OK, I bought the new computer. My take....well....

[Zeke]

It's an HP with an 830 d processor. 300 gig HD with a gig of memory. Do I know if that's good? Not really. I wanted something to do some video and image work with. Particularly some analog video and sound. I have the XP Media lastest version. The tower has 4 card readers, plenty of USB ports and a couple of HS USB. 2 S-video jacks and enough (so it seems) audio and the plain wrap yellow video jacks.

But, you think I can find out if the thing has an analog to digital converter? No way. To do anything with .jpeg or video, I have to use a wizard setup. The paths offered are not too enterprising in that if I don't start off with a cable TV connection and set top box configuration, I don't go anywhere. What if I don't want to record TV? (I don't, I have Tevo on the D-TV for that) Why can't I see (or at least hear) a VHS? Or digital VTR with analog output?

At some points, I think the thing has the capability. At others, it seems maybe I have to download some software to accomplish this. Or install another card with yet some more jacks.

You know what, folks? I was better off with Windows 98SE and Kodak Picture Easy. Those were the days when a novice could actually figure things out. Shoot, in the HP (or Microsoft?) Media Center, I can't even navigate to a help topic index. I wouldn't be sitting here, beleive me, if I couldn't have succesfully and repeatedly used w98se help indexes and topics. And, manuals, forget it. I guess no one reads anymore, so they don't waste the paper and ink.

Why is this XP stuff considered an advance? Oh, you Mac guys be quiet it's done. Do I have to go buy an "XP for Dummies" book? At least someone tell me how I can see what capabilities I have before I go and start buying cards, Dazzlers (not too well rated) and software.

One more gripe. I hate the wireless keyboard. I use ergonomic keyboards. You think I can just plug and play one of my generic keyboards. Not a chance. I don't even get a "caps lock" light on this thing. Very frustrating if I happen to hit the lock. (Sure, it's on the wireless pod, but I can't see that from my normal seat and why should I have to look over there anyway?) Sign me, "$1800 spent and now what?"[/rant]

[bryanthompson]

Originally posted by milt
Why is this XP stuff considered an advance? Oh, you Mac guys be quiet it's done.[/rant]

Wait 5 more years and Vista might be out.

[stevepaa]

Take it back and get the Mac.


Bryan can probably help out a lot.

[widebody911]

$1800 spent and now what?

I hope you at least got the courtesy of a reacharound...

[Zeke]

Hey, Thom, I expect more of you than that. If you can show me the same machine for a considerably better price (I included the 8.25% sales tax), I'll eat some crow. I went to PC mall first and they couldn't do any better, so I grabbed the thing off the Costco shelf knowing that if it was a total dud, they'd take it back. I was not impressed by PC Mall and would probably never go there again. Only other place we have around here is PC CLub (house brands) and Fry's. Now, we all know about Fry's. That guy should be crucified for his business practices and I avoid the place like the plague. I'm not gonna even mention CompUSA.

I'm just a lame consumer, I do the best I can. Thanks for your support.

[jriera]

www.tigerdirect.com

[nostatic]

if you can take it back, seriously ponder doing so and picking up an iMac instead. It comes loaded with all the software you'll likely ever need, and most of it works elegantly.

If you want to stick with the machine and XP, I'd say a book and perhaps some outside help (friends?). I only rarely use XP and if I need something configured I hand it off to our IT guy, so I'm not of much help.

[jriera]

Originally posted by nostatic
if you can take it back, seriously ponder doing so and picking up an iMac instead. It comes loaded with all the software you'll likely ever need, and most of it works elegantly.

If you want to stick with the machine and XP, I'd say a book and perhaps some outside help (friends?). I only rarely use XP and if I need something configured I hand it off to our IT guy, so I'm not of much help.

+1 on iMac

[Moses]

Originally posted by milt
I wanted something to do some video and image work with. ...Oh, you Mac guys be quiet

Video and image work? I think there's a computer that does that pretty well...It's called a Mac!

Anyway, Sony makes a nifty analog to digital converter. Works well. Should be no problem with your new box.

http://www.dealtree.net/cart/select_item.cfm?cont=11838

[Zeke]

Originally posted by jriera
www.tigerdirect.com

Add the second DVD drive, the remotes, the card readers, the back up hard drive dock, the 19" LCD and the shipping and it comes out close. Good site, thanks.

