Questions you want answered.

Kehama wrote:

If I'm wanting to stream .avi DVD rips from an external drive (that's not in FAT32 format) what's the preferred method? Xbox 360, PS3 or some Roku-like device? From what I've read the 360 and PS3 both would just use the Windows Media sharing program so, aside from fan noise, I'm not sure there's much difference there. As for stuff like Roku or Apple TV type boxes, I have no idea what those can do aside from accessing Netflix, Hulu & maybe YouTube?

As far as I know, for Roku, it depends on the device you have. If it's got a USB port, you can plug right in and stream directly from the drive. Otherwise, there's a couple of media center channels that you can use but require an install on your PC as well.

Same for Apple TV. If it's in iTunes on a connected computer, you should be able to play it from Apple TV, otherwise you could load it in iTunes/Quicktime to play and might be able to AirPlay to your Apple TV device.

McIrishJihad wrote:

As far as I know, for Roku, it depends on the device you have. If it's got a USB port, you can plug right in and stream directly from the drive. Otherwise, there's a couple of media center channels that you can use but require an install on your PC as well.

That's correct. The top model Roku 2 (Roku 2 XS) has a USB port and you can just plug in an external hard drive and play any music or movies on it that are encoded with standard formats and codecs. It works like a charm.

As far as streaming from some kind of media server goes, though, I have no idea. I don't have a PC at home to set up as any kind of server.

Aha. I've learned to give Dropbox time to sync files before rushing in and opening them after my computer boots. Otherwise all hell breaks loose.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

As far as streaming from some kind of media server goes, though, I have no idea. I don't have a PC at home to set up as any kind of server. :)

I run a Plex server but I have been considering switching to XBMC. I have the server connected to the TV directly at the moment and stream to a second TV via a Roku. Can also stream to Xbox 360, PS3, iOS, Android, Windows, Macs, and just about any DLNA client (including the terrible one in my first gen LG smart TV) with this setup so it is pretty damn flexible. The native Plex clients offer the best interface but the others will get the job done in a pinch.

SixteenBlue wrote:

PS3 can use other software like PS3 Media Server. Not sure which is better software to use but I'm very happy with PS3 Media Server.

+1

Rykin wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

As far as streaming from some kind of media server goes, though, I have no idea. I don't have a PC at home to set up as any kind of server. :)

I run a Plex server but I have been considering switching to XBMC. I have the server connected to the TV directly at the moment and stream to a second TV via a Roku. Can also stream to Xbox 360, PS3, iOS, Android, Windows, Macs, and just about any DLNA client (including the terrible one in my first gen LG smart TV) with this setup so it is pretty damn flexible. The native Plex clients offer the best interface but the others will get the job done in a pinch.

Another vote for Plex. The native clients are pretty good although the Roku client out of the box has some problems with 5.1 audio streams.

Rykin - there is a plugin for XBMC that makes it Plex-compatible so you don't need to stop using Plex on the server.

Plex to Roku here too. Can do to PS3 as well but the Roku interface is better.

avggeek wrote:
Rykin wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

As far as streaming from some kind of media server goes, though, I have no idea. I don't have a PC at home to set up as any kind of server. :)

I run a Plex server but I have been considering switching to XBMC. I have the server connected to the TV directly at the moment and stream to a second TV via a Roku. Can also stream to Xbox 360, PS3, iOS, Android, Windows, Macs, and just about any DLNA client (including the terrible one in my first gen LG smart TV) with this setup so it is pretty damn flexible. The native Plex clients offer the best interface but the others will get the job done in a pinch.

Another vote for Plex. The native clients are pretty good although the Roku client out of the box has some problems with 5.1 audio streams.

Rykin - there is a plugin for XBMC that makes it Plex-compatible so you don't need to stop using Plex on the server.

