Dave at the guys at the Home Server Show have released episode 147.
Here’s what Dave has to say about this weeks show:
We told you about an upcoming RAID throwdown and here it is. BYOB’s Mike Faucher joins us after challenging Jim Collison to install RAID on a WHS 2011 build. Chris Lux also pops in and it seems like old times! Tons of RAID chat and news. Enjoy!
As usual you can listen to the show from here.
Yet another beta build from CoveCube! StableBit development marches on.
Here is how CoveCube describes this application:
This version’s change log:
These guys continue the drive to complete the drive-pooling application. If you want to try it out, go here for more information about the beta.
Get More Information About the Beta Here Download Stablebit Drivepool build 3467 here
If you are in the market for a great server to install Windows Home Server 2011, Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, or anything else for that matter, you should look at the HP Proliant MicroServer. And you can get it now for £95 after cashback!
So what you do is buy the MicroServer then claim your £100 cash back – but hurry, this current offer is only valid until the end of August.
V-MODA have today launched a new set of headphones, called the Crossfade M-80.
V-MODA, the multi-platinum selling maker of headphones trusted by the pros and elite, deploys its best-sounding metal masterpiece yet, the Crossfade M-80. Masterfully tuned by a legion of legendary musicians, producers and DJs, M-80 packs unique materials, professional acoustics, natural noise isolation, ultimate ergonomics and military-level ruggedness into a design 53% smaller than its now legendary, over-ear sibling, Crossfade LP. M-80’s first-class materials are virtually indestructible including a steel frame, STEELFLEX headband, interchangeable brushed metal shields, durable microfiber suede and replaceable memory foam cushions. The M-80 also comes fully loaded with two Kevlar-reinforced microphone cables for universal smartphone compatibility and an exoskeleton carrying case for added road warrior armor.
Pure Sound – Bespoke Fit
The nucleus of M-80 is its patent-pending and biggest-in-class 40mm Dual-Diaphragm Drivers that deliver multi-driver sound with the energy efficiency and consistent quality of a single driver. To recreate a pure balanced sound analogous to Vinyl, M-80 uses no batteries or artificial sound processing and instead relies on immortal acoustic techniques. The masterfully crafted V-PORT V3 provides natural noise isolation, life-like staging, vibrant bass, vivid mids and vivacious highs. By utilizing a 31-band EQ with select master musicians and producers, every step of the frequency response curve was finely sculpted.
The headphone also offers long-play comfort through a tailored, fashionable fit without unsightly gaps and minimal pressure on the head and ears, the result of years of ergonomic research. Since the fit is the sound, M-80 utilizes replaceable supple memory foam cushions, a bespoke STEELFLEX headband and tactile arm extensions. This tiny dancer can bend, move and twist like no other.
Salute to the Masters
“After years of research, design, and testing, this is truly the finest addition to our acoustic arsenal we have ever developed. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and similarly it took almost half a decade to fuse the durability of an M1 Abrams tank, timeless Vinyl sound, Italian-suit elegance and exotic motorsport materials into the compact Crossfade M-80,” says Val Kolton, V-MODA CEO and DJ. “In the sound-age of over-processed digital compression and disposable plastic products, our virtues were to develop a quality product that salutes the true masters of music, machines and materials. It’s an incredible value for hi-fi sound and sophisticated style that says as much about you as your shoes, watch or car.”
trueHERTZ – The Revelation of Headphones
Most headphone marketing is simply not telling the whole truth – headphones often break too fast and every unit sounds different due to quality control variance and individual fit. Upon this revelation, V-MODA invested heavily on a crusade to create a rugged product that provides the greatest sound for the greatest amount of people.
V-MODA’s trueHERTZ and materalEDGE initiative reveals the sound, materials, engineering and quality control processes shielding the ever-present dangers to defenseless headphones.
“I vowed to never sell a headphone I wouldn’t use myself, and as a producer, DJ and engineer always on the go – M-80 is knighted by quality,” said Kolton.
