Sunday 19 February 2012
MultiBeast Overview Video
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Five Years with Blu-ray - Part Three
In five years, Blu-ray has certainly broken through and achieved the market penetration and consumer awareness that the format needed to survive. Had the format war with HD-DVD not been rectified and both formats hobbled on, this certainly would not have occurred. A visit to your local video shop or retailer is indicative of the strength of support that exists for the format. Retail stores simply won't invest in floor space when money is not being returned. That the Blu-ray section at my local JB Hi-Fi grows larger and larger every time I visit is evidence that the format is not going anywhere.
Despite this, there exists some media commentators and certain companies with vested interests who downplay the success of Blu-ray and insist that other technologies will soon surpass it. This is grossly exaggerated at best, and woefully misguided at worst. The truth is, Blu-ray is here for the long haul. It will continue chipping away at the market share of DVD until the lustre of the format is well and truly depleted.
Mainstream success is of course, a double edged sword. In the early days of the format, much effort was expended to woo movie buffs with extensive and cutting edge features which offered major points of difference over previous formats. Now that they've latched on, it seems studios are far more reluctant to invest in furthering the technology, and others are rarely used. Take for example some of the earlier Twentieth Century Fox titles, such as Independence Day, Master and Commander and Speed which used all manner of BD Java infused trivia games, meta data tagging and GPS tracking. Whilst none of these features are particularly missed, it is somewhat disappointing that more innovation has not taken place.
Another issue with having the bar pushed so high with spectacular video transfers, is when certain titles (especially of the catalogue variety) receive middling restorations, if any restoration at all. Universal Pictures are a frequent culprit, their transfers for recent releases such as Back To The Future and Jurassic Park were simply not up to scratch. Years ago we would have marvelled at their quality. But when films over double their age can look significantly better than these examples, then you know there are some issues. But as film restoration becomes cheaper, I would certainly hope that this trend reverses. Paramount and CBS' restoration of hundreds of hours of Star Trek: The Next Generation is hopefully the turning point for the industry, as long as it sells in sufficient quantities.
Last year's release of The Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray signalled more than any other the coming of age of the format. Despite this, there are many significant Hollywood titles which have yet to see a release. Disney plans to release their stable of animated classics over the next few years, including titles such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. James Cameron's Titanic, True Lies and The Abyss are all still outstanding. Some of Steven Spielbergs biggest hits including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws The Indiana Jones Trilogy and Schindlers List are due this year, along with the remainder of unreleased James Bond titles, and that's just to name a few. Blu-ray still has a very exciting future. There will be some disappointments and upsets along the way (I guess, thats why we still need reviewers), but I've no doubt the future is very bright indeed.
When you can walk into a department store and pick up a reputable brand name Blu-ray for under $100, not only is the future of Blu-ray secure, but the writing is on the wall for the DVD format. In the same way that you cannot purchase VHS titles and it's nigh impossible to find a standalone VHS player, so too will Blu-ray replace DVD. This might take a number of years, but it will happen.
But what about a future beyond Blu-ray? 4K resolution TV's are on the horizon. There will likely be a format to supersede Blu-ray. The HVD format seems to be the most developed as of now, but experience tells us that anything can happen in the weird and wild world of movie formats. Digital downloads and streaming services will continue to chip away at demand for physical media, but the lack of current infrastructure to facilitate the downloading of high resolution media, along with the hesitance of many to embrace formats they cannot hold or touch has surprised many media pundits.
We've come a long way in just five years. Watching a Blu-ray and finally being able to marvel at the love, care and art that has gone into their craft is an extremely gratifying experience for film buffs everywhere. Long live Blu-ray.
... Read the rest in your browser!Next Xbox is codenamed Durango
Note this is a code-name. Like the Katana (Dreamcast), Dolphin (GameCube) and Revolution (Wii) before it, it's not the name that will appear on the finished product when you finally get your hands on one.
