Info and forum posts by 'Rugrat'

Rugrat, Dolby and Digital......

Where is everybody, am I to believe everyone is content in the world of DVD!!

Okay, here`s my query: I need suggestions, I`m looking to upgrade my system. I`m tired of only listening in surround sound, I feel like I`m missing half of what DVD is about.

Therefore I need an amp for now, I will use my collection of misfit speakers to create some sort of audio paradise.

Now this amp does not need a receiver as I have a radio that tunes in fine thank you (hopefully omiting this will keep the costs down). It needs to be DOLBY DIGITAL, none of this pro logic deception either!!

I`m not bothered about the make as long as it works and is decent. The final catch is £300 and below. Now thats a hell of a catch!! I`ve even been scouting cash converters looking for the amp of my dreams - no such luck.

I just picked up Thin Red Line today and you know what I dont wanna watch it without my new amp. I wanna hear those bombs dropping behind me, in front of me, on me, you get the picture!

Any of you DVD kings have an answer?

Thanking you in advance.

Rugrat.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 22nd February 2000, 15:07

RE: Rugrat Vs Alien.....

Thank you guys.

I think I`m alright then regarding Region selection as I`ve had no problems with the discs I have. My hack is hopefully the later option you mentioned in your reply Robert.

Yes I would like those addresses if you could send them to me on "targurehtsti[at]moc.liamtoh" that would be much appreciated.

Another worry about on line ordering, I`m sure for many people is security - giving my credit details over the net - dodgy. (Especially after watching Watchdog yesterday - credit card details are a criminals paradise)

Speaking of criminals - when you say under the counter do I have to whisper to the guy behind the counter "Region 1 please!!"

I think this film thing is an addiction, when I had only a video recorder I didn`t care much about owning films. Now I have DVD I buy 2 a week and usually only can be bothered to watch them once - this is really breaking the bank, I guess I`ll slow down when the Playstation 2 arrives but then thats got a DVD drive...... Is there no escaping DVD!!!

Cheers

Rugrat.

This item was edited on Friday, 18th February 2000, 14:32

RE: Rugrat Vs Alien.....

Yer Mark, thats the one, off Tottenham Court Rd.

Cheekier still, is all the discs are second hand - no matter the region. I suppose thats what that shop is all about buy and exchange.

I do hope they dont get busted. I have never ordered anything from the internet. I don`t think I could take the heartache of waiting 7 days for a disk, that a: Might not come(customs and all that)
b: Might be damaged
c: Turns out to be Dusk till Dawn 2
instead(nightmare).

I`m just on the hunt for more places selling Region 1 over the counter for decent prices. I`ve been told these various computer fairs that are held are a good place to pick up region 1, seems people sell all sorts there.

One quick question, some Region Hacks allow manual switching of Regions - is this important to watch all films? or does it depend on the Hack/Player/film??

Cheers.

Age restriction stickers you say - don`t apply to me!!


Rugrat.

Rugrat Vs Alien.....

Good title eh!!

I just picked up Alien 20th Aniversary (Region 1 for £4.99)!!

£4.99 you say, there is a catch - but let me share my good fortune. (Amazing disk by the way)

Well, some may or may not be aware of "a shop" on Rathbourne place, West End. I do not want to mention the shop name as I do not want to get anyone in trouble but you`ll have no problems finding it. Tip: near the end of the road, downstairs.

Basically as long as your a member (two forms of ID). you can bring any region 1 title and swap it for another for just £4.99. OR any region 2 title and swap it for another for £3.99(good if you have those freebie titles you dont want given when you purchased the machine).

Now is that cool or what!! - No Customs, No postman, just walk in and buy.

Or alternatively Region 2 (£13.99), Region 1(£17.99).

I hope this is useful to some.

I think selling region 1 disks openly is naughty (but not illegal), thats why I`m not blabbing all over the internet - well sort of.

Good Luck

Rugrat.

RE: Rugrats Sucess & the JVCXV515.....

Oh Boy did it work!!

Bloody Excellent....

It wasn`t as easy as it sounds though - the wire itself was tiny and made of metal (the kind you use for soldering I think) - anyway after 10 mins of screwdrivers,sissorsx2 a SOLDERING IRON and finally pincers I got the job done.

No stupid codes with the handset just multi region bliss. My only worry now is if I buy DVD`s that have to specify a region - will that be a problem?

And whats the best way to watch region 1 movies through S - video or RGB??

unfortunately my scart connecter on the DVD player is composite only but I have a Euro connector on the TV. I presently watch everything through an S-video connection and the scart connection goes to my JVC video to tape all them lovely DVD`s.

