Recent Comments:
Exceptional Innovation shows off Media Center distributed audio {Engadget}
Mar 19th 2007 1:47AM Figure on spending $1500 to $5000 for the software license (it's based upon how many devices you hook up to it). If you want access to tech support that's another 8% a year, and if you want access to software upgrades that's another 8% a year. Lifeware's pricing model is a bit screwed up. The dealer configuration software is pretty crummy too, but if you're a user then that's not your problem. buying lifeware's devices will send you to the poor house just about as quickly as AMX or Crestron. What you should do is buy your own touchpanel, install XP embedded and roll your own. Other things Lifeware doesn't do well are video distribution, take full advantage of the default menu navigation structure in Windows Media Center (though they're supposed to address this in a future release) (i.e. you have to navigate to a room to then access weather information instead of just clicking a weather button in the initial menu...duh. They're spending an absolute ton of money on marketing at the moment. I was at the Electronic House Expo, which they sponsored and they had a big presence there. Advantage over Crestron is that you don't have to learn a programming language to add a device and its commands. They have an interface called UDI (i.e. Universal Device Interface or something) that allows an installer to add in codes for devices that are not on the partner list....So, if you want to do video switching and lifeware doesn't support it out of the box, you could add the RS-232 codes via the UDI and get lifeware to talk to your new device. Much better than calling up your Crestron programmer and having them charge you 8 hours at $100/hr to add your device.
I'm considering becoming a dealer for them but they're still kinda pricey.
Upravlator inbound and Optimus update from Art Lebedev {Engadget}
Oct 16th 2006 7:54PM I'm still waiting for the f'ing Optimus mini-three I paid for ages ago.
Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox Tuner! {Engadget}
Sep 28th 2006 1:26PM Analog? What the heck are you doing on this blog? I want a SlingBox Pro.
If I were rocking it, it'd be OTA, not crappy cable.
PSP Double Expand gives you two memory slots on the ugly {Engadget}
Sep 28th 2006 1:18PM Yeah it's ugly but it's all Sony's damned fault to begin with. The f'in PSP should have a hard drive....period....and I know why they didn't do it, but they should have, would've destroyed the market for a bunch of the other PMPs, even taken a chunk out of the video iPod's market share. Proprietary memory standards....BAH...when will they learn?
Engadget's relaunch giveaways: some Slingboxes {Engadget}
Sep 21st 2006 12:24AM SportsNight....I don't care if Aaron Sorkin is on coke or not, his shows are damned well written and entertaining. And hey what would go better with my two Slingboxes, than another two Slingboxes?
Neuros OSD hardware out in beta, let the hacking begin! {Engadget}
Sep 20th 2006 9:53AM I can't code worth a damn either but I bought one anyway.
Engadget's Cleaning Out Our Closet Contest {Engadget}
Aug 16th 2006 3:18PM I think in your closet there must've been some porn, what closet doesn't have porn after all. So I'll take any Hustlers, Cheri, WomenBiggerThanYouAreDoingOtherWomen magazines that you guys have. I have my own gadget graveyard....now, if only I worked for Engadget I could pawn all of my stuff off on my readers. I'm too lazy to sell it on eBay. Besides what do you do with a prototype AOLTV box anyway other than show it to your other geeky friends?
Europeans working on anti-hijacking software {Engadget}
Jul 26th 2006 10:07AM Except when the pilots go to the bathroom...and they position the rolling cart to block the aisle.
Westinghouse DPF-0701 shows multiple shots per frame {Engadget}
Jul 13th 2006 1:19PM These are great, never even occurred to me to have a mosaic feature. I've given away lots of the current model as gifts, people love 'em.
DirecTV Titanium: the ultimate couch potato package {Engadget}
Jun 19th 2006 11:10AM Hmm, I already have three HD DirecTivos, and 9 SD DirecTivos and I don't have enough time to watch everything I record as it is. Who is in their target market here exactly besides professional athletes and CEOs? Actually, I bought five HD DirecTivos when they first came out at $1000 a pop so $7500 would've been a good deal (if they let you keep the boxes after having the service for a year).
