Info and forum posts by 'mushgussie'

RE: What`s the worst film ever?

Flame me if you will, but of the films I`ve seen recently the one I`ve hated with an utmost passion was.... Hannibal.

Before that, it has to be Magnolia. What a tedious crock of rankest poo.

Worst of all time? That`s so tough I think I`ll have to pass, although candidates would have to be Spy Hard and Repossessed.

RE: Bargains at dvdoo.dk

They also sell R1 titles... search for `R1` and you`ll get the whole list.. about 34 pages. Most of them are a bit pricey, but there are a few cheapies in there... the only one I remember is Highlander 2 (Renegade version) which was 89kr.. about £7.40. Not necessarily the greatest movie, but I haven`t seen it for anything like that price anywhere else...

Top company too... only been using them for a couple of weeks but I`ve been well impressed.

This item was edited on Monday, 14th May 2001, 23:03

RE: 2 FOR £18 AT COMET

I`ve just spoken to Comet, but they didn`t know anything about this... The current offer is still the `3 for £25`.

Which store was this in? It`s rather a good deal if the titles are decent.

RE: WHSmiths 3 for 2 also on their web site... and cheaper too :)

Seems like their 25% discount on the top 20 only lasted a day... :(

Damn glad I persevered into the early hours to get those orders placed... (their web site is sooo slow).

With this and the Comet 3 for £25, I`ve picked up nine top movies for a gnat`s under eighty quid. Bargain.

WHSmiths 3 for 2 also on their web site... and cheaper too :)

It doesn`t actually mention the fact on the site, but if you add three DVDs to your shopping cart, the cheapest is free. There`s also no carriage charge for orders over £25.

Since most of the titles are a couple of quid cheaper on their web site anyway, you can get 3 DVDs for £35 or so...

Saves another few hard earned pounds :)

RE: 3 for £25 @ Comet!!

Just spoken to Comet and all stores definitely still have this offer, with the DVDs listed by Unbreakable. From a thread on another forum (sorry), it seems that some stores may be including other titles as well... I think Donnie Brasco was one example.

If there`s no indication in-store, just grab the ones you want from their list and suggest they call their head office for clarification :)

I think it`s also detailed in one of their flyers... not sure which one, though.

RE: yamaha vs10 cinemastation info required

John Lewis just stock the black one.

One small word of warning with their price match.... it can take 2-3 working days for them to approve the `undersell` (as they call it). I went in on a Saturday and had the choice of paying the full price and having the difference rebated if the price match was approved, or waiting until it had been approved before buying. I didn`t really want to wait so I paid the full price - by the following Wednesday, my credit card had been credited for the £100 difference, even though Unbeatable were actually out of stock at the time (it`s supposed to be a criteria of the `undersell` that the item is in stock with the competitor).

All in all, I would say that I`m well impressed with John Lewis and wouldn`t hesitate to buy from them again... on a price match, of course :)

RE: yamaha vs10 cinemastation info required

They do, Clayts - 2 years on this kind of thing, 5 years on TVs.

I`ve just watched (should that be `listened to`?) Gladiator with the DTS soundtrack. It`s absolutely amazing - a real shame there aren`t more region two disks with DTS.

I can`t believe you won`t be impressed, Mickey1 - money well spent :)

RE: Cheap 5.1 Sound....

They`re not exclusive to PC World - you can get them at Dolphin Music (amongst others, but I don`t remember who the others are...sorry).

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/d2/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=908&category_id=dcf9a8144291df75d9b39ab6ee70e076

I have no idea what Dolphin are like, but I`d hate to see PC World get any business if it`s not strictly necessary :)

RE: A decent Audio Set up..

Trapperuk - I`ve just bought a Yamaha VS-10 (DD, DTS, 5 speakers + subwoofer) for a shade under £300 from John Lewis (price match with unbeatable.co.uk). It sounds amazing compared to my old pro-logic TV. Even my wife`s impressed, although "it`s too LOUD", apparently :)
I wouldn`t hesitate to recommend it if you can stretch your budget by 50 quid.