I have noticed region 1 discs have the tinest drop in picture quality is that my connections or TV?
I am thinking of buying an RGB scart cable - will this make a difference in picture quality region 1 wise???????

Cheers

Rugrat.

Rugrats Sucess & the JVCXV515.....

Just in the nick of time, I have found the web page that has brought christmas round early again.

I was just about to shell out £100 to the boys at Techtronics this weekend, when I came across a Forum all about Hacking. So for all you JVC fans out there XV 511 and XV515 visit this web page (it will involve a little tampering under the lid):

www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/garage/5702

I am about to do a do it yourself tonight and am sure to bodge it up some how!!

if you do it right, it works because there were a few happy customers in that forum I visited.

Am I a happy man.

Good Luck

Oh yeah!! - the forum itself:

www2.datatestlab.com/regionhacks/_disc1/toc.htm

Rugrat.

This item was edited on Thursday, 10th February 2000, 11:25

Rugrat calling Mr Kiff.....

Mr Kiff, help!!

Pounds in Enfield (I thought that was a wild goose chase - Pondstrecher!!)dosen`t chip any DVD players not bought on their premises anymore!! They couldn`t suggest anywhere else either.

I like the idea of a courier picking up the player, rather than sending it out in the post. Does anyone know a place in London (preferbly north) that offers this service and the general cost.

The Planet DVD website had a do it yourself job for the JVC XV515, which I was about to follow - it sounded so simple. Unfortunately I had a serial number to high for it to work on, so I have to rely on the experts.
I await anyones contribution.

Rugrat.

Rugrat & Region Zero...

I`ve heard most DVD`s play region zero disks. Where do we get these disks from? is it on the internet, or can we walk into a high street store to purchase them?

Are there any differences with region zero? Are they films, music?

Any benefits?

DVD magazines seem to ignore the topic of Region Zero DVDs.

TA


Rugrat.

This item was edited on Friday, 4th February 2000, 10:30

RE: Rugrat takes the advice.....

Too Late.....

I already bought it during my lunch hour £17.99 region 2, plus I still know what you did last summer £19.99 and got the Rock free. I`ve got all the region 2 DVD`s I need and was hard pressed to pick the other two. Blockbuster has a crap selection!!

Hey, I know the Mummys crap, I watched it in the cinema when it came out. I bought it coz I knew the special effects were amazing and hopefully the sound to. So when the lads come round I can show them beautiful Desert landscapes and stuff!! Not to mention Jennifer love Hewitt in ISKWYDLS. Besides I thought thats what DVD is all about, most of the films i`ve got I`ve seen already, I just know visually DVD would do them justice. E.G the first opening minutes of lost in space (crap film) amazing on DVD and the sound - tops!!!!

Am I wrong people`s??


I am not gonna risk £20 on a film I haven`t seen again (Dusk till Dawn 2).

I haven`t even started on Region 1 stuff yet - oh boy!!

Rugrat.

RE: Rugrat takes the advice.....

My My Mr Kiff, What big speakers you have!!!

Yes I was still up, in fact I was at Eros Nightclub Enfield at the time, I`m sure you know it.

hey when it comes to DVD, I`m only in the little league but I tell you what my system can certainly hold its own.

Now you should know, I only log in to this forum during work hours 930-530pm......fortunately I do not have internet access at home.

I`m about to pick up the Mummy today and am feeling good.

If we met, you`d get the shock of your life, i`m only 14!!!





Joke.



Rugrat.

RE: Rugrat takes the advice.....

Why thank you yet again Mr kiff, I think i`ll do that.

My My, it is a small world, I too come from North London, Wood Green in fact!!

Happy viewing Mr Kiff.



Rugrat.

RE: Rugrat makes a new friend......

9.31pm this time eh!!

Good to hear from you Mr Kiff, I`m glad we can be friends.

I`d love to send the disk to yourself but after much fuss I managed to get a full refund!!

I now await the Mummy and am still trying to hunt down Seven Samauri, which I last saw in Our price and has not been seen since.

Magazines always strike me as a good read, anytime your bored - a little Rugrat tip for you Mr kiff.

Well seeing as I dont have anything DVD related to say I might as well shove off.

By the way, the blockbuster promotion (buy 2 get one free) ends on the 7th Feburary.


Rugrat.

Rugrat takes the advice.....

I`ve looked in a few magazines and rang up a few companies, regarding chipping but they all seem to want me to have purchased the machine from them first - prechipped!!

I ask again (politely as I always do) can anyone tell me a good shop that will chip our own DVD models cheaply and reliably. Thank you.

