« February 2008 | Main | May 2008 »
March 31, 2008
Thank you lifehacker
As you may or may not know, about a year ago I built my own DVR/"Tivo" using Mythtv software and the Debian Linux operating system. I used a spare Athlon xp 1600, full size case, gig of RAM, Hauppauge tv tuner card, and other random parts to complete the project. I have to say that I have been very happy with the completed project for some time now. I am able to stream recorded tv shows to any computer on my network and can watch live/recorded shows in my computer room that houses the Mythtv system. My only complaint...what if I want to watch my recorded shows in my basement and on a tv. I really didn't want to lug the full size computer down stairs, and to tell you the truth it's not a pretty case. You see we recently purchased a 40" Westinghouse LCD HDTV from Sam's club and I wanted to stream my Mythtv videos as well as other internet videos to this new tv. So, what do I do? I could have spent over $200 on an Apple TV, but I really didn't want to play the game of converting video formats every time I had a new video to watch. After doing a little bit of searching I ran across an article called "Transform Your Classic Xbox into a Killer Media Center". I figured why not. Knowing that I could get an old Xbox for around $70 and the rest of the parts needed would only total $20, I was spending less then 1/2 the cost of an Apple TV system. Plus come on, loading Linux on a Microsoft Xbox is just plain cool.
The project turned out to be extremely easy and only took a couple hours to get everything up and running. The XBMC (Xbox Media Center) allows me to stream just about any type of media on my network to my new television. Watching the Mythtv videos was a snap, but that's not the best feature. When I got home from work today I finally got the Revision3 script to run properly. What does that mean? I am able to stream all of the Revision3 shows on my tv without having to download the shows to a computer first (yeah yeah I know the xbmc has to cache some data). I've also been able to watch Webb Alert as well as other online shows from the comfort of my couch.
Photos-
Diggnation on TV
Very happy with this project, and would be glad to assist others who are wanting to do the same.
In other news....
Regina and I got to attend a live taping of Diggnation in St.Louis. I'll post photos soon and will tell my tale of purchasing both Kevin and Alex a beer. Very cool opportunity to buy two of my idols a Budweiser!
Also, I'm trying out twitter. If anyone out there uses it let me know. I'm sure I'll write more about it later.
Twitter profile: twitter.com/joeharr
Posted by joe harr at 9:21 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2008
Day blah i'm home now...ugh
Well we are now back in Bloomington, and back home from a great vacation in California. Everything was pretty much wonderful. Only received one call from work while I was away...ugh I don't mind getting calls, but I was trying to leave work behind.
I'm sure Regina will have the photos posted on the Vacation Photo link soon. I guess I could go into how great the weather was, how wonderful the beach is, how chill the local folks were, and how laid back everything was, but I couldn't do it justice.
Currently listening to....
"We've been on the run
Driving in the sun
Looking out for #1
California here we come
Right back where we started from"
Lyrics by Phantom Planet - California
Posted by joe harr at 8:19 PM | Comments (0)
March 8, 2008
Day 2
So we made it to San Diego safe and sound. Really cool city, although I'm not a big fan of all the traffic.
The Good:
- The weather is so warm!
- The food has been very tasty. Taco Factory and McGregor's were both great. Thanks for the suggestions Brett and Beth!
- Row 5 on the airplane. On our flight from Minneapolis to San Diego we were able to pick the row right behind first class. So much leg room and lots of room for carry on luggage.
The not so good:
- iTunes. So I know that Art will not like that i'm staying this but....I am moving away from using iTunes. I loaded three videos and a dozen songs onto my iPod before our trip. When the transfer was complete I checked to make sure the files were on the iPod. Everything looked good... When I went to watch the videos on the plane I noticed that nothing that I had loaded the night before had truly transfered over. Not happy! In fact other video podcasts that I had loaded were also missing.
-Rental car. Had to change a fuse to get the cigarette (power) outlet to work. Not good when you are in a new city and dependent on a GPS system.
Posted by joe harr at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
March 7, 2008
Day 1
We have officially started our vacation!
So far....
Watched Riverdance in Peoria, and staying in our first of three hotels.
6 a.m. flight tomorrow.
Posted by joe harr at 11:04 PM | Comments (0)
March 4, 2008
Im going going, back back, to cali cali
It seems that the stress of moving and the lack of sun has forced Regina and I to pack our bags and head to San Diego. More details soon....
Posted by joe harr at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)