grinthock.com – A World Of Opinionation

Movie Distributors and Retailers Conning Consumers into purchasing “useless” Blu-Ray movies.

Posted on January 9th, 2009 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Film, Department of rant services., Toy Box, What's Up Department.

Recently I had a conversation with an assocaite about HDTV’s, he was telling me about his “120hz 1080p 14bgillion:1 contrast ratio hunger saving” HDTV that he purchased over boxing week.

While this was all fine and good, he also mentioned that he purchased a blu-ray player and has picked up a bunch of movie – one of which was “TOP GUN”, and he mentioned how “GREAT” it looked on his TV and how amazing TOP GUN was in 1080p.

He mentioned in the store the sales person was  telling him how “35MM Movies shot in the 80’s are already higher def, they just needed a better distribution format”.    Upon asking others, many have been told the same.  This is clearly deceptive, not to mention they are taking advantage of highly technical issues related to the product to trick the consumer knowing full well they can’t understand this stuff.

When visiting the  store recently I walked over to look at these movies – nowhere on any movie does it say what the SOURCE was, it does not mention that the movie is an upconvert, re-capture, re-digitization.  I know for a fact the movie was not shot in 1080p digital – or in any format that can provide that level of detail – yet the box clearly said the movie was in 1080p resolution.  Well i’m sorry but that a deceptive practice – sure it’s in 1080p resolution – but at the end of the day this would be no better than an upconverting DVD player in my opinion – i’ve seen both, side by side.

Bottom line – the amount of 1080p ACTUAL content out there is limited – purchasing a blu-ray player and movies right now might be a little pre-mature – even now – the content STILL isn’t there yet.   You are better off with a good quality upconverting DVD player for the time being – wait till the blu-ray’s hit $50 a walmart.

Here is a 720p capture from TopGun,  film grain clearly visible.  This is not digital compression noise, tiling or pixelation – the pixels are intact – this is film grain.

0 comments.

Canadian Kid on website makes us all look like idiots.

Posted on January 4th, 2009 by grinthock.
Categories: Blogroll, Canadiana, Department of rant services., Toy Box.

Engadget has posted this story about a kid who went nuts when he got a Wii.  Not sure why it’s important that he’s Canadian and i’m pretty sure that they say it for no other reason than to make us look like idiots (again)

Why are Canadians constantly portrayed at weak moronic people?     It’s getting old.

0 comments.

iPhone 3G Battery Power Up!

Posted on August 19th, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Toy Box, iPhone.

So once we got our iPhone 3G here, it’s been a few weeks, we all know the battery stinks.

First – we have noticed that conditioning has made a difference — after about 10 battery cycles the battery started to last about 10% longer than when we first reviewed the device.

I’d like to show you this product…  (No we didn’t get one for free)

that’s the “Brando iPhone Power Station”  now if you have not shopped at Brando, then you are missing out on Hong Kongs best.  We ordered this little gem for $25, it’s got a 1000MAH capacity.

Charge it with your standard iPod/iPhone power cord, and I have been just tossing it in my bag.  If I get 3/4 of the way through my day, and realize i’m not going to end up at home until late, and i’m not in the car to charge, it’s nice to just have tossed in my laptop bag.

It will take your iPhone from 20% to 100% in about 45 minutes and works perfect.  For $25, you can’t beat it.   How much longer a review can I write about something so simple…

Head over to Brando’s to get one — Here

0 comments.

NetShare Situation, a few days later…

Posted on August 5th, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Apple, Toy Box, iPhone.

Why didn’t we report on it?  Everyone else did.  We just stood back.

So, 50,000 foot view here,  NetShare,  Iphone App, Proxy Server, allowed “hidden” tethering over WiFi.   Shows up on ITMS App Store, disappears, reappears, no information from Apple, for DAYS, NullRiver the dev of the project hears squat from Apple.  Meanwhile many have already purchased the $9.99 app, and installed it.

All the information seems to be flowing right off of NullRiver’s website, but everyone else is super quiet on the issue, so we shall see how it develops.

It appears some of the pirates have also released this on torrent sites, not sure how, but we have one of our other partner sites in europe looking into that.

Looks like NullRiver has finally got communication with Apple working now, and has issued this statement

We’ve finally gotten in contact with Apple. Looks like the lack of communication was due to automated e-mail systems being employed on both ends, which resulted in e-mails being lost in transit. We’re working with Apple to get NetShare back up on the AppStore.

