My First Post of the New Year

It's been a few weeks since my last post, but I swear I've got a good reason.

Until recently the only TV in the house has been a 32" tube. It works well, but it's hardly the center-piece of a real entertainment system.

I knew I couldn't count on Santa to upgrade my viewing experience, so I took it upon myself to rock my own video world. Into my life came a 50" plasma high-def flat screen. Oh. My. God. What a difference!

There are a number of channels we get which are broadcast in high-def and also at the same time on another channel in standard def. The difference is about the same as looking at an old VHS tape compared to DVD.

The Mrs. took a few subtle hints and supplied me with an Xbox 360 to go with it, and once I added the high-def cables for it I was all set.

The next step was getting the Xbox online with my computer, so I wired up a router and the two devices can now communicate. This means that music, pictures, and video stored on the computer can be played on the plasma. The PC will eventually be used for file storage when we get around to getting a laptop, but that's a ways down the road.

After I renovate the family room I plan to wire the TV, DVR, stereo, and computer together so that I can have total control of the system from one spot. I can play background music from the computer through the Xbox or play music from iTunes directly through the stereo. Any sound coming from the TV could be played in 5.1 stereo through the stereo, too.

The gears in my mind are turning at warp speed with the possibilities!

Long story short, I've put off any meaningful work on the house while I spent the holidays with the family - kicking their asses at Halo 3!