System #57 (Ascent i, Theater i, Descent, Script i)

[TheBobGoat]

insane, nice job..but you are insane. I went caseless a while ago due to all of the traveling I do. It is nice when done right like you did. It can be a little harder to find discs though without the cases staring you in the face.

Your next big upgrade will be going 'DVD-Less' - I cant wait for that to happen.

 

[Pcar928fan]

Your next challenge is to get an Escient server and 3 Sony 777ES 400 disc changers and load'em up! The Escient will let you set up your index any way you want it to make finding the movie you want to watch a breeze and you will just ask it to play that disc and it will tell the DVD changer what to play! Pretty cool! I think it also works with one of the Kenwood changers too...

 

[lugano]

Robin, as BobG points out, the real challenge is now to find a specific DVD.

If you had a Mac, a program like this one would be very helpful:

http://www.delicious-monster.com/

you just hold the DVD case in front of the camera, it reads the bar code and fills in all the data about it, then you can add comments like box number and page number for each DVD and voilà ! When you want to watch Matrix, you enter the program, do a quick search and you know where the DVD is. BTW, delicious library works with CD's and books, too ...

if you're not likely to have access to a Mac, there are a couple of softs for XP, too. One is a blatant copy of delicious library, to be found here:

http://www.imediaman.com/products/mediaman/product-overview.html

and another interesting one is here:

http://www.intervocative.com/dvdpro/Info.aspx

 

[Robin]

Case-Less DVD Storage...

TheBobGoat, James and lugano,

Thanks guys for you kind words and encouragement. It is much appreciated.

I think for now this will get me by, until my next evolution of organizing. This new binder case-less storage system is really very quick, easy and efficient as well.

Dave,

I am continuing to save-up for my tubed music system, which will enclude phono as well, someday... :cheers:

 

[twich54]

Robin, Holly Molly !!! 1200 DVD's !! you make a good point that we have all touched on before....the cost / value in $$ of the various forms of media we so enjoy. Nice job of organizing, now just wait till we get you back into viynl !!!!

 

[benleeys]

Well, it finally happened, and it was inevitable, I ran out of room to store my massive DVD collection of over 1,200 DVD's, in my HT room... I must have my DVD's in the room where I watch them.
My BIG impressive change is ~ I've gone DVD case-less. :cheers:

It was a huge undertaking but I removed all 1200 DVD's from their cases and placed them all in "Slant "D" ring 4" binders ($21.00/Binder). I bought eight binders.

Hi Robin,

It's an impressive collection you got there. The alternative to removing the discs into ring binders is to rehouse them in CD cases, like I once did. That way, while you retain the advantage of easy access, you free up an enormous amount of shelf space for expansion as well. I have my collection in a simple self-designed database which printed out the CD-like covers for the inside bottom/spine of the casings so you can read off the titles at a glance along the shelves. The casings only cost me a few cents each. For titles with multiple discs, there are also casings that can accommodate upto 4 discs.

 

[philox]

Did you ever move?

Robin, I see your logo everywhere, looked at your system, and read where you were moving to Washington. Did you ever move and were ever to spread those Acsents out as well as the rest of the system?

 

[lugano]

Robin, your new purchase might find help from this:

http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvdhd.html

 

[Robin]

Washington... and Retirement...

Robin, I see your logo everywhere, looked at your system, and read where you were moving to Washington. Did you ever move and were ever to spread those Ascents out as well as the rest of the system?

philox,

Welcome to the ML Club!
Thank you for the kind words. My move to Washington is still almost exactly five years from now..., when I retire. I will definitely be opening up the full potential of my Ascent i's and the rest of my ML system at that time. The listing room is about 34' x 24', with 10' high ceilings. A daylight rambler lower level to the home. I can't hardly wait...

I've been saving all of my extra dollars mostly for, and hope to complete a bedroom listening CD/SACD/Phono/SlimDevice system before I retire. After I retire, I will have some extra initial lump sum retirement cash and with those funds, I will concentrate on improving the HT in the following ways:

1). Up-dating my mains with a Super-Summit type ML speaker or larger, whilst - moving the Ascent i's to surround position. Then moving my Script i's to the rear position. Possible adding more Script i's for a 10.2 system.
2). Up-grading my processor capable of: 10.2 / HDMI 1.3 / All HD - new sound formats, like the, yet to be released - Denon (prototype) processor separate or maybe Anthem's Statement D3 or D4 processor - by then...
3). Front screen projector like the Sony Pearl or Ruby, JVC whatever has the very best picture 1080p with HDMI 1.3
4). An awesome front projector silver screen 120" - 200", possibly with motorized masking etc.
5). All new Crystal Cable - speaker and interconnects cables.
6). All new teared stadium seating for HT super-comfortable recliners and everything, for ten people.

