Saphion N Charge - Don't do it!

On the top of the list of devices that look like a great idea but just don't work, is the Saphio N Charge system.

This is a second generation system of battery replacements that work on mulitple laptop models by using special adapters.

The great thing about this battery is that is charges from the same power supply you use for your laptop. This menas that you can simply insert it between your laptop and your laptop's power supply to charge (it has an "in" and "out" cable, each with replaceable connectors.) The cable that they attach to is also replaceable.

Sadly, it just doesn't execute.

I replaced my first one only to get another that was just as bad. Support seemed to think it was normal. They did offer me the opportunity to mail it back to them and, as I understood things, I could expect to have one to replace it in about a month.

:(

With the adapter connected (but no laptop) both of these guys would hummmmmm me a little tune. It wasn't a useful tune, but it sure did run the battery down. Without being connected to a laptop, a fully charged battery wouldn't even last the 5 hours it was supposed to power a mobile computer.

after working with it, I found that removing the main cable from the battery prevents the battery from draining. It won't power my laptop for most than a few hours and I have a low power consumption laptop (a VAIO PCG-TR3A .) I am assuming that same defect is draining the battery while it charges the laptop.

:(


Sorry guys, it's back to the drawing boards with this one...

Verizon Wireless High Speed / Broadband

Simple: Get it!

There are three major faults to my Verizon High Speed Wireless service:

1. It took too long to get here.
2. There were complications with installation of the hardware.
3. The program that manages the wireless connection does not like to go to sleep. (Or, maybe it's the PCMCIA card's drivers, who knows.)

We'll talk about these later.

The rest is great news!

I've gotten caught back up on my e-mail and done several other projects that were impossible to find the time to do.

With my little bitty Sony VAIO (PCG-TR3A) and Verizon, I have what someone described by saying:

"It looks like you laptop and balckberry got together and had a child."

For a flat rate you get unlimited data. Some of their materials muddy the water a bit on this subject. Apparently they were'nt sure if the service would have umlimited data usage or not. It is unlimited even though the documentation and agreements will sometimes refer to overage charges, etc.

The performance of this connection is often better than what I would expect from a DSL line. It is still slower than my Cable Line, but hey, isn't it great to even be in a class where it can be compared to cable.

When out of range for the high speed service, it automatically kicks back to a speed that is comparable or a little faster than a modem connection.

Coverage is great! San Antonio is designated on their map as not having coverage. On the contrary, it had great coverage and the connection was smokin'.

I went out to the country a few hours north of Houston where my father-in-law has some property. I was in a location where he normally can't get a signal on his cell phone. Even there I was able to get a (fragile) connection to the Internet.

This is not you father's CDPD.


A few days ago I drove halfway across Dallas on highway 635, notorious for it's traffic. It was closer to a parking lot than a freeway. I was consistently stopped for extended periods of time.

I was uploading some picutres (several at about 800k each) to my website (www.wanderinphotos.com), listening to two internet radio feeds (adjusting the volume back and forth) and receiving e-mail! I never lost my connection!

The next day, I went to take pictures of my best-man's first-son's baptism. Before I was home, the pictures were on the Internet for him and his family to share.

On this list of gadgets, it a keeper!

Back to the cons:

When you install the software, reboot after evey step. The instructions that came with the hardware don't even make sense. Don't try to follow them. When I first had problem and took it back to the salesguy, he told me that he hadn't seen one yet that didn't have problems the first time.

Next he said "We'll re-do it and make sure we follow the instructions closely."

He was embarressed to find that that wasn't possible and quickly started looking for a phone number to get help.

Install the drivers first. Then reboot after each major step completes. If things go wrong, go to the system applet int he control panel, sue the harware tab to remove the driver for the card and start over fromt here.

On my second laptop I managed a complete installation without problems becasue I followed my own advice from above.


I'm not sure what can be done about the sleeping problem. I have just gotten in the habit of shutting down the connection manager before I put my laptop to sleep.

On the plus side, the connection manager can be set to manage you WiFi connections as well. It will even know to drop the cellular connection for a local (faster) WiFi connection. When I get home, it asks me if I want to drop the connection in favor of my home network.

