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Topic:
Will MX-1000 control computer DVD player?
This thread has 24 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Saturday August 26, 2000 at 00:18
Michael
Historic Forum Post
hi. My question is, does anyone know if the MX-1000, or any remote in the $100-$250 range be able to control my computer dvd player with the aid of an IR receiver or something of that sort? Thanks in advance.
OP | Post 2 made on Saturday August 26, 2000 at 20:59
Randy
Historic Forum Post
It would be more a function of finding software/hardware to recieve the IR signal and have it do something with your computer.

X10 made a product (a crappy one if memory serves) called DVD Anywhere that included this type of software, though I think it used RF with a proprietary remote.

If you're contemplating using your computer and DVD-ROM drive to run your home theatre, I'd reconsider. With DVD players now down to $129 (!) you're much better off getting one dedicated to home theatre. With your DVD-ROM drive, you'll get jumpy pictures/sound, and not the quality you're expecting. I've tried it, and there's a reason all of the 'home theatre PCs' failed. They just aren't fast and reliable enough to run home theatre.
OP | Post 3 made on Sunday August 27, 2000 at 20:27
Oliver Gomez
Historic Forum Post
X10 does make such a product and it works quite well. It uses an RF receiver that plugs into your serial port.

As for the comments regarding Home Theater PC's. I don't know what kind of "computer" you've seen DVDs on but even decent laptops provide seamless audio and video (at full DVD resolution I might add).

Any modern computer (P3 500, K7 500, G4 500) has more than enough computational power to handle full screen DVDs. "Home theater PCs (have) failed" huh? almost every new computer comes with a DVD drive, and software or hardware to view DVD movies.

Get the X10 unit, or a wireless keyboard or mouse and you'll be fine. As many, many users at www.hometheaterforum.com and www.avsforum.com can attest there is nothing inferior about your video card's component, progressive output.

-oliver
OP | Post 4 made on Monday August 28, 2000 at 08:48
Randy
Historic Forum Post
Geez - a wireless keyboard runs $30-75, the X10 runs $70... and you wouldn't suggest getting a REAL DVD player for $129?! Don't be a dope. And YES: Home Theatre PC's failed. The fact that most new PC's include a DVD-ROM drive does not dispute this. There were a breed of PC's designed specifically to run your Home Theatre with DVD and they stink.
OP | Post 5 made on Monday August 28, 2000 at 13:24
oliver gomez
Historic Forum Post
Randy,
First, I challenge you to show a "REAL" DVD player for $129. That is, one with component progressive output, that passes AC3 and DTS.

Second, the fact that computers come with a DVD drive does dispute your claim. They are not included to use DVD software (although they certainly can) they are there to watch movies.

Third, your contention that there was a failed breed of PCs to specifically run your HT is very relevant. According to you, they have come and gone, and I presume, not over night. There is no way then that these special purpose computers had the processors, MBs, video cards, sound cards, and DVD drives that I am talking about. Who would buy one of those anyway?

Anyway, I'm not really interested in anecdotes about the demise of some ill-conceived piece of computer hardware. The point of my post was to inform Micheal that the X10 product works fine, and that your statements about the quality of PC DVD playback were dead wrong.

What you don't seem to grasp is that the output is progressive, and component. This puts your stand alone player in the $1000 dollar range.

Should someone use a computer to get the quality of a $129 DVD player? Maybe, if they happen to have the computer already. Should someone go with a stand alone progressive player when a decent computer will do more for the same price? I'll leave that one up to you.

-oliver (the dope)
OP | Post 6 made on Monday August 28, 2000 at 22:27
Mr. Two-Cents
Historic Forum Post
If you can perform non-linear video editing on a PC or MAC then you can certainly run DVD on a computer.
OP | Post 7 made on Tuesday August 29, 2000 at 10:15
oliver gomez
Historic Forum Post
Oh, and the X10 product is $24.99 NOT $70.00

-oliver
OP | Post 8 made on Tuesday August 29, 2000 at 19:20
Randy
Historic Forum Post
Hey Oliver, This is a quote from X10.com's homepage, TODAY.