Actually the issues I am having are with the server lately. I have some shows that it refuses to identify even though I have no problem finding them in the TVDB and for some reason it also isn't loading the embedded metadata for them either. Plus since the last update cover art has been very hit and miss with it showing sometimes and not showing others. Mainly the reason I picked Plex back in the day was because it was a Mac native fork of XBMC. Since then it has become cross platform and the Mac version seems to be suffering because of it (which is sad because it is still the lead platform). The move to a web based media manager may be the final straw.

Can I get a hood/hat to hide my girl's ponytail early on in Knights of the Old Republic 2?

I'm late to the mass effect party.
Playing 2 on PS3.

Does it play like a highly evolved DVD menu screen? Or is it just me?

I'm still having trouble playing a shooter with a game pad. It is so hard to aim. Anything shirt of a RDR auto aim is impossible for me. Is there a way ramp up the assist in the menu for ME2?

Strangeblades wrote:

Can I get a hood/hat to hide my girl's ponytail early on in Knights of the Old Republic 2?

There are some style mods for the PC version where you can change hair and such.

Ghostship wrote:

I'm late to the mass effect party.
Playing 2 on PS3.

Does it play like a highly evolved DVD menu screen? Or is it just me?

I'm still having trouble playing a shooter with a game pad. It is so hard to aim. Anything shirt of a RDR auto aim is impossible for me. Is there a way ramp up the assist in the menu for ME2?

I struggled for about 6 months with learning to play shooters with a controller. I grew up on Wolfenstein, Doom, ROTT, and other PC shooters, so it felt like a total waste of time and pointless to boot. Now that I have mastered the controller, I still think the mouse and keyboard is a more effective/efficient way to play shooters, so much so that it makes me bored to play shooters on PC. It's not fun, it requires no skill.

Ghostship wrote:

I'm late to the mass effect party.
Playing 2 on PS3.

Does it play like a highly evolved DVD menu screen? Or is it just me?

I'm still having trouble playing a shooter with a game pad. It is so hard to aim. Anything shirt of a RDR auto aim is impossible for me. Is there a way ramp up the assist in the menu for ME2?

Not exactly a solution, but if you can't get the aiming to work for you, then you can just use the Adept and go for a power-heavy pause-mediated gameplay style. No need to aim!

FWIW, I found that the secret to aiming with dual stick controllers is to use them both. Use both character movement and the stick-look on the right analog stick to aim. Usually, I default to using the character movement to adjust the aim on the X-axis, and use the right analog stick for Y-axis aim adjustment, but you can switch which does which axis when you get used to it.

LarryC wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

I'm late to the mass effect party.
Playing 2 on PS3.

Does it play like a highly evolved DVD menu screen? Or is it just me?

I'm still having trouble playing a shooter with a game pad. It is so hard to aim. Anything shirt of a RDR auto aim is impossible for me. Is there a way ramp up the assist in the menu for ME2?

Not exactly a solution, but if you can't get the aiming to work for you, then you can just use the Adept and go for a power-heavy pause-mediated gameplay style. No need to aim!

FWIW, I found that the secret to aiming with dual stick controllers is to use them both. Use both character movement and the stick-look on the right analog stick to aim. Usually, I default to using the character movement to adjust the aim on the X-axis, and use the right analog stick for Y-axis aim adjustment, but you can switch which does which axis when you get used to it.

+1

Yeah, just practicing running around, and circle strafing and stuff made a huge impact for me.

Lowering the sensitivity might help a little bit as well.

If I can get kingdom hearts 1 and 2, new, for PS2 for only $25 should I do it?

I was originally turned off the whole idea of the games when they launched because Disney does nothing for me. However, I hear they are great. Do I need to like Disney to enjoy the 'game'? Will the Disney licence detract from my enjoyment?

