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Friday, June 27, 2003

I need some kind of ludicrous video matrix switcher box. At the very least, it should be able to take multiple (3-5) hi-definition component video sources, and have at least one hi-def output. If it only provides regular stereo audio switching, that's OK, but I'd like support for whatever gratuitous 5.1 audio is output by video consoles and DVD players these days, and the ability to output that to whatever gratuitous audio system we upgrade to later this year. Remote control a plus. Ability to output to a second hi-def source (in case I go completely insane and get some kind of video projector) also a plus.

Any recommendations?

Update: Only one output, but otherwise the Audio Authority 1154 looks pretty darn nice. It auto-switches between sources, and handles hi-def video and audio (whenever I get to that point). Tasty! 10:34:14 AM (comments [])

I've been mooning about recently, wanting to play a good RPG, and wanting to get something shiny and new. Since Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is half a month off (and since I'm not yet prepared to start up my PC again to play Shadows of Udrentide) I was at a loss. Then I realized that I'd borrowed Final Fantasy X from my brother over a year ago, and still hadn't gotten past the first save point. Oops.

The main thing preventing from playing FFX was that I'm about halfway through FF9 (and, uh, have been for a long time now), and I kept thinking I should finish 9 before moving onto X. I cast that foolish consistency to the winds a few days back, and I'm glad I have. I mean, 9 is fun and all, but X may be the perfect Final Fantasy:

The characters actually have voices.
The facial animation is incredible. (These are the same guys who did Final Flight of the Osiris -- think that in real time on your PS2)
The little plotlets come fast and furious, and continue to keep me engaged and wanting to move forward.
The combat mechanism actually allows you to use all of your characters in a single battle, instead of having to plan ahead and swap around characters in between battles.
The plot is extremely engaging; it's like watching & playing the biggest anime series ever.

I can't believe I put it off this long. On the other hand, it's like I've given myself the best geeky present ever by way of time machine. Woowoo! 10:29:04 AM (comments [])

Argh. I dusted off (literally) my old Logitech cordless mouse, since my MS optical trackball is completely messing my wrists up. The mouse is a big improvment, except for one teensy weensy problem: it uses the same spectrum as Bluetooth, apparently, but not the same protocol -- when I'm synching my phone, my mouse stops working. This obviously makes keeping the phone connected up to the Address Book app impractical. Argh. Good thing no one ever calls me :). 10:22:57 AM (comments [])