Tag Archives: Lcd

Acer AL1715SMD 17″ LCD Monitor

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I ordered an Acer AL1715SMD 17″ LCD Monitor. According to this review, it supports DVI (Digital Video Interface). For $218 plus free shipping, it’s a good deal.

Specifications for ACER AL1715 SMD 17 inch LCD
   Display Size: 17".
   Pixel Pitch: 0.264mm.
   Maximum Resolution: 1280 x 1024.
   Brightness: 300 cd/m2.
   Contrast Ratio: 500:1.
   Viewing Angle: 150o(H), 135o(V).
   Integrated Speakers: 2 x 1 Watt Speakers.
   Response Time: 12ms.
   Input Signal: 15-Pin D-sub, DVI-D.
   Power consumption: 44W.
   Dimensions (WxHxD): 14.8" x 15.5" x 6.3".
   Weight: 11 lbs.
   Kensington Lock: Supported.

Maxxum 7D DSLR

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Minolta (actually it’s Konica Minolta now after Konica bought Minolta) has Maxxum 7D DSLR now. You can get it at amazon.com for $1,689.95 including an AF 28-100mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens. I’m thinking about buying a new DSLR to replace my current Maxxum 7xi SLR.

Here’re the Product Specifications.

* Type: 6MP digital SLR camera with anti-shake technology
* CCD resolution: 6.3 megapixels
* ISO equivalent: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
* Maximum shutter speed: 30 seconds
* Minimum shutter speed: 1/4000 second
* Resolution modes: 3008x2000, 2256x1496, 1504x1000 pixels
* Image quality mode: Standard, Fine, Extra-fine, RAW, RAW+JPEG (Fine)
* File format: JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG, (DCF 2.0 compliant,
   DPOF supported by printing functions in ver.1.1, Exif 2.2)
* Memory: Type I and Type II CompactFlash Cards
* LCD monitor: 2.5-inch TFT color
* Autofocus modes: Single-shot AF, Continuous AF,
   Automatic Autofocus (DMF is selectable in menu).
   Predictive focus control for moving subjects.
   Auto-tracking focus point display
* Metering type: Direct TTL metering; 14-segment honeycomb-pattern
   metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering
* Flash modes: Fill Flash, Pre Flash with Red-eye reduction
* Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed system with optical-glass pentaprism
* Self-timer: 10- and 2-second delay
* Other functions: Instant playback, customizing, zone matching
* Video output: NTSC/PAL
* PC interface: USB 2.0 high-speed
* Battery: 1 NP-400 Li-ion battery
* Width: 5.91 inches
* Height: 4.17 inches
* Depth: 3.05 inches
* Weight: 26.81 ounces (without battery or media)
* In the box: Maxxum 7D camera body, wide strap (WS-4),
   remote cord clip, eyepiece cap II, eyepiece cup (FC-1400),
   shoe cap (SC-1000), body cap (BDC-1000),
   video cable (VC-500), USB cable (USB-2),
   LCD monitor protect panel (MPP-1000),
   lithium-ion battery (NP-400), lithium-ion battery charger (BC-400),
   DiMAGE software CD-ROM (includes DiMAGE Viewer)

You can compare it to a
$8,000 Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark II 16.7MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)!


Maxxum 7D DSLR

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Minolta (actually it’s Konica Minolta now after Konica bought Minolta) has Maxxum 7D DSLR now. You can get it at amazon.com for $1,689.95 including an AF 28-100mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens. I’m thinking about buying a new DSLR to replace my current Maxxum 7xi SLR.

Here’re the Product Specifications.

* Type: 6MP digital SLR camera with anti-shake technology
* CCD resolution: 6.3 megapixels
* ISO equivalent: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
* Maximum shutter speed: 30 seconds
* Minimum shutter speed: 1/4000 second
* Resolution modes: 3008x2000, 2256x1496, 1504x1000 pixels
* Image quality mode: Standard, Fine, Extra-fine, RAW, RAW+JPEG (Fine)
* File format: JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG, (DCF 2.0 compliant,
   DPOF supported by printing functions in ver.1.1, Exif 2.2)
* Memory: Type I and Type II CompactFlash Cards
* LCD monitor: 2.5-inch TFT color
* Autofocus modes: Single-shot AF, Continuous AF,
   Automatic Autofocus (DMF is selectable in menu).
   Predictive focus control for moving subjects.
   Auto-tracking focus point display
* Metering type: Direct TTL metering; 14-segment honeycomb-pattern
   metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering
* Flash modes: Fill Flash, Pre Flash with Red-eye reduction
* Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed system with optical-glass pentaprism
* Self-timer: 10- and 2-second delay
* Other functions: Instant playback, customizing, zone matching
* Video output: NTSC/PAL
* PC interface: USB 2.0 high-speed
* Battery: 1 NP-400 Li-ion battery
* Width: 5.91 inches
* Height: 4.17 inches
* Depth: 3.05 inches
* Weight: 26.81 ounces (without battery or media)
* In the box: Maxxum 7D camera body, wide strap (WS-4),
   remote cord clip, eyepiece cap II, eyepiece cup (FC-1400),
   shoe cap (SC-1000), body cap (BDC-1000),
   video cable (VC-500), USB cable (USB-2),
   LCD monitor protect panel (MPP-1000),
   lithium-ion battery (NP-400), lithium-ion battery charger (BC-400),
   DiMAGE software CD-ROM (includes DiMAGE Viewer)

You can compare it to a
$8,000 Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark II 16.7MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)!


I got my 2004 Prius

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Finally I drove a brand new 2004 Prius home last night. I placed an order in Nov and was told to wait for at least three months. Someone who ordered one had to leave the country, so my salesman called me about the car. It’s not exactly the package I ordered, but it’s close enough. It’s very interesting to drive a hybrid car. You can watch the fuel efficiency on the LCD screen. I have to tell you that I’m already trying to adjust my driving habits to increase the efficiency. Basically, you have to avoid sudden acceralation in lower speed around 30 mph to have the electric motor do the work (so called stealth mode).

The car is great, but I hated the sales manager in the dealership (Sterlling McCall Toyota on Highway 59). He insisted on having body sealant ($495) option on the car, which I refused first, but he told me that he would sell the car to the next person on the waiting list if I didn’t want the option. He told me that the treament was done already. So I took it, but I felt that the experience was bad, and I would not buy another car from their dealership anymore. I was willing to pay the sticker price for the car, definitely not for the stupid car body protection, which is useless in Houston’s climate anyway. They actually had body sealant treatment done next day after I signed the paper work. Car salesmen are all crooks to me, at least from my experience.