Database Users

Looking to get a universal, some questions here!

I am seriously considering getting a universal to replace my pda (dell axim x51v) and cell phone (moto v551).
I got some questions to clear up before pulling the trigger
1) between the different variants, is there any difference other than software? Which one is supposed to be the best one? the worst one?
2) How does the universal handle video playback using the latest ROM, because according to an early review, the universal performed quite poorly.
3) Any universal user out there who also own(ed) an x51V, how does the universal behave compared to x51v generally?
Thanks a lot.

1) I've only ever used the O2 ROM, as I really like their visual style.
2) I can play XviD 640x360 (16:9) and 640x480 (4:3) both fullscreen with no resizing and they only stutter on lots of fast-changing detail e.g. fire, ripples, heat haze etc. 98% of the time, it's VERY watchable The other 2% last less than 5 seconds roughly on the types of video I watch. WMVs are not really watchable, MPEG1 / 2 are perfect, MPEG4 I don't have much experience with, but the clips I record with the Universal's built-in camera play fine.
3) I've never had another PPC
4) Get the true VGA hack if you get one!

1) i have used the O2 ROM, dopod ROM, Lt. Cmdr. Ivan's AKU3 ROM [beta 8 was the last ROM I used I think it's now on beta 15], JW's AKU3 imate ROM currently using JW's ROM [1.90.96] it's pretty stable and fast.
2) I barely use it for Video, I use it mainly for music. But when I played WMVs [all my WMVs are 320 x 240 as I encoded them all to this resolution when I still had QVGA devices not too forward thinking I know...] it did the job pretty well. Note I usually soft reset before and after watching a movie so that I get the most RAM I can.
3) Sorry never owned a DELL PPC.

Thanks for the input, guys.
Another quick question, how does the universal work as a phone? I know it's a pda phone and I shouldn't expect it to be as good as a regular phone.
But how is the usability of the universal as a phone? Missed calls problem or any other known problems?

renhui said:
Thanks for the input, guys.
Another quick question, how does the universal work as a phone? I know it's a pda phone and I shouldn't expect it to be as good as a regular phone.
But how is the usability of the universal as a phone? Missed calls problem or any other known problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My MDA Pro is usable as a phone since I got a bleutooth headset. Before that it wasnt a great phone. It is since I got a Siemens-Benq HHB-130, just love that headset.

Hi, Kassad, is it the bulky factor or the not-so-good sound quality of the internal speaker and mic that stops you from using it without a bluetooth headset? I've got a bluetooth headset, but I am not sure if I want to use it everytime I want to make a phone call or have a call come in.
BTW, how is the picture quality of the 1.3MP camera? How well does it capture video stuff? I will be interested in using it to take some short videos from time to time.
Thanks a lot.

on BT Headsets and Camera Functions
For me call quality is great but the bulk makes it akward to use at times. I wouldn't want to be fumbling with my Uni whilst walking, with a headset you just press the MFB and your talking... of course I get the: "hey did you earse my number???" everytime I ask who's on the line [as I don't see who's calling]. or the oddest thing I've gotten was: "Are you a handicap, a deaf-mute?" [not too many people with headsets here I suppose hahaha. By using a headset your hands are free to do other things as well.
--
As for the camera I barely use it as it's doesn't have the best of qualities. I wouldn't leave my Digicam if I wanted nice photos or a basic video clip. Maybe for spur of the moments snaps or vids in the morning [with good lighting] the camera is bearable.
--
Anyway apart from the bulk and the poor camera [I don't think theres any PPC with a nice camera, doesn't make it right but I guess it's a fact of life for the meantime] the Uni is a great device

renhui said:
Hi, Kassad, is it the bulky factor or the not-so-good sound quality of the internal speaker and mic that stops you from using it without a bluetooth headset? I've got a bluetooth headset, but I am not sure if I want to use it everytime I want to make a phone call or have a call come in.
BTW, how is the picture quality of the 1.3MP camera? How well does it capture video stuff? I will be interested in using it to take some short videos from time to time.
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the bulky factor, the sound quality is ok. With the headset much better tho.
Quality of the camera is only acceptable in full daylight when you're outside, any other situation, forget the camera.
But as an internet connected very small laptop its superb! I use it as my business device and love it.

I normally will not buy a phone that is 1 year old or more in the market, mobile phone technology moves very fast, you must get the latest!
Why not wait for HTC Omni or some other devices like O2 Flame?
Some will be out early next year.
Camera is ok, its 1.3MP but it has a extrapolated 2MP mode. But cannot beat the 3, 4 or 5 or event more MP digi cameras.
Night pics are ok if you have a stable hand and holding your breathe, the flash light is quite useless.
Video is also ok, in *.mp4 files. Full screen playback can be possible using TCPMP player.
Ringtone or stereo audio from the phone speakers ok. Phone Mic & Phone earpiece ok.
Bluetooth headsets with caller id or caller number type can be used.
Bluetooth stereo headsets can be supported with a registry hack available on this forum if you are not using the qtek rom.
My other PPC is iPAQ as in my signature.

Video call

is it possibly to make video call on hd2 ,because I dont see anywhere that option

There is no front facing camera, so there is no built in facility to make video calls.

yes I can see it dones not have front camera but I had many years ago nokia 6630 and it did not have front camera but it could make video call.

A few questions rtegarding Acre F1

I wonder if ppl are still using their F1/S200?
I'm currently stuck on my Samsung Omnia SGH-i900 because it's the only device that does 2 things that i need.
1) Torchbutton: to use the LED-flash as a LED-lamp. Currently mapped to the taskswitch-button.
2) Vito audio Notes touch can records phone-calls (automagically) even when the call is through a bluetooth headset.
I wonder can the F1 do the same?
Is there a program to use the LED-flash as a lamp
and does vito audio notes touch work to record calls? Perhaps someone can try this out for me (there's a demo to download on Vito's website or PM me)
I also wonder how's the camera? And are the latest ROM's any improvement on call quality (I hear it's not very good on the acer)?
Just a few questions. I ask this because the HTC Desire (which i wanted first) has no incall-recording whatsoever). Froyo-ROM's have a function to use the LED as a lamp though. And I tried an Omnia II (GT-i8000) and Vito Audio notes touch doesn't record calls (or wm notes for that matter). The only other alternative is to go for a Nokia Symbian device X6 or 5800 but that's a step backwards imho.
thanks in advance for the answers

Hi,
I try Torch button (v2.2) recently but it doesn't work on F1 with the actual driver on Arto's ROM. I get an Error Message : "Couldn't detect a supported device, exiting...". I'm interested if someone success to make it work, (also by use the flashlight to signal messages when phone is placed on the side of the screen, I know there is an HTC app to do this, but doesn't work on my phone).
I havn't test any call recorder.
The camera is not so good (disapointing for a 5M pixels), but for a phone it stay 'correct'.
Hope this helps

hey, the user stephano released a little program to use your led as flashlight.
I cant say much to vito audio recorder app,never used it, and dont have time to test it atm.
Regarding the camera, you re going two or ten steps back concerning quality if you compare acer neotouch vs samsung omnia. Acers camera quality is poo comparing it to the omnia. i owned a omnia before the neotouch and believe me i was very disappointed about the lack of features and very bad picture quality unless the light conditions are perfect.
On the other hand, the neotouch is indredibly fast, it has a hotswitch microsd slot, an audio jack. and a wvga resolution That were the things i ve missed on the i900
If you can stand the bad camera quality, the neotouch might be worth a try
Concerning the call quality, it's actually pretty good. It doesnt have a second mic to supress the background noise but i encounter the call quality as quite decent

the camera sux. no matter what rom u are using.
video camera sux too...

riotman said:
hey, the user stephano released a little program to use your led as flashlight.
I cant say much to vito audio recorder app,never used it, and dont have time to test it atm.
Regarding the camera, you re going two or ten steps back concerning quality if you compare acer neotouch vs samsung omnia. Acers camera quality is poo comparing it to the omnia. i owned a omnia before the neotouch and believe me i was very disappointed about the lack of features and very bad picture quality unless the light conditions are perfect.
On the other hand, the neotouch is indredibly fast, it has a hotswitch microsd slot, an audio jack. and a wvga resolution That were the things i ve missed on the i900
If you can stand the bad camera quality, the neotouch might be worth a try
Concerning the call quality, it's actually pretty good. It doesnt have a second mic to supress the background noise but i encounter the call quality as quite decent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also coming from I900 OMNIA...Totally agree!

