Massive Storage Suggestions Needed

I've just purchased two 2Tb drives, one from Staples, one from Smalldog. Both suck because they're USB. The Macintosh tax at Staples was $200 for Firewire 800. Amazon didn't offer reasonable 2Tb drives with non USB interfaces. And I'm staying clear of WD for the moment.

Despite trying to help, SmallDog only had USB drives in 2Tb.

It took 2 days to zero out the sectors on the LaCie, which I did to hopefully find bad sectors, major failures, etc.

It took 20 hours to copy 700Gb from a Firewire drive to the Seagate USB.

It took 2 days to mirror that data to the LaCie USB drive. Unacceptable.

2Tb isn't going to last long. So I need to get something bigger. Raid 5 support. I've been considering the LaCie 4big 8Tb. 8Tb would last for a long time. and I could backup to the pleothora of drives I've got lying around.

Drobo is 100% out of the question. I've heard good and bad stories, and the bad are horror stories. I intend to load the drives once, and so I don't get any advantage. Promise DAS is another option. But about $700 for a 4Tb version. I'd rather spend the money and be done with it.

Any other good, safe, reliable, options? I'm only looking for solutions that attach directly to the machine preferably Firewire 800 or eSATA, no Network Attached Storage.

$1400 is my max budget. That's amazon's price for the 4big 8Tb model. Ideas?

What the hell, I even stuck a LaCie wish list with it on it here just in case there's someone who really loved Stepwise and wants to make my decision easy and is sitting on a pile of dough.

Suggestions for Drobo will be ignored. It simply isn't he solution for me.

Hit me up on twitter at @sanguish to give me your suggestions!

I'd never expect anyone to buy it for me, that'd be nuts. But then again, I know some nutty people via Stepwise.

Thanks for input

iTunes Store adds The Prisoner (Classic)

The iTunes Store has added the classic episodes of The Prisoner. This version should not be confused with the new version that is beginning it's run on American Movie Classics (iTunes link).

"I am not a number. I'm a free man!"

Originally broadcast in 1967, the series is about a british secret agent who is kidnapped after resigning, and is relocated to The Village, an island town that really exists (Portmeirion). He is assigned and referred to only as "Number Six". The plots involve his attempts to find out who "Number One" is and getting off the island.

The transfer appears about the same as the ripped copies of my A&E set. But at least there is a definitive order to these. There has always been an ongoing controversy about the episode order, even amongst the original director and Patrick McGoohan.

The description says restored and digitally remastered, but they didn't look different than the DVDs I have. I wonder if they were as well.

Regardless, excellent series, one of my absolute favorite classic television guilty pleasures. Be seeing you.

Loads of new HD content on AppleTV for purchase

Today a huge load of new HD content appeared on the AppleTV for purchase. Including many of the Pixar movies, in HD!

Many are also available for rent, or have dates coming up for rental in the next few weeks or so.

I purchased the Terminator 2 HD ($12.99, one of the rare films not $19.99) and a couple of other cheaper ones, largely to show that there is a market for slightly cheaper content.

The Terminator 2 HD was updated recently with the iTunes Plus content. That makes it just like a DVD (although no commentary track I don't think). Extra features, a menu, etc. It's an interesting approach. The featurette with James Cameron and John Knoll was especially interesting.

But price is what is holding me back. I'm already having to spend significant amounts of money for storage of all this data. $19.99 seems just at the brink of too high. I know that Apple doesn't set the prices, it's likely the studios. But twice the price of much of the SD content, and for HD that isn't the quality of BluRay, seems high. I think $15 is the sweet spot. $10 is my "I'll buy this DVD without thinking or guilt" level. Seems $15 for HD, that I still need to backup and store would be about right. I've bought BluRay disks on sale, and yet I have no player. (Now, these were things like Stargate, Blade Runner... for $10).

Mind you, everyone always complains about price. Me included it seems. :-)

Update November 13: I think more were added today. The biggest problem. The type is tiny. Apple clearly wants me to buy a new TV. Hear that dear? :-)

AppleTV 3.0.1 Update

I (and I assume other registered AppleTV owners) just got an email that there is an important update to 3.0.1.

If you've installed the Apple TV 3.0 software update, you should immediately update to version 3.0.1. This prevents content from temporarily disappearing until it is resynced.

For more information read the AppleCare article at

Storage Junkie

I'm a storage junkie.

No, my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder doesn't include hoarding. I have been digitizing my video collection. I have almost 1Tb of iTMS content and more ripped content.

The problem is storage. Safe storage. Backed up storage.

I don't have a satisfactory solution, or budget (about 1K)

My friend Andrew as recommended LaCie 4Big Quadra either 6Tb or 8Tb, and I respect his opinion. He's got one and has had success ,plus you can pull drives and not send the entire unit back (I never send back busted drives, I have 15 years of busted drives in a box.

Others have recommended Drobo, but I don't want that solution. I'll populate all at once, and all same size. I don't want 25-40 mystery rebuilds.

