Detective Work : MP3s not showing up in ITunes ?

Very lately, I have been piercing through my Itunes library collection and doing all sort of song scrubbing I can with my Tuneup Media software. Tuneup Media Software has miraculously cleansed up a large potion, but equally, I need to invest a portion of my time looking through if the recommendations fit the albums suggested :)

Not to mention, after reinstalling my Windows 7 OS, all my years of Chinese song collection have turned up garbage in my Itunes library!! The journey of MP3 song scrubbing hence begun, and leading me deeper to the flaws that existed in my song collection for years that I wasn't even aware!

Though not widely reported, I also discovered that despite relentless corrections to Mp3 tag information, the information is not appearing in my Windows explorer as well.

Hence to summarize :

If you have such issues :
1. Mp3 mysteriously not appearing in Itunes library
2. BUT the songs can be played in other medias such as Winamp, WMP,FLV etc.
3. Correction of ID3 tags did not eradicate the issue
4. Correction of ID3 tags did not appear in Windows Explorer (Windows 7 here)

It took me a bit of google work and reading through list of forum replies to get me to the proper.
Even removing of ID3 tags did not help as corrupted ID3 tags may pose similar problem indicated in other forums.

Solution :
1. Download MP3 Validator Tool. An example used is MP3 Validator
2. Run a full scan of the MP3 files with the tool and you will notice all those problematic song files reflected as 'PROBLEM' by the tool as well.
3. Ensure under Preference settings , "Keep file timestamps" option is enabled to preserve the original file timestamp parameters.
4. Use the tool to repair all problem files by simply clicking on "Repair all files with problem".

It's as simple as that. Reimport into your Itunes library, and tada! A huge sense of accomplishment yah? :)

*PS : Interestingly, through this i discovered alot of other songs hidden in my trove that i've not been listening all these while!

Solution Credits to : Trevin Chow's blogpost

Other tools
That you can use in improving your overall usage of ITunes and problematic mp3s
1. Mp3tag
2. Search by Location Script for use in Itunes Library
(Forum post reference click here) (Download Script here)
3. Tuneup Media
Cos they have indeed given my scrubbling work a huge breeze!

Further Updates:

28-Feb-2011
#Display of tag information in Windows Explorer is probably due to tag version also. Convert V2.4 to V2.3 and the issue is resolved
"You can convert the tags if you select the files and press Ctrl+S
Tags are saved in the format selected in Options > Tags" (For users of Mp3tag)
01-Mar-2011
#Error "Processing thread is still active" while running Mp3Val tool on certain MP3 files.
Rename the filename and it works like charm. I doubt there's a solution tweak on the software itself :S
"Yes, there is a problem with Unicode file names. I'll try to find a solution." - May-7,2007 Ringo
Apple, iTunes, Self-Help
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M1 Price Plans with More Data Bundle!

Time have indeed changed. Plans are getting competitive with much more data bundle!


Price Update As on 25/01/2011


 ValueSurf LiteSurf ExtremeSurf
Monthly Subscription $39 $55 $95
Free Outgoing Calls
(Local Voice and Video)		 120 mins 250 mins 600 mins
Free Local SMS/MMS 500 500 500
Free Local Data Bundle1
(Up to 7.2Mbps)		 12 GB
Excess data usage capped at $30		 Unlimited~
Call Benefits Free Incoming Calls
Per Second Billing
Unlimited Free Calls to 3 M1 Numbers (fixed and mobile)2~
Free Benefits for Students and NSFs4 Unlimited Free SMS & MMS~
Free Local Data Bundle
Free Campus & Army Camp Calls
Free Value-Added Services / Benefits Free 3-month Caller Number Display10
Free 3-month Roaming Subscription
Top Up $5 Per Month Free IDD 021 calls to 19 destinations3
M1, Priceplan
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PC Show 2009 HDD Media Players

In fact, harddisk media players are gaining popularity with mass consumers these days. I personally was particularly attracted to the range of media players now available from the fair.

If only these media players have lifetime firmware upgrade and built-in wireless, they would be perfect for owning one.

There are some potential good media players and even I myself is contemplating if I should get one now. Or maybe I show wait ?


A.C. Ryan

A.C Ryan Playon is definitely a hook for me other than the minor flaw of the lack of wireless. If only I can buy a cheaper version without the harddisk!

I was told : wait 3 more weeks, you can get one without hdd fixed, at ~$269. The price tag is on the higher range, which I scrupled.
















































Ion
























Shining

I would think this China-imported player is worth the consideration too. It looks good on appearance . As compared to AC Ryan's , i always feel that China-imported hdd media players lack the elegant user interface design.

























RCA

I can't believe the stall actually promoted blatantly that you can view movies from the easy click downloads from the built-in interface...

