One for all Remote update
Well, It has been 5 business days (a full week tomorrow) since I emailed One for All remote about my problems. No response, except for a stupid automated email message saying not to email them more than once about a problem or to even check up on the status, since they are busy from the holidays (what, Chinese New Year??? Holy crap, it is the end of February). They will get back to me as soon as possible. This doesn't bode well for my ability to get a solution very soon. I may take the remote to my folks place and see if it works for them (lord knows they could use it). I still don't think they have gotten the DVD player hooked up we got them for Christmas. They have an older Mitsubishi TV, like around 20 years old, and it only has VHF/UHF inputs. Well, they have satellite, vcr, and an old laser disc player all trying to be routed into that one connection. Obviously the DVD player couldn't be hooked up without an RF modulator or a switch box, and I was hoping to plug the composit video in through the VCR, but of course, the macro vision protection on the VCR faded the display in and out during playback. So, I told them about a $25 4 input switcher with a built in RF modulator output they could pick up at their BestBuy store, but I don't think they've messed with it much. Dad really likes the HDTV I have, and keeps saying maybe they should get a new TV. I'm very afraid for them if they do. If you are reading this, Mom and Dad, stop it. Who let you on the internet?
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- posted by Jeff @ 11:27 PM | 0 comments

 
Universal Remote Control

For the past year, I've lived with having to use at LEAST 2 remote controls for my home entertainment stand. Actually, I have to use all 4 to access all of the functions I need for my Pioneer audio receiver, Samsung DVD/VCR player, Samsung HD DirecTV tuner, and Mitsubishi rear projection TV. Almost all of them "claim" to have universal remote functionality, but one or the other just doesn't work with some of the components. Worst of all, is that I run all my audio through my Pioneer 5.1 Dolby Digital receiver, and don't use the TV audio at all, so when I'm in DirecTV mode, (which my TV remote won't control, so the best remote I have is the Samsung DirecTV remote), it wants to punch through and use the TV volume control codes (and there is no way to change that, that I've been able to find).

Anyway, I finally just got fed up with it, and started looking online (especially after really hating the signal strength on my DirecTV universal remote, which can't even control its own unit from more than 15 feet). I was considering spending almost $150 on a Harmony Remote IR/RF learning remote (SST 659). But then, I came across One for All remotes, and picked the URC 6131 for its ability to reassign punch through keys in certain modes, and the ability to pick a master volume lock, all for only $19. Well, it is PERFECT, except for one thing. It won't control my Samsung DirecTV tuner (been through all the codes at least 4 times). They promise UPGRADABILITY, and if you have any problem with a component, they will get you an upgraded remote that contains the new codes, but I don't know how long that is going to take them. Hope they can get it for me soon. I love the remote. Even going up to the $45 URC 8910 would be great, but it has the same code for Samsung under Satellite, so I'm sure it won't work, either (and it only offers 4 learning buttons, so that isn't exactly going to work either).
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- posted by Jeff @ 2:36 PM | 0 comments

 
Building a Home Theatre Personal Computer (HTPC)
I'm in trouble. I have the HTPC bug pretty bad. This is going to cost me probably around $800 (plus add the token 50% mark up to my initial estimate that always happens when I do these things because I just have to have the best..sigh).

Building Your Own HTPC, offers a pretty good jump off point for all of this (including links to some great looking audio quality PC cases). They even have vacuum fluorescent displays that can be hooked up to your serial port with software to sniff the CD track number and play time (and about a million other things, like local weather rotational display, time, date, etc). A Google search for HTPC returns thousands of sites showing how to build these things (it is even more mainstream than building MAME cabinets, grin). I really want to find a motherboard that has 802.11g built in wireless networking support. I see that Shuttle has some pretty cool mini cases with integrated proprietary motherboards and wireless support, they are calling XPC's. They even including some of the 7-in-1 media readers that seems ESSENTIAL to any HTPC.

Plus, with Windows new Media Edition Center, and all the other cool software front ends that are popping up all over, this IS going to be the wave of the future. Move over TIVO, because that is just the tip of the ice berg. The question is, for $1000-1200, what do I end up with? Well, here are my main expectations:

• Number one is that I get a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) out of this. The only question is, will it do HiDef capture. At this point, it is probably not reasonable (there are OTA HiDef capture cards, but none that work with cable or satelight providers yet, though DISH network just announced the release of their 921 HD PVR for $1000, and I've heard rumors that DirecTV is planning on releasing a comparable unit by April for around the same amount), so maybe we will see PCI cards at some point, too. The movie industry is REALLY kicking us in the groin to try to prevent us from being able to capture high definition digital content (for the same reasons that the music industry is fighting digital MP3 media and file sharing on the internet, and the network TV industry is REALLY scared about the ability for us to record commercial free video content. For those of you that haven't been sold on how cool a PVR is, I have not yet heard of ONE SINGLE PERSON that has seen it and not had it completely change how they watch TV. It's bigger than the VCR.
  
  
• On demand MP3 playback. This is pretty cool. No more shuffling all my hundreds of CDs to find the song I want or anything. Pick the song you want (or randomly play from specific play lists or music theme types) and have it all. Plus with wireless streaming, I can even have it all stored on a central file server if I need.
  
  
• HD progressive scan DVD playback. This is a minor point, right now, since I already have a progressive scan DVD player, but it comes for free with this. And if Microsoft can ever get their new HD content standards that are currently supported by Windows Media Player 9 (up to 1080p) accepted by the movie industry, this may be the best way to get blue laser DVD super hidef content playback on my TV much cheaper than commercial units will run initially.
  
