Info and forum posts by 'AlwaysDoubleDown'

Help: The Shield

This request applies to the Region 2 of The Shield

Easter eggs - heard there are a couple in this show. Anyone?

anyone heard of blu-jacking?

Its a good laugh - preferably if not used for stalking purposes!

(To the uninitiated it basically involves keeping your mobile`s bluetooth option turned on in busy areas and searching for other bluetooth enabled mobiles in your vicinity to whom you can send anonymous messages eg `your phone is cack, buy a Nokia XXXX`. The baffled person then wonders who it is!)

This item was edited on Friday, 14th November 2003, 04:41

RE: buying online? is it safe??

I find a good rule of thumb when starting out is whether the shop you want to buy from is well known on the highstreet or advertised prominently on tv. The likes of ARGOS, DIXONS, HMV, PC WORLD, COMET, NEXT, MARKS AND SPENCERS, TESCO etc certainly fall into this category.

These companies also usually give you the option of returning goods to the actual high street shop if anything goes wrong and you prefer to - problems are rarer but this is useful if you buy clothes for example. Online retailers also often do internet-only offers as well - shop around! As far as safety goes i have been told by different people that buying something online is actually safer than having your card scanned in a physical shop!

The internet has also thrown up its own now established and respectable retailers: some examples are PLAY.COM for dvds, cds, games: free delivery and arguably the most competitive prices. BLACKSTAR.CO.UK for vids and dvds, CD-WOW for cheap cds. Never buy a dvd in the high street again unless there is a dire emergency!! GOOGLE.COM is the search engine of choice for anything really.

AMAZON.CO.UK is another trustworthy internet name for general stuff like books, videos, games, electronics etc. I believe it is essentially Waterstones` presence on the net. But they do charge delivery unless your order is £25+! EBAY.CO.UK can be a fun auction site and you do get occasional bargains once you get the hang of things.

Using a credit card is prob your safest bet since they almost always offer fraud protection but switch is fine too. I have bought stuff for years without any problems whatsoever. You should normally see a little yellow padlock at the bottom right of your screen when sending sensitive card details etc during an internet order - this is a good sign!

This item was edited on Friday, 14th November 2003, 04:33

SLOGANS TO `WELCOME` GEORGE DUBYA TO THE UK

Come on then you wit-meisters - i will rank the top 5!

This item was edited on Friday, 14th November 2003, 04:03

RE: EMPIRE Magazine - Is it the best?

The problem with EMPIRE is that it is up George Lucas` a***. 5 stars for episode one is all the supporting evidence required on this charge: GUILTY!

Another prob is that it is quite likely to dedicate about 40 PAGES to any big movie, regardless of how crap it is shaping up. Backslapping from directors is frequent and it must pay somehow for all that `exclusive` access...It must also be run by Star Wars geeks since it is featured SO OFTEN.

You will soon notice it often gives 3 stars to any old crap teen movie, yet anything that actually tries to inject an idea or two and fails will rarely pick up more than 2.

On the other hand it is usually a good read but, as someone else pointed out, its influence is waning since the movie news is always well out of date thanks to the internet.

TOTAL FILM takes itself much less seriously and is arguably a better magazine for that, certainly funnier and less prone to bad-review-itis.

SIGHT & SOUND is a good mag, bloody thin, but all the big words mean it will prob take as long to read as either of the above! It is rather more high brow but has the writing to back it up.

This item was edited on Friday, 14th November 2003, 04:01

which DVD Recorder?

8) Hello, 8)

Just started looking at dvd-recorders and all that entails - the different formats etc. Can anyone recommend a reliable reviews website(s)/mag? Need as much opinion as poss. My girlfriend is buying me it for xmas and i want it to be a good `un!

Price range: around £250, which isn`t a problem judging from net offerings so far. I have noticed the Panasonic v Philips debate and from what i can make out the Panas are the way to go - perhaps the DMR range? Only prob is i am yet to be persuaded by DVD Ram - DVD+RW sounds much more appealing just from a compatibility pov.

cheers in advance

This item was edited on Friday, 14th November 2003, 03:38

SHOCK! HORROR! cheesy Star Wars tops best trilogy poll

Dear God

WHAT HAS GEORGE LUCAS DONE TO YOU PEOPLE???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

HOW do i go this?!

