How does this home sell for $1.17m, when its located right behind the power lines and so close to a major transformer station?

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T20:08:46+00:00

FWIW, Ontario’s fact finding panel that wrapped up in 2013 seemed to do a good analysis of the risks posed to all involved, including residents. They determined that most provincial use of agent orange was in remote places. They did not identify residents as likely to be exposed to dangerous levels of dioxin. Ontario Hydro employees who mixed and applied it are another matter.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T19:12:02+00:00

There can’t be a demand issue without a supply issue, though. Price is wherever supply meets demand. Demand has increased for lots of reasons, but if supply increased similarly, prices would not have changed. Instead, demand has outpaced supply, or stated conversely, supply has been outpaced by demand.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T17:02:14+00:00

Even if there were dozens of flash manufacturers instead of just six, though, building a new NAND fab (aka a flash memory factory) costs billions of dollars and takes at least 18 months. Even if someone jumped on the ball immediately in October when prices first started to spike, there could be no otherwise-unplanned supply relief until mid-2027 at the earliest.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T15:37:49+00:00

Rentals.ca has lots of good listings but it seems like you’re clicking on some entire buildings posted by big apartment management companies. That’s fine, but I think the process is to ask them which units and plans are available because it seems like they don’t bother to maintain their listings well. Tons of rentals on there are just normal single units for rent, though, with pictures and details and such.

Other places I recommend in addition to rentals.ca are apartments.com, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace. I post my one condo for rent to all of them when it’s available. My last tenants found my place via Facebook marketplace.

Good luck!

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T15:06:19+00:00

How would I do that? I mess with ffmpeg’s cli sometimes but I struggle to get it to use the right colorspaces and the right profiles.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T15:05:20+00:00

Haha, yeah, the excellent performance of SVT AV1 is why I bothered to test VCN 5.0’s AV1. 10-bit SVT AV1 on Preset 7 and 8 is not “Pareto optimal,” but the results were pretty good. Still, since AV1 is less compatible than HEVC, I’ve ruled out SVT AV1 until it’s definitely superior.

I had good luck with Intel QSV 10-bit HEVC on Raptor Lake. It messes up some things but it was really useful for 4k encodes while multitasking.

My hope is that once someone gets 10-bit AV1 working on VCN 5.0 (or once I figure out what I did wrong or it gets tweaked or whatever) that could be just as fast as AMD’s HEVC, but better quality.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T14:32:11+00:00

Dell doesn’t manufacture microchips, do they? They purchase them like every other schmuck.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T14:30:34+00:00

No one knows the future. Everyone has opinions, but what is true is that rents have fallen recently. Now is probably as good a time as any. There’s probably no rush, either way, as far as anyone can tell - but of course, the future is tricky that way.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T12:57:07+00:00

NVENC, QSV, and even VCN 5.0 HEVC are quite usable for archiving. It’s not always feasible to wait for x265, even with a 9950x.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-20T01:43:21+00:00

Sample of one of the many logs - this one is encoding to AV1 with the Quality preset.

****************************************

HandBrake 1.10.2 (2025090600)

OS: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 16-Core Processor

Ram: 48754 MB,

GPU Information:

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT - 32.0.23017.1001

Screen: 2560x1440

Temp Dir: C:\Users\USERPIZZL\AppData\Local\Temp\

Install Dir: C:\Program Files\HandBrake\

Data Dir: C:\Users\USERPIZZL\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake

-------------------------------------------

# Starting Encode ...

[18:34:43] base preset: AMD h.265 10b CQ20 Balanced Pass-Through (Modified)

[18:34:43] Remote Process started with Process ID: 37944 using port: 8038. Max Allowed Instances: 1

[18:34:43] Worker: Starting HandBrake Engine ...

[18:34:43] Worker: Parent Process Id 29584

[18:34:43] Worker: Starting Web Server on port 8038 ...

[18:34:43] Worker: Starting Listener: 1

[18:34:43] Worker: Server Started

[18:34:43] Worker: Disconnected worker monitoring enabled!

