Escient FireBall DVDM-100?? - Page 13

Hi

The unit "sees" the changer through the rs-232 port, you must be using a null modem cable in order for it to recognize the changer properly. Hope that helps.


Tom

Does anyone know if the 777ES sends out an anamorphic flag over component when it plays anamorphic content, and if so, does it pass through the DVDM-100?

(These flags can be used by TVs to switch between anamorphic/non-anamorphic automatically, which is particularly useful for DVDs which have menus and extras in 4:3 and the movie in anamorphic 16:9. I think the flag is put onto one of the blank lines above the visible picture)

using mx-800 remote- the dvdm100 seems to lock up and the remote /unit do not seem to react...

even the dvdm remote seem to stick or not perform well

has anyone else had this problem?

Are you using RF or IR with the MX800? I just had similar problems using RF thru an MRF-300 directly wired to the Escient (AVX-331). Switching to a flasher instead fixed all the issues.

If you're using a flasher, it could be partially obstructing the sensor and thus affecting your Escient remote's ability. Have you tried rebooting the Escient?

I haven't had any control issues with my system. I have the Escient DVDM100 and (3) Sony ES 400 disc changers. I have enjoyed using this for the past 2 1/2 years. I am selling my system now in the marketplace, but only because I am finally switching to a server. The Escient system was fun to use and the best part about it was I had a real excuse to NOT have to loan out DVD's to friends. Hey, I'm sorry buddy. I'd love to loan you my entire Star Wars DVD collection, but everything is loaded up in the DVD changers.

My MX-800 /fireball remote combo seem slow to respond -- is yours working ok

is that true?
if not, are there any drawbacks in using other changers?

If you look a little closer, you will find that you can also use it with a Kenwood DV-5050 or 5900. The only Sony DVD changer you can use it with is the DVP-CX777ES. It also works with a few Sony CD changers for CD use only, but you can not use a mix of both CD changers and DVD changers together. It flat out will not work at all with the Sony DVP-CX995, if that is what you were/are thinking. Or any other non supported DVD changer that does not have RS-232 control support.


http://www.escient.com/literature/DVDM100SellSheet.pdf

what kinds of touchscreen panels are compatible with this unit, other than escient's brand....

I called Escient some time back and they told me most generic LCD Touchscreens with serial connector for touch screen should work (he gave me the Industry standard for the TS interface but I don't have it)

these appear to be the screens:

http://www.touchscreens.com/products...hmonitors.html
http://www.touchscreens.com/products-desktopntsc.html

these appear to be the LCD's that Escient rebrands: for the DVDM300, the monitor needs to have an S Video input for video display, and RS232 for touch control: not sure if it resistive type or other

I ended up buying the TS from Escient

Thanks Mark,

I am looking for the most cost effective solution.

Touchscreens are not really cheap to buy no matter where you buy them from.
About the only way to save a few bucks, is to buy a overlay touchscreen adapter and put it on a monitor you already have. And trying to find a monitor with a S-video input can be a problem, although there are adapters for that also.
And even doing it that way, usually somewhere costs around $200 just for the touchscreen overlay panel.

http://www.magictouch.com/addon.html

Plus any needed S-video adapter will also add to the cost as well.'


The other option is fleabay sellers, but be aware, many of them are not selling genuine Escient touchscreens. And that some are selling setups that also require the S-video adapters, however most will sell you the needed S-video adapter for about $50 extra over and above the price of the touchscreen setup they are selling.

I was eyeballing one of these ebay items plus the adapter for $50.....

http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&ih=010

Can't see spending more than $500....Am I being unrealistic? The whole escient setup is way over priced IMHO. $2000 for a resistive touchscreen?? $2000 for a DVD controller??

I plan to have a Sony 777ES SDI modified and I want to use the touchscreen to select the DVD while leaving my plasma on the input for the DVD changer.

All this to avoid changing inputs with a remote.....

I own several fireballs, a dvdm-100 amoung them and have been very happy. Sure i could throw another pc togather with 4 TB of raid 5 storage and use xlobby / dvdlobby as a front end and it would work. BUT I don't want to rip all the dvds, aside from leagl issues ( which I don't want to discuss ) there is a significant amount of time to rip 1000 dvds. Additionally, my wife and the aupair can use it without any problems.

I do agree that the touch screen is expensive for what it is. I have been using a tx-1000 / msc-400 from urc and have been quite happy. The real key is to get the common commands from several devices ( proj, cx777es 1,2,3 and dvdm-100 ) all togather in a reasonable fashion. It would be nice if I could have the dvdm-100 speak to the projector and set the proper screen size, but pushing one buttom isn't too bad.

I know what you are saying! Been there, done that.

I have, and used to use. Xlobby and DVDlobby, along with a bunch of the other Cinemar suite of programs. And compared to my Escient DVDM-552 with 5 Sony changers, running the Cinemar Lobby suite package was only a just kludge option. There is way too many things and also other needed additional programs like DVD profiler to set-up, (and also to go wrong) with running the "lobby" programs. Not to knock those with HTPC's who want play around to try and save some money, but after awhile you reach a point where you'd rather have something that just simply works, without having to first spend endless hours and in many cases even days in trying to get it all set it up to all work together. Features like having the Escient look up the DVD in a database all by itself, instead of you having to enter in the DVD data into DVDprofiler just to interface with another needed program. That, and when coupled with other things like the relatively easy operation by just about anyone else other than the person who set the system up, make the added cost of something like a Escient system well worthwhile.

well, with that last post, I am joinging the club! My DVDM-100 and two changers are on the way.

