Archive for 'TV/Media'
How to Watch Live Japanese Television (For Free!)
Posted on 24. Aug, 2008 by koichi.
This article is all thanks to rjhoolan, who tipped me on this via Twitter. First off, thank you rjhoolan for this tip. It’s freakin amazing! Anyways, if you’re reading this, you probably want to watch some Japanese television. Not only that, but you probably want some LIVE Japanese television. I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Let’s start with the bad: This doesn’t work on a Mac. Supposedly they’re working on a Mac version, but who knows when that will turn out. But, if you have Windows (or are running bootcamp, VMware, or Parallels on your Mac), this should work fine. If you ask me, this is a good enough reason to install windows on VMware, allow it a mere 256mb, and let it do its magic. It’s that amazing.
The service that lets you do this is called TVU networks. They explain themselves much better than I can, so let’s let them do it.
TVU uses a new broadcast technology called Real-Time Packet Replication. With this technology, all the viewers who are watching a channel at the same time are cooperating to give everyone the best possible signal. TVU’s application does not create any new files on your hard disk because you’re watching live TV. [source]
So, that’s how it’s done, but I bet you want to know how to get it up and running, like now. Who wouldn’t? Ridiculous Japanese commercials await! (more…)
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Stare-apy for the Socially Inept (+ Edits)
Posted on 06. Jun, 2008 by Erin.
As much as I want to be outrageously snarky in this post, I don’t think I can bring myself to do it. After all, social anxiety disorder is pretty serious stuff, especially in Japan, the birthplace of the hikikomori (引き籠もり or “pulling away”) phenomenon. In an attempt to help out those who are uncomfortable in social situations, Avex has introduced a DVD titled Miterudake (ミテルだけ) or “Just Looking”. The DVD is labeled as “interactive”, but there are really only two activities that users are expected to perform: (more…)
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Another Reason Not to Use Online Translators
Posted on 03. Jun, 2008 by Erin.
Responses to my online translator post were mixed. Some people agreed, while others got defensive*. Past differences of thought aside, I found something today that argues unequivocally in favor of my point. It seems that Kosuke Fukudome, a right fielder for the Chicago Cubs, has some well-meaning but very Japanese-illiterate fans. At a Cubs game earlier this year (April–I’m kind of late), fans brandished signs that they thought bore the Japanese equivalent to the Cub’s slogan: It’s Gonna Happen. Unfortunately (but oh-so-predictably), they didn’t.
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日本で一番面白いボスです
Posted on 18. May, 2008 by Erin.
Last night, Steve Carell participated in one of the funniest SNL Digital Shorts I have seen in a long time. Now, it’s kind of a stretch, as far as Tofugu’s “Japanese Culture and Language” theme goes, but I feel that it’s interesting enough to warrant a post. Here’s the video, after the break: (more…)
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Erotic Weather Channels…yes, that’s plural
Posted on 11. Nov, 2007 by koichi.
If you take a look at the sunny days, and you happen to be able to read katakana, you’ll notice that they spell out the word エロ (ero), which, if you do read katakana, you’ll know notice means “erotic.” Considering they were showing eight different locations, as well as the weather for each of them between 6am – 9pm, the chances for this coming up is nil to none. Unbelievably, something similar happened at a different time on the Wii Weather Channel: (more…)
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Nice Japan p I: Violence and Anime
Posted on 23. Oct, 2007 by Lee.
There are way too many people out there with utopian views of the Japanese nation, and we aren’t here to perpetuate anyone’s fantasy. Although Japan is pretty freakin’ sweet (I think we all pretty much agree), it’s still a country full of problems, just like anywhere else. And now, without further adieu…
This is my first article written for this blog, and it’s both depressing and late. But nevertheless, here it is. I’m a friend of Koichi from his college, but as you probably have haven’t noticed by now, I obscured my face; there’s a kind of virtue in being Anonymous, in that you can speak with confidence, yet never be too conceited about your work. Or it could be that I’m just shy and I don’t like showing my face on the net, but think up your own explanation. Maybe I’m ugly, on a Lovecraftian scale, and am trying to protect your sanity in a blessed act of mercy. Enough with the introductions, let’s start the article. (more…)
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My Pokemanz, Let Me Show You Them
Posted on 21. Oct, 2007 by Erin.
The title’s not so clever, I know, but there’s really no need to be witty, here—the picture says it all. Now, I know everyone and their mother has seen this, but I just have to say, this may be the absolute worse placement of an opening/entrance in inflatable bouncer history:
How could anyone have thought that this was a good idea? Couldn’t they have made a regular-looking doorway instead of a flap that needs to be held open by two people? I’m really not trying to be crude, here, but I’m just so mind-boggled by this decision. What do you guys think?
Source: おはようwwwお前らwww
**10/27: Edited out some of the questions that where more or less redundant**
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Charity Never Felt So Good
Posted on 22. Aug, 2007 by Erin.
Paradise TV, beloved Japanese satellite smut-provider, will be hosting its annual 24 hour charity event this weekend: ２４時面テレビエロは地球を救う or “24 Hour Telethon Porn Can Save the World”.
Stop! Aids will be the day’s motto (the punctuation seems a bit wonky but it’s a lovely sentiment, all the same); all proceeds earned during the 24-hour span will go to the Japan Foundation for AIDS Prevention (JFAP). The basic idea of this event is simple: AV (adult video) enthusiasts contribute to Paradise TV’s collective endowment in return for the enlargement of their collective endowment.
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Japanese Youtubers Part I: Moonkey4U
Posted on 19. Aug, 2007 by koichi.
When you’ve ridden the youtube village tricycle a few times, you’ll realize that there are a bunch of undeserving popular folks, and just as many talented unpopular ones. Moonkey4U falls into the latter category.Though Moonkey provides a variety of different videos, all of them are of high quality. Sometimes he just talks into the camera (great for Japanese listening practice – he’s a quick talker), sometimes he goes places and takes you with him (great for learning about Japanese culture and people), and other times he’ll do something completely confusing (good for variety, I suppose). All-in-all, Moonkey is going to be a great subscription for the youtubers reading on this site. I highly encourage you to check him out.
I don’t remember how I originally stumbled upon him (though I think it was through maxdesu’s subscription page), but I remember being immediately fascinated by his videos. This is why I subscribed: (more…)
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Tokyo’s Fruity City Landscape
Posted on 26. Jul, 2007 by Viet.
So, you are planning that trip to Japan, but you have no clue what to do short of gawking at school girls or skimpily dressed women. Fear not, I have a suggestion for you. If you’re in the Tokyo vicinity, then I suggest visiting the Mori Tower at Roppongi Hills. There you get to see the giant spider, make the poor Japanese teens working at Cold Stone Creamery sing in Engrish (without tipping!) and meet people who aren’t Japanese!
Sounds very exciting, huh? But wait… there is more! (more…)
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