[Zeke]

OK, fellow Pelicans, I asked for limited Mac snipes since I was already here on this machine..............

I'm outa here (once again). Have a nice day.

[scottmandue]

Have you tried the HP website? Like you say they don't ship manuals because most people don't read them but often they will have help online... or believe it or not they may have free (for a limited time) phone support. Now before you roll your eyes and say "yeah and be on hold for an hour" try it if it is available... my dad said that and I forced him to try it before I came over to look at his computer and he got things fixed in a few minutes.

What are you trying to do, get analog video into your computer? If it has a yellow RCA jack and says it can record TV it may be able to do that.

[scottmandue]

And you can get a nice USB keyboard for cheap... they tried to give me the cordless crap at work as a favor and I didn't like it either.

We work with HP's here and we can get most stuff (multimedia) into and out of them.

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally posted by milt
[B and Fry's. Now, we all know about Fry's. That guy should be crucified for his business practices and I avoid the place like the plague. I'm not gonna even mention CompUSA.
[/B]

Umm I don't mean to hijack the thread, but is there any bad news I should know about Fry's? I am going to buy a labtop this weekend and that was the first place I was going to stop. I have never shop there before since I just moved to this area.
thanks guys

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by milt
OK, fellow Pelicans, I asked for limited Mac snipes since I was already here on this machine..............

I'm outa here (once again). Have a nice day.

MILT HAS LEFT THE FORUM

[84porsche]

Originally posted by BRPORSCHE
Umm I don't mean to hijack the thread, but is there any bad news I should know about Fry's? I am going to buy a labtop this weekend and that was the first place I was going to stop. I have never shop there before since I just moved to this area.
thanks guys

DO NOT SHOP AT FRYS UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO WAIT 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR TO RETURN SOMETHING OR ANYTHING.

Frys is good for small things and components but please, I repeat please do not buy a computer from them. Just a PITA IMHO.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by milt
OK, fellow Pelicans, I asked for limited Mac snipes since I was already here on this machine..............

I'm outa here (once again). Have a nice day.

Milt, if I can help or if you want come by one day and I'll be happy to share XP PC knowledge with you that I have. I get the same Mac hassle from all my Mac friends but I love my PC and she runs great. Let me know.

[nostatic]

Milt, you said you bought it at Costco so if it was a dud, you could take it back. If you can't get it to do what you want, its a dud. How much is your time worth? For what you want to do, imho a Mac is a better choice. That's not a snipe...just an experienced opinioin. If I were you I'd box it back up and head to the nearest Apple store. If you don't want to do that, then get some local human help. A bbs is great for some things, but odds are a knowledgable person sitting in front of your computer can get it configured and running in short order. You trying to do it virtually through this forum is not going to be particularly effective or efficient.

[Zeke]

Apparently I have a friend (or two ). Thanks, Chris, I'll maybe take you up on that after I try the HP support.

Scott, I'll try the USB side of the cable (it's a dual), thanks.

You know, for as much help as I have offered on the 911 and 914 BBS's in the last 4 years, one would think one could get something back once in a while. But, every time I come over to the OT forum I end up duking it out with someone. Once, I was called a sexual predator right here because I defended some position, I don't even remember what it was (something about child abuse), just the ahole that called me that. I guess this place attracts (with notable exceptions) another sort. Good thing. You people stay over here.

Thin skin, you say? Read your comments. Is that what we call help? Thanks for all of your "help." Now, I think I'll go help some Porsche owners, if I can.

[stomachmonkey]

Milt,

Not sure I understand your problem but it sounds like you need a way to get an analog signal into your machine so you can do some editing.

Computers do not come with an analog to digital converter.

First off USB is ok but I prefer Firewire especially for video I/O.

If you have a Mini-DV camcorder you may luck out. Many of them can be used as a pass through analog to digital converter.

If not grab one of these,

CANOPUS ADVC 100 DIGITAL VIDEO CONVERTER

There are a couple up on ebay that you might get for a song. They'll take Compsite, (RCA) s-video in and out. No drivers to install, just works.

Both options will require a Firewire card if your computer did not come with it built in. You can get that for $20-40 bucks.