Go Long!

Posted on February 4th, 2007 in Business & Industry, News & Updates | No Comments »

Superbowl XLI

It’s time for Superbowl XLI! Oh I just like saying that “XLI”, sounds like a really hot Graphics card. You know like NVIDIA 9900 XLI…Oh well I digress.

Will Payton Air it out all over “Da Bears?” Or can the boys from Soldier Field beat down the Colts with their ground game? Anything is possible but I know I will be watching for the commercials. Can’t wait to see Kevin and Alex from Digg.com in the Go Daddy spot, or will they be passed out doing a bit for Jugermeister? Regardless it’s always fun to see who spent two million for 30 seconds!  

Vista Media Center – Are we there yet?

Posted on February 2nd, 2007 in Gadgets, Windows | 1 Comment »

In a word; No, not really, maybe, kind of, Yes. Got that? Clear as mud, isn’t it?

Eric with Media Remote

You might recall last month I started on a quest to investigate the viability of replacing my preferred DVR solution (DirecTV + Tivo) with Vista MCE and off-air HD. You can read about it in: Vista + HDTV = Tivo Killer?

After working with the Artec HD USB 2.0 dongle on my Vista Ultimate test rig (Intel Core 2 Duo based system) for the last few weeks, I can answer you with any of the above, just depends on the time you happen to ask the question.

Basically, the core functionality of off-air DVR recording in HD is there. The most challenging aspect of this feat was the positioning of the provided indoor antenna and dealing with Vista driver issues. Once these issues were settled both Vista and the Artec T14A performed well.

I will comment that playback and live TV viewing was choppy at times, I believe this was due to I/O and CPU strain. Vista records its files to a .dvr-ms file type. And it’s big, no make that VERY BIG. One hour of programming is about 9 Gig. I’m guessing that is due to a lack of compression, while this is a plus for quality, it is a bit unnecessary (with all the great codecs out there today), fills even a big HD quickly, and impacts playback performance.

My test box was low end Core 2 Duo based system (E6300 running @ 1.86) with two gigs of RAM, an NVIDIA 6600GT, and dual SATA drives. With I/O issues in mind I set the recorder location to the D: (not the system) drive, but even this did not completely alleviate the jitters and jumpiness of playback.

But believe it or not it’s not even these technical/performance challenges that bring me to the “kind of, maybe” answer.

Since navigating Vista MCE is pure eye candy you might ask what is my reservation in deploying it as my primary HDTV media hub? While it is true Microsoft has done a wonderful job ripping off all the best interface cues from Tivo, OSX and others, it has not solved the seamless integration problem that is required to live in my media room.

Listen, simply put I want it all. I enjoy DirecTV programming and happen to believe they offer the best service for the price in SD at least. As beautiful as off-air HD is I don’t want to limit myself to the 15 or so local stations I can get with an off-air solution. I want the off-air HD to be my primary for network programming, but I need a DirecTV USB or PCI tuner solution. Come on guys, you promised this type of integration at CES 2006, lets get on with it.

Finally the “No” or is that “No, not yet.”

One of the most compelling aspects of the Vista MCE strategy is its extendibility via the Xbox 360. As I stated previously, the demo at this year’s CES with one Vista Media Center feeding five remote Xboxs was jaw dropping. For $299 not only do I get a full fledged gaming console, it offers me complete access to my digital content (music, photos, DVDs, downloaded content, live and recorded TV) stored elsewhere on my home computer running Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. Sounds great right?

Try to get your local Best Buy or Fry’s employee confirm this functionality or, heaven forbid, demo it. No, unfortunately this solution is still in the Uber Geek, early adopter phase of life. I am hopefully 2007 might mark the turning point for this, but it’s at least 6 months out, if it’s going to happen at all this year.

So thus concludes my search for a perfectly unified HD + digital media player solution for my media room, at least for a month or so, till then I have some CSI episodes to go watch on my Tivo.

Mac Users Can’t resist Vista

Posted on January 31st, 2007 in Apple, Windows | No Comments »

Are they sucked in by the Widgets or is the Expose like Aero interface, I’m not sure but Users like Steve Siddle just can’t get enough.

 

Steve With Vista

 

I ran into Steve at Fry’s today, as you can tell from that grin on his face; there is no way I’m prying that Vista Ultimate out of his hands. Well actually that was till I told him the Retail price of $399, then the grip was a little less barbaric – ok, so he quickly dropped it and ran away in horror.

For those of you who don’t know Steve is a Mac/Final Cut Guru by day, but slips into his alter ego of WWII Sniper by night in DOD.

 

All joking aside, his only question about whether to upgrade to Vista or not was just, “Can I PWN N00bZ better with Vista?”

Happy Vista Day!

Posted on January 29th, 2007 in Business & Industry, Windows | No Comments »

Unless you have been living under large topiary for the past couple of years, you know that January 30th, 2007 marks the wide scale consumer release of Microsoft Windows Version 6.0.6, or the product you might know better as Vista. 

