To add to this, while I also agree to some level. There are other factors.
Many companies use settings often refered to as tource settings. They essentially turn up the brightness and contrast and tweak other settings to make their set notice. The logic behind this is that, in a store with a bunch of TVs, one that is bright or stands out for some reason is going to attract people. The TV may not have the best overall picture quality, like bad black levels, bad color saturation, etc... There is also the factor of people that mess with the settings, possibly make the set look worse than what it actually is, giving people the wrong idea.
Like the post above stated, that is where experts come in to help us make a choice on which TV get. It is kind of sad the that just go in a buy a set with out researching it due to those factors.
But hey, whatever floats their boat I guess. If it works for them, it works for them.
It is really too bad Sony wouldn't send out a unit. Their SXRD line-up, right now, is probably the best consumer grade TV out on the market.
I have been in awe of LCoS since it came out, when Toshiba's failed attempt at releasing it. Toshiba had some major problems out of the gate and I don't think it helped their price tag was $8,000 for the 50 some inch and $10,000 for the 60 some inch. They did look great though, dispite the problems.
Then JVC hit the market with one, re-naming it to HD-ILA. Not exactly sure why they renamed it, maybe to disassociate themselves from the failed Toshiba LCoS sets? They looked great when compared to DLP, LCD and even plasma, though they still were on the pricier side. My only complaint with them is they were JVC, a company that I would put in the middle of the road as far as quality. I also hate this new trend for silver TVs, but those two were only minor issues with one just being a personal preference.
Then Sony came out with their renamed LCoS, the SXRD. Sites like AVSForum were all the buzz with these new sets. When I finally got to see one in person, it was a dream come true. LCoS overall is a better technology that DLP and especially LCD. DLP maybe able to make a surge in taking LCoS's crown once we see 3 chip DLPs sets and at "affordable" prices. I use affordable loosely, as $4,000 for 50" and ~$5,000 for 60" isn't exactly "affordable" for everyone, but for videophiles, it is.
I have not heard of the other companies that they listed, and to my fault, I haven't been on AVSForum much recently. I would not trust them until I see some reviews, off-brands tend to not do well. Especially like startup companies like Brilla, they usually just don't have the funding or experience to make quality sets their first time around. The one company I would love to see make a LCoS set would be Mitsubishi. I am loyal to them, to a degree. They have been making big screen TVs for many years now, actually almost 3 decades now. They know what is up, when they truely entered the DLP market. I am not talking about thier first sets when DLP was brand new and never took off, but rather about two years ago when them and Toshiba challenged Samsung DLP crown only because they were the only one making DLP sets. Mitsu did it right, beating out Samsung sets hands down. Only downside, you were paying a little more for a Mitsu DLP. Toshiba also did a great job at DLP, I would rank them Mitsu, Toshiba and then Samsung in overall DLP quality, though the new pseudo DLP/LCD 3 driver 1080p Samsung set is pretty impressive.
The sad thing is, I think LCoS is only going to have a short life as the technology to get. SED and OLED are on their way. SED is suppose to actually rival CRT picture quality for about the same price with out the size and weight of CRT. Something plasma and flat panel LCD is unable to do and probably will never be able to do. Though, for the time being, LCoS is the way to go and if you can't afford the Sony SXRD set. JVC's are still great sets and for much less. I think their ~50" is going for about $2,500 or maybe even less.
After reading Oracle Bid to Acquire MySQL, who do you think is going to make the first move, Microsoft bidding to acquire Oracle or Oracle bidding to acquire Microsoft?
I do not disagree with you with it being a mainstream app. I also do not disagree that it should be consider as a replacement for PS, to a point. Basic stuff, GIMP is more than fine, but the overall picture PS is hands down, bar none, just better.
My whole point is that it doesn't "fucking suck" as it was so eloquently put.
Like I said, it has its place. I agree with you on the interface, but while it isn't pretty, it works for a lot of things. Sure, I would choose PS over GIMP, BUT, when running linux and I need to do some graphic editing for the web. GIMP does the job and I don't have to worry about trying to get PS to run under linux or going to a Windows or OSX system to run it.
Yeah, though I am sure someone would've stepped up and done that if the sale had gone through.
As someone pointed out already, since it is under GLP. There is nothing Oracle could do about a fork. The software is open source, so a group could pick it up and continue developing for it. Much like StarOffice and OpenOffice. We use StarOffice here at work for some users. With my limited knowledge of both StarOffice and OpenOffice, I think I like OpenOffice better actually. I would assume that MySQL would head the same way, so Oracle couldn't exactly buy out the competition. Though, with them being a big company with money to throw around, I am sure they would try some legal stuff to lessen that kind of stuff.
Oh well, we don't have to worry about it, for now at least.
In one of my former jobs, they were looking for a database system for HR, accounting, inventory and production related stuff. We were looking at JDEdwards and Oracle, both came to our company to present. JDEdwards blew us away, like they actually wanted us as a client. Oracle came in and half assed it, like they couldn't care if they got us or not.