Yes, forgetting the neotouch even has a camera is probably the best way to approach things, it has impressive speed and a great resistive screen, good call quality, great wifi reception, and an incredibly worthless camera

Acer F1 incall-recording
OK. According to http://pocketnow.com/review/acer-neotouch-s200-f1
The neotouch has native incall-recoring. Can anyone confirm this? And has anyone tried Vito's audionotes touch or Resco's audio recoring with incall-recording enabled? There's a demo on either website to try before you buy. I already bought it and would like to (keep) using it.
I asked if I could try it in a shop nearby but the gent wouldn't let me do it :-(
I already bought and returned a Samsung Omnia II because it didn't work (neither did iGo navigation but that's a different matter).
I have found Stefano's torchlight program so I presume this is solved. He kindly sent it to me and referenced me to his (italia) website. (Thanks Stefano).
So my options are this:
1) look for a second hand i900 (which I know everything I have works on)
2) Get a cheap Nokia C6 (i have an 2-way incall-recorder program for it and a program that can use the flash as led. I tried them on an X6 and 5230 so I think they'l work on this one too.
3) get this Acer F1 (which cost about the same as the Nokia C6). I have the software that I need, I'm unsure if they'll work. It seems to have a worse camera than the above models.
4) Get a second hand HTC HD2. These cost second hand about the same as a new Acer F1. There's a patch that allow 2-way incallrecording and I've a torchlight program.
5) Get a SE featurephone with LED lamp. They can use it as a torch and SE-phones have 2-way callrecording build in (just as Nokia featurephones).
6) forget all this and get an HTC Desire android phone (froyo has a torchlight app build in). There's no call-recording possible on the desire for now.
What shold I do?
The reason I can't keep using my Omnia 1 is because the metal frame (topside around the digitiser) is cracking open. I fear that soon the screen will break in two. Then it'll be over. But since I'm reluctant to spend yet another +400 euro's on a phone and then discovering things don't work as intended (as with the Omnia2). I ask this.
Anyway thanks in advance if anyone test these apps out. You can also PM me and I can sent you the program to test it for me?

epdm2be said:
And has anyone tried Vito's audionotes touch or Resco's audio recoring with incall-recording enabled? There's a demo on either website to try before you buy. I already bought it and would like to (keep) using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i have Vito´s Audiotones and the incall-recording is very functioning, in both ways and also over the loudspeakers. You can also map one of the three Acer Hardkeys for starting the incall-recording with Vito´s Audiotones.

Took the plunge
OK fella's
After my bluetooth headset wouldn't function on my omnia anymore I sped up my decisions. I finally took the plunge and went for the Acer F1. It's about the same price as a Nokia C6 and (from the intel gathered here 2way call-recording works on the F1).
My first impressions so far.
It looks nice. I haven't removed the stickers (yet) as I might return it if it doesn't work as wanted. The screen is very nice (for an TFT) and responds very well. Much better than the Omnia 1 (which is famous for its awfull screen). The device is notably snappy even with a screen resolution 4x times as high as on the Omnia. Other good things. It uses mini-usb to charge (though not every mini-usb cable can be used as I have discovered) and a separate audio-jack (unlike the omnia). So you can both charge and use the headphones, great. The FM radio seems to work without headphones plugged it?! The first time that I have seen this. The Acer dialer has NATIVE call recording. This is also the first I've seen on WM especially in such a userfriendly and logical way... right on the call-screen
Then there's the bad things.
The sound although good in quality, is very quiet compared to my Omnia. I admit that I tweaked that Omnia with some inbuild program. If ppl want to fiddle with that little program, I've included it as attachment. I strongly doubt it'll be of any use but it does seem to start-up. The camera is notoriously bad as everyone in here as already mentioned (compared to the omnia). Speakerphone is too low to be of any use. This unfortunately defies the use of that one program that I require (audio notes) to record calls since you can't properly hear them afterwards. Although the headphone-jack is on the right place (on mid-top) it's also too quiet to be of any use :-(.
Other things that I discovered when installing and using some software. I've installed SPB Mobile Shell (tried both 3.5.4 and 3.5.5) but whenever exit the camera-software, SPB MS returns in "change layout" mode (with the last widget, used before opening the cam-software, ready for removal or changing). I tried with both the cam-software in rom (3.003c) and Xakep TURBO camera to no avail. Very annoying. At one point I couldn't remove "Getting started" from today screen (WM Standard). But eventually I did manage to remove it (though I still have no idea what I prior did to make it happen. Again I tought this was due to SPB Mobile shell but since I could eventually remove it (while MS was running) it must have been something else. As of now, (after fooling around with Coreplayer, SPB Mobile shell, Vito's audio notes touch, a few games and utilities) whenver I use WM Standard today screen and try to open a picture (which gets neatly displayed on the pictures bar) it gives an error (file-associations seem to be ****ed up along the way). Again a minor hassle (like the "getting started" that wouldn't go away) but a hassle nonetheless :-(
Apart from the lousy camera (which i expected) and the low audio volume (which I didn't expect) this devices fares quite well. It definitly needs some kind of invisible shield (or other protection) for exterior protection as the shiny cover easily gets dirty. I haven't yet decided whether I'll keep it. If the audio was better then I could have used it as a small PMP but because of the low volume (even with headphones)... The speed and great screen considering its price are its main strenghts.
Included is the Omnia's Soundtester-program that Omnians use to tweak their handsets audio volume (by quite a bit I might say). I compared my omnia (before sending in for repair) to the Acer and the Omnia is not only much louder. The inbuild speaker produced better quality as well while playing this loud. I boosted volume with Coreplayer on mediafiles but it never matches the Omnia without distoring the sound. headphone output on the omnia is allmost on par as on my ancient iPod 60GB (this thing kills your ears definitly!) while the acer is no-more than whispering compared to both. Oddly enough call-quality wasn't so bad at all. Call-volume was reasonable (even in populated environments).
Thanks for the ppl who helped me out with regards to incall recording (the prime reason for sticking with WM) and to Steff (with info on his Torch program).
regards,
EPDM2BE

