Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by TitaniumZ

Best way to connect soundbar and components

TitaniumZ — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:28:01 +0800

I've just upgraded my old HDTV and AV receiver to a new 4K UHD TV, LG 50UM7600PTA and Sony HT-X8500 soundbar (capable of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X).
I'd like to connect my toys: PS2 Slim, PS3 Slim, PS4 Pro, PC, and BD Player to the new setup.
The TV comes with 4x HDMI ports with 1x support ARC; the soundbar has 1x HDMI-in, 1x HDMI-out (ARC), 1x Optical-in

The connectivity
- PS2 Slim > Component (audio/video), Optical (audio)
- PS3 Slim > HDMI (audio/video), Optical (audio)
- PS4 Pro > HDMI (audio/video), Optical (audio)
- BD Player > HDMI (audio/video), 5.1ch speakers (audio, the BD Player is part of a HTiB so it has its own speakers)
- PC > HDMI (audio/video), Optical (audio, support DTS Connect)

What is the optimal way to connect all the devices?

Option A (using TV to passthru audio to soundbar):
- PS2 to TV using component video only, audio output to soundbar using optical
- PS3, PS4, PC connect to TV HDMI, audio output to soundbar via HDMI-ARC
- BD Player connect to TV using HDMI, audio output by its own 5.1ch speakers

Option B (using soundbar to passthru video to TV):
- PS2 to TV using component audio & video, audio output to soundbar via HDMI-ARC
- PS3, PS4 and BD Player connect to soundbar HDMI, video output to TV via HDMI-ARC
- PC to soundbar using HDMI, video output to TV via HDMI-ARC

Subwoofer problem and how do I setup crossover?

TitaniumZ — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 13:57:41 +0800

My car is Proton Preve and I have Pioneer AVH-Z5050BT HU installed. Speakers setup is front Adams Digital EMC 650 6.5" mid bass speakers, Adams Digital RUT-28 tweeters, rear stock speaker and Pioneer TS-WX110A underseat active subwoofer. No amp and DSP though, all drove by the Pioneer HU.

I can setup HPF/LPF crossover on the HU. But the TS-WX110A specs mentions the subwoofer has variable LPF built-in (50-125Hz, -12dB/oct) and comes with a remote where I could adjust gain and crossover frequency.
My current setting:
In the HU crossover setting - Subwoofer LPF on (50Hz, -24dB/oct) | Front HPF on (100Hz, -24dB/oct) | Rear HPF on (100Hz, -24dB/oct); I turn the frequency knob on the subwoofer remote to 50Hz
with this setting it sounds nice to me but sometimes the subwoofer will suddenly get cut off and the sound will resume after a few seconds. This happens normally when I am stuck in traffic jam where the car moves slowly.

The wiring is good and voltage are normal when I have the accessories shop foreman checked. He did find my Hitachi NS70L battery not in good health (engine off voltage <12.4V,but still can start engine) so I change to a Amaron Hi-Life 85D23L but the problem still persist.

But when I turn off the LPF and leave the HPF on on the HU, and rely on the subwoofer built-in LPF to work by itself then I don't have this problem and the bass becomes punchy, too much for my taste.
Are the crossover even working as it should when I turn off the LPF on the HU and rely on the subwoofer built-in LPF?

4GB RAM installed only 3.73-3.89GB usable

TitaniumZ — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:06:27 +0800

My old P5Q Pro failed me yesterday so I went to get myself a new processor+motherboard+RAM.
Now my rig:
AMD FX-4100
MSI 970A-G43
Kingston ValuRAM DDR3-1600MHz 4GB x1 (installed on DIMM 1)
...running 64bit version of Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
other parts remain unchanged (in my signature)

OK, since I didn't have a chance to backup my system before so what I did is straight away replace the processor+motherboard+RAM and didn't reinstall the Windows. The system booted and was working fine without error, so I proceed with driver installation and the ever annoying Windows activation through calling Microsoft support.

I noticed that in PC info, my memory was shown as either "4GB RAM (3.89GB usable)" or "4GB RAM (3.73GB usable)" and when I refresh the Windows Experience Index, my memory score dropped from previous 7.2 (which was a dual-channel DDR2-800MHz 2x2GB) to 5.9, and the Windows is noticeably less smoother. Before I changed the hardware the memory was always shown as "4GB".

So I reboot my system into BIOS, it shows 4096MB of memory installed and the RAM speed is detected as 1600MHz. This motherboard doesn't come with onboard graphic so there is no video shared memory.

I wonder what cause this problem? In the motherboard manual, it mentions that if running at dual-channel the RAM should be installed on DIMM2/DIMM4 or fuliy occupy all 4 DIMMs but I only have 1 single stick.

Since it was quite late last night so I didn't really get the problem through, now in my head I could think of a few possible solutions:
1) Swapping the RAM stick around to see if the DIMMs are working fine
2) I know that changing from Intel to AMD platform without reinstall Windows is not recommended, so maybe I could try system refresh or system reset.
3) Update BIOS???