An even greater bonus is this: The connection manager stabilizes my WiFi connection. Apparently, some Centrino WiFi chipsets have problems keeping a connection under Windows XP. I have one of those chipsets. Since I installed the software, my home WiFi connection has stabilized.


Happy surfing...

Christian Farmer



keywords: Verizon, Broadband, Wireless Internet, Wireless Boradband, VZAccess, PC5220, National Access

Archos PMA 430

Due out at the end of January is one of my greatest regrets.

It's the same old thing. Buy a good product and a month later they come out with something you never expected.

My Archos 480 is the ultimate "What is this" device that does som many things well, I don't know what to tell people when they ask me what it is.

The PMA 430 will take this to new extremes.

How do I get my hands on one of these...

---------------------------------------------

At the Consumer Electronics Show 2005 on January 6, 2005, Archos introduced the Pocket Media Assistant PMA430, a new generation of ARCHOS smart portable devices that combines full audio and video capabilities with wireless connectivity and a new Linux® platform in one slim, pocket-sized product. The PMA430 (previously referred to as the AV500) is the most versatile portable video recorder/player (PVR/PVP) on the market today.
With the PMA430, Archos extends its focus on helping consumers eliminate multiple portable devices by combining essential entertainment features—music, video, photos and gaming—with Internet access in one integrated handheld product. The PMA430 features the same slim, sleek and light-weight form factor as the industry-standard PVR/PVP AV400, with additional revolutionary features that put it generations ahead of competing PVPs. The PMA430 includes an LCD touch screen for fast and easy navigation, a 30 gigabyte Hitachi hard drive, and the ability to act as a USB Host for attaching other mass storage peripherals, such as digital cameras, keyboards, hard drives and other portable devices. The new Linux platform allows for customized applications to be written specifically for the PMA430.
The PMA430 continues the ARCHOS tradition of letting consumers record video directly from a TV, VCR, cable box or satellite receiver, schedule recordings, record and play video and music, and view photos in multiple ways. The PMA430 now features several ways to connect to the Internet, gaming features and light personal information manager applications.
Enjoy All Your Personal Entertainment Wherever You Go
The Pocket Media Assistant PMA430 offers a range of unique ways to experience and enjoy favorite entertainment content:
* Record, Store and Play Back up to 120 Hours of Video1
Record video directly from a TV, VCR, cable box or satellite receiver; schedule recordings remotely; and store up to 120 hours* of TV content or 60 full-length movies* in MPEG-4 SP format.
* Record, Store and Listen to more than 6500 songs1 or 650 CDs1
Record and play MP3, WAV and WMA music files (including Windows Media DRM protected files) with the enhanced music center, and use the ARCLibrary to view by artist, albums, genre, title, year, and playlists. Create a playlist while on the go using the touch-screen and record your own voice through the internal microphone.
* Transfer and View up to 300,000 Thousand Photos1
Transfer, store and view up to 300,000 photos (JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF files) directly from another mass storage device or digital camera using the built-in USB host connection, or computer using the high-speed USB 2.0 interface.
* Play Games
Play Mophun™ and Qtopia™ games found on the device or downloaded from the ARCHOS web site.
Stay Connected While on the Road
Essential applications make the PMA430 the first smart entertainment device:
* Connect via Wi-Fi, Ethernet Cable and IrDA
The PMA430 features built-in 802.11b Wi-Fi for accessing the Internet from any wireless hotspot, or you can connect to the Internet via Ethernet with an optional USB Ethernet adaptor or by using the IrDA port of your mobile phone.
* Customize Your PMA430 with Linux-based Applications
The new Linux platform allows you to customize the PMA430 by creating and/or adding third-party software compatible with Linux 1.5 or higher.
* Browse the Internet and Stay Connected
Connect to stock quotes, check sport scores, read news and stay connected using the Opera™ Web browser.
* Connect to a Number of USB Devices Anywhere you Are
The PMA430 connects via USB 2.0 (backward USB 1.1 compatible) and acts as a USB Host for transferring files directly from other powered mass storage devices such as other ARCHOS products, digital cameras, Ethernet adapters, keyboards and portable hard drives.
* Send and Receive E-mail
The PMA430 features an e-mail client enabling you to read, create and send e-mails from personal and business e-mail accounts (POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP protocols supported).



