I think the reason is partly due to the fact that I could REALLY LISTEN to Dave, Kent and Ayelet as they explored together and pushed their own insights around the art of conversational marketing and all things web2.0.  Had I been on the Skype call with them I would have ruined it by pushing my ideas about the need to preserve the ’serengeti’ nature of all social networks and to avoid the ‘wall-mart-isation’ that Kent seems to think is inevitable!

The little petri dish (see the show synopsis) that Dave and I ‘infected’ over a year ago is really starting to grow some interesting connections that are making cool stuff – and I’m chuffed!

Fang – Mike Seyfang

I can: (as of September 26, 2007)

• Enjoy beautiful sound thru my VAF speakers and fancy A/V reciever
• Push my old TV to is picture quality limit (1080i at 16:9 widescreen)
• Pause live TV and record one show while watching another
• Record shows by selecting them from the guide (EPG) that updates from IceTV
• Organise recorded shows into folders, make and save bookmarks, even edit bits out
• Move/Copy recorded shows to an external USB Hard Disk
• Edit shows taken from the external Hard Disk on my computer
• Play .mp3 audio files from external USB storage
• wish I paid a couple of hundred bucks less ($1100 is well over the street price)

I can’t:

• Get files from my computer (back) to the TF7000HDPVRt
• Copy/Move small edited sections of a long show to the external Hard Disk
• Talk directly to the unit over USB (like the MPEG Streamclip.app / TF5000)

WARNING: the rest of this post is extremely geeky and in note form.  Intended to help me (and other geeks) get the most out of their purchase.

Some facts in semi-sequential order.

Auto tune to all local TV stations worked a treat.  Make sure date / time / timezone are correct.

Audio mode to PCM so my A/V reciever does the right thing with fancy audio.

Upgrade firmware from v0.95.02 to v1.00.00 (16/9/2007) – the external USB storage and IceTV USB update didnt’ work with the firmware that shipped on the unit.  Download more detailed .pdf manual from here.

Attach external Hard Disk – not trivial.  The trick is to make sure the drive is initialized but has no partitions.  Then let menu->installation->format external storage have its way with the entire disk.  If the drive has a partition or is not initialised you will get the very helpful error message ‘Cannot found USB media’.  Using windowsxp mycomputer->manage->disk management to delete all partitions from the USB disk drive worked for me.  You now have a USB2 drive formatted for Unix ExtFS file system – unless you are running linux (like the topfield does) you will need some software to enable your PC or Mac to read the drive when you plug it in via USB2.0.  I use ext2fs for OSX (10.3) on my mac (but I have to boot from a special (older than OSX10.4 – tiger) boot disk.

Collect /  purchase utility software.   Purchase Apple QuickTimeMPEG2 playback from apple store ($30aud).  Purchase visualhub serial number ($US 23).  Download MPEG_Streamclip_1.8.dmg and ext2filesystemv1-3.  I already own Quicktime Pro (which is the only way I could find to convert video to .3gp for my nokia N80 phone).

How I:

• Record shows by selecting them from the guide (EPG) that updates from IceTV

Using the special offer card included in the box, sign up for a free IceTV (3month) subscription and login to their site.  Scratch around for THIS URL which allows download of a .txt file to a /ice folder on USB memory stick.  Take that USB stick to the TF7000HDPVRt, press ‘guide’ button on remote then hit the white button to initiate update.  Since topfield decided not to include network (internet) access with this model, you need to update via USB each week or so.  To record a show, find it via the Guide button on the remote, then press enter twice to mark and record it.  Hint: menu->system setting->PVR setting to add 10minutes or so ‘Time Padding’ to the end of each scheduled recording – I found that many shows start late and finish late.

• Edit shows taken from the external Hard Disk on my computer

<<<THIS SECTION NEEDS WORK: copy move to external HD [this can take a long time for files over about 10gig], boot mac to osx 10.3 with ext2fs installed, use MPEG_Streamclip_1.8.dmg [requires apple QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg purchase] to mark in/out points, chop out ads etc, save as TS, virtualhub to take one or more TS files and output to whatever I want [e.g. DVD, quicktime for imovie, .mp4 (then QuickTimePro for .3gp to phone] >>>  Note: this particular workflow is the best so far – with the only outstanding problem being garbled audio from some recordings of HD shows that air with fancy audio such as [paste here: 672 AC3 2/0, 48 kHz, 448 kbps  ]  Previous problems like out of sync audio (like 2-3 seconds out from the start of a clip – after an audible blip, blip sound) are avoided using this workflow.  Other benefits include good handling of very large files by MPEG_Streamclip, and fast convert to TS – meaning a pretty fluid process for trimming large files.  The slow stuff (like re-encoding) is handled nicely, in batch, with no UI intervention by VisualHub.  (tho it always pays to make a 5-10 sec clip pass thru the whole process first to make sure the end result plays as expected (ie audio in sync and correct aspect ratio).