The first games main strength is that it has a lot of charm, but that charm is based on the way it uses the Disney license so if you don't like Disney your not going to get much out of it. Especially since the combat and platforming doesn't really hold up. The second game improves on everything about the first. (although its still only a fun button masher at best) but loses all of its charm in the process and replaces it with a bunch of meta-physical nonsense that didn't make any sense when I was fourteen and most likely makes even less sense now. so I can't really recommend it unless you really like Final Fantasy, particularly Tetsuya Nomura work on the series. (which frankly I don't, but I don't hate his work either so I won't judge you if you like it)

But if you have a PSP that plays UMDs I can recommend Birth by Sleep, I thought they really nailed the combat in that one and I'm pretty sure there was a scene skip option. But if you don't have a PSP I'll know in a day or two if 3DS one is any good.

fleabagmatt wrote:

Lowering the sensitivity might help a little bit as well.

I'd like to be able to modify the curve.
As it's set right now, Shep can walk in slow motion or run. No in between. Aiming feels similar. It takes forever for the reticle to get there, or it's blasting past. I'm sure I'll get more comfortable with it, with exposure. I do like lounging back on the couch to play.

Yeah, that just takes getting used to. It clicks in after a while. It has to do with automatically adjusting aim reticle speed with your thumbs when your eyes see that you're near the target.

Rumpled shirts well never be fashionable will they?
Ironing is a big harumph.

It occurred to me that our fashion (suits coats vests etc) are all based around our ability to heat buildings in the Victorian era. Buildings were leaky, cold and damp, and you had to wear a coat at your desk. We're now able to heat our buildings to a summery 22C, or higher. This is far too warm for coats and ties. Paradoxically, women's fashion has evolved tremendously. They have far less insulation on. We heat our buildings to keep our less covered co-workers warm, yet still meet an impractical fashion standard. I'm demanding crinolines be reinstituted. My name is not nearly Scottish enough wear a kilt regimental style every day.

What can we do to make the following horribly unfashionable, but wonderfully useful items stylish? Can we kickstart a project to pay Brad Pitt millions to wear the practical man's god awful fashion?
-the utilikilt
-the fanny pack (or hip pack if you're English or Australian).
-a belt pack for a multi-tool, and cell phone.
Understandably these things were not designed with appearance in mind, which is precisely why they're not fashionable. I understand this.

Cargo pants are the slightly more fashionable version of the fanny pack.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

If I can get kingdom hearts 1 and 2, new, for PS2 for only $25 should I do it?

I was originally turned off the whole idea of the games when they launched because Disney does nothing for me. However, I hear they are great. Do I need to like Disney to enjoy the 'game'? Will the Disney licence detract from my enjoyment?

I thought they were a lot of fun. They have the good but somewhat incomprehensible plot structure endemic to most mainline Square/Enix games. I want to go back and play them with my daughter when she's just a bit older, as she's a huge Disney fanatic. Does playing them with your girls seem like fun?

Ghostship wrote:

It occurred to me that our fashion (suits coats vests etc) are all based around our ability to heat buildings in the Victorian era. Buildings were leaky, cold and damp, and you had to wear a coat at your desk. We're now able to heat our buildings to a summery 22C, or higher. This is far too warm for coats and ties.

It sounds like you're just looking for an excuse not to wear them. Unless you're in heavy tweed, 22ºC is really not all that hot to wear a jacket and sit at a desk all day. Or maybe your jackets are all polyester or blended polyester, in which case, any temperature is miserable. And how on earth does a tie make you hotter?

I know I'm unusual in that I dress up more than my business requires, but it's really not that hard or inconvenient. The jacket usually comes off when I'm in my personal office, and is only worn when going to meetings or exiting the building.

clover wrote:

Cargo pants are the slightly more fashionable version of the fanny pack.

Is cargo also a highly inappropriate term in the Queen's English?

Ghostship wrote:

-the fanny pack (or hip pack if you're English or Australian).

There is never a time when it's ok to wear a fanny pack.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

If I can get kingdom hearts 1 and 2, new, for PS2 for only $25 should I do it?

I was originally turned off the whole idea of the games when they launched because Disney does nothing for me. However, I hear they are great. Do I need to like Disney to enjoy the 'game'? Will the Disney licence detract from my enjoyment?

Yes! But then I'd never advise anyone to NOT play Kingdom Hearts.

