Info and forum posts by 'Dave Barthorpe'

This user hasn't used our main site yet, so has no main account at present.

Joined on: Sunday, 9th July 2000, 10:42, Last used: Sunday, 9th July 2000, 10:42

Access Level: Harmless

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This user has posted a total of 5 messages. On average, since joining, this user has posted 0 messages a day, or 0 messages a week. In the last 30 days, this user has posted 0 messages, which is on average 0 messages a day.

Recent Messages Posted:

Alba DVD 103 - Do I swap mine for it ?

Help needed !

I purchased a Toshiba SD100E (Multi Region) from Richer Sounds last Thursday for £260. I am more than happy with the player, though it cost me a fair bit more than I originally set out to pay.

Having recently read the posts on the Alba player sold by Argos and Toys R Us, I have to say I am tempted. I can still return my Toshiba player for a refund if I want, and save £120 in the process.

However I am concerned about a couple of things:

- Region 1 playback - how many discs will it reject ? How many will my Toshiba reject, for that matter ?

- Picture and sound quality - no doubt not quite as good as my Toshiba but will I really notice the difference? I have a Sherwood DD5.1 Receiver and some budget Gale speakers for my surround set up, i.e. I have a low cost system. I have a Sony 25" 4:3 TV at the moment though will be looking to upgrade to a much larger Widescreen TV sometime in the next couple of years. I assume I will notice more of a difference then...

My local Toys R Us have said that I could take the Alba back if I`m not happy, so I suppose I`ve nothing to lose really.

What would everyone else do ?! I need some advice !

Any thoughts much appreciated..

Dave.

Remote Hack for LG DVD-2330P - Does it work ?

I am thinking of buying a LG DVD-2330P and have found this hack on another website.

Could someone who already has a 2330P please try it and let us know if it works? If so I will probably buy one.

Here is the hack:

This procedure must be executed within 3 seconds.
1.Turn the power on with no disc in unit.
2.Press the following buttons in order.
3.PAUSE
4.Press 3,1,4,1,5,9,1, This sets the unit to
region 1.
5.PAUSE
6.Power Off
7.Power On
8.Insert disk and enjoy.
This sequence means that the machine will now
only play region 1 discs. If you need to play
other discs you need to follow the above sequence
and replace that last 1 with a the region you
require e.g. 3,1,4,1,5,9,2, for region 2.

Many thanks in advance

Dave.

RE: Scan SC-2000 (Was `Playstation 2 DVD Player`)

Mark,

You`re dead right, I`ve eventually managed to find my TV instructions and it mentions the RGB input on Scart 1....so all is saved and I won`t get 16:9 if I go for the Scan player.

I was initially thinking that RGB meant 3 separate cables as in the world of large PC monitors.

My remote behaves in exactly the way you describe too.

I`m still unsure as to which machine to go for. The Scan looks great value (I burn quite a few MP3s too - which I think it plays as well) but I`m unsure about the DD5.1 stuff. How much are amps with decoders built in? If I bought a standard Pro-Logic amp and speakers (such as the kits Sony offer, about £300) I assume I would need a separate decoder if I want to separate the 2 rear channels? How much are these decoders? I assume that I would then connect the DD5.1 `out` to the decoder, which in turn has the six outputs to go into the amp...?

To throw another spanner in the works I`ve just spotted the LG 3200E for £179. Good value, and with a DD5.1 decoder built in. Problem is I think it can`t be hacked for multiregion - am I right? The multiregion capability is not so much a priority, rather a bonus as I can`t afford to buy loads of discs, so will probably wait for them to come out in the UK anyway.

Therefore, options are:

Scan Sc-2000 (approx £195), no DD5.1 Decoder, easily hackable
Wharfedale DVD750 (£179), no DD5.1 Decoder, easily hackable, slow, noisy?
LG 3200E (£179), with Decoder, know of any reviews??
LG 2330P (£159), no decoder, not hackable?
Any other suggestions for budget players?

As usual, any help from anyone MUCH appreciated...

Cheers

Dave.

RE: Scan SC-2000 (Was `Playstation 2 DVD Player`)

Robert - thanks for your help - I think I`ll try and get a Scan SC-2000.

Am I right in thinking that it has a Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoder built-in? I don`t have a surround amp yet but will do in the next 12 months - would this mean I don`t have to get one with a decoder built in if I want separate L and R rear channels?

The only thing which concerns me is that I have a Sony TV without an RGB input - it is a 25" model (not widescreen), about 4 yrs old. The review on this site states that unless you use RGB or S-Video you will get a 16:9 picture on Sony TVs...

I have an input on the front of the TV which looks like a S-Video one, behind a pull-down flap - it has an S and an arrow on it, a small, circular socket with a few holes in it ! Will the picture be as good with S-video? Is this better than Scart to Scart?

I am likely to buy a large WS TV over the next 2 years but obviously don`t want my DVD to fall behind - so is the Scan the best option?

Help! Forgive me for all the questions but I`m a real newbie to DVD / Home Cinema !

Many thanks

Dave.

Playstation 2 DVD Player

I`m thinking of buying a DVD Player but am wondering if anyone knows anything about the quality of the DVD Player built into the forthcoming Playstation 2 ?

Can anyone recommend other suitable (budget) players?

Many thanks

Dave.