SEGAbits Forums
Off Topic => Everything Else => Topic started by: Barry the Nomad on July 01, 2010, 04:01:16 pm
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I liked the "The 'Dude, What Game Should I Buy?' Thread" so much that I wanted to try an all encompassing one here.
Same rules apply, but to everything BUT video games. I figure there are a lot of educated folks here that could give good recommendations on anything from HDTVs and Blu-Ray players to motor oils and ballpoint pens.
I'll start:
Dude, What Blu-Ray player should I buy?
I'll be getting some extra cash soon and I wanted to treat myself to a bluray player. I needs me some HD Pixar goodness! Not looking for a PS3, however, as I'm limiting my purchase to $150-200 and would prefer to buy a PS3 late next year for a gaming reason (once more exclusives are out that I want). My only major requests are a blu-ray player that outputs a quality picture and does a great job upconverting DVDs. Wi-fi and and all those Netflix/YouTube/Hulu extras are unnecessary.
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If you can't get a PS3, I don't know. One that is upgradable via firmware. I know PS3 is, that is why I stick with it. Plus I use it mostly for gaming.
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Which neo-geo cd version should I get?
The normal/regular cd version, the 'front loader' version of the 'cdz' one?
I was looking for the 'cdz' version, athought Ive read many comments about it being too 'problematic/easy to break'.
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The PS3 would be worth spending the extra cash if you're looking for a blu ray player.
It's always being upgraded to the latest standards of the format, plus it'll be upgraded to play 3d blu rays if you have even the slightest intention of trying that out at some point in the future.
At this point, it seems like buying a standard blu ray player is a bit of a waste when the PS3 is only 299 and plays Yakuza 3
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I agree, it doesn't make sense to spend all that money for a Blu-Ray player, then buy a PS3 later. I'm no expert, but the PS3 seems like the best one. It always instinctively knows what aspect ratio to be in for movies, unlike the XBOX 360 with DVDs, it up-converts DVD's really well, and for a Blu-Ray player, it has a huge hard drive. Your Blu-Ray player will become totally useless when you do get the PS3.
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As the others have said, the PS3 is the best choice overall. You get a Blu-ray player and a gaming console in one.
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Which neo-geo cd version should I get?
The normal/regular cd version, the 'front loader' version of the 'cdz' one?
I was looking for the 'cdz' version, athought Ive read many comments about it being too 'problematic/easy to break'.
The CDZ is great cause of the shorter load times. It is also insanely pricey sometimes. I have never seen a front loader CDZ..
Personally any neo-geo CD unit would please me.
Generally front loading units tend to wear out with time. So I always prefer top loading hardware.
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Decisions, decisions! Well it looks like I'll just wait until xmas 2011 for a PS3 if I want blu-ray, as there is no way in hell I can get away with buying a PS3 at the moment. Thanks for the tips!
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No problem :)
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Fuck Blueray, Betamax is coming back. I can feel it in my bones.
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Wait for the Holidays to come around and pick up a bundle of the PlayStation 3 (last year they had two extra games included for the same price of $300). I think buying a Blu-Ray separately is kind of silly when you know you are already going to be getting the console eventually anyways.
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PS3 bundle this Xmas is still a viable option, however I have a new plan that might come to fruition: buying a highly rated entry-level blu-ray player off ebay for under $100 and a Black Wii bundle for $200. Same total cost of a PS3, yet I can watch Blu-Rays and I get a console that actually has more than three games that I want to play. As cool as the PS3 is, the number cross platform HD games makes the number of console exclusives so small.
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Dude, not to sound like an elitist ass, but Wii fucking sucks and you will be wasting your money big time on it. The console does not even have any Yakuza or Naughty Dog games on it!!
It is your money, but I do not think you are making a good decision at all and I am certain you would regret it pretty fast. I can see your point with the HD releases, but by just getting a PlayStation 3 you would also have much less clutter.
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Dude, not to sound like an elitist ass, but Wii fucking sucks and you will be wasting your money big time on it.
