportunity to explore the advantages of blu-ray.

If you didn't understand what I meant by that, well... "Master & Commander" should be excellent on blu-ray, if any movie is.

Milla aka. the Slayer · Unread postby **Milla aka. the Slayer** » 20 Jan 2009, 21:54

I looooove David Attenborough!

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 20 Jan 2009, 21:58

Imagine The Blue Planet, or Planet Earth on blu-ray... exceptional.

Milla aka. the Slayer · Unread postby **Milla aka. the Slayer** » 20 Jan 2009, 22:17

I'd be drooling with awe, I'm sure

PhoenixReborn · Unread postby **PhoenixReborn** » 20 Jan 2009, 22:24

But I can buy VHS tapes for a dollar. Even a used DVD is 16 or 17 dollars.

Milla aka. the Slayer · Unread postby **Milla aka. the Slayer** » 20 Jan 2009, 22:41

Nonsense. Not if you go to Blockbuster

Borsuc · Unread postby **Borsuc** » 21 Jan 2009, 00:30

PhoenixReborn wrote:But I can buy VHS tapes for a dollar. Even a used DVD is 16 or 17 dollars.

try online stores?

Terminator 2, imported from England (extra cost), with special extra DVD + booklet costed around 30$, but average 'normal' dvd costs just 4-5$.

or are you satisfied with certain xVid distributions

PhoenixReborn · Unread postby **PhoenixReborn** » 21 Jan 2009, 01:01

Mind out of the gutter please.

What I usually end up doing is going to a local store Newbury Comics and getting used dvd's. Those range from 7 to 16 dollars roughly. I do buy dvd's off the internet if it is rare material at a relatively cheap price.

But VHS is great for older stuff.

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 22 Jan 2009, 01:41

Master and Commander on blu-ray... what's the verdict? Well, I enjoy this movie; music's great, the script quite fair and the acting performances excellent. The graphics, however, is why it should serve as such an excellent guinea pig with regards to the blu-ray film.

First impression is that I can see a slightly improved picture. Just now watching the shots of the beautiful Galapagos islands; the contrasts in those scenes are tremendous. And no, I cannot in all honesty say that the difference between a normal DVD and a blu-ray version justifies the current price gap, neither with regards to the players nor the discs.Without watching both versions side-by-side, I'm not sure that the relatively minute improvements justify the price. I'm not sure that this is anything other than the latest thing which we are all encouraged to leap over immediately; which the biggest geeks and status obsessed anoraks who simply must have the latest new cannot resist, but which should in a more sensible world be acquired only when the price drops and the standard DVD is phased out.

The one weakness in my little review here is that the plasma screen I am sitting in front of is not full-HD. It is possible the quality of the picture will be even better in full-HD, but again: I'm not sure it will be good enough to justify the price jump between DVD and blu-ray. I'm still inclined to think that blu-ray is something one should acquire when one has a surplus of ready cash one cannot find anything more sensible to spend on. Unless you're one of those who simply cannot live without the latest thing in your home theater, I suggest waiting until the DVDs are being phased out, or until you find a good deal. Right now I suggest upgrading your home theater elsewhere, either with a better TV or a higher quality amplifier and speaker system.

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