Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know...

Media Centers (cont.)

DirecTV and others have tried desperately to build the same functionality into their DVRâ??s a la TiVo from a few years ago. Some are working with TiVo, some are working with Microsoft and some are building their own. Oddly, nobody is working with Apple, which sounds strange until you think about who Apple has worked with in the past â?? that would be nobody. Anyway, all are based on a similar model â?? choose the computer you want to work with, choose the storage folder, and scroll through a list of songs/artists/albums/playlists. As a first go around, it wasnâ??t a bad deal. Smackette, however, wouldnâ??t touch it because the interface was very limited, so it was back to the drawing board.

Then I discovered that Smacketteâ??s laptop was a Windows XP Media Center PC. Now that, is a slick interface when connected to any device that supports Media Center Extensions. Connect a Media Center enabled device to the 360 (or any other media center extender) and youâ??ve got something the general public will use. Problem is, the only computer in the place that had the Media Center on it, was the machine that is in the apt least often. It also had the smallest hard drive. Argh.

Why not just build a home theater PC (HTPC)?

I was on this path for a long time, until I realized that this solution is a long way off due to lack of processing power.

The easy answer would have been theyâ??re way too expensive, but thereâ??s many more limitations than simply the price.

Iâ??m not willing to give up something I can do now, just to make the whole package more convenient. For example, I can record two HD streams and play back a third on my current DVR. There is no PC in the world under $1500 that can do that and provide uninterrupted playback. Itâ??s too much computing not to mention two HD capable capture cards (expensive and resource hogs). And my current DVR cost me nothing. Why would I pay $1500 for that? Considering I still need a source for the HD content (most often cable or satellite) and theyâ??ll provide me an inexpensive device, why bother?

But letâ??s assume the cards are not capture cards, but instead a cable card reader or a satellite card reader with coaxial attachments provided by your television service provider at a reduced cost. While that will free up resources, itâ??s still not conducive to multi-tasking. Assume, youâ??re recording two shows to watch after your guests leave, but while youâ??re entertaining, youâ??re listening to your Cocktail Party playlist. What are the chances you can do all three of those things at the same time with one processor, even a duo core? Not good.

Without getting too technical, all HTPCâ??s work on MPEG-2 codecs provided by your DVD player installed in the PC. An MPEG-2 signal however, is a resource hog. MPEG-4 solutions are a much better way to go, but to capture in MPEG-4 is ridiculously expensive. Again, unless my service provider gives me an MPEG-4 card (and I know some that have), this is an expensive solution.

Storage space used to be a problem, but I think weâ??re past that now. What weâ??re not past is backup solutions. Unless youâ??re a techie, there are not easy mirroring solutions for on the go hardware failure. I consider myself a techie, but even I wouldnâ??t take on mirroring an HTPC and the resources that would require. Iâ??m willing to take some chances with TV shows, but not my Music. I need a solid backup solution.

So instead, I rely on three processors at the moment: one in the DVR, one in the Xbox 360, and one in the Home Server (next post). It would be nice if the DVR could do all that the 360 can do to eliminate one, but I donâ??t see that right round the corner. Either way, for ripping, storage and backing up, it wonâ??t be one processor for a long time in my opinion.

Originally posted by Relaxer:

Originally posted by walkonby:
i like how people think mccain and obama are different. they are the same, will be the same in office, and come out rich like reagan, bush sr., clinton, bush jr., ect………

(edited)
Originally had a question for Walkonby, but then I realized, he has nothing interesting or intelligent to say about… much of anything, but likes to dress up his comments in non-sequiter space-case random-for-the-hell-of-it language to make himself look soooooo deep. So fuck it.

thank you. from sweetcell, i would take offence, but from you . . . i'm in love. :o

Originally posted by vansmack:
Why not just build a home theater PC (HTPC)?

The easy answer would have been theyâ??re way too expensive, but thereâ??s many more limitations than simply the price.

To further illustrate my point, Engadget is discussing Sony's two new "entry-level" HTPCs. Neither has an HD Tuner card, let alone two (entry level, remember?) and they sell for $1400 and $1900 respectively.

Originally posted by walkonby:

Originally posted by Relaxer:
(edited)
Originally had a question for Walkonby, but then I realized, he has nothing interesting or intelligent to say about… much of anything, but likes to dress up his comments in non-sequiter space-case random-for-the-hell-of-it language to make himself look soooooo deep. So fuck it.

thank you. from sweetcell, i would take offence, but from you . . . i'm in love. :o

that's completely unfair. i actually take the time and effort to show the glaring holes in your nonsensical ramblings, and i'm hated. relaxer dismisses you out of hand, and you're in love. humph.

bitch.

none of that matters anymore. this thing with iran is getting pretty scary.

i actually liked the isp posts. i keep holding on to comcast hoping and praying the fios i was promised 18 months ago shows up

speaking of fios, is there anyway to network dtv boxes together? being able to watch recorded programs on my other sets would make me very happy (ala the fios commercials with kg)

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
speaking of fios, is there anyway to network dtv boxes together? being able to watch recorded programs on my other sets would make me very happy (ala the fios commercials with kg)

No comment.

