XBox 360 FORZA 4 Completed! Check out my 252 digital race cars! Introduction.

Gentle reader,

Yes, it has been quite a while since I made a posting to this blog. I appreciate your patience, I HAVE been busy!

To begin, those of you who think Microsoft's Forza series or SONY's Grand Turismo series are just "GAMES". You haven't tried it. Check out: Nissan GT Academy | Nissan USA

Hundreds of thousands of people who race in SONY's Grand Turismo on-line, may eventually be chosen to compete live and in person, if they are good enough, for a chance to attend Nissan's GT Academy and be transitioned from virtual to real racing.

That being said, Forza and GT are RACING SIMULATIONS. Don't believe me? C'mon over and sit down in front of the wheel and lets' see how you do. Choose ANY car. Go ahead. 

Even those life-long "gamers" such as my son-in-law, who has raced both for years, when he drops the controller and tries the wheel and pedals, "Wow. This is a lot harder than I'm used to."

Above is a screen shot of one of my virtual race cars posing at one of the fictitious race locations in Forza. High in the Alps and very cold. And challenging.

Below are screen shots of my profile when I was 97.9% done and decided to make a record of my activity and digital garage. Note, three boxes have yet to have the needed cars purchased. FYI: the GREEN boxes indicatethe potential for this particular car to race in those events. The further to the right, the faster they are and more modifications needed to be competitive.

Note the GARAGE VALUE of 100,980,425. That's for 250 cars and there were some expensive ones yet to buy.

Below are my records at that time, a week or so ago.

Below is the amount of time I spent up to that point and the various places I spent it.

Below is the EVENTS chart showing ALL events won. I have not counted how many actual races there are. But it's a LOT! The boxes that are faded out are ones from cars I sold since winning.

Below are the Profiles as of today when I finished the last race. GARAGE VALUE is down due to selling some cars to finance purchase of the last ones needed. Or replace what I THOUGHT were the correct models, but expensively found out I was wrong.

Above and below can be compared with the 97.9% totals if you wish.

Below is the AFFINITY pages that list each manufacturer and how many levels of experience with each brand.

SO, just how long did it take me to compete and complete? 322 hours, 41 minutes and 11 seconds.

Like most who try FORZA, it was a steep learning curve. I started out YEARS ago, (BTW, I'm 58 and have been driving for 42 years) when a friend gave me a PC racing game. NOT having been born with a controller in my hands like the youth of today, I had to have a steering wheel and pedals. Also, I had to have an in-car view. Because that's how WE DRIVE. In the driver's seat.

My step-daughter and son collaborated and bought my a SONY PlayStation 2 and GT3. I later bought many racing games, but they were too unrealistic. My son later got an XBox 360 and got into FORZA as well as 1st-person-shooting games. When I tried FORZA, I could NOT do it! I was all over the place! Eventually I got it and later bought my own XBox 360 and FORZA 4 sim.

NOW, what you've all been waiting for, the virtual garage. Below are the 239 cars I have left displayed in their various classes. Note that they ALL are painted in racing "livery" and most have been modified to various degrees. "F" class is the slowest, then, E, D, C, B, A, S and then the three Racing classes made up of real race cars or ones that I've modified to compete. And let me tell you, the AI (Artificial Intelligence) competing cars do NOT like cars that they "feel" do not belong racing with them! The will take many actions to let you know, by crashing into you, spinning you out, etc.

 In case you didn't know, if you click on any picture, especially the very first one, they will all be viewable larger and in order. Use your right arrow key to move through them. Then click the "X" in the upper right and you'll be back here.

So, how did I get these pictures from the XBox 360 into my computer? I mounted my Panasonic 

DMC-LX3 with it's fast Leica lens on a tripod and made a photo of each screen then edited them to fit here and not be too large a file. I made OVER 600 images, so this post is just the beginning.

Thanks for looking and check back for detailed photos of each car with the class they are in, the drive configuration and capabilities.

Scott  

And Then There Were Three. Panasonic Lumix Cameras, that is!

