Posts from the ‘Hardware’ Category
Stream video content from XBMC to an Android tablet
Continuing on from earlier posts here and here (which describe how to stream content from XBMC to an XBox 360, and how to encode a DVD using Handbrake such that it is suitable for playback on the XBox 360 respectively), we can also stream video content from XBMC to an Android tablet device.
In this example, I am using an Android v3.2-powered tablet in the form of the ASUS Eee Slider SL101. I am using the built-in ASUS “MyNet” application to receive the XBMC stream.
You can refer to the official Android documentation for the list of base supported audio and video codecs, pertaining in particular to Android v3.x:
http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html
Generally, files encoded as H264 video and AAC audio in the MP4 container format work fine. Converting your existing media files for basic playback is a cinch in VLC Media Player, which includes a handy preset for this which takes the guesswork out of the equation (leave a comment if you need help with this):
Connecting the tablet to my local wireless network, one can immediately see the XBMC media server visible in the list of available UPnP media servers in the “MyNet” application. Ignore the reference to “Windows Media Connect” – this is simply the “MyNet” application assuming that the media server must be a Windows-powered device (*sigh*). By clicking on the “Video” tab, we can see for example recently added video files:
We simply tap on a file, et voilà:
The chunky video quality in the above screengrab is simply because I am using the low-quality version of Elephants Dream, not because of any inherent quality issues with the source material, software, or hardware.
Fun with the ASUS Eee Pad Slider
First impressions: slide out keyboard is a slick piece of design, and it really works. Not having to tote around a separate one (a la the ASUS Transformer) or to not otherwise have one at all if you happen to do the odd bit of productivity work is a major plus. Keyboard feel is better than you’d expect. The whole thing is very Apple-like, not in the sense that they’ve specifically aped anything Apple has done, but rather it’s something you’d expect Apple to design, right down to the magnet-assisted sliding mechanism.
Build quality is solid. A bit on the heavy side, but no surprises there seeing as it’s packing a keyboard. I find the iPad 2 to be too heavy for one-handed operation anyway (and I have large hands), so this isn’t an issue for me.
OS is Android 3.1, and between that, the keyboard, and the fast dual-core processor, everything is slick and snappy. Need to bang out a quick email or browse at speed? Simply slide out the keyboard, find a flat surface and get to it.
Using the touch screen as a replacement for a mouse works better than you’d expect, but this needn’t be a deal-breaker because you can attach a USB mouse if you prefer. Yes, it’s got standard connectivity. USB port, HDMI, and SD card slot. Okay, the charging connector is proprietary, but it supports USB charging as well, so you’re not stuck with having to scramble for adapters and what have you. This is pretty high on my list of desirable features here.
You can get the Slider locally from one of my favourite stores, PB Technologies:
More impressions to come, but in short this definitely isn’t a me-too product, and in general no wonder Apple is suing to get Android off the market: these things are very impressive.
Cisco WRVS4400N – Skype blocking will never work
Just a quick update in my continuing experience with the Cisco WRVS4400N. As mentioned previously, I and other users have had problems using the device’s IPS facility to block Skype connections, contrary to its feature set which says it’s supported. After raising a support call with Cisco, I have heard back from a support engineer, and they state “since Skype has changed three times since the release of the WRVS4400N, we will not be able to fix this issue”.
So, if you depend on a router for the effective blocking of Skype use by employees on your network, the WRVS4400N obviously cannot be recommended for this specific feature.
WRVS4400N – more impressions, and Cisco tech support
I recently blogged my first impressions of a SOHO security router I am evaluating, the Cisco WRVS4400N.
It’s a seemingly neat product at a great price, but it does have some problems, mostly fairly minor. In the process of working through these issues, I have been acquainting myself with the various support channels Cisco offer for their small business products.
Cisco run a small business support community forum (based on Jive Software). I’ve found that it’s apparently not at all unusual to have fairly reasonable queries go completely unanswered for days and days – in one case, not at all (at the time of writing). My question about Mac OS support for Quick VPN for example was apparently ignored by Cisco support personnel frequenting the forums – whereas all it would have taken would have been a brief confirmation message (“yes it’s planned/possible” or “no it’s not”), or perhaps a pointer to the eventual solution which I located myself on the very same section of their site, helpfully contributed by a non-Cisco forumite.
Another recent query I made online regarded the apparent failure of the device’s IPS facility to detect and block Skype connections. My posting on this (in response to someone else who had in fact managed to elicit a response from Cisco a few months back on the same issue), went ignored too.
I’d assumed (given the low price of the router) that “official” tech support would cost extra, but as it turns out, it comes with a full 12 months of telephone support. My experience with this was the complete opposite of the forums; no hold time at all, and within moments I was connected to a friendly and very helpful Cisco staffer based in North America. Within five minutes I had a satisfactory answer to my query (yes, it is a known issue), and my forum post was updated instantly with the same information and a suggested workaround. Maybe I’ve spent too many hours on the phone to Dell’s tech support, but this really was a pleasant surprise. If this is the level of phone tech support one can expect for Cisco small business products, and it’s offered for a year, then this definitely counts in the product’s favour, in spite of the problems I am personally encountering with it.
New AMD six-core desktop kit
Six cores on the desktop, for a grand NZD:
http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?item=WKSPB1265
With all the fruit, including the choice bits which intel tend to leave off at the same price point.
