Chad's Ramblings tag:conrow.com,2008://1 2008-03-27T21:08:54Z Movable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201 Moving up to Hyper-V tag:conrow.com,2008://1.10 2008-03-27T21:04:56Z 2008-03-27T21:08:54Z chad Well, I'm flattening my Media Center virtual server and building it back up with Windows Server 2008 and the Hyper-V beta.  So far, the install was able to set up multi-boot quite easily.  Most of the drivers I need for 2008 seem to work, but since I did an upgrade install, it seems that Windows won't activate!

I'm also setting up Windows Home Server in a virtual machine.  The install itself went pretty well, but the big drawback is that there's no 64 bit client out yet, so I can't remote control my Windows 2008 host from the road.  I'm contemplating a couple of work-arounds to this issue, but more on that later. ;)

]]> Update to Intel Driver problem tag:conrow.com,2007://1.9 2007-12-17T16:46:42Z 2007-12-17T16:48:57Z chad ]]> Problems with Intel Storage Drivers and Vista... tag:conrow.com,2007://1.8 2007-12-07T20:32:19Z 2007-12-07T20:37:07Z chad http://www.flyingnerd.com/intel-raid-problem-under-windows-vista and the old addiage: install the latest drivers before you do anything applies.  Intel claims to have it fixed in their latest storage drivers by disabling some new power management features: http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/sb/CS-025783.htm.  I've updated my Intel RAID drivers to 7.6, let's hope this fixes it...]]> Building my own Media Center PC tag:conrow.com,2007://1.7 2007-12-07T02:39:59Z 2007-12-07T05:04:54Z Building the 'perfect' media center PC turns out to be easier than expected. chad Well, my new job as a consultant pretty much requires that I set up my own test lab.  At my last company, the VMWare box I had cost ~$25,000 three years ago...  Here's the one I built for closer to $2,500.

Photos of the various parts are posted to http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s6046yj.b4jo0jtb&x=1&y=-40qvc3

]]> This is the first PC I've built in more than 10 years (kept buying laptops).  This time, things were MUCH smoother than I expected based on my past experiences.

As with any project, this project had to start with gathering a list of requirements:

  • Media Center Case
  • 4 Processor Cores
  • 4 GB of RAM (at least this is the spec I started with...)
  • 4 Hard disk drives
  • Quiet system
  • "Fits in" with my AV equipment

Note that video performance was not important to me from the beggining as I planned to interface the PC directly to the TV and manage it primarily through terminal services.

To start with, I did most of my system research at newegg.com, where I purchased the vast majority of the hardware as well.  Alot of my research centered as much around the acoustics as it did for performance. 

In the end, I settled on this configuration from NewEgg:

 
11-163-076 CASE SILVERSTONE|GD01B-MXR BK RT 1$249.99 $249.99
13-121-315 MB INTEL BOXDG33TLM G33 775 R 1$126.99 $126.99
22-136-178 HD 500G|WD 7K 8M SATA2 WD5000AAJS4$109.99 $439.96
19-115-017 CPU INTEL|C2Q Q6600 2.40G 775 8M R 1$279.99 $279.99
20-231-122 MEM 2Gx2|GSK F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ R 2$119.99 $239.98
17-115-022 DVD-R PHILIPS|DM4L6B25F/17 LS 16X1$12.99 $12.99
17-130-018 CD-R VERBATIM|95460 52X LS 25PK R 1$10.99 $10.99
20-223-087 CARDREADER ROSEWILL|RSD-CR106 BLACK 1$11.99 $11.99
17-152-026 PSU RAIDMAX| RX-630A 630W RTL 1$109.99 $109.99
27-151-141 DVD_BURN SAMSUNG|SH-S183L LS SATA1$29.99 $29.99
35-186-134 CPUCOOLER|ARCTIC P4|ACFZ7-PRO R1$36.99 $36.99
11-998-020 SILENX HDD GROMMET 4 PACK|IXA-GM4 R1$5.99 $5.99
20-134-478 FLASH 2G|KST MICSD SDC/2GB R1$20.99 $20.99
11-999-209 ACCES FAN | VIBRAT-DAMP VDK-80 RT2$2.99 $5.98
33-340-002 BLUTOTH ADPT AZIO|BTD603-132 CLS1 R1$16.99 $16.99
11-999-212 ACCES PS | VIBRAT-DAMP VDK-PSU RT 1$4.55 $4.55
35-186-020 THERMAL COMPOUND AC|MX-2 R 1$6.99 $6.99
23-126-008 KB LOGITECH|DINOVO EDGE RT1$151.99 $151.99
32-116-215 S/W MS WIN VISTA 64BT ULT 1P DVD1$179.99 $179.99
 Total  $1,943.32
     

The following Cables were ordered from CablesToGo.com:

