Because of the support the NXP SAA7231 renders to combined features of the analog/DVB-T/ATSC or the analog/DVB-T/DMBT-H reception, viewers all over Europe, Asia and North America can now enjoy the better quality high-definition TV content directly while using their notebook PC. The special design of NXP SAA7231 half-mini card meets the demands of users when it comes to advanced functionality and longer battery life.  This implies decreased form factor and lesser power consumption but with extended viewing and TV recording right on desktop computers and notebook PCs.

Microsoft has claimed the beauty in using Windows 7 – how it reflects the top priorities as well as interest of its users because of how it simplifies and hastens applications in multimedia use. The NXP SAA7231 tuner is an addition to the beauty of PCs using Windows 7 because of the great viewing experience.

All media lovers are getting worked up as they look forward into going beyond the normal home TV experience. The ability to view whatever content wherever they are is a thing that drives them nuts. The new PCTV platform now gives them the chance to view more content but minus the power consumption. Therefore, there is no worry that the screen of your notebook PC will suddenly go blank while you’re watching your favorite program because it ran out of battery.

The SAA7231 PC base is a hybrid TV reception and capture device that includes with it a full infrared-enabled remote control functionality for its Windows Media Center available in Windows 7 in both RC6 and Quad Pulse standards. This means that it has the perfect foundation for computers that run on Windows 7. The NXP SAA7231 also has other features like 2D noise reduction to improve videos, FM radio reception, color decoding and VBI data capture.

The device can also accept IF signals from three RF tuners for DVB-S, DVB-T and analog TV and also can allow a combination of a couple of broadcast stream signals to be captured and decoded at the same time. What’s more is that the SAA7231 device can also catch signals for stereo, S-video, YPbPR/RGB and CVBS. It can even share one tuner for analog TV and DVB-T reception for applications that are cost-sensitive and space-restricted.

The NXP SAA7231 comes with support from a device driver package for Microsoft operating systems like Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows XP.

The wonderful features of NXP SAA7231 are all packed to give viewers the greatest viewing experience ever!

Wireless

ShareThis

What does this latest technology provide that wasn’t there in the first version? It is good to note that this time, Microsoft has added support for Bluetooth 2.1, a search technology found in the latest Windows package. It can also record data on Blu-ray discs in a native way.

The recent package can play Sony’s Blu-ray high-definition movie technology to the Windows OS.
What’s more is that it has now removed a blocker tool in the system that disallowed computers from downloading the Service Pack 1 of Vista. This means that users who have been using this will now be able to download Vista SP1 through Windows Update. The improved reliability and performance of the driver has eliminated issues on compatibility. Hot fixes have been integrated into the service pack to minimize deployment and complexity for all its users. It can support other types of hardware for better compatibility.

This updated version has been comprehensively tested since the last quarter of the previous year and an almost-final version was issued last February. Microsoft likewise announced that the second service pack update to Office 2007 will also be released. Office 2007 and Windows Vista were launched in the mainstream on the same day last January 2007.

This latest Windows updated version of Vista is easier to use since it can automatically download and install updates, especially the recommended ones. There are flexible options available like being able to update anytime you want so that whatever computer work you’re doing is not disrupted. The software automatically saves the data of the application, close it, update the file and restart the application.

One will also noticed that Outlook is more stable, Exel has more improved charting functions, and  SmartArt graphics has a better-looking personality. SP2 has Office 2007 supporting Open XML, PDF, ODF, as well as many other file formats.

Microsoft never fails to stay on top of the line. The Vista wrap up once again allows the millions of users to have an easy and pleasurable Vista experience. The continuing effort to improve has kept Microsoft the leader in the operating system industry. It just gets better and better for all computer users.

CNET News

ShareThis

According to The Register, Microsoft moved the time frame for downgrade rights from Jan 31, 2009 to July 31, 2009. The decision was solely based on the fact that many still choose XP over Vista.

Moreover, Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that “Downgrade rights do not expire.” Microsoft believes however that this downgrade rights will not be availed of as the number of Vista followers increases.

Microsoft also stated that the same caveat with providing the downgrade media as before applies, which is OEMs and system builders don’t have to do so if they don’t want “it’s their business decision to make.

Nothing has changed with the extension of the Windows XP’s life. Microsoft furthered that it wants to provide the buyers and manufacturers the option to choose XP Professional over Windows Vista Ultimate and Business editions which comes in bundled with some of the latest computer and laptop models.

The downgrade right is a part of Microsoft’s End User’s License Agreement or EULA. Microsoft originally extended the downgrade time last April. According to Microsoft, OEMs can provide downgrade options from Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows XP until January next year.

Source: CRN

ShareThis

The “blue screen of death” crash bug infected computers running on Windows Vista only. And according to reports it was all due to an incompatible driver.

Apple earlier instructed Vista users to first uninstall both iTunes and an Apple-provided device driver. Only after then they can download and reinstall the 75MB fix.

Apple urged their users to download the new iTunes 8 version from www.apple.com/itunes/download.

Vista users reported the bug as early as Tuesday. Users who experienced the crashes said that plugging in an iPod or iPhone caused Vista to crash. After this a display of the “blue screen of death” (BSOD), a Windows critical error screen best known for its blue background is seen.

The critical error message pointed — “usbaapl.sys” in the 32-bit version of Vista, “usbaapl64.sys” in the 64-bit edition of the operating system — as the culprit. The buggy files were just replaced with the July 10 version of iTunes.

Source: ComputerWorld

ShareThis