We ended up holding back because there were talks of Oracle and Peoplesoft to buy out JDEdwards. Eventually, the Peoplesoft deal went through and we ended up purchasing JDEdwards as they claimed we would get full support. Shortly after I left the cocmpany, Oracle gobbled up Peoplesoft.
I don't hear to many good things about Oracle as a company and I don't think too highly of them when they just buy out the competition. They are becoming more like Microsoft, sort of.
I think this means good things for MySQL, it is going to get them more press and more help because of it. They have had a great and free package for years now. With Oracle wanting to buy them out, it just means that Oracle is finally scared of them, they are doing something right!
I wouldn't go as far as saying "GIMP fucking sucks!" I do agree, it is no where near being on par with Adobe Photoshop, but it still is a great piece of FREE software. I can honestly say I am more than impressed with what it has accomplished.
It works great for basic and intermediate graphics, anything above that it can be hit or miss. Especially if you are no familure with it. With Photoshop essentially the standard in graphical applications, having to relearn a program like GIMP just isn't worth it in advanced applications. Plus, I think Photoshop has one of the best UI interface layouts I have ever used, Adobe as a whole is great at that.
In conclusion, GIMP does not "fucking suck", it is just different and has its uses.
I suppose though, that is where AJAX and DHTML/XHTML comes into play. You aren't going to be able to create complex animations, but basic pleasing looking animation and transistion can be done.
However, it seems there is a lot of backlash with the word AJAX. I don't exactly get it, I understand the security issues, but not the comment on it being a buzzword.
I heard about laser based home projectors some time ago. This is the first time I have heard of them since, granted, I haven't exactly kept up with them.
This is good news, as from what I read about laser based projectors. They were suppose to be they projector technology. I am getting close to being in the market for a projector for my home theater system, I hope to see laser based projectors soon so they will be an option and I won't have to upgrade in a year or two.
Your $25-29 is retail. Like I said, I don't know how much DVDs whole sale was, but it sure as hell was less than $25. It was probably something like $20 or less, which is what the stores were paying for them.
Blu-ray is sitting at $23 dollar wholesale, that is more than the average new release on DVD these days.
When DVD was released, I don't remember seeing movies much higher than $25, with most being released at a $20 price point. I do not know what the wholesale price on DVDs were back then, but when DVDs were $3 less than what Blu-rays whole sale price, it just goes to show that at least Blu-ray IS going to cost more.
Don't worry, I'd like to consider myself up to date with the TV technology out there, but I still have problems keeping up.
Before it just use to be CRT, that was the only thing you could buy. I guess we did have some confusing stuff with inputs like RF, composite, s-video and the rare and exclusive component. There were only three types of CRT, but all worked on the same CRT technology: direct-view, rear projection and front projection. The later two usually were reserved for the rich, especially with front projection running $10k on the low end.
Now we have CRT, LCD flat panel, LCD rear projection (1 driver or 3 drivers), DLP (1 chip or 3 chip), LCoS (JVC's HD-ILA or Sony's SXRD), plasma and just around the corner, SED and OLED. That in itself is a mouthfull. On top of that we have all these resolutions to worry about, 480i, 480p, 540p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p and then there is all the non-standard resolutions that flat panel LCD and plasma have given us. We also have more connections now, with the annoying HDCP that is going to screw over older HDTV owners.
There is still hope though. Depending on what you consider affordable, there are a few options for HDTVs. Sharp had a 27" HDTV that AVSForum really liked that could be had for around $550. People are also going with LCD, some with LCD monitors and using transcoders (Dell has some affordable ones that have component) or going with a real TV with a company like Sharp Aquos (problem the best bang for your money LCD out there) or Samsung. LCD tends to run a little more for picture size, but you are paying for overall space saving.
On top of that, HDTVs prices are constantly dropping. I paid $3k for my 55" rear projection CRT HDTV 4 years ago. When you couldn't find one for under $2k. Now, they can be had for $1,200 or so. I should also mention, the TVs I am talking about are all from respectable companies and consider good for a certain type of technology. I would never recommend crap like Apex Digital or any of those other off brands.
I addressed this in another part of this thread, but here it goes again and better suited for your question.;)
We most likely will see modded HD-DVD players and possibly Blu-ray. I say possibly Blu-ray, but last I heard, they also planned on a active copy protection scheme. I do not know if this is being worked on with HD-DVD, but I haven't heard anything and it is getting late in the game for them to do something like it. What Blu-ray is planning on doing is having an active database to check to see if it should be out putting the signal to the device. It is active in that it will be updated, via the internet or put on new discs. The concept is this, once they find a device that shouldn't be attached, it will no longer send the signal to it.
I am sure hackers and modders will get around it, but it is going to be harder and more annoying. If it works the way it is suppose to, you will have to continuely hack/mod your DVD player to fix it. It may be as simple as running a tool on disc to reset the database system, but it will have to be done on a regular basis. That is unless they can get around it all together, which is a possibility, but I assume is tied into the system heavily, so it won't be an easy mod.