I’m stuck:

• Get files from my computer (back) to the TF7000HDPVRt

Useful Links:

• del.icio.us/mseyfang/topfield

more coming soon, this is taking way longer than I had planned…

Fang – Mike Seyfang

technorati tags:topfield, pvr, tf7000hdpvrt, tf5000, tf7000

I happen to know that his little venture will one day grow into something much more profound than what you see today, so stay tuned.  I do hope Dan spoke at lenght with Dick Hardt about some of the identity pieces they are working on.

(In case you don’t know, Daniel is the man who put the RSS Needle in my arm)

Fang – Mike Seyfang

http://internetaddressbook.com/

I was hoping to replicate the experience I had with rocketboom which was:

1. Browse video blog directory built in to nokias podcasting application

2. Subscribe to rocketboom

3. Download most recent episode via WiFi and watch it

Heres what happened:

1. Couldn’t find GeekStories in directory so I did a search – nothing

2. Go to geekstories.on.10.net and download episode on particls (with chris and ashley)

3. Download the iPod (mp4) version

4. Copy to N80 mini SD card

5. Watch (or should I say listen) on N80

6. Quicktime Player (pro) export -> Apple MPEG [noticed video was H.264]

7. Watch on N80 [bugger, no sound]

8. Quicktime Player (pro) export -> Audio: AAC, Mono, 32.000 kHz Video: Apple MPEG4 Decompressor, 320 x 240, Millions

9. Copy to N80 mini SD card [notice I have the PowerBookG4 USB gremlins]

10. Watch on N80 – cwool

p.s. So inspired by the episode that I did THIS (a particls munge of my own RSS feed).

So now all we need is for UncleNick to have a more mobile friendly version of his videos on the geek stories, and we can work on getting his shows into the relevant directories for that zune beating experiance (sic) ;-) Stick that in your hierarchy and subvert it.

Fang – Mike Seyfang

technorati tags:geekstories

So when this Microsoft Enthusiast Evangelist role role appeared, I was over the moon and as keen as mustard. An excellent, well respected manager. Check. Loads of customers, buckets of technology and a strong desire to connect the two: Tick. Being a conduit; taking feedback, showing and listening in that order. Perfect.

Today, I signed on to Microsoft. Start on Thursday. Let the journey

The good:

If Microsoft are serious about changing the world, Nick is just the type who can help.

Frank is one of the few managers who can create the right environment for real change to happen.

They are both well connected and we live in interesting times.

The bad:

Nick will have less time to help me with LearnDog and my other wild-n-crazy schemes.

The ugly:

Maybe I’m a tad bit jealous – finding this working for self.inc tough at times.

UncleMike – Mike Seyfang

In a not-so-typical hardware/farmer mashup: the old Canon IXY450 was put behind a pair of binoculars sitting on Rebecca’s head to get an image result worthy of Wikipedia inclusion!

Way to go Liam!

Kinda reminds me of this pic taken by Steve (also thru binoculars)

Because of unusual numbers of large white pointer sharks at the beach near my home I have been sailboarding at a place called Boggy Lake the last few months. It is over an hours drive, and you never go there alone in case of a bite from the numerous brown snakes that like to sun themselves near the banks of the lake. Those same banks are coated with lots of cow pats so I carry a green tarp in the back of my car. Look who made his home in said tarp:

The cute little redback at the top of this post was discovered while cleaning behind a bed we had set up for the kids in our back living area – charming!

Fang – Mike Seyfang

selfcheckin.jpg

]]> http://mseyfang.edublogs.org/2006/10/19/something-cool-from-qantas-self-check-in/feed/ 1 http://mseyfang.edublogs.org/2006/10/10/i-trashed-my-mac/ http://mseyfang.edublogs.org/2006/10/10/i-trashed-my-mac/#comments Tue, 10 Oct 2006 02:37:41 +0000 mseyfang http://mseyfang.edublogs.org/2006/10/10/i-trashed-my-mac/ ;-(

UPDATE:

Software error caused by running out of disk-space during auto software update to  OS/X 10.4.8 !

Symptoms:

- Unable to pair with bluetooth keyboard

- USB mouse / camera not recognised on insert

- could not mount .dmg in order to re-apply update (MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.8PPC.dmg)

- could not mound external firewire HDD for backup

- learnt that you cannot ‘un-install, remove or roll-back’ OS/X updates (boo hiss)

Workaround:

- Reboot with firewire HDD or USB Mouse attached, gets recognised

- Boot off external HDD, mount MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.8PPC.dmg, copy the .pkg

- Reboot internal (munged) HDD OSX, re-apply the update via MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.8PPC.pkg

- System works OK but time for an unclemike scorch the earth and re-install

Solution:

- Scrap the external 300gig drive from the kids pc, format for OSX

- Re-Backup DATA using Backup 3.1, copy entire HDD just in case – 33GB
(This is where I noticed my daily incremental backups only totalled 10GB, but my data is actually 30GB – EVIL but lucky I noticed)

- Find most appropriate .dmg with OS/X, my applications

(Mr Murphy strikes here, turns out I had deleted every single copy of my super .dmg based on Tiger OS/X – had to go back to Panther and that without office + iLife06 – bugger)

- Disk Utility -> Restore & Erase from MacFangBasePlus01.dmg

- Boot off Tiger DVD, choose ‘Upgrade’ to bring me up to 10.4.3

- Update using MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.8PPC.dmg to 10.4.8

- Re-Install Major Applications (iLife, Office)

- Re-Install and register purchased utilitites (QuickTimePro, MarsEdit/NetNewsWire, Transmit, MP3Trimmer)

- Re-Install Backup 3.1

- *Create new TIGER based image: MacFangTigerPlusOffice.dmg

(will be quicker to recover next time!)

