Posts from — May 2007

BrentEvans, in response to Darren Rowse’s Problogger Top 5 Writing Contest, submitted an entry titled: Top 5 Reasons to Use a HTPC Instead of a Cable DVR.

While the article mentions a lot about SageTV and BeyondTV, it left out the free open source alternative MythTV - which turns out is more capable than the previously mentioned!

An interesting note is that Skipping Commercials is rated at number 2. Cox Communications just signed a deal with ESPN and ABC to have on demand content that you cannot fast forward. The only logical progression of this trend is that all recorded DVR content will soon be commercial enforced. If this happens, it is likely to see Skipping Commercials moving to the number 1 slot.

Ubuntu CTO, Matt Zimmerman (mdz) recently announced on the Ubuntu Developers Mailing List a new version of Ubuntu to work on handheld devices. This only seems logical since the mobile platform is the fastest growing PC market.

This open source project will be in some way tied to Intel who “…is making significant contributions of technology, people and expertise to the project.” A prototype has already been developed.

The first release is planned for Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (7.10) in October 2007 (hence 7.10).

MonolithMC currently offers its users DVI video output in addition to SPDIF digital audio output. With a $10 cable from newegg you can easily switch that DVI over to HDMI for use with your HDTV.

Some video card manufacturers have jumped on the band wagon and started putting HDMI output on their cards. One really smart manufacturer has even made a fanless and low profile card for the HTPC enthusiast.

Now, my question is why haven’t the motherboard manufacturers made a board (or better yet a barebone PC) that has both video and digital audio in a convenient HDMI output?

Let me know if you’ve heard any rumors.