Noc's Stuff

Dual-Boxing setup

2007-10-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here is my multi-box setup in my house

On the left are the 4 gaming rigs I built, the 5th is under the desk

Verta baby! This is what allows you to control all the PC's connected to it

Another view, These are my 5 Shaman you can't see them b/c they are in ghost wolf form

So what the hell is this? It's MMO gaming at the next level. Learn more about it here, Dual-Boxing

This is very time consuming playing this way and requires a lot of attention. Due to me being a husband/daddy now I can't devote the time to this that I once could. So it's just sitting there now.

New pics as promissed

2007-04-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

My house hasn't been the same since the birth of my daughter. All the space I had for myself before is now her space as well. You will see what I mean. My delicate area has to be gated off.

See what I mean about gating my stuff off

And some of her stuff. 1 of 3 Elmo toys

My have things changed

Opera on the Wii, It's very fast an impressive

Wiiiiiiiiiii

Oh looky here the Wii sensor bar lights up for the camera

Where's Noc in this picture?

Hmm something is missing....oh right the plants from months ago...lol

It's been a while

2007-04-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I've put anything of usefulness here. On the home front I've been with my little girl mostly having fun with here. On the console side of things I do owe you all new pics. One of these days, I promise.

I've been waiting for a good game to drop PC or console mostly console. And mostly a PS3 title. I did manage to download the latest update 1.60 and I am a folder right now LOL. I'm talking about folding@home I'm using my PS3 to help in the greater good of mankind. Doesn't that sound presidential LOL. I'm helping the research for protein folding with I don't use my PS3. It's like SETI. Basically you launch the app from the XBM on the PS3 and the program downloads a work unit from Standford Unv. My PS3 will utilize it's power and process this data until it's complete. Each work unit takes about 6-8 hours. Oh you can't do anything else while this is running. But I'm not doing anything with my PS3 right now anyway. Where are my stats so far (Nocturnalis)

Hey I'm folding

Here are the stats by OS

Check out the Stanford folding site (http://folding.stanford.edu/). It's quit nice what these guys are doing.

Anyone can leave a comment

2007-01-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

I've allowed anyone to be able to leave a comment on this blog. No registration required. Also feel free to email me listed in my profile (top right) for more detailed questions.

Thanks for stopping by.

Noc

Added some new items

2007-01-25T05:32:00.000-08:00

First, I got the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player right before the holidays. It's a nice addon. HD-DVD's look great on my setup. My only gripe is that it is having issues with DTS and the audio level is way off. Usually I'd watch a DVD at about -35 to -40dbs using the HD-DVD I have to watch it at -20dbs or higher I even cranked it all the way up to 0dbs and the sound was still horrible. This issue has been discussed over at the AVS boards.

Second, I got my hands on the Wii. Yep I got a Wii! It's very fun to play. I can tell you that you can lose weight playing with this thing. The first day I got it I was playing boxing for Wii sports and I was breaking a sweat and tiring after a few rounds. The next day I noticed my thighs hurting. I don't remember doing anything strenuos. Then it dawned on my that while I was boxing I was in the typical boxing stance with kneens bent and this is where the soreness came from. I've played boxing a tennis so far and love them both. I'll try the other later on.

Third, my palm is dying. I can't figure out for the life of me how to take care on this indoor plant. Yes my plants are real. I've just recently moved it into more sunlight to see if that will wake it up. What I'll try next is to change the soil. Maybe it's too home in my house. I don't know I'll figure it out.

More pics to come shortly.

My speaker stands

2007-01-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

I've been getting emails asking what my stands are and where I purchaced them. My stands are made by Bello.

Bello Speaker Stands
Heavy duty metal speaker stands.
Velcro strips included for mounting speakers.
Wire management.
Spikes and rubber feet included.

Bello SP-224 Dimensions:
24” (h)
7” x 7” Top Plate
Capacity up to 100 lbs
Bottom 13-1/2" rear x 11-1/4" sides x 3-1/4" front.

I got them about 3-4 years ago from I think was The Wiz (out of business). I love these stands. I've upgraded just about every other piece of my Home Theater at least once accept these. I'm even thinking about getting two more for my rare Klipsh's.

Relaxation

2006-11-30T16:46:00.000-08:00

Xbox 360 HD-DVD

2006-11-28T05:12:00.000-08:00

Yes I will be picking up one of these bad boys. I am pretty much back into my Home Theater after taking a hiatus. I have a few new toys to play with. Also there are a few movies coming out that will be either on Blue-Ray or on HD-DVD. Now only if Microsoft will hurry up with the damn 360 HDMI cable.

PSP 3.00 update is here

2006-11-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

The 3.00 update finally arrived. You can control the PS3 with this update. Here are a few blurry pics I took right after updating.

What I did notice though is that all connection to my wireless AP to the internet is gone when the PSP to PS3 remote play is active. Not sure what the deal is there but this is what just happened. I had to kill the PSP to PS3 connection to get back online to post these pics.

