Comments for Barb's Connected World

Comment on Intel Wireless Display is a Happy HTPC Experience by Wi Guy

Wi Guy — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:02:34 +0000

The demo in CES last month had choppy video, no Full HD and VERY long delay for the mouse. So I wonder, has Intel improved it this much in 2 weeks or is was this written by Intel
See all the limitations that Intel mention:

* “By design, for peak wireless performance during playback, the laptop should remain close to the television (adapter is connected to TV). Moving the laptop away from the adapter may cause reduced performance.”

* Only notebooks with new Intel cores, only those with Intel graphic cards, only those with Intel WiFi…

For the full list visit Intel’s web site:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wtech/iwd/sb/CS-031067.htm

Comment on Intel Wireless Display is a Happy HTPC Experience by Jim Konzak

Jim Konzak — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:55:38 +0000

Barb,
I hope you don’t mind a simple inquiry. I’m about to take the plunge and buy my first HDTV (Samsung LN46B650?) and DLNA capability sounds very intriguing, worth extra $$. However, my home Internet connection is wireless (Verizon MyFi 2200 card) which can handle up to 5 devices (currently two laptops at most). Bandwidth issues aside, how could I stream Internet content (e.g., Netflix streaming, YouTube, etc.) from a Win7 laptop to the HDTV? A crossover Cat 6 cable from laptop to TV? Or do I need a simple router between laptop & TV? I have no home network, nor DSL, as we cut the phone line in favor of cells years ago.
Thanks for any help. Your setup sounds like kick-a** bleeding edge technology – congratulations!
JK
Denver, CO

Comment on Intel Wireless Display is a Happy HTPC Experience by Mark

Mark — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:05:26 +0000

Interesting, did you try surfing the web on this thing? i tried it in the store and the lag between the mouse and keyboard made it almost impossible. I guess it is set up so that all you can really do is set up a movie and watch it. Not good for skype, browsing, etc. Also, i understand it is not backwards compatible and i have to buy a new laptop to use it(so shell out over $900). All in all if i was buying a new laptop, maybe, but otherwise, i think i am going to wait for some of the other solutions i have seen that will be cheaper and let me surf the web.

Comment on HP Includes Crapware with Printer Driver (I like the printer) by Barovelli

Barovelli — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:38:44 +0000

VERY sad to hear that C* had dropped you. My region just went through it and the “employee care” looks very dismal right now.

Anyway, the printer – I’ve got an early version (the L7600) and it’s been awesome. Webscan (scanning a document via a web interface) is a hidden gem, and printing pictures right from the SD card was is dummy proof.

Comment on Windows Media Center Dual Tuner and Set Top Box Setup by John

John — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:46:20 +0000

Great posting and very helpful. Thank you.

Comment on Windows 7, Play To, and a Samsung DLNA enabled TV by Barb

Barb — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:43:48 +0000

Clint,

The TV itself cannot record what is playing on the television from cable, antenna, etc. Windows 7 with Windows Media Center, a TV Tuner is what you need to record TV. If the show you record is not copy protected, you can stream it to the TV with Windows Media Center in Windows 7. You can’t send what you are watching on the TV to the computer.

Comment on Windows 7, Play To, and a Samsung DLNA enabled TV by Barb

Barb — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:42:47 +0000

Jarrod,

1. if there are transitions available between images on via the Samsung firmware? No. The TV displays what is sent to it from W7 with no transitions.

2. if the header information displays as each image is displayed if you have a number of images selected. Header displays briefly for each and then fades out.

3. if you can put this on “repeat”, so the same selection of images would just run all day – aka digital signage – Yes – Play To has a repeat function.

4. How well a 4:3 generated image from a digital camera looks on the 16:9 screen. Images are displayed at same proportions. Framed in “black”. So any proportion looks pretty good.

5. What resolution the images are being displayed at is it fullHD – what do you think it is doing? – I think the TV displays whatever it is sent.

6. From your understanding – could I potentially have a number of panels and “Play to” these 7. Any other comments you can give me related to the display of image would be greatly appreciated. You should be able to stream to multiple devices simultaneously.

Comment on Windows 7, Play To, and a Samsung DLNA enabled TV by Clint

Clint — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:46:55 +0000

I have just purchased the LN52B750 and called Samsung to see if there was a way to record whatever is playing on the television. They didn’t know. I googled a few keywords and this article came up. I am very impressed with this capability. Why buy a separate recording device if I can capture films (dvd or cable) and save to my external drive and run them whenever I want.

