What's on telly tonight

[Eneukman 1]

I've just signed up to Pandora and I'm quite impressed with the selection of music they're coming up with, especially the artists I haven't come across before. So far, I've only given them Pink Floyd, ABBA and Beautiful South.

 

Alan

[dave_boo 0]

excellent post pete, but i think you mean to say you have a Creative X-fi soundcard........

[hacker 0]

hi pete

 

I use APN and forte agent as a reader, with an alternative newsgroup source http://www.forteinc.com/apn/index.php only $3 for 7GB or $15 for unlimited

 

mh

[chris_heaton 4]

I do exactly the same as you o obtain my TV. I use the Giganews news server and NBPro news reader for downloading. To save me searching through millions of posts for what I want I use https://www.newzbin.com/

 

You can easily find what you want using this service. It also generates nfo files which link directly into NBPro. This allows almost 1 click downloads of Movies, TV shows, Music and more.

 

I just wish I had a 10Mb connection like I have in England. What takes me 10 minutes to download there will take hours here!

 

Chris

[mb3house 0]

If you have Sky in the UK you can get some sort of internet addition to it, where by you can watch through the net. A guy demonstrated it to me a few weeks ago in Tropical Berts bar, using the WiFi in there, and it worked a treat, he put live rugby on from Oz!!! Unfortunately my parents dont have Sky otherwise I would piggy back offf them.

[vidman 2]

hi chris,

 

What sat is the uktv channel on?

 

The only other system i have seen is the large dish that is sold from the unit in tuk com. I think its called the sun system. is it this or is it this system moved to pick up another sat?

 

cheers

[csm 4]

Pete,

 

Thanks for starting this thread and giving me the information I needed to finally purchase my system. I have it set up and still need to do some tweaking but I am able to watch all my movies and tv shows I have downloaded on my 50" Panasonic LCD TV. Here are my specs if anyone is interested

 

Windows XP MCE with free upgrade to Vista

 

Intel Core2 duo E6400 2.13GHZ

 

2GB Ram

 

1 TB disk space, with room for two more drives when needed

 

Evga GeForce 9650 GT KO 512 video card - was going to get the 7650 but this card was only 80$ more and the guy who helped me configure the system said it would handle Vista better if/when I upgrade to that OS

 

DVD Burner with Lightscribe

 

I have played with both Windows Media Center and Media Portal will have to decide which I like after some trial and error

 

I still need to get a tuner card but have my eye on a usb tuner from Hauppauge

 

Scott

[torrenova 644]

Can you chuck some ocsts in there please as I'm sure a lot of guys would want to do this but are unsure of both the technology and the cost.

[chris_heaton 4]

VIDMAN -

UKTV (Granada TV) Can be found on Sat: ABS-1 (75.E) Used to be called LMI. The frequency is 12.579H, 22,000, 7/8.

 

The signal is Very strong across Thailand.

 

Chris

[monsterman 0]

hi chris,

 

What sat is the uktv channel on?

 

The only other system i have seen is the large dish that is sold from the unit in tuk com. I think its called the sun system. is it this or is it this system moved to pick up another sat?

 

cheers

Avoid the sun system , loads of channels but no real content, unless u are chinese or indian.plus service is crap.

 

monsterman

[csm 4]

Can you chuck some ocsts in there please as I'm sure a lot of guys would want to do this but are unsure of both the technology and the cost.

 

I can't find my itemized reciept but I paid $1580 plus tax and $89 to put the system together, the guy sold it as a pre-configured system so I have the year warranty on the whole thing. I did not buy a mouse or keyboard as I have them already, nor a sound card as I wanted to see if the onbaord sound would meet my needs. I will post the individual prices once I locate the receipt.

Edited December 22, 2006 by csm

[scorpions 6]

Pete,

great post! Still waiting for an APPLE media center mac mini alike which works like my Ipod straight forward. In my freetime I don't want to bother with the uncountable daily M$ issues. The network storage device with 2 TB is already in place ...

 

 

I've just signed up to Pandora and I'm quite impressed with the selection of music they're coming up with, especially the artists I haven't come across before. So far, I've only given them Pink Floyd, ABBA and Beautiful South.

 

Alan

 

Same Same but different - a way more heavy starting with SCORPIONS of course !!!

[Rhoel 2]

Quick question: You also shoot HDTV and therefore you know hard-disc hungry that technology is; Despite having the many TB's of hard-disk capacity, I assume you are also backing up your media onto something? DVD is just useless for HDvideo where on shot can exceed disc capacity.

 

Have you found a HD-DVD/Blu-ray supply/supplier in Pattaya or Thailand yet? And if so, what are the prices like?

