Sunday, January 31, 2010

God's Reflex (The Band)

Hello everyone.

Just wanted to post about this band. They might not be the best, heck, they are not even that good but for some reason I seem to like their music. They come from the independent scene and I bought their latest CD "When it's Down to This". I liked it that much that I went to Amazon.com to look for their other CDs. Anyway, since it seems almost no one knows them, I decided to upload a song from the "Scenes from a Motel Seduction" album. You can see it right here:



Enjoy.


P.S. I still have to post my SUBJECTIVE headphone review. Also, my new/old Nokia E71 is coming... I'll make a review of that too! Bye.

Monday, November 23, 2009

PanDigital 5x7 Photo Scanner

I really cannot believe this.
How low can I go?

I was channel surfing like a month ago and there wasn’t anything that got a hold of my attention. The same shows, the same movies, etc. In my search for entertainment I stopped at a specific channel, a specific SHOPPING channel, you know the one… QVC! There was a technology show going on there and since I was bored I decided to keep watching it. WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS! I ended up ordering:



So this is a tiny Photo Scanner capable of scanning up to 5x7 pictures. I was at the time scanning my photos with an old, heavy and big scanner which wasn’t even mine. I took the plunge and ordered this because it looked promising. What is really good about it is that I don’t even need this to be connected to the PC as it stores the pictures in the SD card slot of the scanner (and the box already includes a 1GB SD Card.



Specifications:


Supported Media - Media card formats
SD, MS, MS Pro, MMC, XD

Memory Card Reader: Built-in 5-in-1

Connectivity: Mini USB 2.0

Power Input: 100-240W

Scanning Document Size: Up to 5x7 inch images

Photo Feeding: Sheet Feed Type

Output Image Format: JPEG

Resolution: 600 dpi

Additional Feature: Dimensions --> 7.5"W x 1.75"H x 3"D / 1 lb

And that’s it.
Everything you need comes inside the Box.
We have:

1) AC Power Adapter
2) Mini-USB to USB cable
3) 1GB SD Card
4) Manual, Registration Card, etc.
5) Cleaning Kit
6) Scanner



As you can see by the picture above, the box is pretty complete and the SD card even comes with a software you can run/install to your PC for further picture modifications (I haven’t used it and I’m pretty sure I never will hehehehe :-p

As advertised, the scanner really takes less than 10 seconds to scan a whole picture. I was going to record some video of it in action but haven’t had time to do it yet. Picture quality is good too (at least it is WAY BETTER than the big Epson scanner I was using!) And what I love the most is that it is so tiny, you can really put it anywhere on your desktop and it will fit.





I will post some scan samples later in the week.


All in all, I believe this was a great purchase for just $100 (including shipping!).
I highly recommend this for someone looking to substitute a big scanner (of course, only if you are using it to scan pictures!) or for someone looking specifically for a photo scanner. You wont be disappointed.


Check it!

Monday, October 26, 2009

DecalGirl PS3 Skin Kit

Hello everyone!

So a friend of mine at work was doing what we all usually do at work (browse the net -- don't tell anyone!) and stumbled on a website selling different skins for a bunch of gadgets and gaming consoles (Xbox, DS, PSP, iPods, etc.)

DecalGirl.com

Since he owns a PS3 he started looking at some of the custom skins they had there and sent me his choice via e-mail. I thought: "WTF!?! The PS3 is a gorgeous console (although big and heavy as hell) why would you butcher it by applying some God-awful skin?" After 5 minutes looking at some designs, I was ready to order one! hehehehe Oh the irony! And since, well, like I've said before, I'm compulsive, I ordered one.



Decided on "World Killer" (since I enjoy all those space/sci-fi themes anywhere (be it art, movies, etc.)

World Killer PS3 Theme



Now, as you can see in the pictures, it arrives in a neat package (both the console and controller skins). Also, the PS3 kit is divided in 3 parts: Main Console, Memory Card compartment and Power/Eject area strip. Picture/graphics quality is excellent and I can tell you that their "Guarantee" is real. I did NOT see any smudging, nor fading as of now.

Installation:

My GOOOOODDDD what a pain in the ass this was to put on! lol
I think I spent half an hour to try and put the "main" part of the skin on my PS3 and I still ended up with air bubbles all over the place! :-( Slowly but surely I could put it MOSTLY correct. They have "instructions" on the website but what I would really recommend is: GET ANOTHER PERSON TO HELP!!!!


(you can see that one section was botched up on this picture!!! lol)



Anyway, if you get anyone to help, this can be done in like 10 minutes and your PS3 will look just like you want it without spending a lot of money.



