Info and forum posts by 'spenny'

RE: AVG 7 Pro Edition - Peculiar Update

Hmmm, didn`t have any probs with my (ahum) serial number, well not yet!

RE: AVG 7 Pro Edition - Peculiar Update

What do you mean by odd ports? Which ones? AVG will use "odd ports" to send and receive email as it will mask the usual POP and SMTP ports. When I upgraded I also had to re-activate the email scanner module, things now work fine for me.

RE: AVG 7 Pro Edition - Peculiar Update

Yes!
After reading your post I did a "manual" update and my Pro Edition also turned into E-Mail Server Edition. Zone Alarm Pro didn`t seem to have a problem with this though. I even went to http://grc.com and used the Shields Up service to check for open ports, these might have been blocked by my router though. There was an article on AVG`s website about a change in their licensing, I have 6 email accounts so maybe I qualify for the E-Mail edition instead of the Pro edition, take a peep at www.grisoft.com

RE: EBAY..Sooo Slow! Any suggestions?

I find eBay slow as well especially on IE6, I`m running Zone Alarm Pro and my ADSL router blocks the ads on eBay`s site so that might slow things down. But on the other hand if I browse to eBay on Mozilla Firefox the site appears in half the time it takes IE! Your guess is as good as mine!

RE: My Icons have gone weird on me

Stantz,

If you are running Windows XP you can try the following.

If you delete your Shell Icon Cache it`ll re-build itself on reboot.
Search for the IconCache.db file, usually in C:\Documents and Settings\**USERNAME**\Local Settings\Application Data you may also have to delete it from your Prefetch folder C:\**WIN_DIR**\Prefetch.
You could also try downloading TweakUI and using the "Rebuild Icons" option under "Repair".

These solutions may also work for other versions of Windows.

RE: sony DRU500AX region code help!!!

Eva, you`ll need to use a software solution like DVD Region-Free http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-region-free.htm to unlock the region coding of your drive as no-one has produced an RPC-1 firmware for the drive yet, see http://www.firmware.fr.st/

Cheers,

Spenny

RE: Dixons - despatch and delivery times - any ideas?

Just sent them an email quoting section 8 (see below) of their T&Cs.
I haven`t received an reply to my email either! If they don`t reply i`ll just take the item back to my nearest store (18 miles!).

8. Cancellations and Returns


You can cancel your purchase at any time either before or up to 14 days after delivery by:


returning the product to one of our stores (please bring your receipt with you and the card you paid with, so that it can be credited);
following the "Returns" instructions in your delivery documentation;
e-mailing us at selasbewsyrruc[at]ku.oc.snoxid;
phoning us on 0870 333 1222 - please have your order reference number and delivery details to hand;
writing to After Sales, P.O. Box 1925, Sheffield, S2 5XW (please do not post products to this address).

Your product must be complete, unused and in `as new` condition (e.g. if you have opened the box to examine the product you must have done so without damaging or marking the product in any way). It should be returned with the original box, packing and accessories. Pre-recorded videotapes, DVDs, CDs, minidiscs and other software must be sealed. Any `Free Gifts` received with the product must also be returned.


You will receive a full refund, and the cancellation is free of charge provided you return the product to a store, arrange for it to be collected from the delivery address or use one of our pre-paid return labels. If you choose another method of return, you must bear the costs.


We cannot cancel your purchase when:


you return your product to a store without proof of purchase;
there is a contract for services with the product and you have started using the services (this would include, e.g. a mobile phone subscription, but not an extended warranty service agreement);
the seal has been broken on any software including games;
or the goods were a special order to your specification.

RE: Dixons - despatch and delivery times - any ideas?

I`ve just ordered the £99 Fuji A405 digital camera from Dixons, I first placed my order with Currys but something in the back of my head made me check out the price at Dixons, P&P is £5.95 at Currys and £3.95 at Dixons? Why??
So my order with Currys has been cancelled!!

RE: Camcorder Deals??