 

I have seriously looked at adding a HD PC card to this machine but the thought of paying more than a new Honda Dream just for one video card has put me off - I'll probably wait for the prices to come down. It's crazy but I can buy a HDTV set cheaper than the video card.

 

As for the newsgroups, I have been a big fan for many years - Xnews is my favourite reader and it supports yenc without having to play around with extra codec - yenc is widely used on encoding still images.

 

Mastersplitter is good for joining multiple posts, as is winrar.

 

Unfortunately, I can no longer subscribe to the newsgroups because PayPal suspended payments to all newsgroup suppliers - seems they were lent on by a certain Unmentionable States Authorities who were concerned subscribers using PayPal couldn't be traced - now LEA officials can force any newsgroup service provider to hand over credit card details and addresses.

 

My Thai bank card, despite assurances and "oh that shouldn't happen" from my bank, gets rejected by the online card processors.

 

Nice kit BTW. But be careful, one guy in the UK set up a similar system in his living room, in full sight of the street - the day after his purchase, he arrived home to discover it all gone. Since the individual items were over his general insurance cover and he hadn't forwarded the serial numbers the brokers, he lost out completely.

 

Rhoel

[PattayaPete 530]

Quick question: You also shoot HDTV and therefore you know hard-disc hungry that technology is; Despite having the many TB's of hard-disk capacity, I assume you are also backing up your media onto something? DVD is just useless for HDvideo where on shot can exceed disc capacity.

 

Have you found a HD-DVD/Blu-ray supply/supplier in Pattaya or Thailand yet? And if so, what are the prices like?

 

Hi Rhoel

 

I do backup to DVD. I never play the stuff from DVD just keep it backed up there. I tried double layered DVDs for a while but as they cost 300 baht compared to 10 baht for a single layer and I had way to many failures I am back to single layer DVDs. With 2.5 terabytes of disk space I can keep 160 or so HD movies on line. That's enough for now.

 

I do plan to swap to Blue Ray once the price and technology settles down. I was an early adopter of DVD's. My first writer cost 50,000 baht and the disks were 550 baht each. This time with the format war and the disk price for blue ray being even higher, I think I'll just wait for a while.

 

I have not seen any HD-DVD or Blue Ray computer drives for sale in Thailand yet. You can get Playstation 3s with BR drives in Pattaya now. They are imported from Japan and are retailing for 38,000 baht.

 

I have seriously looked at adding a HD PC card to this machine but the thought of paying more than a new Honda Dream just for one video card has put me off - I'll probably wait for the prices to come down. It's crazy but I can buy a HDTV set cheaper than the video card.

 

I don't see the point myself. Apart from real time HD monitoring which although nice is not essential. I am using the CineForm Intermediate codec (AspectHD) which works flawlessly and fast on my editing machine.

[w3bmast3r 0]

Very usefull post Pete

 

I have been looking at putting together a MEDIA center PC similar to yous, except I cant seem to to get the cost below about 160,000 BHAT (at an exchange rate of 70 ~ 1).

 

I like the new Core 2 Duo's but they don't yet have the clock speed of the Pentium D's.

 

So looks like I will hang on, also for the HDMI graphics card either that or a convertor for DVI -> HDMI.

 

Next time I am in town, might like a look at your set-up if you don't mind.

 

For the moment, I will stick with my old XBOX and XBMC, same software as Media Portal, only it doesnt do HD. so will have to wait

[PATFAN 2]

Pete, Very interesting post. Thanks for taking the time to putting it together and posting it. There is a lot of info to digest. Is there a site that would offer more info on this type of set-up? Specifically a block diagram and/or a wiring dagram of how everything goes together? It seem to me that there are two side to figure out how this system works, the hardware and the software. I think the hardware would cost the most

( and easier to understand) but the software would be the hardest to figure out. What requirements are needed and what different options that one has and choosing the best one. For those of us who are not so technically up-to-date are there stores or websites that offer systems right out of the box. I have never seen something like this at Best Buy or Circuit City. Actually it would seem that there could be a niche of consumers that would love having a set-up like yours. Thanks Again and Happy New Years.. Danny

[papillon 695]

Great Thread.

 

It's a hobby that I have been into since Napster first started up.

 

MP3s no good? Nonsense. I could play you an MP3 and the CD it was ripped from on ANY system and you could never tell the difference. It would be like flipping a coin. Pure guesswork as to which one was which.

 

If you're building a system and starting from scratch make sure the LCD/Plasma has a VGA iinput so that you can plug your Computer into it.

 

I have 10 MB Download. My internet is FREE because I chip (Hack) cable modems. I have 3 modems at work in my apartment.

 

I download my Media from Newsgroups which is also FREE.

 

My Internet access is also totally Anonymous. The accounts I use are cloned from other subscribers. I can change IP address at will and in less than 30 seconds.