You’re saying that upgrading to Windows 7 will give me this capability. Yes? I have a wireless connection from the Samsung through my wireless router to my Vista machine and can play dvd’s and movies from my computer. Will the Windows 7 upgrade allow me to view what is playing on the television on my computer?

Thanks for a great article.

Clint

Comment on Windows 7, Play To, and a Samsung DLNA enabled TV by Jarrod

Jarrod — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:36:52 +0000

Wow,

I stumbled upon your post as there in very little info about the Samsung Dlna and how it works. This truly is an exciting glimpse into the future.

We are looking to use the Samsung as a digital signage panel and as such will mainly deliver images to the screen. Are you able to tell me:
1. if there are transitions available between images on via the Samsung firmware?
2. if the header information displays as each image is displayed if you have a number of images selected.
3. if you can put this on “repeat”, so the same selection of images would just run all day – aka digital signage
4. How well a 4:3 generated image from a digital camera looks on the 16:9 screen.
5. What resolution the images are being displayed at is it fullHD – what do you think it is doing?
6. From your understanding – could I potentially have a number of panels and “Play to” these
7. Any other comments you can give me related to the display of image would be greatly appreciated.

We have been looking at a system suggested by an AV consultant that can only output one “channel” so all screens would display the same content via a split VGA cable. The DLNA solution seems to be a couple of steps ahead in terms of distribution of separate channels – so I am keen to know how well it really goes.

Regards,
Jarrod

Comment on Posting test from my Blackberry by Barb

Barb — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:06:58 +0000

Installed on my personal Blackberry. Didn’t even try to install on the Corp. Berry.

Comment on Posting test from my Blackberry by barovelli

barovelli — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:36:04 +0000

Corporate or personal BB?

Grumble grumble locked down work blackberry..

Comment on Linksys Discontinuing Media Center Extender DMA-2100 by Jezz

Jezz — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:02:50 +0000

Hey everyone, can’t believe the extenders are being discontinued, by the sounds of it with no upcoming replacement. I already have a DMA2200 and was about to buy a DMA2100 for my office (i don’t need a DVD player). My DMA2200 seems pretty reliable so i don’t mind there being no more firmware updates (well obviously i’d rather there were!), however i found a website that says because the DMA2100 has 2 antenna’s to the DMA2200′s three antennas, it has significantly worse wireless quality. Can anyone confirm if this is true, because if it is i might just buy another DMA2200 instead? Also if anyone knows if they are bringing out replacements that would be great?

Thanks everyone,

Jezz

Comment on Susan Boyle – You Go Girl! by Simon Mackay

Simon Mackay — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:34:49 +0000

I reckon that Susan Boyle has certainly been put on the world stage with that fabulous performance of “Memory”. It was so clear and full of life, as if she were Grizzabella in “Cats”.

Comment on Windows 7 WMP Internet Streaming Adapts to Connection Speed by Alex

Alex — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:57:19 +0000

Gotta love the BSG.

Comment on Windows 7 WMP Internet Streaming Adapts to Connection Speed by Nick B

Nick B — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:49:55 +0000

This technology may be the single biggest reason for anyone to get Windows 7. I’m a biology graduate student, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to stay in lab late and wished I had my home PC’s recorded TV at my disposal.

Comment on Windows 7 WMP Internet Streaming Adapts to Connection Speed by Dana

Dana — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:10:13 +0000

Barb,
Thanks for documenting your experiences streaming Media Center-recorded content. This is an exciting proposition, for sure. I am confused by the sentence structure, however. “I am streaming no DRM’d HD content recorded using a Digital Cable Tuner and a CableCard.”

It sounds like you are saying you are streaming HD content recorded with a DCT that has a CableCard plugged in. How are you getting recordings that have no DRM with the current 1.7 firmware version??

Or…are you saying that you are streaming everything BUT DRM’s Cable Card recordings?

Comment on Windows 7 WMP Internet Streaming Adapts to Connection Speed by Mike Brown

Mike Brown — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:44:49 +0000

Very slick! Also cool to see another Moonlight fan! : )

Comment on Set up a Comcast DTA with Media Center by TRG

TRG — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:30:16 +0000

Can you share a picture of the IR two way blaster cable connected to the DTA??
I have an external USB IR Receiver that I got with my WinMCE remote. It has 2 jacks on the back – is this the IR two way blaster cable??