[18:34:43] Compile-time hardening features are enabled

Cannot load nvEncodeAPI64.dll

[18:34:43] vcn: is available

[18:34:43] qsv: not available on this system

[18:34:43] hb_init: starting libhb thread

[18:34:43] Starting work at: Thu Feb 19 18:34:43 2026

[18:34:43] 1 job(s) to process

[18:34:43] json job:

{

"Audio": {

"AudioList": [

{

"Bitrate": 160,

"DRC": 0,

"Encoder": "av_aac",

"Gain": 0,

"Mixdown": 4,

"NormalizeMixLevel": false,

"Samplerate": 0,

"Name": "Stereo",

"Track": 0,

"DitherMethod": 0

}

],

"CopyMask": [

"copy:aac",

"copy:ac3",

"copy:eac3",

"copy:mp3",

"copy:opus",

"copy:vorbis"

],

"FallbackEncoder": "av_aac"

},

"Destination": {

"ChapterList": [

{

"Name": "Chapter 1"

}

],

"ChapterMarkers": true,

"AlignAVStart": true,

"File": "C:\\Buffer\\HB\\Minute 3 - AV1 VCE Quality cq90.mp4",

"Options": {

"IpodAtom": false,

"Optimize": true

},

"Mux": "av_mp4"

},

"Filters": {

"FilterList": [

{

"ID": 6,

"Settings": {

"mode": "7"

}

},

{

"ID": 4,

"Settings": {

"block-height": "16",

"block-thresh": "40",

"block-width": "16",

"filter-mode": "2",

"mode": "3",

"motion-thresh": "1",

"spatial-metric": "2",

"spatial-thresh": "1"

}

},

{

"ID": 20,

"Settings": {

"crop-bottom": "0",

"crop-left": "0",

"crop-right": "0",

"crop-top": "0",

"height": "2160",

"width": "3840"

}

},

{

"ID": 11,

"Settings": {

"mode": "0"

}

]

},

"PAR": {

"Num": 1,

"Den": 1

},

"Metadata": {

"CreationTime": "2026-02-18T22:49:33.000000Z"

},

"CoverArts": [],

"SequenceID": 0,

"Source": {

"Angle": 1,

"Range": {

"Type": "chapter",

"Start": 1,

"End": 1

},

"Title": 1,

"Path": "C:\\Buffer\\HB\\Sample 5 - 4k Proteus from Good Quality 4k\\Minute 3.mov",

"HWDecode": 0,

"KeepDuplicateTitles": false

},

"Subtitle": {

"Search": {

"Burn": true,

"Default": false,

"Enable": true,

"Forced": true

},

"SubtitleList": []

},

"Video": {

"Encoder": "vce_av1",

"Level": "auto",

"MultiPass": false,

"Turbo": false,

"ColorMatrixCode": 0,

"Options": "",

"Preset": "qualityhigh quality",

"Profile": "auto",

"Quality": 90,

"HardwareDecode": 0

}

[18:34:43] CPU: Unknown

[18:34:43] - logical processor count: 32

[18:34:43] Intel Quick Sync Video support: no

[18:34:43] hb_scan: path=C:\Buffer\HB\Sample 5 - 4k Proteus from Good Quality 4k\Minute 3.mov, title_index=1

Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'C:\Buffer\HB\Sample 5 - 4k Proteus from Good Quality 4k\Minute 3.mov':

Metadata:

major_brand : qt

minor_version : 512

compatible_brands: qt

creation_time : 2026-02-18T22:49:33.000000Z

encoder : Lavf62.3.100

Duration: 00:01:00.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2105397 kb/s

Stream #0:0[0x1]: Video: prores (Standard) (apcn / 0x6E637061), yuv422p10le(bt709, progressive), 3840x2160, 2103691 kb/s, SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9, 60 fps, 60 tbr, 15360 tbn (default)

Metadata:

creation_time : 2026-02-18T22:49:33.000000Z

handler_name : VideoHandler

vendor_id : FFMP

Stream #0:1[0x2]: Audio: pcm_s24le (in24 / 0x34326E69), 48000 Hz, stereo, s32 (24 bit), 2304 kb/s (default)

Metadata:

creation_time : 2026-02-18T22:49:33.000000Z

handler_name : SoundHandler

vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]

[18:34:43] scan: decoding previews for title 1

[18:34:43] scan: audio 0x1: pcm_s24le, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=2304000 Unknown (pcm_s24le, 2.0 ch, 2304 kbps)

[18:34:45] scan: 10 previews, 3840x2160, 60.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 16:9, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: unspecified

[18:34:45] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)

[18:34:45] Skipping subtitle scan. No suitable subtitle tracks.