* Stay Productive on the Road
Personal information manager software from Qtopia offers a large number of applications such as an address book, agenda, calendar, and more, with the PMA430 able to synchronize contacts, tasks, to-do list and appointments from computers running Microsoft Outlook™.
Optional Accessories, Pricing, Availability
Optional Archos accessories for the PMA430 include a USB-to-Ethernet cable to connect to Local Area Networks for fast Internet access, replaceable battery, USB Keyboard, styli four pack, AV travel kit, car adaptor, travel case and stand-up travel case for propping up the PMA430 to watch videos on the road. The Pocket Media Assistant PMA430 comes with a TV Cradle, remote control, headphones, protective flap, stylus, removable battery, USB 2.0 cable, power adapter and universal power plugs.
The PMA430 will start shipping in later this month for a price of $799.95, and will be available at major retailers nationwide and on the Archos web site at www.archos.com <http://www.archos.com/> .
Product Specifications
Capacity:
30GB
Interfaces:
High-speed USB 2.0, compatible USB 1.1, PC & Mac USB Host port compatible Mass Storage Device Built-in WiFi connection (802.11b technology) IRDA 115 kb/s port
Operating system:
Linux Qtopia™ with embedded ARCHOS multimedia applications
Video playback:
MPEG-4 SP with MP3 or ADPCM stereo sound, near DVD quality up to 704x480 @ 30 f/s (MTSC), 720x576 @ 25 f/s (PAL), AVI file format
Video recording:
MPEG-4 SP with MP3 stereo sound, near SVCD quality (optimised resolution for standard TV through composite video line-in) with up to 512x384 @ 30 f/s, in AVI format
Music playback:
Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 kb/s CBR & VBR, WMA (including Microsoft® PD DRM protected files), WAV
Music recording:
From any analog source into MP3 or WAV (PCM) format Voice recording with built-in microphone
Photo viewer:
JPEG , PNG, GIF or BMP
PIM functionalities:
Qtopia™ software to manage your address book, agenda, calendar, calculator. PDF viewer
Games:
Qtopia™ embedded games and Mophun™ game engine to play games downloadable from Archos web-site
Display:
3.5" TFT transflective touch screen (QVGA) 320x240 pixels, 262,000 colors and TV output
AV connections:
Composite Video/ E Earphone/Line Out jack. Built-in microphone and speaker. TV cradle to connect to TV with analog audio/video In & Out to RCA jacks, S-video In, and IR receiver for remote and IR emitter for tuner control, SCART In & Out for European version. Travel audio-video kit in option to record audio and video analog source on the move
Battery life:
Up to 4 hours* for video playback or 9.5 hours* for music Removable battery; additional battery available as an option
Scalability:
Download firmware updates from www.archos.com
Power source:
Internal: rechargeable Li-Ion batteries External: AC charger/adapter
Dimensions:
Approx. 125 x 78 x 20 mm (4.9" x 3.1" x 0.8")
Weight:
280 g (9.9 oz)
System requirements:
PC: Pentium® III 800 MHz or higher, Windows 98 SE (with driver downloaded from ARCHOS web-site), ME, 2000 or XP. 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended) with USB port and CD-ROM drive Mac: 9.2 or X (10.2.4) USB Manager version 1.2 or higher with USB port and CD-ROM drive
1 GB = 1 billion bytes. Formatted capacity is less.
Part number: 500595
UPC Code: 690590 505957
Freguently Asked Questions
What is the ARCHOS Pocket Media Assistant PMA400?
The ARCHOS Pocket Media Assistant PMA400 is the world’s first handheld portable video player to combine full audio and video capabilities with wireless connectivity, a Linux® platform and a personal information manager – all in one slim, pocket-sized device.
What are the main features of the PMA400?
Be Entertainment Whenever You Go
* Video – Record video directly from a TV, VCR, cable box or satellite receiver; schedule recordings remotely; and store and play back up to 120* hours of TV content, or 60* full-length movies in MPEG-4 SP format.
* Audio – Record and listen to more than 6,500* songs, or 650* CDs, in the MP3, WAV and WMA (including Windows Media DRM protected files) formats; view by artist, albums, genre, title, year and playlists; create playlists while on the go using the touch screen; and record your own voice using the internal microphone.
* Photos – Transfer, store and view up to 300,000* photos (JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF files) directly from your PC or another mass storage device, such as a camera.
* Games – Play Mophun™ and Qtopia™ games found on the device or downloaded from the ARCHOS web site.