Gentle reader,

FIRST: I want to thank ALL of YOU for taking the time to peruse my humble blog. Just yesterday, the 50,000th page view occurred! IT blows my mind that there would be such interest in what I have to show and say, But numbers don't lie. THANK YOU!

For some time, I have desired a Panasonic Lumix digital camera. The story behind these particular digital cameras is one of a merger of minds and technology. 

There are certain legendary camera maker names that stand for quality and history and more often than not, price. Two are German: Contax with Zeiss lenses and Leica with their own lenses.

From Japan, Canon that began by copying Leica cameras and Nikon that began by copying Contax cameras. These occurred because part of Germany's loss in WWII was forfeiting of copyrights for products. Yes, Japan lost too. For further reading, Google.

Leica had significant history and expertise making film cameras. Panasonic had significant history and expertise making electronics. A meeting of the minds occurred in that Panasonic would share their digital camera designs in exchange for Leica lenses. For some time, they made identical cameras. Only the name/badge was different. Plus, to buy the Leica branded model you paid significantly more. "Paying for the name."

As an example, the Leica D-LUX D3 is the SAME camera and lens as the Panasonic DMC-LX3. There are those that gladly would pay more for the Leica "thinking" they were getting a better camera simply because "It's a Leica." Same body, same lens, same digital components inside and same sensor. Therefore, the EXACT same results. Why pay more? Car companies have been doing this for DECADES. Chrysler really showed it best when they introduced the NEON. The ONLY difference between a DODGE Neon and a PLYMOUTH Neon, was the nameplate. 

So, that history over, let me introduce you to my collection of Panasonic digital cameras with Leica lenses: 

All were purchased used via ebay. The red one above, is a DMC-SZ7. It has TEN megapixels and a 12X optical zoom which starts at the 35mm equivalent of 25mm which is a nice wide view for group shots. As you can see, it has a self-capping lens: Leica DC Vario-Elmar. The names will be explained at the bottom after the pictures. 35mm equivalent of 25-300mm. A very expensive lens were it on a 35mm SLR. Not real "fast" at f3.3-4.9 maximum aperture.

Next buy and having the best and fastest of the three camera's lenses but the shortest zoom, above is the DMC-LX3. Also TEN megapixels and 2.5X optical zoom which starts at 35mm equivalent of 24mm. Thus, 24-60mm 35mm equivalent. Lens has a faster f2.0-2.8 maximum aperture. It has a Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens.

I desired a "bridge" camera from Panasonic and searched for a bargain. Bridge cameras, sometimes also called "Super-zooms" as some have an optical zoom of up to 60X! My search led me to this four-year-old DMC-FZ40. It has FOURTEEN megapixels and a 24X optical zoom which starts at the 35mm equivalent of 25mm. Thus 25-600mm. A 35mm lens, which NO ONE makes with that kind of range would be five figures (at least $10,000), VERY large and VERY heavy. However, since these types of consumer cameras have a relatively TINY sensor, despite the impressive pixel count. Thus it is easier to make these lenses with incredible zoom ranges. At the wide end, this lens has an f2.8 maximum aperture, shrinking to f5.2 at the long end. This because as the lens moves farther away from the sensor, less light reaches it as a result. BTW, it was a bargain price of $49.95 as it had no battery, charger or memory card. I took a chance and with new parts to complete it, it works perfectly! YAY! Oh, I downloaded the manual, it's, wait for it, 223 pages long! That's JUST English! An amazingly capable camera. I WON'T be printing that one out!

Above is the rear view. Only the FZ40 has an eye-level viewfinder, like a traditional camera.

Above are the cameras off and closed with lens caps. You can see how each is thicker than the previous model.

Above is with them on and the lenses at maximum zoom. Oddly, and I haven't investigated yet, the LX3's lens is at the WIDEST when it is fully extended, LONGEST when closest to the body. Counter to logic. But that's the case.

Above is them from above and off. As you see, the middle camera has a "hot shoe" for an external flash. All have built-in flashes, and surprisingly, the FZ40 cannot accept a separate flash.