It is the name, however, that you'll be hearing during the console's final development phase, that awkward time between it being first shown off and then actually released to the public.
Next Xbox is codenamed Durango - More news at DV Hardware
Apple axes Mac name with OS X Mountain Lion
Apple� today released a developer preview of OS X� Mountain Lion, the ninth major release of the world�s most advanced operating system, which brings popular apps and features from iPad� to the Mac� and accelerates the pace of OS X innovation. Mountain Lion introduces Messages, Notes, Reminders and Game Center to the Mac, as well as Notification Center, Share Sheets, Twitter integration and AirPlay� Mirroring. Mountain Lion is the first OS X release built with iCloud� in mind for easy setup and integration with apps. The developer preview of Mountain Lion also introduces Gatekeeper, a revolutionary security feature that helps keep you safe from malicious software by giving you complete control over what apps are installed on your Mac. The preview release of Mountain Lion is available to Mac Developer Program members starting today. Mac users will be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store� in late summer 2012.
�The Mac is on a roll, growing faster than the PC for 23 straight quarters, and with Mountain Lion things get even better,� said Philip Schiller, Apple�s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. �The developer preview of Mountain Lion comes just seven months after the incredibly successful release of Lion and sets a rapid pace of development for the world�s most advanced personal computer operating system.�
The developer preview of Mountain Lion features the all new Messages app which replaces iChat� and allows you to send unlimited messages, high-quality photos and videos directly from your Mac to another Mac or iOS device. Messages will continue to support AIM, Jabber, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk. Starting today Lion users can download a beta of Messages from www.apple.com, and the final version will be available with Mountain Lion. Reminders and Notes help you create and track your to-dos across all your devices. Game Center lets you personalize your Mac gaming experience, find new games and challenge friends to play live multiplayer games, whether they�re on a Mac, iPhone�, iPad or iPod touch�.
Mountain Lion presents notifications in an elegant new way, and Notification Center provides easy access to alerts from Mail, Calendar, Messages, Reminders, system updates and third party apps. System-wide Share Sheets make it easy to share links, photos and videos directly from Apple and third party apps. Twitter is integrated throughout Mountain Lion so you can sign on once and tweet directly from Safari�, Quick Look, Photo Booth�, Preview and third party apps. Mountain Lion also introduces AirPlay Mirroring, an easy way to wirelessly send a secure 720p video stream of what's on your Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV�.
More than 100 million users have iCloud accounts, and Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to set up iCloud and access documents across your devices. Mountain Lion uses your Apple ID to automatically set up Contacts, Mail, Calendar, Messages, FaceTime� and Find My Mac. The new iCloud Documents pushes any changes to all your devices so documents are always up to date, and a new API helps developers make document-based apps work with iCloud.
Gatekeeper is a revolutionary new security feature that gives you control over which apps can be downloaded and installed on your Mac. You can choose to install apps from any source, just as you do on a Mac today, or you can use the safer default setting to install apps from the Mac App Store, along with apps from developers that have a unique Developer ID from Apple. For maximum security, you can set Gatekeeper to only allow apps from the Mac App Store to be downloaded and installed.
Mountain Lion also has features specifically designed to support Chinese users, including significant enhancements to the Chinese input method and the option to select Baidu search in Safari. Mountain Lion makes it easy to set up Contacts, Mail and Calendar with top email service providers QQ, 126 and 163. Chinese users can also upload video via Share Sheets directly to leading video websites Youku and Tudou, and system-wide support for Sina weibo makes microblogging easy.
Hundreds of new APIs give developers access to new core technologies and enhanced features within OS X. The Game Kit APIs tap into the same services as Game Center on iOS, making it possible to create multiplayer games that work across Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. A new graphics infrastructure underpins OpenGL and OpenCL and implements GLKit, first introduced in iOS 5, to make it easier to create OpenGL apps. Using Core Animation in Cocoa apps is easier than ever, and new video APIs deliver modern 64-bit replacements for low-level QuickTime APIs. Enhanced Multi-Touch� APIs give developers double-tap zoom support and access to the system-wide lookup gesture. Kernel ASLR improves security through enhanced mitigation against buffer overflow attacks.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.