0 comments.

iPhone 3G Review – Push doesn’t – Battery life SUCKS — BlackBerry Still King…

Posted on July 20th, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Apple, Toy Box, iPhone.

Everyone else is writing about this stupid thing, so I figure we need to get on the bandwagon.

So we picked up an iPhone 3G to take a look at, being in Canada we have no choice but to get screwed by the only GSM option in Canada, ROGERS, now that being said we chose “FIDO” as our carrier, they are owned by Rogers but their data/voice plans have some small differences that make them MARGINALLY better.

First, it’s the same phone, the formfactor is a little different, it’s a smartphone, so it’s got some size, I find it pretty big compared to my Blackberry CURVE.

I would get into the BS associated with the iPhone and all the “cool” stuff it does, go hit engadget or apple for that junk, I want to talk about what doesn’t work.

PUSH EMAIL… 

It outright doesn’t work.   Push seems to work “Some” of the time but far from “all” of the time, infact for us here, it almost never works, both with Exchange ActiveSync, and with YahooMail (same reports on MobileMe, not working)

If your phone is awake, screen on, in the mail program you can see it refresh, and it grabs mail (ala “Fetch”) but that’s it.    Fetch seems to work reliably, but the push just doesn’t work for us in our tests.   I’d say, 10% of the time the push works, and when it does, it works in “spurts”,  this makes me think it’s a problem with the phone registering itself with the push server.  For the push to work, the phone has to let the push server know where it is, so it knows where to PUSH TO, i’m thinking the push destination info is being screwed up.  The phone should have a process running in it, similar to dynamic DNS services like “NO-IP.COM” that monitors where it is, and then updates the other end, I have a feeling the iPhone isn’t doing that…  More testing, hopefully, i’m wrong.    Bottom line — the push email isn’t ready for primetime, and it won’t replace my Blackberry for corporate email anytime soon.  I’m not convinced this is a server side issue, i’m sure this is a phone problem.

AppStore

I’m happy about the AppStore, but not happy that it’s as tightly controlled.  I understand where Apple is coming from, by doing this, they ensure that apps that do bad stuff don’t make it on, but that really closes the loop for nerdy apps.    I am kinda ticked that stupid apps cost 1.99, this is the choice of the developer, but honestly, where stuff used to be free, now people are just trying to REALLY profit from it — that says “closed platform” which it is.  Even the BlackBerry isn’t technically a closed platform, Apple, you need to check your priorities here, then again, what are there priorities?

Video…

The video looks awesome, yes I did say I wouldn’t review regular stuff, (FYI, it’s my blog, i’ll review what I want), only reason I mention it is, the iPhone REALLY shows the benefits of having a SPEAKER, I love my iPod Touch, but honestly, it needs a speaker, I don’t always want to have to put on headphones, especially when playing games.   The fact I can play games, video and even music without headphones is a real treat….  Shameless plug for the new CANADIAN production Flashpoint, which I am REALLY stoked about (partially because of my HamSexy Whacker Tendencies) but mostly becaues i’m impressed something of this qualitiy can come out of Canada.     When i’m done with this blogpost, i’m going to look for a FlashPoint ringtone..

Battery Life. — OR LACK THERE OF.

The battery life on this thing is a complete joke.   Turn on WiFi, bluetooth, 3G data, and try to last a day, with moderate use my phone was dead in 6 hours, that’s CRAZY!  Ok the BlackBerry Curve isn’t real great, and sure it doesn’t have all the neto features, but at least I could RELY on it.  Apple says “to reduce battery drain, turn off 3G, Wifi, Bluetooth, turn down the screen”  Oh so basically turn off all the cool stuff that I purchased this thing for?  What’s your problem!?  What’s the point!?   Especially considering you won’t let me carry and extra battery with me, instead I have to carry a charger around.  So for now, i’m making sure that if i’m in the car — it’s in the charger.   It’s a pain in the ass that every time I get somewhere I have to, turn off bluetooth, turn on wifi, turn off 3g, and then when I leave again I have to turn off Wifi, maybe turn on bluetooth, and then my battery might last?   Did I mention it’s like 47 steps to do all that?

FYI — I knew what I was getting into with this battery BS…  But I still think it’s stupid to release a product that simply doesn’t have the kind of battery life that the kind of people who would purchase this device NEED!