-  Restore DATA (33GB – all good – pleasantly surprised how many settings / preferences were saved)

- iTunes needed v7.0.1 download + install before I could access my library

- re-Install iLife06 (custom, ignore some large garageband content)

- verify iLife06, mail, Office all fire up OK (mail was too easy!)

- NOW to re-install & configure all the little downloads (flock, RDC, Stuffit, Skype, SnapzPro, iRiver, Vlc, ChickenOfVNC, iSquint, iRiver and probably many more…)

Stay tuned…

Fang – Mike Seyfang

To me the essence will be treading the fine balance between the need to do DRM in a way that keeps the old (Read Only) media industry happy AND enabling really cool support for content created outside of that industry.  Im talking podcasts, podsafe music, and anything else the Read/Write culture throws at us in the future.

Fang – Mike Seyfang

p.s. Did I mention that VAF have some cool zune accessories?

technorati tags:zune, vaf

I made a series of posts during teched, commenting on the experience of catching podcasts from the outside.  Having spent many years devouring audio from tech-talks for professional development, I feel my point of view may be of value.

Here is a very brief (and rushed) summary:

TOP3

- the .mp3 interviews weblogs.asp.net found their way to my iRiver like true podcasts and contained some great content

- the way Frank and Chuck nurtured a community of podcasters (and bloggers) to get and publish the content

- the interview with the dude from dev.live.com can’t remember who he was but the info he gave was even better than most sessions

BOTTOM 3

- having to play ‘treasure hunt’ to find audio and get it to my mp3 player (many different rss feeds, some posts referenced more than one media file, trying to strip .mp3 from .wmv video was just too freakin hard)

- not enough actual sessions deliverd as ‘true podcasts’ (ie single .mp3 referenced from blog posts out of a single rss feed)

- video taking precedence over audio (the value is in the ‘true podcasts’, having scanned a heap of them, one might return to download the odd video or two (particularly screen captures of demonstrations)

WISHLIST

- true podcasts of most sessions and anything else the ‘citizen journo’ community comes up with

- a single ‘TechEd approved’ RSS feed of what Frank and the team deem to be the ‘good content’ coming out of the event.  (delivered via the official event page in a format similar to: http://www.microsoft.com/events/podcasts/default.mspx

Hope this is helpful – good on Frank and the team for getting content out there.

Fang – Mike Seyfang

technorati tags:teched

Found the first podcast – HERE – and look who it is, an interview with Jorke from WebCentral!

The buzz on technorati is getting more interesting with references to free and beer and other interesting stuff.

And the video keeps on coming via Chucks blog:

We got two more webcasts for your viewing pleasure!

#1 Nigel Parker with the best Windows Presentaiton Foundation Introduction i have ever seen!

#2 An Introduction to building Windows Live Gadgets by George Moore

(yes LOTS of Audio Casts coming soon!)

While composing this post I found this post still steaming:

5 Great TechEd Sessions -in Audio format

As promised i have some great sessions -and in audio for your listening pleasure!

1. Ten things you need to know to about Windows Server “Longhorn”
2. Deploying Windows Vista: Everything You Need in One Hour
3. Image Engineering: Creating Your Perfect Desktop
4. Identifying Computer Attacks – Tips, Tricks and Tools
5. Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server: Upgrade and Migration

p.s. And thanks to a comment from Stuart from NZ I now understand that TechEd New Zealand has just finished and that I am not in an RSS time warp!!

Fang – Mike Seyfang

technorati tags:teched

Hilights:

First sighting of useful content HERE.  (I’ve downloaded a 160mb .wmv file that I hope to play on a computer some day – my attempts to strip out the audio failed).

This post shows that Chuck and Frank are doing a good job of scanning the blogosphere converstaions about their event.

Technorati is showing some of the ‘buzz’.

Fang – Mike Seyfang

technorati tags:teched, unconference

Why?

Because in his discourse on seeing a tree in a forest Nick Points out:

“Microsoft is on the cusp of shipping a whole forest of new products. Vista, .Net 3.0, Office 2007 and *.live.com stuff than you can poke a branch/stick at. All of which presents Microsoft with some tall challenges. How does a single tree get noticed? “

Which reminds me of how I felt when working for Microsoft:

“It was a small thing. Microsofties don’t get small things. I think it’s a disease of Microsoft’s. Not getting small things. Until it’s too late.”

Good observations Nick/Robert – now if Frank and Chuck weren’t so overloaded they might be able to see the subtle difference between gigabytes of VidCasts and megabytes of low bitrate audio (PodCasts) when it comes to getting information out of TechEd.

Fang – Mike Seyfang

technorati tags:teched