It's going to be a little quiet in here for a while, because I started a new project.
People who understand dutch can have a look at http://www.spaansetapas.be.
I got my own domain and hosting, and am trying out a lot of new things.
I still have a lot of ideas, but working them out will be the hardest part.
Anyway, I will be writing some more on the new site, and a little less here.
See you around.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
How to buy a home theater system
You wouldn't believe the things I went through this week, trying to buy a home theater system: you know, one of those DVD players with built-in amplifiers that comes with 5 speakers and a subwoofer (In Europe we call them home cinema systems).
It all started when we went shopping on Tuesday evening, and I spotted a Panasonic home theater system at a very nice price.
I had been able to save some money lately, and since we watch a lot of movies, I thought it would be a nice idea to buy one of those home theater systems, as a little new year gift to myself.
So I talked to the vendor a little, and he convinced me that it was a good buy.
I took it home, read the manual, installed everything, and decided to give it a try.
When I played a DVD, the sound was impressive. I was going to be the terror of the building.
But then I turned on the television, and noticed that the sound was only coming from the front left and right speakers. So I thought I probably had to change some settings, and started reading the manual again.
I learned that the DVD player had a system called Dolby Pro Logic II:
Dolby Pro Logic II is a technology that can transform any stereo sound and create a virtual surround sound experience by dividing the sound over the 5 speakers and the subwoofer.
So in theory, I had to be able to hear the sound of the television through all 5 speakers. But after studying the manual some more, I found some small letters on the bottom of a page, saying: Dolby Pro Logic II only works when listening to a DVD.
Conclusion: I could hear the sound of a DVD through all 5 speakers, but when listening to cd's, mp3's, the radio or the television, I would only hear the sound through the left and right front speakers, in Stereo.
Now that's not what I would call a home theater system! Why would I buy 5 speakers and a subwoofer if most of the time only 2 of them would be reproducing sound!
So I packed the system up again, returned it to the store, explained it to the manager, and he gave me a refund, totally understanding my arguments.
That's when I started investigating home theater systems, reading forums, visiting shops, downloading and reading manuals, talking to vendors and home theater system owners.
And to my surprise, almost all of the systems on the market seem to work this way.
What surprised me even more, is that there are home theater system owners who think this is absolutely normal!
Then why was Dolby Pro Logic II invented??
Finally, after a few days of lurking through forums, I found an owner who had a system that could reproduce the television, radio, mp3's, cd's and DVD's through all 5 speakers. So I knew it was possible!
This weekend I visited Mediamarkt. They had an offer on a Pioneer home theater system, and the vendor spotted me checking it out.
So he came over, put in a demo DVD, turned up the volume and it sounded awesome.
He showed me his biggest smile, and said: sounds great, doesn't it?
So I said: Why wouldn't it sound great, if you put in a demo DVD that was created especially for you to show me how great it sounds. Now put on the radio for me, and let me hear the sound of the radio through all 5 speakers.
So he put on the built-in tuner, and after trying for at least 10 minutes, while his partner was studying the manual, they came to the conclusion that it was impossible.
So I said: That's how great it sounds. They were puzzled.
You wouldn't believe the stupidities some vendors have tried to tell me:
Some said it was impossible to hear the radio or television through all 5 speakers, and that it was absolutely normal that I would hear the sound in Stereo.
Some said that it would even sound better if it is heard through the front speakers alone!!
Some told me that I had to buy an expensive amplifier to be able to do that!
One of them said that I would only be able to hear 'the Simpsons' through all 5 speakers, because it was broadcast in dolby surround. So I asked him to explain to me how that would be possible, if the audio output of my television is in Stereo!??!
Anyway, most of the vendors didn't have a clue!
In the end, I found one system that apparently can do it all (thanks to Laurens Slechten). It's a Samsung HT-UP30.
My advice for you, if you are about to buy a home theater system: Ask the vendor to turn on the built-in tuner for you and ask him to make it sound through all 5 speakers. If he can't do that, get another one.
It all started when we went shopping on Tuesday evening, and I spotted a Panasonic home theater system at a very nice price.
