This was a very rough day...
I had to persevere thru work and running errands before I could get home, crank up the new computer, and install the Dazzle Video Creator Plus HD capture device! I somehow made it, lol.
The computer was as quiet as I remembered, the screen is massive, and it was a quick and easy install of the Dazzle's software.
I shot an unboxing video last night for those of you interested in going this route. I tried to just keep it simple and easy to understand. I am basically just showing you what you get, where to get it, roughly what it costs, and of course, how to hook it all up.
I think I will save that for another stand alone post though...
I naturally had to try the Dazzle out and see how well it performed...I am please to announce that everything went great: quick captures, high quality, good sound, and it sure beats the old "point-and-shoot" method. I finally feel like folks can watch the vids and not have to complain or wish it was "better quality."
I started out with a quick lap around Wuhu Island. That will be the first in a series of videos that will cover a playthrough of Wii Fit Plus. I couldn't stop there though...I wound up shooting the following: Peripheral Vison Test, Soccer Heading Advanced, Island Cycling Island View, Segway Circuit Expert, Skateboad Arena Advanced, and Penguin Slide.
I was not happy with Penguing Slide, so it will be getting a redux. Skateboarding started out great and then I had issues with the sound from the desktop's speakers screwing me up in real-time. I didn't actually score too bad, it just wasn't nearly as good as I would have hoped to post. Similarly the Peripheral Vision Test (second video captured) wasn't a high score, but is probably good enough to upload.
However, none of that even matters at this point...
On two of my old favorites, Island Cycling Island View Course and Segway Circuit Expert, I somehow, someway managed to net new Personal Bests in each. The Island Cycling eclipsed my prevoius mark and to the best of my knowledge is a new Wii World Record!!! I don't know if the Segway Circuit Expert matches up, but you will enjoy it. I pulled off the insta-hit on the final mole (did it last night oddly enough as well) and beat my previous best by 1 point!
As we speak I have videos editing and uplaoding...I will highlight them soon.
Showing posts with label Dazzle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dazzle. Show all posts
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day 14 Update: New Computer!
Well, I had alluded to this last Wednesday...I needed a computer to handle the Dazzle. (Please note the past tense "needed")!
That's right, I finally picked up a new computer! So far it has been great! The first day of summer 2011 will definitely be memorable in lieu of this occassion. Here is how it went down...
I had found an HP (PC Only) for a pretty good price. It had a 3.1 GHz processor, 6 GB RAM, and a 1.5 TB HD. I figured I would pick it up, source a cheap (<$100 20" monitor) and call it good. That is not what happened...
I did find the computer, I even had it in the cart...
However, fate intervened and led me to a better option, albeit in a round-about-way. What essentially happened is there was no stock of budget monitors, I mean NOTHING. The cheapest monitor was just under $200 ($189ish if I remember right) and was 23 inches. The next up was 25 inches. Problem there is two-fold: I didn't want to spend that much and my desk is actually fixed...you can only fit so much screen between the framework, lol.
The monitor debacle led to looking at other options...there was a close-out "last model" sale on 2, but I am always leary of taking the demos. A sweet slimline was on display, but none were in stock. The top-of-the-line was on the corner just begging to be looked at, but for around $900 I was able to resist.
What fell into place was the HP p7-1037cb
And yes, that is a bundle.
The desktop features an AMD Athlon II 645 QuadCore Processor with a clock speed of 3.1 GHz! This is a huge improvement for me and the main reason for needing an upgrade.
Accenting the processor is a nest of 8GB DDR3 of system memory and a 1 TB HD.
I can't stress enough that I will store everything on external HDs. A lesson learned from my last pc was that you need space. You can't just keep saving songs, pictures, and videos and hope to have anywhere near the same performance from your computer. I will probably make weekly sweeps of the HD. This will not only make backup copies, but it will keep the desktop's HD clear and performing as best it can.
Oh and the monitor...how about a full 23" of 1080p HD LED viewing delight? Yeah, that sounds nice!