If i didnt remember wrongly, this product also allows you to plug in your internet input for your ravenous downloads....
HDD Mediaplayer, IT PC Show, Singapore,
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PC Show 2009 Mp3 Players

I have always adored Iriver mp3 players. Few years ago, a 1gb player cost me a bomb. Now the price is going just way out of hand!

Anyway, thought of bringing the spotlight for Mp3 players to IRiver and, yes Creative. I can't recall if Creative exhibited in the previous fair, but at least, this time, i can feel its presence.

I still think IRiver players are worth a good look since the price is ridiculously low i thought. IRiver sound is definitely impressing as its legacy products.

IRiver PC Show 2009 Flyer

























Mickey S1 Usual $ 79 , Now at the show $ 49.00
T5 = $99 , Now at the show $ 84
T6 = $ 119, Now at the show $ 101
L-Player = $ 168, Now at the show $ 142,
E50 - $99
Spinn Player 4 GB $ 329, Now at the show is $ 246.
Spinn Player 8 GB $ 359 , Now at the show is $ 269.


Creative PC Show 2009 Flyer
IT PC Show, MP3, Singapore,
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PC Show 2009 External Hard disks

Price has fallen as compared to the previous fair, in just over the 3 months! Let's see what's the difference..

250GB 2.5" practically phased out from market with 32ogb and 500gb as the mainstay.


Buffalo HDD

New Drive Station 1.5TB Released

























Freecom HDD

Surprisingly, Freecom prices maintained pricing as per last show in March'09
























Fujitsu HDD
























In fact, Fujitsu marked up by $10 bucks as per advertised. I remembered seeing slashed price at the fair, so I presume it will be lower, i hope.


Imation HDD
























One of the few still selling 250gb HDD at the market.


Maxtor HDD

**Seems like the name is fading off from the market**

Ovation HDD
























Ovation & Western Digital
























Samsung HDD

Samsung is definitely trying to clear her 250gb goods too. Price drop is evident for its 2.5" HDD with 500gb the most, from $219 down to $179 !

























Seagate HDD
























I don't remember Seagate selling desktop version of its hdd the previous fair. But yes, new 2TB on the market now. Price drops for its FreeAgent Extreme & Desk, but not its 320gb 2.5" hdd


Toshiba HDD

























$89 for a 250gb is the cheapest 2.5" external portable HDD for now.

Western Digital HDD
























Generally price adjustments to meet new fair demands =) Anyway, 2TB product releases and WD Shareplace. Interesting.


























The 5 years warranty is definitely the big draw here. And WD has elegantly changed its portable range of product, as compared to the previous fair!
HDD, IT PC Show, Singapore,
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PC Show 2009 Cameras, Camcorders and DLRs

Olympus has brought my attention with their marketing, yes it's a tough world - your camera got to be waterproof, shockproof,freezeproof and crushproof. What about high-altitude proof?

So the usual big names you can find :

Canon PC Show 2009 Flyer:
















































Casio PC Show 2009 Flyer

As always, I think Casio has advanced in integrating some interesting arts of image processing technology into the commercial world. But i still care alot on the what-you-see LCD picture quality. This is definitely a weak point for typical Casio cameras.

















































Fujiflim PC Show 2009 Flyer

In fact Fujifilm has been going strong in its advertisment strategy. I have been receiving few flyers on & off from typical postal mailbox too. I wonder how many heartlanders have been tempted?
















































Olympus PC Show 2009 Flyer








































































Panasonic PC Show 2009 Flyer

























Samsung PC Show 2009 Flyer
Camera, IT PC Show, Singapore,
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PC Show 2009 Flyers !

I have been to the fair today and have with me a heap of flyers.

I thought it was pretty impractical of me to rescan and upload when sites such as Vrzone and Bootstrike have done such splendid job of archiving these flyers. And i really think they have covered nearly every flyer that was distributed.

What i think would be essentially useful is to regroup the flyers according to the type, ie cameras , HDD which are what most people are eyeing at also.

So please do not be surprise to see images linked from the sites mentioned above, and in fact, if you have any particular brand in mind, I highly recommend you to visit the sites too!

I do hope that i can find some flyers that have yet been covered by them. Let's see..
IT PC Show, Singapore, Suntec
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Singapore PC Show 2009 is here again

I just discovered i'm a day late. PC Show 2009 starts on 11-June. Nevertheless, stay tune to the show.












Date : 11 Jun (Thu) - 14 Jun (Sun)
Opening Hours : 12pm - 9pm
Suntec Singapore Levels 1,3,4 & 6
IT PC Show
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M1 New Sunsurf Plan!

Just a week ago I wrote about M1 Data plan promotion which has been going for awhile.

Contrary to my expectations, M1 has stripped down her 50gb free data to the basic free 1gb data for the maximum plan.

