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Sony DVP-CX995V owner's thread - Page 14

post #391 of 2194
11/15/05 at 9:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post

It was my mistake, as I forgot about the ability to use and setup a IR emitter setup with a PC now in a few new and different ways.

But yes, both the Slink-E and SAVR2 can. But remember you are also talking a entire PC setup to do all this. Along with some effort and additional computer programs like Girder in addition to the also needed DVD profiler and DVDLobby or Movies!, to get it all set up and running as a IR setup.



Wow...thanks. I'll have to read off-line and think about all this info. Much appreciated!
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post #392 of 2194
11/15/05 at 9:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandpj View Post

Just hit the + or - on the remote to move to a different slot. You can then select "Display" to move to a specific slot.

THanks, tried it, and it woiked!
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post #393 of 2194
11/15/05 at 9:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenLand View Post

John,

That sounds like one sweet setup.

I'm hoping I won't be too dissapointed with Disc Explorer in daily use. I thought it was very poor at first, but then I spent some time with it and the manual and got to like it.

What I need is a PC program that will drive an IR blaster to enter/reenter all the titles in the changer. Would DVD Lobby or something you know of do this in IR (as opposed to RS-232) mode?

Thanks,
Ken

The more I use it, the more I like it, and wish it was better than it is at the same time. The most annoying quirk is that it doesn't sort by title within any of the sub-sorts...e.g., if you sort by Genre and have The Matrix and The Matrix 2 in slots 50 and 55 both in SciFi, with other SciFi discs in-between them in slots 51-54, when you sort by Genre the two Matrix movies won't be next to each other.

I don't like the fact that I have to leave space for DVDs I may get later (e.g., I have Terminator 1 right now, might get T2 later, so have to leave a space so that when I add it I can put it next to T1). I'd like to just be able to slog them into the set and have the disc explorer do basic sorting....maybe asking too much from a simple program, but that one extra feature would have made the disc explorer just about enough for me to live with it as-is...
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post #394 of 2194
11/15/05 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenLand View Post


That sounds like one sweet setup.

I'm hoping I won't be too dissapointed with Disc Explorer in daily use. I thought it was very poor at first, but then I spent some time with it and the manual and got to like it.

What I need is a PC program that will drive an IR blaster to enter/reenter all the titles in the changer. Would DVD Lobby or something you know of do this in IR (as opposed to RS-232) mode?

Thanks,
Ken

Yeah. But you still will manually need to enter in the DVD titles into the PC, and also tell the PC what "slot" position they are in, in the DVD changer. But then after that the PC would know what slot for the changer to go to, to play a selected movie, so you really would not need to also enter the info into the DVD changer itself as well.

NONE of the programs can actually enter in any DVD info to the changer itself, for a non RS-232 changer.

And the nice thing about DVD Profiler, is if you have a bar code scanner, you don't even need to manually type in the DVD info into the program, as you can just scan the UPC and it will do it automatically. And the only thing you do need to manually type in, in addition with the scanned info, is the slot number location. AND it will even work with one of the old Radio Shack "Cue Cats" as the bar code scanner.
In fact the "Cue Cat" is the one that I even use. It works great, cuts down about 99.9% of the need of you manually typing in DVD info, and they can be found for about $10 or so.

What you would need, is the DVDLobby Pro software setup w/Mainlobby2, along with DVD Profiler, and a USB-UIRT IR emitter/blaster. And the plug-in for the USB-UIRT to work with DVDlobby, I'm pretty sure is now built into the latest version of DVDlobby.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html

http://www.intervocative.com/Products.aspx

http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm
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post #395 of 2194
11/15/05 at 3:17pm
So I have an old laptop already in my family room w/the TV, connected to the TV to do iTunes and occassional internet browsing. (Wireless keyboard/mouse.) It's a PIII 700 Mhz w/256 MB ram...sufficient to handle this stuff, or ?
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post #396 of 2194
11/15/05 at 6:04pm
Dan, I'm a Cinemar user too (John, I'm KPChicago on the cinemar board). DVDLobby would probably be no problem on your PC. It's MLServer which is required to run in the background that you might want to test on your laptop. Fortunately, you can download ML Server and MainLobby trial versions for free. With those two, you'll be able to see if controlling your system via laptop is viable. You may even be able to get a trial copy of DVDLobby, but I'm not sure.