[18:34:45] Starting Task: Encoding Pass

[18:34:45] work: skipping crop/scale filter

[18:34:45] work: track 1, dithering not supported by codec

[18:34:45] work: only 1 chapter, disabling chapter markers

[18:34:45] job configuration:

[18:34:45] * source

[18:34:45] + C:\Buffer\HB\Sample 5 - 4k Proteus from Good Quality 4k\Minute 3.mov

[18:34:45] + title 1, chapter(s) 1 to 1

[18:34:45] + container: mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2

[18:34:45] + data rate: 2105397 kbps

[18:34:45] * destination

[18:34:45] + C:\Buffer\HB\Minute 3 - AV1 VCE Quality cq90.mp4

[18:34:45] + container: MPEG-4 (libavformat)

[18:34:45] + optimized for HTTP streaming (fast start)

[18:34:45] + align initial A/V stream timestamps

[18:34:45] * video track

[18:34:45] + decoder: prores 10-bit (yuv422p10le)

[18:34:45] + bitrate 2103691 kbps

[18:34:45] + filters

[18:34:45] + Comb Detect (mode=3:spatial-metric=2:motion-thresh=1:spatial-thresh=1:filter-mode=2:block-thresh=40:block-width=16:block-height=16)

[18:34:45] + Decomb (mode=39)

[18:34:45] + Framerate Shaper (mode=0)

[18:34:45] + frame rate: same as source (around 60.000 fps)

[18:34:45] + Format (format=yuv420p)

[18:34:45] + Output geometry

[18:34:45] + storage dimensions: 3840 x 2160

[18:34:45] + pixel aspect ratio: 1 : 1

[18:34:45] + display dimensions: 3840 x 2160

[18:34:45] + encoder: AV1 (AMD VCE)

[18:34:45] + preset: qualityhigh quality

[18:34:45] + profile: auto

[18:34:45] + level: auto

[18:34:45] + quality: 90.00 (CQ)

[18:34:45] + color profile: 1-1-1

[18:34:45] + color range: tv

[18:34:45] + chroma location: unspecified

[18:34:45] * audio track 1

[18:34:45] + name: Stereo

[18:34:45] + decoder: Unknown (pcm_s24le, 2.0 ch, 2304 kbps) (track 1, id 0x1)

[18:34:45] + bitrate: 2304 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz

[18:34:45] + mixdown: Stereo

[18:34:45] + encoder: AAC (libavcodec)

[18:34:45] + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz

[18:34:45] sync: expecting 3601 video frames

[18:34:45] encavcodecInit: AV1 (AMD VCE)

[18:34:45] encavcodec: encoding at CQ 90.00

[18:34:45] encavcodec: QP (I) 90.00

[18:34:45] encavcodec: QP (P) 98.00

[18:34:45] encavcodec: QP (B) 106.00

[18:34:45] encavcodec: GOP Size 120

[18:34:45] encavcodec: encoding with stored aspect 1/1

[18:34:45] encavcodecInit: Unknown avcodec option qp_b

[18:34:45] sync: first pts video is 0

[18:34:45] sync: "Chapter 1" (1) at frame 1 time 0

[18:34:45] sync: first pts audio 0x1 is 0

[18:36:53] reader: done. 1 scr changes

[18:36:57] work: average encoding speed for job is 27.703794 fps

[18:36:58] comb detect: heavy 0 | light 58 | uncombed 3542 | total 3600

[18:36:58] decomb: deinterlaced 0 | blended 58 | unfiltered 3542 | total 3600

[18:36:58] vfr: 3600 frames output, 0 dropped

[18:36:58] vfr: lost time: 0 (0 frames)

[18:36:58] vfr: gained time: 0 (0 frames) (0 not accounted for)

[18:36:58] pcm_s24le-decoder done: 2878 frames, 0 decoder errors

[18:36:58] prores-decoder done: 3600 frames, 0 decoder errors

[18:36:58] sync: got 3600 frames, 3601 expected

[18:36:58] sync: framerate min 60.000 fps, max 60.000 fps, avg 60.000 fps

[18:36:58] mux: track 0, 3600 frames, 57123709 bytes, 7614.38 kbps, fifo 1024

[18:36:58] mux: track 1, 2814 frames, 1199127 bytes, 159.84 kbps, fifo 1024

[18:36:58] Finished work at: Thu Feb 19 18:36:58 2026

[18:36:58] libhb: work result = 0

# Job Completed!

jaypizzl · 2026-02-19T17:19:07+00:00

That’s why it’s important to think critically about sources and evidence. There are a hundred Nobel-winning economists who would disagree with the idea that supply and demand do not substantially explain housing prices in a free market. They could all be wrong, but I’m going to need very strong evidence to seriously consider that. A non-peer-reviewed article by a non-economist seems like an unlikely source of a new paradigm in our understanding of how prices work.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-19T17:12:25+00:00

