5 easy steps to get the best picture on TV: Telegraph UK
This
is the best guide I have read so far on setting the best picture on your TV. I’ve
tried it and find it to be quite good.
Set the correct picture mode -
Manufacturers set up their TVs so that they are very bright and colourful. This
is to take advantage of the fact that the human eye is always drawn to the
brightest and most colourful image in a room. This is fine in a shop, but not
necessarily ideal for your home. That's why it's worth spending a little time
setting up the picture on your TV. The simplest thing people can do to improve
their TV picture is to select the correct picture
mode in the Picture Menu. Choose Movie, Cinema or THX (depending on
what TV you have) as this sets your TV up with a better picture and saves
energy.
Don't go ECO -
Research by THX (the
standards organisation founded by George Lucas) shows that setting up your TV
with a picture mode such as Movie, Cinema or THX, uses less energy than the
default Vivid or Dynamic mode. The approximate savings were measured to be as
low as 15 per cent and as high as 50 per cent between the two different picture
modes. Since you've already selected the best picture mode in step one, you're
already saving energy. Therefore, if your TV has an energy saving or Eco mode,
turn it OFF! The Eco feature adjusts the brightness of the entire image on
screen, dimming or brightening the picture in a way that is distracting. By
switching this off, the image is better and you are still saving energy.
Change your aspect -
You need to select the correct picture
size (also known as the aspect ratio) on your TV. If the aspect
ratio selection is wrong then people on screen can either look fat
(horizontally stretched) or tall (vertically stretched). Some picture size
settings zoom the picture and lose detail in the image, so it is important that
we select the correct picture size for all material we watch. There will be a
button on your remote control, specifically for changing the picture size. The
name of the button varies depending on the make of your TV, but the most common
are P. Size, Aspect or Ratio. You need to visit the Picture Perfect step 1 page
to check the correct setting for your particular TV, but it will be called
something like Just Scan, Dot by Dot or 16:9.
Go ‘au naturel’
- For our next step we
are going to suggest you switch off ALL the picture processing features on your
TV and allow the signal through in its natural state. Modern TVs come with a
whole host of features that sound nice on paper but often create more problems
than they solve. Features such as Dynamic Contrast,
Global
Dimming, Edge Enhancer,
Super Resolution, Noise Reduction, Motion Plus, TruMotion and Intelligent Frame Creation,
should all be turned off. By all means have a play with the features to see
what effect they have, but if in doubt, leave them out.
Get calibrated -
Want to squeeze even
more quality out of your TV’s picture? You should consider calibration. If you
own a THX-certified DVD or Blu-ray, you will find a feature called THX
Optimizer. This is a basic calibration tool that will guide you through the set
up of the various picture controls such as brightness, contrast and colour with
the aid of test patterns. Alternatively you can buy a calibration DVD or
Blu-ray, which is a good idea since these controls should not be set without a
test pattern for reference. If you would rather get a professional in to set up
your TV, look for ISF or THX certified video calibrator – easily searched
online. It will normally cost from about £200, but can be well worth it when
you think about how much you watch your TV.
The Galaxy Note: Toddler Phone
Tablet writing is supposed to be the Galaxy Note's niche area and statement of intent. However, as can be seen from this review, there is still some way to go before pen-and-paper can be shelved. It has a great display and is quite fast, but then consumes quite a bit of power. Too small for a conventional tablet, it looks like something mummy would get for her toddler in the way of a phone. In a nutshell, no reason to get one at the current asking price.
A REVIEW OF THE NEW (iPad, THAT IS)
The
New iPad was launched in the US and a few other countries on the 16th
of March 2012. This was an eagerly awaited event, as all Apple events are,
mostly due to the hype generated in the preceding weeks on the expected new
developments. Though many people expected it to be called the “3”, it is not
surprising to note the numerical absence in light of the fact that Apple will
still be producing and selling the “2” in tandem with the “New”. This is purely
marketing strategy, and the 2 is still very much in the forefront of Apple’s,
keeping the Samsung products in their rear view mirror. Although purists may
argue that it should be named “2S” because it isn’t entirely a new model but a
tastefully enhanced one, this would be of no concern for those intent on
getting it.
Talking
about keeping one step ahead, the on-time introduction of an improved product
has now become a game that is being played out between Apple and their Android
competitors, keeping them just ahead of the snapping jaws. This means that
there will be technical improvements that keep these products at the forefront
of desirability but without taking them in any new direction. This also means
that you might want to wait before Samsung launches its new tablet in the
likely event of a price cut, which is what has happened to the 2, now selling
at roughly have the price of 3 weeks before.