Why the shock? I was anticipating that it will give better attractive plans after locking users who have signed up for the 15% and 30% Sunsurf data plans. Guess I've been accustomising to Starhub marketing tactics. No it did not turn out that way. Surprise!


The New SunSurf Vas Plans (As accurate from 30-Jun-2009)
SunSurf VAS Plan SunSurf Lite SunSurf Plus SunSurf Max
Monthly Subscription $5.35 $10.70 $16.05
Free Data Bundle 20MB 100MB 1GB
Download Speed Up to 7.2Mbps
Upload Speed Up to 2Mbps
Max Usage Capped* $36.38
To sign up, SMS this code to 1627 act sslite act ssplus act ssmax

* Inclusive of subscription


Note:
SunSurf VAS is only available for subscription as a value-added service.
All charges include GST.
Applicable to local usage only.
For GPRS roaming usage, foreign operators' local GPRS rates are applicable.
Actual speed experienced depends on mobile phone used, radio conditions, network traffic and destination server.

Data, M1, Priceplan
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M1 Sunsurf Data Plan Promo

Sunsurf data plan of 15 - 30 % discount has been advertised for few months already.

If you are a M1 mobile user chalking up a huge fee on data surfing, this is worth the consideration especially with the 50gb free data.

One worthy point is M1 actually factored in contract binding timing that think for consumers. If you want better discount, go for 2 years plan, but for someone hesitant of being binded for too long and missed the market promotion period, a 1-year plan is jolly well worth chipping a bit more but still at a discounted price.

You never know the price of war on data plans since internet surfing feature is ubiquitous in every handphone these days!

Information accurate as of today 2009-05-26

PICK ONE OF THESE PLANS

SunSurf
5		 SunSurf
10		 SunSurf
1Mbps		 SunSurf
2Mbps		 SunSurf
4Mbps		 SunSurf
7.2Mbps
Usual Monthly Subscription $5.35 $10.70 $22.42 $38.72 $51.36 $69.30
30% off
(24 months contract)		 N.A N.A $15.69 $27.10 $35.95 $48.51
15% off
(12 months contract)		 N.A N.A $19.06 $32.91 $43.66 $58.91
Free Data Bundle 5MB 15MB 50GB
Download Speed Up To 3.6Mbps 1Mbps 2Mbps 4Mbps 7.2Mbps
Uplink Speed Up To 384kbps 512kbps 512kbps 1Mbps 2Mbps
Excess Charges* $0.0032/kb
in blocks of 10kb		 $10.70/GB in blocks of 1GB
To sign up, SMS this code to 1627 Act ss5 Act ss10

* Maximum usage charge capped at $319.93 per month, inclusive of subscription.

SunSurf VAS Discount Promotion Terms & Conditions
SunSurf VAS Discount Promotion is open to new/existing customers (except those already on an M1 SunSurf VAS contract). Discount shall replace any existing SunSurf VAS promotional discount that existing customer is enjoying. Any existing contract shall continue to run concurrently with this contract. Promotion is open till such date as determined by M1. For SunSurf VAS 30% Discount Promotion, 24 months' service commitment contract applies. Discount is valid for 24 months; thereafter, prevailing rates apply. For SunSurf VAS 15% Discount Promotion, 12 months' service commitment contract applies. Discount is valid for 12 months; thereafter, prevailing rates apply. Other terms and conditions apply. Full details at www.m1.com.sg


Note:
SunSurf VAS is only available for subscription as a value-added service.
All charges include GST.
Applicable to local usage only.
For GPRS roaming usage, foreign operators' local GPRS rates are applicable.
Actual speed experienced depends on mobile phone used, radio conditions, network traffic and destination server.
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Pine Garden's Cake Menu as on 2nd April 2009

How i wished Pine Garden's Cake menu was shown on its website ! Nevermind that I had made the trip from city to Ang Mo Kio to try the much-hyped cakes.

It's affordable. A pity I can't get to try all the cakes on the menu since cake slices sold in the shop are not complete. Sigh!

For now, i still think these cakes are really worth the try
1. Lychee Martini
2. Black forest
3. Bailey xxx

It seems to me the complete cake has a much stronger taste, and the alcohol can be felt. However when we were tasting on the cake slices, we can't taste a single stint of alcohol. Weird.

Have you tried before?


Pine Garden Location
Address : Cheng San Centre #01-2369
529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 (S)560529
Singapore District : Ang Mo Kio District

Opening Hours : Daily: 8.30am - 9.30pm

Telephone : 64576159




Getting There:

















The crux here is how to get from AMK station to the cake shop. Well, I walked ~10 mins reaching it. So not that hard to locate. And within the vicinity you can see Cheng San Hawker Centre.


Pine Garden's Cake Menu
Cakes, Singapore
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