UHD launched in South Korea

Ultra High Definition TV which is four times clearer than HD TV has been launched in South Korea. It is the first country outside the inventor country, NHK Japan.

http://english.etnews.com/enterainment/2801235_1305.html

Most of our Flat panel TV is now in HD 1080p (1920 x 1080p) but the content from Assthrow is NOT at 1080p but at 720p (  a minimum at entry level for High Definition). One just cannot imagine that all new TV programs are produced, edited and recorded on HD BUT transmitted to us at standard definition even via Assthrow or Unified!!! Images are also distorted (squeezed or stretched) to fit the TV picture ratio of 16:9 from the old fomat of 4:3. Just go to Unified TV to look. Malu!

Our Ministry of Broadcasting's go at high definition is still stuck inside some cupboard and would they be launching when things go obsolete? They were then testing the 720p way back in 2008!!!

Ultra High Definition's resolution is at 3840 x 2160 (2160p) It is also known as 4K.
You can read more of UHD at Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_definition_television

We are at a loss as why Malaysia, our beloved country keeps boasting of so much 'first' this and that but lack technological advancement that could create more jobs in this creative field.
Just compare the benefits.

 
Wake up Malaysians!!!

A Failure!

3D : A Proven Failure!

Some 6 years ago, I did a silent forecast about the re-emergence of the Three Dimensional format. During my youth days, I saw cineflix such as "The 13 Ghost" in black & white, right up to remakes/reissues in 3D at the cinemas. And then, they brought it into the idiot box, the TV.

The TV technology used in our country was so far behind and out-of-time that the more urgent thing the authorities should do was to quickly introduce HD (High Definition in 1080p) instead of depending on the Assthrow's 720p (1080i).
Then, so many who are ignorant about HD, Full HD (fool's HD) jumped into the pool of confusion, ended up buying TVs that they could not use it to the fullest unless one has a Blu-Ray player.
Some even spent extra on 3D without knowing the whole story. Is it because the sales person who coax you on a bargain resulted on your decision?

Just look at TM's Hypo TV service. We chucked our unify's box top set into the trash. I felt more being insulted using that 'free' TV. It is not on HD as suggested and it is more of 'streaming TV'. Those so called 'free' programs are now chargeable and we end up getting some low class rejects plus the usual seven worthless local TV stations.

Back to the 3D frustration.

Just what is it that we, here in Malaysia wants to see in 3D? The shows are very limited. Just how many TV stations shows 3D? Assthrow? Unify? local stations? Fat hopes.

How about DVD? Hey DVD is 'old tech' and the quality do not exceed 600p. Only the Blu-Ray has 1080p. Unless one also uses a media player there is no other way to watch HD programmes let alone 3D. 3D seriously need HD  frequency to broadcast off air and at present we do not have even one TV station in HD. The ministry is so lacking that all video production in HD are broadcast in the old SD(standard definition) which is about 43 years old! All production equipment even in angkasapuri,are in HD. The cameras, lighting, editing, etc are in HD. The problem lies in the old transmission equipment. they failed to spend the necessary mulla.
Then, how could 3D succeed?

Just read what Bob Zitter of HBO (Home Box Office) has to say on the failure.
http://www.eoshd.com/content/9856/3d-a-proven-failure-4k-unlikely-to-succeed-hbo

Japan and other advanced countries are now broadcasting in UHD (Ultra High Definition) 4K.

So folks, please stop helping them (the dealers) to clear their stocks by paying more.

3D is proven dead (again)

Meow!

Skater Dolly Video Clip

Smooth Operator

Kindly view the HD video clip below to see the panning/trucking effect used when my camera was mounted on a DIY skater dolly. It was then edited on Sony Vegas HD software.
A Leica macro lens was fixed onto the Lumix GH2 camera to shoot on the 24p cinema mode.

C&C most appreciated.

Ultra Close-Up

Our resident bird,

the Olive-backed Sunbird in HD Video

The set-up took 4 days.

Under the cover of heavy shading and camouflage, our Alpha male in full breeding plumage struck a pose.

He co-operated by sitting pretty, preening and cleaning and what a handsome guy he is.

He's got competition because there is another guy around.

He is our new visitor.

We are proud to announce that another species have just visited our home. He is a cousin of the Olive-backed (Nectarinia jugularis) [below].

The brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) [above] have arrived. He is much bigger and have more colors than the Olive-backed.

This new pair ( a gurl too) have made a nest on our mango tree.

Yup, the same tree that the pesky kitty was lurking above. (Please see my last post)

We are patiently waiting to complete another ultra close-up shot on this new bird.

Btw, the kitty is no more.

Yup, conked!

According to a neighbour of ours, the bad kitty got hit by a truck!!!

I suspect that all da birds have something to do with this! Ha!Ha!

Let us watch the Olive-back Sunbird video here.

Great Sounds

ASTRO's B.yond
Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio
Complications explained

After installing Astro's HD B.yond three weeks ago, I have tested for the availability of the Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio coming in via the B.yond box.
As at today from 4pm to 5pm, the following TV Channels from Astro were found to have the DD5.1 audio.

