Monthly Archives: April 2004

HDMI versus component video

Posted on April 23, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

I have previously given my thoughts on the quality differences between a digital and an analogue video connection, but here’s an example of just one difference between them. The occasion was the combination of the new Pioneer DV-S969AVi universal disc … Continue reading →

Posted in Cables, Equipment, HDMI | Leave a comment

What a difference some restoration makes

Posted on April 20, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

If you’re going to buy the classic 1931 Frankenstein, or any other ancient movies for that matter, on DVD, choose carefully. The graphic at the right shows a detail of the same frame taken from the two versions available in … Continue reading →

Posted in Disc details, DVD | Leave a comment

KaZaa vs CDs

Posted on April 19, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Human motivations and actions are usually muddy, so it ought not be surprising to find that studies on the impact on CD sales of people using P2P networks to cheaply obtain music is unclear. However the Freedom to Tinker Blog … Continue reading →

Posted in CD, Copyright | Leave a comment

Radical Technology – but is it for a niche only?

Posted on April 18, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

This article from MIT’s Technology Review discusses directional sound devices, based on using ultrasonic (above 20,000 hertz) emitters. The two separate developers are talking the usual junk about how they could replace loudspeakers. This is junk for several reasons. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, How Things Work, Rant | Leave a comment

Weird Panasonic DVD recorder resolution

Posted on April 16, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

I’ve been doing a bunch of DVD recorder reviews lately and, just now, have noticed something decidedly odd about Panasonic DVD recorders. First you should understand that the native resolution for DVD Video is 720 pixels wide by 576 pixels … Continue reading →

Posted in DVD, Equipment, Recorders | Leave a comment

The Simpsons joust with Disney

Posted on April 11, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

The Simpsons have a lot of fun with copyright in many episodes (Mary Poppins, for example), but watching the episode ‘Round Springfield‘ (Season 6, Episode 22, code 2F32), even more fun is had. Towards the end, moments after the deceased … Continue reading →

Posted in Copyright | Leave a comment

DVI interoperability

Posted on April 8, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Derek writes: I have recently purchased a Hitachi 42 pd 5000ta plasma screen which has a DVI input. I have also recently purchased the Samsung HD DVD-937. My question is in regards to compatability, I have been told by Hitachi … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, HDMI, Video | Leave a comment

A Passionate Dichotomy

Posted on April 8, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Regardless of what you may think about Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ, it seems to have aroused a passionate response, both from its fans and detractors. One of the many useful things about the Internet Movie Database … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema | Leave a comment

Australian TV Guide

Posted on April 6, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

A weak point of Australian free to air TV has been a near complete lack of Electronic Program Guides (EPG). Europe has these, accessible via Teletext, which makes setting up recordings on an appropriately equipped DVD recorder very simple, since … Continue reading →

Posted in DTV | Leave a comment

Dual Layer DVD recording about to arrive

Posted on April 1, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

I had a long lunch yesterday with Gordon Kerr, Sony Australia‘s Group Sales and Marketing Manager for Recording Media, Energy and Optical. The main focus was on the new dual layer DVD recording format, but our discussions turned out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer, DVD, Equipment, Recorders | Leave a comment