Info and forum posts by 'Neil Martin'

This user hasn't used our main site yet, so has no main account at present.

Joined on: Friday, 17th November 2000, 15:44, Last used: Monday, 6th June 2011, 08:23

Access Level: Mostly Harmless

About this user: I am a new budget DVD owner, just wanted to try the technology. I also am a big film fan, particularly classic cinema.

This user has posted a total of 37 messages. On average, since joining, this user has posted 0 messages a day, or 0.03 messages a week. In the last 30 days, this user has posted 0 messages, which is on average 0 messages a day.

Recent Messages Posted:

Wharfedale 750s - Dolby Digital 5.1 Problem

I am attempting to connect my Wharfie 750s to a Sony HTBE1 home cinema system.

I connected the two using an optical cable. I used Minority Report to test the setup. When I have the DTS soundtrack on, everything is just fine. However, when I switch to DOlby Digital 5.1, the HTBE1 only outputs through the left and right front speakers and the Sub-woofer. I know this through listening, and because the Sony display indicates that only these speakers are active.

WHen on DTS, the led under DTS on the Wharfie is lit, when on Dolby Digital, th eled under that logo is lit. I swapped for other disks, but the same problem occurs.

When I hook my x box up to the sony in the same fashion, there is no problems at all with dvd playback, so I am confident the sony set-up and leads are all OK. The problem is with the wharfedale.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks for the help!

RE: Worst Movie to win an Oscar

I`d have to say Titanic (didn`t it beat The Truman Show that year?)

Actually, Truman Show didn`t get nominated. Also, if it had, that was Shekespear in Loves Year (also Elizabeth, Thin Red Line, Saving Private Ryan and Life is Beautiful).

Recently, a Beautiful Mind is really terrible. Ordinary People is not good (beat Raging Bull!). Chicago was fun, but not the best film by a long way. Driving Miss Daisy? No thanks.
Also, not too sure about The SOund of Music, Around teh Worls in 80 Days, The Greates Show on Earth.... etc etc.

Lets face it. Oscars are hardly the measure of a movie.

RE: 28" Widescreen TVs

Just to be sure- the Sony can play NTSC signals, right?

Anything Direct - R&M Direct

They are selling a Philips Widescreen TV for around £100 less than anyone else. Does anyone know anything about themm especially their customer service?

Anyone ever used them?

Thanks!

28" Widescreen TVs

Bloody hell, but this has been difficult.

I have been through forums and magazines trying to find the best widescreen TV I can get for £400. Picture and connectivity are imprtant, sound isn`t as I have a nice little home cinema set-up.

I have narrowed it down to three:

Sony KV28LS35S
Panasonic TX28PL1
Philips 28PW6006

What do you all reckon?


I was also tempted by the JVC AV28WFT1EKS, but that doesn`t seem to be available anymore. Can anyone tell me whats happened here? Ifit has been updated, what is the equivalent model, and is it any good?

Many thanks to everyone.

RE: Best extended edition

The extended version of the Exorcist is quite good- forget about the legendary "spider walk"- the scenes with the little girl being subjected to lots of medical exams is quite unsettling (especially when you have the volume turned up loud), and there are some excellent almost submlimial images thrown in.

Worth a look if you were impressed by the original.

RE: Which Sound Format is best?

Thanks Westy- thats very helpful indeed!

Much appreciated.

Which Sound Format is best?

Have just bought a Sony HT-BE1 Home Cinema set (am still waiting f0r it to be delivered).

Was wondering of the three sound formats supported by the amp,

Dolby® Digital,
DTS,
Dolby® ProLogic II

Which one is the best one for watching DVD`s, assuming the DVD supports DTS?

I am slightly confused as to where the other two fit in to the big listening picture.

Thanks

RE: ghost in the shell

It would seem that there is a "Special Edition" due out in UK in early July (3rd or 11th, dates conflict, WH Smith say it was released on 17th March, but they have none in stock). Other retailers, including Tesco and MVC, are taking preorders.

I can`t find out what is new about this, but hopefully lip synch problems have been solved.

Anyone know anything about this? I have also read that an Akira special edition is due around this time.

RE: Pre-order Lion King Region 1 - Two Disc Set. Under £12 .

Anyone know if/when this is getting a Region 2 release?

Thanks

RE: SCANDAL! No Oscar nomination for Gollum...Discuss!

Nope, despite much hype at the time. Beauty and the Beast remains the only time the academy have embraced animation as true film making by nominating it for best picture. Otherwise, recognition has remained restricted to the niche categories. And now with the Best animated feature, it is likely to be even more marginalised. Still, good to see Spirited Away in there, even if it is better than some of the actual best picture nominees.

A damn shame the academy excluded Bloody Sunday. Oscars for Paul Greengrass and James Nesbit, anyone?

