Official Toy Thread [Archive] - HD Columbus Forum

Scott

05-31-2009, 12:16 PM

Just ordered these :ecstatic:

Harmony One

http://www.gadgetgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/harmony-one.png

And Harmony PS3 Adapter

http://www.varologic.com/blog/Images/Logitech_harmony_adapter_ps3.jpg

You guys get any new toys lately?

bspvette86

05-31-2009, 12:24 PM

I have one of the Harmony 520 remotes. So easy even my technologically and geometrically challenged mother can use it! :D

Scott

06-01-2009, 08:17 PM

I just setup the One and PS3 adapter. The conversion from my Harmony 680 went flawlessly--it just copied over my settings to the new remote. I made some adjustments, renamed, removed, changed order and was up in running in 15 minutes. I added the PS3 console as an activity, added the PS3 adapter to the PS3 and it also works flawlessly! From what I understand, the PS3 adapter works with any Harmony remote (I didn't tell the wife that, hehe).

snodgrass23

06-02-2009, 01:57 PM

I got the One a few months ago. I had a 770 before that which died on me, so I got the One to replace it. I just saw that PS3 adapter on the front page and it's been added to my wishlist. I've been using one of the Nyko USB remote adapters, but the Logitech will work better.

Other toys I've gotten recently....
I got an Amazon Kindle 2 a couple of weeks ago. I really like it so far. Most of my other recent purchases have been golf related (new driver, putter, launch monitor).

zelig2

06-02-2009, 05:23 PM

I've been too focused on getting our house ready to sell and hunting for a new home to do much toy buying. Hopefully at the end of the summer things will calm back down and I can get back to normal. One thing I got recently for fun was a Logitech Squeezebox Boom for the bedroom. I've been wanting to wake up to the music in my iTunes collection from the computer in my basement and now I can and a whole lot more. It's pretty open source so I hope to write my own plugin for messing with the display.

http://www.slimdevices.com/images/squeezebox_boom/boom_front_remote_on_top_660x286.jpg

snodgrass23

06-04-2009, 08:26 AM

I've thought about getting something like that (Squeezebox). Anything that works especially well or not well with that one?

Augustus

06-05-2009, 02:17 PM

I have the Xbox Harmony remote... can't recall the model # though.

God bless these remotes... they allow A/V junkies to have their toys, and let their girlfriends operate them too!

I've been considering the PS3 adapter for a few weeks now, as my girlfriend still has some trouble w/ the PS3 controller... but I have this feeling that as soon as I purchase the adapter, they'll announce a dual IR / Bluetooth remote.

I've had the Xbox remote for a few years, and I dislike how the buttons around the LCD are so rigid / stiff, and not mushy rubbery buttons... I'd like to replace it. I have high hopes for a dual IR / Bluetooth remote by Christmas!

zelig2

06-05-2009, 02:30 PM

I've thought about getting something like that (Squeezebox). Anything that works especially well or not well with that one?

I like how I can have the weather forecast on the front display when it's turned off. Also, for the main task of waking me up to my personal music collection it gets the job done. The sound is remarkalbly good for such a small box, it's also built like a tank, nice and heavy. For negative points the iPhone app is a little awkward at times, I can't seem to get it to just play an album to wake up to, only playlists or all albums. I'd also like to have the playlist be random but when I use the player to listen to music I don't want it to be random. So, little things, nothing major.

Scott

06-05-2009, 04:38 PM

I've really been into primes lately. I wish I could have afforded the 1.8.

http://www.fotoriesel.com.au/shop/images/canon_ef_20mm_f2.8_usm_lens.jpg

zelig2

06-06-2009, 10:18 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about camera stuff. I finally got around to getting custom interiors made for a set of Pelican cases for all my gear.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3464952116_49f6681ac1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3464135457_fc0c8fac4a.jpg

snodgrass23

06-06-2009, 10:58 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about camera stuff. I finally got around to getting custom interiors made for a set of Pelican cases for all my gear.

Nice! I've wanted to get some nice cases for my stuff, but haven't gotten myself to spend the money on them. I always wish I had when I have to travel with it though.

Most recent camera purchase was my 80-400 lens:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207360-USA/Nikon_1996_80_400mm_f_4_5_5_6D_ED_AF.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/207360.jpg

Also got a lens bag that has turned into my main bag when out with my camera and a few lenses.
http://www.goboda.com/
http://www.revellphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/boda-front.jpg

Scott

06-07-2009, 05:51 PM

Damn it Jim! I was just looking into a 300mm f/4 prime and you have to go and get a 400mm! DICK!!

zelig2

06-07-2009, 06:06 PM

For work I got to buy a Canon 5D MkII along with an 85mm f/1.2 prime. That lens is friggin' sweet.

