Info and forum posts by 'Jetsetwilly'

RE: How`d you keep a list of your films ? (if you do)

I use DVD Profiler - it links to their online database.
You simply tap in the code on the DVD cover and it downloads the appropriate information including cover scans and short description.
A nice program and its freeware (a premium version is available).
You can get it from their website at > http://www.dvdprofiler.com
I quickly ditched my boring access database when I saw a review of this nice little app.

RE: something i found for you peeps with the ALBA 103>>>

Bear, jings you really are a Bear with a SORE HEAD!
Maybe its time for you to head to the woods to do your thing....

Thanks to the other posters for their Alba/RCE advice.
With the way studios are starting to adopt this horrible piece of coding (Hollow Man f`instance) I reckon I will need to try this out sooner rather than later.

RE: Cambridge Audio m500 remote control

I was considering this as a replacement for my clutter of remotes - would you recommend it?
If you aren`t too busy any chance of answering a few quick posers?
Does it have any restrictions on learning ie memory or certain codes?
Did it learn easily? Is your sat a Sky digibox - just wondering if it will control one easily enough?
Also, perhaps most importantly, is it east to differentiate between which source you wish to control - my six year old will cope but my Wife does not have the same patience!
One final thing - does the odd numeric pad layout put you off?
Sorry for all the questions:)

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th December 2000, 23:14

RE: SO WHY SUCH REVIEWS.. SEE ALBA 103 DONT BUY

As far as I`m concerned the ALBA reviews were spot on.
One or two magazines may be off the mark, but ALL of them?
If owner experience is worth tuppence then I will state that the ALBA is decent value for £140 quid and I have had NO PROBLEMS whatsoever with mine.

Why not buy the Alba?

I have one linked up to a 28" widescreen Phillips TV and the picture is far better than my £350 panny vcr!
With regards to the region2 disc probs, well haven`t the 750 for instance had probs with reg2 discs - gladiator disc 2 anyone? Plays fine on my player.
Pixelation - granted it does NOT like dirty discs - but if the dvd is clean I suffer from NO pixelation unless it is an artifact present on the disc (this has been replicated on a different player in every case).
Almost ALL of the budget players have had problems with certain discs - matrix, gladiator etc so the Alba is not unique in this respect!
For £140 odd quid it outperforms a vcr 3 times its price! Nuff said.
It may pale in comparison to a £200 dvd player - but then for £60 more it should, shouldn`t it?
Until the DVD format settles down (and by that I mean that each and EVERY disc plays without fault or glitch a la CD) I will hold on to my budget player and upgrade when I feel the firmware issue is completely resolved.
Happy alba owner.

RE: copying dvds

It is possible, though only by converting the data into mpeg1 and burning it onto cdr in the vcd format.
Quality is only really about par with VHS :(

RE: Problems with the patriot on the alba dvd103 player.

I would point out that many of the other budget contenders also have problems with `tricky` discs ie Wharfedale 750 - gladiator disc 2 for instance. Also the Samsung 709, Shinco and Mico players have problems with different discs.
Point is, if the Alba has been caught out by RCE then thats not their fault since it occured after the firmware was designed.
For £140 I think it is a decent buy for the money. If it has LOTS of problems with regions 2 discs I will certainly seek a refund but for now I have encountered NO problems with any discs region 1 or 2.
For now I am quite happy with this player - for the money it dumps on my VCR which was 3 times the price of the alba.
PS Does anyone with both the Patriot/Alba want to try the workaround posted above - don`t have this disc i`m afraid. Ta!