Hi Mr kiff, I know your reading this (naughty,naughty) I do hope your not still mad at me. Its probably 10pm, your wrapped up in a warm blanket, with a mug of hot coco reading this. Please feel free to answer it would be nice to hear from you - when I get back into work and get a spare minute, I`ll log in and listen to your words of wisdom.

Untill tommorow...


Rugrat.

RE: Rugrats getting mad......

Thanks for your informative help as usual Robert....

Be nice Rob!!

Okay I`ll get it chipped, if i`m boring you dont open my bloody messages then thank you!!

Dusk till Dawn is there alright, its just i`m not good at giving detailed reviews and just expressed a quick opinion.

Unfortunately I cannot use the XV 2000 hack as I do not have the appropriate buttons on the front of my machine!!

Ohhh you make me mad rob!! ..... boring indeed, you get a life and stop reading my crap - I know where to shove that Dusk till Dawn Disk now!!


Rugrat.

RE: Rugrats getting impatient.......

A million to one...hmmm not bad!!

Hey wait a minute I see on the hacks page, one for the JVC XV2000!! - its not fair.

I spoke to a JVC representative and he said he can`t give it to me due to licencesing and all that!! - but its out there if I look hard enough.

Chipping is the very last option, in fact one day before my Warranty runs out. I chipped my bloody Playstation and that brought all manner of grief....

by the way Dusk till Dawn 2 - biggest load of crap.

picture: who cares - Red with blood

sound: who cares - muted it after 10 mins.

extras: your having a laugh.

As you can see I dont do fancy reviews. This is my opinion but will shortly be everyones who buys it.

Well maybe I should of rented it from Blockbuster Videos first - eh!!

Rugrat.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 25th January 2000, 15:16

Rugrats getting impatient.......

You know what,

These Multi Region Hacks are not coming out fast enough for my liking. I know there out there. (X - Files....freaky). These boffins sitting at home hacking away, must have some website or something I can visit on a daily basis to keep a check.

Does anyone know a decent website?? hackers r us or something??

My model is a JVC XV515 (reminder) - I dont want any under the lid tampering .....just good old hacking genius!!

Rugrat.

RE: Damaged rental DVDs at Blockbuster branches

In defence of Blockbuster.....


For the month of January only they have the offer, buy two DVD films and get another DVD film free.


So there.......


Rugrat.

Rugrats Setup for anyone that cares!!

JVC XV515 DVD Player (Better Audio range than JVC`s sibling players)
Marantz intergrated Amp PM-58
Speakers x 2Jamo Studio Line (forgot the number)
Subwoofer - your having a laugh
Sound Setup 3D Phonic surround sound. (JVC`s Virtual surround setup)


Does the Job for me, sounds great, looks better. Cheap and Cheerful.
Total cost = £525.


Rugrat.

This item was edited on Friday, 21st January 2000, 11:44

RE: Rugrat calling Robert.....

Now Now, Be nice Boys!!!


Rugrat.

Rugrat calling Robert.....

Hi,

I`m curious

What set up do you have?

if u dont mind me asking.


R.

RE: A Rugrat query on DVD Audio.....

hmmmmmmmmmmmm.........

I Dunno.

Anyone else out there have any opinions??

I guess these boffins know what there doing - Technology ya gotta love it!!

Oh great my boss is back - gotta go!!

Rugrat.

RE: A Rugrat query on Amplifiers....

Thanks Robert,

I guess if I do upgrade DVD players, I`ll buy one without DD and ensure the Amplifier has DD decoding instead. DTS well thats another story for now.

Anyway I hear Amplifiers with built in DD decoding work slighty better sound wise than DVD players with built in DD decoding.

Rugrat.

A Rugrat query on DVD Audio.....

Okay,

DVD Audio is coming.....

Great, but I heard they are talking of it being multichannel sound like the blooming movies. I.E no more normal stereo music but multichannel surround coming from all directions!!!!!

My understanding is this and correct me if I am wrong.

Will one speaker be playing the bass, one speaker the treble another the lead singer and another still backing vocals - god only knows what the other channels will be doing....!!

This cant be right - enlighten me peoples!!

Rugrat.

A Rugrat query on Amplifiers....

Okay,

If I have a DVD player with BUILT in Dolby Digital or DTS or both, presumably I need an amplifier to amplify the sounds coming from the DVD player.

Now, I guess I wouldn`t need an amplifier/receiver with built in DD or DTS so what one do I get? So that I can connect to all 5 speakers in my set up. Do I need a normal intergrated amplifier or one built for the purpose of connecting to 5 speakers (can you recommend amps for this purpose). Would I use an optical connection or an analogue connection(DVD player to Amplifier) - Whats the Deal????

