Best of Piano Spa: Serenity

Warner Music Singapore has released the second Piano Spa compilation since "Piano Spa: The Timeless Collection" in April 2010. This new compilation, titled Best of Piano Spa: Serenity, is the perfect companion to the "Timeless" compilation. You will be pleased to know that there are no duplicate tracks between the 2 collections.

This new album collects 4 CDs totalling 48 tracks from Piano Spa 1 - 5. If you have missed the previous 5 albums, there is no better time to get both compilation albums.

Get your copy at all good music stores before they sell out.



International Order: please click the below Paypal button to purchase at US$29.95 including shipping charges.

LG Optimus 3D (P920) Review

LG Optimus 3D is one of the few consumer devices that lets you watch 3D content without any special glasses. This alone is enough to justify getting this smartphone and experience 3D-anywhere immediately.

Tri-Dual Technology
Besides the usual Android OS, the Optimus 3D claims to offer faster user experience with 1GHz dual-core, dual-channel, dual-memory. In reality, there is no remarkable difference. The phone exhibits the occasional lag typical of Android, and 3D apps actually take a little longer to load. But once loaded, the apps run smoothly. You can expand the internal 8GB memory with an external microSD card supporting up to 32GB.

It's 3D!
And the best part of all: no glasses needed! This is so liberating. I have come across many consumer cameras that already support capturing photos in 3D. However, the photos require a 3DTV to view. With Optimus 3D, you can experience your 3D footage on the screen! Till now I am still amazed at how this is possible. The following wiki page might help you (and I) understand how it is achieved.

To encourage 3D use, LG provides a dedicated 3D Hot Key for instant access to 3D content. I would prefer this button to be customisable to do other functions, like a camera shutter button. LG also throws in several 3D pre-loaded premium games like Asphalt 6, Let's Golf 2, and 3D video clips to help you impress your peers. Non-3D videos can also be simulated to display in 3D on the phone, and although not as impressive as 3D footage, it still manages to give some depth.

Be warned! 3D is not for everyone. I've shown the phone to many friends, and few of them experienced headache even after a few seconds of watching. Some may have difficulty "seeing" the 3D effect. Personally, I have no problems experiencing it. Therefore, if you are unable to see the effect, try not to blame the phone, ya?

Content-Friendly
Optimus 3D is one of the few Android devices that can play all my sample video files of varying encoded formats smoothly, from MP4 to MKV. On top of that, the phone can display 3D content, making the Optimus 3D a versatile multimedia device. In addition, the standard mini-HDMI port outputs the screen display onto HDTV.

Optimus 3D comes with a PC software called On-screen Phone, which mirrors the phone display on the PC. You can control the phone by using the mouse to mimic finger gestures. There are even on-screen buttons to adjust volume or turn off the phone.

Camera Quality
The 5-megapixel camera doesn't capture great 2D images, but gets away with 3D footage (maximum 3MP) because it uses less pixels to display on screen. I seriously doubt anyone would still shoot 2D with the Optimus 3D. A feature that I like for taking 2D photos is the continuous shot function, which fires 6 consecutive shots in 2MP sizes.

One disappointment is that LG did not include any video-editing apps that can let me trim or stitch 3D videos or 3D photos. While videos can be uploaded to YouTube which supports 3D content, 3D images do not have such luck as it is saved in JPS format. Tip: download freeware XnView and you can open JPS files to edit or crop.

Weight
With dual cameras and special 4.3" LCD screen, one cannot expect the Optimus 3D to be lightweight. But the phone feels solid, Battery life is average, and as you get all hyped about consuming lots of 3D content, the battery will drain faster.

