Cheap Standalone Media Center

I was doing my usual bargain hunting at a local thrift store when I ran across a Dell 4550 Desktop. Needing a new media pc project I found the price tag of $20 hard to pass up. It only needed a hard drive so with one of those that i had laying around the house, a install of XP and some drivers from the Dell I got it up and running in no time.

Then, thanks to Lifehacker I got some really great Media Center DIY tips from this article, “Build a Silent, Standalone XBMC Media Center on the Cheap“.  By the end of the day I was streaming content from my Netflix’s account and enjoying the fact that the money  I saved was still drawing interest in my saving account.

So summing up:

Media pc 20$

Netflex Video Streaming service 9$ per month (unlimited )

Windows XP OS 0$

Hard Drive 0$

XBMC 0$

Enjoyment of a project well done “Priceless”

You can also find this post at Vanport Media

Google Voice invites are here

I have 1 Google Voice invite left. Does anyone know someone who may want one. Leave requests in the comments area.

I found this too funny

For those who know me, you will see why I found this article extremely hilarious.  The headline reads:

“COMCAST APOLOGIZES FOR ERROR THAT LED TO CALLERS BEING CONNECTED TO PHONE SEX LINE”. Read article.

I knew it was only a matter of time before this would happen.

“Flu Shot”?..Bueller?…Bueller?…

This is a skit from the Japanese variety show “Vermilion Pleasure Night” Titled: Dr. Phero – Injection in the Bum. Since everyone is being reminded to get a flu shot, this video just “drives point home”.  Good reason why me and needles just don’t mix.

TGS (Tokyo Game Show) 2009: Here’s our obligatory cosplay gallery

TGS 2009: Here’s our obligatory cosplay gallery

Shared via AddThis

QAM channel conversion for Comcast Portland, Or.

+++UPDATE: COMCAST HAS ENABLED ENCRYPTION ON THEIR SERVICE THAT HAS DEACTIVATED SOME QAM CHANNELS.  CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE.++++

I decided to remove one of my cable boxes because of the amount of time used and channels viewed, I could not justify the monthly rental charge.   But after I removed the box and had my set scan for available channels I found a new dilemma.  My channels did not match the Portland Comcast lineup.  I contacting my local Comcast Callcenter and spoke to a very helpful CSR.  He was not able to solve my problem but,  was able to give me the information I needed to find my own solution.  My set has a QAM tuner.  So the channel scanned will not match the cable lineup.   After a few key strokes and the help of the Google Gods.  I was able to find a accurate QAM channel conversion for Comcast Portland, Or.    See below.  For channels 2, 3, 5 and 8,  each time I tried these my set came back with a “no data” response.  This may be a characteristic of my set.  But those channels come across with no need of conversion.  I am surprised Comcast have not heard of this issue before now.

Example:  For channel 9 converts to 107-13 or 107.13

Please leave a comment if you find any errors or have additions

 

Chn
2    73    1    KATU
3    73    3    KRCW
4    113    1052    TVGNP
5    73    4    KPXG
6    106    4    KOIN
7    104    303    DSCP
8    73    2    KGW
9    107    13    WGNAMER
10    109    12    KOPB
11    19    1121    PUAC011
12    109    14    KPTV
13    109    13    KPDX
15    105    1062    ADCH015
16    92    210    QVC
17    92    209    HSN
18    67    16    HALMRKP
20    73    5    KNMT
21    19    1122    PUAC021
22    19    1123    PUAC022
23    110    1131    PUAC023
24    101    24    CSPAN
25    92    202    CSPAN2
26    106    2    TELEP
27    94    1133    EDAC027
28    116    1142    EDAC028
29    19    1174    PUAC029
30    101    1144    GOAC030
31    117    1102    KUNP
32    65    113    VERSUS
33    64    208    GOLF
34    65    9    FSN4
35    65    10    ESPN
36    66    11    ESPN2
37    64    9    CSNNW
38    68    304    TLCP
39    65    1    FAMP
40    67    20    NIKP
41    65    5    DISNP
42    68    305    TOONP
43    64    203    APL
44    64    207    CNN
45    67    1101    HLN
46    64    10    CNBC
47    67    1012    TWC
48    64    8    FNC
49    66    14    NWCN
50    68    311    HISTP
51    68    306    TRUTVP
52    68    312    AETVP
53    67    18    FXP
54    67    15    TNTP
55    65    6    TBSP
56    68    301    BETP
57    66    18    SPIKEP
58    68    308    USAP
59    64    6    SYFYP
60    66    16    COMEDYP
61    64    7    CMTVP
62    65    8    VH1P
63    66    12    MTVP
64    65    21    TVLANDP
65    64    204    TRAV
66    68    307    FOODP
67    68    309    HGTVP
68    68    302    OXYGENP
69    67    17    LIFEP
70    66    17    EP
71    66    15    AMCP
98    106    3    JWLTV
99    117    1074    LEAC099
119    69    44    SPROUT
121    69    1    DKIDS
128    66    19    MSNBC
129    69    5    BLOOM
136    69    4    G4
164    105    2    SHOPNBC
233    69    101    DYSTR
272    69    2    SCIENCE
275    69    11    BIO
276    69    3    HISI
302    91    40    KATUDT2
303    76    4    KRCWDT2
308    91    4    KGWDT2
310    14    14    KOPBDT3
317    109    11    KXPDLP
502    69    14    WE
504    69    12    LMN