That being said, there's no way I would be a huge fan of the games if I weren't a Disney fanatic. They are fun as far as action RPGs go but a huge amount of the appeal is from the nicely executed Disney environments. I would ask if you're a big fan of Final Fantasy and other JRPG conventions, because that's pretty much the "other half" of the game and you might enjoy the parts that are more JRPGish and less about Disney.

Chairman_Mao wrote:
clover wrote:

Cargo pants are the slightly more fashionable version of the fanny pack.

Is cargo also a highly inappropriate term in the Queen's English?

"You shut your filthy mouth, or I'll come over there and kick you square in the cargoes."

It is now.

Minarchist wrote:
m0nk3yboy wrote:

If I can get kingdom hearts 1 and 2, new, for PS2 for only $25 should I do it?

I was originally turned off the whole idea of the games when they launched because Disney does nothing for me. However, I hear they are great. Do I need to like Disney to enjoy the 'game'? Will the Disney licence detract from my enjoyment?

I thought they were a lot of fun. They have the good but somewhat incomprehensible plot structure endemic to most mainline Square/Enix games. I want to go back and play them with my daughter when she's just a bit older, as she's a huge Disney fanatic. Does playing them with your girls seem like fun?

Ghostship wrote:

It occurred to me that our fashion (suits coats vests etc) are all based around our ability to heat buildings in the Victorian era. Buildings were leaky, cold and damp, and you had to wear a coat at your desk. We're now able to heat our buildings to a summery 22C, or higher. This is far too warm for coats and ties.

It sounds like you're just looking for an excuse not to wear them. Unless you're in heavy tweed, 22ºC is really not all that hot to wear a jacket and sit at a desk all day. Or maybe your jackets are all polyester or blended polyester, in which case, any temperature is miserable. And how on earth does a tie make you hotter?

I know I'm unusual in that I dress up more than my business requires, but it's really not that hard or inconvenient. The jacket usually comes off when I'm in my personal office, and is only worn when going to meetings or exiting the building.

I need to dip into the Dapper Dan thread I guess. Some fine wool attire is supposed to be comfortable. For me it's the fit. Coats are restrictive. Actually, I have nothing to complain about. I work from a home office. I can work in my underwear if I want to.

My biggest worry is that fine clothes don't wear well and are expensive to clean. I'm afraid of ruining them through daily wear.

Chumpy_McChump wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

-the fanny pack (or hip pack if you're English or Australian).

There is never a time when it's ok to wear a fanny pack.

Usually the response is, "never was a time".

I understand this. Either way. Just sometimes you think things like, "I'd eat raw fish if I could fly underwater like a penguin". Or, a hip pack would be handy if it weren't so awful and weird.

Ghostship wrote:
Chumpy_McChump wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

-the fanny pack (or hip pack if you're English or Australian).

There is never a time when it's ok to wear a fanny pack.

Usually the response is, "never was a time".

I understand this. Either way. Just sometimes you think things like, "I'd eat raw fish if I could fly underwater like a penguin". Or, a hip pack would be handy if it weren't so awful and weird.

"Gee, I wish I was wearing a fanny pack" isn't a weird thing to think, it's the sign of a disturbed mind.

Spoiler:

Satchels or coin purses are much more acceptable.

Chumpy_McChump wrote:
Ghostship wrote:
Chumpy_McChump wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

-the fanny pack (or hip pack if you're English or Australian).

There is never a time when it's ok to wear a fanny pack.

Usually the response is, "never was a time".

I understand this. Either way. Just sometimes you think things like, "I'd eat raw fish if I could fly underwater like a penguin". Or, a hip pack would be handy if it weren't so awful and weird.

"Gee, I wish I was wearing a fanny pack" isn't a weird thing to think, it's the sign of a disturbed mind.

Spoiler:

Satchels or coin purses are much more acceptable.

Isn't the sporran the 'original' fanny pack? It would go nicely with the kilt you mentioned...