RE: Oscar Nominations Pah !

Blame Spain for the absence of Talk to Her in Foreign Language category. Each country puts forward just 1 film to represent it in that category (see the recent controversy about The Warrior as the UK entry) and Spain chose to snub Almodovar in favour of another film. The director nomination is probably a result of the Academys bewilderment at not seeing it on their list for foreign language (nomination should be Peter Jacksons).

The absence of City of God, however, is a real shocker. An amazing film.

RE: News from Dark Horizon:- Hero

Any suggestions as to where I might get it? I have tried some of the Region 3 sites, but none seem to have it on pre-order.

Hero

Apparently this Jet Li film (directed by Zhang Yimou) is a corker. Its no due out here for absolutely ages, but it is out in several Asian countries (just like Crouching Tiger). Does anybody know where it will come out on DVD first, and where?

Many Thanks

RE: Acoustic Solutions in Argos - worth it or are they crap?

AAAhhh. Nearly snared. Many thanks Bowf- still a bit new to this home cinema malarkey.

RE: Acoustic Solutions in Argos - worth it or are they crap?

Just wondered if anyone else had heard anything about this range of speakers. I am particularly interested in the £99 package- seems almost too good to be true. I have been completely unable to find any kind of review or comment about the system on the web.

Thanks.

X Box Surround Sound Options - Help!

I am thinking of buying a home cinema type system to get a bit more out of the 5.1 Dolby effects on the X Box. I want to spend less than £150, the cheaper the better.

Do I need to buy a separate amp, or will th espeakers suffice?

I am using a Wharfie 750s, so is it worth my while buying an amp anyway?

Can anyone recommend a good package? The Sony HTBE1 looks good, but at £209 it is a bit beyond my budget. Any comments in particular on the Acoustic Solutions DS535 Home Cinema System? Only £100 in Argos.

Many Thanks.

RE: Animatrix dvd release date?

Just wanted to reply to this to bring it back to everyones attention. Does anyone have any news of a DVD release date for these?

Thanks!

X Box Third Party Joypads

I want to get the necessary 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) joypads, and would prefer to pay a little bit less for them.

Can anyone recommend some cheaper 3rd party joypads, or name any that should be avoided?

Where is the cheapest place (online or otherwise) to buy them?

Many Thanks!

DVD Rental by Post

Can anybody recommend some decent companies to rent DVD`s from on-line by post? Which is better- one off fees or a monthly subscription?

Thanks!

LOTR: 2 Towers Trailer

I read the (alleged) description of The forthcoming Two Towers Trailer on AICN, but does anyone know when this will actually be attached to the current film. I am counting the days... (sad, I know).

Spaced Series 2

Anyone know of any plans/release dayes etc for the second series of Channel 4`s Spaced.
Thanks

Godfather Box set

Anybody found anyone doing good bargain pre-orders on this?

Requiem for a Dream Release date

Anyone know the Region 2 release date for this absolutely stunning film? Any idea about extras? Thanks

Beastie Boys Anthology on Wharfie 750s

I can`t get this disk to work properly!

I can play the videos straight through, with commentary. But, when I try to watch a video with a remix or a different angle, or indeed any of the extras, the DVD just wont let me. I go through the menu, and when I press play/enter, nothing happens. Occassionally, it freezes.
The disc works on my friends PC.

Anyone else have this problem?

Anyone one knbow how to cure it? All suggestions welcome (but please no `ditch the Wharfdale- I have heard it before, and its not that I don`t neccessarily agree, it just is not an option right now.)

Thanks for the help.

X-Men Special Edition??

I wonder can anyone enlighten me about the rumour I heard that Bryan Singer intends, in the future, to release a kind of X-men Ultimate edition DVD, featruring stuff not currently on the R1 Disc, possibly including stuff he has not yet filmed?

Truth or No?

Thanks

RE: Beastie Boys DVD

Thanks for the help.

I shall buy this DVD immediately!

Beastie Boys DVD

Anybody know if and when the Beastie Boys Chronology DVD is due out in the UK?
Has anyone had any problems with the region 1 DVD on a Wharfedale 750s, as I know it is filled with extras.

Thanks

Compatibility of Various Regions with a PAL TV

Just to ask- I am new to DVD and I want to make sure- Obviously, you need a NTSC compatible TV to play Region 1 DVD`s, but will DVD`s from other egions play OK on a PAL TV? I am esp. concerned about Region 3 DVDs.

If there are problems with other regions, would a PAL/NTSC TV overcome them?

Thanks for the help.

RE: This Phillips Remote Hack....

I spotted the One for All 6 for £35! (in Currys)
There was also another remote, the Vivanoa, Vivarano, something like this, that contained DVD codes. It was considerably cheaper.

Does anyone know if this would work?

Thanks.