DSLR Camera Review: Olympus E-5

Built like a tank

DSLR Camera Review: Olympus E-5

by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Dec 31, 2010

WITH the enormous success of Olympus' Micro Four Thirds (MFT) PEN series, there are worries that Olympus might neglect its FT digital single lens reflex (DSLR) series. Thankfully, that's not the case, and the camera-maker has recently released the E-5 ($2,498, body only).

As Olympus' flagship DSLR, the E-5 is packed with a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor (2x crop factor), a new TruPicV+ image processing engine and a 3-inch articulating LCD screen. Sheathed in a dust-proof and splash-proof magnesium-alloy body, the camera is able to shoot still images up to 5 frames per second (fps), as well as 720p high-definition (HD) videos up to 30fps.

The E-5 feels like a tank with its sturdy construction. The rubberised grip is reassuring and the buttons feel unbreakable. However, the E-5 feels heavier than the Canon EOS 7D, even though it is actually 60g lighter at 800g (with batteries).

Button layout can be a bit confusing initially and needs getting used to. For example, you get a right rear button that shares the video recording and focusing point function, while a dedicated ISO button sits near the shutter release. Perhaps, Olympus should have used this dedicated button for video recording instead. Some colleagues also had trouble finding the playback button even though it is near where your thumb will rest. This could be due to the playback button being painted an inconspicuous dark blue.

While the E-5 has a CF card slot and an SD card slot, it does not allow you to record pictures simultaneously into both cards. You also cannot customise the camera to, say, save your images in RAW format on the CF card and JPEG format on the SD card. It only allows spillover - this means that when your CF card is out of space, it will automatically save content to the SD card.

The operation of the DSLR is swift. Startup is almost immediate while shutdown takes around a second due to the sensor-cleaning process.

According to Olympus, the E-5 has the world's fastest auto focus when used with the Olympus 12-60mm (24-120mm in 35mm equivalent) f2.8-4.0 lens. As I only have the 14-54mm (28-108mm in 35mm equivalent) f2.8-3.5 lens, I cannot ascertain that claim. But I have to say that auto focus is generally quick and spot-on. Even in low-lighting conditions, it takes less than 0.5 seconds to lock onto a focus. Shutter lag is also minimal.

Compared to the competition, 12.3 megapixels might sound paltry, but the image quality delivered by the E-5 is still superb, with nice gradation of tones and sharp pixel rendition. Colours are rich and vibrant, with accurate auto white balance in most lighting conditions.

Noise performance is a tad disappointing. You can safely use any ISO settings until ISO 1600. At ISO 3200 and above, loss of details and chromatic noise start to surface. While I can comfortably shoot at ISO 12,800 with the Canon 7D, I hesitate to use ISO 3200 with the E-5. Plus, the E-5 only has a maximum ISO setting of 6400.

While the HD movie quality is smooth and fluid, it does tend to pick up a good chunk of wind and ambient noise.

To me, the best thing about the E-5 is that you can use the Art filters to shoot both photos and videos. For example, using the new Art filter, Dramatic Tone, you get pretty interesting results with high contrast and dramatic skies. My favourite is the Diorama Art filter, which gives a tilt-shift miniature effect.

Barring its mediocre noise performance, the Olympus E-5 is a great DSLR with a solid construction, superb image quality and fun Art filters that allow you plenty of creative latitude.

Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Camcorder Review: Flip Video MinoHD

A handy way to capture videos


Camcorder Review: Flip Video MinoHD

by Hedirman Supian
05:55 AM Dec 31, 2010

TWENTY extra frames. That's the gist of the latest iteration of Cisco's Flip MinoHD video camcorder. It now comes in two models with slight differences in storage capacities and looks.

The 8GB ($349) model that lets you capture two hours of video sports a black brushed metal back, while the 4GB ($279) version comes with a silver metal back and can capture one hour of footage.

The touch-sensitive buttons and 2-inch LCD screen of the predecessor have been left intact. Note that the storage and battery are non-removable. If you run out of juice frequently, you might want to fork out extra for the chunkier Flip Video UltraHD ($359), which comes with 8GB of storage and gives you the option of using AAA batteries.

High-definition (HD) video is captured at 720p resolution, at 50 frames per second. That's 20 frames more than its predecessor, which was launched here in July. Image stabilisation is a welcome inclusion as well, with all the shaky recording that tends to occur with handheld camcorders. In use, the quality of the video is perceptibly smoother and the quality remains decent even in low-light conditions. And it's easy to start recording - just switch it on and click the big, red button (you can't miss it). Plus, it fits conveniently in your pocket.

There's 2x digital zoom built in, but I barely made use of it because it could lower the quality of the footage. The camcorder's fixed focus made it easy to frame shots - you really just need to point and shoot.

Flipshare, the video management and editing software bundled with the Flip, makes sharing and editing a cinch. When you plug the Flip into a Mac or Windows PC, you will be prompted to launch and install the software. The installer is stored on the device, so you can plug it into any computer. The software helps you to load and edit the videos on your Flip to the computer. Too tedious? It can also stitch videos up automatically.

Flipshare makes sharing easy via email, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or through something called an online video channel. This is supposedly a more private way to share videos, as you can share content with a specific group of people. There are apps you can download to enable your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android phone to access the video channel.

