Sony SLT-A55VL DSLR Camera

I bought a Sony DSLR camera last Sunday morning. I had original intended to upgrade to a prosumer after using a compact digital camera since the year of its availability to consumers and kept my fully manual Nikon FM2 to rot in the dry box. So I was looking at the Panasonic LX5, the Canon S95 and the higher end micro four third Sony NEX5. But after researching for awhile, I realised they will never quench my hunger for what an SLR can really do. So I searched more on the bulkier entry to middle level DSLRs and zoom in on 2 units, namely the almost new Canon 550D and the newer Sony Alpha SLT 55.

Why I bought the SLT? Because the sale guy in the shop said to…

DSLR has been around for a while, and its smaller relative the micro four third, made famous by Olympus EP1, has also been a few years. So what makes SLT different?

First, it’s in the name. SLT stands for Single Reflex Translucent. The revolutionary translucent mirror technology provide for faster shooting and auto-focus between shots, you will never miss a moment with 10fps.

The second different is what Sony has just introduced into the camera family, the 3D Sweep Panorama has seamless joints so you cannot tell that they are taken from several shots.

Third, Quick AF Full HD Movie Recording, which beats the Canon 550D hands down as the 550D requires manual focus.

Forth, it comes with a Tru-Finder that is shows 100% of the actual photo taken as compared to other view finders, and it extrudes out of the body and LCD, which for oily faces like mine is really a very good plus!

Fifth, the LCD screen tilts up or down and any angle for comfortable viewing in different shooting positions. It’s really useful if you’re not holding the camera close to your eye: for example shooting above a crowd or crouching down for an interesting viewpoint.

Sixth, with a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System), it can tag images with the geographical coordinates of the location where they were taken.

Seventh, it’s priced at SGD1,349.00 r.r.p., that’s affordable with all these features and I only need to eat less, but that’s a plus too.

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A Review: Sony PS3 Slim

I bought a Hong Kong imported set for about SGD513 yesterday and put it to the test. Connecting it to the TV is ABC, connecting it to the internet via WiFi is just a password away (as compared to the Wii that i had, PS3 is almost like lego). The bluetooth DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controller can be connected at the front USB for charging while I try out the system. A HDMI cable (sold separately) I got from a friend allows my Bravia 40″ to automatically setup the best resolution of 1080i.


All set up in less than 10 mins including unboxing and then I was already online surfing the forum and FaceBook. Then I put in a disc (Metal Gear Solid 4) and it took to about 8mins to download into the system (while I had my dinner).

Without using an instruction manual I tried to play games and surf the internet with basic input of text using the virtual keyboard, and that’s the tough part. The DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controller has 16 buttons and it really took me a while to understand it’s functions (I was not a PSone, PS2 or PSP user before) but after getting aquainted for a couple of hours it gets a bit easier. I still can’t input what’s on my mind in FaceBook.. don’t seem to work… and one on one combat always gets me almost killed… but I am learning.

Sony PlayStation 3 Slim

More affordable at USD299 price; slimmer, more compact design with quieter operation; all games in high definition; easy-to-use interface; doubles as Blu-ray and upscaling DVD player; built-in Wi-Fi; 120GB hard drive; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply; built-in Web browser; free global online gaming service.
I am getting one.

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Sony Noise-Cancelling Earphones

Sony’s new DR-NC300D noise-cancelling in-ear earphones. The earphones comes with a in-line controller for selecting noise-cancelling options, General mode, Airplane mode and and Train mode.
Sony MDR-NC300D has 16mm drivers and offers 6-24,000Hz frequncy range, 16ohm impedance. The earphones need an AA battery to run. It will be released on 21 June for 30,975 Yen.

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Sony Walkman NWZ-X1050

Sony new range of walkmans that are touch screens finally. The above is a 32GB version with 432 x 240 pixels OLED and has battery life of 33 hours for audio and 9 hours for videos between charging. It has WiFi and plays music, video, photo, FM, Podcast and browses the internet.

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Sony Hybrid Fuel Cell

Sony latest hybrid fuel cell technology. The system contains both a methanol fuel cell and a Li-on battery, enabling it to intelligently switch between power from the battery, fuel, or even both under high-draw circumstances. Sony’s portable model could keep you talking on your mobile phone for a week.

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Sony Vaio P

VAIO P, the world’s lightest 8-inch netbook at just 1.4 pounds. The Vista-based device packs a 1,600 x 768 resolution LED-backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD display, 802.11n WiFi, 3G WWAN, Bluetooth, a battery good for four hours and a GPS module. You’ll also find an instant-on mode that launches directly into Sony’s Xross Media Bar interface, and the inbuilt webcam for video chats. It’ll start shipping in early next month starting from USD900.

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A History of Game Controllers

This is a collection of small multiples of game controllers of the main gaming systems from the past 25 years, spanning from the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo Wii was created by Damien Lopez.
The purpose of the piece is to show the progression of controller design throughout the last quarter-century. The images have been normalized, and the hands are all approximately the same size as each other, and thus the controllers all to scale.
This is a very good illustration and reference for gamepad and controller designers, looking at the ergonomics for gamers. 

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Sony Rolly

Rolly is an egg-shaped digital robotic music player made by Sony, combining music functions with robotic dancing. It has several motors that allow it to rotate and spin, as well as two bands of LED lights running around its edge and cup-like “arms” which can open and close on either end, all of which can be synchronized to the music being played.

Sound-sensitivity components detect beat, rhythm, voice and pitch, which can be used to have the device automatically react to music. It also has an accelerometer which detects if the player is moving up or down. Preprogammed movements along with music can be downloaded from personal computers using Bluetooth. It has 2Gb of flash memory to store music files.

Click on the link to see the video.

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Sony HT-IS100 Bravia Theatre Micro speakers

Sony Bravia TVs are getting really big. I even got one 40″ for myself at a price which can only buy me a 800:1 contrast 32″ LCD TV a few years ago. Now Sony has Bravia sound systems as big as strawberry like this 5.1 HT-IS100 Bravia Theatre Micro System.
All the bulky power paraphernalia resides in the relatively huge subwoofer, which you can hide out of sight, leaving these four tiny surround speakers and their center channel brother to take up about as much space as a fly on the wall. If that’s still too obtrusive for you, make those rear surround speaks even less noticeable with an optional wireless kit. I have heard Sony’s previous model when I was buying my 40″ or is it the same thing, I can’t remember but they sound surprisingly good.

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