Once you figure out how easy it is to control your equipment via the PC, you won't go back. And since many people have extra pc's lying around, it's often cheaper than a new remote.
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post #397 of 2194
11/15/05 at 7:45pm
Thanks very much...I'll surf over and pick up the apps and see how they play w/my system....it has a tiny HD, so I'm gonna have to clean house a bit to get the program on the hard drive...
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post #398 of 2194
11/16/05 at 1:32pm
I've ordered the Unit, I'm wondering what the heat level is on thsi device, I was going to put it in one of the enclosed compartments of my entertainment unit, I have my receiver in the adjoining compartment but I always leave the door cracked when I'm runnning it, wonder if I'll have to do the same for the 995?
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post #399 of 2194
11/16/05 at 1:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post

Well I also have a MX-3000, and I even tried out the DMX-3000 software for cataloging the DVD's on the MX-3000. And to tell you the truth, I was really not all that impressed with it. Actually I'm just not that impressed with my MX-3000 either as a whole. I also have a Harmony 880, and I honestly think that the Harmony is a better remote than the MX-3000 is. For one thing their code database is much more up to date than the one for the MX-3000 is, it's easier to set up, and it costs almost $800 less. Really about the only thing the MX-3000 is better at, is that it mainly only looks better/more impressive in the "eye candy" department.


Thanks for all that info, so what your are saying is that you use the Harmony remote to control all the software running on your PC?

I assume you have the video output of the PC connected to your TV.

When you select the DVD/CD that you want, the PC sends the request to the player and also changes the TV to the correct video input?

I do plan to connect an HTPC to my TV, I was planning to look into all the software and hardware that you mentioned, but I thought I still needed a good remote to control it all. If I can do it effeciently with the Harmony or MX950, I rather go that route.
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post #400 of 2194
11/16/05 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinedsa View Post

Thanks for all that info, so what your are saying is that you use the Harmony remote to control all the software running on your PC?

No, a normal IR remote can't do that. You would need a HTPC capable remote for that.

I use both my Pocket PC via a wireless connection to the PC, and also a 14" LCD monitor with a touchscreen at the PC itself. Most of my main gear has a RS-232, so I can control quite a few things that way with the PC. Needless to say, that means I also have a lot of "add on" com ports, with multiple USB to 4 way serial converters.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pinedsa View Post

I assume you have the video output of the PC connected to your TV.

No, normally I only use the above mentioned Pocket PC or the 14" LCD monitor. But I could also use the TV if I wanted to, but I prefer using the monitor.
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post #401 of 2194
11/16/05 at 4:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarpad View Post

I've ordered the Unit, I'm wondering what the heat level is on thsi device, I was going to put it in one of the enclosed compartments of my entertainment unit, I have my receiver in the adjoining compartment but I always leave the door cracked when I'm runnning it, wonder if I'll have to do the same for the 995?

THat is one weakness...the IR receiver on my 995 seems pretty unsensitive...I have to kind of point the remote at the unit to get it to "hear" the signal. This is w/the original remote and even w/my Harmony. Other components I just point in the general direction of the TV/stand...
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post #402 of 2194
11/18/05 at 2:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post


No, normally I only use the above mentioned Pocket PC or the 14" LCD monitor. But I could also use the TV if I wanted to, but I prefer using the monitor.


I like your setup, do you know if there is a wireless touch panel LCD available? Not a tablet PC, but a panel that actually displays and controls the main PC.
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post #403 of 2194
11/18/05 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinedsa View Post

I like your setup, do you know if there is a wireless touch panel LCD available? Not a tablet PC, but a panel that actually displays and controls the main PC.

Well I supposed there are some sort of purpose built touch screen LCD's, other than the ones sold for use as PC monitors. But I have no idea if the could be used for this or not. But when you also want it to be wireless, but also that it not be a tablet PC or a Pocket PC, then there is probably even less of a chance of you finding anything like that. Asking for it to be wireless, yet without some form of PC in it, is asking for a lot. Also if there was/is such a thing, they would probably be way more expensive than what I did. All I did, was buy a cheap 14" LCD computer monitor from Wal-Mart as a "open box" for about $110, and then I bought a USB powered add-on touch screen panel that you put on the monitor for about $140. And it works great.