The M-80 is tested under strict MIL-STD-810G military testing and V-MODA’s even more stringent VMQA guidelines, of which a few are listed below.
MIL-STD-810G and V-MODA Quality Tests
• Kevlar reinforced detachable cables and 45-degree plug strain relief can each bend more than 1 million times, over 100x industry standards
• Survives 70+ drops on concrete from 6 feet, approximately three times the industry standard
• Headband can bend 10+ times flat, without breaking and retain its memory and shape
• Virtually inaudible sound variances across the spectrum of less than 2dB from unit to unit versus 10-30dB+ of inferior products
• MIL-STD-810G environmental tests including high and low temperatures, humidity, salt spray and UV exposure
M-80 Features:
• Stylish interchangeable ear shields
• Detachable Kevlar®-reinforced cables with 24k gold-plated plug
• One 3.5mm fabric cable with a three-button remote control optimized for Apple products
• One 3.5mm fabric cable with a one-button microphone universally compatible with all audio, tablet and 3.5mm smartphone products including Android, BlackBerry and Windows 7
• Hard exoskeleton carrying case, ensuring headphones are protected in style
• Two-year V-MODA premier warranty
• Immortal Life Replacement Program – 50 percent off lifetime discount to replace consumer-damaged headphones
The Crossfade M-80 retails for $230.00 and is available today at V-MODA.com and select retailers worldwide including Radio Shack.
ABOUT V-MODA
V-MODA is the true music lifestyle brand that is distinguished by its fashion-forward design, unparalleled quality and unequivocal passion for music and materials. Led by professional DJ and Chief Visionary Officer, Val Kolton, V-MODA products blend the inspiration of Italian design, the essence of music, and the charisma of Hollywood. Together with design extraordinaire Joseph Bucknall, the worldʼs most influential producers, musicians and DJs, V-MODA is constantly challenging the norm and forging the remix revolution. For more information, please visit V-MODAʼs website, V-MODA.com.
As you may know, I am a huge fan of My Movies, and now Brian has released My Movies for Mac OS X as a pre release. I can’t wait to check it out!
Here is what Brian posted:
Introduction
My Movies for Mac OS X allows you to catalog your entire movie collection from our high quality online data service containing data for more than 475,000 DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD titles from various countries. The application supports Mac OS X 10.6 and higher.
Notice! The application is currently in Pre Release, and is freely available to everyone during this Pre Release period. The Pre Release distributions contains a time bomb functionality, allowing to function typically for one month from the release date.
My Movies for Mac OS X requires you to create a user account, or log on to an existing My Movies account to be able to use the program. Your collection will follow your user account through our online servers, allowing you to switch between different clients without ever loosing your data. If you log in to an existing My Movies account, your current collection will automatically be synchronized to My Movies for Mac OS X. Users of My Movies for iPhone, iPad or Android will automatically have their collection synchronized between My Movies for Mac OS X and your movie devices.
Pre Release
During the Pre Release, we would like your bug reports, feature requests and general inputs, allowing us to ensure that the final product meet the expectations that users have both feature and stability wise. Please leave all coments and bug reports in our forums, where a special section have been created for the My Movies for Mac OS X Pre Release.
Download
You can download the Pre Release by clicking here.
My Movies for Mac OS X and My Movies for Windows
My Movies for Mac OS X is a standalone software, synchronizing with the My Movies WebService.
The application is not a client for My Movies for Windows servers, such as My Movies for Windows Home Server and My Movies Collection Management functioning as server. This means that you cannot connect it to the My Movies Windows based solutions.
It is not planned that for the software to function as a client to the My Movies Windows software package at any point. The internal structure and functionality of the application differs in many ways to how the Windows software packages function. Depending on user feedback, it may be that this at some point will change, and while we would like the requests as feedback, it is not something users should expect.
Interface Overview
Below is an overview of the interface of My Movies for Mac OS X, allowing you to see the functionality of buttons and interface areas. You can click the image to view it in a larger version.
