TiVo
 

Pound for pound, the DirecTV receiver with Tivo is the best value. If there's any way you can do satellite, do it. No lifetime contract; they just add $4.95 to your monthly satellite bill (or nothing, if you get the package with the premium movie channels like HBO and Showtime), which in most areas is less than cable's monthly bill. And right now the receivers are $50 with all the rebates. Eventually, DirecTV will probably give them out for free.

I've never actually used a Replay, but Tivo seems to be the Apple in this market in terms of innovation, so I'm naturally biased in its favor.

Jooooooin usssssssss . . .

TiVo
 

I got my Tivo the same week that my dad got his Replay TV. I set up my Tivo in about an hour or so, and I think he had the same set up time, though his system is much more complicated than mine. I've never had to call customer service. Within a week, he was calling customer service almost daily. Without prior programming, the Replay TV would change the channel at 11:00 every night without fail. That went on for a few weeks. Then, the Replay TV wouldn't even let him turn on the TV to watch programming. It would have this message saying that it was loading new information and please wait. Customer service was not particularly helpful. They'd tell him that he needed a software upgrade, and then he'd be ok. He'd try to download the software, but it never helped the problem. Eventually, he took back the Replay TV reciever to Circuit City, and used the credit to buy a Tivo. Replay TV did credit him the $300 lifetime fee. He had bought the Replay TV initially because it got slightly better reivews in Sound and Vision, and he liked the "fast forward through commercials" feature. That feature is no long available.

As for the unit, mine is a Tivo Brand unit, and again, no problems. I have a serial port that goes from my Tivo to my digital cable box, so the remote control is fairly instantaneous. (I had had a little bit of problem with the infrared remote controlling, when I first set up the system.) I use a telephone line to connect to the Tivo service, but I just bought a wireless router. I'm hopeful that the USB wireless connection will be doable, though I haven't tried to set that up. My only problems have been dialing up to the mothership, and that was solved when I disconnected the DSL line from the same jack that I was using to dial up.

TiVo
 

TiVo
 

If any of you tivo fans are feeling frisky, try out the following book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...101748-9032732

Be sure to click through this site of course to get LT the referral fees.

I personally have an Ultimate TV w/ DirecTv, which is a competing service originally from Microsoft. Oddly enough, UTV is very hackable, and has a pretty devoted tech following (albeit dwindling)--I like the interface better than Replay or Tivo, but I bet I'll have to get Tivo once support becomes an issue. A hard drive upgrade is a must for any Tivo/Replay/UTV user--very simple and you can expand your recording capability by 80+ hours.

Flinty

TiVo
 

Sonic blue sucks balls. My Rio 500 is a paperweight because it really isn't compatible with Xp. Company's position is: "So what."

TiVo
 

I have had two friends already replace their units with the lifetime plan, which means they would have had to buy new lifetime plans. They both switched to TWC's dvr instead.

In fact, we and most of our friends use dvrs. It's $10/month. The AI is not as good as TiVo or replay and the storage capacity is smaller (between 30-40 hours). Overall, it works beautifully. It has the capability of recording two programs simultaneously while playing back a third, built-in picture in picture, etc.

Napster 2.0
 

Is in beta testing and is set to go live on October 29. Looks to be modeled on iTunes. $.99 per song. 500,000 song library.

http://www.roxio.com/en/company/news...se031009.jhtml

aV

Napster 2.0
 

Keep in mind, though, that Napster 2.0 files will be WMA only, and therefore incompatible with an iPod.

AdL

Napster 2.0
 

Who cares? It's the same price as itunes music store, and not likely to be any better.

Napster 2.0
 

I thought iTunes wasn't windows friendly? Thus, if you have an iPod and a PC, you can't use iTunes or Napster 2.0.

aV

Napster 2.0
 

True, for now. Apple will introduce shortly iTunes for windows. (Although you could use itunes downloaded music on your ipod if you got it from someone with an apple.

[ETA:] Shortly apparently means Oct. 16

Those who have failed to learn the lessons of Fox v. Franken . . .
 

So your fancy new anti-piracy encryption software can be defeated by holding down the "Shift" key when the music CD is inserted in the PC. The world now knows this because a Princeton grad student wrote a paper about it. Your OTC stock drops by $10 million when your shareholders find this out.

What do you do? What doooo you dooooo?

Answer: Sue the grad student.

Anybody know anyone who traded SunnComm Technologies? I'd like to file a shareholder class action against these boobs for failing to disclose to the marketplace that their software could be defeated by anyone with a working pinky finger.

Those who have failed to learn the lessons of Fox v. Franken . . .
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
What do you do? What doooo you dooooo?

Answer: Rule 11

My answer to this RIAA nonsense: Buy and sell used CDs.

iNap
 

This is the samsung player that is designed just for napster 2.0.