Promise DAS is another suggested solution, but I can't get details on the suggested Raid settings, etc.

Honestly, I just want to be able to use drives in a unit as separate drives, and then I'll back them up manually using external drives. I dunno.

I did manage to pick up a 2Tb external Seagate drive that was $179 at Best Buy. Staples (since I don't go to Best Buy) price matched. They were stunned at the difference in price. Would have bought a second for easier backup if they'd had two.

Get home, ready to set it up on the desk (piled high with power bricks and extension cords. No empty slots.

Defying Gravity and TV Networks

First let me say, the big TV networks suck.

Defying Gravity was an amazing show on ABC. It was created by the same guy the created Grey's Anatomy (I think). It was part Sci-Fi and drama rolled into one. Way better and it made more sense than either Lost or Heroes.

It had the potential for 7 seasons, if they had visited all the planets they were supposed to.

ABC cancelled it after 8 episodes. A key episode, where we finally were about to see the item they were carrying.

They just killed it right there. 8 weeks in. We'll never know what happens.

The Canadian SciFi channel (unlike that US abomination ScyFy) is still carrying the last of the series (I believe 13 episodes and a making of short). They're available on the Canadian iTMS store. These were great actors. Ron Livingston and Laura Harris, to name just two.

But US residents are screwed. Instead we watch utter dreck like idiotic dancing show,and stupid cake decorating shows. If it wasn't for David Letterman, Craig Ferguson, John Steward, Colbert Report, Mythbusters, and Dirty Jobs, I wouldn't even have anything but my AppleTV.

TV execs are total morons.

AppleTV 3.0

Apple upgraded the AppleTV today to version 3.0. This is strictly a software update with a whole new look.

Here is the new UI.

It's a considerable change over the existing 2.x user interface. You'll rely much more on search to find movies and TV shows. Podcasts are about the same. YouTube simply takes you to the existing YouTube user interface. And Genius mixes are also supported.

The one significant new feature is support for Internet Radio. I've never been a big fan of this, but I know some are and this will likely satisfy them.

The Web site also talks about iTunes Extras available for certain movies that are "available with select movies, gives you special features that let you go behind the scenes of your favorite films"

The biggest disappointment is that the ability to have multiple audio tracks (for example a commentary track and the normal tracks) on ripped DVDs is still broken.

Review: Stargate SG-1 - Children of the Gods

Tonight I watched the new DVD release “Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods”. I think the point to take away is that this is not entirely new material. That was my original expectation, an unseen pilot. Nope, just a re-cut and edited version of the first episode, but it was worth it.

The transfer seemed excellent, and was widescreen, not full-screen as it was originally broadcast.

What Changed Technically

A “Back to the Beginning” featured is included on the DVD, but not with the AppleTV SD version (sadly). This section covers some of the information in that featurette.

The visual effects have been enhanced (although done in a garish George Lucas fashion.) Most you’ll never notice until you watch the featurette and Brad Wright points them out side by side.

Some of these enhancements to correct damage to the film, scratches and such. That damage had caused the original episode to be edited differently to remove the damage. Modern digital technology allows that damage to be fixed, and the originally scripted interaction to be replaced.

All the event horizon puddles were all redone (apparently the event horizon effects were the majority of the cost in the original special effects budget, done by three different vendors and each looked slightly different). It’s a bit amusing that you can do similar effects now using the Mac that I’m writing this entry on.

Christopher Judge’s (the character Teal’c) performance was re-recorded (apparently he was freezing) Side by side it’s obvious in his performance. The new looping vs the old dialog strengthens the character.

Samantha Carter’s introduction is much stronger. I won’t say more than that, but it’s much better compared to the original insisted by the studio.

Goodies

A commentary track featuring co-creator Richard Wright and actor Richard Dean Anderson (the character Jack O’Neal) are included on the DVD.

Also, the original soundtrack by Joel Goldsmith replaces the original music.

If you buy the series for the first season, buy this as well. then watch it instead of the first episode.

Fortunately, I’m a huge fan of the entire series (and even the new Stargate Universe series). A big enough fan that my youngest is named after the character played by James Spader in the original movie. Buying this disk was a no-brainer for me.

If you’re not a huge Stargate fan, you can probably pass (except for that first season idea). If you’ve never seen the series, but have seen the movie, you might find it worth renting via Netflix or your local video store.

Unfortunately, the AppleTV version (at least in the US) is only available as SD content, for rental or purchase.

You can purchase the DVD through amazon using this link: Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods - DVD

Finding DVD Cover Art

I've starting moving my DVD collection to iTunes so I can watch the movies on our AppleTVs. The biggest hurdle (aside from patience as these things take forever to transcode) is finding good quality cover art to attach to the media.

I mentioned this conundrum on Twitter tonight and got several answers (in minutes!) that have been a big help.

First Chuck Toporek (awesome friend to the Mac book author community) suggested looking on the DVD itself for an image. Duh, never thought of that. I'll have to check in the future.