I think that will be enough to get me started for retirement... :cheers:

 

[Joey_V]

philox,

Welcome to the ML Club!
Thank you for the kind words. My move to Washington is still almost exactly five years from now..., when I retire. I will definitely be opening up the full potential of my Ascent i's and the rest of my ML system at that time. The listing room is about 34' x 24', with 10' high ceilings. A daylight rambler lower level to the home. I can't hardly wait...

I've been saving all of my extra dollars mostly for, and hope to complete a bedroom listening CD/SACD/Phono/SlimDevice system before I retire. After I retire, I will have some extra initial lump sum retirement cash and with those funds, I will concentrate on improving the HT in the following ways:

1). Up-dating my mains with a Super-Summit type ML speaker or larger, whilst - moving the Ascent i's to surround position. Then moving my Script i's to the rear position. Possible adding more Script i's for a 10.2 system.
2). Up-grading my processor capable of: 10.2 / HDMI 1.3 / All HD - new sound formats, like the, yet to be released - Denon (prototype) processor separate or maybe Anthem's Statement D3 or D4 processor - by then...
3). Front screen projector like the Sony Pearl or Ruby, JVC whatever has the very best picture 1080p with HDMI 1.3
4). An awesome front projector silver screen 120" - 200", possibly with motorized masking etc.
5). All new Crystal Cable - speaker and interconnects cables.
6). All new teared stadium seating for HT super-comfortable recliners and everything, for ten people.

I think that will be enough to get me started for retirement... :cheers:

Geeezuz Robin!! That's quite a laundry list you got going there! I'm going to be excited to see where your system will be in 5 years, I'm sticking around for that!

Joey

 

[Beat_Dominator]

Robin, behind Saul Marantz, Bob Carver, Nelson Pass, and Robert Aikman... you are an audio inspiration!

Just keep us updated, it'll keep my dreams alive.

Your dvd organization looks like a huge version of my 300 cds. Very nice and effective!

 

[Robin]

Just You Wait And See....

Geeezuz Robin!! That's quite a laundry list you got going there! I'm going to be excited to see where your system will be in 5 years, I'm sticking around for that!

Joey

Joey,

Yes, I am excited... I'll be here as well up-dating you every step of the way. I may even brake-down and purchase a better camera, just to take even more photographs of the process...

 

[Robin]

Audio Inspiration...

Robin, behind Saul Marantz, Bob Carver, Nelson Pass, and Robert Aikman... you are an audio inspiration!

Just keep us updated, it'll keep my dreams alive.

Your dvd organization looks like a huge version of my 300 cds. Very nice and effective!

BD,

Thank you for the kind words. The gentlemen you've listed are some large shoes to fill. I hope I'm up to the task. I shall keep you up-dated with photos as well.

For example, I just aquired a HD-A2 Toshiba HD-DVD player, because of a seal-deal, open boxed itiem at Best Buy....

Soooo, I have just started my new HD-DVD collection. For the time being, I am keeping them in cases. Only my regular DVD's are case-less, with the exception of several unique box sets like the LOTR's Extended trilogy, Saving Private Ryan etc. Here's a list of the HD-DVD titles I've just recently aquired:

1. 12 Monkey’s
2. Backdraft
3. Batman Begins
4. Chronicles Of Riddick, The
5. Friday Night Lights
6. Fugitive, The
7. King Kong
8. Last Samurai, The
9. Terminator, The (Blue-Ray)
10. Troy

It is an HD-DVD collection work in progess... :cheers:

 

[Robin]

It Was Just Simply Inevitable...

Well, I returned my Toshiba HD-A2 player today. I just could not stand the idea of not owning Blue-Ray films as well as HD-DVD films...

It is important to understand, in my system unfortunately, I am kinda limited to two optical in-puts devices (One for HD-Cable-TV and one for HD-DVD / Blue-Ray / DVD player) with my Pioneer VSX-59TXi receiver. My Pioneer 59TXi, as you all know doesn't have HDMI. My options are a bit limited - also because I have run out of electrical plugs as well, and that is after adding four new 20 amp circuits to my HT room. I am maxed out electrically, though I can still work with-in reasonable give and take solutions...

So, given the above restrictions, I took another leap of faith and purchased a, LG BH100 ~ Blue-Ray / HD-DVD universal player, for $1,200.00 (USD) which will arrive on Monday 2/27/07.

