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Archive for the ‘Media Player’ Category

The Nokia 5228 has a dedicated Media Bar for instant access to the music player from the home screen and has battery life to support up to 33 hours of music playback from each charge. The handset has a large touch screen display providing a stunning user interface which is easy to use.

The handset has a 2 megapixel camera which can also be accessed from a dedicated camera key, and is supported by up to 3 times digital zoom and a CMOS sensor. There are also a variety of other helpful features to allow the user to easily take the perfect photo first time when utilising the camera. Photos can also be captured in landscape orientation as well as enhanced through a range of white balancing and colour toning modes available. Video recording is also possible with up to 4 times digital zoom and support for many video modes also. There is an integrated editor for both video clips and images meanwhile.

The 5228 features the Nokia Ovi Player for music playback, supporting all the major audio file formats and dedicated music keys along with support for podcasting. The integrated speaker offers one way to listen, while there is also a 3.5mm stereo audio jack connection for traditional headphones. Ovi Music support is also featured, along with support for music ringtones on this handset. For live news and music, the user can also enjoy the integrated FM radio.

The OSS browser offers the user a full HTML and XHTML supporting web browser along with support for Javascript, and Mobile Search as a search engine besides those otherwise featured on the Web. The handset features a range of good connectivity including high speed USB 2.0 and Bluetooth 2.0 for wireless file sharing over a close proximity. Meanwhile, the device is not short on storage memory with 70megabyte internally provided and up to 16 gigabytes available for addition through its microSD card slot.

Messaging is also made easy with this phone as it features an easy to use email client which offers full support for all the major email protocols as well as email attachments. Mail for Exchange 2008 is also preinstalled on this device. Both text and multimedia messaging are also supported along with a common inbox for both, and easy multiple deletion. Audio messaging is also available through Xpress.

The Nokia 5228 is an impressively designed handset featuring a large 3.2 inch touch screen and typically easy to use Nokia user interface combined with some powerful features and software. The phone is capable of messaging, email and more along with great music playback functionality.

Since the debut of the iPod there has been a war going on. A secret, stealthy war that we’ve all been apart of, in fact, we’re the prime targets of this war. On the outside, the iPod is just a nice, expensive MP3 player. On the inside, it is a device that is used to direct our attentions to Apple’s music store and Apple’s media player software, known as: Itunes. Shortly after the iPod was released Microsoft began developing it’s own kind of monster. They dubbed it the Zune. It was alot like the iPod, but it had more functionality, though everyone liked the iPod, because they all already had one. The Zune tried to persuade it’s listeners to use Microsoft’s media player software, Windows Media Player. And then there was one more faction at the heart of this war, collaborating between the two, trying to get them to work together in one single, slightly non-commercialized package, Winamp.

Now what side are you going to be on in this war? Are you going to be using Windows Media Player 11, iTunes 7, or Winamp 5.52. We’re going to take this decision and make it a lot easier for you in this comparative analysis of each of the best media player software out there by listing the features, pros, and cons, and overall ease of use of each media player.

iTunes 7

The latest version of iTunes is 7.6 and it was released on January 15th, 2008. It’s Apple’s main free media player software, and it features the iTunes Store, easy syncing to your computer and your iPod, Cover Flow, encode music into a variety of formats, and it also has a big selection of internet radio stations to listen to. It has a really easy to use user interface, everything is at your finterips, and your iPod syncs with the software automatically. Though, I found the iPod syncing a little annoying, because typically it just loads up your iPod with everything it can find in your Music Library, and it doesn’t make it very easy to pick tracks to exclude. Also the fact that it just does it automatically everytime I plug in my iPod makes it really annoying, I’d rather have it wait for me to tell it when to sync. The iTunes Store is something that Apple is especially proud of because you can buy over 2 million songs for only $0.99 each, you can also purchase movies for your iPod, and they’ve just released their movie rental program that seems promising.

Pros:

Cover Flow is a cool way to look through your music. The iTunes store has a huge database of songs, movies, and TV series for you to download. Many internet radio stations for you to check out

Cons:

I find the automatic syncing of the iPod a little annoying Typically only has good MP3 player support for the iPod, if you have a different MP3 player you’re on your own.
Windows Media Player 11

Windows Media Player 11 is Microsoft’s answer to a fully capable media player. It has a less cluttered user interface than WMP10 and the look has been smoothed out so it looks alot nicer than it did before. It features the typical audio, video, media playback, visualizations, MP3 player syncing, good organized library with CD ripping capabilities. You can also connect it to your Xbox 360 to pull songs and videos from your PC to your 360 which is an amazing feature to have so instead of wasting space on your Xbox, and having multiple copies of your favorite songs everywhere just stream it from your PC while you’re playing your favorite 360 game. It’ll also stream videos so you can watch them from your PC on your TV. This feature alone is something worth checking out WMP11 for, however you can still do this if you don’t have Windows Media Player by using Windows Media Connect software available at Microsoft’s Website.

