Here are some Pros, Cons, Tips and Other Thoughts for Samsung TL350 / WB2000 camera.

Pros:

• 1920 x 1080 @30p HD video;     — Record vivid color full HD video. Each frame is a beautiful picture. No streak!
• MP4 container (Video : H.264,  Audio : AAC);     — Smaller video file size. 1920 x 1080p HQ video writing speed < 2MB/s. A regular 1GB SD card can do the job. Not to mention class 4, 6, 10 SDHC. Original MP4 file can be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo directly.
• up to 1000fps slow motion video;       — No matter how fast is your fan running. I can clearly see each fan blade.
• high speed photo up to 10fps;     — Moving too fast? Take 10 pictures in one click. Capture the split second moment.
• auto power-on interval photo shooting;     — Auto power on & off. Take a picture, say every 15 minutes to see the change from sun raise to sun set. Make a nice time elapse video.
• Dual Capture in full size;     — Take 10.2M pixel pictures while recording 1080p HD video.
• 5x optical zoom while shooting video;     — Watch it closer in HD!
• 24mm wide angle lens;     — Much wider angel than my Canon 1080i DVD camcorder.
• take panorama picture;     — Hold the camera. Turn a 360 degree. Get a amazing panorama picture. Just that simple & easy!
• 3″ AMOLED display;     — Best camera screen ever!
• decent internal stereo microphone;     — It’s good even for music recordings.
• embedded a handy software to preview pictures and videos;     — Shows up a read-only drive when connected to a PC. It does some simple editing too.
• ultra compact “camcorder;”     — Treat it as a camcorder. It’s a ultra small size one. Better video quality than most 1080p camcorders out there.

Cons:

• No 60fps video;     — Samsung opts out 1280 x 720 @60p. This is my single biggest disappointment!!!
• No external microphone jack;      – Can NOT connect  a external microphone to improve sound quality. No way to avoid the lens zooming noise.
• 20-minute video recording time limit;     — ONLY 20 minutes per video file regardless resolution. Yes, press a button to start a new recording.
• No manual focus while shooting video;     — There are auto focus and smart scene detect function. But we don’t have manual control.
• No HDMI cable;     — Buy a  Samsung HDMI cable if you want to connect your camera to you big screen TV.
• No separate battery charger;     — Battery is out? Too bad! Don’t go anywhere. Charge the battery with the camera.

Tips:

• Don’t use the POWER button if you just want to see the photos and videos. Press PLAY button instead to turn it ON and OFF. This will turn on the screen ONLY, not the lens.
• Press OK button to pause and continue a video recording. Keep it in one MP4 file.
• Copy and paste the embedded software in this camera to a local drive and run it locally. It’s portable. Green!
• Microphone is OFF while zooming by default. Turn it ON!

Other thoughts:

• Battery life is not impressive. Buy a backup battery. It’s better buy a separate charger too.
• OK low light video performance. Not much noise. But it could be much better. I hope the new version can get close to Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7/TZ10.
• More than 10x optical zoom would be nice.

Samsung TL350 / WB2000 photo sample

Samsung TL350 / WB2000 photo sample

I ordered this digital camera, Samsung TL350, from crutchfield.com on Monday. $299.99 shipped. I got it on Friday.

Before I bought this camera, I did some research. To compare TL350 with Samsung’s previous release TL500, check this comparison chart, http://snapsort.com/compare/Samsung_TL350-vs-Samsung_TL500 We can actually compare any two given cameras on snapsort.com. It’s very useful and powerful.

The clarity and color of the 3″ AMOLED screen is simply amazing! The best digital camera screen I’ve ever seen. It’s obviously better the Sony DSC-T90 I bought more than a year ago. Note that this is NOT a touch screen.

Can’t wait to share some photo and video samples.