Thanks

TRG

Comment on Digital Imaging in Windows Vista Photo Gallery by Carol J Hoffman

Carol J Hoffman — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:31:19 +0000

HI BARB !!! VERY nicely put for a beginner !! And, that I am !! Of course, I am trying to learn ALL of Windows Vista….zzzzzzzzzzzzzoh, yet, what was I saying ? Glad you posted this concise information ! I AM having difficulty with using a scanner, and getting things to crop when I use it…. But, you certainly made a nice article !!! cj

Comment on How to enable WPA2 for the Microsoft Wireless PC Card – MN-720 on Windows XP SP2 by Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:52:27 +0000

What is the most important information we should know about amitriptyline? You can buy cheap amitriptyline from my homepage

Comment on Shopping Annoyances (And Maybe Some Danger?) by fioricet mexican

fioricet mexican — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:47:36 +0000

I came across your site using the link from your face-pic site and Im glad I did. Im in Scotland and I just wanted to leave a short message encouraging you to keep on doing! media portal rules! …

Comment on Momento Live Service is Active-Got my Trial Account by sinus infection

sinus infection — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:39:57 +0000

My friend told me to visit your site because she said its beautiful. She really was telling that truth. Indeed, your site is amazing. Ill surely go visit here again. Keep up the good work! Visit media portal and have fun! …

Comment on Best Buy Tells Me "Online Prices are Different" by tek

tek — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:09:36 +0000

Ha. Frustrating? yes. But this is in no way related to what Connecticut is investigating. They are investingating a seperate INTRANET only pricing.

Comment on Momento Live Service is Active-Got my Trial Account by Kirill

Kirill — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:49:30 +0000

Hi, thanks for blogging about Momento!

I am considering buying this for my Grandmother so that she can see new pictures of my son. I am mostly insterested in having it work in an image RSS mode. May i ask you a big favor? Could you plug in this rss feed and see if it works? http://feeds.fotki.com/kirillka/album_stggqqktqtgdd.rss – these are my pictures from the Freedom Tower construction site and some other pictures of New Jersey landscape. (The actual pictures are located at http://public.fotki.com/kirillka/chronicles/freedom-tower-const/freedom-tower-const/ – in case you want to make sure there is nothing objectionable in that feed

I am basically interested in whether the new pictures will require an approval or could appear automatically as a part of an endless slideshow, so that my grandmother doesn’t need to do anything (she doesn’t speak English either, hence the question).

Thanks so much in advance!

Kirill

Comment on How to enable WPA2 for the Microsoft Wireless PC Card – MN-720 on Windows XP SP2 by 硬盘数据恢复

硬盘数据恢复 — Sat, 05 May 2007 04:00:32 +0000

MN-730 PCI card by selecting a 1350 PCI Card but

Comment on Microsoft GPS 360 and x64 and x64 Vista – Getting 64 bit support by Hectore

Hectore — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:48:28 +0000

Hi,
I tried to modify the files but I am not experimented enough to do it correctly. I spent more than four hour to find another alternative before I write this comment.

Could you, please, send me the inf files.

Thank you very very much.

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by Honda Generator

Honda Generator — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:55:47 +0000

Love to have the driver barb. I will try VSturgeon’s link.. Hope it works.

Comment on Having trouble sharing files between Vista and Mac OSX? by Tobias

Tobias — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 03:40:28 +0000

You replied to my post on Microsoft’s Windows Vista Community boards, pointing to this article. I have "Vista Business" which it turns out, functions as Vista Ultimate for the purpose of altering the authentication process.

I’ve managed to connect to my Mac OSX machine now. Thank you.

I’m still really stumped as to why Microsoft would ship Vista with the ability to connect to a Mac turned off. My mind, it boggles.

Comment on MCE Recorded TV (DVR-MS) to Apple Video IPOD by Mike

Mike — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:27:11 +0000

Recommend a great mp4 to mp3 converter, It can convert mp4/aac/m4a/m4p to
mp3. The link is: http://www.ipod-zune-psp.com/mp4-to-mp3-converter.html

Comment on Top 5 Reasons Not to Trust C|Net Reviews by Simon Mackay

Simon Mackay — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 02:40:43 +0000

Hi all who are reading this blog!

I often find that the way a lot of people are going over Microsoft’s offerings is as though "Microsoft = McDonalds". This means they see Microsoft as the McDonalds of software, treading on "protected" interests.

In my country (Australia) during the late ’90s, there was a "huge stink" about McDonalds setting up one of their family restaurants at the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne. The big fear is that they could end up involved with "in house catering" for the hospital. We ended up with a requirement that they couldn’t show the Golden Arches logo outside the hospital and I just found that the reaction really was so "over the top"

I often wonder who is behind the "anti-Microsoft" venom that has been going on all this time. Who is it who is courting the IT press to show hatred towards Mocrosoft?

With regards,

Simon Mackay

Comment on Microsoft GPS 360 and x64 and x64 Vista – Getting 64 bit support by John Steel

John Steel — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:12:55 +0000

Err sorry I forgot to mention this works for the GPS-500 also.

Cheers.

Comment on Microsoft GPS 360 and x64 and x64 Vista – Getting 64 bit support by John Steel

John Steel — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:10:11 +0000

This does indeed work with Vista x64, however as of RTM you will have to do something to allow vista to run an unsigned driver, as most previous options no longer work.

You will have to start a console as administrator, then type
"bcdedit -set loadoptions "DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS" "

Now the disclaimer here is that this will allow you to install ANY drivers or service that isn’t signed, so be careful. It will still appear as if it’s stopped the driver from being installed as it will still give you the warning, but it’s all smoke and mirrors.

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by VSturgeon

VSturgeon — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:14:35 +0000

You can get Vista x86 and Vista x64 bit drivers here: The Logitech driver is the one for the Ferrari OrbiCam.

http://www.acer.com.cn/driver/check_whole.asp?a=d31&sort=notebook&product=AS5670&path=WindowsVista

Your welcome.

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by John

John — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:26:32 +0000

Please post the driver! It’s so hard to find:)

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by James

James — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:15:24 +0000

Ive been looking for that driver for agesssss
Where did you find it?

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by azz0r

azz0r — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:55:53 +0000

God sake you ugly mutt, you could’ve shared how you did it.

Comment on Kicking back and enjoying the new desktop by Guruparan

Guruparan — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 20:46:02 +0000

Can you send me the background wallpaper you pictured! (just to keep in my Vista RC1 desktop)..going to buy Ultimate when released to retail!

And I can see the start menu little bluish with black…it is a new theme or its a color defect when pictured?

Thanks in advance!
- Guru

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by Victor Sturgeon

Victor Sturgeon — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 18:25:41 +0000

I also need this driver. Please help us.

Comment on WOW by dfdf

dfdf — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:07:49 +0000

nice Acer Ferrari laptop… VISTA RULEZ YEA

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by Marco

Marco — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:48:09 +0000

Ciao,
can I ask where you got this driver?
I’m looking for the same one under XP x64. Thanks!

Comment on WOW by Robby

Robby — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:46:45 +0000

Dear Barb,

How do I get to recieve one of these free laptops from microsoft? I am really in need of one with Vista on it.

Regards,

Rob

Comment on It’s All Good by lkj

lkj — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:17:24 +0000

You should auction the laptop off for charity. That would be the honorable thing to do. Give the money, to the EFF, WWF, or whatever charity that floats your boat. Keeping this ‘gift’ just amplifies that you are susceptible to being bought-out in the future, which in turn clouds your credibility.

Here is a list of charities if you need one:
http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by Bud Gallagher

Bud Gallagher — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:31:27 +0000

I’d also like this driver, where can I get it?

Bud

Comment on WOW by matt

matt — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:30:50 +0000

hmmm.
I just stumbled on your blog over this Acer Ferrari "affair".
a) I don´t care if you use keep that puter or whatnot.
b) I´m a diehard mac-user.
c) Do you have any expertise on Mac / Linux and can you compare? – The experience on WinXP is pretty crappy, and improving on that should not be at all difficult for MS.
d) " I just realized that my out of the box experience yesterday is what the world will be experiencing when they purchase a new machine and bring it home. It doesn’t get any better than this."
–> Ouch. Do you realize that most home shoppers are NOT gonna shell out 2400$ for a laptop but around $1000 with integrated graphics and vista home?
That´s the experience most users will have, so you should reflect on that.