Scott

06-07-2009, 07:05 PM

http://www.acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/drool.gif to both! The 1.2 is sick wide open! Have you had a chance to play around with the HD video yet?

Scott

06-07-2009, 07:13 PM

zelig2

06-08-2009, 12:26 AM

http://www.acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/drool.gif to both! The 1.2 is sick wide open! Have you had a chance to play around with the HD video yet?

Yeah, we actually bought it to do HD video with it. Now that Canon released a new firmware that allows manual control over the settings in the video mode it's far more useful.

Here's a video at a friend's wedding using the 5D MkII and the 85mm using the old firmware.
http://vimeo.com/5053582

Scott

06-08-2009, 08:06 AM

Wow. That's really impressive!

Robbiee19

06-08-2009, 08:59 AM

My new toy is really for the kids. I got them a Dell Inspiron 530 that I put in the basement for thier use. It keeps them off my computer in the office! They just use it for facebook and youtube. Oh and for homework when school starts again in August!

Augustus

06-08-2009, 01:05 PM

And here I thought I was an a/v junkie... I guess I'm more of just an ex-gamer with all 3 current systems and a nice stereo / tv.

You guys got some IMPRESSIVE toys.

I'm moving in w/ my girlfriend in a month... so my new toys are like... a 25$ coffee maker, a 25$ blender, a 60$ knife set, a new bathroom set, and the most sizable purchase is a bedroom set: Dresser/mirror, stand up dresser, 2 nightstands, and a headboard. i'm 27, and unmarried, so I wasn't quite at the 3-5k$ bedroom set point in my life, so it all came to 525$ from Target.com (it's the sort of stuff that you build when you get it)... i fenagled free shipping out of them, so that works..

After we move, I plan to get a new TV. I haven't yet decided whether it's better to replace my current Philips 42" in the living room with a bigger one, and put that in the bedroom... or to just get a 32" for the bedroom. I've been looking at a $548 Sony Bravia, 32" KDL-32L5000, and also a $447 Philips 32" 32PFL3504D/F7.

Also we need a love seat to go w/ our maroon couch. We've been looking at yard sales, and she was considering buying a 250$ one from Big Lots... but I'm of the opinion if i'm going to spend 250 for low end, I may as well spend 650 or so and get a reclining love seat from Lazy Boy or somewhere... that way I can have them match the fabric better anyways. Anyone selling any furniture?

zelig2

06-08-2009, 10:57 PM

We currently have our blue "theater" couch in storage as we're clearing out our house to sell. We have it all comes apart into separate pieces, plus we have one more chair (total of 4). We used to have it as four seats with a love seat in the middle. You interested in something like that? All the seats recline individually.

bspvette86

06-09-2009, 09:22 AM

I got a new Stainless plate and eight screws in my shoulder! Can't wait to try it out! Too bad I have to wait 6-8 weeks. :doh:

I'll second the motion on primary lenses. I picked up a Cannon 50mm last year and am very happy. The 28-135 does pretty good for an all around lense.

Scott

06-09-2009, 09:58 AM

stevec999

06-09-2009, 11:15 AM

Glad to see you guys doing your part to stimulate the economy:)

Augustus

06-09-2009, 06:06 PM

Glad to see you guys doing your part to stimulate the economy:)

If you didn't get laid off, this 'bad economy' is nothing but cheaper prices for a lot of things you'd normally buy anyways!

Old Navy is having a 1/2 off sale on all Men's clothes for the next 2 weeks... I got 4 shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, 2 flip flops, and 3 pair of boxers... for $103. God bless this economy.

*apologies if anyone reading this has gotten laid off recently.

Scott

06-14-2009, 02:53 PM

Oh, and just ordered this:

http://www.homeadvantagelink.com/catalog/images/ln52b750.gif

Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV

Product Features

Touch of Color design
Medi@2.0 - Internet@TV - Content Service - DLNA Wireless - Content Library (1GB Flash Memory) - USB 2.0 Movie
Auto Motion Plus240Hz
150,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Fast 2ms response time

Technical Details

Brand Name: Samsung
Model: LN52B750
Display Technology: TFT active matrix
Display Size: 52 inches
Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
is_hdtv_compatible: Y
speakers_included_description: 2 speakers
Height: 33.8 inches
Width: 49.6 inches
Depth: 12 inches
Weight: 67.5 pounds

Response time wasn't where I wanted it to be, but with 150k:1 CR and 240Hz RR, it more than makes up for it! Hmmm... Now to have it calibrated... (gets here Thursday)

Received and installed on Thursday. Quick review.

