Info and forum posts by 'miked2372'

RE: Here is a tough one!!

Gordon,

If she purchases a camcorder with DV in/out then it is possible to easily transfer her video back and forth from her camera to her PC via Firewire. There is a software editing package available called Pinnacle Studio DV that is an editing package that includes a basic firewire card and cable and also has the inbuilt ability to write vcd`s, svcd`s and maybe even DVD`s though I am not quite certain on the DVD front.
The reason I know all this is that I have just researched buying a new camcorder and have come across some excellent advice and websites.
Any other questions just let me know!

Mike

RE: Sony DAVS-880 or separates? Please help...much confused!!

Nic,

I have a Sony DAVS-800 and cannot praise it enough. I think though, it will depend on how much you are going to want to get into DVD`s and keeping up with the latest technology. I purchased mine because I have a quite small lounge and it replaced my HiFi seperates aswell as giving me a DVD player and looked great at the same time (the pile of black boxes don`t look anywhere near as good!!). If however, you are like most of the posters on here and are really into your films and will purchase large quantities and take advantage of the different regions then I would suggest going for seperates with half decent multi-region DVD player.

Mike

RE: Sony DAV-S800

Hi,

I have one and can fully recommend it. I bought it because I wanted an all in one unit that could replace my HiFi seperates as they were taking up all the room in my small lounge. I have it conected to a 32" Sony and it works perfectly with that. One point to make clear though is that the DAVS800 does not have a scart connector. I bought an s-video to scart cable and it works fine. The sound is great and SACD blows the mind!!!

Mike

RE: Who has got a sacd player?

I have a DAVS800 which plays SACD`s aswell. It came with a couple of demo discs and I have to say they sounded superb and even better in multi-channel mode. I`m trying to find the best place to buy SACD`s from as I can`t seem to find many!!!

RE: Setting Up

I have a DAVS-800 and to listen to the sound from the TV you have to switch the function button on the remote to Video 2 on the DVD player. I don`t know if the 500 is the same in that respect. My TV has audio outputs on the back which I have connected to the inputs on the back of the DVD with a standard Phono lead.

Also, I have a Sony TV and if you have the virtual surround on, nothing will come out of the DVD. You have to turn all that off.

Hope this helps in some way.

Mike

This item was edited on Friday, 8th March 2002, 08:38

RE: <<<Where shall i go for my Honeymoon??>>>

Try the Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico. 5 Star all-inclusive.

Went there for my honeymoon in September (flew out on the 10th!!!) and I cannot recommend it enough!!

RE: Sony Dav-800 DVD

Darren,

I have one of these systems. I purchased it in November from unbeatable.co.uk

It`s in no way underpowered and the sound and picture is fantastic. I have it connected to my 32" Sony TV through an S-Video-SCART cable and it works with no problem whatsoever. To top all that it looks great aswell!!!

Also, the sound from SACD`s has to be heard to be believed. I know there aren`t many on the market at the moment but when it does take off it will be great!!

Any other questions, please ask!!

Mike

RE: dav-s500 connectivity

cj,

I have a DAV-S800 and though it`s connected through the standard phono lead at the moment, I did get a scart adapter with it but under Westy`s advice will be getting a decent s-video-scart lead very soon!

Mike

RE: Sony DAV-S800 questions

So far I`m happy yes. Like I say, I haven`t had much of a chance to give it a good testing out so far as 1; I haven`t had the time/chance and 2; I am new to the DVD?Home Cinema experience. I totally understand wanting to go for seperates as my HiFi it replaced was Denon seperates BUT it takes up half the space of the Denon, fits better in the lounge, looks better AND still gives a great sound. Add to that the DVD and SACD capability and it was the perfect choice for me. The only thing it doesn`t replace is my tape deck which I never use anyway!!!

Add to that, the review it got in Home Entertainment magazine and Westy`s comments on this forum and you have a great Home Cinema/Music system for, like you say, half the price of a bunch of decent seperates to give you the same!!!

RE: Sony DAV-S800 questions

Damebo,

You are able to connect a video and Digital TV decoder to the back of the DAV-S800 and therare also audio inputs for your TV. Therefore, I believe that you are able to watch TV and Videos utilising the sound from the DAV-S800. I have not long had one of these and haven`t been able to set it up completely as yet as I want to buy new cables and I am getting a new TV tomorrow. If you go to the products area of sony.co.uk and go to the DAV-S800 they give you a few connectivity diagrams which are useful!!! As far as I know, anything that is played/broadcast in surround sound will play like it. The CD`s and SACD`s will play in standard stereo unless you choose a different sound field or the SACD is multi channel!!

Hope this helps, come back to me if I can help any more!!

PS I am only on here during the day (when i should be working!!!)

This item was edited on Tuesday, 27th November 2001, 15:12

RE: SONY DAV-S800

I bought one a week or so back and even though I haven`t had time to properly set it up and get into it, the sound is superb (especially from SACD). The speakers are more than robust (and heavy). The actual speaker unit can be removed from the top and the stands are brushed aluminium and look the absolute business.

RE: dav-s300 vs dav-s500

Definitely get the 500 .From reviews I have read, the 300 does break up when pushed and the sub is under-powered. All of the faults with the 300 they corrected in the 500.
As for the supplier, if you look in the retailer reviews forum you will find horror stories about Techtronics, even though they are one of the cheapest around.
I bought the DAV-S800 from unbeatable.co.uk a couple of weeks ago. Have a look on there as it was ordered and delivered in 3 days!!!

