Serve It Up! - PS3 Media Server

This little gem of a free program has been out for a while and with the latest revision: version 1.72, this has become a truly great piece of tech.

So you've got a console. You've probably also got a big screen to use it with. These days if you've got a console you've usually got a computer too and you're probably hoarding all kinds of media on there.

What PS3 Media Server allows you to do is make the most out of your big screen by turning your computer into a media server. PS3 Media Server was originally designed to be able to stream content from your computer over Wifi to your PS3. It does support the Holy Trinity of Operating Systems so whether you have a Mac, Linux, or Windows computer you're covered.

More tech savy people may say 'well I've already got a NAS box that I can stream content from'.  Well good for you. But you could of saved yourself £50+ or even a couple of hundred if you just used your computer's hard drive with PS3 Media Server instead.

PS3 Media Server is really easy to use and adheres to the DLNA and UPnP standards which means it is extremely versatile and not just limited to the PS3. The website has a list of supported devices which include Xbox 360, Android devices, Wifi enabled TV's and more so you could even stream content to your tablet or your smartphone. The Interface is really simple as you can see from the screenshot. It has three big buttons for main operations at the top and tabs with lots of streaming options to fiddle with if you so wish. The main things you may want to do are to disable thumbnails or lower the bit-rate which can help to have a smoother stream.

So far I've installed the Mac version of PS3 Media Server and streamed a Pulp Fiction DVD rip from my external drive connected to the Mac. The whole process couldn't be easier, it took 5 minutes from the moment I started downloading it to begin streaming and the stream was quality. Of course this whole operation will depend on having a good internet connection so make sure you take your bandwidth into consideration before you start trying to stream a blu-ray file! I had no problems with 4.5mbps.

No more connecting my computer to the stereo, fiddling with cables or going to and fro with usb drives for me. PS3 Media Server is the way to go. Download the program and try it for yourself here. Before you get started watch this helpful 'how to' video.

Good Tech.

Melanin 9 Album Launch Party

Melanin 9 launched his new album Magna Carta with a bang.
Lively performances from some of the best in the business brought energy to a night destined for greatness. Loads of artists turned out to support and the venue was packed with fans, probably the busiest Vibe Bar has ever been. M9 dressed in a dramatic looking red boiler suit,  accompanied by long time partners in rhyme Triple Darkness, kept the crowd hungry for more as DJ 279 spun them through classic hits and soon to be classic new joints till the lights came on. The man was dripping in sweat and absolutely shattered at the end of the show, you have to respect an artist that gives you everything. You can cop Magna Carta from Suspect Packages. This was a great night for Hiphop that will live long in the memory, check out the pictures here.

Kendrick Lamar LIVE at Electric Ballroom, London

After recently seing A$ap Rocky tear down the HMV Institute in Birmingham I had high expectations for Kendrick Lamar. The A$ap show was crazy, he did a stage dive on the first song, some poor girls weave was being thrown around and the mosh pits lasted well A$ap left the stage.

Billed as the 'saviour' of hiphop, Kendrick Lamar should have been able to deliver an equally if not more memorable experience than A$ap Rocky did and I am glad to say he did not disapoint.

Most of the crowd were throwing their 3's up representing Kendrick's society: Hiii Power. A frenzy of energy was flowing through the venue as Kendrick flawlessly delivered his fast flows and conscious lyrics occaisionaly pausing to catch his breath while allowing the crowd to be herd reciting the vocals for him.

K-Dot went through favorites from his three releases and dropped some gems that are not officially released. Some of my favorites were H.O.C and Cartoons and cereal, the latter he performed after finishing the show and returning after the crowd demanded an encore. Amazing stuff. I found a nice vantage point to get some footage and filmed some of the songs which are all on you tube. Everytime I watch them I'm instantly transported back to a passionate night of talent, good vibes and good music. Enjoy.

Traktors Are Slow?

Any producer worth their salt knows that Native Instruments are the go to company when it comes to high quality sample sounds and software to manipulate them with. Already with the sample cd and sofware sampler markets under the wing, NI have also solidified their position as a major player in the hardware controller market with solid pieces of kit like the Maschine and the Traktor. These devices are hugely versatile and can be used for production or turntablism in the studio and in a live PA. The latest addition to the Traktor range is the Kontrol F1. It'll take me way too long to write about how awesome this is and what it can do for the modern digital dj/producer. Check out the promotional video featuring the multi-talented moldover. Thanks to Darren for the heads up. This is some serious tech!

A$AP Rocks London

Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky is coming to the UK hitting London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham between the 5th-9th June with a final show in early July. Anyone that didn't check out 'Live Love A$AP' needs to educate themselves on a slept on mixtape and be prepared to be surprised. A$AP mob is actually a crew comprising of many different elements headed by frontman A$AP Rocky. The usual mix of rappers and producers are there but not every crew has the team's name affixed to their own or has a manager and fashion designers part of a click all donning crew tatoos. Another intetesting thing about this group is the meaning of ther name: Always Strive And Prosper. The sound A$AP Rocky has is inspired by the South Coast trap music scene but with an alternative twist. Rocky's sharp vocals pierce through the bassy gritty production as he raps with a style that is easy on the ear and delivered with a distinctive flow. This is the new sound of the streets of Harlem. The Video for 'Peso' transports viewers into the twisted world of a flamboyant young thug amidst the poverty stricken streets he calls home. Oddly fashion conscious and hugely talented, Rocky even directs his own videos and will be one to watch for the future. Get the mixtape and get a ticket for the show, you won't be disappointed.

P Money live at Bump

P Money

For anybody that doesn't know, P Money is one of the hardest UK Grime MCs.
With his blend of  dark bass-heavy Dubstep and Grime beats blended with his frantic and aggressive flows P Money has dropped some banging mixtapes and collaborated with just about everyone in the UKG scene.


Headlining Bump at Plan B last night he put in an energetic performance in front of a capacity crowd. One of my favorite P Money tracks is the collaboration with True Tiger 'Slang like this'. Check that video out for a taste of how P Money reps UK with the barz and click here for more pics of this crazy night.

Don't Flop

The Dont Flop MC battles are coming to London in early 2012! Since the old days of Lyric Pad and Jumpoff have disappeared, events like Battlescars, End Of the Weak (EoW) and Don't Flop have carried the torch for the UK MC battle scene that helped to launch artists such as Professor Green. Don't Flop is kicking off on Saturday 14th January from 12:00pm support this entertaining event... DON'T FLOP!
https://www.facebook.com/events/220711151337533/

Here's a  Don't Flop battle to wet you're appetite..

Jedi Mind Tricks

One of the hardest rap groups returns to London to promote their new album Violence Begets Violence. Known for their hard beats, skilful delivery and provocative subject matter this is a show not to be missed.

You can catch JMT performing at the Garage in London on February 14th before they move on to Manchester the next day and then the rest of Europe.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to TECHhop.

While the site has been offline i've still been checking out the best in technology and hiphop. Talking about hiphop, enjoy this link to one of the best hardcore hiphop radio shows on the planet with DJ Eclipse and Torae. 

Rap is outta control