Existing car kits – don’t work.

Every other iPod product worked, my brand new “DICE Electronics” iPod car kit, which integrates so nicely into my car, and charges my ipod touch, won’t charge my iphone, the phone gives an error saying that the accessory isn’t supported for charging.  Ok I get it, you can’t charge at full rate — fine, then charge slower, but don’t just refuse to charge, this is stupid.  I’m not spending $150 on a new adapter (which doesn’t exist yet).    I’ve tested it with a Monster kit, as well as a no-name chinese kit, so far I havn’t found a car kit that works — so for now i’m using the home charger kit connected to a cig lighter 120V adapter…

Also, the iPhone doesn’t work gracefully with my DiCE car kit when it comes to playing, the phone PAUSES the music each time a call is received — and then doesn’t UNPAUSE once the bluetooth call is completed — I think this is a issue with the DiCE unit, I need to speak to them about it, bottom line, i’m a little ticked because I just picked up this DiCE unit, I may end up replacing it, but i’ll speak with DiCE and update my readeres.

Complaints…

– No MMS — Come on, everyone else is doing it.

– No Video Camera — Honestly Apple, huge portion of your business is flogging video, and this won’t take any?

– No Copy/Paste — A smartphone without copy/paste makes zero sense.  Wake up guys.

– No Reliable Push Email — Apple you better start looking at how BlackBerry is doing this, because theirs works.   I’m not totally convinced this is a server side issue, i’m pretty sure this is a phone problem.

– Battery Life — Horrid, what’s the point of the toys if they cannot be powered!  Turning the toys on and off all the time is a chore, and completely unacceptable as a solution.

– Car Kit’s don’t charge, most ipod chargers won’t charge it

– Ringers – There’s no reason I can’t use ANY media on my device as a ringer, it’s being stopped by Apple, and nothing more, and that is annoying.

0 comments.

Apple Launches Multi-Touch Penryn based Macbook Pro’s

Posted on February 26th, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Apple, Toy Box.

Seems Apple has been busy, releasing a new Apple product pretty much every Tuesday since Jan 1 this year. This Tuesday was no exception. As can be expected, yet more updates to the various lines. The long un-updated MacBook PRO has been updated, the biggest news for me is the availability of an LED screen on the 17″, and the new Penryn processors. These processors have more cache (6mb instead of 4) for the high end stuff, and apparently we are being told “better battery life” but I’ll believe that when I see it.

Of course the new multi touch features are here, basically the kind of gesture movements on the iPhone and iPod Touch are now here. My concern is more around how these gestures will be detected by accident and how many people will disable them.

grinthock.com is hoping to get their hands on one for an even more intense review – but so far – more of the same from Apple — and still NO SUB NOTE! Attention Apple, the MacBook AIR won’t do it.

There were also some updates to the Macbook line — but we don’t care, because I would never buy one.

0 comments.

Victorinox – Quality products and service!

Posted on February 21st, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: I'm actually not ranting and happy about something... D, Toy Box.

** Thanks to “LinuxCaffe” for the time to write this article **

I Broke my tool. (Insert witty comment)

Since I was 13 (That’s a long time) i’ve carried a multi tool on my belt. First it was a gerber, and than many years later I switched to the Victorinox SwissTool as seen below.

This tool has some features that trump any and ALL competitors. First, the tools are available externally, you don’t have to open the plier portion to use them. It has built in wire cutters, wrench and needle nose pliers (that are quite precision) The knives are sharp, the tools are VERY well built, and the entire tool is STAINLESS STEEL. None of the others on the market are fully stainless, including the hardware.

Above is the tool that I use, and carry. Everyone makes fun of me, calling me ‘Batman’ with my ‘Bat Belt’ until of course they NEED something then it ususally starts something like this “Do you have your tool on you?” (and yes depending on the situation, I pick which of the tools to utilize!)

Ok I’m going on WAY too long here. So here’s what happened, the lock back on my SwissTool stopped, well, locking back. Not knowing where my receipt was, I headed to http://www.swissarmy.com where I viewed the warranty statement and was happy to see it had a lifetime warranty.

Now let me tell you, this tool was beat to hell. Tools bent, scraped all over, SwissArmy label was rubbed off, I didn’t even know where my holster was (it was torn anyway), now let me tell you, this isn’t because of quality, I wear this tool EVERY DAY, work and play. My last gerber lasted about 2 years. This swisstool is going on 6 years.

