most recent 30 from http://home4film.com 2010-03-10T14:49:05Z http://home4film.com/feeds http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://home4film.com/questions/690/better-to-get-a-low-power-processor-or-to-underclock-a-faster-one Dave S 2010-01-03T19:08:48Z 2010-03-10T14:32:42Z

<p>For an HTPC which will use less power and make less noise with a low power processor or a fast one that is manually underclocked or uses some automatic throttling approach?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/501/does-the-ps3-tv-tuner-support-hd Jonny 2009-11-28T20:32:19Z 2010-03-10T13:26:45Z

<p>I was thinking of getting the PS3 TV tuner, but after reading around the internet a bit I'm not sure whether it will support HD content or not. Can anyone put me straight?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1000/what-home-automation-works-well-for-home-theatre HS 2010-03-05T10:53:39Z 2010-03-10T03:27:31Z

<p>My main focus is Home Theatre, and I'm looking for a package that will allow me to automate the common tasks without costing a fortune or me spending the rest of my life trying to piece it all together.</p> <p>For the tasks below what Home Automation package would you recommend?</p> <ul> <li>Light dimming</li> <li>Curtain closing</li> <li>Projector control</li> <li>Power on and off of peripherals</li> </ul> <p>As said budget is an issue, but I'd pay more for ease of use </p>

http://home4film.com/questions/941/no-click-dvd-ripping HS 2010-02-21T11:35:02Z 2010-03-09T22:20:25Z

<p>I want to be able to drop a DVD into the drive and rip it automatically to my library. Are there any tools that will let me do this?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1010/how-well-do-sonos-products-perform Kev 2010-03-06T14:56:39Z 2010-03-09T20:06:52Z

<p>I've lusted after a <a href="http://www.sonos.com" rel="nofollow">SONOS setup</a> for years but the prices have always put me off.</p> <ul> <li>Are they worth the premium money being asked? </li> <li>What kind of range is there with their wireless technology in a 4-5 bedroom house?</li> <li>What's the sound quality like?</li> </ul> <p>Should I maybe look at a cheaper multi-room solution such as the Logitech Squeezebox?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1031/whats-a-simple-inexpensive-receiver-amplifier-i-can-use-to-connect-unpowered-s Dr Dork 2010-03-09T17:44:49Z 2010-03-09T19:13:38Z

<p>Hello! I have two unpowered stereo speakers on my porch that I'd like to connect to my computer somehow. I understand I need a receiver/amp to power and convert the signals from my PC to the speakers, but I was hoping I didn't have to buy a full-fledged stereo receiver just to achieve this one simple connection. Is there a simple and inexpensive device I can use to connect my outdoor speakers to my PC?</p> <p>I should also mention that my PC has connections for optical and aux out.</p> <p>Thanks in advance for all your help!</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1027/convert-dvd-movie-to-mpeg-and-view-on-ps3-via-windows-media-server-12 Vidar 2010-03-08T22:43:03Z 2010-03-09T16:27:38Z

<p>I think Apollo spacecraft missions to the moon were easier than this!</p> <p>I have tried dozens of DVD ripping software and media servers and have had limited success in trying to convert all my DVDs into file format so they can be viewed on PS3. I have also been on dozens of forums and it's all getting a bit confusing, some advice is out of date, some software is no longer updated - updates have been applied to PS3 operating system and windows and so on and so on. There has to be a way to get all this knowledge and information in one place that's up to date so people can do the same thing as me.</p> <p>Can anyone give me some definitive software and/or advice to do the following:</p> <p>I have over 200 DVDs - I want to convert these to VOB files (rename to MPEG so WMS can stream them). Store on hard disk and view via Windows Media Server 12 (Windows 7). I will then be able to view these via my PS3 in my lounge and never have to get out another DVD case again.</p> <p>I don't want to encode to any other format like MP4 with H.264 because I will lose some of the original quality. So MPEG-2 is fine for me.</p> <p>Note: I have been using DVD Shrink but it gives odd results sometimes. The main problem being that once the DVD has been ripped - WMS shows the wrong playing length of the film, however if I use VLC Media Player it will play through the whole film OK. This is obviously no good when it comes to streaming on the PS3.</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1029/streaming-amazon-unbox-videos-to-other-computers jchrista 2010-03-09T15:44:18Z 2010-03-09T15:52:23Z