MicoMan,
Try KrishAV I`ve bought a JVC GR-DVX44 camcorder and a Yamaha YST-SW320 sub off them, good service, great value!

http://www.krishav.co.uk/Canon_DV.html

Canon MV500 £399.00

Mini DV
18x Optical Zoom/360x Digital Zoom
1/6" CCD 540K
2.5" Colour LCD View Screen and Colour Viewfinder
Programmed Exposure Modes
DV out
Electronic Image Stabiliser
Night Mode
Built in Charger
Accessory Shoe
New Compact Lithium-Ion battery

http://www.krishav.co.uk/SONY_D8.html

Sony DCR-TRV140 Digital8 £399.00

2.5" LCD Screen
560 x digital zoom (20 x Optical)
12-bit / 16-bit PCM stereo
USB Streaming
PC - application accessory, USB cable,
Driver software,Image Mixer supplied
Steady Shot
Super Night Shot / Colour slow shutter
Manual focus
Program AE (7)
Fader, Picture Effects (8)
Digital Program Editing
i Link (Dv out)

This item was edited on Tuesday, 15th October 2002, 00:16

RE: Running in a sub

Thanks guys for your help. As soon as I got the sub I unpacked it and left it at room temperature for a good few hours, then I switched it on and played some music for an hour or so. I`ll put a CD on repeat and leave it to play at low level all day before setting it up properly.
Interesting tip with the music and movie modes Westy, and what you say about the phase switch is the exact opposite to the manual but I`ll take your advice as I bought the sub on your many recommendations (has Yamaha offered you commission yet?)!

Thanks Again
All the best

DS

Running in a sub

I`ve just bought a Yamaha YST-SW320 and was wondering do I need to run it in?

Thanks
DS

RE: Linda Lovelace "Deep Throat" Dead!

come on guy`s (no pun) Her death is rather sad . I read in the paper today that her ex husband used to make her perform some of the porn stuff at gunpoint! After they split up she became an anti-porn campaigner. Obviously not that successful or she wouldn`t be a cult porn star!!

Linda Lovelace "Deep Throat" Dead!

Died from injuries sustained in a car crash earlier this month.
Sad really. Such talent what a waste!

RE: What do you all do for a living ?

Own, manage and work, with my partner, in a pub on the Moray Firth coast in the North East of Scotland!

RE: ` In-line ` 5.1 decoder ?

Bowf,

First of all why the Goodmans system? Have you bought it already?
If not what about the Yamaha TSS - 1.
Details here:-
http://www.yamaha-audio.co.uk/yamaha_pc_home_theatre/yamaha_System/tss-1/tss-1.asp

Available for £140 here:-
http://www.hificorner.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Store_Refurbished_Home_Cinema_19.html

Does DD5.1, DTS I assume it will have an optical connection so all you need is a lead and your away.

Refubished AV Equipment

Hi All,

I`ve just bought a factory refurbished Yamaha DSP-AX 620 for £200 with 2yr Yamaha warranty and would like to hear anyones experiences or views about refurbs.

Thanks

Darren

PS I should maybe have asked this question BEFORE I parted with my money!!!!!!

RE: Which Amp to go for ???

Hi,

I`ve just bought a Yamaha DSP-AX620 from http://www.hificorner.co.uk for £220, refurbished stock. Can`t comment on it as my living room is being re-decorated so the home cinema setup has been dismantled. Also ordered a Yamaha YST-SW320 sub £200 refurb stock again. Seemed like a good deal to me although I would like to hear some views on refubished items.

Darren

RE: what is your Favourite film?

Jaws (seriously)

RE: I`m testdriving a Limit-nearly bought one but.........

AWP

I have a Tosh 210 and everything about it is fine, picture quality, sound quality all good but I must admit it`s not the best looking player. It`s silver, It`s not bulky, It`s build quality is good but the only let down is the plastic silver front. The "on board" buttons don`t have that "plasticky feel" when you press them but the front panel does look a bit cheap. Mine was £179 region free from BE Direct they said it does not play RCE discs but as far as I can see it does ( The Shining R1) the only problem I have heard about RCE is that with some discs the Tosh will display a map with it`s correct region displayed and a warning all you have to do is put in a non RCE R1 disc wait till after the FBI copyright screen, re-insert your RCE disc and it will play. Hope this helps you

Darren

RE: DTS is nothing more than a marketing gimmick - discuss :)

Shoot me down in flames if you like!

Dolby Surround / Pro Logic was the first popular home cinema surround format, followed by AC3, which changed it`s name to Dolby Digital, and DTS. So Dolby was an already popular format and a known brand name from the noise reduction systems on audio cassettes, are we not just slagging DTS because he is the "new boy". Personally I think most DTS soundtracks are far better eg. Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator, U571, Castaway...