MadWorld
Overkill
De Blob (even though De Blob 2 will be multiplat)
Resident Evil 4
Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
Samba De Amigo
Sam and Max Season 1
etc etc
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Not to mention all the great Gamecube games.
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MadWorld
Overkill
De Blob (even though De Blob 2 will be multiplat)
Resident Evil 4
Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
Samba De Amigo
Sam and Max Season 1
etc etc
^ Exactly. I'm not a huge Wii fan myself, but to say the system is a waste, big time even, is untrue. As a 360 owner, I'm already able to play like 90% of the PS3's selection of good games. Wii, on the other hand, has tons as Mademan mentioned. Not to mention Colors (looks promising), the lightgun 2-pack and nearly every Wii game announced by Nintendo at E3.
I would say, however, that once Yakuza 4 arrives stateside and The Last Guardian releases, the PS3 will be much more interesting.
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Not to mention all the great Gamecube games.
The ones ported from the Sega Dreamcast and Resident Evil 4?
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Mang's list is terrible and makes me hate the console more. If you are going to bring ports or the like into the argument then it is fair for me to mention PlayStation 3 lets you play over 15 years worth of thousands of outstanding games that you can generally find for less than even the cheapest WiiWare titles.
I like to play the occasional good game that is over five hours long, Wii has great games sure, but when you are going to compare literally the best Wii has to offer against multiple Yakuza games, stuff like Uncharted 2 or even just the Sly Cooper collection............
I do not really want to go into detail about it, but I do not know why anyone would consider getting a Wii over a PlayStation 3 when they are mostly interested in games with normal controls and stuff that appeals to our kinds of audiences.
Not to mention all the great Gamecube games.
Or get a GameCube for $20?
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Not to mention all the great Gamecube games.
The ones ported from the Sega Dreamcast and Resident Evil 4?
There's always Metroid Prime, Wind Waker, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Pikmin 2, 1080 Avalanche, Battalion Wars, Eternal Darkness, F-Zero GX, Viewtiful Joe, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Spider-man 2, and Beyond Good & Evil.
A lot of people rag on Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, and Luigi's Mansion, but they're solid games too.
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I do not really want to go into detail about it, but I do not know why anyone would consider getting a Wii over a PlayStation 3 when they are mostly interested in games with normal controls and stuff that appeals to our kinds of audiences.
$100 less, a library that isn't nearly the same as a 360 and a very promising E3 showing? I thought those were excellent reasons.*
Honestly I had no idea that my mentioning that I'm considering getting a Wii over a PS3 would cause so much rage here.
While I haven't mentioned Gamecube BC, and it isn't a huge selling point for me, I do like the fact that it plays games for the previous Nintendo console. PS3 can't claim to play games for the PS2 unless one hunts down a specific model. George's recently dying has turned me off to that plan.
*I'm not trying to say PS3 or Wii are better than one another, this is simply a "which to get first" thing.
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I think most PS3s do actually play a good number of PS2 games through emulation though, like 360 and OG Xbox games.
In any event, I would go with the PS3 now, since you want a Blu-Ray AND you are getting a PS3 anyway. Yakuza 3, Uncharted 2, Valkyria and the others will keep you happy with it, then you can pick up a Wii as well later on.
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Thanks for the thoughts mang!
Now, what gun should I buy?
Kidding! Although a rifle would be pretty awesome.
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AK-47. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfucker in the room, accept no substitutes.
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$100 less, a library that isn't nearly the same as a 360 and a very promising E3 showing? I thought those were excellent reasons.
$100 less? You are buying a Blu-Ray player regardless, like you said. 'Promising' games are also not the same as 'Proven astounding games'. Your argument about it having the same kind of games as the Xbox 360 is kind of silly too when you point out that you basically want ports and upgrades of Dreamcast and arcade games on Wii.
Honestly I had no idea that my mentioning that I'm considering getting a Wii over a PS3 would cause so much rage here.
My opening comment on it was a joke, but I am honest when I say I am certain you will not like the console as much as you are thinking you will. Most of the games you you want are just passing interests anyways, why not get something you know you will love instead, like Yakuza 3? :D
While I haven't mentioned Gamecube BC, and it isn't a huge selling point for me, I do like the fact that it plays games for the previous Nintendo console. PS3 can't claim to play games for the PS2 unless one hunts down a specific model. George's recently dying has turned me off to that plan.