I had been able to save some money lately, and since we watch a lot of movies, I thought it would be a nice idea to buy one of those home theater systems, as a little new year gift to myself.
So I talked to the vendor a little, and he convinced me that it was a good buy.
I took it home, read the manual, installed everything, and decided to give it a try.
When I played a DVD, the sound was impressive. I was going to be the terror of the building.
But then I turned on the television, and noticed that the sound was only coming from the front left and right speakers. So I thought I probably had to change some settings, and started reading the manual again.
I learned that the DVD player had a system called Dolby Pro Logic II:
Dolby Pro Logic II is a technology that can transform any stereo sound and create a virtual surround sound experience by dividing the sound over the 5 speakers and the subwoofer.
So in theory, I had to be able to hear the sound of the television through all 5 speakers. But after studying the manual some more, I found some small letters on the bottom of a page, saying: Dolby Pro Logic II only works when listening to a DVD.
Conclusion: I could hear the sound of a DVD through all 5 speakers, but when listening to cd's, mp3's, the radio or the television, I would only hear the sound through the left and right front speakers, in Stereo.
Now that's not what I would call a home theater system! Why would I buy 5 speakers and a subwoofer if most of the time only 2 of them would be reproducing sound!
So I packed the system up again, returned it to the store, explained it to the manager, and he gave me a refund, totally understanding my arguments.
That's when I started investigating home theater systems, reading forums, visiting shops, downloading and reading manuals, talking to vendors and home theater system owners.
And to my surprise, almost all of the systems on the market seem to work this way.
What surprised me even more, is that there are home theater system owners who think this is absolutely normal!
Then why was Dolby Pro Logic II invented??
Finally, after a few days of lurking through forums, I found an owner who had a system that could reproduce the television, radio, mp3's, cd's and DVD's through all 5 speakers. So I knew it was possible!
This weekend I visited Mediamarkt. They had an offer on a Pioneer home theater system, and the vendor spotted me checking it out.
So he came over, put in a demo DVD, turned up the volume and it sounded awesome.
He showed me his biggest smile, and said: sounds great, doesn't it?
So I said: Why wouldn't it sound great, if you put in a demo DVD that was created especially for you to show me how great it sounds. Now put on the radio for me, and let me hear the sound of the radio through all 5 speakers.
So he put on the built-in tuner, and after trying for at least 10 minutes, while his partner was studying the manual, they came to the conclusion that it was impossible.
So I said: That's how great it sounds. They were puzzled.
You wouldn't believe the stupidities some vendors have tried to tell me:
Some said it was impossible to hear the radio or television through all 5 speakers, and that it was absolutely normal that I would hear the sound in Stereo.
Some said that it would even sound better if it is heard through the front speakers alone!!
Some told me that I had to buy an expensive amplifier to be able to do that!
One of them said that I would only be able to hear 'the Simpsons' through all 5 speakers, because it was broadcast in dolby surround. So I asked him to explain to me how that would be possible, if the audio output of my television is in Stereo!??!
Anyway, most of the vendors didn't have a clue!
In the end, I found one system that apparently can do it all (thanks to Laurens Slechten). It's a Samsung HT-UP30.
My advice for you, if you are about to buy a home theater system: Ask the vendor to turn on the built-in tuner for you and ask him to make it sound through all 5 speakers. If he can't do that, get another one.
Monday, January 09, 2006
I'm still alive
It seems that I have been neglecting my blog again since the new year has started.
First of all, a happy new year to all of you!
Mónica and I had a great time on New Year's Eve. We ate, drank and danced until 6 o'clock in the morning. And of course we respected the Spanish traditions like wearing red underwear for good luck and eating the 12 grapes of luck in 12 seconds at midnight, while listening to the chimes of the bells in Madrid on the radio.
Last Friday, another Spanish tradition took place. On the evening of the 6th of January, a big parade visits the major streets of every Spanish city, to celebrate the arrival of the three wise men from the east.
You see, in Spain it is not Santa who brings gifts for the children. The gifts are brought on the night of the 6th of January by the three wise men from the east: Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar.
