Feb
4
Tech-net Columns
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A great site on tech-net that puts up weekly (I think) columns discussing all kinds of admin type topics. The Scripting Guy stuff is great!
Feb
4
Like riding a bike or unhooking a bra?
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I finally got the HTPC hooked back up to the HDTV (Hitachi 51″) last night. After only two days of installation and configuration in the office, it was time to slap it back in the audio rack. After about two hours of tweaking and tuning, it was ready to go. We watched Raising Helen for the official MCE test run - not a bad movie at all. I was kind of disappointed because the Nvidia DVD decoder was the only one that worked with FFDShow right out of the box, sup with that? I will have to play around with Dscaler and Sonic Cineplayer more, since the Nvidia codec is only a 30 day trial - that and Dscaler is getting rave reviews on the AVSForums.
I am just happy I was able to get this thing up and running again in less than 3 days. I remember the last time I set this thing up, I tinkered with it for almost two weeks off and on before it was ready to really use it; even then the WAF factor was seriously low. All the old tweaks and tricks came flooding back to me as I started setting this box back up, no stumbling and fumbling like a teenage boy unhooking that first bra in the dark ;).
Now I just need to complete my purchasing of all the things on my wish list (usb-uIRT, SDTV cap card, and more HD space) for this box, and I think the WAF factor will shoot through the roof. I was a bit disappointed with the performance of the HDTV wonder card that I received for Christmas, but I am hoping that a signal amp will help clear that up - if I ever figure out where/which one to get.
Feb
3
Have you ever…
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Caught your hair on fire with a cigarette? Someone I know did, too bad we don’t have pictures to laugh at…
Feb
1
I feel like I have sold my soul to the devil or something - relying heavily on Microsoft will make any Linux advocate feel that way. I think it started going down hill when I had trouble getting Linux to run on my laptop, but each new toy I have purchased lately adds to this recent MS addiction. The pocketPC was the major turning point; it is just so easy to use when you team it up with the MS programs on a PC.
Lately I have been reading Sean Alexander and Pete Near, I think once I turn to MCE2k5 for my HTPC my turn to the dark side will be complete. MCE looks like it far surpasses any other HDTV DVR application for a PC - that is my hope, anyway. The bonus feature of the whole setup is the MCX device I can purchase for the xBox, allowing me to extend the MCE setup to our bedroom.
Between WoW, Sloth, and the HTPC there isn’t much other free time left… Thankfully Kelley and I enjoy some of it together! We also got to hear the baby’s heartbeat yesterday and we scheduled the sonogram to see the sex of the baby, the day before my birthday! Anyway, back to lying down.