<p>I have several seasons of shows that I have downloaded to Amazon Unbox running on Windows 7. I can stream those shows to my Xbox 360 and my media center but not to any of my laptops. Is there a drm key I need to transfer to the laptops or something else I need to do to be able to play my videos?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1008/no-click-dvd-eventghost-script-fails-with-indexerror Simondo 2010-03-05T15:00:44Z 2010-03-09T12:28:43Z

<p><em>This question is regarding the EventGhost script posted in <a href="http://home4film.com/questions/941" rel="nofollow">this answer</a> as part of a solution for automated DVD ripping</em></p> <p>This is exactly what I've been looking for! Thanks so much. Slight problem though.</p> <p>I've installed everything on a Win 7 PC. EventGhost sees the new DVD in drive D but stops right there. When I execute the autodvdrip.xml script in EventGhost I get the following messages:</p> <pre><code>Traceback (most recent call last): Python script "0", line 28, in module dvdidFile = date_file_list[0][1] IndexError: list index out of range </code></pre> <p>Line 28 looks like this:</p> <pre><code>dvdidFile = date_file_list[0][1] </code></pre> <p>Manually running the autodvdrip.ahk script works and the DVD rips as it should, then EventGhost gives out the same errors again when DirectoryWatcher runs. I've checked and double-checked all the paths are correct and I've followed your instructions to the T.</p> <p>Any advice gratefully accepted!</p> <p>Cheers</p> <p>Edit: The "PlugIn: DirectoryWatcher" needs to be amended to point to your own movie location.</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1020/is-it-possible-to-get-a-lite-version-of-windows-7-for-htpc-use Rich Seller 2010-03-08T14:56:27Z 2010-03-08T22:18:23Z

<p>While Windows 7 is slimmer than Vista, it still includes a lot of content not needed on an HTPC. Is it possible to create a 'lite' version of Windows pared down to the essentials?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1016/when-will-the-boxee-box-be-available-outside-the-us HS 2010-03-08T12:03:18Z 2010-03-08T21:49:30Z

<p>I like the idea of the <a href="http://www.boxee.tv/box" rel="nofollow">Boxee box</a>, but I can't find out when it will be released in the UK.</p> <p>Anyone know the score?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1022/vga-to-s-video-conversion BrotherLogic 2010-03-08T16:30:57Z 2010-03-08T16:42:29Z

<p>What kind of equipment would I need to connect my computer to my TV? - the TV only accepts SCART or S-VIDEO and the computer only has a VGA out and I can't put a card in the computer.</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1013/why-are-speaker-connections-black-and-red lozam 2010-03-07T07:41:32Z 2010-03-08T14:15:32Z

<p>Is there a reason why speaker connections, like binding posts, are black and red?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1015/visual-indicators-of-hd-content-on-media-centres HS 2010-03-08T11:49:35Z 2010-03-08T14:12:19Z

<p>Do any Media Centre sofware (Boxee, XBMC, Media Center...) have an indicator to show what content is in HD without going into the detailed summary.</p> <p>I'd like to be able to glance at a list and see what HD options I've got.</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1017/will-the-boxee-box-remote-work-with-other-htpc-applications HS 2010-03-08T12:05:56Z 2010-03-08T12:05:56Z

<p>I saw that the <a href="http://home4film.com/questions/711" rel="nofollow">Boxee remote</a> will work with Boxee running on normal HTPCs as well as the Boxee box, but could I use it with another HTPC application like Media Center?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1003/audio-and-video-out-of-sync-on-mp4 Martin P 2010-03-05T12:23:32Z 2010-03-06T17:20:46Z