 

My telephone calls are all free and anonymous as well.

 

I could get up to all sorts of shit if I wanted to. I have done amazing things in the past from which I've made myself and moreso others considerable amounts of money. I have been to many different countries and used the freely available technology to fund an 'interesting' lifestyle. I have never been caught. The Irish Government nearly caught me once and that episode 'put me on the radar.' I've behaved myself for @ 15 years now but still like to keep my hand in with the latest stuff.

 

Pete, your setup sounds impressive. I do everything you do but at zero cost. I'm not a Cheap Charlie and can afford a similar hardware spec. but prefer to do it for nothing. That's where the attraction lies for me. The ONLY thing I will get is a large screen TV, similar to what you have. I could order one online and get it delivered for ZERO cost but like I said, I've left that lifestyle behind me now and will buy one when I relocate to S.E.A.

 

I'm presently selling up where I am in London. This time next year, I hope to be living on a little island in the Samar province of the Philippines. Have you seen the women there? Wow!

 

All I need is a couple of Solar panels and Satellite Broadband feed and I will start building my 'Place in the Sun.'

 

I saw a post by BM Gary the other day who is resident in LOS. He mentioned the Ipstar Satelite, the Footprint of which covers Samar. That put a spring in my step! God I love this board

[PattayaPete 530]

I like the new Core 2 Duo's but they don't yet have the clock speed of the Pentium D's. So looks like I will hang on, also for the HDMI graphics card either that or a convertor for DVI -> HDMI.

Don't get hung up on clock speed Dan. It is basically irrelevant now. My core 2 will do 4 instructions per clock cycle vs 1 or 2 on a single core machine. That means your single core would have to be running at four times the clock speed to keep up with my dual core. It would probably catch fire at that speed.

 

MP3s no good? Nonsense. I could play you an MP3 and the CD it was ripped from on ANY system and you could never tell the difference. It would be like flipping a coin. Pure guesswork as to which one was which.

 

If you're building a system and starting from scratch make sure the LCD/Plasma has a VGA iinput so that you can plug your Computer into it.

 

I saw a post by BM Gary the other day who is resident in LOS. He mentioned the Ipstar Satelite, the Footprint of which covers Samar. That put a spring in my step! God I love this board

I most certainly could tell the difference on my system. Depending on the sample rate of the MP3 the difference is easily noticeable. At 128 k (which is what most people encode at) the dynamics of any recording are lost. It is more difficult to tell at 320k. If the source material is of poor quality or an old recording then the difference is subtle. It is still noticeable with good source material though. At 320k an MP3 is virtually the same size as a lossless file so there is little point in using a lossy codec at that bandwidth.

 

I've found vga inputs to be less than optimal on my plasma. I can't say what it is but the pic just does not look right. I prefer to use component which my video card supports or a DVI to HDMI cable. I have tried both and the DVI to HDMI is the best but because it introduces a few other problems I am sticking with component for now. Computer video cards with HDMI output are starting to appear and if you have a TV with HDMI input then HDMI will be the best answer in the future.

 

If you have 10 meg connections now I think you will find Ipstar a little disappointing. I had it for a while and it is terribly slow regardless of what their advertising says. Definitely a last resort. The Philippines generally has a good internet infrastructure (better than Thailand) but Samar is certainly remote. I'd be interested to hear how you get on there is your do make it your home.

[Hippie 0]

I have seen a few studies that show that most people can't hear the difference on any system between lossless and MP3 recorded at 192 Kb/sec or above using VBR, but those with a trained ear certainly can. I can hear it on the system I had in the US, but not the one I have in China that cost 1/10 as much (but is still better than any of my friends' systems). I can easily hear it on almost any system at 128K encoding. The studies did not address other issues such as possible increases in listening fatigue. However, as PattayaPete said, as you increase MP3 bit rates to where their quality approaches that of lossless file formats, their size does also.

[papillon 695]

It's been a few years since I finished digitising all my music but back then an MP3 with Variable Bitrate (VBR) @ 256 using the Lame encoder and ripped from the CD with EAC (A programme called Exact Audio Copy) was about as good as it got.

 

I GUARANTEE you that you would not tell the difference between the MP3 and the CD from which it was ripped. I don't care what equipment you used to listen to the MP3 either.

 

Only a dog would hear the difference

 

ps. Forget about 128 Bitrate MP3s. They are a joke.

[papillon 695]

I haven't yet achieved the perfect 'Home Cinema' setup as yet. Mine's more of a 'Work In Progress' scenario.

 

It can get a bit treacherous underfoot sometimes!

 

There's a 'Wireless' Router in there somewhere, lol.