DVD Anywhere - Just $69.99 after discount!
OP | Post 9 made on Wednesday August 30, 2000 at 11:10
Oliver Gomez
Historic Forum Post
This is true. However, this is not the product in question. The product Michael wanted to "control (his) computer dvd player" is called MouseREMOTE and costs $24.99. [Link: x10.com]

DVD Anywhere consists of a wireless GHz A/V transmitter and receiver, and a remote. Not really what he was looking for.'

-Oliver

OP | Post 10 made on Wednesday August 30, 2000 at 18:26
Randy
Historic Forum Post
And to answer you other comment, why does a home theatre DVD player need "component progressive output" ? I use S-Video, and Progressive Scan only impacts High-Definition Televisions.
OP | Post 11 made on Wednesday August 30, 2000 at 19:31
Oliver Gomez
Historic Forum Post
Randy,
Why does a home theatre DVD player need "component progressive output"? Who said a player needed it? Its not really a question of need. Why do you NEED to use s-video? Why not use composite? Why not use stereo or prologic instead of dolby digital or DTS? In fact, why not use a VCR?

Once again, my point was to say that you were comparing apples and oranges. You were equating a $129 DVD player with something comparable to a $1000 DVD player.

Why is it comparable to a $1000 DVD player? Because the output is progressive and component. And because the image produced by is far superior to that of a $129 DVD player. I'll bet if you go see a progressive component DVD player in action, you may not NEED one, but you sure as hell will WANT one.

-Oliver
OP | Post 12 made on Thursday August 31, 2000 at 09:31
Randy
Historic Forum Post
Oliver, reread your earlier post. YOU are the only who said a real DVD player needed such things.

"First, I challenge you to show a "REAL" DVD player for $129. That is, one with component progressive output, that passes AC3 and DTS."
OP | Post 13 made on Thursday August 31, 2000 at 12:25
Oliver Gomez
Historic Forum Post
Ugh. You are right, you can get a DVD player for $129. You can also drive a Yugo or a Mercedes. Both will get you to and from work.

You suggested to the guy that he not use his computer for DVDs because of poor output quality, and that going with a "REAL" DVD player was better. That is what we are arguing about. You can nitpick, try to find little inconsistencies in my posts, and even suggest I'm a dope, but once again here are the facts.

1. PC DVD ouput is far superior to any $129 DVD player
2. the X10 device works fine and costs $24.99

Regardless of what you THINK I meant earlier, let me once again reitterate the obvious:
A DVD player doesn't need progressive scan, component outs, AC3, DTS, or S-video to work. I think everyone in this forum knows that. Players with these things are better than those without. To suggest a $129 DVD is a comparable alternative to such a player is pure missinformation.

Why is it so difficult to admit you're wrong about this? Not being aware of the current state of computer technology is OK, but getting personal and arguing about peripheral issues is getting us nowhere. If you re-read your initial post, I think you'll find we've covered everything pretty thoroughly.

-Oliver
OP | Post 14 made on Thursday August 31, 2000 at 15:18
Randy
Historic Forum Post
Oliver - I'm not wrong about anything. I've used $129 DVD players and can't tell the difference from my $699 'reference' model. I'd bet that most people couldn't in a truly blind test.

That point aside, i wish I could find the reviews of the Compaq Home Theatre PC's, which were intended to be used for DVD playing. It was a horrible review. That said, I have tested my theories out on my 3-month old 650 MHz Athlon. I closed all software except the DVD Player. The sound was less than acceptable, and every now and then there was a 'blurp' when the computer paused for a second.

Does it work? Aboslutely. Is it cheap? Sure. Would I ever use it for my home theatre? Never. Not when there are $129 DVD players that I can dedicate to the cause that work as good/better and don't rely on computer memory nonsense to run smoothly.

We all have our opinions. I'm just saying to Michael - instead of all the shenanigans with making your PC's DVD player run your home theatre, buy a used DVD player dedicated to the task. You'll be happier in the long run.

No offense meant, Oliver, and none taken. We're both here to help this gentleman out :)
OP | Post 15 made on Thursday August 31, 2000 at 19:58
Brad
Historic Forum Post
"Blind test"? Funny way to test a product that is more than 50% visual.
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