epdm2be said:
OK fella's
After my bluetooth headset wouldn't function on my omnia anymore I sped up my decisions. I finally took the plunge and went for the Acer F1. It's about the same price as a Nokia C6 and (from the intel gathered here 2way call-recording works on the F1).
My first impressions so far.
It looks nice. I haven't removed the stickers (yet) as I might return it if it doesn't work as wanted. The screen is very nice (for an TFT) and responds very well. Much better than the Omnia 1 (which is famous for its awfull screen). The device is notably snappy even with a screen resolution 4x times as high as on the Omnia. Other good things. It uses mini-usb to charge (though not every mini-usb cable can be used as I have discovered) and a separate audio-jack (unlike the omnia). So you can both charge and use the headphones, great. The FM radio seems to work without headphones plugged it?! The first time that I have seen this. The Acer dialer has NATIVE call recording. This is also the first I've seen on WM especially in such a userfriendly and logical way... right on the call-screen
Then there's the bad things.
The sound although good in quality, is very quiet compared to my Omnia. I admit that I tweaked that Omnia with some inbuild program. If ppl want to fiddle with that little program, I've included it as attachment. I strongly doubt it'll be of any use but it does seem to start-up. The camera is notoriously bad as everyone in here as already mentioned (compared to the omnia). Speakerphone is too low to be of any use. This unfortunately defies the use of that one program that I require (audio notes) to record calls since you can't properly hear them afterwards. Although the headphone-jack is on the right place (on mid-top) it's also too quiet to be of any use :-(.
Other things that I discovered when installing and using some software. I've installed SPB Mobile Shell (tried both 3.5.4 and 3.5.5) but whenever exit the camera-software, SPB MS returns in "change layout" mode (with the last widget, used before opening the cam-software, ready for removal or changing). I tried with both the cam-software in rom (3.003c) and Xakep TURBO camera to no avail. Very annoying. At one point I couldn't remove "Getting started" from today screen (WM Standard). But eventually I did manage to remove it (though I still have no idea what I prior did to make it happen. Again I tought this was due to SPB Mobile shell but since I could eventually remove it (while MS was running) it must have been something else. As of now, (after fooling around with Coreplayer, SPB Mobile shell, Vito's audio notes touch, a few games and utilities) whenver I use WM Standard today screen and try to open a picture (which gets neatly displayed on the pictures bar) it gives an error (file-associations seem to be ****ed up along the way). Again a minor hassle (like the "getting started" that wouldn't go away) but a hassle nonetheless :-(
Apart from the lousy camera (which i expected) and the low audio volume (which I didn't expect) this devices fares quite well. It definitly needs some kind of invisible shield (or other protection) for exterior protection as the shiny cover easily gets dirty. I haven't yet decided whether I'll keep it. If the audio was better then I could have used it as a small PMP but because of the low volume (even with headphones)... The speed and great screen considering its price are its main strenghts.
Included is the Omnia's Soundtester-program that Omnians use to tweak their handsets audio volume (by quite a bit I might say). I compared my omnia (before sending in for repair) to the Acer and the Omnia is not only much louder. The inbuild speaker produced better quality as well while playing this loud. I boosted volume with Coreplayer on mediafiles but it never matches the Omnia without distoring the sound. headphone output on the omnia is allmost on par as on my ancient iPod 60GB (this thing kills your ears definitly!) while the acer is no-more than whispering compared to both. Oddly enough call-quality wasn't so bad at all. Call-volume was reasonable (even in populated environments).
Thanks for the ppl who helped me out with regards to incall recording (the prime reason for sticking with WM) and to Steff (with info on his Torch program).
regards,
EPDM2BE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install one of my ROM's - Manila or Clean, they have enhanced Audio with SRS WOW HD drivers. Your Sound will be much better, louder and over the headphones you will get better sound quality.

