Windows Vista officially supports on 512 MB of RAM or higher. The setup itself stops you from installing without the necessary amount of RAM. But fortunately this can be bypassed using a certain crack.
I am currently working on a friend's laptop, on which he wanted Windows Vista to be installed. But its RAM and Graphics are nothing much to be spoken about. 256 MB of RAM definitely did not appeal to the Windows Vista Setup program, so I cracked the setup. Next time it did work.
Almost everything on the internet warned that using Vista on 256 MB of RAM was very foolish, and would be fruitless. But I used to run Vista with 512 MB of RAM on my own computer some time ago, and it worked very well! So I beleived that Windows Vista could run on 256 MB at a reasonable speed as well.
Setup
First I reformatted the computer and installed Windows XP. Then I copied the Vista setup files to the computer and cracked it to work with 256 MB of RAM.
The setup ran at the speed I was used to. Took about 45 minutes to complete. No problems whatsoever. I was very pleased.
First Startup
The "Welcome" screen appeared and stayed on for about 30 seconds. Next it loaded the desktop. Although the system could now be used, it was loading stuff in the background for about 5 minutes, and everything was slow. After that, everything ran smoothly and without any system errors.
Boosting the Speed
The Speed of Vista greatly depends on the Processor and RAM. The processor, in this case, was a Intel Celeron M with a 1.3 GHz clock speed. The RAM was, of course, only 256 MB. So one way to speed up was to increase the RAM.
I could not waste money on buying new RAM for the laptop. Instead, I used Vista's new and powerful feature named "Windows ReadyBoost".
What does it do? It uses a USB Flash Drive (min. 64 MB of free space) as extra RAM. So I plugged in completely empty 256 MB Flash Drive and enabled ReadyBoost. Voila! The system sped up like I never expected.
Tweaking
Actually, so far I have not done any tweaking to the computer. The current speed of Vista on the laptop is satisfactory. Maybe I will get on to it later.
Gaming
This too I have yet to test. The graphics card itself if not very powerful, but games like Grand Theft Auto used to work earlier on XP. So now I must see how it works on Vista.
I will update this blog post with my future experiences with Windows Vista on my friend's low RAM laptop. For now, I am pleasantly surprised on Vista's performance.
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Windows Vista: The 256 Experience
The Fat Green Bar
Have you ever recoded or made a DVD on Windows Vista using the bundled applications (Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker)? Did the final result include a fat green bar covering the bottom half of the video? Were you using Xvid Videos?
Say hello to one big problem with Windows Vista's bundled software! A green bar coveres the bottom half of the screen and squeezes the poor video in to the top half. You get a beautiful squashed video.
This often happens to those who download Xvid encoded videos from the internet and try to burn them to a DVD or just recode them to WMV (Windows Media Video format). I, myself, sacrificed an expensive Dual Layer DVD to Windows DVD Maker when trying to burn a cool film on to DVD. The result was horrible and I beleive no movie ever deserves such treatment (OK, maybe I am wrong).
**Note that Nero 8 Ultra Edition never worked with DivX or Xvid files for me. Anyone with a solution is more than welcome to comment here and educate me. Thanks.
Solution
Download and install the Xvid Codec (Click Here). Then go to All Programs > Xvid > Configure Decoder. In the "Output" section, enable "Compatibility Renderer".
Voila! Your videos will finally get the proper treatment. No more Fat Green Bar. But still I hope Microsoft does something about this.
Digital Video Broadcasting
Here I will mention a few of the DVB standards and describe them briefly:-Digital Video Broadcasting over Terrestrial networks (DVB-T)
DVB-T uses MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 (H.264) for broadcasting. This system is used worldwide for broadcasting free to air channels. It is mostly used by national broadcasters. Around the world, many countries have made it a law to upgrade national television to digital, the deadline being around 2009-2015. After the deadline, all analogue networks will be forced to shut down in these countries. The same also applies to radio networks, but those are not being discussed here.
In the U.K. (where I am now), the government has ordered the public and the broadcasts to "Switchover to Digital" by 2012. In 2012, all analogue networks will be shut down. Therefore the people are moving to services such as Freeview (also DVB-T) and Sky (pay television DVB-S) in order to avoid wasting money on a new television set or separate digital tuner.