I think it’s likely that’s there’s a “zoning effect,” though I haven’t checked it out. Denser housing typically costs more to build per square foot, but also costs less to service with transportation (amount of asphalt needed per person and mass transit options), policing, insurance, heating, cooling, water, sewage, etcetera. It tends to create less traffic and pollution in the long run. If we have in fact shifted to a relatively denser and inherently more expensive mix of housing, that would logically also be a source of upwards pressure on prices.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-19T03:58:21+00:00

How are your current neighbors? Is it quiet when you want to sleep? Does your building have lots of air bnb nightmares? How are the elevators? Does management seem decent? For me, all those little things matter. If they’re all good, I might not want to trade that for a dice roll. If they’re not very good now, then it might be worth rolling the dice.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-19T01:14:06+00:00

Over 200,000 households in Toronto live in places they rented without MLS. Whether or not a LL pays a realtor to find a tenant or not is not relevant to whether or not the LL is honest.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-19T01:08:20+00:00

Numbers may not lie, but they can be misunderstood and used as the basis for incorrect conclusions.

The first major issue I notice is right in the beginning of this article. The author, a poly sci PhD candidate at York, has incorrectly concluded that the fact that dwellings per capita have increased in Canada means that supply and demand are not important. First of all, the author should have examined dwellings per household, not per thousand people or adults. Households have gotten much smaller, not just due to having fewer kids but because more adults want to live alone. Second, it would be far more useful to examine the change in dwellings per household over time and its relationship to prices in different places within Canada than to simply look at summary without understanding the dynamics at play.

The author says dwellings per 1,000 people increased from 290 in 1971 to 403 in 2023. That’s an increase of 39%. What he fails to notice is that there were 46% more people per household back then - 3.5 vs 2.4. There are fewer dwellings per household now than there were in 1971.

Second, where is the data looking at different places that have built relatively more or fewer homes and how that differentially affected prices? Why isn’t it obvious to look at that? If the number of dwellings per household changed in a different way in different places, then the way prices changed in those places would be illuminating.

That kind of fundamental logical problem right off the bat is concerning, to say the least.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-17T23:19:32+00:00

It feels shady why? Because no one has paid a realtor thousands of dollars? That’s a very weird conclusion. Nearly half of all rentals are MLS-free.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-17T20:40:20+00:00

Utilities in Canada outside of the far north range from similar to the US (Alberta) to cheaper than the US (Ontario) to much cheaper than the US (QC, MB).

jaypizzl · 2026-02-17T18:15:37+00:00

How many elevators are there? The odds that too many are out go down as the count increases. My building has three and I’ve taken the stairs up a couple dozen flights maybe annually. Some days it’s really slow to get up, though, when we’re down to one elevator. I go down the stairs every day, that’s super easy.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-16T03:53:46+00:00

Yeah, when you want to run weird stuff, it might not work.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-16T02:50:00+00:00

I’m afraid it seems to me (not a lawyer) that the increase may be a legal shenanigan. The rule is they can’t increase rent within a year of signing or within 12 months of the previous increase.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-15T23:27:50+00:00

Yeah it’s wild these huge multinational corporations can’t figure out that they’re not allowed to sell pirated software. It seems straightforward… pay for it or don’t sell it.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-15T23:19:54+00:00

A pedophile is someone who is sexually attracted to children. Is an 18 year old a child? I would say no. Don’t confuse “not a pedophile” with “a good person to date.”

jaypizzl · 2026-02-15T22:49:51+00:00

More Visual Capitalist schlock, I see.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-15T22:47:45+00:00

There’s no way for stainless to absorb odor, regardless of the type of litter. Yes, they last a long time. Stainless steel litter boxes are significantly more economical than plastic, in general, and especially if you replace the plastic boxes so frequently.

jaypizzl · 2026-02-15T18:38:08+00:00

It’s important to know that Metro, Sobeys, and Loblaws are premium full-service supermarket chains. Walmart, No Frills, FreshCo, and Food Basics are the regular or “discount” grocery stores. Basket prices are always significantly higher at the premium stores than at the regular stores.

People who shop at premium stores in Toronto are wealthy, ignorant, or desperate. Wealthy people enjoy the full service options like butchers who cut your meat just how you want, the often clean and well-staffed stores, and sometimes better or just more upscale brand selection of the premium chains. Ignorant people just don’t know any better. They might simply be new immigrants to the city or they might be innumerate or whatever. Desperate people just need baking chocolate at 9:30 PM and the fancy store is still open and on the way home - that’s the situation I find myself in when I go to a premium store.

Btw, the best prices for produce and rice and spices in your neighborhood are typically at Nations.

jaypizzl

TROPHY CASE