Pros:

Ability to connect your Xbox 360 to your PC for media sharing and streaming Spiffy new interface to keep things looking fresh

Cons:

The format support isn’t as good as other programs Need a genuine copy of Windows to use it
Winamp

There’s something about saving the best for last that makes it all worth while. Winamp is the original ultimate media player, and has been around since ancient times. You can do just as much as the other media players with Winamp, and more. It can sync to your iPod and other PlaysForSure devices. Also comes with visualizations, and extremely easy and good to organize library system. The ability to remove duplicate files from your library. Also features a new skin to keep up with times in their latest release. Winamp also has plugin functionality and a wide database of plugins on their main website. Winamp also has the functionality of connecting to your Xbox 360 and letting you stream music from it, however the system is still in it’s beta, and doesn’t work as flawlessly as it should when it’s ready for a stable release. But instead of just being able to stream your music and videos, it has the ability to take the best of the best from YouTube, AOL Videos and many more video websites and display them on your TV via your 360. That, I think is an impressive feature to have. The only downside is the ripping capability in the free version of Winamp. If you don’t have the pro version, the quality and speed of the ripping is hardly worth waiting for, you’d be better off finding another program for ripping through a google search rather than dealing with that. But if you shell out the cash for the pro version the ripping is well worth it, because it has the ability to rip it into practically any format you want, and any quality you desire.

Pros:

Easy to manage your music library Many streaming video and radio channels to choose from Ability to connect to your Xbox 360 and stream videos and music to it Easy iPod syncing

Cons:

Touchy software, sometimes crashes while doing random things like loading up your iPod or ripping a CD Bad ripping performance until you purchase the Pro version

So there you have it. Each media player has it’s pros and cons, there is no one solution, but whatever you prefer, iTunes is for the common iPod audience, WinAmp is for the music power users, and Windows Media Player 11 is suitable for the rest in between.

The future contains ever shrinking microprocessors, memory modules and devices. This technology drives our productivity to greater heights, while allowing the professional a greater sense of mobility and interconnectivity. In this article we will discuss some of the most promising technologies coming to a mobile device in the near future. From ultra small, ultra stable flash memory for USB drives to ultra powerful smart phones and mobile computers.

A New Era of Processors

Intel recently announced in its 2010 Intel Developer Forum that it will be releasing in the second half of 2011 a new line of processors codenamed Sandy Bridge to replace the current Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 lines and may even show up in some mobile devices, competing with more prominent manufacturers in mobile technology like ARM. In statements from Intel, the new processor will house a ring architecture that allows a built in processor graphics engine to share resources such as cache therefore increasing a devices computing and graphics performance while maintaining energy efficiency.

One goal of this new family of processing is to enhance current usage of computers in the most common applications like HD video, 3D gaming, multitasking and online multimedia and social groups. As notebooks become ever more popular and threaten to eclipse the desktop, these new developments will help to keep users in the mainstream of technology.

But Intel is not the only manufacturer with big designs for the microprocessor. ARM has announced its next-generation processor, the Cortex A15, a 2.5 GHz quad-core designed for mobile computing only days after Samsung announced a dual-core Cortex A9. The Cortex A15 contains architecture that is similar to that used in the dominant amount of smart phones and mobile devices popular today. Due to these likenesses, the integration into the current market will be seamless, easily utilizing such programs as Adobe Flash Player, various Java platforms, MS Windows Embedded, Symbian, Linux and an ARM Connected Community of 700 software and hardware developers and designers.

The technologies in the new ARM processor will enable hardware virtualization, the ability to address up to 1Tb of memory and error correction developments designed for improved fault tolerance, all the while maintaining low power consumption.

We can look forward to seeing both of these technologies empower the mobile device user into realms not thought possible with current technology. With applications in Smartphones, Mobile Computing, Digital Home Entertainment Equipment, Wireless Infrastructure and even some server technology we will no doubt encounter the effects of this new era of processors

Flash Memory at Its Smallest

In recent news reports, Hynix, Samsung and Toshiba have all announced production of “20-nm class” NAND chips, with Toshiba reaching as small as 24-nanometer. This new process will allow more chips stacked together for higher capacity NAND flash memory modules. The technology is being applied to 2-bit-per-cell 8GB chips which are purported to be the smallest and highest density memory parts in the world. In the future we can look forward to this process being applied to 3-bit-per-cell 4GB products.

The Toshiba chips use DDR technology for faster data transfer, and have applications in devices such as smartphones, media players, and tablets to name a few. Previously available in the market have been the 8GB NAND chips using 32-nm technology.

This could mean good things for the consumer. Firstly, this is liable to incite a price war bringing the cost of this new technology lower than would be expected with only a single manufacturer creating them. Also, as large corporations manufacture their newest devices to meet market demand, costs for lower capacity NAND flash like USB drives, which are still in very high demand, could go down. Look for price reductions later this year.

So what does all of this mean for the business professional on the go? Why, more go of course. I look forward to testing and even purchasing some of this technology, improving my careers, both professional and academic.

The popularity of music is one that is continuing to expand and to offer listeners everywhere the option of downloads, such as through the iPod mp3 player. The mp3 player accessories that are available with this are also known to assist those with listening capabilities to have even more options available to them that allow for even more enjoyment of the music. Knowing what you can add into the list to get a music boost is a definite for anyone who is ready to download the next set of hits.

MP3 Player Popularity

If you aren’t sure about the mp3 player, you don’t have to look any further than the growing popularity and ratings among the new technology. Among different options, the iPod Mp3 player took over the market, with having several versions being rated with almost all 10s, ranging from consumers enjoying the shuffle to the video options for players. With this, is a triple increase in sales of the mp3 player, moving from 8% to 27% of individuals who own a mp3 player. This also includes 23% of those who own an mp3 paying for downloads to add into their mix.

Getting the Accessories

With the high rate of popularity among mp3 player users, are also several devices that are provided in different areas to make sure that listening is at it’s best. Most of this is related to the portable concepts associated with the players. The two most important accessories that are used by consumers are the battery accessories as well as the charger accessories, such as car charger accessories. Most Mp3 players will hold up to 30 hours of battery life; however, if you want to make sure that your mp3 player keeps playing the right tunes, then this is definitely something to look into.

Along with the basics that is needed for the accessories, are also extra portable devices that are used for walking, driving and mobility. For instance, accessories cases are being flocked to so the mp3 players can be protected and carried into different places. Most come with armband accessories or with connector accessories for the car so that you can reach every mobile area with the right protection and connection. For even better options, are cable accessories to use for connecting to cars or other devices. For a different listening option are headphone accessories to keep up with the beat, without anyone else having to listen to the music you love.

Where To Get Plugged In

With the different accessories available, is not only the ability to connect in several different ways so that you can stay portable and keep the music going, but also areas that offer the cheapest accessories so you can add more onto your mp3 player.

The birth of “Guerilla Video” sites, such as Peekvid.com, Alluc.org and Youtube.com have given users instant access to a plethora of free media files. Although streaming video technology offers instant access to video files, zero loading time is not always possible. There are many factors that attribute to your computer’s ability to start videos immediately. Other factors such as choppy PC video playback and slow video streaming also hinder your viewing experience. There are easy fixes to these problems. Sometimes choosing another site for the source of the video streaming or a lower quality version of the video can award you with instant play. These alternatives are not always available. However, there are a number of tweaks that help speed up your streaming video startup times, eliminate choppy PC video play and stop slow streaming video.

Before we start with the tweaks to speed up slow streaming video, lets get a basic understanding of streaming video technology in order to stop choppy video. Streaming video is a prerecorded video files that can be distributed as part of a live broadcast “feed.” The video signal is converted into a compressed digital signal and transmitted from a Web server. This server is able to be multicast the same file to multiple users at the same time. When you click on the on the video it is partially loaded before you can access it. This is known as “buffering”. This helps you to load and play the video instantaneously. Now lets take a look on how to cut down on buffering time, stop slow streaming video and eliminate choppy PC video playback .

Common Streaming Video Problems

Problem #1: Choppy PC Video Playback–Choppy video is usually a PC performance related issue. Here are a few things you can try to stop choppy playback and improve computer performance.

Solution A. Turn Off Hardware Acceleration-All media applications require different aspects of your computer’s hardware. Depending on the task, the requirements may change. Turning off hardware acceleration allows the application to set the requirements itself and not be forced to use one universal setting. Hardware acceleration has been to known to cause choppy PC playback, application crashes and slow streaming video problems.

You can eliminate the problem below:
1.Click on “Start”
2.Click “Control Panel”
3.Select the “Settings” tab and click on the “Advanced”.
4.Click on the “Troubleshoot” tab.
5.Disable the hardware acceleration completely by dragging the slider to the extreme left.

Solution B. Turn off Video Acceleration-The reason for this tweak is the similar to hardware acceleration. This act frees up resources in your media player and not your hardware. However you will need to decrease video acceleration in your chosen player. Some sites like Youtube.com don’t offer this option. However, Windows Media Player gives the ability to easily alter this problem, follow the steps below. Other players’ instructions will vary.

