RJHD3's Profile

If you have an xbox, you can decide fir yourself whether a bluray is worth buying. The experiment is simple. Rent or purchase through Zune both a standard definition and a high definition version of the same show.

If you and your family can tell a quality difference on your TV and your viewing environment AND the difference is worthwhile, then you should buy one.

If you do, don't overinvest. The xbox streams media and continues to add new sources. Buying an nonlinear capable bluray player would just duplicate things and add unnecessary cost.

The other thing to consider is whether your family rewatches content frequently enough that owning a disc is worth it.

Digitally authentic FTW.

@sunspot42:

Regardless of root cause, Consumer Reports, Engadget, Gizmodo, and thousands of users in Apple's forums are not wrong. They have legitimate issues with using a very expensive piece of kit.

The non-recommendation is a good call until/unless this gets properly sorted.

Or the wires were tucked out of site for the photo. Not uncommon at all.

What is the desk?

Oh, and vintage phones didn't have push button numbers. They had rotary dials. Pretty sure this is a Restoration Hardware/Pottery Barn recreation.

Amazon = VBR encoded MP3's, usually poorer quality than iTunes.

Apple Lossless = need Apple software.

FLAC = free codec. Lossless. Best choice if you want your software freedom of choice.

However it's hard to find FLAC for download. Have to buy the CD and convert it yourself most of the time. In the world of one click downloads that sucks. There are a few stores, but selection is limited. https://www.hdtracks.com/

I think Anthony is on point. Consumer Electronics (CE) companies generally suck at user interface design. They haven't really progressed dramatically since the introduction of the on-screen programming for VCR's.

While there are notable exceptions (TiVo) even the more advanced features of set-top boxes are beyond the grasp of the non tech-savy individuals they most frequently service.

Non traditional CEs such as computer manufacturers are dipping their toe's into the water, but they generally lack the industrial design talent of the classic consumer manufacturers. That is to say, generally the products they produce look like ugly computer boxes.

Nirvana is a highly usable interface such as the AppleTV, TiVo, or Netflix on Xbox 360 merged with a smaller subset of boxes to contend with.

A set top box with a great UX, the ability to stream on-demand content (paid and free) play physical media, and control live TV (broadcast or cable/satellite) would be heaven.

However until someone convinces the content providers, distributors, hardware manufacturers to abandon their current economic models that's not going to happen. Companies cling to old ways of thinking almost as irrationally as people do.

More likely, they will cling to their current business models and simply kill off (consolidation of NBC and Comcast) the parts that don't favor their current thinking (Hulu will become a niche product with little investment).

Very nice.

Random thought...

Shame you can't wrap the background and music into a package and ship them off to a web site. It would make for some truly unique blog experiences (wonderwall meets bing home page meets your blog).

@Swampfox_12 & @gregory:

I want in on that action! Give a price range and a required set of pieces.

Perhaps it makes sense to change the name of this feature from 'sales calendar' to 'hot deals right NOW'?

Both Dell deals = dead one day after publishing.

Oh yes, and the iPod Nano deal is for a 4th generation model, which might have retailed for $149 six months ago. Since the intro of the camera equipped model no one has sold them at retail price. In fact a refurb unit from Apple only runs $99.

Ha! And this raises a complaint I have about the forums here. Why can't I edit my typo's?

I really love the theme of the room, colours, and textures. It's really wonderful. What I think is missing from the adjusted layout is the eclectic off-center layout that gave the room a bit of personality.

It would be fun to play with those pieces and see the options. What if the Eames-esque chair were in the same corner as the fireplace (for example).

@creativeintheory: Exactly! That was my point here!

Get televisions out of the living room.