This is what I used to do it. And the model I used, was the KTMT-1214-USB

http://www.magictouch.com/addon.html
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post #404 of 2194
11/19/05 at 6:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post

Well I supposed there are some sort of purpose built touch screen LCD's, other than the ones sold for use as PC monitors. But I have no idea if the could be used for this or not. But when you also want it to be wireless, but also that it not be a tablet PC or a Pocket PC, then there is probably even less of a chance of you finding anything like that. Asking for it to be wireless, yet without some form of PC in it, is asking for a lot. Also if there was/is such a thing, they would probably be way more expensive than what I did. All I did, was buy a cheap 14" LCD computer monitor from Wal-Mart as a "open box" for about $110, and then I bought a USB powered add-on touch screen panel that you put on the monitor for about $140. And it works great.

This is what I used to do it. And the model I used, was the KTMT-1214-USB

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

Can you post a couple pics of it, please? I'd like to show the wife what I'm contemplating...
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post #405 of 2194
11/19/05 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinedsa View Post

I like your setup, do you know if there is a wireless touch panel LCD available? Not a tablet PC, but a panel that actually displays and controls the main PC.

Viewsonic's wireless monitor line does this. In fact, it's what I currently use to control my cinemar software. I use an Airpanel 150, but here is a link to their current line.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/de...elessmonitors/

They work by using RDP on Windows XP pro. But I think there's a hack for them to work on XP home.

BUT...I will say this: I don't really personally care for the wireless monitor solution. These units are very bulky (check out the size of them on the website), and fairly slow. This isn't due to the wireless technology, but the fact that Windows remote desktop is slow. The bulkiness makes them rather ungainly to carry around. If I could set it up all over again, I would make sure there is a "dual monitor" solution, one that goes to a WIRED touch panel monitor, while also going to my projector (or TV--whatever). That way I can control the cinemar software by the touchpanel in the location of the monitor, or by a remote control on the project screen (I have a slink-e) so I don't have to drag my fat butt over to the touchpanel to control it if I'm already on the couch.

The wireless monitor thing is a cool idea. But these viewsonics aren't the ace in the hold solution. And they're a PITA.
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post #406 of 2194
11/19/05 at 9:39am
Can the 995 actually be controlled via HTPC with some of the software packages I hear mentioned here? My understanding was that the software only is used to list the movies with pictures, etc and you can put the movie track number (1 - 400)of the 995 somewhere in the comments of the software package for each movie, but then manually switch hands to the remote to plug in the track number and finally que up the movie.

Is there a one click on a computer monitor screen (with mouse) via HTPC to Sony 995 solution?

That would be really cool...

gary
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post #407 of 2194
11/19/05 at 11:07am
gary, yes you can control your changer with a PC. It's a powerful combination. However, with the 995 you need to work with infrared, and mimic remote control use. Through the short-sightedness of Sony, the 995 does not have a rs-232 (serial) port, or even a control A1 or S-Link port. This makes using your computer a little more complex, but people are doing it, and you can check for more information at www.cinemaronline.com .

On my setup, a list of movies and pictures shows up, I can click it, and have it automatically turn on my projector, change my processor to "DVD" and turn on the proper settings, and plays the DVD.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html

Using rs-232 with jukeboxes such as the CX777ES via rs-232, you can load a disc on a specific changer and go directly to a certain title and chapter (great for tv shows) with one simple command:

MLCX777ES|DiscDirect~<<CHANGERLOCATION>>~<<Title# (on the disc)>>~<<Chapter>>~<<ChangerNumber>>

On the 995/985 it's more complex, as you need additional equipment to output the IR, and then write a macro that mimics all the exact keys and pauses that you would need to press to go to a certain disc. But it can be done with the 995/985, just be prepared to knock your head on the wall getting it set up. The cinemar forum is very helpful, and there are a few people doing it this way.
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post #408 of 2194
11/19/05 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinp8192 View Post

Viewsonic's wireless monitor line does this. In fact, it's what I currently use to control my cinemar software. I use an Airpanel 150, but here is a link to their current line.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/de...elessmonitors/

They work by using RDP on Windows XP pro. But I think there's a hack for them to work on XP home.


The wireless monitor thing is a cool idea. But these viewsonics aren't the ace in the hold solution. And they're a PITA.


OUCH!!!!!
From what I found, and it was only one source that showed having any of them on pricegrabber. Is that it's almost $700 for a refurbed V210, and I did not find anyone with new ones.
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post #409 of 2194
11/19/05 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danabw View Post

Can you post a couple pics of it, please? I'd like to show the wife what I'm contemplating...

