Personal computing discussed

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by Palek
Mon Dec 21, 2015 8:14 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Blu-Ray on Windows 8.1...
Replies: 23
Views: 3090

Re: Blu-Ray on Windows 8.1...

PowerDVD v10 is ancient. You could check the Cyberlink website to see if it is still supported, but I would recommend that you just bite the bullet and upgrade to the latest version. I do remember that my copy of PowerDVD v10 got a free upgrade to v11 somehow... I cannot recall the exact details, bu...
by Palek
Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:19 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: HTPC Issues...
Replies: 5
Views: 1474

Re: HTPC Issues...

If your system comes back to the same state you left it in after a complete power outage, then it was in hibernation, not sleep. Depending on your actual power configuration, Windows 7 will transfer from sleep state to hibernation after a set time period. I had the same thing happen with my PC after...
by Palek
Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:16 am
Forum: General Software
Topic: HTPC Blu-ray Playback
Replies: 41
Views: 15271

Re: HTPC Blu-ray Playback

dale77 wrote:
The only issue it has is that the keyboard is disabled during blu-ray playback, which means our universal remote doesn't work.

That's a curious design choice... I've got an iMon remote that works in keyboard mode with PowerDVD 10. The regular keyboard also works, naturally.
by Palek
Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:54 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: HTPC Blu-ray Playback
Replies: 41
Views: 15271

Re: HTPC Blu-ray Playback

I've used PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 (the first version to support Blu-ray) and PowerDVD 10 for Blu-ray playback so far. PowerDVD 7.3 used to work fine, but I have recently run into compatibility problems with newer discs. The Avengers would not play, for example. PowerDVD 10, on the other hand, has been ab...
by Palek
Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:33 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Whats up with the Spam bots?
Replies: 178
Views: 47231

Re: Spammers in TR

Some seem to suggest that this new wave of spam is committed not by spam-bots, but by actual human beings employed for pennies in places like China and India. I'm guessing there's not much TR can do about that besides killing them one by one.
by Palek
Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:28 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: Getting a new TV, what brand to look at?
Replies: 12
Views: 3916

Re: Getting a new TV, what brand to look at?

It really depends on how much tweaking you are willing to do to get the best picture quality out of your TV set. Samsung is known for making televisions that are less than optimal at their default settings - for example, extreme over-saturation of colours and over-emphasized deep black levels that c...
by Palek
Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:49 am
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: Samsung LCD TV - LNS4051 power on problem
Replies: 1000
Views: 935448

Re: The #1,2,3 HDMI ports have quit working (Samsung 32LD540

Double-check the model name of your TV. Samsung doesn't make a 32LD5400. Providing a link to the product page might be helpful. 1. Have you tried a couple of different HDMI cables? You may be using sub-par HDMI cables that, when combined with the characteristics of the TV's circuit board, are someho...
by Palek
Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:05 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Corsair Pro Performance 128Gb not running at 6Gbps
Replies: 8
Views: 2582

Re: Corsair Pro Performance 128Gb not running at 6Gbps

crystaldiskinfo will explicitly tell you what interface speed your drive is currently using. Just be careful when you install - it comes with a bundle of extra software that you probably don't want on your system, and they are selected for install by default. At least you can choose not to install t...
by Palek
Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:45 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: HDD partition resizing
Replies: 11
Views: 3324

Re: HDD partition resizing

Also, if you are using Windows 7 you can resize partitions right from the OS using Disk Management. However, the built-in Windows 7 partition resizing functionality is quite limited and will NOT move any data during a resize, so it will only shrink a partition as far as the last bit of data written ...
by Palek
Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:47 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: why does TR have "security certificate" warning?
Replies: 7
Views: 1176

Re: why does TR have "security certificate" warning?

