Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Vilya]

Seeing as I have once again gone off topic, what's a little more?

Can anyone explain this old picture to me? It is bizarre. It is my desktop wallpaper du jour.

Bizarre01.jpg

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

It was an Asus motherboard that failed, but it was also 7 years-old. Even the great brands sometimes fail. We will be replacing this with another Asus product.

I like Asus and my pc uses one of their motherboards. I went with this brand because my friend the software engineer highly recommends them.

We are basically just doing this rebuild to delay buying a brand new machine. That same friend I referenced above donated the replacement board, the processor, and the memory, so there is actually no money being spent on this project.

The "new" processor is an Intel i3 series replacing an AMD Phenom II X4. We are going from 8 GB of DDR2 memory to 8GB of DDR3 memory.

We are retaining the Corsair HX 850 Gold power supply, the Sapphire Radeon HD 6970 2 GB video card, DVD burner, card reader, and the Crucial half TB SSD. The goal is to provide a working pc that does the tasks my friend typically performs until he wants to spend money on a truly new pc.

As there is no cash involved here, just our time, it makes the project a lot less stressful. Thanks for the offer to help, but as I mentioned earlier I have two professionals in reserve should we run into trouble.

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have kept Windows 7 Professional (N) on my pc. My buddy the software engineer/ CIO has done the same. You should hear him criticize Windows 10! He rips it to ribbons.

I am not going to get into all of that, but I have long trusted his advice on these matters, so I plan to keep Windows 7 at least until support for it ends.

Aesthetically, I don't like the look and feel of Windows 10, but that is likely due in part to my comfort and familiarity with Windows 7.

It looks like I will have little choice in the matter when support for Windows 7 ends. Maybe by 2020, Windoze 10 will have improved- but I'm not holding my breath.

It sounds like you have things in control, like I said I use SuperMicro MB's, they are Workstation/Server MB's. They have never failed, I just upgrade to newer models for Processor and Memory. Windows 7 was a solid OS, I went from 7 to 10 on the last Free Update when the Look and Feel remained like Windows 7. I like Windows 10, no problem with the updates, my Computer is also Hard Wired. I built my wife's Computer too, and I have a Server with Windows 7 with an old SuperMicro MB, still in operation. Like I said, good luck you should be okay. Just take if a step at a time, puts those basic parts in and get a good POST, then go from there.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Apple products are very stylish, but they are also vastly overpriced. Far less computing power per dollar spent than with a pc. For what an Apple costs, I can build a more powerful pc every time.

I like the flexibility that pcs provide. You can build your own custom machine with every single part hand selected for both quality and functionality. Every dime spent on only exactly what you want. You can readily repair a pc yourself and it is easy to perform hardware upgrades when desired. I have not seen anywhere near that kind of flexibility with an Apple.

But them Apples are pretty to look at.

For video, image editing etc.. they are unbeatable.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Seeing as I have once again gone off topic, what's a little more?

Can anyone explain this old picture to me? It is bizarre. It is my desktop wallpaper du jour.

Attachment 199680

It’s very ‘Lynch like’. Love it.

It’s called ‘The Hidden Forest’ I believe. I know what I think it means but it could mean something different to everyone.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Apple products are very stylish, but they are also vastly overpriced. Far less computing power per dollar spent than with a pc. For what an Apple costs, I can build a more powerful pc every time.

I like the flexibility that pcs provide. You can build your own custom machine with every single part hand selected for both quality and functionality. Every dime spent on only exactly what you want. You can readily repair a pc yourself and it is easy to perform hardware upgrades when desired. I have not seen anywhere near that kind of flexibility with an Apple.

But them Apples are pretty to look at.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

For video, image editing etc.. they are unbeatable.

No I'm with Vilya on this one, PC is the only way to go. I guess I should have an Apple cause the old saying was, "Apples are for Little Kids and Old People." As for Video and Image Editing, if you put in good components PC's work very well. Like I said, I use to do Back-ups on DVD's and Blu-ray. The PC I have now did a fantastic job on these.

[Groot]

I’m a designer and I wouldn’t use anything but Apple at this point. The fluidity of their OS and the way it handles programs for graphics and designs are in a league of their own.

I didn’t convert until around 8 years ago but you couldn’t drag me back to Windows now. I have tried newer Windows too. It’s just no where near as good.

Me and steeldeel agree on something here. Frogs may soon be falling from the sky.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Groot

I’m a designer and I wouldn’t use anything but Apple at this point. The fluidity of their OS and the way it handles programs for graphics and designs are in a league of their own.

I didn’t convert until around 8 years ago but you couldn’t drag me back to Windows now. I have tried newer Windows too. It’s just no where near as good.