With that above statement, you probably overfulfilled Microsofts expectations regarding tha lauding of Windows. – Now I´d really like to know how much Mac OS X 10.4 experience you have, in order to be able to says "It doesn’t get any better than this."
complete the above email address with "mac.com" in order to email me, if you can/like.

Thanks in advance
Matt

Comment on Dream Velocity Micro Media Center PCs Soon to be Cable Card capable by David

David — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:26:29 +0000

THATS what I’m talking about.

I hope to see some CC items at CES (I’m going!!) next year.

Comment on WOW by Richard Caulbridge

Richard Caulbridge — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 03:14:30 +0000

Are you being nice because they sent you a free gift, in the form of an Acer Ferrari laptop?

blog: compromised

Comment on Orbicam Working on Ferrari 5000 Vista x64 by Tian

Tian — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:22:04 +0000

Hi there,
Interesting blog, can I ask where you got this driver? I’m looking for the same one. Thanks!

Comment on 64 Bit Atheros (Dlink, Netgear, etc.) Wireless Drivers by can ozcan

can ozcan — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:53:50 +0000

I have a Net Gear WAG311 card. This driver was the only one that worked on Windows XP64 bit. Atheros A5001X+ Wireless Adapter should be chosen for WAG311.

Many thanks for the driver!!!

Can

Comment on 64 Bit Atheros (Dlink, Netgear, etc.) Wireless Drivers by Cameron

Cameron — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:28:48 +0000

I have an atheros somethin or other in my acer aspire 5040 laptop and i run linux slamd64. ndiswrapper + this driver = working wireless card :-d

Comment on Microsoft GPS 360 and x64 and x64 Vista – Getting 64 bit support by Carl

Carl — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:00:16 +0000

Can you do the same thing for the Pharos GPS-500 which comes with MapPoint 2006?

Comment on MCE Recorded TV (DVR-MS) to Apple Video IPOD by tom

tom — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 03:28:22 +0000

Digital media converter can convert dvr-ms to iPod, Psp, wmv with ease.
http://www.topvideopro.com/software/video_converters/dvr-ms_to_wmv_avi_mpeg.htm

Comment on How to enable WPA2 for the Microsoft Wireless PC Card – MN-720 on Windows XP SP2 by John

John — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:10:51 +0000

It does in fact work for an MN-730 PCI card. Thanks for the tip!

Comment on Microsoft GPS 360 and x64 and x64 Vista – Getting 64 bit support by Aaron Ruckman

Aaron Ruckman — Mon, 22 May 2006 18:45:12 +0000

Could you send me the exact INF files, as I want to try this on my Vista Beta2 amd64 box?

Comment on 64 Bit Atheros (Dlink, Netgear, etc.) Wireless Drivers by jimmieq

jimmieq — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 02:20:47 +0000

I have a WG311T v3 and it also did not work for me. I tried it for them WG111T and no dice. Can’t anyone help? Dangit!

Comment on 64 Bit Atheros (Dlink, Netgear, etc.) Wireless Drivers by SA

SA — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:49:32 +0000

I have got a WG311 v2 and this driver does not work at all.

Comment on 64 Bit Atheros (Dlink, Netgear, etc.) Wireless Drivers by SS

SS — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 04:52:29 +0000

I have a netgear wg311T wireless pci card and these drivers worked perfect with XP 64 bit ed.

Comment on Using the Xbox 360 as an Extender Rocks! by Christopher Bermingham

Christopher Bermingham — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 14:58:32 +0000

Of course I meant Xbox 360 not escalation. So much for doing 2 things at once

Comment on Using the Xbox 360 as an Extender Rocks! by Christopher Bermingham

Christopher Bermingham — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 14:56:26 +0000

Hello,
Quick question for you. Are you watching Crimson Tide as a recorded TV show, or from a ripped dvd?

Just curious, because from what I have read you can’t stream dvds to the escalation.

Comment on Sony “Rootkit” and DRM “Removal” by Alun Jones

Alun Jones — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 23:08:53 +0000

Note that if you visit Sony, and fill out the form to request that they email you instructions on removing the rootkit, the last page they display you reads "Thank you for your submission."

I just about bust a gut when I read that line. Someone must have been working overtime to produce such a sweet double-entendre.