Rugrat.

RE: Hack for LG 2280P DVD???

Hacks I dont know,

But regarding rating - rest assured you have purchased a good machine...the two LG models I know about have shocked experts and been given 4/5 stars in most magazines I have read. one negative aspect I picked up on is the stereo sound is not as strong coming through the scart connection to the TV (For the lower model).

Purchase a couple of DVD magazines, that will satisfy your curiosity!!

Rugrat.

RE: Sub £250 DVD players - Any good?

It seems your the man when it comes to DVD Robert,

I hear what your saying. At that price level the picture quality and sound are pretty similar. 32 inch screen or not. The only way of getting any comparable significant differences is when the experts get their meters out and give their statistical analysis in the various magazines you can pick up.

I suppose where the obvious differences the layman may realistically observe is the trick play options, build quality, looks and such. All I can inform people about is my model I suppose, which I failed to mention in the previous message.

JVC XV515

Picture & Sound: in my eyes excellent but what do I know!! (reviewed in one magazine I have read 4 out of 5 with good picture and sound)

Features: DTS and Dolby Digital,One composite scart, one S - Video connection, one optical, analogue inputs and a lovely shiny DVD symbol on the front!!

Trick play: Zoom function x4 (hardly any difference in picture quality)
Angle, Audio, Digest (neat feature), strobe (waste of time), jog shuttle dial on front of machine. Remote small and cute - Excellent layer change 1/2 second - slow mode speeds good, both ways and plays the Matrix!!!!!

Summary: may not suit everyone looks wise, but does its job well - For £250 with 3 free movies you cant go wrong. (was originally £300 and exclusive to currys did not drop in price after christmas either). Highly recommended for those who don`t want to drop below the £200 mark..

Alternatives I would suggest in that price range: Toshiba SD2109, Hitachi 250, Pioneer 525 and Wharfedale 750. And believe me when I say I have done my homework on all those machines - the amount I`ve spent on DVD magazines could have bought me a bloody DVD player!!

Good luck everyone.....the world of DVD is one step i`m glad I made.

Rugrat.

RE: Toshiba SD2109 hack or spare part

Sorry katie, Just read your reply!!

Yes Funny Ha - Ha.

I was gonna purchase your DVD player, it`s had rave reviews especially regarding picture quality and sound. In fact the picture quality has been a benchmark measure for newer DVD players on the scene (in the same price range). My other choice was the Hitachi 250 and the JVC XV515 as you know I went for the JVC, mainly because I wanted the CD player to be of a good standard. (I was also assured the audio range was good and hence would play CD`s well.)

Your right about Matsui`s they are generally not of a good standard (watching my words here) and the front fascia did not appeal to me.

Happy viewing - chat to you soon!!

Rugrat.....

Sub £250 DVD players - Any good?

Hi,

I`m only referring to the Budget class (£250 and below), eg. Samsungs,Toshibas,JVC`s,Wharfedales,Matsui`s and Pioneers.

We all love are individual players thats human nature.....but is anbody honest enough to post stories of dodgy players in this class that they are not happy with. I`m sure this will help alot of first time buyers into making their purchase decisions.

If I had my chance all over again I may be swayed to the new Wharfdale 750 (exclusive to Tesco stores). Excellent value for money. I presently own a JVC XV515 which I am more than happy with.

Hey you can even post good stories about players in this class if you like.

This forum is tops - lets talk!!

Rugrat.

RE: Toshiba SD2109 hack or spare part

katie, Your a funny girl!!

I can help with part of your question. No your DVD player cannot play Region 1 disks, unless it had been modifyed already for region free use when bought.

I have not heard of any Hacks for the Toshiba to play region 1 disks - unless of course it is tampered with by a qualified electrician.

Regarding dropping the thing and spare parts - ring Toshiba directly they should be able to help. Although I doubt your warranty will cover that unfortunate accident.

Cheers

Multi Region Hack 4 JVC XV515 Player

Hi,

Does anyone know a region free Hack for the JVC XV515 DVD Player. I do not want to invalidate my warranty and therefore do not want to tamper under the lid. I am basically asking for a hack that uses the remote control to allow region free viewing. (Region 1 at least). I haven`t heard of one but then I guess if you guys don`t know, nobody knows!!

Thank you.

P.S does anyone know a shop in London you can actually walk into and buy Region 1 DVD`s (or is that naughty?)

Cheers!!

This item was edited on Thursday, 13rd January 2000, 10:10