They also do a cheaper DTS system (TSS-1), although it`s quite a lot less powerful and doesn`t have a remote. It IS £165 though, so well below your target price.

RE: yamaha vs10 cinemastation info required

I got the lot for £300.

The VS-10 system is actually just the decoder/amp plus the left and right speakers, but most companies are bundling it with the `optional` NX-SW10, which includes the subwoofer, centre and rears. I don`t think I`ve seen the two items sold separately...

RE: yamaha vs10 cinemastation info required

I`ve just bought a VS-10 from John Lewis (with a price match on unbeatable.co.uk) and am really quite impressed.

In their little demo room they had a VS-10, Videologic Digitheatre DTS, Bose something-or-other and a Sony. The Sony didn`t work. The Digitheatre worked for about 20 seconds then stopped (a reflection of their setup, rather than the Digitheatre itself, I think...). The Bose sounded marvellous, although its speakers did appear to be in the best positions. To my ears, the Yamaha sounded similar to the Digitheatre and neither sounded significantly worse than the (much more expensive) Bose, particularly considering the poor speaker positioning (both sets of rear speakers were on the floor on either side of a small sofa, whereas the Bose speakers were wall mounted).

I should point out that I have never listened to a home cinema setup other than the ones above and my old pro-logic TV, so what impressed me might actually be offensive to some...

Lastly... here`s an excerpt from a thread on Home Cinema Online (whole thread at http://www.wvip.co.uk/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001595.html )

>I`ve got a VS-10 (from unbeatable.co.uk) for £298 all-in.
>
>I have to say, that for the money I am WELL impressed - get an optical
>digital lead and you will be too.

>I`ve got a mate who`s spent about £1300 on HT stuff, and I can`t say that
>it`s THAT much better than the VS-10. DTS is VEEEERY loud - here`s
>a hint - if you get one, turn the "night Mode" on and not off for a better
>sound (bizarre, but true).

This item was edited on Tuesday, 3rd April 2001, 18:18

RE: Yamaha VS-10

I`ve seen the TSS-1 and read a couple of reviews. I may be wrong, but it seems to be aimed more at the PC market than home cinema (no remote, for example) and appears a little `weedy` in terms of output.
If anyone`s actually used one I`d be interested to hear their verdict - might save me a few more quid. Not that I`m tight or anything :)

Yamaha VS-10

I`ve been looking for an inexpensive way to introduce DTS to my living room setup and came across the VS-10 decoder/speaker system from Yamaha. I`ve found a couple of reviews which are generally positive, but it only appears to be available via net stores so I can`t actually listen before I buy. Which is a bit of a drag.
Has anyone got a VS-10, or heard one in action? I`m not expecting it to be earth-shattering, but it`s cheaper than the Videologic DTS which was previously my number one choice.

I really don`t want to spend much more than £300 or so, which makes the options few and far between, but if anyone has any alternative suggestions, I`d like to hear them.

Many thanks.

RE: AIWA 370- does not officially rock !!! - lecson 900 does

Having owned both (albeit for a fairly short period of time), I`m afraid I have to disagree with you, Dilbert. Only a little, though...

I found the Lecson to be a fairly good machine - the sound and picture were both fine, although I did feel the latter could have been better. To me, the Aiwa produces a better picture, although (as Jimbo said) I guess it`s rather subjective.

Since my system only uses Pro-Logic, I can`t really comment on the sound other than to say I couldn`t see any significant difference. That said, I`m tone-deaf (according to my wife), so I`m probably not the best qualified to comment anyway :)

The main difference between the players (IMHO) is that the Aiwa is very much more professional. The Lecson gives the impression of being `budget`... it`s noisy, the remote`s a bit rubbish, the fast forward is laughably choppy and the on-screen display is lifted straight from a ZX81.