Darren

RE: Westy I Need Your Advice (or anyone else who can help)

Westy,

Thanks for your advice. I`ve got the Canon`s hooked up to my system at present just for a try out. As you say they don`t add anything but they don`t seem to be any worse than the Monitor 3`s. Looked up the Mission dipoles, a bit out of my price range (VERY tight budget) how about the Eltax HT-2 bipoles?? As for the Yamaha sub it`ll have to wait, the amp I have is part of the HTK-315 kit so I could sell the Sony sub and surrounds to raise some cash, as the surrounds and center are now redundant.

Thanks once again,

Happy New Year

Darren

Westy I Need Your Advice (or anyone else who can help)

Westy,
You being the home cinema king I thought I would direct this question at you. Have you ever heard or even heard of the Canon S-35 rear speakers?
They are from about 1994 and are a curious but novel dome shape. I might be purchasing a pair for £40 or less if they are OK. It`s a budget setup I have with a Sony STR-DE445 receiver, A Sony sub, Mission 702e fronts, Mission 70c1 centre and for the moment i`m using my old fronts Eltax Monitor 3`s as rears but I liked the look and the sound, haven`t heard them with my setup yet, of the Canon`s and just wanted advice as to whether they would be worth the £40 and would make any improvement.

Cheers

Darren

Help Required!!!!!!!

Hi All,

Does anyone know where I can get hold of spares for my DVD player. The exact part i`m looking for is a cover for my Samsung 709. I read somewhere about the player overheating if in a confined space and left on for a long time, the solution was to remove the metal cover and drill out some vent holes! Can`t be too hard I thought, not in the least bit DIY minded, I set to work with a drill!! Now I need a new cover!!!!

Help Would Be Appreciated,

Spenny

This item was edited on Saturday, 25th August 2001, 21:44

RE: Separates or

happybunny & rockysafc,

I don`t have an HTK 215 but I have the HTK 315 and I upgraded my speakers to Mission 702e for fronts, Mission 70c1 centre, kept the Sony sub and Eltax Monitor 3`s for rear (left over from previous system) and it sounds fantastic. Suits my budget and size of room. The only problem is i`m left with 4 almost brand new Sony satellite speakers, for sale anyone!!!

RE: Samsung 709 Firmware

Spiny,

Just had a e-mail from Andy, going ahead with upgrade asap, to meet deadline!

Spenny

Samsung 709 Firmware

Hi,

I`m looking for a firmware upgrade for my 709, i`ve been to the 709online forum and e-mailed a guy, no reply yet! I wondered if anyone had an e-mail address or a URL of someone/where who can provide me with one.

TIA

Spenny

RE: A DVD player and a minidisc player, and the combination there of.

Blazingmonga,

In answer to point 1, you should be able to, I can do it with my Cyberhome N212 and a Sharp portable minidisc recorder.

Cheers

Spenny

RE: Anyone bought Eltax Speakers or stick with Mission?

I haven`t got any experience of the silverado set but I do have a pair of Eltax Symphony 2`s in my bedroom and also a set of Eltax Monitor 3`s in the living room which I was using as my main music speakers until I upgraded and they are excellent. The Monitor 3`s are now used as rear surrounds. The speakers I bought when I upgraded were Mission 702e`s and a 70c1 also excellent, highly recommended and both the Missions & Eltaxes were bought from Richer Sounds.

RE: Tidying up excess cabling

One of two options as far as power cables are concerned:

1. Neatly bundle each cable to the required length and fasten with a tie-wrap, not tape as you get left with a sticky mess! This is what I have done and it does neaten things up a bit but you`re not supposed to do it as the coiled up mains flex can become a fire risk if it generates excess heat.

2. Cut the cables to length and fit new plugs. Neatest but may invalidate warranty as all plugs have to fitted by manufacturer (BS regs i think) and if you move your equipment you might need that longer mains cable!

What I have also done is screwed a four gang trailing extension to the back of my TV cabinet so the mains cables all plug in round the back and then you only have one mains lead going to the wall socket as I too need around 10 13amp sockets for my set up.

DS

RE: Dolby Digital!!! what amps etc have you got and how do you find them!

The Sony HTK-315 is a good buy. It`s not so much an all in one thing but an off the shelf Sony amp and speakers that they`ve flung into one box! I`ve got one and it`s good value for money a bit more powerful and has more features than the 215 as well.