Competition?
The only other 3D smartphone in the market is the HTC EVO 3D. I have never tried the HTC model, but here are some spec comparison:

LG is better for
- Full 1080p 2D video recording (HTC: 720p)
- 8GB internal memory (HTC: 1GB)
- HDMI connector (HTC: none)


HTC is better for
- 1.2 GHz dual processor (LG: 1GHz)
- Bluetooth 3.0 (LG: 2.1)
- 1730mAh battery (LG: 1540mAh)

Should I Buy 3D?
If you love 3D visuals - without glasses - then the Optimus 3D will wow your senses. The price is not much expensive compared to other top-end Android smartphones, and the Optimus 3D does come with equally impressive specs to make it worth the price. Even if not for 3D, the phone is a great video player that lets you playback many popular file formats smoothly, or even output the video via HDMI to any HDTV. With recording devices like Optimus 3D, you can start to create your memories in 3D.

Experiencing Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix

My dad got passes to the Formula 1 Grand Prix Day 2 (Saturday) race at Zone 1. Thanks to dad, I experienced the F1 race for the first time.

NX11 16mm F2.4 1/350s ISO100

Instead of bringing my bulky DSLR, I brought the compact Samsung NX11 and the latest 16mm and 18-200mm lenses. I also threw in the Nikon 10.5mm fish-eye lens with the NX-mount Nikon adapter I recently bought.

EXIF: NX100 18-55mm at 55mm F5.6 1/50s ISO800

Manual focusing with the 10.5mm can get a little tricky, because with the extreme wide-angle, I was barely able to see the focus accuracy on the LCD screen. But I discovered a little trick: look for moire effect on the subject area that you want to be in focus.

NX11 Nikon 10.5mm F2.8 1/100s ISO100

NX11 16mm Panorama mode

There was never a serious intention to capture the F1 cars using my consumer-grade setup, but I was happy with the versatility of my lens combo, which covers from 10.5mm to 200mm focal length. The NX11 did well in offering both the EVF and the AMOLED 3" monitor to frame my shots.

Still images do not justify the exhilaration of F1 race, so I captured the moments in video.

Too fast? Here's a 80fps footage taken with Fujifilm Finepix F550EXR.

It's an interesting perspective when you shoot at a slower fps. Here's a better catch of the Porsche Carrera Cup.

Personally, I prefer to watch the F1 race action at home, but being on-location with all the noise is an entirely different experience. Love the carnival mood.

NX11 16mm F2.4 1/160s ISO100

NX11 18-200mm at 18mm F5 1/125s ISO100

NX11 18-200mm at 20mm F6.3 1/60s ISO200

NX11 18-200mm at 18mm F6.3 1/40s ISO1600

NX11 18-200mm at 200mm F6.3 1/80s ISO1600

NX11 16mm F2.4 1/20s ISO1600

NX11 18-200mm at 200mm F6.3 1/160s ISO1600

NX11 Nikon 10.5mm F2.8 1/3s ISO400

NX11 Nikon 10.5mm F2.8 1/10s ISO400

Samsung NX mount 16mm & 18-200mm Lens: Quick Look

Samsung has kept NX owners waiting for the longest time, but I finally got them for review - the 16mm F2.4 and 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OIS lenses.

16mm F2.4 iFn
This extremely lightweight lens at 75g offers 24mm equivalent focal length on 35mm format. i-Function button gives access to shooting parameters like Aperture, Shutter, ISO and WB instantly. The pack comes with a pouch to protect the lens. Lens mount is metal.

18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OIS iFn
This all-in-one travel lens with image stabiliser offers much-needed versatility for the travel photographer. It is not much bigger than the current 50-200mm F4-5.6. A lens lock is provided although not necessary as the lens does not slide out. Interesting note: this lens is made in Japan, the first NX lens to be made outside Korea.

While it seems like the 18-200mm can replace a 18-55mm and 50-200mm lens combo, the drawback of the 18-200mm is that the lens already hits F5.6 at 60mm, whereas the 50-200mm barely passes F4.3 at the same focal length. And the 18-55mm has a shorter minimum focus distance of 28cm compared to 18-200mm at 50cm, which is still better than 50-200mm at 98cm.

