The DigitalRV Blog

This post is a direct response to a forum member at the Digital RV Forum.

The Kyocera can be set up for the lower speed networks as well if you’re having issues on the 3G networks.  Simply go to the Advanced Window, then select WAN (EVDO).  As you’ll see, connecting to 2G networks is an option in this screen.

Hope that helps Mylash. 

Mighty Seek - Web Application Security Podcast and Blog » Blog Archive » Apple owns the term “pod”?

The link above is from MightySeek.  They’re the folks that make PodPress.  That’s the plugin for wordpress that allows the Digital RV to easily create Podcasts at both the Digital RV Podcast site and Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles as well.

Looks like Apple has some time on their hands.  They want to pull the word “pod” in house and make it their own.  In my opinion that’s an odd move.  Sure, many businesses have started incorporating “pod” into their products.  But hey, only because the IPod was a big hit, and people are producing products for it.

Are they going to start licensing the use of the word “pod”.  Does that mean I’ll get sued if I say, “They’re like two peas in a pod.”  I’ve got to wonder if their legal department is extremely bored, or if they feel like spending a ton of cash for no reason.  If it’s the ton of cash argument, send me some and mark it up as a loss for the year.

That’s right, my Delphi Roady has apparently stopped working. Sometime over the weekend the radio unit itself started reporting No Signal.

Fortunately I have a second antenna, so I made sure this morning that it wasn’t the antenna. It certainly wasn’t.

What does that mean? Am I unhappy with XM or Delphi? Nope. Prices on the actual receivers are so low this isn’t a big deal. I spent a few moments on the phone with XM Customer Care. I can transfer the time I’ve purchased with XM to a new radio. So later today I’ll be going off to a Best Buy and picking up a replacement to my receiver.

My expectation for any small portable device is that it should last 3 - 4 years. I’d always like to see more, but let’s face it, these things don’t last forever. When you can get one of these devices for under $50, it’s not a huge hit to the pocket book, especially for the amount of entertainment they provide.

In a future post I’ll talk some about protecting your digital devices. I’ve come across several cool items that help protect your gadgets, but nothing to protect my XM.

Several weeks ago I posted information regarding ripping DVD’s with Handbrake onto a Macintosh computer. That was a good start to get readers thinking about a space savings technique where you still can bring all of your entertainment with you, without consuming any additional space.

And only a few days ago, the first demo posting on ripping DVDs to hard drives was put up on The Digital RV Podcast. That demonstration took Mac owners through what I consider to be an extremely simple program, Handbrake.

Finally, today another video post has been put up at the Digital RV’s podcast site. The newest video demonstrates AOA DVD Ripper for Windows (see folks, I do use Windows too).

Now readers and viewers can see for themselves, DVD ripping is possible, and in many cases can save you a fair amount of space.

Personal Assesment on Ripping DVD’s and the available software today

Pulling video off of a DVD and popping it on your hard drive is pretty simple. It’s exceedingly simple on Macintosh, and not quite as simple on Windows. There’s no two ways about it, and that does not imply a bias toward Mac on this author’s part. I’ll get more into that whole concept in an upcoming post. In a relatively short amount of time, any user with basic computer skills can begin ripping DVDs and making a “soft copy library” of their favorite movies.

For Mac users, the choice is crystal clear. Go download a copy of Handbrake and have at it folks! You don’t need to search around for the perfect ripping software. It’s Handbrake. Why is Handbrake just so darned cool?

• It’s FREE
• Easy to use (watch the tutorial)
• Doesn’t choke on DVD lock codes.
• Formats the video for viewing on an IPod, but the video can still be displayed full screen on your Mac.
• It compresses the video very well, and if done right you can get a video to 1/10th the original size! Space savings indeed.

In the Windows world it’s not that straightforward. There are many software packages out there that can rip or copy DVD’s. Some will not function on DVDs with certain copyright codes. Others will function and rip the DVD, but their compression stinks and you’ll fill up your hard drive fast. Finally, others like AOA DVD Ripper do the job, and have other tools that you can use to further compress the video.

Several months ago I worked with a client who was trying to rip his DVD collection to his windows machine. He’d purchased a product at Best Buy, and paid over $100 for the package. In the end, the software went back to the store, as it kept choking on copyright codes on the DVDs. Well, didn’t work with all DVDs at all! That product was InterVideo DVD Copy 4. It claimed to copy DVDs to new DVDs, or to your hard drive. Well, apparently not all DVDs.

