National PostLast suspect in Bali bombing may be deadChristian Science MonitorIndonesian police said they may have killed Dulmatin, the last major suspect still at large from the Bali bombing. If true, it would be a major blow to terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah. By Arthur Bright Correspondent / March 9, 2010 • A daily summary ...Bali bombing mastermind […]
Times OnlineFourth Aussie in Dubai passport rortThe AustralianTHE father of a fourth Australian caught up in the murder of a Hamas leader in Dubai says it was glaringly obvious that the photograph on the passport used by one of the assassins was not his son. Interpol yesterday released the smiling face of the ...Dubai: Surprised by extent of passport fakes i […]
KVOA.com1 killed, 2 hurt in shooting at Ohio StateCNNThe shooting occurred early Tuesday at a power plant building near Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University. (CNN) -- Three Ohio State University employees were shot, one of them fatally, in an early Tuesday morning attack on campus, university police ...Employee killed, 2 wounded in Ohio State shootingThe As […]
For those with the passion to discover, imagine and create the future, "on-the-go" access to workstation-class computing provides the freedom to work wherever inspiration strikes. This passion to create is why Dell continues to push the boundaries of workstation performance and mobility with the announcement today of the world's most powerful […]
The controversy surrounding Newegg's shipment of counterfeit Intel Core i7 920 processors to some customers has finally met its logical conclusion, with Newegg disposing facts and making great headway in resolving the issue with affected customers. In a statement to HardOCP.com, Newegg said that it is conducting a thorough investigation in collaboration […]
Silicon Power, one of the world's leading flash memory manufacturers announced today (3/9) the "Metal Aesthetic" Touch 830. The design of Touch 830 inherits Silicon Power's Touch series good looks, class and ultra thin design. However, the new Touch 830 has been given an extra touch of Northern European flavor. Combining art and technolog […]
Mediacorp Radio Stations applications for the Apple Iphone allow users to listen to Mediacorp radio stations in Singapore.
I could tune in to 93.3, 93.8, 95, 95.8, 98.7, 99.5 radio stations using this application.
The user interface is sleek, to select a radio station you have to slide to the radio stations you wish to listen.
I dislike one thing about this application is that whenever I’m connected to a radio station. After listening for a few minutes, the connection is cut off and I had to reconnect.
Besides the drawback, the Mediacorp Radio Stations applications is a sleek application now I could listen to my favourite radio stations on the go.
Nvidia Core calibration is like AMD Advanced Core calibration (ACC). Enabling such feature at the BIOS can unlock lock cores of AMD Phenom 2 X2/X3 processors.
However not all processor can be unlock or even if it is unlock the cores are not stable.
In this video, I will be unlocking the additional cores of AMD phenom 2 X2 550 using the Nvidia Core calibration on Asus M4N78 pro.. (Nvidia Geforce 8300 chipset, Bios version is 1111.)
Asus M4N78 pro latest Bios version 1111 prompt user to press 4 to automatically enable Nvidia Core calibration to unlock the cores without having to go into the Bios to enable this feature.
I managed to unlock the additional cores of AMD phenom 2 X2 550 using the Nvidia Core calibration, I ran Prime 95 and it was able to run for a certain period till the system froze.
This shows that the unlock cores of AMD phenom 2 X2 550 are not stable so it is best to leave these cores disabled. Ultimately it really depends as not all AMD phenom 2 X2/X3 processor can be unlock.
Creative Sound Blaster 2 ZS was a great card which had serve me for many years.
Lately I brought Auzentech Forte X-Fi to replaced the Creative Sound Blaster 2 ZS as I wanted to try the Creative X-Fi sound cards.
I choose this card over Creative’s own X-fi sound card as Auzentech card well design.
It features a opamp, a dedicated headphone amplifier, better circuit design for optional power & many more.
Please click here to read a more detail tech specifications for the Auzentech X-FI Forte.
The main factor why I choose this card is because of the opamp used in Auzentech X-FI Forte to deliver crisp audio quality.
