David Hingtgen

Despite what people might think, black and white are among the hardest colors to match. Paint it all. Or strip it all. Don't have 2 different whites on it.

Quick note: I'm playing it as I'm a huge RPG fan and liked the first a lot, but will not be reading this thread until I finish it. I hate spoilers, and already know way more than I wanted to. (Darn Wikipedia, I was looking up some Chain of Memories stuff but they put KH2 spoilers in the same section)

Mod notes: removed quoted pics due to popular demand--there should only be 1 example of each now, unless I missed some. Wasn't planning on doing anything but when the last half-dozen posts are still talking about it... Anyways---we're 1/3 of the way through April now, and no pics yet of MP Starscream. Aren't the April JP toy/hobby mags out yet with the promised photos?

Raw size of the room. Simple as that. My TV sits on top of an old nightstand with a turntable on top--it's the perfect height (very important, I find almost all "TV stands" too low) and quite solid and sturdy. If I REALLY stretch I can turn on my TV while laying in bed. I measured my typical eyeball-to-screen distance and it's 48 inches. I can't have a 50in screen 48in away. I like my screen size/distance setup, that's why I have my room arranged as it is. A 26in 16:9 is exactly the same height as a 20in, just wider. (or in other words, a 26in 16:9 will show 4:3 material on a 20in diagonal area) It is the perfect size, and it exists, so it is annoying that I can't find any... Sears had half the TV's they had 3 months ago, they seem to have cleared out a lot of the CRT's of all types/sizes. Literally, a lot of empty spaces on the shelves. I don't know if they'd order in a TV so I could just LOOK at it and see if I wanted to buy it or not... Still debating the "lower resolution at the sides" on 16:9 CRT's. That's the ONLY picture-quality issue I had with the LG set. But it was really obvious to me, not a little/transient thing. I notice it at my "I think this is my normal viewing distance" but I can't be sure--I plan to take a tape measure next time. If the 26's are just that much smaller and further back on the stand than the 30's, it may make that issue un-noticeable and be great TV's. If LG makes a 26in I would so buy it, but I fear the coming Toshiba 26HF66 will be the last 26in ever sold in the US, and it could very well suck. The Samsung 2678 (barely still available online) gets good reviews (it's the Slimfits that often have issues), but I can't buy a TV without seeing it in person.

After all this, I'm leaning towards "wait 2 years and see how things are". It really seems like CRT quality has tumbled lately, they just don't care anymore, since they're all making LCD etc. Every HDTV of every brand and type seems to simply be "which issues can you live with". I refuse to buy a TV that I have issues with, simply because it's HD. I'd rather keep my bright, flicker-free, glow-free, good geometry 20in than have to deal with 100 things in exchange for HD. Of course I blame a lot of issues on simply being digital with no real standards. How many posts do you see along the lines of "XX brand won't accept a 1080i signal from YY brand without white lines or flickering?" And I believe Sony just announced PS3's will use HDMI v 1.3, whereas almost every TV so far only has version 1.1 (and most TV's won't specify, and tech support is usually too clueless to know)----and I bet there's going to be a lot of people posting HDMI issues on launch day. Sorry for the rant about universal incompatability... Or back to what I thought about earlier---just getting a 24in non-HD with component. Though again, CRT quality is down so much now it seems I could easily end up with a worse picture than I have. Problem is the 24in CRT's have redesigned cases which give them a footprint twice the size of my 20in for no apparent reason. Even the 20in ones are now a lot bigger than my 20in! Maybe I'll just play my GB color...

