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Home Theater equipment list
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=24		 Page 8 of 22
Author:  laserbite34 [ 03 Apr 2012, 17:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
benmbe wrote:
Good afternoon laserbite34,

Well done on the purchase (!bargain!) of your HD DVD's and player.

You may not believe me when I write this but, you inspire me with your determination Friend.

I shall be posting pictures of my flat and system, I.E before and after to 98% finished for the first time in the coming months.

I hope that you are well and taking good care of yourself.

Respect to you

:wave: :)

Afternoon benmbe

I'd say easily a grand with player if all brand new. The cases are still in good shape the player is in good condition I guess its ether been in loft or cupboard for a few years, maybe? Maybe the seller still had it running with PS3 or standalone bluray player?

Yeah get those pictures up as soon as you can before and after. :D

Have a good day mate.
Author:  laserbite34 [ 03 Apr 2012, 17:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
invenio wrote:
laserbite34-

How are you decoding the lossless tracks from your blu-ray and HD-DVD films? Are you bitstreaming it to receiver or decoder or are you having it decoded by the player and then sending to the rest of your equipment? I prefer to bitstream my blu-ray as my receiver has a much better DAC than typical blu-ray players. I know that many people connect their audio with spdif coaxial/toslink but this defeats the purpose of lossless audio as it's converting into a lossy prior to hitting the DAC (unless it's LPCM, but then you can't get the 5.1/7.1 audio only 2 channel which defeats the purpose for most movies).


Its set at optical bit-stream it was set at PCM at first and 16:9 so I’ve had to re-format it without a uses manual and found it really easy I was going to look for a pdf file users manual but after setting up Philips and Sony even thou that was pig to suss out why I was only getting DOLBY TrueHD 7.1 but not dtsHDMA 7.1 only 5.1 though the RCA outputs. I later found out there was another audio setting that wasn’t checked, Sony sigh. The damn thing is like a snail for shuttle searching though a bluray, the Phillips is way much faster!

I’ve noticed when searching chapters on the Toshiba its a few seconds before it reaches the next chapter, I’ve gotten used to that now but still bluray is like a snail on most titles it take a week to load them! Same title I noticed way, way lesser time by which time I have lost all interest in the bluray BD-live sucks on bluray.
With laserdisc its instant!

I noticed the audio is louder on Dolby Digital Plus and less so on Dolby TrueHD but still has wow, wow same rumble I’ll have to do a few check, checks with same title Superman Returns later on.

I might look at cheap S/H AVR with 8 or more RCA inputs/outputs with HDMI Dolby TrueHD Dolby Plus and dtsHDMA I have seen some cheap ones lately but fail no inputs/outputs for 8channel or more and that's useless to me.

Saw a nice Denon a few months champaign gold with at least 3 sets of 8channel inputs but no new Dolby dts codecs plus it was bidding only and sold for just under £200.00.

I have a few LPCM 5.1 titles Crimson Tide, Casino Royale, Pearl Harbour, Revenge I think maybe or or two more on bluray.
Author:  invenio [ 03 Apr 2012, 17:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
If you plan to use an receiver to decode the TrueHD or DTSHD don't go cheap on the receiver. Remember, it's the DAC your paying for and it will determine the quality of the output. You have spent a lot of effort on your audio equipment so don't cut yourself off at the knees by buying some cheap receiver with a lousy DAC. You may want to look at the Pioneer Elite line, or the high end Onkyo's. If you want to save money, you can buy these used. If your really into blu-ray, the Oppo BDP-95 is loved by many enthusiasts and it has a top of the line DAC and analog outs. It's also "relatively" inexpensive at $1000 considering it's a high end player.
Author:  laserbite34 [ 03 Apr 2012, 18:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
So do you have list of all AVR cheap expensive models past and present that have good digital to analogue converters?

The brand names above are good ones but which models as there are so many made by each manufacture? I'd chose Onkyo middle upper-class the upper-class too costly I buy on extreme low budgets.:D

Dragonheart (1996) looked sound nice on HD-DVD I'm tempted to play a few scenes on the projector. The score is wonderful by Randy Edelman.