Here is the Lair download from the PS3 on the PSP. Sorry for the blur.

More to come when I figure the rest of this out and download more stuff :)

More Playstation 3 pics

2006-11-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

HR20 DTV DVR reciever bugs

2006-11-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

Unwatchable recording. This is driving me up the wall. The whole idea of having a DVR is to record and watch when ever you want. Well I can't watch crap that I want that I have recorded. This damn bug is getting on my nerves.

Here is what the problem looks like.

When you press play you get a black screen and on the lower right it asks you to keep or delete. When you press keep you are back to square one.

Pretty HOT!!!!

2006-11-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is the only thermometer I could find in my house. It's for my baby girl :) As you have see the PS3 has a hot exhaust. The temp went up to 109.2F then the thermometer frizzed out.

PS3 is here

2006-11-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

PSP & PS3

R:FoM

Talladaga Nights Blue-ray Disc

More to come.

Playstation 3 tomorrow

2006-11-16T11:27:00.001-08:00

Wait and see!

Some work to do. DIY mounting an LCD.

2006-11-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

So the very next weekend after getting the Sony I tore up the walls in the house. Litterally. Why? To hang the set on the wall :) I went to best buy and got the Sanus VisionMount Wall Mount for Most 30-50" Flat-Panel TVs - Black . The plan was to hide all the wires. Sounds easy huh! WRONG!

Here is what needed to be done;
1.I had to find the studs in the wall
2.mark the location
3.draw a straight level line where the mount would go
4.cut a hole for where the wires would exit to the back of the TV set
5.cut a hole in the wall for were the wire would exit to the back of all the devices
6.cut a hole in the wall near the celing to bring extra satelite and network feed to the back of the devices.
7.cut another hole for the outlet at the back of the TV
8.bring the power outlet up to the back of the TV

Here are the materials I needed;
1.stud finder
2.screwdriver
3.drill
4.drywall screws
5.replacement drywall
6.drywall putty
7.drywall tape
8.drywall saw
9.drywall knife
10.wire boxes
11.Romax electic wire (code requirement in my area)
12.electric wire box
13.outlet
14.outlet cover
15.8ft componet cables (2 sets)
16.8ft audio cables
17.15ft HDMI cable
18.time time time

Before doing any project I always research to make sure I that I have everything covered. The day before I set out to make all this happen I found some bad news that would almost crap this entire project. The info that I found out was that you cannot run power cables in the walls. I almost went into this thing thinking that I could just cut 2 holes and throw everything in and out them. Well technically you can do whatever you want really but b/c this particular thing is against building code if something were to happen like your walls catch fire you are 100% at fault. What that means is that you won't be able to just call up the insurance company and ask for a check. Once they find out you did a DIY job without doing homework and see that you ran non coded power cable in your walls you are pretty much SOL.

With that said I had to rethink my approach to this project. I thought out how to bring up an outlet to the back of where the TV would be. I went to my local Home Depot and spoke to an electric guy. He gave me the Romax wire b/c that was the recommended wire that was within code for my area. Now I have the plan and all the materials

I began my work at 4am Suturday morning. First finding studs and marking holes. Then I drilled the holes for the mount screws. Then hung the mount. Then came cutting and drilling holes and running extra feed cable from network and satelite dish. After I got that out the way it was time to put the power to the living room and bring up the power outlet to the back of the TV. I have to say that part was what had me concerned the most. I have never done electrical work before. I guess thats b/c I almost shocked myself when I was a kid. Anyway the Romax was run and the outlet was installed. Time to test. I got a lamp and plugged it in and we have light.

The next step was to patch up all the holes. I cut the drywall to the correct size and plaster/taped them up. While that was drying I pulled the cables through the holes. I was think it mid afternoon and I can finish by night. Then the unthinkable happend. The power went out in my house. My wife comes running out asking what I did and if I plugged anything in. It wasn't me. Come to find out a transformer in the neighborhood blew out due to the rain that was falling all day. while waiting for the lights to come back on I took a shower and cleaned up a bit. The lights came back on shortly after. I got my brother to help me hang the TV for the first time. What a beautiful sight.

It was already night and all I had left was to sand, prime and repaint the wall. At least my TV was mounted. The next day I covered the TV with a garbage bag and sanded the wall. Then I primed and pained.

Here are pics of the end result of my work.
(I didn't take pics of the painted wall yet)

The back, very flat against the wall.

Down behind the credenza. Thats the outlet I tapped into to bring up behind the TV. And it does still work ;)

New, slim, sleek, flush, streamline

2006-11-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

However you want to describe it the SONY KDL46XBR2 was our TV of choice. Why I chose this set. Well it has to most bang for the buck. The specs alone say it all.

