« 2007-01 | HomePage | 2007-03 »
02/20/2007
Green Tyre Update
Just a quick update on the GreenTyre puncture proof tyre.
I've been using it for a few months now. It's definatley a harder and slightly slower ride, but it's by no means terrible. You kind of get used to it, and not worrying about punctures is a real pay off.
I wouldnt recommend having one on both wheels (mine's just on the back) and I also would'nt recommend them on off road bikes.
13:03 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
02/05/2007
Some New Kit
Just got myself a new HD Plasma. I've not read a lot about the Samsung other than they seem to be a company these days that produce goods that just dont know when to die.
I did look at a Pioneer too from an online company called TVs4U, who have 4 branches around the country. It did'nt look good, when I got to the store in Weston Super Mare, there was a queue of people waiting to return faulty TV's. Then when I saw the Pioneer it too was not as described....with a chip in the glass. Anyway, I went to Richer Sounds, which for some reason is seen by some as a bit of a joke to buy from, but I found that the Cardiff branch was superb. The Assistant Manager, Jonathan, who helped me was a very curteous, knowledgable person, mild mannered and very helpful. I did see another guy there who was a bit "in your face-I know everything" but I steered away from him.
www.richersounds.com
Anyway, bought the Samsung for just under 1K (after finding a spare £600 in my account....no really!) and amazed all by getting it in the back of a Fiesta.
Hooked it all up on the weekend and it was superb. I calibrated it with the Digital Video Essentials disc, which basically turned Sharpness down to 15%, although there was little to see from 0-15%. The brightness down to 50% and the contrast to around 50-60%.
Picture is excellent. The feet come off with 3 screws on the back. The wall generic mount I have for my old LG worked fine with this too.
I used HDMI which is another story (later), and that's it.
I tested it out with Aeon Flux, which was'nt overly spectacular, but Fifth Element was like a new experience. Using the 720P option the cityscapes were incredible. I've never noticed so much detail!
Overall, I'm very pleased.
Here's the company blurb:
Quote:
For a feature rich plasma TV from a top quality brand, the Samsung PS42E7H takes some beating.
Coming with a high resolution screen, HDCP and an HDMI interface, the PS42E7H is ready to display High Definition signals. Not only can it show them, but it can show them with style! With high technology features such as Filter Bright and Digital Natural Image Engine, the Samsung's picture quality is amongst the best in its class. Little wonder that such technology helps give the PS42E7H a stunning contrast ratio of 10,000:1, with depth of picture to match. If you use your TV for gaming, then you'll find the PS42E7H has even more to offer. Not only is a dedicated PC input included, but there's also a special Game Mode. This sharpens up the response time, enhances dark areas and adds a more dynamic element to the sound quality. With its 42" screen, gaming has never been so involving!
For added value, the PS42E7H comes complete with a basic stand and speakers. Twin SCART sockets a component input complete this excellent value package.
For an impressive, flat screen TV, the Samsung PS42E7H is amongst the best at this price.
OK, so it's my mistake. After I bought my new HD screen I realised that my old Oppo did'nt have HDMI, only DVI, which of course the Screen did'nt have.
So, I did a quick bit of research. I saw the new Oppo had some great reviews, but also there was a lot of talk about the Denon 1930. Well, I was at Richer Sounds earlier in the week to get the screen, and they had it in the sale. So I picked one up.
It seems to be a player, similar to the Oppo, that's either too clever or too dumb enough not to know it should'nt play whatever you put in it. I should have tried a coaster, I'd probably have got something!.
It seems very light, which I always find a bit worrying, but when in place it feels "heavier" with a very solid disc mechanism. The front panel display is quite nice too with a stylish on/standby button that turns red/green.
www.oppodigital.com/
As said it handles everything you can put in it, and upscales it without a sweat. I dont know how it would go head to head with the new Oppo, but compared to the old one it really stood out, but that was in the sound dept.
I dont know what it does, but it sure does it well. The sound was superb. Everything was clearer. There were sounds coming from the surrounds I'd never noticed before. Bullets were having more ricochet's, ambience was having more room. It really was a great moment realising how good it was.
It's a bit more pricey than the Oppo, does'nt come with a lead, but is a very smart addition for me until some super player comes out.
Blurb:
Quote:
If you're serious about film then, short of Blu-ray or HD-DVD, the Denon DVD1930 is one of the finest choices about.
Key to the DVD-1930's appeal is the HDMI output with up to 1080p up-scaling. This means that, should you have a suitable LCD, plasma or projector (HD Ready), you can enjoy your current DVDs up-scaled to a level of clarity to run Blu-ray or HD-DVD very close.
As you'd expect from Denon, top quality electronics are used throughout. A quality 216MHz 11bit video DAC gives superb picture definition - whatever the output used. Faroujda's DCDi FLI-2301 progressive scan system offers superb picture stability and depth of image. With 24-bit/192KHz Audio DACs, the sound quality is equally impressive - helped still further by Denon hi-fi quality audio components.
With playback of most formats, including SACD, DVD-Audio and DivX, the DVD-1930 is a truly universal player. If you have a substantial DVD collection and want to get the best from it, then try Denon's DVD-1930. We guarantee you'll be impressed!
10:49 Posted in Home Cinema | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this