The controller skin was actually easier to put than the main console one. It looks like a great quality skin and does not feel uncomfortable at all when playing. Hopefully that one will not smudge or fade because of the constant use (also, another good point, these skins will not leave ugly, sticky "glue" on your console if you decide to remove them in the future -- at least that's what they say! hehehe).

Now to the most important question: DO I recommend this?

Answer: Hell Yeahhh.

If you are looking to give an extra ooommmpphh to your PS3 or whatever gadget, find a skin that suits you, that you like and try it. These skins are fairly cheap (I'm surprised because they seem to be of very high quality!!) so you wont be feeling "buyer's remorse" if you decide that you don't like it later!

All in all, Thumbs Up!!!


Check it peeps!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Motorola Droid Preview...

Uuufff

I'm not really a fan of these multi-purpose phones (i.e to me a phone is just to make calls and if I want internet or any other thing I use a MID, UMPC, etc.) But this one:

Motorola Droid

sure got me interested! The spec list is as long as my... well not that short.. hehehehehe Check out the preview above and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

DC VGA Box, Case Logic bag etc.

Hello peeps!

A new post equals other items in the stash of the compulsive buyer called Angel. On this “edition” I’ll give my input on a couple of things I ordered from what’s becoming my favorite place to order stuff… eBay! Actually, it’s the worst place also for a compulsive biiiaaatttchhh like me, but what the heck. I’m going to start with an oldie but goodie,

1) Dreamcast VGA Box

This last month was the Dreamcast console 10th anniversary, I’d figured I make use of it a bit by playing a couple of games like Rayman 2, Skies of Arcadia, etc. All was well until I could not find my VGA box (Dreamcast was one of the first consoles to use a higher definition output). I had to use the normal RCA cables to put up the shots from a previous post so I went to eBay to look for a replacement (since my super duper cheapo Vizio Plasma has VGA input).



This is just like the device I had before and consists of a VGA/Audio output on one side, normal RCA output on the other side and a switch to select between VGA and RCA (which is really good since some games don’t output in VGA mode!). Tested it out, works as expected and definitely VGA games look sharper on the TV. The cost, only $15 bucks and the Dreamcast will still be connected on that TV until it dies (or I move! Hehehe)

2) Case Logic Netbook Bag

So, since I’m the proud owner of a Toshiba NB205-310 netbook, I needed something to store this beautiful thing on but I really did not wanted a pouch or something like that. I began looking at bags but a lot of them were too darn big. Then, I found a good looking small bag capable of handling 10.1 inch netbooks. The problem was that the store did NOT ship to Puerto Rico (as if we were in the freaking Twilight Zone!) Anyway, back again I went to… eBay! Lol



The cool thing about this bag is that it not only stores the netbook but also it’s accessories. In fact, right now I have the netbook, the charger, the USB GPS (more on this later :-p), and I can even put the Archos 7 there. Nice! The bag doesn’t feel heavy at all with all of these things in and seems well made (though more padding in the netbook partition would have been welcomed. Overall, I like it.




3) Globalsat BU-353 USB GPS



So I wanted to have GPS capabilities without carrying around my netbook AND my Mio Moov 310 GPS units so I figured: “Hey! I can just buy a USB GPS thingie, install a Windows app and be done with it. The Globalsat unit is a beast. It actually acquires the satellites very quickly and coupled with Garmin Mobile PC software, it is basically a 10 inch navigational system that you can use it anywhere (pretty much like a normal GPS unit except that you get more battery life with the netbook and it’s 10 inches lol).



The simple case comes with the USB unit (tiny and looks like a squashed PC mouse) a suction adapter and a CD with software. Have not used the CD and it works well (my netbook recognized it without the need of installing special drivers). I had a copy of the Garmin software and it is quite good.






Overall, pretty good.
Will I use it in my car?
OF COURSE NOT! I would need a Ram-Mount in order to use my netbook as a GPS, but I think this device is a good companion for anyone that has a netbook.

4) OCZ High Performance 2GB Laptop Ram

Yes, I’m already thinking about upgrading my netbook to Windows 7 and I saw a 2GB laptop module for cheap over at?!?!?! EBay! Hehehe I couldn’t resist so I ordered it. The Toshiba is easily update-able so I removed the 1GB module and replaced it with the new one. It seems I can load a couple of more items (I.e. better multitask) so I guess Win7 will run good on this (I’m still waiting to see battery life reports using Win7 and waiting for Toshiba to port more of their utilities to Vista/7.)