Apple axes Mac name with OS X Mountain Lion - More news at DV Hardware
AMD creates new role for John Byrne
AMD creates new role for John Byrne - More news at DV Hardware
Transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens expected by summer
In order to match Windows 8's touch functions, notebook vendors plan to offer touch ultrabooks, but the addition of touch functions will result in 0.7-1.5cm increase in thickness and higher production cost. To solve the problems, vendors will launch models with transforming designs as early as July-August 2012, according to sources from the notebook supply chain.
Notebook hinge makers pointed out that with the existing clamshell designs of ultrabooks, the panel could easily move around while users are operating through a touchscreen, but if they strengthen the hinge's torque, it could easily flip up the bottom part of the notebook. As a result, the vendors will need to adopt a transforming design to allow touch screen functions to work.
Transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens expected by summer - More news at DV Hardware
Google Android 5.0 to arrive next quarter?
Android 5.0 will be further optimized for tablet PCs, while Google will also integrate its Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs. Brand vendors can either choose to adopt only Android 5.0 or add Android 5.0 to Windows 8 devices with the ability to switch between the two OSes without the need to shut down the computer.Source: DigiTimes
Through Android 5.0, Google also wishes to earn another chance to enter the notebook and netbook markets.
Google Android 5.0 to arrive next quarter? - More news at DV Hardware
AMD Catalyst 12.1 CAP 3 is out
New profiles added to this release:
- Alan Wake - Improves CrossFire performance
- Syndicate � Improves both single GPU and CrossFire performance
- Darkness 2 � Improves CrossFire performance
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning � Improves CrossFire performance for the AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series to avoid negative scaling at low resolutions
- Natural Selection 2 � Fixes shadow map flickering issue seen with CrossFire enabled
AMD Catalyst 12.1 CAP 3 is out - More news at DV Hardware
ASRock Game Blaster audio card unveiled
World's top 3 motherboard manufacturer, ASRock Inc., specially partners with Creative Technology Ltd, the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer, to introduce the most trusted sound card in mobo industry - Game Blaster!
Gamers need so much more from their rigs. ASRock Game Blaster was designed to exceed the expectations of even the most dedicated gamer. It is the first sound card coming with both Creative 7.1 CH HD Sound Core3D Audio and Broadcom Gigabit LAN in the world.
Creative Sound Core3D 7.1 CH HD Audio
Powered by Sound Core3D� quad-core audio and voice processor, the revolutionary Game Blaster delivers the first-class sound experience to extreme gamers! This breakthrough audio chip even brings some exciting features, allowing gamers to enjoy pure gaming audio, such as THX TruStudio PRO� sound technologies, CrystalVoice� and EAX 1.0 to 5.0 solid sound technologies.
Scout Mode�
Designed for performance gaming, ASRock Game Blaster also supports the state-of-the-art Scout Mode� technology. It is a proprietary technology that allows you to hear your enemies from further away, giving you a distinct tactical advantage in combat. With Scout Mode�, ASRock Game Blaster facilitates faster access in the heart of battle and allows gamers to get precise control to elevate their games. Can't wait to enjoy this exciting technology? Simply download the latest driver from ASRock website, and experience this amazing tool right now.(http://asrock.com/mb/spec/card.asp?Model=Game Blaster&cat=Beta)
Broadcom Gigabit LAN
ASRock Game Blaster was unprecedentedly equipped with a Broadcom Gigabit LAN. Broadcom Gigabit LAN not only focuses on high performance, but also ensures extremely low power consumption to enhance eco-friendly environment. Coupled with Game Blaster and ASRock motherboard, serious gamers will get benefits of 2 LAN supports. Connected 2 LANs together, users can enjoy Dual PCIE Gigabit LAN feature with teaming function effortlessly.