 

 

When I have the time, I download the Cover Artwork, print it off and put it in a DVD case. Each DVD box that you see here on the shelves is actually a DVDR containing 6 @ 90 minute movies and not an actual DVD.

 

 

Most of the stuff that I've downloaded is backed up on single layer DVDR. I have over a thousand Discs, mostly with either 3 or 6 DivX movies on each one. All my music, Porn, Computer software, etc is in there also.

 

 

I spend so much of my time locating, downloading, burning my media that I have little time to actually watch or listen to it, LOL

 

Now you might understand why I want to leave London and fuck off to a little Tropical Island in Samar.

 

I will probably spend a couple of years trying to organise it all into some kind of a database and then spend the next 10 years enjoying it all witha cute Filipina giving me a blowjob, a San Miguel in one hand and the remote control in the other hand

[papillon 695]

Check out the download speeds....

 

1.03 MBps (Megabyte per Second)

 

 

1.15 MBps (Megabyte per Second)

 

 

6.9 Mbps (Megabits per Second) I Megabyte = 8 Megabits

 

 

As you can see, it doesn't take long to accumulate a few Terabytes here and there, lol.

 

It's gonna be a real tough decision when the girlfriend gives me the ultimatum 'It's Me or the Porn Collection'

[papillon 695]

I most certainly could tell the difference on my system. Depending on the sample rate of the MP3 the difference is easily noticeable. At 128 k (which is what most people encode at) the dynamics of any recording are lost. It is more difficult to tell at 320k. If the source material is of poor quality or an old recording then the difference is subtle. It is still noticeable with good source material though. At 320k an MP3 is virtually the same size as a lossless file so there is little point in using a lossy codec at that bandwidth.

 

I've found vga inputs to be less than optimal on my plasma. I can't say what it is but the pic just does not look right. I prefer to use component which my video card supports or a DVI to HDMI cable. I have tried both and the DVI to HDMI is the best but because it introduces a few other problems I am sticking with component for now. Computer video cards with HDMI output are starting to appear and if you have a TV with HDMI input then HDMI will be the best answer in the future.

 

If you have 10 meg connections now I think you will find Ipstar a little disappointing. I had it for a while and it is terribly slow regardless of what their advertising says. Definitely a last resort. The Philippines generally has a good internet infrastructure (better than Thailand) but Samar is certainly remote. I'd be interested to hear how you get on there is your do make it your home.

 

Pete, the reason I say to make sure that the Plasma/LCD has a VGA input is because it is more versatile. A lot of people will want to connect their Laptop or PC with cheap graphics card.

 

I've no doubt that you have configured your hardware optimally.

 

 

Broadband is/can be pretty good in the Philippines.

 

The area of Samar where I'm thinking about building a small home has no internet. The nearest internet cafe is @ 1 hour on a boat to Catbalogan.

 

They only just got Electricity last November, lol.

 

How long ago did you have Ipstar service, if you don't mind me asking? How bad was it and do you think it may have improved since you had it?

 

It will be key as to whether I relocate to a remote (cheap) island or local town (more pricey).

 

Chok dee

[PattayaPete 530]

Papillon

 

I still take issue with you over the MP3s Might have to have a beer with you while listening to my system and prove I can tell the difference. As Hippie says some people are more atuned to it than others. I worked with audio for many years including recording bands in a recording studio. When you strive for the best sound anything that falls short can really grate.

 

One of the things I hate about Thailand is that Thai's seem to equate LOUD with good. I've seen many systems that were probably OK, wound up to such high levels that distortion is inevitable. I think the Thai rule for setting volume is turn it up until you just start to hear distortion and then wind it up another 25%. Ouch!

 

I loved the photos of your system. Reminded me of a few I have had over the years. What I have now looks pretty good from the front but the back still looks like yours.

 

I had Ipstar a few years ago now, before DSL was available in Pattaya. It was marginally better than dial up most of the time but it was always unreliable. Some days the speed was OK up to about 200k while other days it would struggle along at less than 10k. There are a lot of users up-country in Thailand and a lot of them complain regularly on thaivisa.com. Check out their internet forum for some more recent feedback.

 

As for your 1 Mbb link

[vegasdave 0]

Pete I do tend to agree with you regarding loud. I think the worst part is that the equipment and the souce material is of low quality to begin with. People tend to think of loud and volume as the same thing and they are not. You can have a lot of volume and it won't "feel" loud. If it is a good system and source you can rattle the glasses on the bar and still be able to decifer a conversation.

As far as video goes I have a friend that just got a slingbox. I am waiting for a report. With one of these you can connect to and control your home based system anywhere in the world. This includes a DVR, cable box, ect. Not sure what the min bandwidth speeds are but dont think it is really that high.

Also got to love the H264 codec. Thanks again apple for being on the cutting edge of media delivery.