Untitled

All New Leadtek WinFast® PX9600 GT 1024MB

With 1GB largest frame buffers and ground-breaking S-FANPIPE on board

Taipei, Taiwan, May 5th, 2008--Leadtek Research Inc., known globally for extreme visual graphics technology development, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest edition in the NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600 GT series - WinFast® PX9600 GT 1024MB. A revolution in cooling effectiveness, new PX9600 GT 1024MB delivers optimized heat exhaust performance with Leadtek's exclusive S-FANPIPE fansink design. Combining all solid aluminum capacitors for ultra high durability and stability (even during over-clocking) with the largest 1GB frame buffers and new HCT (High-resolution Compression Technology), PX9600 GT 1024MB presents the best cost per performance ever with the industry's most advanced feature set.

 The WinFast PX9600 GT 1024MB boasts the industry's first 1GB GDDR3 frame buffer and a massive memory bandwidth of up to 57.6GB/sec.

 Based on 65nm technology and powered by NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT graphics processing unit, Leadtek has taken the NVIDIA's reference specification a step further with their WinFast PX9600 GT 1024MB and raised the GPU clock speed to 675 MHz, the shader clock speed to 1.65 GHz, and 1024MB of GDDR3 on a 256-bit memory bus. They are designed to run perfectly with the PCI Express 2.0 interface and the new bus architecture that doubles the interconnect bit rate from 2.5 to 5.0 GT/second in a seamless and compatible manner. In addition, it is fully backward compatible with existing PCI Express 1.0 motherboards for the broadest support. All of this makes it ready for the most demanding future bandwidth games and 3D applications.

 Apart from factory overclocking and outstanding 1GB frame buffers, Leadtek has made the WinFast PX9600 GT 1024MB unique in three other ways.

 First its new PX9600 GT performance-driven and space-efficient PCB layout refines electrical characteristics providing higher yield rate, better reliability, and longer service life. It also enhances overclocking capabilities without system instability. Now we're happy to announce that the default core clock of PX9600 GT 1024MB will be moved steadily forwards from NVIDIA's reference 650MHz to 675MHz.

 The NVIDIA reference fansink is also replaced by Leadtek's exclusive heat-exhaust-efficiency S-FANPIPE fansink. The S-Pipe fansink conducts heat on GPU via an S-shape copper heatpipe to the fan for dramatic cool-down.

 Finally, Leadtek uses all solid aluminum capacitors from the world's leading vendor to ensure the high durability and stability even during overclocking and extreme conditions. Solid aluminum capacitors are known for their reliability, durability and adaptability to high temperatures environments without having to worry about electrolyte leakage or high heat generation.

 For true-to-life image quality, the WinFast PX9600 GT 1024MB makes perfect use of NVIDIA PureVideo(TM) technology in picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and vivid image scaling. They enable playback of the HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc and other protected content at full HD resolutions with integrated HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) support. Even more, Leadtek also packages a DVI-to-HDMI dongle and a SPDIF cable (for HDMI audio) to fully support the build-in HDMI(TM) (High Definition Multimedia Interface) signal mixing function. With Dual Dual-Link DVI-I output, they sustain digital displays of up to 2560x1600 resolution and support extreme HD games and entertainment.

 Up to the minute Microsoft® DirectX® 10 with full Shader Model 4.0 and OpenGL® 2.1 support gives PX9600 GT 1024MB the muscle to deliver realistic gaming effects with film-quality, and provide users with a more friendly environment under the Windows Vista operating system.

 Leadtek has won its spurs in providing full-line and unique custom designs for all gaming experience enthusiasts and cost-conscious gamers. This time Leadtek launches a full series of their exclusive-design WinFast PX9600 GT: PX9600 GT 1024MB, PX9600 GT Extreme (S-FANPIPE), PX9600 GT (S-FANPIPE), PX9600 GT Heatpipe, and PX9600 GT ZL (Zalman edition). And once again, Leadtek proves to the world that its unique design comes not only with impressive benchmarks. They also pass muster in terms of both value and quality satisfying a game player's wildest dreams.

Graphics Board delivers true-to-life image quality.

August 7, 2008 - With optimized heat exhaust performance via S-FANPIPE fansink design, WinFast® PX9600 GT 1024MB combines all solid aluminum capacitors with 1 GB GDDR3 frame buffers and high-resolution compression technology. It is based on 65 nm technology and powered by NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600 GT GPU, featuring clock speeds to 675 MHz, shader clock speed to 1.65 GHz, and 1,024 MB GDDR3 on 256-bit memory bus. Board offers PCIe 2.0 interface and bus architecture with 5.0 GT/sec interconnect bit rate.

Groups speak before S. Plainfield council on contaminant increase at Superfund site

OUTH PLAINFIELD —Residents and borough officials learned more about new tests showing higher levels of a cancer-causing contaminant in the Bound Brook near the Cornell-Dubilier Superfund site on Monday, Aug. 4, when federal officials and representatives from a local conservation group spoke before the borough council.

