We’ve owned a PS3 for several months. I’ve played PS3 games online twice. That’s fine and all because it’s the best damn BluRay player that you can get for the price… especially considering the bluetooth remote. In an effort to reduce the amount of clutter in our family room, I moved our Vista Media Center computer and our digital cable box to another room. In their place, we’ve acquired an XBox 360 to use as a media center extender. It’s excellent: outperforming a dedicated extender device twice over as well as providing HD Netflix streaming. If that isn’t enough, in one night, Gina has already spent more time playing a game (Uno) on it than our PS3… and she earned 45 achievement points. Sadly, I’ve only earned 15 thus far. Pwned.
I haven’t been able to find anyone playing games online (PC or PS3) that I wanted to join. They’ve all switched from FPS games to MMORPGs and RTS. The few PS3 friends that I have are either playing Karoake or sports games. I really liked going home and hanging out with my friends while playing games (especially because we all live pretty far apart these days and also because we all got some of the awesome new gadgets at progamerreview.com). In the one night that we’ve had the XBox, Brad spent almost an hour explaining the XBox interface and XBox live system to me. Additionally, he shared the gamertags of friends that have XBoxes as well… which already outnumbers the PS3 friends I have. Plus, the XBox users actually play games on their consoles… not just sing Karaoke and play videos. (Yes… I’m talking about you, Paul.)
- Duane
Tags: gaming, xbox
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I’ve wanted to build a M.A.M.E. cabinet since the first time I downloaded the premier arcade emulation package. I just never had anywhere to put one, but thanks to my brother, Christian’s, help, we’re looking forward to a warm and functional basement space. Our new basement will be divided into 3 rooms, plus utility closets and storage: a dedicated projection theater, a walk-up bar, and a small arcade/air hockey area. George shares my excitement and we’ve been plotting our home-built arcade shrines in-between projects at work. We’ll be visiting Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum for a little recon soon. Perhaps we can learn something from his years of arcade and coin-op attraction restoration.
- Duane
Tags: basement, mame, remodeling, theater
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My brother and master builder, Christian, came over last friday to survey the electrical work we need done in the basement. He gave us a list of the stuff we needed to buy and are edging closer to completing the basement. We tried to pick up as much as possible from Home Depot yesterday, but came up short in the specialty lighting department.
I’m just kidding about the demanding part. Though I admit I was pretty cranky when the time came to hang out insulated curtains in our family room. Perhaps the only chore that I dislike more than hanging curtains is painting. It went well none-the-less and we got
Austin remodeling contractors to install a pet door to let our cats get to the basement without leaving the door open as well as finally fixing the broken trim on our kitchen stairs.
- Duane
Tags: basement, remodel, theater
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When I first built this site, it was intended to house my rants. However, I’ve been lazy and have fallen behind. This rant is about the commercialism of social media. I’m a little fed up with it all. D. Out.
- Duane
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My brother, Christian, has been working on the complicated framing in our basement for our game room, bar, and theater. It has progressed a great deal in the past few weeks and I must say that I am rather impressed and intimidated by the amount of work that has gone into something nobody will ever see once the drywall is in place. You really get a feel for the layout of the rooms now that the framing is nearing completion. I can wait to get things wired (which is coming next).
In related news, we have a rather nice interim home entertainment solution in our den: a 52-inch Sony Bravia LCD screen, THX-certified mini-surround speakers, Vista Media Center, and a Sony PS3. The PS3 has especially worked out well. It’s features, ease-of-use, and aesthetics make it an obvious choice for the basement theater when it’s complete. I even watched the Super Bowl this year (something I’ve never done before). In the dozen-or-so pro football games that I’ve watched in my life, this was by far the most exciting. Seeing the whole thing in 1080i (limited HD due to broadcast quality) made it even nicer. I just might do it again next year!
- Duane
Tags: basement, remodeling, theater
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Pictures