Stay Connected

* Wireless – Access the Internet from any wireless hotspot with built-in 802.11b WiFi, or connect via Ethernet with an optional USB Ethernet adaptor or your mobile phone’s IrDA port.
* Linux – Customize by creating and/or adding third-party software compatible with Linux 1.5 or higher.
* Internet – Browse the Internet, connect to stock quotes, check sport scores, read news and stay connected using the Opera™ Web browser.
* USB 2.0 – Connect to a number of mass storage devices via USB 2.0 (backward USB 1.1 compatible) for transferring files directly from other ARCHOS products, digital cameras, Ethernet adapters, keyboards and portable hard drives.
* Email – Read, create and send e-mails from personal and business e-mail accounts (POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP protocols supported).
* Productivity – Keep on top of your address book, agenda, calendar, and more, with Qtopia’s personal information manager software that synchronizes contacts, tasks, to-do list and appointments from computers running Microsoft Outlook™.
How does it relate to the Pocket Video Recorder AV400?
The PMA400 incorporates all the same popular multimedia functionalities of the AV400, but adds exciting new features such as wireless connectivity, an Internet browser, Linux platform for customizing applications, PDA features, and an office suite.
What is the capacity of the hard drive?
The PMA400 ships with a 30GB Hitachi hard drive.
What formats does it support?
The PMA400 reads the open standard formats needed for mobile entertainment:
* Video: MPEG-4 SP video files with MP3 or WAV ADPCM sound track. Reads DivX®** 4.0 & 5.0, XviD™
* Audio: MP3, WMA (including copy protected files with Microsoft® PD DRM) and WAV (PCM and ADPCM)
* Images: JPEG, PNG and BMP
What is the storage capacity for movies, music and photos?
* Record, store and play back up to 120* hours of video (TV) content or 60* full-length movies.
* Record, store and listen to more than 6,500* songs, or 650* CDs.
* Transfer and view up to 300,000* photos.
What is the quality for video playback and recording?
The PMA400 plays back MPEG-4 video files at full DVD resolution up to 704x480 at 30 frames per second. It also records (encoded in real-time) SVCD quality – optimized resolution for standard TV through composite video line-in up to 512x384 at 30 frames per second.
Will you offer an SDK for developers?
Yes, we will introduce an SDK and special Web site designed for accessing applications for the PMA400 when the product is available, at the end of January.
Does it offer games?
One free Mophun™ game is included on the device, and additional games can be purchased directly on the ARCHOS web site (www.archos.com <http://www.archos.com/> ). There is also a series of games ready for play in the included PDA software.
What types of files can be viewed on the device?
A high-resolution 320x240 transflective screen (or TV display using the integrated office file viewer) gives consumers the power to view:
* Microsoft* Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents
* HTML web pages with frames, images and links
* JPEG, PNG, and BMP bitmap images in color or black and white
* Text and CSV files, WMF and EMF diagrams (and soon Adobe PDF documents)
What types of DRM does the device support?
The PMA400 features WMA DRM compatible with Windows Media Player 10, supporting all major online music stores.
What is the battery life?
The PMA400 offers up to 10 hours of music playback and 4-5 hours of video playback between charges.
What additional items come with the device?
The PMA400 ships with a TV cradle, remote control, headphones, protective flap, stylus, removable battery, USB 2.0 cable, power adapter and universal power plugs.
What additional accessories are available?
Optional accessories include a USB-to-Ethernet cable, replacement battery, USB keyboard, styli 4-pack, AV travel kit, car adaptor, travel case and stand-up travel case.
What is pricing and availability?
The PMA400 will be available worldwide in January 2005 at major retailers nationwide and on the ARCHOS website (www.archos.com <http://www.archos.com/> ). The suggested retail price is $799.95 U.S. and 799.99€ (including VAT) in Europe.