I'm wondering if the region 1 HD-DVD why are they playing are they region locked or unlocked on titles like The Borne Ultimatum or is the HD-DVD multi-region?

Edit: I just tried ALIEN region 1 DVD and it came up as "region error" so I guess its not multi-region for DVD so I'm a little puzzled why region 1 HD-DVD? Well at least region 2 DVD runs on it got FutureWorld (1976) switching between chapters is a bit faster visual search is the same faster while a bit slower on HD-DVD same with bluray slow on the other players.

The menu screen comes up clearer than HD-DVD when playing DVD I know, I know I need a HD TV. Well I can use the projector. I like the menu screen showing discs video/audio features MPEG2 video output576p. I like the Dolby encode on this mono title nicely mixed dialogue track easy to understand Foley is cool lots and lots of small little sounds unless its production sound for most parts?
Author:  laserbite34 [ 03 Apr 2012, 19:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Here is the list of titles ones without BBFC rating are region 2 HD-DVD and ones without are region 1 HD-DVD.

One title is still sealed in shrink-wrap. The Mummy Returns

I used the flash but noticed when reviewing the image on camera it wasn’t really useable due to the silver artwork on the HD-DVD titles. I had to increase the brightness and use the room light which looks a bit lousy gritty. I’ll try for better pictures later on with the flash.

Image

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Author:  invenio [ 03 Apr 2012, 20:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
laserbite34 wrote:
So do you have list of all AVR cheap expensive models past and present that have good digital to analogue converters?

The brand names above are good ones but which models as there are so many made by each manufacture? I'd chose Onkyo middle upper-class the upper-class too costly I buy on extreme low budgets.:D

Dragonheart (1996) looked sound nice on HD-DVD I'm tempted to play a few scenes on the projector. The score is wonderful by Randy Edelman.

I'm wondering if the region 1 HD-DVD why are they playing are they region locked or unlocked on titles like The Borne Ultimatum or is the HD-DVD multi-region?

Edit: I just tried ALIEN region 1 DVD and it came up as "region error" so I guess its not multi-region for DVD so I'm a little puzzled why region 1 HD-DVD? Well at least region 2 DVD runs on it got FutureWorld (1976) switching between chapters is a bit faster visual search is the same faster while a bit slower on HD-DVD same with bluray slow on the other players.

The menu screen comes up clearer than HD-DVD when playing DVD I know, I know I need a HD TV. Well I can use the projector. I like the menu screen showing discs video/audio features MPEG2 video output576p. I like the Dolby encode on this mono title nicely mixed dialogue track easy to understand Foley is cool lots and lots of small little sounds unless its production sound for most parts?


Those HD-DVD's look great. You really got them for a steal!

As for which model receiver it's hard to say as there are so many choices. I don't have a specific list. If you're on a tight budget you may be able to snag one of the top units from any manufacturer if you're willing to pick up a slightly older unit. HD-DVD/blu-ray/hdmi came out over 5 years ago so that was the last time the "standards" really changed. So basically you can go back to about 2006-7 and see what they have on sights like ebay. For example, I see that on audiogon they are selling an Onkyo TX-SR876 for $575. This was $1800 when it was released. This will outperform almost all mid-range receivers that they release today and still cost you less. The only functions you don't get with these models are things like internet radio, or iphone app control, or something really weird like that. Essentially, pick a year, see what the top highest end units were from that manufacturer and start doing searches for them on ebay and see what you get.

As for the region coding, they changed that when they released blu-ray. Whereas DVD had different region codes for the US and Europe, blu-ray (and I presume HD-DVD) did not. So region 1 blu-ray's will work in Europe while DVD's will not. There are some backward compatibility issues on some discs with special features as the special features are encoded as DVD's. So I can buy a European released blu-ray, watch the movie, but not be able to watch the special features.
Author:  laserbite34 [ 03 Apr 2012, 21:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Well the way I’m seeing it is that, bluray won and with that in mind its kinder devalued the whole HD-DVD format, and yes I got it a steal with a player.

