Davis Freeberg's Digital Connection - Latest Comments

Re: Bad COPP No Netflix

MR — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:41:15 -0000

You are seeing this while using an account with adequate privileges to run the background DRM software, not the Guest account, correct? This can happen in a low-privilege account, regardless of M$/RIAA stupidity.

Re: DivX To The Left Of Me, Windows To The Right, Here I Am Stuck In The Mpeg With You

William Frantz — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:58:22 -0000

Go back to DivX Converter. Yes there is a $19 fee to upgrade to "Pro" but the free version works fine and works forever. However, the Pro version is faster and provides better quality so it's highly recommend.

DivX gives you compatibility with 120+ Million devices like portable DVD players, picture frames, the PS3, Blu-Ray decks and automotive in-dash units. Since your article, the XBox 360 has added DivX playback. There is also a free DivX Mobile Player available for your Windows Mobile phone and there are several DivX Certified phones available from LG and Samsung.

Don't confuse DivX and Xvid. There are many devices which falsely claim "Xvid compatibility" when in fact nearly all of them are incompatible with the Xvid profiles defined by xvid.org. Likewise, there are many files which falsely claim to be "Xvid videos" when in fact they adhere to DivX specifications. What most people mean when they say, "an Xvid video" is "a DivX video created by Xvid software." Few people actually make videos to any Xvid profile because they would be incompatible with the 120+ Million DivX players. Whether they are using DivX software or Xvid software, people are almost always making DivX videos.

Re: Your Movie Wish Is Jinni's Command

Dave Z — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:57:30 -0000

A more useful, secure, and significant upgrade for *you* would be getting on WordPress 2.7. However, it's a bigger project. And I suspect 2.7.1, with several bug fixes, is due shortly.

Re: Your Movie Wish Is Jinni's Command

davisfreeberg — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:19:00 -0000

His enthusiasm for the service made me figure that I should at least try it. Still too early to tell if I'll keep it, but we'll see.

Re: Your Movie Wish Is Jinni's Command

Dave Z — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:36:08 -0000

Dude, you're using Disqus! Dale finally twisted your arm?

Re: Your Movie Wish Is Jinni's Command

davisfreeberg — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:38:13 -0000

Thanks Phoebe, good luck with the site. I look forward to watching it expand.

Re: Your Movie Wish Is Jinni's Command

Phoebe_b — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:27:07 -0000

Actually, I see that you clearly read the Movie Genome page, so apologies for the redundant link.

Re: Your Movie Wish Is Jinni's Command

Phoebe_b — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:24:16 -0000

Thanks for your thoughtful overview of our service. As you note, we index each title across many parameters (plot, mood, style, etc.) before adding it to our catalog. However, because our system for doing so is automated with human checking (you can read more about it here - http://www.jinni.com/movie-..., we can add new titles quite efficiently and our catalog is growing rapidly.
We always welcome feedback - would be pleased to hear what you think of your recommendations!

Re: Bad COPP No Netflix

Shane — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:45:13 -0000

Just an FYI… you can get around the “Reset DRM Operation Failed” error by stopping the Windows service named “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service” first. No need to abandon Vista.

Re: Uverse Or UDiscrimination? AT&T's Fiber Rollout Increasing Digital Divide

snarkolepsy — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:37:03 -0000

No uverse over here in the tri-vlly. Though - I did go over to trulia to find a street number and randomly plugged in that address from a wealthier sub-erb. No uverse there either.

Re: Uverse Or UDiscrimination? AT&T's Fiber Rollout Increasing Digital Divide

Davis — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:00:30 -0000

Thanks for the feedback Mark, you raise some very interesting observations. The Bay Area may have been first, but I really doubt that we have anywhere close to a 30% penetration rate here. Once you finish collecting your data, I'd love it if you'd be willing to share it with me. Tracking AT&T;'s entire US rollout is too daunting of a challenge alone, but with help, I'm hoping to prove that this pattern extends beyond the bay area.