Other countries too are making "switchovers" and moving to digital.
In Sri Lanka - Rupavahini Corporation announced a few years ago that they will go digital by 2008. But afterward, plans seemed to be cancelled and nothing seems to be upgraded. But behind the scenes, Dialog Telekom and another group called Sumathi have obtained licenses to broadcast digitally. Sumathi is already quietly broadcasting 4 channels, whilst Dialog is testing their systems with local channels. Dialog will soon launch a pay television service through DVB-T in Colombo and soon in other parts of the country, providing around 40 channels including 6 local channels (the ones already on Dialog Satellite TV). But no sign of national television broadcasters going digital themselves. Same applies for the radio broadcasters.
Digital Video Broadcasting over Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (DVB-MC)
All right, this system is basically Microwave broadcasting using MMDS. But in digital. This system uses the UHF frequencies, and broadcasts in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. I've mentioned it here because of its presence in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka - MMDS is used by the pay television operator Comet Cable in analogue form. But the service has been planning and promising to upgrade to DVB-MC for ages now. The latest promise is to upgrade by September 2007. But nobody can really be sure this will happen, as many false promises have been given before. But we should wait and see what happens.
Digital Video Broadcasting over Satellite networks (DVB-S and DVB-S2)
This technology is used for satellite television worldwide. It can be used with MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 encoding (nothing new). The newer version of the standard, DVB-S2, provides more features and facilities to save bandwidth and give more interactivity.
In Sri Lanka - Dialog Satellite Television, TV Lanka and Srilakvahini. These are the main companies which broadcast using DVB-S in Sri Lanka. Dialog TV is possibly planning to upgrade to DVB-S2 soon (not sure though).
Digital Video Broadcasting over Cable networks (DVB-C)
This standard allows for unlimited broadcasting of channel over a cable network. There is simply no limit to the number of channels broadcasted, and the total bandwidth is only the maximum of the cable used. That means the total bandwidth can fit almost two HDTV channels simultaneously on a coxial cable. Imagine the bandwidth and possibilities with a fibre optic network!
The high bandwidth allows for the best picture quality and sound quality possible. And there is little cost in operating a cable network, resulting in a very low price of pay television on cable networks.
In Sri Lanka - The cable television network Lanka Broadband Networks (LBN) uses DVB-C in its digital network. LBN is speedily expanding their channel collection and their only limit is coverage. They are the best pay television network in Sri Lanka because of this.
Digital Video Broadcasting for Handheld devices (DVB-H)
This standard uses almost the same technology as in DVB-T. However, the DVB-H television is suited to be used on battery powered devices with limited processing power and small screens. DVB-H allows for devices such as mobile phones to view television without wasting battery power.
Many countries have already deployed DVB-H networks, and many mobile phones already support the system (including some phones in the Nokia N Series).
In Sri Lanka - Dialog is planning to launch a DVB-H network soon.
Discuss Dialog TV Here
All non-racist, non-fighting, peaceful bloggers are welcome to peacefully discuss Dialog TV affairs here, in comments under this post.
This is only temporary, as the Dialog TV Forum is in a huge mess.
I will not allow any racsism and religious affairs to be discussed here. No fighting. Comments will be moderated.
I hope you all find good place to talk until the problems at Dialog TV Forum are solved.
Thank You.
Dialog TV Unofficial Website - Now Open!
I have just completed the first stage of my new Unofficial Website for Dialog TV. This website provides the information Dialog takes a long time to provide, or never provides at all. Also, it is a much better alternative to the main website if you want to find the correct prices and packages according to the real name of the channel. In the Dialog TV website, TEN Sports is marked as "10 Sports". And... well, just go there and see. I hope they fix it soon.
Returning to the subject of the new website, it is the successor to a failed project named the Dialog TV Wiki. Failed means that there was no one to help maintain the wiki, whereas a wiki should be maintained by community, not one person.
Therefore this website will only be maintained by me. But of course, all are welcome to email me or post a comment in this blog about any mistakes or updates.