<p>I have some mp4 files where the audo is out of sync by about 30 ms. I can tweak my amplifier to compensate, but then it's off for other movies.</p> <p>is it possible to fix these files and if so how can it be done?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/995/lcr-soundbar-speakers Tauren Mills 2010-03-04T10:37:48Z 2010-03-06T16:50:55Z

<p>My family room is prewired for in-ceiling rear surround speakers. I want to keep things minimalistic in this room, and like the looks of the <strong>soundbar</strong> speakers. However, because I'm going to use the in-ceiling surrounds, I do not want a soundbar that simulates surround sound. </p> <p>So I'm on the hunt for a soundbar-like speaker that has three distinct speaker inputs for Left, Center, and Right, and doesn't process the sound for a surround effect. I'd prefer it if it was divided into 3 chambers.</p> <p>I've seen some options on the market, but they are all much more expensive that I want to spend. I already have a dedicated home theater, and this room is just for casual TV. I just want better sound than my TV speakers are giving right now.</p> <p>Any suggestions for LCR soundbars that aren't too spendy?</p> <p>EDIT: I was asked about price range. As an example, I was looking at and considering the Visio soundbar at Costco the other day, and I think it was around $200 - 250, and that includes a sub as well. </p> <p>I just want something that sounds better than the TV speakers, it doesn't have to be great sound. I'm more concerned with it looking good, but if I can get good sound while I'm at it, that would be best. Actually, I'd prefer it if there were no visible speakers, but a single sound bar across the bottom of the TV would be acceptable.</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/1001/can-the-sonos-s5-work-standalone Martin P 2010-03-05T11:14:50Z 2010-03-05T13:19:19Z

<p>At some point I'd like a full multiroom audio system. I can't stretch to a Sonos setup right now but I'm taken with them. I was thinking of getting the new S5 player and use that as a standalone unit, or connect it to a CD player, until i can afford the rest of it.</p> <p>Will it work in that manner?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/331/wireless-keyboard-and-mouse-for-htpc Chuckie 2009-11-08T13:27:11Z 2010-03-05T13:05:50Z

<p>I'm looking for a wireless keyboard and mouse/trackpad/trackball/equivalent for my HTPC. It needs to have reasonable range and work with both Linux and Windows.</p> <p>What are my choices?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/996/how-does-ogg-theora-compare-to-h-264 Eric 2010-03-04T20:06:49Z 2010-03-05T11:26:15Z

<p>How does the quality of Ogg Theora compare to H.264? I'd like to use an open standard if possible, but principles only go so far. If the quality is comparable I'm fine but I'd like to know what the differences are.</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/947/blu-ray-receivers-what-differences-between-dolby-truehd-dts-hd-master-audio Chris W. Rea 2010-02-21T19:57:22Z 2010-03-05T00:58:51Z

<p>I know Dolby TrueHD DTS-HD Master Audio both essentially mean <em>"frickin' amazing sound"</em>, but...</p> <p>What are the technical differences between Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio?</p> <p>Is one preferable over the other for particular types of programming (e.g. live concerts?)</p> <p>Or, are they simply two different brands/encodings for essentially the same quality concepts?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/621/if-i-were-to-put-other-firmware-or-hacks-on-my-apple-tv-will-i-still-be-able-to Chris W. Rea 2009-12-20T15:52:18Z 2010-03-04T18:25:17Z

<p>If I were to put other firmware or hacks on my Apple TV, will I still be able to buy and play Apple iTunes Store protected video content?</p> <p>Which firmware or hacks retain compatibility with the iTunes Store?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/747/centre-speaker-behind-projector-screen-help Julian 2010-01-14T01:23:29Z 2010-03-04T04:32:49Z

<p>I'd like to get a projector, but with my room layout I would have to have the screen drop down in front of the centre speaker. I'm sure this will have some impact on the quality of the sound, particularly the higher frequencies, but it is common practice in cinemas.</p> <p>Can I get a projector screen that will allow more of the sound to be transmitted? can anyone recommend a particular range?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/992/position-layer-transition-on-dual-layer-dvd Julian 2010-03-03T14:13:51Z 2010-03-03T14:48:25Z

