TV capture devices. Part 1 and a half
By Mark Tennent in Reader
Posted in Uncategorized on October 8, 2007 at 10:38 am
It was only some time after I realised what a dreadful thing I had done by helpfully holding the door open for the tourist who went into the loo after me.
Carcassonne is the Gormenghast-meets-Disney medieval castle city in the south of France. Its narrow streets built for donkey carts not tourist throngs, are lined with shops and restaurants. Some typical day-tripper magnets but done with the good taste the French annoyingly get so right when compared with our British olde rocke shop, kiss-me-quick tat. Yes, they were handing out olives made from sugar, and yes, costume jewellery shops out-numbered the wind turbines that stand like kiddy’s windmills plugged into the landscape. But not one scratch-and-sniff postcard showing the castle’s ancient privies (York take note).
Our aim to please
I should have realised when entering the hi-tech, stainless steel loo that something was not quite normal. It was spotless from floor to ceiling and soaking wet, but smelled of ‘Clean’. The lavatory seat was slowly returning to the horizontal, electrically-drive like in a sci-fi set. It should have said “C’est un plaisir de vous rendre service.” (Glad to be of Service) after I used it. Of course, what happened (I was told later) is the guy who followed me had to endure the shower jets that flood the walls and floor after each use, the loo seat moving to the vertical as the loo flushed and itself being drenched in water. Oh well, I think he was an Aussie, so that’s alright then.
Elgato and Miglia
It just goes to show how unexpected things can catch the best of us. Like in the head to head I’ve set up between Miglia and Elgato TV and video capture boxes. They all arrived in time to beat the postal strike but it appears that two are malfunctioning – one from each manufacturer. Miglia’s PR people are discussing the problem with their engineers and Elgato’s PR man is personally delivering two new boxes for me to play with tomorrow.
In the meantime where I have played…er…tested the boxes I can say they are very good. As said in Part 1, here, a manufacturer is coming out ahead at this stage and one suite of software is definitely better but as yet it would not be fair to say which until both teams have had a chance to make substitutions.
To be continued…
Rated: 80% (1 votes)
Loading ...Comment by Jacques Daviault - October 8, 2007 on 2:59 pm
I’d like to register a formal complaint to the Ministry of Blogs. The title of the blog very clearly suggests that the main topic should be “TV Capture Devices”, however the only mention of such technology comes after a long (but humorous) anecdote about toilets in France. I’m sure toilets in France and their users are covered more thoroughly in other blogs, and if Mr. Tennent could restrict his blogging to, at the very least, the title of the “sujet du jour” then maybe I’d be less irate. And I am ever so irate. OK, I’m not irate, not in the least bit, but if you want to get anything done these days you’ve got to yell until you’re blue in the face. Now whatever was my point…?
This being said, I will be looking forward to the results of Mr. Tennent’s head-to-head competition of TV capture devices, as I’m looking to one day purchase one of this little wonders. I might also add that he also was able to give more information about the EyeTV unit than a series of emails to ElGato ever did, and with his help I might actually figure out how to connect one to my rather unique digital cable set-up.
Cheerio,
Jacques
Comment by Mark Tennent - October 8, 2007 on 6:01 pm
Ça fut un plaisir de vous rendre service.
Please note Jacques is not a real Frenchman but a French Canadian who only shares the language with our European neighbours but none of the sophistication and class.
He also does the French translations for my blogs.
Comment by Jacques Daviault - October 8, 2007 on 6:17 pm
Mark is quite correct. The literate, urbane French Canadian is far more sophisticated, and hence has little in common with the pedestrian ways of our French forefathers. Pity France never thought to hold on to Canada, this 10 million square kilometres of unsophisticated breath-taking natural beauty and wildlife, incalculable quantities of mineral wealth, endless supply of fresh water and arable land, and access to a nearly limitless supply clean safe power. How they must be kicking themselves… in that sophisticated way of course.
Zut alors!
P.S. I must add the France did fight tooth and nail to retain the overseas possession of St. Pierre and Miquelon, two rocky outcrops off the coast of Newfoundland. Good for them!
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