Logitech Wireless Keyboard+Mouse Combo

TitaniumZ — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:15:16 +0800

My old Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 110 is using 27MHz, now the mouse is dying so I'm thinking of changing a new Logitech wireless mouse. I don't think I can find a 27MHz wireless mouse anymore and all new one uses 2.4GHz or bluetooth. So if I'm to get a 2.4GHz wireless mouse does SetPoint recognizes keyboard and mouse from seperate receiver/frequency together?

Can this rig be a HTPC?

TitaniumZ — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:33:50 +0800

I have a secondary rig with:
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E6300
Asus P5QPL VM EPU
2GB RAM

I would like to convert this into a HTPC using the on-board graphic and audio (output via HDMI and Optical)
I'm going to play common media files like RMVB, AVI, MKV, MPEG, DVD/BR ISO, etc. in 720/1080p and probably would get a BluRay drive to watch BluRay movies in the near future.
So does this rig fit the purpose?

FS, MU, MF problem

TitaniumZ — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:48:14 +0800

I'm on Streamyx 1mbps, I'm getting a mixed result using direct download.
I'm using Jdownloader to dl from megaupload, mediafire and fileserve. Mediafire and megaupload normally gives about 120Kbps, but sometimes the dl speed will drop to about 20-30Kbps and after a while will pick up; recently fileserve is slow as hell, I used to get 40-60Kbps but now I'm stucked at <5Kbps, a 350MB files will take days to finish and worse it keep disconnected, and then I have restart everything since I'm unable to resume the download
My utorrent can maintain at 90-120Kbps when the seeds are good.

Will getting 4mbps better since I ddl a lot?
I've call TM and they said my phone line doesn't support 4mbps but also tell me better to check at TM Point. If my line doesn't support 4mbps what can TM do if I go and check at TM Point?

Is it gonna work?

TitaniumZ — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:33:53 +0800

1) Let say I have two coaxial audio output to a receiver with only 1x coaxial input, since the coaxial connector is using the same RCA connector, so if I use those Y-cable (two female to one male) to hook the two coaxial output to single input, will this work like a "selector"?

OR

Is there a coaxial digital audio selector / optical digital audio selector available locally?

2) If i output a video with 5.1ch audio using HDMI to my TV, then use the TV audio output (2ch) to a receiver that can do ProLogic II, would it work like this: @Source: 5.1ch via HDMI > @TV: down to 2.0ch > @Receiver: 2.0ch up to 5.1ch Prologic II???

Rechargeable Battery Pack

TitaniumZ — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:05:37 +0800

Are those RM30 USB rechargeable battery pack any good?
Balance Board eats battery like no tomorrow, even for energizer... I wonder if I could get any recommendation on USB rechargeable battery pack? Buying 4 good AA rechargeable battery is pretty expensive (and I've gotten two for my Wii Remote Plus).

Windows 7 Starter or Windows Vista Home Basic

TitaniumZ — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:06:04 +0800

I have a PC in my parents house for some casual internet surfing and sometimes minor gaming (games like Plants vs. Zombies). Just last week the hard disk failed so gonna get a new one during PC Fair. Now for the OS, I'm looking at either Windows 7 Starter or Windows Vista Home Basic. For such usage which one is more suitable? They don't really care about all those shiny thingy, just can surf internet, browse photographs and make their grandchildren photos as wallpaper etc. will be enough.

Short joke

TitaniumZ — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:43:27 +0800

Three students from America, North Korea, and China are attending a socialogy lecture.
The lecturer,"Please tell me your own idea on the reason of food shortage in the world."
American student,"... Sir, what is the meaning of 'shortage'?"
North Korean student,"... ... Sir, what is the meaning of 'food'?"
Chinese student,"... ... ... Sir, what is the meaning of 'your own idea'?"

Optical -> Coaxial Convertor

TitaniumZ — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:12:10 +0800

http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catalog/cab...-converter.html
Anyone know that similar product can be found in Malaysia?
I'm looking for a convertor to convert optical toslink into digital coaxial.

HTiB below RM1000

TitaniumZ — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:24:57 +0800

Can recommend me 5.1ch HTiB that below RM1000?
Or is it possible to get 7.1ch?
Can I have HDMI Input/Output with this kind of budget?
Thanks.

Crysis, HD4870, and 22" LCD

TitaniumZ — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:38:11 +0800

Well, after I settle down with Q9400+4870 I finally decide to pick up Crysis.
I'm using 22" LCD with native resolution at 1680x1050 but in Crysis the maximum resolution available is 1440x900 only
I'm on Catalyst 9.11 by the way.
Is this a known issue or someting is wrong with my driver/game? Can't google for a good answer...
FYI I can run the game smoothly without any problem at 1440x900, 2xAA, Very High setting. Just wonder what happen to my 1680x1050 resolution?