Nikon D70

No gadget is more enjoyable to me than my D70. When I found out that the D70 had been released and saw is specifications, I realize I would get to enjoy photography again.

I originally went digital so we could easily use photgraphs from our trips to share with people. I was driven to doing this when i returned from my first trip to Russia with about 700 really great pictures. (and that's not bad for shooting over 1500 shots.)

When two weeks of photo-shooting leads to two month of developing, you've got a problem. Especially when it puts you in the red!

Sadly, when I went to digital I lost much of the versatility I had become accustomed to.

It was nice to be able to take pictures with worry about the cost. i realize that some photographer out there cringe at this idea, but hey, I call myself an amatuer so I don't have to one of them.

Archos 480 PVR - Personal Video Recorder

What exactly is this device? Archos sells this as a Personal Video Recorder, a personal version of the category made famous by TiVo.

The Archos 480 PVR is great, but it certainly doesn't replace my TiVo, or for that matter, my computer based PVR. At the same time, I'm really happy to have and carry it with me all over the place.

Can it record all your T.V. progrmas for you? Well, yes, It can. But,... what good is a device that is supposed to sit around recording your programs for you if your going to want to take it with you on the road (where it can't be recording for you any more.) These guys got the details down, but missed the big point.

They may have jsut settled on marketing it as a PVR because it was the best use they could nail down that they figured the market would buy. But, there are many others uses for this device.

It would be great as a portable security camera recorder. With 80 gigs, you should be able to put an awful lot of video on the Archos 480.

Rather than a PVR I look at it as a very versatile device for techies. Archos must have been thinking this as well. Why else would they have included a Flash Memory reader on the side. A PVR with an 80 gig harddrive does need access to Flash Memory. Even if you come up with a use case, I bet it would include recording to the Flash Memory which is not supported. Compact Flash cards are read-only.

The version I bought has an 80 Gigabyte harddrive. Mine is full already, but much of that is just stuff in transport. It's a very fast harddrive and paired with a USB 2.0 cable you have a huge portable harddrive that can run on batteries for a while if needed. Back up your laptop in the field and you'll still probably have some space left for your favorite shows.

A few weeks ago I went on an international trip and took the 480 with me. I used it to back up photos from my compact flash cards (a great use for the 480 that would justiy it's expense for a pro photographer. In fact, it's better at this than devices dedicated to this purpose; and faster at it.)

So how do you get your shows recorded. My answer is Beyond TV on a dedicated PC. This is a subject for another review but their's a lot to be said for using a PC for your DVR, especially if you have an Archos 480. They make a poweful combination. The word synergy comes to mind...

I'm not saying you can't record with the Archos. I tried it out jsut for kicks. It does a great job.

It was odd to me to find that the Archos 480 can not charge from a USB port. So, I figured out a way to do it.

Interestingly, the Archos 480 is powered by a five volt plug with a positive center tap. To many people, that means nothing. Interestingly though, this plug and voltage configuration is also used by some other products I have. Spcifically, this is the same voltage USB ports supply.

My old Nokia phone could be charged from a USB post with a special cable. After making my own cable, I found that this cable was exactly the same configuration. :(

Now I have two of these cables and never use the one I made.

Since I view this as an in-the field device, I was anxious to buy the portable version of the 480's video cable. This cable provides the most critical functions of the docking station. When the price on the website changed from "coming soon" to "$19.95", I placed an order. That was two weeks ago. All I can get back at Archos is voice mail. My e-mail hasn't been answered either. :(

As an amatuer photographer, one of my favorite uses for this device is to back-up my photo cards in the field.



There next great thing coming rom Archos looks a lot like the Archos 400 series with an even bigger verison of "What exactly is this device?" Their new device will include PIM functionality and access to the Linux OS. It's too big to be a PDA. Too small to be the perfect media center.