I mainly meant the original PlayStation which I like more anyways. If you do not want to look around for a decent-playing copy of something you may have missed out on like Ape Escape 1, you can buy it on the PlayStation Network for seven dollars. I also am certain Sony will add PlayStation 2 BC support again after they finally let the PlayStation 2 die out sometime next year.
*I'm not trying to say PS3 or Wii are better than one another, this is simply a "which to get first" thing.
Well I think my point that you can get new retail release bundles in with the console are very good. I am certain Nintendo will not have anything major for this in the Holiday seasons, so I think it would be best for you to strike then and there for a PlayStation 3, especially especially especially because you are certain you also want a Blu-Ray player. Why not just kill two birds with one stone and have all of this in one package instead?
AK-47. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfucker in the room, accept no substitutes.
Listen to this man, he is part of the Mexican Mafia!
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Unless you plan to move the Blu-Ray player to another room after you get the PS3, the Blu-Ray player is a waste of money. The wii's not as bad as Sanus made it out to be, though. The casual games on it you can drag out when family comes over, and I love all the gun games on it. The Wii has diminishing returns. You'll play with it a lot at first, then less and less as time goes on. For me, I use the PS3 almost daily for Blu-Rays, and you also get Valkyria Chronicles and the whole Yakuza series, if you have a BC model. I find that the software BC model is just as good as a hardware BC model, so either one of them will play 90% of Ps2 games flawlessly--that's better BC than the 360-- but it takes a lot of research to get the right one, since they all look the same.
I buy most of my games on the 360, because of achievements and My friends don't own PS3's. Trophies do nothing for me, because lots of games don't have them.
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*I'm not trying to say PS3 or Wii are better than one another, this is simply a "which to get first" thing.
I got the Wii at launch and the PS3 about a year and a half later. Back then I'd say that was the way to go, because the PS3 was still stupidly expensive, and didn't have many games worth getting.
Now though, I'd say you're best to pick up the PS3 first. Not only because of all the extra media functionality, but because it does have a very solid, and quickly growing library.
I might suggest picking up the odd Wii game in the meantime before you get the system though. Some games aren't going anywhere (Super Mario Galaxy), but some of the less popular (but very good games) like Muramasa, Klonoa, Little King's Story, Zack & Wiki, No More Heroes 2, etc... might be though to find down the road. Even House of the Dead 2&3 is tough to track down in stores now.
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Not to mention all the great Gamecube games.
The ones ported from the Sega Dreamcast and Resident Evil 4?
There's always Metroid Prime, Wind Waker, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Pikmin 2, 1080 Avalanche, Battalion Wars, Eternal Darkness, F-Zero GX, Viewtiful Joe, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Spider-man 2, and Beyond Good & Evil.
A lot of people rag on Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, and Luigi's Mansion, but they're solid games too.
Multiplatform games, an overrated Zelda game, a FPS with poor controls, SSX (which is multiplatform too) is better than 1080 and so are the portable versions of Wars. I'll give you Eternal Darkness and F-Zero GX.
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If you didn't like the controls in Metroid Prime, there's always the Trilogy pack on Wii. They integrated pointer controls to make it closer to an FPS. It's definitely worth checking out though.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is one game that not a whole lot of people played, but it's got a really cool combo system built into a 2d platformer. More about high scores than simply completing levels.
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NINTENDO SUCKS COCKS
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If you didn't like the controls in Metroid Prime, there's always the Trilogy pack on Wii. They integrated pointer controls to make it closer to an FPS. It's definitely worth checking out though.
My other problem with Metroid Prime was the awful scan business. Scan scan scan scan. It made my finger hurt, that damn controller. I ended up selling the game.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is one game that not a whole lot of people played, but it's got a really cool combo system built into a 2d platformer. More about high scores than simply completing levels.
I still have it, it's not anything special. The bongos make an interesting concept and that's about it.
