[mindwaves]

I didn't buy anything for today, but 2 weeks ago, got a nice iPad Air 2 64GB for $150 off at Sam's Club. And this was off the typical $587 Sam's price, which made the deal even better.

[Mike Wuerthele]

I got a 42 inch TV from Target on last Sunday for $150, so that was nice.

Old Fire TV stick, $25.

Any special deal shopping that I do this week is online. Crowds can beat it.

[Spheric Harlot]

SPL De-Verb plugin for 10€, and the Ableton Live 9 upgrade at 30% off.

[mindwaves]

I have to admit that I was tempted to buy a waffle iron from Macy's for $8. I resisted.

[turtle777]

2 Redbox videos, where I had promo codes for 1 free day each.

-t

[rickey939]

I bought some baseball cards. Great value.

[subego]

I bought empanadas.

[Waragainstsleep]

I nearly bought some hair clippers but they didn't qualify for free shipping on Amazon.

[andi*pandi]

I bought a ton of lego dimensions stuff (good deals lego.com), a PS4 bundle (not a deal really), and an extra PS4 controller ($20 off).

Now have a billion tabs open ready for cyber monday deals. I sadly will be buying shopkins. Brrrrr.

[Jawbone54]

I picked up the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones on Amazon for $120, and a Kindle Paperwhite for $99.

That doesn't include my Steam purchases.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

They're good cans for the price.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants 

They're good cans for the price.

That seems to be the consensus. Think I should pick up an amp for the computer?

[Cap'n Tightpants]

I wouldn't worry about it with those, they're easy to drive without being hypersensitive to noise.

[el chupacabra]

… .

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Anyone else a sucker for this type of thing?



I can't help myself, then I geek out looking for a place to display it in my HT.

[subego]

Physical media?

Noooooooooo!

[Cap'n Tightpants]

I can't stand all the artifacting present in streamed movies, even @4k. Visual quality is still leagues ahead with physical media, plus you get better audio.

[subego]

It's ultimately good enough I've kicked the things to the curb.

Perhaps it's a tad early, but since this is the endgame, I've embraced it.

The irony is where I used to keep my DVDs is now where I keep all my motion picture grade lenses.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

I really don't mind if Blu-rays are relegated to a niche enthusiast audience. In fact, I personally I think it's a better situation, because enthusiast products are generally treated to better extras, premium materials, superior transfers, and better QC all-around. Sure, they cost more, sometimes a lot more ($150+ Criterion Collection Laserdiscs come to mind), but it's real archival quality stuff. In fact, those Criterion LDs look good even today, especially with a good scaler (and that's one reason I still have my LD player setup), especially great because many of them will never be re-released (either due to PC attitudes or lack of public awareness).

So yeah, bring on the boutique, small batch, disc releases, while leaving mainstream video to streaming services, where "good enough" is fine. There are plenty of people who will still want the higher-end product.

[ajprice]

All I got were some cases and screen protectors for my OnePlus One phone. £1.10 and 50p each instead of £11 / £5, rude not to.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants 

I can't stand all the artifacting present in streamed movies, even @4k. Visual quality is still leagues ahead with physical media, plus you get better audio.

Thank you - I tell family and friends this and they laugh this off. Yet somehow they don't mind looking at blotchy sky scenes supposedly streaming in "full HD".

[osiris]

oh, I bought a pair of shoes, a 512GB SSD, more Christmas lights, and just ordered a delightful Almond Stollen from the Red Truck bakery.

At least with physical media you don't need to worry about the Wi-Fi not working. A lot of home theatre systems still use DVD players because DVD is cheap and a lot of decent classics are on DVD. Many TV series have actually switched away from putting their seasons out on blu-ray, and will only either provide DVDs or stream it online. Streaming high-quality 720p is not such a challenge given the availability of more affordable, higher-speed bandwidth. Streaming high-quality 1080p is turning the corner. Streaming 4K is a "not yet."

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by And.reg 

At least with physical media you don't need to worry about the Wi-Fi not working. A lot of home theatre systems still use DVD players because DVD is cheap and a lot of decent classics are on DVD.

Like...the home theater in a box systems? Show me a high-end HTIB that only has DVD. The only HTIB systems that come with only DVD are low-end, garbage, bottom-of-the-barrel, Wal-Mart specials.

I watched a DVD on my projector one time. Never again.

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Like...the home theater in a box systems?

I have no idea what that is. I'm talking about home theatres, you know, a DVD player, a 5.1 surround system around the room, a TV, a receiver...

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Originally Posted by osiris 

Thank you - I tell family and friends this and they laugh this off. Yet somehow they don't mind looking at blotchy sky scenes supposedly streaming in "full HD".

Yeah, it looks like poo, especially dark backgrounds. The thing is, most sets are so poorly calibrated that it barely even matters; backlight set to torch (demo) mode, contrast and sharpness through the roof, grayscale untouched, and brightness set too low. I doubt most could tell the difference between 720p and 4k. The best money ever spent towards a HT is a proper ISF calibration (or barring that, even just a good setup disc).

