Robots Redux

While cleaning out the hard drive I found parts of an old project I did several years ago. It was lost during the move to Colorado (it got backed up on media that didn't survive the trip). Here is an AO render of what's left. Most of the models are a rev or two out of date, but you get the idea. I'll be using it for speed testing a dual Xeon server I'm fixing up for my poor man's render farm.

This is the lighting test done shortly before the crash and burn. It was halted just after the (still) mysterious robot color change in frame 293.

Now would be a good time to wash this taste out of your mouth by going to see "Wall-E", Pixar's latest film by the guy who directed "Nemo" and helped write "Toy Story".

Kelvin

On a Scale From Ichi to Ju, I Give It A Hachi

I've been feeling down lately, with everybody buying PS3s to go with their XBox 360s and such. So much technology, so little money. So to hop on the technology bandwagon, we ordered a Roku, the new Netflix enabled video streaming appliance for your TV.

A lot has been made about how Blockbuster is fighting back against Netflix, and how Netflix is spending big bucks to get ready for the next round in the movie rental wars. The Roku is the first shot, with more salvos on the way (LG is reported to have a Netflix enabled Bluray machine launching before Christmas). I'll live with it a few more weeks before final judgment, but so far I'm reasonably impressed.

1. Its small and inexpensive. A review I read slammed it for its styling (or lack thereof). Frankly, I have ethernet switches in my junk box bigger than this. If you have a boxed set of Law and Order next to your DVD player, you've already taken up more space than the Roku. Plus, tricking it out would have pushed it over the magic $99 price point.

2. Its easy to use. The interface is clean and has very few levels. The setup is simple, the hardest part being the entry of your wireless access code using the teeny remote.

3. The picture quality is good. Not great, but good. Looks fine on a standard TV. HD sets may make this a moot point very soon.

Not so impressive:

1. It streams from Netflix. Period. It is not a browser or MP3 player or anything else. In fact, you have to go to Netflix first and put programs into your queue to use the Roku. You can't add selections from the interface. So put on your slippers and trek out to the laptop on the kitchen table, you lazy bum.

2. I had to use HDMI input to my flatscreen. I only have two, and they are hooked up to my cable box and upscaling DVD player. The component outputs did not make my HD set happy, so I had to sacrifice the DVD players connection. So I'm using a rare resource to pump SD video into my HD set. The firmware needs to be upgraded for this. Of course, since the box doesn't do HD yet, an upgrade is already in the works. (of course, upgrades promised are just that. Promised.)

3. Content. Everybody's complaint, and the biggest thing keeping this from being a kyuu or even a ju. A lot of TV shows are available, and some that aren't available even in DVD form from Netflix. But movies are pretty poor in the selection department. Until then, you can spend hours upon hours catching up on the new Doctor Who or reliving AJ and Rick's exploits in San Diego without really missing the movie selection. But You Will. Maybe not now, or next week, but soon, and for the rest of your...

...oh, who has time for blogging when you can rewatch the episode where Higgins has to give Zeus and Apollo their bordetella boosters?

Kelvin

(BTW I still haven't mastered my Sega Dreamcast, so an Xbox would pretty much be a waste in my living room).