Licensing
The application will at the time it is out of Pre Release be available in a “Free” and a “Pro” version in the Mac OS X App Store. The “Free” version will be limited to 50 titles – a number that can be lifted by contributing data to the My Movies WebService, which earns you contribution points. The title limitation will be lifted by one title per each 5 or 10 contribution points on your account, an amount that have not yet been decided on – at 2,500 points, the limitation will be lifted in full.
To ensure users with the “Free” version can contribute data to all of the titles in their collection, it will be possible to add titles to the collection after the title limit have been reached – adding a title when the limit have been reached will simply remove the first title added that is currently in the collection, which means that the added title will replace another title.
Users who prefer to purchase the application can purchase the “Pro” version in the Mac OS App Store, at a price which have not yet been decided on. Users who purchase the “Pro” version will not have any title limitations, and do not require contribution points to lift any limit.
Notice that earned contribution points will only be able to lift the title limitation in My Movies for Mac OS X Free, and won’t affect the title limitation on My Movies for iPhone Free, My Movies for iPad Free or My Movies for Android Free, where the users still will have to purchase the “Pro” versions for the ability to display more than 50 titles. There will also not be a rebates available for users who purchase the application on multiple platforms, as this is not technically possible.
Development plans
My Movies for Mac OS X is a brand new product, and feature-wise, we have made three milestones for it. This initial Pre Release covers milestone one.
1) The initial and first milestone covers a fully useable Collection Management software, allowing you to maintain, browse and look through your movie collection. It also includes automatic synchronization to the My Movies WebService, which means it is a fully synchronized client for use with My Movies for iPhone, iPad or Android. Last, it is created to give users on Mac OS X a full option to contribute data to the My Movies WebService, and by doing this, edit and improve titles in their collection.
2) The second milestone, which is not part of the initial Pre Release, but will be developed once milestone one is out of Pre Release, it will feature an option to function as a meta-data provider for various products. This milestone will contain features such as importing titles from folders on local harddrives or network storage devices, storage monitoring functions as known in My Movies for Windows, where the application will detect changes in folders and add titles in these folders to the collection. Lastly, it will contain an option to store meta-data files for devices such as XBMC, TViX and other devices supported by My Movies for Windows. It may be that meta-data for some devices will be released before others.
3) The third milestone, which is not certain to be developed, covers the option to let My Movies for Mac OS X function as a front-end for a remote control. If, and how this will be developed is at this point not certain – it could be a front-end for Apple TV if the device is opened officially for developers, it can be a standalone functionality, or it can be an add-on to other Apple based products available on Mac OS X.
Notice
There are some things that is worth noting before starting to use My Movies for Mac OS X.
a) The development plans above outlines that My Movies for Mac OS X will have features added in steps. This means that feature wise it cannot be fully compared to My Movies for Windows in the initial Pre Release. We have decided on an initial feature set for the Pre Release, and will extend the product from there – we would like your inputs during the Pre Release of which functionalities you would prioritize for future development.
b) My Movies for Mac OS X is a standalone product, connected to the My Movies WebService, and therefore ideal for usage with My Movies for iPhone, iPad or Android. It is however not a client for My Movies for Windows or My Movies for Windows Home Server, and it will not communicate with these in multi-zone environments. It have been our intention to offer a feature rich product for Mac OS X on it’s own – not to create a client for the My Movies software packages for Windows. Depending on the incoming feature requests, it is possible that the application later will be able to function as such, but it is not part of current plans.
c) My Movies for Mac OS X does not contain features for TV Series as introduced in My Movies 4 for Windows in May 2011. It is planned that this will be added to the product in a later version, but exactly how priorities will be is not known at this point.