Unfortunately, not everyone has had a happy new year.
In only 2 weeks time, 176 people have died in car accidents on the Spanish roads. And since the new year has started, 6 Spanish women have already been killed by their husbands or lovers in crimes of passion.
The year may have changed, but the problems have stayed the same.
First of all, a happy new year to all of you!
Mónica and I had a great time on New Year's Eve. We ate, drank and danced until 6 o'clock in the morning. And of course we respected the Spanish traditions like wearing red underwear for good luck and eating the 12 grapes of luck in 12 seconds at midnight, while listening to the chimes of the bells in Madrid on the radio.
Last Friday, another Spanish tradition took place. On the evening of the 6th of January, a big parade visits the major streets of every Spanish city, to celebrate the arrival of the three wise men from the east.
You see, in Spain it is not Santa who brings gifts for the children. The gifts are brought on the night of the 6th of January by the three wise men from the east: Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar.
Unfortunately, not everyone has had a happy new year.
In only 2 weeks time, 176 people have died in car accidents on the Spanish roads. And since the new year has started, 6 Spanish women have already been killed by their husbands or lovers in crimes of passion.
The year may have changed, but the problems have stayed the same.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Last post
This is it, the last post of the year.
In an hour I'm off to relax and to get ready for the big party of tomorrow night.
I hope you people will all enjoy New Year's Eve.
Mónica and I will be spending it at the same hotel as last year.
The food was good, we had a great time last year and it is one of the few places that is having a dinner and party at an affordable price.
My throat has been hurting a little since a few days, but luckily it hasn't gotten much worse. I have already been taking medicines to avoid having to spend New Year's Eve at home. I guess I will be taking it easy all day tomorrow, to make sure that I'm feeling ok at night.
See you next year! Have a great and safe party.
In an hour I'm off to relax and to get ready for the big party of tomorrow night.
I hope you people will all enjoy New Year's Eve.
Mónica and I will be spending it at the same hotel as last year.
The food was good, we had a great time last year and it is one of the few places that is having a dinner and party at an affordable price.
My throat has been hurting a little since a few days, but luckily it hasn't gotten much worse. I have already been taking medicines to avoid having to spend New Year's Eve at home. I guess I will be taking it easy all day tomorrow, to make sure that I'm feeling ok at night.
See you next year! Have a great and safe party.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Getting ready for saturday
I'm feeling terribly lazy today, but I kind of forced myself to write this entry anyway.
Christmas Eve was very nice. We spent it just like last year with Mónica's parents at their house. We had an abundant dinner, including all the best Spanish products, while we listened to a musical Christmas special on television.
We talked, joked around, drank lots of champagne and even made some pictures.
On Christmas day the weather was beautiful. So we went for a walk in the park and around town before having lunch with Mónica's parents again (someone had to help eat all those leftovers). To my surprise, they had bought a huge steak just for me, because they know how I enjoy a big, juicy steak.
This week, unlike many of you, I'm still at work. I used up all the holidays I had left this year to go to Belgium at the beginning of december.
Luckily, New Year's Eve is celebrated on a saturday this year, so we can still rest a little before starting to party.
And I heard that we are even allowed to leave work a few hours early this friday. I won't refuse that offer!
Christmas Eve was very nice. We spent it just like last year with Mónica's parents at their house. We had an abundant dinner, including all the best Spanish products, while we listened to a musical Christmas special on television.
We talked, joked around, drank lots of champagne and even made some pictures.
On Christmas day the weather was beautiful. So we went for a walk in the park and around town before having lunch with Mónica's parents again (someone had to help eat all those leftovers). To my surprise, they had bought a huge steak just for me, because they know how I enjoy a big, juicy steak.
This week, unlike many of you, I'm still at work. I used up all the holidays I had left this year to go to Belgium at the beginning of december.
Luckily, New Year's Eve is celebrated on a saturday this year, so we can still rest a little before starting to party.
And I heard that we are even allowed to leave work a few hours early this friday. I won't refuse that offer!
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