DIGI Commercial

DIGI was 1 of the earliest company in Malaysia that launch the prepaid system. They really contribute a lot to the Malaysia Mobile Telecommunication, if not for them we will be still paying those high and ridiculous phone bill charges! They really kick their competitors a**!


The DIGI Theme Song that I like a lot!


The famous Cinema "DaiKoh" commercial

The latest commercial and i really like this a lot!


Malaysia 3G really need to have DIGI to join in! Although 3G was available 2 years ago in Malaysia but due to the fact that our Government did not issue it to them, one of the 3 largest mobile network in Malaysia, our 3G did not have any real development! The cost of using 3G is still very high (no competition), and having 1/3 of the mobile user does not have the 3G service in Malaysia is really a great pull back!

Before I end my post, I really hope that our government can quickly issue the 3G license to this company, this is the only Telco company here that does not have it(and for god sake help develop our mobile communication here)!!!!

HDMI and Optical Cable (TOSLink) Audio Comparison

So I just purchased a AV Receiver that comes with HDMI input (few weeks ago), so i plug in my PS3 and played some music through it the sound quality was clear and loud. I tested the same song again using Optical Cable (TOSLink) for sound output and the sound that came out of the Speaker was not as loud as the HDMI (same volume level on the Receiver).

Optical Cable (TOSLink) and HDMI Cable

For those ppl that own a PS3 should already know that PS3 7.1 channel surround sound can only be output from HDMI cable (Mention on the Manual). Those that used TOSLink will only get 5.1 and with usual AV cable you get 2.1.

The HDMI pin out

The HDMI and TOSLink both used digital signal to transfer information while the AV cable used analog signal. TOSLink used fiber optic technology, and it has maximun range of 10m (but user are recommend to have it less than 5m), and it can only be used to transfer audio signal. Currently it supports almost all formats except for the latest Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD and DTS HD audio streams.

The HDMI on the other side is has not declared any maximum cable length like TOSLink. It transfer Audio and Graphic signal together and support all the latest audio formats (depends on the HDMI version).

So if you were to purchase either 1 of the cable, what price do you expect to paid? If I tell you that the cheapest one will do, I think you will most likely don't believe me. As i mention earlier this 2 types of cable delivers digital signal which are like 10101010. Unlike Analog signal that works on frequency and easily suffer on distortion due to distance!

So for digital signal you either get a very nice sound or you don't get anything!

What is the biggest different between a cheap cable with very expensive one?
For HDMI and TOSLink cable the more expensive one only give u a better quality cable or a little bit more bandwidth and include a lot of loyalty fees! Since HDMI came from DVI, and have u ever seen any super expensive DVI cable which sells more than RM200??? Same goes with TOSLink do you really think that a more expensive cable will help it transmit light better???

Conclusion is just go and grab a cheap cable, it will be enough to serve your needs!

1080p and 720p

Ever since our TV move into HD world, a lot of discussion has arise with 720p and 1080p. So in this post i will post a bit of my opinion. No 1080i here since the quality of the graphic (especially movement one) is not as good as the 720p.

720p which is 1280 x 720 was a resolution which PC has been commonly using for the last 3 - 4 years, and now TV also supports this resolution which greatly improve the quality of the picture and details of the show itself!

1080p which is 1920 x 1080 the highest resolution so far in TV industry. Even PC monitor seldom support up to this resolution!!! This is the future!!!

So which is better 720p or 1080p, of course 1080p if u compare picture quality, you already get more detail then usual! Want to get the most direct result I will let you see my Monitor in 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720. So for computer usage which you usually sit 0.5 -1 meters aways from the screen of course u see more detail in 1080p than 720p!!!

Text in 720p

text in 1080p (right) and 720p (left)

So for larger resolution u get more on the monitor but smaller text! So just imagine u siting further away, you can't see anything from the 1080p screen but u may still be able to see the 720p screen!

The GTHD 1080p setting (left) and 720p (right)

From the both picture above u cant really tell the difference because of screen size and the distanceof viewing. But if you had a larger TV (more than 40 inch) I think there will be a big different between 1080p and 720p!

For the upcoming future 1080p will most likely take over 720p, but currently there are some problem that hold the consumer from getting a 1080p Full HD TV!

1. The price of this TV cost at least RM10k+-
   
2. Comes with size in 40 inch and above only!
   
3. Ppl with space constraint cannot place it in their room
   
4. If u are watching movie on it u need a good viewing distance to feel the result
   

So ppl having the problem above can just go for 720p, which come in smaller size and also cheaper in price RM2600 - 4000 can already get a decent one! So unless you are thinking of getting a Monitor that support 1080p or else you can just stick with 32" LCD TV with HDMI.

One last thing before i end this post. If u plan to used a 720p LCD TV and with the size of 40" and sitting only 0.5 - 1 meter distance from the screen, that really sux!!! So in the end viewing distance + size of screen+ what content(text or movie) is really important for you to enjoy HD.

My HTPC (Thats wat i call it now)

HoHoHo.....
It beens 2 weeks since i posted anything (or was it 1 week?)! Too busy to post anything.

So lets start with my trip to the Malaysia International KLAV Show 2007 (a show with all sort of audio and video equipment). The location was at KL JW Marriot Hotel.

My main objective was to search for an AV receiver for my PC and my PS2 + 3!!!

It was indeed an interesting trip, nvr been to such exhibition before, the entry fee was RM10 and 4 floors was occupied by the exhibition itself, and the last 2 floors even used the hotel rooms as a showroom!

Things display there were all $$, u get to see HiFi units that cost up to RM5k - 10k, projector costing the price of an Perodua Kancil!!!! And yah this place isnt really place you should come if you are low on budget!!!

Ok back to my trip for the AV receiver! I managed to purchase a Pioneer VSX-2016 with build in AMP!!! The specs are as below:
* Number of Channels - 7.1 Channels
* Stereo Mode Power - 150 Watt @ 6 ohm, 1 kHz, THD: 1%
* Surround Mode Power - 150 Watt @ 6 ohm, 1 kHz, THD: 1%
* Surround Sound - Dolby Digital®, DTS®, DTS ES®, THX EX®, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24, THX®
* DSP Modes - 7 CH Stereo, Action, Classical, Drama, Jazz, Mono Movie, Musical, Sci-Fi
* Rear Input Connectors - RCA (2 Audio Channels) x 6, Digital Coaxial x 2, Digital Optical x 3, Composite (Video) x 4, S-Video x 4, Component x 3, HDMI x 2
* Rear Output Connectors - RCA (2 Audio Channels) x 3, Digital Optical x 1, Composite (Video) x 3, S-Video x 3, Component x 1, HDMI x 1
* Front A/V Connections - Composite x 1, Couple RCA Jack x 1, Headphones x 1, Optical x 1, S-Video x 1
* PC Interface - USB
* Analog Inputs - 7.1 Channels x 1
* Preamp Outputs - 7.1 Channels
* Component Video Bandwidth - 100 MHz
* Number of Zones - 2
* Speaker Impedance - 6 Ohm, 8 Ohm
* Tuner Presets - 30 Channels
* Tone Controls - Bass & Treble
* On Screen Display

For clearer detail and pic visit the Pioneer website.

So i got the receiver but i still haven't got any speaker yet! So when I went home that day, I did some research on Speaker!!!! Did not get any useful info though.....so i went to the shop that sold me the AV receiver to test out the speaker there!

I was amazed by the variety of speaker there, the sound quality of the speaker there were all wonderful and was nothing like my old Altec Lansing VS4121. I tested a few speaker there and ended up choosing Polk Audio RTi4 Bookshelf Speaker and a Tannoy Mercury FC Center Speaker.

Here a pic of my so called HTPC:


My Polk Audio RTi4


My Tannoy Mercury FC Center Speaker:


Next post i will focus on the sound quality of the speker and the input.

The FUWA background

Ok Finally I have the time to finish up the story of the FUWA. This will be the last post about FUWA, after this I think I would stop telling anything about Olympic 2008 until it really draws near.

Here is something I got from my Coin Collection (refer to the previous previous post):


1. HuanHuan

In the intimate circle of friendlies, HuanHuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.

2. YingYing
Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring.



3. NiNi
Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.






4. BeiBei
In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life.

The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.







5. JingJing
Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.


Information & picture taken from
http://en.beijing2008.cn/spirit/beijing2008/graphic/n214068254.shtml



Wow the intro on every FUWA are so long. For clearer info go to the Olympic 2008 Official Website.

Nokia 6300

Finally I said farewell to my PDA phone, ETEN M600, after 19 months of high tech PC + phone life I shipped back to those plain and simple hand phone, Nokia 6300.

PDA phones aren't really that useful, although they may have the functions of a PC but it also has a lot of downtime and software problems, especially they "hang" after a period of time! And another thing that PDA phone required you to always charge them (almost every day).

After facing problem with friends and colleague complaining to me that they can't contact me (damn the phone just hang or dun ring after charging it), i finally decide to change my PDA phone into a plain and simple design handset! Finally i get to receive my call and sms correctly and said goodbye to all those software malfunction problem!

The phone may be simple looking but it has all those function of a modern handset, music, video, emails, IM, SMS, MMS,..... oh cut the crap! What i like most is the housing, stainless steel housing, just like the old Nokia 8850. It is also smaller and thinner than most Nokia Handset, and nothing like Motorola's SLVR series which give you the feeling it may snap into 2!

It got 2 LED lights on the side which will blink whenever there is message or missed call! 2.0 megapixel camera, and a very sharp color LCD screen! One thing that this phone does not have is 3G! But no big deal since Malaysia 3G sucks and the government won't even give the 3G license to 1 of Malaysia largest network provider for 2 year strict(WTF is wrong with them).

So after listening to all my "bla bla bla" here the pic of the phone that i am mentioning:

Olympic Stuff

Been a while since i post the Olympic keychain or bag hanger, now i want to show you ppl is another of my collection! Gold plated coins! With FUWA on them.

In the boxes there are 6 Gold Plated Coins, 5 of them with the FUWA and the remaining with the Olympic logo. This is a limited item, and there are only a total of 60000 available.

The coins are all printed with FUWA on them, and they have pictures of those FUWA playing each sports that are available in the Olympics!

And here is the back view of the coin.

This is the last coin that i mention earlier, the one with Olympic Logo!

Ok that all for now. Later i will bring u the meaning of each FUWA.