Kumori Con ‘09

Pictures from Kumori Con on Saturday

Kumoricon '09 (sunday)

Kumoricon '09 (saturday)

Ouran High School Host Club

bleach

P-Funk Shines in ‘09

For those of you who Missed George Clinton’s P-Funktastic proformance last night, well all I can say is “your lost”. With a combination of Funk, Blues, R&B, Soul and Rock. George and the crew was able to weave a mesmerizing tapestry of sound and energy that only they could. With a little over 3 hours it still seemed too short of a time.

Tifa Tuesday & Comic-Con Surprise Screening

Well all this years Anime Expo 2009 held in LA had approx 44, 000 in attendance.  Cosplay ranged from Link to Metal Gear Solid.  Here is one cosplay of Tifa Lockheart from FF VII.  Check out more here

Oh, as a side note at this years Comic-Con in San Diego they will be screening the entire live action  Movie Ninja Assian.  The very popular video game now a full feature movie is scheduled for release November 25th.  A great treat after the turkey feast.  You can read the full artical here

It’s Megan Fox Friday

On the heels of Transformers Megan Fox new movie outing is the long awaited horror flick named “Jennifer’s Body”.  The word is she’s topless in this one.  I’m not into horror but hey, sacrifices must be made.  Check out the poster and the trailer below.  Release date is Sept. 18th

Synopsis from IMBD:

A newly possessed cheerleader turns into a killer who specializes in offing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?

My friend, I am so proud

It’s Cool Hand Luke, but with peeps

Alert: Ordering or Possessing Loli Manga in the US might be a Crime

American Guilty of Loli Manga Possession Faces 15 Years

The trial of an American man arrested for ordering loli manga from Japan has ended after he pled guilty; he now faces a possible 15 year sentence, along with a $250,000 fine and the loss of all his precious loli manga.

Read the rest of this entry »

Even though I do not subscribe to the genre.  This post is to those that do.

Comics Sexist? NO Way!!!

Comics are full of action, romance and wonder. Giving us that guilty pleasure of escaping once and awhile into that awesome world of the Marvel Universe.

But lets face it guys it for the Hot Babe’s in tight spandex and little else.

Marvel’s tried to explain in the blog post: Marvel Boss: We’re Not Sexist, Just Loud.  Yeah, as they release their new cover art for the upcoming Marvel’s Divas comic.

It’s the girls from Sex in the City getting a dose of gamma radiation.  Only this time, green is not in fashion.

Isolation of Sins

It had been a fraked up year. A time of loss and monumental screw ups. Most of which perpetrated at my own hands.

So the question is today:

Does starting anew and tiring to amend past deeds makes you a better person and things better as well?

In my case NO.  I have come to realize that your past is how people precieve you in the present.  I know this is not a new concept but it has taken me awhile to accept this notion.  The past is much like a angry ghost. There to haunt and torment at those time you lease expect.  A constant reminder of past sins.

Maybe only in isolation can the ghosts be kept in check. There by not allowing others to become affected.   Because when it comes down to it the ones closest to you are most effected by your past deeds.  So is shutting ones self off from those around you the only way to make sure they are not?

So what is your opinion.  Is isolation  the answer in some cases.

UK may get it’s 1st Black Dr. Who

Favourites for next Doctor Who emerge

An actor who has already appeared in Doctor Who is the early favourite to replace David Tennant as the star of the sci-fi show.

But bookmakers Paddy Power favour Paterson Joseph as the favourite to take over the role, offering odds of 3-1 on him becoming the first black doctor.

He has already appeared in two episodes of the show playing Roderick alongside previous doctor, Christopher Eccleston. More…….