Understanding Server Synchronization
My Movies for Mac OS X automatically synchronizes with the My Movies online servers, which means that your collection follows your user account though the online service. This approch have several benefits:
The approach with sharing titles between users also means that there are some things to pay special attention to:
There are with My Movies for Mac OS X some exceptions to the automatic synchronization, created to allow you to create new titles manually, that later can be contributed to the server as general public profiles, and allow you to make changes to your collection, even when your device is not connected to the internet:
The information above refers to using the online servers as synchronization between My Movies for Mac OS X and the My Movies mobile softwares, but it can just as well be between multiple Mac OS X devices, allowing you to use the software on multiple computers. There are no limits to how many clients that can be used to synchronize with the same user account.
Notice! The synchronization can also be used with My Movies Collection Management for Windows, which however uses a different approch for synchronizing, where you manually have to confirm changes made from other clients, which is not automatically synchronized. The Collection Management software uses a semi-automatic synchronization approch, where any changes made to the personal data is automatically uploaded to the online servers when you make them, but where the titles do not receive special statuses if this fails – the software will instead automatically upload these changes when it is connected.
Not content with the announcements they have already made this week, Boxee have now announced that Grooveshark, a music streaming service, has arrived on Boxee.
Huge Collection, Past and Present
Grooveshark’s catalogue won’t leave you wanting. Access millions of songs from every genre, from Rock to Classical to Electronic to Folk.
Check Out What’s Popular
The Grooveshark Popular List lets you check out what’s hot at the moment. Keep up with music trends and new tracks without being bombarded by ads (a la commercial radio).
Curate Your Music Library
You don’t have to dig through the mountains of music available every time you build a new playlist. Grooveshark makes it easy for you to build your own personal library. If you see something you like you can add it to your library with just 2 clicks. Then access your library from anywhere you want. Even on your mobile devices.
Create Playlists
Create and save playlists in the app, or any browser, then access them from anywhere.
The app is free to try for a few weeks and if you end up loving it – give up buying one cheap meal a month ($9) and all the music you can stream is on Boxee, your phone, and your computer. Once you’ve got an account – your playlists and music library are loaded up no matter what device you’re using.
Today SteelSeries have launched a new mouse called the Sensei Mouse. It’s appeal? Well they say its the most customisable mouse ever to hit the gaming industry.
The Master of Customization
The Sensei features a state of the art 32 bit ARM processor which allows for both ninja-esque speed and precision; true hardware based sensitivity settings from 1 to 5,700 CPI, and an “overclocked” Double CPI feature that allows the user to go all the way up to 11,400 DCPI – a setting that is ideal for multiple monitor use. SteelSeries’ industry leading ExactTech settings, such as ExactSens, ExactAccel, and ExactAim, can be calculated directly on the hardware, which leaves the user with a mouse that is completely free of any interpolation or extrapolation, delay, filtering and without using up memory or resources on the user’s computer. The laser sensor boasts 10.8 megapixel image correlation at up to 12,000 frames per second and the ability to handle tracking movements of up to 150 inches per second.
As the first in SteelSeries competitive line of mice to include illumination options, the Sensei hosts three areas of illumination – at the wheel, CPI indicator and at the SteelSeries logo, in 16.8 million color options including an OFF setting. The illumination can help provide specific functions like different colors for specific profiles.
Optimized Design and Grip
A new, non-slip grip, metal coating encases the Sensei, while its ambidextrous shape makes all 8 ergonomically placed buttons comfortably reachable for all three grip styles – palm, claw and swipe. Connecting to the computer through a gold-plated USB, its double-braided nylon cord is meant to withstand serious punishment, from aggressive tournament pulls to tangles and even animal chews.
To ensure maximum performance in all gaming scenarios SteelSeries enlisted help from world-class StarCraft® II, Counter-Strike®, QUAKE® Live, DotA™, League of Legends™, Heroes of Newerth™, WarCraft® III and Doom® players who helped with the testing and refinement of the Sensei. They provided input on everything from grip styles to the needs for customizable technology; the Sensei evolved from hours of game-play.
