>You could use this junk, but why should you, when for the $100 you can make your own junk... or for more something original that actually works.
The problem is that NONE of these solutions is ideal.
Dedicated devices:
These can be great for ease of use, but their capabilities will always be behind the curve. PC video formats are changed more frequently than the underwear of the people that use them.
Even if a device is upgradeable and has enough horsepower to handle new formats, you're still dependent on the vendor (or a few dedicated hackers) to provide it.
I'd really been hoping to find the 'ultimate' networked DVD/media player, but the more you look, the more you realize it doesn't (and can't) exist.
That $70 Philips player that does DivX does look pretty spiffy, though -- a real, name-brand device that does what it promises, nothing more or less. The Samsung that upconverts to 720p/1080i looks promising, too.
HTPC:
Naturally, a PC will be the most capable in terms of formats and features. However Its flexibility is both a positive and a negative.
Some people use TV as an excuse to get AWAY from the computer, and do not want to have to fiddle with 400 settings to get everything just right for the task at hand.
Still, if you're a "journey is the reward" type, or you're willing to leave it be once the setup is "good enough" (do you really need to spend a day and a half setting up 14 different game console emulators?), then this is probably your best bet.
XBox w/XBMC:
As has oft been repeated, this is probably the best solution -- a sort of compromise between dedicated and customized.
You don't have the dizzying array of choices that you get with a full-blown PC, so the "futz factor" is much lower. However, it is very format-agile, and damned easy to use once it's set up.
My only big complaint is that it doesn't have enough CPU speed to play HTDV streams.
Too bad it falls into a legal grey area. Curse you, DMCA!
One very important, and often overlooked detail of progressive scan: you need a high-def set that can handle the progressive (480p) input. A "normal" TV only works with a typical interlaced (480i) source.
It's nice, though, that progressive scan is pretty much a given on all new players, even the $35 cheapies. So when you *do* have a TV that can use 480p, you're already set.
Does this remote stereo happen to have an FM tuner?
And to answer your actual question, this shouldn't have any bearing on the itunes/realmedia issue. I suppose it does mean that Real is loosening up at least some of their IP, but a GPLed Helix is a far cry from an open RealMedia codec...
The actual DRM technology doesn't *have* to be strong. In fact, it's better for the industry if it *doesn't* work, at least for a while.
What they are really doing is setting a precedent that it is reasonable for them to ship a hobbled product, and that you are breaking the law if you try to circumvent its limitations. So far, it's easy to get around, so most people won't complain. (People often look at me funny when I *do* complain, and ask "why do you care about DVD copy protection? It's so easy to break.")
But it is a slippery slope; they can impose more restrictive measures in the future, and we aren't even allowed to discuss them in the United Corporations of America, thanks to the DMCA.
There will always be a will and a way to extend our abilities beyond what the powers that be want us to have, but this way they marginalize such activities and force them underground, where most people can't or won't go...
>What's at stake here is a rather important legal principle Mr. Lowenstein, it's fair use.
Keep in mind that this is the same Doug Lowenstein that has said emulation is illegal. It has been proven in court that it isn't, but that doesn't stop groups like the IDSA from saying it is when it suits their purposes.
Clearly they have no respect for the rights of the consumer, other than the right to pay... and pay... and pay again...
And Saddam was behind 9/11, and cows are causing global warming, not SUVs...
>Basically, they're betting that it's better to be the default option of a small market, rather than just another also-ran in a much larger market.
It also happens to be a market that is much more accustomed to DIY installation and configuration. The support costs for retail Windows TV cards must be pretty steep. Linux folken are much more likely to seek answers in various newsgroups, forums, etc., and never even bother the manufacturer.
The very idea of fingerprint authorization to buy/listen to music is preposterous. Do they really think people are so desparate to buy their schlop that they would put up with this? It's easier than this to buy FIREARMS!
I have to believe that with all those dollars, *someone* in the music biz must have half a brain and realize this. Why, then, would they propose such a scheme?
The only reason I can think of is to make whatever they are really planning seem totally reasonable by comparison.
I bet McDonald's came out with an extra large size for their combo meals for the same reason. "Going Large" doesn't seem too excessive next to that EXTRA large...