There is, however, one thing I miss about the Lecson... the zoom function. Granted, the Aiwa has one, but it IS literally a `zoom` function, allowing you to enlarge portions of the screen in Blade Runner fashion. The Lecson zoom is much less flexible, but on my 4:3 TV, it enlarged the 2.35:1 WS movies to 16:9, chopping the edges. As the TV`s only 25", this was really nice to use on the movies that don`t work in pan-scan mode. Maybe I`m setting the Aiwa up incorrectly, but this is a feature I really wish it had....

Just my opinion... :)

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

The `XR` is a typo, `XD` is the correct prefix. If you do a search for `typo` in `all forums`, you`ll find Jimbo`s breakdown of the model number.

Best of luck getting hold of one... be assured they`re worth the effort :)

RE: Help with screen settings for Aiwa 370

Thanks Stainless... I didn`t know about pin 8. I`ve got a cheap scart lead somewhere, so I`ll butcher that to see if it works :)

Good luck tracking down the Aiwa. And don`t believe anything the main Comet office tells you because they haven`t got a clue what they`re doing. The only way to know for sure whether a store has one is to go there in person.

Thanks again!

Help with screen settings for Aiwa 370

Just managed to get hold of a 370 and am really impressed....

But...

When I turn the DVD on (assuming TV is already on), the TV changes from 4:3 format to 16:9 automatically. I can manually change it back to 4:3, but it`s a bit of a pain doing it each time... anyone got any ideas?

The TV is a Sony KV-A2542U, 4:3, Pro-Logic (about 4 yrs old) and it`s connected to the Aiwa by Scart (RGB). I think I`ve tried all permutations of the DVD setup/connection... Scart, S-Vid, AV1, AV2, 4:3(LB), 4:3(PS), 16:9. I`ve tried changing the TV setup but I`ve kind of mislaid the manual <:) , so I may not have exhausted the possibilities there...

Oh... previously had a Lecson connected in the same way, using the same Scart lead with no problem.

Any advice would be gratefully received...

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

Quick update....

Managed to send the wife off to bed (having made my tea, washed the dishes, shampooed the carpet, washed my car, retiled the bathroom and polished my CD collection, obviously).

Just watched the best bits from Fight Club... Well Impressed. :)

The Aiwa just seems so much more `professional` than the Lecson. Bit of a shame they`re in such short supply.

Only minor gripe (and it`s probably my fault in setting it up) is that the TV (4:3) changes to 16:9 when the DVD is switched on. Bit odd, but it does give a grand excuse to buy one of those lovely widescreens...

:)

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

I GOT ONE!!!!

An Aiwa, that is, rather than an exercise bike. (Wise words, Max!)

Last one in the store (apart from the display model). It shows how useless Comet are - I called their 0845 number to be told there were NONE left in any of the local stores (other than one ex-demo and a damaged one). The girl even called the very store I got it from, who claimed to have absolutely no stock. I even called a second time just to be sure. Jeez.

Managed to get a refund on the Lecson too... I went in armed with a list of dodgy DVDs and a page of quotes from this forum. My fav was this one...

RE: Toy Story Box Set Disc 3
posted by Mick Golby on Saturday, 16th December 2000, 13:14 Forum:Software
I can confirm that the third disc of the Fantasia Region 2 set won`t play on the Lecson DVD9000. In fact, the bastard won`t even eject from the player unless powered off and the eject button on the front is pressed before the disc loads.

I put it first, so I don`t think they bothered with the rest. They tried to fob me off with vouchers, but I smiled and persevered. Always pays to be nice :)

Many thanks for the help and advice Jimbo, Shaun, Max (and 007). Much appreciated.

I`d like to tell you how happy I am with the Aiwa, but I`m so excited I can`t open the box...

And my wife`s watching some bizarre Karaoke program, so I can`t get near the telly anyway...

Cheers and happy DVDing :)

RE: I cant get myself an Aiwa 370 so what similar alternatives are there with same features for £250

Earlier this evening, I was told by Comet (on the same 0845 number) that the 370 was `end of line` and no more stock would be available. Of the eight or so nearest stores, there were only two units available... one was a display model and the other was being sold as `damaged`.. with a massive 10% disount.

