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CRASH HARDDRIVE · Sep 24, 2008, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by subego

http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-3-...2271173&sr=8-2

$15. Does what it says on the tin.

Subego, I should have known that you -home automation guru- would have a solution. Thanks!

Ah heck, even though it's a 'problem' that doesn't really need fixing, I might have to get one of those just to check complete control with a single remote off the list.

CRASH HARDDRIVE · Sep 24, 2008, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

Hey, that's not bad.

It's unfortunate that the PS3:

1. is so damned noisy (fans)*
2. is difficult to stack with other components, due to funky shape
3. doesn't match my other A/V gears
4. requires more ventilation than other players

* At least the one I use upstairs is loud, I don't know if this is the norm. When the fans are running at full speed it can be rather distracting.

True, it is loud.
That's one reason (aesthetics being another) I keep mine and all my AV equipment not even in the same room where I use them. It can make all the noise it wants- it's in a well-ventilated closet beyond earshot. (The wiring runs through the wall)

Eug · Sep 24, 2008, 01:34 PM

I don't think that USB IR adapter covers power on/off (but don't quote me on that).

How much power does the unit draw when not being used? I mean one could just walk over and turn it on/off, but it'd be even easier to just leave it on if the power draw was low (and it was quiet).

Because my HD DVD player takes a relatively long time to start up, I was considering just leaving it on all the time. However, I don't because it draws almost 40 W IIRC even at idle. (Full tilt it doesn't draw much more so it's stupid it draws 40 W at idle.)

CRASH HARDDRIVE · Sep 24, 2008, 03:43 PM

True, the IR doesn't handle power-on. But I can just go through the hardship of tapping the PS3 button on the gamepad. Power-off is handled via on screen menu, so that's no prob. No way I'd leave it on- big waste of power and probably downgrades the life of the machine.

subego · Sep 24, 2008, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

1. is so damned noisy (fans)*

My 80GB (vertical, behind the flat panel), has the fan on low speed half of the time, and kicks in on high the rest of the time. With my 40GB, (horizontal, in the bedroom closet), the fan almost never kicks in, and the little woman keeps it like a sauna in there.

They're both on 24/7, running the folding@home client, so the processors are pegged 24/7.

FWIW, the PS3, unlike the 360, almost never overheats.

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE

Subego, I should have known that you -home automation guru- would have a solution. Thanks!

Eug · Sep 25, 2008, 07:33 PM

So, apparently Wal-Mart (at least in Canada) will be selling the Magnavox Blu-ray player (Profile 1.1) for less than $199. Impressive.

Despite being a Magnavox, it's so far supposedly working well, and is quite a bit faster loading than previous generation Sonys for example.

I'll have to go check it out. I'm considering it. The only major drawback (besides the annoyance of not having ethernet), is the fact it has no optical audio output. It does have coax digital, but depending on the setup, I might have to then spend extra on a coax-->optical converter.

Magnavox NB500MG9 manual

The other drawback is that it ain't the prettiest according to some, but I think it's OK enough looking, at least judging by the pictures.

analogue SPRINKLES · Sep 25, 2008, 08:32 PM

I think that is one of the best looking BR player so far.

I didn't know they sold optical/coax converters.

mrtew · Sep 25, 2008, 09:48 PM

Is there a way to plug my PS3 or DVR into my Mac and rip HD shows to Quicktime formats?

Eug · Sep 25, 2008, 10:31 PM

Yeah optical to coax and coax to optical converters have been available for quite some time now. They go for less than $20, plus shipping. However it's an extra piece and it also needs another power plug. Now that the Sony S350 is truly profile 2.0 I'm wondering if i should go that direction instead, that is if it were to show up soon for $249.99.

Originally Posted by mrtew

Is there a way to plug my PS3 or DVR into my Mac and rip HD shows to Quicktime formats?

I've done it with my PVR via Firewire but it was a pain since the free software I used was very rough around the edges and audio sync was sometimes a problem. Plus burning it to disc is an issue.

Railroader · Sep 25, 2008, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by mrtew

Is there a way to plug my PS3 or DVR into my Mac and rip HD shows to Quicktime formats?

I have the TiVo S3 hooked up wirelessly to our network. I use TiVo Transfer for Popcorn to copy the TiVo files to my MacBook, and then use Popcorn to convert to a .mp4 file for my iPhone or burn the files to a DVD-R. Sometimes I just watch the TiVo files with the Toast Video Player.

Eug · Sep 27, 2008, 06:17 PM

My local shop is sold out of the $199 Magnavox Blu-ray player. Oh well.

Eug · Sep 29, 2008, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

Yeah optical to coax and coax to optical converters have been available for quite some time now. They go for less than $20, plus shipping. However it's an extra piece and it also needs another power plug. Now that the Sony S350 is truly profile 2.0 I'm wondering if i should go that direction instead, that is if it were to show up soon for $249.99.

I just ordered the S350 plus Casino Royale for $269.99.

There is a 10% off sale at Future Shop. They conveniently priced the S350 at $399.99 and had a $100 off "sale" for $299.99, but that excluded it from the 10% off sale. However, they forgot to apply that exclusion to their combo deal with Casino Royale, which means you get the same player plus the free movie for 30 bux less.

I hear rumours that $249.99 is coming for that player very soon, but $269.99 with a free movie is close enough.

analogue SPRINKLES · Sep 29, 2008, 01:37 PM

Why the sudden change of heart? Didn't you just buy a million HD movies and 2 HD players?

I thought you weren't touching BR until it was $199 for a 2.0 player?

Dakar V · Sep 29, 2008, 01:39 PM

Why do you even care?

Eug · Sep 29, 2008, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Why the sudden change of heart? Didn't you just buy a million HD movies and 2 HD players?

I thought you weren't touching BR until it was $199 for a 2.0 player?

I guess you never bother reading.

I said $199 for Profile 1.1, or $249 for Profile 2.0. And I've been saying this since last year.

$269 isn't quite $249, but it does include a "free" movie, so close enough.

analogue SPRINKLES · Sep 29, 2008, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar V

Why do you even care?

Prob for the same reason you care why I care. Curiosity.

You might have said $250 a couple pages back but your angle has always been $199 for a 2.0. Not that I care as it is your dime but I wonder why the sudden purchase when you have every HD equipment under the sun.

You pumped for Ironman or something?

Eug · Sep 29, 2008, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Prob for the same reason you care why I care. Curiosity.

You might have said $250 a couple pages back but your angle has always been $199 for a 2.0. Not that I care as it is your dime but I wonder why the sudden purchase when you have every HD equipment under the sun.

You pumped for Ironman or something?

Nope, wrong again.

I said I'd prefer 2.0 for $199 but didn't expect it in a timely fashion so 1.1 for $199 (for half decent player) would be fine, but I'd pay more for 2.0. And yes, I said this months ago. I will be getting two BD players eventually anyway, so if one is 1.1 and the other is 2.0, that's OK. (I "need" one for my 42" LCD, and one for my projector.)

I'm not interested in Ironman.

Railroader · Sep 29, 2008, 04:22 PM

I don't care. Or is it, "I could care less"?

I get so confused these days.

On a related note: Firmware: Toshiba HD DVD Players Get Firmware Update