The Power of SteelSeries Engine Software
While the Sensei is able to be configured without the need for software drivers it is also SteelSeries’ first mouse that can be powered by the new SteelSeries Engine software. It’s up to the user to decide how much customization they want or need; SteelSeries is purely supplying the possibilities. The SteelSeries Engine can allow users to:
1. Manage multiple devices. Beginning with the SteelSeries Sensei, users can configure all of their peripherals to work together in one managed location – for cohesive peripheral use.
2. Easily configure their settings. The effortless drag-and-drop, easy to navigate features and directions make the software well-suited for all levels.
3. Create profiles. Users can quickly activate multiple profiles for peripherals from different characters in one game to multiple profiles in all of the games and programs they’re using.
4. Improve set-up through statistics. Users will be able to record sessions and identify how to improve their button layout and macro settings through a visual heat map of the users peripheral.
5. Have the freedom to play. The SteelSeries Engine makes the Sensei as customizable as technologically possible. The software will even recognize what game a user is playing and will open the appropriate, saved profile. It allows the user to have complete control on how their mouse can function.
For more information and details about SteelSeries Engine software and what other SteelSeries peripherals will be compatible, go to http://steelseries.com/engine.
The SteelSeries Sensei will be available starting in September 2011 for $89.99 / €89.99 MSRP. For more details about the SteelSeries Sensei features, be sure to check out http://steelseries.com/sensei.
Check out this behind the scenes video:
Foxconn today launches its latest series of motherboards supporting the new AMD A75 series of chipsets, and the latest AMD A-Series APUs (codenamed Llano) with two mainboards, the A75M and the A75A.
Both boards feature the AMD A75 Hudson chipset and support the latest 32 nanometer AMD APUs as well as USB 3.0 and SATA3. The powerful combination of AMD Turbo Core technology, DirectX 11 technology and Dual Graphics will give users one of the most powerful visual experiences.
Better system Performance
AMD Turbo Core Technology—
A series APU including A4/A6/A8 are AMD’s newest creation and all are equipped with AMD’s new Turbo CORE technology 2.0. Turbo CORE increases APU performance by dynamically adjusting processor speeds for the best application performance within thermal and power limits.
DirectX 11 & Dual Graphics—
Dual Graphics Technology utilizes the power of both the APU graphics and the discrete GPU to deliver increased performance. Combining this technology with DirectX 11 will deliver an excellent graphics experience.
AMD Radeon™ HD6xxx & UVD 3.0—
Both AMD Radeon™ HD6xxx & UVD 3.0 Technologies provide users with high definition video playback with 30Mb/s HD-DVD and 40Mb/s Blu-Ray.
Better Expandability
Support USB 3.0, SATAIII—
Both boards are equipped with USB 3.0 and SATA III to take advantage of the new technologies. USB 3.0 not only doubles the bandwidth of the PCIe interface from Gen 1 to Gen 2 but also delivers up to ten times faster throughput than the previous USB 2.0 standard.
Support 3D display, HDMI 1.4(A75M only), Support 7.1 HD Audio ,Optical S/PDIF Out
The Foxconn A75M motherboard features HDMI 1.4, giving you support for 3D video playback. The boards feature a comprehensive range of video output options, such as HDMI/DVI/D-Sub and an optical audio output to allow you to enjoy your movies at their very best.
Foxconn Exclusive Technology—
Smart Charger
With today’s devices requiring more power to charge, Foxconn has developed Smart Charger, allowing you to connect and charge your iPad, iPod, iPhone or HTC device from, any USB port.
Fox One , Fox DMI, Fox Logo & Fox Live Update
The A75A and A75M come equipped with a range of software to enhance and increase the user experience. Fox One monitors vital system stats such as temperature, fan speed and voltages. Easy OC allows users to quickly and easily adjust their CPU frequency, voltage and memory speeds.