MULTI-REGION LAPTOP DVD-ROM

Ok i got the Drive Region Info prog. My dvd-rom model is:

TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-C2502 1011

My drive is RPC 2

Its currently set at R2 and status is: NOT PERMANENT

I went here: http://forum.firmware-flash.com/portal.php and found the appropriate firmward. its downloaded but i have yet to install.

anyone had any experience? the instructions seem vague to my minor skill with computers.

How do i do this:

1- Make sure that TOSHIBA CD/DVD-ROM drive is connected.
2- Run PC by MS-DOS mode.
3- Copy "VUPXX.EXE" & "******.HEX" to some directory in HDD.
4- Type "VUPXX ******.HEX" then hit RETURN-KEY.
5- Program finishes with the message of "Comparison : GOOD"

external Cd-rewriter advice needed

Thinking of purchasing Iomega 40x12x48 from amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/1193392/ref=br_bx_1_c_1_1/026-2451542-0070841?tag=myrev09-21

my laptop is a quite new toshiba (3mths).

all i want is something that burns cds quite quickly - nothing extravagant.

anyone had any dealings with this player or have any other alternatives?

cheers in advance

RE: Taking screenshots from DVD`s on PC`s

Nope - still doesnt work. Maybe ma computers cack!

RE: Difference between widescreen and fullscreen

Actually check out this page and see pics of which Star Wars you prefer from the widescreen and full examples given. WIDESCREEN RULES HOWEVER unless you want 40% of the film missing from the viewing.

There are 5 comparisons on the first page: enlarge them to look more closely. The 3rd comparison (Nat Portman) is probably the clearest example.

http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/feature/20020925/

RE: Taking screenshots from DVD`s on PC`s

WHy the hell does this not work for me with the EXACT same software and following the instructions to a letter?

Also i did a search of my HD to see if the pics were hiding anywhere but guess what....

NO!

recordable DVD players

Ok, forgive me for my ignorance but i was considering taking the plunge and getting a recordable dvd player (or at least hoping someone else will take the plunge for me at Xmas!!)

Anyway, i was wondering what was the most reasonable price anyone has seen for one of these devices and the best format.

My big prob is not wanting to get something which will be defunct pretty soon....

thanks in advance of the avalanche of replies!!

RE: `The Shield` on Channel 5

The Shield: Complete 1st Season (region 1)

released: 7th January

Extras:

*4 disc set
*commentaries on every episode
*featurette
*deleted scenes
*outtakes
*still galleries
*preview of season 2

see also: http://www.dvdplanet.com/product_listing.asp?productid=27922

HOPE THAT HELPS!

This item was edited on Saturday, 26th October 2002, 15:01

HALLOWEEN OUTFIT SUGGESTIONS!!!

I need a good one.

No ghosts, mummies, star trek/wars thank you!

RE: how do i take capture from my pc-dvds?

how much ? i want to spend bare minimum. will that improve my picture quality? cheers

RE: Region lock on PC DVD drive

No!

how do i take capture from my pc-dvds?

I only have Win-dvd. I read all the stuff about pressing "P". This should put the pics in a folder...but it doesnt on mine.

So please, anyone any suggestions? NOT PRINT SCREEN - thats crap!

RE: Can anybody offer advice over an eBay dispute?

Well what u should do is find out his address - by for example entering any details you have in one of those map finder thingies on the net and threaten to go round his house and demand a refund!

Godfather 5disc for £35 at Play

Bargain - if of course you already own it - which i dont!

INSOMNIA - cool extra

Chris Nolan said today at the Ed Fest that he has done a commentary on the film in the order in which it was shot!

Anyone see it yet?

RE: BACK TO THE FUTUEXCLUSIVE R1 CONTENT

Well why not buy all of your dvds without regard to extras provided they have the holy grail DTS!

3 extras commentaries and 30 mins extra on EACH disc is hardly a pittance. But read round what you want.

I mean the producer of the dvds and director of the films himself says that the difference with the DTS versions is barely discernible.

BUT NO! DTS IVE GOTTA HAVE IT AND SO I CAN SAVE MY 8 QUID OR ELSE!!!!!

Ill be waiting. Patience has its rewards!

whats the safest option for selling your dvds?

Cheers

RE: Help: GODFATHER R2 easter eggs

I dont know what eggs are available on R1 but i think R1 and R2 are identical in terms of extras.