530-03  3 Foot Molded Booted Cat5e 350 MHz Patch Cables 7$1.09 $7.63
 SATA-22P-2  2 SATA DATA & POWER CABLE (Dual) Available with Red, Blue or No-LED 2$11.99 $23.98
 C7550BK  7.5 inch 50lb. Black Cable Tie (Bag of 100) 1$4.25 $4.25
S/PDIF Python Brand S/PDIF Digital Audio Cable 6'1$12.99 $12.99
 132CX-000  Premium VGA/SVGA Extension Cable (Male/Male) 10'1$6.75  $6.75
    $48.85

Then, after realizing that I hadn't ordered a PC Tuner Card (Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1600) and needed a USB wireless adapter (NetGear WG111 V3) to use while setting the system up (something I could re-use for the kid's PC), I went to a local PC builder (Hard Drives Northwest) for about $160.  This was a bit over-priced, but it was quick and allowed me to finish the build up.

The actual build process went really smooth, as I experienced only a few minor complications:

  1. This was the first time I've built an ATX system.  I thought that the back case cover snapped in from the back, so I had the system nearly entirely built and I had to then loosen all of the motherboard screws in order to get enough space to install the bracket.
  2. When taking the TV off the wall, I realized that my model didn't have a VGA port!  I then had to change gears and buy a DVI-HDMI converter from Radio Shack ($30) in order to get it connected.
  3. Since the DVD burner was an OEM kit, it did not come with software, so getting the LightScribe software necessary and installed in the right order wasn't terribly intuitive.  I still get an error at 99% of printing, but it seems to (mostly) work.
  4. The cablestogo.com order didn't ship in a timely fashion.  I'm actually still waiting for the Ethernet cables and SATA cables.  I'm running with older (too long) Ethernet cables and only 2 active hard drives at the moment.
  5. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't have ordered the following parts:
    • CPU cooler (new CPU's ship with them these days)
    • Thermal Compound (the CPU cooler has this built in)
    • The Hard Disk Drive mounting screws (kit only had 4, they didn't fit in the case, and the case came with rubber screw grommets anyways).
    • I originally mounted the hard drives 1 bay apart for air-flow reasons, but realized that the drives themselves covered the mother board's SATA ports (doh!) so I had to move all of the drives to the power supply side of the case.  This case is 'rated' for 6 internal HDD slots, but technically 7 could fit if the motherboard was smaller or if the front left corner of your motherboard doesn't need to be accessible.

Since I found a reasonable deal on RAM, I went ahead and stocked up on 8 GB of RAM and Vista Ultimate 64 bit to support that RAM.  I was surprised to not have any serious driver issues (except maybe the LightScribe issue listed above) as I had heard Vista 64 could be problematic.

The system is up, running Virtual Server 2005 r2 flawlessly, and it's actually quieter than my laptop!  The case takes a lot of credit for the sound, as it ships with lining around the hard disk mounting areas. 

]]> Replacing a buggy AcctionTec router on Verizon FiOS tag:conrow.com,2007://1.6 2007-12-04T02:21:10Z 2007-12-04T02:31:48Z chad As a part of a new PC I'm building, I purchased Vista Ultimate, with that came a free D-Link DGL-4300 Gaming Router.  I knew I'd be able to at least replace the wireless functions by setting this router behind the ActionTek, but thought I'd take this one step further: what about replacing the router entirely?

My FiOS install has a Ethernet connection between the termination point and my living room, so I thought the router replacement could be as simple as just replacing the router, so I tried it.  The router appeared to work OK, link lights were up, but it wasn't getting a valid DHCP lease from Verizon.  The fix was to simply use the router's built in MAC address cloning feature to clone the MAC address from the ActionTec - Voila! a working system without the buggy router! :)

If you were unfortunate enough to get a 'Coax' install, then you may need to keep the ActionTec up and running in bridging mode...

]]> Off to Avanade tag:conrow.com,2007://1.5 2007-10-20T01:32:45Z 2007-10-20T01:33:31Z Well, I'm off to start a new job with Avanade next Monday. I was particuarly impressed by the interviewing process. I found a good description of it here: http://www.waynefrazee.com/scribblings.php/da/74 the one thing that I would add, however, is that I... chad http://www.waynefrazee.com/scribblings.php/da/74 the one thing that I would add, however, is that I think the process of 'tripping up' in the interview is quite intentional, as I noticed that they would jump from topic to topic until you meet an area that you miss the answer on and then dwell on this for a bit to understand exactly what you do and don't know. The efficiency of their questions was truly mind boggling! ]]> UltimateEars Super.Fi 5 Pro headphones tag:conrow.com,2007://1.4 2007-08-19T04:00:50Z 2007-08-19T04:13:54Z Chad buys a pair of 'noise isolation' headphones to replace his previous 'noise cancelling' ones. chad I had read that the noise isolation headphones had really made some strides in the past few years and these UltimateEars really prove that out.  The noise cancellation is completely passive, so there's no bulky battery pack and no hiss when listening to the headphones with no songs playing.  Think of them as earplugs with a pair (yes a pair) of speakers in each ear.