Then why am I getting the popup? ...an explanation is what I'm after, what do you think i'm after? what kind of loaded question is that? You did not provide a whole lot of details. Not much to go on, really, other than the obvious that you should not be getting those warnings just from visiting TR....
by Palek
Sat Feb 04, 2012 8:11 am
Forum: Storage
Topic: Out of the box RAID on NAS
Replies: 9
Views: 2337

Re: Out of the box RAID on NAS

I've used a couple Buffalo NAS devices and they've been pretty good. The current model I use can be configured either as RAID 0/1 or JBOD. DLNA is of course supported, and the newer models are also Active Directory compatible. I get write speeds of about 20~25 MB/s across a gigabit connection; read ...
by Palek
Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:06 am
Forum: Processors
Topic: Core i7 2600k Quick Sync or HD6670 Video Editingg?
Replies: 9
Views: 3069

Re: Core i7 2600k Quick Sync or HD6670 Video Editingg?

It should also be noted that the video editing software in question must specifically support Quick Sync. Quick Sync support requires the use of a custom intel API. intel's site has a list of video editing tools that provide support for Quick Sync. (It may not be an exhaustive/regularly updated list...
by Palek
Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:53 am
Forum: Processors
Topic: Core i7 2600k Quick Sync or HD6670 Video Editingg?
Replies: 9
Views: 3069

Re: Core i7 2600k Quick Sync or HD6670 Video Editingg?

You're talking twice as fast or better with Quick-Sync. You'll also see generally better quality. Have a quick read through the couple pages on Intel Quick-Sync in the article linked below http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/8 ...
by Palek
Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:14 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: First virus in about a decade
Replies: 23
Views: 4611

Re: First virus in about a decade

3. I will either find a way to safely update all of the weaker software (Java etc.) automatically, or will make a point of checking it often. I would recommend Secunia PSI . It scans all installed applications and checks them against Secunia's vulnerability database. It will notify you if any of yo...
by Palek
Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:58 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: AMD Support Request
Replies: 5
Views: 2629

Re: AMD Support Request

Way off topic, but...

I didn't realize tires were sentient, let alone capable of using computers to browse the interwebs! :o

[EDIT]Let's see if anyone will catch the reference! :)[/EDIT]
by Palek
Wed Aug 03, 2011 12:59 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Looking for a "Streaming Internet" hardware player
Replies: 4
Views: 998

Re: Looking for a "Streaming Internet" hardware player

Roku used to make a cool little streaming radio device (the SoundBridge) but they stopped selling them. Grace Digital Audio may have something that suits your needs: http://www.gracedigitalaudio.com/compare_internet_radios.php The Roku Soundbridge sucks about 3W even in standby (that's for the speak...
by Palek
Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:51 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: The best Simpsons line ever...whats your memorable moment?
Replies: 56
Views: 7057

Re: The BEST Simpsons line ever...whats your memorable momen

No quote, but my favourite Simpsons episode (and I haven't seen a whole lot) is the Monorail episode. I'll never forget the mutant squirrel from the opening scene using laser eyes to score an acorn, or the lorry carrying popcorn kernels falling in a giant pothole and exploding, filling up the hole w...
by Palek
Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:44 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Best free hard drive clone software
Replies: 33
Views: 11893

Re: Best free hard drive clone software

Seagate also provides a free drive cloning tool:

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?l ... 04090aRCRD
by Palek
Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:53 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: The TR Internet Videos Thread
Replies: 763
Views: 380117

Re: The TR Internet Videos Thread

One of the most beautiful time-lapse nature videos I've seen:

The Mountain (El Teide, Spain)
by Palek
Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:09 am
Forum: General Software
Topic: Must Have Programs!
Replies: 184
Views: 201948

Re: Must Have Programs!