So I hope you all consider visitng the site. Note that you should enable ActiveX on Internet Explorer before-hand, or when asked, to access the website properly.
Also note that I have no relation with Dialog TV exept that I am a mobile and pay television customer. The unofficial website is maintained by me, not Dialog. I hope Dialog has no objection to the unofficial website.
Dialog TV wins the Poll!
Dialog TV has won the first poll of this blog.
Here are the details of the poll:-
- Q - Which pay television service do you think is the best in Sri Lanka?
- A - Comet Cable, Dialog TV, Dish TV India (via SATnet or Telecave) and LBN
Here are the final standings of the poll:-
- Dialog TV - 64 Votes - 51%
- LBN - 54 Votes - 43%
- Comet Cable and DishTV Tie
New Domain for TechnoGuy's Blog
I am pleased to announce that this blog is now accessible on its own domain.
http://www.technoguy.tk
I obtained this domain for free from a service named "Dot TK". The will provide free domains under the ".tk" suffix for anyone who signs up, provided the domain they want is available.
Please visit this blog through this domain, as it will ensure that I can keep the domain for myself. Or else the domain might expire if not enough people visit through it.
Thanks to everyone who visits this blog and helps me in my work.
TechnoGuy's Poll
I am introducing a new poll every week on this blog. Just check on the right side bar and the poll should be on the top. Each poll will be open for 6 or 7 days. If your IP address is recorded (works most of the time), then you can change your selection.
This weeks question: Which pay television service do you think is the best in Sri Lanka?
The answers: Comet Cable, Dialog TV, Dish TV India (via SATnet or Telecave) and LBN
Remember that you can always change the answer if you change your mind.
Channels on Lanka Broadband Networks
Lanka Broadband Networks operates a cable based television network providing over 70 channels with the best picture quality in Sri Lanka. There are both analog and digital networks covering certain areas of the Colombo district.
This is a accurate list of channels on LBN. Channels available on both the analog and digital networks are listed. Where I know, I will mention if the channel is available on only analog or digital. Please comment on this post with any new information or with any corrections for this listing.
Paid International Channels
- HBO
- HBO Signature
- HBO HiTS
- HBO Family
- STAR Movies
- CineMAX
- Zee Studio
- ESPN
- STAR Sports
- NEO Sports
- NEO Sports +
- STAR World
- AXN
- National Geographic Channel
- The History Channel
- Discovery Travel and Living
- Discovery Channel
- Animal Planet
- Cartoon Network
- Nickelodeon
- Disney Channel
- Toon Disney
- Channel [V]
- MTV
- Vh1
- Zee Trendz
- CNN
- Bloomberg Television
- NDTV 24x7
- KTV
- Sun TV
- STAR Vijay
- Sun Music
- STAR Gold
- STAR Plus
- Zee TV
- Zee Cinema
- STAR Chinese Channel
- Surya TV
- Dubai One
- Saudi Channel
- Chutti TV
Free International Channels
- Channel NewsAsia
- Al Jazeera International
- GOD TV
- EWTN
- Islam Television
- DD Podhigai
- Jaya TV
- Win TV
- ETV
- TVM
- Pakistan Television
- TV5Monde Asie
- DW-TV
- Arirang
- NHK
- Zee Muzic
- B4U Music
- Dharmavahini
Local Channels
- Rupavahini
- Channel Eye
- ITN
- ARTv
- Swarnavahini
- ETV
- Derana
- Max Television
Total Channels
Paid Int. Channels = 42
Free Int. Channels = 18
Local Channels = 08
Total Channels on LBN
= 42+18+8
= 68 Channels
New Channels on Dialog TV
During the months of June and July 2007, Dialog TV has been introducing new channels to their lineup. A total of 13 channels were to be added (excluding STAR), and 11 have been launched so far. These channels are available on the third transponder.
Updates: HBO Family was added on June 15. NDTV and SRTV were added on June 17. GOD Channel was added on June 19.
