The present and future of Popcorn Hour A-400

Posted on April 20, 2020 by markjayson

I have a Popcorn Hour A-400 for quite sometime, currently the last firmware was released on 2016 and that is the last time Syabas Technology release such firmware for my Popcorn Hour A-400.

I am looking for ways to tweak or customize my Popcorn Hour A-400, I have used the CSI tool to customize the experience with my Popcorn Hour A-400 but still it lacks the true usage of a media box, the only thing I use in the CSI tool is an updated Transmission application for downloading movies through peer-to-peer. The current downloaded apps from the NMT App Store of my Popcorn Hour A-400 does no longer work and all apps in the NMT App Store is no longer supported by the app developers, so it means that there is no continuity of app support beyond the support life of my Popcorn Hour A-400.

Well hopefully someone can provide instructions on how to fully tweak or customize the Popcorn Hour A-400 or someone who has installed Android OS in the Popcorn Hour A-400. That way we can trully utilize the media box.

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LG V20: A Review

Posted on March 12, 2019 by markjayson

It has been over a year since I bought my LG V20 (H990ds) mobile phone from SM Appliance Center at SM City North Edsa – Lower Ground Floor Branch, that was bought last November 2017 to be precise.

The only problem I got after the warranty period is the Wifi!

It just happened this past few days when I notice that the Wifi turns off when I am using it and it turns on at frequent times. I am careful user and only experience only a soft drop or only a feet drop and never got any problems in the first one year of using. It has a rubber case from Spigen, UNgrip finger handle on the back of the rubber case and a tempered glass for the protection of the screen.

I have searched for any resolutions on the frequent turning on and off of the Wifi of my LG V20 (H990ds) like ignore wifi optimization via power saving, forget wifi saved names, disable wifi scanning in locations and lastly tried factory reset but nothing works.

Emailed LG Customer Service regarding my problem and they referred me to call first to the LG Service Center to confirm the issue and what resolution can be done. And I called the LG Service Center to tell the issue on my LG V20 (H990ds) and it turns out that the motherboard will be needed to be replaced. Upon their recommendation I will shelved out a total of PhP23,000 for the motherboard of the LG V20 (H990ds), labor fee not yet included in the quote, when converted to dollar it is $433.96 ($1 : PhP53). Its cost is like buying a new mobile phone, so I never mind about it because its other functionalities is still working and the mobile data is still working fine.

So, the verdict, LG is however a good company and listens to what their customers wants, but their customer support is pretty good rating on the average and the cost for the repair is a low rating.

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Converge ICT FiberX 1500 plus (25 Mbps + 10 Mbps)

Posted on February 1, 2019 by markjayson

Well, this promo is only available to customers who are either new or existing customers for 3 months, this was announced November 2018, you will only add PhP99 in top of your monthly bill, but the promo contains free 1 month for the additional 10Mbps which lasted until 31 January 2019.

I just applied last 13 January 2019 8:14PM at the website of Converge ICT, because I still have remaining balance with them due to personal reasons.

1500plusbadgeTerms and Conditions:

  • 1500Plus shall be offered to existing FiberX Plans 1500 Subscribers only.
  • Subscriber should have an active subscription for a minimum of three (3) months.
  • The subscriber must have a good credit standing.
  • Additional Php 99 charged to your monthly bill.
  • No re-lock in required!

Available to:

  • All existing subscribers who will be availing of the Add-on will get the first-month for FREE.
  • Valid from December 5, 2018 until January 31, 2019.

Final say, well it boosted the speed of my current plan and I am happy with it!

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Comments on DJI Osmo Pocket

Posted on February 1, 2019 by markjayson

To summarized, DJI announced a new device and potential buyers can pre-order the new released DJI Osmo Pocket, they also announce that pre-orders will be release by December 15, 2018. We pre-order on December 16, 2018 from DJI SM City North Edsa branch, because we have no available down-payment for the pre-order last December 15, 2018 worth PhP5,000.00 of down-payment, but they still accept pre-order beyond the date of the release of the DJI Osmo Pocket they told us that we can pick the item by Friday, 21 December 2018. And a problem arise with regards to the release of the product, the reseller told us that there is a shipping problem from the originating warehouse of DJI, so it did not arrived on time, even the first pre-order customers did not get their own DJI Osmo Pocket due to the shipping issue, they also told that the cause of the delay is due to weather disturbance at that time.

