Apple TV, Love it or Hate it!
by Rhoy Pamparo on Feb.06, 2010, under Personal Thoughts
After I week of Apple TV usage, here’s my fair assessment …
Apple TV
Love:
- Internet Radio — this really is the main reason for this
- Sync iTunes Library — including all DRM-infested music & videos
- Youtube Streaming — we’ve been cracking-up on failblog.org videos a lot more!
- Wi-fi connectivity
- iPhoto sync — our photos never looked better seeing it on a big screen
- HDMI 1080p output
Hate:
- Remote — tiny and limited features
- No keyboard support — a pain when doing searches and typing wi-fi password
- If the TV is off, the output goes back to 720p — minor, but annoying!
- Heat … literally, this unit runs very HOT!
Verdict:
If you use iTunes a lot (especially in a Mac), you will love this. It extends the functionality of iTunes to the home theater setup which is really impossible because of all the DRM stuff. It has its problems like some videos won’t play because of the encoding or ever once in a while, it will be dropped off the network (using wi-fi). Of course, the lack of keyboard makes this a bigger problem. But show me a device without an issue and I will be all over it!
Otherwise, this device is pretty much useless. A lot of people on the net complain about Apple TV. Unfortunately, they bought something and would like it to do what they want instead of using the device for what it’s meant to be.
I like mine … note, it’s not “Love” … but, I really do “Like it”! 
Empress Tremolo’s Two Speed Mode (Ramping)
by Rhoy Pamparo on Feb.01, 2010, under Personal Thoughts
The other day, there was a question @ TGP on how to do the Two Speed setting on the Empress Tremolo. The manual really doesn’t say much on how to go about doing it.
Empress Tremolo
Lucky I have one, so I tried it last night … here’s what you do:
1. Set the mode to “Two Speed”
2. Set the rate/speed using the “Ratio/Rate” knob, this is the first speed setting
3. Press “Tap” and set the second speed using the “Ratio/Rate” knob again
4. Engage the pedal
5. To switch between speeds, just press the “Tap” button
If you want to change the speed settings, by following most of these steps.
Have fun … but don’t overdo it 
Home Entertainment Setup
by Rhoy Pamparo on Jan.30, 2010, under Personal Thoughts
After much research and, obviously, a whole lot of money spent … here’s our home entertainment setup that will hopefully last for some years … fingers-crossed!
Home Entertainment Setup
Here’s the list of our stuff (I posted something about some of these previously … hint, hint):
- Sharp Aquos 32″ LCD
- Onkyo HT-S6200
- Sony PS3 Slim
- Philips DVD (upconverting)
- HD Cable
- Nintendo Wii
- and yes, the latest addition … an Apple TV! There will be another post dedicated to this in a week …
I use my iMac to keep all my music, photos & movies centrally-backed up. And I sync my Apple TV (and sometimes PS3) with it via the wireless router.
Now, it’s time to work some overtime to pay for all these things 