Out of Saratoga Springs, NY, Kaged Kombat is an up-and-coming MMA promotion that puts on some of the greatest matches a mixed martial arts fan could ask for. Above is a shot I took of fellow ring announcer Marty “The Party” and MMA Judge & Official “Slammin’ Dan Scroady along with the Ring Girls.
Here is an in-cage camera perspective of what it looks like in the octagon.
I ring announce (along with Marty The Party) for this promotion on occasion and we both always have a blast. The next Kaged Kombat event …
Event: Kaged Kombat 17
Date: November 23, 2013
Venue: Saratoga Springs City Center
Address: 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Time: Doors open at 6pm – fights start at 7pm
Tickets: Purchase at the door
Looking for alternative to paying that monsterous monthly cable bill? Does it seem like the fight of paying additional fees never ends? Well, maybe you could unsubscribe to some of those expensive add-on movie channels and pick up a streaming media box. A web-based television experience is the way of the future.
As some of my friends know, I became a big fan of TheCoolTV. This indy channel was a syndicated music video channel that decided to “take over where MTV left off.” They played a weird mix of everything music video, and took pride in an ONLY music video format. That means no reality tv and virtually no content without the spotlight on music. When my local TimeWarner stopped carrying this “.1” channel, I thought it was gone forever. But I was wrong. I soon learned that I could see the coolness once again perhaps through streaming media boxes like Roku and Apple TV.
OTT (Over The Top) or Set-Top boxes like Roku and AppleTV are devices that receive the “media broadcast” or content over the Internet by streaming. All you do is plug a little wallet-shaped box into your HD television and your wireless router does the rest. They range from $60-$120 or so and offer loads of content without a monthly fee.
These little streaming media boxes warriors have subscription-based services like Netflix, HuluPlus, and Amazon along with other web-based media “channels” that provide audio and video content from the internet. Plugging one of these into your television’s HDMI connection brings to your screen an alternative platform to your cable provider that is similar to “On Demand” channels. Some of these channels you pay for, and some you don’t. Some channels have either live streaming programs, or an archived show library, or a combination of both.
Notable up-and-coming Contenders – are out there, trying to climb the championship ladder. These contenders include Western Digital Media Center, Roku, Boxee, YouView, SonySMP-N200 and Google TV, as well as Smart TV upgraders from companies such as Samsung and LG. While there are a handful of other streaming boxes out there right now, the two champions that really seem to be cornering the market are Apple TV & Roku. Overall for my specific uses, I believe that Roku beats out Apple TV.
IN THIS CORNER… APPLE TV –My wife bought me an Apple TV for Christmas. I immediately found that this tiny $100 box did all kinds of big things. Apple TV mirrored my ipad/iphone stream to the television so I could watch YouTube on TV using “AirPlay.” It also let me AirPlay Facetime from my phone so I could see people on other iPhones as I talked to them on my TV. Apple TV also offered the Apple ecosystem, in that I could seamlessly access my photostream from my iTunes account. And it also offered Netflix and HuluPlus as a subscription-based service on its menu. I could also access all my music files by using iTunes Match for $25 a year.
However, I found that Apple TV didn’t totally do what I specifically wanted it to do. It didn’t offer very much content without some kind of subscriptions involved… In other words, you had to pay for a lot of the content, and quite often, you were paying for stuff that you can find on the internet for free.
When I tried to AirPlay HBO-Go from my phone to my television, I only got the audio. “Did I mess something up?” No. For whatever reason, HBO doesn’t want to allow this to work with Apple’s mirror system… or perhaps, Apple doesn’t want to allow this to happen either. That way, you have to buy more content from iTunes.
In my opinion, this device is a great choice for people who want their iPhones & iPads to talk to their television sets. However, it is not a great choice for people who want to bring loads of content to their flat screens without having to pay extra for it. For the same reason why Apple doesn’t have USB inputs on their mobile devices, they can control what streams to your television and what does not. This is also why, I believe, there are far less non-apple channels available for Apple TV than there are to its biggest competitor Roku. Less channels means you have to buy more stuff from iTunes.
APPLE TV TALE OF THE TAPE KEY APPLE TV CHANNELS NOT ON ROKU: iTunes, AirPlay, YouTube, Mobile Me (photos). WEIGHT: Unlike the Roku, Apple TV is very strong and dense, and feels heavy like a brick in your hand. Unboxing it feels fresh. REMOTE: The factory remote is small and pointy and not comfortable in your hand. It also does not take regular batteries. I hate it. PROS: The onscreen interface is streamline and scrumptious. Just like all other Apple products, it has the easy user interface you’d expect from the creators of the iPod, iPad, and iPhone. AirPlay compatibility lets you stream anything you can hear (and, in some cases, see) on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. And any audio, video, or photos you have in your iTunes cloud will seamlessly stream to your TV. CONS: Apple TV costs $20 more than Roku and costs more to get the content overall. It offers far fewer content “channels” than Roku. Apple TV only works on HDTVs equipped with an HDMI input and deos not have a USB port to import content from a thumb drive. To get the best from Apple TV, you need to be committed to the entire Apple “ecosystem”: running iTunes, purchasing video via the iTunes Store, and using an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch as a remote control.
AND IN THIS CORNER…. ROKU XD or XS – I will admit, I marked out to the Apple TV idea at first, as did a buddy of mine. But then we shot a tweet to our favorite techno-God Michael Manna, (aka former WWE & ECW wrestler Stevie Richards.) Manna said that he heard Roku was perhaps cheaper, and better. So I picked up one to try it out.
I immediately found that Roku at $80 ($20 cheaper than Apple TV) is far more content-rich and still VERY simple to use. The Roku Store has a lot of channels and is getting more, and the directory changes every day. Right now, Roku has in the area of 700 channels or so, with additional sub-channel content. This is far more offerings than that of Apple TV.
Independent private channels like Mummy TV & Nowhere TV can be added to your Roku menu for free. By doing this, you open up hundreds of web-based network & cable streams from around the world. On top of being able to subscribe to Netflix and HuluPlus and also HBO-Go (not available on Apple TV), you also have access to free movie channels like Crackle, PopcornFlix and MovieBlast, and even crazy specific “On Demand Platforms” like The Kung Fu Channel and The UFO’s & Alien Abduction PodCast Archive Library. It has great B movies, horror films, and yes, it even has porno. And that’s not all…
For geeks like me, you can get JustinTV, Comicbook Vine, NWA Wrestling Channel & ProWrestling Channel, and a even a live stream of exactly what Shamu The Whale is up to at any given moment in his tank at Sea World on the Shamu Cam. The only real channel missing from Roku but present on Apple TV oddly enough is Youtube. While you cannot YouTube search on the television screen, there is a work around available via mobile device mirroring that will enable you to still view everything from that community.
Roku Mirroring is not as good as Apple TV AirPlay, but two mirroring apps are available. A new app called “Plex” allows you to stream media files from your phone to your TV. You can also “beam’ Youtube content from any mobile device through a channel called “Twonky Beam.”
ROKU TALE OF THE TAPE KEY ROKU CHANNELS NOT ON APPLE TV: Amazon, Hulu Plus, Crackle, MLS MatchDay Live, UFC, Al Jazeera English, FoxNews.com, Pandora, Rdio, Tune In Radio, Shoutcast, MOG, Break.com, Blip.tv, MediaFly, Facebook photos, Angry Birds, MummyTV, Nowehere TV and dozens of others. WEIGHT: Unlike the Apple TV box, the Roku feels like a happy meal toy in your hand. The ironic thing is that while Apple TV feels more dense to the touch, it has less free content inside it. REMOTE: Is easy to use and feels good in your hand. It takes traditional AAA batteries, and not the lame CR2032 or BR2032 coin looking batteries that the Apple TV remote requires. The XS model also has motion control which allows you to play Wii like games. PROS: Roku offers far more diverse programming options than you’ll find on Apple TV and far more free content. And, unlike Apple TV, Roku will work with non-HD TVs. CONS: Roku’s interface is not as polished and as sexy as Apple TV. And, although there are a variety of mirror apps for Android and iOS, Roku is not as good as Apple for Mobile Mirroring or easy way to stream audio or video files from your networked PC or Mac to the Roku.
Overall Decision – Ring the bell. The judges have declared the winner… ROKU!
The average television viewer is a person who watches TV so they can see either television shows, the news, or movies. Roku seems to provide the best selection of these three things, plus adding THROAT LOADS of unfiltered internet content with every interest in mind. Roku has far more “channels” than the Apple TV, and far more free content options. And with the speed of updates and channel additions, it also seems that some pretty dedicated people both within and outside the Roku company are in it for the long haul for developing even more.
REVERSED DECISION? So why even buy a Apple TV? For only the avid Apple product user, I would reverse the decision and declare Apple TV the winner, but only for those Applemaniacs looking for an Apple Ecosystem-based television-viewing experience. Apple TV is a great platform for mobile device interaction. It has the ability to stream content from iTunes up to your television with ease. Apple TV really “speaks the language” of iPads, iPods, and iPhones and creates a seamless roadway from them to your television set.
If you plan on using your OTT Streaming Media Box as an alternative additional to cable (as I do), I would totally recommend the Roku. But if it is apple juice you seek, you know the way.
The Apple TV Remote Control is Just Begging to Get Lost in Your Cushions!
Once again, they ran out of prime rib just before they got to me. With no prime rib left to serve the only rockstar room, I cried my prime rib tears on a plate of replacement chicken. Why does this always happen to me? After all, I am DJ Kenny freakin’ Casanova, right? I am the one playing the tunes! Do you want me to play all Barry Manilow?
This time, despite being an officially invited guest and friend of the bride with my RSVP of beef, I still got the chicken. The waitress even stopped by my table first and asked, “what would you like; prime rib or chicken?” However, I knew her deal. I had her number. No matter what I was going to say to answer this routine question, she knew exactly what she was going to serve before she even asked the question. I was going to get the bird regardless, and knowing that made me want to give her the bird, in return.
I get no respect, and I get no prime rib.
Is this a conspiracy theory against Kenny Casanova, Prime Rib lover and enthusiast extraordinaire?
First off, I am a man. Prime Rib is my absolute favorite!!! You don’t even have to ask the question, chicken or beef. However, I think they do to somehow almost rub it in my face or something.
How can you do this to a man?Granted, I know I am supposed to be working. I know I am supposed to be doing my job and technically not enjoying the same inch and a half thick mound of meat that everyone else around me is devouring. However, why do they ask me if I want the beef or chicken, and always say that they ran out, if it isn’t a power play by the man trying to hold the funk soul brother DJ down?
Just like Rodney, I get no respect.
As a wedding DJ, you would think I would get the scrumptious pink piece of meat dish every weekend, but yet somehow, I rather always get the shaft…
MY THEORY – This “chicken switch” practice is not at all unusual. Many halls ironically always run out of the prime rib, just before they get to me. Is this a coincidence? Many halls rarely give the DJ and other wedding professionals their best dishes, as a means of cutting costs and offering a discount to the bride and groom on their food bill. However, for the purpose of my blog and for the purpose of word of mouth recommendation from a wedding professional who can be influential to clients who may be looking for a recommendation, this sucks.
DON’T MAKE ME CHICKEN REVIEW YOU INSTEAD OF BEEF- I can’t speak on a hall’s very best dish and give a client an idea of whether you should book a hall or not out of delisciousness, when I am not reviewing their very best dish, EVER.
Don’t you want to put your best foot forwards, or are you afraid you can’t make a piece of beef that can get a good review?
HOW CAN I REVIEW YOUR BEST FOR MY BLOG? – Be forewarned! When a different dish than I have requested is forced on me, I don’t always eat it. Therefore, I may have to default on a drunk bridesmaid to step in, for the purpose of reviewing the hall for my blog. Maybe this bridesmaid will be one who doesn’t care much for the hall’s chicken dish served with mandarin garnish. One who will offer quotes for my blog with her opinion openly saying the chicken was, “plain, a little on the tough side, and really cold.” One who makes a Chef Ramsay food review look good…
Mind you, the drunk bridesmaid may have had so much to drink that all she could taste by dinner was probably rum. In this case, the hall can risk that my audience can either take her review or leave it, and tell everyone to just consider the source.
BOTTOM LINE: Don’t ask me what I want to eat, then say you ran out and give me something else. That $#i!! just teases me. Also, realize that I yeild the power of the pen in these blogs. If you cheap out and chicken me after offering the prime rib, know that I won’t jump to eat it right away. Then, by the time I actually get to the chicken and it actually is cold, know that this will hurt your grade even more and I will likely just bring it home for my dog.
Incidently, my dog will nine times out of ten say, “I love this piece of chicken,” when I give him the replacement cheap dish. You may think, well at least we will get a good review from the DJ’s dog, however, consider the source yourself. This is the same dog who also licks his butt on a regular basis.
(The opinions above are the exclusive opinions of DJ Kenny Casanova immediately after being handed chicken, expecting a huge piece of steak. While some of what is being expressed above is completely true yet in saterical form, the words are not the official opinions of TheDJservice.com.)
Kenny Casanova & The Nasty BoysAs many of you know, before becoming a DJ, I was a ring announcer with experience at WWE wrestling. This past weekend, I had the “pleasure” of having dinner with The WWE Champions The Nasty Boys in Cohoes, New York on Sunday, January 8th, 2012, at The Black Cat Tavern. Let it be known, The Black Cat was not so nasty!
After a fun autograph signing and successful training seminar at the “In Your Face” Wrestling Gym of Cohoes, we gathered up the former WWE Tag Team Champions, Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs, for some wings and Polish food at the famous sports bar.
The Nasty Boys enjoyed the homemade perogies smothered in onions and downed a massive nasty-size order in record time. Then we enjoyed the Giants game before they headed out for the airport.
