Notes

• http://sourceforge.net/projects/licenseplate/ (haven’t tried this one)
• http://javaanpr.sourceforge.net/ (this one needs to be adapted to US license plates)

Xiaolin Wei and Jinxiang Chai developed a program that tracks human bodies in videos to create animated 3D models (which can then be viewed from any angle). It will be presented at Siggraph in Los Angeles.

Download a PDF or download the video.

Via New Scientist.

The Boxee Box by D-Link

Vudu XL

Popcorn Hour C-200

LG BD390

PlayOn!HD

Roku

Mvix Ultio

Netgear EVA2000

Neuros Link

Another option would be to use an Home Theater PC (HTPC), more expensive but also more versatile.
http://www.linuxtech.net/features/best_linux_htpc_motherboards.html has some good tips for building your own.

With my Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000, I use this:

Live video:

mplayer -fps 30 driver=v4l2:width=960:height=720:device=/dev/video0 tv://

Or to grab a single jpeg frame from the command line:

mplayer driver=v4l2:width=960:height=720:device=/dev/video0 tv:// -nosound -vo jpeg -fps 1 -frames 1

The best solution/workaround I found is to create an executable script (eg: start_firefox) with the following lines (1, 2):

#!/bin/sh
export LD_PRELOAD="/usr/lib/libGL.so.1"
/home/alexb/apps/firefox/firefox
chmod +x start_firefox
./start_firefox

Another solution is to disable the hardware acceleration in Flash (probably a bad solution):

1. Right click on the embedded Flash window inside Firefox (flash video)
2. Settings…
3. go to the first tab
4. un-check “Enable hardware acceleration”

Now you should be able to go full screen…

Here is the version of the software I was using.

• Flash v10,0,15,3
• Firefox 3.0.5 and 3.5.2
• NVIDIA video driver 180.22
• Kernel 2.6.27.7-smp

Verismo’s VuNow allows you to stream Internet video content directly to your TV. The MediaMVP was a similar device, but was used to get content off your computer (unless you use something like MVPMC). According to Verismo, it’s simple to use and easy to install. We can find out on December 15th for $99.

VuNow™ Features

Verismo’s VuNow is the only solution that provides everything a consumer wants. Access to the broadest online content, simple to use, easy to install, and compact in size — all at an affordable price.

• A Standard Definition and a High Definition model of the VuNow PoD that can connect to any TV

• Support for wired or wireless connectivity
• Navigation using a TV-friendly and intuitive User Interface
• Watch YouTube™ videos on TV by categories
• Search for videos with the powerful built-in video search engine
• Choose from a large selection of movies and download from CinemaNow™
• Download videos using BitTorrent™ protocol
• Watch videos directly from popular websites by categories
• Watch Live TV Channels from around the world
• Access to Personal Media such as video, music, and photos from the home network stored on a PC, Networked Attached Storage device, or even on a connected USB storage device

Verismo’s VuNow

with the latest ffmpeg installed, I add to temporarily move the following directories in my home directory for the MythTV compilation to go smoothly:
/usr/include/libavcodec/
/usr/include/libavformat/
/usr/include/libavutil/

How to record a screencast with sound from the sound server (e.g.: ALSA) using ffmpeg:

ffmpeg -f oss -i /dev/audio -f x11grab -s 800x600 -r 15 -i :0.0 output.avi

Lights, Motors, Action!(TM) Stunt Show, Hollywood Studios (MGM), – Click here for this week’s top video clips

Part 1 of 1

Part 2 of 2

They were filmed on 03/31/07.