This item was edited on Monday, 26th November 2001, 13:17

RE: Message for Westy (or anyone who can help for that matter!!!)

Adrian,

I`ve only had it just over a week so haven`t had much of a chance to play with it but from what I`ve heard coming from it, it`s certainly not weak playing standard audio cd`s!! Where did you hear that??

As for the SACD capability well let`s just say that when you hear it you will know!!!! I realise there aren`t many SACD titles out at the moment (HMV sell them for around £21 and I`m looking for good places to buy them from) but you do get 3 SACD`s with it and they have enough of a mixture of styles to give it a great demo!!!!

I am still using the standard connection as I am changing my TV to a Sony integrated digital next week.

I have not been disappointed with it at all. Keep in touch as to how you get on!!!

Super Audio CD

Apologies it`s not directly DVD related but I have just got a Sony DAV-S800 and wondered if anyone knew a good place to get SACD`s from?

RE: Message for Westy (or anyone who can help for that matter!!!)

Thyanks for the advice mate!!

I`ll have a bit more of a play with it when I get the time!! From what I`ve seen and heard so far though, the systems great!!! It comes with a Sony double SACD sampler with a bit of everything including Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Santana to Classsical and Jazz!!!! It also comes with a small SACD with a few other tracks on also. I got mine from unbeatable but some suppliers give a voucher which you can send off for 3 free DVD`s. You have to choose 3 out of 6 available but with the money I`ve saved, I`ve already bought a few!!!!

Thanks for all your help and at least I know where to come for advice and help when I need it!!!

Message for Westy (or anyone who can help for that matter!!!)

Westy,

You will be pleased to know that I got the DAV-S800 delivered yesterday!!! You will probably not be pleased to learn that it is a standard (R2) model but as I am not a massive film buff and am not bothered re inmporting DVD`s I thought I would save myself a few quid!!!

I didn`t have long last night to set it up but found that when trying to connect it to my TV (Philips 32PW9534 Matchline Ice Blue) it would only work through the connection at the front of the TV. I presume that it is a SCART adapter in with the video lead?? I tried that connected to my third SCART socket but it didn`t want to know!! Any idea`s or tips seeing as you`ve set one up before?? Is there a better way to connect??

I only rent the TV and will be looking to change it this weekend. I believe thay also rent Sony and Panasonic TV`s. Would any of these do??

Mike

RE: Sony DAV-S800 message for Westy

Westy,

You will be pleased to know that I got the DAV-S800 delivered yesterday!!! You will probably not be pleased to learn that it is a standard (R2) model but as I am not a massive film buff and am not bothered re inmporting DVD`s I thought I would save myself a few quid!!!

I didn`t have long last night to set it up but found that when trying to connect it to my TV (Philips 32PW9534 Matchline Ice Blue) it would only work through the connection at the front of the TV. I presume that it is a SCART adapter in with the video lead?? I tried that connected to my third SCART socket but it didn`t want to know!! Any idea`s or tips seeing as you`ve set one up before?? Is there a better way to connect??

I only rent the TV and will be looking to change it this weekend. I believe thay also rent Sony and Panasonic TV`s. Would any of these do??

RE: Starting out - what to buy?

I had a recent demo of the Sony at a Sony shop and the noise coming out of the thing was phenomenal. So much so that I am getting one delivered today!!! Mine is pure region2 but they are available multi-region over the web!!!
Ordered mine from unbeatable on Monday and is getting delivered today (good turnarond) and a good price aswell (about£635)
I`ll give you a better review tomorrow!!!!
I`m not a major movie buff so only bought the R2 version but I also wanted it for the CD/SACD/Radio capability do that it could take the place of the seperates in my lounge!!!

This item was edited on Wednesday, 14th November 2001, 11:25

Help Required

I am fairly new to the DVD thing and am looking at getting either a DAVS500 or DAVS800 for my lounge to replace my seperates and give me a DVD player at the same time.

I would like any info/opinions anyone has on either of these systems?

Also, Is purchasing a multi-region player that much more beneficial than a standard player?

Thanks

Mike

PS Also, I have heard a lot of negative things about Techtronics. What suppliers are good? What are unbeatable like?

This item was edited on Thursday, 8th November 2001, 15:23

RE: Sony DAV-S500 Vs Pioneer NS-Dv55

Thanks for that Westy,

I have another query for you and it is basic but broad ranging. Obviously there are the standard and multi-region models of most DVD players. Does buying a multi-region player offer that much significant benefit over a standard region 2 player?

Best Regards

Mike

RE: Sony DAV-S500 Vs Pioneer NS-Dv55

Westy,

Thanks for that mate. You should be a salesman for Sony with that review!!! I took a look at that site (they say 2 SACD`s) and I have seen it a bit cheaper at unbeatable and techtronics (both around the £630 mark).
How does it compare to the S-500 if I have to look cheaper??

I am new to this lark so please forgive any stupid questions/remarks but what are Video Essentials and Ultimate DVD platinum and what do they do??

Thanks

Mike

RE: Sony DAV-S500 Vs Pioneer NS-Dv55

Westy,

As you are the main man on this site I would like to ask your advice. I am in the process of buying a complete system such as the Sony to replace my seperates in my lounge (which are being moved to a seperate room). I am looking at these due to their combined DVD/CD/Radio features and also their ability to play CDR/CDRW`s.

I am looking at either the DAV-S500 or the new DAV-S800 (which I love the look of). Do you have any experience of either of these? Any advice would be most welcome.

Regards

Mike