If you are an existing NX user with 18-55mm lens, the 50-200mm is still a worthy consideration, as the price is definitely less expensive than 18-200mm. If you currently own the 20-50mm kit lens, then I would certainly recommend the 18-200mm.

As for 16mm, it's the widest NX lens and the fastest at the focal length. If you love street photography and often shoot in low light, then consider getting one.

These lenses should be available for sale in Singapore in Q4. Meanwhile, I'll be looking out for the 2 other specialty NX lenses: the 60mm F2.8 Macro lens and 85mm F1.4.

OtterBox Case Perfect for Galaxy Tab

OtterBox Case Perfect for Galaxy Tab

OtterBox cases have been known to provide excellent protection for the various electronic devices and the latest in its line of business is the business Defender for the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Most users will swear they do not need to worry about their equipment when protected by OtterBox cases.

OtterBox cases are not waterproof camera but small spills or rain drops are nothing to worry about. Your Galaxy Tab would be protected against impact, shock, dust and scratches. You could use your Samsung Tablet Galaxy anywhere in any conditions.

When you unbox the OtterBox Samsung Galaxy Tab, you will find several parts. There is the front part that holds the clear protective membrane, which also acts as the screen protector. Then there's the back that is attached to the front, which will enclose the Samsung Galaxy Tab inside the shell.

Then you need to fix the silicone skin to close the gaps. Buttons and slots are still accessible via silicone covers. Silicone outer skin will absorb the impact and allow the user to have a firm grip of the device. The final section serves both as a desktop stand and a full protective while the screen is not damaged when stored.

It is easy to assemble OtterBox case for the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Just make sure you have all the pieces, which are the protective film, the back, skin, silicone, and support of office / front protector. The first thing you need to do is join the front and back together with the Samsung Galaxy Tab inside. Make sure you clean the touch screen of the first bar of Samsung before this part. You do not want spots on the screen. Now make sure both parties are aligned properly. Start at the bottom and press it until you reach the top.

The next step is to wrap the silicone skin on the hull. Make sure the lid is aligned with silicone connectors and slots. Currently, the OtterBox Defender case for the Samsung Galaxy Tab is ready for use. If you need to connect a headphone jack, just open the cap of silicone on the top where the slit is located.

The OtterBox Defender Case for Samsung Galaxy Tab keeps the tablet well protected at all times. You can place it in your bag without the need for additional protection. The silicone plugs do their job in compliance with the dust from the slots.

The screen protector does not need improvements to be more precise. The middle of the touch screen works find but when you touch the edges, the reactivity of the screen is reduced. You need to hit a soft button twice to get the right answer.

But overall, the OtterBox Defender Case for Samsung Galaxy Tab is the best protection you can get for your Samsung tablet. It is the best in the market and it would last for years. The screen lid doubles as a desktop stand, which allows convenient to watch videos without the need for the device.

Howard is the author of Ordemann www.phoneandtabletcases.com. Visit our website if you want to buy Case Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6142186

- Samsung Galaxy Accessories Tips & Tricks -

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 Review

Olympus has announced 3 interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) at one go - the big-brother E-P3, the "lite" E-PL3, and the "mini" E-PM1. For this review, I had my hands on the E-PL3 for a week.

First Impressions
At 313g, the 12-megapixel E-PL3 is one of the heaviest ILC in its class. The camera feels very solid, and the design continues to be influenced by the retro rangefinders. But I felt that the rear panel design layout needs to be further optimised. The articulated screen is too thick and slightly hinders the operations of the hardware buttons surrounding it.

The lenses provided for the review are the kit lens 14-42mm and 40-150mm. Both are entirely in plastic, extremely lightweight and I wouldn't drop them on hard surfaces. The 14-42mm requires you to extend the lens before you can start shooting, and you can see from the photo below that the lens extends a lot. Fortunately, the optic quality is good enough for general shooting.

