Archive for January 2009
Picked up a WDTV last night for $200. As you may have guessed from some of my other posts, I’m into my A/V stuff, so this thing seemed like a bargain. Many reviews will rave about how great it is, and I must say it’s not too bad, but I have found there are bugs (even in the latest 1.0.1.2 firmware):
Playback of any AC3 file seems to result in a barely noticable (but very annoying) 100ms or so audio lag. This doesn’t drift which is good, but it makes watching anything with an AC3 soundtrack very annoying. I’ve tried various things to try and fix this and make sure it’s not me or my files, but the unit. Strangely, this only seems to occur when playing back NTSC files, and not PAL (25fps) files.
Other than that, it’s pretty good. I’ll hang on to it until I can test it on someone else’s setup. Otherwise it might have to go back to the shop!
*update*
After more testing with different files, it seems to be off-sync with a bunch of files, not just ones with an AC3 soundtrack. I also tested the device at a friends place before finally taking it back. If Western Digital manages to sort this bug out, I may consider buying it again…probably not though, manufacturers need to start testing stuff rather than just putting things out there and then releasing good firmware a year later.
I also just found out the WDTV violates the GPL, so I don’t want it anyway!
*update2*
Version 1.02 firmware is now released for the WDTV, and I’ve recently bought an AV reciever which has built in a/v delay stuff (and optical/hdmi inputs etc..) so perhaps it is time to re-purchase WDTV after all. Converting MKV/h264 to AVI/xvid for my xbox w/ac3 isn’t so great.
*update3*
I did re-buy the WDTV, and I’ve been very happy with it, but only if using firmware version 1.02.03 (I think it’s that one) which has all the sync issues sorted. Recommended!
I don’t believe in emailing chain-emails about, so I thought I’d put this here:
London Times – Obituary
An Obituary printed in the London Times……..
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
Has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
Since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He
Will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the
Worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend
More than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children,
Are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
Overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
Charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
From school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
Reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
Job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
Children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
Consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could
Not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an
Abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
And criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a
Burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
Realize that a steaming cup of coffee she had purchased in MacDonald’s was hot. She spilled a little in
Her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement against the company.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by
His wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I’m A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