After a few weeks of waiting, on 17 January 2019 a confirmation SMS was received indicating that the availability of DJI Osmo Pocket can now be picked up at DJI SM City North Edsa branch. We picked-up the DJI Osmo Pocket last 23 January 2019 and also bought a 64GB Extreme Ultra3 Micro SD XC I Card worth PhP1,590 but we got 20% discount for the pre-order now worth PhP1,272. The DJI Osmo Pocket is worth PhP23,200, less the down-payment of PhP5,000, we pay PhP18,200 for the remaining balance of the DJI Osmo Pocket upon pick-up. Other accessories was not acquired because we will not be needing it, we will just wait for the availability of the DJI Extension or Selfie Stick of DJI Osmo Pocket.

Just now, 01 February 2019, a new firmware was release introducing the PRO setting’s availability in the DJI Osmo Pocket itself, previously it was only available on the DJI Mimo app, and other features that most users will like.

So far, the DJI Osmo Pocket is great for video shooting in any matter, either vlogging, youtube, scenery and other stuff that the DJI Osmo Pocket can be used.

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Connected to Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500!

Posted on March 26, 2018 by markjayson

Just yesterday, I have been connected to Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500!

On March 14, 2018 9:59 AM, Converge ICT informed me that the facility in my area is now active and available for subscription. I also resent my previous application form including the latest or recent proof of billing for approval and you need to provide the coordinates of your house for easy installation and locating the nearest facility post in your area.

And you will wait for a few days for account number generation so that you can pay the whole installation fee on your account number.

On March 19, 2018 8:48 AM, an email with the generated account number was received, you will use the generated account number to pay for your whole installation fee.

The payment amount is PhP4,000 for the whole installation of Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500. The summary of the whole installation is PhP2,500 for installation fee and PhP1,500 for advance one Monthly Service Fee (MSF); for a total of PhP4,000 to connect to Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500.

On March 20, 2018 2:00 PM, the payment for Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500 was paid.

Also on that day of paying the installation I follow-up through Mr. Jessie Rafallo Jr. who handled my application, if the installation can be made on weekend as that is my only available schedule to supervise the installation. But sad to say he will provide me the available schedule on the soonest time and when I try to call him on March 21, 2018 through March 22, 2018 he is not answering and is rejecting my calls. That is not a good sign of sales agent to customer relationship, as you need to entertain your customer’s needs all the time, if you cannot accommodate the full load of inquiries of customers why  not pass it to someone who can handle the inquiries?

So on March 22, 2018 11:48 AM, I complained Mr. Jessie Rafallo Jr. to Mr. Abraham G. de Peralta because he is rejecting my calls for two days of follow-up regarding the installation schedule.

I do not recommend Mr. Jessie Rafallo Jr. as head of sales in our area, as he is not professional in his work because of rejecting calls.

So after that very disrupting inconvenience, I emailed Mr. Red of “Seven E Komp Tek” who is the only team that handles the Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City area, for the follow-up on my installation request and handled it all throughout the process.

On March 25, 2018 12:20 PM, a Converge ICT van parked in front of our house and asked if I am at home and they did the installation all through. The facility post is 5 to 10 meters away from my house, they provided 21 meters of fiber cable with accommodating allowance.

On March 25, 2018 1:20 PM, I am connected to the Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500.

3772823209-03-25-2018-2-20PM

I am currently enjoying the Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500 up to this time, with fast internet only on pure fiber, fast updating of android apps and many more. Will, come back with a new post regarding my experience with Converge ICT FiberX 25Mbps Plan 1500.