I guess we will have to wait and see what happens, I don't think it is 100% that Blu-ray will do this, but I haven't heard otherwise. The hacking/modding is just speculation on my part, but if it is off, I don't see it being too far off.
yeah, honestly i think they should just drop the hd-dvd deal altogether and rename blu-ray as hd-dvd. blu-ray/is/ the superior format. more costly, but superior... it has all of hd-dvds touted features, and then it has its own strengths [protective coating, size capacity etc...]
The protective coating is because of a flaw in the disc design, they had to create it. It isn't a problem with HD-DVD because they didn't go the same route with the format as Blu-ray did. While is a "protective coating", it isn't a bonus feature as they are trying to pass it off, it is something they needed because the disc were so fragile.
I am still waiting to see on this whole capacity issue thing. While they are saying they can do up to 200 GB. There are a lot of rumors flying by that we may really never even seen 50 GB in the movie realm. Of course, Blu-ray denies it, but they still haven't produced a 50 GB disc out side the lab. At least from what I have heard, I have been trying to stay up to date on this format war. Home Theater is one of my hobbies and I have a invested intrest to see where each format is going.
I am also interested to see the price, all signs are point to blu-ray costing a descent amount more, including the players. I know this is due to change, but how long before it really comes down? It is critical in this fight, higher price is going to scare the average consumer away. If they can't get it down, it isn't not going to help their cause. The factories to produce these disc also have to take a huge hit re-tooling, which is driving up the price. HD-DVD does not require nearly as much tooling, which the cost savings should trickle down to the consumer.
I don't know which format I am behind anymore. I have said from the beginning, that the war is going to come down to content. Capacity or whatever isn't going to mean squat if there is no content. Blu-ray recently won on that front I feel, with a lot of studios claiming to support Blu-ray, with some going dual format. However, even more recently, sides again are shifting, especially after the price annoucement. With HD-DVD hitting the market first, we may see studios releasing movies on HD-DVD to get their peice of the pay, so the content issue is swinging back to more of a nuetural area.
I started off totally on HD-DVDs side, just because we had Sony again, forcing their way into the market just because they are a big company. AOD had already been picked by the DVD Forum as the sucessor for DVD. Sony didn't like it and broke off, thusly creating this format war in the first place. For that reason alone, plus others, is why I supported HD-DVD. After the content blow, I was thinking it may be good for Blu-ray just to win, after all, they had all the content. Then we had the price releases and also the fact that Blu-ray is having trouble with 50 GB. Well, that lessened the content and also possibly the capacity claim. Which leaves me where I am now, slightly, but firmly on the HD-DVD side.
I suppose there always is the chance that both formats will completly flop. There is a chance that the masses aren't ready for a new format, with DVD being relatively new. I can see the average Joe saying screw it, I am not supporting either format. We may be seeing the stale and stagnent war that is SACD vs DVD-A.
I guess only time will tell. I am still slightly rooting for HD-DVD though, I think...
The thing I find funny about the cell, is that Toshiba is in on it. They are sharing a technology on one end, but fighting a bitter battle on the other. It is too bad they couldn't make a unified HD movie format. The cell is interesting and has potential, it will be interesting to see how it pans out down the road.
i disagree with you. the emotion engine is just as powerful as promised. the problem is they relied on the emotion engine to do it all. just cant happen. it does a decent enough job given the proper development team, but since the ps2 didnt have a dedicated GPU, the emotion engine was taxed with handling the graphics, ai, collision detection, and whatever else the programmers needed. luckily i think the ps2 had a dedicated sound processor... i think that was the only thing not handled by the emotion engine.
That isn't my problem now is it? They claimed the emotions engine was all that, like another posted said, that it could do emotional expression that would wow us. It hasn't done that, not even close. They even made hints towards it being able to render a Toy Story like movie in real time, again, no go.
Like I said, the emotion engine chip was suppose to be so powerful, that Sony stated they would be making a graphic workstating to compete with others. Well, isn't think the time and place for Sony to do this, but fix the short comings that you brought up. Have a GPU to help take the load off and all that. Still, no graphic workstation from Sony. It is not like the graphic workstation market is the most stable right now, SGI is hurting pretty bad and Sun is just there. This leads me to believe just more standard Sony marketing BS.
Thankfully it looks like a conversion box that decodes the signal and outputs a non-encrypted signal will be available, but that doesn't mean people should need them.
There is a slight problem with that, at least with Blu-ray, not sure on HD-DVD as of yet. Blu-ray is suppose to have a dynamic database that can be updated. They can tell it what it can send the signal to what can't. Meaning, they will find these devices and block them.
I understand them wanting to protecto their property, but the HDCP method is just the wrong way about going about it. The devices blocking feature is also taking it one step further in a direction they wouldn't need to go if they hadn't done HDCP.