Andrew Abernathy, one of the Omni crew (and someone I get to see far too infrequently) mentioned that he uses movie posters and suggested impawards.com as another source. This led to a few nice finds. (corrected URL - thanks Andrew)

@jakressaty hit it right out of the park though, pointing me to getvideoartwork.com. The search is poor, but browsing finds some excellent cover art, and often in several different sizes and versions.

Now only if I could find a good cover picture for the cult classic Big Meat Eater which finally came out on DVD.

Update: An associate of Laurence Keane's (a writer of Big Meat Eater) came across this posting. She was kind enough to send me the original DVD box art (without the extra DVD markups and text)! She did it entirely spontaneously. Big shout out to Elvira and Utopia Pictures.

Relocating My iTunes Library and Consolidating Content

My iTunes content has been out of control. As I've been ripping my DVDs and importing them into iTunes for use on the AppleTV things have become unmanageable.

• My primary media drive was 5Gb short of being full.
• My backup was full and unable to backup anymore (danger!)
• I had more media to rip, and was unable to move forward.

I had been moving bits and pieces of programs to different volumes just to keep ahead. Documenting what was moving where so I could restore it properly.

Tonight I dug out a LacCie 300Gb 400/800/USB drive and moved all my media onto that single drive. I did it by creating a single directory, and then copied the files into the appropriate locations by hand (after loads of suggestions via Twitter). When I relaunched iTunes and set the directory in the Advanced preferences to the new location, things seem to be OK.

As a precaution I ejected the original volume first, so it wouldn't move multiple copies. It'll take a few days to be sure, but I think it worked out.

Followup Syncing to the Apple TV is giving me 63 errors of files that can't be moved. This could use much better feedback. I'll have to see what I can figure out.

Next I want to make links to the TV Shows and Movies directories. These take up huge amounts of storage and I'd like to separate these for easier backup.

I also need to get the backup machine replaced. It's an old G4 running Tiger.

Followup All didn't go quite as smooth as I'd hoped. I ended up deleting all the XML files in ~/Music and rebuilding the library by re-importing. Maybe the best solution is to put the music on a single machine that syncs with the AppleTV, and Movies and other media on a second machine that simply streams to them. Ponder, Ponder. Anyone want to give me a load of storage media?

Left 4 Dead and Mirror's Edge - Follow-up

Having spent some time playing the full version of both these games, I wanted to follow up on my initial impressions from the demos.

Left 4 Dead - This game doesn't hold up very well in single player mode. The game is divided into several different scenarios, and then each of those is divided up into 5 levels. The first scenario is the best, and you get to play the first level of it in the demo. Get to the hospital at all costs to be rescued. Even on easy there is a huge number of zombies on the last level just before you get rescued (I haven't managed to finish it yet).

Unfortunately, the other scenarios lack quite a bit. Some of their levels are very short. There is a very linear feel to them, you're basically driven along the same path each time. There seems to be a significant lack of balance when it comes to the various levels. Some are ridiculously easy, others are insanely hard.

It does have some good achievements in single player mode. For one of them you have to kill more than 53,000 zombies. I'm short about 50,000 at this point. Seems like I've killed a lot more than that.

If you only want the single player experience, I'm not sure this is such a great game.

Mirror's Edge - This one is excellent. The chapters are long, the story is interesting, and the gameplay still feels fresh. It does have fairly linear levels, but in many cases you have to figure out how to get to the next rooftop. The small amount of combat required is difficult, but not overwhelming and on easy you can tone the combat down even further. It's been a week and we're still enjoying it. We've not even touched the time trial feature yet.

The single player experience is great in Mirror's Edge. There is no multiplayer, although the time trials do get shared on the EA site.

I have some regrets about having bought Left 4 Dead, but I can't resist a zombie game. Hopefully there will be more single player levels to download in the future. Mirror's Edge on the other hand, is a game that I'll come back to after finishing. Well worth the money.

Left 4 Dead and Mirror's Edge

Why do two great games come around at the same time?

I had the chance to play the Mirror's Edge demo on the Xbox 360 the other day (yeah, I'd rather have a Playstation 3 - go buy me one). It has a very unique feel and you come away feeling quite a bit like you've just been Trinity in The Matrix . Less latex though, sigh.

There was a rollerblading game on the Dreamcast that had a similar sort of feel. Can't remember the name though.

The other game I just tried out today was Left 4 Dead. This is one hardcore shooter that really ramps up the 'fast zombie' genre. Again, you come away feeling like you've been immersed in the game. I'm hoping the single player mode is long lasting (I hate playing online. I think in many cases it's a cop-out for the developer to limit the AI that they have to write. And the Xbox community can be a little, shall we say, rough.)

Yes, I realize these are lame entries. I'd much rather have things to say about Cocoa or Cocoa Touch, or Core Animation or something else programming related. But it's late, my head hurts, and I don't want to finish the doc plan I should be working on.