Let
us leave numerological and marketing issues and address what really is
important with the new iPad. The main new features are what Apple calls the
Retina display, 4G wireless capability, a new A5X processor, a 5-megapixel back
camera and a speak-to-type capability. Other changes to the New are as a
consequence of these features, especially of the former two.
The Retina display
Talking
about the retina display conjures up images of an eyeball, not an entirely
pleasing thought. This feature is similar to the one on the iPhone 4S and just
serves to highlight a very, very sharp screen. Comparatively, it is four times
as sharp as the iPad 2 and claimed to be the sharpest ever on a mobile device.
This clarity is achieved by having 3.1 million pixels on the screen (a
high-definition TV set has a “paltry” 1 million!).
The
whole idea of increasing the pixel count is to make photos, videos, maps and
text look incredibly good, and by all accounts they do, “jaw-dropping”
apparently. The display is apparently extraordinarily sharp. However, this only
applies to apps that have been rewritten for the new screen, such as iBooks,
iMovie, GarageBand and others, whereas those apps that haven’t been rewritten
don’t benefit as much. Test is sharpened in most apps but not in all of them. High-definition
videos apparently look dazzling, if you can get those.
Good
things always come at a cost and here the cost is storage. Tests performed by Macworld.com revealed that the graphics in
Retina-ready apps consume two to three times as much of the iPad’s
nonexpandable storage than pre-Retina apps. To update their apps for the new
display, software companies must redo their graphics at much higher resolution,
which means much larger files. If you are thinking that you’ll stick to your 2,
then think again, as the rewritten apps will eat up the same extra space on
older iPads and iPhones, just pointlessly. Yes, iPhone owners too will wind up
losing space since many apps are written to run on both the pad and the phone.
4G wireless capability
The
new iPad has been designed to hop onto very fast 4G wireless networks. Called
4G LTE, this feature allows for fast download and playback speeds in the range
of 6 to 29 megabits per second. Apps download very quickly, web pages appear
very fast and you don’t have to wait for videos to download before you play
them.
Before
you go salivating at this prospect, please remember that the very fast 4G is for
wireless networks that Verizon and AT&T have built in big American cities.
Though you can get online with the new iPad elsewhere, it is only at 3G speeds.
Sadly, fast 4G is not yet a reality in too many parts of the world, not even in
Britain. Despite that, the new supports faster 3G protocols than the 2,
reportedly 6 times as fast.
A5X processor and performance
This
boosts the performance of the New and the upgrade is already apparent in some
of the apps, particularly games, photo and video related tasks. This jump in
performance is not quite as significant as that between the original iPad and
the 2, but it is definitely there. Things feel more responsive and “snappier”.
Although unconfirmed, the amount of RAM in the new is double that of the 2 at
1GB.
Battery power
The
main downside to 4G comes with its massive battery drain. Because Apple were
determined to keep the battery life unchanged at 9-10 hours on a charge whilst
accommodating 4G, it had to make some physical changes to the new iPad.
Components that use less power such as Bluetooth 4.0 and various software and
circuitry tricks were incorporated. The main change though was a fatter and heavier
battery, accounting for the main aesthetic difference between the generations.
To be fair and to salute this feat, the battery is only 1 millimeter thicker
and about 50 grams heavier, a slight difference, probably one you’d get used to
with time.
To
squeeze in that extra usage time, you could turn off the LTE antenna in the
Settings app. This is quite thoughtful and of immense benefit for country folk
relying on lesser networks.
New back camera
Obviously,
a 5-megapixel back camera takes far better photos than the iPad 2 does. You can
take pretty good pictures, and capture 1080p hi-def videos as well now. A
10-inch tablet makes for an unwieldy camera and in recognition, the additional
stabilization feature lends a hand when yours is shaky or moving.
Speak-to-text
Speech-to-text
allows you to dictate to the iPad and avoid the less than exact experience of
typing on glass. The on-screen keyboard now has a tiny microphone similar to
that on the iPhone 4S. It is claimed that the recognition is fast and accurate,
at least when you have a strong Internet connection, as the transcription is
actually performed by faraway servers.
This
new addition is a part of Apple’s smart voice-control software, better known as
Siri, already indispensible to users of the iPhone 4S. Going by the book, Apple
is probably reserving the rest of Siri for a newer version of the iPad (the
Newer iPad?), what you may call a marketing holdback. Tut,tut.
Should you buy the New iPad?
Good
question. The New doesn’t have anything we haven’t seen before. It is basically
an iPad2 with the latest screen, battery and cellular technologies.
For
sure, the biggest plus to the introduction of the new model is the almost 50%
drop in price of the 2. The 2 is still a very formidable and useful model, and
if you’re still on the original iPad (1?), or never owned one before, or
cash-strapped, then go for the iPad2.
However,
if you don’t fall under any of these categories and just have that itch,
there’s no harm in getting the New. Even if this is going to be your first
iPad, you have the comfort of knowing that all the additional features cost the
same as before. Plus, the magnetic Smart Covers will still fit, a small but important
point.
And
for those of you like me, even with the introduction of the New iPad, we’re
still not out of fashion yet.
References
David
Pogue. New iPad: A polishing of the old. New York Times 14 March 2012.
Shane
Richmond. Apple iPad review. The Telegraph 15 March 2012.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Fitness Junkies Get With the Program
HONG KONG — Don’t tell my trainer, but my smartphone has become my favorite exercise companion. To novices, that may sound lonely and pathetic, but it’s nearly 2012 and the technology on offer is extraordinary. I have discovered a few high performing fitness apps that motivate and teach like a professional. They go where I want, when I want, at very little cost, and record my every move so that I can track my progress. And they’re fun.
Take it from a self-proclaimed appaholic and get with the program. Here are a few of my favorites:
Endomondo is an app that derives its name from “endorphin,” hormones that are released to the brain during sports, and “mondo,” Italian for “world.” It’s quite a kick for the globally minded.
The app primarily maps and records your physical activity with GPS, but it does much more. Endomondo broadcasts your route to your worldwide network of friends, and even strangers if you allow, while you are on the move. Friends can track you and give you a pep talk along the way.
When I travel, I can peruse the app’s Web site for routes that locals have taken, download them and follow. No maps needed. Just the app.
One of its strengths is data collection. So far, I know I’ve clocked about 110 kilometers, mainly on walks to and from work, burning the equivalent of 14 hamburgers. It is more reliable than other GPS mapping apps I’ve tried, like Trailguru, because it runs undisturbed in the background while you use other apps.
The company was founded in Denmark in late 2007, when Christian Birk, a former elite runner, and two of his colleagues from the consultant firm McKinsey opted to combine their passion for sports and technology. Endomondo says that 5.5 million people have downloaded it and 2.7 million are registered on its Web site. The iPhone version is free, but an upgraded version costs $3.99. (Prices here and below may vary slightly by market.)
RunKeeper works much like Endomondo and is just as reliable. It allows you to post your results directly to Facebook and Twitter; you can download the routes of others; and you can find friends nearby. The app is a classic, one of the first 200 on the iPhone. It was created by Jason Jacobs of Boston, who was frustrated when he used a Nike system to train in 2007 for his first marathon in Chicago.
Last month, RunKeeper added a few small features that enhance the app. Now an “auto pause” means that you don’t have to keep stopping and starting the app every time you pause for a drink or face a red light. And, now both Android and iPhone versions allow you to take photos that appear on RunKeeper.com along your mapped route.
One twist, and one of the ways the company makes money: If you want to be tracked by your friends, you’ll need to join RunKeeper Elite, which costs $4.99 a month, or $19.99 a year. Otherwise, the basic app is free.
iMuscle will make you question why you are shelling out $80 dollars an hour on a personal trainer. It’s that good.
The app doesn’t spot you as you bench press, and it won’t make you feel guilty for missing a session. But if you already feel comfortable at the gym, or want to learn new exercises, iMuscle is worth the small investment.
Once started, a detailed illustration of a body appears. Tap, for example, the breast muscle (pectoralis major abdominal part) and the app displays 28 exercises to strengthen that particular spot, complete with animation to illustrate exactly how to execute the exercise.
You can then design a workout — like “chest,” “shoulders,” or “biceps” — with your selection of exercises. Each time you do an exercise, you input the number of repetitions and weight. The app keeps a log to track your progress. It costs $1.99 for the iPhone and $4.99 for the iPad.
Nike Training Club dubs itself “Your personal trainer. Anytime. Anywhere.” This is indeed the perfect app for anyone on the road. Unlike iMuscle, it hardly requires equipment — a jump rope, medicine ball and a couple of dumbbells suffice. The app is targeted at women, but the 60-plus workouts and 90-plus drills are just as brutal for men.
The app takes a while to download, but that’s because it incorporates video to make sure you understand the moves, the app’s major strength.
After choosing your goal — getting lean, toned, strong, or focusing on a specific muscle — you choose your level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), set your music and go.
I tried a 45-minute strength-building program that used dumbbells and a medicine ball that was divided into 53 segments. Never mind that you have no clue how to “pretzel stretch” or “Russian twist” — that’s what the video is for. You are guided every step of the way. It’s free for the iPhone.
Total Immersion Swimming is one of the few apps for the sport that caught my attention. The American Terry Laughlin has developed a swimming technique that focuses on economy, rather than speed, for long-distance open water swimmers. Courses are held around the world. I attended one several years ago in the Alps near Zurich.
The app’s value lies in the video. Mr. Laughlin breaks down his freestyle technique into a number of drills. In the absence of a coach, it is helpful to view videos of them at the poolside between laps. The app costs 99 cents for the iPhone for the first few lessons; 99 cents for subsequent lessons.
Calorie Tracker, developed by Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong.com, is a good app for tallying your caloric intake. The database contains more than 625,000 food and restaurant items.
One day, the app quickly calculated that my breakfast (yogurt and grapefruit juice), lunch (Greek salad) and dinner (pad thai and green chicken curry with jasmine rice), added up to 1,364 calories. It figured that my 85-minute brisk walk home from the office burned 575 calories. All told, I went to bed having consumed only 39 percent of my recommended caloric intake. The app costs $2.99 for the iPhone and iPad.
An article by TOM SIMS Published in The New York Times on November 18, 2011
Avoiding a Large Phone Bill When Traveling
UBIQUITOUS connectivity has its downside, especially when it comes to the price of using your cellphone abroad. The proliferation of smartphones and the increased use of data have made it easier than ever to rack up huge communications bills while traveling overseas, even on a short trip.
Many leisure travelers with iPhones do not turn off their data and allow their apps to continue downloading data. Luckily for tech-savvy travelers who want to stay in touch, there are ways to avoid spending a small fortune. Here are some options.
Getting the Right Phone
Many countries outside the United States rely on a wireless network technology called GSM. Phones using this technology will work in these countries.
Another option is to buy an inexpensive travel phone from a company like Telestial (telestial.com) or Planet Omni (planetomni.com). They typically cost less than $50. For example, Planet Omni’s Kit V520 ($49) offers a dual-band GSM phone, SIM card with both a United States phone number and a global phone number, and $5 in airtime. The service allows you to receive free incoming calls in France, Italy, Spain and Britain on the global number, and free voice mail in 60 countries. Costs for outgoing calls depend on the country. For example, an outgoing call from France to a United States landline is 99 cents per minute, while a call to a mobile phone is $1.49 per minute. Telestial’s Passport package (starting at $99) provides free incoming calls in Europe, as well as calls back to the United States for 49 cents per minute.
Data Deals
With everything from Internet radio to online maps to multitudes of apps, iPhones and smartphones can consume huge amounts of data. It might not be a big deal at home, but using all those apps on the road can add up quickly. If you plan on using a lot of data services while traveling, make sure you check with the carrier to see if it offers international data roaming plans.
These charges are in addition to whatever your usual monthly charge is, but the cost pays off if you use a lot of data, especially when you consider that the standard international roaming rates for many Western European countries are about $20 per.
In addition, AT&T recommends that iPhone users go to their settings and turn off data roaming and options to fetch new data. They should also reset their usage tracker to zero so they can keep an eye on new charges, and make sure to use Wi-Fi instead of their phones’ 3G services to check e-mail messages or use the Web.
SIM Cards
Frequent travelers may want to consider another money-saving technique: replacing a phone’s SIM card (the little electronic memory card that identifies and configures your phone) with a local (or country-specific) SIM card. In general, when you do that, all incoming calls will be free and outgoing calls (local or international) can be significantly cheaper.
Be aware that replacing the SIM card means that your phone has a different number, so you may want to let your contacts know, or set your phone to forward all calls to the new number before you go. Your phone also has to be unlocked so it can work with other carriers’ networks — your cellphone company can provide information on how to do this — and it needs to be compatible with the wireless services in the country you’re visiting. Simply buy a SIM card at the destination airport and use it for cheap local calls. The rates are cheaper even calling home using a foreign SIM card.
The VoIP Option
Internet-based voice services (VoIP) such as Skype (skype.com) or Truphone (truphone.com), which charge as little as 2 cents for calls to regular phones, are among the cheapest ways for international travelers to communicate. This spring, Skype announced support for the iPhone, allowing iPhone users to make or receive Skype calls over either Wi-Fi or 3G connections.
One good option for travelers wanting to use Skype or Wi-Fi while traveling is Boingo Wireless. For $7.95 per month, travelers can sign up with Boingo (boingo.com) for unlimited Wi-Fi access in hotels, restaurants, cafes, airports and more in over 70 countries. Coupled with Skype or a similar VoIP product on an iPhone, smartphone or computer, it’s hard to beat the value.
Last, but Not Least
Don’t forget the old-fashioned calling card. Using discounted international calling cards from local cafes or newsstands is a good option for making a call from a land line.
Edited from an article by David A Kelly in the New York Times, 27 July 2010.
