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Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know...

vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 08:42 PM UTC #
Hey Mac guys….

I'm setting up an Airport Express this weekend for a guy who wants his music collection through his stereo.  Somebody, I think it was raebyddet, was asking about the Digital aspect of the express (I think you could go from a stereo 3.5 plug to an optical plug).  Did anybody ever do this and what was the end result?

In addition, I'd like to do both an analog setup and a digital setup - can this be done with one airport express or do I need two?
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 08:56 PM UTC #
vansmack wrote:

In addition, I'd like to do both an analog setup and a digital setup - can this be done with one airport express or do I need two?


Allow me to expand on this…

He has a Denon 2 Zone reciever.  Zone 1 can handle a digital or analog signal, so I would like to use an Optical connection.  Zone 2 can only handle an analog signal and would require me to use RCA jacks.  Therefore, what I would like to do is split the 3.5mm plug and use one plug for a 3.5mm to RCA connection, and use the other for the 3.5 to Optical connection.

Can this be done?
sweetcell
Joined: July 18, 2006 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 22608
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 09:46 PM UTC #
vansmack wrote:
what I would like to do is split the 3.5mm plug and use one plug for a 3.5mm to RCA connection, and use the other for the 3.5 to Optical connection.

Can this be done?

i don't think it can.  the express' spec page sez "3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound" - note the "or".  both analog and optical plug in to the same jack/port, so the express outputs only one format depending on what is plugged in.  i've never heard of an 3.5"/optical all-in-one splitter… it would have to be pretty slick: suck the optical light pulses down its center, while the outside casing connected to the analog.

methinks that you'll need some sort of an external contraption to output the signal from the express and then split it in two (search for "toslink splitter", send one output to something that can convert it analog maybe?).  but i say this based solely on my understanding of that webpage.
Venerable Bede
Joined: October 16, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3863
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 09:58 PM UTC #
walkonby wrote:
i like how the local beer lady at the local fine beer shoppe i frequent, is telling me to buy these mucho pricey beers at 30 $ a four pack and the such, and to store them like wines.  "storing beers for six to eight years before drinking them is a the new thing."  very interesting.

i think some of the hardy and samuel smith's can stand up for that long. . .the sam adams triple bock could probably also age. . .i had read an article about ageing beer, but can't remember where i might have read it (egullet possibly).
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 10:05 PM UTC #
sweetcell wrote:
i don't think it can. 


I see what you're saying.  The first person I talked too at the Apple Store looked at me like I was crazy - no idea what I was talking about.

The second person thought it was worth a shot, but didn't know what to expect. 

I have all the parts so I may as well try.  I think as long as the output is Stereo, it will work (depending on the splitter of course, and I have about 10 different 3.5mm splitters).  If the output is stereo and the splitter or the RCA jacks convert the signal to analog then it's the end point that should matter not the statting point.  I don't know the engineering of RCA jacks though.

But you're right, if the output is determined by the type of plug (or signal request) then I'm definitely hosed.   
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 10:27 PM UTC #
Nevermind.  I just found a couple of forum posts that said it will definitely not work.  Sweetcell's prediction is correct - if you stick a 3.5mm stereo plug in the there, you get analog, if you put a mini to TOSLINK plug in there, you get digital.  You can't have both.
sweetcell
Joined: July 18, 2006 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 22608
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 10:39 PM UTC #
<deleted: semi-pedantic explanation of 3.5 & rca plugs, and the need for conversion between analog and optical>

vansmack wrote:
But you&#039;re right, if the output is determined by the type of plug (or signal request) then I&#039;m definitely hosed.&nbsp; &nbsp;

well, you wouldn't be completely hosed… you'd just need something to split the single output of the express into two.  an optical (toslink) splitter would allow you to send one optical signal straight to the optical in on zone 1, and send the second optical signal to some sort of optical-to-3.5 or optical-to-rca converter.
sweetcell
Joined: July 18, 2006 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 22608
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 10:44 PM UTC #
HoyaSaxa03 wrote:
gizmodo is saying that the liquidation sale is all BS… any experience with one?

learn fast, 'cause:

Liquidators will start arriving in our 567 stores across the U.S. over the weekend, and closing sales will start as early as Saturday, January 17.&nbsp; Closing sales will run as long as it takes to sell existing inventory, but are expected to wrap up by the end of March.&nbsp; When the liquidation sales are completed, the stores will be closed.

http://www.circuitcity.com/closed.html
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 16, 2009 at 11:04 PM UTC #
sweetcell wrote:
learn fast, &#039;cause:


So here's what happens and how you can get ahead.  Everything is reset to MSRP, and then 30% is reduced from that price.

This means that every xbox 360 game will be either $42 (for $60 games) or $35 for ($50 games).  For new releases that's a pretty good deal.  Other things like Rock Band and game consoles that don't usually go on sale can also be had on the cheap.  I think some netbooks might be had on the cheap tomorrow too.

Things that are usually sold well below MSRP could very well be more expensive tomorrow then they are today (like HDTVs, Digital Camera's, most PCs).  Those things you will have to be patient on.

Every week or two that goes by, the items are further reduced.   
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 19, 2009 at 05:50 PM UTC #
Im sitting outside circuity city right now (they open in ten minutes). if theres nything in particular you want me to check out for you, speak up.
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 19, 2009 at 08:05 PM UTC #
Not much too it really.