Component switchboxes bring up bandwidth issues for HD. I'm actually considering what I saw one guy do, as it does solve all the problems---use a bunch of composite switchers! Component and composite cables/connectors are utterly identical, you can interchange. You just need to have audio going through one box and video through another. And that method is actually cheaper than a good component switcher that won't have bandwidth issues or signal degradation. Anyways, went TV browsing today. Confirmed I hate most LCD, though Sony Bravia's look ok. For 2x other LCD prices... Saw the Samsung 30in HD CRT---quite nice in my eyes, though the one at BestBuy had obvious geometry issues, the one at Sears was really nice. Makes me wonder how much they vary---could the BB one be adjusted in service mode to be as nice as the one at Sears, or is it inherently messed and the best you could do is to lessen the curvature? If only TV's were at all consistent as they come out of the factory. LG 30in at BestBuy---best HD CRT I saw by far, but a big reason was because it was actually set up right and had not-so-horrible feed. Also was designed much like a Samsung slim-fit case/base wise, which would REALLY help a lot where I plan to put it. Also one of the few that I could access the menu from and set it to "movie" and get it off of "super vivid" mode. Looked 100x better after I did that, and actually had one guy come over and ask what the heck I did to the TV that made it look so sharp! (since he'd been looking at them 5 mins before) People could actually see detail on TV's if they weren't kept at "Contrast=100, color=super blue" all the time. BestBuy---my god they have such utter F-ing morons to set up the TV's. They had 16:9's running widescreen stuff in pillar box mode! And ever other combination possible. 4:3's running letterbox stuff stretched until it had 30% overscan, 16:9 stretched vertically to fill 4:3, 4:3 stretched wide to fill a 16:9, and every other "totally weird proportions" way you could imagine. Of like 12 TV's on the wall, I think 2 or 3 actually had their display and their screen match. I was watching "scovery Chan" on about half of them, the display was so messed. And watching Jim Carrey's "eyebrows to lower lip" on the other half... Though I must admit, Jim Carrey squashed vertically until he looks like a Hobbit is extra-amusing. So that made it very hard to compare. Not to mention having 20 TV's daisy-chained off the same source made "difference in signal quality" show up far more than "difference in the TV screen". Half the time they blanked out due to weak signal. I spent more time trying to figure what was caused by the screen itself vs what was caused by the horrible signal they were receiving. Anyways----while the LG 30in at $850 is nice, it's above my budget (not tremendously, but I'd wait a few months to save and get one), and I believe size. 26 is still much better for both size/weight/viewing distance I think, but the only one I found was the Toshiba HF84, and it had the worst signal of all--it looked like over-the-air during a snowstorm. I couldn't tell it's picture quality at all. It was however only $450, which I can get. Still waiting for the new HF66 version of that model--could be the same, could be better, could be worse. Noticed that BestBuy had several of the just-in-that-week 2006 Toshiba models, but not for the HD CRT's. Final big comment: I noticed on every 16:9 HD CRT that the sides of the screen don't have the same resolution as the center. I think they call it "pixel cheating" or something. Basically, there are fewer pixels per square inch as you get farther out from the center. It's really only noticeable on the outermost inch or two, but it does create (to me) obvious vertical bands in that area. Now, if you just stand back and watch the middle of the screen you'll never notice it. But on games, so much info is usually displayed on the outer edges, so I'll be staring at it constantly. I don't think I saw any 16:9 CRT that didn't do it, so it may be inherent (or just a very common cost-cutting thing). I really want to know if the 26in do it too, but the only one I saw had such a poor signal I couldn't even tell it was in HD, much less check resolution.

I know, I'm still undecided. Thing is, 30in is also likely (but not definitely) too big. (26in became extinct almost overnight it seems) I really think I'm going to have to do like I did for the living room, and actually construct a cardboard mock-up to see EXACTLY how big various TV's are sitting there. I'm going out TV-browsing this afternoon. I still would love that 26in HD Samsung. Amazon has it for 40%! off but I really don't want to buy a TV online--if there's a problem it'd be such a nightmare. (I've read more Samsung tech support horror stories than everyone else combined---if it works it's great, but if a Samsung TV has a problem, it's best to buy a new TV it seems) This is my current #1 CRT HDTV: http://samsung.com/Products/TV/ArchivedTel...R2678WHXXAA.asp Don't worry about picture set-up, I've been going into the service menu for years---I tweak my sets forever until they're as good as can be. Ironically, I still use Final Fantasy 6 and Xenogears as test/reference, as there's something about the Ruined World's colors that REALLY highlight green/red tint differences as well as red bleed, and Xenogears is the ultimate overscan tester. (I'm one of those that set by eye, as setting up with a calibration DVD or something won't help when DVD and PS2 have very different output levels, and I play 10x as much PS2 as watch DVD) mike---any lag issues? I read DLP's suffer the worst from it. I am super-picky about lag, as you might remember I posted about button sensitivity between various PS2 controller batches... (And I'm not fond of "up" nor "left" on the D-pad of my 360--up especially) Still worried about 4:3 on a 16:9 screen burn-in too, as 90% of my stuff will still be that for a long time. And as always---playing 480i games on an HDTV often doesn't look that good. I saw Shadow of Colossus on a LCD and man did it look godawful. I would hate to buy a new TV that made 90% of my games look awful. (Or at least until the PS3 comes out and outputs PSX and PS2 games to high-def)

