Welcome to my virtual space

where I share my journey with you

Old blog

 

Most of the posts here were written originally many years ago but they were transferred to this new home in 2024. The dates are transfer dates.

Hong

Video compression comparison

Why is H.264 (Advanced Video Coding) so attractive? The following chart provides the explanation: For the same quality of video, H.264 requires only 1/3 the bandwidth required by MPEG-2, 50% of MPeg-4. PSNR - Peak signal to noise ratio.

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Hong

MP4 file inspector

There are a few tools for examining MP4 files such as mp4parser and Mp4 Explorer. The best Windows tool is MP4 Inspector. mp4parser is a great set of open-source tools created and maintained by Sebastian Annies. One can simply use its compiled jars. One can…

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Hong

Garmin has superb technical support

I have owned 3 Garmin GPS watches. They work very well. I have had a few incidences of software issues related to the data synchronization between Garmin GPS watches and a computer. Contacting Garmin support has always been a great experience with problem resolved fairly…

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Hong

Large number of stops for a FedEx package delivery

Thirteen stops between PACOIMA, CA and Ipswich, MA in a week long delivery process. Tuesday , 12/04/2018 11:10 am Ipswich, MA Delivered Left at front door. Signature Service not requested. 7:19 am WILMINGTON, MA On FedEx vehicle for delivery 5:05 am WILMINGTON, MA At local FedEx…

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Hong

Boston to New York Trip options

Plane: A: Trip to NYC: Return to Boston: Mahantttan Time: 9:00 B: Trip to NYC: Return to Boston: Mahantttan Time: 9:00 C: Trip to NYC: jetBlue Flight 631 Return to Boston: Total unproductive time: 6 hours $180 Train: Trip to NYC: Return to Boston: Mahantttan Time:…

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Hong

Virtual Mailbox

Viable Anytime Mailbox $10 for business Malden. Envelope scan on arrival. $1 for each pick up. BBB A+ $15/m for business North Beverly The best Fees for holding packages longer than seven days. Physical addresses are limited to five U.S. cities (suite numbers only) Available…

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Hong

Limitation of Nobel Prize

The Nobel Literature Prize to Vice Party Secretary of China Writer Association Mo Yan reminds people again that Nobel Prize awards people for their work in certain areas regardless of their personal qualities. There have been and there will be disgraceful human beings winning the…

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Hong

Hypoglycemia and Chinese takeout

I had hypoglycemia many times during my long runs, but I never thought it would happen during a bike tour. Running largely depends on glycogen as the fuel. When the glycogen store is depleted, hypoglycemia may ensue. Non-competitive cycling is not as tense as running,…

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Hong

The difficulty of understanding China

The regime in China operates in a black box, and there is no free press in China. This makes it very difficult for people, including Chinese, to understand China truly . The Diaoyu Islands dispute related violence shows that many people in China are still easily…

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Hong

Tibetan Self-Immolation

Muslims have suicide bombers to kill their enemies while committing suicide. Tibetans commit suicide to show their enemy how much they suffer. When I was a kid, I saw brave Tibetans in my hometown Chengdu helping Han Chinese fight criminals when Han Chinese victims chickened…

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Hong

Bicycle Tidbits

Recommended for durability: Solid urethane tires Michelin Power Endurance Bontrager R3 25 A Michelin Axial Pro lasted for about 6000 km, its replacement Vittoria Action HSD for about 3000 km. A Forte Pro Kevlar tire was mounted on the rare wheel on 2016-09-30. We will…

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Hong

Lufthansa, an airline to avoid

On March 1, 2023, Lufthansa flight LH425 got stuck on the taxiway of Munich airport because the airplane could not make turns. The disembarking was delayed by an hour. I found that my luggage did not come with me when I arrived at Cluj-Napoca airport.

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