This could save your driving license!

ALL DRIVERS TAKE HEED: WHY RISK YOUR DRIVING LICENSE OVER A COUPLE OF DRINKS WHEN YOU CAN EASILY PREVENT IT WITH THIS HANDY GADGET? WHY BLOW YOUR CHANCES AWAY WHEN YOU CAN AVOID IT?



Do you know that the legal limit for BRAC (Breath Alcohol Content) in Singapore is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millitres of breath (Driving In Singapore from the Singapore Police Force)? If you are interest to know about the legal blood alcohol content in areas where you live, check it out here.

The "de facto" standard is: 2 standard mugs of beer over a 2-hours period, so the saying goes... But can you really judge it? Well, the "redness" of your face may be a first tell-tale sign but still, it's no scientific measurement.

This handy Alcohol Breath Analyzer can provide you quick results on your BRAC in matter of seconds, by simply exhaling into a consealed pipe. It has the following calibrations:

• Green - under 10mg per 100 millitres of breath
• Yellow - over 10mg per 100 millitres of breath
• Yellow & Red - over 25mg per 100 millitres of breath.

Note: This device is more stringent than Singapore's allowed limit of 35mg per 100 millitres of breath.

Weighing only 22g (or 0.048lbs), it is certainly not heavy nor bulky (L70xW20xD21mm) to carry around. Powered by 2xAAA batteries (alkaline batteries are preferred).

I tested it using the "2 mugs beer" theory and still pass the test (that's probably because I drank it over a 90 minutes period). However, I did another test on the Alcohol Breath Analyzer after I gargle my mouth with Listerine (which contains alcohol to kill oral germs and bacterials). This time, both the yellow and red indicators are lighted, indicating that I had exceeded the limit. Pretty cool!

This device is extremely handy for social/casual drinkers (while entertaining clients) and diners who'd like wine to go along with their steak. In my opinion, this Alcohol Breath Analyser is a must-have for all drivers, regardless whether you drink or not. It may well be your angel guardian over your driving license and perhaps a saver of another person's life. Don't get caught with your pants down..prevention is still the better choice.

If you can, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISKS. PERIOD.

Just Got My Hands On This Acrylic Digital Photo Frame

Barely two weeks after my last post on the 7" LCD Digital Photo Frame (see http://mexdigi.blogspot.com/2007/01/now-i-can-have-my-photos-displayed.html), another unit was sent in by the manufacturer for review.

I liked it the moment I saw it... A clear piece of glossy acrylic frames the LCD unit adds a classy touch to the Digital Photo Frame. The LCD panel is protected by a layer of thin plastic film that reveals a matt finished LCD screen. This new model has exactly the form factor as the previous model reviewed, and weighs just about the same.

The clear, transparent acrylic frame, when viewed from a distance, gives an impression that this Digital Photo Frame looks much compact and slimmer than its actual size.



I was impressed by the bright LCD screen the moment I powered it on. For some reasons, the LCD panels from this model seems brighter than the previous model reviewed with more natural colour tones. You may like to view the comparison below.

Both models share the same specifications (abeit the brighter LCD screen in the newer model) and support the same types of memory cards (SD/MMC/MS/MicroSD & MiniSD) (MiniSD & MicroSD requires external adapters) and USB drives (including thumb drives and external HDD). I tested the model using 1GB SD, MiniSD and MicroSD and it is able to read the cards' directory structure and contents. External 2.5" Hard Disk Drives up to 120GB were tested and the unit works just as well.

A good feature I discovered is the OTG (On-The-Go) support for USB devices. With this feature, I can easily transfer files (JPEG files or DivX movie files) between SD cards and connected USB device (vice versa) just from a touch of the remote control.

Sample footage from Prison Break played directly from my external USB 2.5" HDD (which is also a DivX/MPEG4 HDD player). The built-in speakers provide adequate volume during movie playback.

Though control buttons are provided at the back of the panel, you will probably choose not to use it as it can be quite a daunting task trying to access the system menu using these buttons. So please do not mis-place your remote control.