The Flip does its job decently. But it has to compete with the many smartphones on the market that let you capture and upload HD video online via WiFi or 3G. With the Flip, which comes in a slightly chunkier size and provides pretty much similar video quality, you will still need to lug it back to your computer and plug it in. I think I'll just wait for a WiFi-enabled Flip

Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Brushed Metal, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation)

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Gadget Review: Axioo Digital Pen & USB Flash

Convert your scribbles digitally


Gadget Review: Axioo Digital Pen & USB Flash

by Sim Cheng Kai

10:05 AM Dec 26, 2010

If you are the sort who jots down notes on a paper clipboard and later archives the information digitally (by scanning the notes or by manually typing them into the computer), then the Axioo Digital Pen & USB Flash could save you a lot of time. It automatically creates digital copies of your handwritten notes as you write them on paper, and the 1GB of storage lets you keep about 1,000 pages without having to transfer the files to a PC.

At $149 (price includes handwriting-to-text transcription software), it's also one of the more affordable digital pens around. And unlike the Livescribe Pulse and Echo pens, the Axioo does not require special dotted paper to work.

But what you pay for is what you get. Compared to the Livescribe pens' built-in OLED displays, microphones (for audio recording), and infrared cameras, this Axioo product feels somewhat low-tech.

All you'll get here are a ballpoint pen with an ultrasonic emitter embedded in the pen's tip, and a receiver unit that you clip to the top edge of a piece of paper. When the pen tip is pushed firmly onto the paper, ultrasonic waves are picked up by two microphones on the receiver, which lets it extrapolate the pen tip's location.

Sadly, this means that you have to establish a clear line of sight between the pen tip and the two microphones. In my first set of tests, my handwriting appeared distorted in the digital copy compared to what was on paper. Some letters turned up crooked, slanted, or slightly displaced - because I had accidentally obstructed the line of sight simply by resting my wrist and the base of my hand on the paper while writing. Certain sets of text also looked italicised, due to the way I held the pen - at a 45-degree angle.

So in my next set, I made sure my writing hand did not rest on the paper, and that the pen stood almost perpendicular to the writing surface. Sure enough, the imperfections were gone. Some strokes were still slightly shorter in the digital copy than on paper, due the the pen's "lift", but that's nitpicking at this point.

As such, I've found the Axioo pen to be most comfortable when writing on a clipboard you hold vertically in front of you - during which my writing hand naturally did not rest on the writing surface. On a desk, however, this felt a little unnatural.

Otherwise, if you can live without perfect one-to-one digital copies, the slightly distorted text will not pose a problem when using the Intelligent Character Recognition (IRC) feature to convert your writings to text with the bundled MyScribe Notes software - after you spend the 20 minutes required to "train" the software to recognise your handwriting quirks.

There will still be occasional typos, but it'll still be a lot faster than typing the entire text. If you intend to transcribe, do use lined writing paper, and make sure you space out words neatly. This ensures the text is neatly aligned for better transcription results.

Unlike a scanner, the lines and margins from the lined paper will not appear in the digital copy. Theoretically, this would make the Axioo pen ideal for tracing diagrams and drawings. However, the slightly distorted text and the lack of pressure sensitivity make the Axioo pen hard to recommend for any kind of drawing tasks.

Also disappointing is that you cannot hook the receiver up to a computer and write on-screen in real-time - something that other similar digital pens (like the Iogear Mobile Digital Scribe) allow you to do. Instead, to do real-time writing, you will need a separate Axioo Intellipen product, either the Wired Digital Pen & Mouse ($89, tethered pen and receiver) or the Digital Pen & Mouse ($119, untethered pen, tethered receiver) - both of which cannot be used without being connected to a PC.

This story is only available online.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Tablet Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab

Great HDin a Tab

Tablet Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab

by Hedirman Supian

05:55 AM Dec 24, 2010
Samsung's Galaxy Tab ($998) boggles the mind quite a bit.

The seven-inch device might seem four times bigger than your smartphone but it can still make calls. Yes, despite how absurd it might look (Tip: Use a wireless headset).

This Android-based tablet - running Froyo, or version 2.2 - is probably the first credible challenger to the Apple iPad. In terms of hardware, it has a slight edge over the iPad, thanks to its relatively diminutive form factor, which is easier and lighter (at 380g) to hold in the hands. There are dual cameras so you can take pictures or conduct video conferencing. There's 16GB of built-in storage which can be expanded up to 32GB via the microSD slot.

The industrial design is decent enough but not quite drool-worthy with its plastic enclosure that smudges easily.

The Tab's 1GHz processor makes surfing, gaming and high-definition multimedia playback a breeze but we can't help feeling that the capacitive touchscreen lacks the responsiveness we're used to on other major touchscreen-based smartphones and tablets.

Yes, you can visit YouTube and play Flash videos in their entirety but it takes a lot of horsepower (and with that, battery power) to run them decently. Although Flash compatibility is a nice-to-have feature, we find that most Flash content online isn't quite suited for touchscreen input. For instance, it is a drag, literally, to scrub through a video using YouTube's Flash player. It keeps stopping and resetting playback instead.

The Android interface on the Tab seems uninspired - it just seems like a bigger smartphone, not a tablet. The majority of apps downloaded from the Android Market will be simply scaled up in size. For now, the tablet experience isn't distinct enough on the Galaxy Tab from one that you could have on a smartphone.

Still, it's early days yet in the tablet era, and Samsung has its work cut out for it. The Galaxy Tab would serve well for those who fancy Android in a slightly larger form factor. But they might need to wait a while before the mobile operating system and its slew of applications make full use of the bigger form factor. Hedirman Supian

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Tablet Review: Dell Streak

A good Streak

by Hedirman Supian

05:55 AM Dec 24, 2010

THE Dell Streak ($938) is gorgeous.

With its stylishly tapered curves and a petite frame, it's easily one of the more handsome devices running the Android operating system. Our review unit sports a back adorned with a screaming glossy red finish (no, it doesn't look as tacky as it sounds) but you can opt for the black model as well.

Its bright 5-inch touchscreen display has a layer of tough Gorilla Glass. The Streak has a removable battery but its construction is reassuringly rigid, not flimsy.

On the hardware side, it has WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity, along with GPS and a digital compass. There's a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera on its rear with dual LED flash as well as a front-facing VGA webcam. The tablet's powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and features 2GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 32GB via a microSD slot.

In use, the Streak is snappy when it comes to most tasks. There's just that slight lag when it comes to the touchscreen controls. Performance suffers when it's running Flash videos in YouTube. In one case, it kept crashing the browser as well. While it can run videos rather smoothly, you can't quite do anything else. So despite having the ability to run Flash, it does so with some caveats.

Is the Dell Streak a tablet or an oversized smartphone? Even with its 5-inch touchscreen display, it doesn't look too outrageously big when you're holding it up to your face to answer a call thanks to its svelte form factor. And it's compact enough so you can comfortably hold it in your palm (it weighs 220g) and use your thumb to operate the touchscreen when you're on the move.

We're fortunate that the Streak's come to our shores loaded with version 2.2 of the Android OS so you'll get most of the latest features, like the ability to use the Streak as a mobile WiFi hotspot. However, there are no plans yet for an update to version 2.3.

Dell's included its own set of enhancements to the user interface. A set of its own spruced-up widgets, dubbed Stage, provides some eye candy and easier access to contacts, email, gallery, music and status updates on Twitter and Facebook. You can add, move (or even remove) these around the various home screens but there's not much customisation allowed.

Dell's also included a mini icon dock at the bottom of the screen - it only appears when you tap at the bottom of the screen - which gives you instant access to any of your home screens.

Battery life was good despite the inclusion of the bigger screen. We managed to eke out almost 11 hours of usage with regular use of multimedia playback, WiFi, GPS and 3G connectivity.

What we didn't quite like about the Streak is the omission of the Search key that's standard on most Android-based handsets. One of the major selling points and a differentiating factor that makes Android attractive is, after all, instant search at your fingertips.

The Dell also comes with its own proprietary port instead of a standard micro or mini USB, which means you can only plug the device into your computer with a cable from Dell. Hedirman Supian

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Casio Exilim EX-ZR10

Get arty and geo-taggy with Casio's latest Exilims

by Trevor Tan
11:35 AM Dec 17, 2010

If you're in the market for a camera that lets you take pretty pictures with a high dynamic range (HDR), try the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 ($549).

With a simple press of the shutter release, the camera's HDR Art function takes several shots in different exposures and combines them into a single image with dramatic contrasts and colour saturations. Essentially, the ZR10 allows you to shoot a picture that others might have to spend minutes to enhance in a digital darkroom.

Available in red, silver and black, the camera is powered by Casio's new Exilim Engine HS image processor and a high-sensitivity 12.1-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor. It boasts a 7x (28-196mm of 35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens, a three-inch LCD screen, and several shooting options, such as Premium Auto, Slide Panorama and HDR Art. The ZR10 not only shoots full high-definition videos, it can also record slow-motion movies at up to 480 frames per second.

Casio has also unveiled a hybrid-GPS camera - the Exilim EX-H20G ($599). Map data has been preloaded into the camera, and GPS is combined with motion-sensor driven autonomic positioning to track the user's position. So, even if you are indoors, the camera can still tag your position.

The 14.1-megapixel H20G, with its 10x (24-240mm of 35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens and three-inch LCD screen, is available now in black.

This story is only available online.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Software Review: Apple iLife '11

Suite life


Software Review: Apple iLife '11

by Trevor Tan
05:54 AM Dec 17, 2010

APPLE'S consumer creative suite, iLife '09, is a superb entry-level photo, movie and music editing software (at least for Mac OS X). It's so good that Apple has skipped the traditional annual update and moved straight to iLife '11 ($78). So, what's new here?

In iPhoto '11, you can view, share and edit your photos with the new full screen mode. Editing tools are just a click away in full screen mode. You can choose quick fixes such as "Enhance", which automatically corrects the colour and exposure of your photo. I'm blown away by how accurate it is most of the time in making the photos better. You can choose effects such as adding a sepia tone or blurring the edges of your pictures. For those who prefer manual adjustments, you can easily tweak the contrast and saturation levels.

iPhoto '11 makes it a breeze for you to share photos through Facebook. You can create albums, tag faces and even edit Facebook photo albums straight from iPhoto '11 without accessing your Facebook page. But, it's not as fast as using Facebook's native photo uploader.