Originally Posted by And.reg 

At least with physical media you don't need to worry about the Wi-Fi not working. A lot of home theatre systems still use DVD players because DVD is cheap and a lot of decent classics are on DVD. Many TV series have actually switched away from putting their seasons out on blu-ray, and will only either provide DVDs or stream it online. Streaming high-quality 720p is not such a challenge given the availability of more affordable, higher-speed bandwidth. Streaming high-quality 1080p is turning the corner. Streaming 4K is a "not yet."

4k (2160p) isn't worth streaming, at least not if you have caps, network dropouts, or aren't running at least 100Mb/s (buffering... buffering...). You aren't missing anything, 1080p from BD looks far better, even if you are running 2160p.

[OAW]

I may be in the minority here but I simply have no use for physical media anymore. The picture quality of a Blu-Ray is arguably better but for me it's not so much better that it's worth sacrificing the convenience, instantaneous, and clutter free living room that streaming provides. It's the same calculus that led me to abandon CD's in favor of the iTunes Store and now Apple Music. I lost my Blu-Ray player (and various other her pieces of equipment) to a lightning strike about a year or so ago. Didn't even bother replacing it because I rarely used it. I'm doing quite alright with my Apple TV and my U-Verse box. And as soon as there is an Apple TV subscription service available U-Verse will be cancelled. I also used to have a full blown 5.1 surround system as well but I found that a simple soundbar with a wireless subwoofer gave me a very enjoyable experience and the modern, minimalist aesthetic that I now prefer. Gone are the days when I liked having my living area dominated by AV equipment. When I'm finally able to ditch U-Verse all I'll have is my flat screen, the soundbar, and the Apple TV.

OAW

PS: That being said, if I had a dedicated room for a true home theater I would definitely do a 5.1 surround sound system in it. Perhaps when my children leave the nest I'll repurpose the family room where they hang out into that. But for me the main living area is cool with a soundbar and a wireless sub.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by And.reg 

I have no idea what that is. I'm talking about home theatres, you know, a DVD player, a 5.1 surround system around the room, a TV, a receiver...

When someone wants to set up a "home theater," you typically go one of two directions.

1. Buy a "home theater in a box." In a single box, you buy a receiver/disc-player combo to which are connected any number of included speakers. Hook it up to your TV and you're done.

2. Set up a component system. Buy a standalone receiver, select and buy individual speakers, select and buy a disc player, etc. then assemble each individual purchase as a kit.

When you said

A lot of home theatre systems still use DVD players

I wasn't sure if you meant, "A lot of home theater in a box systems for sale come with DVD players" or "A lot of people that have home theater systems still watch DVDs." It sounds like you meant the latter?

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants 

Yeah, it looks like poo, especially dark backgrounds. The thing is, most sets are so poorly calibrated that it barely even matters; backlight set to torch (demo) mode, contrast and sharpness through the roof, grayscale untouched, and brightness set too low. I doubt most could tell the difference between 720p and 4k. The best money ever spent towards a HT is a proper ISF calibration (or barring that, even just a good setup disc).



4k (2160p) isn't worth streaming, at least not if you have caps, network dropouts, or aren't running at least 100Mb/s (buffering... buffering...). You aren't missing anything, 1080p from BD looks far better, even if you are running 2160p.

Oh yeah, you have to calibrate the screen. When my I first turned on my TV I almost sent it back. There are a few sites that offer step buy step calibration guides, perhaps not as a good as a calibration disk, but at least I no longer get a sunburn from the TV .

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Beyerdynamic T 70 P Over-Ear Closed Premium Tesla Hi-Fi Headphones | Focus Camera

Want to invest in some great cans (headphones) but don't want to shell out a fortune? Focus Camera has those for $200 and they're really something else. Hell, they're great for $400, at $200 they're an absolute steal. Hurry, time's running out.

[osiris]

I bought a Martian Notifier watch - got it for $30. I love it for getting alerts, messages, etc... now I don't have to run around with my phone clenched in my hand all the time. The BT range is phenomenal!

This is a good way to transition into wearing a watch again, we'll see how this idea works.

[andi*pandi]

I bought one of those martians for the husband, glad to hear you like it!

did you shop meh.com?

[Laminar]

I thought about picking up a Fire 7 tablet for $35 but decided to wait it out. Joke's on me, they're sold out until after Christmas. It would have been perfect in the car or the kitchen.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

I bought one of those martians for the husband, glad to hear you like it!

I also picked up a screen protector - the watch screen is not glass. I think he'll like the watch though, it's very simple yet functional.

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

did you shop meh.com?

ah, no... amazon. Forgive me, not sure if I get the reference (been partying a bit harder than normal these days so my mind is mush.)