Low Cost MacBook

We'll see a new MacBook (Pro) tomorrow if all the rumors are right. My current MacBook Pro (MBP) is one of the first releases (the Intel 1.0 version so to say), and is working just fine. I even used it to view HD content on my TV (720p max, but without DTS decoding).

The last year I was having this idea of upgrading my MBP so that I'm able of watching full HD content on my TV. But now with the arrival of the Popcorn Hour that necessity is gone. Now I can 'upgrade' my MBP to a new (sub $1000 ??) MacBook when the time comes. All I do on the laptop is a bit of;

• browsing
• e-mail
• basic photo editting
• webdev

No need to spend extra for watching HD content. It's like 'spending money to save money'.

Popcorn Hour A-110

Popcorn Hour A-110'Networked Media Tank' a.k.a. 'Popcorn Hour' is another name for an awesome piece of hardware. It's a small device (the size of a 8-port desktop switch)) that enables you to view media on your TV. You name the format, and it plays it. No matter what the resolution is.

The Popcorn Hour (PCH) is a specialized piece of hardware just for decoding media. Even MKV (Matroska Containers) files are supported. I tried this by downloading a sample of Iron Man in 1080p with DTS audio, and it performed flawlessly. The picture quality was superb.

Besides watching video's you can also;

• listen to music
• watch your holiday pictures
• watch (pre-programmed) online media like YouTube
• use it as a torrent downloader
• use it as a usenet downloader (NZBGet)

I currently use mine solely with the HDMI connector hooked up to my Pioneer A/V Receiver. This way I get to enjoy all the benefits of HD content. There are numerous ways of connecting the PCH to your TV/Home Theater. Both analog and digital.

One little drawback; don't plan on doing a lot of pushing buttons on the remote when you are copying lot's of files over the network to the device. I had to reset my PCH twice in an hour. The CPU for the operating System (OS) on the device is for the interface and basic network connectivity (there's a CPU for displaying media, and a CPU for the OS). So if you're gonna stress the device it might hang.

So, if you're thinking about a Home Theater PC (HTPC) for the purpose of watching media this is the device for you. If you plan on recording TV you'll need another device for doing that.

New MacBooks??

There seems to be a special Apple event next Tuesday (Oktober 14th) with the 'cryptic' hint;

"The spotlight turns to notebooks"

Guess it's time to start saving (or hoping that the stock market goes up)

New Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 AF-S VRII

Rumors are that a new and improved Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 AF-S lens will be announced/revealed on Photokina 2008. Which would be nice since I'm still saving money to 'replace' my Sigma 80-400.

It would be nice to come back from holiday, and to find out that Nikon shipping lots of new goodies :).

Another Possible P&S Candidate

Recently I blogged about wanting a (new) Point&Shoot camera. Back then, I optioned the Canon G9 and the Panasonic Lumix LX3. But in the mean time another candidate roared its head; The Leica D-LUX 3 (in black).

Choices, choices, choises... When will it end?

Point & Shoot

Ever since a certain split-up, I'm in need of a decent point&shoot camera. A nice small camera to fit in my pocket for every day snapshot use, but with pro-like features. Why?, because they won't allow you to attend a concert with a Nikon D300 and a 80-400mm lens.. (or any lens for that matter). And the camera on my Nokia N95 is not satisfactory at all.... But then again, it's a phone.

At the moment I'm kinda interested in the Canon Powershot G9, or the Panasonic Limux DMC-LX3 (which is not available yet. The first is.. well... kinda a legend at this moment, but the second is throwing high hopes for that segment. The new Nikon P6000 lacks Mac support and uses a closed RAW format at this time, so that's a no go (even though the integrated GPS in kinda neat).

Guess I have to wait for the first reviews of the Panasonic Lumic DMC-LX3. I hope it's available soon.

PhotoTrackr Pro. Mac Compatible

The GiSTEQ Corporation has released a OSX compatible version of their software for managing the Phototrackr GPS unit.

I hope that more will follow, because there not that many OSX compatible devices out there. The good thing is that e.g. PhotoGPSEditor DOES support RAW photos (at least Nikon's RAW format).

Nokia N95

The Nokia E61i is old. Well, ever since I got a Nokia N95 from my boss. So no longer a privately owned phone (with a company SIM), but a new shiny N95 :).

First impression; plastic fantastic, but a fast plastic fantastic phone. A faster CPU, HSDPA instead of 'regular' UMTS, and a 'normal' keypad instead of a QWERTY keyboard (which is not an improvement!!)

The OS (Symbian S60) is the same as the OS on the E61i, so no real surprises on that part. Even the backup with Nokia Phone Manager restored on the N95. New features were also included;

• upload images to Flickr
• nokia maps
• built-in GPS

The only real bummer is the lame Nokia Phone Manager software. That application just won't work properly (it could also be that the crappy Windows OS is helping a hand).

Laptop Heatstroke

It could have been a regular Monday. My work laptop doesn't feel like working and stopped. Probably caused by overheating. Just when there are deadlines to be kept. Well, it's all in a days work.