Above is them all on and zoomed from the front and below is them off and lenses capped.

Now, as I stated above, I'd explain the lens names. "Elmar" was the least expensive lens for Leica cameras in the 1930's and onward. It was a collapsible lens and had four "elements" which is the name for the different shaped pieces of optical glass that makes up the lens. The TOP and most expensive Leica lens names all start with "Summ". The first lens I had for my IIIC (1946 vintage) Leica was the Summarit. Later on, they had other "Summ" names. Elmar and Hektor were names of pets of the chief Leica designer way-back-when. I'm not sure of the suffix "summ" in German, but I suspect it means something like "the top" or "Summit". Google "Leica lenses" for more on this topic.

Panasonic just came out with a their latest version of the DMC-LX series, the LX100. It is 13 megapixels and has 3.1 optical zoom of 24-75mm. The lens is a Lecia DC Vario-Summilux. The average Internet price is $899. I do not know the original prices for any of these.

These cameras are the 4th, 5th and 6th digital cameras that I've owned/used. Why these three types? I don't own, nor do I want a "smart" phone. Yet, I like the ability to whip out a camera and make a photo like so many do with their phones. The red one, being so shallow, sits nicely in my pants pocket. With it's 12X zoom it can capture a lot. The LX3 I like for the extremely sharp lens. I bought a leather case for it and carry it in my "tactical" shoulder bag. The FZ40 with it's larger pixel count and longer reach, better handling and eye-level viewfinder will also go in that bag. I just replaced the factory strap with a nice neoprene one and will keep the charger and spare battery in the bag too. 

My other three cameras? The first two, bought for me by my amazing wife (she gave each to me for Christmas a couple years apart). Both are Fujifilm FinePix models. The first was 1.3 megapixels and made a huge impact in my ebay auctions. Prior to that, I used film, paid for processing, then scanned each photo into the computer! I decided on the FinePix S7000 model which is similar to the FZ40 ins design and shape, as it has close-up focusing down to 1/2 inch. Yes, ONE HALF AN INCH! I've shot well over 50,000 photos with it and it works flawlessly. It is only SIX megapixels, but since I can only print 8 1/2 by 11 inches, it's fine. 6X optical zoom. F2.8-3.1 aperture. 

Lastly, I own a Nikon DSLR, several years old and also SIX megapixels. However, Nikon (and Pentax) are the ONLY camera makers that use the SAME mount since the 1950's. So almost any Nikon lens will mount on and can be used with my D70S camera. As it has an "APS-C" sized sensor, any 35mm lens has a 1.5X magnifier. So, a 50mm lens has a field of view on the D70S the same as a 75mm lens on a 35mm camera. Great for longer lenses, 200mm = 300mm, etc. Not so great for wide angles. Standard 18-50mm is equal to 27-75mm on a 35mm camera. Thus wide angle lenses for most (non-full-frame, i.e., 35mm-sized) DSLR cameras are harder to make and expensive. However, Nikon-mount 35mm lenses are dirt cheap and work great!

That should do it for now. Once again, thanks for the 50,000+ page views!

Scott

Big speakers move in. With help of handtruck! UPDATE!

 Gentle reader,

Once again, thanks for taking the time to look at my blog. The count as of this typing time is 49,047 page views! Closing in on 50,000!

Let me start off with some pictures of the den/listening room prior to the arrival of the big black beasts. Below, note the latest never-needs-water-Bonsai partially blocking the clocks on the left. Also, note that the ACUTEX speakers are gone. Now being enjoyed by someone else.

Above, on the left, I was quite excited to find another Michael Bedard print! This being a spoof of the painting of long-dead Hollywood icons all getting coffee in a corner diner late one night. The title is Window Shopping. Again featuring his cartoon-like ducks. The bicycle print is now appropriate as I've moved my Univega Metroprix into the den for the Winter.

Above is a better photo of the two Japanese paintings that I added a while back. Note the "tree" I made back in the 1990's of sliver wire and jade stones, sitting atop the new "S" shaped CD rack.

Now, below are photos of the two sets of large speakers that I found on consecutive stops at Salvation Army.

 Above, after desiring them for DECADES, I finally found some Cerwin-Vega speakers! These are LS-12 models made in 2000 which retailed for $369 each, or $738 for the pair. That's $1018 today. The LS series were the last CVs made in America. Since these, they are made in China. Rated to handle 300 watts, response of 28 to 20,000Hertz with a sensitivity of 98 decibels. That is with one (1!) watt of input, they produce 98 decibels. No wonder CVs are a favorite of dorm rooms and party animals. They are similar to the DCM KX12 speakers I once had. Also American-made.

Above are the ones that I found the prior week next to the CVs for size comparison. These are one of the latest of the infamous "white van" speakers. I suspected as much when looking at them and they were priced 1/4 of the CVs. When I researched them, I confirmed my suspicions. More on this, below. But first, below is the left CV with grille. Badge reads: "CERWIN-VEGAS!" Which is pretty much what I said when I saw the badge.

Above is the rear, which is similar to the DCMs. Below is a close-up of the labels and terminal cup. They come with the preferred 3-way-binding-posts which also incorporate banana plugs.

Above is a better view of the two side-by-side. Below, face on. Driver cones look just like aluminum which is what they wanted. 12" woofer, 4" midrange and large horn tweeter. I think they came with grilles, but they are missing. Note "Digital Audio" badge. NO speakers are digital, sound is analog and has to be so to drive a speaker. First hint of white van. By the way, the cones are some kind of plastic made to look like metal. Very convincing.

Below is the label and terminal cup. Their goal was to make them look like professional speakers which is why they have 1/4" inputs. The gold ones I replaced the factory ones so that banana plugs can be used. 

If you know me by now, you know I can't resist changing things. Aside from above, I was determined to improve what wasn't bad sound at all, but lacked Bass. Go up two pictures, see the two round ports at the bottom? Those are reflex ports or are supposed to be. In their case, they are WAY too shallow, thus allowing the woofer's rear sound waves to mix with and cancel out the front wave's sounds below a certain frequency rather than enhancing it as is what they are supposed to do. 

Once I removed the woofer, I found it has a real crossover, cheap-looking, but it works, the midrange has a sealed back as it should, there is a reinforcement below the horn front-to-rear. Minimal insulation/absorbing material inside. So, I blocked the rear of the "ports" with thick foam rubber tape and loosely filled the cabinets with polyfil. This "tricks" the woofer into "thinking" it is in a far larger cabinet. A long-time trick once called "Acoustic suspension". 

Did my changes work? Very well. Much better, deeper, tighter Bass. They could benefit with a better 3-way crossover and if I were keeping them, I'd do so. 

Now, some photos of the long-gone DCM KX12 speakers to show you the similarities to the Cerwin-Vega LS-12:

The DCMs use a horn tweeter verses dome of the CVs. Plus is is closest to the woofer with the slightly larger midrange being at the top. I have not looked inside the CVs yet (you know I will!) but the DCMs are called "Semi-transmission-line". There is a panel inside that is side-to-side traveling up from the rear of the woofer, but NOT to the bottom. Google "transmission-line speakers" to see what a true one is. 

The dual 6"wide reflex ports on the rear are not loaded by the vertical panel, so I'm not sure why they put it there.  I also had some true transmission-line speakers, also DCMs that were called TF275s. Here they are:

One cannot see as they are covered on all sides, but there is a single coaxial driver, like aftermarket car speakers. The rear waves follow the ever-widening transmission-line all the way to the bottom where they exit enhancing the Bass from the front wave. Since sound travels over 650 miles-per-hour, it just works.

UPDATE!

I spent some time after posting this, actually making permanent room for the Cerwin-Vegas. It took a while, but if you compare this photo to the first two photos, you can see what I did. Don't see it? I eliminated the left subwoofer since it is not needed with the CVs. I removed all the books and slid the teak cabinet to the left, being careful to make sure the wiring wasn't catching or binding. I added the never-before-shown TECHNICS SH-GE70 stereo graphic equalizer that I scored the same time/place as that CARVER preamplifier that I wrote about, same $10 price too. Gotta love thrift stores! Unlike traditional equalizers with their sliding tone controls, this TECHNICS does the changes electronically so no static or other distortions are injected into the sound. Doing far more than traditional Bass and Treble tone controls, with the right test CD one can tailor the sound to the room and your ears' happiness. The ADCOM preamplifier has an "External Processor"  button and input/output terminals. I'd bought some long Monster Cable M550 RCA interconnects and used them and the length of the unit's power cord and said terminals to adjust the sound from my listening chair. Today, I placed it inline between the ADCOM preamp and the DYNACO power amp. I raised it with rubber feet to clear the cooling fan. In the former location, the display lights bounced up and down with the music. In the new physical/electrical location, the lights are only visible if the music is really loud, which with the VCs still isn't using much power. Plus, I put the LED power meter atop the TECHNICS.

I also, rearranged the Asian art objects. The huge dragon looks better on the subwoofer and the top of the component shelves are less crowded. The AXIOM speakers are still usable by simply unplugging the VCs and plugging the bananas into the AXIOMS. After all that, with the many new Classical CDs that I scored at Salvation Army, I had to rearrange those two shelves to make room. Now I have room to buy more!

WHEW! That was quite a discourse. Thanks for your patience. Oh, how do the CVs sound? Fantastic! They are keepers. Now.................

Thanks for looking,

Scott

Found ONE unique CD rack and.....

Gentle reader,

Thanks once again for taking the time to read and view my humble blog. It's nice to know that so many people are interested in my obsess, er hobbies.

Below, you can see the speaker "field" as it is right now. Right-click on this link below, to see "before" in a new tab or window:  

The Robb Collections: New Polk speakers, JBL subwoofer and wiring tweaks

Then come right back!

See the difference? The light wood racks are gone, the speaker stands that for so long displayed two of the vintage-looking radios, now hold the Acutex speakers atop the two subwoofers. 

BTW, these Acutex speakers are currently for sale (10-20-2014) on ebay:

Super RARE Acutex Speakers Model Mts 3 Restored and Improved Get Them Now | eBay

Plus, the scene is less cluttered. Once some lucky soul buys the Acutex speakers, I'll have space to try out other small speakers that I may happen upon.

Below, is that new unique rack that is mentioned in the title of this blog episode. Cool, huh? 

Each section of the new rack holds 13 CDs. I was able to move the SACDs, HDCDs, classic rock/pop, more modern rock/pop, Herb Alpert, and more all to this rack and have room to spare.

 

I also found and bought two Japanese paintings found by someone in Osaka, Japan in 1985. 

Kind of hard to see the scenes due to the reflections. Had to take down three of the Battlestar Galactica posters to make room. Now where to put those posters.....

The radios on the outsides had sat upon the two speaker stands on both sides of this tall LP shelf. Since I don't use any of them, due to the floor radio (featured in a previous post) working so well and sounding so good. The one on the right I sometimes take with me outside or to the workroom in the basement for music while I work on the car or some project.

Above are the now empty racks. The tall one held the SACDs, HDCDs, test CDs and comedy CDs. The two light wooden ones held the Beethoven's 9th symphonies and all the CDs that have the red/yellow case labels from various labels. The hybrid wood/plastic one held Copland CDs.

All are being donated unless you want some.

Above, you can see the wire rack below the Classical CDs that once held rock/pop CDs now hold the Beethoven's 9th symphonies, Copland CDs all the CDs that have the red/yellow case labels from various labels. They started out Pro Arte and changed names several times. Mostly Classical, some other formats. Also, note the large Dragon no longer sits upon the left Sub, but now guards the Classical CDs. 

I have more stories and photos for future blogs featuring other hobbies.

Thanks for looking,

Scott