For readers of this site, I request your recomendations on your favorite ripping software. I could spend a fortune going through the “pay for products” that don’t do a great job ripping. So, if you know a great one, let me know and I’ll try it out and post a demo on the podcast site.

In the meantime, AOA DVD Ripper was a pretty decent ripper. I didn’t like the fact that IPod / PSP / MP4 features weren’t integrated into it. AOA does supply another product that will support that functionality, but wouldn’t it be nice to have all the features in one program?

Oh, wait, there is such a program. Handbrake for Mac….and it costs a whopping $0. Haven’t found anything comparable for Windows, even spending over $100.

The software is out there folks, help me find the best one available to pass along to readers and viewers everywhere.

Currently I’m creating a “how to” tutorial video on blogging for the Digital RV’s Podcast site.  In order to demonstrate how it’s done, I’m creating this test post.

In addition to being a test post, I will let you know there’s a new product demonstration podcast up today at the Digital RV Podcast.  It’s on Elgato’s EyeTV PVR for Macintosh.  The video shows the EyeTV program and hardware in use on my personal Macintosh, so take a swing by if you’re interested in seeing how TV on a computer really works. 

Just a note and reminder.  The personal journal of the author of the Digital RV is available at:

http://www.hikenbike.net/wordpress

You’re currently at the tech blog for the Digital RV, and yes, it has been quiet here.  No worries though.  Several new items will be posted shortly.  Just gotten busy with clean up items before my digital rv hits the road!

The past few weeks have reinforced why I’ve gone digital in my trailer. In short, I can really make things work and get things done!

Now that I’ve started being a full-time RV’er, my needs have changed dramatically. Going out for a few weeks with my trailer didn’t mean ground shaking changes. I could put my mail on hold at my post office. The answering machine at home would take care of calls. And for short periods of time I didn’t care much about TV shows or news, trips in the trailer meant a vacation from all of that.

The situation for full-timing is different. I’m no where near retired yet. Actually, I’m trying to get a small business off the ground! And it’s happening out of a 25 foot Airstream Trailer. Not your standard startup business, and surely not a concept you’d associate with an internet startup. I should be perched in a Star Bucks using their WiFi and getting amped up on large quantities of caffeine.

So, how is the digital stuff working for me today, 2 weeks into my full-timing? Who knows how long I’ll be doing this, you’ll have to keep checking in here and at Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles. The digital stuff is working great!

Here’s where I stand today:

• All business that I’m involved with can be conducted over the net. No great worries about being near a post office.
• With my Verizon Wireless Data connection and my Kyocera KR1 I’m good to get on the net wherever cell coverage is available. I might have a few days out of touch, but I’ll call that vacation time.
• Most financial matters can be handled via phone or internet.
• Items that need signatures, etc., can be e-faxed easily.
• My XM radio keeps me up to date with news and entertainment.
• Elgato EyeTV can be used whenever I have the TV itch (haven’t felt like watching reality shows lately)
• Staying in touch with family & friends is a snap. Between my VOIP (voice over IP) through Skype when I have high speed network, and my cell phone, I’m fairly well covered. Once again, those days without cell coverage I’ll call vacation days.
• The total sum of my digital devices fits in two carry on sized bags. For the airline folks, yes my bags will fit in the overhead or under my seat!

So, while I’m adjusting to the changes in lifestyle, the digital gadgetry allows me to manage things however I see fit. There’s one item less for me to worry about. I need to spend more time looking at travel routes, selling the book, “The Digital RV“, and playing with new technology to share with readers.

Ok.  The Digital RV Blog will remain mostly about tech.  The personal / full timing journals will pop up over on Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles.  If there are “cross-over” entries I’ll post them on both.

There, that was an easy decision.

Trying to figure out some organizational stuff regarding the Digital RV’s blog, so I thought I’d see what folks thought.

Since I’ve started into full timing I’m going to keep a daily journal of what’s happening.  Now the intent of the Digital RV blog was to do tech reviews, and update folks on the latest useful gadgets I come across that would be helpful to other RV’ers.

I’ve got another blog site as well.  Basically, I’m trying to decide if the daily stuff should go here as well, or the other blog location at HikenBike.net.  From the standpoint of simplicity, popping everything here would be best.  Tech posts will still go up here as well, and they’ll be marked under tech categories.

So now I wonder what readers think.  Post comments, please.