I’ve done some more work for my dad, this time a shopping cart-based IPN script for use with Paypal. Basically, a person clicks the “add to cart” link on one of his client’s sites, then it, well, adds to their cart. Then they can checkout using Paypal and it automatically sends them a dynamic download link to the e-book they bought. Anyway, pretty nice project–I like working with PHP. It’s something I enjoy doing, and I get paid for it.
This time my payment was a bunch of cables. I know you’re thinking that I’m lame, but hear me out: These cables are so I can play and record console games on my computer. I plug the console into a splitter, and basically one end goes to the monitor and another goes to a tv tuner card to record/broadcast. Pretty neat, I think. Took me a while to figure out the best way to do it, too. For that reason, I have provided you an expertly-made diagram. Yes, it’s Paint.
All in all: I bought an XCM composite to VGA adapter, component coupler, and two component cables. I also needed to get an s-video cable so I could record/broadcast my PC without lag by plugging the GPU directly into the tv tuner, but I forgot. I also forgot the RCA audio y-splitter, but I can just pick these up at any Radioshack anytime. Total, this hit me about $130; but I had $45 left over from when I returned my original 360 VGA cable, so it actually run me $85. Pretty good investment if you ask me, 1080p on my monitor and the ability to record for machinimas and broadcast for shits a giggles–it’s all good, it’s all good! TV tuner was quite cheap, too; only $30. Component tuner cards usually $60 or more, around $100 if you want to get a good one–so I got a good deal there. I had to order everything from different sites though which really sucked, it’d be nice if I could’ve gotten them all from just one site but oh well, couldn’t find them. Only downside is multiple shipping charges, as well as the fact that everything will arrive in ‘pieces’. Should be coming in late this week or early next week, though, so don’t fret; you’ll be able to watch me play old games on a Justin.TV stream real soon.
Anyway, for the upcoming holiday season and my birthday in February, I’ve compiled a list of games I’d like. I also put in a PS3 since I don’t have one, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be getting one. And for that reason, none of the games on the list. LittleBigPlanet looks awesome though. The problem is that it’s not worth getting a $400 console just for one game, and nearly all of the other good games for the PS3 are multiplatform with the 360 or aren’t even out yet. Meh. I don’t know about Sonic Unleashed for the 360 though, as most sonic games since SEGA disbanded sucked. Hopefully it’ll break the cycle, though. As for the Wii, I’m really disappointed in Nintendo right now. So much shovelware, so little good games.
360
- Dead Space
- Fable 2
- Gears of War
- Gears of War 2
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
- Bionic Commando
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- Indiana Jones
- Sonic Unleashed
- Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.
PC
- Far Cry 2
- Left 4 Dead
- Call of Duty: World at War
- Mirror’s Edge
- Diablo III
- StarCraft II
Wii
- The Conduit
PS3
- a PS3
- LittleBigPlanet
- Infamous
- Velvet Assassin
- Killzone 2
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune