Info and forum posts by 'dsm'

RE: "The hardest game on the internet"

I`m on 5 - can`t be bothered doing anymore!! Life is too short!!

RE: what cologne do you use?

I wear:

Chanel Allure Homme
Chanel Allure Homme Sport
Michael Kors
Jean Paul Gaultier
CK Contradiction
Yohji Yamamoto
Salvatore Ferragamo
Amen
and Bmen

RE: New York short break advice

I would look up airlines own websites when booking flights. Depends on where you`re flying out of though. Aer Lingus are very good (and you save some money when converting from Euro to Sterling), Continental aren`t too bad either.

I usually go to New York every year sometime in December/January. I agree that February will be FREEZING cold, but it does pay off in other ways (reduced waiting times in lines, slightly off-peak so you`ve more chance of getting tickets for Broadway etc without having to pay scalpers premiums). Depending on what time you go in Feb you might catch the tail-end of the sales if you`re into shopping.

The Metropolitan Hotel (soon to change it`s name to Doubletree I think) is a great hotel. You can book it/view it on Expedia.co.uk

Very reasonable and it`s just been renovated. It`s quite stylish and has a great location on Lexington Ave (10 min walk to Bloomingdales, 5th Ave etc).

I live in Northern Ireland and fly out of Dublin. If I book online I can get 4 nights in the Metrpolitan plus flights for around £750 (give or take £50) for two sharing.

Also - In my opinion 3 nights isn`t enough (I go for 4 minimum). People who tell you 3 nights is enough either haven`t been to New York or have been and have blew all their £££ in 10 minutes (and can`t afford to do anything else for the rest of their stay!), or think that the city consists of nothing but the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty. You could spend a month there and not get bored of the place! I have friends who have lived there all their lives and haven`t seen half the of city!

If you want more info on anything just ask..

Have a great time!

David

This item was edited on Thursday, 18th November 2004, 14:56

RE: Builders name- Which is the funniest genuine name?

Best genuine one that I know of (not a builder though) is Dick Trickle. He`s a NASCAR driver.

HELP!!! Best Man for 1st time... need a good practical joke to add to my speech!!

Hi Everyone,

My brother has asked me to be his Best Man (2 weeks time). I`ve plenty of stories etc to add to my speech... but I`d like to add a practical joke to it. I`ve heard of the one where `ex girlfriends etc` hand their keys to his house back, but I`d like to do somethin a bit more original. Any suggestions? It needs to be tasteful too!!!

Thanks for the help guys.

David

Best 32" CRT for approx £600?

My brother is looking for a new TV for his bedroom. He won`t settle for anything less than 32" and flatscreen. Can anyone advise me of the best CRT that fits his spec? Looking to spend approx £600 (but can spend more if necessary).

I`m trying to persuade him to look at some 28" models also - can you suggest any excellent sets that would rival a 32" model in the same price range or less?

He doesn`t mind having to trawl the web for the best price or search electrical stores for ex-display etc (if it helps keep the price down, or offers the opportunity of buying a TV that normally costs more).

Thanks

DSM

If you like Samuel L Jackson/Dave Chapelle watch this.....

http://www.davechapelle.com/chappelles-show.htm

then click on `Drink Samuel L Jackson`s Beer`

Hilarious video clip!

Cheap Scarts Vs Expensive Ones...

I want to squeeze the best performance possible from my TV, Digibox and DVD player. Is it worth shelling out the guts of £90 for two QED AV41 Squart leads? They are supposed to provide the clearest RGB picture possible.

Or... will the BTECH - XV21R Scart do the same job (and save me a few quid in the process!!).

Cheers,

Dave

This item was edited on Tuesday, 18th November 2003, 15:18

RE: Name That Song......

playthefilm... you got it in one!

Cheers,

Dave

Name That Song......

Anyone know what that song is in the new Swatch ad (I`ve seen it mostly on MTV channels)?

Cheers,

Dave

This item was edited on Tuesday, 4th November 2003, 08:16

RE: RGB Scart for Gamecube - does it make a difference?