10% off most items (last advertised price, not MSRP), 20% off CDs and DVDs.

The best bargain I got was negotiating the price of open box items with the manager.  Of course, you're taking a huge risk here, but double check the manufacturers warranty and you should be ok.
brennser
Joined: October 21, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3760
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 02:47 AM UTC #
thoughts on the new U2 single Smackie??? some fairly crunchy guitar on there….definitely a bit of a surprise for them I'd say
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 05:32 AM UTC #
brennser wrote:
thoughts on the new U2 single Smackie??? some fairly crunchy guitar on there….definitely a bit of a surprise for them I&#039;d say


Similar to you sentiment in the mall thread, I've been participating in a lot of interesting discussions with boardies off the board until the ridiculousness ends.  Sadly, I'm hearing your thoughts echoed more and more over email…

Anyhow, so me, the Director and few others were discussing the new single over email and we decided that Adam Clayton really shines in the new single and the "fuzzy" guitar is a welcome addition to the repertoire.  If this any indication of what to expect in the new album, we should expect some great stories from The Director as he travels the world with the lads.

It gets a thumbs up from Smackie - next time you DJ throw it on your set list and tell me if the kids start dancing.  Me thinks they will….
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 05:41 PM UTC #
Frank wrote:
Originally posted by vansmack:
&nbsp;
Sirius Purchase of Rival XM Approved by Justice Dept.

Honestly, I thought this would take a lot longer…now what will the FCC do???
Well that answers that then. I won&#039;t be getting sattelite radio at all now..up go the fees and down go the commercial free channels.


Well, that only took a year:

Sirius XM Rate Increase For March 11th CONFIRMED

For those of you who may have heard the news about the ?potential? Sirius XM rate increase this afternoon, I can unequivocally confirm that this is in fact true. Customer support representatives are now confirming to the general public that the rates will go into effect on March 11th and they are encouraging current subscribers to lock in at their current and soon to be grandfathered rates for 3 years, before it is too late.

As suspected the will be a $2 increase for additional subscriptions and a $2.99 fee for the online internet radio service. The silver lining in all of this is that all internet subscriptions will now feature the 128k ?premium? feed.
sonickteam2
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 05:48 PM UTC #
  I am on my 3-month trial of XM Sirius (came with my new car), I havent decided whether i will keep it or not.  I like some of the channels (love that they added that Backspin channel) but i am not in my car all that much so i dont know.

 
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 05:53 PM UTC #
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/themoment/

This is one of the coolest technologies for photos that I've seen in a while.  When I first heard about, I thought - when am I ever going to have that many pictures to use it.  Now that I see it's power with a community collection of pictures, I am in awe.

Photosynth is a Microsoft technology that creates 3D spaces from anyone's 2D photos. Hundreds of thousands of synths are viewable on photosynth.com, including the best inauguration synths.

*Silverlight is required
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 06:09 PM UTC #
num wrote:
&nbsp; I am on my 3-month trial of XM Sirius (came with my new car), I havent decided whether i will keep it or not.&nbsp; I like some of the channels (love that they added that Backspin channel) but i am not in my car all that much so i dont know.


We opted not to for similar reasons.  We rarely drive anywhere together and our commutes to work are barely 10 minutes at most. 

It's really only useful to us on trips to LA (which we take maybe twice a year) and for times when we're driving somewhere and there's sports on that we want to listen to.  We tend to DVR the game and watch it when we get home so we didn't find much use for it.

We've been much happier with an iPod/mp3 stereo and audiobooks.
godsshoeshine
Joined: September 18, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 4826
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 06:10 PM UTC #
i like to listen to it on directv if i am doing things around the house, but would not pay extra either
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 06:15 PM UTC #
Is your better half really into sports as much as you, and actually wants to listen to it on a drive, or are you just using "We" in the figurative sense?

vansmack wrote:
num wrote:
&nbsp; I am on my 3-month trial of XM Sirius (came with my new car), I havent decided whether i will keep it or not.&nbsp; I like some of the channels (love that they added that Backspin channel) but i am not in my car all that much so i dont know.


We opted not to for similar reasons.&nbsp; We rarely drive anywhere together and our commutes to work are barely 10 minutes at most.&nbsp;

It&#039;s really only useful to us on trips to LA (which we take maybe twice a year) and for times when we&#039;re driving somewhere and there&#039;s sports on that we want to listen to.&nbsp; We tend to DVR the game and watch it when we get home so we didn&#039;t find much use for it.

We&#039;ve been much happier with an iPod/mp3 stereo and audiobooks.
Venerable Bede
Joined: October 16, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3863
Re: Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know... January 21, 2009 at 06:40 PM UTC #
vansmack wrote:
Not much too it really.

10% off most items (last advertised price, not MSRP), 20% off CDs and DVDs.

The best bargain I got was negotiating the price of open box items with the manager.&nbsp; Of course, you&#039;re taking a huge risk here, but double check the manufacturers warranty and you should be ok.


Many irate Circuit City shoppers discovered the hard way this weekend that going-out-of-business sales don&#039;t always mean bargain-basement prices.
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