Take a close look to the window screen.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

The scene is like this. I take the picture right at this window. There is a tiny little dot sitting at the middle of the windows screen. I can’t detect it with my naked eyes.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

Highest video quality test.
* Full HD 1920 x 1080p HQ 30fps.
* MP4 video file (Video : H.264,  Audio : AAC). Upload original file, SAM_0014.MP4, to YouTube directly
* File size: 837,523,891 bytes, about 1.8MB/s

The “1920×1080HQ” is the highest video setting on Samsung TL350. I think “HQ” stands for “High Quality.” Try a 7:30 minutes long video recording on a 8GB SDHC card (class 6). No lagging! Pretty good. Very sharp picture quality. Actually, it looks too sharp, almost unreal for me.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Take a 10M-pixel picture while recording 1080p full HD video.
* full HD 1920 x 1080p 30fps
* 5x optical zoom
* picking up music from my car stereos and noise from the len while zooming in or out
* taking 10M-pixel picture (3648×2736) while recording video
* MP4 video format. Upload original file, SAM_0023.MP4, to YouTube directly
* file size: 29,612,503 bytes, about 2MB/s

The “1920×1080p” is the 2nd highest video setting on Samsung TL350. I’m surprised that the file size per second rate of this video is slightly higher than the “1920×1080HQ” setting. I guess that the MP4 video compress rate depends on complexity of each frame in video. In the first video, the background is very simple and stable. So the compress rate should be higher.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

What if a car pass by? Check out this video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Based on these 1080p samples, the full HD video file size is around 1.7~2M/s. Use 1.8M/s to calculate.

• 1.8M/s x 60s = 108M per minute
• 1.8M/s x 600s = 1080M, which means about 1GB/10 minutes
• 1.8M/s x 3600s = 6480M, which means about 6.4GB/hour

A empty 8GB SDHC card (typically counts 7.6GB) can handle 1 hour and 10 minutes 1080p HD video.

Maximum video recording time limit

30fps (1920×1080, 1280×720, 640×480, 320×240) : 20 minutes regardless resolution
240fps (432×320)    :     5 minutes : 40:00 slow motion play back at 30fps
480fps (224×160)    :     3 minutes     : 48:00 slow motion play back at 30fps
1000fps(192×64) :    10 seconds   : 5:33 slow motion play back at 30fps

I took video samples for each video setting up to their time limits. The follow MP4 file size data are base on real world samples:

30fps
1920×1080 HQ,   2,117,128,839 bytes,     approx.   1.97GB/20-minute
1280×720,            1,238,573,062 bytes,    approx.   1.15GB/20-minute
640×480,                330,181,109 bytes,     approx.   314MB/20-minute
320×240,                109,304,325 bytes,    approx.   104MB/20-minute

240fps (432×320),   348,842,589 bytes,   approx.   332MB/5-minute
480fps (224×160),   293,127,813 bytes,   approx.   279MB/3-minute
1000fps(192×64),      11,583,384 bytes,   approx.     11MB/10-second

More picture:
Impossible to read this sign from where I stand. But the camera does a good job. Click on the picture to see the full size original one.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

Downtown Los Angeles, 5PM, August 4, 2010
Here is a Panorama SCN mode picture. I hold the camera in my hand. I’m sure my hand shakes a bit. But the picture comes out OK. Honestly, I don’t know how to take a panorama picture. This is my first try.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Barnes Park, 5:40PM, August 5, 2010
Try Panorama SCN mode in Barnes Park, Monterey Park, California.
1. This shot is more than 180 degree.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

2. Start from the dark side, left side. The shadow under the trees looks good, but the sunshine part is overexposed.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

3. Start from the bright side, right side. The green grass, blue sky and hazy mountain are pretty good. The tree shadow is too dark.

Samsung TL350 photo sample. Click to see the full size picture.

Conclusion: To take a good panorama picture, start from a point where is not too dark and not too bright.

Check out this park on Google map, http://www.panoramio.com/user/joeno1

Hollywood Boulevard, August 7, 2010

240fps slow motion video sample. Resolution: 432×320

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In door low light HD video test. It’s a huge touch screen wall inside Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

See Also:

• http://vimeo.com/joeno1

Specifications from Samsung’s official website

• http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/photography/digital-cameras/compact/EC-TL350ZBPBUS/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=spec

Clear pictures of Samsung TL350 / WB2000

• http://www.dcresource.com/news/newsitem.php?id=4094
• http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Samsung-TL350-First-Impression-Digital-Camera-Review-21549.htm
• Where to buy?

I just found a professional end user review.

• http://www.flickr.com/groups/tl350/discuss/72157624654473650/

barbeque, beer, chat, play the guitar, solo & quartet..

Click here to view the embedded video.

There are multi-layers of packing:

The outer layer is a thick cardboard box.