I emailed customer service and was told that if I sent it in, they would repair it and send it back to me in 3-6 weeks. I happily couriered it to the local SwissArmy office here in Toronto, Ontario.

Today I was greeted with a pickup slip from Purolator Courier and when I went to retrieve my package it was my tool returning from repair (only 2 weeks too!), to my suprise Victorinox did not repair my tool – THEY REPLACED IT! With a brand new shiny SwissTool, with brand new sharp tools, no scuff marks, and even a brand new carry pouch!

I am overjoyed. Most products by other vendors of this type of tool, specifically leatherman OFFER a 25 year warranty but limit how you can use it, and they repair and return. This was no questions asked warranty REPLACEMENT.

I will recommend their products highly (I already do)

0 comments.

Review: Bodyguardz iPod Protection..

Posted on October 15th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Apple, Toy Box.

Recently Grinthock.COM acquired an iPod Touch, why? They are an amazing new product and we had to have one that’s why!

We had to get something to protect the unit, one of our contacts picked up a “Bodyguardz” cover.

This product seems to be almost like automotive window tint, or even a little thicker. Installation was a snap and the product was cheap. $24.95 and you get 2 of them. It also comes with a little tube of water / baby shampoo to help with installation, and a little scraper/wipe to help push all the water out and remove all the air bubbles.

Tip: Keep your hands covered in the water/baby shampoo during the installation and ensure your hands are VERY Clean before you start — also do the installation on a HARD surface — and clean it first.

Now that we have it installed here is a quick photo…

Oh wait! What is that? Are those 3rd party applications on our iPod Touch? Shh don’t tell Steve. You will notice you can not really see the cover.  It is VERY form fitting, infact when I show the iPod to people they don’t even realize the cover is on the unit.   The BODYGUARDZ cover provides a scratch resistant (They say Proof, but that’s BS), the cover is VERY non slip, sticks to the unit VERY well, and protects well.  It is also slightly rubbery, i’ve dropped the unit once already and no scratches or damage.

Oh and the number one question I get is — are there any adverse affects on the touch screen?  There is a VERY VERY VERY slight decrease in sensitivity…  However if my mind this is a BONUS.  The one complaint I have with the Touch is the touchscreen was VERY sensitive.   The protective coating has reduced the sensitivity just enough to fix that problem….

0 comments.

Grinthock.com has fully hacked Ipod Touch.

Posted on October 11th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Apple, Toy Box.

Grinthock.com has done it…  Only 30 minutes after the Jailbreak TIFF exploit was released, our team was able to fully hack an Ipod Touch.

The proof is in the screenshots, but they can be altered so why bother…  Here’s a short list of what we have done…

– Full jailbreak thanks to itouch dev team

– SSH/SCP thanks to INDependance

Right now we have pretty much every single app running,  Google Maps, Stocks, Weather, Notes, RSS Readers, IRC, IM including MSN, Yahoo, AIM,  VNC, a multiple of games, WiFi Stumbler, and even NES Emulation.

Sure this is really no HUGE feat, we are using the tools out there, but there was alot of manual work in the console, the methods are FAR from a “Walkthrough” for the general user…

0 comments.

Review: A day with the iPod Touch

Posted on October 5th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Apple, Toy Box.

So after the BS associated with finally getting an iPod Touch — it’s here… Worth the wait? Well, I would have rather I had it 2 weeks ago but WOW.. What an amazing product.

People simply don’t realize how revolutionary this product is, the interface is like nothing ever invented before. Ok, let’s be honest, gesture based interfaces were designed a long time ago, all these open source people are in a tizzy saying “We did this in 1980!” yeah well, it never made it to market did it.

This is a product that delivers on it’s promise. The interface is spectacular, the design is amazing, APPLE DID DELIVER on this product in my mind. The screen is even more beautiful than I had envisioned, and even using it, it’s hard to believe it actually does work!

The audio quality is good, the video quality is spectacular. Safari as a web browser on it works so seamlessly, while I don’t agree it is a complete web browser, the way it has been designed to work on a handheld device tells me Apple is doing some thinking, and clearly thinking about “PEople need to use this thing, daily, so let’s make something that works.

The way you flick through things, a slide, and pinch it’s so natural…… So what are you waiting for! Go get one.

0 comments.

Older » Next Page »