First, let me begin by stating that this is THE best LCD at this size on the market right now. The blacks are amazingly black and the PQ is nothing like I've seen in this size range.

The first thing I put in to test was The Dark Knight @ 1080p. My wife and I both were simply blown away at the level of detail and clarity. At one point (I noticed it first, then the wife) it felt as though you were actually on the set. I really didn't like this look--almost completely lost the 'film' look it was so sharp. It reminded me of how a soap opera is processed (or lack thereof).

My wife commented on it as well; however, it was only present when watching processed content (HD TV shows, movies, etc.) and not when watching sports (game 4 of the NBA Finals were on). Granted, the settings were straight out of the box as I'm having it calibrated later this month.

Well one of the features this set boasts is the Auto Motion Plus @240Hz. It's a processing application that provides juddering/sharpness/etc. to remove the motion blur from (mainly) sports. Once I changed the levels of the AMP (I first turned it off to identify the issue), the normal 'film' look was back to normal; however, it the PQ was still the best I've seen generated from an LCD. It certainly rivals some plasma sets as well.

Other observations; the piano black finish is beautiful. They got rid of the annoying Red Touch of Color present in the A series and changed it with a white led-like light that can be turned off in the settings. I find that I quite like it as it doesn't generate enough light to be annoying and almost makes the set look as though it's floating in a completely dark ambient setting.

The screen has a high-gloss finish that makes the darks and colors pop more than matte finished screens. I have two windows directly behind the viewing area and reflections are only really noticed during dark scenes during the day. Evening viewing with lights on I found a little more annoying as the targeted reflection is very noticible in dark scenes or if the content is letterboxed. Much of our evening viewing is with the lights out anyway.

Clouding was a big issue with the A series and I must admit they have really worked on this with the new B line. When the screen is completely black (while the backlight is still in operation) I notice two disticnt clouds at the top and bottom (off-center-right) on this set. The bottom one is more noticeable and can be seen at times if the content is letterboxed and the contrasting image has a lot of light. I really wish they would have went with an auto-dimming backlight when the screen goes black--especially with a set in this price range.

There are 4 HDMI ports (3 in the back, one on the side), RGB (side), 2 Components, 1 component out, 2 USB ports, 1 ethernet connection, and 1 optical out. The optical out is essentially useless as the set sends out audio signals in analog/2ch/5ch. I expected this--but at least I got rid of the majority of component cables and replaced them with HDMI (with the optical cables still running to my Denon). The exceptions were my HR10-250--found out that the HDMI port was bad--and my 1st gen Xbox360. The set does allow you to run 1080p over component, however.

The remote is cheap and has been replaced by my Harmony One. I haven't hooked up an internet connection yet, so I haven't played with any of the widgets. I also haven't hooked up my OTA yet; but, plan to as it allows true 16:9 HD (not sure of the resolution) PIP (via the OTA source only). The USB ports work well and they even sent a thumbdrive with the manual on it that I was able to view with the set. I've tried MKV and h.264 encoded content via another thumbdrive and they both played great--but analog sound only via the RCA outs to the reciever or your stuck with listening to it via the TV speaker (which sucks, lol).

Overall, I'm extremely happy with the purchase and can't wait to have it calibrated.

Augustus

06-16-2009, 10:37 AM

I'm not sure which is nicer: the review, or the TV.
Probably the TV. Impressive. Makes me feel better about when I spent 1800 for my Philips w/ Ambilight, only to see people getting LCD's for 800 half a year later. There's still things worth paying the extra grand for in top of the line LCD's.

I bought this Couch+Loveseat combo on Sunday, to be delivered on move in date, and have a friend taking my current couch off my hands. This will be the most painless move ever.

bspvette86

06-16-2009, 12:14 PM

Picked up some bobers, hooks and bait today. Plan on getting some quality fishing time in with the boy this weekend. I'll have to take the Sony HDR-SR11 camcorder to get some HD content with surrond sound of it all...

snodgrass23

06-16-2009, 02:11 PM

My wife and I both were simply blown away at the level of detail and clarity. At one point (I noticed it first, then the wife) it felt as though you were actually on the set. I really didn't like this look--almost completely lost the 'film' look it was so sharp. It reminded me of how a soap opera is processed (or lack thereof).