Me and steeldeel agree on something here. Frogs may soon be falling from the sky.

I have often heard that Apple is preferred by those who work in graphic arts, video, etc.

It did not escape me when visiting my local newspaper office that practically every desk had an Apple computer on it. I am confident that it was no coincidence.

But for my purposes, a pc is ideal. I like being able to build, repair, and upgrade them myself. In terms of raw computing power, my dollar goes further with a custom built machine. Not a cent is spent on anything I do not need or want. The range of available software is also unmatched. Everyone programs software for a pc.

My pc building project got postponed another week, pre-empted by Mother's Day.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have often heard that Apple is preferred by those who work in graphic arts, video, etc.

It did not escape me when visiting my local newspaper office that practically every desk had an Apple computer on it. I am confident that it was no coincidence.

But for my purposes, a pc is ideal. I like being able to build, repair, and upgrade them myself. In terms of raw computing power, my dollar goes further with a custom built machine. Not a cent is spent on anything I do not need or want. The range of available software is also unmatched. Everyone programs software for a pc.

My pc building project got postponed another week, pre-empted by Mother's Day.

I couldn’t be bothered with all that malarkey. Life’s too short.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I couldn’t be bothered with all that malarkey. Life’s too short.

Been retired since 2006; I have time for malarkey, baloney, "B" movies, these forums, and impromptu tomfoolery.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Been retired since 2006; I have time for malarkey, baloney, "B" movies, these forums, and impromptu tomfoolery.

Lucky man. Another 20 years at least for me!

[stonesfan129]

Apple products are not a good value. For example, one can build a vastly superior-performing PC for what one would pay for an iMac. Or take the iPhone. An Android phone can use microSD cards which are available up to 400gb now, and you don't have to pay for a new device to get more storage space.

[Vilya]

I have had three straight nights of internet outages and all beginning around 8 PM. Sometimes they are brief and other times they last for several minutes.

My ISP says there is a faulty cable card to blame and that the signal to noise ratio has been hitting 100% noise. I am scheduled for my second tech visit on Tuesday. It always seems to take my ISP several attempts to fix anything.

I sure am glad I don't rely on the internet to watch my movies. I would have been left to twiddle my thumbs for three consecutive nights and counting.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have had three straight nights of internet outages and all beginning around 8 PM. Sometimes they are brief and other times they last for several minutes.

My ISP says there is a faulty cable card to blame and that the signal to noise ratio has been hitting 100% noise. I am scheduled for my second tech visit on Tuesday. It always seems to take my ISP several attempts to fix anything.

I sure am glad I don't rely on the internet to watch my movies. I would have been left to twiddle my thumbs for three consecutive nights and counting.

I would never settle for bad trouble shooting, if a Tech gives me the run around I ask for a better Tech that know what they are doing. You have to understand your ISP capabilities, whether it's load balancing or bad Facilities. The Tech has to be able to test for readings, and tell you where the problem lies. To me it sounds like a balance problem since it starts around 8pm, but in todays environment with Cord-Cutters and more people Streaming Video these problems will just multiply. So if you are limited on ISP's, and can't change to a better one. Then you either live with it and work with the Facilities they have, or unite your Home Owners to find a better solution.

[Vilya]

They credited my bill for one week's worth of service, but only after I insisted upon it.

I own my modem and router, instead of leasing theirs, and my ISP always starts by trying to blame it on my hardware. Once we get past that ritual, they finally admit the problem lies with their system.

It always take multiple service calls because the first tech wastes most of his time confirming that my hardware is fine. When he leaves he usually tells me something to the effect that he has put in a maintenance request for someone else to repair something on the network.

When that doesn't happen, the next tech comes along and he plays around outside most of his visit. It sometimes takes two, three, even four tech visits before things get repaired.

The repair will last for at most three months and then the cycle begins anew. I think the entire network is held together with duct tape and twisty ties.

The only other internet provider here offers antiquated DSL service with speeds only a caveman would be impressed with- 18 Mbps download at most. And they are just as unreliable.

There are only two choices for an ISP here: Dumb and Dumber. The only thing about them you can count on are service outages and rate hikes. These two clown services know they are the only game around and they just don't care- they remind me of the Lily Tomlin phone operator routine on the old TV show Laugh In where she would famously say:

[Groot]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Apple products are not a good value. For example, one can build a vastly superior-performing PC for what one would pay for an iMac. Or take the iPhone. An Android phone can use microSD cards which are available up to 400gb now, and you don't have to pay for a new device to get more storage space.

It’s not the storage. It’s the OS, the interconnected network, the way it runs software, etc. I’ve still got old MacBook Pros that work, they are very well built machines. The continued support for older hardware is great for the community. I’ve recently upgraded to new products but the fact I can, when I chose to, keep running old Macs for other tasks with new features is awesome.