The 2nd layer is a big plastic bag.

The 3rd layer is a bubble wrap.

The 4th layer is the guitar case.

Finally, the guitar, Samllman 2010.

the guitar, Smallman 2010

In case of examination by the U.S. customs, the last defense on this guitar is a piece of paper.

the last defense for the guitar

Surprisingly, all strings on this guitar are in regular tension when we open the case. They are not loosed before the guitar is shipped.

1-2-3 strings:  Hannabach Carbon Trebles (red)

4-5-6 strings:  D’Addario Pro-Arte EJ46

Part 1:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

to be continued…

Left 1: Dr. Chia
Left 2: Joe ( Guitar: ROMERIGO 01, 罗美里哥 01（2008试制版） Strings: LaBella 2001 Classical MHT )
Left 3: Angelo
Left 4: Jimmy

The Entertainer (Scott Joplin)

Click here to view the embedded video.

“It is never right to play ‘rag time’ fast.” – Scott Joplin

http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/20th/ragtime.html

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, from BWV 147 (J. S. Bach)

Click here to view the embedded video.

见国内在线视频网站：

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Chapman University, Orange, California, USA

February 20, 2010

Guitarist: Gabriel Bianco (2008 GFA Winner)

Microphone: Sony ECM-MS907 + Sony MD, MZ-RH910

• The microphone is placed at the back of this lecture hall. I put it on the floor at the right side of the hall.
• No sound effects is added to this video.
• Sony ECM-MS907 is power by one AA battery.
• Sony MD, MZ-RH910 is power by one AA battery.

I’ll upload all videos I’ve got to my YouTube channel one by one. Stay tuned!

Julia Florida (Agustín Barrios Mangoré)

Click here to view the embedded video.

La Catedral (Agustín Barrios Mangoré)

• I. Preludio saudade
• II. Andante religioso
• III. Allegro solemne

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lob der Tranen (Praise of Tears) D.711z (Franz Schubert)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Angelo and I performed Moonlight duet on OCGC showcase recital at Chapman University on October 17, 2009.

20091017_OCGC_Showcase_Recital_Moonlight_Duet

Here are the settings of this recording:

Left: Joe

• Guitar: ROMERIGO 01, 罗美里哥 01（2008试制版）
• Strings: LaBella 2001 Classical MHT (I put the strings on my guitar a week ago)

Right: Angelo

• Guitar: Esteve
• Strings: D’addario J-47

Sound recording equipment: Sony ECM-MS907 microphone + Sony MD, MZ-RH910

• The microphone is placed at the 3rd row to the last of the recital hall. I put it on the steps in the middle of the hall. So the song source is NOT from the microphone we all see in this video. It’s a lot further this that one.
• No sound effects is added to this video.
• Sony ECM-MS907 is power by one AA battery.
• Sony MD, MZ-RH910 is power by one AA battery.

I attach the sound track from my Sony MD for you reference.

Download 下载: [sniplet download ad]

>> (file is compressed to wma format: 128kbps | 16bit | stereo | 44kHz)

Click here to view the embedded video.

20091017_OCGC_Salmon_Recital_Hall

Salmon Recital Hall at Chapman University

Located inside of Bertea Hall, Salmon Recital Hall serves as the main performance hall for many Conservatory of Music events.  One can hear a range of musical presentations including vocal and instrumental recitals as well as performances by the major ensembles on occasion.  Salmon Recital Hall often houses the esteemed guest artists and master teachers who present special performances, workshops and master classes for the Conservatory of Music at Chapman University.

Salmon Recital Hall at Chapman University

The guitarist John Williams’s official website is published!

http://www.johnwilliamsguitarnotes.com/

No kidding! This is domain name is registered on March 27, 2009.

Don’t be confused with the previously existing website created by Sony Music Entertainment,

http://www.johnwilliamsguitar.com/

This one is different! Please read this quote from his homepage.

I have often been asked for the music of my transcriptions and original pieces and I have wondered how best to make them available.

I think we all notice that this sentence is written in the first person singular.

That is the guitarist John Williams.

Here is another quote.

The internet makes it possible for me to make available transcriptions and original pieces anywhere in the world and free of charge;

John Williams’ transcriptions and original pieces are available to be downloaded for free.

And yes! It’s FREE!

