Do You Hi-Def?

Now days, it's pretty much impossible to find a CRT (tube) TV in retail. LCD and Plasma flat panels are the way to go, and for a lot of good reasons. Along with them comes the Hi-Def discussion. I can't tell you how many times I've been in Costco or other places and seen signs reminding consumers that they have to have a hi-def receiver to get the maximum effect from their TV. Apparently, people have been known to return their new purchases if they don't feel the picture measures up.
So, based on all that, do you:

1. have a hi-def TV?
   
2. have a hi-def receiver?
   
3. how much do you use it?
   
4. own a Blue Ray DVD player?
   
5. own any Blue Ray DVDs or just rent them?
   

We have satellite TV and have 4 receivers in our home. One is hi-def and the other 3 are not. We have 2 LCD TVs. We're not heavy hi-def users for a few reasons.

• Our house was built in the cable generation. To properly receive hi-def satellite TV signal, you need RG6 coax line running from the satellite to the receiver and on to the TV. Since we don't want to rip open our drywall, it means that we had to have new line run for the 1 hi-def receiver. It's just too much hassle to retrofit for us.
  
• We've had mixed results with our 1 hi-def receiver. It worked well for 11 months, then had to be replaced 2-3 times since then. Most companies provide refurbished boxes in such scenarios and based on our experience, I'm skeptical of their reliability.
  
• There is some extra cost. Each vendor is different but no one's giving away primo hi-def channels for free. If you don't pay an extra fee, it's buried somewhere in your cable/satellite bill.
  
• There's still that pesky matter of the aspect ratio. It doesn't matter if your TV is wide screen or not, it seems at some point, when you're watching hi-def, you're gonna have some black lines around the screen. I can't understand why standardization seems to be such an issue.
  
• There's so much content that isn't hi-def ready. US channels are still getting ready to go all-digital; let alone all-hi-def.
  
• I can't justify paying the outrageous Blue Ray prices for DVDs. I just can't. Maybe when they come down a bit. The players are starting to so we'll see.
  

Anyway, that's me. What are your experiences. Got any tips for the issues I've raised? As always, thanks for reading.

NFL Draft This Weekend

As most of you know, I'm a giant NFL fan. So much so, that I actually watch the first round of the NFL Draft in late April. The NFL's popularity has reached the point where the draft outdraws baseball regular season and basketball & hockey playoff games that compete against it in terms of TV viewers. Even I think that's sad, but it shows the NFL's dominance as the major sports league in North America now.
I don't have a favourite team but because I live close to Detroit, I always hope they'll do reasonably well. Obviously, 0-16 doesn't cut it and you have to feel for Lions fans. I really hope they don't take Matthews Stafford, the QB from Georgia #1 overall. There are 2 excellent left tackles sitting there, plus a solid LB that they could use. Their coach is from a system that likes to build from the lines out, so taking a LT, like Miami did last year, makes sense. Then again, who says teams follow common sense?
The thing doesn't start until 4:00 now, so they're obviously trying to let their fans get shopping, etc. done first, much like what they've done with moving playoff games on Saturdays so they start @ 4:30.
Do you watch any of the draft or is that too much for you?

Cool Album Covers

I think this is another post that will date me but remember when artists came out with really cool album cover art? When you bought the Molly Hatchet album as much for the medieval violence cover as for the music?

With mp3s, etc., the potential for album art is reduced and IMO, many of the current CD covers just don't cut it. Just off the top of my head, these are some of the album covers I'm talking about:

• 
  Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (hey, that guy's on fire!)
  
  
  
  
  
• Steve Miller Band - Book of Dreams (Pegasus with multicolour wings)
  
  
  
  
  
• Supertramp - Crime of The Century (prison bars in space)
  

Whatever happened to this concept? What are some of the other great covers that I missed in the samples above & why? Do you think the less flamboyant covers are a way for record companies to save money in the mp3 age or do people just not care now?

My Favourite Place To Buy CDs

As I ranted in an earlier post, I far prefer the CD to mp3 computer files. To that end, for those who are already not aware of them, may I recommend The Beat Goes On as a source to get good deals on used CDs, DVDs and video games. They also carry a selection of new copies of top new releases. They have locations throughout southwestern Ontario and will ship to pretty much anywhere. One of the things I most enjoy about them is their web presence. Their site lists their inventory but also allows you to create a wish list of titles you're looking for. When any of their stores gets a copy in, you get an email and can have it shipped direct to your home or to your local store. The shipping cost is $1.00 on the price higher than the tag price in the store. Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Plus, with today's economy, who isn't looking for a good cheap deal? I should add that they take trade in titles and give you cash or a slightly greater $value in store credit. Finally, their frequent shopper card can get you free stuff after you buy like 12 items. I am afraid to know how many cards I've gone through.

Anyway, check them out. It's amazing some of the really hard to find stuff I've seen traded in. For example, several years ago, someone traded in a used CD copy of the "No Nukes" show from 1980. Unbelievable find. I've seen copies of Indio's "Big Harvest" (goes for like $50 on Ebay, when someone sells one), etc.

