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L
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in General Home Theater Equipment
First keep in mind that when looking at the pictures of the wall with the NESN game on it looks far better in person compared to the picture. I will work more with lighting with my digital camera.

So I went into my local Circuit City store and price matched the price at Best Buy. So I ended up getting this unit for a net upfront cost of 774.00. I'm also going to buy the extended warranty for 145 bucks as it will extend the unit warranty from 2 years to 4 years. But the key feature of the extended warranty is that it covers one free bulb replacement which is valued at 300 bucks. The bulb only has a 30 day warranty and it will burn out before the four years is up so I consider the warranty a very good investment on my part.

Now I'm not one of those people who will expect crazy good detail but I'm comparing the picture quality of this set with all my past HDTV sets I've owned including my current 26" LCD HD set. So I'm going to sum up my first look in a very short way below.

The Optoma HD70 fed via HDMI to a Motorola 3416 HD DVR from Comcast without a doubt has surprised me. I'm using a white wall (yes no screen yet) to project the image on from the HD70. I've watched many HD channels including live Red Sox games via NESN HD and all I can say is WWWWWWOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW. I've setup the Optoma to display about 90 inches of viewable screen area and NESN looks "just" as good as it does on my puny old 26" LCD set. The picture looks very sharp and detailed at 10 feet away and looks just as good at 5 feet away.

Now yes some who expect perfection can find much better at a much higher cost. But I expect very good picture quality "but" I don't notice perfection as much as others. But for a Joe Six Pack who would tend to buy the cheapest set he/she can afford I believe you just cannot regret this specific purchase.

The only drawback with this unit (most projectors suffer this issue) is that outside lights (sun light) makes it very ummm bad. But if you can block out most outside sunlight you will be fine with indoor lighting. Just get the balance of enough light so you can see your way around but not much more than that for the best quality.

I'm going to say this much that for the rest of my life I'll never watch TV (HDTV even more so) at anything less than 90 inches of screen. I think these front projectors are only going to go down in cost and if the results via a white wall without a screen stay the same I'll never go back to anything less ever. Hey once you go big you'll never go back lol.:D

Again keep in mind that my pictures are very crappy but they will give you a decent idea but don't worry you can expect much better pictures in the coming weeks I promise.
13 Replies · 3880 views
L
Just wanted to give an update that I got my Optoma $200 mail-in rebate around the middle of October or right around 4 weeks after I mailed it. This is one product I have no regrets at all about buying. If anything I'm still a bit upset I didn't do this years ago.:(

I will say that this unit after being in use from noon until midnight Sunday does tend to get hot but the picture looks great without any issues and as of yet the unit has "never" shut itself off.

Soon I will post many better pictures for those of you who might be looking into buying one of these for the holidays.
Gregg Loewen
Yeah, $1200 to $1500 will get you a nice PJ these days but I can't bring myself to pay more than $1K for a tv...

you get what you pay for (usually).

Longhong, get those windows covered to make the room BLACK (zero light entry). I bet this would increase your contrast ratio by about 20-25 %.
L
you get what you pay for (usually).

Longhong, get those windows covered to make the room BLACK (zero light entry). I bet this would increase your contrast ratio by about 20-25 %.

Everything was dark it was just that I needed to RTFM for my digital camera because it got stuck in a mode that made horrid pictures. I do however agree that getting rid of all light makes one heck of a difference.:D
Ilya
Just turn off the flash on your camera. ;)
jcrandall
I love my Optoma HD70. I have a rather large theater room in my basement that gets 120" viewable screen on a wall that I sit about 12' back from.

Runs the HD-DVD through HDMI, the xbox 360 through VGA, and the HR20 D* box through component, and automatically detects whichever one is powered up. Very easy to use, just hit power.

Picture is great. I run everything at 720p, so I can't speak for the downcovert of 1080 stuff, but my eyes have never been good enough to tell the difference.

Here's to hoping my bulb lasts 10 years :)
8
Just wanted to give an update that I got my Optoma $200 mail-in rebate around the middle of October or right around 4 weeks after I mailed it. This is one product I have no regrets at all about buying. If anything I'm still a bit upset I didn't do this years ago.:(

I will say that this unit after being in use from noon until midnight Sunday does tend to get hot but the picture looks great without any issues and as of yet the unit has "never" shut itself off.

Soon I will post many better pictures for those of you who might be looking into buying one of these for the holidays.

Congratulations! Glad to hear it worked out for you! I've painted a neutral gray screen right on my wall for a screen and the picture has really benefited from it!

NFLHD-EF06-Ambient.jpg
Van
Van
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Who says dinner or lunch has to be the only good meals of the day?

Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.
6630 Replies · 379371 views
TRG
TRG
Bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast. Coffee.
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TRG
TRG
Wound up at the Waffle House this morning. Got the two egg breakfast with coffee.