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

Hehe.. Thanks 00.. err MAX :)

I`ll keep you posted!

And apologies to 007 =)

I DO hear voices, but they usually just tell me to eat.

Half a chocolate cheesecake in the time it took to read the last two posts.

Maybe I should exchange the DVD for an excercise bike.

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

Their returns statement is interesting, although it does stipulate `unused`. That said, how could I possibly be `delighted` with something like a DVD player unless I`ve tried it?
I shall certainly draw their attention to it, though... where did you get it from, 007?

Jimbo: I like the `intermittent` idea. Very nice. By the time I return the second unit, the Aiwa may be in stock :)

Cheers guys... I feel a satisfactory resolution is imminent.

How much would you like to bet that the Debenhams Media Department Manager reads these boards and is, at this very moment, rubbing her hands in anticipation of tomorrow`s confrontation...?

If only I hadn`t used my real name as a log-in...

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

That`s what I thought, 007, although, unfortunately, they might =(

When I mentioned the Chicken Run freeze, they said they`d check when I took it back. They didn`t say whether that would be sufficient reason to warrant a refund.

However, a quick trawl of this forum has produced a list of several potentially problematic titles... Toy Story (disk 3), Fantasia (disk 3)... and I`m SURE the White Rabbit feature on the Matrix won`t work, so I`m still hoping..

I`ll just give them a REALLY long list... hopefully bore them into submission :)

This item was edited on Friday, 5th January 2001, 21:13

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

Oh.. to further confuse me, a friend`s been singing the praises of his Panasonic RV20. That apparently doesn`t have RGB output, although the RV40 does and it`s about £250 from Richer Sounds...

Maybe it would be for the best if I AM stuck with the Lecson =)

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

OK... now I`m not so sure... Butt-kicking-ville is rather a long way.

I suppose the sensible thing would be to compare them in-store, although quite how I manage to find a store with an Aiwa is beyond me. According to Comet, they`re end-of-line and no more will be available.

Anyway, having spoken to Debenhams, it would appear that (unless it has a fault) I can`t return it. Not quite what I understood by their returns policy and a bit gutting given than I`ve only had it since 16/12/00.
It did freeze during some of the extras on Chicken Run, but does than constitute a fault?

Anyone know of any other disk problems with the Lecson (or the Wharfedale, I guess...)? It would be nice to have a few more titles I can toss into the discussion tomorrow ;)

Once again... Cheers for the advice...

RE: Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

I guess that answers the question :)

Many thanks guys... my Lecson goes back tomorrow.

Just hope I can find the Aiwa somewhere...

Toshiba SD100E vs Aiwa 370

I`m looking to spend up to £250 on a DVD player and am leaning towards the Toshiba as it would appear to offer the best visual quality. That said, there appear to be a lot of Aiwa fans - have any of you been able to compare the Aiwa with the Toshiba? Bells and whistles aren`t really that important to me, just good sound and (particularly) video.

RE: Fast forward and picture quality on Lecson 900

Shameless bump.

Can anyone help?

Thanks...

Fast forward and picture quality on Lecson 900

The Lecson is my first DVD player, so this is probably a stupid question, but should the fast forward be jerky? It appears to be skipping frames rather than playing them quickly. A friend`s Daewoo (the only other machine I`ve used) is really smooth by comparison, even though it seems to be inferior in other respects.

With regard to the quality of the picture, it`s better than my VCR (and the Daewoo), but I can`t help feeling that it`s not as good as it should be. It`s attached by scart (RBG) to a 25 inch Sony (AV2542). I`m probably asking too much, but by way of example: in the Ikea nesting bit of Fight Club, the product `labels` are mostly illegible during playback (not quite so bad on freeze frame). Is this typical? Am I expecting more than is reasonable from a cheap player? Would a more expensive machine be noticeably better? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks.