2008 March 12 archive - markpascua.com

Archive for March 12th, 2008

Mar

Asus MK241H: 24″ 1080p monitor

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: monitors/tvs

Asus has released the MK241H monitor sporting full HD 1080p (1920×1080 pixels) resolution. Asus is touting the MK241H as the “true-to-life gaming and multimedia experience,” being the first 24″ monitor with videoconferencing support.

The monitor features a 24-inch (16:10 aspect ratio) display, HDMI with HDCP support, VGA D-Sub, DVI-D, 1.3 megapixel camera, 3,000:1 contrast ratio, Smart EV (Exposure Value) Control technology for better picture quality, built-in speakers and mic array technology for voice clarity, 170-degree viewing angle, and USB ports. The MK241H’s lightning fast 2ms response time is perfect for gaming. Finally, the monitor also has an input selector for switching among HDMI/DVI/VGA signals.

The Asus MK241H is out now for around $600, according to TG Daily.

If the 24-inch is too large for you, Asus is releasing the smaller 22-inch Asus MK221H with 1680 x 1050 resolution and 5,000:1 contrast ratio.

Full specs on the Asus MK241H/MK221H after the jump.

Continue reading ‘Asus MK241H: 24″ 1080p monitor’

Mar

Acer Aspire ‘Gemstone Blue’ line of notebooks

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: computers and portables

Acer is attempting its hand at the high-end notebook market currently occupied by Apple and Sony. Acer is entering the market with its upgraded and restyled Aspire line, dubbed the Gemstone Blue. More specifically the Acer Aspire 8920G and 6920. Both models sport an Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo processor, Blu-ray drive, HDTV tuner, HDMI with HDCP support, integrated webcam, Bluetooth, N-draft Wi-Fi, Windows Vista Ultimate or Home Premium, finger print reader, and up to 4GB of DDR2 667MHz RAM. Audio-wise, you can expect both models to get high definition sound: CineSurround, Tuba CineBass booster, and True5.1. However, the “highlight” of the new Aspire models is Acer’s CineDash media control, which allows user’s to navigate through menus, music, and videos all via touch-sensitive interface. Pricing for the new notebooks are unknown.

The higher end 8920G has a 18.4″ 16:9, 1080p display, with a 8ms response time. It can come configured with up to 640GB of HDD space, 6-in-1 card reader, and a VoIP Bluetooth phone. Graphics-wise, you can opt for the NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GS with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache or the GeForce 9500M GS with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache.

The slightly lower end 6920 has a 16″ 16:9, 1080p display, with a 8ms response time as well. However, it’ll also come in a 720p version. It can be configured with up to 320GB of HDD space and a 6-in-1 card reader. The graphics option is only the NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache.

Read the Acer Aspire 8920G press release.
Read the Acer Aspire 6920 press release.

Via: Electronista

Mar

Sharp FOMA SH705iII

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: cellphones

Here’s another cell phone we’ll never see this side of the pond. The decent looking Sharp FOMA SH705iII includes a digital TV tuner for on-the-go tube watching. The SH705iII will hit Japan’s NTT DoCoMo.

The FOMA SH705iII supports the 1.7GHz band, allowing for international 3G prowess. It’s got a 1.8″ 262k color (400 x 240 resolution) internal screen, 3.2 megapixel camera, 0.8″ monochrome OLED external display (96 x 39 pixels), and a microSD card slot. The FOMA SH705iII has a talk time of 3 hours and a TV viewing time of 2 hours. The phone weighs 106 grams and measures up to 106 x 48 x 16.1 millimeters.

The phone is exclusive to Japan, as far as I know.

Via: Tecmoviles

Mar

Hulu: Now open to public

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: news and reviews

Hulu is a brand new online video website, created by NBC and News Corp. Hulu makes TV shows available all in one place. No need to visit each individual network website just to watch your favorite show. There is also no need to download any additional software or player, it’s all flash-based. It’s also got some major TV network backing: NBC, FOX, Bravo, FX, Sci Fi, G4, and USA, to name a few. I’m pretty sure we’ll see more networks jumping on the bandwagon soon.

As far as the site goes, after registering, you’re greeted with Hulu’s rather simple and clean interface. You can browse the available TV shows, which are conveniently sorted alphabetically and by network. To my delight, I was shocked to see movies up on the site for viewing. Granted, the movies are “kinda old” (movies that show on TV for free), but it is still nice to be able to watch some old favorites of mine, like Requiem of a Dream. In all, you can watch shows, short clips, trailers, and movies. There is an HD section, but at the moment it’s just a bunch of movie trailers. Quality wise, the video compression is pretty good. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest, I’d rate the quality at a solid 7. It is certainly watchable, way better than the “illegal” YouTube video clips we see everyday. Hulu also provides basic video controls, you can pause, skip, rewind, and fast forward. You can also full-screen and even embed the video on your own website or blog — which was surprising.

Update (3/12/08) : It has come to my attention that you can also ‘clip’ shows and send the snippets to your friends and family via email or post it on your website, blog, myspace, facebook, etc.

Hulu is ad-supported, however, while watching a movie, I was asked if I wanted to watch the commercial before or during the video. Watching the ads before hand allows uninterrupted viewing. Pretty cool. I liked having the option of choosing how the ads are displayed to me.

I’d love to see more networks join Hulu. Honestly, this could put a major dent in the BitTorrenting of TV shows, assuming they get the shows up online in a reasonable manner. Catching up on your missed TV shows has never been easier.

[Hulu]

Mar

Frame Art Deco - why not frame your entertainment center?

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: art and household

Vismara Design’s Frame Art Deco is kinda retarded. Unless you like tacky things, who in their right mind would ‘frame’ their entire home entertainment center? But, I digress, some may find it artsy and beautiful. It’ll certainly grab the attention of your guests. The Frame Art Deco comes complete with complementing CD/DVD shelves, storage units, and wall lights.

Fancy, indeed.

Via: Trendir

Your Ad Here

Mar

SUV-Cam Professional - extreme video recording

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: cameras

Elmo Japan has announced the SUV-Cam Professional, which is very much like their SUV-Cam II, except the Pro model can record at 704 x 480 resolution and has a recording timer, to automatically begin recording at specified times. If you aren’t familiar with Elmo’s SUV-Cam, it’s a camera head attached to a recording base unit. The cable that attaches the camera can be 3-5m long (unlike the previous model’s 1.5m max). It allows for shots not possible on more bulky video cameras. Intended for sporting events, motorsporting, and police, it is easily mounted on a bike or vehicle. Here’s the basic lowdown:

* 2.2-inch LCD display
* mountable and wearable: easy to catch the “action”
* 704×480, 640×480, 320×240, and 160×128 supported resolutions
* up to 25 fps recording
* Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 2 hours 30 minutes of recording/5 hours of playback.

The SUV-Cam Professional will hit Japan on March 26 for 84,000 Yen ($640) for the recording unit, 31,500 Yen ($305) for the camera head.

Via: Akihabara News and Newlaunches

Mar

WiiWare ‘Bubble Wrap’ popping game

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: fun and video games

Oh my goodness. I don’t know what it is about bubble wrap, but those things are just a joy to pop. I don’t care what I’m doing, as soon as I see some bubble wrap, I’m going to go pop them. I don’t care. Pop.

The folks at Namco seem to have the same fascination with the packaging material as I do. To my excitement (okay, not really), they’re going to release a WiiWare title called Ouchi de Puti Puti, for 800 Wii Points. Yup, you guessed it, Ouchi de Puti Puti is virtual bubble wrap popping. The game will have 40 levels of popping joy, plus vibration feedback.

Excited? *You bet!*

Via: Siliconera

Mar

DesCom: desk with integrated computer

By mark 0 Comments

Categories: art, concepts and household

Designed by Sung-kyu Nam, the DesCom combines two essential things: a desk and a computer. In this case, it looks hot with the attached Samsung computer. The computer can also be detached, but why would you want to do that? And, check out that touch-sensitive keyboard.

Yes, please!