Wireless Hobo

Corralling Media: Networking

Perhaps there is a better device out there. So, I won’t espouse that the Apple Extreme Base Station (AEBS) is an absolute requirement to get this working, but I am going to layout my case for it and talk about the other Apple networking options very, very briefly.

I have liked this router so much, that I made sure Michelle has one at her house. I used to be pretty high on the Linksys WRT54GL routers reloaded with custom software (firmwares); however, this router is worth 3x the price, in my opinion.  

(Note that I am not publishing the full articles on the front page any longer.  I think the presentation is a bit better by adding the “More” link below if you want more info.)

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Tags: aebs, apple, ethernet, extreme base station, networking, router, Wireless

Corralling Media: Overview

You may or may not know that I am really into media center stuff as a hobby.  I just hate putting a DVD or CD in the drive.  I want it all on demand.  Additionally, I hate paying big bucks for it.  I love Front Row on the Macs for simplicity and think Media Center on Vista Home Premium is current best of breed in Home Theater PC software.  I love watching Netflix through Media Center.

A new application, Plex at http://plexapp.com, has captured my heart at the moment.  The more I work with it, the more I just love its features and most importantly, it’s aesthetics.  I did have this

Dell server at the core of my home theater at one point, but have since swapped it for a Mac Mini.  (The Dell is going to do much more important work for webslingerz.)  I have now switched back from Vista to Mac OS running this new Plex.  Wow.

I am currently building a low budget, small footprint, and low power media system.  I have put together the Apple Extreme Wireless Router, Mac Mini, Sony Soundbar, Drobo, XBox 360, Playstation 3, and Toshiba HD-DVD all controlled by the Logitech Harmony remote.

I am still deciding between Windows Media Center, Plex, and Front Row.  Each clearly have their strong points and each have significant weaknesses.  The screenshot on the right is Plex showing the list of movies I have stored on my network hard drive.  I prefer to rip my DVD’s to disk and then store them safely away.  Every movie I have, I own!  Music, is the same way.  Either I bought it through iTunes, Amazon, or CD and stored it digitally on the Drobo.

I am going to publish this tonight, just to get me jump started as this is going to be quite a long series, I believe.  I will go through and add links into this article over the next couple days.  Good night.

$34!

We went to see Prince Caspian at the Cobb today.  Michelle, Dylan, and I spent $34 for matinee tickets, kids combo popcorn, and a cobbster popcorn.  $34!  Additionally, the audio was off.  The movie was great.  The company was better.  On the other hand, I was sitting there wondering about the logic of hitting the movie theater every week during this Summer of movie hits.

I put together this theater for each home with plasma or DLP large screened TV’s, Sony sound systems, HD-DVD players, XBox 360’s, and a PlayStation3 for Blu-Ray high definition.  This summer there are a dozen really cool movies out that have pulled us back to the theater, but there are still problems.  In Caspian, the sound was off.  At the end of Speed Racer, we had a family letting their son run up and down the ailes.  Iron Man was fantastic, though.  Now, in a few months, I could BUY all three of these movies for what it cost us to see them in the theater.  Things that make you go hmmmm.

I guess what I am saying is that I just don’t care about the theater experience like I used to… I love my home setups.  I love that I can pick what snack I want out of my fridge.  I love that I can pause or stop the movie.  I love that it is the way it is supposed to be when you go to the theater.

Put another way, I guess I can pay $400+ for twelve summer movies or I can use the theaters I have built more comfortably with friends and family for cheaper in the long run.  Hopefully we will get simultaneous home and theater releases soon.

Tags: blu-ray, hd-dvd, high definition, Home Theater, Movies, prince caspian