Scht00pid Kwestion: Do you use your computer as a media center to play DVDs on your TV?

[Deja Q]

Poll question: Scht00pid Kwestion: Do you use your computer as a media center to play DVDs on your TV?

[PeaceNikki]

1. No, my TV has a built-in DVD.

But I watch Netflix movies online on my TV via my laptop.

[AlCzervik]

2. i don't because i have an office chair so it's not exactly the best seat in the house

for comfortable moving watching.

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. No

I use matcom's toilet.

[KitchenWitch]

17. Yes!

Kohler's are so much better for that sort of thing.

:rofl:

[bridgit]

4. we *could* cause we have a 32" HD Samsung with a PC port...but no, we don't...

we have an HD DVD player for stuff like that :bounce:

[Deja Q]

5. HD or Blu-Ray is expensive and the higher-end LCDs have built-in cleanup algorithms...

...that remove MPEG2 artifacting and source noise... the net result, especially on 35mm or 70mm feature film material given a good transfer, is virtually HighDef quality. YMMV, of course...

Every LCD TV has built-in upconverting circuitry, so when the dealer tries to hawk an upconvert DVD to people, they shouldn't buy into it so readily...

It'd be nice of stores would sell HD or BR drives for PCs... they sell the blank media, but why not the drives?

[bridgit]

8. this is a Philip's up-converter, the HDMI cable cost more that the machine but the image...

is right there, takes reg DVD's and rends them HD (like many channels on Zoom for instance are just up-converted signals, and not dedictaed, closed-loop HD production signals), not much different from a BR pic which is far too expensive at this juncture i agree

[Deja Q]

10. Philips?

The Philips is easy to unlock to play PAL discs...

Still, I wasn't fond of its HDMI output. Or the model I tested.

I didn't find any ~$100 model's upconvert to be very good; particularly for video (TV show) sources as it wouldn't deinterlace properly... moving everything back to component video, 480i, and letting the TV do the upconverting, the picture was so much better.

Film sources did look marginally sharper under HDMI, I'll admit... no need to fiddle with the color saturation setting either... but HDMI isn't the panacea miracle hair tonic it's promoted as being.

[bridgit]

11. yep, here from the spec list - "The ideal HDMI mate for your TVThe HDMI DVD Up-Converter Player...

"...from Philips Electronics is ideal for people who want to savor their DVD collections on HD displays. This DVD player rejuvenates DVD libraries by up-converting a DVDs native resolution to output close to high-definition formats of 720p/1080i/1080p. It is equipped with HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and is capable of CD / CD-R/CD-RW / Video CD/SVCD / DVD / DivX / DVD+R/+RW / DVD-R/-RW playback. With High Resolution JPEG playback, you can show up to 2 Megapixel resolution on your Flat TV. The DVP5982/37 features Progressive Scan that doubles the vertical resolution of the image resulting in a noticeably sharper picture. Smart Sound provides optimal sound settings for ultra bass, bass, treble and balance so that you can get an enhanced entertainment experience."

works just fine for us, and side by side w/BR? it is well worth the investment, we're not having The Queen of England over any time soon ;) and with the internal sets on our TV the image can be nuanced to where we like it; sound is high quality too though that is going through a Sony Home Theater/Advanced Matrix Surround Sound :thumbsup:

[_testify_]

6. It's my pet project.

I have Media Center pc and two Xbox 360s. I can record off cable straight to my pc's 500GB hard drive, and then view it from either television via the Xbox 360s. Wirelessly.

I'm currently recording every episode of Futurama off Adult Swim's marathon. It still has commercials of course, but that's what fast forward is for, right? I figure if I record enough movies it'll break even financially :)

[Chovexani]

7. My iMac with Front Row, yes

I haven't been able to afford the TV I want since I moved last year and left my old one. It's serviceable, but I was thinking of getting a Samsung HD tube tv as a stop gap until I can afford the Aquos of my dreams.

[Solon]

9. Yes, and I just finished watching the Bourne Ultimatum from a stream on the Internet...

I'm such a geek.

[DarkTirade]

12. No, but only because I don't have a TV.

If I did, I would either do that, or I'd use a game console as such.

Of course, I'd also need a game console... :P I own an old Playstation, but I left that back home when I moved. No point without a TV. And I was trying to introduce my little sister to some of the games of my era, so I left it with her.

[IndianaJones]

13. I stream from my computer through the Xbox 360. nt.

[leeroysphitz]

14. No.

I use my FABULOUS Toshiba SD5000 Divx stand alone dvd player. I love it TOO much.

[Lex]

15. I have a surround sound DVD thingy hooked to my teevee

so I use that. :shrug:

[cutlassmama]

16. My 52" TV is my computer screen, TV, Netflix viewer, and game screen

all in one :D I have a wireless keyboard and mouse so I lay in bed and type, watch TV, play games, or watch movies. It's awesome!