To keep everything up to date, including local and online BIOS updates within Windows, is Fox Update, which will also keep drivers and utilities updated. Fox DMI will display all of the system DMI information to aid in system identification and troubleshooting should problems occur. And finally, for some fun, Fox Logo is a Windows software tool that allows the user to change the system startup logo to whatever they like and even randomise the start up image.
|
Model |
A75A |
A75M |
|
CPU |
• Support FM1 socket CPU |
• Support FM1 socket CPU |
|
Chipset |
Hudson D3 co-lay D2 (default D3) |
Hudson D3 co-lay D2 (default D3) |
|
Memory |
• Support 4 x DIMM DDR3 (Yellow/Black) |
• Support 4 x DIMM DDR3 (Yellow/Blue) |
|
Slots |
• 1 x PCI Express x16 slot(Yellow) |
• 1 x PCI Express x16 slot(Yellow) |
|
Storage |
• SATAIII controller integrated |
• SATAIII controller integrated |
|
Audio & LAN |
• Audio chip |
• Audio chip |
|
USB |
• Supports up to 10USB 2.0 ports+4USB 3.0 |
• Supports up to 10 USB 2.0 ports+4USB 3.0 |
|
BIOS |
16Mb flash EEPROM w/ LAN boot PnP, ACPI, WfM, DMI 2.0 |
16Mb flash EEPROM w/ LAN boot PnP, ACPI, WfM, DMI 2.0 |
|
Form Factor |
ATX form factor 12 inch x 9.0 inch |
uATX form factor 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch |
Fujifilm have announced another new camera – the FinePix JX370, which can upload pictures and video directly to YouTube and Facebook.
Here is what Fujifilm said:
Fujifilm’s J series of FinePix cameras has a new addition that makes taking and sharing photographs quick and easy. The JX370 is ideally suited to photographers who want to shoot – and share – their photos with minimal fuss. For first-time digital camera users and families, this model offers an impressive level of specification that includes 14 megapixel resolution, a wide range of shooting modes and Easy web upload to both You Tube and Facebook.
The uncluttered design of the FinePix JX370 ensures ease of use straight out of the box. The 5x zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-140mm lens on a 35mm camera) sits centrally on the front of the camera ensuring it’s easy to hold with one or two hands, and the metallic-effect finish on the body of the camera adds a real sense of style.
Around the back of the camera, a 2.7 inch rear LCD makes composing and viewing images simple, plus the button layout is easy to follow with a large zoom control for effortless fine-tuning of framing.
What’s more, the Fujinon optics and impressive resolutions on both models will ensure you get great results that can be printed out at sizes up to A3 without any drop in quality.
The JX370 may be small and pocketable, but it still packs a punch when it comes to picture taking features.
A wide range of shooting modes allow you to select specific functions according to the type of photograph you’re taking, or simply leave the choice up to the camera by selecting the SR Auto mode.
Full resolution still images can be captured at up to 1.1 frames per second, plus there’s Face, Smile and Blink Detection to ensure perfect portrait pictures, Digital Image Stabilisation to reduce the effect of camera shake, a panoramic shooting function and exposure compensations to help you deal with awkward lighting conditions.
The flash is also well specified with auto, flash on, flash off and slow synchro options, while the ISO sensitivity range extends from ISO 100 to 3200.
For those of you preferring to shoot moving images, the FinePix JX370 offers High Definition 720p video capture.
When you’ve taken your pictures and movies, the last thing you want to do is spend hours sat in front of your computer trying to upload the images. Buy a JX370 and your computer time is kept to a minimum thanks to the Easy Web Upload feature. Simply scroll through the images on the rear LCD, mark the ones you want to publish and, once connected to your computer, the images will instantly upload via Fujifilm’s MyFinePix Studio software. It couldn’t be simpler!
If, on the other hand, you’d like to preserve your memories in a photobook, the FinePix JX370 features Photobook Assist where you can create the book in camera and preview it by ‘turning’ the pages on the LCD screen.
The JX370 will have an RRP of £89 available in October.
Today Fujifilm announced a new 16 megapixel camera – the FineFix F600EXR.
Here is what Fujifilm said:
Fujifilm is proud to announce the launch of the FinePix F600 EXR – a model that defines new picture-taking possibilities for a compact camera. Despite being no bigger than the F550 EXR it supersedes, the FinePix F600 EXR boasts exciting new technologies that improve the user experience and make it the ideal camera for photographers who like to travel, as well as those who simply want high quality results from a camera that fits into a pocket.
