FrontRow and Codecs
I love FrontRow with a deep, abiding passion. It's the first 10-foot interface I've used that gives you access to all your media in an easy-to-use way, and in comparison to other applications like that that I've used, well... there's really no comparison.The only thing that makes it frustrating is that a lot of video that you find out there is encoded using some oddball codec or other that Quicktime doesn't recognize, and if Quicktime can't play it, then FrontRow can't handle it.
In some cases, if you have a lot of videos that aren't encoded using an installed codec, then FrontRow will either slow down tremendously as it tries to build a preview, freeze when you try and play a video, or it just seizes up entirely when you access a folder that has an offending video in it.
But, there's a fix for this, as you might imagine. Install Perian and all your problems will melt away. As a bonus, Perian also has the easiest install process of any codec I've seen. Just double-click on the preference pane, it opens up System Preferences, and installs the relevant components. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
posted by bshort
July 25, 2007
@ 9:16 PM
0 comments
Chipmunk Propaganda Module
We went up to Boston a couple of weeks ago to see friends and family, and were confronted with a ravening horde of nature's fiercest rodents: the chipmunks. We witnessed first-hand their cunning maneuvers intended to distract us from their true purpose, namely the devouring of babies, and kept them from their goal only through planning and ingenuity and a little bit of luck.
Now, it has become clear that their intention is not only to eat our young, but to corrupt our very being through the use of the Chipmunk Propaganda Module. As you can see from the picture, this one small box can deliver enough chipmunk-laced programming to convince the skeptical, red-blooded American that chipmunks are harmless beasts worthy of our admiration and the occasional treat.
Do not be fooled! Their hunger knows no bounds! Their swift, sure paws are instruments of deception!
Soon available at a Best Buy near you.
posted by bshort
July 15, 2007
@ 3:16 PM
0 comments