Well it still looks pretty much just like any normal 14" LCD monitor, except that it also has a clear add on screen also attached to it. It really doesn't change the looks of the monitor all that much, other than adding about 1/4"-3/8" of overall thickness to it. And other than that, I was also able to buy one that was black in color, so now you see the front frame around the LCD monitor as black in color, instead of the native silver/blue color of it.

It pretty much looks just like it shows here, on their "Installation Guide" page.
And the animated picture on the upper right, probably shows it best, on how little it really adds to as far changing the over all look of the monitor it's installed on.

http://www.magictouch.com/install_addon_monitor.html
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post #410 of 2194
11/19/05 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinp8192 View Post

gary, yes you can control your changer with a PC. It's a powerful combination. However, with the 995 you need to work with infrared, and mimic remote control use. Through the short-sightedness of Sony, the 995 does not have a rs-232 (serial) port, or even a control A1 or S-Link port. This makes using your computer a little more complex, but people are doing it, and you can check for more information at www.cinemaronline.com .

On my setup, a list of movies and pictures shows up, I can click it, and have it automatically turn on my projector, change my processor to "DVD" and turn on the proper settings, and plays the DVD.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html

Using rs-232 with jukeboxes such as the CX777ES via rs-232, you can load a disc on a specific changer and go directly to a certain title and chapter (great for tv shows) with one simple command:

MLCX777ES|DiscDirect~<<CHANGERLOCATION>>~<<Title# (on the disc)>>~<<Chapter>>~<<ChangerNumber>>

On the 995/985 it's more complex, as you need additional equipment to output the IR, and then write a macro that mimics all the exact keys and pauses that you would need to press to go to a certain disc. But it can be done with the 995/985, just be prepared to knock your head on the wall getting it set up. The cinemar forum is very helpful, and there are a few people doing it this way.

I did some research on this and most doing it this way use a product on this website: http://www.usbuirt.com/

I believe this device will send the IR signals out to the 995 or whatever device via IR from the PC software. Only $50 + Girder software needed for a total cost under $100. Beats buying the 777 at double the price of the 995 IMO.

Thanks very much for the information, It got me started on where to go from here.

Gary
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post #411 of 2194
11/19/05 at 11:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post

Well it still looks pretty much just like any normal 14" LCD monitor, except that it also has a clear add on screen also attached to it. It really doesn't change the looks of the monitor all that much, other than adding about 1/4"-3/8" of overall thickness to it. And other than that, I was also able to buy one that was black in color, so now you see the front frame around the LCD monitor as black in color, instead of the native silver/blue color of it.

It pretty much looks just like it shows here, on their "Installation Guide" page.
And the animated picture on the upper right, probably shows it best, on how little it really adds to as far changing the over all look of the monitor it's installed on.

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

Thanks...I have gotta find some time to look into this more....
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post #412 of 2194
11/19/05 at 11:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by garykagan View Post

I believe this device will send the IR signals out to the 995 or whatever device via IR from the PC software. Only $50 + Girder software needed for a total cost under $100. Beats buying the 777 at double the price of the 995 IMO.

I use a slink-e (www.nirvis.com -- now discontinued). But yes, the usbuirt will work the same. But just a bit of advice, just so you know up front: using IR isn't nearly as reliable. I still have some difficulties getting my cable box to work properly with the HTPC/slink-e/IR emitter solution. It's fine for turning equipment on and off, selecting inputs, or other stuff that require one or two button presses. But for selecting DVDs, remember that the numbers have to pressed the right amount of time, pauses programmed in between them, the enter key, etc. And even when you do get it right, it sometimes may not work reliably. What happens when automating IR with the cable box is that often I'll want to go to 173, and one of the numbers doesn't go through and I go to 17, 13, 73, etc, and other times it works perfectly. I can imagine a very similar scenario with the 985/995. I've heard stories on the cinemar forum and elsewhere of people who either dumped their 985 for a 777 or want to because it was just too much trouble.