<p>When burning a dual layer DVD is it possible to position the layer transition to be more unobtrusive, for example in a scene change rather than the middle of a car chase?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/766/converting-avchd-m2ts-to-wmv-or-mpeg-2 Scott W. 2010-01-18T04:07:33Z 2010-03-03T11:56:20Z

<p>I have lots of AVCHD (m2ts) video files and I want to edit them in Windows Movie Maker. It won't read them directly. The easiest thing I can do is convert them to WMV or MPEG-2 files. Here are the converters I've tried so far:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.koyotesoft.com/indexEn.html#" rel="nofollow">Free HD Converter 1.2</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.easy-video-converter.com/" rel="nofollow">iWisoft Free Video Converter</a></li> </ul> <p>The video is 1080. I found that the MPEG-2 file is about 25% bigger than the WMV file, but the WMV file is blocky. I wonder if that's just the codec on my PC though.</p> <p>Does anyone have any recommendations?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/662/is-there-an-id3-equivalent-for-tv-shows flying kitten 2009-12-29T14:56:37Z 2010-03-03T11:52:32Z

<p>I'm trying to organise my TV shows along the same kind of lines as <a href="http://home4film.com/questions/661" rel="nofollow">my MP3s</a>, and was wondering if there is an equivalent standard for tagging them with metadata like ID3 for MP3s?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/792/do-you-know-a-good-website-to-watch-movies-online Paula 2010-01-24T16:48:09Z 2010-03-03T11:44:05Z

<p>I am looking for website to get movies online, including "old" movies (I mean 1980s, and even 1930s movies). I am ready to pay a few dollars to get good quality and speed to download or watch the movies on demand.</p> <p>Could you recommend a site for this?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/850/lumens-projectors-vs-contrast-ratio-panels-are-these-comparable-measurement Chris W. Rea 2010-02-06T15:33:35Z 2010-03-03T11:36:04Z

<p>I've seen home theatre projectors advertised with a "lumens" unit (e.g. 2500 lumens) and large LCD panels advertised with "contrast ratio" (e.g. 80,000:1 contrast ratio.)</p> <p>Are these both measurements of the same thing, e.g. brightness range? Is there a way to convert from one to the other to compare panels to projectors?</p> <p>If they're not the same concept, what do they each represent differently?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/964/any-tips-to-skip-dvd-bd-trailers-warnings-and-ads-on-ps3 bill weaver 2010-02-24T18:03:17Z 2010-03-03T10:48:22Z

<p>In reference to <a href="http://home4film.com/questions/934/how-can-i-skip-the-unskippable-adverts-on-a-dvd" rel="nofollow"><strong>How can I skip the unskippable adverts on DVD</strong></a>, the solution of STOP-STOP-PLAY was given for most DVD players to get past the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_operation_prohibition" rel="nofollow"><strong>UOP features</strong></a>. However, the Sony Playstation 3 uses STOP-STOP to give control back to the PS3 interface.</p> <p>It would be very handy to skip the warnings, advertisements, trailers, and public service messages and get on to the disc menu.</p> <p>So, on the PS3 we're left with trying combinations of FFWD, NEXT-CHAP, TOP-MENU, and simply waiting to get to the disc menu. Are there any PS3 tips, tricks, hacks, etc. to get past UOP features quickly and on to the main menu?</p>

http://home4film.com/questions/975/how-has-using-a-pvr-dvr-tivo-made-your-tv-watching-more-efficient Chris W. Rea 2010-02-27T16:22:51Z 2010-03-03T10:29:01Z

<p>To those of you who have a PVR/DVR/TiVo: Since you can record your TV shows and watch them later, how has it made your TV watching more efficient? </p> <p>Note: This question is a <em>Community Wiki</em>; there's no right or wrong answer.</p> <p>I'll share my own experience below. Feel free to share your own experience! Those who haven't made the jump yet to such an appliance may want to know what they're missing :-)</p>