New test results from the former electronics manufacturing site show that levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a stretch of the Bound Brook were higher in 2007 than levels found in the same portion of the waterway back in 1997. PCBs have been linked to cancer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site. They were banned by the agency in 1979.

The samples for the new data were collected last year. The results show an increase in the average concentration of contamination, though not in the maximum concentration.

During the meeting, Rich W. Chapin, an environmental engineer with Chapin Engineering, told the council and residents that the new results mean the EPA needs to make the Cornell-Dubilier site a higher priority.

"We would like (the EPA) to speed everything up," he said, "expedite the investigation."

Chapin has been working with the Edison-based Edison Wetlands Association, a local environmental group that has been critical of the pace at which the EPA has addressed remediation efforts at the site since it was placed on the federal Superfund list a decade ago.

The PCBs are leaking from discarded capacitors dumped in the Bound Brook and around the 26-acre Superfund site. Cornell-Dubilier manufactured capacitors at the site until 1961. A capacitor is a device used in electronics to accumulate and store electricity.

Chapin said an analysis of samples collected at different points in the Bound Brook indicate that the contamination is moving with the water. He recommended installing a fabric to stabilize the stream bank and slow sediment erosion that is causing the contamination to spread.

Pete Mannino, the site's project manager for the EPA, said a handful of major remediation activities will begin within the next year. The agency will install an additional four to five groundwater monitoring wells to help pinpoint the extent of the contamination, according to Beth Totman, an EPA spokeswoman. Twenty wells are collecting data at the site.

The EPA is also reviewing bids from contractors to operate a low-temperature thermal desorption unit at the Superfund site. The device heats contaminated soil to approximately 900 degrees. At that temperature, the contaminants will be vaporized and separate from the soil. The contaminants will then be sent off to an off-site disposal facility.

Mannino also said his agency will begin surveying next month the effect of the contaminants on fish in the Bound Brook. But he said, "everyone's drinking water is safe."

He said the bulk of the capacitors are in a remote section of the brook, which he visually inspects weekly. But he later admitted that other capacitors are scattered throughout the property.

Mannino said the state Department of Health and Senior Services inspected the results of a previous ecological survey and determined that the only precautionary measure residents needed to take was to avoid eating fish caught in the brook.

Still, Mannino said remediation takes time. The EPA's own timeline shows groundwater remediation will not be completed until 2034.

Once the 26 acres of land is remediated, the PCB levels will have only been reduced to levels safe for commercial property to be found on the site. Robert Spiegel, executive director of the Edison Wetlands Association, said the PCB levels will still be more than 1,000 times too high to meet regulations for residential property.

"I think it's very important that the public understand that at the end of the day, the EPA is going to spend $100 million dollars to clean this up and you're going to be left with a PCB landfill still there," Spiegel said. "...You're still going to be left with a PCB landfill there. It will be there forever."

Tantalum Caps Handle Military Apps

Targeting Mil/Aero and other hi-rel applications, Vishay's Tantamount Hi-Rel COTS T97 Series of solid tantalum chip capacitors are presented as the first of their kind with a 63-V rating and a capacitance of 22µF in the "F" case size. The part addresses the long-standing issue of derating, allowing designers to incorporate solid surface-mount tantalum capacitors into their hi-rel +28-V power supply designs. Available in five case sizes in capacitances from 15μF to 1,500μF, the devices come in a voltage range from 4 V to 63 V.  With a dual-anode construction for low ESR values, which range from 0.015Ω to 0.30Ω at +25°C and 100 kHz. the conformal-coated capacitors have wrap-around terminations and offer high-reliability screening options including Weibull grading, as well as surge-current testing options in accordance with MIL-PRF-55365. Devices in the T97 series operate over a temperature range of -55°C to +85°C, +125°C with voltage derating. In addition to the T97 Hi-Rel series, these ratings are also available in a commercial version, the 597D series.

Ceramic capacitors come in large case sizes

 Ceramic capacitors come in large case sizes Kemet Corp. has expanded its HiCV C0G multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) surface-mount product portfolio in large case 1812 and 2220 sizes.

Capacitance offerings have been extended in both 50V and 100V rated products, providing design engineers with an MLCC alternative for applications that are sensitive to electrically and/or mechanically induced circuit noise and that require the stability and performance of a Class 1 dielectric.

These new devices are being offered with capacitance tolerances of F(±1 percent), G(±2 percent), J(±5 percent), K(±10 percent) and M(±20 percent) and meet both EU and China RoHS directives. Marquee HiCV values associated with this product offering include the following part types:

With an operating temperature range between -55°C and +125°C and capacitance shift limited to ±30ppm/°C over that range, these devices suit circuit applications requiring critical timing and tuning such as mobile communications, automotive electronics and power supply circuits. The devices also exhibit no piezoelectric properties and no capacitance change with respect to applied rated DC voltage or time.