Oh wait, this isn't a Directv board and you won't rat me out.

You (the collective DirecTV subscribers with an HD DVR) are getting new software starting today and Muli-room viewing is not part of that package. You are getting Media Share (the media extenders as explained above) and some other nice features that I can share later, but should pop up on your DVR when you turn it on next.

Multi-room viewing (MRV), the ability to watch your DVR on any computer in your house, widgets (think Vista or Google Desktop or whatever Mac calls it) and other features are still in testing. MRV is not going to happen any time soon (2-3 months) however.

vansmack, one question. how in the hell do you know all this stuff, and why hasn't your head exploded yet?

<waiting to be attacked . . . take a number>

Originally posted by walkonby:
vansmack, one question. how in the hell do you know all this stuff, and why hasn't your head exploded yet?

I don't sleep much and I don't sit by in idle time - always something out there to be learned.

And many people are wondering when my head will explode. I'm sure there's pool out there that you can join if you'd like to make a wager.

you can have multi room viewing on your FIOS dvr if you pay for it, basically if you dont pay for it you see the option in your menu but it does nothing when you choose it

as a current FIOS customer and former comcast customer, I am not blown away, mostly I dont like their dvr interface (probably just used to the comcast one), I dont like that you cant have your phone also ring on your cell phone and that you cant be emailed your voicemail (like vonage), and I dont think the internet connection is all that fast

my issue with streaming music around my house is that i need my main iTunes library to recognize when i've played / how many times i've played songs in order for my smart playlists to work … i'm sure i can get this somehow by making a home media server, but i haven't put in the energy yet

having my desktop hooked up to my receiver/speakers is the easiest way for now … having an ipod dock in a another room works great as well, once you sync your ipod back up iTunes recognizes what was played

DIGITAL REVOLUTION: Shut up about the Home Server, already!

I wonâ??t. Be lucky you donâ??t live near me because everyday Iâ??ve discovered something new that I feel the need to tell you about it. Even the stupid stuff.

So itâ??s about April/May in the Smackie Digital Revolution 2008 and the desktop is on its way out of the living room (along with the desk and in comes a new paint job and curtains â?? see, I told you smackette didnâ??t mean gadgets). Iâ??ve got the 360 hooked up to the stereo (optically, I might add, which is important because I donâ??t want to always have the TV on when all I want to do is listen to music), but I have three different databases of music, photos and video files. I also tried to wirelessly stream an HD version of the FA Cup semi-finals to my front room which was a major failure (802.11g secured, for those interested). Couple that with my music collection at the office and Iâ??m in total disarray. I want to listen to this, but itâ??s on that computer. Mom wants that picture but itâ??s at home. Weâ??ve all been there.

Ever since I saw the demo of the Windows Home Server, Iâ??ve wanted one. Donâ??t be scared off by the server part â?? this is super friendly and very easy to use. While my favorite aspect of the server was to have one shared storage location for all my media (175 GB of music) that all of the other computers could access, itâ??s been the rest of the features that makes the jump worth it.

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• &lt;font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda"&gt;It automatically backs up my collection on the fly (using a new technology in Windows Disk Management â?? not the difficult server stuff that plagues Win Servers â?? no RAID, no mirroring software).&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
• &lt;font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda"&gt;It automatically backs up every computer on my network (even wakes up the computers on in the middle of the night, backs up only the files that have changed, then puts them back to sleep).&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
• &lt;font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda"&gt;I have Remote Access to my server (read: all of my files) and all of my computers on the network.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
• &lt;font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda"&gt;It creates my own personal web site for photo sharing and (eventually) blogging.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
• &lt;font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda"&gt;And hereâ??s the best part: I have controlled access to all of my music from any computer that has an internet connection! Oh, and my photos and video too, but who cares, weâ??re music people.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/li&gt;

<font size="2" face="Arial, Veranda">
Problem is, I implemented the $400 gadget rule. There are a few out-of-the-box options that are recommended for the super-novice user. HP has two Media Smart Servers available that sell for about $549-$749. They add some really slick features, especially for iTunes that arenâ??t available on Do-it-Yourself models. Iâ??ve waited since October for the price to come down to but by June 1, I moved on to a different solution, but that will be for tomorrow. "Closer to the Heart" came out on Rock Band last night and I'm getting the band together…

One more thought…

Would Wi-Fi Push You to Public Transport?

