Modifying Dell Monitor’s Stand for Non Vesa Monitor

5 May 2018

The new Dell SE2417HG LED Monitor is non Vesa;  meaning,  it does not have the usual 4 mounting holes at the back cover to fit Vesa wall mounting bracket or the Vesa stand.  The usual way is to purchase special non-VESA adaptor kit shown as follows

 

This article will describe one way to modify the existing stand  of SE2417HG to fit into the old Dell 2407 wfp stand.  The same method  can also be used to fit into wall mounting brackets

What's Needed?

1.  The usual tools such as flat end screw drivers,  Philips screw driver, electric drills and other necessary mounting screws etc

2.  2 pieces of metal extension bar 

How to Modify?

Carefully ply open the casing of the original stand using a flat end screw driver,  starting  from the bottom side of the stand as shown by the red arrow.  

  

When the casing's bottom end  opened up,  use a small screw driver to carefully ply open the bottom cover away from the top cover,  working around the edges, giving way to clear the fragile clips.   In the process,  making sure no force will be applied to the clips or they will break easily. 

Once the cover is opened,  remove the  6 screws that hold the metal plate to the  stand as shown

 
Now untighten the 2 side nuts  as shown  and take note how the washers etc were arranged.

 

Flip the metal plate over and install the  metal extension bars as indicated so that the mounting bracket will clear the back cover of the monitor when it is mounted.

Remove the rotating plate from the old  Dell 2407 stand.  Drill and tap 4 nos of M4 threaded hole to mount the assembly onto the old stand as shown

Lastly,  fit the whole assembly including the metal plate back to the old Dell 2407 wfp stand.

Xiaomi TV or Box Insufficient Memory Problem

14 Apr 2018

Xiaomi TV or box often gives out warnings about insufficient memory and causes TV or box to cease operation or having read/write errors etc. This article will explain why and how to avoid this.

What type of Memories?

ox Insufficient Memory Problem

Xiaomi TV or box has  2 type of memories.  For example,  Xiaomi TV4 has  2 GB Random Access Memory (RAM)and 8 GB storage of embedded Multi-Media Controller (eMMC) or flash memory.     The latter consists of  both a flash memory and a flash memory controller integrated in a memory chip.

Where they Use?

RAMs are mainly used for storage of Operating System (OS), current application programs and data so they can be quickly reached by the microprocessor. whereas eMMCs are used for storage of third-party apk files or its installation cache files.  It is also used to store the user data and cache and some applications that do not need instant access by the microprocessor.

Why Insufficient Memory?

When one downloads and installs too many third party apk files or the system generates too many cache files,  it will clog up the limited memories

How to Avoid?

1. Regularly use memory cleaners such as One Key Cleaner to constantly clear up the unnecessary data generated by the system while it is working; 

2. Flash and store only apks that use as little memory as possible;

3. Timely delete unnecessary apks 

What is the Official Xiaomi Cleaner?

The official cleaner is called “TV Manager”.   Unlike many other cleaners,  this cleaner has the following  functions

1. Optimise the memory space
2. Boosting Internal Memory
3. Gabbage Cleaning
4. Uninstall APKs
5. Deep cleaning
6. USB thumbdrive installation
7. Useful APKs
8. Internet Speed Test
9. Network Testing

The most commonly used functions are 1,2 and 5 for cleaning purposes

These function are explained as follows

 What are the Alternatives?

TV Manager is useful but it does not have automatic cleaning function that will clean the memory at regular intervals.   A 3rd party cleaner designed by  Shafa called “一键清理TV版”  or One Key Cleaner TV version can be viewed from here. .   It is a useful small program always running in the background.  It  will clean the memory in half hourly or other interval. 