Interface
E-PL3 has got to be one of the most customisable compact cameras. Olympus has dedicated one custom menu with 10 sub-sections to let you alter the button operations to your hearts content. Even this menu can be customised not to show on the main menu! I won't go into details, but if you are a user who desires to control whether you turn the focus ring clockwise or anti-clockwise, or whether you want your medium size file to be 8MP or 5MP, the E-PL3 will satisfy you. The drawback with all the customisation is that a fellow E-PL3 user would find it hard to operate your E-PL3 camera. Do also note that the editable menu items depend on the mode (iAuto, PASM, etc.) you select on the mode dial. And you are unable to save the settings you painstakingly configured.


Shooting Speed
The E-PL3 has rather snappy AF speed under adequate light. But under low light conditions, AF speed takes a beating, and sometimes doesn't focus correctly. Shot-to-shot is very responsive, but a fast SD card is recommended if you require long continuous shooting performance.

Image Quality
In terms of noise, the E-PL3 allows you to customise the level of noise reduction and filter. I personally prefer images in "Off" or "Low" setting, as I find the "Standard" setting too muddy for my preference. I am happy to capture images at ISO 3200.

Video Quality
From the video samples I recorded, I observe that the E-PL3 exhibits the "rolling shutter" effect, so I wouldn't use it for any serious projects. Low-light video recording - even at ISO 3200 - is just as good as the still images.


Final Words
The key advantages of the E-PL3 over the competitors are its premium-looking retro design, the ability to customise the camera functions to meet your shooting requirements, and good noise handling at high ISO (when noise filter is set to "low"). The camera is generally responsive in keeping up with my shot-to-shot demands, but the interface has a slight lag when invoking the menu items. Its solid build gives you assurance that it can take some rough handling, but the plastiky kit lenses could be the weakest link.

Choose Samsung Galaxy Ace Accessories and leather cases

Choose Samsung Galaxy Ace Accessories and leather cases

On the market are quite a few, if Samsung Galaxy Ace accessories, giving users a wide choice to choose. The advantage of this is that users are able to improve the appearance of their devices while at the same time the benefit of the functionality that these products have to offer. Some of the accessories most commonly used are:

The screen protector
This is one of the accessories Samsung Galaxy Ace that are designed to offer users protection. They are designed with quality materials without scratching high for the screen is not scratched or damaged in any way. While buying it, it is imperative for users to choose one that offers them the clarity and transparency of high quality, at the same time, it should not be difficult to use.

Car Mount
Users who are on the road and want to access their devices need to buy the car holder. These documents are available depending on the type of cases they have on their phones. Those designed for leather cases come to allow owners to use their devices without having to remove the bags. Most of them are designed with a flexible arm to allow users to take advantage of the offer flexibility.

Chargers and adapters
When on the road, it is inevitable that the devices can range from power and to avoid this, users need to select car chargers and adapters. With these accessories Samsung Galaxy Ace, users have peace of mind knowing they can easily recharge their phones when needed. They can also buy travel chargers are available in the Euro-American and pin based on their location.

Headsets
To make their trip more convenient, users will find a number of helmets for their devices and can select those that best fit their needs.

Leather
There are many materials for the case, but the leather is the most popular not only because it is strong, but also because it is durable. Buyers are advised to be careful in the choice of leather case for Samsung Galaxy Ace , to select the real. Of importance is to determine their style and personality when they are selected so that pick up the case is unique. To do this, they must determine a number of things including:

• The type of market users will encounter different types of bags including the type of book and flip and the vertical and horizontal. The selection will depend on the needs of the buyer.

• They will also determine the type of design to choose from. In terms of design, users need to determine the type of color they want and the texture of the leather case for Samsung Galaxy Ace should come with. Some of the colors they will encounter include red, brown and black while the texture includes smooth or patterned in one.

• Buyers should also determine whether they will need the belt clip or not before buying their pockets.

PDair offers its best quality accessories for your Samsung Galaxy Ace for your precious

Samsung Galaxy valuable to avoid damaging it is to use rough. PDair Leather Case Samsung Galaxy Ace is made from high quality materials that also comes in many colors, you can choose.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6177768