The FinePix F600 EXR uses key aspects of the specification first seen on the F550 EXR, but adds extra functionality. The pioneering 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor now features new EXR Auto with a Motion Detection capability to virtually reduce subject blur in all lighting conditions. The built-in GPS functionality adds a Landmark Navigator feature to help photographers pin-point locations, and the 15x wide-angle optical zoom lens now doubles its telephoto power thanks to the new intelligent digital zoom mode. It all stacks up to make the FinePix F600 EXR a dynamic package and one that will set new standards in the premium compact camera market.
The FinePix F600 EXR is no slouch when it comes to zoom capability. The camera features a wide-reaching 15x optical zoom, which offers the 35mm equivalent of a 24-360mm lens. This ensures that users can capture a wide range of images from landscapes through to tightly framed details.
Thanks to the new Intelligent Digital Zoom feature, however, the F600 EXR’s zoom range offers double the telephoto power. With its 30x Intelligent Digital Zoom, even the most distant objects can be turned into frame-filling close-ups, greatly extending the creative uses for the FinePix F600 EXR.
Intelligent Digital Zoom is an enhanced digital zoom function. Cameras featuring conventional digital zoom functionality boost sharpness during processing by enhancing the edges of all objects in the frame. However, this also increases noise in unwanted areas of the image, leading to lower quality results. Fujifilm’s Intelligent Digital Zoom assesses areas of contrast within an image and applies selective processing to the sections of the image where sharpness can be boosted without lowering image quality. This ensures that digital noise is not increased uniformly across the frame so results are much improved.
The bespoke ½” 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor in the FinePix F600 EXR was first seen in the F550 EXR and combines Back Side Illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) and EXR technologies to deliver superb results across a wide range of lighting conditions. This is thanks to the design of the sensor, which improves light transmission to boost performance, most notably in low light conditions. On the F600 EXR, however, low light results are further enhanced thanks to the improved EXR Auto mode that now offers Motion Detection plus a superior scene recognition range than previous models.
The new Motion Detection function enables the FinePix F600 EXR to tackle motion blur on three fronts with mechanical image stabilisation, high ISO sensitivity and the new Motion Detection capability working together. In low light conditions with EXR Auto mode selected, the FinePix F600 EXR will automatically identify if the subject is moving. If it is, the camera deploys Motion Detection and a higher ISO to ensure the subject is captured, blur free. If no subject movement is identified, the FinePix F600 EXR will automatically keep the ISO lower and use image stabilisation for blur free results.
This new functionality is in addition to the EXR sensor’s unique technology. Leave the FinePix F600 EXR in EXR Auto and it will select the best option to deliver a great result. But users who prefer to take more control themselves can choose from:
• EXR HR (High Resolution) priority mode is where the sensor utilises every one of its 16 megapixels for the highest quality results.
• EXR DR (Dynamic Range) priority mode where two images are captured and then merged together to produce superb results on high contrast scenes.
• EXR SN (Signal to Noise) priority mode in which pixels are doubled up to increase sensitivity and give better results in low light conditions.
GPS tagging is the latest must-have feature on compact cameras and after introducing the functionality on the FinePix F550 EXR, Fujifilm has taken the technology further with the introduction of a GPS Landmark Navigator on the FinePix F600 EXR.
Imagine you’re visiting a city that you’ve never been to before. You want to be sure you take in all the famous sites – or you simply want to know where they are in relation to your current location. GPS Landmark Navigator enables you to do just that. The FinePix F600 EXR automatically locates places of interest from its on-board database of around one million locations before displaying these points on the camera’s LCD, showing their relative position, distance from your current spot and type of location depending on a range of category icons. Users can also add and edit location names.