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Digi...YP-910GS_m.jpg

Info here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/Digi...p_YP_910GS.htm

Cool things - built in FM transmitter and FM tuner

Bad - only 20 GB?

Anyone know about price?

aV

iNap
 

From what I've read, comparable to the equivalent-sized iPod, which I believe is $399 currently.

digital cameras
 

So I posted a general question on the computers board, apparently not realizing there were multiple threads here. Since that time I have heard good things about the Canon S400, which I think sells for about $400. Anyone have it? Anyone have any comparable recommendations? Basically what I want is a small digital camera that has good picture quality and costs less than $600.

digital cameras
 

I have the S200, which is the older, fewer MP version of the S400. Been very happy with it for snapshots. Pretty easy to figure out how to use. software's good. I think it's still the smallest camera out there, and it's easily stuck in a normal-sized pocket.

Biggest negative is that it uses a proprietary battery pack, which means you have to carry a charger with you, rather than being able to buy replacement batteries. NOt a problem for parties, but more of a hassle for vacations. And even more of one if you go to a country with different power plugs (although the charger does work on 220V as in europe, so all you need is a plug adapter, not a transformer)

iNap
 

Keep in mind that Napster 2.0 only uses Windows media files, and not MP3. A big disadvantage in my book. iTunes music shop files can be used in ACC and MP3, which makes them more versatile.

iNap
 

Alex, I don't think that's quite right. All iTunes music store files are in AAC format. iPods can play AAC files and mp3 files (all the ones you either ripped from your own CDs or stole through the assistance of Napster v.1). But you can burn the AAC file to a CD and then reimport it as an mp3

Napster 2.0 uses WMA format. But the player can still play mp3 files (according to the link).

So, your choice is iPod, which works with iTunes music store and all your old stuff. Or Napster, which works with Napster, and all your old stuff. VHS or Beta, anyone?

That Cat Better Get Busy
 

Apple Has Sold 1 Million Songs on iTunes for Windows

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL - news) said on Monday that Windows computer users had downloaded its iTunes digital jukebox software and bought more than 1 million songs at a cost of 99 cents each from its online music store since their launch for Windows last Thursday.


That compares with 1 million songs sold in the first seven days when it introduced the original iTunes for Mac users.


"We're off to a great start, and our competition isn't even out of the starting gates yet," said Apple co-founder and Chief Executive Steve Jobs (news - web sites) in a statement.


Apple, based in Cupertino, California, last week unveiled in San Francisco, in a characteristically glitzy presentation, the Windows version of its popular iTunes software, with Apple's online music store integrated into the program.


Apple said that 14 million songs have now been bought and downloaded since the original, Mac-only iTunes software and music store launch in April.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...pple_itunes_dc

aV

digital cameras
 

The positive side of the battery pack is battery life. The proprietary batteries last a whole lot longer than standard off the shelf batteries. Just buy an extra one at batteries.com. I can also recommend the Canon Elph series.

iNap
 

I stand corrected. Thanks!

Digital SLR Camera
 

Anyone have a digital SLR camera? Are they worth the money or can you get most of the same features out of a high end point and shoot digital? I've had a 2MP Olympus (only thing I've ever won) for about 2 years and I'm getting frustrated with the lens and exposure limitations.

If I do splurge, it will be for the Nikon D1 (all my 35mm is Nikon). Hopefully the prices will drop some more when the D2 is released.

Digital SLR Camera
 

You seriously have three grand to drop on a camera? More power to you. SLR is a format that probably doesn't mean much once you're talking about megapixels instead of film formats, unless you've got thousands sunk in compatible Nikon lenses or something.

I tend to agree with Wonk that if you're a serious-serious photographer, you're still shooting on film and getting Photo CDs from your developer for digital purposes. (Of course, by that measure, I stopped being a serious photographer three years ago, if ever I was one.)

Consumer Reports likes the $900 Nikon Coolpix 5700 (5 megapixel), which has an SLR type form factor but is not a true SLR. CR: "You want it all even at a price. Large and heavy, even for a 5-megapixel model, but its images are excellent and it's loaded with features, including 8X optical zoom."

Digital SLR Camera
 

Or buying a high-end film/slide scanner and doing it yourself. The photo CDs, while very good quality, are still sacrificing something.

Digital SLR Camera
 

No. I'm talking about the D1 which a few months ago was over 2 grand, but is now down to $1400. I'm hoping it drops to $1G or less with the upcoming D2 release. I refuse to spend more than that.

I've got a decent slide scanner, I just don't have the time to sit in front of it.

A friend is a pro and she's had the Canon SLR system for a few years now. Very cool stuff. Just wondering if the digital dream is worth pursuing or if I should pull the Holga out of the camera bag and have some fun.