All parts are being offered in both commercial and automotive grades with 100 percent pure matte tin-plated terminations that allow for excellent solderability. Sn/Pb is also available for customers who require an alternative termination finish for high-reliability applications that do not require RoHS compliance.

Vishay updates portfolio of aluminum capacitors

To meet the demands for performance and reliability in automotive and industrial systems, Vishay Intertechnology Inc. has extended the capabilities of its 140 CRH series of surface-mount aluminum capacitors to offer very high capacitance values and ripple currents.

A polarized aluminum electrolytic capacitor with a nonsolid, self-healing electrolyte, the 140 CRH is ideally suited for filtering, smoothing, buffering and voltage decoupling applications in automotive and industrial systems for high ambient temperatures up to 125°C.

Offering enhanced performance and reliability, the devices feature a capacitance range of 10µF to 1,000µF over a voltage range of 6.3V to 63V, a high ripple current up to 900mA at 100kHz/125°C, and ESR down to 90mΩ at 100kHz. The capacitors are available in five case sizes, ranging from 8mm x 8mm x 10mm to the larger 12.5mm x 12.5mm x 16mm.

For high vibration capability, 140 CRH capacitors with 12.5mm diameters are available in 4-pin versions, with 4-pin versions of 10mm devices available on request. The capacitors feature a long life up to 3,000hrs at +125°C.

The RoHS-compliant devices are charge- and discharge-proof, so there is no peak current limitation. The capacitors operate over a broad temperature range from -55°C to +125°C.

Samples and production quantities of the 140 CRH SMD aluminum capacitors are available now, with lead times of 15 weeks for larger orders.

Vishay - New capacitors target high-performance automotive and industrial systems

Published Aug 6 2008 [Printer friendly version] [Email article to a friend] [More Design & Manufacture articles]

 In a move to meet the demands for performance and reliability in automotive and industrial systems, Vishay has announced that it has extended the capabilities of its 140 CRH series of surface-mount aluminium capacitors to offer very high capacitance values and ripple currents.

 A polarized aluminium electrolytic capacitor with a non-solid, self-healing electrolyte, the 140 CRH is ideal for filtering, smoothing, buffering, and voltage decoupling applications in automotive and industrial systems for high ambient temperatures up to 125C, says the company.

 Offering enhanced performance and reliability, the devices feature a capacitance range of 10µF to 1000µF over a voltage range of 6.3V to 63V, a high ripple current up to 900mA at 100kHz/125C, and ESR down to 90mohm at 100kHz. The capacitors are available in five case sizes, ranging from 8mm by 8mm by 10mm to the larger 12.5mm by 12.5mm by 16mm.

 For high-vibration needs, 140 CRH capacitors with 12.5-mm diameters are available in 4-pin versions, with 4-pin versions of 10mm devices available on request. The capacitors feature a long life up to 3000 hours at +125C.

 The RoHS-compliant devices are charge- and discharge-proof, so there is no peak current limitation. The capacitors operate over a broad temperature range from -55C to +125C, says the company.

AVX's Fused Tantalum Capacitor Series Protects Against Short Circuits

-- AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer of advanced passive components and connectors, has developed a family of fused tantalum capacitors that feature an internal fuse to protect against short circuits and damaging high DC leakage currents. Designated the TAW Series, the tantalum capacitor will remove itself from the circuit and into 'fail safe mode' when the internal fuse exceeds the current limit.

The rugged TAW fused tantalum capacitor provides high capacitance values, up to 10Mohms, and low equivalent series resistance (ESR) for high reliability applications including aerospace, automotive, servers and telecoms infrastructure products.

"Manufactured using thin film technology, the TAW Series is one of the industry's only tantalum capacitor series to combine high reliability and an ultra-fast response time with short circuit failure mode protection," said Dan Lane, marketing manager of tantalum products at AVX.

Unlike conventional devices that incorporate an embedded lead wire fuse, the TAW tantalum capacitor series is lead-free and RoHS compliant.

 available from stock to 10 weeks.

For more information, contact AVX at 801 17th Avenue South, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29578; by calling 843-448-9411, by fax at 843-444-2864 or on the Web at www.avx.com.

About AVX

Maine businesses face hi gher electric rates

AUGUSTA, Maine Starting in September, some Maine businesses will be facingdouble-digit increases in their stand plastic toys ard offer electric rates.The Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday approved new energyprices, which apply to customers that have not made theirownelectricity supply arrangements.Large business customers of Central Maine Powerwill see their standard offer prices rise 32 percent, while thosefor medium-size customers will go up 23 percent. For Bangor Hydrocustomers, the figures are just under 20 percent for largebusinesses and 21 percent for medium businesses.PUC Chairman Sharon Reishus said the higher rates reflect increasesin wholesale electricity costs, largely due to hikes in fuel costsfor power plants fired by natural gas.