Thanks for the info - I`ll pop into town at the weekend and pick one up.

Cheers,

Dave

RGB Scart for Gamecube - does it make a difference?

I`m considering buying an RGB scart for my Gamecube. Reason being that the picture I get at the minute isn`t great.

I have a good Panasonic TV - but the picture is quite blurred when using the GC, even when sharpening it. The colours are hard to define too (red/black/blue are hard to distinguish).

Would the RGB lead make a difference?

Cheers,

Dave

RE: Why is my picture black and white?

Thanks to everyone who replied!

I rang SONY last night and they confirmed what you all said. I don`t mind using AV2 (S Video) as the picture is still good. However, I live close to a TV transmitter and it seems to cause havoc with every TV in the area - there is a constant `ghost bar` scrolling across the screen.

When I use my Toshiba DVD player in AV1 (Scart to Scart) the bars are barely noticable, and when I use my SONY DVD player (S Video to Scart) the bars are clearly there. I`m not sure why this happens - but it may be the perfect excuse to upgrade!

Thanks again,

Dave

RE: Why is my picture black and white?

Bowf,

I thought that might be the problem - so I looked through the DVD setup menu but couldn`t find the RGB option.

Does anyone know how to access the RGB option on the SONY DAVS500?

cheers,

Dave

Why is my picture black and white?

I have a new SONY TV (KV32FX68) and a SONY DAVS500 DVD player(S-video to Scart).

Does anyone know why, when I put the cable from the DVD player into AV1 on the TV, the picture is black and white? Whereas, If I put the same cable into AV2 the picture is in colour.

I thought it might be a problem with the AV1 port - but I tried another DVD player (Toshiba - using scart to scart) in AV1 and it played fine (in colour).

Cheers,

Dave

RE: Very Much So and other annoying phrases

I work with a girl that punctuates EVERY sentence with `whatever just`.

For instance......

"Hello, you want to speak to John whatever just?. I don`t think John is in his office at the minute whatever just, but i`ll try and put you through anyway whatever just, ok."

I know it`s hard to believe - but it`s COMPLETELY true!!!

Dave

RE: Anyone know where i can but a Von Dutch cap??

Neiliboy,

Try www.houseofstyle.com

they are based in La Jolla, California and will ship internationally (unlike most US retailers).

DSM

This item was edited on Friday, 26th September 2003, 13:38

RE: Watch the Birdie... on Soccer AM

I doubt we`ll see that clip in this weeks Third Eye segment!!

RE: Cheapest 42" plasma TV

42%er,

How does the 42" plasma at £2000 perform? Is it worth the extra cash, over a good CRT model?

Dave

RE: Whats your favourite High Street DVD Retailer ?

It used to be HMV until I woke up and realised that I was being conned out of money that I`d worked hard for! >:(

During the few months preceeding their `sale` you can purchase a wide range of DVDs for the princely sum of £9.99 - you know the usual suspects... Hollow Man, Blue Streak etc etc

Then the `sale` arrives.... Suddenly these titles are included in the `buy one get one free` offer priced at £19.99!

If you want to be REALLY picky - not only are you NOT getting a DVD for free, you`re actually paying a penny more for than usual! You have to laugh!!!

I find TESCO reasonable on some DVDs, and plan to use the internet for the rest.

RE: cheap flights to new york

flights over new year can be quite expensive - although with a bit of shopping about you can get lucky. I paid about £300 last Christmas for my flights (pretty good at the time).

I`d be more worried about getting accomodation, as the hotels REALLY bump their prices up over new years.

I find expedia hard to beat for the best deals.

Ghost bars

My mate has just bought a new SONY television (not sure of the model - but it`s a new one). The television reception is awful (apparently he is too close to the transmitter).

Because of this, there are ghost bars running through the picture.

1. Should these disappear if he has SKY installed?

2. The same bars run through the picture when he is playing DVDs - anyone know why this is happening?

Cheers,

DSM

RE: Where to go in New York?

