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Sirius satellite radio

15-Dec-2005

I have joined the world of satellite radio. I got Sirius mainly for Howard Stern (show premieres on 01/09/06), but am now really enjoying all the music channels.

It started on Saturday, December 10th, when I purchased a Starmate Replay ST2 radio and Home Kit at Best Buy. But I didn't open any of the packages because I wanted to see if there would be any better deals starting the next day. Sure enough, RadioShack had a better deal: buy the SIRIUS Starmate Replay Receiver and get the SIRIUS Starmate Replay Home Kit for free. Awesome, the free home kit saved me $50 and there was a $50 rebate on the radio.

The hardware setup was straightforward. I connected the radio up to my computer, placed the antenna by a window, and powered on the unit. The Starmate searched for a signal and updated its channel lineup. Then I went online, purchased a subscription plan (went with the lifetime subscription) and activated the radio.

The Starmate has an analog stereo line out to connect to a home audio system and a built-in FM transmitter for use in the car. The line out is clear and free of static. Testing the FM transmitter in the house produces occasional static; haven't tried it in the car yet.

I then experimented with antenna placement. Signals can be received from satellites or terrestrial repeaters (which are more common in metropolitan areas). The radio has a signal strength indicator from 0 bars (no signal) to 10 bars (strong signal). With the antenna sitting on the window sill, it has 0 bars for satellite, but 10 bars for terrestrial. Then I moved the antenna onto my desk that is against the wall opposite the window and the signal strength varied from 6 to 10 bars, which is still plenty strong for clear sound. This was great news because now I don't have to worry about finicky placement.

There are currently about 120 channels with a variety music, talk, sports and news. 65 of those channels are devoted to music with no commercials; the other categories have commercials.

A neat feature is how quickly and easily you can scan through the channels. Because the radio has a display that shows the channel number and name, as well as, the artist and song title, you can immediately tell what the current song is before you hear a single note. If you don't like the song, just hit the button and move onto the next channel.

Another nifty feature is the Memory or Song Seek functions. When a favorite artist comes on, add her to the radio's memory. Then you'll be alerted every time one of her songs is played. How cool is that?

 

 


Film Review: Swimming Pool (2003)

16-Dec-2005

Swimming Pool (2003)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Improved AirHead

14-Dec-2005

Total BitHead

My HeadRoom Total BitHead arrived today. The Total BitHead is a high-end portable headphone amp meant to upgrade MP3 players, portable CD players, laptops, etc.

The Total BitHead has two inputs: a mini-headphone jack and a mini-USB port. The mini-headphone jack can be connected to any audio device with a headphone output. The mini-USB port connects to an USB port of a computer to bypass and upgrade the existing sound card. A mini-headphone to mini-headphone cable and a mini-USB to USB cable are included.

The Total BitHead supports two separate headphones so you can share the fun. It also features HeadRoom's Crossfeed circuit that blends some of the left channel into the right channel and vice versa to lessen the discreteness of stereo and improve imaging. I tried Crossfeed and liked it, but it'll take more listening to a wider range of material to form a better opinion. Crossfeed can be turned on or off via a front panel switch.

Four AAA batteries will provide for 40 to 60 hours of run time. The Total BitHead can also draw power from USB when that connection is used.

My main reason for getting the Total BitHead was for Tsianina, my Dell Inspiron 700m notebook, whose headphone output is riddled with static. It's difficult to watch a DVD with in-ear monitors like the Etymotic Research ER-6i. During quiet passages, the static is almost painful. But the Total BitHead lowers the noise floor significantly; the static is gone and replaced by a very low level hiss.

However, I discovered the Total BitHead doesn't work as well with my 60GB iPod Photo. The iPod Photo with the ER-6i produces glorious sound. Inserting the Total BitHead into the chain actually raised the level of background hiss. I guess I won't be using this combo much (if at all).

 

 


Film Review: The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

14-Dec-2005

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Film Review: Flavia, la monaca musulmana (1974) (AKA Flavia the Heretic)

13-Dec-2005

Flavia, la monaca musulmana (1974) (AKA Flavia the Heretic)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Movie purchase

13-Dec-2005

Picked up the new release, Virgin, and two earlier releases for cheap at Best Buy.

 

 


Film Review: Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996)

07-Dec-2005

Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Film Review: Le Notti erotiche dei morti viventi (1980) (AKA Erotic Nights of the Living Dead)

05-Dec-2005

Le Notti erotiche dei morti viventi (1980) (AKA Erotic Nights of the Living Dead)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


RIP APC UPS

04-Dec-2005

The battery for my monster-sized APC Back UPS Pro 1000 (M/N: BP1000) died today. The red Replace Battery light came on and the unit let out a long series of beeps. I quickly shut down the two computers, two monitors and integrated amp. Then I plugged everything into a much smaller 500V APC BE500U that I had on hand.

Now, what to do for a more permanent solution? A replacement battery for the BP1000 costs $110. A new unit like the BX1200 costs about $150 and the BR1200 is about $200. I'm leaning towards getting a new UPS, so it's time to look for a good deal.

 

 


New DVD player software

04-Dec-2005

Just installed Intervideo WinDVD 7 Platinum. It's working out great so far and now I can add screencaps to my reviews. Be prepared to see some lovely ladies gracing these pages soon.

 

 


Film Review: Day of the Woman (1978) (AKA I Spit on Your Grave)

02-Dec-2005

Day of the Woman (1978) (AKA I Spit on Your Grave)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Film Review: Ultimo mondo cannibale (1977) (AKA Jungle Holocaust)

02-Dec-2005

Ultimo mondo cannibale (1977) (AKA Jungle Holocaust)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Film Review: La Marche de l'empereur (2005) (AKA March of the Penguins)

02-Dec-2005

La Marche de l'empereur (2005) (AKA March of the Penguins)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Film Review: Olga's Girls (1964)

01-Dec-2005

Olga's Girls (1964)

Go to the review

 

 

 

 

 


Movie purchase

01-Dec-2005

After the rave reviews and phenomenal success, I had to get the penguin movie.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

   
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