  
• WebTV. I know this has been pushed for a long time, and failed a lot, but this is something that I can't believe hasn't taken off better. I'm shocked and surprised that cable companies (and more importantly, Microsoft, with all the opportunities for internet fees and subscriptions and a market that may be bigger than the PC industry) haven't been plugging this HUGE. With cable companies offering cable modems and stuff, this is a natural marriage, and the perfect sales tool. Just integrate the cable modem into a TIVO like web browsing box that you rent out to the masses. I think a lot of people underestimate the power of a WebTV.
  
  First, it is one of the best new media/news tools. CNN and MSNBC already have a strong internet news center, and it seems perfectly logical to sit down and browse that content on you HDTV in your living room, sipping coffee before heading to work. Additionally, how many of you have argued with your spouse, or puzzled over some actor or actress and what other movie they have been in? Well, with an HTPC and the combination of a PVR that can pause live TV or DVD and swap over to a browser, just consult IMDB.com (Internet Movie DataBase), and search for actor/actress names, movies, and a million other threads to track that down really quick. Then there is also the tons of internet quickie games (like online hearts, poker, bejeweld, tetris, etc.) that can occupy a ton of your entertainment time all from the comfort of your own couch.
  
  
• PC Game or console? An HTPC seriously begins to blur the lines between console and PC gaming. Most of the games are already so generically produced, that they can be ported easily to just about any platform, including PC. Add a wireless game controller, and you may not be able to tell the difference between Madden 2004 on an Xbox and your HTPC. Hum...Everquest on the widescreen? Nod.
  
  
• Home movie media center. I have a kid now, and you can't believe how much time I spend sampling all the hours of digital mini-DV format video over to hard drive for archival purposes. Most of it would be EASY to do on the TV with an HTPC.
  

Sigh, I'm going to try to put together a list of parts tomorrow and get a cost estimate. I've done this about 3 times now, and each time, I just decide to wait a little longer for prices to drop and for it to become more mainstream (cheaper capture cards, and new hidef support, etc.). But I really want to play around with a PVR!
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- posted by Jeff @ 6:32 AM | 0 comments

 
What irrational number are you?
Here is mine (funny, Sarah's was the same one):



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- posted by Jeff @ 7:38 PM | 0 comments

 
Great log of how some people use computers...

This has got to be one of the funniest incidents I've heard in a long time. This guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the 'WordPerfect Helpline,' which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the Customer Care Department. Needless to say, the HelpDesk employee was fired. However, he is currently suing the WordPerfect Organization for 'termination without cause.'

This is the actual dialogue of the former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.
(Now you will know why they record these conversations).


Rich Hall, computer assistance; how may I help you?
Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.
What sort of trouble?
Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.
Went away?
They disappeared.
Hmmm. So what does your screen look like now?
Nothing.
Nothing?
It's blank. It won't accept anything when I type.
Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?
How do I tell?
Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?
What's a sea-prompt?
Never mind can you move your cursor around the screen?
There isn't any cursor. I told you it won't accept anything I type.
Does your monitor have a power indicator?
What's a monitor?
It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when its on?'
I don't know.
Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?
Yes, I think so.
Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Yes, it is.
When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?
No.
Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.
Okay, here it is.
Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.
I can't reach.
Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?
No.
Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over.
Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle it's because it's dark.
Dark?
Yes, the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.
Well, turn on the light then.
I can't.
No? why not?
Because there's a power failure.
A power..a power failure?..Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?
Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.
Good. Go and get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.
Really? Is it that bad?
Yes, I'm afraid it is.
Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?
Tell them you're too fucking stupid to own a computer!!!!

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- posted by Jeff @ 6:02 PM | 0 comments

 
Just saw John Mayer in concert
What a great performance. Maroon V was Ok, but as usual, they blast the sound too much at some of these concerts (even John had some songs where the bass background guitar was drowning out the sound). I really like John's music and his voice. At one point in the concert, he said he was 40, which shocked me, but looking at his bio, it looks like he is really only 25. He seems like a pretty good shoman too. Very comfortable at the mic and talked a lot between songs. Very good concert. I need to get his latest album, I really like the last song on it, "Wheel".

JOHNMAYER.com
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- posted by Jeff @ 7:34 AM | 0 comments

 
William Hung, American Idol...boy SHE BANGS!
William Hung: The Online Tribute to Will Hung The best part of this was when he said, "...and I have no professional training at all..."

LOL.
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- posted by Jeff @ 11:39 AM | 0 comments

 
Riley James McClain
I can't help but grin after a long, hard day at work when I come home and see my son, Riley.


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- posted by Jeff @ 11:22 PM | 0 comments

 
Tivo, PDA's and Wireless LAN Computing
So, I really want to get into the wireless computing scene. I have read all the good public docs about the encryption, keys, SSID, and Linksys has a great PDF that takes you through a very good security setup for these things. I have an XBox, but it is hard wired already (damn the foresight!!), and my laptop doesn't really go anywhere but next to my main PC and doesn't have a wireless card (yet) or anything.

Then I think, well, maybe if I pick up an iPac h5555 pocket PC with built in wireless 802.11b, bluetooth and Windows Mobile 2003, I could justify getting a wireless router. Yeah, that will only run me $600 plus the cost of the router. Then I read about how cool some of the latest tablet PC's are (basically just big PDA's with better computational power), and that seems like a good idea (now I'm only up to $2000).

Then I also think I really need to get a wireless MP3/PVR combo setup out by my TV with wireless keyboard and mouse. You know, to record what ever I want, surf the web on my big screen HDTV and whatever else. Plus, it is a killer ap for justifying the need to get a wireless router. Grin.
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- posted by Jeff @ 10:25 PM | 0 comments

 
My First Blog
This represents my first public blog. I have converted a lot of my "what's new" pages for my MAME and Mossy Cup Brewing pages over to blogs as well. These are just about the coolest thing since PERL.
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- posted by Jeff @ 9:48 PM |