If you don't have an immediate need, I would wait and see how this new device plays out. It seems well positioned to have a cult following that stays dedicate to the device long after comany does while never reaching mainstream use.

Probably though it will be just right for a lot of techy users looking for the gadget that does a lot and does it well. I imagine there will be a lot of one-off uses for this device that only it will fill. I have already seen some Archos's video devices in "spy equiptment" stores.

SmugMug Professional Level *****

Along with owning a digital SLR comes a new problem. What to do with all those pictures?

Let's face it, the cost of film and developing is the one thing that forces you as a photographer to be selective about what pictures to take. At to this the problem of not being able to change out you film speed without finishing off the roll, and film photographer are just down right encourage to miss some great shots.

Going to a digital SLR (or any digi-cam for that matter) is bound to make you want to take shots you wouldnt have. Arguably, many of these shots shouldn't be taken. But that's what the delete button is for.

Between my Nikon D70, my very portable VAIO laptop, very usable Verizon Broadband Wireless card and SMugMug.com, I'm getting invited to take pictures a lot more often and I'm taking a while lot more when I go.

Not only do I have the control to get great shots, but I can upload them while I'm taking more shots and still on-site. A few weeks ago, my best friends son was Christened. I was uploading the pictures on my way home from the shoot!

SmugMug, like the D70 is a revolution that had to come sometime and one that I was waiting for.

You know, one of those things you can't find anywhere but periodically find your self Googling just to see if someone has finally brought it to market.

SmugMug's service has been great. I have only found one problem with them to date. Namely, they won't allow me to customize the metatag keywords on my pages. They all default to things like "SmugMug" and "photo album." These keywords aren't the ones seen by people, but the ones search engines use to help people find your pages.

Mind you, when I say they don't let me do this, it is an issue of technical implmentation, not an issue of policy restriction. These guys are very open with there system. I'm just looking for something they didn't think was important enough to support when they were implementing the system.

If I were using any of the other services, I wouldn't even think of the problem becasue their systems are so closed, they wouldn't even have an offering strong enough to get close to having this problem.

The guys at the help desk took my criticism openly and said it would be a topic of discussion for a near future release. So, my one gripe may be resolved by the time you are reading this.

SmugMug offers unlimited uploads of your pictures. They do not run ads on your pages. That up to you, if you choose (I recommend google ads.)

If you enable "printing" (and this option is VERY configurable) people will be able to order prints on-line. I ordered a few to see what people would be getting and I was quite impressed.

Here's the great thing, you set the prices and share in the profits. In fact, the lions share of the profit goes to you for anything over their base price. Their base prices comapare to Wolf's Camera's discounted prices (which are not really super cheap, but a good price for good pictures.)

I generally send my important pictures to the local Wolf's (Ritz) Camera. They take pride in their work and always seem to do a great job. There prints are top-notch. At least, I thought.

Now, I have to say that SmugMug's third party printer is Top-notch.

The printer is a third party becasue SmugMugs mission is to make the best site for photographers. There a bit of a technical slanting to them as well. While their interfaces are extremely easy to use and self explainatory, they still alow you to customize many aspects of your site right down to the HTML level. Additionally, SmugMug pulishes (for everyone's use) an API to their system.

I would describe their system as open to the degree that is possible while still giving their users a reliable system that meets it's intended purpose.

They aren't stingy either. If you're big into things like eBay, SmugMug will host your pictures and allow you to link to them from external sites. In theory, your could create your own photo site and link directly to the pictures at SmugMug; allowing you to use you own interface.

I wouldn't though. The SmugMug interface is the perfect balance between performance, sophistication and ease of use.

These guys aren't only smart but they have a very "open" attitude about their system.

While they can provide you with a "sub-domain" of smugmug (ex. joes_photos.smugmug.com), you are perfectly free to set up your own domain and direct DNS for your webserver to their servers (ex. www. joes_pictures .com .) Please note that these are examples only and are not intended to direct your toward any particular domain.


SmugMug: Try it; then buy it!

Well worth it.