Where do you buy your CDs? Do you prefer new vs. used? Ever shopped @ The Beat Goes On? Let me know & thanks, as always, for reading.

Recording TV Programs

I love TV. There are far more programs on than I can watch each day so like many people with busy lives, I record many shows. For the past 20 years or so, it's been the VCR. Like most tech, it started out pricey and became super cheap, as alternatives started to appear. Now, you can't give them away on Kijiji or at garage sales. That's because new digital alternatives have come out and are starting to come down in price. I just wanted to offer my 2 cents on the various alternatives out there and get your reactions and experiences.

• The PVR (Personal Video Recorder) is the one most people seem to be going towards. These are usually marketed by your TV supplier (cable or satellite) and allow you to record programs via easier recording methods to a hard disk drive (HDD). If you have satellite, in order to watch 1 show & record another, you have to have 2 lines going into the PVR from your dish. This can be a hassle for those of us living in houses with existing cable wiring.
  
• The DVD Recorder comes in 2 flavours. With or without an HDD. Personally, I love the DVD recorders with HDD. So much so that we have 3 of them (and yes i know how sad that is). The biggest downside to a DVD recorder without an HDD is that you essentially are replacing VHS tapes with re-writable DVDs so you are max'd out at 6 hours of recordings. Our DVD recorders have 160 GB and 250 GB HDDs so we're basically limitless. The big advantage of this for us is that if you record something and like it, you can edit out any commercials, etc. and write it to a DVD for re-watching later.
  
• TiVo is very popular in the US but I suspect won't be as popular here. What I don't like about TiVo is that in addition to buying a TiVo recorder, you have to subscribe to their service that gives you on screen guides, etc. I think it's somewhere between $12.99 and $15.00/month. TiVo also promises to help you buy choosing shows to record for you, based on your previous recording choices. That could fill up your HDD fast if you're not careful.
  

Now, I'd like to hear from you. What do you use to record TV? Do you record a lot? Had any good/bad experiences with any of the digital recording devices? If you're interested in the DVD recorders with HDDs, I can give you my experiences with a a couple of different models, but didn't want to make this post too long. Or, maybe you're "old school" and still rely on the trusty VCR? Let me know & thanks for reading.

Yawn-Golf

Rosie O'Donnell once quipped that golf was,"men in ugly pants walking". To say I find it boring is an understatement. This weekend, the Masters will dominate TV screens for fans of the sport. I'm always stunned by the popularity of this sport. While I acknowledge that it take skill to play the game, I still fin it elitist and mind-numbing. I saw a post on Dan Brown's blog recently in which a reader remarked about a cheap rate of $20.00 for a round in the spring, at a public course. $20.00??!! I can get the same amount of exercise walking around my neighbourhood for free. And that doesn't include the cost of clubs, balls, clothing, shoes, etc. I guess I just don't get the appeal. Can anyone educate me?

That Really Sucks.

I do not consider myself to be a prude. I swear regularly and often. Adult content doesn't bother me. Having said all of that, I find it interesting and somewhat sad that the word,"sucks" has become a standard part of our vocabulary today. Kelly Clarkson has a hit pop song called My Life Would Suck Without You. I first learned the term in grade 7-8. It's a reference used to insult people. Guys use it to imply that the person (usually another guy) is gay or a loser, such as "suck me", "you suck", etc. It's a reference to oral sex and is marginally homophobic also. Nevertheless, it's now a part of our culture. On last night's 6:00 news, people commenting on the April snow storms said,"it kinda sucked". So, my question is, why is it necessary to bleep Jon Stewart on cable's The Daily Show but OK to let kids, amongst others, refer to fellatio indirectly on the 6:00 news?

People Are Pigs!

So, we go to Costco today for our regular Saturday shopping. By the end of the experience, my already low estimate of human nature has been driven through the floor. First, we have the person who left their buggy on the grass beside our parking spot because it must have been just too much like work to push it over to the buggy coral 20 feet away. Then, you have to find a buggy without all the sample cups, Tim's cup and flyers left in the basket. I guess these lazy bums figure what I want to do is clean up after them. Then, you get inside and shop. OK, now I've been known to take a free sample occasionally but for God's sake, GET OUT OF THE WAY so other people can get past you. Oh and the old "I'm taking one for my friend who's over in the next aisle"; do you really think anyone believes that?
Once, on a previous excursion, I saw a kid knock over a stack of shirts. When the kid went to pick them up, his parent exclaimed,"no, don't do that. That's HER job" (referring to the staff member folding clothes at the next table. True par rent of the year candidates there. Maybe people think that because it's a warehouse concept (ie - lower prices), that they can use lower levels of social skills?
Have you had experiences like mine? Ever said anything to the offenders? Have a nice weekend all & thanks for reading.