The enhanced user interface of iPhoto '11 streamlines your workflow. For instance, there is a carousel effect showcasing each book theme. Once you pick a theme, the Autoflow feature places photos for you, displaying higher-rated photos more prominently. Of course, you'll probably have to tweak the order but it does help to speed up the process.

iMovie '11 now sports 15 movie trailer templates, from romantic to drama, to help you make your vacation videos Hollywood-like. It even has new sports and news programme themes to make your videos look professional. It's easy to use and the end product is fun to watch.

The all-new audio editing is a significant improvement. You can now adjust audio levels of each video clip, or part of it, by simply dragging the slider with the detailed audio waveforms. Thus, you can ensure your movie has a uniform audio volume. In addition, you can control the volume of the background music and how it fades in or out. One-step effects such as instant replay, flash and hold, and jump cuts add more creative flexibility when you edit videos.

GarageBand '11 has two new features - Flex Time and Groove Matching. With Flex Time, you can move, stretch and shorten individual notes by selecting the audio waveform to change the timing of the beat or note. This allows you to correct your mistakes during recording. However, if you have a band recording with different instruments, it might get tiring to correct each track individually. That's where Groove Matching comes in. Simply make one of the tracks as the groove track and GarageBand will make the rest of the tracks match it.

Sadly, there are no significant updates to the accompanying web design and publishing software, iWeb, and the DVD creation software, iDVD, other than making them compatible with the updated suite. They could at least do with more themes and templates. Trevor Tan

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Motorola's water-resistant Android smartphone

One tough cookie

DEFY the elements with Motorola's water-resistant Android smartphone

by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Dec 10, 2010

Want a smartphone that is resistant to water, scratches and dust? With Motorola DEFY ($528), you can now defy the elements.

You no longer have to worry about dropping your phone on the beach or spilling your drinks over it. Despite what Motorola calls its "life-proof" features, the DEFY measures a sleek 13.4mm and weighs 118g.

Powered by Android 2.1, the 3.5G smartphone has a high-resolution 3.7-inch touchscreen display with an Adobe Flash Lite-enabled Internet browser and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash. Other features include Assisted-GPS, Bluetooth and FM radio. The DEFY can double as a 3G wireless router as well. You can connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices to DEFY at any one time.

The phone boasts an impressive battery life with an estimated talktime of 400 mins and a standby time of 400 hours.

The Motorola DEFY will be on sale by Dec 18 at retail stores and all StarHub outlets. Trevor Tan

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Sharp's Aquos Quattron 3D LED TV

Experience 3D with Sharp's Aquos Quattron 3D LED TV

by Hazwan Norly
05:35 PM Dec 15, 2010

Experience 3D movies in the comfort of your own living room with Sharp's newly launched Aquos Quattron 3D LED TV.

The 60-inch TV features Sharp's 4-Colour technology, which adds yellow to the conventional RBG (red, blue, green) primary colours. This ensures bright 3D images even while you're wearing 3D glasses. The technology also enables the reproduction of quality 2D and 3D images by vividly rendering colours such as brilliant yellow, brassy gold and emerald green.

The Aquos Quattron 3D LED TV uses ultraviolet-induced multi-domain vertical alignment (UV2A) for a high aperture ratio in order to provide high-resolution images and improved contrast levels without high power consumption.

Thanks to Frame Rate Enhanced Driving (FRED) technology, the TV is able to produce images at 240 frames per second while saving energy at the same time. And with the side-mount scanning LED technology, crosstalk is reduced, resulting in brighter and more vivid images.

The TV has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and has inputs for audio, video and HDMI. It also has a home network connector and USB.

In order to watch 3D content on the TV, you need Sharp's 3D glasses, which are priced at $199 a pair. The AQUOS Quattron 3D LED TV retails at $9,999. For a limited time period, Sharp is giving away two pairs of 3D glasses and a 3D Blu-Ray player worth $699 with every purchase of the TV.

This story is only available online.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Laptop Review: Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch

The Air up there


Laptop Review: Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch

by Hedirman Supian
10:05 AM Dec 12, 2010

The 11-inch MacBook Air (starts at $1,488) is a sign of things to come for Apple's line of laptops.

The machine might be wafer-thin at 0.11 inches (at its thinnest point) but it feels sturdy and well-built. It takes up almost the same space as an iPad and weighs 1.06kg.

The aluminium unibody enclosure won't creak like a laptop that's made of plastic. The size is a god-send for those who have to work while they commute or travel - it fits nicely on your lap or an airplane seat tray. If you can't touch-type, you'll miss the back-lit keyboards found on Apple's Pro line of laptops.

Its minimal design did get on our nerves. Just a little. The laptop only has two USB slots and none for memory cards. There's no Ethernet port either. We found ourselves lugging around an SD card slot reader and Apple's USB-based Ethernet port. You're better off packing a portable USB hub while you're at it.

Storage is limited, too. You can only fit 64GB or 128GB of storage space on the 11-inch MacBook Air. So you'd better bring along a portable external hard disk or create a workflow that's based on cloud storage if you're a data hoarder.

Performance is impressive for a computer this svelte. The Air woke up instantly from sleep, thanks to its flash-based storage. Boot-up times averaged around 11 seconds and shutdown times were almost instantaneous. Running on a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and sporting 2GB of memory, it scored 118.11 on Xbench, a free benchmarking application for Mac OS X. A top-of-the-line 2.66GHz MacBook Pro based on the Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB of memory scored 171.60. And it took an average of 38 seconds to boot up.

The MacBook Air played 1080p high-definition footage without any stutter. Note that the Air doesn't come with Adobe's Flash plugin. It's supposedly a drain on the battery. You can install it manually.

Battery life was slightly more than the five hours Apple claims it can do. Standby time fared much better. After a week of intermittent use, the laptop's battery still had 93 per cent capacity.

We didn't think we'd say this but the 11-inch Air could be the primary laptop for the jetsetter or for the user with casual needs - like surfing, the odd game and Facebook.

Source; www.todayonline.com

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Digital Camera Review: Sony Alpha SLT-A33

Speed redefined

Digital Camera Review: Sony Alpha SLT-A33

by Trevor Tan
05:54 AM Dec 10, 2010

If you haven't realised, some of Sony's recent interchangeable lens cameras, such as the Alpha NEX-5 and the SLT-A55, are made in Thailand.

During a recent visit to Sony's camera factory in Ayutthaya, which is an hour's drive from Bangkok, the Sony executives emphasised that the quality of the products made there is in no way compromised. The manufacturing and quality control processes in the Thai factory are similar to those in Sony's Japan factories. During the factory tour, I noticed a Japanese newspaper being used to test auto-focusing issues, and the user interface of some camera-testing machines is in the Japanese language, too. Sony's Ayutthaya factory manufactures the Alpha NEX-3, NEX-5, SLT-A33, SLT-A55 along with the E-mount and A-mount kit lenses for the worldwide market. I got to test one of the cameras, the Alpha SLT-A33 ($999, body only).

Unlike conventional mirror boxes in a DSLR, the A33 adopts Sony's new Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT). TMT uses a fixed translucent mirror, which does not need to be raised each time you press a shutter. Light can thus be simultaneously received by the image sensor and a phase-detection autofocus sensor. This allows quick auto focusing (AF) during video recording when you are using Live View.

Plus, the use of TMT helps to reduce the size of the camera. Nevertheless, at 124x92x85mm, the A33 is not as compact as the NEX-5. But at 433g (body only), it is light for a DSLR.

The A33 feels surprisingly solid. The rubberised grip allows you to hold the camera comfortably, with most buttons within easy reach. For example, the dedicated movie button can be easily pressed with your right thumb.

However, it took me a while to find the Menu button, which is situated behind the mode dial on the top left of the camera. Maybe it should swop places with the D-Range button sitting on the top right near the shutter release. Anyway, not all functions are found on the Menu; some are accessed via the Function button on the rear.

Equipped with a 14.2 Exmor HD CMOS image sensor (1.5x crop factor) and Sony's BIONZ image processing engine, the A33 has a 3-inch turn-and-twist LCD screen that allows you to shoot self-portraits or videos at any angle.

There's a Finder/LCD button that you can press to alternate between the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the LCD. Note that the camera quickly switches to LCD mode when you move your eye away from the EVF.

Camera operation is swift. Startup is almost instantaneous while shutdown takes around 1.6 seconds due to the dust-cleaning operation.

On the downside, the A33 warms up fast as well, especially when you are shooting videos. The camera will prompt you to shut it down if it gets too hot.

There is minimal shutter lag and the A33 can shoot up to 7 frames per second (fps) by activating Speed Priority. It records full high-definition (HD) 1920x1080 video up to 29.97 fps.

Using the Live View to record video elicits fast AF even when you are zooming in and out of the scene. It is the fastest AF I have ever experienced on a DSLR in video mode.

The picture quality is superb for its class, with sharp rendition of pixels. The colours are vibrant, "popping" with life and smooth tones, but they tend towards the warmer side of the colour spectrum. White balance is spot-on in most lighting conditions.

Noise performance is stellar, with no noise artifacts visible till ISO 1,600. Only at ISO 3,200 does the noise become evident. You might want to use higher ISO settings such as 6,400 or 12,800 only for the web.

The full HD video quality is splendid, with smooth frame rates and great audio. Minimal ambient and wind noise is picked up.

With its stellar picture and video quality, fast operation and good handling, the Sony Alpha SLT-A33 shows that it doesn't matter where the product was manufactured.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Clash of the audio titans

Clash of the audio titans

A showdown among four popular gaming headsets
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Dec 03, 2010

NOT so long ago, the only peripheral a computer gamer needed was a good mouse. These days, gamers also require a good gaming headset for their multiplayer communication needs and to fully savour the games' fantastic sound effects without annoying others. Here's a look at some of the coolest gaming headsets in the market.

Sony DR-GA200 ($99)
Sony DR-GA200 PC Gaming Audio Headset (Black)

This lightweight gaming headset features a rather unique triple enfolding design that looks more "alienish" in the midst of circular cup headsets. Despite its unconventional design, it works well in reducing pressure on the ears and increasing air ventilation so that your ears will not perspire. It is surprisingly comfortable even after long gaming sessions, with the remote volume control easily accessible along its 2.5m cord.

But the curvy microphone that goes with the design is non-adjustable. You can pull it out from its resting position but you can't bend it to move it closer to your lips. Out of the four headsets, it has the most muffled voice recording.

There are no drivers to worry about here. You just have to plug the headset to your computer via the normal audio jacks and you can use it straight away. Audio from the headset is crisp and sharp but the bass lacks punch.

At $99, this headset will cater to gamers on a budget.

Creative Sound Blaster World of WarCraft Wireless Headset ($249)

Smack almost anything with a World of WarCraft (WoW) logo and it is bound to sell. The Creative Sound Blaster WoW Wireless Headset even allows you to change the ear cups to feature the Horde or Alliance badge so nobody will mistake your allegiance.

The design is so minimalistic that you might have problems initially locating the various buttons. In fact, I still find it hard to locate the volume controls "hidden" along the rim of the earpads. Also, I haven't found the battery indicator. Nonetheless, the headset is very comfortable and is ideal for prolonged gaming (up to eight hours on a full charge).

While there are drivers for both Mac and PC, you can just plug in the USB transmitter and the wireless headset will work seamlessly without lag. But with the drivers, you can customise your voice to sound like a male Paladin or a female Elf to your WoW comrades. The microphone picks up your voice readily. You can also change the colour of the illuminating Alliance or Horde badge from 16 million LED colours.

With THX TruStudio PC technology support, the sound quality is impressive, handling the loudest of bangs and thuds without breaking up. But the hefty price tag of this headset will be a big deterrent.

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 ($299)

Logitech's latest wireless gaming headset G930 is packed with features such as 7.1 surround sound, three programmable G-keys, noise-cancelling microphone, memory-foam headband and cushioned ear pads. It's even touted to be 38 per cent faster compared to a headset using Bluetooth wireless connection.

All the buttons, such as the G-keys, volume dial and mute button, are situated on the outer left ear pad. While it makes sense since your right hand will be too busy on the mouse, left-handers will again be left out cold.

The polygonal G930 ear pads cup your ears nicely and filter external noise effectively. But the ears get rather warm after only an hour of gaming.

The sound delivered is exemplary. The surround sound lets you immerse in the gameplay completely - I can hear bullets straying past my left ear and grenades exploding on the right.

The PC-only software allows you to customise the G-keys so you can tap them immediately for voice, chat or music. It also allows you to change your voice output to sound like a troll or an alien.

It has the best microphone of the pack, delivering clear and clean voice to ensure your comrades can hear you without the background hiss of your air-conditioning. You might hiss at the high price though.

Razer Megalodon ($249.90)

I was awed when I opened the Megalodon's box to find a solid black carrying case housing Razer's latest sleek USB gaming headset. Why didn't anyone think of such simple packaging before?

Megalodon comes with its own audio engine, Razer Maelstrom, built into the audio control box that sits in the middle of the 3.3m braided fibre sheath cord. You can place the audio control box on your desk for your left or right hand, depending on your preference. The audio control box allows you to easily change the volume with the dial and switch between surround and stereo sound with the press of a button.

The Megalodon is an absolute delight to use. Just plug its single USB connector to your PC (Windows XP or above) and you are ready to go. No drivers are needed.

The large, circular ear pads fit my ears snugly, filtering ambient noise while letting my ears "breathe". Microphone reception is clear and you can bend the microphone close to your lips. The amplified audio is as good as that of the Logitech G930.

Despite its exquisite built and audio quality, the Megalodon is expensive for a wired headset. Plus, it does not work on a Mac.



VERDICT: Grab Sony DR-GA200 if you are on a budget. If looks are important, go for Creative WoW Wireless Headset. Buy Logitech G930 if you're greedy for features. But for the best overall experience, get the Razer Megalodon.

Source: www.todayonline.com
Sony DR-GA200 PC Gaming Audio Headset (Black)

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Western Digital introduces 1TB media centre

Western Digital introduces 1TB media centre

by May Chua
Updated 07:50 PM Dec 02, 2010

Those in the market for a media centre now have one more alternative from Western Digital.

The hard drive company today launched the WD TV Live Hub media centre ($319.99) - a full high-definition (1,080p) media player with a 1TB built-in network hard drive.

The media centre has HDMI, composite A/V, component video and optical audio output. It has ethernet connectivity, and is WiFi-ready. The device comes with a remote control.

You can transfer content to the media centre from shared folders on PCs and Macs on the home network, or plug in other storage devices and cameras to the two USB ports. You can also stream video, music and photos from the WD TV Live Hub to any DLNA/UPnP (Digital Living Network Alliance/Universal Plug and Play)-compatible television, Blu-Ray player or game console in your home. You can stream media to multiple screens in different parts of the house simultaneously, too.

The WD TV Live Hub media centre lets you access Facebook and Flickr, as well as watch YouTube videos.

This story is only available online.

Source: ww.todayonline.com

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Monster's year-end audio high five

Monster's year-end audio high five

by Trevor Tan
05:11 PM Dec 02, 2010

IT'S December! And to spice up this happy festive season, Monster is introducing five headphones targeted at different market segments.

With TRON: Legacy hitting the big screen this month, geeks might want to buy the futuristic-looking Monster TRON Edition headphones ($699, picture). It features full-frequency, 7.1-channel surround sound to meet your gaming and home theatre needs. Get it fast as stocks are limited.