I have seen the eggs on R2, and they are not really something that would swing your judgement either way.

RE: BACK TO THE FUTUEXCLUSIVE R1 CONTENT

Well the horses mouth himself said that there is little if any difference, so Region 1 is well worth the wait IMHO.

Of course, if you are feeling extravagant why not buy two regions?

RE: BACK TO THE FUTUEXCLUSIVE R1 CONTENT

i believe it is electronic press kit.

RE: Which Spiderman should I buy?

Region 1 - Spiderman: Limited Edition Box Set

Released on November 1st 2002 with an SRP of $49.99

Spiderman 2-disc Widescreen Edition

"Stan Lee`s Mutants, Monsters And Marvels" DVD

Collectible reprint of "Amazing Fantasy #15" comic book

Collectible senitype featuring a film cel from the movie personally selected by the director with his comments

Limited edition off-set lithograph by John Romita Sr. and John Romita Jr. (Spider-Man artists).

---

Region 4 - Spiderman: Limited Edition Box Set

Released on October 29th 2002, AU$79.95 from EzyDVD.com.au

Spiderman 2-disc Widescreen Edition *Exact specifications may differ from the R1 release

"Stan Lee`s Mutants, Monsters And Marvels" DVD

Spiderman Original Soundtrack CD

---

Region 2 France - Spiderman: Deluxe Box Set

Released on December 12th 2002, Eur49.98 from Amazon.fr

The exact details are difficult to pinpoint for this release but it would appear to contain the same collectible items as the Region 1 LE...

Spiderman 2-disc Widescreen Edition *Exact specifications may differ from the R1 release

Comic Book

Original Drawings

Photographs

Senitypes

Spiderman Original Soundtrack CD

-------------

Region 2 Japan - Spiderman: Limited Edition Set

Released on October 23rd 2002 with a retail price of 9800yen (around £55)

Limited to 30,000 Units

Spiderman 2-disc Widescreen Edition *Exact specifications may differ from the R1 release

"Stan Lee`s Mutants, Monsters And Marvels" DVD

Collectible reprint of "Amazing Fantasy #15" comic book (Original English language)

Original Spiderman illustration collection

Numbered 35mm Film Cell

Lithograph by John Romita Sr. and John Romita Jr. (Spider-Man artists)

Original Pin Badge

16 Page booklet made specially for this release

BACK TO THE FUTURE: EXCLUSIVE R1 CONTENT

According to Bob Gale:

NO DTS on R1 BUT:
"we`re dropping the DTS track for domestic because it gives us almost 30 more minutes of bonus material per disc."

"I did a comparison between Dolby Digital and DTS and the differences are miniscule — if in fact there are any."

NO SCREEN TESTS ON R1
"No screen tests are included on. We had wanted to include a makeup test on Crispin, but Crispin...would not give permission."
- so NO Eric Stoltz footage other than stills in the "making of" doc

EPK ADDITIONS
epk for part 2
"a newly edited version" for Part 3
"profiles of Bob Z and Mary Steenburgen has been added into the original EPK..there was a lot of repetition, so we made one version that had the best of everything with no repetition."

2 ADDITIONAL DELETED SCENES (not on international version)
- full version of Doc`s suitcase
- Doc offering Marty gun (BTTFP3) extended
- 11 minutes more deleted/extended scenes "way more than the international"

MICHAEL J FOX COMMENTARY
- recorded separately, but only on a small part of BTTFP1

SCENE SPECIFIC COMMENTARY FOR ALL 3 FILMS
by Bob Gale and Neil Canton
"we tried to talk about things that didn`t appear elsewhere on the set."

BOB GALE COMMENTARY ON DELETED SCENES
exclusive to R1

SCRIPT FOR 1st DRAFT BTTFP2

BTTF RIDE BEHIND THE SCENES - proposed if space NOT confirmed

RE: Crossroads question...

"i`ve heard a rumour that there was a scene shot where Britney (and let`s be frank here) get`s her baps out"

Sadly, her mother (cruel bitch!) no-noed it BEFORE filming started.

Further evidence:

a) it would be all over the internet by now.
b) if have a feeling LOTR would currently be 2nd in the all time DVD sellers list :)

Is the film even worth watching? My gf has stated previously she would watch it!

24 - CRAP

I watched the first 2 episodes. Come on people get a grip, it was dull and gimmicky. Crap characters and script. Not on my list.