Flash gives me no control at all, plus the security problems, and added annoyance of all ads being massively animated, and having sound...
I know Firefox is the darling browser du jour, but Opera makes this a non-issue. The F12 popup menu kicks ass. Enable/disable gif anims, plugins (which includes Flash, natch), popups, etc. Between this and the toolbar button to enable/disable loading of images, and overriding the stylesheet for unreadable web pages, and you can tackle just about any cruft-enhanced page out there.
Hopefully Firefox will make some of these options more accessible in the future. (They are available, but you have to dig through multiple levels in the preferences dialog, which takes long enough to negate the benefit of using them on a temporary basis.)
And "back" should be backspace, dangit! Alt-leftarrow is a drag...
Regards,
- bitrot.
I've gone to great lengths to build a quiet PC, but the hum of it is loud enough that I sleep better with it off.
Ay, there's the rub... When you make one part quieter, you can still hear something else. As it gets quieter and quieter, you become aware of, and annoyed by, progressively fainter sounds. You still have to 'tune it out', though it does sometimes make it easier to do so.
I banished my PC to the basement ages ago, and ran power, usb and video to my office through a conduit between floors. (I take a small hit on image quality due to a 6' extension, but I could build a custom cable to improve things.) This way, the machine is in the always-cool cellar, and can have any sort of fans/drives/etc.
I thought I'd be set, but not *quite*. Turns out my monitor makes a previously unnoticable buzzing sound, even when it's in sleep mode! I haven't figured out what to do about this yet. I'd love it if this were a good excuse to spring for a spiffy new LCD panel, but the inverter that drives the backlight would probably make an irritating whine, or something...
It's *very* difficult these days to create a completely noise-free environment. I've found that even when if you do manage it, you are treated to a constant ringing in your ears from all the sounds you've been bombarded by up to that point. *Sigh*.
The *good* news, though, is that music at any volume will completely mask what's left. Very useful for audio restoration work....
Admittedly, the tone is a bit severe, but what in that statement is not true?
Answering the same questions repeatedly, when they have already been addressed in the documentation is NOT a productive use of time. If a project is successful, often times a group of devotees will fill in in this regard, but expecting the authors to do it just doesn't make sense.
Long live lasers!:)
Of course the old CD-ROM versions aren't fun! The video quality is terrible, and the moves for the gameplay are all wrong!
Even with high-quality video and authentic gameplay, it may still not be your kind of game. But don't pan it just because of the lame ports that have existed over the years...
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>You could use this junk, but why should you, when for the $100 you can make your own junk... or for more something original that actually works. The problem is that NONE of these solutions is ideal. Dedicated devices: These can be great for ease of use, but their capabilities will always be behind the curve. PC video formats are changed more frequently than the underwear of the people that use them. Even if a device is upgradeable and has enough horsepower to handle new formats, you're still dependent on the vendor (or a few dedicated hackers) to provide it. I'd really been hoping to find the 'ultimate' networked DVD/media player, but the more you look, the more you realize it doesn't (and can't) exist. That $70 Philips player that does DivX does look pretty spiffy, though -- a real, name-brand device that does what it promises, nothing more or less. The Samsung that upconverts to 720p/1080i looks promising, too. HTPC: Naturally, a PC will be the most capable in terms of formats and features. However Its flexibility is both a positive and a negative. Some people use TV as an excuse to get AWAY from the computer, and do not want to have to fiddle with 400 settings to get everything just right for the task at hand. Still, if you're a "journey is the reward" type, or you're willing to leave it be once the setup is "good enough" (do you really need to spend a day and a half setting up 14 different game console emulators?), then this is probably your best bet. XBox w/XBMC: As has oft been repeated, this is probably the best solution -- a sort of compromise between dedicated and customized. You don't have the dizzying array of choices that you get with a full-blown PC, so the "futz factor" is much lower. However, it is very format-agile, and damned easy to use once it's set up. My only big complaint is that it doesn't have enough CPU speed to play HTDV streams. Too bad it falls into a legal grey area. Curse you, DMCA!
One very important, and often overlooked detail of progressive scan: you need a high-def set that can handle the progressive (480p) input. A "normal" TV only works with a typical interlaced (480i) source.
