Netflix just released a new $100 box by Roku that will allow you to watch Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” movies on your TV. I wish Apple would allow this on their Apple TVs, so I don’t have to buy another peripheral. Maybe iTunes Music Store should offer a subscription based service for videos. As a side note, “Watch Instantly” does not work on any OS X browser.
As far as some tech specs go, its got HDMI, component, and optical outputs. No HD quality yet, but can be updated. There is no hard drive, everything is streamed. And you can connect wirelessly or wired to your router.
I set up my Super T-Amp this weekend. It was attached to my PowerMac via a really old Onkyo USB DAC. The speakers of choice for this setup were the $40 a pair Polk Audio R15s. I marveled at the sound and my cheapness. By the way, I plugged my Super T-Amp into my Kill-A-Watt. It measured 2 watts while playing music…loud. In off position, it measured 1 watt.
I’ve been wanting a replacement Class-D amp like the Pop-Pulse T40i for a while now. In my research I discovered a company I’ve never heard of, Nuforce. They make high end hi-fi gear. We’re talking about $5,000 for a pair of mono-amps. They also make this $250 desktop amp I now want, the Nuforce Icon, bringing high-end sound to the masses.
It is so great for so many reasons.
- Only $250. Or $200 for the special introductory offer.
- Built-in USB DAC.
- Built-in headphone amp.
- A true integrated amplifier. You can switch between 3 different sources: USB, RCA, and 1/8″ mini.
- Can be used as a preamplifier.
- Can be used to biamp if you have two.
- Looks cool. Reminds me of the Naim NAIT 3 I always wanted.
- Some great reviews already. Check this one out at 6moons in particular.
- It uses Cat-5 cables as speaker cable. Weird.
- SPDIF would have been nice.
I was having a few problems getting the Extreme to recognize my Epson 7600 printer on the network. It worked at first, but disappeared when I tried printing from it again. Mind you, I am not connecting the printer to the USB connection of the Extreme. The printer has an ethernet print server card installed in it, and that is connected to one of the ethernet ports on the Extreme. Anyways the key is to give the printer a static IP address. I was able to do it on my Netgear, but I didn’t know if the Extreme had the ability. It does.
- Open Airport Utility
- Click Internet
- Click DHCP
- Go to the bottom section labeled DHCP Reservations. Click the + symbol.
- Think of a description and fill in the description field.
- Choose the Reserve by MAC address radio button.
- Click Continue.
- Find the MAC address off the ethernet print server card, fill in the MAC address field.
- Choose an IP address you’d like to reserve.
- Click Done.
This solution seemed to work for me.
My new want is the MacBook Pro. I currently own a MacBook which is a great computer, but as you all know if you really want to be cool, you need the Pro version. Whenever I see people with the MacBook Amateurs, I honestly think, “Wow, that guy is not very serious. He only has a MacBook.” I don’t think I’m alone on this, I hope I’m not at least. I wonder if that’s what people think of me. Hmm. I suppose other times when I see people with MacBook Pros I think, “Wow, what’s that guy trying to prove?” But that’s something else. Anyways. Let’s look at the main differences.
- MBP has a dedicated video card for the gaming I’ll never do.
- MB has an integrated video card sharing memory with the main memory.
- MBP has an optional matte display.
- MB has a glossy display.
- MBP has a lighted keyboard which I would find very useful.
- MBP has a larger screen. 100px more height, 160px more width.
- MBP is aluminum.
- MBP has an express card slot.
- MBP has FW800.
- MB is a newer design.
- MB has the magnetic clasp.
- MBP has the little button with hooking thing clasp.
- MBP has the multitouch trackpad.
- MB has a user replaceable hard drive.
- MBP has slightly better battery life.
- MBP is cooler than the MB. (I think Apple should restart doing the “What’s on your PowerBook” ads.)
The MBP is probably due for a more major redesign. It has essentially stayed the same since the Titanium PowerBook. It makes sense that Apple has stuck with this proven design. What other improvements can be made? My main thing right now is a user replaceable hard drive. I’ve heard rumors that new MBs and MBPs are introducing at WWDC. Maybe I’ll want the new MB by then. No, wait. I have to be cool and get the Pro.
