home theater, cord cutting, video streaming, a/v tech, and more!

[NTP66]

I generally don't mind iTunes, but since v10 or so, it has completely **** up syncing calendar entries with Outlook. Everything works as it should on the first sync, but the second time I sync, any new iOS calendar entry is sync'd with my Outlook 2016 client, but the actual reminder alert is set to 'None', rather than my default. It drives me up the **** wall.

[dodint]

iPhones are easy to backup now. The iPod was a dodint, especially when the computer that the music was on died. If I even plugged it in to a new computer, it would immediately sync and delete the files on the iPod. It was the photo model so I think it was from 2004.

If you put it into USB drive mode, or whatever it was called, you could take everything off of the iPod and put it on the new PC first, at least.

I still have a functional iPod Classic from 2008.

[nocera]

iPhones are easy to backup now. The iPod was a dodint, especially when the computer that the music was on died. If I even plugged it in to a new computer, it would immediately sync and delete the files on the iPod. It was the photo model so I think it was from 2004.

If you put it into USB drive mode, or whatever it was called, you could take everything off of the iPod and put it on the new PC first, at least.

I still have a functional iPod Classic from 2008.

Can I still do that if it won't even power on?

[dodint]

No.

[willeyeam]

what modem should i get to replace the one Spectrum charges me $10/month for? Pretty clueless on this and I feel like yall know a lot more than me here on this

[NTP66]

what modem should i get to replace the one Spectrum charges me $10/month for? Pretty clueless on this and I feel like yall know a lot more than me here on this

Any of these, depending on your internet speed: https://www.arris.com/surfboard/products/cable-modems/ All of these are approved by Spectrum.

[willeyeam]

very nice, thank you.

[LITT]

if i wanted to build out a home theater with 8 recliner chairs and a projector in an unfinished basement, what is a reasonble price? ive been looking around and have seen numbers from 2500 - 125,000

[nocera]

if i wanted to build out a home theater with 8 recliner chairs and a projector in an unfinished basement, what is a reasonble price? ive been looking around and have seen numbers from 2500 - 125,000

I've been pricing out an eventual theater build for a year or so now. (Wedding planning has put a spending hold on all things theater at the moment though).

Basically, it depends on your equipment wants/needs. From my experience, the sound system is where you'll spend most of your money as far as equipment goes. I would think about the dimensions of your space, think about how future-proofed you want to be, and go from there. 2500 for a full basement reno plus 8 recliners PLUS all the home theater equipment seems completely ridiculous, though. I'm putting up a few walls to section off the utility area (main outer walls are already finished), putting in flooring, a drop ceiling, and all the theater stuff and I'm budgeting 10k.

[LITT]

that was sort of my thinking as well in terms of the 2500 price

[iamjs]

what modem should i get to replace the one Spectrum charges me $10/month for? Pretty clueless on this and I feel like yall know a lot more than me here on this

If anyone wants to answer this question with options for Fios, it would be much appreciated.

I thought about sticking with what they have issued: https://www.buyyourownmodem.com/verizon ... izon-fios/, not to mention it's about $90 cheaper than their $149 buyout, but I wanted to see if there were any better options out there. I found two options that I wanted to go with, and both said it wouldn't work with a service that provides cable and internet.

[NTP66]

what modem should i get to replace the one Spectrum charges me $10/month for? Pretty clueless on this and I feel like yall know a lot more than me here on this

If anyone wants to answer this question with options for Fios, it would be much appreciated.

I thought about sticking with what they have issued: https://www.buyyourownmodem.com/verizon ... izon-fios/, not to mention it's about $90 cheaper than their $149 buyout, but I wanted to see if there were any better options out there. I found two options that I wanted to go with, and both said it wouldn't work with a service that provides cable and internet.

First thing's first - do you have any FiOS cable boxes or use FiOS On-Demand? If your answer to both is no, then you don't need a modem. You can have Verizon come out and run Ethernet from your ONT to your router directly. If you DO have a FiOS cable box or use their On-Demand service, your best bet is going to be their Quantum Gateway coupled with your own router (in Wireless AP mode). Disable wireless on the Verizon unit, only using it for MOCA, and connect all of your devices to your own router. There are many more configs listed here: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/16077

[mac5155]

Are these $100 projectors on amazon worth it? I'm looking for a cheap alternative to a Craigslist TV for football games in the basement.

[tifosi77]

If you were dropping six figures on a home theater, you'd be getting one of those Theo Kalomirakis deals with a marquee and a proscenium arch.

[mac5155]

And what if I'm Ballin on a budget?

[tifosi77]

Are you good at papier-mâché?

[eddy]

Through Google

Movies you own will automatically be upgraded to 4K, on us: When 4K titles are available from participating Hollywood studios, we’ll upgrade your past movie purchases so you can stream in 4K, even if you originally bought the movie in SD or HD. It’s all on us, just open the Play Movies & TV app and we’ll let you know which titles have been upgraded.

https://www.blog.google/products/google ... movies-tv/

[nocera]

Through Google

Movies you own will automatically be upgraded to 4K, on us: When 4K titles are available from participating Hollywood studios, we’ll upgrade your past movie purchases so you can stream in 4K, even if you originally bought the movie in SD or HD. It’s all on us, just open the Play Movies & TV app and we’ll let you know which titles have been upgraded.

https://www.blog.google/products/google ... movies-tv/

Apple did the same thing for movies purchased through iTunes.

[NTP66]

The general lack of 4K content is the sole reason that I haven't upgraded my 1080p set in my living room.

[nocera]

And streaming 4k isn't actually 4k, correct?

[NTP66]

And streaming 4k isn't actually 4k, correct?

Generally speaking, yes. A 1080p BR disc will be higher quality than a 4K stream, for comparison sake.

[eddy]

add HDR to the 4k streaming mix and I would argue it's better than 1080p disc, at least certain things look good to me. 4k HDR disc is where it's at if you want to see the difference.

[NTP66]

No need to argue, as adding HDR does make it look better because of the color gamut. But yeah, a 4K disc is going to be your best bet, which is expected. I personally won't look at a 4K set until my cable channels start actually broadcasting in it.

Edit: Actually, it may be even longer than that. I just realized that my TiVo Roamio's are limited to 1080p/24/60. Seeing as how they're on Lifetime subscriptions, and that I refuse to buy those oddly shaped Bolts, I may be on 1080p for a while.

[eddy]

No need to argue, as adding HDR does make it look better because of the color gamut. But yeah, a 4K disc is going to be your best bet, which is expected. I personally won't look at a 4K set until my cable channels start actually broadcasting in it.

I'd be happy to get 1080p across the board at this point

[dodint]

Nice. I just paid out the ass for the 4k/UHD version of Ready Player One. Do I get my $10 difference back?

/crumudgeon