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JonUrban
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The HD DVD / Blu-ray WAR ZONE!
I attended the wedding today of a family friend. This is a group of people that I grew up with 30 years or so ago, and most of them I rarely see these days.

They all know I am a computer and electronics "guy", and usually the only time I hear from them is when their PC won't work or that need to buy a new stereo.

Anyway, many of them came to me with questions about High Definition DVDs. I must admit that I was actually stunned. The general thought is that the average Joe is not concerned about these formats.

Well, almost every one of them asked me about Blu-Ray. The Blu-Ray message is really getting out there. Many of these people, with a range of ages from 20 (their kids) to 50+, asked me things like "Should I just get a PS3 or should I buy a Blu-Ray stand alone player?" Some asked about the LG Dual Format player, but most mentioned Blu-Ray first.

From this random sampling of people who are totally un-tech, I would think that if HD-DVD is going to survive, they better get off their butts. The TV ads promoting BLu-Ray and the visability in some big box stores is actually working.

Again, I am totally stunned that this mix of people were so aware of High Def DVD and they were all asking about Blu-Ray. As much as I dislike Sony, I have to say that the Blu-Ray folks are doing it right, getting the message out there, and appear to be making the big move.

At least up to this point! :D

PS - I own both formats, so don't peg me as a "fanboy" of either over the other.
14 Replies · 2708 views
Jamey K
I watched Casino Royale last night off my son's PS3 and I was NOT blown away. We're going to watch Kung Fu Hustle this week and maybe that will be better. I'm glad we have both formats in the house, but I still think PQ and certainly audio is much better on HD-DVD.

Doens't mean it will win. But still better.
navychop
That 10/31 announcement has to be a real kick in the teeth. Most people won't know, but those that do will be inclined to hold off buying- or go with HD-DVD.
JoeSp
I watched Casino Royale last night off my son's PS3 and I was NOT blown away. We're going to watch Kung Fu Hustle this week and maybe that will be better. I'm glad we have both formats in the house, but I still think PQ and certainly audio is much better on HD-DVD.

Doens't mean it will win. But still better.

I hope you recalibrated your HDTV for the PS3. It seems that you must increase black and white settings for the PS3 when playing a BD movie to see an improvement. Also, are you watching on a 1080p set or a 1080i? Also, what do you have the PS3 audio and video settings at?

If you do not have a receiver with HDMI 1.2 then you need to set your audio settings at bitstream so that you will get 5.1 channels and not 2. Also ,you need to set your video set at AUTOMATIC so that the PS3 will provide you a picuture using film and not video. These settings should really improve you BD viewing from the PS3. Even my wife noticed the differances after I did this watching the same movie - RV.
JoeSp
That 10/31 announcement has to be a real kick in the teeth. Most people won't know, but those that do will be inclined to hold off buying- or go with HD-DVD.

I wonder if the PS3 will be getting that very soon since the Pirate movies are going to have BD-Java on them???
Jamey K
I hope you recalibrated your HDTV for the PS3. It seems that you must increase black and white settings for the PS3 when playing a BD movie to see an improvement. Also, are you watching on a 1080p set or a 1080i? Also, what do you have the PS3 audio and video settings at?

If you do not have a receiver with HDMI 1.2 then you need to set your audio settings at bitstream so that you will get 5.1 channels and not 2. Also ,you need to set your video set at AUTOMATIC so that the PS3 will provide you a picuture using film and not video. These settings should really improve you BD viewing from the PS3. Even my wife noticed the differances after I did this watching the same movie - RV.

Great ideas! I did a lot of that although I did not go as far as messing with the b/w settings as i'm still watching more HD than BR right now. I use the HDMI for video and optical for audio as I do my HD.

I didn't hate it....and i'm going to watch more since it's on my son's PS3. I didn't think there was that much of the 3D...pore close clearity that my HD has.
navychop
I wonder if the PS3 will be getting that very soon since the Pirate movies are going to have BD-Java on them???