 Boy, the sound is impressive.  After a little fiddling (and a bit of cleaning after figuring out how much ear wax these little devils extract from your ears) I found that the 'small' ear tips fit me best (odd since I'm 6'2", so wouldn't expect my ears to be 'small').  The noise isolation is so great my wife had to scream at me to get my attention earlier tonight.  The sound quality is amazing and they are literaly just a fraction of the size of the old Sennheiser's I used to be impressed with.  On my PC, I actually have the volume bar at the first mark and that's all the volume I can take, the second bar (of 8) is clearly too loud to listen to.  Total listening isolation, and I'm hearing the nuances in the music you simply cannot hear on other headphones.

 The only test left is the airplane test...  More on that after I get back...

]]> Dish Network Update tag:conrow.com,2006://1.3 2006-10-15T17:50:27Z 2006-10-15T18:11:27Z The good, the bad, and the ugly with the Dish ViP 622 chad OK, I've had Dish for a few weeks now, so here's my current thoughts on the VIP 622 DVR compared to the DirecTiVo I had before:

Things that I like better than TiVo:

  1. Dual tuner mode is very nice, from one DVR, I can play 2 different shows on 2 different TV's, this feature really does set Dish apart from the other DVR's out there.
  2. The menus are much more responsive.
  3. The history for 'Live TV' recording lasts much longer.  A couple of hours is not uncommon, unlike the 30 minutes on my old TiVo.
  4. The DishHD Package is by far the largest selection of HD channels, even over my local cable station.  Even the local ABC, CBS, and NBC channels are available in HD over the satelite (i.e. no off the air antenna is necessary).

Things I don't like about the ViP 622:

  1. The volume is not at all consistent across channels.  There was a bit of this on DirecTV, but nothing like the variance that exists with Dish.  One channel may be barely audible and the next will blast.
  2. The 'dual display' mode has this annoying 'feature' in which it locks any given recording to a particular tuner.  This basically means that if you program all of your recordings from one TV (like I do), you never actaully get 2 shows to record at once since each show is 'locked' onto the tuner that you told it to record from.  There also doesn't seem to be an easy way to move a show from one tuner to the other.
  3. There is no way to 'swap' tuner 1 and tuner 2 in Dual Display mode.  In single display mode, however, the tuner swap is actually a bit more intuitive than it is with the TiVo.
  4. Turning the channel on live TV or accessing certain menu items will stop an active show that is recording.  The TiVo, on the other hand, could 'swap' the recording to the 'background' channel and bring the channel you are asking for to the 'front' channel.
  5. You can only program in 35 programs (or search items) to record.  I never hit any 'hard' limits on my TiVo, but had ~55 programs lined up.

I'm sure that many of these problems are fixable through software updates, and it seems that Dish is fairly responsive on updating their system, as I've already gotten at least 2 firmware updates (which appear to shut the DVR off without any real notice, so I guess that's one more annoyance).  My DirecTiVo, on the other hand, hadn't had a firmware update in years, so many of its annoyances were things you just had to learn to live with (like the super slow menus, taking forever to recalculate your schedule when a priority changed, etc).

]]> First Impressions: Dish Network tag:conrow.com,2006://1.2 2006-09-20T11:17:20Z 2006-09-20T11:53:08Z Well, I went with Dish Network... For better or worse... :o chad So, I opted for the Dish Network offer with the dual-tuner HD DVR (ViP622) and the "HD Bronze" channel package.  The installer came yesterday and I was, frankly, a bit disappointed with the installation service.  The installer gladly removed my DirecTV dish and replaced it with 2 new dishes for Dish Network (apparently a second dish is required in order to tune the HD satelite).  He did OK with reusing the existing cables from the junction box into my living room, but for the 'jumper' to the second room, instead of running a whole new cable, he clipped one of the 2 cables that ran my satelite before in order to splice into my existing jack so that he could save himself a bit of work and cable for running the run back to the junction box or even just to drill a new hole in the wall so that the prior existing cable could stay in tact, even though I had specifically asked for the connection to the family room to go back to the junction box.

The DVR itself is also taking a bit getting used to in relation to having a TiVo.  There seem to be a few usability issues that could easily be fixed with a software update, but I think I'll reserve a full review until I've had a few days to see if I can overcome some of the apparent limitations of the DVR.  The primary one I'm struggling with is that it appears that a given show's schedule gets 'locked' onto a specific reciever (for example, this program will record on tuner 1) and that shows cancel themselves when there are conflicts rather than move to the second tuner for recording, like on the TiVo.

