Category Archives: Audio/Video
Bye bye standard-def TV
About 20 minutes ago I just sold my used 27″ CRT flat-screen TV, a standard-definition model that I had used for 3 years before I got my HDTV. With this transaction completed, I hope to say good bye to owning standard-def TV sets in my life, and even more to CRT screens.
I hope I didn’t sell the TV for too low a price.
iPod Nano thoughts
After using “my” new iPod Nano for a couple minutes, here are my thoughts:
- The click-wheel is way over rated. It’s not suitable for fine tuning selections. A normal D-pad is probaly better.
- The bundled earphones are okay, but seriously, get yourself a set of Sennheiser MX400 earbuds for < $10.
A2DP Bluetooth semi-nirvana
Muahahahaha!!! It works, it works!!!
I am, of course, referring to the combination of A2DP, PPC6700, and Motorola HT820. I am now enjoying stereo music on the HT820 with MP3s playing from PPC6700.
No wires!
The sound on HT820 is much better than the wired earphones that I lost. The bass is pretty strong, and the Princess-Leia-style ear cups aren’t too heavy, so far.
The HT820 also automatically paused music playback when a call came in (I dialed myself from my wife’s cellphone), so I shouldn’t have to worry about missing a call when listening to my songs.
Now if only this setup could be more stable: music doesn’t automatically resume after a phone call, and Windows Media Player forgets the active play list if left idle for a few minutes. Also AVRCP works sometimes but not others.
Still, I am satisfied for today. My PPC6700 is beginning to reach its full potential lately.
Next step, the DC800.
Past and future earphones
Last week I had misplaced the wired stereo earphones that came with my PPC6700. Now I can’t use my PPC6700 as a MP3 player anymore because I don’t have another stereo cellphone headset with a 2.5mm plug.
Somehow I have bad a history with earphones. Prior to the above mentioned mishap, I had broken my other (and first) pair of “fancy”, “professional” earphones.
Now I am contemplating the Motorola H820 Bluetooth stereo headset for my PPC6700. There is no official PPC6700 A2DP driver from Sprint or HTC, so I may have to use a hack to achieve this wireless nirvana.
Hi-def versus DVD-def
It’s no secret that I have a hi-def TV – it’s no secret because I had set out to make it so. While I enjoy HD a great deal, there are friends who tell me that they can’t differentiate between HD and SD (or DVD). I say the best way to see the difference is via a side-by-side comparison using similar content. This unfortunately isn’t very likely either at stores or at my home (especially given that I only have one TV).
Well, now someone has come forward and set up a site with better-than-side-by-side comparisons of HD (1080i) versus DVD (480p) resolutions. By better I mean mouse-over (hover) effects. It’s another bonus if you are a Lord of the Rings fan.
[via HDBlog.net]
DLP vs. LCD
A friend/colleague of mine is considering buying a big screen TV. She wants a DLP. Her husband wants a LCD projection. So which one is better?
I’d like to say DLP since I own one, but I am sure that’s not convincing. Then how about Sound And Vision Magazine?
The scorecard from the article:
[via HDBlog.net]
Once you go HD…
…you never go back.
“Lost” on ABC, Widescreen HD broadcast
(Updated on Jun 22, 2005)
That’s how I feel about HDTV now that I have upgraded to a Samsung HL-R5067W with built-in HD tuner. I returned my previous Samsung HL-P4663W because it had a noisy fan. As I mentioned earlier, the new HLR series has the HD tuner built-in, something I didn’t think I would care for. How my opinion has changed. This new TV allows me to tune into over-the-air HD channels for free, which is good as I had no intention of getting packaged HD channels. And when the real HD programs are available, they totally blow the standard-definition (SD) programs out of the water. I can receive three variants of the same ABC channel, guess which one will I be viewing?
Below are some other items I like about the HL-R series over the old HL-Pxxxx:
- Better and more natural color
- More logical on-screen setting and menus
- Slightly more logical remote control
- Built-in TV Guide that works over broadcast signals
- Better looking casing
Home theater finally setup
My Samsung 46 inch DLP HDTV finally arrived today. I spent part of the afternoon and the majority of night time to set up the home theater system, something I have purposely put off just for the new TV. All the messy cables!!
After all is done, I sat back and fired up “Terminator 2″, one of my favorite DVDs. Oh the glory of 46 inch widescreen picture with 6.1 surround sound! Now I appreciate my detached house even more – I never dared to blast my hi-fi in my old apartment.
*sigh* I might have to setup everything again if when we get component cabinets.
Oh, in case you are wondering why I bought the previous-generation Samsung: it was on sale during the Memorial Day weekend.
Cowon iAudio X5 pictures
Cowon iAudio X5 – Originally uploaded by gadgetdude.
As usual, Engadget provides the scoop on latest gadgets. This time it pointed me to DAPreview, which has more pictures of Cowon’s iAudio X5. Some say they don’t like the “bump” at the top, but I kinda like the resulting curve. That color screen is just beautiful. Did I mention it’s the size of a 40GB iPod?