Because my gaming TV is my bedroom TV, and that means it sits at arm's length. A 52" TV would be greater than my own field of view at that range. It's also why I have so much trouble keeping 5 or 6 devices hooked up, there's only X amount of room between the bed, TV, and dresser. And I find viewing angle issues (specifically vertical changes in brightness) in almost all non-CRT screens. I am so incredibly picky about brightness changes due to angle you wouldn't believe it. PS--currently leaning towards Sony KV24FS120. Non-HD TV shopping is easy now, there's so few from the good brands. It's the exact opposite of trying to buy an HDTV now. This one has 16:9 enhanced mode, which is rather rare but as I've said many times, a better widescreen DVD experience is very high on my want-list. The only other sub-27" with it is the Toshiba 24AF45, but I've seen LOTS of reports of that model having the "typical cheap TV buzz when on", which I can't stand, despite most people saying it has a better picture. None have 2 component inputs though, I'd really like to have both 360 and DVD hooked up via it. 2 component inputs seems to require 27in or larger, or sheer luck of a particular year of production. PS--my current TV is a 1999 Sony KV20S42 if anyone cares.

I recently finally found some comparison pics for HD CRT's. (Same guy, same image, but on different TV's) Basically, IMHO, they are so not worth it if they are anything but a Sony with a super-fine tube. All those Samsung/Toshiba 30ish CRT HDTV's are vastly vastly inferior to a Sony XBR etc. But Sony stopped making them, and I think even the 30in one is still a grand. (the new Sony XBR has the XBR name only, and does not have the super-fine tube the XBR's are known for) So I think I'll pass on CRT HDTV's (unless I find one pretty cheap) and hope they make smaller plasma's in the future, or better LCD's. Or maybe SED will come in, live up to all its promises and be so awesome that so many people buy them that prices drop quickly. You know, PICS help with TV forum discussions a lot. Why do people never post them? Get your camera and photograph the screen---ends a lot of debates real fast.

Hmmmn. FYI, my gaming TV doesn't have S-video either. So either way, I'll definitely get a better image with even a basic new CRT TV at this point. (I wanted S-video, but nowhere had the S-video version of my TV in stock, so I got the 99% similar model without S-video) Anyways---my 360 has a build date of March 11th! Super-new. Had to totally re-arrange all my cables and power packs to accomodate the power brick. It's the opposite of what I want--the wall-to-pack and pack-to-console cable lengths should be swapped. Also, I have the power pack laying on its side. It fits better, gets better circulation, and actually, exposes more surface area to the air.

Never mind all that, I'm an idiot---I just now actually opened the box up, and the cables are NOT "Component" cables, they are "Component AND composite" cables. There's 2 distinct sets of outputs branching off the main cable. Still thinking about a 24in though, that would be nice. Plus component is noticeably better. (I see almost no difference between composite and S-video, rarely worth it)

DC-10 production ended because it was changed into the MD-11. (And the KC-10's were among the last DC-10's built) But the MD-11 program as well as any chance of a KC-11 was ended because Boeing bought MDC and it competed with the 777. Boeing flat-out cancelled some people's orders, and Lufthansa is STILL ticked at them, because they wanted to order a lot more. Instead of the MD-11 being a fleet mainstay and the majority of the cargo fleet, they could only get a dozen and are practically orphans. (Few things more expensive to operate than having a small fleet of something unique) The MD-11 is among the most desired planes today for cargo conversion, and I'm sure we'll see tanker conversions in the future. UPS wants them so bad they even buy ones with incompatible engines. Boeing refused to build any more despite orders coming in, but they'd love to offer you a 777...

Biggest issue I see with using 737's is sheer payload. 737's just don't have the wings to lift anywhere near a -135's load. The super-duper-ultra stretch 739 is almost as long as a -135, but the max weight is way lower, due to smaller wings and a lot less thrust. (Well, a modern 737 has slightly more raw power than a -135A, but far less than a -135E/R/Q etc) Of course, 737's take up quite a bit less ramp space and are much easier/cheaper to operate. Replacing 3 for 2 is probably worth it.