]]> The life Con-Castic! tag:conrow.com,2006://1.1 2006-09-06T13:25:17Z 2006-09-06T15:01:27Z chad OK, so I'm looking at replacing DirecTV and comparing ComCast to Dish Network... 

Comcast has been advertising the 'Comcast Triple Play' - with the tagline "Save big on Digital Cable, High-Speed Internet, & Digital Voice".  A bundle for $99/mo that includes high speed Internet, Digital Cable, and Voice with unlimited long distance sounded great, so I went to sign up... 

So I went to the web site, selected the features I wanted, and got to the checkout, at which point they put you in contact with a web-chat screen with someone who actually enters your order (the web site apparently doesn't do this for them).

 Here's the rub, I wanted to add a DVR and HD reception to this package, and well, long story short 'Digital Cable' in this package is not actually digital cable, but rather the 'enhanced cable' package with access to a couple of digital features, so things like the DVR (which, BTW was easily added during the enrollment process) will not work...  So to get the things I was actually trying to sign up for, that will be $125/mo...  Probably still a good deal, but I'll need to sit on this a bit to decide if I really want to trade in 2 devils (DirecTV and Verizon) for another (ComCast)...

]]> OK, long story long, here's the chat session with the Comcast Sales rep... 

chat id : sales6_SQ_acc55d67-b6bb-46aa-8a07-0d96600255f4

Problem : no problem given

Linda > Thank you for contacting Comcast, my name is Linda. Unfortunately our billing system is currently offline for maintenance, so I will be unable to process your order at this time. Please feel free to chat back with us later or call our sales department at 1-800-266-2278 between 9 and 5, monday to friday to finish processing your order. I apologize for the inconvenience.

comcast_guest > Hi Linda

Linda > Hi Chad

comcast_guest > Does this mean that I need to reapply again later?

Linda > Sorry for the inconvenience

comcast_guest > Or that the install date just won't be confirmed until later?

Linda > Yes I am afraid so Chad.

comcast_guest > No biggie. Which channel lineup is in the $99 package?

Linda > I am unable to process your order at this time.

Linda >

>

I do apologize, I do not have the information to show you due to the length of the lineups, and due to the different lineups depending on your location. If you would like to know what the channel lineup is in your area, please visit www.comcast.com, place your cursor over the blue heading "Customers" a list should appear, left click the option titled "Channel Lineup". This will bring you to the channel lineup information for your region, from here you can use the "View by Package type" drop down menu to see what channels each of our packages offer. If the information you require is not listed, you can call your local sales at 1-800-COMCAST (266-2278) during regular business hours, to inquire.Please refer to https://www.comcast.com/Support/ChannelGuide.ashx for a complete listing of channels offered with our packages.

comcast_guest > Ah, yes, I suppose there is a lot to keep track of..

comcast_guest > I mean which 'package' is in this?

Linda > Enhanced cable

comcast_guest > m

Linda > Do you have any more questions I can assist you with today?

comcast_guest > Isn't this a digital package?

Linda > It is not a digital package as such but it does have a digital converter and you will get digital quality.

comcast_guest > What is the difference?

comcast_guest > Also, what channels are in the HD add-on outside of the locals?

Linda > The difference is the enhanced cable will have a standard channel lineup with an added converter to give you digital quality with some on demand features.

comcast_guest > Will the DVR record in digital or is it a conversion from analog?

Linda > You can not have a dvr with enhanced cable

comcast_guest > Why does it let me order it?

Linda > You would need to have digital classic or hifger

Linda > Because the site does not see what else you have ordered

Linda > Do you have any more questions I can assist you with today?

comcast_guest > What does the package that includes real 'digital cable, high-sepd internet & Comcast digital voice' (as advertised on your home page) really cost then?

Linda > I am sorry but like I said earlier the package is The phone service, Internet service and enhanced cable. That cable package is a digital package but you will need digital classic or above to get the dvr. The enhanced cable is a digital package but not a full digital package. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

comcast_guest > Is there a way to get Digital Classic instead of Enhanced Cable?

Linda > No

Linda > But you may be able to add the digital plus add on

Linda > It is 10.00 to add to the package.

comcast_guest > OK, that can work then, so adding HD, DVR, and Digital plus is an extra $25/mo?

Linda > yes

Linda > Do you have any more questions I can assist you with today?

Linda > Can you please acknowledge that you are still at your computer? If I do not receive a response from you, I may have to close this conversation to assist another customer.

comcast_guest > I'm still here, but if you cannot enter my order yet, then I will need to try again. Any ETA on the repairs?

Linda > No you can try back in 3-4 hours.

comcast_guest > OK, thanks Linda, I think I know what the deal is now.

Linda > Thank you for choosing Comcast. Have a great day! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to chat with Comcast again.

Linda > You are welcome

Linda > Bye Chad

Linda > Analyst has closed chat and left the room

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