This exciting new feature is offered in addition to the GPS functionality introduced in the FinePix F550 EXR. This includes Photo Navigation to help users to find their way back to a previously-photographed location, and tracking data where users can create a route of their travels – along with pictures taken along that route – once they return home using Google Maps*.
*You need to install “MyFinePix Studio” on your PC to access to this function.
A 360° panoramic image of a location makes for a great memory and the FinePix F600 EXR has an enhanced Motion Panorama mode that ensures those memories are even better preserved. With the camera’s 360° panorama functionality, each side of the panorama is connected so you get one – seamless – panoramic shot. No details are missed and you’re assured of recording every single aspect of a location.
Good panoramic shots also rely on a steady grip on the camera and the FinePix F600 EXR’s new rubber coating (only available on Black version) on the front plate will ensure a solid hold, as well as enhancing the overall feel of the camera. Coupled with the high resolution 3.0-inch LCD screen (460K dots), the FinePix F600 EXR all adds up to a fantastic handling experience.
In addition to all these exciting new features, the F600 EXR also offers a wide range of picture taking modes that make it the ideal model for almost every photographic occasion.
ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, a full complement of exposure modes including aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual for creative shooting, continuous frame capture of up to eight frames per second at full resolution, RAW file format, a selection of film simulation modes, and a full-featured integrated flash are just some of the multitude of options available.
And for users preferring to capture video footage, the FinePix F600 EXR offers full HD 1080p movie capture with stereo sound and a high speed movie option for freezing fast moving action at up to an incredible 320 frames per second.
The F600 will have a RRP of £269 available at the end of October.
This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 315.
Here’s what Ian says about this week show:
Welcome to another show, Garry was unavailable this week (we need to bail him out) so its just Andrew and I this week. We talk CableCARD, Skype addin for Window Media Center, Amulet’s Kinect demo for Media Center, no Dolby in Windows 8, HP Touchpad, Google TV, Home Server news, iPlayer and we talk over your email.
And another new beta version of the Windows Home Server Drive Extender replacement StableBit DrivePool released – this time its build 3444.
![600px-Stablebit_drivepool_screen_thu[1]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/600px-Stablebit_drivepool_screen_thu16.png?ssl=1 "600px-Stablebit_drivepool_screen_thu[1]")
The changes in this version are:
1.0.0.3444 ———-
* Rewrote the WHS folder links module from scratch. – Automatic default folder migration. – Share name conflict resolution. – Faster startup / maintenance runs.
Download Stablebit Drivepool build 3444 here Learn more about StableBit DrivePool hereHave you tried it? What do you think?
We told you last week that HP had dropped the price of their TouchPad by $100 for the weekend, well now they have made that price drop permanent.
So, is this a smart move on the part of HP or is it desperation?
After all, they haven’t exactly been flying off the shelves the way the iPad 2’s did.
What do you think?
Oh, and for those of us in the UK, the prices are still £399 and £479 respectively.
Amulet Devices have been in touch to let us know that they have released a new Amulet beta release – version 3.00.01. Included in this release is full My Movies 4 support.
The Amulet Remote is the controller Windows Media Center owners have been waiting for. Access all your media instantly using simple voice commands and gestures. No more complex key sequences to remember.
Here is what Amulet have said:
I’m pleased to announce that the new beta release of Amulet’s Media Center software is now available for download. As we are growing close to a final production release, we have changed the version number to v3 to reflect this.
You can download the software and release notes here:
As always, please let us know how you get on by posting feedback here in the forum. In particular, we are keen to get as much feedback as possible on the new My Movies support. I have created a separate My Movies thread for discussion of this.
Now, here is a summary of changes since the previous releases, Beta 2.18.14, Beta 2.18.16 and Beta 2.18.17:
MY MOVIES 4.0 SUPPORT
Full My Movies 4 support is now included, allowing any movie or TV series / episode indexed by My Movies to be selected by voice, and voice control of the My Movies GUI. Full details are in the My Movies section of the Release Notes, but here are a few sample commands to give you a flavour:
GENERAL ENHANCEMENTS
BUG FIXES