Fishing

TitaniumZ — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:05:09 +0800

One day Mahathir and Lee Kuan Yew went fishing together. Mahathir ended up with full bucket of fishes while Lee Kuan Yew stared at his empty bucket. So Lee asks Mahathir,"How did you manage to get so many catches? What's your secret?"
Mahathir smiles and says,"Well you never allow the fishes to open their mouths; you'll never catch them in this way. For me, once the stupid fish open its mouth, I catch!"

PCI-Express question

TitaniumZ — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:51:57 +0800

My motherboard is not coming back yet so I can't really try this at home.
I know that on P45 chipset with two PCI-E x16 slot can run at x16 for single graphic card while x8/x8 for crossfire. But last time when I remove my graphic card from the 1st PCI-E slot and install it on the 2nd PCI-E slot GPU-Z shows that the graphic card is running at x8.
So does it means that:

The 2nd PCI-E slot can only run at x8, no matter single or dual card configuration?

OR

The motherboard actually 'remember' that I have a graphic card installed on the 1st slot so it downtunes the 2nd slot to x8 even I had removed the card from 1st slot already?

OR

I need to uninstall/reinstall the graphic card driver just for changing slot?

OR

GPU-Z simply made a mistake?

Now, to make thing a little bit complicated I have a PCI-Express x1 sound card which could be installed on a x16 slot. If I installed the sound card on one of the x16 slot with graphic card on the other, it should be running as x16/x1 or x8/x1?

I've searching around with Mr. Google but can't really get a good answer on this

8 pin ATX12V1 Block

TitaniumZ — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:24:14 +0800

I have a 8 pin ATX12V1 (ATX 12V Power Connector) on board but my power supply doesn't come with a 8pin ATX12V1 Connector but it has a 4pin power connector. So can I use the 4 pin connector on it instead? (Meaning only plug in the first 4 pin.) Won't want to toast a newly bought motherboard.

The rig specs:
Athlon II X2 245
Jetway XBlue-78GA2 (780G/SB700 chipset)
Kingmax DDR2-800 2GBx1
AOPEN 16X IDE DVD Writer
Maxtor IDE 80GB HDD
iCute 450W PSU

Budget purchase

TitaniumZ — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:34:39 +0800

Well, just today my 8 year-old Hercules Radeon 9700Pro dead. It was serving in a Socket 754 Athlon 64 3000+/K8N-E rig for my parents. So I was thinking instead of getting an AGP graphic card why don't I just sell off the obsolete working parts and built them a new budget desktop. So here I am

Now I have in my mind:
Athlon II X4 240 RM198
Asus M4A78-EM RM275
Kingston ValueRAM DDR2-800 1GB RM89
Power Logic ATX Case RM80
Total RM642 (Price from Thundermatch), is this a good buy?

Parts I'm going to reuse:
19" LCD @ 1280x1024
IDE DVD Writer
IDE HDD 40GB x2 (1x Maxtor; 1x Western Digital)
Raidmax 450W psu
Aztech PCI 56k Dial Up Modem (yeah, they are using the old school TMNut Dial Up)
Old school cap ayam 2.0 PC Speaker
Old school cap ayam PS/2 keyboard
Old school Logitech PS/2 Wheel Mouse (Ball mouse, not even optical )
The rig will run with Windows XP SP3, using on board graphic and audio, light everyday usage, maybe some yahoo games

There is one issue though:
Since the motherboard comes only with 1xATA133 connector I'll have to sacrifice one IDE device; I'm considering a IDE->SATA convertor, can I use it on bootable device? Is this thing reliable?

Gentleman

TitaniumZ — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:40:15 +0800

During the ball, a good-looking gentleman approaches a woman.
"Sorry ma'am, are you willing to have s ex?"
"Oh my god!" the woman told herself, "how could he ask me so directly like that?"
So the woman kept quiet.
The gentleman asks again,"Ma'am, are you willing to have s ex?"
Yet, the woman kept quiet but the look on her face had betrayed her.
Nevertheless, the gentleman asks the third time,"Ma'am, are you willing to have s ex or not?"
"Crap. He is just so forceful." The woman thinks to herself. "What the heck, I'll have to grab the chance!"
So the woman answers with red face,"...Y...Yes..."
After a short moment of silent pause the gentleman says,
"Well if you are willing to have s ex then why would your husband have to do it with my wife on the second floor now?"

Edit: Modified a little to make it easier to understand.

Taste

TitaniumZ — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:57:07 +0800

One day during a biology class, the professor is talking about semen. He explains that the diet of the male will actually affect the taste of semen e.g. when eating too much fruit it will taste sweet. A nerdish looking girl raises her hand and asks,"Prof, how come I never taste the different?"
The professor pauses for a moment, and everyone is staring at her. Then she realises that she just slipped her mouth and blasts into red. She quickly packs her thing and walk out the lecture hall. Just before she gets out of the door, the professor says,"Next time you may taste the difference if you don't gulp it too deep into your throat."

After Upgrade to Win7

TitaniumZ — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:14:17 +0800

I need opinion on this:
Say if I upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 7, can I transfer the old Vista product key to another computer?