[Q] MT4G Video Recording: Switch between front and rear facing cameras

I have been searching for a video RECORDING apps that will enable me to switch between the front-facing and the rear-facing cameras in mid-recording (without stopping the recording).
Qik and the myTouch 4G default cameras allow you to switch, but only when not recording. The other camera then gets disabled, and if you want to switch, you have to stop recording. I don't really wanna stitch 2 videos together, although I guess this is the short term answer until an app is made or an existing one supports this.
I have searched a few forums and Google without any answers. Is this even possible (even with root) or is this just wishful thinking?
EDIT: I know this is possible with video chat, but I want this for video recording.

Input and advice on the audio side of recording and video

I have the opportunity to really put the video and audio recording abilities of this phone to the test tonight at a couple of music venues. I've got to admit that the audio settings of the manual video camera and the HD audio recorder confuse me a bit. I understand that this phone has a raised level at which it'll clip (130db) but I don't even really know how to go about making sure I'm not clipping audio. (Video, sure, but not audio.) Any advice, instruction and/or input is appreciated with audio stuff. I want to give this thing a fair shake.
Second question... I know where two of the three mics are, one top and one bottom, but I've not yet seen anyone point out where the third one is, ideas?

CHH2 said:
I have the opportunity to really put the video and audio recording abilities of this phone to the test tonight at a couple of music venues. I've got to admit that the audio settings of the manual video camera and the HD audio recorder confuse me a bit. I understand that this phone has a raised level at which it'll clip (130db) but I don't even really know how to go about making sure I'm not clipping audio. (Video, sure, but not audio.) Any advice, instruction and/or input is appreciated with audio stuff. I want to give this thing a fair shake.
Second question... I know where two of the three mics are, one top and one bottom, but I've not yet seen anyone point out where the third one is, ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken the 3rd Microphone is internal, I recall seeing this on one of many youtube reviews I watched..

A weird place to keep a mic.

Ok, didn't get any input so I went in flying blind last night. For audio settings, I went into the HD audio recorder and looked at its concert settings and used those. I think I still need to figure out the settings better but I can actually hear more separation to the parts of the band than I could when I was there. (It was loud and just about a wall of noise!) So I have two links attached below. One was recorded just with the main lens. The other one I switched between the two. As you will see, there's a couple of things to point out, all which were obvious and to be expected. 1) My hands are shaky, especially standing there holding a phone up at various points of the set and through entire songs. 2) The wide angle lens obviously doesn't do as well being f2.4 at 8mp vs f1.8 and 16mp for the main but it did allow me to take in the whole band despite standing up front. 3) I'm not sure if the stabilization was active or not. I think it might have been and there's just only so much one should expect from it. Any way, the settings I used for the visual portion were FHD, bit rate high (24), ISO 3200 at 1/60 with video set to 30fps. (Oh! And I need to add a note, the refocusing is my fault for touching the screen during recording.)
https://youtu.be/ZobXudjVghM
https://youtu.be/zb_ncY5lbB0