MtBob

I've been a fan since COD2 came out for the XBox. You can actually skip this level in the campaign, or not even shoot during it. it didn't really bother me, although I would agree that it didn't really add to the story at all. I thought the campaign was too short and too easy compared to past releases. Graphics and gameplay for Modern Warfare and MW2 are very, very nice. IMO, COD5 was nothing more than COD4 (Modern Warfare) with a new "skin" on it. The franchise switches every year between two developers, Infinity Ward (COD2, MW & MW2) and Treyarch (COD3 & 5) If you are into online MP, you will probably notice that the lobby system sucks, always has, and they ain't doing nothing about it. I wouldn't say that playing the game compares to dry fire. there is no trigger, and you aren't drawing from a holster. but I would say that playing it will advance your hand/eye coordination.

I have also heard of how home-recorded DVDs will not last forever, but I haven't had any problems yet. As someone who used to work at a professional video production, post production and duplication facility, I can say this. We would never touch copywrighted material for a customer. It isn't worth the potential problems. We also didn't do much transfer for people off the street either, it was way too time consuming for us to get into it, so most people couldn't afford us. The smaller shops that specialize in transfers are the way to go if you only have a couple tapes to do, but I doubt they would touch copyrighted material either. Will anything happen? Most likely not, unless someone finds out that you did it and had a grudge or something against you so they decide to turn you in. That being said, copyrighted, Major release VHS movies often came encoded with copy protection making it difficult, but not impossible to duplicate. We had the equipment at work that would strip the encoding and let you duplicate it, but this gear wasn't meant for that purpose. Anyway, I am digressing. You can get a VHS/DVD recorder that will allow you to make DVD copies of your VHS. There should be a button on the remote that will make a chapter point on the DVD whenever you push it, or at least, when you pause the recording. You will have to check with the manual, but the function is there. If you are trying to copy a copy-protected VHS to DVD, it will not work right. You will know this by the way the picture will get very dark, then back to regular levels... then go back to dark. You can also just get a DVD recorder if you already have a VHS deck, plug the VHS into the DVD recorder and it will work the same. All DVD recorders come with the added option of changing the quality of the recording to get more material on a disc, just like the old VHS where you could choose SP, LP, or SLP. So if your VHS is 8 hours long, it was recorded in SLP, you just have to choose the right quality on your DVD-R so you can fit all 8 hours on it... if you want it all on the same disc. But beware, the lower quality settings are just that, LOW quality, especially playing off of old VHS. All DVD recorders also have the ability to make a rudimentary menu as well. If you want/can get the video into your computer (to do this check and see if your video card has an audio/video IN conneciton) and you get some Authoring software, you will be able to do much more, like create your own custom menus and put chapter points whenever or wherever you want. Most software apps even give you some editing capabilites if there is something you want to cut out. Then you can record as many copies as you want with your DVD burner. If anyone has any questions about all this, I would be happy to try and make sense of it all, just send me a PM.

I have a Lexmark Z705 that I got a couple years ago for printing photos. The main problem I had was that the ink took forever to dry, and never did look as good as Costco's prints. For all the cost of the printer, ink and photo paper.... I just could not beat Costco or Snapfish.com. I think they are cheap and easy, plus they both have photo editing options within. The photos I take now (Fuji S7000) I print almost exclusively from Costco, and I couldn't be happier, except for the fact I need a better camera... Well, I say need, the wife says want.... lol

I have built a few over the last couple years. My opinion for an enclosure is to stay away from Antec and go with a Thermaltake. They are more expensive, but I think they are worth it. I would also sugget SATA hard drive/s. I prefer Seagate, they are quiet and I have never had a problem with any I have used. My Maxtor is very loud, although, I haven't had a problem. I also like Zalman case fans, CPU fans and Power supplies for their quietness. I would suggest that 600 watts is the very lowest to look at. But look at what your MB, Video card and HDD's want, then ass some for expansion/overhead.

I thought this was fun to read. http://www.ep.tc/problems/25/index.html

my apologies, I looked throughout the whole forum, but did not use the search function. please diregard... mods, please feel free to delete this thread

Thanks to Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester. http://www.shootingwire.com/archives/2009-03-18 http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/2009/03/mi...y-reversed.html MONTANA ROCKS!!!

I had not heard of this site before, and I do not know if what they are saying is true. Can anyone confirm this? http://www.campaignforliberty.com:80/blog.php?view=13431

nice bench! I too am working up plans to build a new one. I have a full solid core oak door blank that I want to use for the surface, but don't really know how to go about building the whole thing. I know what I want, i.e. drawers, a small shelf below, pegboard above as well as some shelving. One question, why spend the money on oak ply when you were going to put melamine on it anyway? Wouldn't 3/4 A/C work just as well?

you could purchase some weights made for calibration. for example... http://www.troemner.com/precision.php

My pleasure BD, I try and pass that little piece of (monoprice) info along to everyone who will listen to me for more than a minute

I also really hate seeing this on the shooting programs on TV. One of the more popular ones had the host paint the camera with a flashlight/laser combo mounted on an AR platform.... theses guys should know better. I really take issue with it. And no, the camera was not locked down, watching the edge of the frame you could tell that it was a handheld shot. Another host on the same show pointed a pistol at his hand to show the laser

nice article... I hope he is right too

sorry I haven't seen this until just now, hope my input may help some. First, let me recommend www.avsforum.com . It is a great forum for discussing all things entertainment center related. It is populated not only by random people from the internets, but actual professionals in the field, so you can trust thier reviews. A couple of the hottest Blue-Rays out ther today are the Samsung BD 2500 (2550 at Best Buy) and the Panasonic DMP-BD 35. However, these are last year's models, the new models are coming out March/April and no one has official professional reviews yet. Check out this thread from there for some info and discussion on this year's offerings seen at CES. Things to look for; do you care if it has Netflix streaming ability? If you already pay for Netflic, you can watch anything from their instant library on the blu-ray (this is also available now for owners of M$ 360's (I think you also need a gold account)) how well does it upscale your SD DVD's? speed of operation... how fast does it begin to play? one work of caution, NEVER buy any cables for your ET from Best Buy. www.monoprice.com has any cable you need at a SUBSTANTIAL savings, including shipping.

that trailer looks AWESOME! I am an out of work (laid off last year) video production and post production professional. I started out 23 years ago as a teleprompter operator for a local newscast, then as a studio and field cameraman. Went to college for Film and TV production and got a job at another TV station as a Producer/Director of local television commercials. From there I moved to a high end production/post production house specializing in direct response commercials nad infomercials, first as a tape op, then as an editor. I was then recruited to start and supervise a new department in the same (direct response) field at a different Production house. Most recently I was an Avid Editor working on Direct Response commercials and infomercials. If you watch TV and have seen any infomercials, chances are you have seen my work.