Author Archives: Stephen Dawson

Splitters!

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

I wonder if there could be a good market for a certain type of HDMI splitter. The scenario I have in mind is this: you have a high end home theatre receiver from a couple of years ago, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in 3D, Blu-ray, Equipment, Video | 4 Comments

Hail Hosting Matters

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

This web site is hosted by a US outfit called Hosting Matters. I selected it some years ago after checking out a couple of websites I admire. I had previously been with Bigpond. It was charging about $AUS60 per month … Continue reading →

Posted in Admin | 1 Comment

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Max

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

And it’s on Blu-ray. And it’s yours if you live in Aus and ask for it first in comments. The Australian DVD is fatally flawed, but this 1080p24 Blu-ray looks pretty decent. No box, no slick, no proper label, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Blu-ray, Giveaway | 3 Comments

Digital radio now nearly usable in Canberra

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

On 23 February the trial transmission for DAB+ digital radio in Canberra was bumped up from 1kW to 3.1kW. Makes a big difference. I now get perfect reception in the house, and good enough reception in my office (despite the … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Radio | 1 Comment

All Hail … Analog?

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

My brother kindly pointed me an article in the Wall Street Journal by Francis Fukuyama, entitled ‘All Hail Analog?’. Fukuyama is best known as a kind of historical analyst, generally of a conservative bent. In the late 80s and early … Continue reading →

Posted in Analogue, Audio, Video | 8 Comments

Cabasse La Sphere

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

Okay, this is a little belated, but I doubt that I will ever get an opportunity to review them in my office, so I wanted to mention them here. I’m talking about the Cabasse La Sphere speaker system. Last Thursday … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Equipment, Giveaway | 7 Comments

Imputing meaning to nothing

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

Lately I’ve been going through the oeuvre of Brian Dunning, specifically his Skeptoid podcasts. As I’ve previously noted, I think he probably does the highest quality skeptical stuff on the web, and a lot of his podcasts are on things … Continue reading →

Posted in Imperfect perception | 4 Comments

Why most subwoofers disappoint me

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

I’m reviewing an Anthem MRX700 home theatre receiver. This has a very elaborate EQ system called ‘Anthem Room Correction’. It comes with a USB microphone and a long cable to reach to a computer. A disc with the software that … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Equipment | 1 Comment

Kitchenvalient

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

… is the name of a four member music group, of which two of my daughters constitute half. They’ve been writing songs for quite a while, and practising pretty assiduously. They have now uploaded to Facebook a couple of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Fantasia

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

I’ve just emailed off my review of the Blu-ray release of Disney’s 1940 classic, Fantasia, for publication in Australian HI-FI. But so much to write about and only 400 words available. I didn’t even get to mention the censorship. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Blu-ray, Cinema | 1 Comment