1. In Windows Media Player
2. Click the “Tools” menu tab
3. Click on “Options”
4. Select the “Performance” tab.
5. Move the Video Acceleration Slider to “None”

Solution C. Adjust your Windows Desktop Visual Effects-You computer will get a significance boost in
speed. This tweak will also free up more resources for your media player and PC performance.

1.Click “Start”, and then click “Control Panel”.
2.Click “System” and Choose “Display”.
3.Find the “Advanced” tab and Click
4.Under “Performance”, Click “Settings”
5.Under “Visuals Effects”, you may choose from a list of options such as “Adjust for best performance” or custom. If you choose Adjust for best performance all the features will be unchecked.

For more performance tips check the “Speed Up PC” to free up more resources to stop PC choppy playback.

Problem #2: Slow and Constant Buffering-This problem can be attributed to two factors internet speed and your media player. You can tweak your PC setting in both areas to cut down on slow streaming video. Remember that each player has its own buffer settings. Below is an how to change buffer setting in Media Player.

Solution A. Adjust Buffer Settings– To change the default buffer settings in Windows Media Player, use the following steps:
1.Start Windows Media Player
2.Click the “View” men
3.Click “Options”
4.On the “Advanced” tab, click “Streaming Media”(Windows Media)
5.Click “Change” to alter the buffer settings.

Remember that the higher you set the buffer the more of the clip will be loaded. The waiting time before you can see or hear the file will be longer, but there should be fewer interruptions once the clip begins to play.

Solution B. Use a Video Specific Proxy-A proxy allows for popular files to be loaded onto its servers. This eliminates the need for your computer to load the files. For example if you use the proxy, YouTubeProxy.org, you will not have to wait for your computer to download popular YouTube.com content because it may be already loaded in the server. This is a great way to stop slow streaming video.

These are just a few tips to eliminate choppy PC video playback and slow streaming video. However, there are more advanced ways to stop this problem. Depending on the site, there may be independent software developed specifically to speed up slow streaming video. Also, remember the general maintenance is a good way to avoid choppy PC video playback.

Considered the most advanced Portable Media Player, or PMP, the Archos MP3 Player is a multimedia package in itself. Charged with various features that can match and even overcome other PMPs, the Archos line has continued to release until the 5th Archos Generation. In 2007, the Archos Generation Five was introduced to the public with the release of the Archos 105.

The Archos Generation 5

The Archos 105 is the very first Archos Gen5 PMP released. It has a 1.8-inch screen using organic light-emitting diode. It is also flash-based, and is compatible with.WMV files. This hasn’t been phased out; it is available in 2GB storage capacity.

The first Archos PMP to have a hard drive version is the Archos 405. Like the previous PMP, it is also flash-based, has expandable memory, and has a higher-end screen display.

With the popularization of WiFi comes the 605 WiFi. It was launched in September of year 2007, and has higher storage capacities as compared to the previous release. Likewise, there had been changes in the physical layout of the media player: thinner unit, smaller buttons, non-removable batteries, the kickstand changed in orientation. It uses a higher version of Flash and the internet platform Opera. With the introduction of Internet, it has become easier for Archos MP3 player users to download and even rent media via private content portals.

More than two months after the 605 was released, the Archos 705 came into the scene. It sported a higher compatibility to more software and hardware, and the operating system was restructured. The screen display is better, too: it uses Truecolor instead of the usual 18-bit color.

Later on, the Archos 605 and 705 GPS were released, this time with all the perks and beauty of the 605, but with an added enhancement of a Global Positioning System that gives real-time traffic news and updates. It supports areas in Europe North America and China. It is made available to the public in 4GB and 30 GB hard drive capacity.

Optional Accessories

There are optional accessories that you can purchase with your Archos MP3 Player to optimize your user experience. For DVD quality resolution videos, the DVR Station is a good investment. It connects using composite, S-video, RGB or YPbPr video inputs. What’s more fun is that you can actually view online TV schedules and schedule them for a download. You can surf the web using the QWERTY remote control.

Internet accessibility via Opera does not come in every unit; you have to download and unpack it yourself since this is also an optional plug-in. More support was added to internet browsing, using upgraded versions of Flash. From Flash 7, units are given access to upgrades to Flash 9; therefore, Archos units are able to capture the latest Flash-based applications without having to worry about compatibility issues.

The Archos MP3 Players are the best portable media players to date. With this single, handy device, you can do a wide array of things, from listening to music, to watching videos, to downloading software. It’s truly a versatile PMP.