Zapping this almost-dead thread back to life... I have found Secunia's PSI to be very helpful at keeping Windows computers in our home up to date with patches. It scans all installed applications, including various Windows components and the OS itself, lets you know which ones are exposing you to se...
by Palek
Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:25 am
Forum: Gaming
Topic: xbox 360 I am dissapoint
Replies: 97
Views: 10452

Re: xbox 360 I am dissapoint

HDMI isn't mainstream yet. Shirley you can't be serious? HDMI is very much mainstream now. You cannot buy a TV that doesn't have HDMI. Every satellite or cable STB will come with HDMI out. Blu-ray players and new game consoles have HDMI ports. Pretty much every new video card is HDMI-capable. HDMI ...
by Palek
Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:30 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: tv shows you enjoy watching that aren't mainstream
Replies: 59
Views: 6967

Re: tv shows you enjoy watching that aren't mainstream

Whedon's Dollhouse. The first season started with a few slow and formulaic episodes but was still enjoyable. Then Whedon shifted into high gear and Dollhouse became pure awesomeness along the lines of Firefly. Fox actually kept Dollhouse alive for a second season, which gave Whedon the opportunity t...
by Palek
Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:28 pm
Forum: Echo Vale
Topic: home theater in a box -what's the catch?
Replies: 30
Views: 10386

Re: home theater in a box -what's the catch?

A decent receiver and at least two front speakers and one power subwoofer. If you're going to buy a set, I would at least recommend buying from a proper home audio/video brand such as Denon or Onkyo, rather than LG/Samsung etc. A quick look on the Denon website gave me this: http://usa.denon.com/us...
by Palek
Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:05 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: screen flashes briefly then goes blank
Replies: 7
Views: 3902

Re: screen flashes briefly then goes blank

Sorry, totally misunderstood your post before. So, the computer actually boots into windows, but the screen turns itself off (to stand-by mode) after a brief flash of the video card output, regardless of all the activity, is that it? Sounds pretty tricky, especially since you ruled out the video car...
by Palek
Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:23 pm
Forum: Gaming
Topic: Help me pick a racing game
Replies: 94
Views: 14119

Re: Help me pick a racing game

I'm someone who prefers racing cars doing racing on racing tracks, I also like to race sims in a competitive but fair manner online.....as for most other racing games, especially those that have built in computer aid, I'm not interested in those at all, and it surprises me that people at a place li...
by Palek
Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:03 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: screen flashes briefly then goes blank
Replies: 7
Views: 3902

Re: screen flashes briefly then goes blank

The failure to post could also be caused by a flaky part other than the PSU. Try to remove non-essential components and see if the system boots. Faulty RAM is a common issue. If you have 2 sticks of RAM, install only one of them. If it still doesn't work, swap in the other stick. If your PC still do...
by Palek
Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:38 pm
Forum: Gaming
Topic: Help me pick a racing game
Replies: 94
Views: 14119

Re: Help me pick a racing game

CaptTomato wrote:
I highlighted the operative word :wink: :wink:


No, no, you're doing it wrong. Let me fix that for you.

For sheer mindless arcade driving fun (using a controller) these games are awesome.
by Palek
Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:20 am
Forum: Gaming
Topic: Help me pick a racing game
Replies: 94
Views: 14119

Re: Help me pick a racing game

Another vote for GRID and Dirt 2. For sheer mindless arcade driving fun (using a controller) these games are awesome. I'll also add an old favourite of mine which should be in the Steam bargain bin. Flatout, the original one, is a blast to play. No better way to win than to destroy all the other car...
by Palek
Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:15 am
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: Most 3D Bang for the Buck.
Replies: 1
Views: 1581

Re: Most 3D Bang for the Buck.

Three questions: 1. What's the size of your room? 2. What will be the viewing distance? 3. Will you be using your 3D setup for anything other than 3D gaming / 3D movie watching? You mention a small PC monitor as well as a 3D projector in your post, so it's not entirely clear whether you will be desk...
by Palek
Fri Jun 10, 2011 4:11 am
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: Recommended Blu-Ray Player
Replies: 12
Views: 3676

Re: Recommended Blu-Ray Player

If playing back Blu-ray discs is the primary purpose of your purchase then I would highly recommend taking a new-ish Blu-ray disc with you to a large electronics retailer to check disc load times. Some players take FOREVER to load Blu-ray discs. Other players spend an inordinate amount of time comin...
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