Re: Uverse Or UDiscrimination? AT&T's Fiber Rollout Increasing Digital Divide

Mark Geyman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:26:18 -0000

I definitely feel for you. I live in an eastern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, a community of approximately 23,000 residences. Some parts of our community have had access to U-Verse since July 2007, when they first rolled it out in our area.

I'm also in the process of mapping out available areas by typing in individual addresses. Where it is available, in some areas, they are average 30-40% penetration. Our local cable provider, Time Warner Cable, has to be "shaking in their boots."

What I've noticed, so far, is AT&T seems to be going after the "low hanging fruit" as they have installed their nodes (VRADs) close to where their existing switching infrastructure is located. I'm located approximtely 4,800 ft. from the my CO which is fine for my DSL connection but approx. 1,800 ft. too far for their U-Verse service.

AT&T does not seem to "finish off" implementation of U-Verse in their existing communities rather they would prefer to expand into areas where its convenient for them.

Residents a couple of blocks from me have had service for well over a year whereas AT&T has been unresponsive as to when they will install more nodes closer to me and others.

Also, in our area, I'm finding that there does seem to be some correlation as to poorer areas not having access to U-Verse.

Re: And Your Gravity Fails and Negativity Don't Pull You Through

Davis — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:28:58 -0000

They've got some hungry women there and they'll really make a mess out of you.

Re: Mirror Mirror On The Wall Who Makes The Best Recommendations Of Them All?

Phoebe_b — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:54:35 -0000

Interesting experiment! I especially enjoyed your reflections on the different aspects of good recommendations - accuracy, diversity, and so on. If you're still feeling experimental, you might like to have a look at Jinni (http://www.jinni.com); we just opened in private beta and offer both search and recommendations based on the Movie Genome.

Re: And Your Gravity Fails and Negativity Don't Pull You Through

Francisco — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:23:35 -0000

Where could I find this No Gravity zone? Sounds like it could be a fun time.

Re: And Your Gravity Fails and Negativity Don't Pull You Through

snarkolepsy — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:39:32 -0000

Very cool shot.

Re: The A - Z Movie Meme

Travis — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:26:05 -0000

Fair enough.

Re: The A - Z Movie Meme

Davis — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:24:24 -0000

2001 Space Odyssey has it's place in the sci-fi canon, but I found the movie to be too slow for my tastes. As far as Clockwork Oranges goes, it was a little bit too abstract for me to fully appreciate. I didn't mind the violence in it, but just couldn't understand the rationalization for it, so it made it hard for me to appreciate. The good the bad and the ugly is a really good film, but Glengarry Glen Ross was too legendary of a film to pass it up. The writing, acting, and directing were all amazing. There are no fancy special effects, but the character development was superb.

Re: The A - Z Movie Meme

Travis — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:39:23 -0000

What, no 2001: A Space Odyssey? No A Clockwork Orange? No The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly?

Not a very good list IMO. Although, Memento is amazing.

Re: The A - Z Movie Meme

Medical revision — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:13:38 -0000

Have you put family guy because of the series or the movie? Didn't find the movie so amazing myself...

I'm still looking for someone to have put Ferris Bueller's Day Off!

Chris

Re: RebatesHQ Gives Rebate Headache

Mardy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:56:17 -0000

I got a new number...

1888-214-9123

Re: Gamefly Implements FastReturn Strategy - Will Customers Return For A 2nd Chance?

Steve — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:19:50 -0000

We live near DC, and turnaround time is about a week. This isn't going to last. Blockbuster's Game Pass is certainly way more expensive, but at least I don't have to wait a week to get games.

Re: Bad COPP No Netflix

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:16:12 -0000

swanlake, if the video your trying to watch is .avi maybe you should download divx.

Re: How Netflix Could Make Watch Instantly Even More Viral

Dale Dietrich — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:44:15 -0000

I like the idea!

...Dale

Re: DVD Vending Goes To White Castle

Odnap — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:59:57 -0000

Do the machines from box office express work? If purchased from a private party