But if you do decide to use the 995 with a PC solution, please keep us posted with how it turns out. Because I'd really like to have one of these.
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post #413 of 2194
11/20/05 at 12:32am
Yeah I have both a Slink-E and the SAVR, that I use for my CD changer and the older 975P DVD changer. And I personally think that the Slink-E, is much better than the SAVR is, even though they both will work fine.
But I'd never trade the RS-232 connections of my 777ES's, to only use just either the Slink-E, SAVR or even a USBIRT on multiple DVD changers now. If it was just for one changer, then maybe, and that's a more like a probably not kinda maybe. But for use with multiple changers, there is just about no way. And absolutely, definitely, beyond a doubt, ain't no way at all, it's just not gonna happen, with just a USBIRT for use with multiple changers like I have.
That RS-232 control on the 777ES model has really spoiled me.
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post #414 of 2194
11/20/05 at 7:42am
Bummer that Sony cost-controlled the RS-232 out of the 995 (at least I assume that's why)...given how well the 995 is working for me as-is, I guess I shouldn't whine too much about it...
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post #415 of 2194
11/20/05 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danabw View Post

Bummer that Sony cost-controlled the RS-232 out of the 995 (at least I assume that's why)...given how well the 995 is working for me as-is, I guess I shouldn't whine too much about it...

very well said, I'm pretty happy with my 995 so far. Actually I've started watching some of DVDs which I've never opened (afterall who wants to watch all 350 DVDs). My only concern would be if in case something goes wrong and the database built in crashes than I'd be back to square one.
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post #416 of 2194
11/20/05 at 12:13pm
It's not so much that they cost controlled the RS-232 out of the 995, because none of the other models besides the 777ES had RS-232 either. The ES line is their premium line, so it's fitting that it has something "extra" like the RS-232 port and a 5 year warranty. But where the cost controlling was done, is that after their DVP-CX875P model, they dropped the inclusion of the Control A1/S-Link port from all their regular line of DVD changers. And even having just that port, would allow with the use of a Slink-E or a SAVR interface, a relatively easy way to connect up to 3 changers per interface for use with a PC and much of the software that has been mentioned here so far.
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post #417 of 2194
11/20/05 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post

It's not so much that they cost controlled the RS-232 out of the 995, because none of the other models besides the 777ES had RS-232 either. The ES line is their premium line, so it's fitting that it has something "extra" like the RS-232 port and a 5 year warranty. But where the cost controlling was done, is that after their DVP-CX875P model, they dropped the inclusion of the Control A1/S-Link port from all their regular line of DVD changers. And even having just that port, would allow with the use of a Slink-E or a SAVR interface, a relatively easy way to connect up to 3 changers per interface for use with a PC and much of the software that has been mentioned here so far.

OK......now I'm crying...you couldn't just leave us in the dark about that simple/cheap bit of HW Sony left off, and the nirvana we'd have if it was there, could you?

Waaaaaahhhhh....

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post #418 of 2194
11/20/05 at 5:08pm
We'll I must say that I am more than impressed with this player.

I was worried that the interface would be big and clucnky and for the better part useless. Needless to say my doubts have been laid to rest.

I managed to use my Microsoft Wireless Keyboard with it (about 6 feet away)

The HDMI output works witha HDMI to DVI cable (12ft sent to my Syntax LT27HVS

SACD is nice but not phenominal. for the small number of SACD discs I have its good enough.

Video was the most impressive improvement IMO. 1280x720p looks as good if not better the some native HDTV Channels with my Comcast subscription.


Movies I viewed:

Staw Wars Episode III
The detail in this was just stunning, the scene that has the most improvement was the opera house you can make out the faces of the creatures in the crows and also the lightsabers had non aliasing at all.

Gladiator (DTS:ES)
All of the usual Aliasing (jaggies) are gone and the colors are much more vibrant and natural.


All in all I am really happy and me and my dad ahave figured out how to network the changer from my room to the theater downstairs. SO i will update later on that when its complete.

~Bob
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post #419 of 2194
11/20/05 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danabw View Post

OK......now I'm crying...you couldn't just leave us in the dark about that simple/cheap bit of HW Sony left off, and the nirvana we'd have if it was there, could you?

Sorry about that.... And yes it was a rather simple port interface, or at least by it's connection type it was. As it is only a standard mono 1/8" male mini phone plug connection, like this one.


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post #420 of 2194
11/20/05 at 8:28pm
Can anyone help out I got mine on Friday, spent the weekend loading my TV Collection into it. Now some titles were recognized most were not, I hooked up a keyboard and figured to start entering some titles tonight and the interesting thing was most of the disks in the Explorer had a Question mark next to them and would not let me edit. The only way I could get it to edit is to load the disk, the ? Would change to a Film Clip symbol and then I could edit the title. I'm not going to have to do this with over 400 disks in the changer am I? Has anyone experienced anything similar

Thanks Guys
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