Xiaomi TV Audio Output Connections

9 April 2018

1) The Hard Wiring Connection

2) Blue Tooth  Connection
3) More about SPDIF and  HDMI (ARC)
4) Why HDMI (ARC) Not Working

Xiaomi TV or MiTV  is originally a TV manufactured in China for Chinese market.  Plenty of users has encountered problems;  for example,  playing YouTube 4K movies or  trying to install Google Play Store.  This is because Xiaomi has omitted the supporting features not commonly found in Chinese market to cut down cost.  One of such features is the old type of analogue video and audio output ports.  

How Many Ways?

There are 2 ways to connect to MiTV's audio system

1.  Hard Wiring Method
2.  Blue Tooth  

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1.  Hard Wiring Method

Xiaomi TV has only digital ports;  SPDIF is the only audio output port available.  Alternatively, one could use one of the HDMI that has Audio Return Channel (ARC) for audio connection.  This is provided the audio receiver also has an HDMI with ARC connection;  otherwise,  one would have to use an HDMI ARC adaptor which allows signal to be converted to other audio format.

a)  What is SPDIF?

SPDIF stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface.  It is a type of digital audio connection used in consumer audio equipment.  Unlike ordinary analogue audio connection,  SPDIF  signal is transmitted digitally over either a coaxial cable or a fibre optic cable called TOSLINK connectors.   Most modern amplifiers will have SPDIF connectors;  older amplifiers only has analogue connections.

b)  What to do for Amplifiers without the correct SPDIF connection?

Xiaomi TV only has a co-axial type of SPDIF connection.   If one’s amplifier has only TOSLINK port,  one will have to buy a Co-axial RCA to Optical TOSLINK SPDIF converter as shown

  

However,  if one’s amplifier has only analogue port such as composite video/audio inputs,  one will need to buy a Digital to Analogue audio converter with RCA connectors as shown

 c)  Connecting up

In addition to the above converter,  one would need to have the right type of cables 

1.   For connection between Xiaomi TV and the converter -  A length of Co-axial digital RCA cable 

2.  For connection between the Converter and one's amplifier - either a TOSLINK cable or a set of RCA audio cable depending on one's amplifier set up

d) Any Difference between the Ordinary and Digital Co-axial Cable?

They are all having the same type of RCA connectors. 　The difference is in the quality of the cables.  The digital cable has better grade of cable and RCA connector.  However,  some claimed that there was no appreciable difference for a short length of cable connection.

e)  Connection using HDMI ARC

This audio connection is more commonly used by audiophile who often seek perfection in sound quality as it is one mean of sending true Dolby sound surround from the TV to the sound system.  For more information about how to set this up,  please refer to this article.  

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2)  Blue Tooth

a)  Type of Blue Tooth　

This is the most modern way of audio connection that is being used nowadays  in almost every new sound system.   The connection is done by pairing between 2 devices for example,  the TV and the phone or the speaker system.   Up to seven or eight devices can often be paired but usually,  one 2 devices can be paired together.

MiTV has its own built-in audio bluetooth transmitter which will allow audio connection to the speaker or headphones through a bluetooth receiver such as these receivers

There are several types of blue tooth receivers available in the market.  They differ only in the way they get their power,  some has its own rechargeable battery while others has a USB charger.    Although Bluetooth standards are always backward compatible,  it is preferable to get receivers that are using the same Bluetooth standard as the TVs;  in the case of MiTV,  it is Bluetooth 4.2.

b)  Connecting up

Connecting the Bluetooth device is relatively easy.  All one has to do is to pair up the devices.  To pair up,  fire up [Setting] and select [Device and Bluetooth],  MiTV will search for available Bluetooth device in the room.  If the Bluetooth device does not show up,  try turning on the Bluetooth device as it may be switch off by default.

Other Articles About Xiaomi TV or Box 

Can be found here

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A Userful Cleaner for Xiaomi TVs or TV Boxes

4 Apr 2018

Xiaomi TV or TV box has limited memory and quite often,  it's operation will slow down when its memory is clogged up;  sometimes,  the TV may stop to operate altogether until one cleans up the memory manually.  A method where one’s TV or TV boxes can be cleaned automatically in the background is presented here;  also,  it will not touch the user data so one did not have to re-enter all the data again and again.