As of writting, there are a few devices out there that will remove HDCP. However, they are illegal in the US, most of them don't say that they do it to try to protect themselves and the cheapest one I have seen was around $300.
IF you want a new TV, you will need to know those terms.
HDMI and DVI are video input types.
HDCP is a copy protection scheme (HD Copy Protection)
1080p is one of the HD resolutions, it is 1920x1080 in progressive scan.
If you are looking for a good 26" - 36" HDTV, go with a Sony, can't go wrong with a Sony tubed CRT. If you want a larger TV, above 36" and don't want to spend much. Go with a Sony A10 rear projection LCD (last three numbers on the model number), the 42" should be around $1,500. If you can spend a little more, Mitsubishi and Toshiba DLPs are worth a look. If you have $4k to blow, you can get probably the best HDTV on the market right now, the Sony SXRD.
If you are looking for thinner models, the Sharp Aquos flat panel LCDs are going to give you a great TV for the money and a reasonable price. Otherwise, if you have cash to blow, the Sony Bravia are the best flat panel LCDs out there right now.
All these TVs will have HDMI and HDCP so you will be set for HD-DVD and Blu-ray, along with all the other HD content out there.
Halo was released for the PC well after it was released on the Xbox during the lauch. I don't know the exact time frame, but Halo 2 is falling some where in line with it.
If you want to play the newest Halo, it is plain and simple, you have to own a Xbox 360. Same as you needed a Xbox to play Halo and Halo 2 when they first came out.
I bought my last HDTV almost 4 years ago, it will be 4 in may. The year after mine, sets started coming out with DVI and also HDCP. Not all that had DVI had HDCP though. Another year after that, we say HDMI really hit a lot of TVs. HDMI has to have HDCP, it is part of the specs.
However, if you have a DVI input with HDCP, you can get a HDMI to DVI converter. You can also go from DVI to a HDMI input. HDMI carries audio, so when you do something like that, audio is lost.
There is yet one more evolution to HDMI, which is HDMI 1.2 that can actually support 1080p. Up until recently, HDMI chips being released couldn't even support 1080p. Most of the 1080p TVs out now, can't even accept 1080p and are not "true" 1080p sets, they just upscale. The ones that can, most of them can only via VGA. We will see more this year hit the market that can actually accept 1080p via HDMI. It should also be known, that most 1080p sets out now don't even have true display drivers, most have to use a method called wobbleton, which is a stop gap technology until we see full fledge true 1080p sets.
With Blu-ray, not sure about HD-DVD. The copy protection, using HDCP, is left up to the studio. It is just like CSS with DVDs.
We won't be seeing any major releases without it. Only small time operations, that either don't have the time/money or don't know how to do it, will really only be the ones with out it.
The studios really need a reality check. They are the reason why we are seeing all this DRM bullcrap. They are making piracy out to be way bigger than it really is. I wish they didn't have as much power as they did.
I am not happy that by being an early HDTV adopter, I am being screwed, left high and dry because of this HDCP and DRM crap.
Sure, I will be getting a new HDTV in about a year or so, but what about people that can't afford to get a new one. They are really limiting their market. If they want HD movies to catch on, don't limit the output. They are not going to impress anyone or make them willing to spend $500+ on a player only to see the movie in 480p, something they can do now with current DVDs.
Maybe you were living under a rock or something. Sony toted the Emotions Engine as the next greatest thing. Talked it up, saying it could do things that I have yet to see. They also said it was so powerful, that they would be releasing graphic workstations to compete with SGI and Sun.
Where are these graphic workstations based on the emotion engine? Oh, that is right, there are none because Sony talked big and couldn't deliever on their claims.
I am interested in what Sony will release about the PS3. I think a lot of PS fans are in for a big surprise. Sony is known for talking big and not delievering, Emotion engine anyone?
While I don't see it happening, it would be funny if they release more than one version, just like the Xbox 360. Are we going to see a crippled PS3 unit in terms of blu-ray, one that can only play games but not movies. To play movies, that will add on extra money.
With Sony's hype train show at E3, just trailers of games that they were toting as what "in game will look like". Is that what this years E3 is going to be like with Sony, just more smoke being blown up our ass? Or is Sony actually going to have something to show for.
I think it is rather interesting with the role reversals this time around. Last gen, Xbox was the late comer, but because of that was more powerful. You had the fanboys talking about powerful it was and how much better the graphics were. Sony fanboys saying more powerful doesn't mean better. Now, the PS3 is the late comer, most likely being the more powerful system. I can just see it now, the Sony fanboys saying the PS3 is more powerful and better graphics, the very same thing they hypocritically defended last generation. Oh, the fun of watching the fanboys, it always gives me a chuckle.
Slashdot Mirror
To add to this, while I also agree to some level. There are other factors.