1622.webp
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dfergie
Speaking of waffles, I'm going to put my mini waffle iron on stove so I'll remember to make waffles in the morning... Had some last week, been awhile.
dfergie
Dos cackleberrys over easy on top of 2 corned beef hash patties fried in skillet... Chocolate milk.
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TRG
TRG
Cold morning today, only 32 degrees. Fired up the oven and made cinnamon rolls (from a tube) and a pot of coffee.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68511 Replies · 2671587 views
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ClarkGable
Five O'Clock World - The Vogues
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FTA4PA
Six O'Clock News - John Prine
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Bobby
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson
harshness
Somewhere - Barbra Streisand
sdfntx
Somewhere in Time - John Barry
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Continuing the Kilauea thread in the Pub here. Perhaps the Iceland one too next time there's remarkable activity.

Currently there is precursory lava flowing into the crater, leading to the next episode that'll probably start within the next day.

You can see the pace of inflation / deflation here. It serves as the primary predictor for when the expect the eruptions, which coincide w/ inflation turning into significant deflation and last for several hours on average with significant fountaining.



View: https://youtu.be/Uecu2seh4b4


Wife and I like the AfarTV feeds, for the discussion along w/ them, though they're otherwise just mirrors of the official USGS feeds.


View: https://youtu.be/iws3rh5vLAQ
119 Replies · 3231 views
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Foxbat
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Foxbat
​
Foxbat
Oooo, quite the show now. All three vents have doming and overflows. The cone that built up around the North vent lost its upper quarter at 02:50 Oct 17 and is now spewing lava at a healthy rate. Don't know if I would say it's a fountain, but it's close.


IMG_1534.webp

edit: The USGS has called the official start of Episode 55 as starting at 03:19 HST Oct 17, 2026:

Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE 2026-10-17 13:43:56 UTC
HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 3:43 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/H488
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii

Summary: Episode 55 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.

Volcanic Activity:
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.

Fountain heights are relatively low at about 100-150 feet (30-45 m), and it is not clear whether this episode will evolve to the same heights as previous episodes. Continuous overflows from the vents began yesterday, October 16, just before 6 a.m. HST and transitioned into episode 55 fountains at 3:19 a.m. HST this morning. The current forecast is for winds are blowing from the north-northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the south-southwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu.
  • All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele's Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
Foxbat
Kīlauea seems to be returning to the "normal" eruption script, impressive fountaining from the North Vent. For once, the V2 Cam has the best overall shot:
IMG_1535.webp
The lava flows have covered a good portion of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor.
BlackHitachi
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
Since the Reds have there thread we should too!

Last watched Nine inch Nails
Next 3:10 to Yuma
5390 Replies · 510347 views
osu1991

View: https://youtu.be/9j3vxhzM8MY?is=Rs1cY1FQAiRWi87i


Come September (1961)
Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida with Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin
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Y
1791758462355.webp


Simple, charming. Entire premise is quite silly but Cary Grant carries it across the line in good fashion.
T
Last: The Social Reckoning. Spoiler alert, they make Zuck look like a...
Foxbat
Since it was already "paid" for, I spent the two hours of my time watching the John Cena action movie on Apple TV, "Matchbox The Movie" even though the reviews were brutal. It was better than I expected, so I didn't feel like I had wasted an afternoon watching it. But it felt like another "Reacher"/"Neghley"/"Mission: Impossible"/"Fast & Furious" crash and blow stuff up with lots of automatic gunfire mixed in movie featuring covert CIA operatives.

I don't think we'll get a follow-up movie from this. I expect Mattel will have other toy lines to exploit.
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
38 Replies · 3563 views
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navychop
Bob Evans Sage.
R
Bob Evans Sage.
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
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dfergie
Swaggerty's isn't too bad, sausage prices are lower per lb than making my own from pork butts right now so I've been buying JC Potter or Owen lately.
(Swaggerty's at Sam's is pre cut, I usually partially freeze the rolls and cut with my slicer and vacuum seal on parchment paper)
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S
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
amazon maybe :what
S
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
owens on amazon is 54.99 for a 4 pk 16 oz a sausage. i feel that's kind of steep!!!
S
Swaggerty's isn't too bad, sausage prices are lower per lb than making my own from pork butts right now so I've been buying JC Potter or Owen lately.
(Swaggerty's at Sam's is pre cut, I usually partially freeze the rolls and cut with my slicer and vacuum seal on parchment paper)
id'e rather make my own vs store bought.
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R
owens on amazon is 54.99 for a 4 pk 16 oz a sausage. i feel that's kind of steep!!!
Especially when I can get a two pound roll of Jimmy Dean from Sam's Club for $7.38.
dfergie
They run Owens at $3.99 for lb and $7.99 a couple times a month at some grocery stores here, I actually was wrong, just checked a pork sirloin roast it was $1.99 a lb. (cooked it yesterday so pack was in trash)
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TheRatPatrol
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2134 Replies · 214761 views
Jimbo

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
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Howard Simmons
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
Tony as the director.🙄
Jimbo
Tony as the director.🙄
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
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dfergie
I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...
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Howard Simmons
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
Jimbo
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
KAB
KAB
I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.
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Jimbo
I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.
I'm curious how they are going to implement Tony into Origins (If they do) ...
Tony was introduced to Gibbs and the team, on NCIS, which makes it the Mothership side of things, he worked in Baltimore prior to NCIS, NO mention when they met that anyone had known one another ...