Microsoft first came out with the Windows Genuine Advantage tool on Windows Update to check whether one’s machine is running an original copy or pirated copy of Windows OS. If it’s a non-genuine one, there will be a little popup at start up and lack security update on Windows Update.

Many people find their way to block it and remove it. So it’s not a big problem afterall.

And now there’s a Black Screen of Death from Microsoft if the OS is not a genuine one. So, basically means no function for the PC. I first read about it on the paper,  but there’s not a big problem for me because I am running on a genuine copy of Vista Home Premium but I believe there’s a lot of non-genuine user here in Malaysia.

Though, my advice is beware of Windows Update, there’s always a way to tackle this kind of problem by some hacker out there. Lastly, also use original copy of Windows.

After experiencing with the Samsung DVD 1080PK player for a few weeks, I am liking the player because to me, I uses a Samsung LCD TV and with its remote, I can control my TV and player at the same time. So, there’s no need to use 2 remote control for 2 devices.

All latest Samsung DVD player’s remote controls are capable of doing so. So if you have a Samsung TV, it’s good to get a Samsung DVD player too.

Don’t classified me as a Samsung fanboy, it’s just a coincidence that I am using a Samsung LCD TV and I got to review the Samsung DVD player. Of course, I love my TV and the player too.

I went to Prangin Mall yesterday for a movie and spotted the Xperia 1 or X1 selling in one of the mobile phone store there. The price is a little bit way to high and it’s at RM3299.

I love the QWERTY slideout keypard and the screen is a little bit small when looking it in real life than before on the preview.

Are you sick of Gmail’s white background theme? Now you can get rid of the boring colour on your computer screen. I did my daily morning routine, the first site I visit is the Gmail and I just found out that they have added a theme feature which have plenty of theme for you to choose from to suit your personal taste.

(image from Gmail blog)

You might see a message asking you to check out the Themes Lab, if you don’t, you click on Setting then navigate to Themes. From there, pick any of it that you like to use as your Gmail theme. I’ll say this is not a useful feature but this is a lot cooler than other email provider, even there’s no Theme, Gmail still rocks.

If you are a hacker wannabe, Terminal theme is for you.

Though, what am I using is just a simple black theme. Black background saves my screen’s energy and don’t strain my eyes a lot.

Cool new feature, check it out now.

Finally, I get to play some DVDs on the new Samsung DVD-1080PK player that I got recently. It’s a nice machine, sleek design with HDMI output and upscaling of DVD to full HD.

Setting up the player is pretty easy, just a HDMI cable will do it all. Though, you might want to tweek with the sound output because you don’t want your sound to come out from the crappy TV speakers unless you got a HDMI amplifier at home.

I connected the DVD player via HDMI cable to the TV, then I muted the sound on the TV. As for the sound output, I uses left and right channel to my Panasonic DVD Home Theater system. There’s actually output for rear, subwoofer and center speakers, I don’t really know where it connect to, speakers or an amplifier. But whatever it is, I can be sure it’s for providing a home cinematic experience.

Although it’s not digital output, I manipulated the left and right channel output to a 5.1 Dolby Digital channel and it sounds good with the rear and all the speakers working. It’s just not as loud as DTS.

For first usage, remember to change the display setting to a 16:9 if you are on a widescreen TV, I bet most of you are already on a widescreen HDTV. Then video output should be always in Progressive Scan mode. When these are done, you are ready rock your DVD.

I was watching Traitor on this player with upscaling on. What I saw was the picture quality it’s just okay, not as good as a Bluray. When you go closer, you can actually see that the picture when pixelated or sharpen because of the upscaling. I’ve test on both machine, one with upscale and another without, there’s indeed a little bit difference. Pictures are sharper with a HDMI cable than component cable.

Though, there’s not much significant difference when watching a DVD on your comfy couch far from the TV. If it’s a Bluray player, then there will be because I’ve tried Bluray before and the quality was superb. Samsung should have send me a Bluray player instead. Haha.

Anyway, I do like this player in term of it’s HDMI output and design. The setup menu is a bit slow but that don’t really bother you a lot. There’s extra feature like CD ripping to flash drive and karaoke mic input which I haven’t tried yet, but the main feature of this is still watching DVD.

To improve this, make it a Bluray player. =)

Recently just found out a site, GigaTweet that is counting the number of tweets that Twitter user has made.

It’s already over billion tweets and it’s still counting, fast. Follow me on Twitter @nicholaschan now.