The Gamecube is cool cause it's like Nintendo's Dreamcast. It tried some new things and has many unique and fun games.
Nintendo's Dreamcast? Oh Christ, take that back. Your silly is crossing the boundaries of the football thread, dude. :cry: :cry: :cry:
Also, a big FU to all of us for forgetting Monkey Ball.
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Did Crackdude just compare one of Nintendo's worst ever consoles to one of SEGA's greatest?
I am... Almost completely speechless.
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I think the Gamecube is one of the best Nintendo consoles.. Not the most popular of course..
Anyway, let's all just edit our posts and pretend this never happened.
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I still have it, it's not anything special. The bongos make an interesting concept and that's about it.
Jungle Beat is like my second favorite Nintendo game of all time. :cry:
Did Crackdude just compare one of Nintendo's worst ever consoles to one of SEGA's greatest?
I am... Almost completely speechless.
Well, the Dreamcast does not have Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix.
I like the GameCube a lot, it is actually one of my favorite consoles outside of the controller. If Barry really wants some great Nintendo games he could just get most of them on here and then pick up the pieces once Wii and it's games actually drop in price. Something PlayStation 3 stuff constantly does.
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This time I've got to ask: what movies are worth buying on Blu-ray? Y'know, ones that really kick ass in HD.
Thus far on my list are:
The Dark Knight
Watchmen: Ultimate Cut
Terminator Salvation (I liked it, what can I say...)
Up (already own it)
Monsters Inc.
Clone Wars Season 1
My DVD collection can be seen here btw: http://bharmon.dvdaf.com/owned (http://bharmon.dvdaf.com/owned)
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For me you see the biggest difference with daylight and outdoor scenes, blue skies and what-not. The Shining is probably the most impressive one I've seen, and it's pretty cheap. That's a good one to start with. Don't get any bare-bones ones. Predator was really bad quality, but there's a new special edition of Predator coming out that looks promising.
Also I thought Enter the Dragon was really good, but last time I said that Chizzles said it had fake color. I don't know how he knows that, since you have to have seen it in the theater to see the original quality. I was -1 in 1973. it's really helpful to google reviews of blu-rays before you buy them. Some movies are no different on blu-Ray.
...Now I've seen your collection, I'd get the Ultimate Matrix Collection, the Spiderman Collection, T2 Skynet edition (on the main menu, Skynet figures out where you live and puts it on a map), and do you already have the dvd/Blu-Ray combo pack for Ponyo?
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Thanks for the tips!
Spider-man and the T2 are definite buys for the future. I don't have the Ponyo combo, just dvd, then again I can't see myself watching that too much. However, I'm hoping Spirited Away gets an HD release soon. Also, FLCL (Fooly Cooly) is hitting blu-ray this winter. Finally I can toss that Hong Kong bootleg.
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FLCL is the single most exciting piece of anime I have ever seen.
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FLCL is the single most exciting piece of anime I have ever seen.
Yeah dude! I have the art book for it. Awesome stuff. I haven't rewatched it in a long time. Gonna have to rewatch it this weekend.
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FLCL is the single most exciting piece of anime I have ever seen.
Yeah dude! I have the art book for it. Awesome stuff. I haven't rewatched it in a long time. Gonna have to rewatch it this weekend.
I've been trying to track it down on DVD for a long time. Thanks for the info about the new release.
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13 inch Laptop.
I'm really inclined to a Macbook Pro but I feel it's somewhat of a waste of money right now. It's the only model in the current line with the old line of Intel processors. On the other hand the battery is something out of the ordinary. I haven't checked out other computers apart from this one and the Asus UL30Vt which I think is a waste too.
It sucks to be a nerd. You know how the hardware works and you will never be 100% satisfied. For reference, I took about three months to pick an MP3 player and about six in my quest for a monitor/TV combo (which was rare at the time) with video connectors of almost all sorts.
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13 inch Laptop.
I'm really inclined to a Macbook Pro but I feel it's somewhat of a waste of money right now. It's the only model in the current line with the old line of Intel processors. On the other hand the battery is something out of the ordinary. I haven't checked out other computers apart from this one and the Asus UL30Vt which I think is a waste too.