Vietnamese buying less gas after price hike

Le Thi Anh Man, deputy general director of Saigon Petro, said thecompanys sales had dropped about 30-40 percent since the increasein gasoline prices.Though deputy director of Petrolimex Region II Company Nguyen VanCanh said his client stations in HCMC were still buying the sameamount of gas, he admitted that sales in the provinces, wherepeople are generally poorer, had fallen 15 percent since the pricehike.M., a salesman at a Petrolimex station in Ho Chi Minh CitysDistrict 3, said the number of customers at his station haddeclined noticeably and that they were buying far lower quantitiesof gas per trip.Customers used to buy at least two liters of gas for theirmotorbikes but now most of them asked for only VND20,000 (US$1.19)worth of gas, he said, adding that some even insisted on one literexactly (VND19,000), demanding VND1,000 in change.Going electric Kieu Tien, a telephone operator at the HCMC information directory,said she just bought a new electric bicycle to ride to the office,even thought the trip already took her 30 minutes by motorbike.She said it used to cost her VND35,000 to fill up her motorbikeevery four days but after the gas hike on Monday she had to payVND53,000 for the same amount of gas.After riding her electric bike to work for sales have jumped 50 percent as the store is now sellingeight bikes per day.Two shops selling Asama brand electric bikes in District 3 and TanBinh District said they ve sold out of popular bike models and manycustomers had paid deposits for bikes that were on order.Asama is a popular brand from Taiwan.According to Asamas Vietnam sales department, the companymanufactures 250-300 electric bikes in the country every day, butthe number was not enough to meet the needs of the Vietnamesemarket since the gas hike.Secondhand bicycles are also selling quicker than before.Many shops on Bui Huu Nghia Street in Binh Thanh District arerefurbishing old bicycles to meet the new demand for gas-freevehicles.A bike shop owner named Luong said average secondhand bicycles costonly VND250,000, while igher quality Japanese bikes could cost upto VND1 million.He said his customers were mainly average-income blue-collarworkers who didnt need brand new bikes.Catching the bus

Setting the record straight about scooter regulations

I'm talking about the scooters and motorcycles that everyone seemsto be buying in the battle against high gas prices. Police haveseen an increase in the number and frequency of collisionsinvolving these vehicles.There is a corresponding increase in the number of people thatdon't seem to be aware of the laws in place regulating scooters.One mother called from Las Vegas and asked about the scooter lawsfor her child coming to Dixie State College. She "knew" that ascooter under 50ccs didn't need a motorcycle license and she askedabout the number of crashes and the safety of these small vehicles.She was wrong about the need for a motorcycle license, by the way.A man had a scooter with a 2-horsepower electric motor and he saidhe was told it didn't need to be registered because it was an electric bicycle. with a small engine not more than 1,000 wattsand not able to go more than 20 mph. A driver's license is neededbut no registration is required. The man in the example above had avehicle without pedals and his could not be human-powered alone.A personal motorized mobility device is the Segway type, with two,side-by-side wheels. No registration or DL is required for these,either.For anything else with a motor and two wheels, a driver's licensewith motorcycle endorsement is needed and it must be registered.Even a moped under 50cc's needs a motorcycle endorsement.There is a new, tiered license system for motorcycles. Under 90cc,under 250cc, under 650cc and 650ccs and above. This means that ifyou take a 350 down to take the test, you will be limited in whatyou can drive. Contact the Driver License Division for specificdetails.Motorists must become more aware as these vehicles, along with newriders, take to the streets. We must allow them full use of theentire lane that they are in and not slide up alongside them sothat a right turn can be made. They can stop faster than a car sowe must back off. They will avoid road hazards rather than drivingthrough them, so we must be prepared for these slower or moreevasive moves as we encounter gravel or dirt on the road.As motorcyclists, we must be assertive - do not substitute"aggressive" here - and make our presence known by not driving onthe edge of the road, by making eye contact with drivers that mightbe turning in front of us, by anticipating drivers not seeing us asthey pull out onto our street or change lanes in front of us. I'vealmost been hit twice by drivers at my side that didn't see mypolice motorcycle and changed lanes with less than a foot to sparebetween our vehicles. I haven't told my wife this yet, so keep itto yourself. Never hang out in any driver's blind spot.The use of a helmet, required under the age of 18, is stronglyurged and highly recommended. So are the motorcycle trainingcourses available through Dixie State College and other privateproviders. Nothing can replace good, common sense, which, accordingto Will Rogers, is not so common anymore, so learn the proper useand operation of the scooter or motorcycle before riding it around.It is not just like a bicycle. Things are different and so are thelaws that apply. It is our duty as motorcyclists and scooterenthusiasts to learn the laws and abide by them.Sgt. Craig Harding is the supervisor of the traffic unit and motorsquad for the St. George Police Department and a contributor to TheSpectrum & Daily News.

