Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know...

[godsshoeshine]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  can i change my flip remark to 'yes, but brazil is my new favorite country to obsess over'

Sure.  You can obsess over Brazil and I'll continue to obsess over Turkey.  I think you're winning this one. [/b]

not that turkey isnt facinating, but i now want to start a construction/irrigation startup in mato grosso. i mean, a good portion of the best construction workers around here are from bolivia, anyway

[vansmack]

First up�?�Internet Connectivity
 
 I had been waiting patiently for Google to roll out their Free Wifi for San Francisco, but it was held up by our Board of Supervisors for so long that both Earthlink and Google gave up on the project.  Major Bummer.  Had they offered 300kbps for free and a pay service for even 1MB, I would have been all over the pay service.  But alas�?�
 
 So I was left with the Cable vs. DSL.  It�??s amazing that the majority of the US is still deciding between only these two options �?? if you can even get both.  Those of you in Verizon�??s FiOS area should consider yourself very lucky�?�
 
 My local providers are Comcast and at&t. Comcast is blocking at&t from rolling out U-verse, so I have no Fiber option, yet I live 30 minutes from Silicon Valley.  Yes, I see the irony.
 
 We used to have at&t DSL, but their service was spotty at best and we would experience frequent outages.  They claimed that the building�??s wiring must be too old and there was little they could do about it.  So we switched to Earthlink, but we suffered the same problems.  I�??m still not sure if at&t is right, because as it turns out Earthlink simply leases at&t�??s wires.    
 
 In looking at DSL, you�??re paying less than cable for internet service, however, you can�??t have DSL without a working phone line, so it�??s not really cheaper than a cable modem.  If you live in the 21st century, what do you need a land line for, other than international long distance calls?  So no land line, no DSL.  That ruled out at&t and Earthlink.  This led to me the no copper wires rule.

[vansmack]

Internet Connectivity (cont.)
 
 So, Comcast�?�.I�??m not sure if I�??m still banned from Comcast.  After all, that was over 5 years ago and on the other side of the country..but I�??d had a few run-ins with Comcast in DC.  Look, don�??t get mad at me because I know about your technology than your customer service reps, and the supervisor, and some of the tech support specialists.  So we didn�??t rule them out, just in case they�??d forgotten who I was.
 
 But in order to get an affordable cable modem solution, you have to bundle with their other services.  Here�??s my problem with bundling �?? I don�??t write a check any more as it is.  NOT ONE.  If everything is autopay or online banking, how much easier is �??bundling�?� really?  One bill.  Whoopdy doo.  Nobody snail mails me a bill any more either.  This is a scam folks.  And one that many people are buying into.
 
 I�??m going to have the Satellite TV vs. Cable TV discussion at another time, but let�??s just say that you�??re going to have to pry DirecTV out of my cold, dead hands.  With Comcast not being an option for TV and us having absolutely no need for VoIP, the $60 a month for cable seemed steep, but was the early leader.  Ouch.
 
 My disdain for Comcast led me to start searching for other options.  What do the folks in the sticks do?  Most of them live to far away from the switch to use DSL and Cable won�??t pay the price to lay wires to their place.  Turns out, they use either their cell phone company�??s data plan or satellite internet.

[vansmack]

Internet Connectivity (last post)
 
 Satellite internet has a huge latency problem (think delay between clicks) that is impossible for a gamer, let alone anyone who want to stream something.  It�??s also really expensive.
 
 So I looked at Verizon and Sprint, at the time the only Wireless providers with a 3G network in my neighborhood.  Verizon has a 5GB download limit so I immediately threw them out.   I download way more than 5GB a month with all of my gaming and trial software for various companies.
 
 Sprint offered unlimited download for the same price as cable modem service, so I talked to the folks at Sprint.  Unfortunately, WiMAX is still months off, but they said there would be upgrades available to existing Sprint data users.  They also said that they would be ending the unlimited download in July, but that they would be grandfathering existing users.  Hmmm�?�      
 
 Switching to a Cell provider for home internet has its downsides.  One, your existing routers won�??t work with a cell phone modem without extra equipment and two, the speeds aren�??t the same as Cable or DSL.  At first we were going to use our cell phones, hooked up to each computer, but this wasn�??t efficient for two reasons: (1) each phone has to pay for broadband access (adds up) and (2) you can�??t receive incoming calls when you�??re using your phone as a modem.  
 