It sucks to be a nerd. You know how the hardware works and you will never be 100% satisfied. For reference, I took about three months to pick an MP3 player and about six in my quest for a monitor/TV combo (which was rare at the time) with video connectors of almost all sorts.
If you're considering a Mac then why even bother looking at other computers? With a Mac you can have both MacOS and Windows, so you get the best and the most popular in one package. As for price, the software included with MacOS (iLife and such) alone would cost you some crazy money, adding up the nice design and good durability the MacBook is quite few notches up of your standard portable fare.
I love the 13" size. And it is hard to find portables that size that (1) aren't needlessly expensive and (2) aren't crap.
3 years ago I got a 1200€ 14" Vaio. It looked fantastic and the specs seemed fine.. But the quality of the finish wasn't that good (everything is completely worn out by now and looks like crap), it feels plastic-y and the specs didn't include a decent gfx card, which crippled my experience with the computer.
If I could go back I would get the high-end 13" macbook pro for the same price.
You also have the white MacBook. It's considerably cheaper, and still has good hardware inside. A friend of mine caught a Fnac sale that included the MacBook plus 2GB RAM expansion for 1000€. He says it's the best thing he ever bought. I'm jealous.
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Hey Orta, just stumbled upon this! http://http://www.fnac.pt/Apple-MacBook-Pro-13-2-26GHz-MB990-Computador-Portatil-Computador-Portatil/a55160?SID=a7ac26de-4e28-e2ce-100a-067b855588fd&UID=03764ABD4-6755-BBB8-5A91-8716840474A0&Origin=FnacAff&OrderInSession=1&TTL=230120111451&PID=1
I'm thinking of getting one myself! Though this also means that a new version is about to be announced.
EDIT: Comparing with the models in the Apple Store it is a bit weaker spec wise. But the price is much lower, so it balances out if you're in a tight budget.
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It's the old model. The current one has been on sale for a few months now. Thanks for the heads up anyway. I didn't even consider the plastic Macbook for two reasons: it's white and glossy and the rubber bottom... ew... and for a little bit more I can get the superior Pro.
I honestly don't care about operating systems, I've used all the three most popular operating systems and I can honestly say they all suck in their own different ways. The games goes to software. In short, I make everything crash.
The MBP feels a tad too steep because it doesn't come with USB 3 and the "i" processor from Intel. They said the processor doesn't physically fit inside the computer. I want the computer to last and buying one with outdated specifications feels like a waste of money. I don't really want to wait either. <.< Apple has the "back to school" promotion at the moment so I could get an ipod and the computer for around €1100 with the education discount.
Eh. I dunno. I want a PS3 too. :lol:
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There was a time when I really cared about all the intense specs of the computers, but ever since Core 2 Duo I've yet to see any noticeable difference in these new processors. Take into account that I don't game on my PC, but for intense use in work applications, spreadsheets and some video editing every processor seems about just as great at those things.
And only today did I heard about USB 3.0. Does any of current products support it? Either way, USB 2.0 is fine too..
I just don't think that computer hardware is evolving in a noticeable way. But that's from my experience. I guess you should take into account that stuff if it will be useful to you. From what I read, Apple won't be putting USB3 in their computers soon anyway.. Something about Intel not yet giving them the chips?
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I have no idea. Either way, it's probably not a valid reason. There aren't many USB 3 devices right now but there will be. I'd like the computer to last. If I get the Mac I'll let you know I installed Windows in it.
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Apple's new Mac Pro and iMacs have the new i processors. I'm partial to the iMacs, but that doesn't help you if you are looking for something portable. I've got 2 iMacs, a Macbook, and 5 Mac Minis (one of them is the new one with the HDMI port, hooked up to the TV--I replaced the Apple TV with it).
The other 4 Mac Minis I have a plan to set up kiosks with my advertising on them around town. I've sort of chickened out asking businesses to lend me the space, though. My wife's not happy about the pile of computers that aren't being used.