Digital SLR Camera
 

And, trying to answer the question (although I don't have such a camera), I don't believe that DSLRs have many features not available in high-end P&S, although if some of those advanced features matter, you'd better research it. The main advantage of a DSLR is 1) you can use your SLR lenses, which means a) more focal length variation b) better glass overall and c) being able to use lenses wide open, so that there's little DoF, which is harder on the f8/5.6 lenses a lot of P&S's have (effective, compared to 35mm) and 2) most have a bigger buffer for faster continuous shooting.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Please discuss.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Sadly, my interest in the subject is entirely academic. But I caught a discussion among CE nerds about LCD versus plasma, which boiled down to this:

LCD Pro:

• Lighter weight;
• Lower power use;
• No burn in;
• Slimmer (<2");
• Longer life;
• Better resolution.

LCD Con:

• Possibility of dead pixels;
• Not as bright;
• Slower response time;
• Narrower color reproduction.

Plasma Pro:

• Faster response;
• Good color reproduction;
• Good contrast ratio;
• Cheaper (after you hit larger wall mount sizes);
• Fairly bright;
• The word "plasma" sounds vaguely sexual and impresses guests at your key parties.

Plasma Con:

• Burn in problem;
• Heavier;
• Eats electricity;
• Thicker.

The thing to take into account is that once you get to the largest LCD and plasma sizes (54" and 70" respectively) with 1920 x 1080 (true HD) resolutions, in the words of one CE geek, you're talking about the price of an entry-level Toyota Camry. (In lawyer-speak, that's equal to an entry-level model year 2000 A6.)

Whatever you get, be sure to invite me and Less over to watch porn.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

So I was discussing this issue with Mrs. Finch, and we were in the neighborhood so we stopped at the Sony store to browse the plasma TVs, and as we were leaving she said "you're right, if you're going to bother getting a plasma TV the 42-inch really is too small. You might as well just get the 50."

I love that woman.

Even though she was non-plussed by my comeback -- "what about the 60?"

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Also compare plasma and LCD to rear projection tubes, rear projection DLPs, front projection DLPs and front projection LCDs.

Plasma screens aren't servicable in any meaningful way, and the black levels and general brightness is supposed to significantly decrease after about 3 years. Spending $5k for a display which won't look nearly as good in 4 years scared me.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Hmmmm..... The decline in brightness is frightening.

LCDs seem pretty tough to find, especially in any large-format. Rear projections are monstrously huge.

Shit. Maybe I'll just draw stick figures on the wall and stare at those all day.

[B]Plasma TVs -- Worth the price? [/B]
 

Don't get an LCD. Speed is a very serious issue. You'll see very obvious scrolling during any action scenes.

Given the limited life of a plasma, unless you are a videophile or have lots of disposable income, the only reason to get one is placement. Sometimes, the room simply won't accomodate a tube or projection TV in a reasonable position for viewing.

But, once you do get a plasma, you're not likely to want to go back to a projection or a tube. Projection TVs have never offered great resolution, even the new HDTVs. And tubes are heavy and huge.

[B]Plasma TVs -- Worth the price? [/B]
 

I think that the DLP rear-projection tvs look great, and offer great resolution. There's no tube, just a digital light processor projecting light on the screen from the rear somehow. Look to avsforum.com (well, something like that; Atticus referenced it a while back, but it sometimes offends my firewall, so I don't want to check it) for more detail.

One of the significant benefits of DLP rear-processors is that they're both significantly lighter and thinner that traditional tube-based rear projection units.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

3587--I've seen those new thin projection TVs. The change in size is truly outstanding. But IMO the picture quality is still noticeably poorer than tube and plasma.

Who is the hottie on your avatar, btw?

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Why does no one advocate front-projection CRT?

For anywhere from about $7K to $20K, all your concerns are over for a protracted period of time. They are supposed to last forever and give very high resolution.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Most people don't live in a theatre. In order to get good contrast, a CRT prefers a completely dark room. Not so with a plasma, LCD or DLP where the windows can be open and you can still watch.

Digital SLR Camera
 

Sorry to come late to this party.

As someone who habitually drops significant cash on camera equipment, my philosophy on DSLRs for a long time has been that I'll move that way when the bang for the buck starts getting comparable. I think it is starting to get close, with the Ds being good examples.

I think the film/scan approach introduces some unpredictability in image quality, and so my high-end film to digital conversions often have artifacts or distortion that is absent from my little digital snaps. And I tend to use digital images as much or more than printed images. But I also think film and digital have different uses, and probably always will -- there's something about a nice, fine grained black and white image that I don't see digital replicating any time soon.

But why did you ever put away the Holga? They're almost as much fun as sex.

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Basements.

What else are they good for?

Plasma TVs -- Worth the price?
 

Wine cellars.

Hmmm. Maybe both.

But here in earthquake country, no basements per se. All the new homes are built on slabs.