Client Case Studies

Inflation encourages more frugal lifestyle in VietnamVietnam has Asia's highest inflation rate and a 30% hike in petrolprices last week has led to many Vietnamese rediscovering bicyclesand the frugal lifestyle of bygone years. Higher prices haveaffected many countries, but few have been hit harder than Vietnam,where inflation topped 27% year-on-year in July. More than 90% ofVietnamese now worry about high food prices, according to a recentsurvey by Nielsen, which listed people's other top concerns as highpetrol prices and their children's well-being. Some people aregiving up their scooters and are flocking to buy bicycles, whichruled the streets until 20 years ago. A popular email circulatinglooks with wry humour at life in times of double-digit inflation."I take you to school on my bicycle," it reads,describing a world where "helmets are suddenly useless,""dogs will run through the streets with the old men" and"my mother races her electric bicycle." "Life in thefuel-saving period is so simple and romantic." (ChannelNewsAsia,July 28)

Automatic Transmission Electric Bicycle

Man, and I thought that bicycles are meant to make you break out ina sweat to help keep those pounds off as you attack uphills andslopes, but once again technology is here to make life easy withthe Automatic Transmission Electric Bicycle upshifts forrapid acceleration up to 20 mph on flats, or allows you to pedalnormally because the motor can be disengaged at your command.Powered by a 750-watt electric motor housed in the horizontal chainand motor assembly that provides 1 hp, the 8-speed automatictransmission is capable of four modes of operation, all controlledby a thumb toggle on the handlebars: a setting for rapidacceleration, a low gear setting for inclines (but sloweracceleration), and a setting for manual gear shifting thatdisengages the motor to preserve battery life. Construction beginswith a 12′ straight piece of 3/8-gauge, aircraft aluminum6061 alloy that is roll-formed and annealed for uniform wallthickness into a complete 6′ diameter circular tube with interior diameter (the NiMH batteries reside within thetube from the front fork to the seat), which is then bisected tomake a 6′ long arc for the bicycles frame. The sturdy framesupports riders up to 300 lbs.

Of course, the Automatic might notburn a hole in the ozone layer but it will surely do a number onyour pockets as it retails for a cool

Giant's Electric-Assist Bicycle: A Review

I have a biking nemesis: During my regular rides around thesix-mile outer loop of New York’s Central Park, the big hillat the north (uptown) end of the park invariably sucks the verylife out of my aging legs. Yesterday, however, pedaling up the bigincline was another story altogether. It was as easy as climbing asmall rise. My new-found prowess had nothing to do with anyimproved fitness, of course; it was the bike I was riding, theTwist Freedom DX from Taiwan’s

Giant Bicycle, Inc. which augments every pedal stroke with a finely timed electricboost..The Twist Freedom DX incorporates a battery-powered electric motorin the front wheel that relatively seamlessly supplements your legmuscles to “smooth out” your ride. This means you canmaintain a nearly steady pace no matter what road you take. Theoverall effect is to give you “light feet,” as if youset a stationary gym bike to a low resistance level--one thatenables you to just pedal away with abandon. The power boost isespecially noticeable when you start out; the electric-assist makesit effortless.Giant’s Hybrid Cycling Technology is based on a torque sensorin the pedal crank that measures how much pressure the rider exertswith each stroke. Some rather sophisticated software algorithms inthe I2 Driver Unit’s computer located just aft of theseat tube takes this force data and converts it on the fly into“smoothed” power-transmission commands for the electricmotor. The motor is a Sanyo DC brushless unit that can produce from150 to 350 watts of synchronized power as needed. As a result, therider can take on hills or long stretches of road without breakinga sweat, should he or she so decide.A ride controller on the handlebar lets you choose among threeoperating modes: Economy (minimum power output), Normal, and Sport(extra boost). Setting the bike’s seven-speed Shimano Nexustransmission system to just the right gear to accommodate theterrain, the power mode and your pedaling effort fine-tunes theTwist Freedom DX’s ride to a very pleasant “T.”As a result the set-up mostly avoids the timing lag riders haveoften experienced when pedaling previous electric auxiliary-powerbicycles. That annoying phenomenon occurs when the stroke is notfully synched with the power-boost.Electric power in the DX is supplied by a pair of four-pound (2kilogram) lithium-ion battery packs that fit over the rear wheel.These lockable modules sit snugly under fabric pannier bags. Thebatteries, which are engaged in sequence via a handlebar control,together supply juice for about 70 miles (113 kilometers) inEconomy mode. The user can rather easily extract them forrecharging via a home wall-plug, which takes a maximum of sixhours. The bicycle works just like a regular bike when the power isdisengaged.Note that the DX’s power-assist system responds only topedaling and has no stand-alone throttle capability, so it’sno electric bicycle or scooter. It’s really a differentbreed. Some purists might debate whether one would define it as atrue “hybrid” as it does not incorporate amuscle-driven electric generator, or downgrade or brakingenergy-recovery system to recharge the batteries, but suchtechnology may have just ended up adding weight, complexity andcost with no certain payoff. The DX does, however, combine electricand muscle power so that makes it a hybrid to most of us.Last year in China, dealers sold almost 20 million bicycles withauxiliary propulsion systems. And this technology is big in Europe where it is seen as a low-cost and green alternative to cars. InGermany, for example, where they’re called“pedelecs,” several companies besides Giant offerelectric-powered models. They include the Gazelle Orange Innergy  the