I guess that’s all for now guys.
I ordered an Archos 5 Internet Tablet Android of 32GB SSD and I CANCELLED THE ORDER. I’m reading some positives but a ton of cons. Still don’t know if I’ll give Archos another chance… thinking about the Viliv… if it wasn’t so freaking expensive… but it would work oh so well with that Garmin GPS software... :-p


Check it later guys.!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Improving Netbook Video Performance....

I think I found the best web post ever!!!! lol

I've been visiting the Pocketables.net website for quite some time and like 3 weeks ago I decided to check the forums (I just visited the site for the reviews, unboxing of gadgets, etc.)... boy am I GLAD I did.

If you have a netbook then you know that yes, although you can play Divx, Xvid movies, MKVs or High-Def videos are out of the question. They become choppy and unwatchable. I followed the instructions on this post:

Improve Video for Sony Vaio P

and I'm watching a 720p video of Marquez vs Paquiao II without stuttering!

BRILLIANT! Although the instructions are for a Sony Vaio P using Windows XP, the method works for my netbook (Toshiba NB-205 with a different graphics chipset), the only step you have to skip is, TO NOT DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO DRIVERS supplied on the link!! Other than that, download: CoreAVC, KMPlayer and set the software as per the pictures on the post (which I wont post here since the post is not mine!)

If you have a netbook, I really recommend this!!!


Check it.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Archos 5 Android plus that "other" release...

Hello guys and gals.

Today is quite a special day in the world of PMPs... Microsoft Zune HD is already moving everywhere (online and off), the latest MS update is live (so that you can play with your new Zune HD) and the might Archos 5 IMT Android was released for public viewing and MIGHT be available for purchase tomorrow! Oh my dear Archos, you should know HOW MUCH I HATE YOU, but it's just because I love you!!!! lol



As you might be aware by now, I'm an Archos advocate, and although the latest one I got (The Archos 7) is great, there are those random locks and reboots Archos is known for. With this new Archos 5 Android though, we are seeing the new generation of PMPs completely integrating:

1) Video
2) Music
3) Internet
4) Recording
5) GPS, Bluetooth, Wifi (n), etc.

Worst thing, just like 4 months ago I bought the 7... and now... I'm thinking about buying this one! That's what happens when you love gadgets and you are compulsive!! lol But, I will WAIT! I know Archos, I know their reputation, but this new unit is just too tempting.

Heck, see it yourselves: Archos 5 Android Hands-On by ENGADGET

Now the big deal here for me (which would make it a must buy!) is the GPS functionality. But... I know what you are saying, don't you already have a GPS Nav?
Of course I do! lol BUT, why have another unit to carry when I can just use one for everything? You can also ask: why don't you just get a USB dongle for your NETBOOK? Hmmmm... I already ordered one (review coming soon!) but again, it's not too practical nor safe having a netbook in the car and even with a RAM-MOUNT, I would not like that there!

So, I was checking out my options and I had gotten to the conclusion that I would need a Viliv X70EX unit:



This one is KIND-OF a netbook. It has an Atom CPU, 1GB Ram, 32GB SSD (plus Micro SD slot), it also has GPS and since it's based on WinXP, you can install any GPS software you'd like! The only bad thing, PRICE!! At almost $800 this is really not that good a deal.

But the Archos 5 Android will start at $200 probably for an 8GB SSD version!!! (with 160GB HD units going for $350 maybe!). The only thing I would need to make sure of is that GPS works here in Puerto Rico (i.e. that the GPS software includes maps for this place!). If it does, bye bye Mio Moov and hello Archos 5!

Still, it's better to wait for them to work their kinks though. Usually the first Archos adopters ARE THE BETA TESTERS for this company so I will probably wait a while for more info.

So as of now, PROS for the Archos 5 Android:

- Good battery Life (expect 20 hours music / 6 for video -- at low LCD light of course)
- Would be my FIRST Android Device
- Built-In GPS
- Same codec support as before WITHOUT PAYING FOR THE PLUG-INS!!! (yeah I SHAT my pants when I read that!!!)
- Support for MKV files (HD Video support, not WMV related! :-p)
- WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
- Bluetooth 2.0
- FM transmitter and receiver (RDS)

CONS

- Android platform and Archos Linux working at the same time (hmmmm... let's see how it handles crashes!!!)
- GPS lack of details
- There would still be things Archos will probably charge us for
- NO FLASH support as of now (Adobe is STILL working on an update for Mobile Devices, this includes Android support in Archos!)
- Low volumes as always
- Did I mentioned crashes!?!? :-p

Still, I believe that the "Pros" kick the "Cons" ass! :-p
And of course, this is a better value than the Viliv, so ... we'll see...

I'll see....



Angel's Credit Card: "Please nooooo, I'm almost maxed out!! NOOOOOOO!!!!"


:-p