Many companies use settings often refered to as tource settings. They essentially turn up the brightness and contrast and tweak other settings to make their set notice. The logic behind this is that, in a store with a bunch of TVs, one that is bright or stands out for some reason is going to attract people. The TV may not have the best overall picture quality, like bad black levels, bad color saturation, etc... There is also the factor of people that mess with the settings, possibly make the set look worse than what it actually is, giving people the wrong idea.
Like the post above stated, that is where experts come in to help us make a choice on which TV get. It is kind of sad the that just go in a buy a set with out researching it due to those factors.
But hey, whatever floats their boat I guess. If it works for them, it works for them.
It is really too bad Sony wouldn't send out a unit. Their SXRD line-up, right now, is probably the best consumer grade TV out on the market.
I have been in awe of LCoS since it came out, when Toshiba's failed attempt at releasing it. Toshiba had some major problems out of the gate and I don't think it helped their price tag was $8,000 for the 50 some inch and $10,000 for the 60 some inch. They did look great though, dispite the problems.
Then JVC hit the market with one, re-naming it to HD-ILA. Not exactly sure why they renamed it, maybe to disassociate themselves from the failed Toshiba LCoS sets? They looked great when compared to DLP, LCD and even plasma, though they still were on the pricier side. My only complaint with them is they were JVC, a company that I would put in the middle of the road as far as quality. I also hate this new trend for silver TVs, but those two were only minor issues with one just being a personal preference.
Then Sony came out with their renamed LCoS, the SXRD. Sites like AVSForum were all the buzz with these new sets. When I finally got to see one in person, it was a dream come true. LCoS overall is a better technology that DLP and especially LCD. DLP maybe able to make a surge in taking LCoS's crown once we see 3 chip DLPs sets and at "affordable" prices. I use affordable loosely, as $4,000 for 50" and ~$5,000 for 60" isn't exactly "affordable" for everyone, but for videophiles, it is.
I have not heard of the other companies that they listed, and to my fault, I haven't been on AVSForum much recently. I would not trust them until I see some reviews, off-brands tend to not do well. Especially like startup companies like Brilla, they usually just don't have the funding or experience to make quality sets their first time around. The one company I would love to see make a LCoS set would be Mitsubishi. I am loyal to them, to a degree. They have been making big screen TVs for many years now, actually almost 3 decades now. They know what is up, when they truely entered the DLP market. I am not talking about thier first sets when DLP was brand new and never took off, but rather about two years ago when them and Toshiba challenged Samsung DLP crown only because they were the only one making DLP sets. Mitsu did it right, beating out Samsung sets hands down. Only downside, you were paying a little more for a Mitsu DLP. Toshiba also did a great job at DLP, I would rank them Mitsu, Toshiba and then Samsung in overall DLP quality, though the new pseudo DLP/LCD 3 driver 1080p Samsung set is pretty impressive.
The sad thing is, I think LCoS is only going to have a short life as the technology to get. SED and OLED are on their way. SED is suppose to actually rival CRT picture quality for about the same price with out the size and weight of CRT. Something plasma and flat panel LCD is unable to do and probably will never be able to do. Though, for the time being, LCoS is the way to go and if you can't afford the Sony SXRD set. JVC's are still great sets and for much less. I think their ~50" is going for about $2,500 or maybe even less.
Wow, you just totally missed the joke.
/., if you haven't read it, read it now. You should then be able to get the joke. ;)
I only mention MySQL in light of the recent article on
After reading Oracle Bid to Acquire MySQL, who do you think is going to make the first move, Microsoft bidding to acquire Oracle or Oracle bidding to acquire Microsoft?
I do not disagree with you with it being a mainstream app. I also do not disagree that it should be consider as a replacement for PS, to a point. Basic stuff, GIMP is more than fine, but the overall picture PS is hands down, bar none, just better.
My whole point is that it doesn't "fucking suck" as it was so eloquently put.
Like I said, it has its place. I agree with you on the interface, but while it isn't pretty, it works for a lot of things. Sure, I would choose PS over GIMP, BUT, when running linux and I need to do some graphic editing for the web. GIMP does the job and I don't have to worry about trying to get PS to run under linux or going to a Windows or OSX system to run it.
Yeah, though I am sure someone would've stepped up and done that if the sale had gone through.
As someone pointed out already, since it is under GLP. There is nothing Oracle could do about a fork. The software is open source, so a group could pick it up and continue developing for it. Much like StarOffice and OpenOffice. We use StarOffice here at work for some users. With my limited knowledge of both StarOffice and OpenOffice, I think I like OpenOffice better actually. I would assume that MySQL would head the same way, so Oracle couldn't exactly buy out the competition. Though, with them being a big company with money to throw around, I am sure they would try some legal stuff to lessen that kind of stuff.
Oh well, we don't have to worry about it, for now at least.
My heart skipped a beat, I am glad they didn't.
In one of my former jobs, they were looking for a database system for HR, accounting, inventory and production related stuff. We were looking at JDEdwards and Oracle, both came to our company to present. JDEdwards blew us away, like they actually wanted us as a client. Oracle came in and half assed it, like they couldn't care if they got us or not.