Auzentech X-FI Forte Card
Test Setup
Since it’s a new card, I spend some time calibrating the Auzentech X-FI Forte using my Creative HQ-1400 headphone first before using my speaker. Crystallizer is turn on at 50%, Creative Multi Surround Speaker is turn off if I’m using my Creative HQ-1400 headphone & Creative Gigaworks T3.
To determine the might of the Auzentech X-FI Forte, I use my Creative Gigaworks G500 instead of Creative Gigaworks T3 for this test.
Before the test & since I’m using Creative Gigaworks G500. I made some adjustments to bring out the full potential of Creative Gigaworks G500.
Creative Multi Surround Speaker is turn on, Stereo surround is check under upmix mode & treble is raise to 60%.
Audio test
I played Hoobstank “The Reason” for this test. Creative X-Fi Crystallizer does Improve the clarity of this song.
With the Creative X-Fi Crystallizer turn on, piano, cymbals & drums are heard clearly as they are loud, bright & clear.
The sound is rather dull if Creative X-Fi Crystallizer is turn off. Creative X-Fi Crystallizer also adds life to the vocal as the vocal was very clear & smooth like as if artist was singing to me.
Overall the audio experience is breath taking like if I’m at the live concert.
Conclusion
The audio experience is truly breath taking & most of the time I feel like i’m at the live concert. Thumbs up for Auzentech for designing such a impressive & immessive audio experience sound card.
If you are looking for a sound card that can take your breath away. Auzentech Forte X-Fi is the prefect choice but do remember to pair it with a decent headphone or speaker.
Every few years there will update to the Seagate Barracuda series but does this brings in any performance benefits besides resolve certain hard disk issues?
I will be comparing between Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 80GB & Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB to determine whether is there any difference especially in terms of performance between the two versions.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
Test
Motherboard use for this test is Asus M4N78 Pro (Nvidia Geforce 8300 Chipset.) , I’m using the onboard Nvidia RAID controller running RAID 0.
Seagate 7200.9
Seagate 7200.12
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 transfer rate have an increase of 56.7& over the Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 which is a huge performance jump.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 access time is lower & it’s burst rate is higher than Seagate Barracuda 7200.9.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 does have performance benefits over the Seagate Barracuda 7200.9.
Conclusion
Upgrading to the Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 from Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 does have more performance over it’s predecessor. However do take note that the results may vary on different factors especially the RAID controller.
So far the drive has been working fine without issues and it is silent during operation. If you intend to change a new 3.5 inch hard disk, you can consider the Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 which has a decent performance.
There are so many brands for DVD-rom drive but which brand makes a good quality Drive? I will comparing ASUS DVD-E818AT DVD Drive & LG SATA DH16NS30 DVD Drive
to determine which is a good quality drive.
Both the ASUS DVD-E818AT DVD Drive & LG SATA DH16NS30 are SATA drives.
Test
I will be using a Audio CD for this test to determine which one has a better access time, CPU usage & burst rate.
ASUS DVD-E818AT
LG SATA DH16NS30
LG DH16NS30 is a winner for this benchmark as the access time is quicker, CPU usage is lower & has a burst rate of 36M/S over the ASUS DVD-E818AT.
Noise during the test for both of the drive are not so audible & silent.
Conclusion
LG DH16NS30 is the better choice over ASUS DVD-E818AT. In the future I will do a comparsion for DVD writers.
I have been using Creative HQ-140 for a very long time till it recently it broke down so I brought the Sennheiser PMX 60.
The funny thing is why both of this back phone are almost similar to each other, the difference between them is that there is silver chrome on the Sennheiser PMX 60.
Both sound quality is almost identical to each other but however the price point & quality between them is different,
Sennheiser PMX 60 is priced at $59.90 while Creative HQ-140 is priced at $29.
Creative HQ-140 build quality isn’t that good, my unit is now not functioning properly after using for almost a year & the cotton bud is worn out. (I feel that is because of cheap material used to build it.) Sennheiser PMX 60 build is more solid especially the cotton bud which feels more rigid than the Creative HQ-140.
Specifications
I only list the relevant specifications for this comparison, for full specifications please visit the following link:
Specifications between both of them, the Sennheiser PMX 60 has a overall better specification than Creative HQ-140.