What’s Needed

1.    An Apk called “一键清理TV版”  or One Key Cleaner TV version which can be downloaded here or  directly from the apps maker from here.  One could also download the APK directly from shafa apps.

Note:  Some browsers might pick this file with virus warning but the file has been scanned using McAfee to be free of virus.

2        Some trial and error effort

Step by Step

1.  Download and install the APK

Fire up the APK through App Store as shown,  one would be greeted by this screen immediately while the APK proceeds to clean the memory

2.     It will show the following screen when the cleaning process is completed.

3.    Click the green button which will set the automatic cleaning process;  one would be greeted by the following screen

Using the remote control,  click the top button to accelerate the cleaning process,  then select and click the bottom button to set the timing for the cleaning

4,  The TV or box is now set for automatic cleaning every one hour in the background while one is watching the TV

Other Articles About Xiaomi TV or Box 

Can be found here

 

 

Quick Screen Capture of Picture or Video in Xiaomi TV

2 Apr 2018
  
A feature not known to many Xiaomi TV users is the quick screen capture of picture or video while watching the movies.   This feature has 3 functions for screen cleaner,   screen capturing and screen recording。 

How to Access this feature?

While watching the TV，  press “Home” button twice quickly,  one should reach to the following screen showing 3 buttons for cleaning,  screen capturing and screen video recording。

What are the Functions for the 3 buttons

1.    Cleaner :  Pressing it will clear all the screens leaving only the main menu screen and the setting screen at the top;

2.    Screen Capture :  Pressing this will capture a screen instantly and a notice will be displayed when completed;

3.    Screen Recording:  This button will record a short video of about 15 seconds,  A notice will also be displayed.

How to Retrieve the Capture Files

For some reasons,  Xiaomi doesn’t appear to have the apps for displaying the captured files.  One  will have to make use of an App called “ES File Explorer” which can be downloaded from here in Aptiode-TV.

1.  Fire up ES File Explorer once downloaded,  one should reach this screen.

2.  Select “Local” Folder and click “Internal Storage”  then scroll down the page, one would be greeted by this screen

3,  The video and screen captured files are kept in one of the 2 files called “ScreenCapture” or “ScreenRecorder”; an example is shown here. 

4.  Have fun.

Other Articles About Xiaomi TV or Box 

Can be found here

How Open Electricity Market Works in Singapore?

30 March 2018

 

Introduction

It was recently announced that starting from 1 April 2018,  Singapore would open up its Electricity Market also to households and small businesses that consume electricity less than SGD$400 per month.  Previously,  only those bigger consumers can join the electricity market.  

The new scheme will start from Jurong with a soft launch and gradually opens up to the rest of Singapore so that over 1.3 million households and small businesses can join the electricity market.

 

What is the Open Electricity Market?

Simply, it is just a market for buying and selling of electricity;  hopefully,  the consumers can get cheaper electricity through competitive buying and selling of electricity.

In the older days,  electricity is always generated by PUB (former SP Group) who will also deliver and sell the electricity to its consumers directly at fixed and regulated rates.  

About 20 years ago in 1998,  the Authority started the Singapore Electricity Pool (SEP) to "test" the workings of the market.  Real retail marketing started only in July 2001 when they allowed only those consumers having 2 MW or more power requirement to buy electricity from the retailers.  This market has since opened up to smaller consumers but only now,  they will open it to the 1.3 million households and small businesses in Singapore.  

How the Open Electricity Market Works?

Basically,  2 groups of people will be serving the consumers;  the retailers and SP Group.   

The retailers will buy electricity directly from the Generating Suppliers (Generators) through Singapore Electricity Pool and sell the electricity to the consumers at a rate inclusive of all fees and costs.   SP Group will continue to maintain the electricity networks and infrastructure in the background,  bringing and delivering electricity to the consumers. SP Group will also read the meters as usual.

In the open electricity market,  the consumer will have to sign a contract with the retailer of his choice.   The contract will spell out the condition of supply and also the contract period (usually 12 or 24 months) for the discounted electricity price.

 

Do I have to Join?

It is not compulsory for consumers to join the electricity market and switch from SP Group to a retailer. Consumers who prefer to stay with SP Group to buy electricity at the fixed and regulated tariff can continue to do so.  No further action will be required.  Consumers can always join or switch to a retailer at a later date.

Where can I get more details?

The exact detail of the open electricity market is outlined in this handbook

https://www.ema.gov.sg/cmsmedia/Handbook/NEMS_111010.pdf

Additional materials can be found in the EMA websites

https://www.openelectricitymarket.sg/home

tnyurl :  https://tinyurl.com/ya7fopyy

Panasonic Washing Machine Vibration and Wobbling

30 March 2018

Introduction

Just bought a Panasonic Top Load Washer NA-F75S7 for about SGD$275 with a 5% rebate from Lazada,  Singapore.  The delivery was fast,  all done within 3 days. We have used Hitachi washing machine that lasted more than 20 years;  then a Samsung washing machine that broke down after 4 years in operation.

This Panasonic is one of the cheapest and the most popular model.  We like its spin rinsing function that many other machines did not have.  It really makes washing cleaner.   But there were a few problems with this machine and one of them was that it took a longer time to wash and spin.

Why?

We discovered that the rinsing and spinning cycle repeats itself as shown in this video.  The timer jumped from 9-minute back to 14-minute during the spinning cycle.

We understand it is part of the design as it was stated clearly on the machine as shown below to carry out the "Unbalance Recovery".   But this was almost a daily affair making washing a nightmare.   We also discovered that the machine vibrated and wobbled a lot during the spinning cycle.  That could have contributed to the problem.

The Options

We have 2 options

1.      Return the washing machine as it was still within 14 days from the delivery date; 

2.      Keep the machine and try to fix the problem without voiding the guarantee.

We chose to keep the machine as we anticipated that the other machines of the same range might have similar problem. 

How to Fix?

The machine wobbled partly because the floor wasn’t flat.  Fortunately,  the machine came with a mounting adjuster but we could solve some wobbling but not the vibration problem.   We tried to redistribute the clothing nicely before washing.  This helped little to reduce the frequency repeats in the rinse and spin cycles. 

Why Vibrate?

The machine is just too light.  The casing is like made from sardine can materials.  Someone on the web forum suggested to add weight within the machine but we have chosen to add a support at the back as shown below

Whats’ Needed?

1.      One piece of 2 x 3/4” wooden strip,  about 3 feet long and cut into the following length

a.       2 pieces of 15” long to be attached to the wall and the machine

b.      2 pieces of 3.5” long as spacer

2.      1 piece of 3/16” thick  rubber sheet that can cut into 4 Nos of 3/4”x 2” rubber stud;

3.      Tools; for example, wood saw,  nails,  wood screws,   hammer etc

Step by Step

After cutting the wooden plank and rubber sheet into pieces assemble them like as shown in the following picture

 

Drill holes in the wooden plank to the exact dimension to match the holes on the washing machine.  

Fix the whole bracket to the wall as shown in the above  picture

Remove the 2 back panel screws to allow the timber frame  to be screwed onto the panel

 

The completed assembly is as shown

 

Performance

The machine performed perfectly in every washing cycle without any wobbling or any vibration.  It has never miss a "step" ever since we have fitted the timber frame..

YouTube Original or SMART YouTube for MiTV?

23 March 2018

YouTube is not a native Apps in MiTV.   This is because YouTube  belongs to Google and Chinese don’t use Google and its services in China  One can test it by resetting to factory default and the Youtube app will not be replaced.   

As a budget TV,  MiTV did not pay for the use of Google and its services but as MiTV users,  one is free to add and use Youtube.       

There are 2 versions of Youtube available:  namely,  the original YouTube for Android TV and the Smart YouTube TV

What is the basic differences?

Function	Original YouTube for Android TV	SMART YouTube TV
Owner/Designer	Google LLC	Smart YouTube TV
Latest Version Mar 2018	2.02.08	6.12.82
Website		https://smartyoutubetv.github.io/
APK download link	From here	from  here
Special Version for MiTV2	Not available	From here
Special note	Select version for arm64 under architecture with nodpi
Sign-in	Not available. As the sign-in button is pressed,  it return to the previous screen	Available through a handphone that has already logged into Youtube.  Just follow sign in instruction given
Advantages	Constantly upgraded.  The latest version is 2.02.08	V6.12.82
Forward and backward scrolling	Picture to picture searching	No picture to picture searching
4K support	Available.  Only those supported by MiTV.	Available.  Only those supported by MiTV
Resolution	Default depended on type of video; max 1080p	Can play 2K but not 4K on Xiaomi TV
Tested for use	In MiTV4 but cannot sign in	In MiBox mini/2S, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, MiTV3 and MiTV4

Which Version is Better?

If one is going for quality and better access to upgrading facilities, such as forward and backward scrolling etc,  the original version would be a better choice. But if one has to access to the YouTube video playlists and also storing some video links for viewing later,  Smart YouTube will be the one to choose.   I would recommend keeping both if there are enough memory space in MiTV.

Original YouTube has Picture to Picture Searching 

Smart YouTube TV has Sign-in Capability

Other Articles About Xiaomi TV or Box 

Can be found here
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Introducing ES File Explorer to MiTV Fans

23 March 2018

MiTV lacks a lot of features.  One of them is the file explorer or Manager.  Should one needs to explore the content of the local hard disk,  the memory files and the various apps whether hidden or not,  one could try the most popular apk called “ES File Explorer”

What does it do?

ES file explorer can do almost everything from 

1.  searching a file in any folder whether it is stored in MiTV or external SD cards,  2.  zip and unzip files and share files with friends,  

3.  search for various apps,  

4.  link to cloud drive such as Google drive,  download and operate any app,   

5.  view and edit text, view picture and video files etc.  

6.  Start up apps or files in USB thumb drive

Most important of all,  ES File Explorer can do app backups and store the apps in SD cards, hard drives or in the cloud drive such as google drive.

Where can I download?

From these places

1. Uptodown website  https://es-file-explorer.en.uptodown.com/android
2. Mediafire website  http://www.mediafire.com/file/r33daxwdx16que1/es-file-explorer-4-1-7-1-22.apk

How to operate?

 Here is the full manual for the operation  http://www.estrongs.com/eshelp/en/ES_File_Explorer_User_Manual3.0.htm

What are the most Common Features

However,  the most commonly used features in ES File Explorer for  MiTV are as follows:

1.  Backup the apps

MiTV does not have facility for backing up the apps.   Once doing a system reset,  all the uploaded apps will be gone  and one will have them reinstalled one by one  using thumb drive through the USB port.  Presently,  a lot apps used for handphones cannot be used for backing up the apps in MiTV.  An example of how to backup the apps in MiTV is shown here.

2.  Apps Managing

One could reorganise the apps and rearrange the apps for ease of viewing and retrieving.   One could also add or install or copy,  paste and delete or move the apps or files to other folders in the sd card or cloud drives or to the folders within MiTV’s internal storage

3.  Viewing the files

Within or without the MiTV’s internal storage and memory.  One can also browse the apps or files downloaded using Google Chrome or other apps

4.  Downloading and Uploading to Google Drives

An example is already shown in Backup the Apps above. To access google drive,  look for this symbol in the Apps section.

 

Select the Google drive and it will ask for user email address and log-in password automatically

Conclusion

The above is just a short and simple  introduction of ES File Explorer.  There are still many more functions and capabilities waiting for one to explore and discover.   

ES File Explorer can do many things no other File Manager can do better,   It is a must have app in any MiTV.

Other Articles About Xiaomi TV or Box 

Can be found here

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