My wife commented on it as well; however, it was only present when watching processed content (HD TV shows, movies, etc.) and not when watching sports (game 4 of the NBA Finals were on). Granted, the settings were straight out of the box as I'm having it calibrated later this month.

Well one of the features this set boasts is the Auto Motion Plus @240Hz. It's a processing application that provides juddering/sharpness/etc. to remove the motion blur from (mainly) sports. Once I changed the levels of the AMP (I first turned it off to identify the issue), the normal 'film' look was back to normal; however, it the PQ was still the best I've seen generated from an LCD. It certainly rivals some plasma sets as well.

Stopped by Scott's house yesterday and he showed me the TV and this effect he describes here. It was very odd. It really did look like you were there it was so sharp and clear, but something about it was unnatural. It's hard to explain without seeing it. It's obviously the combination of the frame rate and refresh rate interacting in some way.

Here are a couple of links to other people explaining the feature:
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/hd-talk/518840-samsung-auto-motion-plus-off-topic.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=928075

Augustus

06-16-2009, 02:27 PM

That 'soap opera' effect sucks. I notice when watching regular tv that like, one scene out of a thousand will occasionally look REAL... like, too real. Looks like I could have shot the scene myself w/ a camera I own.

That TV's super-settings are doing that to every scene? That's no good at all! With Sports, I sort of like how my tv is a window into the stadium. With shows / movies, I wouldn't really want Batman in my living room. It is an odd effect.

bspvette86

06-16-2009, 04:22 PM

Scott

06-17-2009, 01:01 AM

Scott

06-17-2009, 01:08 AM

Stopped by Scott's house yesterday and he showed me the TV and this effect he describes here. It was very odd. It really did look like you were there it was so sharp and clear, but something about it was unnatural. It's hard to explain without seeing it. It's obviously the combination of the frame rate and refresh rate interacting in some way.

Here are a couple of links to other people explaining the feature:
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/hd-talk/518840-samsung-auto-motion-plus-off-topic.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=928075

It's certainly difficult to explain in words how the content looks with the AMP turned on. Jim can attest to that statement. I love HD as much as the next enthusiast; but, the processing described, simply makes me want to :ugh:

bspvette86

06-17-2009, 11:42 AM

Awesome! Where/what are you fishing for?

Anything that bites. We will probably go over to Prarie Oaks/ Darby Bend Lakes off Amity Road.

http://www.metroparks.net/ParksPrairieOaks.aspx

nicholc2

06-17-2009, 06:41 PM

It's certainly difficult to explain in words how the content looks with the AMP turned on. Jim can attest to that statement. I love HD as much as the next enthusiast; but, the processing described, simply makes me want to :ugh:

We'll play with it and see if we can't tone that affect down some while I'm there. I'm not a big fan of that either. The last 750 I did ("A" series) we ended up with it on the lowest setting because that made the pic crisp without the dejudder affect being so obvious that it looked un-filmlike.

zelig2

06-19-2009, 10:54 AM

Latest toy: iPhone 3GS.
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/2009/06/pr_iphone_3gs_f.jpg

Scott

06-19-2009, 03:28 PM

Nice :)

bspvette86

06-19-2009, 03:51 PM

Did it come with the new iCc calibration app? :rofl:

Scott

06-25-2009, 09:47 PM

Sold the 70-200 f/4 L to help pay for this...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/30-998-378-03.jpg

70-200 f/2.8 L :woot:

zelig2

06-26-2009, 04:12 PM

Awesome lens. I don't use my 70-200 nearly enough but I'm glad I have it.

Speaking of toys, unexpectedly I bought a new car this week. I've been wanting a diesel car for a while and now I'm finally driving one. So far it's been great.

Robbiee19

06-28-2009, 03:20 PM

Just got the Harmony 670 remote. Wife and daughter feel better with the buttons vs the touch screen one.

mace

07-11-2009, 12:18 AM

Sold the 70-200 f/4 L to help pay for this...

70-200 f/2.8 L :woot:

Well you got rid of it, and I bought one. Lost my desire for A/V toys, and have been hounding the wife to let me buy camera gear.
Anyway,

I've added these recently:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/335618403_5dedd276f1.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1122/1029945419_9144e59196.jpg