The food at The Black Cat was great. At $3.99 for about a dozen wings, $5 for steamers, and great deals on pub fair and Polish food, The Nasty Boys found themselves right at home. While it is a small bar, it does have a bigger eating area in the back that I am sure would work well for an engagement party, or wedding rehearsal party.
Many of The Black Cat bar’s older patrons recognized The nasty Boys for their former WWE Tag Team championship reign back in 1991. Some of the younger people recognized Brian Knobbs for his many more recent appearances on VH1’s reality series “Hulk Knows Best” & spinoff “Brooke Knows Best.”
Aside from my business partner, Marty “The Party,” having to provide the ravished 320 plus pound Nasty Boys with Hot Sauce on demand, a good time was had by all.
In Your Face Wrestling will also be having one of their own shows featuring WWE Legend Tony Atlas this Saturday in Ballston Spa, NY. See http://www.iyfwrestling.com/ for more information.
Kenny Casanova & The Nasty Boys
Marty “The Party ” the legal department of TheDJservice.com & “Nasty Boy “Jerry Saggs
Black Cat Waitress May & Former WWE Tag Champ Brian Knobbs
Black Cat Bartender & Brian Knobbs
Brian Knobbs, DJ Kenny Casanova, In Your Face Promotor Scott Scarsdale & Jerry Saggs
(518) 506-3305 – For an Affordable Wedding DJ in Albany NY… Party Planning Tips & Advice Blog.
Each and every time that I meet up with a bride and her groom for what they might want to hear at their wedding, Steve Jobs plays a big part. THe bride plays me a song on her iPod, I pull up the contract on my iPad and her husband-to-be breaks out some photo ideas on his Mac.
Then when the wedding happens, the majority of the music we hear is the direct product of iTunes.
Steve Jobs was the Michelangelo Buonarroti of our lifetime and we can only hope he left notes behind to continue his impactful ways on technology in the years to come.
Albany NY DJ Kenny Casanova will miss Steve JobsIn the last year, I have become an iPad 2 user. It really is great and I can’t live without it. I use it for calander planning, syncing information with my phone, bringing up song samples, providing photograph samples for customers and also enjoy capabilities and to surf the net. I even watched Toy Story 3 on it the other day, and enjoy a great Scrabble Game called “Words WIth Friends” from time to time. All of this in an easy compact tool that Steve Jobs dedicated his life to, in this great finale release.
Steve Jobs will always be remembered for making modern computing simple, seamless with other mediums and a very satisfying experience. The co-founder of Apple created the old school Apple I & II computers in the 70s. Later, he gave us the Macintosh and the iMac. Then people wanted better music capabilites on the computer so he added music to loop with the creation of iTunes and then the iPod. Then peopl wanted to make connections, so he added phone call capabilities with the iPhone, and then bundled it all together in the end with the Star Trek-like iPad.
Who knows where exactly things will be for apple in the future? I can only imagine Jobs has left his company behind a truck load of ideas for the years to come, and I can only hope that they will see the ideas through.
I just jumped on the apple band wagon the last couple of years, but know that people have been here a long time. Either way, many in the country agree that Steve Jobs will, in fact, be very missed.
Wow! What a crazy weekend, June 24-26th, 2011 turned out to be. We had a union party, three graduation parties, two bar gigs, three weddings and a school’s end party. Nuts!
Anyhow, out of all of them, I took what could be one of my new favorite wedding pictures of all times at Crystal Cove in Averill Park. The couple booked me to DJ and do pictures, so DJ Maria came to back me up during the shoots. (We make an awesome team!)
Many brides wish for a wedding outside in bright a bright ray of sunshine for their backdrop. Though many say that they don’t want it to rain on their wedding day, some people and cultures believe it is good luck.
Many people don’t know that as a wedding DJ, I also do photography.
DJ Kenny Casanova is also a Wedding Photographer in Albany, NY
From a photography point of view, rain at your wedding isn’t be ideal, but sunshine isn’t either. I actually very much like a bit of overcast clouding with a hint of rain approaching. Here are a few shots I have taken to help illustrate what I mean.
The first one is with the dock is from a wedding at Crystal Cove, just this past weekend.
This other shot is one of my personal favorites from my portfolio, a twelve our wedding celebration in Fonda from 2009. It was a blast, but this photo wasn’t taken later at night. It was between the ceremony and the reception. It actually rained a little during dinner, but nobody cared. It stopped soon after.
A chance of Rain ain’t bad.
The cute kid below, Logan, was the bride’s son from the Crystal Cove wedding. He caught me trying to get a candid of him taking candy from a bowl. His response turned out to be better than the original shot I had hoped for….