To me, specification doesn’t really matter what really matter is how good the sound quality is so now it’s time for testing.
Testing
I will be testing on my PC using Creative Audigy 2 ZS & will be using the Leona Lewis Yesterday. (My operating system is Microsoft Windows 7 Home premium)
Let’s start with Sennheiser PMX 60:
At default setting of O db, vocals is clear but rather harsh, bass is strong & effects like piano can be hear clearly.
When adjusting the treble from O DB to 4 DB & bass to O DB to 10 DB, the audio experience is pretty good especially the thumping bass with clear trebles.
Creative HQ-140
I also used the same settings of treble from O DB to 4 DB & bass to O DB to 10 DB. The Creative HQ-140 produce the same audio quality but the vocals are more natural & pleasant to the ears.
Conclusion (Updated)
Overall I would prefer Creative HQ-140 as the vocals are smooth & pleasant to the ears unlike the Sennheiser PMX 60. At half of Sennheiser PMX 60 price, Creative HQ-140
is a good choice for it’s audio performance.
Bottom of the Apple Iphone 3GS 32GB, the built in speaker is located on the left hand side. The microphone is on the right hand side & the middle is the Dock connector which also allow you to connector to the PC via Dock connector to USB cable.
Left hand side of the phone is where the volume control is & ring or silent control button. At the top of the phone is where the power button & 3.5mm headphone jack. The 3 mega pixel camera is located at the back & the home button is located below the touchscreen panel.
I purchased this phone at $108 as I sign up Starhub Smartsurf 700 which cost $98 under a two year plan. With the Iphone, I could check my emails, surf the Internet & watch TV while on the go.
There are tons of applications to download from the Itunes, life is much easier with this phone.
Compact digital camera and a Digital single lens reflex camera for beginners?
To choose between a Compact digital camera and a Digital single lens reflex camera for beginners, photography’s skill is taken consideration fellow by Camera specifications before purchase.
I have been using cell phone’s camera so I choose getting a Compact digital camera instead of a Digital single lens reflex camera as my photography isn’t that good. In the end I brought the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS digital camera and I made the right choice for beginners.
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS digital camera is the first step for beginner & there are many things I need to learn like how to use the camera, set the
appropriate settings, adopt a proper position & have the necessary knowledge for each scene to achieve a good shoot.
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS with pouch (pouch is sold separately.)
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS Top view
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS left hand side, there is a HDMI, Av multi & USB connection here.
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS Top view, the power button, shoot, Auto, camera & video mode adjustment is located here.
At the bottom of the camera is where the battery & SD card is located. A tripod can be attached at the bottom.
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS the lens extend out when switch on.
Rear of Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS.
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS is a pretty light camera which is handy for people who don’t wish to carry heavy stuff on the go.
It’s user friendly camera as there is help when at different screens or options to explain to you what this does.
Specifications
For full specifications of Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS, please click here.
Retail price: SGD$549 (Different stores might have different prices.)
Image Quality
"Guys look, do you think he got what takes to take a good photo of us?"
Image quality is excellent when the appropriate photo taking skills & using Camera mode instead of auto as it allows more options to optimize for a prefect shot.
There are several scene mode under Camera mode so you can choose to adapt to the scenery that you are shooting. Each scene mode automatically adjust the appropriate color to achieve a prefect shot.
The most interesting feature of the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS is the touch Auto focus feature which allow users to adjust the focus point. This is really useful especially for areas in a scene that are either blurry or moving objects in the background.
For more pictures taken using Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS, please click here.
Video recording using the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS is also excellent & clear.
Conclusion
I feel that the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS is a really impressive Compact digital camera with good image quality but this camera needs a good hands & know what settings to set to achieve different shots.
The touchscreen Auto focus is an interesting feature of the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS and viewing videos & images is a breeze using the touchscreen. It’s battery life is good & able to last for 1 whole day but I didn’t test whether can it last for a week.
If you have a good photography skills & looking for a touchscreen camera with good image quality with budget of $549 you may consider the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS.