I’m sure some of the new gaming built PCs could run fine and be kick ass in speed tests, but at the end of the day the solid OS and how it handles things keeps Apple products at the forefront for certain demographics.

I used to have Samsung Galaxy phones, stopped around Galaxy 3, never going back to android after using my iPhone and networking my iMac and iPad Pro. It’s so easy to draw on my iPad and instantly send and do editing back and forth on other devices. It’s just ...simple.

They have had some recent issues under Tim Cook but not enough to deter me with them.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have had three straight nights of internet outages and all beginning around 8 PM. Sometimes they are brief and other times they last for several minutes.

My ISP says there is a faulty cable card to blame and that the signal to noise ratio has been hitting 100% noise. I am scheduled for my second tech visit on Tuesday. It always seems to take my ISP several attempts to fix anything.

I sure am glad I don't rely on the internet to watch my movies. I would have been left to twiddle my thumbs for three consecutive nights and counting.

As of 2020, I understand UK customers will be compensated for every hour they are without internet connection. That should get them into action!

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Groot

It’s not the storage. It’s the OS, the interconnected network, the way it runs software, etc. I’ve still got old MacBook Pros that work, they are very well built machines. The continued support for older hardware is great for the community. I’ve recently upgraded to new products but the fact I can, when I chose to, keep running old Macs for other tasks with new features is awesome.

I’m sure some of the new gaming built PCs could run fine and be kick ass in speed tests, but at the end of the day the solid OS and how it handles things keeps Apple products at the forefront for certain demographics.

I used to have Samsung Galaxy phones, stopped around Galaxy 3, never going back to android after using my iPhone and networking my iMac and iPad Pro. It’s so easy to draw on my iPad and instantly send and do editing back and forth on other devices. It’s just ...simple.

They have had some recent issues under Tim Cook but not enough to deter me with them.

The same could be said about Windows 10 for how the OS handles everything. I have had ZERO issues on my own PC. I spend just over $1200 and my PC runs circles around the iMacs at that price. I still have my 10-year old Toshiba Satellite laptop btw, dual-booting between Windows 10 and Linux Mint 18.3 and the only issue I can really speak of is having to replace the battery once. I have an iPhone SE and do like it. The thing is just so simple and easy to use. As stated, my only gripe is that you can't really upgrade the storage space - so I have to carry around a separate player for all my music.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

The same could be said about Windows 10 for how the OS handles everything. I have had ZERO issues on my own PC. I spend just over $1200 and my PC runs circles around the iMacs at that price. I still have my 10-year old Toshiba Satellite laptop btw, dual-booting between Windows 10 and Linux Mint 18.3 and the only issue I can really speak of is having to replace the battery once. I have an iPhone SE and do like it. The thing is just so simple and easy to use. As stated, my only gripe is that you can't really upgrade the storage space - so I have to carry around a separate player for all my music.

As a newly converted digital enthusiast, I wouldl have thought you would be using Spotify or Apple Music, no?

[Groot]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

The same could be said about Windows 10 for how the OS handles everything. I have had ZERO issues on my own PC. I spend just over $1200 and my PC runs circles around the iMacs at that price. I still have my 10-year old Toshiba Satellite laptop btw, dual-booting between Windows 10 and Linux Mint 18.3 and the only issue I can really speak of is having to replace the battery once. I have an iPhone SE and do like it. The thing is just so simple and easy to use. As stated, my only gripe is that you can't really upgrade the storage space - so I have to carry around a separate player for all my music.

The difference is how the system is designed and handles tasks. Apple isn’t selling gaming devices, these models are marketed towards designers, educators, app developers, students, etc.

It’s really odd to compare a gaming PC to an entry level iMac, unless you also at that price point are including a 4K Retina monitor.

And that’s awesome you have a working old laptop. My point was the continued free upgrades and support directly by Apple. You won’t get that with most consumer based computer companies. If you do cool, I’m just referring to direct consumer sold models and Microsoft’s history.

I’m not really into bashing Windows as hey, if it works for you sweet. Apple makes solid, well made computers and I think the cost is justified for the support and system they offer.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

As a newly converted digital enthusiast, I wouldl have thought you would be using Spotify or Apple Music, no?

No. Those services require expensive data plans that I do not want to pay for. I have all my CDs ripped to FLAC files with Exact Audio Copy and then I have MusicBee set up with a playlist of my favorites. All I have to do is plug in my Fiio X1, it recognizes my microSD card as a drive, then a couple of button clicks and it syncs the songs I want. I find MusicBee to be a much better program to deal with than iTunes.