The entire package comes with the following items:

• Digital Photo Frame
• An adjustable stand
• Remote Control
• Power Adapter (110 - 240 volts)
• A composite video out cable (RCA type)

Technical Specifications:

• 7” InnoLux Bright LCD Panel (Brightness: 350 cd/m2, Contrast Ratio: 200:1)
• Panel resolution: 480x3RGB by 234 pixels
• Size: 22 L x 16 H x 2 W cm, Item weight: 1.1 kg, Package weight: 2 kg approximately
• Photo format: JPG, Maximum photo size: 8MB
• Audio: MP3, WMA, WAV
• Video: DivX, Xvid, MPEG, VOB, AVI
• Supported media: SD, MMC, MiniSD, MicroSD, MS cards
• USB support for thumb drives and external hard disks
• Voltage input: 110-250V, output: 12V

With the prices of the SD memory cards and USB memory devices falling steadily over the past year, it may well become a extremely affordable storage solutions for your digital photos. The potential costs you save for developing photo prints (at approximately 40 cents/per 4R photo) may well justifies getting your hand on this nifty gadget.

Now I Can Have My Photos Displayed Without Needing To Send For Prints

I used to have a photo of my kids displayed on my desk. As my kids grow up, so does the frequency in swapping photos, selecting from the ever growing number of photo prints.

Not any more...ever since I got my hands on a 7" LCD Digital Photo Frame.



First Take

First of all, at 22 cm (L) by 16(H) (8.7" by 6.3") and at 1.1kg (2.4lbs), it is not too bulky and heavy. Feel "just right". The LCD panel is a 7" InnoLux Active Matrix TFT with a 480x234 resolution. The package comes with the following items:

• Power adapter (110 - 240 volts auto detecting type)
• Photo stand
• Video out cable, RCA type (Yellow, Red and White) which you can plug into a TV
• Card size remote control
• Instructions manual

Features

• Configurable 16:9 and 4:3 screen aspects ratio. For optimal photo display, set the screen to 4:3 format. The 16:9 screen aspect ratio is used for move playback (Yes! It supports DivX3/4/5 and Xvid MP4 playback). For video playback, you can connect the device to TV using the supplied audio/video cable.
• SD, MMC, MS, miniSD and microSD cards supported. Note that for an adapter is required for miniSD and microSD card. With the prices of SD cards dropping to affordable levels, it is certainly worthwhile to invest in a 2GB SD card for photo storage. The digital photo frame will auto display the SD card contents (photos) once it is plug in.
• MP3 support and music is provided by 2 speakers. You can also play a MP3 track while displaying the photos in a slideshow manner.
• Brightness level: 350 cd/m², Contrast Ratio: 300:1. Adaquate for in-door display (certainly not out-door). However, the default factory brightness and contrast settings are not optimal. Luckily, the device provides separate controls for brightness, contrast and colour settings which you can adjust to your liking.
• USD support for devices like USB drive and external hard disks. Using the USB OTG (On-The-Go) features, you can transfer files (images, mp3 tracks and video files) from the SD card to the USB device. A nifty feature.
• Supports up to 8MB photo size

More Photos

Sample photo display.


Sample footage from "Prison Break" Xvid movie playback.

Sample footage from "House" DivX movie playback.

Verdict

With its cool looks and feature rich functions, this gadget is certainly a must-have to own. Digital photos taken can be viewed instantaneously without needing to send for prints (these savings from prints can add up over time and I believe those who develop prints regularly will agree to this), not to mention the ease of changing photos. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this would be the perfect gift - fully loaded with memorial photos since dating times.

The video playback capability certainly adds entertainment values to the package. Clever advertisers can creatively use the digital frame to promote campaigns, advertisements, annocements by simply placing it at strategic areas such as the office reception areas or the guests' reception lounge. Retailers can use it to flash promotional items (what can be more eye-catchy... a TV or a portable device like this that plays video?) etc. Exercise your creativity and you will find a cause to get your hands on this gadget.

Some Comments I Heard...

• Should it be equpped with a battery pack option? Well, yes and no. This might be a "good to have" option but absolutely unnecessary. This is a photo frame display (only difference is that it is digital), not a portable media player (PMP). If portability is what you need, go get a portable media player instead and decide for yourself which item is aesthetically more eye pleasing - a PMP or a Digital Photo Frame for photo display.


• The LCD screen should be sharper, brighter etc etc. Well, you are right but be prepared to pay alot more. Its reasonable price tag of SGD200 (Singapore Dollars) or less (approximately USD125) negates its less-than-perfect technical specifications. Unless one scrutinizes the display with a magnifier glass like a hawk eyeing its prey among the bushes, you are likely unable to spot any differences from afar.


• Perhaps the only fault is: It lacks a ear-piece plug which will come in handy during video playback.

In short, go get this.... it is worth every cents. PERIOD.