I’ve been looking at the rear of the Onkyo TX-SR876 and it looks good for my needs and I’m sure one is sooner or later bound to show up going for a (buy it now) slightly over £200.00 or touch wood under £200.00.

http://www.avland.co.uk/onkyo/txsr876/txsr876.htm

Cheers :) on that quick synopsis its cleared up a few simple issues.

I’ve just finished right now watching Ocean’s Eleven (2004) not half bad only seen the first one at the cinema then brought on R2 DVD so haven’t until tonight seen the second one and I’ll watch the 3rd one tomorrow. So it had an SDDS8 mix and why isn’t bluray pushing for five-screen dts7.1 can do it so can Dolby 7.1 just swap the channels around for the encoding and simple to easy to wiring diagram, why are we waiting.

Dialogue track nicely recoded nice tonally warm voices like George Clooney voice Swelltone labs Larry Blake
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0086626/

Watching the trailer now and I like how the scope is centred in the middle of the screen with black borders down the sides. I think I sussed out the black side vertical boarders I guess this, is the non HD content SD.

Casino Royale Lake Como that was used at the end of the film, same location used in Ocean's Eleven.

Edit: just finished watching Meet The Parents (2000) damn funny in HD-DVD and Jink the cat hilarious when forker pops the cork on bottle knocking the ashes over and the cat marking his spot on, oh that is so wrong. and setting a an altar on fire while tying to get the cat off the roof and flushing the toilet! LMAO

Fine average DOLBY DIGITAL PLUS with a few surround pans and the volleyball game in the swimming pool hitting the sister headfirst on the nose! Ouch!

Picture quality nice.

Oh so those hidden cameras are called Nanny Cam so we know now what Jack installed. Got get some of those and maybe a polygraph machine. :D

Extras time with Jink. :D

Edit: seen some cheap HD-DVD on eBay
Author:  benmbe [ 04 Apr 2012, 08:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Good morning laserbite34,

Thank you for sharing with us all here.

I would like to own The Bourne trilogy on HD DVD at some stage.

Well done that man. . . . . Enjoy.

Regards

:thumbup:
Author:  laserbite34 [ 04 Apr 2012, 11:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
benmbe wrote:
Good morning laserbite34,

Thank you for sharing with us all here.

I would like to own The Bourne trilogy on HD DVD at some stage.

Well done that man. . . . . Enjoy.

Regards

:thumbup:

Morning benmbe
On eBay they are going so cheap due to bluray devaluing the format that should have been. I have enjoyed watching and listening to HD-DVD in the past 24 hours.

Here is one of many Bourne titles £2.99 postal £1.25 (why that is cheaper than a 3D cinema ticket)!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Bourne-Ul ... _500wt_715

Or this Bourne for £2.99 free postal
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bourne-Suprem ... 3f0b2077bd

This Bourne just a little bit more £6.99 free postal still its cheaper than cinema 3D ticket
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bourne-Identi ... _736wt_932

I just brought another cheap title Born on the Fourth of July (1989) not interested in bluray version dtsHDMA that's not the sound format I recall it being released in I seem to recall it was DOLBY SR format that produced it.

I might bid on HD-DVD title 5 disc set shhhh! :D unless I can find it going for cheap buy it now as I'm still looking.
Author:  benmbe [ 04 Apr 2012, 13:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Afternoon benmbe

I'd say easily a grand with player if all brand new. The cases are still in good shape the player is in good condition I guess its ether been in loft or cupboard for a few years, maybe? Maybe the seller still had it running with PS3 or standalone bluray player?

Yeah get those pictures up as soon as you can before and after.

Have a good day mate.

Good afternoon laserbite34

I hope that you are well and coping ''all things considering'' as you have been in my thought's.

Your recent bargain HD DVD's and hardware purchases is a real catch.