Video
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 that means 1080p

Video Features
Backlight Type: WCG-CCFL (Wide Color Gamut - CCFL)
Panel Type: 178° wide viewing angle LCD display panel
7000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancement) 1300:1 static contrast ratio
Video Processing: Yes (BRAVIA Engine PRO)
DRC® MultiFunction Circuitry: Yes. (Version 2.5)
Comb Filter: 3D
Picture Modes: Vivid/ Standard/ Custom
Wide Mode: Wide Zoom/ Normal/ Full/ Zoom
Light Sensor: Yes
Noise Reduction: Yes
Game Mode: Yes

Audio Features
Sound Mode: Dynamic/ Standard/ Custom
SRS® TruSurround® XT Audio Effect: Yes
Digital Amplifier: Yes
Dolby® Digital: Yes
A/V Synch: Yes

Audio
Steady Sound® Automatic Volume Control: Yes
MTS Stereo Decoder: Yes
Audio Power Output: 22W (11W x2)

Inputs and Outputs
Composite Video Input(s): 3 (1 Side /2 Rear)
S-Video Input(s): 1 (Rear)
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr ) Input(s): 2 (Rear)
Audio In: 5 (1 Side /4 Rear)
Audio Out (Variable/Fixed): 1 (Rear)
Digital Audio Output(s): 1 (Rear)
Headphone Output(s): 1 (Side)
PC Input(s): 1 (Rear) S-Sub 15
HDMI™ Connection(s): 3 (1 Side/ 2 Rear) - 1 rear input has L/R audio inputs

Convenience Features
Picture Freeze: Yes
Favorite Channel: Yes
Channel Skip/Add: Yes
Parental Control (V-Chip): Yes
Input Skip: Yes
Power Save Mode: Yes
Clock: Yes
Sleep Timer: Yes
Timer Events: Yes
Video Label: Yes
Closed Caption (CC): Yes
ID1 Detection: Yes
Speed Surf™ Channel Selection: Yes

Power
Power Consumption (in Operation): 227W
Power Consumption (in Standby): Less than 0.5W

Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx) Width: 49.69" (1262mm) with pedestal; 49.69" (1262mm) without pedestal
Dimensions (Approx) Height: 31.3" (795mm) with pedestal; 28.89" (734mm) without pedestal
Dimensions (Approx) Depth: 12.68" (322mm) with pedestal; 4.76" (121mm) without pedestal
Weight (Approx.): 90.4 lbs (41 Kg) with pedestal; 79.4 lbs (36 Kg) without pedestal
Packaging: 54.49" x 35.75 x 14.8" (1384 x 908 x 376mm); 112.44lbs. (51kg)

Regulation and Standard Compliance
VESA: Yes
Energy Star® Compliant: Yes

General
Screen Size: 46" 1

Supplied Accessories
Remote Control (RM-YD010)
Battery (AA x2)
HD-15 to HD15 Cable
Operating Instructions
Quick Setup Guide
Pedestal Stand

Optional Accessories
CRU46X1W (Color Bezel - Artic White)
CRU46X1B (Color Bezel - Velvet Black)
CRU46X1R (Color Bezel - Scarlet Red)
CRU46X1L (Color Bezel - Pacific Blue)
CRU46X1T (Color Bezel - Sienna Brown)
Wall Mount Bracket (SU-WL51)

Colors
Medium Silver

Here it is. As you can see it's not just for watching TV.

LCD's have many advantages.

The monster is out the house

2006-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

And thank God too.

This is the monster I am referring too.

This is the Mitsubishi WS-65908. I loved this TV when I first got it. It had great spacs for it's time.

Mitsubishi's Diamond Series™ WS-65908 HD-Upgradeable Television

Features
# Anti-Glare Screen Shield
# DPM3™ (Diamond Digital Pixel Multiplier™)
# MicroFine™ Phosphor CRTs
# Motion-Adaptive 3D-Y/C 480-Line Comb Filters
# High-Speed Velocity Scan Modulation (HVSM)

DIAMOND VISION® Optical System which includes:
# Premium CRTs for a brighter image with improved focus
# Precision beam control for enhanced resolution
# Front-surface mirrors for a brighter picture and no double images
# Tru-Focus™ Lenses
# QuadField Focus
# Five Picture Format Modes
# Film Mode
# Multi-Image Viewing
# VGA Input
# DiamondBrite™ Screen
# Dynamic White Balance
# Dual progressive scan (480P)/ interlaced (480i)
# Front AV Inputs with S-Video
# 64-Point Convergence System
# AV Memory by input
# Color Temperature Control
# V-Chip Hours
# Two-way stereo speakers
# Gold-Plated Connectors
# 5-Layer Illuminated Remote Control
# Deluxe High-Gloss Cabinet
# Two-Piece Cabinet

I've had it for over 5 years now (more). As of late I've begun to hate it b/c of it's massive physical size. look at it's back.

So my wife and I agreed on replacing it. You might already see who it's replacement is.

My setup

2006-11-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

My current setup;

SONY KDL46XBR2
HARMAN KARDON AV 630
Klipsh Bookshelf systems
HR20-700
Panasonic Progressive Scan DVD
Xbox 360
Sony Playstation 3 soon to come.

Back again with Home Theater talk

2006-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

So I am back again. Like my other blog I've been here before. More to come.