Cutler Traded To Bears

Profootballtalk.com amongst others, is reporting that Jay Cutler was traded to the Bears from the Broncos for 2 #1 picks and a 3rd rounder, plus starting Bears QB Kyle Orton. The Bears get Cutler, plus a
5th round pick. It's always hard to justify 2 x #1's for a player; even an established one. The Bears have never really had good WRs so we'll see if this makes them a serious contender. The Broncos are now in full fledged rebuilding mode. Do they take a QB in the draft or trust that recently-signed Chris Simms is the answer? IMO, the Broncos backed themselves into this corner by letting it out that they were trying to trade Cutler and get Matt Cassell back in early March. When it fell through, the new Broncos mgmt. team could never kiss Cutler's a$$ enough to help him get past the snub. Da Bears better hope Cutler lives up to the hype and potential he showed in Denver.

Best Canadian Group IMO

For my money, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings are the best Canadian band today. Composed of bluesman Colin Linden, rocker Tom Wilson and folk performer Stephen Fearing, they came together as a tribute to their mutual idol, Willie P Bennett (RIP). They've recorded 5 CDs, plus a "Best Of". Although they're all good recordings, for me, their standout CD is BARK. If you haven't heard these guys, I encourage you to give them a listen and tell me what you think. I was lucky enough to meet Stephen when he appeared in London recnetly and he said they're in the begining stages of recording a new CD, which will likely be out next year. Can't wait guys!

CD or MP3??

On his London Free Press blog, Dan Brown has raised the issue of the future of the CD, with the growing popularity of mp3s. I have over 1,200 CDs. I might be able to fit their contents onto an Ipod Classic (120 GB or the no longer sold 160 GB) but why would I want to? Imagine the amount of time and work involved. Portable devices are great, if you're on the road all the time, but I work from home so it's a mute point for me. I'd like to address the bigger issue of the popularity of the mp3 file.
IMO, much of that popularity has been driven off file sharing webistes like Limewire, etc. I'll cut to the chase; if you're getting your music through file sharing, you're a thief and should be treated accordingly. if you like mp3s for their portability, fine. Pay Itunes or some other legal site. Pay for what you are listening to. We all get upset when we read about AIG employees getting bonuses while their employers got $US bailouts but they at least had a contract which entitled them to it. You steal music via file sharing because you can and because you're unlikely to get caught.
The other thing about mp3s is that they are computer files. I hope all of you are making backups of the stuff you have because if your Ipod and/or computer dies, you've lost it all. I sincerely doubt Itunes will just let you re-download it all with no charge.
Beyond the file sharing issue though, I have yet to hear an mp3 file sound as good as a CD track. That's the basic nature of mp3s; you can fit a whole bunch of them on an Ipod, etc. because the PC files are smaller. They're made smaller by reducing the sound quality. If I'm going to listen to music, I want the full range of sound but maybe that's just me.
Now, in fairness, I own a 6GB mp3 player (not an Ipod). I copy the music I really like onto it and use it only if I'm travelling to Toronto on the train, etc. I only copy from CDs that I've paid for (so the artist got their fair cut) and I never make them available for file sharing.
If you are OK with crappy sound and can rationalize stealing from the artists you pruport to love, or if you pay for it, that's your choice. CDs to me will become a "niche" market, like LP's still are. BTW, what's up with the popularity of LP's? Those things scratch so easily.
The CD is by no means perfect. The text in the booklets is too smalll and the plastic cases crack but you can replace the cases and you can get good deals on used CDs at places like The Beat Goes On ; a personal favourite of mine (more on them in another post). Until they stop making CDs, I'll keep buying them, but that's me.
Tell me what you think. Thanks for reading.

How Smart is The Bellicheck Coaching Tree??

A few years ago, Bill Bellicheck was hailed as this amazing coach, winning numerous Super Bowls, etc. Several of his assistants; Charlie Weiss, Romeo Crennell, Eric Mangini and recently Josh McDaniels, all got head coaching jobs off the Patriots' success. Now, it's not so clear if it was the "system" or the coach. McDaniels, the new Denver coach, wanted a New England guy; Matt Cassell to be the Denver QB and it leaked before they got the deal done. Ex-New England personnel guru Scott Pioli got the deal done first & Cassell is KC's starting QB. McDaniels now looks like an ass in his QB's mind and is in the middle of a messy divorce with his former starting QB over it. Now, Cutler needs to grow a pair and realize that everyone is expendable on any team but it's hardly the great start McDaniels would want. Romeo Crennell got fired in Cleveland and the Browns are systematically undoing all the draft picks, etc. of his time. He got replaced by Mangini, who had been fired last year after the Brett Favre fiasco. Mangini is hardly the "Manginius" that appeared in a cameo on the Soppranos a few years ago. Weiss is on thin ice @ Notre Dame. There were rumours of him being replaced with Jon Gruden but I assume the Golden Dome couldn't have stood that much taking the Lord's name in vain if "Chucky" had been hired. Bellicheck now doesn't have Pioli either and we'll see how well he does. Success, like fame, is fleeting it appears.

Stupid April Fools!

My wife & I hate April Fools jokes. This is basically because we are the brunt of them. Jokes in general, if played on someone else, are funny to the joker, but not to the jokee IMO. Hey, if you like April Fools jokkes, go for it; just keep it away from me. I don't need the additional stress.