ASRock Game Blaster is setting a whole new standard for gaming audio. It's been designed for incredible sound experience and precise accuracy. The ASRock Game Blaster has lots intelligent features including Creative Sound Core3D single audio chip with Scout Mode� and Broadcom Gigabit LAN. It's aimed to unleash the maximum gaming performance.
For more product information, please visit: http://www.asrock.com/mb/spec/Card.asp?Model=Game%20Blaster
ASRock Game Blaster audio card unveiled - More news at DV Hardware
AMD preps three 95W FX processors
The FX-4150 features a base clock of 3.9 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) and 12 MB of cache (4 MB L2 + 8 MB L3) while the FX-6120 has its cores set to 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) and packs 14 MB of cache. As for the FX-8140, it's clocked at 3.2 GHz (4.1 GHz) and has 16 MB of cache. All three models have an AM3+ package and are made using 32 nm process technology. No word on pricing yet.
AMD preps three 95W FX processors - More news at DV Hardware
Intel Lynx Point chipset details revealed
First, we see some of the display port features have been transferred over to the CPU under the new architecture for Haswell. As discussed here, the Lynx Point chipset will only handle analog displays, while the CPU will be handling the digital displays. In theory, this makes the Lynx Point not as advanced as Panther Point in that regard but it does still have its advancements.
Lynx Point marks Intel's switch to full SATA 6.0 Gb/s support for all native SATA ports (no more native SATA 3.0 Gb/s SATA ports). Intel has added two additional USB 3.0 ports for a total six ports, which is two more than Panther Point. Intel is introducing I/O port flexibility feature with Lynx Point. As the feature suggests, it should give users the ability to allocate which ports are USB 3.0 and which are USB 2.0. Additional features for Lynx Point include: SSD performance/power optimization, new Rapid Storage Technology driver & Intel vPro Technology enhancements, lower TDP and power usage, a smaller package (22x23mm FCBGA), and support for quad-read SPI devices. Based on the slide, it looks like Intel has still not moved to a faster DMI interface, as the chipset's PCIe ports are still running at PCIe 2.0.
Intel Lynx Point chipset details revealed - More news at DV Hardware
Monday 6 February 2012
Mac OS X 10.7.3 Update
Sunday 5 February 2012
Synology DS212 2-Bay NAS Review
This is the second product we've seen from Synology with the first being the DS411+II. Our first run with the DS411+II was an eye opener and we walked away with a firm admiration for the products Synology is releasing on the market. NAS appliances are not like video cards or other traditional computer components, these aren't components that get swapped out every couple of years and because of that most people don't get to see everything the market has to offer. Because of that you need to determine what it is you are looking for first and the options are vaster than you may imagine.
The Synology products I've seen so far tend to excel in the ease of use category. I would be comfortable dropping a DS212 off at my mother's house and letting her sort the installation and connections. I couldn't say the same thing about the typical QNAP or Thecus products I've tested in the past. Those products are easy for TweakTown readers to setup, but nothing like the Synology DS212.
A large reason for that is the way Synology configures their software layer. The QNAP and Thecus products are more tech based while the DS212 is more laymen, like a toaster, you get a couple of dials and a big lever to pull before everything works exactly like you want it to. Users looking to go head on into technology bliss still have all the other options to fine tune their NAS appliance, but it isn't a requirement.
So, in short the Synology DS212 is a consumers NAS built for your mom to hold pictures that you wish she didn't scan from your youth, is easy to setup and has an attractive price. The DS212 is also a NAS for you too with lots of bells and whistles and that is what we are going to focus on today.
Read on to see why this tame entry can easily turn into a tiger.
... Read the rest in your browser!BIOS Option Of The Week - PSB Parking
Since 1999, we have been developing the BIOS OptimizationGuide, affectionately known as the BOG. From a meager beginning of asingle page, it now covers over 440 BIOS options. As old BOG readerswill know, we started offering two editions of the BOG since Revision8.0 - a simplified edition and the complete edition.