As usual, all the four HD Channels were in full DD5.1. They are:-
1) Channel 431 -HBO HD -"US Marshals"
2) Channel 573- National Geo HD -"The Universe"
3) Channel 575 -History HD -"Hunter Hunted"
4) Channel 831- ASSP HD -" (L) "USPGA"

A surprise was that some non-HD channels are also in Dolby Digital 5.1 . All others such as TV1, TV2, TV3 and the rest are in plain stereo.

These surprising non-HD channels are:- Channel 413 Star Movies "Hero Wanted", Channel 411 (same as HD's) HBO, Channel 702 Hallmark "The King and Queen of Moonlight", Channel 705 HITZ" Hitz Dosage", Channel 713 MTV "Made", Channel 714 [V] "Backtracks" and shockingly our local NTV7 (on Channel 107) a Hokkien soap drama "Strokes of Life"!! Bravo NTV7!

The radio channels are also in DD5.1! Nice!

To read more about DD5.1 go here to see or if you wish, go here to do a speaker test.
Many have asked me how to go about this connection. Many are still confused about the cables.

Like I have mentioned before, it is a very simple understanding. There are only two ways to go about it.

ONE, if you do not have an external amplifier or a Home theatre set up, you cannot enjoy the Dolby Digital 5.1 function. That would mean that only one cable is required to connect it to your HD TV. That would be the HDMI cable.

This cable carries the HD video signal and the audio only to the HD TV. Almost all HD TV do not have audio DD5.1 feature.

TWO, a separate audio cable called "Digital Co-axial Audio Cable" which is a single cable with a RCA head at each end.

Below is a higher end 'extreme quality' Digital Co-axial Cable made by 'Monster' which is certified by THX. Remember that you get what you pay for.
This specially constructed ultra high quality and technologically correct cable is capable of handling more that Dolby Digital signals unlike the old 'red & white' audio cables. This cable is connected directly from Astro's B.yond box to the Amplifier or Receiver/Home Theatre system. The sound volume from the TV is then lowered or switched off. Your amplifier would then do its job. Five plus one speakers are required for true DD5.1 which would be i) front left & right, centre, rear left & right and a sub-woofer (total : 5 speakers and a sub-woofer). Poorer quality co-ax. cables may pose some audio 'sync' problems. Be smart, buy smart.

The outdated, obsolete composite red, white and yellow cables is bad news for HD. It is for analogue video such as Video Tape Recorders, old camcorders...etc. Quickly throw them away before you get more confused. Want to see something funny?
Go visit an electrical shop/outlet. They ARE still using these! You will be more confused if you ask these shop assistants questions! Trust me!

By the way, I am not into DD5.1 anymore. My new Onkyo Receiver produces Dolby Digital 7.1! Played a Blu-Ray music concert disc "Hit Man- David Foster" Wowie! 7.1 Bingo!

PS3 Game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare2 in full Dolby Digital 7.1 is out of this World. 1080p some more!

Way To Go!

ASTRO in HD Next Month

Astro announces their intention to launch HDTV (High Definition TV) next month.

This long overdue 'technology' was tested by terresterial TV (RTM) early last year but nothing came of it. Astro decision to start is a welcomed news.
Many have changed from the old 29" CRT (cathode ray tube TV) to LCD TV but were made to suffer poor picture quality due to changing technologies. It is hard to watch 300p to 400p video signals from a 720p LCD TV sets. Let alone on a 1080p full HD TV set.

HDTV also comes with High Definition Audio.

The Star biz news report here.

It looks like Astro is getting back a customer. Me!

Some very interesting HDTV sites:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television

http://www.cnet.com/hdtv-world/

http://www.howstuffworks.com/hdtv.htm

The Stork have arrived!

NEW BABY!
The Panasonic HDC-TM300

Just purchased a new camcorder today.

This new baby was launched last week. Needing a High Definition video camera to record on the new AVCHD format, I selected this model because it is the best at the moment. I chose this over my other favourite brand, the Sony. Panasonic have taken this model as their flagship and with advanced features in technology, they made it affordable too. This left Sony way behind!!!!

The main plus points are as follows:-

1) Full Solid State Recording without any (HDD) Hard Disk Drive. It is on SDCard.
2) 3xMOS 1/4.1" Sensors. That means three sensors. Not one!
3) Optional Manual Controls for focusing, zoom, aperture,shutter speed & white balance!
4) Zoom microphone control including Dolby5.1 System.

5) Leica Dicomar lenses with 12x Optical Zoom
6) Full High Definition 1920x1080 AVCHD format.
7) 10.6 megapixels still picture recording.
8) HD Crystal Engine.
9) Ultra small in size and weigh only 385 gms (less battery)

It will take a while to build-up my HD footage and will be featuring some clips on You Tube in HD format soon.

As for shooting birds in the wild, this time in HD video, I am planning to marry this camcorder to the Swarovski STS 80 HD Spotting Scope. This is really getting up close and personal!

Of course, storage of HD files in preparation of HD video editing, my data banks of HDD is ready and is at 5TB Raid system.
It is gonna be a lot of work!