Author Archives: Stephen Dawson

Perhaps I’m just fooling myself

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

I’m reviewing a bunch of home theatre receivers for Sound and Image and as I go I fill in a ‘feature table’. This is a continually evolving thing in which new features make it onto the table and old ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Codecs, Testing | Leave a comment

Will home movies divide into two?

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

Via Geoff Forgie, it turns out that Blockbuster, the video rental chain in the United States, has gone into Chapter 11 bankruptcy (this apparently lets them off their debts, but continue trading) owing tens of millions to movie studios. Which … Continue reading →

Posted in Blu-ray, Business, DVD | 4 Comments

Toy Story Blu-ray comparison & review

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

In celebration of the forthcoming release of Toy Story 3 on 17 November, I’ve put up my recent review of Toy Story 1 (& 2), along with a Blu-ray vs DVD comparison. Of course the Blu-ray is markedly better than … Continue reading →

Posted in Blu-ray, Disc details | 2 Comments

Playstation 3 now does Blu-ray 3D

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

Firmware 3.5 adds this. I’ve tried it out on my original model PS3 (40GB — now upgraded to 320GB — 2 USB ports). Monster House 3D works. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D works. A shop demo with several … Continue reading →

Posted in 3D, Blu-ray | Leave a comment

Stuck

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

Over the years, and two or three thousand product reviews, I’ve occasionally dealt with some physically difficult devices. But this is the first time I’ve been completely stuck. Last night I dragooned one of my daughters’ boyfriends — a fine … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Testing | 2 Comments

2012

Posted on September 18, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

Characters punched from the same dress-up-doll book that was used for a thousand other movies, and coincidences that make the plot-line of Starship Troopers seem like a model of non-contrivance. You just know that as the world is falling apart, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blu-ray, Giveaway | 4 Comments

Digital radio in Canberra

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

I’ve done a piece for Monday’s The Canberra Times on digital radio. In brief, it discusses some of the advantages of digital radio and gives a brief review of audio quality, but it is primarily about the legal complications. According … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Radio | 2 Comments

Poor netiquette?

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

I was just having a little look-see at the stats for my website, and noticed that one pic was being used rather more often than any linking pages. Turned out that there is a live link on some Peruvian page. … Continue reading →

Posted in Admin | 3 Comments

How black can Epson get?

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

Yesterday Epson flew me up to Sydney to attend at Fox Studios, well, not precisely a launch, but a briefing on its two forthcoming home theatre projectors. They will be available in November. These are somewhat of a departure for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blu-ray, Equipment, Giveaway, Video | 6 Comments

Plasma 3D TV

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Stephen Dawson

I have now used six different 3D TVs with Blu-ray 3D discs: four LCDs from three brands, and two plasmas from two brands. And I think I’d be safe in saying that I prefer plasma for 3D Blu-ray. But it … Continue reading →

Posted in 3D, Blu-ray | Leave a comment