So just a day or two ago, I finally got around to getting my PS3 that I’ve been talking about for a while. The need for HD signal is really what drove the decision. I couldn’t settle for my crummy PS2 driving my new TV.

Unfortunately, while I picked up the PS3 earlier the HDMI cable did not come until today. Until that point I was connecting using the S-Video cable from my PS2 (480i = balls). Now though, we have upgraded to the 1080p/720p/480p set for games and movies.

I still don’t have a Blu-ray movie yet (I’ve requested some from BB Online but they have not come) and I still don’t actually own any disc-based PS3 games. I tried to rent Call of Duty 3 but the Blockbuster store I went to accidentally gave me the PS2 version so I’ve got to go exchange it sometime.

I have been abusing the ability to download demos to the machine though. I’ve got the Resistance: Fall of Man, Motorstorm, Full Auto 2 downloaded already and am in the process of downloading the Ridge Racer 7 demo. I’ve also purchased flOw, Blast Factor, and the free Gran Turismo HD games that are available in the store.

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As I mentioned earlier, I wasted a bunch of money on a new TV a week ago. Yesterday afternoon, the TV finally arrived. I would have posted images earlier but Blogger (and by Blogger I mean mostly Google) is a jerk and was trying to force me to update to the new version.

Anyway, I’ve got a picture I took below of the TV in all its splendor (as it was searching for channels).

The thing is freaking sweet and if I could get a high-def game console and movie player (Xbox 360 with HD-DVD add on or PS3? -right now, leaning towards PS3) that would be awesome.

The PS2 with S-Video is not really cutting it anymore with a TV of this caliber. Notice also the Shaun of the Dead DVD for reference size and to prove my street cred. You’ll also see the Dreamcast that I actually purchased AFTER the PS2 came out. So yeah, it proves how good I am at picking console winners (although I do actually own the Broadband Adapter for the Dreamcast which I hear is quite rare now). Also, there is a Bluetooth Apple keyboard and my TiVo with the Guitar Hero controller hiding carefully under the stand. It’s an entertainment smörgÃ¥sbord (haha Firefox spellcheck, you crack me up).

BTW, I did watch some HDTV last night, 30 Rock and some CSI and Shark. It is frickin’ amazing.

And for comparison, the old TV:

[Update 12/30/2005 6:30 PM]

The TiVo has arrived … too bad I don’t have a ph
one line to activate it yet. Stupid TiVo!

Oh well, I’ll figure something out.

[Update 12/30/2005 2:46 PM]

Ok, I spoke with my brother yesterday and he said that the package was shipped via Parcel Post. Doing some quick recon on the USPS web site (and their rate calculator), I can see that they estimate an 8 day transit time for the TiVo.

I know it shipped out last Monday morning. That would mean that this Thursday would have been the earliest that it would have arrived (with Monday having been a holiday).

Hopefully, it’s safe in its journey and will arrive to its loving home soon.

[Original Post]

As we enter Day 4 of TiVo Watch, I find myself becoming more and more accustomed to waiting for the TiVo and less and less thinking about whether the TiVo will arrive. When it does get here now, it will seem quite serendipitous and out of the blue.

I’ve learned to start coping with the waiting by stealing my roommates Netflix DVD’s and watching those. Of course, it doesn’t help when he rents movies like The Punisher (not because it’s bad, but because I’ve already seen it–twice).

I did manage to catch a rather funny film by Michael Showalter though. He was in The State and Stella (which was on Comedy Central this summer). The movie is called The Baxter and is essentially a tale about the other guy in romantic comedies. You know, the one that always gets dumped when she finds her one true love at the end. It’s got an excellent cast, a good soundtrack, and a clever premise. It’s very well executed and quite enjoyable. I recommend you check it out. Well, either that or an excellent movie like The Thunderbirds … that’s good to.

Anyway, back to waiting for the TiVo.