Here you are.

Two pieces from John Williams’ new CD, called From A Bird:

Hello Francis & Song Without Words[sniplet download ad]

http://www.johnwilliamsguitarnotes.com/music/download-free-sheet-music.html

You can listen to samples too.

http://www.johnwilliamsguitarnotes.com/from-a-bird/from-a-bird.html

BTW:

If anyone is interested in the classical guitar solo version of Schindler’s List preformed by the guitarist John Williams,  I made a very close transcription by myself.

It’s free to download too.

http://www.joeno1.net/wp/2008-08-23/interest/classical-guitar-1120/

Before John Williams plays, he and Les Dawson are teasing each other by playing Cavatina.

Les Dawson insists on playing a wrong note, C natural, in stead of C sharp.

John Williams gets his left hand index finger stuck underneath the 6th string of his guitar while he’s trying to show Les Dawson how to play it correctly.

Click here to view the embedded video.

John Williams demonstrates ways of producing different sound effects at the same position of a guitar string.

Click here to view the embedded video.

to be continued …

It gives you 2 different pitched sounds to compare each time.

You just need to answer if the pitch of the 2nd sound is higher or lower than the 1st one.

After the test, a score is given to let you know if you are pitch DEAF or NOT.

If you are a guitar player, this test is especially useful.

It trains your ears to establish the pitch hearing ability to fine tone your guitar.

Have fun!

Download 下载: [sniplet download ad]

>> pitchDeaf.swf Right click on this link to save. Use any flash supported browser to open this file.
>> This program is brought to you by, http://www.bored.com/musictests/pitchdeaf.htm[sniplet link h5]

 [sniplet pitchTrainer]

这是一个有趣的音高听力测试软件。

测试中，软件每次发出两个音高不同的声音，你只需回答第二声比第一声高还是低。

测试结束后，一份测试报告会汇报你的音高听力能力。

听力测试结果参考指标：

小于 0.75 赫兹：异常的好
小于 1.5 赫兹：非常好
小于 6 赫兹：普通
小于 12 赫兹：低于普通
大于 16 赫兹：很可能音高辨别能力不足

注：钢琴上一个半音的音高差距大概是 30 赫兹。

通过反复使用这个软件，可以提高吉他手用同度音调音的能力。

All you need is five minutes a day. Trust me! You will see the improvement in a week.

Let’s start from the very beginning. Memorizing all names of notes is a breeze.

1. Click anywhere on the staff.

2. Read the note on the staff.

3. Type the name of the note (C, D, E, F, G, A, B. These are all on the left-hand side of a keyboard. So typing in the name should be faster than clicking the name on screen by a mouse)

4. Right side shows your score statistic.

As easy as that!

Click on “Settings” to change the range of notes and clef. Click “Settings” again to start training.

Download 下载: [sniplet download ad]

>> This is part of the Free Music Theory, Learning, Training, Using & Download brought to you by musictheory.net
>> 程序由 musictheory.net 提供，见： Free Music Theory, Learning, Training, Using & Download[sniplet link h5]

[sniplet noteTrainer]

这是一个优秀的训练软件，能帮助熟练记忆五线谱上音符的音名。

只需每天 5 分钟，一周后即可见功效。

让我们从头开始，熟练记忆音名不费吹灰之力。

1、用鼠标点击五线谱的任何部位。

2、认读五线谱上的音符。

3、键入该音符的音名（C、D、E、F、G、A、B。这些键都在键盘左手边，所以单手使用键盘比用鼠标点击下面的音名更快捷方便）

4、右边是成绩统计。

另外，可以点击右边的“Settings”，换到设置界面，在左上角，拖动音符改变随机出现音符的音高范围，点击谱号（左上：高音谱号；右上：低音谱号；左下：中音谱号；右下：次中音谱号），可开启或关闭对其他谱号的练习，再次点击“Settings”回到主界面。XP 用户可以双击屏幕右下角带出有秒针的时钟，给自己计时，看一分钟能答对多少个。我设置音域从下加四间E -> 上加四间F，目前一分钟的正确回答数约是 60，你呢？欢迎留言交流心得。

这是绝大多数乐器视奏的基本功！可以设置自己希望锻炼的音域，每天花几分钟就能提高识别音名的速度并逐步建立条件反射。