I have been using Escient for years, I presently have 3 DVDM-100's and nine changers to house my 2100+ DVD's and I can't imagine using anything else.


Tom

Does it get more complicated setup-wise with so many pieces? Like do the DVDM's connect to one another to effectively have one interface/one controller in theory? Just curious.........

Also, are you using a different interface such as a laptop, touchscreen, higher end remote to access your library or are you simply using the remote on your screen?

Fran

No you cannot chain the DVDM's together, in my particular setup I use three different inputs on my receiver (see attached word doc) Movies a-k, movies l-z and tv shows/concerts. Up until recently I have only used the TV interface but I just got two new Pronto TSU9600's and am working with another fellow developing a full blown interface for the Escients (the Pronto provided one is severely lacking) and hope to be able to use that in conjunction with the present setup.


Tom

 

AVLayout5E.doc 167k . file

Hi Tom. I see that your collection keeps growing

I sold my Kenwood players almost 3 years ago and had been watching HD stuff from the satellite. Shifted my habits to more HD recorded TV shows. Recently I was able to pick up a HD-DVD player for $99 on sale and a Blu-ray for $195. So I'm back to watching a lot of movies. But just renting, not collecting this time around.

RTI has an excellent interface for Escient control: using one of their touchscreen remotes or touch pads via Ethernet or 802b

Slocko and b00bie,
Good to still see you around! I too got rid of the Kenwood for the Sony changer quite a while ago and still love the DVDM-100 for SD DVD.

Also have a single disc HD-DVD player for rentals and a few bought DVD's. Seems pretty clunky after having the changer for everything else but for now, it's the most reasonable solution. Think we've got a while to wait for a dual-HD-Format Changer!

As to the advice to the new buyer, could not agree more. The Escient just plain works.

BJBBJB

Hey guys

I wound up changing over to Sony also (except for 1 for my DVD-A discs), I did add an HD-DVD drive to my XBOX 360 but only have a few HD-DVD's. I just am too used to being able to watch what I want where I want it to take HD seriously, don't get me wrong I have DirecTv and love to watch HD content but I am just lazy to go back to getting up and puting in a movie instead of pressing a button. Now if Sony came out with a changer that talked to the Escient I might consider it I wasn't aware of the RTI stuff Mark, thanks for the tip, I think I will probably stay with the Philips stuff for now since I just invested in two of them....


Tom

And don't forget if you have wireless capabile PDA, like a Pocket PC or a Palm. If you have the Escient running on a wireless setup. That you can also use those devices to control the Escients, via a web interface.

http://www.escient.com/support/suppo...bInterface.pdf

I have a Nevo SL that I bought some time ago but haven't had a chance to fool around with yet. Maybe I will look into that. I think I'd like a wireless web based app instead.

Maybe I'll use one these:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/h...ia-pc-revealed

I can't see spending $1000's on a touchscreen specifically for the escient but I may be able to justify a full blown touchscreen PC for a $1000. Then I could just run the Escient app on the PC, correct?

Fran

Can the Escient system handle more than 1200 DVD's? Can it handle single archive DVD's that are split between two DVD+R discs? Will the Escient system go straight to playing the DVD's without forcing you to view previews, trailers and FBI notices?

Thank you.

You need several DVDM's, each one can handle 3 sony changers equalling 1200 dvd's.

I don't know the answer to the other questions

Escient does make some models which can handle 2000 DVD's such as the 552 and 752 series servers. I am not sure what you mean by handle the discs are actually read by the changer, my Sony seems to handle DVDr's pretty well, but if a movie is split over two discs you would have to manually change to the second disc once the first one has finished playing. That depends on the coding on the disc, the Escient will always try to play the movie when it is selected in almost all cases it skips the previews and menues but on some discs you still get the ratings and or FBI warning. Hope that helps.


Tom

Anyone one looking to buy a Escient, if you don't mind buying a Escient authorized refurb, with a full 1 year Escient warranty. Check out secondact.com, savings on some items can be more than 50% off of MSRP, in most cases it's usually around 30%-35%. Stock can vary from day to day, and what they have today they may not have tomorrow. So it's worth checking back every day or so if they don't have in stock what you want right now. They are legit and they are fully authorized by Escient.

Also...
Right now, they have a killer deal going on now on a NEW (not a refurb) AVX-552. (just go to their website and look, it's a very good price!)
For you people who want a one of the Escient's that can operate up to 5 changers (2000 DVD's), and not just 3, it probably would be worth you looking into this one!

Johnla-
Thanks for the words about our site. I noticed your post today as I wanted to pop in and let folks know that we put the AVX-552 on our Deal of the Day today. It really is a great value if you're in the market for this kind of gear.

http://www.secondact.com/category/promo?cid=avs

Mark-
Second Act