The Toshiba HD-A2 was an excellent HD-DVD Player, with great quality video as well as audio. However, the CD playback was not good at all. I had to put CD's in several time before the player would read. The CD's were brand new (no scratches). Finally, when playing the player would periodically skip in the middle of tunes. I tried several new CD from different makers and with the same results. I just don't think the Toshiba HD-A2 player reads CD's well, the player was not broken, just not functioning every well with CD's.

Anyway, the point is mute as the HD-A2 is returned. I is kinda funny though as the LG BH100 doesn't even play CD's at all, only Blue-Ray, HD-DVD, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW etc.

I know the LG BH100 has had very mixed reviews and it is to a real degree a limited universal HD player (no HDMI 1.3, no HDi - menu for HD-DVD's) but it will be more than good for all the things I need it to do, at least for the next few years, that is until I can up-grade my Processor and Monitor to a front projector...., down the road... then I'll replace it with something much better and state-of-the-art.

 

[Pcar928fan]

So, given the above restrictions, I took another leap of faith and purchased a, LG BH100 ~ Blue-Ray / HD-DVD universal player, for $1,200.00 (USD) which will arrive on Monday 2/27/07.

Robin,

I look forward to your impressions of this player! I sure did not take long to get the dual player out there did it! That is AWESOME! Now each format can live and be free to evolve as it will!

I will probably wait for the 2nd gen dual player myself and would prefer one that does SACD and DVD-A as well...

 

[Beat_Dominator]

We'll need pics of this player...... or ELSE!!!

 

[Robin]

LG BH100 Player...

Robin,

I look forward to your impressions of this player! I sure did not take long to get the dual player out there did it! That is AWESOME! Now each format can live and be free to evolve as it will!

I will probably wait for the 2nd gen dual player myself and would prefer one that does SACD and DVD-A as well...

James,

I certainly will give a review of this player's video and audio performance with various Blue-Ray and HD-DVD films. So far I've now ordered about $400.00 worth of Blue-Ray and HD-DVD films.

HD-DVD's
12 Monkey’s
Backdraft
Batman Begins
Chronicles Of Riddick, The
Friday Night Lights
Fugitive, The
King Kong
Last Samurai, The
Apollo 13
Troy

Blue-Ray
Terminator, The
Stranger Than Fiction
Kingdom Of Heaven “Director’s Cut”
Volver
Crank
Gone In 60 Seconds
Casino Royale
Holiday
Red Dragon
Déjà Vu

I totally agree the second generation will should be much better.

BD,

For sure... I'll post some more photo's. :cheers:

 

[HopelessDFilms]

WOW!!!! .........*COUGH COUGH* falls to floor cold

Robin.....


I don't know what to say. That truly is an impressive amalgamation of gear you have there....like a good hobby it never ends...

I myself have experimented with the "sounds from above" idea and have pleasing results... although I am sure your setup is absolutely delicious. I have yet to hear the scripts and eagerly await the day when I am able to. As will all things testing over and over is the key to great success.... Speaker placement especially with these electrostats is key...the sweet spot can be soo precise.

Mad props on the setup, can't wait to see where else the hobby takes you.:cheers: :rocker: :cheers: :rocker:

 

[Robin]

Where this Hobby Will Take Me...

Robin.....


I don't know what to say. That truly is an impressive amalgamation of gear you have there....like a good hobby it never ends...

I myself have experimented with the "sounds from above" idea and have pleasing results... although I am sure your setup is absolutely delicious. I have yet to hear the scripts and eagerly await the day when I am able to. As will all things testing over and over is the key to great success.... Speaker placement especially with these electrostats is key...the sweet spot can be soo precise.

Mad props on the setup, can't wait to see where else the hobby takes you

HopelessDFilms,

Welcome tot eh ML Club!
Thank you for the kind words. I have been blessed a wonderful system but it is perpetually a work-in-progress... I have hopes and dreams, which god willing someday will come into reality. As you suggest, testing / adutioning is the key.

Lately, in my Internet research, I have discovered a very highly rated 'Source' CD/SACD player The Marantz SA-7S1 Reference... :wow: Wow! what a player. I just seems perfect on paper and as far as all of the reviews I have read... the only problem is that it doesn't have a built-in pre-amp or level / volume control. It is definately on my short list of possible players to consider, for my second bedroom, just music system. :cheers:

 

[philox]

Robin, I wrote this in another post, I have a pre-line volume control unit but I got to get home to look at it. I will write back later and advise. JD3

Oh by the way...I redid my system posts with computer down loads like you advise me...thanks