SteelSkin.net - The Ramblings of Chris Nutt

Hi Folks! Do you ever have a tech itch you can’t scratch?

I really feel like buying a new device, but there are so many shiny objects to choose.

I really fancy going HD, but I have yet to find a TV I would be happy with and I have no idea when Freesat is going to go live for HD broadcasts. I would ideally like some sort of nice all in one solution like a PS3+PlayTV that uses Freesat rather than Freeview. That way I would have HD games, HD TV and HD Video all in one solution. I’d probably get a nice surround sound setup, either a descreet Logitech system or a components system. I am no audiophile though so really all this multi hundred pound systems are a waste on me.

I have never owned a laptop, but the buses I commute on now offer power outlets and free wifi so a nice little EeePC would be a great addition to my bag. I’ve allways like the 12″ Apple G4s so something nice an portable would go down great.

My Mp3 Player died recently, it was a little trooper. Costing around £70 and 20GB in size it really spoiled me, so  I am aghast at the tied in or size deficient players now available. What the hell has happened to the MP3 player market? I thought it was now uncool to be tied in to one system? I fancy one of the new Sony players, but the Bluetooth and noise canceling seem to have bumped the price up :/

HD seems to be building up steam, but I am still amazed how inconsistent the current setup is and how much potential flux there is in the market.

TVs, HD TVs aren’t actually that hard to get and becuase of the slimmer design more can be sold in retail stores per square foot versus say old school CRTs. This seems to have prematurly bumped out technology that is quite valid for technology that seems to have a low amount of content available for it.

Broadcast TV, there is still no HD Freeview available, SKY and Virgin sell HD as a premium option. This contrasts heavily with the TV equipment market that is almost all HD now. So upscaling seems to be the norm and not ideal.

DVDs, DVD is still the King, HD-DVD seems to be failing in the face of Blu-Ray, but the protracted war has ment that another HD content stream is a trickle where it should be a flood. Upcsaled DVDs look nice, but why not just view them on a good SD screen?

Game Consoles, finally somewhere with real HD content and a vibrant constant supply. With the PS3 and Xbox 360 you have two estabilished systems both with a decent selection of HD Games.

Check out the man in action: