Tag: Reviews

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Windows Home Server: HP MediaSmart Server EX475

UPS delivered the Windows Home Server HP MediaSmart Server EX475 that I ordered from Amazon. Well, to be honest, it’s not for me, but for someone else. There’s nothing better spending other people’s money buying new tech-toys and get to play with it. I am too tired tonight to do anything with that thing. I will open it up on Thursday morning.

Quick look at the Windows Home Sever

HP MediaSmart Server EX475

  • Processor: AMD 1.8GHz 64-bit Sempron processor
  • Memory: 512MB DDR DRAM
  • Network support: 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ-45 Ethernet
  • Interfaces: 4 USB 2.0 ports 1 eSATA port
  • Internal hard drives: 2 SATA 7200 rpm, 1 TB (2 x 500GB)
  • Power: Internal Universal Power Supply
  • Maximum storage capacity: Includes 1TB hard drive (2-500GB hard drives) and 2 empty bays for expansion
  • Expansion: 2 empty hard drive bays
  • Operating system: Windows Home Server
  • Dimensions: 15.75″ (W) x 9.8″ (H) x 14.72″ (D)

Stay tuned for more details.

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Panasonic HDC-SD9: 1080p/24p Video Sample

Since I can now use Final Cut Pro 6 to “Log and Transfer” 1080p/24p clip from my Panasonic HDC-SD9, I will be posting more video sample from this camera.

It was a nice day, so I took a little walk and film some footage using Panasonic HDC-SD9. Check out the video, QuickTime 7 is required for playback.

Prepare for Landing

Video info:

  • Format: H.264, 1920×1080
  • File Size: 16.66 MB
  • Frame Rate: 23.98 FPS
  • Data rate: 8.73 mbits/s
  • Length: 16.01 seconds

Panasonic HDC-SD9 settings:

  • Recording Mode: HA1920
  • 24p Digital Cinema: On
  • Intelligent Contrast: On

Software info:

I will post more videos.

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Panasonic HDC-SD9 and Final Cut Pro: Library and Plugins

Someone requested me to post screenshots of plugins directory for QuickTime and Final Cut Pro; and my System Preferences.

Hope this helps. I now have no problems importing 1080p/24p clip from Panasonic HDC-SD9 using Final Cut Pro 6.0.3 and Perian 1.1 QuickTime Component.

Let me know how it goes.

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Panasonic HDC-SD9 and Final Cut Pro: Perian to The Rescue

UPDATE 2008.06.11:

QuickTime 7.5 adds support for Panasonic HDC-SD9 and other newer AVCHD camcorders.

Hans Eklundh left a comment and confirmed that the 25p PAL version (Europe) also works with QuickTime 7.5

“Good news, everyone! We finally can use Panasonic HDC-SD9 and Final Cut Pro.”

AVCHD Final Cut Pro Icon

UPDATE:
So far, I have not been able to import 1080p/24p clip from HDC-SD9 into iMovie correctly. I’m still looking into it. I don’t have Final Cut Express 4 to test the import.

Good news, indeed. After 6 weeks, I finally get to import 1080p/24p clip from Panasonic HDC-SD9 correctly. The audio and video are in complete sync. The remedy is none other than Perian 1.1. Previously, Perian QuickTime Component was conflicting with Final Cut Pro.

Numbers of people raised the concern regarding Panasonic HDC-SD9 compatibility with Mac OS X applications (iMovie ’08, Final Cut Pro 6, and Final Cut Express 4). I was exploring this issue because I want to use my Panasonic HDC-SD9 in 1080p/24 mode.

Panasonic HDC-SD9 AVCHD Camcorder

I asked some Apple employees regarding this problem, and the non-answer I got is that Apple is working on camera compatibility issues. I’m hoping that Apple would update their applications to support Panasonic HDC-SD9 in particular and newer 1080p/24p camcorders in general.

On Thursday (2008.04.10), Apple released Pro Applications Update 2008-001 and brought Final Cut Pro to version 6.0.3. I was hoping that Apple would have resolved the issues with HDC-SD9 camcorder. Unfortunately, the issue persisted.

I decided to spend some times for trial-and-error in making Final Cut Pro playing nice with HDC-SD9. It was 03:00 hour, and I had an epiphany. Previously, some people were recommending ShedWorx’s VoltaicHD Converter to import AVCHD clip in Mac OS X. I went to ShedWorx’s site and read the System Requirements for the VoltaicHD Converter:

System Requirements for the VoltaicHD Converter:

  1. OSX 10.4 or 10.5 (Intel and PowerPC)
  2. QuickTime 7.3
  3. Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC)
  4. iMovie (HD or 08) or Final Cut Express/Pro
  5. Perian if you are using Final Cut

VoltaicHD requires Perian QuickTime Component!

I checked Perian site, and compared the version I previously had installed on my MacBook Pro. The current version 1.1 and I had version 1.0 installed on my MacBook Pro. I downloaded the latest version and installed it. This time Final Cut Pro converts the 1080p/24p clip from HDC-SD9 correctly.

I will test if I could import HDC-SD9 1080p/24p video using iMovie ’08 and Final Cut express with Perian 1.1 installed.

NEXT:
Video sample from Panasonic HDC-SD9, 1080p/24p, audio and video in complete sync.

Note:

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.0GHz 2GB RAM
  • Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2
  • Final Cut Pro 6.0.3 (with Pro Applications Update 2008-001)
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Canon HG10 AVCHD Camcorder: Advanced Accessory Shoe

In the continuing series of Canon HG10 review, we’re looking at the built-in Advanced Accessory Shoe. One thing that I am missing from the Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Panasonic HDC-SD9 is the availability of any expansion ports.

Three accessories that are Advanced Accessory Shoe compatible for Canon HG10 are:

  • Video Flash Light VFL-1
    To be used with advanced accessory shoe combination video light & flash unit.
  • VL-3 Video Light
    The VL-3 Video Light connects to the Advanced Accessory Shoe and is powered directly by the camcorder.
  • DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone
    Get near-professional quality sound for your movies with this shotgun stereo mic. Select from pure shotgun or shotgun + surrounding sound modes. Since the mic is powered by the camcorder’s power source, you remain cable free. Wind shields are included

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One of Many Reasons to Get FiOS

I’m fortunate enough to find out that FiOS was available in my area. I ordered it and had it installed sometimes in 2007. Currently I have the 15Mbps up and 2Mbps down. I’m want to upgrade to the 15/15 service.

This is one of many reasons to get FiOS, and it actually peaked at 1.8MB/s:

iPhone SDK Download on FiOS - 17MB/s

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WebKit Achieves 100/100 on Acid3 Test with Flying Colors

The people who develops Opera and WebKit are racing to pass Acid3 test. Both camps have scored 100/100 on Acid3 test. According to both Opera and WebKit camp, even though they scored 100/100, there are still some bug fixing to do.

The WebKit folks announces that WebKit achieves Acid3 100/100 in public build, today.

With r31342 WebKit has become the first publicly available rendering engine to achieve 100/100 on Acid3.

Meanwhile, Opera folks were the first to claim perfect score on Acid3 test using their internal build.

I downloaded WebKit build r31344 and ran Acid3 test on it. The video can be found here (QuickTime Movie 744KB).

WebKit Acid3 Test 100/100

WebKit is available for Mac OS X and Windows.