I shall look at posting my first photo's, after phase 2 of the decorating has been finished by the end of the first week in May, and the third section of my equipment support stand arrives and equipment placed on shelves.

I will need a fourth double width equipment support stand to match the rest, of which will finally complete the living room setup.

However I also need 7 x balanced Analogue Audio cables, to connect my processor to the amp before any other connection's are carried out.

The cables that I am going for are from WireWorld r.r.p is £800 but, when I rang WireWorld UK Distribution centre the salesman gave me a price of around £499 for the 7 x 1 Metre Balanced cables.

I am purchasing cables from WireWorld as they are consistent in quality accross their range, not to mention that I have spent a great deal on this brand already and am happy.

Kind Regards Friend

:thumbup: :)
Author:  laserbite34 [ 04 Apr 2012, 13:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
£499.00 that's not my business :shock:.

I have been looking for cable similar to what is used for wiring cinema processors and its a WHOA way too much! So I looked around eBay some more then came across a bargain for 100 meters more than enough for what I'd need for under £40.00 and its shielded multi stranded. Easy to wire up I either solder it or screw it in tightly onto input/output terminals.

I've been also feeling rather poorly lately itching scratching due to the crappy winter. I'd amaze myself If and when I get started on the floor (long overdue)! it would exhaust! It might seem simple which it is as well as I'm thinking of going with that strand-board as its a bit cheaper but its got to be put down right otherwise it might not last long.

Lots of 1x2 timber to lay down on the floor and lay the strand-board on top of it.

Strand-board Google shopping prices, well I'll get mine from the timber-yard down the road. MDF would easily be a bit more £!
https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q ... 8gPb7-WxDQ

MDF not sure what sizes here normally your looking at 8x4 sheets roughly around £24.00 plus V.A.T.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&t ... l3l0.llsin.
Author:  benmbe [ 04 Apr 2012, 14:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Hello laserbite34,

your quote;
I've been also feeling rather poorly lately itching scratching due to the crappy winter.

I am sorry to read about you feeling poorly Friend as this must be very tough at times.

Will you be laying anything on top of the boarded floor, I only mention this for acoustic dampening reasons.

Carpet, rugs or possibly floor tiles.

I must admit that you are the Reigning King of Picture posting :clap: :D

My Regards to you

:)
Author:  laserbite34 [ 04 Apr 2012, 15:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
benmbe wrote:
Hello laserbite34,

your quote;
I've been also feeling rather poorly lately itching scratching due to the crappy winter.

I am sorry to read about you feeling poorly Friend as this must be very tough at times.

Will you be laying anything on top of the boarded floor, I only mention this for acoustic dampening reasons.

Carpet, rugs or possibly floor tiles.

I must admit that you are the Reigning King of Picture posting :clap: :D

My Regards to you

:)


Carpet tiles easy to cut for size and shape laying-down glued.

It might then motivate me :) to getting the projector into the kitchen.

The stage needs a lot of reinforcement to prevent other loudspeakers vibrating its own space or one of the other speakers (buzzing rattling). Isolated padding placed under the speaker at cheap price nothing silly overpriced. Or I take the stage down and start over again and make individual stands fixed to wall this way it will greatly reduce rattles/buzzing on the front grills or I can remove the grills and nothing will have to be done then.

A foam of sort might reduce vibration travelling the wooden stage by factor of – minus such and such with a + positive, that’s much better. But that doesn’t mean its going to happen if the level is raised higher within the speakers limits does it now? But least I’m, aware of it.

I’ve heard rattling of the stage at UCI screen 6 around early 1990 with The Hunt For Red October when it was playing in DOLBY SR. The scene leading up to “first turning” has the deeper end of the propulsion “caterpillar” sound on centre channel. In the six-track Dolby mix its on left and right and because Dolby matrix sees the signal equally left and right its centred. It rattled behind the screen and stood out badly. I think the range is somewhere between 40Hz and 70Hz.
Author:  invenio [ 11 Apr 2012, 00:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Few changes to the system recently (last few months) so I figured I show an updated equipment list. Upgraded to a new preamp, Conrad Johnson PV12. Also add a modded Jolida JD9 phono preamp to the system. I also bought a Sony SDP-E800 which I am going to use as an AC3 demodulator. I am planning to mod my Laserdisc player for AC3 output and I needed a decoder.