These are the steps of their own set of application processing:
Step 1: Applications and Requirements submitted by Applicant
Step 2: Application Validation 3 days
Step 3: Account Number Notification via Email after 3 days
Step 4: Validation of Payment
Step 5: Job Order Creation 1 day
Step 6: Installation (7 days after proof payment is received and validated)

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Hey Converge ICT! Offer me Staggered Payment…

Posted on February 20, 2018 by markjayson

Well, it has been a few months since I saw a post or pole of Converge ICT near my house (10-15 meters away). They told me that they encountered permit problems, wherein President Duterte told all government offices to facilitate the fast release of all permits. So, why Converge ICT taken a hefty of time just to get permit for a post or pole?

Also a disappointment is the one and only (I do not know if he is the only one) sales agent or sales guy for my area cannot offer me a staggered payment or scheme for easy payment terms, so that paying will not be heavy on my pocket.

converge-ict-sales-agent-staggered-paymentPicture is from a Sales Agent that offers STAGGERED PAYMENT!

Staggered Payment meanings or definitions:

  • payments that can be accepted over a period of time for finalizing a deal example credit card settlement with in 6 months
  • payments of different amounts in different intervals over a specified period, not necessarily in 4 equal monthly installments
  • written or contractual agreement for paying off a loan,paying someone a salary or bonus over a period of time agreed to by the parties involved
  • payment on terms extending over a period of time, and they may be at different intervals and amounts

Source of “Staggered Payment”:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-meaning-of-staggered-payments
http://www.a-systems.net/qna/question.htm?id=286

The sales agent is “Seven E Komp Tek”, I do not know what is that Seven E Komp Tek means, but I clearly told that sales guy my intention and needs. So, they told me that they cannot offer staggered payments.

So, why “Seven E Komp Tek” cannot offer staggered payment while most sales agent I can see around Quezon City can offer such staggered payment for 3 months. My classmate even told me that recently his girlfriend got connected with Converge ICT FiberX 1500 25Mbps in staggered payment of 3 months. What the! Is that a selection of who you can offer staggered payment?

This really clearly shows that not all sales agent of Converge ICT offers such staggered payment.

And not all the time, the post or pole of Converge ICT that is near your house is clearly activated for service. Better ask if the specific post or pole is activated.

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New Telco Player in the name of Converge ICT

Posted on January 25, 2018 by markjayson

The history of Converge ICT came in when they got their franchise from Congress in the Republic Act No. 9707 “AN ACT GRANTING THE CONVERGE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES”.

They made in the news by 2016, when they offered their fiber plans with unlimited data with no monthly capping. Their mother company is Comclark Network and Technology Corporation with the base at Clark, Pampanga.

At first, you will be enticed to get their service in your area but they are still in the process in building their own facilities hopefully nationwide.

The only disappointment I got from their company is, they do not offer Staggered Payment or Installment Payment for the installation fee and the one month security deposit based on the plan you will get from them. For example if you want to get the basic plan, the 25 Mbps worth 1,500 pesos, you will need to pay them 2,500 pesos for the installation fee and 1,500 pesos for the advance payment for security deposit, totaling of 4,000 pesos all in all to get their service.

Its a BIG HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT that they cannot offer terms to pay for the first time you get and use their service. The price for the installation and one month security deposit is heavy on my pocket. They have their policy regarding the installation fee and they do not even waive their installation fee. Yes, I respect their policy if that is what they mean. They should be considerate with first time subscriber who will get their services. So, if they waive the installation fee then they can get more subscribers. They should also put up more offices or branches of their company in every part of Metro Manila for ease of customer service.

Why it is a BIG HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT? Because I will need to shelve out 4,898 pesos for the disconnection of our Globe Fiber 5 Mbps and also I need another 4,000 pesos in total of 8,898 pesos before I can even get their service.

So, until now I do not know what options I need to think of because Converge ICT cannot even offer terms to pay for their service of first time subscribers.