Abusing my power would be to pin my VF-11 and YF-21 for sale threads to the top of every forum. Hint hint. Or would trade YF-21 for a 360 game now. Anyways---I need a new TV. I just remembered I have no component inputs on my TV. And 360 cables cost a lot, and it'd be kinda pointless to spend $$ on composite 360 cables when $$$ would get me a whole new TV. So now I'm looking at buying a new old-school CRT 20in or 24in in the next 48 hours. A 24in with component would give me both a size and DVD pic-quality increase and should hold me over for a little while until nifty flat-screen HD sets are better/cheaper.

Bigger planes are usually more cost-efficient, basic rule of aircraft design. Same reason why bigger planes fly farther with larger loads. A plane twice as big can go three times as far with three times the payload. Square-cube law in reverse, sorta. If you want X amount of fuel carried, cheaper to use 1 big plane than 2 smaller.

Never forget Iran has KC-747's. A 747 can refuel entire squadrons. Though the US has more in sheer numbers and capacity, a 747 or two can support an entire operation, with such range and time-on-station that it can support them coming and going, morning and night strikes. Talk about mobile support... (747's can go over 22 hours without a problem, and if it draws on the tanking fuel and extra crew, it could go well past that) Sigh---one of the most common things you see requested/needed is mroe big refuellers for the USAF. Well then why didn't they order KC-11's in the 90's? The MD-11 was an improved, bigger DC-10, it's exactly what they wanted, and MDC had already drawn up how to make a tanker version (since it used 90% KC-10 parts anyways). Not to mention Boeing should be more than willing to make US KC-747's, since the basic 747 line is just crawling along with almost no orders. What'd be really neat is tankers based on the new, bigger 747ADV...

Neat Su-30MKI pic, check the stab deflection and vectoring: http://www.sukhoi.org/img/gallery/wallpapers/sm/april2.jpg

Yes we do have a dedicated 360 thread, but I didn't feel the need to resurrect it for one little post from me. Mods performing thread necromancy=bad. And every BestBuy around here looked like launch day with the big April 1/2 restock---people lined up, etc. I live in a college town, so like 60% of the population is 18-26. (grad students you know) They ALL want 360's, but we don't have nearly enough stores. We have the 360 demand of a city 10x our size, so there's NEVER any here. Kind of like how we had 2/3 of our theater screens showing SW Episode 3. They could easily accomodate our very atypical demographics for movies. But with the 360, having 10x the expected demand for a city our size can't really be helped. Seriously, I had to hunt for DOA 4, and still don't have a plug and play kit. Not only is the 360 impossible to find, even accessories are wiped out. You can find a wood grain face plate, but that's about it.

Driving through rural Iowa on the way home today I spotted a just-opened Super Walmart off the side of the highway. Middle of nowhere+Super Walmart Grand Opening=360's instock! First one I've ever seen, and now it's mine.

Hmmn, Tomcat Sunset has a lot more stuff than when I last checked. Of course, I checked within about 6 hours of it first going up...

I like the new stuff. (just got back in town, lots of stuff to check, little time to type)

VFX---how'd you do the plaque on the display stand? My USS Lakota currently is on just a black plastic box because I don't know how to do anything better.

Just had a thought from your previous post: The VF-11's kite. Similar to low-vis, but is blue/grey. That's canon and well-known to anyone who's had a Yamato VF-11. Use that.

I still think Sony's game division should meet with their TV division, and make "the ultimate affordable HDTV for gamers". You know they could, and EVERYBODY would buy one. Just clearly advertise right on the box how every issue people talk about (lag, resolution, response, HDMI, 1080p) etc is taken care of and ready to hook up to any next-gen game system. They'd make tons of money. End all forum debate. But they obviously haven't thought of that, or it'd be out already and selling to 360 owners. Or at the very least, already announced for people now buying TV's for the PS3. And one of the best ideas I saw proposed was to have a dedicated "480i with simulated scan-lines" mode, so we can play older systems lag-free and without looking godawful. If you've ever emulated anythng, you know adding in fake scan lines help a LOT when playing something 8 or 16bit on a high-res monitor.

Hot Topic and not a Hot Topic seem backwards with the latest update---the "not a hot topic" has the extra white segments around the rim. And I think "hot topic with new replies that you've posted in" is getting a green skull.