Image
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So the new setup is:

Equipment:

Speakers:
Martin Logan tower speakers (x2), Model Vantage, 40" Electrostatic Panel w/8" 200 watt powered Sub-woofer for each speaker matched with
Mapleshade Threaded Heaveyfeet (x8), brass anti-vibration replacement spiked speaker feet and Shunyata Research Inc. Powersnakes (x2), Venon PowerCable replacement powercords.

Signal Cable Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
Custom interconnect cables w/ locking RCA plugs and Belden LC-1 cable

Polk Audio RT600's (x4)
Polk Audio RT450's (x2)
Polk Audio LSiC Center Speaker
Polk Audio PSW300 Subwoofer
Polk Audio PSW650 Subwoofer

Pre/Amp/Receiver:
Conrad Johnson Evollution 2000 Amplifier (Mods: Universal power cable connect added)
Conrad Johnson PV-12 Preamplifier
Jolida JD9 phono preamp (Mods: JJ Tesla 12AX7 matched tubes, Obbligato Premium Film 1.0uF 630V caps, OPA637AP opamps, Sound Damping Sheet applied to interior)
Onkyo TX-SR875 Receiver
SONY SDP-E800 (used as AC-3 RF Demodulator for Laserdisc player)

Players:
Rega Planar 3 Turntable (Rega RB300 Tonearm. Dynavector 10X5 cartridge. Monster RCA connector upgrades.)
Oppo Digital DV-980H SACD/DVD player
PS3
Pioneer Elite CLD-97 Laser Disc Player
Panasonic PV-9450 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR
Aiwa XC-30m 5 disc CD Player
Sony cdp-215 Cd Player
Sony TC-WE305 Dual Cassette Deck

Projection:
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8700UB Projector
Elite Screens - Home Cinema - 150" Diag. Projector Screen

Power:
AVS Voltage Regulator
APC H15BLK AV 1.5kVA H Type Power Conditioner

Media Server (Computer, approx 15,500 audio tracks):
ASUS Xonar D2/PM Sound Card
Winamp media player w/ iZotope Ozone - DSP

Room/Furniture:
Walker Edison Everest Multilevel Component Stand (x2)
The room is approximately 24 x 23 feet with vaulted ceilings and approximately 150 12"x12" sound proofing panels and additional corner base traps to minimize perpendicular surfaces and distortion.
Author:  benmbe [ 11 Apr 2012, 08:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Hello invenio,

I have an unmodified CLD-97 and am wondering if I am able to get the AC-3 sound without having to Mod the (97)

SONY SDP-E800 (used as AC-3 RF Demodulator for Laserdisc player)

Could advise myself with what I can do?

I shall look forward to your reply at some stage, and thank you in advance.

Regards to you

:thumbup:
Author:  invenio [ 11 Apr 2012, 12:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
benmbe wrote:
Hello invenio,

I have an unmodified CLD-97 and am wondering if I am able to get the AC-3 sound without having to Mod the (97)

SONY SDP-E800 (used as AC-3 RF Demodulator for Laserdisc player)

Could advise myself with what I can do?

I shall look forward to your reply at some stage, and thank you in advance.