Ladies might want to check out the Monster Butterfly headphones, a creation borne out of Monster's collaboration with fashion designer Vivienne Tam. The Butterfly high-performance in-ear headphones ($399) sports elegant curves, a golden brushed finish and colourful butterfly images on the earpieces.

Monster has also launched three products from Beats by Dr Dre. The Beats Pro ($820) is a pair of studio-quality headphones that delivers the power, durability and sound isolation craved by audio professionals.

For the rest of us, we should be happy with iBeats ($210). It is engineered to reproduce high-quality audio from portable devices such as the Apple iPad and iPhone, with its sealed in-ear design that reduces external noise. If you are a fan of Justin Bieber, get the limited-edition JustBeats, available in on-ear ($490) and in-ear ($210) versions.

iBeats is out in stores. The other four headphones will be available this month. Trevor Tan

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Dell, Starhub unveil Android-based Streak tablet

Dell, Starhub unveil Android-based Streak tablet

by Hazwan Norly
Updated 01:06 PM Dec 02, 2010

Tablet lovers in Singapore will soon have a new option - the Dell Streak, Dell's first all-in-one ultra-portable five-inch Android-based tablet.

Equipped with WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity, the 220g Streak allows for easy web browsing, digital entertainment and social networking. It is integrated with A-GPS and e-compass for digital navigation and location-based applications. Dell's new user interface, Stage, provides users instant access to their favourite content.

The tablet sports a damage-resistant Gorilla Glass touchscreen and comes with a rear-facing 5-megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED flash as well as a front-facing VGA webcam. It is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and features 2GB built-in memory that is expandable up to 32GB via a MicroSD slot.

Dell is currently partnering with StarHub exclusively to offer the Streak, although Dell revealed that it is open to other partnerships (updated 1:00PM, Dec 2). A basic $38 monthly data plan from StarHub will give Streak users data usage of up to 12GB while the high-end $205 plan offers unlimited data usage. Dell will also pre-load the Dell tablet with customised StarHub applications such as StarHub TV, StarHub Music Store, StarHub Games Store and Gee! Portal.

The Dell Streak will be available on Dec 11 at StarHub outlets. You can pre-order yours via the StarHub website or through the StarHub outlets this weekend. The Streak retails at $938. Details on the mobile data price plans are available on the StarHub website.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Updated Cisco Flip camcorders deliver clearer videos

Updated Cisco Flip camcorders deliver clearer videos

by Hazwan Norly
06:50 PM Nov 29, 2010

Cisco's third generation of camcorders - the Flip MinoHD (4GB and 8GB) and Flip UltraHD (8GB) - now allows for clearer video recording with its always-on image stabilisation technology and high-resolution recording capability.

The user-friendly camcorders can now capture videos at 50 frames per second. In addition, the Flip UltraHD's battery is detachable for those who prefer the option of using traditional AAA batteries as opposed to a built-in rechargeable lithium battery. The 4GB camcorder allows for an hour of video recording while the 8GB models allow for two hours of recording.

You can share videos easily via an email link using the pre-loaded FlipShare software. Simply connect the flip-out USB arm of the camcorder to a PC or a Mac and you can upload and edit your videos. With FlipShare version 5.9, you can organise videos, capture screenshots, send video greeting cards and create movies. The updated FlipShare version not only lets you upload videos directly onto Facebook and YouTube but also share them on Twitter.

The Flip MinoHD (4GB) retails at $279, the Flip MinoHD (8GB) at $349 and the Flip UltraHD (8GB) at $359.

This story is only available online.

Source: www.todayonline.com

Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

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Get KEF's super-slim speakers to match your thin TVs

Get KEF's super-slim speakers to match your thin TVs

by Trevor Tan
Updated 10:03 PM Nov 26, 2010

While LCD TVs in the market are becoming thinner, home theatre speakers are getting nowhere near as anorexic-looking. Plus, skinny speakers typically don't sound so good.

However, the T Series range of loudspeakers by KEF manages to deliver high-quality, audiophile-standard sound while being as slim as 35mm. The new T101 speaker combines an ultra-low profile bass and mid-range driver that is only 27mm thin and a large, fully-vented tweeter that has 25mm-thin diaphragms.

The T301 speaker is larger as it combines two bass and mid-range drivers with one tweeter for higher output. It maintains the 35mm-thin profile but stands taller. The minimalist-looking T-2 subwoofer, whose 177mm depth is slim by subwoofer standards, completes the KEF T series home theatre system.

During a media briefing where we got to hear the T series' audio output, it delivered soothing music and natural vocals without overpowering the bass.

The KEF T series is available in three 5.1 home theatre systems - the T105 ($2,050), T205 ($2,650) and T305 ($3,050). The T105 combines two pairs of T101 speakers, T101c centre speakers and a T-2 subwoofer, while the T205 has a pair of T101 speakers, a pair of T301 speakers with T301c centre speakers and a T-2 subwoofer. The T305 has two pairs of T301 speakers, T301c centre speakers and a T-2 subwoofer.


Source; www.todayonline.com

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New eye candy for your home theatre from Epson

by May Chua
08:21 PM Nov 26, 2010

Home theatre enthusiasts in the market for a projector will soon have two new options to consider.