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A Mini is something I'd like to get in the future, the latest version is very appealing since it has the power supply inside the computer itself, and my desktop computer is turning six this year. But for now I'm just looking for a laptop. I'll see, I have until whenever the "back to school" thing lasts. Hehe.
For some reason I'm into small things. *wonders*
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The new unibody Mac Mini with HDMI has been awesome, except sitting on the couch, it's really hard to read the fonts that you can't adjust the size in, like iTunes and stuff. I think Apple needs to think about a system update for people attaching the computer to their TV.
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The new unibody Mac Mini with HDMI has been awesome, except sitting on the couch, it's really hard to read the fonts that you can't adjust the size in, like iTunes and stuff. I think Apple needs to think about a system update for people attaching the computer to their TV.
How about using CTRL+scroll?
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The new unibody Mac Mini with HDMI has been awesome, except sitting on the couch, it's really hard to read the fonts that you can't adjust the size in, like iTunes and stuff. I think Apple needs to think about a system update for people attaching the computer to their TV.
How about using CTRL+scroll?
That's not what I meant. There are lots of things in the system where you can't adjust text size big enough. Web browsers aren't the problem.
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Double post!
What HD video camera should I buy? It's mainly for puppet stuff, so it needs to be able to display what I'm doing on a small TV or monitor.
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The new unibody Mac Mini with HDMI has been awesome, except sitting on the couch, it's really hard to read the fonts that you can't adjust the size in, like iTunes and stuff. I think Apple needs to think about a system update for people attaching the computer to their TV.
How about using CTRL+scroll?
That's not what I meant. There are lots of things in the system where you can't adjust text size big enough. Web browsers aren't the problem.
No man.. That's CMND+scroll. On the mac CTRL+scroll zooms into the screen :)
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I'll have to give that a shot.
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I have a Sony HDR-SR11. It's pretty good but it only does 1080i. Since my computers are too old to play video files from the camera (yes really) I'm not sure if you can make 720p out of those files. Youtube converts them to 720p so it may be possible. Depending on your budget I think something Sony would be a safe bet but I really don't know how the camera market is these days. You should also consider a SLR camera. Some of these record really good video from what I hear. Plus, they take photos.
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I love all the Mac talk going on here!
I;m not an Applehead, but doing design basically means I'm committed to Macs for life. Also, it's a great perk to have one of the few macs at work. Makes me avoid any blockers IT might put up for PC. Wahahahaha!
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Guys, I'm an Apple nut. Not because I'm a mindless fanboy, but because I truly feel that my computer (Mac) and musical (iPod) experiences are the best with Apple products.
I've been thinking about getting the iPhone 4. But another phone is sparking my attention: the Samsung Galaxy S.
They appear to be up to eachother. I'm having trouble deciding.. Anyone of you has any opinion on this?
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Is that the one where they show Avatar in the commercial? I would get the iPhone 4, unless for some reason the Samsung has better resolution, but they don't say the resolution on the commercial, or compare it directly to the iPhone 4. I know the picture on the new iPhone is amazing, and the stories about the antenna are just much ado about nothing. People just want to invent controversy so they have something to write about.
Is the Samsung an android phone? If it is some proprietary format I wouldn't even consider it, but I hear Android sales are increasing faster than any mobile platform, so there must be something to it.
For me, I'm thinking of setting up 2 Saturns to play Virtual On with the direct commectiom cable. Do I need the netlink editions of Virtual On, or is that just for playing with the netlink modem?
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The resolution is high enough for the pixels to "melt into eachothers" at normal distance. It is Android. It is 200 euros less expensive.
The iPhone is.. the iPhone. The "antennagate" is the most blown-out-of-proportion issue ever. But the Galaxy seems to offer about the same experience for a cheaper price.
The thing that worries me is: is there any way of synchronizing an Android phone with iTunes?
If there is, I'll get the Galaxy. I freaking love iTunes (I use it on a mac).
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I the samsung is open source I would go for that. Probably much easier to use it however you want.
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Apple doesn't like other devices connecting to iTunes. The Palm Pre kept trying, then Apple would come out with a patch to make it not work. A quick search for a how to connect to iTunes would give you the answer though.