Play .MKV’s in Windows Media Center (WMC)

For a long time I had resisted converting my DVD and Blu-Ray disks into any other format because I didn’t want to lose any quality.  I had lived by this rule for a long time, and thankfully companies like QNAP and Thecus came to my storage rescue.  However, the day has come where the cost of storing all the extra garbage that comes along with these movies has opened my eyes to benefits conversions.  With that, I have began converting my movie collection to a format that allows me to lose all the excess fat, but keep my movie loss-less. Read More…

There is no doubt that the HTPC enthusiast has some options when looking for a chassis to fill the void in their entertainment center.  It seems like so many of the options are either too small, too big, to ugly, or too expensive.  With that in mind, SilverStone has stepped up their game.  SilverStone is no slouch when it comes to manufacturing high quality computer components and with the introduction of the GD06, the company is trying to shake up the HTPC chassis market a bit.

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We've seen plenty of different ideas from plenty of case manufacturers to differentiate them from others.  There are those manufacturers that try to wow you with graphics, those that try to innovate with crazy designs; personally, I like it when they get back to the basics.  Lian Li is one of those companies that have been consistent throughout their tenure, with only a few questionable designs throughout the years.  With the introduction of the PC-6, Lian Li thinks they can bring this "back to basics" reviewer to chassis nirvana.

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Having been a longstanding fan and avid user of the Lian Li line of computer chassis; I find that it is difficult to be absolutely wow'ed by another manufacturer's attempt to overthrow the chassis king.  Zalman is not new to the game, having been in business since 1999; they have manufactured products in a slew of different genres starting with quiet computing and traveling into the ridiculously priced.  The GT1000 is not a bargain basement chassis but is it worth the $380.00 Price tag? Read More...

If you are a regular to COD, you would understand by now that I am very passionate about computer chassis. A well designed chassis is the basis of a well built system. Today, Thermaltake has once again asked that I examine one of their designs. Enter the Thermaltake Tsunami Dream Aluminum Case.

Let me start off by saying, when I received it, I had to immediately open the box; I thought they forgot to put the case in there. It is extremely light, weighing in at only 13.2lbs. This is a HUGE difference from the last case they sent me for review, the Damier V5000A, which weighed in at 35.27lbs. Read More...

If there is one thing I love about the computing show grounds, it's the computer cases. With everyone bringing their "A" game these days, it's hard to decide who will end up with a chunk of my earnings. Some cases are flashy, some are simple; today, flashy is the word, functionality is the goal, and price is the key.

Thermaltake is trying to dazzle us with their latest creations. They are a mixture of tried and true form, with rodeo clown appearances. With these things in mind, they have decided to let us play with one of their models from the Damier Series; the Modern Life Style XaserV Damier V5000A. Read More...

We sink so much into our computers, we research components, shop around for the best prices, look for ways of making it perform better; but we still have a plain beige box with poor cooling properties and NO aesthetics. There are many companies trying to deliver something different to the masses, at a considerably smaller cost then just a few years ago. Yes, that's right boys and girls; the days of pulling out the jigsaw to put a window in your case is gone. Chieftec isn't the only company doing this, but they sure do have a very attractive package available for the end user. Read More...

Today I am reviewing an aluminum case made by Directron. For an aluminum case it is very nicely built with rolled edges and very few sharp protrusions. It has plenty of room for most users. It also has the advantages of some front ports for USB (2) and Firewire (IEEE1394). And it comes with a side window already installed. All this and more for under $100.00 shipped. (I think mine was right around $90.00 to my door.) Read More...

I am going to take us back to a time when Lian Li's looked like Lian Li's, except we are going to add a little shimmer to the subject. Enter the Lian Li PC-65B - PLUS EDITION. I know you are saying to yourself right now, "The PC-65B, what's so special about that?"

There are only a couple of things that set this case apart from the, dare I say, old PC-65B. Read More...