I love it when we have a discussion here, and then the next weeks issue of the Economist is dedicated to the same topic. My favorite part was when they referred to the G8 as the "G7 Democracies plus Russia"

From the Briefing Section (for those not familiar with the Economist, the briefing section is research and background):

Who runs the world?

Wrestling for influence
Jul 3rd 2008
From The Economist print edition

The post-war global institutions have largely worked well. But rising countries and growing threats are challenging their pre-eminence

THE powerful, like the victorious, do not just write history. They grab the seats at the top tables, from the United Nations Security Council to the boards of the big international economic and financial institutions. They collude behind closed doors. They decide who can join their cosy clubs and expect the rest of the world to obey the instructions they hand down.

That is how many outsiders, not just in the poor world, will see the summit that takes place from July 7th to 9th of the G8, the closest the world has to an informal (ie, self-appointed) steering group. Leaders of seven of the worldâ??s richest democracies, plus oil-and gas-fired Russia, gather this year in Toyako, on Hokkaido in northern Japan, to ruminate on climate change, rising food and energy prices, and the best way to combat global scourges from disease to nuclear proliferation.


From the Leaders section (think opinion):

What a way to run the world

Global institutions are an outdated muddle; the rise of Asia makes their reform a priority for the West

CLUBS are all too often full of people prattling on about things they no longer know about. On July 7th the leaders of the group that allegedly runs the worldâ??the G7 democracies plus Russiaâ??gather in Japan to review the world economy. But what is the point of their discussing the oil price without Saudi Arabia, the worldâ??s biggest producer? Or waffling about the dollar without China, which holds so many American Treasury bills? Or slapping sanctions on Robert Mugabe, with no African present? Or talking about global warming, AIDS or inflation without anybody from the emerging world? Cigar smoke and ignorance are in the air.

The G8 is not the only global club that looks old and impotent (see article). The UN Security Council has told Iran to stop enriching uranium, without much effect. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is in tatters. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the fireman in previous financial crises, has been a bystander during the credit crunch. The World Trade Organisationâ??s Doha round is stuck. Of course, some bodies, such as the venerable Bank for International Settlements (see article), still do a fine job. But as global problems proliferate and information whips round the world ever faster, the organisational response looks ever shabbier, slower and feebler. The worldâ??s governing bodies need to change.

So those that know me know that I either have a Mountain Dew or a beer in my hand (and occasionally on weekends when Iâ??m taking myself too seriously, a glass of wine) at all times. My Dew addiction is so bad, that Smackette gave me one of her Starbuck coffee mugs to pour the Dew into because she was convinced that people would take me more seriously if I didnâ??t look like I was always drinking a soda. As usual, she was right, although I still maintain growing the permanent 5 Oâ??clock shadow has helped as well.

This summer Mountain Dew released three new flavors designed by Dew drinkers â?? however, only one will survive after the voting at dewmocracy.com. After launching a successful international campaign to get â??Live Wireâ? to be a permanent fixture, I was going to sit this one out. But luckily for me, the liquor store I stop at to pick up a sandwich on my way to the beach for lunch (donâ??t hate me because I eat lunch at the beach 2-3 times a week, hate me because Iâ??m beautiful) had all three new flavors in stock.

<img src="http://www.dewmocracy.com/images/image_overview-default_bott.jpg" alt=" - " />

First up for Review: REVOLUTION

â??Dew Infused with Wild Berry Fruit Flavor and Ginsengâ?

One of my biggest fears of these new flavors was that they were going to be too sweet. One was raspberry, one was strawberry, and this was the wild berry variety. I must say, this one is very tame. Iâ??ve noticed that the most recent Dew varietals have come with a bit of an aftertaste that is not present on the original masterpiece, so eloquently encapsulated in the Mountain Dew Rock by Beck. This one is the same â?? it must be the Ginseng (which is a cop out for I have no fâ??in clue why it has the after taste). The light taste combined with the fizzy start make it taste more like a berry flavored seltzer water than a Mountain Dew. I rather enjoyed it this morning.

Itâ??s going to be tough for the other ones to beat this one out. Itâ??s better than Code Red, but is still behind Live Wire and the original.

so smackie will you have the Do Not Disturb sign out on the 22nd when the U2 remastered CDs with bonus tracks come out?

and no i'm not ignoring your white papers just been a bit preoccupied this week…

Oh, iTunes 7.7 just came out! That can mean only one thing!!!

Oh, a new phone. Nevermind.

Originally posted by kosmo:
so smackie will you have the Do Not Disturb sign out on the 22nd when the U2 remastered CDs with bonus tracks come out?

Well, I no longer buy CDs, but I still took the day off. I'll figure something out.

I'm thinking me and the Director should meet half way, take over the DJ booth at a gentleman's club see what happens with the remasters….

i like how 'where the streets have no name' is basically the entire republic of ireland

i did get to see the crazy u2 street with all the graffiti though