Hercules EMove sport sl the Matra I-Step Cross and the Riese & Mueller Delite Hybrid.I look forward to seeing these products hit our shores one day (ifthey haven’t already).Giant’s DX hybrid bike has been commercially available fortwo years in Europe, where it has received extensive customer use,so potential buyers in the U.S. shouldn’t worry aboutpotential operating problems, such as biking in the rain and soforth. The thing felt pretty bulletproof during my shorttest-drive. Weighing in at around 50 pounds (23 kilograms),it’s certainly no lightweight, but the power-boost mostlyoffsets that potential problem. Otherwise, the DX seems a solidlybuilt and rather slick package, one that looks like a regularbicycle.Although most people would probably describe the DX as a commuteror urban cruiser, the bike’s clean and straightforwardlyutilitarian design should attract buyers interested in a littlehelp with their daily work run or rides around congested cities,spread-out ‘burbs or longer trips to and from the country.And it’s quiet enough that fellow bikers may not even noticethat you’re getting a performance-assist as you pedal uphills...The Twist Freedom DX is priced at about $2,000 (MSRP) and goes onsale this week at 20 of Giant's top retailers around the U.S. Formore information, go to the Giant Web siteBicycle-Related Stories.How to win the Tour de France

Soaring petrol prices drive riders to plug in

As of Monday, gas and oil prices saw a record increase of 31 percent, and electric bike shops in HCM City and Hanoi are reaping thebenefits."My modest salary isn't enough for a motorbike given the recentescalation of petrol prices," said Pham Huy Tung, an employee of aprivate enterprise.Tung explained that last month, the price of oil on the globalmarket had spiked, impacting local prices in Vietnam, so manymotorists could no longer afford the cost of driving. Like him theyopted for an alternative - the electric bicycle. The electricity cost for each bike is around VND2,000 per day, fivetimes cheaper than the daily cost of petrol for a motorbike.A manager at Martin 107 Co bicycle shop, Ho Thi Thu Suong, saidthat their number of customers had increased dramatically due tooil prices. Martin had sold between 15,000 and 20,000 electricbikes, an estimated 10 per cent increase."The quantity of electric bikes is increasing though the presentprice is about VND6.2 million (US$382), up VND200,000 per bike frombefore petrol rose," said a salesman at Thong Nhat Motorbike andBicycle Co on Ba Trieu Street in Hanoi.The situation is similar in HCM City, where various shops reportedan increase of sales from 30-50 per cent in the days following theprice hike.A bicycle shop on Vo Thi Sau Street in District 3 said manycustomers visited the shop after the petrol price rose VND4,500(US$0.3).Most of them were students, housewives and government officials.Nguyen Kieu Tien, a telephone company switchboard operator, saidshe decided to buy a bicycle, rather than use her motorbike, toride to work."I live in District 7 but work on Hai Ba Trung Street in District1. I now have to spend VND53,000 ($3.1) to buy petrol instead ofVND35,000 ($2.1). So I have decided to buy a bicycle to savemoney," she said.Smuggled inElectric bicycles jumped so much in popularity all over the countrythat smuggling of used and electric bicycles over the south-westborder with Cambodia grew as well.There are six warehouses in Ta Mau Market on the Cambodian sidebursting with bicycles ready to be smuggled into Vietnam.The owner of one of them said he can supply any number.Second-hand bicycles from Japan and Thailand are also flooding intoVietnam.Depending on their quality and style, the price ranges fromVND900,000 to VND3 million.According to forecasts, the surging price of oil and gas togetherwith the upcoming school year may further boost the number ofelectric bicycles sold.Petrol sales down.Because of higher prices and more bicycle sales, - sales of petrolhave gone down, market observers have said.Le Thi Anh Man, deputy director of Sai Gon Petrol, said 40 generalagents and 100 direct agents working for Sai Gon Petrol said saleshad fallen 30-40 per cent, which represents 400-500 cubic metres aday."Petrol for VND19,000 ($1.14) a litre is not available anymore,"she said.According to a survey of several petrol retailers, the volume ofpetrol sold in the last several days has dropped about 20-30 percent.The return to bicycles, which were once very popular in Vietnam, isconsidered an encouraging development given the mounting concernover air pollution from motorbikes in urban areas.(Source: Viet Nam News)

Denton Man Makes and Sells Electric Bicycles

Bikes don't require pedalling, go up to 20mph..No license, insurance or registration needed

Cost: between $899 - $1299.by Pelpina Trip,KDAF33 News Intern.July 30, 2008.DENTON — Is it possible to ride a bike without pedalling? Yes, it is..A Denton man makes and sells bicycles that do not require any pedalling - or gas and can still go up to 20 miles an hour. Theyare called electric bicycles and they run on batteries..Bradley Speck came up with the idea a year and a half

ago, when heconverted his own bicycle to an electric one. He was so excitedabout his electric bicycle (or e-bike) that he decided that"everyone should have a bike like this," and started making andselling more electric bikes..He has sold the majority of his e-bikes, even though "many peopleare just finding out about stuff like this," Speck said. Soaringgas prices have helped the electric bicycle business too; manypeople are buying e-bikes to save money on gas..The e-bikes are legally considered regular bicycles, so they do notneed a license, insurance or registration, according to Speck. Theelectric bicycles can be ridden and parkedwherever allowed formanual bicycles.The e-bikes give the option to pedal, pedal with electricassistance, or ride without pedalling. There is also no noise, theelectric motor only gives a minimal "zoom" sound when in use. Onefull battery charge will ride up to 30 miles.So what are the downsides? Well, it takes up to 6 hours tore-charge the battery, e-bikes are heavier than manual bikes (about55-75 pounds), and they can be pricy: ranging from $899 to $1299.However, these bicycles are gas-savers, and have minimal yearlyoperating costs ($100 according to Speck).Click here for more information about E-Bikes.Copyright 2008, KDAF

.

Come fall, give Thursday night to ABC

Come fall, give

Thursday night to ABC

Researchers see CBS holding onto second place

By Kevin Downey

Jul 25, 2008

When the new season begins in September, Thursday night will againbe the most fought-over, and NBC will be fighting hard to regainthe lead it held for 20 years until its tumble earlier this decade.

But it will likely be for naught, predict media researchers.

ABC will be No. 1 in viewers 18-49, largely on the strength ofSGrey"s Anatomy, with CBS No. 2.

They see NBC struggling to hold onto third place in 18-49 viewers,and they think Fox stands a good chance of pushing the network intofourth place.NBC's strongest Thursday shows are long-fading SMy Name is Earlat 8 p.m. and SThe Office at 9 p.m., but they are not masshits, and the network's onetime monster hit, SER,is limpinginto its final season. The medical drama ranked No. 58 in totalviewers last season, and this season it's facing two newcompetitors at 10 p.m.

By contrast, Fox was the only network last season to see itsThursday rating increase on the strength of its reality shows "AreYou Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics." Itwas up 7 percent over 2006-07, based on live-plus-seven-dayratings--program ratings that include the original broadcast andseven days of DVR playback.

Now it's trying out more reality on the night. SKitchenNightmares is moving into the 9 p.m. slot and Fox switchedWednesday hit SMoment of Truth to Thursdays at 8 p.m.SFor fourth quarter, we have Fox looking slightly better than NBCbecause oment of Truth did some nice business, says ShariAnne Brill, senior vice president and director of programming atCarat.

Sit’ s possible we’re looking at a fourth-place finish for NBCon C3, she says, referring to commercial ratings with three daysof DVR playback.CBS ranked No. 1 on live-plus seven last season, which was rockedby the writers strike, with a 4.2 rating, down 16 percent. ABChad a 4, down 25 percent, followed by NBC with a 3.5, down 8percent, and Fox with a 3.2 rating. The CW had a 1.3, down 13percent.Critical this September will be the 10 p.m. timeslot."ER" faces a real threat in CBS "s British import SEleventhHour, from SCSI producer Jerry Bruckheimer, which will leadout of SCSI at 10 p.m.ABC "s SLife on Mars, also based on a British show, is more ofa question mark. It had appeared to be a threat to SER whenproducer David E. Kelley was involved, but he has dropped out ofthe project.SYou have to think leventh Hour " will visually be a realgood fit coming out of says David Scardino,entertainment specialist at RPA in Santa Monica, Calif. SNBCmight be able to get a little extra ratings steam for because it is its last year, but I don’t think it’ll get thaton a consistent basis.

NBC likely also has a problem at 8:30 p.m. The new SKath &Kim, based on an Australian comedy, is in trouble, according tomedia pundits. NBC is said to be struggling to adapt the show forAmerican viewers, toning down some of its crudeness.

Perhaps NBC"s best bet for a ratings bump is S30 Rock at 9:30p.m., which premieres in October. The show is coming off an Emmywin last year for best comedy and received a slew of nominationsthis year, which could bring it some additional attention.

Lopez goes Extra

I really miss my weekly scripted shows, "Supernatural,""Numb3rs," and "Sarah Connor Chronicles." Lastnight I watched the DVR 'sfinale of "The Next Food NetworkStar" and it was Aaron McCargo Jr! He's the guy I picked towin from day one, seriously. He had this easy, watchable way aroundhim and he was born in the town my family called home for manyyears when I was little. Can't wait to see his new series on TheFood Network.

Last night also brought us the finale performances on"Nashville Star" and I'll have more on that later."High School Musical: Get in the Picture" chose theirfinal six from the West and these guys aren't nearly as good as theones from the East. Interesting to say the least.