We ended up holding back because there were talks of Oracle and Peoplesoft to buy out JDEdwards. Eventually, the Peoplesoft deal went through and we ended up purchasing JDEdwards as they claimed we would get full support. Shortly after I left the cocmpany, Oracle gobbled up Peoplesoft.
I don't hear to many good things about Oracle as a company and I don't think too highly of them when they just buy out the competition. They are becoming more like Microsoft, sort of.
I think this means good things for MySQL, it is going to get them more press and more help because of it. They have had a great and free package for years now. With Oracle wanting to buy them out, it just means that Oracle is finally scared of them, they are doing something right!
I wouldn't go as far as saying "GIMP fucking sucks!" I do agree, it is no where near being on par with Adobe Photoshop, but it still is a great piece of FREE software. I can honestly say I am more than impressed with what it has accomplished.
It works great for basic and intermediate graphics, anything above that it can be hit or miss. Especially if you are no familure with it. With Photoshop essentially the standard in graphical applications, having to relearn a program like GIMP just isn't worth it in advanced applications. Plus, I think Photoshop has one of the best UI interface layouts I have ever used, Adobe as a whole is great at that.
In conclusion, GIMP does not "fucking suck", it is just different and has its uses.
But flash is so pretty!
I suppose though, that is where AJAX and DHTML/XHTML comes into play. You aren't going to be able to create complex animations, but basic pleasing looking animation and transistion can be done.
However, it seems there is a lot of backlash with the word AJAX. I don't exactly get it, I understand the security issues, but not the comment on it being a buzzword.
I heard about laser based home projectors some time ago. This is the first time I have heard of them since, granted, I haven't exactly kept up with them.
This is good news, as from what I read about laser based projectors. They were suppose to be they projector technology. I am getting close to being in the market for a projector for my home theater system, I hope to see laser based projectors soon so they will be an option and I won't have to upgrade in a year or two.
Your $25-29 is retail. Like I said, I don't know how much DVDs whole sale was, but it sure as hell was less than $25. It was probably something like $20 or less, which is what the stores were paying for them.
Blu-ray is sitting at $23 dollar wholesale, that is more than the average new release on DVD these days.
When DVD was released, I don't remember seeing movies much higher than $25, with most being released at a $20 price point. I do not know what the wholesale price on DVDs were back then, but when DVDs were $3 less than what Blu-rays whole sale price, it just goes to show that at least Blu-ray IS going to cost more.
Don't worry, I'd like to consider myself up to date with the TV technology out there, but I still have problems keeping up.
Before it just use to be CRT, that was the only thing you could buy. I guess we did have some confusing stuff with inputs like RF, composite, s-video and the rare and exclusive component. There were only three types of CRT, but all worked on the same CRT technology: direct-view, rear projection and front projection. The later two usually were reserved for the rich, especially with front projection running $10k on the low end.
Now we have CRT, LCD flat panel, LCD rear projection (1 driver or 3 drivers), DLP (1 chip or 3 chip), LCoS (JVC's HD-ILA or Sony's SXRD), plasma and just around the corner, SED and OLED. That in itself is a mouthfull. On top of that we have all these resolutions to worry about, 480i, 480p, 540p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p and then there is all the non-standard resolutions that flat panel LCD and plasma have given us. We also have more connections now, with the annoying HDCP that is going to screw over older HDTV owners.
There is still hope though. Depending on what you consider affordable, there are a few options for HDTVs. Sharp had a 27" HDTV that AVSForum really liked that could be had for around $550. People are also going with LCD, some with LCD monitors and using transcoders (Dell has some affordable ones that have component) or going with a real TV with a company like Sharp Aquos (problem the best bang for your money LCD out there) or Samsung. LCD tends to run a little more for picture size, but you are paying for overall space saving.
On top of that, HDTVs prices are constantly dropping. I paid $3k for my 55" rear projection CRT HDTV 4 years ago. When you couldn't find one for under $2k. Now, they can be had for $1,200 or so. I should also mention, the TVs I am talking about are all from respectable companies and consider good for a certain type of technology. I would never recommend crap like Apex Digital or any of those other off brands.
I addressed this in another part of this thread, but here it goes again and better suited for your question. ;)
We most likely will see modded HD-DVD players and possibly Blu-ray. I say possibly Blu-ray, but last I heard, they also planned on a active copy protection scheme. I do not know if this is being worked on with HD-DVD, but I haven't heard anything and it is getting late in the game for them to do something like it. What Blu-ray is planning on doing is having an active database to check to see if it should be out putting the signal to the device. It is active in that it will be updated, via the internet or put on new discs. The concept is this, once they find a device that shouldn't be attached, it will no longer send the signal to it. I am sure hackers and modders will get around it, but it is going to be harder and more annoying. If it works the way it is suppose to, you will have to continuely hack/mod your DVD player to fix it. It may be as simple as running a tool on disc to reset the database system, but it will have to be done on a regular basis. That is unless they can get around it all together, which is a possibility, but I assume is tied into the system heavily, so it won't be an easy mod.