Here is the list of the 11 available new channels, according to channel numbers on the decoder:-
CH37 - TEN Sports - WWE, Cricket, Le Tour de France and more
CH38 - Hallmark Channel - Family friendly and other interesting programming
CH39 - SET - Indian Idol and Hindi entertainment
CH40 - HBO HiTS - Seven new HiT movies for each day of the week
CH41 - Australia Network - Entertainment, movies, news and more direct from Australia
CH42 - SET SAB - Hindi entertainment for the younger generations
CH43 - NEO Sports Plus - Sports
CH44 - NEO Sports - Channel dedicated to cricket (mainly Indian cricket)
CH45 - The Buddhist - Sri Lanka's first Buddhist television channel
CH46 - HBO Family - Family friendly movies
CH47 - NDTV 24x7 - Indian English news channel
CH48 - SR TV - Tamil movie channel
CH49 - GOD Channel - Christian religious channel
Here are the channels which are yet to be tested:-
STAR World - American Idol, Oprah and other English entertainment
STAR Movies - English movie channel
STAR Plus - India's No 1 Hindi entertainment channel
STAR Vijay - Popular Tamil entertainment channel
Picture Quality
As in all test transmissions, you can expect low picture quality at the beginning. Normally, correcting this would be one of the main focuses of test transmissions. However, in Dialog's case, with most channels distributed in digital technology, it is not a matter of picture quality. But Dialog has a wide variety of technical problems such as picture freezing. Picture freezing was first seen on the SET channel after DialogTV's launch in February 2007. It then seemed to spread on to other channels. This was possibly the case for the new channels as well. Therefore the main focus of the Dialog TV test transmissions is getting the technical problems solved.
But enough of technical details. Of course, at the beginning the quality of the new channels was plain awful. This made me rather reluctant to boast about Dialog's new channels. This lasted until Monday this week.
The NEO Sports, NEO Sports Plus, SET SAB and CNN channels were removed temporarily on Thursday last week. CNN had picture freezing, but now it seems to have been solved after the reappearance on Monday (July 9). The NEO channels returned on Tuesday (July 10), together with no picture freezing and with much improved picture quality. Then the other channels too were given better compression and thus better picture quality.
Update: SET SAB is back, as of June 12 2007.
During fast movements on TEN Sports and Hallmark Channel, the picture would previously be covered in black and white blocks as a result of very heavy pixelation. It was worse that watching a video on a 56k internet connection. But since Tuesday, the fast movements were very clear and 90% of the pixelation had disappeared. The overall picture qualiy had improved greatly.
Sound Quality
Sound quality has rarely been an issue on Dialog TV (yes, surprising). Even with the new channels there is not much of a problem.
But in some channels only one side of the audio is provided. Stereo sound incudes at least 2 sides (channels). It is not yet clear as to why this is done by Dialog TV.
In case of HBO HiTS, it is a feed coming from Hong Kong. Therefore these is commentary in both English (on one side) and Chinese (on the other side) during advertisements of their programming. Therefore it is suitable to block the Chinese side during advertisements. But this has to be changed during the movie, as otherwise there will be an awful sound quality with only one side of audio.
But yesterday I noticed Chinese and Englich commentary going one after the other. Mybe HBO has stopped the dual language on dual side thing, because then people or services have to block the unwanted commentary. One language at a time is much better.
EPG
The Electronic Programming Guide for seven days was introduced for most channels in Dialog TV throughout this year (2007). The EPG for the new channels are already being introduced.
TEN Sports and Australia Network had EPGs when I checked around 3.30 pm today (July 11). Hallmark Channel surprisingly did not. But probably the EPGs for other channels will appear throughout this week, or month.
Update: EPGs are also available on HBO HiTS and SET, after the evening of June 11. Also the Australia Network, HBO HiTS and many other EPGs of older channels have descriptions of the program.
STAR Channels
Due to technical problems the launch of these channels have been continously delayed. But it is confirmed that they will appear within this month (July) or the next (August). Lets just hope that they do not have heavy pixelation, or the much feared picture freezing when they arrive.
For now, I congratulate Dialog for the introduction of the new channels. I hope they sort out the package structures properly and introduce the right channels to the right packages. At the moment, the package settings are creating a bit of a revolt among Dialog TV customers.
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