Which is BEST?..Oppo 980/981/983 ?

Very interesting information there Venkat about the theatres in USA. Have you been to any of those theatres? If so, how did you find the experience to be?

Yes, I have visited Universal Studios, Disneyland, and a few other places. The moving chairs I think is available in small mobile theaters in India also. I know of one in Spencers Plaza in Chennai, where the whole theater rolls and shakes along with the movie. Unfortunately these guys use the same DVD too many times, and the picture clarity is not too good.

In the US I once saw Star Trek. In one scene, the spaceship loses control and plummets into Earth. The whole theater looks downward and you are hanging on to your seat. BTW, these seats have seat belts. You really feel as if you are falling, and it hits you in the stomach.

Another time I saw a special version of Jurassic Park where they blow cold wind in small gusts and showers of water to enhance the experience. The shower is quite a different experience. Since you don't expect it, it is quite shocking.

Cheers

But dont all those 'effects' distract you from the main experience of watching the action on screen?

Also where in Spencers is that theatre located? I am shocked that I missed this having been in Chennai for so many years!!

Well the effect are cleverly merged with the scenes o the screen, so thay actually enhance the experience. But, yes, you do look abruptly elsewhere to see where the water shower is coming from.

Regarding Spencers Plaza, it is in the new wing, 2nd Floor I think. There is a Australian biscuit stall. If I am not wrong this is behind that in a small side lane.

Cheers

Thanks Venkat, although I am not sure I would enjoy a blast of cold water in the midst ofa movie watching session. Imagine what would happen if you were to watch Water world or Titanic in such theatres?

About the theatre in Chennai, I will look for it when I next visit Spencers. Is that 2nd floor of the 2nd phase by any chance?

Yes it is. behind the large biscuit counter.

Cheers

A queston here , can you really make out the difference between FLAC Audio and a song compressed into 320kbps MP3 using a good compression software ? I found it to be the same and now I am planning to convert 5gb of FLAC music to 320 kbps MP3 to save on space !

Please go through the following 2 links:

1. http://www.hifivision.com/music/1187...-vs-lossy.html
2. http://www.hifivision.com/music/871-...acd-dvd-4.html

Whatever speed you use, an MP3 is a lossy format. There is data that has been removed from the original source. I think when you play though a good DAC, and a good amplifier, the difference will be certainly there. Hard disk space is cheap nowadays, so why bother? I am converting all my CDs to FLAC. The only issue is that the damn iPOD does not play FLAC. Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh!

Cheers

But as far as i remember you had your pc connected to your audio equipment ! Who needs an ipod after that !!

No, I don't have a PC connected to the audio system as yet. Currently I am playing all my CDs through Oppo 980 amplified by my Onkyo 875. I have planned a two step change:

1. To shift to a good CDP, an iPOD dock, and 2 channel amp by December end.
2. To move away from CDs completely by July/August 2009 and use the CDs only as backup. I already have some 500GB of music converted to FLAC. My system will then consist of a high end PC (assembly has started), a good DAC (lusting after the DAC1, but going to try Beresford and CA DacMagic) , and a Squeezebox transmitting music to my audio system.

I am also planning to play music in my car, and for that I need the iPod. I am currently using a JVC unit with a CD Player. I am little worried about the CDs getting spoilt. Secondly I am fascinated by Wadia's iTransport and am planning to get one on my next trip abroad. I need the iPOD for these two activities.

I did think of other players such as iRiver, and Cowon, etc., but with the coming of iTransport, I have decided to stick to iPOD. With iTransport, iPOD, and FLAC (AIF) files, you can come very very close to Redbook CD. Unfortunately with iPOD I have to constantly convert my FLAC files to AIF and the store them separately. Hopefully by this year end, Steve Jobs will make us all happy by allowing FLAC to be played on the iPOD.

Cheers