Rainwater tank

In January 2008 over the holiday period I installed a rainwater tank. The total cost was about $2000 and we sourced all the bits and pieces from two suppliers, One Stop Sprinklers and Bunnings; both in Notting Hill.

This is not just about having water for the garden, I actually get back some of my normal life that was taken away by local, state and federal authorities. Now I can water the garden, wash the cars and clean the concrete and windows whenever I feel like it and at a time that suits me - not them. 

Just finished helping the delivery guy get the tank off the truck and down the driveway to the front of the carport.

Chook run renovation

The old chook run

Actually this was more like a rebuild. We keep a few Bantams in the backyard and here is how the run looked in November 2006. It was simply star pickets with wire framing to support the chicken wire. I later realized the 25M roll I bought was actually bird wire which is a lighter gauge so it deteriorates more rapidly than chicken wire. 

Rabbit hutch

Chester's new home

 

Imation Apollo Portable 500GB USB Hard Drive

 

The Imation Apollo 2.5" Portable Hard Drive offers high-capacity mobile storage for data, photos, music and videos. It's a pocket-sized device that is lightweight and stylish yet extremely durable. Available in midnight-black brushed surface with chrome detailing.The Apollo Portable Hard Drive is fully USB 2.0 powered, and no additional power supply is required. A blue data transfer indicator lights when data transfer is in process.The Apollo Portable Hard Drive comes with easy-to-use Total Media Backup software compatible with both PC and Mac.

Features

• Ultra Slim Design - Designed to fit in the palm of your hand or slip into your pocket, the Apollo Portable Hard Drive offers a unique combination of sleek styling and compact size.
  
• Backup Software - The Apollo Portable Hard Drive comes with easy-to-install, easy-to-use Total Media backup™ software that is preconfigured to backup data, photos, music and video. Designed for use with PC or Mac, you can select backup, schedule, synchronise and restore functions with a quick click of the mouse.
  
• USB 2.0 Powered - The drive is fully USB 2.0 powered. No external power supply is required.

I purchased the Imation Apollo Portable 500GB USB Hard Drive for the AKAI AD181X set top box from JB Hi-Fi for $109 as advertised in their catalogue. When I went to buy they were $139 so I said to the nice lady serving me I want that for $109 as per the current catalogue, she was not sure and got someone else involved to discuss and while they were doing that I brought up their website on a Apple Mac (LOL) and they agreed $109 was OK so I had a win.

Akai AD181X High Definition Set Top Box with PVR Function

 

 $109.00

 

•    Allows you to receive free-to-air digital broadcasts in both standard definition and high definition
•    Record directly to a USB storage device
•    Fully compliant with DVB-T and H.264, AVC, MPEG4,MPEG2 Standard
•    Supports EPG, Display Present/ Next TV Programme
•    Supports HDMI, Component and Composite output
•    SPDIF Coaxial Output
•    HDMI(up to 1080i) Output
•    PAL and NTSC Auto Switch
•    Auto / Manual scan
•    1000 channels
•    Parent Control
•    This unit works for both Australia and New Zealand Digital Broadcasting Networks.

 

I purchased this STB from K-mart "on special" for $109. This STB was a nightmare and I was close to returning for a refund but AKAI/AUDION came good with a couple of firmware updates that fixed all the main issues and added a couple of extra features. Read all about it on DTV Forum.

The latest V1.3 FW update can be obtained from AUDION.

The only issue I have now is that the program title of a timer record is stamped with the title of the previous show.

I can live with this so overall a good outcome.

 

 

For storage I purchased the Imation Apollo Portable 500GB USB Hard Drive from JB Hi-Fi.

 

 

Gamer Multi Switch Box

Gamer Multi Switch Box $29.76

inc AV cable FUT-4012S

 

 (Don't have a better pic)

Clearance product, stock is limited.

 

Model Number: FUT-4012S

Product code: YG0088

 

IThe ALDI Tevion 51cm CRT on the balcony has only one set of AV (composite) inputs so I bought this on special for $15 to switch between AV receiver (Foxtel) and set top box - ideal and cheap solution.

 

Note: link in the Tevion TV(s) and AV wireless sender projects.

 

New front door

The house is two story and the front porch which is quite large in area is resessed in from the front of the house.

It's 1972 and the builders (AV Jennings) decided that a normal internal door would be fine for the front door since it was out of the weather.

Finally we decided its time for a new front door, it's quite wide the width measures xxx.

This is going to be a problem, most of the doors on the the floor are 820mm - bugger.

We went all over the place and quotes ranged up to $1,250 made, installed and painted - to much.

So...I took measurements and we ordered a bare composite door with two glass panes for $395 from Doors Plus.

The lock hardware cost $40 on special and paint was $50. All up about $500 bucks - not bad.

When the guy delivered the door he gave us a set of nice hinges for free - thanks.