So in case you’re not one of the many Corporate IT departments already wrestling with the thought of Vista deployment, or a member of the press with an advance copy, or a developer (or even a wanna be developer) with MSDN, or you attended any MS event in the last few months, or you “purchased” one of the CTP (Community Technology Previews), or you Bittorrented a cracked copy – wow come to think about it, who doesn’t have a copy of Vista yet?

Well, for the eight of you who spent the night in a CompUSA parking lot so you can get your hands on the golden code (I use that term loosely) this Blog’s for you.

Actually, I shouldn’t “dis” those of you who are not as jaded, as I do recall the excitement of ripping open the shrink wrap of a new Microsoft OS to frantically jam its 5 1/4“ floppies into my system. For me the day was a cool Tuesday Morning, May 22nd, 1990. If that’s a little misty in your memory it was the launch day for Window 3.0.

Much has changed as far as launch days go. There where no Rock Stars, world wide simultaneous telecasts, and no “Start” buttons. There was no line wrapping around the door at the Egghead Software, ah Egghead – good times in that place. No the real excitement was not in the glitz of the launch itself, but rather in the technology, the software, the anticipation of totally new and improved product.

The expectation that this version of Widows would redefine the way users interact with their data. The promise that this Windows experience would so far exceed those of previous versions that I would instantly ask myself how I ever functioned before. Yes, there was a lot of anticipation as an early adopter back then.   Funny, the more I think about all that has changed, the more clear what has remained the same becomes. We’ve all been filled with hope of a better Windows for a long time.

A “hope” that this version of Windows will actually deliver on the dreams we’ve had for Windows 3.11, NT, 95, 2000, and even XP, the hope of a stable, secure and productive OS.

So Happy Vista Day – I hope the wait truly ends.

Hi-Tech Shopping aid for the ADHD

Posted on January 27th, 2007 in Gadgets | 2 Comments »

The Smart Shopper

With a catchy title like that I could easily be describing any of us. Our days are packed with too much to remember that when we finally make it to the store or out to run errands, the mind goes blank. That’s were the Smart Shopper comes in handy.

I saw this gadget at this year’s CES, and have to admit, where many similar devices have tried (and failed) in the past, the Smart Shopper might just have what it takes to succeed. First off, the Smart Shopper is voice activated – just build your grocery or to-do list with audible commands, rather than an awkward text or button interface. What’s more there is no training like so many ill fated voice based systems, it just works. The designers claim a vocabulary of over 2500 items/words. When I worked with the demo model at the show it did in fact recognize my commands and added them to the list.

Next, it’s tech, but not too much. This is a device targeted for the kitchen / home, not an IT department, therefore it does not boast a whole bunch of jargon and buzzword features – Bluetooth interoperability, no; 802.11 connectivity, nope, micro SD compatibility, not a chance, but it does sport a really nice magnet allowing you to affix it the fridge or any other metal surface.  In fact by comparison to most devices at CES, the Smart Shopper was kind of bulky, and down right un-sexy. But that is great! No tons of flashing LEDs to further distract you, remember why you needed this list manager in the first place – Oh, yea to get organized and simplify my life.

The Smart Shopper is available now online at http://smartshopperusa.com/ for a reasonable $149, another big plus – a reasonable price-point.

So if you are looking for some Bling, go invest in a new cell phone or one of those unduly complicated new universal remotes, but if you want a helpful gadget for the kitchen look no farther then the Smart Shopper.

Calm before the Vista Storm

Posted on January 25th, 2007 in Windows | No Comments »

So from the “interesting” category… I go into a California Micro Center today to pick up a notebook for a co-worker, nothing too odd about that right – the odd part was what happened next.

As I made my way to the systems department, I could not help but notice that the whole area of display PCs looked picked over and rather void, kind of trashy actually. This was the case in both the desktop and laptop displays.

A sales person in the systems area acknowledged me and said he’d be back in a minute after helping another patron. Since they were standing within earshot I could not help but listen to the conversation, in which the sales guy said he really did not have any computers to sell him as they were waiting for Vista to come out before restocking.

The customer was a bit disappointed, he was not looking for a Vista computer, he just needed a system for home. The salesman told him there was nothing he could and he should just wait a week to buy a system.

After that he came over to help me and cautioned at the beginning of the conversation that today (really the next week, till January 30) was a bad day to buy a computer. When I told him this was for business and I wanted to run XP Pro anyhow, he looked at me and said “Really?”

We were able to find one of the last two notebooks in stock that met my needs, picked it up and headed to check out.  At checkout the store manager came over to do the customary, “Thank you for buying a computer from us” speech (a nice touch at Micro Center), during this he was also surprised I was buying today and not waiting till Vista. He went on to devolve that they had over 100 notebooks alone in the back that they could not sell till the Vista launch.

As I finished the check out and walked to the car, I couldn’t help but think what an odd experience? A sales organization comfortable sending customers away empty handed when they wanted make a purchase. Wonder what kind of new system sales we are going to see on launch day?

As the Leopard the Roars!

Posted on January 24th, 2007 in Apple | No Comments »

 OSX banner

 

Apple Recon is reporting there will be a February 20 Apple event to announce the new OSX 10.5 and stronger faster Mac Pros.

 

If this is in fact the launch/roll-out of will have just barely missed Mac World, interesting timing???

 

Go over and check out their coverage in detail.

All hail VISTA!

Posted on January 23rd, 2007 in Windows | 1 Comment »

Okay,
maybe thats a little dramatic but I have seen Vista in the home…and its not too bad. In fact, I confess, I was captivated. Like the other Microsoft minions I was all  ready to cast a sceptical but somwhat approving eye on Vista. What I saw bought me back to earth and garnered a genuine appreciation for what Microsofts new OS has to offer. I only saw a relativley brief demo and we focused on the media features but I did see enough of the general screens and functionality to formulate an opinion.

 

Vista Desktop

You know those commercials with the two guys, one the MAC and one the PC? You see how the MAC guy is all hip and so “now”, the PC guy is sort of stodgy and frumpy. Well they just sent the PC guy to get a total makeover. He is still a PC but wow, they have really improved him. He is wearing new, hip, clothes and he buffed up and got a new haircut. Cooler to hang out with even though he is STILL a pc. I think that, on the surface, is where Vista takes us. For average users that is fine, more importantly for power users I think the changes in VISTA below the skin will make the computing experience more complete by allowing us to tailor the experience to our own needs.
Next I will take the plunge and install Vista on my laptop, I look forward to sharing that experience. 

Intel Acknowledges AMD was Right all along

Posted on January 22nd, 2007 in Business & Industry | No Comments »

So with everyone hyped out of their minds about what the new Apple phone will or will not do / when will it be available / oh Steve Job’s is such a mastermind… Enough already! There are other subjects to blog about, such as this major acknowledgement from Intel.

Intel concedes the mega-hertz war with rival chip makers was not the solution to wining the microprocessor wars after all.

What was that? You did not see the press release? Funny, I missed it too, but let me see if I can put the pieces together for you.

Remember over a year ago when Intel re-branded all its desktop processors to Pentium D 805/820/915 and so on. Then came the rather meaningless distinction “ViiV”, and alas this year we have the endless parade of Core 2 Duo TXXXX, EXXXX with the new Quad cores hitting the streets now with, you guessed it, equally confusing nomenclature.  Now don’t get me wrong, Intel’s new Core architecture is stunning and impressive, but aren’t they accomplishing this with lower power, wider buses, better caching and Slower Chip Speeds. Hum, sounds a lot like AMD’s direction for the past several years.

This year, Intel’s booth at CES served to reinforced this stance. It was heavy on glitz and light on any substance. Now this could be due to their show floor proximity to Microsoft – right next door. All the cheap shots aside, it was a shame that the focus of the Intel subcontract show staff was, ”it’s all about the multi-cores!” (Of the three I spoke to at length, none of them actually worked for Intel – rent a marketer.)

Intel Booth at CES 2007

As you can see from the photo, just about every kiosk and display within the booth centered on gaming. Hey gaming is cool, but as an industry guy, why not tell me how fast the chip is running, how many cores it has, and how big the L2 cache is – this would be more helpful then trying to figure out which chip is faster T2050, E6600 or X5160?

One thing is certain, the ball is now back in AMD’s court. Can they answer back to not only the performance, but marketing edge that Intel has garnered with the Core platform? I think it’s possible, but please AMD, for the love of all things holy, don’t convolute your product names like Intel.

Vista + HDTV = Tivo Killer?

Posted on January 18th, 2007 in Gadgets | 4 Comments »

After my rocky start with the Vista deployment (See my two stories: Vista – The Fresh Install & Vista – The Upgrade: Not so much) I am now moving on to my most ambitious Vista tweaking yet “insert dramatic music here”… Vista as a Media Center.

Artec T14A

To that end I have picked up the Artec T14A USB2 ATSC receiver. Thus far it’s been a trying install but that has been due to tracking down the right Vista Drivers. After talking with the right folks in support I now have the critical driver – Level 2.0.0.17 (linked here if you need it.)  Once this was installed my TV tuner came to life.

Artec T14A Antenna

Not only does the Artec T14A feature a small Dongle for the actual USB device; it’s also features a compact / travel friendly Antenna. Despite its size and flexible construction performance of this antenna seamed very good on the CES trade show floor.

Next up is the bevy of test on the product, but stay tuned, this could just prove to be the long awaited media center to put an end to the loving caresses I reserve only for my Tivo, oh and my family too I suppose.

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