It really is in my case. I am coming from a 17" flat screen monitor. Note that I did not mention a flat panel monitor....That's right I had an old shool, late 90s unit putting 40 lbs of downforce on my desk! I kid you not the desk let off a sigh of relief when I pulled the old monitor off. And the best part? literally gained about 18" of floor space just due to the fact I can finally scoot my desk back towards the wall...amazing isn't it?!
I've only been running the desktop for a few hours now, but man is it nice. The other big perk for me is how quiet this thing is. My old eMachine, which I will be keeping btw, had a nice fan, but it was LOUD (see replaced after an early crash). Without the LED indicator up front I wouldn't know this computer was even on...definite upgrade!
I know I could have gotten a cooler case, maybe some better features, but the fact of the matter is for the money this was one heck of a deal. I am on the computer a lot, but aside from editing pics and videos, building and tweaking a few websites, and making use off spreadsheets and word processors I am not the most demanding guy.
I am very happy with the purchase and hope that I can get as much of a lifespan from this HP as I was able to with the old eMachine.
I am still exploring the features, preloaded software, and adjusting from XP and Vista to Windows 7. It'll take some time, but I certainly can't complain. I might have pics and an unboxing video up soon...
That's right, I finally picked up a new computer! So far it has been great! The first day of summer 2011 will definitely be memorable in lieu of this occassion. Here is how it went down...
I had found an HP (PC Only) for a pretty good price. It had a 3.1 GHz processor, 6 GB RAM, and a 1.5 TB HD. I figured I would pick it up, source a cheap (<$100 20" monitor) and call it good. That is not what happened...
I did find the computer, I even had it in the cart...
However, fate intervened and led me to a better option, albeit in a round-about-way. What essentially happened is there was no stock of budget monitors, I mean NOTHING. The cheapest monitor was just under $200 ($189ish if I remember right) and was 23 inches. The next up was 25 inches. Problem there is two-fold: I didn't want to spend that much and my desk is actually fixed...you can only fit so much screen between the framework, lol.
The monitor debacle led to looking at other options...there was a close-out "last model" sale on 2, but I am always leary of taking the demos. A sweet slimline was on display, but none were in stock. The top-of-the-line was on the corner just begging to be looked at, but for around $900 I was able to resist.
What fell into place was the HP p7-1037cb
And yes, that is a bundle.
The desktop features an AMD Athlon II 645 QuadCore Processor with a clock speed of 3.1 GHz! This is a huge improvement for me and the main reason for needing an upgrade.
Accenting the processor is a nest of 8GB DDR3 of system memory and a 1 TB HD.
I can't stress enough that I will store everything on external HDs. A lesson learned from my last pc was that you need space. You can't just keep saving songs, pictures, and videos and hope to have anywhere near the same performance from your computer. I will probably make weekly sweeps of the HD. This will not only make backup copies, but it will keep the desktop's HD clear and performing as best it can.
Oh and the monitor...how about a full 23" of 1080p HD LED viewing delight? Yeah, that sounds nice!
It really is in my case. I am coming from a 17" flat screen monitor. Note that I did not mention a flat panel monitor....That's right I had an old shool, late 90s unit putting 40 lbs of downforce on my desk! I kid you not the desk let off a sigh of relief when I pulled the old monitor off. And the best part? literally gained about 18" of floor space just due to the fact I can finally scoot my desk back towards the wall...amazing isn't it?!
I've only been running the desktop for a few hours now, but man is it nice. The other big perk for me is how quiet this thing is. My old eMachine, which I will be keeping btw, had a nice fan, but it was LOUD (see replaced after an early crash). Without the LED indicator up front I wouldn't know this computer was even on...definite upgrade!
I know I could have gotten a cooler case, maybe some better features, but the fact of the matter is for the money this was one heck of a deal. I am on the computer a lot, but aside from editing pics and videos, building and tweaking a few websites, and making use off spreadsheets and word processors I am not the most demanding guy.
I am very happy with the purchase and hope that I can get as much of a lifespan from this HP as I was able to with the old eMachine.
I am still exploring the features, preloaded software, and adjusting from XP and Vista to Windows 7. It'll take some time, but I certainly can't complain. I might have pics and an unboxing video up soon...
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