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Better Internet Service is on the way

Posted on January 24, 2018 by markjayson

Since I saw the comment by Mr. Abraham G. de Peralta of Converge ICT posted at YugaTech I immediately contacted him immediately for more information.

http://www.yugatech.com/telecoms/globe-pldt-to-support-improvement-of-ph-internet-after-dutertes-warning/#comment-1826422

Why did I called Mr. Abraham G. de Peralta? Because they offer much better plans than their competitors. My first email with Mr. Abraham G. de Peralta was at May 25, 2016 10:05 AM and he replied by May 27, 2016 at 12:29 PM everything goes then.

Jun 9, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Danny Davantes of Converget ICT replied “Upon checking, the location that you have provided is not yet serviceable. Pls allow us to contact you once our facilities is already in your area.”, which is a big huge disappointment.

Then last December 12, 2017 I noticed that there is a pole of Converge ICT near our house.

20171212_063337So, I am excited to have their service in our home but sad to say until now the pole near our house is not yet activated at this moment. I am waiting for the activation so that I can process the disconnection of our Globe Fiber 5 Mbps that is very useless and I need to pay a huge amount of 4,898 pesos for the disconnection of our Globe Fiber 5 Mbps. Right now Converge ICT is offering 25 Mbps download and upload (symmetric) at 1,500 pesos with no capping of data.

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Review: Globe Fiber 5 Mbps

Posted on January 24, 2018 by markjayson

Since a field sales agent went to our area to survey the Bayan Telecommunications customers last October 2017 and went to our house because there is a Free Upgrade to Fiber Internet (Free Installation, Free Landline with unli Calls to Globe and TM, No lock up refresh, Offer is exclusive for Bayan subscriber’s only) offered by Globe and a tarpaulin posted all over their Globe Stores.

bayantel-fiber-internetThe Globe Fiber was installed on October 16, 2017 (Monday) after a few follow-ups on the installation that was to be done on weekends and I am at home. On their system the date of installation is October 17, 2017 (Tuesday) so it seems that they wait for 24 hours before encoding the information in their system.

After a few months, we have been experiencing random disconnections from the internet which a big problem. The fiber modem model is Huawei EchoLife HG8245H GPON Terminal which has 4 LAN ports and 2 Telephone ports. Another problem is the telephone would not ring the first time you call it, so you have to call it again many times before it rings and the call push through. Another one is the fiber modem does not allow you to connect your own wifi router to extend the range of your wifi at home, so I have to depend on the wifi of the fiber modem for wifi and I cannot extend my wifi to our third floor.

Billing is sent through email because they are promoting Paper Less Billing. And they will charge you 50 pesos per month for paper bill request every month.

The bandwidth is 5 Mbps but here is the catch, you get 10 GB daily allowance for the Globe Fiber for customers from BayanTel. The amount or plan for our Globe Fiber 5 Mbps with landline is 1,199 pesos.

If you will request to disconnect your Globe Fiber you need to pay the 2 months Monthly Service Fee (MSF) and the 2,500 pesos penalty for the disconnection if you are within the 2 year contract period. But if your are more than 2 years or more than 24 months you will not pay any disconnection fee. So I will need to pay 1,199 x 2 months and a 2,500 penalty with a total of 4,898 pesos that is heavy in my pocket.

In order to pay the disconnection fee I called the retention hotline at (02) 730-1300 and told me that I need to go to a Globe Store and ask for Staggered Payment in order to pay the disconnection in small amounts in a negotiated duration of payment.

I have some post over at YugaTech regarding my complaints in our Globe Fiber at home.

http://www.yugatech.com/news/globe-go-unli-plan-is-back/#comment-1866784
http://www.yugatech.com/news/globe-go-unli-plan-is-back/#comment-1866790

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Updated to WordPress 4.3!

Posted on August 19, 2015 by markjayson

Wow, it has been a few hours and now my WordPress is now up-to-date with the latest WordPress 4.3. I am still checking any problems that I may encounter on this new update, will keep you posted when something occurs.

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