Epson today launched two home entertainment projectors, the EH-R4000 and the EH-R1000. The EH-R4000 boasts a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, while its brother can achieve a ratio of 500,000:1. High contrast ratios generally represent a bigger difference between the brightest shade of white and the darkest black a display can produce, resulting in brighter and more detailed pictures. The high ratios of these two products are achieved by incorporating technologies such as the 3LCD Reflective Panel, which produces deeper blacks, brighter whites as well as richer colours, and reduces blur by rendering fast-moving images more smoothly.

The two projectors also feature a Hollywood Quality Video Vida processor to improve picture clarity and detail. During the demonstration, images appeared sharp, detailed and cinematic on the screen.

These units can project screens from 30 to 300 inches in size, in full HD resolution (1,920x1,080).

The Epson EH-R1000 ($6,999) and EH-R4000 ($9,999) will be available from February next year.

This story is only available online.


Source: www.todayonline.com

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Digital Camera Review: Canon EOS 60D

Superb for its price


Digital Camera Review: Canon EOS 60D

by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Nov 26, 2010


DO WE need another digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera in the market? Canon obviously thinks so when it released its latest EOS 60D ($1,599, body only), successor to the 50D.

Sporting an 18-megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS image sensor (1.6x crop factor), a Digic 4 image processor and 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen, the 60D features nine cross-type auto focus points with a 63-zone metering system. It shoots still images up to 5.3 frames per second (fps) and full high-definition (HD) 1920x1080 videos at 30fps.

Despite its light weight (755g, with battery) and small frame (14.5x10.6x7.9cm), the camera feels stout and offers a good grip. It is pretty durable, surviving a careless drop without any operational hitch. The small built-in pop-up flash gives a surprisingly nice fill-in and delivers respectable results in slow-synchronised flash mode, too.

For those who have used a Canon EOS DSLR, you will be at home with the placement of the controls and buttons. The addition of a dedicated movie button near where your thumb usually rests is a nice touch, as it makes video recording a breeze. However, you can't press the movie button to shoot videos on the fly; you need to switch to video mode first. When the movie mode is not activated, it serves as a Live View toggle button.

Startup and shutdown are instantaneous if you turn off the auto sensor cleaning. If not, it will take up to three seconds. The auto focusing speed is quite good but there are quirks. Using the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 (28.8-216mm in 35mm equivalent) kit lens, auto focusing can go haywire at times, taking nearly a second to focus, especially in high lighting contrast situations.

The 60D will not auto focus during video recording when you are zooming or panning. You can half-press the shutter release to auto focus again, but it can take more than two seconds to focus. I recommend manual focus during video recording.

The still images shot are gorgeous, with sharp rendering of details and accurate colour reproduction. Noise performance is amazing, with noise artifacts not seen till ISO 3200. Even at ISO 6400, the chromatic noise that surfaced is still acceptable. The full HD videos shot are equally impressive and picked up only slight wind and ambient audio.

Even though the 60D supports in-camera RAW image processing, it is the built-in creative filters, such as "Toy Camera" nostalgic effect and "Miniature" tilt-shift lens effect (my favourite), which will interest most.

However, you can only apply the filters to your pictures after you shoot them. The good thing is you can choose the pictures you want for the different effects and you don't have to wait a few seconds for the camera to process the picture after you shoot it. But you lose the immediacy of seeing the "filtered" pictures. Perhaps, an option to allow users to shoot in the creative filters mode could be added in firmware n digital single lens refleupdates.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Fischer Audio Genesis Earphones

Fischer Audio Genesis Earphones

05:55 AM Nov 25, 2010
Booth 5H44

Price $109.50, free $10 discount voucher for Sitex customers who register the product warranty online (www.fischeraudio.com.sg); additional free Comply foam eartips for first 50 customers to register warranty online

Unless you are an audiophile, you've probably never heard of Fischer Audio. This Russian company is making in-roads into the audio world with its fantastic in-ear earphones and the Genesis is one of them.

Recently available in Singapore, the Genesis is shaped to deliver a perfect fit in the ear, offering optimal comfort and sound performance.

The attractive chrome finish of the earphones is a bonus, and will appeal to style-conscious consumers. Looks aside, the Genesis is also suitably rugged, boasting a flexible cable wrapped in a protective sheath that prevents tangling and reduces noise distortion.

So, be prepared for an audio treat when you put on the Genesis. The package comes with six additional pairs of ear tips and a lovely shell casing.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800
05:55 AM Nov 25, 2010

Price $39.90
 
A competent wireless keyboard and mouse set for your computer doesn't have to be expensive, as Microsoft's latest Wireless Desktop 800 proves.

Despite a modest price tag of $39.90, the Wireless Desktop 800 is powered by a 2.4GHz wireless connection that is not only secure but works up to a 9m range.

It has a symmetrically-shaped 1,000-dpi optical wireless mouse that caters to both left-handers and right-handers. With a snap-in transceiver stowed conveniently under the mouse, you don't have to worry about losing it.

At only 456x158mm, the wireless keyboard is compact. Yet, it is packed with easy-access hot keys such as calculator, volume controls and playback.

In addition, the wireless mouse has a battery life of up to eight months while the wireless keyboard boasts up to 15 months of battery longevity.


Source: www.todayonline.com

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