It would be a very good thing for the Blu-ray camp if the PS3 could support BD-java, including PIP. But that earlier referenced article had serious reservations in it that such could be done without hardware changes. Is a software only solution possible, and can the PS3 support such? We will find out.
JoeSp
navychop, the PS3 supports HDMI1.3 completely and this includes two video bandwiths at the same time. If that is the case then why could it not do picture in picture? I think when the BD Pirate movies ship we will find out quickly how the PS3 does. Although I have to say this, my wife will kill me if I engauge picture-in-picture. She hates it if I do that with my Dish622 and sometimes will rip the remote out of my hands and turn it off. I guess she only wants to watch one thing at a time.
T
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
4 Replies · 69 views
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Juan
Not alot of dish customers any more
Foxbat
I'm not a big fan of the new layout, especially on my Apple TV. It used to look like the old Guide layout on the Hopper 3, but they changed parts of that, too.
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dishstaller
I really dislike change for the sake of change
dishdude
I like the new look, it's a lot cleaner. I'm using it on one of those Onn streaming devices when I travel.
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Foxbat
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.

At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
17 Replies · 240 views
Ronnie-
Meh. The 4Ks I have will do everything that these do that I need them to do.


Which that's most tech these days for anything released the last four to five years.


It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.
navychop
It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.

Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
navychop
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
KAB
KAB
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
S
Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade.. :what. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
ncted
ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade
No. Makes me wonder if that is Apple or the carrier. I am on pre-paid, so I never get "an upgrade." I still have my old iPhone 11 Pro as a second line, and it runs iOS 27 just fine. My iPhone Air, which is still a current model, doesn't really seem that much faster in regular use. It is better in other ways, and worse in some ways than the 11 Pro (size), but performance really isn't a big differentiator, especially since I replaced the battery in the 11 Pro. If I had gotten enough storage when I originally bought the 11 Pro, it could still be my primary device with no issues.
ncted
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
Yeah, they boot up a bit slower than Roku, but the OS does a lot more, so it makes sense. How often are you booting them up that is a differentiator? Aside from OS updates, mine are on all the time. I will say the ATV4K is generally quicker than the Roku Ultras I have, when it comes to launching apps and responsiveness, not that the Roku is sluggish.
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navychop
apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while

What software? For iPhones? I tried to buy some image s/w IN THE APPLE STORE! They had none, and could not offer ANY s/w for iPhones
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 4 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 3 views
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
2 Replies · 61 views
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Howard Simmons

Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
dishstaller
Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city :rolleyes:
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?
2132 Replies · 214691 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.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
Might be worth a watch when it comes out. Looks like typical big corp against the little guy movie BUT....there is a reason this plot type is so oft repeated, it draws audiences.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-f9OGsKHd4
1 Replies · 16 views
dishstaller
BTW, I noticed right after I posted this that someone else had already mentioned it....sorry for the duplicate thread. Still looking forward to seeing the movie.
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
If you're going try to read / listen to the book (can't recommend the audio book enough) before this comes out, I'd avoid trailers.

Trailer below, spoiling it to make sure you read the above bold message first. The book / audio book are fantastic. Go into this blind if you can IMO!




Kind of disappointed at how much they show. A lot still to see, but man, some good reveals in the book that are just served up here.
21 Replies · 718 views
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meStevo
I've seen it twice. Can't recommend the audio book enough, Ray Porter's performance is amazing and there's so much more in the book than the movie.
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Foxbat
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
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K
Forgot to comment. I did watch when it first came out on MGM. I enjoyed it a lot. I think reading the book made it easier to watch. Several friends commented it was a little hard to follow.
TRG
TRG
"astrophage". I read the book but didn't see the film yet.
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Howard Simmons
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
That's what I will be watching this weekend.🤗
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K
Kindle book on sale for $2.99 today at Amazon.
dishstaller
.........there's so much more in the book than the movie.
I agree. That can go for pretty much any book vs movie. Back when I was single I would read any Stephen King or John Grisham book I could get my hands on. When you read a book you make up the scenes and characters in your mind.....the movie version always disappoints.