It's nice, though, that progressive scan is pretty much a given on all new players, even the $35 cheapies. So when you *do* have a TV that can use 480p, you're already set.
Oh, and 720p is 1280x720, not 1024x720...
Does this remote stereo happen to have an FM tuner?
And to answer your actual question, this shouldn't have any bearing on the itunes/realmedia issue. I suppose it does mean that Real is loosening up at least some of their IP, but a GPLed Helix is a far cry from an open RealMedia codec...
The actual DRM technology doesn't *have* to be strong. In fact, it's better for the industry if it *doesn't* work, at least for a while.
What they are really doing is setting a precedent that it is reasonable for them to ship a hobbled product, and that you are breaking the law if you try to circumvent its limitations. So far, it's easy to get around, so most people won't complain. (People often look at me funny when I *do* complain, and ask "why do you care about DVD copy protection? It's so easy to break.")
But it is a slippery slope; they can impose more restrictive measures in the future, and we aren't even allowed to discuss them in the United Corporations of America, thanks to the DMCA.
There will always be a will and a way to extend our abilities beyond what the powers that be want us to have, but this way they marginalize such activities and force them underground, where most people can't or won't go...
"You gotta fight for your right to paaaaahtay"
>What's at stake here is a rather important legal principle Mr. Lowenstein, it's fair use.
Keep in mind that this is the same Doug Lowenstein that has said emulation is illegal. It has been proven in court that it isn't, but that doesn't stop groups like the IDSA from saying it is when it suits their purposes.
Clearly they have no respect for the rights of the consumer, other than the right to pay... and pay... and pay again...
And Saddam was behind 9/11, and cows are causing global warming, not SUVs...
Saying it doesn't make it so. Yet...
>Basically, they're betting that it's better to be the default option of a small market, rather than just another also-ran in a much larger market.
It also happens to be a market that is much more accustomed to DIY installation and configuration. The support costs for retail Windows TV cards must be pretty steep. Linux folken are much more likely to seek answers in various newsgroups, forums, etc., and never even bother the manufacturer.
>Last summer, whenever my flatmate would play obnoxious music at 3 AM I'd just ssh into her box
Great idea! That way you can both forget about the crappy music...
The very idea of fingerprint authorization to buy/listen to music is preposterous. Do they really think people are so desparate to buy their schlop that they would put up with this? It's easier than this to buy FIREARMS!
I have to believe that with all those dollars, *someone* in the music biz must have half a brain and realize this. Why, then, would they propose such a scheme?
The only reason I can think of is to make whatever they are really planning seem totally reasonable by comparison.
I bet McDonald's came out with an extra large size for their combo meals for the same reason. "Going Large" doesn't seem too excessive next to that EXTRA large...
I banished my PC to the basement ages ago, and ran power, usb and video to my office through a conduit between floors. (I take a small hit on image quality due to a 6' extension, but I could build a custom cable to improve things.) This way, the machine is in the always-cool cellar, and can have any sort of fans/drives/etc.
I thought I'd be set, but not *quite*. Turns out my monitor makes a previously unnoticable buzzing sound, even when it's in sleep mode! I haven't figured out what to do about this yet. I'd love it if this were a good excuse to spring for a spiffy new LCD panel, but the inverter that drives the backlight would probably make an irritating whine, or something...
It's *very* difficult these days to create a completely noise-free environment. I've found that even when if you do manage it, you are treated to a constant ringing in your ears from all the sounds you've been bombarded by up to that point. *Sigh*.
The *good* news, though, is that music at any volume will completely mask what's left. Very useful for audio restoration work....
Regards,
bitrot.
Admittedly, the tone is a bit severe, but what in that statement is not true? Answering the same questions repeatedly, when they have already been addressed in the documentation is NOT a productive use of time. If a project is successful, often times a group of devotees will fill in in this regard, but expecting the authors to do it just doesn't make sense. Long live lasers! :)
Of course the old CD-ROM versions aren't fun! The video quality is terrible, and the moves for the gameplay are all wrong!
Even with high-quality video and authentic gameplay, it may still not be your kind of game. But don't pan it just because of the lame ports that have existed over the years...