Regards to you

:thumbup:


Unfortunately, without the AC3 output mod, the CLD-97 will NOT be able to output the desired data stream to decode 5.1 AC3 encoded sound. The reason I decided to go ahead with the mod is because the CLD-97 is one of the best LD players (IMHO) but a true short coming is the lack of AC3 output. I should be receiving the mod in the mail in the next few days so I will post my thoughts on the upgrade difficulty. If you have any specific questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Also, I started a thread on the topic of modding the CLD-97 months ago, so I will probably updating that thread with my progress. http://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=25
Author:  laserbite34 [ 11 Apr 2012, 13:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
My friend is going to make two more CopyCat-67 boards after explaining what happened with edge connector! This would allow me, to EQ way, way faster than before as I have to still keep switching the CP65 to bypass and removing the card and swapping it over into other parts of the EQ card slots and I need to do this with near instant checking to make sure the bands are aligned to X-curve. It would be then easy have all cards plugged into the CP65 while (all-wideband pink noise) is playing I only have to mute the channels on the Behringer DCX2496 either one of ABC inputs or single channel outputs LF HF on channels 1LF-Left 2HF-Left 3LF-Centre 4HF-Centre 5LF-Right and 6HF-Right.

The dearest part of the project is the edge connectors and not many places on eBay that do the correct size, so there it is.

I’ll make a simple hole cut into top of the side of the box with wires feeding from the bottom side of the case and leading up to the edge connector that will be screwed to the top side of the box and cover plate screwed on and cable tie inside to prevent the cable being pulled out, unless its being tugged by two people the cable would indeed pull out.

What caused the pin to break is the cable is too short and I was leaning EQ card on the front panel of CP65 as its lightweight and the cable must have been bent thus putting strain on copper pin. The next thing I noticed was a broken pin and surprisingly the EQ extension card still works so it might be ground or shield connection and if its shield its not really a big deal its not that critical as I can still adjust all the EQ pots on the card.

The boxes where cheap as chips off eBay and I like good fish & chips value for money.
As for soldering I’ll be doing that as my friend only needs to make the cards which will be the same as he has it stored on his, computer.

The boxes might look a bit large but they where so cheap I wasn't going to look around another dozen pages for one that is smaller and higher cost no doubt. I had trouble finding a size that would be more than wide enough as it is. Also the colour will match the edge connector.:D
Image
Author:  benmbe [ 11 Apr 2012, 16:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Good day invenio,

Your comment;
I should be receiving the mod in the mail in the next few days so I will post my thoughts on the upgrade difficulty. If you have any specific questions please do not hesitate to ask.

My reply;
Sorry if this comes accross a tad daft, but I have'nt hooked this player up as of yet.
If I don't modify my CLD-97 for AC-3 then what sound will I get from a Dolby Digital LD?

Secondly did you purchase the AC-3 Mod from Duncan of bayview electronic's?

Thank you and kind regards

:? :thumbup:
Author:  invenio [ 11 Apr 2012, 16:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
benmbe wrote:
Good day invenio,

Your comment;
I should be receiving the mod in the mail in the next few days so I will post my thoughts on the upgrade difficulty. If you have any specific questions please do not hesitate to ask.

My reply;
Sorry if this comes accross a tad daft, but I have'nt hooked this player up as of yet.
If I don't modify my CLD-97 for AC-3 then what sound will I get from a Dolby Digital LD?

Secondly did you purchase the AC-3 Mod from Duncan of bayview electronic's?

Thank you and kind regards

:? :thumbup:


You can decode all other audio streams (analog and digital) from the unit except for AC3. For the AC3 you need the mod. I wasn't aware that http://www.laserdiscservice.com/ sells the mod. Or at least I can't find it on their webpage. The only dealer I found was in Germany http://www.benedictus.de/bde/index-bde.htm.
Author:  benmbe [ 11 Apr 2012, 17:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: Home Theater equipment list
Hello invenio,

So if I played a Dolby Digital LD in my CLD-97 would I get stereo because if I do then that's fine, as I have enough players of which can give me AC-3.

Your reply;
I wasn't aware that http://www.laserdiscservice.com/ sells the mod. Or at least I can't find it on their webpage.

I corresponded with Duncan about three or four years and he said that he made MOD kits for AC-3 with full instructions on how to install.

the Mod that you have ordered from Germany will be interesting and I look forward to reading further correspondence from yourself, and I hope you do not mind myself asking this of you?

Thank you for clarification

Sincerest Thanks

:thumbup: :)
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