IF the queue at the Statue of Liberty ferry is not that long - then yes, I would say it`s worth going, even if you can`t go up the Statue, as you can get some pretty great photos from the base. There is a website that gives you the ferry timetable - it will take a couple of hours to do the whole trip. You should go first thing in the morning to avoid the queues.

The view from the Empire State Building at night is excellent too - lights for miles! The queue isn`t as long at night either. Last elevator is around 10.30/11.00pm .

Try to take in a show on Broadway. Tickets aren`t too expensive either (roughly) $45 a piece for a decent seat. I saw Beauty and the Beast at Christmas - good show.

If you like sport you should try the ESPN restaurant in Times Sq - really good. Ellens Stardust Diner is a real laugh too. It`s like a 50`s diner where all the staff are aspiring actors. And they take turns singing to the customers - they get up on the tables and everything.

RE: Where to go in New York?

Statue of Liberty has been closed since 9/11. You can still get on Liberty Island (and Ellis Island) but not into the Statue. In my opinion it isn`t worth going to the island if you can`t go up the statue. The queues are phenomenal!! You can get a great view of the statue from the Staten Island Ferry (and it`s free!).

If you like shopping go to Century 21 (facing the WTC site). It`s like a huge TK Maxx - but with Gucci, Prada etc. Fifth Ave and Madison Ave is also great for shopping, but can be pricey.

If you want to catch a movie, skip the multiplexes (excellent as they are) and head to the Ziegfeld (west 54 between 6th and 7th ave). It`s legendary in NYC - one HUGE screen, digital projection - it has it all. Loew`s Astor Plaza near 45th and 7th (or thereabouts) is another great option. If you do want a multiplex then Loew`s e-walk is a good chioce, as is the AMC (25 screens) across the street - both are near Port Authority.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and have lunch in Grimaldi`s (arguably the best pizza in NYC). The promenade (in Brooklyn is a great place to walk around too).

The Intrepid Air, Sea and Space museum is pretty cool. You have `free run` of the USS Intrepid (air craft carrier), USS Edison (battle ship) and USS Growler (Sub). Last time I visited, they had a lockheed blackbird (you could stand on it!).

A great website for info is fodors.com (go to travel talk (US).

Any questions - just ask.

DSM

RE: Where to go in New York?

Where to eat....

If you like steak, then you MUST go to Peter Lugers. It`s in Brooklyn ($25 each way if you take a cab) but well worth the trip. can be hard to get a night time reservation but lunch should be fine.

I go to NYC quite a bit and will email more suggestions tomorrow.

DSM

Sound on T2

Is it just me or does the sound in the opening scenes of T2 sound `muted`?

In the war scene at the start, there doesn`t seem to be much `surround sound` and the base is quite tame. Nothing is `coming at you` or `around you` until one of the machines turns and fires a laser in your direction.

any comments?

Hardware from USA - will it work in the UK?

Hi Folks,

I am interested in buying a set of Sony Surround Sound Headphones (MDR DS5100). The cheapest I can find them in the UK (online) is £299 + pp. I have found an American online retailer that are selling them for $349 (around £200).

What I would like to know is - will the unit work in the UK (power supply and all that).

Thanks for the help.

DSM

This item was edited on Monday, 28th July 2003, 21:37

RE: What hours do you work?

I work in a University.

08.45 - 17.00 Mon - Thurs & 08.45 - 16.00 Fri (no weekends)

5 minute drive to work when the schools close for summer, up to 45 minutes when they`re on!

5 weeks hols per year + 4 weeks of stat hols (not bad!)

DSM

RE: Plasma, Rear projection or 36

Thanks again for the comments everyone. I haven`t been out to look at anything yet (work sucks!).

TO: The 42%er.....

In your opinion, what is the best picture I can buy for £2500? I`m not interested in "built-in" surround sound etc as I have my own anyway.

I`m starting to think the 36" Tosh (and similar TVs are the way to go) - would you agree?

Thanks,

Dave

RE: Plasma, Rear projection or 36

Thanks for the feedback everyone - much appreciated.

I`ll let you know what I decide on soon.

Dave