Let's see what else is interesting...Tonight on TVABC is all new with "Wipeout," "I Survived aJapanese Game Show," and "Primetime: FamilySecrets."NBC is mostly new with "Celebrity Family Feud" and"America's Got Talent," followed by a rerun of "Law& Order: SVU."

CBS goes with "NCIS," a new "Big Brother," anda rerun of "Without a Trace."FOX has "Kitchen Nightmares" and "House."The CW goes with "Beauty and the Geek" and"Reaper."Over on cable

ABC Family has "The Secret Life of the AmericanTeenager," while Jeff is "Flipping Out" again overon Bravo."Good Eats," "Food Detectives," and "RoadTasted" are all new tonight on The Food Network.Try the new show "Stagers" on HGTV at 9:30 and after thaton Lifetime is "How to Look Good Naked.""Eureka" returns for a new season on SCI FI Channel andWE's "Secret Lives of Women" looks at taboorelationships.News and notable"X-Files" star Mitch Pileggi will guest as Sam and Dean'sgrandfather on "Supernatural."Mario Lopez takes over as the new host of "Extra" as MarkMcGrath leaves the show. Stay tuned to SheKnows for our interview with the sexy star.

TVGuide is developing a series called “My FavoriteThings" which will focus on the products and places starsadore.Style Network is soon to release "The Dish", hosted by Danielle Fishel labeled the best and worst of celebrityculture. Sounds like someone is a little too fond of our own She Knows Daily Dish. Recent television features

Raising the heat..."Gossip Girl's" new promos

Mia Michaels, the "So You Think You Can Dance" interview

Bravo announces its 2008 shows

'Men' Make Monday Music for CBS

Fast National ratings for Monday, July 28, 2008

Reruns ruled the ratings Monday night, with CBS' slate of encoresbeating out FOX's repeats for the top spot.CBS averaged a 5.0 rating/8 share in primetime, besting FOX's4.6/8. NBC took third with a 3.6/6. ABC came in fourth with a2.2/4, and The CW trailed with a meager 0.8/1.

FOX tied CBS for the lead among adults 18-49, with each networkdrawing a 2.2 rating. NBC grabbed third with a 1.8. Neither ABC(1.1) nor The CW (0.4) made much of an impact.A "Bones"

 rerun, 4.2/7, put FOX on top at 8 p.m. Repeats of "The Big BangTheory" and "How I Met Your Mother" averaged 3.6/6 for CBS, edgingthe 3.1/5 for "American Gladiators" on NBC. "High School Musical:Get in the Picture" drew a 2.5/5 for ABC -- not much, but still agood deal better than The CW's "Gossip Girl" rerun.CBS took the lead at 9 p.m. with "Two and a Half Men," 6.1/10, and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," 5.0/8. "House" scored a 4.9/8 for FOX. "Nashville Star" earned a3.8/6 for NBC, while ABC's new game show "Wanna Bet?" managed onlya 2.1/3. The CW aired a "One Tree Hill" rerun.At 10 p.m.,

"CSI: Miami" posted a 6.0/10 for CBS. "Dateline," 3.8/7, kept NBC ahead of ABCand "The Mole," 2.0/3.Ratings information is taken from fast national data, whichincludes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminaryand subject to change.

Breaking News: IT'S OFFICIAL! WILLIAM PETERSEN LEAVES 'CSI ...

LOCATION: Las Vegas THE SKINNY: Well, it’s official, William Petersen is leaving

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION this year and the unit may never be the same without its venerableleader Gil Grissom.At the CBS TCA press tour today, CBS Entertainment President NinaTassler spoke about Petersen’s exit during the ninth seasonof the venerable series.

 “He’s leaving after Episode 10, but it certainlyisn’t the last time we’ll see him,” says Tassler.

Most importantly, the replacement for his character, isn’t a“replacement” per se according to Tassler. “I don’t think you replace Billy, you sort of look atadding elements to the show that are really going to invigorate andcontribute to the alchemy of where the show is today,” addsTassler. “They’ve created a great character. He’sa doctor, a scientist who’s got a very interesting DNA thatis going to inform the duality of the character. So it’s notnecessarily replacing Billy.”

That said, Tassler also emphasizes that when Grissom leaves as headof the unit, this new character won’t suddenly take over. “He comes in a little bit as an outsider, someone who isultimately going to work his way up within the team and ultimatelybecome head of the unit,” says Tassler.

Above and beyond Petersen’s departure, Tassler says executiveproducers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar have a great seasonplanned overall. “These are two producers who are at the top of hisgame,” says Tassler. “Strategically, we’ve beentalking about this for quite some time. It started last year. Andthey have unbelievable season planned. We’re startingcertainly with the resolution of the cliffhanger. Jorja Fox iscoming back. We’ve added a new CSI [cast member with] LaurenLee Smith. We’ve got an unbelievable – DVR-proof seasonof CSI.”