Normally, the complete edition is only available to subscribers whohelp sponsor the development of the guide through a small fee.However, that changes today! From now on, we will post a BIOS optionfrom the complete edition of the BIOS Optimization Guide everyweekend.
This week, we will be taking a look at the PSB Parking BIOS setting.
BIOS Option Of The Week - PSB Parking - More news at DV Hardware
Guru3D Rig of the Month - January 2012
Each month here at Guru3D.com we feature one of you guys, your PC, your DIY project. It is quite honestly amazing how much detail and dedication you put into an PC, and every now and then it really shows. This months entry shines in an stylish design, once you lay your eyes on it, it will make an impression.
The Rig of the Month January 2012 oozes with style and design, the detail is just intense. Kerekes J�nos who transformed one PC into a very stylish and clean build completely blew us away. What a perfect job. You'll know what i mean when you take a look at it.
Guru3D Rig of the Month - January 2012 - More news at DV Hardware
Ubuntu 11.10 vs. Mac OS X 10.7.2 Performance @ Phoronix
After delivering benchmarks last week that were comparing the Intel Sandy Bridge performance of Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" vs. Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" when it came to the Sandy Bridge OpenGL graphics performance, here's a comparative look at the performance of Ubuntu 11.10 against Mac OS X 10.7.2 from the Intel Sandy Bridge-based Mac.
Ubuntu 11.10 vs. Mac OS X 10.7.2 Performance @ Phoronix - More news at DV Hardware
Megaupload data to be deleted this week?
US prosecutors have said that data belonging to Megaupload users and stored by third parties could be deleted as soon as Thursday.I guess users who had important data stored at Megaupload may not feel enthusiastic about cloud storage again, especially with SOPA and ACTA coming around.
Users have been unable to access data since the file-sharing service was raided.
The warning was made in a letter filed by the US Attorney's Office.
Megaupload's lawyer Ira Rothken told the Associated Press that at least 50 million users had data which could be deleted.
Mr Rothken said that freezing of Megaupload's funds meant it was unable to pay those who were storing its data.
Megaupload data to be deleted this week? - More news at DV Hardware
Micron to buy $500 million of Elpida shares?
Micron Technology reportedly will spend at least US$500 million to buy a stake in Japan rival Elpida Memory, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report. The speculation came on the heels of various other media reports that Elpida would propose an equity tie-up with Micron with some decision to be made as soon as February.
Elpida has reiterated that it declines to comment on speculation.
Micron to buy $500 million of Elpida shares? - More news at DV Hardware
Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 custom card gets pictured
The single-fan HD 7950 appears to have a blue-colored PCB that is likely to be AMD's cost-effective reference design. The cooler appears to have a compact heatsink that is cooled by a single central fan. Display outputs include two mini-DisplayPort, and one each of HDMI and DVI. We're also hearing from the source that 900 MHz core with unchanged (1250/5000 MHz) memory will be the maximum factory-OC permitted by AMD to AIB partners. That is not to say that the HD 7950's OC potential beyond that will be limited in any way.
Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 custom card gets pictured - More news at DV Hardware
Swiftech Komodo Radeon HD 7970 waterblock revealed
Called the Komodo HD 7970, the block confines itself to the size of one expansion slot with an included single-slot bracket. The monolithic black design adds a lot to the aesthetics of the card, including its fittings area. The primary material of the block is nickel-plated copper. The portion of the block over the GPU has a 0.25x0.25 Micro Pin matrix, which maximizes heat dissipation to the coolant. Unlike other full-coverage blocks where a portion of the block that doesn't have flowing coolant makes contact with the VRM, the Komodo HD 7970 has "active" VRM cooling, where the area over the VRM has its own coolant chamber, and is part of the coolant's primary flow.
Swiftech Komodo Radeon HD 7970 waterblock revealed - More news at DV Hardware