The great news is that Disney has substantially improved its bit rates to match its US streaming service and Disney Plus now looks and sounds much better in the UK. The images shown are photographs taken of a Sony 77-inch OLED TV. In general, the higher the bit rate used, the better the picture and sound quality achieved. You can read my full review on my Increase Broadband Speed site here: Disney Plus in the UK Finally Matches Bit Rates […] . Click here to read the full article.
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Best Broadband Router and WiFi Access Point For 2020
I’ve been steaming ahead producing new content for my Increase Broadband Speed site. I’ve now revised my Which Broadband Modem Router Guide, which covers the key capabilities you need to maximise broadband speed. As I’m always asked to recommend equipment to buy, I’ve also produced two new ‘best buy’ guides: Best Routers For 2020 Best WiFi Access Points For 2020. From my experience as a Broadband Champion, helping people with their broadband problems online and face-to-face, apart from poor connection […] . Click here to read the full article.
Reviewing Sky’s New Ultra HD HDR Service
It’s finally here – High Dynamic Range (HDR) on Sky’s Ultra HD (4k) service – and it looks amazing. HDR makes pictures more vivid and realistic, with more intense colours and, for many viewers, HDR makes more difference than the extra resolution provided by Ultra HD. It’s not good news for everyone though as some Sky Q boxes are not compatible with HDR. You can read my review on my Increase Broadband Speed site here: Review: Sky Finally Launches HDR […] . Click here to read the full article.
Launching the New Increase Broadband Speed Guide
Technology inevitably moves on and my current focus is performing a major update of my Increase Broadband Speed website. It’s a huge job and will take many months. Last week, a new WordPress theme was installed, with lots of technical changes behind the scenes to make the site run faster. One of the most important pages on the site is the Increase Broadband Speed Guide, which has now been visited by more than a million people in the UK. The […] . Click here to read the full article.
Photographing VE Day in Spaldwick
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, VE Day was a somewhat different affair to the one that may have been envisaged many months ago. However, despite the restrictions currently in place, villagers where I live made a tremendous effort decorating their homes to commemorate VE Day. On the 8th May 1945 – 75 years ago – the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany, marking the end of World War II in Europe. Here’s […] . Click here to read the full article.
Recording ‘The Swan’ by Saint-Saëns
One of the most popular, and beautifully romantic, organ pieces is ‘The Swan’ (or Le Cygne) by the French composer Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns, who composed the piece as part of his Carnival of the Animals in 1868. Below, I have just recorded this piece, below, using the Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ and using samples of the William Hill English organ. Photos of various organs across the world (and swans) were taken by me. The Soundcloud audio files can be heard below: […] . Click here to read the full article.
Reviewing the Sony ‘Holy Trinity’ of Prime Lenses
Back in the days that I used a Canon full-frame DSLR camera, many fellow photography enthusiasts who used prime lenses had (or wanted) the so-called ‘Holy Trinity’ of lenses. These were much-sought-after prime lenses that, between them, covered the vast majority of typical photography assignments, including weddings. Most considered that a combination of fast 35mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses provided huge flexibility, superb image quality and outstanding bokeh. I still fondly remember my Canon 85mm f1.2 II L lens (photo above) […] . Click here to read the full article.
Recording ‘Nimrod’ from ‘Enigma Variations’ by Edward Elgar
‘Enigma Variations’ is one of Edward Elgar’s most famous orchestral works and ‘Nimrod’ is its most recognised melody. Below I recorded myself playing a version for church organ. Mark Heath · ‘Nimrod’ by Edward Elgar (Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ) . Click here to read the full article.
Learning to Play the Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ
What a strange period we are experiencing with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the world. It is having dramatic social and economic impacts, and causing people to be on ‘lockdown’ in their homes. While the pandemic is having an adverse financial impact on friends, I am loving the lockdown period for other reasons. It’s delightful having my daughters home from university and I am using some of the time to rekindle my passion for the church organ. I’ve had to […] . Click here to read the full article.
Launching the Papworth Pharmacy Facebook Page and 300 Followers Within a Day
On Thursday 16th April 2020, I launched the new Facebook page for Papworth Pharmacy – a community pharmacy in the village of Papworth Everard in Cambridgeshire. My wife, Alison, is the Superintendent Pharmacist there and I am very proud of the work she does to help the local community, particularly at this time of the coronavirus pandemic. Having promoted the page through a number of sources, the page was being followed by more than 300 people within a day. I’ve […] . Click here to read the full article.
Photographing Spaldwick in Spring and the Effects of Coronavirus
Working from home in a rural Cambridgeshire village, I have noticed the massive effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of villagers have been on lockdown in their homes. Schools and key local businesses (such as the village pub) have closed, and there has been a dramatic reduction in road traffic. During this time (as part of my daily exercise), I have been capturing photographs of my village in spring. You can view the gallery here: Spaldwick in spring and […] . Click here to read the full article.
Reviewing the Disney Plus Streamed TV Service
As an AV enthusiast and broadband advocate, I’ve been very excited by the rapid roll-out and take-up of TV streaming services. These have increased consumer choice and introduced Ultra HD 4k content and Dolby Atmos sound. Disney has just launched its Disney Plus service in the UK and at the great price of £5.99 per month. Because of the coronavirus crisis, UK streaming providers have reduced bit rates to lessen their load on the UK’s broadband infrastructure so the service […] . Click here to read the full article.
Photographing and Videoing the Transformation of Manor Farm in Spaldwick
How amazing Manor Farm is looking currently. After speaking to Richard Johnson, Manor Farm is being prepared for being sold, although the Coronavirus pandemic is causing a great deal of uncertainty. Richard’s face was full of pride. I’ve agreed with Richard to take some internal photographs shortly. Here are some external photos from my latest visit: Manor Farm Photo Gallery (Mar 2020) Manor Farm in Spaldwick was built in 1547, and proudly stood as a major landmark in the village […] . Click here to read the full article.