commandN #130 (April 22nd, 2008)

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HD enthusiasts crying foul over cable TV's crunched signals
Google Results labeled 'This site may harm your computer'
Skype to offers unlimited calling packages
New GTA Good or Bad for Gamers
Six Apart Acquires Apperceptive, Expands Offerings For Bloggers
Mini Webpick

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Monster Cable It 

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Comments

[Joe Dawson]

Hi Guys,

Your understanding of the HD compression issue is somewhat right but not quite correct. The big issue is that Cable and more so Satellite providers have a fixed amount of bandwidth that they can play with for all channels. For a satellite provider they would have to give a new receiver system to every home and have new frequency spectrum allocation to increase there bandwidth. Cable providers have many more options, as they can place less homes on a single node and run fiber out to each node to increase there bandwidth. In the ultimate configuration like Verizon cable in the USA you could run fiber out to each home and just put a fiber to cable converter on it just before it enters the house.

Each provider wants to say that they provide the most HD channels. If they have already hit the limit to the bandwidth there infrastructure can provide they will have to compress every channel a little more for each channel they add. In the end you have a lot of HD channels and big fat blocky pixels in action sequences.

Until customers become much more educated to understand that having highly compressed HD isn’t that much of an advantage. Give me the channels I want and hold the compression please….

All the best,

Joe Dawson
Newfoundland

[Raj]

Bit off topic guys but am I right in saying the Rogers are really the only GSM provider in Canada? If so, any recommendations plan wise for the iPhone?

[Sgtret]

Maybe I was wrong about going outside. The harsh light coming from the right made this painful to watch. Mike holding up the pad lit his face, but more often his tummy. Mike also hogged the mike. Jeff coming on with his cabels was a visual and audio relief.

I feel like a spoiled brat complaining. It is you who have spoiled us. Loved the bit with Beta!

[Scott Advani]

Joe, Fido is also a GSM provider. However, they are owned by Rogers. I have not heard of anyone putting an iPhone on Fido, but technically could be possible.

I've been hearing that Rogers' network is compatible with the phantom specs for the iPhone 2 (the S-GOLD3 chipset reportedly supports 3G speeds over HSDPA).

So, the only things preventing the iPhone 2 coming to Canada when it drops is the will and any legal challenges (possibly to the use of the iPhone trade name).

[Alex]

G'day Amanda, which beach in Oz was that? I hope you had a good time with us Aussies!

Will and Mike - Hmm ... just an observation - but was this episode really rushed or something? It looked a bit like a powerplay for the head presenters position!! Hehehe. And yes - clipboards serve well as light boards when required!

Jeff - I love the Cable-It system ... I plan on getting me some of that for sure!

I love watching every episode and look forward to the next!

[Joe Dawson]

I can only agree with everyone else who said the video and audio quality (Will's audio) was very poor.

Maybe we are just spoiled with the high level of quality we have grown custom to seeing from CommandN.

And like other I think the cable system was great. If not for the fact that I have a personal embargo on Monster Cables due to the type of frivolous law suites they place on others. I would definitely invest in that cable system.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/funny_pages_20/2008/04/monster-cable-v.html

[Darren Swartzendruber]

I notice that you have a MP3 version of each episode. What is the RSS feed for it? I want to listen to it from within Google Reader. Ultimately, I would like to play any of the video versions from within Google Reader - I just do not think that is possible yet. Thanks.

[Joe Dawson]

Oh no... Not another post from that Dawson guy! c'mon... ;)

Anyway guys I just wanted to let you know that show 130 isn't showing up as a Podcast on any of your podcast feeds.

[Amber Mac]

Hi all,

Thank you for the feedback! It was fun to watch Mikey and Will together, always entertaining ;).

Am looking forward to getting back in the saddle next week, and much thanks to Mikey for stepping in for me!!!

-A

[Amber Mac]

@Joe - we'll check in with Brian about the iTunes feed, but I'm sure he is on top of it!

[SteveintheUK]

@Will, Mikey and Brian, was this episode recorded before or after you had been to the pub/coffee house? Only one hand held mic and poor use on nature lighting makes me think this was recorded after a long production meeting based around drinks somewhere.

The content was interesting once Mikey got talking on it, sorry Will missed most of what you said due to Mikey being in charge of the only mic.

@Jeff, has that Monster CableIt system only just come out in Canada? or has you only just had the need for that system due to young twins looking around for cables to pull on? I'm only asking as we have had similar, and cheaper systems to the Monster CableIt over in the UK for 5 to 10 years? I would find a link to post but it's nearly 3.30am and I have to get up at 7 so best leave that till tomorrow night. Oh one other thing Jeff, since routing all your cables though the CableIt system have you noticed any mains hum, interference of noise?

@Amber Glad we finally got to see the beach footage, but which beach was it, US or Aus? Where ever it was, you did look very at home on the beach. Hows the surfing coming along?

Glad the Blip.tv images for ep 129 are now showing up, but no sign still of ep 130 in iTunes.

[Joe Dawson]

Thanks Amber the itunes feed is now working.

[dmm]

Never put MIKE again

[TerminalDigit]

I think Beta has a hidden agenda. That comment about Sergey Brin was totally uncalled for! :-P Yes, I speak dog.

[doug]

Hey Amber

Wow, did you use an HD camera?
There was a big difference between your's and the others' vid quality.

Maybe it was just the awesome beachy backgrounds! ;)

[Mark]

Has anyone else had problems using the "command10" GoDaddy.com discount recently? I tried tonight on a order of over $50 and wasn't able to get it to work. I had to use a discount code from another podcast. I really wanted the Command-N team to get the credit from the purchase and hope to be able to use their code for my next purchase.

[Joe]

Not to be rude but...Amber can do episodes solo when Will is gone...why can't Will do some without her alone...who gave that other guy a microphone...wow...

[Amber Mac]

@Doug - nope, just the Sony PD 170!
@Mark - will get Jeff to check into this.

[Tom]

The wrong aspect ratio (among many other things) makes this a very difficult episode to watch. AR is my new pet peeve. I wish I had a dollar for every TV located in a public space, such as a hospital waiting room or mall food court, that has their AR setup incorrectly. People are made to look either tall and thin (as with this episode of CommandN) or squat and wide. As with the problem of HD compression mentioned in the episode, the transition from the 4:3 display to 16:9 can really confuse the heck out of people and leave them with a less than optimal TV experience.

[Info5Stars]

Nice site, it is 5 stars.
I bookmarked you. http://info5stars.blogspot.com/

[oz4me]

Went to Mike's website and got a warning about html/trojandownloader from my Eset Security program. Waiting to hear back from them if it is a false positive. Thought Mike would like to know.

[Mike Chet]

great tech show ... if jc hutchins was well received by Mike (and listeners), he will also love Scott Sigler - free sci-fi audiobooks that are WELL WORTH a listen ... scottsigler.com.

show suggestion: more free mac software reviews or system tips

mike certainly added an element of comedy to the show - which is never a bad thing.
thanks

[No More Mike Please]

Love the show, but as soon as I see Mike, I have to turn it off. Let Will go solo when Amber is away (and vice versa), I really find Mike grating.