Mac OSX is still better than Vista Home Premium
Mon 14 May 2007Filed Under: Apple Computers, Windows Vista | Comments Off on Mac OSX is still better than Vista Home Premium
I finally got a chance to ‘borrow’ a Vista PC.
I bought myself a new PC after many years because I needed one! It is a HP Pavilion which is a Media Center PC.
I use the term borrow because that is what MS likes to think its customers are doing and Media Center PC because ti comes with a TV Tuner and a remote control.
Cut to the chase I love HPs hardware and configuration it would be an excellent machine if it ran Windows XP or MacOSX. Lots of power and lots of features. So hardware aside it is the Vista OS and Media Center Software that ruins the whole experience.
I’ll post some more details over the next few months. So stay tuned.
Apple Mac Mini – Issues
Wed 14 Feb 2007Filed Under: Apple Computers | Comments Off on Apple Mac Mini – Issues
As you can see I’ve transferred the content on the former BLOG site to this new one! Clearly easier to publish content than writing up webpages. That said it took a few days to sort out the back-end stuff.
Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything to do with the Mac so here’s the latest.
Mac OS is a very stable and easy to use. After many years of Windows and DOS it does take a little while to understand how it all works. The main thing I realised (after it all) was that I shouldn’t analyse too much about how the underlying OS works. Basically just run the programs and enjoy. In many ways like how the Palm OS works. As they say – it just works.
– The biggest hurdle was adjusting to the Close and Minimise window buttons on the left and not the right.
– The next was the Get Info means Properties.
– There does not appear to be Logitech software to make all the buttons on the wireless keyboard work.
Although I now understand how the Mac OS works, I can accept that updates to the OS and any other program will be very large. The reason I discovered was that in most instances it seems to replace the entire program as opposed to the bit approach for windows. I feel for those still on dail-up (USB modem) and have a Mac. On the flip side I also feel sorry for myself over the number of hours I wasted downloading updates for Windows.
Apple Mac Mini – Elgato EyeTV/Terratec Review
Wed 14 Feb 2007Filed Under: Apple Computers | Comments Off on Apple Mac Mini – Elgato EyeTV/Terratec Review
Yes I finally got a TV tuner for the Mini! Not many manufacturers make them for Apple. I hoped that it wouldn’t be a dud.
Curiously the box it came in says EyeTV but the tuner case is labelled Cinergy – Terratec T2 but the software is called EyeTV2. The tuner box is a tiny thing (I’d put up pictures but I don’t know how to do it with this software just yet but I’m working on it.) It’s coloured silver like the mini and has a blue LED on the front. I connected it up installed the software without any problems and I had TV!
Now connecting to the Plasma was a bit of an issue since it could on recognise certain screen resolutions. It’s a high defninition unit but not a true one. I don’t really understand the whole Hi-Def concept anyway – not really interested either. As mentioned in an earlier post I recevied the weird out of range error – which doesn’t tell me much. It wasn’t the Mini’s fault or the Plasma I guess it’s me not understanding what resultion to set the thing to. I guess it would have been easier if the Plasma manufactuer had better error messages. After sorting out what resolutions the Mini and the Plasma where both happy with everything was now fine.
The early versions of EyeTV, although worked where not as good as the latest version. The current version although has an annoying media center like interface when turned has much better aspect ratio controls. I can’t find the controls to turn the menu thing off! I’m sure other may find other interface issues with it but I’m happy with it – so far.
The picture quality is good and the recording is easy to use and works fully automatic. Even when I went away for a few days it turned everything on and off flawlessly. Combined with the Mini’s flawless sleep function I was completely satisfied.
My conclusion is that if you want a reliable media center the combination I have really works.