W♥M (Archive)

Roku 2 (Third Generation)

Read More Roku So, I previously poo-poo the Roku because it did not support YouTube. You know, the most popular video service in the world and Roku just didn't work with it? It's sad and lame, in my opinion. ....

I recently purchased the third generation Roku 2 at the end of July. I've been keeping an eye on the Roku for a long time, but have finally decided to get one based on the fact that they now support DLNA.

The new Roku 2 is basically the same as the Roku 3, but minus the gaming function, the motion controller (with built-in audio), and voice search. That's okay to me, I don't think I want to game on this thing and I would rather save $30.

Pros:

The Ethernet port is back (which was missing in previous revisions)

USB support. This is important if you watch digital films via USB sticks or portable USB harddrives. It has enough power to power up the portable drives (unlike the Raspberry Pi 2, which probably need an upgraded power source?).

It's fast and it's very simple to use

YouTube has fewer ads than PS3 or PS4

Cons:

No OFF button! You have to always keep it on. I have to physically unplug the device.

You will need a credit card to activate the Roku. I couldn't find a way to skip this process - even though I read that you could.

Media Player does not support multiple audio or subtitles.

I have a Raspberry Pi 2 and an OUYA for comparison (see how they stack up on the image). The OUYA is the worst of the three products, it's big and the gaming controller is clunky and poorly designed. Its WiFi chip simply does not work if you move it into another room. I've read solution that people had to buy WiFi bridge to plug into the Ethernet port to get it to work.

All three devices will play your local USB media, access DLNA, play your local MP3s, etc.... but using the Roku is the easiest because of their simple remote controller. If you use Netflix, Amazon video, RDIO, or Sling - they have dedicated buttons for those apps!

The Raspberry Pi 2 is the superior media streaming device, however it's not always normal people friendly. You have to nerd around with it, downloading O/S and keeping it updated. Plus, it's bare-bones... meaning that the $35 CPU board is the start. Your final cost is probably closer to $100 or more. However, if you get it going, it does it all: multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitles (exterior or softcode!).... basically everything a tiny Linux computer can do, the RP2 can do it too.

If you're looking for options, I recommend the RP2... if you just want an easy to use media box, the new Roku 2 has a lot to offer.

Compare	RP2	Roku 2	OUYA
Price	$35 - $100	$69	$99
HDMI	YES	YES	YES
Ethernet	YES	YES	YES
USB	YES (4)	YES (1)	YES (1)
Remote	Keyboard (addon)	Remote Control	Controller
Wireless	WiFi dongle (addon)	WiFi (dualband)	WiFi (barely works)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ itunes.apple.com

Gaming Report: Ouya, Beyond: Two Souls, and The Last of Us

Read More Games My friends know that I am interested in the gaming consoles, so with the new PS4 and Xbox One coming out this holiday, I'm looking to buy one or the other. I've made up my mind.…

OUYA
ouya.tv

With the recent release of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, there is a cheaper alternative: Ouya.

I've had my Ouya for a few months now, I bought it on impulse Target. I just couldn't believe the department store was selling it. For $99, it was affordable, so I bought it, thinking that I will not see this sold anywhere else (I'm, of course, wrong, I see it everywhere now).

Before I tear it down, I'll be kind and tell you the one saving grace Ouya has: it plays Nintendo ROMs. Sure, you might already play ROMs using your keyboard, but playing it with a Bluetooth d-pad controller is where it is at!

Now for all the complaints about the Ouya:

1. You need a credit card to start the machine
   This is a legitimate complaint. If you're a child, you can't just turn this on and play. Imagine buying a microwave and it asks you to put in a credit card... To me, this is a consumer device, like a PlayStation, it shouldn't ask you to input a credit card.
2. You need to be online
   I know it's the modern age, but I sure wasn't happy that you had to connect to their server when you start up the Ouya. The online part leads to the next issue I had with the Ouya.
3. Crappy WiFi radio
   The Ouya could not see or connect to my home wireless network. On similar PS3 and iPad can see the network, but the Ouya just could not see the SSID! I had to eventually use an Ethernet cable to connect it to the network.
4. Paying for Android Games twice
   The Ouya android games are not the same as the regular android games. Even if you already own a copy of MiniGore, you'll still have to pay for it again with Ouya's version.
5. Crappy games
   On another note, Ouya games sucks. Believe me, since they are free to try, I've tried most of them. They all suck. I paid for two games, both have similar control (duo stick) and I believe those are the only games that are really fun to play.
6. Bluetooth Controllers
   Ouya disallow the PS3 controllers to work, so I am also assume it blocks other Bluetooth devices? If you want another controller, you'll have to spend $50 for an official Ouya controller.

There's hope, maybe developers will port some decent games to Ouya. Since this is only the first version, perhaps they will improve the device in future iterations. Perhaps actually letting you try the device without having to input in a credit card information. Perhaps one day they'll let you run regular Android games (I doubt this will happen since Ouya wants their 30% cut of the games sold).

Despite all my complaints, the Ouya may be right for you if you are in the market for a DNLA or media player. Their VLC player works great, although I do not believe it supports subtitles (or multiple audio?).

Ouya is not an upgrade

If you already own a Roku or an Apple TV or any media player, Ouya is not an upgrade. Bottom line is that the Ouya wants to be the fun revolutionary casual gaming console, but instead it pretty much fail at everything.

I suggest saving up and buying a PlayStation 3 for about $200, it plays Triple-A games and it is possibly the best media streamer/video playback device I've ever used.

BEYOND: TWO SOULS
beyondps3.com

If you're a casual video game player, you were probably confused at these two games: The Last of Us and Beyond: Two Souls. At one point, I thought they were the same game, starring Ellen Page. The confusion is that both games feature young girls as the lead, and the title character from The Last of Us is called Ellie, which automatically made you think that the character (played by Ashley Johnson) is Ellen Page.

Anyway, with that out of the way, I bought these two games for $22 each on Black Friday at a crazy Walmart sale. I actually spent more time standing in the checkout lane than actual shopping. But it was worth it.

I beat Beyond: Two Souls, so I'll talk about that first. Beyond is basically a five hour movie. There are few choices you can make, and any mistakes you do, the game tries and correct your path. I wasn't too keen on the play, and you'll need a sixaxis controller to play the game. I honest don't know how you can get around the sixaxis controls, I had to change my default controller to actually proceed in the game.

Like I said, this was just a long interactive movie. You play different timeline in Ellen Page's character throughout her lifespan: from a child to adult. Once I got to the end, there were about five choices you had to make to see the different endings. I went with the hobo ending... which was unexpected!

As for the graphics, it's amazing. Willem Dafoe looks amazing. Everything is realistic, and while I was playing the game, someone thought I was watching a movie! That's how realistic it was.

THE LAST OF US
thelastofus.com

As for The Last of Us, I'm in the middle of the game right now. It's hard. The clickers are impossible to kill, basically one attack will kill you right away. Having said that, the play style is a lot more fun than Beyond: Two Souls (which was a lot more passive). If you've ever played any of the Naughty Dog's Uncharted games, then you'll find a lot to like with The Last of Us.

Although the graphics to The Last of Us is just as impressive, it does not have the realistic look of Beyond: Two Souls. Instead, where The Last of Us excel is when they showcase the beautiful destructive city and plants (especially the color palette).

Anyway, so far between the two games, I am enjoying The Last of Us a little more. Sure the game is really hard right now, but I've a feeling I'm just playing it wrong. I guess I just have to do more sneaking around instead of gun blazing.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com