 Sprint gave us a 30 day trial of one of their USB modems, and we liked it.  It offered about 1MB speeds and was fairly reliable.  It was also very portable �?? we could take it anywhere we get cell phone service and have DSL speed internet connection.  We make frequent trips between SF and LA and the service is very strong.
 
 In order to share it with other computers, I bought a Cradlepoint CTR-350 EVDO router off E-bay for $100, which is also very portable (about the size of a deck of cards.  As ridiculous as this sounds, with the car charger, we can plug the router and modem in to the cigarette lighter and have wifi access for all laptops in the car.  You can set up a mini-network anywhere you want basically �?? coffee shops, conference rooms, hotel rooms, the beach, the park, you name it.
 
 Once WiMax comes out, and speeds rival Cable modems, I can�??t wait for the opportunities.
     
 So I sacrificed speed for portability, and bucked the at&t/Comcast duopoly.  Almost three months later, I still feel pretty good about it.

[vansmack]

DIGITAL REVOLUTION: Media Centers
 
 Alright, so I bored you with my ISP decision making.  Sorry about that, but it will all come back together in the end.
 
 At the beginning of the year, I made a heart breaking decision.  I had to get rid of the last TiVo in the house.  As most of you know, I was an early TiVo adopter and quickly joined their beta team.  They were doing some great things with DirecTV (dual tuner recording was on directv almost a decade ago now),  and ever better things in their stand alone models, but neither Directv nor TiVo really wanted to play along.  TiVo wanted Directv to open up their TiVo boxes for media features, DirecTV refused to pay the price and started building their own box.  TiVo then decided to jump on the cable bandwagon and ditch DirecTV all together.  This left me in a quandary.  I REALLY liked both companies, but I couldn�??t keep both.
 
 DirecTV finally won out by providing a ridiculous amount of HDTV, exclusive sports and by inviting me to help build the next TiVo-esque box for DirecTV with Media Share and a whole host of other features.  More on that in a minute.
 
 Way back in 2007, after I expelled my last Stand Alone TiVo from the arsenal, I had my computer hooked up to both my stereo and my HDTV.  We could have �??youtube offs�?� after a drunken night or play the music collection via the stereo to our hearts content.  I could download HD broadcasts of pay-per-view soccer matches and watch them on the big screen...you get the point.  Smackette hated the computer in the front room, and frankly, I was over the desktop too, but it was too useful to get rid of.
 
 Conveniently for Xmas, Smackette gave me an Xbox 360.  Sweet �?? Halo, Rock Band, WWII games.  I was in heaven.  What I failed to properly assess was the Media Extender built into the 360.  The Xbox recognized the other computers on the network and allowed me to play the music files on the desktop or smackette�??s laptop, stream the movie files on the desktop, view pictures, you name it.  I used to be able to do that with the Stand Alone TiVo, but now I can put the desktop in any room in the apt and play my media out here.  Sweet.  Sure, there are many other music players out there that stream, but they all have their limitations.  Some only do music, some can�??t do video, some do photos, but no music at the same time, etc.  But why buy an entirely new device if I already own a device that has these features built in?

[vansmack]

Media Centers (cont.)
 
 DirecTV and others  have tried desperately to build the same functionality into their DVR�??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 �?? that would be nobody.  Anyway, all are based on a similar model �?? 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 wasn�??t a bad deal.  Smackette, however, wouldn�??t touch it because the interface was very limited, so it was back to the drawing board.
 
 Then I discovered that Smackette�??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 you�??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.

[vansmack]

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 they�??re way too expensive, but there�??s many more limitations than simply the price.
 
 I�??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. It�??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 they�??ll provide me an inexpensive device, why bother?
 
 But let�??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, it�??s still not conducive to multi-tasking.  Assume, you�??re recording two shows to watch after your guests leave, but while you�??re entertaining, you�??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 HTPC�??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 we�??re past that now.  What we�??re not past is backup solutions.  Unless you�??re a techie, there are not easy mirroring solutions for on the go hardware failure.  I consider myself a techie, but even I wouldn�??t take on mirroring an HTPC and the resources that would require.  I�??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 don�??t see that right round the corner.  Either way, for ripping, storage and backing up, it won�??t be one processor for a long time in my opinion.

[walkonby]

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. [/b]

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

[vansmack]

Originally posted by vansmack:
  Why not just build a home theater PC (HTPC)?
 
 The easy answer would have been they�??re way too expensive, but there�??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.

[sweetcell]

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.      [/b]

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.

[walkonby]

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

[godsshoeshine]

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)

[vansmack]

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.

[walkonby]

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>

[vansmack]

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.