I guess we will have to wait and see what happens, I don't think it is 100% that Blu-ray will do this, but I haven't heard otherwise. The hacking/modding is just speculation on my part, but if it is off, I don't see it being too far off.
yeah, honestly i think they should just drop the hd-dvd deal altogether and rename blu-ray as hd-dvd. blu-ray /is/ the superior format. more costly, but superior... it has all of hd-dvds touted features, and then it has its own strengths [protective coating, size capacity etc...]
The protective coating is because of a flaw in the disc design, they had to create it. It isn't a problem with HD-DVD because they didn't go the same route with the format as Blu-ray did. While is a "protective coating", it isn't a bonus feature as they are trying to pass it off, it is something they needed because the disc were so fragile.
I am still waiting to see on this whole capacity issue thing. While they are saying they can do up to 200 GB. There are a lot of rumors flying by that we may really never even seen 50 GB in the movie realm. Of course, Blu-ray denies it, but they still haven't produced a 50 GB disc out side the lab. At least from what I have heard, I have been trying to stay up to date on this format war. Home Theater is one of my hobbies and I have a invested intrest to see where each format is going.
I am also interested to see the price, all signs are point to blu-ray costing a descent amount more, including the players. I know this is due to change, but how long before it really comes down? It is critical in this fight, higher price is going to scare the average consumer away. If they can't get it down, it isn't not going to help their cause. The factories to produce these disc also have to take a huge hit re-tooling, which is driving up the price. HD-DVD does not require nearly as much tooling, which the cost savings should trickle down to the consumer.
I don't know which format I am behind anymore. I have said from the beginning, that the war is going to come down to content. Capacity or whatever isn't going to mean squat if there is no content. Blu-ray recently won on that front I feel, with a lot of studios claiming to support Blu-ray, with some going dual format. However, even more recently, sides again are shifting, especially after the price annoucement. With HD-DVD hitting the market first, we may see studios releasing movies on HD-DVD to get their peice of the pay, so the content issue is swinging back to more of a nuetural area.
I started off totally on HD-DVDs side, just because we had Sony again, forcing their way into the market just because they are a big company. AOD had already been picked by the DVD Forum as the sucessor for DVD. Sony didn't like it and broke off, thusly creating this format war in the first place. For that reason alone, plus others, is why I supported HD-DVD. After the content blow, I was thinking it may be good for Blu-ray just to win, after all, they had all the content. Then we had the price releases and also the fact that Blu-ray is having trouble with 50 GB. Well, that lessened the content and also possibly the capacity claim. Which leaves me where I am now, slightly, but firmly on the HD-DVD side.
I suppose there always is the chance that both formats will completly flop. There is a chance that the masses aren't ready for a new format, with DVD being relatively new. I can see the average Joe saying screw it, I am not supporting either format. We may be seeing the stale and stagnent war that is SACD vs DVD-A.
I guess only time will tell. I am still slightly rooting for HD-DVD though, I think...
The thing I find funny about the cell, is that Toshiba is in on it. They are sharing a technology on one end, but fighting a bitter battle on the other. It is too bad they couldn't make a unified HD movie format. The cell is interesting and has potential, it will be interesting to see how it pans out down the road.
i disagree with you. the emotion engine is just as powerful as promised. the problem is they relied on the emotion engine to do it all. just cant happen. it does a decent enough job given the proper development team, but since the ps2 didnt have a dedicated GPU, the emotion engine was taxed with handling the graphics, ai, collision detection, and whatever else the programmers needed. luckily i think the ps2 had a dedicated sound processor... i think that was the only thing not handled by the emotion engine.
That isn't my problem now is it? They claimed the emotions engine was all that, like another posted said, that it could do emotional expression that would wow us. It hasn't done that, not even close. They even made hints towards it being able to render a Toy Story like movie in real time, again, no go.
Like I said, the emotion engine chip was suppose to be so powerful, that Sony stated they would be making a graphic workstating to compete with others. Well, isn't think the time and place for Sony to do this, but fix the short comings that you brought up. Have a GPU to help take the load off and all that. Still, no graphic workstation from Sony. It is not like the graphic workstation market is the most stable right now, SGI is hurting pretty bad and Sun is just there. This leads me to believe just more standard Sony marketing BS.
Thankfully it looks like a conversion box that decodes the signal and outputs a non-encrypted signal will be available, but that doesn't mean people should need them.
There is a slight problem with that, at least with Blu-ray, not sure on HD-DVD as of yet. Blu-ray is suppose to have a dynamic database that can be updated. They can tell it what it can send the signal to what can't. Meaning, they will find these devices and block them.
I understand them wanting to protecto their property, but the HDCP method is just the wrong way about going about it. The devices blocking feature is also taking it one step further in a direction they wouldn't need to go if they hadn't done HDCP.
As of writting, there are a few devices out there that will remove HDCP. However, they are illegal in the US, most of them don't say that they do it to try to protect themselves and the cheapest one I have seen was around $300.
IF you want a new TV, you will need to know those terms.
HDMI and DVI are video input types.
HDCP is a copy protection scheme (HD Copy Protection)
1080p is one of the HD resolutions, it is 1920x1080 in progressive scan.
If you are looking for a good 26" - 36" HDTV, go with a Sony, can't go wrong with a Sony tubed CRT. If you want a larger TV, above 36" and don't want to spend much. Go with a Sony A10 rear projection LCD (last three numbers on the model number), the 42" should be around $1,500. If you can spend a little more, Mitsubishi and Toshiba DLPs are worth a look. If you have $4k to blow, you can get probably the best HDTV on the market right now, the Sony SXRD.
If you are looking for thinner models, the Sharp Aquos flat panel LCDs are going to give you a great TV for the money and a reasonable price. Otherwise, if you have cash to blow, the Sony Bravia are the best flat panel LCDs out there right now.
All these TVs will have HDMI and HDCP so you will be set for HD-DVD and Blu-ray, along with all the other HD content out there.
Halo was released for the PC well after it was released on the Xbox during the lauch. I don't know the exact time frame, but Halo 2 is falling some where in line with it.
If you want to play the newest Halo, it is plain and simple, you have to own a Xbox 360. Same as you needed a Xbox to play Halo and Halo 2 when they first came out.
I bought my last HDTV almost 4 years ago, it will be 4 in may. The year after mine, sets started coming out with DVI and also HDCP. Not all that had DVI had HDCP though. Another year after that, we say HDMI really hit a lot of TVs. HDMI has to have HDCP, it is part of the specs.
However, if you have a DVI input with HDCP, you can get a HDMI to DVI converter. You can also go from DVI to a HDMI input. HDMI carries audio, so when you do something like that, audio is lost.
There is yet one more evolution to HDMI, which is HDMI 1.2 that can actually support 1080p. Up until recently, HDMI chips being released couldn't even support 1080p. Most of the 1080p TVs out now, can't even accept 1080p and are not "true" 1080p sets, they just upscale. The ones that can, most of them can only via VGA. We will see more this year hit the market that can actually accept 1080p via HDMI. It should also be known, that most 1080p sets out now don't even have true display drivers, most have to use a method called wobbleton, which is a stop gap technology until we see full fledge true 1080p sets.
With Blu-ray, not sure about HD-DVD. The copy protection, using HDCP, is left up to the studio. It is just like CSS with DVDs.
We won't be seeing any major releases without it. Only small time operations, that either don't have the time/money or don't know how to do it, will really only be the ones with out it.
The studios really need a reality check. They are the reason why we are seeing all this DRM bullcrap. They are making piracy out to be way bigger than it really is. I wish they didn't have as much power as they did.
I am not happy that by being an early HDTV adopter, I am being screwed, left high and dry because of this HDCP and DRM crap.
Sure, I will be getting a new HDTV in about a year or so, but what about people that can't afford to get a new one. They are really limiting their market. If they want HD movies to catch on, don't limit the output. They are not going to impress anyone or make them willing to spend $500+ on a player only to see the movie in 480p, something they can do now with current DVDs.
Maybe you were living under a rock or something. Sony toted the Emotions Engine as the next greatest thing. Talked it up, saying it could do things that I have yet to see. They also said it was so powerful, that they would be releasing graphic workstations to compete with SGI and Sun.
Where are these graphic workstations based on the emotion engine? Oh, that is right, there are none because Sony talked big and couldn't deliever on their claims.
I am interested in what Sony will release about the PS3. I think a lot of PS fans are in for a big surprise. Sony is known for talking big and not delievering, Emotion engine anyone?
While I don't see it happening, it would be funny if they release more than one version, just like the Xbox 360. Are we going to see a crippled PS3 unit in terms of blu-ray, one that can only play games but not movies. To play movies, that will add on extra money.
With Sony's hype train show at E3, just trailers of games that they were toting as what "in game will look like". Is that what this years E3 is going to be like with Sony, just more smoke being blown up our ass? Or is Sony actually going to have something to show for.
I think it is rather interesting with the role reversals this time around. Last gen, Xbox was the late comer, but because of that was more powerful. You had the fanboys talking about powerful it was and how much better the graphics were. Sony fanboys saying more powerful doesn't mean better. Now, the PS3 is the late comer, most likely being the more powerful system. I can just see it now, the Sony fanboys saying the PS3 is more powerful and better graphics, the very same thing they hypocritically defended last generation. Oh, the fun of watching the fanboys, it always gives me a chuckle.
I only went to two colleges, but I also visted my friends at other ones. I have been to more than my fair share of colleges over the years.